New Catholicos Appointed for Assyrian Church in India Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II (right) Joseph Mor Gregorios. Kochi -- The Patriarch of Antioch and head of Syriac Orthodox Church Ignatius Aphrem II proclaimed Malankara metropolitan and president of the synod of Jacobite Church Joseph Mor Gregorios as the new Catholicos on Sunday. The Patriarch is likely to cut short the trip and return to Lebanon on Tuesday following the turmoil in Syria. The Patriarch, who arrived in the state for an apostolic visit on Saturday in connection with the 40th memorial day of the late Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, planned to stay in Kerala until Dec 17. However, sources said that he is likely to return on Tuesday amidst tensions in Syria, where rebels have reportedly taken control of Damascus. The Patriarch would be returning early in view of the concerns of the faithful in Syria following the turmoil, sources said. On Sunday, he offered Holy Mass at Malekurishu Dayara Cathedral, where he commented on the next Catholicos to replace the late Thomas I. "We are at peace knowing that our Church here is well taken care of by our beloved brother in Christ, His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph, who is our Malankara metropolitan, assistant to the Catholicos, and who has been recommended by all Church to be the Catholicos," said the Patriarch. Metropolitans who are part of the Patriarch's delegation, including Mor Clemis Daniel metropolitan, Mor Joseph Bali metropolitan, Malankara affairs secretary of the Holy Patriarch Markos Mor Chrystaphoros metropolitan, and secretary of the Holy Patriarch Mor Augen Al-Khoury Alkas metropolitan, attended the ceremonies on Sunday. In Australia, 2024 estimates suggest there are between 40 and 50 million feral pigs wreaking havoc across our fragile and in many cases, protected ecosystems. A range of control methods were used in eradication efforts, the most effective being thermal assisted aerial culling. Source: PIRSA In a huge win for Australian wildlife, authorities say they have effectively eliminated feral pigs from the nation's third-biggest island, where they previously ran amok in plague proportions. Once over 5,000 of the introduced pests, known as one of the country's most significant and invasive threats, roamed Kangaroo Island in South Australia there are now thought to be virtually none left. During the horror 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires, which tore across more than half of the island, destroying countless native animals and protected plant species, it's believed feral population pig numbers were also reduced by an astonishing 90 per cent an unexpected but welcomed outcome. While it's "not the nicest thing to think about", the fact that over 4,000 pigs perished in the fires meant that authorities finally had a leg-up on the situation. They were able to quickly spring into action with a multi-million-dollar eradication program which commenced in July to wipe out the remaining population before the animals, among the most prolific breeders of land mammals, could bounce back. ADVERTISEMENT The pigs were attacked on all fronts with a "range" of methods including a clever pig-specific bait device that affects pigs in a way similar to carbon monoxide poisoning, killing them quickly. These boxes, cannot be opened by any other animal, Peter Hamnett of Flinders University's University's Global Ecology Lab told Yahoo News Australia. In Australia, recent estimates suggest feral pig numbers may have skyrocketed to as high as 50 million, a jaw-dropping figure that experts warn is vastly at odds with official government statistics, which suggest populations are instead between three to 13 million. Hamnett, the lead author of a new paper on optimal strategies for culling feral pigs. He explained to Yahoo News Australia what this incredible feat means for pig eradication across the rest of the country. A range of methods were used to eliminate remaining Kangaroo Island feral pig populations, including these pig-specific traps. Source: PIRSA What can we learn from Kangaroo Island's success in eliminating feral pigs? Currently, feral pigs occupy about 40 per cent of the mainland and offshore islands. ADVERTISEMENT Hamnett said while full eradication on Kangaroo Island is well and truly in sight, surveillance efforts will take place until 2026 to ensure none are missed. He said "one of the main lessons" learned from the program is the importance of speed in hitting populations "hard and early". "Pigs have a really high reproductive rate, they're extremely succumbed, they have large litters, and they're able to repopulate really quickly," he said. "So it's critical that land managers aim to reduce these populations rapidly. "Many eradication programs have failed because the level of effort required to reduce populations isn't achieved. We need to make sure that when people seek to achieve these outcomes, they hit the populations hard and early, and make sure that the reductions are significant enough to drive populations down." Authorities aim to have fully eliminated feral pigs from Kangaroo Island by 2026. Source: PIRSA Hamnett said while bushfires are responsible for initially wiping out large numbers of pigs, the eradication program that was rolled out after swiftly managed those remaining. ADVERTISEMENT He said crews used "a range of control methods" in eradication efforts, the "most effective" being thermal assisted aerial culling, which involves using aircraft equipped with thermal imaging technology to identify and target animals from the air during night-time operations. He said from July, through to June 2026, a surveillance program will use a range of methods to confirm pigs have in fact been eradicated. "We're hoping that there's none left, but we have to be guarded in or cautious in that, and take the time to do the surveillance before we can finally confirm or make that statement with a high level of confidence," he said. Feral pigs destroy natural landscapes, prey on native wildlife, and breed extremely quickly. Source: South Australian Government What makes Kangaroo Island so unique? Feral pigs are direct predators of local wildlife in the region, including endangered species such as the Kangaroo Island dunnart and the echidna. Their activity also threatens ecosystems by destroying vegetation and compacting soil. ADVERTISEMENT Kangaroo Island spans approximately 4,405 square kilometres and features 509 kilometres of unspoiled coastline. Known for its remarkable conservation efforts, over one-third of the island is designated as protected areas, including national and conservation parks. This pristine environment is home to unique wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, and the endangered glossy black cockatoo, thriving in the absence of invasive species like foxes and rabbits. The $7 million eradication program is funded by both the state and Commonwealth governments in collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) and investors. The program managed to kill 900 pigs in total, after some 4,500 were wiped out in fires. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Six years back, when a forest ranger was walking with an American author inside the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram in Rishikesh, they found the bungalow where the world-famous musical band, the Beatles, stayed during their 1968 Rishikesh tour read more The building where the world-famous musical band, the Beatles, stayed during their 1968 Rishikesh tour remained in complete neglect and unidentified for many decades. It was in 2018; the bungalow was traced, and now it has turned into a major attraction for tourists and Beatles fans. George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr travelled to Rishikesh to learn meditation from their guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in 1968. They stayed in the spiritual camp of Maharishi, and there was little information about the bungalow where the music stars dwelled and composed many of their iconic songs. Mahesh Yogi took 15 acres of land on lease for setting up his camp from the forest department in 1961, but he had to abandon the campus and hand it over to the government after a court order in 1999. Now the former ashram of Maharishi is managed by the Rajaji Tiger Reserve of the Uttarakhand forest department. Advertisement The incident took place some six years back when a forest ranger was walking with an American author inside the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram in Rishikesh. The American was meditation teacher and film producer Prudence Anne Villiers Farrow, who had stayed with the Beatles in the Ashram in 1968. The forest staff casually asked, Do you remember the house where you had stayed with the Beatles? The reply of the guest made forest ranger Rajendra Nautiyal jump with joy. Prudence Farrow plainly said, The building was located near the back gate, and it was U-shaped. These two clues were good enough to identify the building. Prudence and Nautiyal hurriedly walked toward the back gate. Carefully walking through the wild bushes as they reached the spot, Prudence Farrow verified, Yes, this is the building! Had Prudence not toured India in 2018, the landmark building would have remained unidentified forever. Beatles Bungalow The scene must have shocked Prudence. The seven-room bungalow with a veranda was covered with wild bushes. The building, which was a hub of vibrant activities with the Fab Fours arrival, was vandalised, like the other 200-odd structures at the Chaurasi Kutiya Ashram. With broken doors and windows narrating a sad story! Miscreants had taken away all the valuables and bathroom fittings. The building was in a dilapidated condition.Ringo stayed in the Maharishi Ashram for 10 days, Paul McCartney for five weeks, and John Lennon and George Harrison each for eight weeks. They stayed in the bungalow and composed 48 songs. The stay was one of the most creative periods of their career! Many of their compositions featured in their famous The White Album and Let it be. A happy Rajendra Nautiya says, With the tour of Prudence Farrow, the mystery over the place where the Fab Four had stayed during their 1968 tour got solved. Now this building is known as the Beatles Bungalow. After the identification, the bushes were cleared and garbage/waste removed. Now, everyday tourists in large numbers go there to have a look at the building that was named as Rishikesh Hilton in 1968 by the western media. A building that remained forgotten for a long time. Two rooms are linked to two famous Beatles songs. To tease Prudence Farrow, who used to meditate for long hours, John Lennon composed the song Dear Prudence song. Lennon suffered from insomnia in the Ashram, and this inspired him to write, Im So Tired. Advertisement The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram takes the visitors on an epic journey highlighting the legacy of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the famous trip of the Beatles. As the forest department took control in 1999, they put a ban on public movement in the campus. Miscreants found a golden opportunity and looted all the valuables from the campus. They vandalised all the buildings, and presently Chaurasi Kutiya is a hub of about 200 damaged buildings. From 1999, the bad days of the Chaurasi Kutiya started. It continued till 2015, when the Uttarakhand government decided to reopen the former spiritual camp of Maharishi for the tourists. The move evoked a warm response from the tourists, and last year 1.19 lakh Indians and over eleven thousand foreign tourists visited the place now famous as the Beatles Ashram. Local guide Alok Upreti says, The foreign tourists are thrilled by seeing the Beatles bungalow. They are surprised to find that the famous band member stayed in ordinary rooms. Advertisement Now the Uttarakhand government is planning a major redevelopment plan at the Ashram. In a cabinet decision, held last year in August, the Uttarakhand government announced hiring a Gujarat-based firm to draft a master plan to develop Chaurasi Kutiya as an international destination. After the Beatles tour, major infrastructure development activities took place on the front side of the Chaurasi Kutiya. The construction of 121 igloo-type structures was one of them. Least development work took place on the back side of the Ashram. The bungalow where the Beatles stayed was first used as staff rooms and later as a school. Blackboards still exist in the rooms where George, John, Paul, and Ringo had stayed. Advertisement The Uttarakhand forest department should be thankful to Prudence Farrow for adding a major attraction to Chaurasi Kutiya. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Amidst the persecution, atrocities, killings, and brutal suppression of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly the Hindu minority, dominating the news space in digital and print media, the most concerning development for Indias long-term security interests, ie, the growing proximity between Bangladesh and Pakistan, is eluding the adequate attention that it should receive from the security analysts and policy wonks. Following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government, Bangladesh has emerged as a hotbed of Islamic extremism, intolerance, and extreme anti-India sentiments. Hindus have been attacked, and their houses and places of worship have been vandalised. Bangladeshi news channels have crossed all limits of civility in spewing venom against India, and the interim government has adopted harsh anti-India rhetoric. The bilateral ties are at their worst, on the verge of a complete breakdown. Notably, all these developments are accompanied by a spurt of unexpected and extraordinary momentum in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations. It appears like a structural overhauling and complete rejuvenation of the bilateral ties between the two. Advertisement Some of the overt manifestations of this renaissance, akin to a passionate resurgence of intimacy and love between the old lovers, include Bangladeshs decision to nullify the Hasina governments 2019 order, making a no-objection security clearance certificate mandatory for Pakistanis applying for Bangladeshi visas. The interim government has eased the visa rules and instructed all Bangladeshi missions worldwide to expedite Pakistani visa applications and ensure that the visa acquisition process for Pakistanis is smooth. Islamabad has also lifted import restrictions and decided to import 25,000 tonnes of sugar from Pakistan. In connectivity, both countries have restarted direct flights, stopped in 2018, and re-established maritime links after 47 years. Placing new orders in arms and ammunition, the Yunus government has also placed orders for 40 tonnes of RDX, 2900 high-intensity projectiles, 2000 units of tank ammunition, and 40,000 rounds of artillery ammunition. Besides, the two Islamic countries are also contemplating resolving long-standing issues about the 1971 war of Bangladeshs independence. In an interesting development, the Yunus government has decided to remove Mujib-ur-Rahmans pictures from Bangladeshi currency, one of the last few traces of Mujibs legacy, and replace it with the images of recent anti-Hasina student unrest backed and fuelled by pro-Pakistani Jamaat-i-Islami. Mujibs legacy was always a major friction point between Dhaka and Islamabad. Further, on the 76th death anniversary of Jinnah, the Dhaka National Press Club fondly remembered him and heaped praise on him, with one of the prominent members stating that without Jinnah, Pakistan would not have come into existence, and without Pakistan, Bangladesh itself would not have been born. In addition to these overt manifestations of bonhomie, a lot is happening behind closed doors. Credible intelligence inputs indicate that an officer training exchange program has started between the Bangladeshi and Pakistani armies. Why Should India Worry? If overthrowing the Hasina government was a shocking setback to Delhi, Dhakas strengthening ties with Pakistan are a serious concern with huge strategic and security repercussions. It is pertinent to mention that despite Indias crucial role in liberating Bangladesh, the Islamists of Bangladesh, led by religious groups like Jamaat-i-Islami and political parties like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, have always hated India. The Jamaat leaders, many of them alleged of heinous war crimes, murders, and genocide, continued to nurture strong ties with Pakistan. Its former emir, Moti-ur-Rahman Nizami, was hanged for his involvement in the Demra massacre. Advertisement Many hardcore members of the Jamaat killing squads found their way to the US, where they continued to play an active role in strengthening Islamist charities and civil society organisations. Chowdhury Moinuddin, a member of the Al Badr killing squad, shifted to the UK and established Muslim Aid, one of the most influential Islamist charity groups. Another Al Badr leader, Ashraffuzzaman Khan, moved to the US, where he is a member of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), an Islamist civil society and charity group known for its rabid anti-India stance on Kashmir, CAA-NRC, and minority issues. There, they engaged in massive anti-India activities, particularly on the Kashmir issue. Advertisement Jamaat and its student wing, Islamic Chatra Shivir, played a central role in the anti-Hasina movement. In the past also, Jamaat has been arduously active in Islamist radicalisation and terrorist activities in Bangladesh. Under the umbrella of Jamaat-led Islamisation, an array of Islamist and terrorist groups emerged, such as Ansarullah Bangla, Jamaat-ul-Mujahiddin Bangladesh (JMB), HuGI Bangladesh, etc. They have maintained robust ties with the ISI. Jamaat wields massive power in the current interim government, functioning almost like a parallel government. It has been at the forefront of attacks on Hindus. Pakistans growing proximity and penetration in Bangladesh imply the strengthening of Jamaat and its affiliate Islamist religious and terror entities. Advertisement Jamaat is the most powerful conduit and a proxy for Pakistan in Bangladesh. Since the Yunus government has removed the mandatory security clearance for Pakistani visa applicants, it will be much easier for the ISI to park its hardcore jihadist cadres in Bangladesh, from where they can be easily infiltrated into India, settled in the sensitive Siliguri corridor, already a hotbed of Islamist jihadi elements with an overwhelming size of Muslim population. In the past, when the Jamaat-supported BNP government was in power between 1991-96 and 2001-05, Bangladesh became a crucial link in the Pakistan-sponsored terror nexus. Jihadist masterminds like Masood Azhar and Sajjad Afghani infiltrated India from Bangladesh. Bangladesh emerged as one of the key Jaish centers. Bangladeshi authorities arrested a local Jaish operative, Bilal Mondal, along with four other Jaish terrorists alleged to have played a key role in the IC-814 hijacking. In 2009, the inputs squeezed out of the FBI interrogation of 26/11 masterminds David Coleman Hedley and Tahawwur Rana, Pakistani-origin US and Canadian nationals, respectively, led to the unearthing of deep-rooted Lashkar cells in Bangladesh, proving that the country had become a hub of LeTs widespread South Asia network. Advertisement Many Lashkar jihadis plotting to attack the US and Indian missions under the guidance of their Pakistani handlers were arrested. LeT operatives started working in the Rohingya settlements in Chittagong and Coxs Bazar. In Bangladesh, the LeT developed robust ties with local terror groups like JMB, notorious extremist groups involved in training insurgents of Indias northeastern terror groups like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). On the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, LeT developed a robust presence to recruit Rohingyas for terror activities in India. Several LeT and Al Qaeda jihadist commanders from Pakistan visited Rohingya camps. In the backdrop of this analysis, it can be reasonably argued that under the Jamaat regime, Bangladesh will transform into a satellite state of Pakistan and emerge as a hub of global jihad akin to theatres like Afghanistan. Further, it seems that the state is fast descending into complete anarchy and chaos where, ultimately, a nexus of Jamaat thugs, radical Islamists, and an Islamised army will reign. In such a scenario, it is likely to emerge as a nodal point for transnational terrorist groups like al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent (AQIS) and the Islamic StateKhorasan Province (ISKP), who are desperate to expand their network in South Asia. They can get a ready supply of recruits from the unemployed, disgruntled, and radicalised youth of Bangladesh. Also, Bangladeshs strategic location in the global drug trafficking routes will make it a lucrative terror-funding channel. With strong ties with Bangladesh, Pakistan will exercise tremendous influence over these Islamist radicals and anti-India northeastern insurgents. This threat becomes more alarming in the context of the growing Islamist radicalisation and polarisation among Indian Muslims. ISIs Bangladesh setup will be much more helpful vis-a-vis the Kashmir setup in infiltrating Rohingyas and other illegal immigrants, weapons and drug trafficking, spreading terror networks, and orchestrating and executing terror attacks in the Indian hinterland. Lastly, with Hasinas ouster, India has lost vast hydrocarbon reserves in the Bay of Bengal, large enough to mitigate Indias energy dependence on the US or China. Also, Pakistans services will be readily available for rent to China and the Western deep state for all kinds of anti-India dirty jobs. Chinas efforts to revitalise the Pakistani Navy suggest its intent to encircle India in a maritime domain. Pakistani naval activities in the Bangladesh region will be a significant threat to Indias national security if seen in the larger context of the India-China war scenario. To put pressure on India, China can activate its Pakistani friends in Bangladesh to prop up militant groups, supply arms, etc. New Delhi must consider Bangladesh a new conventional and hybrid war threat and prepare accordingly. The author is a policy analyst specialising in counterterrorism, Indian foreign policy and Afghanistan-Pakistan geopolitics. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication. Though South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has survived the impeachment attempt, the sentiments that this martial law fiasco has instilled in the people will go a long way read more Protesters hold placards as they take part in a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, which was reversed hours later, in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea. Yoon survived the vote. Reuters South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment vote in the parliament that was prompted by his imposition and later withdrawal of martial law in the country. The martial law fiasco drew severe criticism from his own party and the opposition, with the leader of Yoons own party saying that the president will step down eventually. Yoons party, the People Power Party, boycotted the impeachment vote that was forwarded by the opposition led by the Democratic Party. The motion was then scrapped as not enough legislators participated. Advertisement Ironically, in the troubled history of the nation, resignation, removal, impeachment, imprisonment, and even assassination of presidents have been more common than the peaceful transfer of power. Circumvention Atonement Earlier on Saturday, in a cryptic, less-than-two-minute address to the nation, embattled Yoon Suk Yeol apologised to the people for the anxiety, discomfort, distress, and disruption he had caused to the country. He said he had acted out of desperation because of political opposition paralysing his government. The defiant Yoon refused to resign, though he promised to face any legal or political consequences of his action and said he would let his party decide his fate. Existential Crisis South Korea today is widely considered a peaceful beacon of democracy in Asia. It is described as full democracy by The Economist on whose Economist Democracy Index 2023 it is ranked high 22. But that was not always the case. This is a country that saw 16 bouts of martial law during its first four decades ruled largely by dictators. Every time since 1948 dictators impose martial law in South Korea, they have justified it as an absolute must to save and stabilise the country. Some went far to justify their action in the name of saving the country from communist subversives planted by North Korea. Bloodstained Naturally then, South Korea has a blood-stained legacy marred by military coups, martial law, dictatorship, assassination, and forced removal of presidents. The longest period of the nation has been ruled by dictators, and the democracy is so tenuous the fear of return to anarchy always lingers. Here is the story in brief: One, the military dictator, Park Chung Hee, who deposed second President Yun Bo-Seon (1960-62), had the longest tenure of seventeen years (1962-1979). He was assassinated. Two, Syngman Rhee (1948-1960), South Koreas first president, had the second longest tenure of 12 years. Amid the attempt to extend his term through rigged polls, he was forced to resign owing to a massive student uprising named the April Revolution. Advertisement Three, the military dictator, Chun Doo Hawn (1981-1988) had the third longest tenure. He deposed in a coup career diplomat president Choi Kyu Hah (1979-1980), who had the shortest tenure. Chun was sentenced to death for his role in the 1979 coup but pardoned later. Four, starting with Roh Tae Woo (1988-1993), first directly elected president out of seven, all but twoPark Geun Hye and Roh Moo Hyuncompleted full five-year terms. President Kim Dae-jung (1998-2003) also won the Nobel Peace Prize (2000) for improving the relationship with North Korea. Except for Kim, the tenure of every president of South Korea was tainted with charges of coup, corruption, and bribery. While few were imprisoned and pardoned later, charges against others were not pressed. Advertisement History Retold If President Yoon had been impeached, he would have had the dubious distinction of being the third president to be impeached since democracy took a tenuous toehold in South Korea. Here is what happened to the other two: First, Park Geun Hyeimpeached, imprisoned, and pardonedwas South Koreas first female president (daughter of former dictator Park Chung). She was presented as an incorruptible paragon of integrity and was impeached in March 2017 after confirmation by the Constitutional Court. Later in 2021 she was sentenced to 20 years in prison and slapped with a hefty fine on charges of accepting or soliciting tens of millions of dollars from conglomerates, including Samsung, leaking classified documents, and dismissing officials who opposed her. Advertisement Park was pardoned by her successor, President Moon, later that same year. The current president, Yoon, then a Seoul prosecutor, played a pivotal role in Parks dismissal and imprisonment. Second, Roh Moo Hyunimpeached and died by suicidewas the South Korean president between 2003 and 2008 and was impeached for electoral violations and malpractices. Roh died by suicide in 2009 while under investigation for corruption charges. Go Home or Get Impeached was the Demand The presidential apology was not accepted by either the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) or key leaders of his own ruling party, the People Power Party (PPP). Lee Jae Myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, dismissed Yoons apology as very disappointing and said it had only increased public anger and betrayal. He is categorical that The presidents very existence is the biggest risk to South Korea right now and that there is no other solution than his immediate resignation or removal through impeachment. Advertisement Next, Han Dong Hun, a prominent leader of Yoons own ruling People Power Party, also said emphatically that the early resignation of the president was unavoidable, and he was not able to continue his normal duty. On Friday, Han was even more categorical when he said that Yoon was a danger to the country and needed to be removed from power. Bizarre Implosion Around 10:30 pm (KST) on December 3, in a bizarre, nationally televised address, South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, citing the need to protect the country from North Korean communist forces, anti-state forces and to rebuild and protect South Korea from falling into ruin". Yoon continued further, This is an unavoidable measure to ensure the freedom and safety of the people and guarantee the sustainability of the nation against the unrest stirred by these subversive, antistate elements. He directly blamed the National Assembly, where the opposition Democratic Party is in the majority, for the imposition of martial law. The National Assembly has also completely cut budgets essential for national operations, drug crime prevention, and public safety, undermining the core functions of the state. This has left our citizens in a state of chaos with the nation becoming a haven for drugs and public safety collapsing. Defiance In the history of South Korea, where military dictatorship and martial law were the norm before the hard-won democracy, the latest declaration was the first time the country was thrown into the vortex of martial law since 1980, when a military coup was carried out by Chun Doo Hwan after the assassination of President Park Chung Hee in 1979. But the protectors of democracy made sure that the martial law had a limited currency of six hours. Defying the posse of military and police 190 out of 300 lawmakers stormed the National Assembly after midnight to vote against the imposition of martial law, and shortly after the vote, National Speaker Woo Won Shik declared: Of the 190 present, 190 in favour, I declare that the resolution calling for the lifting of the emergency martial law has been passed. Nation WinsBut Barely With the National Assembly voting down the emergency martial law within a few hours of its declaration, in the wee hours of December 4, 2024, at 04:30 hours, in another televised address, Yoon retraced his step back: He said, Just a moment ago, there was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations. He added further, We will accept the National Assemblys request and lift the martial law through the cabinet meeting. AFP reported one of the thousands of protestors who had braved freezing temperatures to keep vigil the whole night shouted, We won. Freeze but Seize Outside the National Assembly, in freezing temperatures, more than a million gathered on Saturday, shouting, Impeach, impeach. The night was falling, but the crowd was swelling. Though Yoon survived the impeachment attempt, the sentiments that this martial law fiasco has instilled in South Korean people will go a long way. Clearly, Seoul is boiling. And the days of President Yoon Suk Yeol are numbered. The author is a multi-disciplinary thought leader with Action Bias and an India based impact consultant. He is a keen watcher of changing national and international scenarios. He works as President Advisory Services of Consulting Company BARSYL. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Ukraine and Russia responded to Trumps comments by clarifying their own pre-requisites for agreeing to a ceasefire. While Kyiv wants certain guarantees, Moscow wants demands, including claim to territories it has occupied so far, fulfilled read more Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump leaving their meeting at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on 7 December 2024. AFP US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday (December 8) called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, describing the conflict as madness. Trumps appeal came hours after he held his first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris since his election victory last month. Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. He claimed Kyiv had lost around 400,000 soldiers, a figure that appeared to include both killed and wounded. Advertisement Zelenskyy previously said Ukraine had suffered 43,000 soldiers killed and 370,000 wounded during the conflict. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! Trump added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump and Zelenskyy met Saturday during Trumps visit to Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The hour-long discussion was described as good and productive by officials from both the French and Ukrainian sides. Zelenskyy calls for guarantees Responding to Trumps comments, Zelenskyy spoke of the need for effective guarantees for any peace agreement with Russia. When we talk about effective peace with Russia, we must first and foremost talk about effective guarantees for peace. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else, Zelenskyy posted on X, formerly Twitter. He cautioned against a hasty ceasefire, stating, A ceasefire without guarantees can be reignited at any moment, as Putin has already done before. To ensure that Ukrainians no longer suffer losses, we must guarantee the reliability of peace and not turn a blind eye to occupation. Kremlin open to talks The Kremlin responded Sunday to Trumps call, saying Russia remains open to negotiations based on previous agreements and the current battlefield realities. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Moscows terms for ending hostilities were outlined by Putin earlier this year. Our position on Ukraine is well known; the conditions for an immediate stop of hostilities were set out by President Putin in his speech to the Russian Foreign Ministry in June of this year, Peskov said. Advertisement Putins conditions for a ceasefire in Ukraine include the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, recognising them as part of Russia. He also demanded that Ukraine officially renounce its Nato membership ambitions and guarantees for the rights of Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine. These demands have been widely criticised as excessive and rejected by Ukraine and much of the international community. With inputs from agencies Mask-wearing arsonists set the Adass Israel Synagogue in a Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea ablaze before dawn on Friday, gutting much of the building, though there were no serious injuries. Authorities are still on the hunt for the perpetrators read more Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday called a deliberately lit fire in a Melbourne synagogue an act of terrorism and warned about the worrying rise in anti-Semitism in Australia. Mask-wearing arsonists set the Adass Israel Synagogue in a Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea ablaze before dawn on Friday, gutting much of the building, though there were no serious injuries. Authorities are still on the hunt for the perpetrators. Albanese said Sunday the fire at the synagogue was the definition of terrorism. Advertisement There has been a worrying rise in anti-Semitism, the prime minister told reporters, adding that he would continue to call it out. Terrorism is something that is aimed at creating fear in the community and the atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were designed to create fear in the community, he said. Australian police who determine whether an incident is a terrorist act will meet Monday to see if the fire meets the official criteria, as they continue to hunt down the two arsonists. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation within Australia and abroad. Conservative politicians and Jewish groups have criticised Albaneses government for what they say is a failure to call out anti-Semitism. Opposition leader Peter Dutton pointed the finger at Albanese, saying Sunday that the prime minister believed that by not taking a strong stance in relation to anti-Semitism, that somehow that will deliver him political benefit domestically. In the wake of the attack, Israels Prime Minister Netanyahu said the heinous act cannot be separated from the anti-Israel sentiment emanating from the Australian Labor government, citing Canberras decision to vote for a UN resolution demanding the end of Israels unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory. Anti-Israel sentiment is anti-Semitism, he said. Advertisement His comments came just days after Australia voted for a United Nations General Assembly resolution that demanded the end of Israels unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. New Zealand, Britain, and Canada were among 157 countries voted for the resolution, with eight against. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended the vote, saying Australia is part of the overwhelming majority of the international community that wants to end the war and see a two-state solution. But while Australians were free to support or disagree with the actions of Israel, Wong said this must not be used as a cloak for prejudice. Targeting the Australian Jewish community is an act of anti-Semitism and utterly unacceptable, Wong said, adding that turning this into a political fight is reckless. Advertisement The war in Gaza has sparked protests from supporters of Israel and Palestinians in cities around Australia, as in much of the world. Speaking from the White House, Biden credited US leadership and allied efforts for what he called a new chapter in West Asia, highlighting the weakening of Assads backers Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah read more President Joe Biden addressed the nation Sunday (December 8) night after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country amid a rapid rebel advance that toppled his government. Assad reportedly fled to Moscow as rebel forces, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham coalition, captured Damascus following weeks of rapid territorial gains. Biden said the United States was unsure of Assads whereabouts, but was monitoring reports he was seeking refuge in Moscow. Speaking from the White House, Biden credited US leadership and allied efforts for what he called a new chapter in West Asia, highlighting the weakening of Assads backers Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. Advertisement Here are the top quotes from Bidens address: Assad should be held acountable: Biden said that now that his government has been toppled, fallen leader al-Assad should be held responsible for his rule over Syria. Asked what should happen to the deposed president, he said that Assad should be held accountable." Engage with all Syrian groups: Biden said the US would engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward independent, sovereign Syria". A fundamental act of justice: During his address, Biden hailed Assads fall from power as a "moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria. He further said, the fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice." Shifted balance of power: Biden credited action by the US and its allies for weakening Syrias backers Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said for the first time that they could no longer defend Assads grip on power. Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East, Biden said. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump were working to make sense of new threats and opportunities across the Middle East. With inputs from agencies Starmer will first visit the United Arab Emirates and then travel to Saudi Arabia, before stopping off in Cyprus on his way back to London on Tuesday in a bid to build closer ties and drive long term UK growth' read more Britains leader Keir Starmer makes his first trip to the Gulf as prime minister from Sunday, seeking to attract investment from the regions oil-rich states, Downing Street announced. Starmer will first visit the United Arab Emirates and then travel to Saudi Arabia, before stopping off in Cyprus on his way back to London on Tuesday in a bid to build closer ties and drive long term UK growth. The trip to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh comes as his Labour government pursues a free-trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Councils six nations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. Advertisement There is huge untapped potential in this region, which is why, while here, I will be making the case to accelerate progress on the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, Starmer said in a statement released Saturday. The meetings will also aim to deepen our research and development collaboration and partner on projects in areas including defence and artificial intelligence, Starmer added. The British leader will land in the UAE on Sunday evening, ahead of Monday morning talks with its president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Later Monday, Starmer will fly to Saudi Arabia to meet Riyadhs de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who last week hosted French President Emmanuel Macron. A Downing Street press release called the UAE and Saudi some of the UKs most vital modern-day partners. The regional tour will end on Tuesday with Starmer meeting President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia, the first bilateral talks between the leaders of Britain and Cyprus in over five decades. Starmer is also due to address British troops stationed in Cyprus. Economic boost Labour has staked its credibility on a promise to get Britains sluggish economy firing again. It says a GCC agreement could boost bilateral trade, currently accounting for 55 billion ($70 bn) of UK trade, by 16 percent, potentially adding an extra 8.6 billion a year in the long run. Advertisement It hopes a deal would see Gulf sovereign wealth funds invest in a range of sectors, including energy and infrastructure, while also opening up lucrative markets to British firms. Starmers trip comes after Britain last week rolled out the diplomatic red carpet for Qatars emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani who enjoyed a state visit to the UK. Starmer discussed trade with the royal during talks in Downing Street that coincided with Qatar announcing it will invest 1 billion ($1.3 billion) in British climate technologies. Discussing regional conflicts is expected to be high up the agenda, including the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon and renewed unrest in Syria. Advertisement Starmer will also be looking to repair relations between the UK and UAE that soured under the previous Conservative government after an Abu Dhabi-backed bid to buy the Telegraph newspaper failed. The Gulf visit will be Starmers 15th international trip since he entered Number 10 on July 5. Opponents have criticised the amount of time he has spent out of the country but allies insist the trips have been vital to get to know other world leaders. Starmer, 61, has been insisting in capitals that Britain is back on the world stage following rancour over its departure from the European Union. While Russia and Iran have been Syrias closest backers in recent years, Chinas ties to the country have grown read more Chinas foreign ministry said Sunday it hopes Syria returns to stability as soon as possible, after Islamist-led rebels announced they had taken Damascus and sent President Bashar al-Assad fleeing. Beijing is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible, the foreign ministry said in a statement. The Chinese government has actively assisted Chinese citizens who are willing to leave Syria in a safe and orderly way, and has maintained contact with Chinese citizens who remain in Syria, the ministry said. Advertisement We urge the relevant Syrian parties to take practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria, it added. At present, the Chinese embassy in Syria is still holding strong, and we will continue to provide full assistance to Chinese citizens in need. While Russia and Iran have been Syrias closest backers in recent years, Chinas ties to the country have grown. China is one of only a handful of countries outside the Middle East that Assad has visited since Syrias civil war began in 2011. On that 2023 trip, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Assad announced a strategic partnership between their countries. But with the rebel offensive sweeping through the country, the Chinese embassy in Damascus sent an urgent notice on Thursday advising its citizens to leave Syria as soon as possible. Demanding fresh elections and a return to European integration, the demonstrators headed towards parliament, undeterred by a police crackdown on pro-EU protesters and attacks on the opposition read more Anti-government protesters launch fireworks during a tenth consecutive day of mass demonstrations against the government's postponement of European Union accession talks until 2028, in central Tbilisi. AFP Thousands of protesters marched in the Georgian capital Tbilisi Saturday for the 10th day of rallies sparked by a disputed election and the governments decision to shelve EU accession talks. Demanding fresh elections and a return to European integration, the demonstrators headed towards parliament, undeterred by a police crackdown on pro-EU protesters and attacks on the opposition. The Caucasus nation has been engulfed in turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party declared victory in a disputed October 26 election. Advertisement The government last week said it would suspend talks to join the European Union, sparking a fresh wave of demonstrations. Its critics accuse it of creeping authoritarianism and of steering the country back towards Russia. Georgias pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili at loggerheads with the ruling party said on social media she had had in-dept discussion with the US president-elect Donald Trump and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris. She said they had discussed the stolen election and extremely alarming repression against the people of Georgia. Underscored the need for a strong US, she added. The Georgian people have a friend in Donald Trump. Ukraines leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy whose country has been fighting a Russian invasion for almost three years said Saturday he fully backed Georgias anti-government protesters. Zelenskyy urged Tbilisi to stop surrendering to Moscow in a meeting with Zurabishvili in Paris. He has warned of Russian influence in Georgia for months. Zurabishvili has denounced widespread fraud in Octobers parliamentary polls, branding the freshly elected legislature and government illegitimate. Last chance Blowing horns and whistles, pro-European protesters marched Saturday from Tbilisi State University towards parliament, blocking one of the citys main traffic arteries, an AFP reporter saw. Advertisement As on previous nights, some demonstrators banged on the metal barriers blocking the parliaments entrance. Others pointed laser beams at the building and the police blocking the adjacent streets. They are trying to arrest us, punish us, but we wont back down, we are not afraid, said 19-year-old protester Giorgi Romanadze. This is our last chance to be free, to be happy. We want Europe, and Europe only. Some demonstrators held signs reading We demand free and fair elections and Free all unjustly arrested, as calls for stronger international backing grew louder among the protesters. We are fighting for our freedom and we want the international community to help us, said 32-year-old Teona Chakvetadze. Advertisement We need the international community to sanction our oligarchs and this illegitimate government. We cant win this fight on our own. Independent television station Pirveli reported that dozens of masked men had severely beaten its journalists. Police officers stood by without intervening during the incident near the protest venue. The opposition alliance, For Change, released CCTV footage showing the masked men raiding its office and badly beating opposition figure Koba Khabazi. The Georgian Dream governments security forces had faced persistent accusations of deploying plainclothes security agents to target and attack political opponents. The crackdown has triggered outrage at home and mounting international condemnation. Officers have made hundreds of arrests, including 48 at a protest on Friday. The countrys rights ombudsman has accused the police of torture against those detained, with scores reporting mistreatment or showing visible injuries. Advertisement Long fight With both sides ruling out a compromise, there appeared to be no clear route out of the crisis. The United States, France and Germany are among the Western countries to have denounced the crackdown on protests, but the government has refused to back down. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has praised his security forces after several opposition party offices were raided and their leaders arrested. We have won an important battle against liberal fascism in our country, he told journalists, using language reminiscent of Kremlin rhetoric against its political opponents. Demonstrators have rejected Kobakhidzes characterisation of the protest movement. Thousands have also staged daily protests in other parts of Georgia, including the cities of Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, and Telavi, local media reported. Advertisement Critics of Georgian Dream are enraged by what they call its betrayal of the countrys bid for EU membership, enshrined in the constitution and supported by around 80 percent of the population. Georgian Dream, in power for more than a decade, has advanced controversial legislation in recent years, targeting civil society and independent media and curbing LGBTQ rights. Brussels has warned that such policies are incompatible with EU membership, while domestic detractors accuse the government of copying Russias playbook. Bashar al-Assad, who inherited Syria from his father Hafez al-Assad, is about to meet the end many dictators have met in the past. Rebels, led by the jihadist force HTS, look certain to capture the Syrian capital Damascus read more People gather at Saadallah al-Jabiri Square as they celebrate, after Syria's army command notified officers on Sunday that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move told Reuters, following a rapid rebel offensive that took the world by surprise, in Aleppo, Syria. Reuters The Syrian nation has been at a war with itself for more than 13 years. In a sense the Syrian civil war has been like an unfinished agenda of the Arab Spring which began with a simple question of livelihood in Tunisia in North Africa and spread to many parts of West Asia. A 26-year-old Tunisian graduate, Mohammed Bouazizi, had a simple wish to find a job, failing which he started to sell fruits and vegetables. A police constable asked for bribes telling him that street vending without permit was illegal. When he refused, he was beaten up, his cart taken away. In protest, Bouazizi doused himself in petrol, setting himself alight in December 2010. Public protests erupted and the Tunisian dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who had ruled the country for more than 23 years, was forced out in 2011. Advertisement Syria faced the same issues unemployment among its youth and corruption in the government, controlled by the Assad family. Peaceful protests started in Syria in 2011. Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, responded with brutal repression. He, anyway, ruled Syria with an iron hand. The Assads of Syria 1971 to 2024? The al-Assad family has controlled Syria since 1971, when Hafez al-Assad established a totalitarian regime under the Baath Party. Bashar succeeded Hafez upon his death in 2000. The first signs of peaceful Arab Spring giving way to armed revolt were seen in Deraa in 2011. In a years time, Syria was in a full-fledged civil war, with several areas with Aleppo as the focal point witnessing serious fighting. Around the same time, the Syrian army, officially called the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), saw mass defections, with groups consolidating under the banner of Free Syrian Army. The rebel leadership passed on to jihadist groups, currently led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) literally, the Organization for the Liberation of Greater Syria under Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. The Syrian pie and the piece-takers In all these 13 years, the Syrian civil war actually never froze. It went on through ebb and flow, with several groups, backed by different parties aiming to deepen their strategic depth, controlling different regions of Syria. This image shared by American political scientist Ian Bremmer a few days ago on X depicts the Syrian pie with at least five claimants with sizable pieces. Advertisement Assads forces (the Syrian army) occupied the largest chunk. But the HTS rebels have captured Homs, Deraa and on Sunday also claimed the capital Damascus as President Assad fled to an undisclosed location. Besides, the HTS, another Turkey-backed group Syrian National Army (SNA) the new avatar of the Free Syrian Army of 2011 occupies large swathes in the northern parts. Then there is the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish group that worries Turkey, occupying a big chunk in the northeast of the country. And the US is housing its base at Al-Tanf near the tri-junction of Syria, Iraq and Jordan. Advertisement With all these players jostling with one another on the Syrian playground, the tectonic motion never stopped. Before the current swift progress made by the HTS, it seemed to be in a state of dullness for four years. Image posted by American political scientist Ian Bremmer on X shows different armed groups occupying different areas in Syria (Photo: X/@ianbremmer) The final assault Suddenly on November 27, the rebels stunned the Assad forces with massive strikes on Aleppo. This turned out to be the countdown for the fall of Assad, who found his support vanishing in the times of critical military care to save his political pulse. For years, Assad forces were backed by Iran, Irans paramilitary proxy Hezbollah and Russia. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the US and the UK have supported the rebels at different points of time and varying degrees. The current push by the HTS has had the backing of Turkey, which incidentally has declared the group a terrorist organisation officially. Advertisement A betrayal behind Bashars loss? What turned the fate of Assad is that Russia has been fighting Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine amid a myriad of economic sanctions against the countrys institutions. Hezbollah jumped into the Israel-Hamas war after October 2023 raids carried out by the Palestinian group, killing over 1,200 people and kidnapping more than 250 others from Israeli territories. This war saw Israel inflicting existential blows to Hezbollah, eliminating several of its top decision-makers. The same war also saw Iran trading blows with Israel and suffering both economic and military losses. But more importantly, while Iran got embroiled in the Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah war, Assad blessed with a period of comparable lull appeared absent from the theatre that found Tehran having been cornered. This was seen as betrayal by some quarters in Iran, which looked to save its resources for anticipated tough times with Donald Trumps return to the White House in the US. Assad found no allies to rescue him. Advertisement The HTS seized the opportunity, and gained fresh momentum as the rebel forces advanced in territories controlled by Assads forces. Is this the end of the Syrian civil war? The HTS, as reports say, established new units Red Bands, Thermal Brigade and Falcon Brigade for its latest assaults on the Syrian army. The Red Bands are officially called the Asaib al-Hamra and they have been in the vanguard for the HTS in its daytime operations against Assads forces. Asaib al-Hamra has been complemented by the Saraya al-Harari, the Thermal Brigade, during nightimes operations, making significant gains every night against a struggling Syrian army. Interestingly, reports say that these gains night after night were made by some 500-odd rebel fighters equipped with night-vision devices. There has also been the Kataib Shaheen, the HTSs Falcon Brigade, to take out heavy regime weaponry across the front lines. This brigade used the HTSs surprise feat indigenously produced cruise missiles and drones. Thes missiles have been compared with suicide truck bombs, aided by the HTSs fleet of reconnaissance drones surveying the air 24/7. This 13-year Syrian conflict with several forces working in their own domains to oust Assad has seen more than 500,000 losing their lives and more than half the countrys population displaced over 14 million of the 23 million. However, the HTS control of Damascus and the flight of Assad may not actually end the Syrian civil war as the other armed actors are still occupying various corners of the Syrian theatre. MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has promoted global growth and delivered mutual benefits to all involved since its launch in 2013, one former ambassador has said. Gert Grobler, a former South African ambassador to Spain, Japan, and Madagascar, told Xinhua that Western aid programs are often limited to humanitarian efforts. Conversely, the BRI emphasizes trade, investment, and infrastructure development while addressing global challenges. The former diplomat noted that the BRI involves countries in different regions, at different development stages and with different cultures. "It commendably transcends differences in ideologies and social systems," he added. Grobler highlighted the BRI's significant impact on Africa, where 52 African countries and the African Union Commission have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China. "Infrastructure is probably the most outstanding dimension of the BRI in Africa," Grobler remarked, citing the construction of nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 1,000 bridges, and almost 100 ports. Grobler said that the BRI is transforming Africa's economies through infrastructure, job creation, and trade. He also commended the BRI's green development efforts, noting China's promotion of sustainable projects, including the Green Investment Principles and international green collaboration. These initiatives align BRI projects with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. "The BRI presents a unique opportunity for recipient countries to achieve modernization and inclusive growth," he said. Addressing accusations of the so-called "Chinese debt trap," Grobler dismissed them as "lies made up by the United States and some other Western countries." He referenced a 2022 study by British charity Debt Justice, which revealed that African countries owe three times more debt to Western institutions than to China. "The allegations against China are therefore simply untenable, and the developing countries and people with insight from the rest of the international community will not fall for this," he said, noting China is the biggest contributor to the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative. Grobler added that the BRI respects the sovereignty and independence of participating nations, fosters equal partnerships and promotes a peaceful international order. Despite potential challenges ahead, Grobler expressed optimism for the BRI's future. "Cooperation will thrive, and the BRI can look forward to an even brighter future," he said. XINHUA President Salome Zourabichvili became the voice of the now weeks-long protest movement following the October vote that gave the ruling Georgian Dream party a win and its subsequent announcement that it was suspending efforts to join the European Union read more Georgias President Salome Zourabichvili said she talked with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron about the parliamentary election last month in her country that she and the opposition say was rigged. In depth discussion with Presidents Trump & Macron, Zourabichvili, who was in Paris for the reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral, said on X late on Saturday, underneath a photo showing her, Trump and Macron talking. Exposed the stolen election and extremely alarming repression against the people of Georgia. Advertisement Zourabichvili became the voice of the now weeks-long protest movement following the October vote that gave the ruling Georgian Dream party a win and its subsequent announcement that it was suspending efforts to join the European Union. The leader of Georgias main opposition party and several other members have been detained during the protests and on Saturday the opposition said one of its politicians was beaten during a police raid on its offices. Georgian media also reported that a camera crew from pro-opposition Pirveli TV was attacked by masked men while broadcasting from near the protest site. The Russian regime is back at work tonight in Tbilisi - chasing civilians through the streets as they flee terror, targeting politicians, media, artists, Zourabichvili said in a separate post on X on Saturday, posting a video showing a group of hooded men with batons beating up several men in a building. Zourabichvili, who has a largely ceremonial role as president, and the opposition have been accusing Georgian Dream of pursuing increasingly authoritarian, anti-Western and pro-Russian policies in the nation of 3.7 million people. The Kremlin has denied that Russia is interfering in the situation in Georgia, which Moscow compared to the 2014 Maidan revolution in Ukraine that overthrew a pro-Russian president. Advertisement As rebel forces inch closer to the Syrian capital Damascus, speculations are rife that the countrys President Bashar Al Assad has fled, abandoning his 24-year rule over the country. read more This aerial picture shows a bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorning Hama's municipality building after it was defaced following the capture of the city by anti government fighters. AFP As the rebel forces encircled the Syrian capital of Damascus after capturing the city of Homs, rumours started to swirl that the countrys president Bashar Al Assad had fled the country. Uncertainty started to grow despite the Syrian forces having rejected the report multiple times. The office of the Syrian president maintained that Assad is still at work in Damascus, but there has been no sign of him anywhere in the capital. Advertisement Many even started to monitor flights in and out of Syria as the whereabouts of the Syrian leader remain unclear. Syria has remained a divided country with long-lasting scars after a never-ending civil war. While the tensions in the country remained dormant for years, things started to escalate this month. In the span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups have taken over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs, Daraa, etc. However, if Assad leaves the country, a regime change might become inevitable. If he is out of the picture, a power vacuum will re-emerge without a clear indication of how it will be filled. It is pertinent to note that even if the insurgents take over, there is still no unified opposition that is in place to replace Assad. The rebel factions have a history of division and fighting. Syrian rebels claim to enter Damascus In the early hours of Sunday, Syrian rebel forces said that they had started entering the Syrian capital of Damascus. In a subsequent post, the insurgents announced that they had begun freeing detainees from Sednaya prison, a notorious detention facility near Damascus. Sednaya is touted as a symbol of the Assad regimes brutality, a place where tens of thousands of opponents of Assads rule have suffered extreme torture and abuse. Over the years, the prison has been referred to as a human slaughterhouse. Meanwhile, reports are emerging that the Syrian army and security forces have left for Damascus International Airport. Hours after the rebel forces claimed to have entered the capital, sounds of shooting were heard in the centre of Damascus, The Guardian reported. While the source of the shooting was not immediately clear, the fear of insurgency looms over the capital. Hence, the intense rebel advancements in the past 24 hours have left Assads 24-year rule dangling by a thread. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. from Israels strategic moves to seize the Golan Heights buffer zone and Irans cautious reassessment of its role in Syria, to regional players like Turkey and Egypt stressing security and reconstruction, there have been a wide spectrum of reactions to Assad regimes fall read more This aerial picture shows a bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorning Hama's municipality building after it was defaced following the capture of the city by anti government fighters. AFP The overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebels who captured Damascus has drawn varied reactions from West Asian nations and the international community. Countries voiced their concerns and priorities over Syrias future, with a particular focus on stability, territorial integrity, and the geopolitical implications of Assads fall. Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (December 8) called the day of Assads fall historic and described it as a direct result of Israels efforts against Iran and Hezbollah. This is a historic day for the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers. We send a hand of peace to all those beyond our border in Syria: to the Druze, to the Kurds, to the pic.twitter.com/yJZE3AZZJn Benjamin Netanyahu - (@netanyahu) December 8, 2024 Advertisement Netanyahu further said he had ordered the Israeli military to seize a UN-patrolled buffer zone between the Israeli- and Syrian-controlled Golan Heights. He said a 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria has collapsed, so he directed the (military) yesterday to seize the buffer zone and the commanding positions nearby. We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border. Iran Iran, a staunch ally of Assad, expressed a measured response, signalling a reassessment of its policies. The Iranian foreign ministry said, Tehran will adopt appropriate approaches and positions regarding Syria while taking into account the behavior and performances of the effective actors in Damascus. Despite the shift, Iran said it expects friendly relations with Syria to continue even after Assads fall. Iraq Iraq stressed the importance of safeguarding Syrias territorial integrity and independence. Iraq reaffirms the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians and emphasises that the security, territorial integrity and independence of Syria are of paramount importance, government spokesman Basim Alawadi said in a statement. Jordan Jordans King Abdullah II expressed support for the Syrian people while warning against chaos. There is a need to protect Syrias security, its citizens, and to avoid conflict that could lead to further instability, he said, according to a royal statement. Qatar Qatar also warned against Syria descending into chaos. Its foreign ministry reiterated the need for stability and expressed hope for a peaceful transition. The country, which offered early support to the rebels after Assads government crushed a peaceful uprising in 2011, leading to the civil war, has remained a fierce critic of the ousted Syrian leader. Advertisement United Arab Emirates Syria is not out of the woods yet and extremism and terrorism remain a main concern, The UAEs diplomatic advisor to the president, Anwar Gargash, said on Sunday. When asked if Assad was in the UAE, he simply said, I dont know. Turkey Turkey pledged to support Syrias unity and security following Assads fall. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, Turkey is ready to take responsibility for all that is necessary to heal Syrias wounds and guarantee its unity, integrity and security. Astana sureciyle Suriyede devam eden catsmalara ara verilmesini ve rejime halkyla barsmas icin zaman saglamstk ama bunu degerlendirmedi. Ozellikle son aylarda Sayn Cumhurbaskanmzn, Suriyede yaklasan sureci ongorerek baslattg inisiyatifin Suriye rejimi tarafndan Hakan Fidan (@HakanFidan) December 8, 2024 Turkey, without getting directly involved, has supported a variety of rebel movements in Syria and looked favourably on the swift advance through Syria of fighters who drove out Assad. There is hope that Syrian refugees in Turkey will be able to return to their home soon. Afghanistan Afghanistans Taliban government congratulated the Syrian people and the rebels. We express hope that the process of power transition be carried out in a manner aligned with the aspirations of the Syrian people, paving path for the establishment of an independent and service-oriented Islamic government, a foreign ministry statement said. Egypt Egypt called for a unified political process and reconstruction efforts. Its foreign ministry urged Syrian factions to unify objectives and priorities and initiate a comprehensive and inclusive political process that lays the groundwork for a new phase of consensus and internal peace. France French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the development as the fall of a barbaric state. Writing on X, Macron said, The barbaric state has fallen. At last. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity. The barbaric state has fallen. At last. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity. France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East. Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 8, 2024 Advertisement Germany German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Assads fall good news and criticized his oppressive rule. Bashar al-Assad oppressed his people brutally. He has countless lives on his conscience and has driven numerous people to flee, many of whom have arrived in Germany, Scholz said in a statement. With inputs from agencies The buffer zone, established in 1974 after the Yom Kippur War, separates Israeli-held and Syrian territories. The area has been monitored by UN peacekeepers for decades read more The Israeli military said Sunday (December 8) it had deployed troops to a demilitarised buffer zone in southwest Syria bordering the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights following the fall of Damascus to rebel forces. The deployment, announced by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), comes amid rapid advances by a rebel coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group with al-Qaida origins, across Syria. Israeli forces entered the UN-patrolled buffer zone on Saturday to assist peacekeepers in repelling an attack, the military said. Advertisement Following recent events in Syria, the IDF has deployed forces in the buffer zone and other locations to ensure the safety of the Golan Heights communities and Israeli citizens, the IDF said in a statement. It added that troops would remain as long as necessary to protect the area but emphasized that Israel is not interfering with internal events in Syria. Escalating tensions near the Golan Heights The buffer zone, established in 1974 after the Yom Kippur War, separates Israeli-held and Syrian territories. The area has been monitored by UN peacekeepers for decades. On Saturday (December 7), a UN peacekeeping spokesperson said that unidentified armed individuals had been observed entering the buffer zone, including 20 who breached a UN position in the northern part of the separation area. The IDF confirmed assisting UN forces to repel the attack, but on Sunday, Israeli forces expanded their deployment citing the possible entry of armed individuals into the buffer zone. Civilian measures and regional instability In response to escalating tensions, the Israeli military declared parts of the northern Golan Heights a closed military zone and announced that schools in the area, including four Druze towns, would transition to online learning. The Golan Heights, most of which Israel has occupied since 1967 and later annexed in a move not recognised internationally, has become a focal point as Syrian government forces reportedly vacated positions in Quneitra province. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Syrian troops had withdrawn from key areas near the Golan, leaving them vulnerable to rebel advances. With inputs from agencies While Turkey and Israel stand to benefit from the new order, the power vacuum in Syria raises concerns about potential instability and the rise of extremist factions read more Israel and Turkey have emerged as winners due to the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Agencies The ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has triggered a dramatic reshaping of West Asian geopolitics, with Israel and Turkey emerging as key beneficiaries of the regimes collapse. The Syrian leaders downfall, nearly 14 years after the rebellion erupted, weakens Irans influence in the region and presents significant strategic opportunities for Ankara and Jerusalem. Turkeys strategic gains Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, once an ally of Assad, became a staunch supporter of the Syrian opposition early in the conflict, largely due to Assads alignment with Turkeys regional rival, Iran, Politico reported. Advertisement Over the years, Turkey has provided vital support to armed Islamist factions within the Syrian opposition. As moderate and secular rebels lost ground, Turkish-backed Islamist groups consolidated power, bolstering Ankaras influence. Assads ouster enables Erdogan to further his geopolitical ambitions, particularly against Kurdish separatists in northeastern Syria. Kurdish groups in the region, which share ties with Turkeys domestic Kurdish insurgency, have long been a focal point of Turkish security policy. With Assad gone, Ankara sees an opportunity to curb Kurdish autonomy and reshape the power dynamics in northern Syria. Additionally, the post-war reconstruction effort could prove lucrative for Turkish businesses eager to capitalize on rebuilding Syrias shattered infrastructure. Israels security Boost In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Assads fall a historic day, pointing to its impact on Iran and Hezbollah, Assads principal allies. Israels decades-long enmity with Assads regime has been tied to its support for Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group and a key Iranian proxy. With Assad out of power, Irans ability to supply Hezbollah through land routes in Syria is effectively severed, dealing a severe blow to the groups military capabilities, Politico reported. Netanyahu ordered Israeli troops to secure Syrian army positions in the Golan Heights buffer zone to prevent hostile forces from taking root amid the chaos. While celebrating the strategic opportunity, Netanyahu warned of potential instability and called for vigilance to address emerging threats in the region. A setback for Iran and Hezbollah Irans influence in Syria has been significantly undermined by Assads fall. Tehran, which invested heavily in propping up Assad, now faces the collapse of a critical member of its so-called axis of resistance. The loss of Syria as a strategic ally disrupts Iranian efforts to maintain a corridor for resupplying Hezbollah in Lebanon, further weakening its regional power. Hezbollah, reliant on Iranian support, is also a major loser in the regime change. The militant groups diminished capabilities could alter the balance of power in Lebanon, potentially freeing the country from Hezbollahs dominance and opening the door for greater political and economic stability. Advertisement The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement read more The United States on Saturday announced a new $988 million security assistance package for Ukraine as Washington races to provide aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trumps November election victory has cast doubt on the future of American aid for Ukraine, providing a limited window for billions of dollars in already authorized assistance to be disbursed before he is sworn in next month. The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement. Advertisement Trump met in Paris earlier Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said any resolution of the war with Russia should be a just settlement that includes strong security guarantees for Ukraine. The meeting was of huge importance to Zelensky, given fears in Kyiv that Trump may urge Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow. The latest aid will be funded via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, under which military equipment is procured from the defense industry or partners rather than drawn from American stocks, meaning it will not immediately arrive on the battlefield. It follows a $725 million package announced on Monday that included a second tranche of landmines as well as anti-air and anti-armor weapons. The outgoing administration of President Joe Biden is working to get as much aid as possible to Ukraine before Trump who has repeatedly criticized US assistance for Kyiv and claimed he could secure a ceasefire within hours takes over. Trumps comments have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about the future of US aid, and Ukraines ability to withstand Russian attacks in the absence of further American support. Our job has been to try and put Ukraine in the strongest possible position on the battlefield so that it is in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Saturday. Advertisement In the closing weeks of Bidens term, the goal is a massive surge of assistance and to up the economic pressure on Russia, he said. America weaker alone US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday warned that failure to continue opposing Russias actions would have dire consequences. We can continue to stand up to the Kremlin. Or we can let (Russian President Vladimir) Putin have his way and condemn our children and grandchildren to live in a world of chaos and conflict, said Austin, who like Sullivan was speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. This administration has made its choice. And so has a bipartisan coalition in Congress. The next administration must make its own choice. Advertisement The defense chief also emphasized the importance of US allies and partners in his remarks a contrast to Trumps go-it-alone America first world view. Here is the stark military fact: our allies and partners are huge force multipliers, Austin said. Ultimately, America is weaker when it stands alone. And America is smaller when it stands apart, he said. There is no such thing as a safe retreat from todays interwoven world. The United States has spearheaded the push for international support for Ukraine, quickly forging a coalition to back Kyiv after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and coordinating aid from dozens of countries. Advertisement Ukraines international supporters have since then provided tens of billions of dollars in weapons, ammunition, training and other security aid that has been key to helping Kyiv resist Russian forces. Qatars Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said that theres been momentum in ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel, emphasising that a Gaza peace deal might be in place before President-elect Donald Trump comes back to power read more Qatars Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said that momentum has returned in the Gaza peace talks and a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is possible before US President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House next year. While speaking at the annual Doha Forum, the Qatar premier said that two key issues surround the deal. One is whether there was a willingness to have a prisoner hostage exchange and whether there was a desire to end the war. He also mentioned that Qatar had stepped back from its role as mediator a few months ago because some countries were exploiting the process for political reasons. Advertisement There had been a lot of encouragement to secure a deal before the president comes to office so we are trying to get things back on track, Al Thani said at the forum. The Qatari prime minister implied that he had received assurances from the US president-elects advisers about their determination to reach a negotiated settlement in the ongoing war. We have sensed after the election that the momentum is coming back," he said. Al Thani compares Trumps approach with Biden While speaking on the impact of the upcoming Trump presidency on the ongoing conflict, the Qatar premier compared Trumps approach with that of Biden. There will be some differences, but we did not see any disagreement on the goal of ending the war. That was very important for us to understand," he said. He mentioned that at the heart of the disagreement between Hamas and Israel, in regard to a ceasefire deal is whether Israel is prepared to accept that a ceasefire reflects a permanent end to the conflict and not a temporary respite which will involve just the exchange of Palestinian political prisoners and Israeli hostages, The Guardian reported. Al Thani emphasised that the issue dogged the talks for months. However, many believe that Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus options might be limited if Trump insists that he wants the war to be over. It is pertinent to note that Israel has been silent on its future intentions with Gaza. Whether the country wants to rule the coastal region or not. While speaking on how the conflict is spreading across West Asia, Al Thani said: We have been trying to warn everyone in the world that the situation in Gaza is going to expand. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Lee Sang-min said he was stepping down in grave recognition of responsibility for failing to serve the public and the president well, according to the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper read more South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, bottom center, shout slogans during a press conference with his party members at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters South Koreas interior minister resigned on Sunday following the declaration of martial law that plunged the country into turmoil, local media reported. Lee Sang-min said he was stepping down in grave recognition of responsibility for failing to serve the public and the president well, according to the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper. President Yoon Suk Yeol accepted his resignation, the paper said. Lee and Yoon are among those being investigated for alleged insurrection following the declaration of martial law on Tuesday. Advertisement Yoon, who narrowly survived an impeachment motion in parliament on Saturday, was forced to rescind martial law after lawmakers voted down his decree. Earlier on Sunday, Police arrested Kim Yong-hyun, who was defence minister at the time of the martial law operation. Kim had already been handed a travel ban. US President-elect Donald Trump urged Washington to stay out of the ongoing crisis in Syria. Calling the country a mess he pointed out that it is not Americas fight read more US President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States should not get involved in the ongoing conflict in Syria. The proclamation from Trump reflected how the US foreign policy will look like after he takes over the Oval Office. In the span of a few weeks, rebel groups in Syria have taken control of several key cities with insurgents marching towards the countrys capital Damascus. Amid the chaos, reports are also emerging that Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has fled Syria. In light of the recent developments, Trump said that Washington should stay out of the conflict, calling Syria a mess. Trumps remarks came shortly after National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that US priorities in Syria now are to ensure the countrys conflict does not encourage a resurgence of the Islamic State militant group or lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. Advertisement Syria is a mess but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, Trump warned in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump is currently in Paris where he attended the re-opening ceremony of Notre Dame and held a trilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! he added. In the post, Trump pointed out that the Assad regime was bolstered by Russia, Iran and outside militias and hence, does not deserve the American support. He argued that Russia seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria because they are so tied up in Ukraine. Trump supports rebel groups, hits out at Obama In the Saturday post, the president-elect suggested that it might be for the best that the rebel groups topple the Assad government. Trump took out time to slam former US President Barack Obamas 2013 decision to not launch airstrikes against Syria after Assad used chemical weapons to kill his own people. It is pertinent to note that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the insurgency against the Assad regime is designated as a terror organisation in Syria. While HTSs leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, once commanded an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, he recently disavowed the groups extremist roots and insisted that Syrian Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities would live safely under its rule, The Washington Post reported. While raising spillover concerns, Sullivan recalled how tensions in Syria, rattled the world in the past. In previous phases of Syrias long-running civil war, at its worst, we saw the explosion of ISIS onto the scene, he said at a conference in Simi Valley, California run by the Reagan National Defense Forum. The main priority is to ensure that the fighting in Syria does not lead to a resurgence of ISIS. We are going to take steps ourselves, directly and working with the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurds, to ensure that does not happen, he added. Advertisement How Trump treated Syria when he was the president In the first months of Trumps first term, the US launched 59 cruise missiles at a Syrian military airfield, which was then considered the first direct American assault on the Assad government since that countrys civil war had begun. The Trump administration authorized the missile launch in retaliation for a 2017 chemical attack that killed scores of civilians. In December 2018, the Republican firebrand ordered the withdrawal of 2,000 American troops from Syria, ending a military campaign that largely eliminated the Islamic State. In October 2019, he went on to order the withdrawal of American forces from northern Syria, effectively ceding Western influence in the country to Iran and Russia, which heavily supported the Assad regime. With inputs from agencies. Trumps reference to fairness pertains to the commitment made by Nato members to allocate at least 2 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defence spending read more US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to pull US out of Nato often. Reuters President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his stance on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), stating in a recent interview that he would absolutely consider withdrawing the United States from the alliance if member nations do not meet their financial obligations. Speaking on NBCs Meet the Press, Trump said, They have to pay their bills and demanded fair treatment of the US within Nato. Nato members defence spending under scanner Trumps reference to fairness pertains to the commitment made by Nato members to allocate at least 2 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to defence spending. This pledge aimed to ensure equitable burden-sharing among allies. However, as of 2023, only 11 of the 31 Nato countries had met this target, with nations like Luxembourg spending as little as 0.58 per cent of their GDP on defence. Advertisement Additionally, countries like Bulgaria are pushing to increase their defence spending above the 2 per cent GDP threshold. In response to concerns about US commitment, European Nato members have taken steps to bolster their defence capabilities. The European Union is planning a 500 billion joint fund to finance defence projects and arms procurement, aiming to reduce reliance on US military support. Challenges to pulling US out of Nato In December 2023, the US Congress, under the Biden administration, has already approved legislation requiring a Nato withdrawal to be ratified by either a two-thirds majority approval from the Senate or be authorized through an act of Congress. Some analysts suggest that the law may not be entirely foolproof. According to Politico, Trump could cite presidential authority over foreign policy an approach he used before to bypass congressional restrictions on treaty withdrawal. What US withdrawal could mean for Nato The US plays a key role in Natos military operations, funding, and strategic planning. The potential US withdrawal from Nato has already raised a significant concerns about the alliances future. Washingtons departure could weaken collective defence mechanisms, embolden adversarial actions from nations like Russia, and compel European members to assume greater defence responsibilities. A drastic shift in the balance of power would be likely in such a scenario. Public insecurity and frustration in Europe, too, can be expected. With inputs from agencies In previous phases of Syrias long-running civil war, at its worst, we saw the explosion of ISIS onto the scene, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at a conference in Simi Valley, California run by the Reagan National Defense Forum read more The White House said Saturday that US priorities in Syria now are to ensure the countrys conflict does not encourage a resurgence of the Islamic State militant group or lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. Spillover is a concern, said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, with particular worry about the so-called Islamic State, also known as ISIS. In previous phases of Syrias long-running civil war, at its worst, we saw the explosion of ISIS onto the scene, he said at a conference in Simi Valley, California run by the Reagan National Defense Forum. Advertisement The main priority is to ensure that the fighting in Syria not lead to a resurgence of ISIS, Sullivan said. We are going to take steps ourselves, directly and working with the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurds, to ensure that does not happen. Rebel forces are in the midst of a lightning offensive and say they have begun to encircle Syrias capital Damascus. Sullivan said the administration of outgoing US President Joe Biden is working to ensure allies Israel, Jordan, Iraq and others in the region, who would potentially face spillover effects from Syria, are strong and secure, and were in touch with them every day. Washington is also alert to stopping a humanitarian catastrophe, both in terms of civilians, access to life-saving necessities, and in terms of the protection of religious and ethnic minorities in Syria, Sullivan said. Of course, an event like this happens and ISIS immediately looks to take advantage. We have seen reports of ISIS trying to reconstitute to a certain extent. So the United States will seek to contain the potential violence and instability, protect allies and ensure that ISIS not get new oxygen out of this that could lead them to threaten US or allies interests, Sullivan added. Advertisement Sullivans remarks come as Washington prepares for a transition of power next month back to former president Donald Trump, who defeated Biden in Novembers election. Trump, who visited Paris on Saturday, warned against US involvement in Syria, saying the country is a mess and not our friend. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT, Trump said on his Truth Social platform. Sullivan, addressing Trumps remarks, agreed, saying the United States is not going to militarily dive into the middle of a Syrian civil war. While participating in a trilateral meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that any settlement in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war will have to ensure just peace read more In a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that any settlement with Russia after its invasion had to be just. Zelenskyys proclamation came amid growing fear in Kyiv over how Trump will respond to the ongoing war when he comes back to power. On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a three-way talk with Zelenskyy and Trump at the Elysee Palace. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the re-opening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Interestingly, hours after the trilateral meeting, the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden announced a new $988 million military assistance package for Ukraine. Advertisement The package from Washington featured drones, ammunition for precision Himars rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement. Zelenskyys request to Trump Zelenskyy met Trump and Macron before the three leaders headed to Notre Dame for the reopening ceremony. This was the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy after the Republican firebrand won the November 5 polls against Vice President Kamala Harris. We all want peace. But it is very important for us that the peace is just for all of us and that Russia, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin or any other aggressor has no possibility of ever returning, Zelenskyy told Trump according to the Ukrainian presidential website. And this is the most important thing a just peace and security guarantees, strong security guarantees for Ukraine, he added. Meanwhile, Trump spoke about the quick settlement of the war. In the past, Trump has boasted about ending the conflict within 24 hours. Some of the proclamations made by Trump raised fears in Kyiv, that Ukraine might have to give up some of its territories to Russia. During the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his unwavering resolve describing the talks as good and productive. Meanwhile, the US President-elect was given a full guard of honour despite not yet being in office. It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that, Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for the talks with Macron. Despite the tensions between the two leaders, Trump hailed ties with the centrist French leader, saying: We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot. Advertisement Macron responded to Trumps gesture and said it was a great honour for French people to welcome you for the reopening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 during Trumps first term. You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction, Macron added, speaking in English. France has been keeping a close eye on the upcoming Trump administration as it seeks to be an intermediary between Trumps Washington and Europe. With inputs from agencies. Each week, genealogy record collections are added and updated to FamilySearch and listed on the Historical Record Collection list at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list. As of 13 December 2024, there are 3,406 historical record collections on FamilySearch (an increase of 1 from last week): The added, deleted, new and updated collections this week from FamilySearch are: --- Collections Added --- --- Collections Updated --- Anguilla, Civil Registration, 1883-1992 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4317031); 15,196 indexed records with 5,702 record images (was 25,711 records with 5,702 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Baptisms, 1645-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1520570); Index only (2,272,468 records), no images (was 2,271,945 records with 0 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Buenos Aires, Catholic Church Records, 1635-2017 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1972912); 2,761,144 indexed records with 978,396 record images (was 2,738,016 records with 978,396 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Corrientes, Catholic Church Records, 1734-2013 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974183); 245,814 indexed records with 207,943 record images (was 234,589 records with 207,943 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Cordoba, Catholic Church Records, 1557-1974 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974182); 1,004,188 indexed records with 419,985 record images (was 996,478 records with 419,985 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Entre Rios, Catholic Church Records, 1764-2011 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974185); 540,395 indexed records with 235,772 record images (was 523,313 records with 235,772 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Entre Rios, Civil Registration, 1833-1965 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3006904); 779,465 indexed records with 548,997 record images (was 779,440 records with 548,981 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Argentina, General Censuses, 1806-1827 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000089); 108,361 indexed records with 2,912 record images (was 108,274 records with 2,910 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Argentina, Jujuy, Catholic Church Records, 1662-1975 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974186); 180,783 indexed records with 69,981 record images (was 169,092 records with 69,981 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, La Rioja, Catholic Church Records, 1714-1970 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974188); 78,967 indexed records with 74,259 record images (was 65,732 records with 74,259 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Marriages, 1722-1911 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1520572); Index only (104,501 records), no images (was 103,976 records with 0 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Misiones, Catholic Church Records, 1874-1975 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974190); 35,228 indexed records with 9,155 record images (was 33,276 records with 9,155 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Rio Negro, Catholic Church Records, 1880-1977 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974192); 19,963 indexed records with 15,221 record images (was 14,601 records with 15,221 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Salta, Catholic Church Records, 1634-1972 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974193); 358,054 indexed records with 144,293 record images (was 342,855 records with 144,293 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, San Juan, Catholic Church Records, 1655-2013 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974194); 206,195 indexed records with 83,087 record images (was 197,902 records with 83,087 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Argentina, Santa Fe, Catholic Church Records, 1634-2003 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974196); 757,007 indexed records with 424,329 record images (was 751,536 records with 424,329 images), UPDATED 10-Dec-2024 Argentina, Santiago del Estero, Catholic Church Records, 1581-1961 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974197); 129,190 indexed records with 102,368 record images (was 121,649 records with 102,368 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Argentina, Tucuman, Catholic Church Records, 1727-1955 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1974199); 661,665 indexed records with 184,969 record images (was 661,495 records with 184,969 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Armenia, Church Books, 1838-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1943754); 285 indexed records with 23,781 record images (was 175 records with 23,781 images), UPDATED 06-Dec-2024 Australia, Deaths and Burials, 1816-1980 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1770857); Index only (108,449 records), no images (was 108,436 records with 0 images), UPDATED 08-Dec-2024 Belgium, Antwerp, Civil Registration, 1588-1953 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138481); 1,094,808 indexed records with 3,208,709 record images (was 1,041,408 records with 3,208,709 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Belgium, Brabant, Civil Registration, 1582-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482191); 117,595 indexed records with 6,411,594 record images (was 115,612 records with 6,411,594 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Belgium, East Flanders, Church and Civil Registration, 1541-1920 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000027); 98,595 indexed records with 24,630 record images (was 86,563 records with 20,195 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, 1541-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138513); 687,456 indexed records with 2,944,655 record images (was 687,367 records with 2,944,655 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Belgium, Namur, Civil Registration, 1800-1912 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2138511); 846,975 indexed records with 372,768 record images (was 843,827 records with 372,768 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Belgium, West Flanders, Civil Registration, 1582-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2139860); 257,343 indexed records with 2,612,466 record images (was 246,937 records with 2,612,466 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Bolivia, Catholic Church Records, 1566-2020 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1922463); 9,547,601 indexed records with 1,649,601 record images (was 9,537,481 records with 1,649,601 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Brazil, Cemetery Records, 1799-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2137269); 1,203,365 indexed records with 150,972 record images (was 1,185,695 records with 150,972 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Brazil, Minas Gerais, Civil Registration, 1820-2021 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3479702); 965,312 indexed records with 401,204 record images (was 964,801 records with 400,853 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Brazil, Paraiba, Catholic Church Records, 1731-2016 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2177286); 6,504,722 indexed records with 788,492 record images (was 6,504,722 records with 788,492 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Brazil, Para, Civil Registration, 1815-2013 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4473609); 608,960 indexed records with 176,759 record images (was 605,295 records with 175,828 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Brazil, Pernambuco, Catholic Church Records, 1762-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2177293); 6,165,807 indexed records with 578,073 record images (was 6,165,807 records with 578,073 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Civil Registration, 1810-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3741255); 1,831,554 indexed records with 927,051 record images (was 1,829,228 records with 923,058 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Civil Registration, 1804-2013 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1582573); 6,992,381 indexed records with 5,100,470 record images (was 6,992,381 records with 5,100,470 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Cemetery Abstracts (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3015284); 19,987 indexed records with 19,987 record images (was 19,987 records with 19,987 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Colombia, Catholic Church Records, 1576-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1726975); 27,619,737 indexed records with 12,659,776 record images (was 27,550,018 records with 12,659,776 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Colombia, Civil Registration, 1553-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469480); 769,381 indexed records with 892,964 record images (was 767,246 records with 890,891 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Colombia, Migration Records, 1885-2014 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000159); 1,070,373 indexed records with 977,134 record images (was 1,069,592 records with 976,379 images), UPDATED 10-Dec-2024 Costa Rica, Civil Registration, 1823-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1925429); 6,209,997 indexed records with 404,718 record images (was 6,209,997 records with 404,718 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Croatia, Church Books, 1516-1994 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2040054); 4,918,718 indexed records with 1,421,761 record images (was 4,788,274 records with 1,421,761 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Cuba, Church Records, 1584-1960 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4375851); 278,025 indexed records with 47,049 record images (was 270,560 records with 46,486 images), UPDATED 10-Dec-2024 Dominican Republic, Civil Registration, 1744-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1619814); 8,075,847 indexed records with 3,416,801 record images (was 8,071,647 records with 3,416,801 images), UPDATED 06-Dec-2024 El Salvador, Catholic Church Records, 1655-1977 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1919582); 2,681,682 indexed records with 592,191 record images (was 2,662,029 records with 592,191 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 England Marriages, 15381973 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473015); Index only (11,681,177 records), no images (was 11,671,259 records with 0 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473014); Index only (45,192,031 records), no images (was 45,160,818 records with 0 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 England, Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473016); Index only (14,493,864 records), no images (was 14,487,850 records with 0 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 England, Middlesex, Parish Registers, 1539-1988 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3734475); 2,010,667 indexed records with 360,603 record images (was 2,010,667 records with 360,603 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 France, Ariege, Parish and Civil Registration, 1583-1923 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000206); 1,614,522 indexed records with 628,304 record images (was 1,151,253 records with 520,705 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 France, Aude, Parish and Civil Registration, 1537-1882 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000211); 4,272,925 indexed records with 1,355,994 record images (was 3,189,458 records with 1,090,304 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 France, Guadeloupe, Church Records, 1639-1830 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4316498); 14,218 indexed records with 2,432 record images (was 13,717 records with 2,356 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 France, Vienne, Census, 1876 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2858066); 324,834 indexed records with 5,599 record images (was 324,834 records with 5,599 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 France, Vienne, Census, 1896 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2858067); Index only (372,407 records), no images (was 372,407 records with 0 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 French Polynesia, Civil Registration, 1780-1999 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2549721); 149,818 indexed records with 510,581 record images (was 100,465 records with 518,867 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, Wuppertal, Civil Registration, 1810-1930 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000010); 233,829 indexed records with 218,719 record images (was 229,586 records with 214,840 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Grenada, Civil Registration, 1866-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4318341); 239,229 indexed records with 45,951 record images (was 239,223 records with 45,950 images), UPDATED 06-Dec-2024 Guadeloupe, Civil Registration Records, 1792-1872 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4293709); 3,896 indexed records with 1,071 record images (was 3,806 records with 1,156 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Guatemala, Civil Registration, 1833-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1682771); 2,700,304 indexed records with 2,755,000 record images (was 2,705,135 records with 2,755,000 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Guatemala, Guatemala, Civil Registration, 1874-2008 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2075150); 4,621,046 indexed records with 1,486 record images (was 4,620,462 records with 1,486 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Haiti, Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, Catholic Church Records, 1866-2017 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4279947); 145,500 indexed records with 24,959 record images (was 144,356 records with 26,012 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Hawaii, Honolulu, Voter Registration Applications, ca. 1920-1966 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3758765); 302,470 indexed records with 305,191 record images (was 308,229 records with 305,461 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Honduras, Catholic Church Records, 1633-1978 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1823595); 1,822,895 indexed records with 425,330 record images (was 1,814,214 records with 425,330 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Idaho, Bonneville County, Idaho Falls, Rose Hill Cemetery Records, 1800-2007 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1447470); 14,519 indexed records with 14,154 record images (was 14,519 records with 14,154 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 India, Catholic Church Records, 1751-2014 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4491581); 13,473,226 indexed records with 358,806 record images (was 13,230,805 records with 341,319 images), UPDATED 10-Dec-2024 Indiana, Marriages, 1811-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1410397); 5,213,172 indexed records with 1,259,299 record images (was 5,220,536 records with 1,259,299 images), UPDATED 10-Dec-2024 Indonesia, Civil Registration, 1806-1997 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000168); 121,945 indexed records with 286,366 record images (was 49,923 records with 118,436 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1740-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2820100); 7,947,426 indexed records with 280,910 record images (was 7,898,273 records with 262,722 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Italy, Agrigento, Agrigento, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946817); Browse 852,371 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 852,371 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Agrigento, Sciacca, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043548); Browse 226,482 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 226,482 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Ancona, Ancona, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1862-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046896); Browse 2,361,451 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 2,361,451 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Bologna, Bologna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947797); 5,801 indexed records with 5,914,917 record images (was 5,801 records with 5,914,917 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Cagliari, Cagliari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1934 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043426); 63,670 indexed records with 1,791,108 record images (was 63,389 records with 1,791,108 images), UPDATED 06-Dec-2024 Italy, Caserta, Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043630); Browse 1,097,228 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,097,228 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Catania, Caltagirone, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1483039); Browse 1,252,189 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,252,189 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Catania, Catania, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043496); 7,148 indexed records with 434,962 record images (was 7,148 records with 434,962 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Como, Como, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043815); Browse 1,475,606 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,475,606 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Genova, Chiavari, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482818); 44,520 indexed records with 650,745 record images (was 40,402 records with 650,745 images), UPDATED 10-Dec-2024 Italy, Genova, Genova, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2046914); 6,509 indexed records with 871,669 record images (was 6,509 records with 871,669 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Lucca, Lucca, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043811); Browse 1,335,192 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 1,335,192 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Macerata, Macerata, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043838); Browse 792,563 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 792,563 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Massa e Carrara, Massa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043539); Browse 513,674 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 513,674 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Matera, Matera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043814); Browse 237,814 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 237,814 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Messina, Messina, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1939 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1887904); 4,503 indexed records with 927,560 record images (was 0 records with 927,560 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Italy, Messina, Patti, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1823-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946858); 1,039 indexed records with 891,170 record images (was 0 records with 891,170 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Italy, Nuoro, Nuoro, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1946873); 46,484 indexed records with 118,771 record images (was 34,089 records with 118,771 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Pavia, Pavia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1806-1812, 1866-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043830); Browse 306,382 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 306,382 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Pavia, Voghera, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2057676); Browse 165,651 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 165,651 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Perugia, Perugia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1861-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043831); Browse 405,632 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 405,632 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Pisa, Pisa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043812); Browse 618,446 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 618,446 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Pistoia, Pistoia, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1937 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1493462); Browse 834,726 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 834,726 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Ravenna, Ravenna, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1943 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947700); 76,273 indexed records with 1,759,182 record images (was 76,273 records with 1,759,182 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Rovigo, Rovigo, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1937 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1482864); 671,019 indexed records with 1,082,856 record images (was 670,799 records with 1,082,856 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Italy, Siracusa, Siracusa, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1900-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2110810); Browse 275,840 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 275,840 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Sondrio, Sondrio, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1866-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2043841); Browse 279,212 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 279,212 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Torino, Ivrea, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1865-1937 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1475996); Browse 722,302 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 722,302 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Trapani, Poggioreale, Civil Registration (Comune), 1836-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2185166); Browse 11,008 Images only, no index (was 0 records with 11,008 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Italy, Treviso, Treviso, Civil Registration (Tribunale), 1871-1941 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1947831); 56,223 indexed records with 427,232 record images (was 56,223 records with 427,232 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Madagascar, Sainte-Marie Island, Civil Registration, 1820-1870 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000242); 4,660 indexed records with 887 record images (was 4,616 records with 874 images), UPDATED 10-Dec-2024 Martinique, Church Records, 1662-1847 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4316497); 15,785 indexed records with 2,710 record images (was 15,502 records with 2,062 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Martinique, Civil Registration Records, 1766-1874 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4316501); 9,629 indexed records with 2,890 record images (was 8,733 records with 2,680 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Massachusetts, Births, 1636-1924 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2400643); 24,608 indexed records with 2,899 record images (was 24,474 records with 2,764 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1638-1927 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1928860); 11,841,149 indexed records with 742,594 record images (was 11,840,614 records with 742,594 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Mexico, Baptisms, 1560-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473011); Index only (30,382,196 records), no images (was 30,363,201 records with 0 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Mexico, Campeche, Catholic Church Records, 1638-2003 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473200); 622,243 indexed records with 189,697 record images (was 491,247 records with 189,697 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Mexico, Marriages, 1570-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1473012); Index only (5,529,451 records), no images (was 5,529,391 records with 0 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Mexico, Michoacan, Catholic Church Records, 1555-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1883388); 6,160,674 indexed records with 5,283,986 record images (was 6,142,930 records with 5,283,986 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Mexico, Puebla, Catholic Church Records, 1545-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1837906); 9,069,506 indexed records with 6,124,553 record images (was 9,069,474 records with 6,124,553 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 Montana, County Voting Records, 1884-1992 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3757185); 832,087 indexed records with 193,791 record images (was 741,953 records with 192,270 images), UPDATED 11-Dec-2024 New York, Birth Indexes outside of New York City, 1881-1942 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4460198); 2,739,181 indexed records with 78,929 record images (was 2,739,181 records with 78,929 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 New York, U.S. District and Circuit Court Naturalization Records, 1824-1991 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2060123); 5,235,237 indexed records with 2,187,206 record images (was 5,234,497 records with 2,187,206 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Peru, Catholic Church Records, 1556-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1877097); 21,412,658 indexed records with 4,192,353 record images (was 21,404,264 records with 4,192,353 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Peru, Marriages, 1600-1940 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1520547); Index only (351,248 records), no images (was 353,988 records with 0 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Philippines Civil Registration (National), 1945-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1852584); 380,158 indexed records with 20,274,621 record images (was 362,547 records with 20,274,621 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Portugal, Braganca, Catholic Church Records, 1541-1985 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1976616); 1,004,741 indexed records with 960,435 record images (was 1,101,412 records with 960,435 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Portugal, Guarda, Catholic Church Records, 1459-1982 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1928588); 427,832 indexed records with 815,966 record images (was 435,415 records with 815,966 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Portugal, Leiria, Catholic Church Records, 1534-1973 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1976101); 810,720 indexed records with 639,166 record images (was 873,604 records with 639,166 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Portugal, Porto, Catholic Church Records, 1535-2006 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1913408); 2,498,096 indexed records with 1,207,157 record images (was 2,498,096 records with 1,207,157 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Portugal, Santarem, Catholic Church Records, 1544-1952 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2128189); 1,513,846 indexed records with 647,938 record images (was 1,520,791 records with 647,938 images), UPDATED 09-Dec-2024 Puerto Rico, Catholic Church Records, 1645-2021 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1807092); 3,333,987 indexed records with 191,547 record images (was 3,332,862 records with 191,547 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Russia, Tula, Church Books, 1722-1936 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000050); 3,482,680 indexed records with 922,079 record images (was 3,478,012 records with 921,059 images), UPDATED 10-Dec-2024 Saint Kitts and Nevis, Civil Registration, 1859-1932 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4318342); 209,832 indexed records with 38,895 record images (was 209,828 records with 38,894 images), UPDATED 06-Dec-2024 Samoa, Vital Records, 1846-1996 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4016424); 91,826 indexed records with 437,094 record images (was 91,826 records with 437,094 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Sri Lanka, Civil Registration, 1768-1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2209866); 11,451,020 indexed records with 11,315,803 record images (was 10,641,000 records with 10,472,019 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 St. Lucia, Church Records, 1751-1793 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4449051); 2,421 indexed records with 513 record images (was 2,315 records with 495 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 United States City and Business Directories, ca. 1749 - ca. 1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3754697); 64,961,936 indexed records with 941,056 record images (was 64,961,936 records with 939,994 images), UPDATED 07-Dec-2024 United States, New England, Petitions for Naturalization, 1787-1906 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2064580); 716,287 indexed records with 954,378 record images (was 526,219 records with 954,378 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Uruguay, Civil Registration, 1879-2020 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1837849); Index only (1,569,751 records), no images (was 1,556,715 records with 0 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Venezuela, Civil Registration, 1843-2021 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1823609); 1,212,273 indexed records with 586,312 record images (was 1,200,738 records with 586,312 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1912 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4149585); 1,754,032 indexed records with 87,298 record images (was 1,749,179 records with 94,427 images), UPDATED 12-Dec-2024 Zambia, Archdiocese of Lusaka, Church Records, 1908-2019 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3736255); 854,095 indexed records with 125,305 record images (was 845,157 records with 120,697 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 Zimbabwe, Diocese of Masvingo, Catholic Church Records, 1893-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000104); 587 indexed records with 31,548 record images (was 587 records with 30,829 images), UPDATED 13-Dec-2024 --- Collections with new images --- Brazil, Alagoas, Civil Registration, 1876-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469403); 1 indexed records with 152,776 record images (was 1 records with 146,995 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024 Brazil, Maranhao, Civil Registration, 1827-2022 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4469402); 1 indexed records with 59,371 record images (was 1 records with 59,370 images), last updated 07-Jun-2024 England, Cumbria, Parish Registers, 1538-1990 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/3154704); 1,387,969 indexed records with 60,345 record images (was 1,387,969 records with 58,904 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024 Germany, Prussia, Saxony, Census Lists, 1585-1935 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2780641); 1,028,323 indexed records with 52,891 record images (was 1,028,323 records with 39,515 images), last updated 14-Jun-2024 Italy, Arcidiocesi di Palermo, Catholic Church Records, 1392-1927 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000127); 1 indexed records with 267,534 record images (was 1 records with 250,119 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024 Italy, Diocesi di Caltanissetta, Catholic Church Records, 1539-1929 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000377); 1 indexed records with 466,884 record images (was 1 records with 444,709 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024 Italy, Diocesi di Piazza Armerina, Catholic Church Records, 1553-1964 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000379); 1 indexed records with 574,052 record images (was 1 records with 562,467 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024 Italy, Diocesi di Trapani, Catholic Church Records, 1504-1913 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000375); 1 indexed records with 382,387 record images (was 1 records with 272,738 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024 Italy, Florence, Archdiocese of Florence, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Catholic Church Records, 1450-1900 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000378); 1 indexed records with 343,950 record images (was 1 records with 317,278 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024 Italy, Grosseto, Diocesi di Grosseto, Catholic Church Records, 1521-1983 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000381); 1 indexed records with 294,538 record images (was 1 records with 283,385 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024 Italy, Ivrea Diocesi di Ivrea, Catholic Church Records, 1474-1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000373); 1 indexed records with 1,186,072 record images (was 1 records with 998,261 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024 Italy, Napoli, Archdiocese of Naples, Catholic Church Records, 1633-1944 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000384); 1 indexed records with 9,050 record images (was 1 records with 9,048 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024 Italy, Torino, Diocese of Torino, Catholic Church Records, 1801-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000113); 1 indexed records with 2,499,778 record images (was 1 records with 2,104,019 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024 Italy, Vercelli, Archdiocese of Vercelli, Catholic Church Records, 1839-1899 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000274); 1 indexed records with 271,615 record images (was 1 records with 265,988 images), last updated 05-Dec-2024 Norway, Oslo Census, 1901 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2474129); 224,779 indexed records with 10,106 record images (was 224,779 records with 8,465 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024 --- Collections with images removed --- Argentina, Military Records, 1911-1936 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000280); 1 indexed records with 945,669 record images (was 1 records with 950,580 images), last updated 31-Oct-2024 Canada, Census, 1931 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000196); 2,466,494 indexed records with 2,462,548 record images (was 2,466,494 records with 2,469,065 images), last updated 16-Jun-2024 Colombia, Censuses, 1777-1967 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000123); 257,442 indexed records with 23,634 record images (was 257,442 records with 26,163 images), last updated 07-Nov-2024 Colombia, DAS Civil Registration Alphabetic Cards, 1914-2011 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000074); 1 indexed records with 15,906,521 record images (was 1 records with 15,913,355 images), last updated 25-Nov-2024 Denmark, Arhus Municipal Census, 1885 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4375576); 28,731 indexed records with 1,405 record images (was 28,731 records with 2,181 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024 Denmark, Arhus Municipal Census, 1896 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4371875); 37,019 indexed records with 2,760 record images (was 37,019 records with 2,972 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024 France, Marne, Census, 1876 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4316511); 144,863 indexed records with 2,612 record images (was 144,863 records with 2,756 images), last updated 28-Oct-2024 United States, Census, 1950 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4464515); 52,785,233 indexed records with 52,650,433 record images (was 52,785,233 records with 52,771,334 images), last updated 16-Jun-2024 United States, Obituary Records, 2014-2023 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000145); 1 indexed records with 28,197,658 record images (was 1 records with 28,224,081 images), last updated 22-Jul-2024 --- Collections with records removed --- Ireland, National School Registers, 1847-1954 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4496116); 152,829 indexed records with 11,488 record images (was 297,029 records with 11,488 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024 Montana, Flathead County, School Census, 1903-1969 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000177); 656,852 indexed records with 18,817 record images (was 1,886,448 records with 18,817 images), last updated 24-Jan-2024 Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1949342); Index only (17,102,126 records), no images (was 17,102,127 records with 0 images), last updated 17-Feb-2012 United States, Public Records, 1970-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2199956); Index only (875,609,798 records), no images (was 875,609,804 records with 0 images), last updated 01-Jun-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000290); Index only (413,877,640 records), no images (was 413,877,643 records with 0 images), last updated 22-Jun-2024 ======================================================= My friend and SDGS colleague, Marshall, has come up with a way to determine which collections are ADDED, DELETED or UPDATED, and to alphabetize the entries in each category. Thanks to Marshall for helping me out here! Marshall notes that there are: * 0 removed entries * 1 added entries * 130 updated entries * 30 entries with more or fewer images or records The FamilySearch website says 3406 total entries on the list. Marshall's list says 3406. Back to synchronization! In order to select a specific record collection on FamilySearch, go to https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list and use the "Filter by collection name" feature in the upper left-hand corner and use keywords (e.g. "church england") to find collections with those keywords. Each of the collections listed above has a Research Wiki page (use the "Learn more" link). It would be very useful if the Wiki page for each collection listed the dates for when the collection was added as a new collection and the dates for major updates also. ============================================= The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/12/added-and-updated-familysearch_01646890479.html Copyright (c) 2024 Randall J. Seaver Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email at randy.seaver@gmail.com. Note that all comments are moderated, so they may not be posted immediately. Subscribe to receive a free daily email from Genea-Musings using www.Blogtrottr.com California, Birth Index, 1905-1995 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2001879); Index only (24,589,430 records), no images (was 24,589,432 records with 0 images), last updated 01-Mar-2012Ireland, National School Registers, 1847-1954 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/4496116); 152,829 indexed records with 11,488 record images (was 297,029 records with 11,488 images), last updated 15-Jun-2024Montana, Flathead County, School Census, 1903-1969 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000177); 656,852 indexed records with 18,817 record images (was 1,886,448 records with 18,817 images), last updated 24-Jan-2024Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1949342); Index only (17,102,126 records), no images (was 17,102,127 records with 0 images), last updated 17-Feb-2012United States, Public Records, 1970-2009 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2199956); Index only (875,609,798 records), no images (was 875,609,804 records with 0 images), last updated 01-Jun-2024United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000290); Index only (413,877,640 records), no images (was 413,877,643 records with 0 images), last updated 22-Jun-2024 (https://familysearch.org/search/collection/5000257); 172,322 indexed records with 28,224 record images, ADDED 06-Nov-2024 Santa Comes Early This Year! Turbine Delivering 'Bumblebee' 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' & 'Sing 2' to 3D Blu-ray on December 19th Bashar al-Assad President Bashar al-Assads 24-year rule came to an end 08 Decemer 2024 after rebels seized the capital, Damascus. Al-Assad stepped down and left Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Bashar al-Assad and his father Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria for 54 years. Under their regime, hundreeds of thousands were forcibly displaced, killed and tortured. Bashar al-Assad, the former president of Syria, arrived in Moscow with his family, where they were granted asylum by Russia on humanitarian grounds, according to a source in the Kremlin. "President Assad of Syria, with his family, has arrived in Moscow. Russia, based on humanitarian considerations, has granted them asylum," the source told RIA Novosti 08 December 2024. Bashar al-Assad was born in Damascus on 11 September 1965. The President of the Syrian Arab Republic is married to Mrs. Asma al-Assad, with three children: two boys and a girl. He studied in Damascus schools and got High School Certificate in 1982. He studied Medicine at Damascus University and graduated in 1988. He specialized in Ophthalmology at Tishreen Military Hospital before pursuing his studies in London until 1994. His public activities before assuming office included numerous political and vocational tasks. He headed the Syrian Computer Society, SCS, in 1995, and worked to spread the culture of information technology nationwide. Since 1995 he has been supervising the reform programs of the two Ministries of Education and Higher Education. In 1977 he launched the national program of informatics in cooperation with the Ministry of Education to allow free access to informatics through free-of-charge training centers. Bashar al-Assad was uninvolved in Syria politics until his elder brother and unofficial heir, Basel was killed in a car accident in 1994. Bashar had instead chosen a career in medicine and was studying to become an ophthalmologist in London when his father recalled him to Damascus after his brother's death. As a vast press campaign increased his popularity in Syria, Bashar underwent an accelerated grooming process to prepare him for the presidency. He joined the military as an officer at the Medical Services Department in 1985, and pursued numerous military training courses. Bashar graduated from an armor school in Hims and returned to Damascus in December 1994. Since most political figures of any consequence in Syria have military backgrounds, Bashar's having theoretically become a soldier lent him at least a facade of credibility. Bashar was primarily responsible for ensuring the proper operation of Syrian government agencies, many of which are riven with incompetence and corruption. In 11/06/2000 he was promoted to the rank of Lt. Gen. and appointed as Commander General of the Army and Armed Forces. He was elected as Chairman of Al-Baath Arab Socialist Party in June 2000, and was elected on 10/07/2000 President of the Republic and assumed office after he was sworn in before the People's Assembly on 17/07/2000. Daniel Pipes wrote in 2005 that " The possibility existed that Bashar, due to his brief Western sojourn and scientific orientation, would dismantle his father's totalitarian contraption; Bashars early steps suggested he might do just that, but then he quickly reverted to his father's autocratic methods - either because of his own inclinations or because he remained under the sway of his father's grandees. His father's methods, yes, but not his skills. The elder Assad was a tactical genius, even if his rule ultimately failed (he never regained the Golan Heights, never came close to destroying Israel, and rode Syria's economy and culture into the ground). The younger Assad combines strategic blindness with tactical ineptitude. Within months of Bashar's accession, questions arose about his ability to retain control over Lebanon; not long after, his ability to hold on to power in Syria itself came under doubt." Bashar was said not to be happy with the system he inherited, though he had done little to change it, and he did not expect that power can be passed down the Asad family line forever. A peace agreement with Israel, which for Bashar would have to include the return of the Golan, would assure for Bashar himself survival at the head of the regime but not necessarily for his sons. In the absence of peace, Bashar had to accept that security issues are paramount in Syria. But with peace, the reform process - economic, political, and social - could prosper. Although Bashar was said to genuinely believes that peace and reform were necessary, it is said that his UK-raised wife Asma prodded him continually to move along that path. By 2004 Syria was hesitating between reforms and maintaining the status quo. A certain degree of freedom of speech and criticism - even relating to delicate issues, such as nationalism or democracy - had been authorized. These entirely relative freedoms appeared to be safety valves authorized by the regime, in a country that seemed to be in the state of uncertainty, the ponderousness and inconsistencies of the government having apparently been exacerbated by the prevailing doubts concerning relations with the US and the pressures brought to bear by Washington. This was the situation in Syria, contradictory and confused, it being unclear who decides what, when, and why. The President was re-elected as Chairman of Al-Baath Party and its Central Committee by the 10th Congress in May 2005. He was re-elected as President on May 27th, 2007 and was sworn in before the People's Assembly on July 17th 2007, ushering in for 2nd constitutional term of office. In the run-up to the vote, the regime devoted significant effort and money to transform Syrian President Bashar al-Asad into the symbol of Syria and Syrians. They wanted to make him into an untouchable personality, in the style of former President Hafez al-Asad, although Bashar had no charisma or discernible political skills. The referendum serves as a good catalyst for this transformation. According to his official biography "On the internal level, the president focused over the past years on the following: Embarking on an ambitious strategy of gradual social and economic reform and empowering the social market economy. Providing proper political and legislative climate for development of the laws and regulations. Improvement of the economic investment climate, and renovating organizational environment stimulus and infrastructure, building industrial cities, free zones, and liberating the trade. (Investment multiplied 12 times). Development of the financial and banking sector and licensing private banks, insurance companies, securities exchange. Development of the media sector and licensing private newspapers and other media. Development of the education and teaching system and licensing private universities. Consolidation of institutional work at the governmental and popular bodies, combating waste and corruption at the state establishments, promoting the values of innovation, knowledge, team spirit, and investment in human resources skills and training. Direct supervision on the administrative reform, and introducing structure development into the government structure and work, facilitating the measures and procedures by easing bureaucracy and computerization of work. "On external level, the president focused on the following: Working for the establishment of just and comprehensive peace in the region in the heart of which is the return of the occupied Golan. Consolidating the concepts of right, sovereignty, justice and international legitimacy in international relations. Diplomatic and political action to consolidate the basis of Arab solidarity and regional and international cooperation. Encouraging economic and commercial partnerships, and cooperation relations in spheres of culture, sciences, technology, and openness to the experiences of other nations with stress on dialogue of cultures. The president chaired in March 2008 the Arab League Council on the summit level." Syrian President Bashar al-Asad is neither as shrewd nor as long-winded as his father, but he, too, prefers to engage diplomatically on a level of abstraction that seems designed to frustrate any direct challenge to Syria's behavior and, by extension, his judgment. Bashar's vanity represents another Achilles heel. The late President Hafiz al-Asad could wear down his interlocutors through sheer staying power in 10-hour meetings without breaks; the wealth of detail and historical perspective he brought to those discussions also tested the mettle of those who were attempting to persuade him to a course of action he questioned. His son Bashar is neither as shrewd nor as long-winded as his father but he, too, prefers to engage diplomatically on a level of abstraction that seems designed to frustrate any direct challenge to Syria's behavior and, by extension, his judgment. Bashar's presentations on world affairs suggest that he would prefer to see himself as a sort of philosopher-king, the Pericles of Damascus. Bashar al-Asad does not rule exclusively by diktat, but in his minority-led regime the Syrian policy-making dynamic revolves heavily around getting the President's ear. Since the low point in 2005 when Bashar's grip on power - post Lebanon-withdrawal - was widely questioned, he has solidified his position, averted the emergence of rivals, and imposed his will across the apparatus of government. Bashar's success in ensuring his own survival convinced him of the near-infallibility of his own judgment: while his entourage may attempt to shape his thinking, they do not overtly challenge it. Bashar is the key - only his opinion counts when it comes to foreign policy decisions. Syrian government scope of action is limited the President's span of control. He is generally able to monitor the activities of his foreign minister, political/media advisor, intelligence chiefs, and brother Maher. At various times, his vice president and national security advisor are also active and therefore under his direct supervision. While communication flows between him and his subordinates, it appears not to be formalized and information is highly compartmented. Subordinates' portfolios are not clearly delineated; overlapping areas create tension and competition. There is no "interagency" policy development process that lays out advantages and disadvantages of policy choices. There are, as far as we know, no briefing or decision memos. The bench is not deep; beyond the principals lie only a few trusted staffers. Bashar and his team also find it difficult to juggle more than one major foreign policy issue at a time. On foreign policy, Bashar easily defaulted to the Ba'athist ideology and its heavy reliance on framing all issues through the prism of the Arab-Israeli conflict but he is capable of pragmatism. Whatever principles Bashar evokes in his rhetoric, his ultimate goal is to preserve his regime which, for him, requires preserving all existing options without forgoing new options. The only internal consistency in Syria's foreign policy is the Syrian government's desire to play all sides off each other; Bashar has added an additional requirement that Syrian foreign policy must also showcase his abilities as a leader. The President's self-image plays a disproportionate role in policy formulation and diplomatic activity. Meetings, visits, trips abroad that enhance his respectability and prestige are pursued; encounters that may involve negotiations or difficult debate are declined or delegated to subordinates. The President responds with anger if he finds himself challenged by visitors, but not until after the meeting. He seems to avoid direct confrontation. When engaged in summit diplomacy, he often seeks to include allies to bolster his confidence (e.g., Quadripartite Summit in September 2008, Riyadh Summit in April 2009). His foreign policy subordinates are all "employees" without constituencies or influence independent of the President's favor. Their overriding concern when engaging foreigners is to avoid the appearance of overstepping or violating their instructions. They are particularly cautious in the presence of other Syrians; requests to meet one-on-one often yield more expansive and candid responses. Communicating with Bashar is challenging enough, reaching meaningful agreement is yet more difficult. What appears to have been agreed in one encounter may prove not to be agreed in the next. A common experience for all those who deal with Syria, the French ran into this phenomenon in spectacularly public way: prior to French President Sarkozy's visit to Damascus in September 2008, the event that formally ended Syria's isolation, Bashar committed to the French to install an ambassador in Beirut and begin the border demarcation process by December 31. That deadline passed with an embassy established in Beirut, but no ambassador and no reinvigorated border demarcation process. The lesson learned from the French experience is not "Trust but verify;" it is "Trust but ensure that mutual commitment delivery is incremental and simultaneous." Asad is an inexperienced, incompetent leader, surrounded by stronger actors whom he is afraid to cross. Bashar al-Asad was schizophrenic in his approach to foreign policy - the president does not like to listen and take advice (as he used to), feeling that he knows everything. On Iran policy, it was not clear that the president fully understands what he is doing. Bashar al-Asad is unabile to act as a "rational dictator" the way his father did. Instead, Bashar has created a "multi-headed dictatorship" that ends up making irrational decisions because he cannot dominate the competing security services and bureacracy as his father did. The son is derided for his ignorance of politics and weakness. Bashar is also viewed as a hypocrite who has duped the more gullible Syrians and Western observers, paying lipservice to reform that he neither believes in nor is capable of implementing. There are frequent criticisms by Syrians [in private] of Bashar as inexperienced, prone to taking bad advice, making decisions that deepened Syria's isolation and squandered its assets. By 2006 Bashar Asad's growing self-confidence - and reliance on this small clique -- could lead him to make mistakes and ill-judged policy decisions through trademark emotional reactions to challenges. Regime decision-making is limited to Bashar and an inner circle that often produces poorly thought-out tactical decisions and sometimes emotional approaches. Bashar's reported preoccupation with his image and how he is perceived internationally is a potential liability in his decision making process. Bashar's weaknesses are in how he chooses to react to looming issues, both perceived and real. His inexperience and his regime,s extremely small decision-making circle make him prone to diplomatic stumbles that can weaken him domestically and regionally. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address United States and Syria President Biden began his address on the fall of the Syrian regime by saying it had brutalised and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country, he said. The US president said that some of the opposition groups that overthrew al-Assad have their own grim record of terrorism, adding that Washington would assess if they had moderated. Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses, Biden said in his address from the White House. Biden added that the United States had taken note of recent statements by opposition groups suggesting they had since moderated, cautioning we will assess not just their words, but their actions. Biden said the fall of al-Assad is also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next. The United States will work with our partners and stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk, he said, For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, Hezbollah and Russia, but over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them, because all three of them are far weaker today than when I took office, he continued. And lets remember why: After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, when much of the world responded in horror, Iran, its proxies chose to launch a multifront war against Israel and that was a historic mistake on Irans part, Biden added. Today, Irans main territorial proxy, Hezbollah, is also on its back. The US president said neither Russia, Iran or Hezbollah could defend this abhorrent regime in Syria. This is the direct result of the blows that Ukraine [and] Israel have delivered on their own self-defence with the unflagging support of the United States, he said. Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East. Through this combination of support for our partners, sanctions, diplomacy, and targeted military enforcement, we now see new opportunities opening up for the people of Syria and for the entire region, Biden added. Biden said the US will do the following: First: Support Syrias neighbours, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel, from any threat from Syria during the transitional period. Biden will speak to leaders in the region in the coming days and deploy senior officials to the Middle East to discuss Syria. Second: The US will ensure stability in eastern Syria, protecting US personnel against any threats, and remain committed to their mission against ISIS. Biden says the US conducted dozens of precision air strikes today in Syria targeting ISIS camps. Third: The US will engage with all Syrian groups with the UN to establish a transition away from the al-Assad regime towards an independent, sovereign Syria with a new constitution and new government determined by the Syrian people. Biden says the US will do whatever it can to support the country, including providing humanitarian relief to help restore Syria after more than a decade of war. A senior White House official said on 08 December 2024 that the United States intends to engage with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham as an umbrella for diverse opposition groups in the interests of US national security. He stressed in statements conveyed by Alhurra's correspondent that "the Syrian people have an opportunity to build their country away from the corruption of the Assad regime, and that the United States is ready to support them during the transitional process." The US official said, "His country will engage with all representatives of the opposition and civil society in Syria." He pointed out that "the American authorities worked behind the scenes during the past week to facilitate the exit of thousands of Syrian civilians from eastern Syria." The official spoke about Washington's focus on chemical weapons stores, saying: "We do not expect a role for American forces in this mission." He said that the fall of the Assad regime would not have happened without the United States' support for Israel against Iran and for Ukraine against Russia, according to him. He spoke about what he called the "fragility" of Russian and Iranian support for the Assad regime, saying, "It was surprising." According to the US official, the United States will continue to push for holding Assad accountable for his "crimes" against his people despite his asylum in Russia. Regarding the American citizen who disappeared in Syria, Austin Tice, he said that "his country is determined to do everything possible to find him." According to the official, the United States has allocated one million dollars to anyone who provides any information leading to Tice's release. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump strongly criticized Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the ongoing chaos in Syria, emphasizing that the United States should avoid involvement in the conflict. In a message posted on his Twitter account, Trump reiterated his stance, declaring, The U.S. should have nothing to do with the conflict. Trump highlighted the recent advances by opposition fighters, stating: In an unprecedented move, they have totally taken over numerous cities, in a highly coordinated offensive, and are now on the outskirts of Damascus, obviously preparing to make a very big move toward taking out Assad. The President-elect also pointed out Russias challenges, asserting that their military efforts in Ukraine, which he claimed have resulted in significant losses, have diminished Moscows ability to sustain its support for Assad. Russia, because they are so tied up in Ukraine, and with the loss there of over 600,000 soldiers, seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria. Trump criticized the policies of former U.S. President Barack Obama, stating: This is where former President Obama refused to honor his commitment of protecting the RED LINE IN THE SAND, and all hell broke out, with Russia stepping in. Trump concluded with a stark warning: Syria is a mess, but it is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! Background Almost any Syrian family has some relative living and prospering in the US. Many Syrians dream of following these relatives to the US and view it as a land of opportunity and freedom, leading many Syrians to distinguish between US Government policies and the American people. A cleavage exists between those who endorse working with the US and those who are suspicious of US Government intentions and do not want to be associated with American policy or projects. For every activist who harbor some reservations about US policies but are generally well disposed to the US, there are others who are more hostile and deeply skeptical about any benefits that could accrue to Syrian civil society (and to a better future in Syria) from cooperating with the US. Some of these are much more pro-European. A common claim heard in Damascus is that Syria is second only to India as a source of foreign-born doctors working in the US. While this statistic is apocryphal, the numbers from the NIV database clearly demonstrate that doctors are a valuable Syrian export. Doctors receive the vast majority of the H1-B visas and nearly half of the J-1 visas issued at Embassy Damascus. They are likewise responsible for a substantial portion of the B-1/B-2 visas issued at Post. Syrian doctors typically remain in the U.S. at least until they naturalize, spending part of that time working in underserved areas. In addition to contributing their talents to the U.S. medical field, many have donated their time and money to improving healthcare in Syria. Anti-American sentiment, and in particular, anti-US Government sentiment, is not new in Syria. It has been a constant on the political landscape since the creation of the state of Israel and the rise of pan-Arab nationalism in the 1950's. In both the ruling Ba'ath Party and among the opposition parties of the National Democratic Coalition, there remain ideological vestiges of this anti-Americanism. Long-standing sympathy by Syrians for the Palestinians, reinforced by the widespread perception of unconditional U.S. support for Israel, has fed this anti-American sentiment over the years. The war in Iraq and the U.S.-led war on terrorism have more recently caused a spike in anti-American sentiment in Syria. The popular consensus among Syrians is that the U.S. has unjustifiably occupied Iraq and brought instability, chaos, and bloodshed, in order to implement a new regional order. Syrians' fears of such chaos, including the potential dismemberment of their own country, have also fed this anti-American sentiment. In addition, many Syrians view the war on terror as a U.S. crusade against Islam. Relations between the United States and Syria, severed in 1967, were resumed in June 1974, following the achievement of the Syrian-Israeli disengagement agreement. In 1990-91, Syria cooperated with the United States as a member of the multinational coalition of forces in the Gulf War. The United States and Syria also consulted closely on the Taif Accord ending the civil war in Lebanon. In 1991, President Asad made a historic decision to accept President George H.W. Bush's invitation to attend a Middle East peace conference and to engage in subsequent bilateral negotiations with Israel. Syria's efforts to secure the release of Western hostages held in Lebanon and its lifting of restrictions on travel by Syrian Jews helped to further improve relations between Syria and the United States. There were several presidential summits; the last one occurred when President Bill Clinton met the late President Hafiz al-Asad in Geneva in March 2000. In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, the Syrian Government began limited cooperation with U.S. counterterrorism efforts. Syria has been on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism since the list's inception in 1979. Because of its continuing support and safe haven for terrorist organizations, Syria is subject to legislatively mandated penalties, including export sanctions under the Syrian Accountability Act and ineligibility to receive most forms of U.S. aid or to purchase U.S. military equipment. In 1986, the United States withdrew its ambassador and imposed additional administrative sanctions on Syria in response to evidence of direct Syrian involvement in an attempt to blow up an Israeli airplane. A U.S. ambassador returned to Damascus in 1987, partially in response to positive Syrian actions against terrorism such as expelling the Abu Nidal Organization from Syria and helping free an American hostage earlier that year. Relations cooled as a consequence of U.S. intervention in Iraq in 2003, declined following the imposition of U.S. economic sanctions in May 2004, and worsened further in February 2005 after the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri. Issues of U.S. concern included the Syrian Government's failure to prevent Syria from becoming a major transit point for foreign fighters entering Iraq, its refusal to deport from Syria former Saddam Hussein regime elements supporting the insurgency in Iraq, its ongoing interference in Lebanese affairs, its protection of the leadership of Palestinian rejectionist groups in Damascus, its deplorable human rights record, and its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. In May 2004, the U.S. Government, pursuant to the provisions of the Syrian Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, imposed sanctions on Syria which banned nearly all exports to Syria except food and medicine. In February 2005, in the wake of the Hariri assassination, the United States recalled its ambassador to Washington. Anti-American sentiment in Syria rose dramatically in July 2006 as Syrians were transfixed by daily emotional television coverage of the human cost and widespread destruction in Lebanon caused by the Israeli retaliation against Hizballah. The Israeli response was viewed overwhelmingly as disproportionate. The US was perceived, for the first time, as using Israel's military might to impose its own agenda on Lebanon and the region, chiefly the implementation of UNSCR 1559 (and the disarming of Hizballah), along with US plans for "a new Middle East." "It turns out that Israel is an instrument of US policy after all," and not vice versa, noted economist (and former Deputy Minister of Planning) Riad Abrash. Others like influential Sunni religious leader Salah Kuftaro criticized the US bitterly for its failure to utter "a word of denunciation" about the death and destruction caused in Lebanon. On September 12, 2006 the U.S. Embassy was attacked by four armed assailants with guns, grenades, and a car bomb (which failed to detonate). Syrian security forces successfully countered the attack, killing all four attackers. Two other Syrians killed during the attack were a government security guard and a passerby. The Syrian Government publicly stated that terrorists had carried out the attack. The U.S. Government did not receive an official Syrian Government assessment of the motives or organization behind the attack, but security was upgraded at U.S. facilities. Both the Syrian ambassador to the U.S., Imad Mustapha (withdrawn in December 2011), and President Bashar al-Asad, however, blamed U.S. foreign policy in the region for contributing to the incident. After a military action occurred at the Iraq-Syria border in October 2008, in which purportedly there were several Syrian casualties, the Syrian Government ordered the closure of the Damascus Community School, the American Language Center (ALC), and the American Cultural Center (ACC). The school and the language center were allowed to reopen in fall 2010, but both minimized activities at the beginning of 2012 due to security concerns. After 2009, the United States attempted to engage with Syria to find areas of mutual interest, reduce regional tensions, and promote Middle East peace. These efforts included congressional and executive meetings with senior Syrian officials, including President Asad, and the return of a U.S. Ambassador to Damascus. After a five-year hiatus, the Obama Administration nominated Robert Ford as U.S. Ambassador to Syria, making the case that a U.S. Ambassador on the ground would not be a reward to the regime in Syria, but rather would represent a tool to advance U.S. interests. Senior members of the Ba'ath party, the armed forces, and the intelligence services were opposed to improved ties with the U.S. because such an opening would inevitably bring about reforms that would endanger their protected positions. In March 2011, a group of Syrian students were arrested in the southern city of Daraa for writing political graffiti on walls, and the governments mishandling of its security response gave rise to ever-increasing demonstrations around the country. The key commercial cities of Aleppo and Damascus remained relatively quiet until December 2011, when larger demonstrations and explosions occurred, challenging the governments claim that the opposition was small groups funded by other countries. The United Nations stated that 5,000 had been killed in the uprisings 10-month history, and a monitoring mission from the Arab League could not verify that the Syrian Government was implementing Arab League-mandated plans to end repression. Rising bilateral tensions since March 2011 due to the regimes vicious repression halted efforts to find common ground, and the U.S. Government has repeatedly called for President Bashar al-Asad to step aside and allow a representative government to be formed. Strong sanctions, implemented in coordination with countries in Europe, Asia, and the Arab world, have put pressure on the regimes ability to continue its crackdown on opponents. In late January 2012, the Arab League called on the United Nations Security Council to condemn Syrias actions and to demand a rapid transition to an interim government. Following an attack on the U.S. Embassy and Ambassadors residence on July 11, 2011, the embassy reduced non-U.S. citizen services and instituted more stringent security procedures. As incitement and harassment of embassy personnel increased, U.S. officers were gradually evacuated. On February 6, 2012, the United States temporarily suspended embassy operations and removed all U.S. direct hire personnel from Syria. On December 22, 2010, the US Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 71 (112th Congress), a bipartisan resolution recognizing that it is in the national interest of the United States to prevent and mitigate acts of genocide and other mass atrocities against civilians. On August 4, 2011, President Barack Obama issued Presidential Study Directive10 (PSD10), stating, Preventing mass atrocities and genocide is a core national security interest and a core moral responsibility of the United States. The United States has been directly and indirectly involved in the Syrian conflict since 2011, when a popular uprising turned the Arab country into a bloody battlefield for varying interest groups. All along, various stakeholders, including the Syrian people have looked up to Washington, hoping it plays a decisive role in ending the violence that eventually left half a million people dead and pushed 5.6 million more to take refuge abroad. On May 18, 2011, President Obama signed Executive Order 13573, targeting senior officials of the Government of Syria due to the Governments continuing escalation of violence against the people of Syria. On April 29, 2011, President Obama signed Executive Order 13572, imposing sanctions on certain individuals and entities in the annex to the order and providing the authority to designate persons responsible for human rights abuses in Syria, including those related to repressing the people of Syria. On February 4, 2012, President Obama stated that Bashar al-Assad has no right to lead Syria and has lost all legitimacy with his people and the international community. On February 17, 2012, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 379 (112th Congress), stating that the gross human rights violations perpetuated by the Government of Syria against the people of Syria represent a grave risk to regional peace and stability. On February 28, 2012, Secretary of State Clinton, in testimony before the Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate concerning Bashar al-Assad, testified that, based on the definitions of war criminal and crimes against humanity, there would be an argument to be made that he would fit into that category. On March 6, 2012, General Mattis testified before the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate that the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime would represent the biggest strategic setback for Iran in 25 years. On March 6, 2012 U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) stated that " if requested by the Syrian National Council and the Free Syrian Army, the United States should help organize an international effort to protect civilian population centers in Syria through airstrikes on Assads forces. To be clear: This will first require the United States and our partners to suppress the Syrian regimes air defenses in at least part of the country. This should not mean the United States must act alone. Any intervention should include Arab partners such as Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Jordan, and Qatar, and willing allies in the E.U. and NATO, the most important of which in this case is Turkey. " On 19 February 2013 the United States accounced it was providing an additional $19 million in humanitarian assistance in response to urgent needs emanating from the brutal conflict in Syria. On January 29, President Obama announced an additional $155 million to help those suffering inside Syria and refugees in the neighboring countries. Todays announcement brings the United States total contribution of humanitarian support in response to this crisis to nearly $385 million. On March 18, 2013 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the Obama administration did not oppose moves by the United Kingdom and France to arm opponents of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The United States already cooperates with Arab allies arming the Syrian opposition, so Kerry said Washington has no objection to Europeans doing the same. 'President Obama has made it clear that the United States does not stand in the way of other countries that made a decision to provide arms, whether it is France or Britain or others,' said Kerry. Kerry said there is a military imbalance in Syria, with President Bashar al-Assad receiving help from Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia. That imbalance is creating what he called a 'global catastrophe' of Syrian refugees fleeing to Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. The United States supported a unified, free, prosperous, and inclusive Syria that respects the rights of all its citizens and becomes a force for stability and peace in the region, rather than a threat to its own people and the region. Russia entered the Syrian conflict in September 2015 and shifted the balance of power in favor of the Assad regime when it was reportedly on the brink of collapsing, which unleashed barrel bombs and relentless airstrikes against civilian areas. By then the US had shifted focus to counter Daesh, which had emerged a year earlier and quickly took control of large chunks of land in Syria and Iraq. US forces built a number of airfields and bases in northeastern Syria and began coordinating with the YPG to fight Daesh. After Syrian opposition began gaining territory in 2012, there was intense debate within the Obama administration if the US should support them militarily. Besides battle gear, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) supplied small arms and ammunition to the opposition in a covert operation on several occasions. But the weapons such as the much-needed stinger missiles to take down jets were never provided despite repeated pleas from the opposition groups. Obama and his advisors insisted that any aid or assistance should go only to moderate opposition who were continuously vetted for their ideology in a time-consuming exercise. The US administration also failed to understand the ground realities in Syria where the brutal crackdown of the regime slowly decimated the moderate opposition, leaving the ground open for extremists to exploit. In September 2015, a senior US commander told the Senate that an attempt to create a moderate force of rebels ended in failure. The US spent $500 million to train and equip 5,000-6,000 fighters to take on Daesh but only four or five actually showed up for the fight. Analysts had hoped the US would punish Assad for dropping barrel bombs and chemical weapons on civilian territories. But except for a few strikes, the US did nothing to deter the regime, which was backed by well-trained Iranian militias. In mid-2017, the US stopped its program to fund and train opposition factions, something which it had been doing since 2013 in half-hearted support. Throughout the conflict, more than five million Syrian people continued to seek refuge in other countries. But it was Turkey which was left to meet the needs of 3.6 million of them. The number of Syrian refugees allowed into the United States in fiscal 2016 was 12,587. In fiscal 2018, the United States admitted 62. The US says it has spent more than $9 billion on humanitarian assistance programme while Turkey says its expenditure on housing the refugees comes to around $40 billion. Donald Trump said 11 November 2016 the United States should fight the Daesh terrorist group, but stop attacking the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In his first interview since his election, Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he has had "an opposite view of many people regarding Syria." Trump suggested a sharper focus on fighting the terrorist group rather than trying to oust President Assad. The president-elect criticized the Obama administration's policy of attempting to find "moderate Syrian opposition groups" to boost fighting against Assad, saying he will seek a possible rapprochement with Russia and find a solution for the Syrian conflict. "My attitude was you're fighting Syria, Syria is fighting ISIS [Daesh], and you have to get rid of ISIS Now we're backing rebels against Syria, and we have no idea who these people are," he told the Journal on Friday. During his final presidential debate with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Trump emphasized that his priority in Syria would be to eliminate Daesh and not to out Assad. The United States said 30 March 2017 that it was no longer focused on ousting President Bashar al-Assad as it seeks a new strategy to end Syria's civil war. American officials shifted away from the former insistence that he must go for some time, and now they made it explicit. The US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley condemned Assad's history of human rights abuses against his own people. But she said Washington would focus on working with powers like Turkey and Russia to seek a political settlement, rather than focusing on Assad. "You pick and choose your battles," Haley told reporters. "And when we're looking at this, it's about changing up priorities and our priority is no longer to sit and focus on getting Assad out." US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also addressed the future of Assad at a news conference in Turkey. "I think the... longer term status of President Assad will be decided by the Syrian people," Tillerson said, standing alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. The comment reflected language long used by Assad's ally Russia, whose assistance Washington is courting. The United States on 17 June 2020 announced highly anticipated economic sanctions against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his regime and anyone who attempts to do business with them to deny revenue and support to the Assad regime. US President Donald Trump signed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, also referred to as the Caesar Act, six months ago. Much discussion revolved around the law and what and who it targets. In its first batch, Washington slapped 39 designations on individuals and entities Wednesday in what it said was the beginning of what will be a sustained campaign of economic and political pressure to deny the Assad regime revenue and support. Among the most notorious names to be sanctioned were Assad himself, his wife Asma, his younger brother Maher and their sister Bushra. In the statement released by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, he made a special note of Asmas designation for the first. Pompeo said that with the support of her husband and members of her Akhras family has become one of Syrias most notorious war profiteers. Now anyone doing business with any of these persons or entities is at risk of sanctions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 07 December 2024 - Day 1018 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that most Russian advances in recent weeks have been centred on three areas the Pokrovsk axis, the Kurakhove axis, and the Velyka Novosilka axis, all in Donetsk oblast, in south-eastern Ukraine and closely connected. On the first, Russia has made gradual gains towards Pokrovsk taking control of the town of Selydove and expanding the salient. Russian forces remain approximately 6-7 km from Pokrovsk itself. Russian forces are likely fighting within the centre of Kurakhove. Kurakhove forms an important section of the front line and its seizure would allow Russian forces to consolidate positions in the area and set conditions for further advances westwards. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have reportedly mounted a limited counter-attack to the north of Velyka Novosilka, retaking the village of Novyy Komar from Russian forces. Despite this, Russian efforts to cut off the supply routes on the northern approach to Velyka Novosilka and encircle the town continue. Russian forces are also pushing towards Velyka Novosilka from the south, recently capturing the village of Blahodatne. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential. Since the beginning of the day, there have been 182 combat clashes, Russian forces launched 24 air strikes, dropping 40 KABs, 429 kamikaze drone strikes, almost 3000 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops. In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian troops repelled two Russian attacks near vovcans ka. The occupiers dropped Kabi in the areas of Cossackoi Lopana and Orishanka. Russian forces carried out nine attacks on Ukrainian fortifications in the Kupians komu direction. At this time, eight clashes in the districts of Lozova, Masyutivka, Glushkivka, Kolisnikivka and Green Grove have ended. Air strikes were suffered by kivrashivka, western and great shapkivka. In the Lyman direction per day Russian troops 22 times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Tverdohlibovoye, Kopanok, Boguslavka, Grekivka, Cherneshchyna, Makiyivka, Zarichny Terniv, Yampolivka, Druzhelyubivka and in Serebryans komu forestry. Two attacks are still going on. In the Kramators ,komu direction, the failure of the zagarbnikiv's attempts to advance near the Time Yar, Stupochok and the White Mountain, a total of seven attacks were repelled. In the Toretsky direction, Russian forces for today seven times stormed in the areas of Toretsky, Diliyivka and Nelipivka. In the Pokrovsky direction throughout the day, Russian forces carried out 35 assault and offensive actions. The largest activity of Russian occupiers is kept in the areas of Promen, Lisivka, Dachensky, Pushkinogo, Zory, Hrodivka, Suhogo Yar, Mirnograd, Yellow, New Labor and Novotroitsky. Russian forces used aviation means of impressions on Novotroitsky. According to preliminary calculations, today Ukrainian soldiers eliminated 146 and wounded 194 Russian occupants in this direction; destroyed two armored vehicles, three vehicles. Intensely attacks the Russian opponent and in the Kurakhiv direction. At this time of the day, there are already 42 clashes. Attacks of the Russian enemy were fought back by Ukrainian warriors near Sontsivka, Zory, Kurakhovy, Elizavetivka, Romanivka, Hannivka, Uspenivka, Rozlivu, Old Terns, Dachnya and Neskuchny. Russian forces bombing aviation was actively active in the areas of settlements Shevchenko, Andriyivka, Oleksiyivka, Bagatyr, Konstantinopil. On the Time Direction, Russian forces tried to break through 30 times near the settlements of Vesely Gai, Konstantinopolskie, Suhi Yala, Novodarivka, Novosilka, Temirivka, Neskucne, Velika Novosilka but in the way of this became Ukrainian courageous defenders, two clashes are still ongoing. In the Orihivsky direction, Ukrainian soldiers launched one attack in the direction of Novodanilivka. Russian forces carried out three unsuccessful assaults in the Pridniprovsk direction. In Kur ini Ukrainian defenders for today fought 14 attacks of the occupiers, ongoing three more combat. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, the Sever Group of Forces hit units of a Ukrainian territorial defence brigade and one border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine near Tikhoye, Volchansk, and Liptsy (Kharkov region). Two counter-attacks launched by AFU assault detachments were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 60 troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, and three D-30 howitzers. The Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines, inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, an airborne brigade, and three territorial defence brigades close to Grigorovka, Zagryzovo, Kupyansk (Kharkov region), Novoyegorovka (Lugansk People's Republic) and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Eleven counter-attacks of AFU assault groups were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 490 troops, a tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, a UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, a U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, and a 105-mm M119 gun, a 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer. The Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and defeated the units of the two mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigades, and an air assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Ulakly, Kurakhovo, Nikolayevka, and Dachnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Two counter-attacks of AFU assault detachments were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 325 troops, two motor vehicles, a 155-mm M-777 howitzer, and a 105-mm M119 gun made in the USA, a 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer. The Tsentr Group of Forces continued advancing to the depths of the enemy's defence and liberated Berestki (Donetsk People's Republic). Russian units hit manpower and materiel of two mechanised brigades, a motorised infantry brigade, a marine brigade, close to Dzerzhinsk, Shcherbinovka, Petrovka, and Novoalekseyevka (Donetsk People's Republic). Ten AFU counter-attacks were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 525 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, including a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, three motor vehicles, three 152-mm D-20 guns, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers. The Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines, hit a mechanised brigade of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and a National Guard brigade close to Konstantinopol, Novoocheretovatoye, and Otradnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Three counter-attacks of enemy assault groups were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 100 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, a motor vehicle, a 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, and a 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces engaged the manpower and materiel of two mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a territorial defence brigades close to Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region) and Antonovka (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to more than 60 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, and a counter-battery station. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the energy facilities that support the work of the Ukrainian defence industry as well as clusters of enemy manpower and military hardware in 142 areas during the day. Air defence systems shot down 26 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 649 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 37,380 unmanned aerial vehicles, 586 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,698 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,497 MLRS combat vehicles, 19,145 field artillery guns and mortars, and 29,080 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region. The Sever Group of Forces engaged the units of three mechanised brigades, a heavy mechanised brigade, a tank brigade, three air assault brigades, a marine brigade, a guard brigade as well as three territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Agronom, Viktorovka, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Martynovka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Novoivanovka, Plyokhovo, and Sverdlikovo. Operational-Tactical aviation and Army aviation, and Artillery inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and hardware in the areas of Aleksandria, Guyevo, Kruglenkoye, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Mirny, Nizhny Klin, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Plyokhovo, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye as well as Basovka, Belovody, Glukhov, Zhuravka, Miropolye, and Pavlovka in Sumy region. Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 380 troops. An armoured fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, and three mortars were neutralised. Three AFU servicemen surrendered. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses were more than 38,865 troops, 232 tanks, 169 infantry fighting vehicles, 123 armoured personnel carriers, 1,231 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,096 motor vehicles, 308 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 13 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 72 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 27 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, six armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address TORONTO, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EliteSignals, the premier platform for beginner and intermediate traders, is proud to announce the launch of EliteX, a cutting-edge forex trading bot designed to simplify and supercharge trading for traders worldwide. Backed by advanced algorithms and years of expertise, EliteX has already demonstrated remarkable performance, offering a significant edge to traders in volatile markets. Unmatched Performance Backed by Data EliteXs backtesting data showcases unparalleled results. With an initial deposit of $500, the bot generated a net profit of $19,086 while maintaining a stellar profit factor of 1.80. EliteX achieved an 89.16% win rate across 9,484 trades, ensuring consistent profitability for its users. With a maximum drawdown of just 3.16%, the bot provides a balanced approach between risk and reward, making it a reliable tool for traders seeking long-term growth. A Community Powered by Expertise EliteX is not the only offering from EliteSignals. The EliteSignals community provides access to exclusive alerts and trading insights from 20 professional analysts, spanning forex, stocks, and digital assets. Members benefit from real-time alerts, market analysis, and tailored strategies, empowering them to make informed decisions. Our mission is to democratize trading by combining innovative technology with expert insights, said Elie Abou Faissal, founder of EliteSignals. EliteX and our community provide traders with everything they need to succeed in todays dynamic markets. About EliteSignals EliteSignals.com is a comprehensive trading platform offering tools, strategies, and education for traders at all levels. The platform is home to EliteAlgo, a proprietary indicator providing real-time buy and sell signals, and now EliteX, the next generation of automated trading. With a focus on emotion-free, data-driven trading, EliteSignals has helped countless traders transition from uncertainty to confidence in their trading journey. Join the Revolution: EliteX is available now at a presale price of $2,999.99, discounted from the regular price of $4,999.99. Visit elitesignals.com to learn more and gain access to the EliteSignals community. Contact: Elie Abou Faissal Founder, EliteSignals Email: support@elitesignals.com Website: https://elitesignals.com Disclaimer: This content is provided by Elitesignals. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ce137c0-dcdb-49f0-91e0-ac7ae8d589af https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/21517688-f60a-43e5-a6de-d0daca65fe58 NEW YORK, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of American Depositary Shares (ADS) of Rentokil Initial plc (NYSE: RTO) between December 1, 2023 and September 10, 2024, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important January 27, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Rentokil ADS during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Rentokil class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31778 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 27, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Rentokil experienced levels of disruption in the early pilots of the Terminix integration; (2) Rentokil experienced significant, ongoing, self-inflicted execution challenges integrating Terminix; (3) the disruption and execution challenges imperiled Rentokils integration plan for Terminix; (4) Rentokil and Terminix were still two separate businesses that were not yet integrated; (5) Rentokils failure to integrate Terminix negatively impacted the Rentokils business and operations, particularly organic revenue growth in North America; and (6) as a result of the above, defendants positive statements about the Rentokils business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Rentokil class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31778 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ______________________ Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com NEW YORK, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) resulting from allegations that Unisys may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. SO WHAT: If you purchased Unisys securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=9648 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On October 22, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it had charged four companies, including Unisys, with making materially misleading disclosures regarding cybersecurity risks and intrusions. Further, the SEC also charged Unisys with disclosure controls and procedures violations. On this news, Unisys stock fell 8.6% on October 22, 2024. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com Thanks to a hyperpartisan environment, special elections have gone national, with money and press attention flowing to these races as never before. At the moment, this is a particularly challenging development for Republicans, who since the 2016 general election have faced repeated, and at times shocking, defeats in a string of special elections.Nationally, the party has lost dozens of state legislative seats, a U.S. House seat in a Pennsylvania district that Donald Trump won by nearly 20 points, and what had been thought to be an ultra-safe U.S. Senate seat in Alabama.Republicans, concerned that the poor special election results suggested that a "blue wave" was coming last November, played down each loss as the result of a particular set of circumstances. This argument is based on a legitimate question of whether special elections are an accurate look at the wider electorate or are instead a kind of race that gives a special advantage to challengers in a what is typically very low-turnout balloting.But while special elections could appear to be in a class by themselves, this may not be the case. There is one common type ofspecial elections -- recalls -- that suggests that special elections can in fact be a fairly good indicator of regular elections.It's true that in special elections turnout is usually lower than in general elections, sometimes dramatically so. Despite some rare examples of high-turnout special elections, such as the gubernatorial recalls in California in 2003 and Wisconsin in 2012 and the 2017 race to fill a vacant Alabama U.S. Senate seat, special elections generally take place in the shadows of the news cycle.Unlike most special elections, recalls can take place either on a separate date or they can be put on the ballot at the same time as a regularly scheduled primary or general election. Much as with the arguments that special elections are a unique, atypical portrait of the electorate, when I began studying the recall I thought that stand-alone recalls would be more likely to result in an incumbent losing office than those that take place on a regularly scheduled election date. According to this theory, the fact that it is a special election means that the more motivated, "angrier" party will have an easier time turning out its base -- which would explain why the out-of-office party has done better in many special elections.But after compiling a list of the recalls that took place over six years, my theory was shot down. Sitting officials, it turns out, are not disproportionately hurt -- and sometimes may actually be helped -- by when a recall election is held. Moreover, the more-motivated, angrier voters do not seem to skew special elections in an obviously predictable way.From 2011 to 2018, there were 861 recall efforts in 30 states -- from Wisconsin's governor and three state Senate leaders to mayors, sheriffs, school board members and fire district commissioners -- that went to a vote. (Another 169 officials resigned in the face of a recall.) Of those 861 recalls, 519 resulted in an ouster, while in 342 cases the incumbent survived the vote, a 60 percent removal rate.What is particularly meaningful for followers of special elections is that in breaking those 861 recalls down, the date of the vote did seem to have had an impact, but not the expected one.The vast majority of these recalls, 539 of them, were stand-alone special elections, where 58 percent of the incumbent officials lost their vote. But recalls that took place on the same day as a general or a primary election saw a 64 percent removal rate. Every recall is different -- though despite perception, only a small few are about corruption issues -- but apparently having a special election where the presumably more angry group of voters is motivated to turn out to vote for a single issue may not help. On the whole, it seems that special elections may not always benefit the more motivated party.The same phenomena may be at work with special elections in general. Turnout may be lower and one party may be angrier or more likely to show up at the polls. But the smaller turnout may nonetheless be presenting a reasonably accurate picture of the electorate as a whole.While a string of special election defeats can be seen as simply one-off losses that have little to do with the overall tenor of the electorate, recalls provide evidence that special elections can be a real warning of impending trouble beyond just a small subset of motivated voters. A failure to reverse the trend of setbacks in special elections -- no matter when they're held -- may be a real sign of things to come in the next general election. F1 should find a way to protect iconic races says Sainz F1 should help circuits like Zandvoort "find a way" to remain in the sport, according to Carlos Sainz. Yuki Tsunoda, Dutch GP 2024 Red Bull Hot on the heels of the news that 2026 will mark the final Dutch GP for financial reasons, Formula 1 announced a new annual contract with Shanghai's Chinese GP through 2030. It's just the latest sign, according to Sainz, of F1 gradually stepping away from its European roots. Probably for economic and obviously political reasons, said the Ferrari driver. The Spaniard thinks a 20-race calendar with six or eight of them still in Europe would be his ideal schedule, because that's where the sport comes from . Even if these old school circuits, European circuits, don't have the big budgets of the ones outside of Europe, we should still find a way to give them the opportunity to keep coming back to the calendar now and then, added Sainz. McLaren's Oscar Piastri agrees. "I think we need to be careful as a sport not to get rid of all the tracks that we all grew up racing on and loving. I think if you ask most of the drivers on the grid, their favourite track - maybe apart from Suzuka - is probably guaranteed to be in Europe somewhere. We need to be wary as a sport that a lot of the tracks that will disappear from the calendar are probably the ones that we all love a lot. Seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton also thinks it's obvious that Formula 1 has gravitated to the big-money markets - rather than the most iconic ones. There are several races in the calendar - I'm not going to mention which ones, but you know which ones - which don't have a lot of people that come, yet financially they can obviously cover whatever the cost is, he said. I think the business is doing very, very well, but we've got to make sure we hold on to the heritage races, and Zandvoort, for me, is one of those. Finally, Lando Norris commented: "I always enjoy Zandvoort, even though all the fans cheer for Max (Verstappen). The atmosphere is always great, there is a lot of hustle and bustle, it's loud. It is definitely higher on my list than many other tracks. (GMM) Parenting will not slow Verstappen down, says Jos Max Verstappen's father does not believe becoming a father will slow the quadruple world champion down. Max Verstappen, Abu Dhabi GP 2024 Red Bull No, that's bullsh*t, Jos Verstappen told the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, after Max's girlfriend Kelly Piquet revealed she is expecting. Max, 27, confirmed the news in Abu Dhabi, insisting it shouldn't change his life too much as Kelly already has a daughter with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. I will continue to do my hobbies, but I also know that I will sometimes have less time for them, Verstappen smiled. He ruled out taking paternity leave in the form of a sabbatical. I have never considered taking a year off, to be honest, said the Dutchman. Jos Verstappen doubts having his own child will change his son much at all. I think if anything, it only motivates, he said. "I didn't have any trouble with it either. And Max has known for a while now that he is going to be a father. It hasn't bothered him at all. Look at how he won the race in Brazil. He knew then, and so did I. Although it ended with his fourth consecutive drivers' title, it was a difficult year for Max - not only because of the less competitive Red Bull, but the internal team disputes and high profile departures. Jos Verstappen was right at the centre of the controversies. It was a less fun year than usual with all the troubles surrounding the team, Verstappen senior admits. Team advisor Dr Helmut Marko insists all the problems are solved now. But Jos says it led to high-profile departures, like Adrian Newey. It was logical that people would leave because of all the fuss, said Jos, 52. And that it would also have an effect on performance. That goes hand in hand. He says he doesn't regret getting involved in arguments with team boss Christian Horner, because the head of a team influences everything, including Max . Of course I got involved, Jos insisted. "I see it all happening and I think I am in a position to say something about it. I will never harm Max, of course. But I look at the bigger picture. "Ultimately, I stand behind everything I said. In the end, Helmut Marko seems to have more say again and that is a good thing in my opinion. The team is growing closer together again. "But I have the feeling that the team has to prove itself again. They have to show that they are still fast. That is also how Max sees it. The pressure is on and that is how it should be, said Jos Verstappen. It is up to the team to show that they have kept the right people and can build a fast car again. (GMM) Verstappen, Russell, healing broken relationship Max Verstappen and George Russell look to be healing their broken relationship. George Russell, Adu Dhabi GP 2024 Mercedes Their very public argument spilled over from Qatar to Abu Dhabi, even pulling in their respective Formula 1 team bosses Christian Horner and Toto Wolff. Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko, however, was not impressed. If the drivers are fighting with each other, it has nothing to do with fixing the technical problems with our car, he said. And so, there are now signs that the pair are patching up their spat. Of course we have our arguments, Verstappen told fans at the 2024 season finale, "but I'm sure we'll fix it again. It's good to have a little break. And I'm sure we'll see each other in Monaco. It's all going to work out again, the quadruple world champion added. At an end-of-season dinner attended by most drivers earlier this week, Russell reportedly picked up his chair and moved it as far away from Verstappen as possible. Verstappen suggested the entire affair was not a good look for Russell in particular - as senior director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA). I don't think it would be the best example for a president of FOM or the FIA to be behaving like that, said the Dutchman. So, after the GPDA meeting on Saturday, Mercedes' Russell was photographed posing right next to his Red Bull-driving rival. I haven't really spoken to George, Verstappen admitted, "but I'd rather not talk about it here either. Everything has already been said about it, so I'm mainly looking forward to the winter break. Of course I will do my best in the race, but I am also looking forward to having a little holiday. It has been difficult enough this year, he said. (GMM) Williams presses Alpine for Colapinto decision Alpine only has a few more days to snap up the services of Franco Colapinto for 2025. Franco Colapinto, Abu Dhabi GP 2024 Williams A wild rumour in the Abu Dhabi paddock is that Alpine decided to oust Esteban Ocon early in order to 'test' his 2025 replacement Jack Doohan before next season. The speculation suggests team advisor Flavio Briatore has his eye on the impressive Argentine rookie Colapinto, who is believed to have been ruled out by Red Bull due to his recent spate of crashes. Alpine, though, might still be interested - especially as Australian rookie Doohan qualified last in Abu Dhabi. If Red Bull or Alpine don't want him by mid-December, he will stay with us as reserve driver in 2025, Williams boss James Vowles, with a firm contractual hold on the 21-year-old, told the Swiss newspaper Blick. We are still open to all discussions, Vowles added. Whether it's about two, three or four years, everything has its price. (GMM) Next article: Four arrested in connection with shooting incident at Kasoa Featured Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah claims victory for fulfilled prophecy on Mahamas victory Mohammed Ali Dec - 08 - 2024 , 13:31 1 minute read Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah of the Glorious Word Power Ministries on Sunday during a sermon in church used the platform to affirmed the fulfilment of his prophecy regarding John Mahamas electoral victory. He said he has a role and God uses him for divine prophecy in selecting leaders and therefore urged "believers" to strengthen their faith. In church on Sunday [Dec 8, 2024], Rev Owusu Bempah reflected on his prophecy, which predicted Mahamas win over Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2024 presidential election. He explained that elections are an essential part of life, as they determine leadership not just for families or societies but for entire nations. Advertisement God cannot be separated from the selection of a leader. When a country has a leader, that leaders path is followed by the people, he said. It is his policies and decisions that govern the nation. Rev Owusu Bempah stressed that as children of God, it is crucial to participate in the election process. Watch the video below Next article: NDC supporters take over Collation Centre at Adentan Constituency Previous article: Ghana Elections: EC says it has 72 hours to declare results, urges patience Featured Agnes Naa Momo Lartey retains Krowor seat for NDC Justice Agbenorsi Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 17:12 1 minute read The National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for the Krowor constituency, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has registered an elaborate victory to retain the seat for her party. She polled 39,198 out of 62, 536 valid votes cast while the New Patriotic Partys Emmanuel Laryea Odai, polled 23,116 votes. Constituents have taken to the streets to jubilate the victory, causing gridlock for commuters using the Accra-Tema Beach road. Featured Ameyaw-Cheremeh loses Sunyani East seat, EC forced to declare results Biiya Mukusah Ali Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 18:44 2 minutes read The incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for the Sunyani East Constituency, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, has lost his seat to Seid Mubarak, a new entrant from the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Mubarak secured 34,453 votes to unseat Ameyaw-Cheremeh, who garnered 22,306 votes. Other candidates in the race included Independent aspirant Ransford Antwi and Sampson Alannyina Sampana of the People's National Convention (PNC). Antwi polled 8,294 votes, while Sampana obtained 222 votes. Violence However, before the Sunyani East Municipal Returning Officer, Jona Seli, announced the results, some young people believed to be the supporters of the NDC stormed the collation centre to attacked Electoral Commission (EC) officials for delaying the announcement of election results. Advertisement The agitators forced open the main entrance of the University of Ghana (CUG) College of Education Learning Centre to access the collation center, causing further damage. They clashed with security personnel and shattered the facility's sliding windows, prompting the EC to announce the parliamentary results. The scene after the security intervention It was only after swift intervention from security forces that the agitators were stopped from causing more destruction. Realizing the escalating tension, the EC decided to declare the parliamentary results to calm the angry youth, allowing them to leave so that the collation of the presidential results could continue. The protesters expressed frustration over the ECs inability to complete the collation process since Saturday, December 6. They pointed out that nearly all constituencies in the region had announced their results, except for Sunyani East. In total, 116,982 registered voters were expected to vote across 260 polling centers, including special voting locations in the area. Featured Chaotic scenes in Tamale as youths vandalise metro assembly, loot food items from warehouse [VIDEO] Graphic.com.gh Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 12:16 1 minute read Chaos erupted in Tamale after some youth vandalised the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly premises and looted food items from a warehouse. The incident occurred moments after the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat in the 2024 presidential election to the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama. According to eyewitnesses, the youth, wearing NDC-branded T-shirts stormed the assembly and damaged some property and carted food supplies reportedly intended for community distribution. Some of the youth claimed the food items were meant for farmers but were allegedly hoarded by the management of the metropolis for personal use. Advertisement The situation escalated further when some more youth, said to be from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) side, joined the fray, attempting to seize some of the looted items for themselves. Featured Collation ongoing at Ablekuma West, NPP's Ursula Owusu-Ekuful's seat shaky Enoch Darfah Frimpong Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 03:26 2 minutes read The National Democratic Congress' Rev. Kwaku Addo has taken an early lead in the collation at the Ablekuma West constituency where the position of Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the New Patriotic Party's incumbent Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West in Greater Accra, who is seeking re-election is shaky. Out of the 145 polling stations collated from the total of 224 polling stations, the incumbent Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has 16,304 votes as against Rev. Kwaku Addo's 20, 444, reports Graphic Online's Lydia Ezit from the collation centre, Advertisement The exercise, which is being held in all 276 constituencies will be sent to regional collation centre and then to the National Collation Centre in Accra. The move is aimed at promoting transparency and fairness in the electioneering process. Both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been holding separate press conferences urging their supporters to remain calm and allow the EC to do its work. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare and his team visited the Okaikoi Central Collation Centre to observe the security and collation at the Ghana Communication Technology University.#GraphicOnline#GhanaPolls2024#GhanaElections2024#GhanaElections pic.twitter.com/Iz2nOsmuek December 8, 2024 The NPP has admonished its supporters to conduct themselves properly while they monitor the collation and announcement of results. EC cautions against overcrowding collation centres https://t.co/qdpaLXRCiz DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) December 8, 2024 The NDC, on the other hand, has ordered its supporters to remain vigilant and not celebrate as they follow the process. The 2024 elections were contested by 12 presidential candidates. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare and his team visited the Okaikoi Central Collation Centre to observe the security and collation at the Ghana Communication Technology University.#GraphicOnline#GhanaPolls2024#GhanaElections2024#GhanaElections pic.twitter.com/Iz2nOsmuek DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) December 8, 2024 Next article: Police arrest 12 suspects for looting in Tamale, causing damage to properties in Damango and elsewhere Featured Development our common enemy - Oti Bless declares after securing fourth term victory Timothy Ngnenbe Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 16:16 2 minutes read The re-elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkwanta-North, John Oti Kwabena Bless, has pledged to focus on job creation, road infrastructure, human capital development, and the provision of potable water as his top priorities for the next four years. He emphasized that development is the shared challenge for all residents of Nkwanta-North, urging them to set aside their differences and work together for the collective progress of the district. In an interview with the Graphic Online shortly after the Electoral Commission (EC) declared him the winner of the Nkwanta-North Parliamentary election on December 8, Mr Bless stated that he is committed to justifying the trust the electorate has placed in him by tackling the districts pressing issues head-on. "I want to use this opportunity to thank the people of Nkwanta-North for having confidence in me for the past 12 years and for renewing my mandate for another four years. Advertisement "I will not take your mandate for granted; so I will work hard to ensure that we collectively tackle the development challenges we face, especially in the area of road network, water, jobs for the youth and education," he said. Election results Mr Bless won the Nkwanta-North Parliamentary seat for the fourth time after the EC's certified results saw him poll 25,402 votes to beat his closest contender, Benjamin Munyum Nador of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who managed 22,733 votes. The other contestants, Gabriel Kwabena Donkor of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) and Oduro Aikens Kofi Yeboah settled for 934 votes and 65 votes respectively. Mr Bless first won the seat in 2012 by beating the NPP's Joseph Kwaku Nayan who had held it for two terms (2004 and 2008). In 2020, the NPP candidate Benjamin Munyum Nador, gave Mr Bless a run for his money and closed the over 8,000 votes gap to just over 1,600. Moderation The atmosphere at the Kpassa Senior High Technical School (KPASTECH) Dinning Hall, which served as the Collation center, was charged as supporters of the NDC sang, chanted and danced to victory songs. The MP urged the supporters to exercise restraint in the celebration of his electoral victory. "This vislctory is a victory for all people of Nkwanta-North irrespective of their political colours. It is not a victory for Oti Bless but for all of us. While you celebrate, do not tease or insult others who you think are not in your political party. "Elections are over and we need to work together for the development of Nkwanta-North," he said. Featured EC blames party supporters for results collation delay Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 03:00 1 minute read The Electoral Commission (EC) has blamed large crowds at various collation centres for the delay in the collation and declaration of results for Saturday's presidential and parliamentary elections. Addressing a press conference around 2 a.m. at the EC headquarters in Accra, the Deputy Chairman of the EC in-charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey lamented that supporters were impeding progress by getting in the way of EC officials and disrupting their activities. He, therefore, reiterated the need for supporters of various candidates and parties to refrain from crowding the collation centres stressing that every candidate or party was well represented by respective agents. Featured EC cautions against overcrowding collation centres Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Politics Dec - 07 - 2024 , 23:54 3 minutes read The Electoral Commission (EC) has advised the public to avoid overcrowding collation centres as results from various polling stations continue to trickle in. At a press conference held at approximately 10:40 p.m. on Saturday at the ECs head office in Accra, the Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey emphasized that only accredited individuals and organizations would be permitted access to the collation centres. The commission wishes to inform the leadership of all political parties and presidential candidates that the coalitions centres are restricted areas. Only persons who have been accredited by the Electoral Commission can have access to the constituency coalitions centres and each candidate has two agents at each of the collation centres, he said. In this regard, Mr. Tettey praised the cooperation of candidates at the constituency collation centres, noting that their collaboration so far had been commendable. He urged them to maintain this approach to ensure a smooth and efficient collation process. Advertisement Regarding the media, the EC expressed appreciation for the high level of professionalism displayed thus far. However, Mr Tettey stressed the importance of media outlets verifying and cross-checking information, particularly election results, before releasing them to the public. The EC also extended its praise to polling officials, especially returning officers and collation officers, for their exemplary performance. Mr Tettey, however, reminded them to continue carrying out their duties with the utmost professionalism as the collation of results progressed at the various centres. The police has been able to maintain effective security at the collation centres so far, although a few of the centres were overcrowded but have been brought under control by the police, he added. Earlier tonight At a press conference, the Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi urged all NDC supporters to accompany the party's agents, the police, and Electoral Commission (EC) officials to the collation centres in their respective constituencies to "protect their votes." He emphasized that while voting had officially concluded, the next critical stage of the electoral processthe collation of resultswas still underway and required careful attention. Now you have the responsibility to protect those votes. This new stage of constituency collation is of utmost importance to all of us. Our leader would want all of us to stop the jubilation, Mr Gyamfi said. Until results are duly collated, declared at the constituency coalition centers, the results forms at the constituency collation centres are duly filled and signed by the various party collation agents and our agent is given his or her copy, you don't jubilate, he stated. You only jubilate after the results have been declared, agents have signed, or better still, our agent has had the official certified copy of the results declared by the Electoral Commission at the constituency collation centre, Mr Gyamfi told his charges. Featured Exercise patience, will of the people will prevail as expressed at the polls - EC Beatrice Laryea Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 17:41 3 minutes read The Electoral Commission of Ghana has called on Ghanaians, particularly supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to remain patient as the commission awaits results from across the country for the official declaration. In a media address on Sunday, December 8, the Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensah, explained that the process leading to the declaration of results is thorough and inclusive, involving all political parties and election observers. She noted that it had only been 23 hours since the close of polls, and the commission has up to 72 hours to make an official announcement. Mrs Mensah urged Ghanaians to be patient and bear with the commission during this time. "I'd like to ask that citizens exercise patience. It's just been 23 hours since the close of polls. The process is elaborate. It is inclusive. It involves the political parties and observers at every step and the whole idea is to ensure that what comes up at the end of the day has been as involved," she said. Advertisement "It's a bottom-up approach that has involved all the agents at all levels and at the end of the day, what comes up is acceptable by all the candidates and their supporters and the citizens as well. So this is the elaborate process we have and we thought that this afternoon, it was important to allay the fears and the anxieties of citizens." She continued: "The commission is going to intense and will uphold the will of the people as expressed at the polls and that will is what has been captured on the pink sheets. However, it's important that we exercise patience." "We take our time and we are very thorough in producing the results at the national level. As we speak, we have had results coming from Ahafo and we are expecting more results coming in in the next few hours." She further attributed the delay to political parties, accusing them of inciting their supporters to gather at the various collation centers, which she said disrupted the process. "Of course, if all the results come in the next hour and we review them, we would not wait until 72 hours or 48 hours before we do so. It's important to mention also that the delays in some of the coalition centers has resulted from the besieging of our centers by supporters of the parties." "In the anxiety and in the excitement, some supporters of political parties have besieged our coalition offices, making it difficult in some cases for our offices to carry out their functions," she said. She explained further: "We have spoken directly with the leadership of the political parties and we've asked them to recall their supporters. We believe that this should be done and our staff should have unhindered access and the free space to collate the results. So as I mentioned, we are looking forward to seeing the results." Featured Kwame A Plus wins Gomoa Central parliamentary seat Enoch Darfah Frimpong Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 03:48 1 minute read Entertainer and politician Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as Kwame A Plus, has been elected as the new Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central in the Central Region, ending the eight-year dominance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency. Kwame A Plus, contesting as an independent candidate, secured a decisive victory in the December 7 parliamentary election. He garnered 14,277 votes out of 36,026 total valid votes cast, defeating the incumbent MP, Naana Eyiah Quansah of the NPP, who polled 11,637 votes. Ywason Mohamed of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came third with 10,112 votes. This victory marks Kwame A Pluss first entry into Parliament and has left the incumbent MP and her supporters in shock. Naana Eyiah, who is also the Deputy Minister for the Interior, had served two terms in Parliament and had previously won the seat in 2016 and 2020 with commanding margins. Kwame A Plus celebrated his victory with street jubilations and took to social media to declare his win even before the official announcement by the Electoral Commission. His triumph is attributed to widespread dissatisfaction among the youth, who criticised the lack of developmental projects in the constituency under Naana Eyiahs tenure. Advertisement Gomoa Central, an NPP stronghold since 2016, has now shifted allegiance, with Kwame A Plus promising to deliver on his campaign commitments and champion development in the constituency. Featured Dr Bawumia concedes defeat to John Mahama in Ghana's 2024 Presidential Election Kweku Zurek Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 09:37 3 minutes read The Vice-President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flag Bearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has officially conceded defeat to his main opponent, John Dramani Mahama, in Ghanas 2024 Presidential Election. Speaking from his residence on Sunday, December 8, 2024, Dr Bawumia stated: Following yesterday's presidential and parliamentary elections, Ghanaians at home and abroad have been sitting on tenterhooks awaiting the outcome. Let me say that the data from our own internal collation of the election results indicate that former President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has won the Presidential election decisively. Flanked by NPP bigwigs including the National Chairman, Stephen Ayesu Ntim and his spouse, Samira Bawumia, Dr Bawumia disclosed that he had personally called Mr Mahama to congratulate him on his victory. I have just called His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to congratulate him as President-elect of the Republic of Ghana. I said during the signing of the peace pact that I was sure of two things: Ghana will win, and peace will reign. Advertisement Dr Bawumia emphasised that his decision to concede was driven by the need to reduce tension and preserve the peace of the nation. The people of Ghana have spoken. The people have voted for change at this time, and we respect that decision with all humility. I am making this concession speech before the official announcement by the Electoral Commission to avoid further tension and preserve the peace of our country. He reassured the public of his partys commitment to ensuring a smooth transition of power. As committed democrats, we pledge to ensure that we have a very smooth transition so that the business of government will continue seamlessly. The NPP will offer the needed support to the new government in a very responsible way. Acknowledging the disappointment within his partys ranks, Dr Bawumia urged supporters to remain optimistic. To the rank and file of the New Patriotic Party, I know the feeling hurts, given that this is not the result you worked for. But I assure you that we will regroup and come back even stronger. We may have lost the battle, but not the war. Dr Bawumia expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, his wife Samira Bawumia, his running mate Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and the entire NPP for their unwavering support throughout his campaign. He also extended thanks to traditional rulers, religious leaders, the Electoral Commission, security agencies, the media, and Ghanaians for their roles in the electoral process. Concluding his address, he remarked: Ghana is more important than our individual political ambitions, and we must always put Ghana first. Ghana has won. Thank you very much, and may God bless you and God bless our homeland, Ghana. Dr Bawumias concession paves the way for a peaceful transition as Ghanaians prepare for the swearing in of President-elect John Dramani Mahama. The Electoral Commission of Ghana is yet to declare the final official results. Featured Mahama expresses concern over military personnel deployed to cause chaos at collation centres Beatrice Laryea Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 04:06 1 minute read Former President John Dramani Mahama has voiced concern over the actions of some military personnel deployed to incite chaos and disrupt the declaration of election results. In a post on his X account, Mr Mahama warned these military personnel to cease their actions, emphasising that they would be held individually accountable for any wrongdoing. "My attention has been drawn to the violent activities of some unscrupulous military personnel, deployed to cause mayhem and disrupt the declaration of parliamentary results in some constituencies." "This is to caution the personnel involved that they will be held individually liable and responsible for their actions," he said. Advertisement Featured NDC supporters take over Collation Centre at Adentan Constituency Rosalind K Amoh Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 16:33 1 minute read The Collation Centre for the Adentan Constituency has been completely occupied by scores of supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as they await the declaration of their candidates as winners of the general elections. Though the directive from the Electoral Commission has been to restrict the centre to only accredited persons, hundreds of supporters as early as 6am, began arriving at the centre, the Conference Hall of the Victory Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana St Adenta Frafraha. On Saturday night, the police did well to prevent such a take over as they kept them out behind the main gate, but they may have underestimated the situation as most of the police personnel left in the middle of the night. Only three policemen could be seen, certainly inadequate to handle the situation Advertisement Though some of them left the hall after the Returning Officer made an announcement for them to leave, they all rushed back when their parliamentary candidate, Mohammed Adamu Ramadan arrived for the declaration. Subsequent announcements for the supporters to leave, were ignored, compelling the EC officials to also withhold the announcement until.the night thing was done. Featured NDC urges Dr Bawumia to concede defeat in Presidential elections Kweku Zurek Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 09:19 2 minutes read The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to concede defeat in the 2024 Presidential Elections. At a press conference today in Accra, Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the NDC, claimed that the partys internal collation showed its flag bearer, John Dramani Mahama, leading by a margin of over 1.5 million votes. Mr Gyamfi urged Dr Bawumia to expedite the concession process using one of his many digital apps and enable a smooth and peaceful transition. He remarked, Example, in some of the Bono constituencies we have won, they (NPP polling agents) are nowhere to be found to sign the results as collated. Then EC officials are saying we are waiting for them. We want to tell the Electoral Commission that if the NPP will not come and sign, declare the results... Declare the results and spare the nation the tension you have launched us into. Advertisement Mr Gyamfi further called on Dr Bawumia to act as a statesman and respect the election outcome. He said, And for God's sake, Alhaji Bawumia, for Gods sake, you are an Alhaji. You call yourself Doctor Digital. So I'm sure that by now, through your many digital applications, you have collated your results. You know you have lost." Please call your Senior Brother, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, concede defeat and save this nation the unnecessary tension that you and your goons have brought us into. Enough of the killings, enough of the violence. Ours is a democracy governed by the rule of law. The will of the people expressed at the polls is supreme. Be a Democrat and respect the will of the people. The NDCs call for calm comes amidst heightened political tension as Ghanaians await the final declaration of results by the Electoral Commission. The Bawumia campaign is scheduled to host a press briefing later this morning. Featured NDC snatching Tema West constituency parliamentary seat from NPP Della Russel Ocloo Politics Dec - 07 - 2024 , 22:50 1 minute read Della Russel Ocloo reports from the Tema West Constituency that indications are pointing to a win for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the first time since 1996. The move is evident in the spirited fight the party officials and its agents have put up especially on voting day maintaining vigilance and preventing the transportation of ballot boxes in taxicabs to the collation centre at the Tema Secondary School at Community Five. The NDC Candidate, James Enu, a private legal practitioner who contested the seat for the second time, after his failed attempt in 2016 put up a spirited fight against new entrant, Dennis Sefah Amfo, former Constituency Chairman of the NDC in the constituency and a protege of the outgoing Member of Parliament, Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah. While voting was generally peaceful in the 283 polling stations scattered across the constituency, there was isolated incidents of chaos and near voilence at the BBC, Mexico School and the Mount Zion Methodist School polling stations. Advertisement At the Mount Zion School, there were near fisticuffs when an electoral officer was alleged to have carried a ballot into a car stationed around the polling centre. The representatives of the NDC raised an alarm describing the incident as an attempt to snatch ballot box. In the meantime, although the EC is yet to release the provisional results owing to the delays in the collation processes, majority of the sympathisers of the governing NPP seem to have deserted the centre leaving the NDC supporters to crowd the gates at the collation centre singing and chanting after the Police denied them entry into the facility. Featured NPP incumbent Patrick Yaw Boamah takes early lead in Okaikoi Central Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 00:03 2 minutes read Provisional collated results from 21 out of 141 polling stations in the Okaikoi Central Constituency have shown the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Patrick Yaw Boamah, taking an early lead with 2,773 votes, while the NDC' Baba Sadiq follows closely with 2,124 votes, with 21 rejected ballots. In the presidential race, the NDCs John Dramani Mahama has taken the lead with 2,758 votes, followed by the NPP candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, with 2,390 votes. Collation at the Ghana University of Technology and Communication also shows that Nana Kwame Bediako secured 71 votes and Alana Kyerematen 24 votes; the Ghana Union Movement's (GUM) Christian Kwame Andrews had three votes, the Convention People's Party (CPP), Nana Frimpomaa Kumankuma, and the All People's Congress' Hassan Abdulai Ayariga had two votes each. Kofi Koranteng and George Twum Barima-Adu all polled one vote each. Advertisement Altercation Earlier, the collation was marred by pockets of altercations among political party agents over sitting arrangements. This was, however, calmed after party agents and EC officials reached an agreement. Also, a series of altercations ensued outside the collation centre with alleged imposters addressing themselves as EC officials. The heavy security presence helped to restore calm, although no arrests were made. The police allegedly fired pepper spray to disperse the teeming crowd at the entrance of the collation centre which threatened to distort the collation process. Reaction In a short interview with the Daily Graphic, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate Abdulai Baba Sadiq, urged supporters and agents to remain focused as the results trickled in. Baba Sadiq, who was at the collation centre to witness the process with his agents, urged the supporters not to be swayed, but remain focused. "We need to stay focused and have sharp minds to do the collation and hopefully we will win," he said. Featured NPP will accord Ghanaians more respect after this election - Ablakwa Beatrice Laryea Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 04:36 1 minute read The Member of Parliament for North Tongu in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is confident that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will treat Ghanaians with greater dignity, consideration and recognition after the 2024 general election. Mr Ablakwa believes that Ghanaians deserve to be respected in a way that acknowledges their worth, culture and rights, both socially and politically. He emphasises the importance of recognising the contributions, valuing the opinions and ensuring that the needs and interests of the Ghanaian people are properly addressed. "The NPP will accord Ghanaians more respect after tonight. For now, greater vigilance, please," he wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter) on December 7, 2024 at 10:48 p.m. Advertisement "Lets do all in our power to protect the victory of the Ghanaian people, and resolve to be different in government," he added. Next article: Damango: EC district office on fire over election results collation disagreement Featured Police arrest 12 suspects for looting in Tamale, causing damage to properties in Damango and elsewhere Enoch Darfah Frimpong Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 16:10 2 minutes read Police arrest 12 suspects for looting in Tamale and causing damage to properties in Damango. In the Tamale incident chaos erupted after some youth vandalised the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly premises and looted food items from a warehouse. The incident occurred moments after the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat in the 2024 presidential election to the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama. According to eyewitnesses, the youth, wearing NDC-branded T-shirts stormed the assembly and damaged some property and carted food supplies reportedly intended for community distribution. Advertisement According to eyewitnesses, the youth, wearing NDC-branded T-shirts stormed the assembly and damaged some property and carted food supplies reportedly intended for community distribution. In Damango, the district office of the Electoral Commission in Damango in the Savannah Region was set on fire over disagreements about the collation of the 2024 Election results. The Electoral Commission (EC) is in the process of collating the results for the constituency parliamentary and presidential elections, where the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, is the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP). Attached below is a copy of the police statement on the arrests POLICE ARREST 12 SUSPECTS FOR LOOTING AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO PROPERTIES IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY Featured Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang poised to become Ghana's first female Vice President GraphicOnline Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 11:19 7 minutes read In a historic turn of events, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is set to make history as Ghanas first female Vice-President following the concession of Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer John Dramani Mahama in the 2024 Presidential Election. Professor Opoku-Agyemang served as Mahamas running mate in the December 7, 2024 elections, marking her second appearance on a presidential ticket after partnering him in the 2020 general election. Her selection was formally approved by the NDCs National Executive Committee earlier this year, solidifying her place as a trailblazer in Ghanaian politics. Distinguished academic career Born on November 22, 1951, in Cape Coast, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang (nee Jane Naana Sam) is a celebrated academic and politician. She made history as the first female Vice-Chancellor of a public university in Ghana, leading the University of Cape Coast from 2008 to 2012. She is also the current Chancellor of the Womens University in Africa, based in Zimbabwe. Advertisement Prof. Opoku-Agyemang holds a B.Ed. in English and French from the University of Cape Coast, a Diploma in Advanced Studies from the University of Dakar, and a masters and doctorate from York University in Canada. She also attended Anglican Girls Secondary School at Koforidua and Aburi Presby Girls School. She then had her secondary education at the Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast from 1964 to 1971. Her academic contributions include a focus on literature, oral traditions, and issues in the African diaspora. Career of public service and leadership As Minister of Education from 2013 to 2017, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang championed inclusivity in education, particularly through the Inclusive Education Policy of 2015. She has also been an advocate for women and girls, leveraging her platform to promote gender equality and access to education. Her political journey has been marked by a commitment to integrity and issue-focused campaigning. Her influence was instrumental in bolstering NDC support in key regions, including the Central and Greater Accra regions. Role model for generations Prof. Opoku-Agyemangs groundbreaking achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including honorary degrees and international recognition. She was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Volta for Academic Distinction in 2011 and has been celebrated as one of the 100 most influential women in Africa by Avance Media. As she prepares to take office, Prof. Opoku-Agyemangs historic ascension is seen as a victory for gender representation and inclusivity in Ghanaian politics. Her journey reflects a lifetime of dedication to education, leadership, and service, inspiring a new generation of women leaders across the nation and continent. Below is the Profile of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang; Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, born November 22, is a Ghanaian academic and politician who served as Minister for Education from February 2013 to January 2017. She is a full professor of literature. She served as the first female Vice-Chancellor of a state university in Ghana when she took over as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast. She currently serves as the Chancellor of the Womens University in Africa. In the December 2020 Ghanaian presidential election, she partnered with John Mahama as his running mate on the NDC party ticket. Mahama made an official declaration of Prof. Opoku-Agyeman as his running mate on July 6, 2020. Early life and education Born on November 22, 1951 in Cape Coast, Ghana, as Jane Naana Sam, she attended Anglican Girls Secondary School at Koforidua and Aburi Presby Girls School. She then had her secondary education at the Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast from 1964 to 1971. She completed B.Ed.(Hons) in English and French at the University of Cape Coast in 1977. She earned a Diploma in Advanced Studies in French from the University of Dakar and obtained her masters degree and doctorate degrees from York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1980 and 1986 respectively. Academic career Opoku-Agyemang taught and worked at the University of Cape Coast, starting in 1986. She has held various academic positions including Head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Warden of Adehye Hall, Valco Trust Fund Post-Graduate Hostel, and the Founding Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research. From 1997, she has held the position of Academic Director of the School for International Training in the History and Cultures of the African Diaspora. From 2008 to 2012 she was the universitys Vice-Chancellor. She assumed duty on October 1, 2008, succeeding Emmanuel Addow-Obeng. In March 2007, she was one of five scholars selected to deliver presentations during the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. In October 2009, she was elected Ghanas representative to the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Ahead of the 2012 general election, Jane Opoku Agyemang moderated the debate with Kojo Oppong Nkrumah. On 26 October 2018, she became Chancellor of the Womens University in Africa located in Zimbabwe. She has served on many local and international boards and committees such as the Centre for Democratic Governance, (CDD-Ghana), the editorial board of the Harriet Tubman Series on the African Diaspora (Africa World Press Inc. USA), the Africa Initiative in Canada, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons as an Eminent Citizen. Author Opoku-Agyemang is an author. Her focus areas include Literature with a focus on Women from Ghana, Oral literature in Ghana and Africa, and Communication Skills and Issues in the African Diaspora. As an academic, she has written and published in scholarly journals and presented articles at various conferences including at the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and at the Inaugural Lecture to the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2015, as Education Minister, she published and launched a five-volume collection of published folktales titled Who told the Most Incredible Story? Politics Minister for Education Between February 2013 and January 2017 she served as the Minister of Education after she was appointed by President John Mahama to serve in that role after the National Democratic Congress had won the 2012 Ghanaian general election. One of her focus areas was empowering the girl child education and empowering women. During her tenure as Minister for Education, she focused on implementing policies that covered inclusiveness in education in Ghana which birthed the Inclusive Education Policy 2015. Vice-presidential campaign Opoku-Agyemang was selected as the presidential running mate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on July 6, 2020, for Ghanas December 2020 General election. She became the first female running mate of the two major political parties in Ghana. Her selection by the flag bearer, John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress, was applauded by women groups and women activists as a positive sign to the Ghanaian political scene to promote gender balance and equality. She appealed to Ghanaians to vote for change and promised to use her office as vice-president to influence sustainable development and practical youth-centred policies. Her campaign message was devoid of attacks on opponents. Her intensive campaign in the coastal communities and her home region, the Central Region, yielded results as the NDC won most of the constituencies they had lost in 2016. The NDC also won 9 out of the 16 regions in Ghana including the major battleground, Greater Accra. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang continues to remain one of the most influential voices in Ghanaian politics. She has criticised the implementation of the governments Free SHS policy which was a major campaign item for the ruling party. Professional association Opoku-Agyemang is a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, University Teachers Association of Ghana, English Studies Association, African Studies Association, United States, African Literature Association, United States and International Fulbright Scholars Association, Commonwealth of Learning among others. Personal life Opoku Agyemang is a Christian who worships as a Methodist. She has three children; Dr Kweku Opoku-Agyemang, Dr Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang and Dr Maame Adwoa Opoku-Agyemang. Awards and recognition Opoku-Agyemang has been honoured with honorary degrees from the University of West Indies and Winston-Salem University. She has also received an award for Global leadership from the University of South Florida in Tampa. She has also received the Officer of the Order of the Volta award for Academic Distinction in 2011 by President John Atta Mills. And Ghana Women of Excellence Award in the Education category due to her contribution to the development and promotion of quality education in Ghana. She has been acknowledged for Outstanding Performance in Advancing International Education, School for International Training, Vermont, USA on two occasions. In 2020 she was named among the 40 Most Inspirational Female Leaders in Ghana for serving as a role model for women in Ghana and Africa. Avance media also named her among the 100 Most Influential Women in Africa. In January 2023, Opoku Agyemang was listed among the 100 most reputable Africans. Featured We will ensure smooth transition - Bawumia assures Chris Nunoo Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 10:57 2 minutes read The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has pledged to ensure a very smooth transition so that the business of government will continue seamlessly. He said the NPP would offer the needed support to the new government in a very responsible way. Dr Bawumia who made this known in a media briefing at his official residence in Cantonment in Accra this morning said the NPP would not be a disruptive opposition even though it would subject government actions and policies to strict scrutiny in the interest of the nation. He was convinced that Members of Parliament (MPs) of the NPP would do a thorough job to advance the democracy of the country and ensure that the citizens got the best out of the democratic dispensation. Advertisement We have conceded defeat like any consummate democrat will do but we have not abandoned the fact to transform Ghana and expand opportunities to all sections of our society, he said, adding To the rank and file of the NPP, I know the feeling hurts, given that this is not the result you worked for. I know you will feel there is darkness ahead but that is natural, especially when in all sincerity you gave the assignment your all. The NPP flag bearer further assured the rank and file of the party that they would regroup and come back even stronger. He thanked his campaign team for their effort and assured the President-elect John Dramani Mahama of his full support in the transition process. Featured Wild NDC jubilation in Kumasi ahead of EC's declaration Emmanuel Baah Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 19:12 1 minute read Hundreds of supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flooded the streets of Kumasi on Sunday afternoon, celebrating their flagbearer even before the Electoral Commission (EC) officially declared John Dramani Mahama as the president-elect. A visit to communities such as Atonsu, Esereso, and Oforikrom revealed that, based on figures they had gathered, supporters believed their party was in a comfortable lead and began celebrating early. The excitement was even more pronounced in NDC strongholds like Asewase, Aboabo, and Asokore-Mampong, where supporters took to the streets in full force. Some rode in the back of tricycles, known locally as "Aboboyaa," while others zipped through the streets on motorbikes, with a few perched on moving vehicles. Fueled by music blasting from loudspeakers, supporters danced to party songs, including "Aseda" by King Paluta, a popular track among NPP circles. Advertisement Many wore party T-shirts, and some carried portraits of their candidate. Their presence on the streets caused traffic jams in several parts of the city. At Atonsu High School Junction, jubilant supporters had taken over the main Atonsu-Lake road, creating further congestion. Some supporters even stepped in to direct traffic, performing tasks usually handled by the MTTD, in an attempt to prevent accidents. While some road users expressed frustration with the delays caused by the celebrations, most were patient, moving cautiously to avoid accidents. In their excitement, some supporters even climbed onto the bonnets of moving vehicles, putting their safety at risk, all to express their satisfaction with the results they believed would favor their candidate. Featured Zanetor Rawlings re-elected MP for Klottey Korle Constituency Gertrude Ankah Politics Dec - 08 - 2024 , 09:41 1 minute read Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been re-elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Klottey Korle constituency in the 2024 parliamentary election. Zanetor, daughter of former President Jerry John Rawlings, secured 39,700 votes, defeating her closest rival, Valentino Nii Noi Nortey of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who received 23,558 votes. This victory marks another term for Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, who has represented Klottey Korle since January 2017. Throughout her campaign, she focused on key issues such as infrastructure development, youth employment and health care, connecting with a wide range of voters in the densely populated urban constituency. Advertisement In her victory speech, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her constituents for their continued support. "I am humbled by the trust of the people of Klottey Korle," she said. "I remain dedicated to addressing our challenges and advancing the development of our community." The Klottey Korle seat, known for its highly competitive nature, continues to be a key battleground in Ghana's political landscape, with both the NPP and NDC vying for control in the region. James Perez Viernes acutely remembers the moment when he knew he would write his book, two decades ago. He was thousands of miles away, attending the University of Hawaii Center for Pacific United Studies, and he was missing home. His school required him to do research, with a nudge toward indigenous research, and told its students that research must be meaningful. If you open a history of Guam textbook to this day, you might find a sentence about Sumay. Youre not going to find a sentence about the people of Sumay, said Viernes. And so it was a very real moment for me to be thousands of miles away, realizing what I had left, and what I was no longer a part of, and to really, be called to do something, to provide some level of voice to these people who have been made voiceless by history. His book, Every Day I Dream of Sumay, is the result of that revelation. He launched it on Saturday at the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center, near the entrance to Sumay, the only village on Guam whose ancestral homes, farms and fishing grounds were taken from indigenous people, fenced away to become Big Navy. It is known today as Naval Base Guam. The book tells stories and shares memories not of frustration, anger or vengeance, but stories of resilience, courage and fortitude. The stories are told by those deeply rooted in Sumay. They are the descendants of the bustling Sumay that was once the economic capital of Guam. And despite the struggles and hardship endured by their ancestors, many former Sumay residents made their homes in the nearby and undeveloped foothills area now known today as Santa Rita-Sumai. Lynette Cruz, in the middle of a two-week vacation to Guam from Washington, accidentally found herself in the middle of Viernes book launch. She asked Viernes to sign her copy and address it to her father, Geronimo Lorenzo, whose family is rooted in Sumay. I had to get this book for my Dad, she said. Our family has ties to Sumay. I am sure he will enjoy it. Maria Connelley, 80, was just four months old when Guam was liberated. But she is well aware of her familys Sumay roots, and takes every opportunity to show that shes a part of that Sumay voice, muted by post-war activities. Even as a child, she remembers visiting Sumay on All Souls Day to pay respects to her elders. That practice continues annually today. And I believe that their presence will continue, she said. And I hope that my granddaughter and other nephews and nieces who are much much younger will continue to come. The federal receiver running Ordot dump is suing to have the Guam Waterworks Authority pay at least $4.4 million to the Guam Solid Waste Authority, against the wishes of GSWAs own leadership. And attorneys for the receiver argue Ordot dump shouldnt be handed back to GovGuam until the lawsuit against GWA is settled, according to a status report filed with the District Court of Guam. The suit against GWA is the latest filed as the receiver, the government of Guam, several private contractors and attorneys involved argue in court over whos to blame for years of increased levels of hazardous runoff at Ordot dump. Legal troubles come as GovGuam inches closer to closing out the 2008 dump receivership, which has generated $23 million for receiver Gershman, Bricker & Bratton Inc. and its attorneys, according GovGuams request to the court to sue GBB. GovGuam is already suing several contractors involved in the 2011 closeout of the dump, and wants permission from the court to sue GBB over alleged faulty design work. But the receivers suit against GWA and its insurance company places the blame for increased runoff or leachate at Ordot on a leaking GWA pipe. The lawsuit points to analysis of contaminated runoff at the dump completed in August 2023, which allegedly reveals a GWA leak as the cause of increased runoff. Between 2018 and 2022, a GWA pipe at Dero Road near the dump leaked over 100 million gallons of water, the GBB lawsuit alleges. That water seeped into the ground and penetrated the dump, increasing the amount of leachate generated, in which GSWA paid GWA an extra $2.1 million to get rid of, according to the suit. Total costs incurred by GSWA as a result of the leak amounted to $4.4 million, court documents state. Attorneys for GBB assert the waterworks authority acted negligently by failing to maintain its pipes, that it breached its agreement with Solid Waste to dispose of the leachate, and that DB Insurance is liable for the claim. Both GWA General Manager Miguel Bordallo, and now attorneys for GovGuam, have argued that leachate levels at the dump would not be impacted by groundwater if the dump was closed properly. Solid Waste objections The latest status report filed with the court in the dump case shows that GovGuam and leadership at Solid Waste do not agree with the filing of the suit against GWA. According to the report, Solid Waste General Manager Irvin Slike told the receiver as early as September that he was working out a $1 million credit with GWAs Bordallo over the leak. Slike stated that the two agencies could work the issue out quicker, instead of involving GWAs insurance company, according to the report. Attorneys for GovGuam also argue that the receiver has failed to engage with GWA in good faith about the leak issue, and filed the Oct. 31 lawsuit before giving GWA a chance to respond to a demand for $4.4 million sent on Aug. 21. That $4.4 million demand also includes $700,000 in fees for GBBs attorney, GovGuam noted in last weeks status report. Attorneys for GovGuam state the lawsuit against GWA should be seen for what it is, an attempt by the receiver to prepare its defense in the suit GovGuam wants to bring against GBB. According to the receivers attorneys, seven attempts were made to meet with GWA between Aug. 21 and Oct. 16. GBB noted that the court has ordered the receiver to take the lead in getting a claim from GWA for the leak. The receiver added that Solid Waste has a strong claim against GWA, and that Slikes settlement of $1 million would lose out on $3.4 million worth of damages. GovGuam in the status report asks the court to rule that the matter be settled between Solid Waste and GWA. Dave Lotz is a vocal advocate for protecting Guams unique heritage, a knowledgeable and long-time hiking enthusiast and environmental advocate, and critic of inept government. He has been a resident of Guam since 1970 and retired from the Guam Department of Parks and Recreation, Andersen Air Force Base Environmental Flight, and the National Park Service. Haiti - France : Donation of 4 armored intervention vehicles On Saturday, December 7, 2024, Antoine Michon, Ambassador of France to Haiti, officially handed over 4 armored intervention vehicles worth 1 million Euros to the Haitian National Police (PNH) for its fight against armed gangs. The ceremony took place in the presence of, among others, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, the Acting Director General of the PNH, the Inspector General of the French National Police, Directors, Inspectors General, Commissioners, Officers and Executives of the PNH. In his speech, the Ambassador of France declared : "[...] I would first like to have a word for the police officers of the Haitian National Police and a thought for those of you who have been injured or killed in recent weeks. Despite difficult conditions, you are engaged every day in intense battles against lawless criminal gangs who commit atrocious atrocities against the most deprived in Haitian society. In the face of these criminals, you are the defenders of order and law and the ramparts of the Republic of Haiti. Your sense of sacrifice and your self-denial oblige us. Know that France will always be at your side in this fight. France is engaged in strong security cooperation with the Haitian authorities, as part of the agreement of April 3, 2024. This Franco-Haitian cooperation is carried out as closely as possible to the needs of the police officers [...] We implement training in the field, with high-level experts from France, regardless of the security conditions in the country; In 2024, these training courses engaged 11 experts from the French national police on a mission in Port-au-Prince for the benefit of specialized units of the PNH, such as SWAT, UTAG or BRI. In total, 360 PNH trainees were able to follow these training courses which cover a wide range of fields : operational intelligence, surveillance techniques, drone piloting, precision shooting, operational shooting. These are training courses that make an immediate difference on an operational level. [...] Support in materials and equipment: A budget of 1 million euros was allocated in 2023 for the purchase of numerous protective equipment (bulletproof vests, helmets, etc.), as well as several vehicles. In 2024, another budget of 1 million euros was used to purchase the four armored intervention vehicles that we are officially handing over to you today; Purchase of 4 high-capacity drones dedicated to operational field units; Purchase of an unmarked vehicle equipped with equipment dedicated to surveillance for the judicial police; Creation of a covered space dedicated to training the BRI. Operational cooperation also remains a priority for the French Embassy in Haiti. Several projects are currently being developed, in conjunction with our international partners and the OAS. These projects focus in particular on the fight against narcotics and weapons and on the training and development of specialized units of the PNH (SWAT, Temporary Unit Temporary Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG), Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI), but also intervention brigades in police stations. [...] We are at your side in your action for the benefit of the population who legitimately aspire to security. [...] You can relies on France to support you in this fight." HL/ HaitiLibre Tuohimaa is the communications manager of Posiva Oy in Helsinki. The company was founded back in 1995 by two operators of nuclear power plants in the country with the aim of finally finding a local repository. The company now claims to have achieved this: Onkalo is to be built in Olkiluoto, the first deep geological repository for spent fuel and other highly radioactive leftovers from nuclear technology, which is to be operated until 2100 before being sealed off for 10,000 years or more. Anzeige The material is to be placed and sealed in the gigantic facility using the Swedish KBS-3 method. Final tests are currently underway and regular operations will begin in 2026. In the interview, Tuohimaa talks about why Finland seems to be able to do something here that other countries including much larger ones such as Germany and the USA cannot, even though the problem is extremely urgent and the existing storage sites are only temporary. heise online: After all, it appears to be quite difficult to set up a safe repository for spent fuel. What is Finland doing differently to previous attempts that seems to be working this time? Pasi Tuohimaa: We have pursued a very open and transparent communication strategy since the early days of nuclear power production in Finland that was more than 45 years ago. We have earned the trust of the Finnish population through transparent site visits, direct information and also by communicating bad news when it occurs. We also have a really good track record with all our power plants in terms of energy production and nuclear safety. So you're saying: we can do here what others can't. This is obviously a great achievement for a small country like Finland. Finns are very practical people. When we need to do something, for example to secure our energy or electricity sector, we do it. The same goes for waste. People here believe that if our generation produces waste, it is their responsibility to take care of it and not leave it to the solidarity of future generations. Anzeige Pasi Tuohimaa, Communications Manager of Posiva. (Image: privat) Since the start of electricity production, nuclear power plant operators have also been paying money into the nuclear waste fund, which is controlled by the responsible ministry, to ensure the final disposal of spent fuel elements. The idea of the fund is that money is always available for final disposal, even if the companies were to go bankrupt and simply disappear. There are currently around 2.5 billion euros in the fund. How far have the preparations at Onkalo progressed? The facilities have been completed underground and also at ground level in the encapsulation plant. We now have the test run for the entire complex. It started at the end of August and will continue for a few more months. So we are in the countdown to the start of final storage. What is special about the Onkalo site? It will be the world's first real final repository for spent fuel that is in operation. It is decades ahead of any other similar site or project. Onkala also has a lot of support from the local population. The municipalities of Eurajoki and Loviisa were actually competing for the site. Both were already nuclear sites, so confidence in the technology had already been earned and people knew a lot about nuclear energy and our safety culture. Nobody had to give in to any preconceptions. The more you know, the less you fear. But how does the local population actually feel about your plant? They are all quite proud of the project. A protest organised by Helsinki without Nazis (Helsinki ilman natseja) on Finnish Independence Day ended with 41 arrests and accusations of police misconduct. Authorities denied the claims, stating officers faced violence during attempts to disperse the crowd. The demonstration, held in response to the far-right 612 torch march, highlighted tensions over policing priorities and freedom of assembly. The events unfolded at Toolontori, Helsinki. The 612 torch march, linked to far-right networks, had reserved the square. In accordance with Finnish law, the police prioritised the group that had submitted its notification first. Helsinki without Nazis, a coalition of anti-fascist groups, gathered at the same location despite police orders to relocate. During the dispersal, police reported that some protesters resisted officers by kicking, hitting, and pulling equipment. Ylikomisario Patrik Karlsson defended police actions, stating, We asked them to move. When they refused, we had to intervene. Some participants used violence against police. He added that authorities did not injure protesters, contrary to claims. The organisers of Helsinki without Nazis issued a statement expressing deep disappointment, accusing police of excessive force. The group alleged that officers pushed demonstrators with their elbows, causing two people to faint. They also claimed mounted police rode through the crowd. This sends a troubling message about the polices priorities, the statement read. The organisers characterised their protest as peaceful and accused the police of favouring the far-right marchers. Police denied the accusations. Karlsson stated that authorities tried to find an alternative protest site but received no cooperation from the organisers. He emphasised that all groups have equal rights to demonstrate, saying, We are tasked with ensuring public safety and upholding the law. Our role is not to judge anyones agenda. The police reported that most arrests were for obstructing officers or resisting orders. Some individuals were detained for allegedly attempting to seize a police firearm. Most were released later that evening. Tensions were heightened by the presence of far-right elements within the 612 march. Participants included members of Active Club and Soldiers of Odin, groups known for nationalist and anti-immigrant views. Journalists on the scene reported seeing individuals performing Nazi salutes. Police intervened when some marchers burned signs left by counter-protesters. The Helsinki without Nazis demonstration drew an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 participants. The 612 march attracted around 500 people, while the Sinimusta Liike's Suomi heraa rally earlier in the day had approximately 300 attendees. An incident at Helsinkis Oodi library further contributed to the day's confrontations. Police detained a man who played loud music in protest against the Sinimusta Liike event. Officers stated he refused to leave when asked. Media freedom also came under scrutiny. The Finnish News Agency STT reported that police prevented one of its journalists from filming an arrest. Police later stated there was no policy against filming such events. The events at Toolontori echoed similar incidents in previous years. In 2022, police arrested over 50 Helsinki without Nazis protesters after they refused to disperse. Following a review of that incident, the Parliamentary Ombudsman found no fault with police actions but recommended reassessing the use of police horses in crowd control. The day's confrontations reignited debate on balancing public order with the right to protest. Police maintained they acted within the law, while organisers of Helsinki without Nazis remained critical of what they described as selective enforcement. HT The 612 torch march, which organisers claim to be politically neutral, started from Toolontori and proceeded to Hietaniemi cemetery. Independence Day demonstrations in Helsinki concluded with police detaining 40 counter-protesters and accusations of extremist symbolism within the 612 torch march. The day featured high tensions between the far-right 612 torch procession and the Helsinki without Nazis (Helsinki ilman natseja) counter-protest. Among its participants were members of the nationalist Soldiers of Odin group and the international far-right network Active Club, identifiable by their attire. Several participants made Nazi salutes during the march, reported journalists on site. Finns Party MP Teemu Keskisarja marched at the front alongside Tuukka Kuru, chairman of the openly fascist Sinimusta Liike. In his speech before the march, Keskisarja stated, Those who call us Nazis are speaking nonsense, urging attendees to set aside political divides for the day. Keskisarjas decision to participate drew criticism, but his party leadership did not impose sanctions. Before the 612 march began, counter-protesters from Helsinki without Nazis gathered to oppose the procession. The police, citing prior notification laws, ordered the counter-protest to relocate to Taivallahden square. Organisers refused, and the demonstration proceeded at Toolontori. Clashes ensued as police, including riot units and mounted officers, cleared the square. Some counter-protesters resisted, leading to 40 arrests for disobeying orders and obstructing officers. Police reported attempts to seize equipment, while counter-protesters accused officers of excessive force. Some participants were reportedly struck in the throat with elbows, causing fainting. During the dispersal, police horses were used to move demonstrators. One officers firearm was reportedly targeted in an attempted seizure, though no suspects were apprehended. Tensions escalated when 612 marchers seized banners from Helsinki without Nazis and set them alight. A participant declared, Helsinki for Nazis, while igniting a banner. They also took a Palestinian flag from the counter-protesters. Journalists reported being obstructed by police while filming arrests. Despite this, police maintained there was no policy preventing public recording. The police presence was notably large, with dozens of riot officers, horses, and dogs deployed. Ive never seen this many police at a demonstration, said a journalist from Helsingin Sanomat. The 612 march ended at Hietaniemi cemetery without further incidents. Police later lifted the containment of Toolontori, stating the demonstrations proceeded as anticipated. However, organisers of Helsinki without Nazis expressed disappointment, describing police actions as arbitrary and biased toward the far-right. Independence Day demonstrations in recent years have consistently drawn clashes between nationalist groups and anti-fascist protesters, reflecting deep societal divisions. HT News / Local by Mzala Tom Vusi Tshabalala, the former Chief Whip of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State Provincial Legislature, has officially joined the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), signaling a notable shift in the province's political dynamics. Tshabalala, a well-known figure in the Free State and a former mayor of Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality, has had close ties with influential ANC leaders such as Ace Magashule and Jacob Zuma. His move to the MK Party marks a significant break from his longstanding association with the ANC.Tshabalala's political career has been deeply embedded in the Free State. He served as the Mayor of Maluti-a-Phofung from 2013 to 2018, overseeing various development projects amid controversies. In 2019, he transitioned to the Free State Provincial Legislature, taking on the role of Majority Chief Whip. However, in October 2021, Tshabalala was suspended by the ANC amid allegations of supporting independent candidates during the local government elections. He consistently denied the accusations, and by June 2022, the ANC's Provincial Disciplinary Committee acquitted him due to insufficient evidence.Founded in December 2023, the MK Party has quickly gained momentum, particularly among former ANC members seeking an alternative platform. The party advocates for justice, integrity, and effective service delivery, which resonates with Tshabalala's own political goals. By joining the MK Party, Tshabalala aims to contribute to transformative leadership and social change in the Free State.Lehlohonolo Stona, MK Youth League Convenor in the Free State, expressed confidence in Tshabalala's impact on the party, stating, "His wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to the people will undoubtedly bolster our efforts to provide progressive and transformative leadership."Beyond his political involvement, Tshabalala has made significant contributions to community development. In August 2022, he launched the Vusi Tshabalala Foundation at the Thiboloha School for the Deaf and Blind in Phuthaditjhaba, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to social upliftment.With Tshabalala now part of the MK Party, his political influence and experience are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Free State's governance. News / National by Staff reporter A fierce internal power struggle is tearing through Zimbabwe's ruling party, Zanu-PF, as suspensions and purges intensify against officials perceived to be opposing the party's push to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's presidency beyond 2028. This conflict, which has intensified since the party's October conference in Bulawayo, underscores the deepening fissures within Zanu-PF regarding succession and the controversial "2030 project."While the party officially endorsed a resolution in October to extend Mnangagwa's term to 2030, the President has publicly stated he will not seek to extend his constitutionally mandated two terms. This apparent contradiction has fueled factionalism within the party, with some accusing key figures of attempting to sideline potential rivals in the race for Mnangagwa's successor. The tension has become especially pronounced as the "2030 project" battles for dominance within the party.At the heart of the internal conflict is Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, a prominent figure seen as a frontrunner in the succession race. Many believe that Chiwenga's faction is the primary target of the ongoing purges. Those suspected of supporting him are facing accusations of disloyalty and being systematically removed from key positions.Masvingo province, traditionally seen as a political stronghold for Zanu-PF, has become ground zero for the infighting. Tensions flared when Zanu-PF provincial executive member Simon Muchafa publicly criticized retired army general Engelbert Rugeje, accusing him of backing Chiwenga's ambitions. In a viral audio recording, Muchafa declared that he would not support any presidential candidate from outside Masvingo, signaling his opposition to Chiwenga.The fallout from Muchafa's comments led to a series of purges within Masvingo, with over 10 provincial members issued with prohibition orders between Tuesday and Friday last week. Youth leader Brighton Mushekwa and Kudakwashe Gopo were among those targeted after they were accused by provincial leaders, including Masvingo provincial affairs minister Ezra Chadzamira, of supporting Chiwenga and taking money to oppose the 2030 project.Despite Muchafa's own inflammatory remarks, he has not faced any disciplinary action, raising questions about the consistency and fairness of the purge. Mushekwa confirmed that he had received a prohibition order and would be required to appear before a provincial disciplinary committee within 21 days.The composition of this disciplinary committee has also raised eyebrows, with figures linked to the Chiwenga faction reportedly being sidelined. Among those excluded from the committee are Brighton Mahoya and Virginia Samson, further intensifying suspicions of bias within the purge process.In other parts of the country, similar actions are being taken. In Chiredzi, individuals such as Israel Lunga, Levy Gumbo, and Felix Bangu have been removed from their positions. Suspensions have also been seen in Harare, where Emmanuel Juta was handed a prohibition order and faces a disciplinary hearing on December 11th.The situation is rapidly escalating, with Zanu-PF's internal divisions now spilling into public view. Former Masvingo provincial commissar Isaac Makomichi, who was suspended after releasing a recording critical of the 2030 initiative, defended his position. "You should not suspend someone for asking," he said, questioning the legitimacy of the push for a term extension when the President himself had indicated his intention to retire in 2028.The purge has also extended to Mashonaland East, where provincial minister Aplonia Munzverengi, Uzumba MP Wiriranai Muchemwa, and others associated with the so-called "Hwedza project" are expected to be targeted next.The ongoing internal strife within Zanu-PF highlights the growing tensions over succession and the push for political control, with the "2030 project" serving as both a rallying cry for some and a symbol of deepening factionalism within the party. The political fallout from these suspensions and purges will likely continue to shape the future of Zanu-PF in the months leading up to the next election. The Singapore Flyer observation wheel is pictured in front of commercial buildings in Singapore on Jan. 21, 2022. Photo by AFP Singapore this year became the emigration destination for 47 billionaires, up from 41 last year, a new report has shown. Together they boast US$155.5 billion in wealth, up 14.5%, according to a report by Switzerland-based investment bank UBS. Two-thirds of billionaires in Singapore are self-made. In comparison, the country-state was home to 17 billionaires with a total wealth of $44.5 billion in 2015. In Asia Pacific, mainland China ranked top in number of emigrated billionaires at 427, down 93 from last year. It was followed by India (185) and Hong Kong at (74). Benjamin Cavalli, head of strategic clients at UBS Global Wealth Management, said there are three key driving forces that influence billionaires to move from one place to another: a safe environment and political stability; top-notch medical care; and education. The Covid-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for many people, including billionaires, leading them to reassess their lives, with homes, families and businesses spread across different places. The UBS report also found that globally, billionaires account for more than $400 billion have emigrated in the last four years. "Since 2020, they have relocated more frequently, with 176 billionaires having moved from a total population of 2,682 in April 2024. Thats one in 15 shifting their domicile," said Cavalli, head of strategic clients at UBS Global Wealth Management. The key driving forces that influence billionaires to move from one place to another are safe environment and political stability, top-notch medical care, and education. The worlds number of billionaires has jumped by more than half since 2015 to 2,682 in 2024, UBS said. Their wealth increased by 121% to $14 trillion, it added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 7. Azerbaijan and Turkiye are recognized by the world community as strong nations, First Deputy Chair of Azerbaijani Parliament Ali Ahmadov said during a roundtable on "The Azerbaijani and Turkish Examples of Parliaments in Public Diplomacy" today, Trend reports. He pointed out that as the friendship development between the two countries grants them an opportunity to play a more significant role in the system of international relations. "Todays event is also an expression of our friendship and brotherhood," the official mentioned. According to him, parliamentary activity is of great importance not only for passing laws but also for developing ties and relations between states. He also highlighted that the international relations system, established to strengthen the world order after World War II, is currently unable to adequately respond to new global realities. Ahmadov emphasized the need to increase the role of parliaments in the internal processes of individual states. Speaking about Azerbaijans liberation of its territories, he added that this created a real opportunity to strengthen peace and cooperation in the Caucasus. To note, the roundtable is a part of international parliamentary conference themed "Parliamentarism: Traditions and Prospects" held at the Azerbaijani Parliament, bringing in close to one hundred representatives from the parliaments of 13 countries, along with international organizations. The conference aimed to encompass discussions regarding the role of parliaments in contemporary global processes, the evolution of parliamentary traditions, as well as opportunities provided by parliamentary diplomacy. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 7. Azerbaijan and Armenia are conducting peace negotiations and third parties mustn't harm them by arming Armenia, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of Turkiye's Grand National Assembly Fuat Oktay said during a roundtable on "The Azerbaijani and Turkish Examples of Parliaments in Public Diplomacy" today, Trend reports. He pointed out that the OSCE Minsk Group has failed to restore justice for Azerbaijan over the past 30 years. "Azerbaijan itself liberated its lands from Armenian occupation. However, some circles engaged in anti-Azerbaijani propaganda," he emphasized. Oktay also mentioned that inter-parliamentary relations make an important contribution to the friendship between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. "We are always by each other's side. In such a chaotic world, Azerbaijan and Turkiye always support each other, under any circumstances," he added. To note, the roundtable is a part of international parliamentary conference themed "Parliamentarism: Traditions and Prospects" held at the Azerbaijani Parliament, bringing in close to one hundred representatives from the parliaments of 13 countries, along with international organizations. The conference aimed to encompass discussions regarding the role of parliaments in contemporary global processes, the evolution of parliamentary traditions, as well as opportunities provided by parliamentary diplomacy. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Members of the delegations taking part in the International Parliamentary Conference "Parliamentarism: Traditions and Perspectives" held in the Milli Majlis took a trip to the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation on 8 December, Trend reports. The visiting participants were accompanied by Vice-Speaker of the Milli Majlis Rafael Huseynov, committee chairmen Polad Bulbuloglu, Ahliman Amiraslanov and Samad Seyidov, MP Tural Ganjaliyev and other officials. As part of the trip, the guests visited the Fuzuli International Airport. Staff members of the President of Azerbaijans special representative office in the Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavend districts greeted the guests and told them about the operation of the airport. The participants of the International Parliamentary Conference then arrived in the town of Fuzuli, where they familiarised themselves with the consequences of Armenian barbarism. The visitors were given information about the work carried out and planned to be carried out as well as about the residential area being built in the town of Fuzuli. It was said that the return of former internally displaced persons to their homeland has already begun. They are being resettled in the residential district in Fuzuli. Upon arriving in Shusha, the guests were greeted by the special representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district, Aydin Kerimov. The special representative briefed the visitors on the history of the town of Shusha, its condition during the period of occupation as well as the restoration works being carried out there under the immediate supervision of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva. He also told ab on the restoration of historical monuments and plans for the town's further development. The guests' tour of Shusha began at the central square of the town where they viewed the bullet-riddled statues of prominent Azerbaijani figures - Khurshidbanu Natavan, Bulbul, and Uzeyir Hajibeyli. The delegation then visited the Bulbul House-Museum and explored the fortress walls. The parliamentarians also visited the "Isa Bulagi" spring and the "Khan Gizi" spring. The guests then visited the town of Khankendi. The special representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elchin Yusubov supplied them with information about the town. The delegation toured Khankendi, including the central square, and visited the Karabakh University. The rector of Karabakh University, Shahin Bayramov, welcomed the guests and told them that the government had created all the necessary conditions for educational and research activities at the university. The guests visited the university's classrooms, laboratories, and library, familiarising themselves with the conditions provided, and also interacted with the students. After that, the delegation headed to Khojali. In the town of Khojali, the participants of the visit were informed about the atrocities committed by the Armenians, the Khojaly genocide, as well as the restoration and construction works being carried out after the citys liberation from occupation. During the visit, the guests gave interviews to the accompanying media representatives and shared their impressions of the trip. The visit concluded at this point. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is closely monitoring key regional developments in the Caucasus, particularly the recent agreement between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to establish a green corridor, said Alkis Vryenios Drakinos, Regional Head of the Caucasus for EBRD, in an interview with Trend. "We are involved across the entire Caucasus and are closely monitoring new regional developments," Drakinos said. "Recently, the leadership of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed an agreement for a green corridor. Its still early to discuss the specifics of the project since we need feasibility studies and other assessments. However, the political will for collaboration among these three countries, combined with the potential to channel the renewable energy of Central Asia and the Caucasus not only for domestic use but also for the European market, is very promising". He added that if the project proves viable and bankable, EBRD is ready to support it. "All three countries are operational members of the bank, so we are well-positioned to assist. I am looking forward to further updates on this," Drakinos noted. In addition to the green corridor, the EBRD is also exploring the Middle Corridor, a transport sector project that links Central Asia with Europe. While not directly related to climate change, Drakinos explained that the banks financing approach ensures sustainability. "The Middle Corridor concept is very important with numerous potential projects under it," he said. "We have been financing ASCO, which is currently purchasing vessels and cargo ships to support trade along the Middle Corridor. This is helping meet the demand for transporting goods between Central Asia, Europe, and beyond, both ways". Drakinos further clarified that any transport-related investments made by the EBRD, regardless of sector, always include a green component. "We do not finance projects that are not compatible with the Paris Agreements conditionalities. Therefore, every project we support is aligned with the Agreement, and we incorporate relevant conditions to ensure compliance". The EBRD is also paying close attention to the Black Sea cable project, which is part of the regions green energy corridor. "This is a major project that is starting to become more understandable as the feasibility study is almost ready," Drakinos said. "Once it is shared with us, we will be reviewing it. We know that this energy corridor project can lay the infrastructure to transfer renewable energy from the Caucasus to Europe". President-elect Donald Trump reacted Saturday on the intensifying conflict in Syria, where opposition forces have reportedly taken control of several cities. In a social media post, Trump declared, "THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" He further added that if Syrian rebels succeed in ousting President Bashar al-Assad, it could ultimately work to Russia's advantage. Trump also noted that Moscow is heavily distracted by its ongoing war in Ukraine and unable to effectively counter the rebel forces. Trump criticized the Obama administration for its failure to enforce the 2013 "red line" on Syria, which promised U.S. military action if chemical weapons were used. Trump reiterated his "America First" stance, emphasizing that Syria is not the U.S.'s fight. "Syria is a mess but is not our friend," he wrote on social media, advocating for a hands-off approach. Trump's comments come in contrast to his actions while in office. In 2017, he ordered a military strike on a Syrian government airbase in response to a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of civilians. The strike involved 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting the airbase responsible for launching the attack, marking the first direct U.S. military action against al-Assad's regime during the civil war. The decision represented a notable shift from Trump's earlier opposition to U.S. military intervention in Syria during his first presidential campaign. On Sunday, al-Assad fled the country for an unknown destination, ending a fifty-year regime as opposition forces took over the capital city of Damascus. "We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison," Syrian Opposition said. The escalating crisis in Syria is reverberating across the region, prompting Lebanon to shut all land border crossings with Syria except one linking Beirut and Damascus. Meanwhile, Jordan also closed a key border crossing. Amid the turmoil, eight major countries convened with the U.N. special envoy on Syria for two hours of discussions during the Doha Summit on Saturday night, with further talks planned. The U.N. envoy is pushing for urgent negotiations in Geneva to facilitate an "orderly political transition" in Syria as the situation continues to unfold. Northeast China's Jilin Province announced on Friday the preliminary results of an investigation into the roof collapse of an ice rink in the province on Nov. 18, showing the collapse was caused by substandard construction quality. Six people have been detained by public security authorities over the collapse, while others involved are under further investigation, according to the provincial meeting on safety production. Part of the ice rink's roof collapsed on Nov. 18 in the city of Baicheng. No casualties were reported. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov has met with Saudi Arabia's Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih during his visit to the country, the minister wrote on X, Trend reports. According to the information, the meeting emphasized the intensive development of bilateral relations. We discussed opportunities to diversify the economy, promote trade and investment in line with the sustainable development goals of our countries, Jabbarov noted. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov has met with Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud as part of his visit to the country, Mikail Jabbarov wrote on the social network X, Trend reports. "As part of our visit to Saudi Arabia, we had the privilege of meeting His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, the Kingdom's Minister of Energy. Our discussions focused on the priority areas of our countries' green energy agendas, the successful outcomes of our joint initiatives in this field, and their mutual benefits. We also explored opportunities to deepen collaboration through potential projects aimed at advancing the energy transition," the ministry said. MassDOT Extends Deadline for 'Name A Snowplow' Contest BOSTON The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing an extended deadline for the third annual "Name a Snowplow" contest for students in Massachusetts. The contest seeks to solicit names for 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service for the upcoming 2024/2025 winter season. Submissions will now be received through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to help recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during the winter season. Winning names will be announced on Friday, Dec. 20. Applications for the contest are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, and can be submitted by using an online portal: https://www.mass.gov/forms/name-a-snowplow-contest-submission . The contest winners will be invited to participate in a scheduled snowplow unveiling event. A selection panel composed of MassDOT employees will choose two school classroom winners that are located within each of the six Highway Division districts. The winning submissions will be evaluated based on two grade-level categories: 1) kindergarten through fourth grade; and 2) fifth grade through eighth grade. During the second annual snowplow naming contest last winter, the winning names were: Flower Plower, Edward Blizzardhands, Glacier Gobbler, Polar Pathmaker, Snow B Wan Kenobi, The Snolar Express, Sleetwood Mac, Snow Place Like Home, Snow-hemian Rhapsody, The Mayplower, Snow Monstah, Fast and Flurryous. These names, which were placed on the sides of plow trucks a year ago, remain on those vehicles. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Selena Gomez has pushed back after actor Eugenio Derbez branded her performance in Emilia Perez indefensible. The movie follows Karla Sofia Gascon as the titular character, a Mexican drug cartel leader who undergoes gender affirmation surgery to medically transition. Gomez plays her partner Jessi Del Monte in the film, which was released on Netflix to a divisive reception. Mexican actor Derbez, 63, said on a podcast that he had watched the film with frustration. Selena is indefensible, he said. I [watched the movie] with people, and every time she had a scene, we looked at each other to say to each other, Wow, what is this? I feel like they dont speak Spanish, he continued on the Hablando de Cine podcast. If you watch a Russian film or a German film, that is subtitled to Spanish and you see someone [speaking in the original language], you say, Oh, look. OK! Interesting. He also hit out at director Jacques Audiard for making a film in Spanish without understanding the nuances of how the language could affect the performance. Gomez herself has limited experience with the language, but was required to act in Spanish. How funny that a director I liked the film, aside from the Selena [scenes] that jump at you, because it has salvageable things, he continued. Gomez said she did not have the time to prepare for the performance as she would have liked ( Getty ) But I told myself, How weird that the director doesnt speak English or Spanish and the movie is in Spanish and English, and it takes place in Mexico and you dont understand the culture. Its like if I made a film in Russian without knowing the culture or speaking Russian and talk in French. After a clip of the interview went viral on social media, Only Murders in the Building star Gomez commented on the post to explain why she felt her Spanish wasnt up to scratch. I understand where you are coming from, she said. Im sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesnt take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie. In a two-star review of the film,The Independents Clarisse Loughrey called it a reductive take on the trans experience. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. As a transmission system operator, ICGB, operator of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), is directly or indirectly interlinked with the adjacent gas infrastructures - other transmission and distribution operators, regasification terminals and storage facilities, Teodora Georgieva, ICGB Executive Officer, said in an exclusive interview with Trend. "In a general sense we represent one system and all initiatives including such related to carbon reduction and sustainable energy are by default subject to the mutual actions of these different entities. A great example for this is the recently signed Memorandum of understanding on a joint approach and action plan to harmonize gas quality requirements at interconnection points in the Central and South-Eastern European Energy Connectivity (CESEC) region. The Vertical Gas Corridor an initiative binding the TSOs of 7 countries, is also of great significance for the development of the energy landscape. By working together on infrastructure upgrades and aligning regulatory frameworks, we can create an integrated and competitive regional energy market. This cooperation can accelerate the energy transition by enabling faster deployment of renewable energy technologies as well," she said. Georgieva noted that ICGB sees carbon reduction and sustainable energy through the emergence of the envisaged hydrogen/low-carbon market. "This is unlikely to happen under conventional market developments or at least it will take a far longer time. It is important to be mindful of the role TSOs have in this aspect - we service and support the main commodity trade regardless of whether it is natural gas, hydrogen or low-carbon gases. There needs to be established demand for TSOs to provide service, hence we need the hydrogen/low-carbon market to emerge in order to move forward with strategic investments allowing TSOs to service it," said the executive officer. In the meantime, as Georgieva said, the primary focus remains on developing and managing natural gas transportation activities to ensure safe and reliable access to deliveries from diversified sources. "The IGB pipeline is crucial in this role when we talk about Bulgaria and the wider region. With Europes commitment to limit the use of Russian natural gas, IGBs infrastructure can help securing deliveries for key markets like Moldova and Ukraine. In the long run, depending on the markets development, the possibility of developing hydrogen transmission infrastructure to support the secure and efficient transport of energy resources may also be viable," she said. Georgieva noted that given the regional production capacity and production methods, the ICGB does not anticipate significant biomethane volumes utilizing our network. "The current regulatory environment does not support gas blending in the specific context of ICGB, which is structured around long-term agreements dedicated to natural gas transmission, a core element of our business model. ICGBs services are aligned with a different market segment from the commodity sector. Thus, integrating green gases such as biomethane, hydrogen, and blends into our network would require the development of a dedicated market for these resources. We actively monitor industry trends to determine whether such tendencies will emerge in the future, and this will help us implement potential business changes to deliver new services," the executive officer explained. Talking about managing potential methane emissions, Georgieva noted that the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector is equipped with the Simone system, which monitors in real time for any leaks along the entire route allowing ICGB teams to respond in an instant should something happen. "Separately, each gas metering station and valve unit have a system for detecting possible gas leaks. Due to IGBs role as a strategic site subject to national security regulations, we cannot go into more detail," she said. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garlands Dorothy Gale in the classic 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz have sold at auction for an unprecedented fee. On Saturday (7 December), it was confirmed that the slippers had been bought for $28m (22m), nearly 10 times the amount that was expected. Auctioneers for Heritage Auctions described the slippers as the holy grail of Hollywood memorabilia, stating that the winning bid roughly $25m above the predicted ceiling of $3m made them the most valuable item of film memorabilia ever sold at auction. While filming The Wizard of Oz, Garland wore several different copies of the red-coloured shoes, though only four are believed to have survived to this day. Her character is given the magical shoes, previously worn by the Wicked Witch of the East, after her house crushes the witch near the beginning of the story. In L Frank Baums original childrens novel, the slippers in question are silver, but the 1939 film changed their colour to better showcase the films Technicolor. One of the other pairs is currently on show at the Smithsonians National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. The pair sold at auction were previously owned by collector Michael Shaw, who loaned the item out to Minnesotas Judy Garland Museum. open image in gallery The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz' ( Getty ) In 2005, the slippers were stolen by a professional thief, who, encouraged by the high price the slippers were insured for, wrongly believed them to be covered in actual rubies. After failing to sell them to a fence, thief Terry Jon Martin then gave them to someone else, and it is not known what happened to the slippers for the next 13 years. In 2018, however, an FBI sting operation saw the item retrieved. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Last year, Martin, now in his seventies, pleaded guilty to the theft, and was sentenced to time served. open image in gallery The slippers as seen in The Wizard of Oz' ( MGM ) The sale of the slippers comes amid a surge in interest in The Wizard of Oz, coinciding with the release of new musical prequel film Wicked. Adapted from the hit West End/Broadway show, Wicked follows the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo) and her friendship with fellow witch Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande). Wicked does feature the famous slippers however, because it is adapted from the original book (the copyright for which has expired) and not the 1939 film, the slippers are silver, and not ruby. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A musical inspired by the viral Olympic breakdancer Rachael Gunn known in competition as Raygun has been canceled after producers received a legal warning. Raygun: The Musical creator Steph Broadbridge confirmed on social media that the show, which was set to debut at Kinselas in Darlinghurst, Sydney, on Saturday (December 7), had been axed after she received a notice from lawyers. They were worried I was damaging her brand, which I would never do, the comedian, who was also set to star in the show, said in a video shared on Instagram. She said the show would be back soon with a whole new story arc and that ticket holders would receive a $10 refund. In a statement to The Guardian, Gunns legal and management team said it was committed to protecting her intellectual property. While we have immense respect for the credible work and effort that has gone into the development of the show, we must take necessary steps to safeguard Rachaels creative rights and the integrity of her work, they said. This action is not intended to diminish the contributions of others, but rather to ensure her brand is properly represented and protected in all future endeavours. They added that the trademark application for Raygun was currently under examination and anticipated that it would soon be officially registered. The use of the Raygun name by a comedian without approval has caused confusion among the public, potentially leading them to believe that Raygun The Musical had Rachaels endorsement or approval, they said. This misuse of intellectual property is not only misleading but also jeopardises Rachaels other commercial ventures, which rely on the integrity of her brand. Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, shot to internet notoriety almost overnight in August after she performed unusual moves at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, including a kangaroo hop and a wriggle on the floor. B-Girl Raygun of Team Australia went viral for her unusual moves at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games ( Getty Images ) The 37-year-old university lecturer failed to score a single point in the competition, losing all three of her round-robin battles by a combined score of 54-0. In the five months since her Olympic debut, Gunn and her dance moves have made it to the NFL, been imitated by Rachel Dratch on The Tonight Show, been declared the best thing that happened in the Olympics by Adele, and become the inspiration for thousands of Halloween costumes. There was a dark side to the fame too, however. Gunn announced her retirement from the sport last month due to the abuse she received about her performance. I just didnt have any control over how people saw me or who I was. I was going to keep competing, for sure, but that seems really difficult for me to do now, Gunn told local radio station 2DayFM. I think the level of scrutiny thats going to be there, and people will be filming it, and it will go online. In her Instagram video, Broadbridge said the dancers lawyers were very concerned that people would think that Rachael Gunn was affiliated with the musical. I want to assure everyone that she will not be part of the show. Shes very welcome to come; I would love for her to see it. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rapper Snoop Dogg has thrown his hat in the ring to replace MasterChef host Gregg Wallace. The 60-year-old TV presenter has been at the centre of an investigation into claims of inappropriate comments, and stepped away from his role after 20 years on the show last week. Since news broke of the investigation, several stars to have appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, including former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark, have hit out at the host for alleged remarks they heard when they were filming episodes with comedian Katy Brand addressing being a crass comment made by the former host that went viral online soon after. However, co-presenter Prue Leith has come to his defence, saying she does not believe the TV personality deserves to be sacked, despite admitting that his alleged comments were insensitive. One unlikely celebrity has also waded into the discussion, but only to provide a solution to the problem of who will replace Wallace on Masterchef. You better believe Snoop could be the new MasterChef judge, the rapper told The Mirror. He added that he would bring in another famous chef to support. Rapper thinks he could do a good job replacing Wallace ( Getty ) My boy Gordon [Ramsay] judges on the US version of the show, and I know he would back me to be able to judge on the UK version. He knows I am not playing when it comes to food. He knows I can cook I have even given him some tips. I hosted a cooking show over here (Martha & Snoops Potluck Dinner Party) and I have always been vocal about wanting to work on a UK show. I love the place and for real, this could be the perfect opportunity. Snoop Dogg has previously collaborated with American chef Martha Stewart, and has starred in advertisements for the food delivery company JustEat. Wallace faced a widespread backlash last weekend following comments that appeared to blame the allegations on middle-class women of a certain age. He later apologised, saying he would take some time out. The production company behind the show, Banijay UK, launched an investigation into claims from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period. His lawyers have strongly denied he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The 11th celebrity has been eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing after a tense semi-final that saw two perfect-scoring performances. Contestants were asked to perform two dances for their last attempt to be in the final. Towie star Pete Wicks had appealed for support ahead of his performance with partner Jowita Przystal, amid mounting backlash. JB Gill impressed the judges with his Salsa to Red Alert by Basement Jaxx, alongside partner Lauren Oakley. It marked the first time in six years that a Salsa had received 10s across the board. Ghouri also scored perfectly for her Waltz with Aljaz Skorjanec to (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. However, Ghouris performance was not enough to have her waltz through to the final, as she found herself in the bottom two again. After a public vote, Ghouri and Wicks were forced to take part in a dance-off with Wicks dancing the Argentine Tango to Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve, and Ghouri repeating her Waltz. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke all chose to save Ghouri and Skorjanec, leading Wicks and Przystal to be eliminated from the competition. That means Chris McCausland, Sarah Hadland, JB Gill, and Ghouri have all made it through to the final next week. Its been wild. Ive been quite honest about the fact that I didnt necessarily want to do this [Strictly] in the first place, but everyone else wanted me to do it, and I am so, so glad that I did it! Wicks told Tess Daly after his elimination. open image in gallery Ghouri and Wicks were forced to face a dance-off ( BBC/Guy Levy ) You dont always have to be the best, but if you enjoy something then why shouldnt you have a go at it? Ive tried my best from day one, I said I was in for a penny, in for a pound and Ive done it, its been beautiful. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Speaking about his partner Przystal he said, Theres a lot of things Im going to take away from this, but one of the most special things is you [to Jowita] and I mean that, because youre one of the most incredible people not just as a dancer but as a person. open image in gallery ( BBC/Guy Levy ) Youve been a ray of sunshine for me. Youve helped me through things in the past three months that I didnt think I could do and you made me believe in myself and that means more to me than anything. open image in gallery ( BBC/Guy Levy ) Jowita said: I just want to say thank you, thank you for the trust you have given me since day one. For me, every dance was special even the Cha Cha in Blackpool! Remember on day one you said Im not going to stay long in this competition because I cannot dance but now I can say to you, yes you can. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The leadership crisis in South Korea deepened further on Sunday after prosecutors named president Yoon Suk Yeol as the subject of a criminal investigation over his failed attempt to impose martial law, and as his former defence minister was arrested. Mr Yoon survived an impeachment vote on Saturday after members of his party boycotted the move. But the leader of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) Han Dong Hoon said in a joint public address with prime minister Han Duck Soo that the president would be excluded from his duties. Through Yoons early and orderly exit from office, we will minimise confusion, stabilise the political situation and properly establish free democracy, Han Dong Hoon said in the address. The president will effectively be excluded from his duties, including foreign policy and other state affairs, and the prime minister will consult with the party to ensure that the administration of state affairs proceeds without any disruptions. open image in gallery South Korea prime minister Han Duck Soo (left) and People Power Party leader Han Dong Hoon bow during a press conference in Seoul on Sunday ( Getty ) However, he did not provide any clarity on when and if Mr Yoon would resign, except to say it will be swiftly announced after discussions within the [ruling] party. The announcement was immediately met with condemnation from opposition lawmakers who said it was another unconstitutional power grab to delegate authority without resignation or impeachment, and confirmed they would call for an impeachment vote again. The two Hans announcement to share power while having Yoon step aside is another coup that violates the constitutional order. Its absolutely mind blowing how people can have such an outrageous imagination that ignores national sovereignty, said the main opposition Democratic Partys (DP) leader Lee Jae Myung. Mr Yoon, he said, must resign immediately or be impeached immediately. That is the only way to resolve this crisis. We will push for the impeachment vote again on 14 December. National Assembly speaker Woo Won Shik said the prime minister and the ruling party leader were violating the constitution by involving themselves in handling state affairs. The prime minister and the ruling partys announcement that they will jointly exercise the powers of the president, which no one has given them, is clearly unconstitutional. It is extreme arrogance, and disrespects the nations sovereignty and the constitution, he said. Civilian protests showed no signs of letting up, as thousands thronged outside the parliament calling for Mr Yoons impeachment and arrest, as well as the disbandment of his ruling party. open image in gallery Participants attend a rally demanding South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment outside the National Assembly in Seoul on Sunday. The signs read Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol. ( AP ) Mr Yoon shocked the nation and the world on Tuesday when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what he called anti-state forces and overcome obstructive political opponents. He rescinded the order six hours later after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote unanimously against his decree. Some climbed over walls and pushed past soldiers in order to cast their votes. The move plunged Asias fourth-largest economy into its greatest political crisis in decades, challenging South Koreas reputation as a democratic success story. Mr Yoon addressed the nation on Saturday morning to apologise for the anxiety caused by his attempt to impose martial law. I leave it up to my party to take steps to stabilise the political situation in the future, including the issue of my term in office, he said, promising there would be no second attempt to impose martial law. Some had expected him to use the brief TV appearance to resign from office but he stopped short of doing so. open image in gallery The president bows after the end of his address at the presidential office in Seoul on Saturday ( South Korean Presidential Office ) A report said Mr Yoon had been booked on charges of treason, referring to the process that formally names a subject of an investigation. Numerous complaints have been submitted, and an investigation is under way in accordance with the process, said Park Se Hyun, who is leading a special investigation into the martial law declaration. Three minority opposition parties filed a complaint with the prosecution against Mr Yoon, former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun and martial law commander Park An Su, accusing them of treason. The crime of leading an insurrection is punishable by death or life imprisonment, with or without prison labour. open image in gallery South Korean police officers arrive for the search and seizure at the office of former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun at the Defence Ministry in Seoul ( AP ) open image in gallery Former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun was arrested on Sunday ( AFP ) Mr Kim stepped down on Wednesday after the martial law declaration was withdrawn and is seen as a central figure in the debacle, having proposed martial law to the president, according to a senior military official and the impeachment filings. He was arrested by the prosecutions special investigative team on Sunday and his mobile phone seized. He was questioned by investigators before his arrest at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, where he appeared voluntarily. Mr Kims office was also raided as part of the investigation. Multiple military leaders, including the acting defence minister, have said they will refuse any orders to impose another round of martial law, in an attempt to reassure the public. Despite repeated questions from foreign media on Sunday over who is at present the commander in -chief of South Koreas military one of the largest in the world and one that operates important combined commands with the United States there was no response. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As a former official in Afghanistans democratically elected government, Mustafa* knew that if the Nato-backed administration collapsed he would have to flee. But like many others, he was unable to do so, and in July last year fell into Taliban hands. They threw him inside a small cage with dogs inside. They captured me, suffocated me by placing a plastic bag on my face and tied my limbs together, he tells The Independent in a phone call from Afghanistan. The Taliban accused him of continuing to collaborate with the hardline Islamist governments enemies even after the fall of Kabul in August 2021 in their minds, being a rebel. When he was finally taken out of the cage after 30 hours, Mustafa was unable to stand and collapsed to the ground. Over the next 17 months, the Talibans prison guards and officials assaulted him with sticks and pipes, he says, and fed him scraps. He is one of 38 interviewees in a new body of research by Afghanistan International, a TV station run by journalists covering the country from exile. They seek to document allegations of systemic torture and abuse meted out by the Taliban to detainees, and have presented their findings to the UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett. The Taliban denies the allegations and claims journalists are welcome to visit its prison facilities to see conditions for themselves, though the Islamist regime has also banned media from airing criticism of its policies part of what the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) calls draconian media restrictions... dragging Afghanistan back to the Stone Age. open image in gallery Taliban members are seen from a window as they inspect inside a prison cell at Pul-e-Charkhi prison, located on the outskirts of Kabul ( AFP via Getty Images ) In all, Mustafa and the other 37 interviewed detainees provide oral evidence of at least 31 different types of torture, often under cover of darkness and sometimes lasting up to 18 hours a day. Mustafa breaks down as he remembers the conditions he was kept in. You could not lie down inside that cage, and when I pleaded, they hit the cage with sticks and rifle butts, silencing me, he says. At that point, I thought am I, are other Afghans, dead to the world? Do they not see how the Taliban came and stomped all over our rights? The kinds of torture described in the testimonies shared with The Independent include waterboarding, electric shocks on private parts, physical assault with sticks, immersion in hot water, nail extraction and suffocation with a bag. Another interviewee, Farishta*, was accused of providing assistance to members of an Afghan resistance movement. She says she was beaten for over a week at a Taliban-held intelligence facility in Kabul, by interrogators trying to get information about resistance fighters. On the sixth night she says she was taken to a room where wires were attached to her toes and she was shocked with electricity until she lost consciousness. The Taliban released her from prison after 41 days, citing a lack of evidence to detain her. She says the physical trauma of the ordeal disrupted her menstrual cycle. open image in gallery A Taliban guard at a prison in Jalalabad stands next to a poster ordering women to cover themselves with a hijab ( Getty Images ) The crimes the interviewees are alleged to have committed vary, but many revolve around public criticism of the Taliban administration. At least 16 detainees, including six women, were accused by the Taliban of inciting rebellion and mobilising people against the group by using social media, participating in meetings and discussions, speaking to media outlets, and spreading anti-Taliban propaganda. They were arrested across Afghanistan, including in Kabul. The Independent cannot independently corroborate all their claims, but has seen photos purporting to show injuries inflicted on the prisoners during their alleged torture. Several photos also showed shoddily stitched-up wounds on the bodies of detainees. Hamidullah*, who the Taliban accused of inciting rebellion against the new regime by organising protests, spent a month in detention. One night, he says, interrogators walked him to a room, ordered him to be stripped naked and attached weights to his private parts. He was ordered to stand for the entire night during this ordeal. Hamidullah has visited a urologist three times after being freed from detention, but has not felt able to share any details of the horror he suffered with his wife and children. open image in gallery Mowlavi Abdullah, the acting director for prisons management, inspects as newly recruited Taliban prison guards stand in formation during their graduation ceremony at Pul-e-Charkhi prison ( Getty Images ) Sayed Jamal, a Kabul resident arrested in May this year, told Afghanistan International he was accused of being involved in an explosion carried out by a resistance group called the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF). They told me, You killed our Mujahids, now we are doing the right thing by just removing your nails, he says. He was released in July, and has now fled Afghanistan. The dates, location and names have not been disclosed over fears of reprisal expressed by the former detainees who are still under the Talibans surveillance and fear rearrest. Afghan journalists are also among those interviewed. In Kandahar, Ashraf* says he was detained and told by the Taliban that they would cut off his tongue if he did not stop speaking out in the media. Some detainees say they were abused on the basis of their alleged connections to foreign media outlets, including Afghanistan International itself. In a statement to The Independent, the Talibans chief spokesperson, Zabiullah Mujahid, said there was no form of torture in the prisons of the Islamic Emirate, and claimed unspecified foreign intelligence organisations were influencing former detainees so that they misinterpret what they saw in prison and provide false information. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader whose stunning insurgency toppled Syrias President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. In recent days, the insurgency even dropped his nom de guerre and began referring to him by his real name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test. Insurgents control capital Damascus, Assad has fled into hiding, and for the first time after 50 years of his familys iron hand, it is an open question how Syria will be governed. Syria is home to multiple ethnic and religious communities, often pitted against each other by Assads state and years of war. Many of them fear the possibility Sunni Islamist extremists will take over. The country is also fragmented among disparate armed factions, and foreign powers from Russia and Iran to the United States, Turkey and Israel all have their hands in the mix. The 42-year-old al-Golani -- labeled a terrorist by the United States -- has not appeared publicly since Damascus fell early Sunday. But he and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS many of whose fighters are jihadis -- stand to be a major player. For years, al-Golani worked to consolidate power, while bottled up in the province of Idlib in Syrias northwest corner as Assads Iranian- and Russian-backed rule over much of the country appeared solid. He maneuvered among extremist organizations while eliminating competitors and former allies. He sought to polish the image of his de-facto salvation government that has been running Idlib to win over international governments and reassure Syrias religious and ethnic minorities. And he built ties with various tribes and other groups. Along the way, al-Golani shed his garb as a hard-line Islamist guerrilla and put on suits for press interviews, talking of building state institutions and decentralizing power to reflect Syrias diversity. Syria deserves a governing system that is institutional, no one where a single ruler makes arbitrary decisions, he said in an interview with CNN last week, offering the possibility HTS would eventually be dissolved after Assad falls. Dont judge by words, but by actions, he said. Al-Golanis beginnings in Iraq Al-Golanis ties to al-Qaida stretch back to 2003, when he joined extremists battling U.S. troops in Iraq. The Syrian native was detained by the U.S. military but remained in Iraq. During that time, al-Qaida usurped like-minded groups and formed the extremist Islamic State of Iraq, led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In 2011, a popular uprising against Syrias Assad triggered a brutal government crackdown and led to all-out war. Al-Golanis prominence grew when al-Baghdadi sent him to Syria to establish a branch of al-Qaida called the Nusra Front. The United States labeled the new group as a terrorist organization. That designation still remains in place and the U.S. government has put a $10 million bounty on him. The Nusra Front and the Syrian conflict As Syrias civil war intensified in 2013, so did al-Golanis ambitions. He defied al-Baghdadis calls to dissolve the Nusra Front and merge it with al-Qaidas operation in Iraq, to form the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. Al-Golani nonetheless pledged his allegiance to al-Qaida, which later disassociated itself from ISIS. The Nusra Front battled ISIS and eliminated much of its competition among the Syrian armed opposition to Assad. In his first interview in 2014, al-Golani kept his face covered, telling a reporter for Qatari network Al-Jazeera that he rejected political talks in Geneva to end the conflict. He said his goal was to see Syria ruled under Islamic law and made clear that there was no room for the countrys Alawite, Shiite, Druze and Christian minorities. Consolidating power and rebranding In 2016, al-Golani revealed his face to the public for the first time in a video message that announced his group was renaming itself Jabhat Fateh al-Sham - the Syria Conquest Front -- and cutting its ties to al-Qaida. This new organization has no affiliation to any external entity, he said in the video, filmed wearing military garb and a turban. The move paved the way for al-Golani to assert full control over fracturing militant groups. A year later, his alliance rebranded again as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - meaning Organization for Liberating Syria -- as the groups merged, consolidating al-Golanis power in northwest Syrias Idlib province. HTS later clashed with independent Islamist militants who opposed the merger, further emboldening al-Golani and his group as the leading power in northwestern Syria, able to rule with an iron fist. With his power consolidated, al-Golani set in motion a transformation that few could have imagined. Replacing his military garb with shirt and trousers, he began calling for religious tolerance and pluralism. He appealed to the Druze community in Idlib, which the Nusra Front had previously targeted, and visited the families of Kurds who were killed by Turkish-backed militias. In 2021, al-Golani had his first interview with an American journalist on PBS. Wearing a blazer, with his short hair gelled back, the now more soft-spoken HTS leader said that his group posed no threat to the West and that sanctions imposed against it were unjust. Yes, we have criticized Western policies, he said. But to wage a war against the United States or Europe from Syria, thats not true. We didnt say we wanted to fight. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza killed at least 14 people including children Sunday, Palestinian health officials said, while the bombing of a hospital in northern Gaza wounded a half-dozen patients. Israels military continues its latest offensive against Hamas militants in northern Gaza, whose remaining Palestinians have been almost completely cut off from the rest of the territory amid a growing humanitarian crisis. One airstrike flattened a residential building in the urban Bureij refugee camp Sunday afternoon, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. At least nine people were killed including six children and a woman. An Associated Press journalist saw the bodies at the hospitals morgue. Earlier on Sunday, another Israeli strike hit a tent in the Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least five people including two parents and their two children, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said. In northern Gaza, the Health Ministry said a bombing targeted the Indonesian Hospital wounding six patients, one of them seriously. It is the largest hospital north of Gaza City. We demand international protection for hospitals, patients and medical staff, the ministry said in a statement that also urged safe passage to and from hospitals, more medical supplies and fuel and safe evacuation of the wounded. The Israeli military Sunday evening said it was unaware of any attack on the Indonesian Hospital in the last three to four hours. Meanwhile, the military said it briefly closed the key Kerem Shalom crossing after fighters launched mortar shells several meters (feet) from the nearby humanitarian corridor toward its troops. It said Gaza's main cargo crossing was reopened after those who fired were eliminated, though it added that the arrival and distribution of humanitarian aid was delayed. Kerem Shalom is the only crossing between Israel and Gaza that is designed for cargo shipments and has been the main artery for aid since the Rafah crossing with Egypt was shut in May. Last month, nearly two-thirds of aid entering Gaza came through Kerem Shalom. A second cold, rainy winter is beginning in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in squalid tent camps and reliant on international aid. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 45,600 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt did in 1906 what Congress was unwilling to do through legislation: He used his new authority under the Antiquities Act to designate Devils Tower in Wyoming as the first national monument. Then came Antiquities Act protections for the Petrified Forest in Arizona, Chaco Canyon and the Gila Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley in California, and what are now Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks in Utah. The list goes on, as all but three presidents have used the act to protect unique landscapes and cultural resources. President Joe Biden has created six monuments and either restored, enlarged or modified boundaries for a handful of others. Native American tribes and conservation groups are pressing for more designations before he leaves office. The proposals range from an area dotted with palm trees and petroglyphs in Southern California to a site sacred to Native Americans in Nevada's high desert, a historic Black neighborhood in Oklahoma and a homestead in Maine that belonged to the family of Frances Perkins, the nations first female cabinet member. Looting and destruction Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act after a generation of lobbying by educators and scientists who wanted to protect sites from commercial artifact looting and haphazard collecting by individuals. It was the first law in the U.S. to establish legal protections for cultural and natural resources of historic or scientific interest on federal lands. For Roosevelt and others, science was behind safeguarding Devils Tower. Scientists have long theorized about how once-molten lava cooled and formed the massive columns that make up the geologic wonder. Narratives among Native American tribes, who still conduct ceremonies there, detail its formation. Biden cited the spiritual, cultural and prehistoric legacy of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante areas in southern Utah when he restored their boundaries and protections through his first use of the Antiquities Act in 2021. The two monuments were among 29 that President Barack Obama created while in office. Amid concerns that Obama overstepped his authority and limited energy development, President Donald Trump rolled back their size, while adding a previously unprotected portion to Bears Ears. Biden called Bears Ears the first national monument to be established at the request of federally recognized tribes a place of healing. Saving sacred places Early designations often pushed tribes from their ancestral homelands. In one of his final acts as president in 1933, Herbert Hoover used the Antiquities Act to set aside Death Valley as a national monument. It's now one of the largest national parks not to mention the hottest, driest and lowest. While establishing the monument brought an end to prospecting and the filing of new mining claims in the area, it also meant the Timbisha Shoshone were forced from the last bit of their traditional territory. It took several decades for the tribe to regain a fraction of the land. Biden's administration has made strides in working with some tribes on managing public lands and incorporating more Indigenous knowledge into planning and policymaking. Avi Kwa Ame National Monument was Biden's second designation. The site outside of Las Vegas is central to the creation stories of tribes with ties to the area. Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said at the time that the White House didn't consult his administration before making the designation in 2023 and in effect blocked clean energy projects and other development in the state. Similar opposition bubbled up when Biden designated Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni National Monument in Arizona just months later. This time it wasn't the prospect of clean energy projects sprouting up across the desert, but rather uranium mining near the Grand Canyon that had tribes and environmentalists pushing for protections. Creating conservation corridors Biden certainly didn't break any records with the number of monuments he designated or the amount of land set aside. But conservationists say more strategic use of the authority under the Antiquities Act will be valuable going forward as developers look to build more solar and wind farms and mine for lithium and other minerals required for a green energy transition. They are pushing for Biden in his final weeks to expand California's Joshua Tree National Park and establish a new monument that would stretch from the Joshua Tree border to the Colorado River where it divides California and Arizona. The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument has the support of several tribes. Such a designation would add a significant piece to one of the largest contiguous protected corridors in the U.S. spanning thousands of square miles along the Colorado River from Canyonlands in Utah, through the monuments already designated by Obama and Biden to the desert oases of Southern California. The concern out there is that so much land is getting used for renewable energy and it just kills the desert completely. And so if were not more proactive about protecting these places in the desert, we could lose them forever, said Kristen Brengel, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association. More than sweeping landscapes Biden's designations have gone beyond the canyons and mesas of the West. In May, he designated a national monument at the site of the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois. That designation came as he tried to retain relevance in his final months in office and boost Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign while Trump cut into Democrats' historic edge with Black voters. In 2023, Biden created a national monument across three sites in Illinois and Mississippi in honor of Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Emmett Till was the Black teenager from Chicago who was abducted, tortured and killed in 1955 after he was accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. A petition still is on the table for designating the Greenwood area of North Tulsa, Oklahoma the site of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre as a national monument. So is a proposal to establish a monument along the Maah Daah Hey Trail in the North Dakota Badlands, where tribes want to shift the narrative to include stories about the land's original inhabitants. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Far-right influencer Nick Fuentes is due in court later this month after a woman accused him of pepper-spraying her when she showed up at his suburban Chicago home following his Your body, my choice post on X. According to court documents, the 57-year-old woman approached Fuentes' home in Berwyn on Nov. 10, shortly after his address was leaked following his post, the Chicago Tribune reported. Berwyn is a Chicago suburb of about 54,000 people. The woman told the newspaper in a Nov. 15 interview that her friends encouraged her to go to Fuentes' home to see if rumors were true that he had been receiving prank deliveries after his post on X. She said she made a video of herself on the sidewalk in front of Fuentes' home. Another woman pulled up in her car and told her to ring the doorbell. She alleged that Fuentes opened the door before she could ring the bell, pepper-sprayed her, screamed an expletive and took her phone. Vice president-elect JD Vance dismissed concerns about about Fuentes, saying just because you talk to somebody doesnt mean you endorse their views ( AFP via Getty Images ) Fuentes, 26, faces a battery charge in connection with the incident, the newspaper reported. He is due to appear in court on Dec. 19. He has posted mugshots of himself on his X account along with Free me (racial slur). He didn't immediately respond to a message The Associated Press sent him Saturday through X. Attempts to reach his attorney, Eduardo Cervantes, were unsuccessful. Fuentes, a Holocaust-denying white supremacist, is part of an emboldened fringe of right-wing manosphere influencers who have seized on Republican Donald Trump's presidential victory to amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Trump hosted Fuentes and Kanye West at a dinner at Mar-a-Lago in 2022, according to Politico. Many of them have appropriated the my body, my choice abortion rights slogan, changing it to your body, my choice. The twist on the wording has been largely attributed to Fuentes' Nov. 5 X post: Your body, my choice. Forever. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Tajikistan is on track to achieve the targets for Goal 1 (no poverty) and Goal 10 (reduced inequalities) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN Resident Coordinator for Tajikistan Parvathy Ramaswami told Trend in an exclusive interview. "To assess Tajikistan's efforts toward achieving the SDGs, we can look at several key areas, including governmental actions, national policies, international cooperation, and progress on specific SDGs," she said. The Resident Coordinator noted that in 2016, Tajikistan adopted the National Development Strategy 2016-2030 aligned with the SDGs. The progress of SDGs was reported through the Voluntary National Review (VNR) presented two times in 2017 and 2023 at the High-Level Political Forum in New York. "I am glad to note that recently, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and Dushanbe City Administration, we helped to prepare the first Voluntary Local Review report of Dushanbe, presented in November during the World Urban Forum held in Cairo," she said. Ramaswami further pointed out that as part of its support for the VNR process in 2023, the UN helped to introduce a National SDG Tracker, developed to measure progress and identify areas for improvement. "Tajikistan is on track to achieve the targets for Goal 1 (no poverty) and Goal 10 (reduced inequalities). There is significant progress on Goal 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions) and Goal 11 (sustainable cities and communities)," she said. The UN Coordinator noted that although the use of renewable energy has increased, energy intensity continues to increase (Goal 7). Access to finance for small-scale industries is also a concern (Goal 9). "Other areas requiring improvement are social protection, sustainable and resilient agriculture, inclusive educational facilities, water-use and energy efficiency, labor rights and a safe working environment, management of natural resources, and diversified and sustainable financing for development," Ramaswami said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The mayor and police chief in an Ohio city where a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot by police on Thanksgiving night said bodycam video of the shooting raises questions that must be addressed. The boy's family said Friday that they want answers, too. Police have said that Jazmir Tucker was carrying a loaded weapon when he was shot. They said two patrol officers heard nearby gunshots just after 11 p.m. on Nov. 28 and got out of their parked cruiser to investigate. They encountered Tucker and ran after him. One of the officers then fired from his long gun, striking the teen, who was given first aid and then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. No officers were injured. The video released by police on Thursday lacks some of the details that often factor into police shooting investigations. The shooting officers arms and long gun block his camera's view, obscuring whatever Tucker was doing in the moments before the shooting. Another officer's camera, however, recorded police unzipping the jacket pocket of the mortally wounded teenager and pulling out a handgun. The roughly eight-minute video also began without sound for 30 seconds, a feature that happens each time an officer activates the camera. It was during this time that the officer chased Tucker, raised his rifle and fired at him for about three seconds, shooting roughly seven times. Once the sound begins, that officer and others are heard yelling at Tucker, who was on the ground, repeatedly telling the unresponsive teen to raise his hands. Between eight and 10 officers ultimately converged on Tucker about seven minutes after he was shot. At that point, he was handcuffed and officers searched his pockets. Police haven't released details about what any of the officers did to try to save his life. open image in gallery Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said the footage raises more questions over the 15-year-olds death In statements issued by Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Akron Police Chief Brian Harding after the video was released Thursday night, Malik said the recording left him with many questions, including why officers didnt immediately turn on their body-worn cameras after leaving their cruiser and why it took so long for officers to provide first aid to Tucker. In hindsight, the amount of time that expired between the shooting and the initiation of physical aid to Jazmir is deeply troubling to me, Malik said in the statement. The police chief stressed that the case is in its early stages. My hope is that the investigation will provide more clarity, Harding said. Our community, our department, and most importantly, Jazmirs family deserve and need answers to those questions, Harding said. The chief also expressed condolences to the family from Maple Heights, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) outside Akron. He described the shooting as an outcome none of us wish to see. Speaking during a news conference with the family's lawyer, Tucker's relatives said they are devastated by his death. Ashley Greene said her son was a "great kid. His great-aunt, Connie Sutton, described him as a child who was always laughing. Everybody loved Jaz, and Jaz loved everybody else, Sutton said. The officer who fired the shots has been on the force for nearly five years. He and his partner were placed on paid administrative leave, per department policy, and their names have not been released. The Fraternal Order of Police Akron Lodge No. 7 said its members are cooperating with investigators. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is leading the probe, and Akron police are conducting a separate internal investigation. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A woman who has been sleeping in her living room for four years after a row over mould in her flat said the disrepair has made her feel like less than a human being. Tracy Nilsson, 51, who has lived in her London flat for over six years, says she has been battling with the housing association to carry out the necessary repairs. She said her belongings, including a sofa, bed and curtains were ruined by mould and damp, adding that it was particularly bad in her bedroom. open image in gallery Ms Nilssons bedroom is now bare due to repairs that have been carried out to prevent damp ( The Independent ) Ms Nilsson claimed that she would wake up with wet blankets, which forced her to move to the living room to sleep. She said she was sleeping on a mat on the floor for more than a year before a charity bought her a new bed. Have you had similar experiences? Email holly.bancroft@independent.co.uk The housing association Clarion said that they carried out repairs in a timely manner and had carried out significant work to improve the property. They dispute Ms Nilssons claim that she had to sleep outside of her bedroom at any point. But it agreed to give her more than 5,000 in compensation following her claim. open image in gallery The bathroom was also affected ( The Independent ) There is no longer any damp in the bedroom but the walls have been stripped bare and the room is empty. Ms Nilsson, who lives at the High Barnet flat with her teenage daughter, said: It took me many years to build my home and Ive lost it all. Im back to the floorboards and Ive got to start again. When I moved into here in 2017 it used to rain through the windows. They had to replace them. Describing what her bedroom used to be like, Ms Nilsson explained: Id wake up and my blankets would be wet. It was so damp. I could never turn my heating off. open image in gallery Ms Nilssons hallway amid repair work being carried out in her flat ( The Independent ) She described her experience as being like a hamster on a wheel going round and round with nothing being done. She added: All I want to do is have a comfortable, safe and peaceful home for me and my child. She said she had hoped to find a lawyer to take her case further but said she would accept the compensation money. A Clarion spokesperson apologised for the issues that Ms Nilsson experienced, saying that all the issues in the disrepair claim are being resolved. open image in gallery The tenant had to deal with mushrooms of mould growing in her bathroom ( Tracy Nilsson ) In 2021 we fitted the flat with a new kitchen. In 2023 we fitted a new bathroom suite, and in early 2024 we renewed all windows to the property with double glazed UPVC units, amongst other works. Between 2021 and 2024 multiple surveyors have visited the property. Minor mould, attributable to condensation, was identified on the bathroom ceiling and above a skirting board on the back wall of a bedroom. These have since been treated and we are satisfied that at no point was the bedroom unsafe to be used. They added that leaks in the bathroom reported in 2024 had been repaired either the same day or within three days. Dan Tomlinson, MP for Chipping Barnet, said: "Im happy that we could work with Clarion to improve Tracys living conditions and her overall wellbeing. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy US president-elect Donald Trump praised the Prince of Wales for doing a fantastic job after the pair shared a warm greeting in Paris on Saturday night. Prince William stepped in for his father, King Charles, to join world leaders for the ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame cathedral five years after it was devastated by fire. His presence was at the request of the government, which will hope a meeting between the prince and Mr Trump will help form a platform for a relationship between Britain and the US. The pair first greeted at the ceremony inside Notre Dame, when Mr Trump patted William on the shoulder before the pair shook hands. After the service, they then went to the residence of the British ambassador for a 40-minute meeting, with the prince seen standing in the foyer as Mr Trump arrived. On greeting again, Mr Trump turned to reporters and said wow, what a nice group. He then gestured to the prince and said: Good man, this one. Donald Trump talks to reporters after meeting Prince William for a second time in Paris ( PA Wire ) Prince William asked the president-elect if he had warmed up after the event and Mr Trump replied that he had and that it was a beautiful ceremony. The two men stood next to each other, facing reporters, and Mr Trump said hello everybody before pointing his thumb at Prince William William and adding: Hes doing a fantastic job. Prince William last met the 78-year-old in 2019 when the then-president made a state visit to the UK. During the event in Paris, the prince also spoke French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, as well as Americas outgoing first lady Jill Biden. His last official visit to Paris was in 2017 when he travelled with wife Kate for a two-day trip in the aftermath of the Brexit result. Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Women MPs have routinely argued an antiquated, misogynistic and toxic culture persists in parliament with the 2017 Pestminster scandal seeing an explosion of claims of sexual harassment in Westminster. But this appears to be changing in the wake of Labours win in the recent election as new women MPs say parliament now feels less misogynistic and the bubble of Westminster may finally be bursting. Politicians across the parties reflected to The Independent upon the fewer old male MPs and greater numbers of MPs who have been to state school, suggesting that parliament feels more representative of the wider country. Staffers who worked in Westminster before the summer snap election say the culture in parliament has changed since Labours recent win, MPs said. It comes after a record number of women were elected on 4 July, with 263 female members of parliament taking up their seats under a Labour government: a rise from 220 in 2019. The current proportion of female MPs is 40 per cent, and a significant improvement on the 34 per cent in 2019. open image in gallery Natasha Irons was elected to represent Croydon in July ( Natasha Irons ) Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for energy consumers, said: The look and feel of parliament is really different. I remember the first time I was in the chamber and I just looked around and there was colour and not just the colour of people's skin, but just the colour of clothes. It wasn't just men in grey suits so it feels like there has been a kind of shift. Ms Fahnbulleh, an economist, said she has spoken to some staff who say parliament feels different in the wake of the recent election. It's far warmer. It's far more open, she said. Ms Fahnbulleh, former chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, said she has been pleasantly surprised that she has not endured racism or misogyny since becoming an MP. When I look at the Conservative benches beside us in the House of Commons, quite often, its literally just a sea of blue suits. Caroline Voaden She branded parliament an old school, slightly antiquated world but explained it feels like a fresh generation is changing the culture but this will take time. Ms Fahnbulleh explained she has seen no evidence of the stereotype that MPs are disconnected from society and are in politics for the wrong reasons. Ive seen colleagues that are staying awake at night trawling through their inbox helping constituents. With fire in their belly about wanting to drive change. And that is really inspiring to be part of and long may it last. Caroline Voaden, the Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, said she had experienced no misogyny at all since becoming an MP five months ago. open image in gallery Kate Dearden is another member of the 2024 intake, having been elected to Halifax ( Kate Dearden/House of Commons ) I think it was on day two or three: one of the staff said this place is already very different because there is a different cohort of people who have come in, she said. There are less old men. It's less privately educated. It's less upper class. That doesn't mean that everything changes, but I do think probably it's going to be a different kind of parliament. Ms Voaden, a former journalist, said there are not many more men than women among the Lib Dem MPs, and that the women feel quite equal. When I look at the Conservative benches beside us in the House of Commons, quite often, it's literally just a sea of blue suits, she said. And you don't see that in any other part of the chamber. It's quite noticeable because there are so few women on the Conservative benches. open image in gallery Caroline Voaden was elected to represent South Devon in July ( Caroline Voaden ) Kate Dearden, Labour MP for Halifax, said everyday sexism, in the form of casual comments and wider treatment, happens in many workplaces. I have been mistaken for a staffer a few times since being elected as an MP, the 30-year-old said. This is even though I am wearing a green-and-white lanyard which only MPs wear. Some people have been a bit taken aback when they see it, which has made me laugh a few times. She has experienced a great deal of misogyny on social media but tends not to engage with it or look at it, she said. open image in gallery Ellie Chowns is the Green MP for North Herefordshire ( (Ellie Chowns / House of Commons) ) Ellie Chowns, the Green Party MP for North Herefordshire, said she had not experienced misogyny since entering parliament and said she felt a sense of sisterhood there. It is outdated in all sorts of ways but men and women are equally affected by the inefficiencies of our procedures, she said. Im on record already as speaking out about the need for modernisation of the Commons. Ms Chowns said she hopes that having a record number of women in the Commons will mean the culture and the processes become more equal. She added that the Conservative benches are still overwhelmingly male and older as she argued parliament has a long way to go until it is fully representative. It needs more women, more young people, it needs more ethnic diversity, Ms Chowns said. Natasha Irons, Labour MP for Croydon East, said she had not endured racism or misogyny since arriving in the Commons. We have got a lot of women here; you dont feel so out of place, she said. People who have come before me have had to endure bad behaviour and fight those battles so people like myself can be there. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Angela Rayner has denied that she is damaging local democracy after it was revealed she plans to force large developments on communities and bypass council planning committees. The deputy prime minister was laying out how she plans to get 1.5 million homes built in the UK before the next election. Speaking to Sky Newss Sir Trevor Phillips she admitted that it would require a rate of building not seen since the 1950s for a target last achieved in 1972. But she said: I dont like failure. open image in gallery Angela Rayner was asked about planning changes on the Sunday morning political programmes ( PA Media ) The 1.5 million new homes was one of the six milestones unveiled in a major speech by Sir Keir Starmer last week. However, to get to that goal, Labour plans to remove local barriers to developments including council planning committees leading to questions over whether she is further undermining local democracy in England. Conservative shadow Treasury minister Richard Fuller argued that local people will be ignored under Labour's plans. But asked if the plans will take powers away from local councils, Ms Rayner told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: I dont accept that, because were saying they have to have a local plan, local democracy, and were saying the national planning policy framework, national democracy, were elected to build the 1.5 million homes, so therefore weve bolted in the consultation. What weve seen is, because we havent had these compulsory plans locally, is speculative development where green belt land has been developed on because we havent had the local plan that delivers for local people. Weve told councils, theyve got to have those plans. If developers follow the framework, the national framework which protects environments, looks at a number of different elements and also follows the local plan, they shouldnt be stuck in the system for years. open image in gallery Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Richard Fuller has raised concerns about the plans ( PA Wire ) In a suggestion that she was being hypocritical, Ms Kuenssberg produced pictures of Ms Rayner leading local protests against a major development herself. But the deputy prime minister insisted that this was because there was a better alternative site than the field she was trying to protect at the time. Under Ms Rayners proposals, council officials would have a strengthened role in decision-making about planning, while the councillors who sit on the committees will get new mandatory training. Alongside the reforms, the government is this week expected to confirm sweeping changes to the National Planning Policy Framework the document which sets out national priorities for building following a consultation. Mr Fuller said Labours goal of building 1.5 million homes is a reasonable target, but added: If you want to achieve that, youve got to bring the people with you, and, unfortunately, Labour seem to be saying that Angela is best and local people can be ignored. Elsewhere, Ms Rayner was asked on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips whether she is content with many of the new homes she hopes to build going to migrants. The programme pointed towards the number of people set to arrive in the UK over the same period that the homes are expected to be built, and claimed five out of seven homes could go to migrants. Well, thats not the truth, Ms Rayner responded. There is plenty of housing already, but theres not enough for the people that desperately need it. So the homes, especially under our affordable homes programme, which is social and affordable housing, will be there for people who desperately need them, local people. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Diplomatic tensions are rising over Sir Keir Starmers controversial Chagos Islands deal, with fears the UK government is unable to guarantee whether nuclear weapons will be able to be stored at the Diego Garcia base. Concerns have been raised about the strategically crucial but secretive joint UK/US base in the Indian Ocean after a written answer by defence minister Luke Pollard was unable to confirm further details. The issue has arisen because Mauritius, which is set to take ownership of the islands under Labours controversial deal, is part of the Africa nuclear weapons-free zone under the terms of the Treaty of Pelindaba. Any question marks over nuclear weapons at the base under a lease agreement could potentially hit the US even more than the UK. open image in gallery Questions are emerging over the impact of the Chagos deal on the operation of the Diego Garcia base ( DOD/AFP/Getty ) Previously, The Independent revealed Donald Trump is seeking a way to veto the deal because of his concerns over its potential security impact. A member of Trumps team this week confirmed to The Independent that Chagos is a high priority issue for day one when the president-elect takes office on 20 January. It was claimed there has been no communication yet from Sir Keirs government to Trumps team regarding the deal. The Tories have now asked for clarification on what surrendering sovereignty over the Chagos Islands and replacing it with a 99-year lease means for the operation of the base, and the ability to have nuclear weapons there. Tory shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: We need urgent clarity from the government on whether we, and the US, will have full military autonomy on Diego Garcia, after Labours new settlement kicks in. As a leaseholder, rather than a freeholder as present, will our ability to operate be wholly sovereign or subject to new rules that threaten our freedom of operation? open image in gallery Tory shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge called on ministers to put a pause on the deal ( PA Archive ) We already have a confused position and lack of transparency on the cost of the new deal. Far too many questions remain unanswered for such an important issue. Labour must immediately confirm that the defence interests of the UK and its allies will not be compromised by their decision to surrender sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. In a written answer to shadow defence minister Mark Francois, Mr Pollard said: The agreement with Mauritius has been negotiated based on international law with regards to both parties obligations under international law. The UK is not a party to the Pelindaba Treaty, although it is a party to protocols I and II of that treaty. However, he insisted: The operation of the UK/US base on Diego Garcia will continue unchanged. The deal is facing questions not only from Mr Trump. Since the initial agreement was made, there has been a change of government in Mauritius with the new prime minister ordering a review of the deal before putting pen to paper on it. A Downing Street spokesperson previously told The Independent: We are working with the new Mauritian government to progress a landmark deal that protects our base; it secures the long-term protection of the base. Our position remains unchanged. Were finalising the details of the treaty, which will come forward for scrutiny as part of the ratification process next year. There has not been any change to the timelines. They added: We look forward to working with the incoming administration on a wide range of priorities including on national security and on economy and defence. The Independent contacted Downing Street for further comment. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Kemi Badenoch landed a major political coup when she secured a meeting with vice president elect J. D. Vance on her trip to Washington DC. The convivial meeting saw the pair share a picture of Mr Vance with his arm around Ms Badenoch and praising the new Conservative leader on X (formerly Twitter). He said: Great to see the leader of the UK Conservatives, Kemi Badenoch during her trip to the US. We discussed many topics, but I was unable to persuade her that coffee is much better than tea. Cheers, Kemi! Ms Badenoch retweeted Mr Vances post and Canadian MP Jamil Jivani who joined them in the meeting posted: Thanks to the VP-elect and Kemi Badenoch for a great conversation in DC. open image in gallery J.D. Vance met up with Kemi Badenoch ( JD Vance /X ) The meeting is understood to have lasted for an hour. The pair discussed themes from Ms Badenochs speech at the International Democracy Union conference earlier in the trip, particularly her thesis on the rise of the bureaucratic state and size of government and why they are hindering risk taking and economic growth. This is the second time the two met having met last year when he was a senator and she the business secretary. They are understood to have struck up a good relationship and exchanged messages frequently for the past year. Messages included him asking about the Tory leadership contest and Ms Badenoch asking about the US elections. Ms Badenoch has other senior allies in the Republicans including Florida governor Ron DeSantis who endorsed her leadership campaign. The Tory leader, who was only elected last month, also met House Republican speaker Mike Johnson on her trip this week. A Badenoch ally said: J.D. sees Kemi as one of those on the global right doing the deep thinking about how we reform the state. He and Kemi are of a new generation of centre-right politicians like Pierre Poilievre, who she met in Toronto on Friday; and Ron DeSantis, who endorsed her leadership campaign - who are using strong conservative principles to enthuse younger voters. The dinner renewed their friendship, and Kemi and J.D. will continue to stay in touch as the Trump administration gets up and running. The connections are crucial as the Tories fight back from their worst-ever election defeat in their 365-year history returning a mere 121 MPs in July. open image in gallery Farage is seen as close to Trump by some and an eccentric British fanboy to others ( Getty ) With President-elect Donald Trump seen to be close to Nigel Farage there are concerns that he and his allies such as Elon Musk could lend their political support to Reform UK in its bid to replace the Conservatives on the right of British politics. Mr Trump was not available to meet Ms Badenoch because he was in Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame on his first major international engagement since winning the presidential election last month. But Mr Vances meeting with Ms Badenoch has angered some on Team Trump who believe he should not waste his time with the Conservatives and instead fully back Mr Farage. One Trump team source told The Independent: Trump has zero interest in meeting her [Ms Badenoch]. Addressing, Mr Vances meeting, the source added: J. D. is a curious person by nature and will therefore take meetings with most people who ask nicely enough. It shouldnt be viewed as an endorsement of Badenoch nor the UK Conservative Party, the latter of which is usually the butt of the joke when it comes up in conversation. However, another source suggested that some within Team Trump take a very different view claiming that Farage is not that close to Trump. Farage was described by the DC source as an eccentric British fanboy who they indulge but he hasnt been of much use and think he just wants to bask in reflected glory. The source suggested that in reality Trump likes Boris [Johnson] and royal family. However, a Trump supporter who was at his election night party in Mar-a-Lago pointed out that Farage was also there as a guest, adding: There were no Tories in sight. Nigel talks to Trump on his cell phone, nobody else has that closeness. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Police don't know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsons killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his companys annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompsons body bore the words delay, deny and depose, mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didnt immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isnt as quick as it looks like on TV. Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompsons family and coworkers and the shooters randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunmans steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far havent been able to ID him using facial recognition possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Boston city councilor was arrested Friday on federal fraud charges, accused of funneling part of an inflated bonus payment to a staffer to whom she was related into her own pockets during an exchange at a City Hall bathroom, the U.S. attorney's office said. Tania Fernandes Anderson, 45, who was facing financial problems, was arrested outside her home on five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft from a program receiving federal funds, acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said. Anderson, wearing a red winter jacket, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released. A grand jury indicted her this week. Anderson was facing financial difficulties in 2023, partly because the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission told her it would seek a $5,000 fine from her for hiring immediate family members to work in her office, Levy said. Council members are not permitted to hire immediate family members as paid staff. Despite the fact that she was under investigation by the state ethics commission, Ms. Fernandes Anderson hired another family member on her staff at Boston City Hall to handle constituent services, Levy said. That staff member was related to her, but Ms. Fernandes Anderson falsely represented to City Hall that there was no familial relationship. She went on to tell the staffer, a woman, that she would give her a $13,000 bonus, more than twice as much as she was paying to the rest of the staff combined in bonuses, Levy said. open image in gallery Boston City Council member Tania Fernandes Anderson leaves federal court in Boston after pleading not guilty to charges on December 6 ( AP ) That supersized bonus came with a hitch, Levy said, with the staffer being told they had to fork over $7,000 in cash back to her. The staffer, referred to as staff member A in the indictment, agreed, Levy said. After taxes, the staffer received about $10,000 in her bank account. She withdrew the money in several transactions in May and June of 2023 before exchanging texts to meet at the City Hall bathroom that June 9, Levy said. The staffer gave her $7,000, he said. Each of the five wire fraud charges carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The theft count carries a penalty of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000. In a statement to her constituents Wednesday, Anderson said, You know that I am always transparent with you and always available. My job is to show up and fight for you, and I will continue to do just that. Anderson became the first African immigrant and first Muslim elected to the council in November 2021. She was reelected in 2023. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu urged Anderson to resign, saying the charges undermine the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, will now face federal charges in addition to the New York state murder indictment already brought against him, according to reports. Federal charges which will be brought by prosecutors from the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, according to The New York Times would potentially allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty should Mangione, 26, ultimately be found guilty of murder, capital punishment having been outlawed in New York for decades. According to documents unsealed on Thursday, and a sworn affidavit by an FBI agent, federal prosecutors intend to charge him with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearms offense. The documents do not specify whether the death penalty will be sought, with the matter likely to be decided by incoming president Donald Trumps new-look Justice Department next year. The development comes after Mangione appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom on Thursday and formally waived his right to an extradition hearing before being returned to New York. open image in gallery A court sketch shows Luigi Mangione being led out of Pennsylvania court after waiving his right to an extradition hearing ( REUTERS ) Earlier this week, the suspect was formally indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on three murder charges over the attack on Thompson, 50, who was shot dead outside of the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4 by a masked assailant armed with a handgun who had lain in wait for him. The incident led to a five-day manhunt, culminating in Mangione being arrested at a branch of McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9 after local police received a tip-off from a fellow customer responding to an image of the shooter circulated by the NYPD. He was found to have a pistol, ammunition and fake identification cards about his person, as well as a 262-word manifesto denouncing the American healthcare system, having recently undergone back surgery. In bringing the charges, Bragg called the episode a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation. The toughest penalty Mangione could face in state court, should he be convicted of Thompsons murder, would be life imprisonment without parole, which the Justice Department could deem insufficient. open image in gallery Luigi Mangione leaves Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on Thursday December 19 2024 ( AP ) The state case will proceed in parallel with any federal case, said Danielle Filson, a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. This defendant brazenly shot Mr Thompson point blank on a Manhattan sidewalk. The Manhattan DAs office, working with our partners at the NYPD, is dedicated to securing justice for this heinous murder with charges of murder in the first degree. Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangiones lawyer, said in a statement that the Southern Districts involvement in the case raised a number of issues she found disconcerting. The federal governments reported decision to pile on top of an already overcharged first-degree murder and state terror case is highly unusual and raises serious constitutional and statutory double jeopardy concerns, she said. We are ready to fight these charges in whatever court they are brought. open image in gallery Officers stand outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan, where Luigi Mangioni is set to be arraigned on charges including murder ( REUTERS ) The suspects supporters continue to donate generously to a defense fund set up on his behalf after he became a problematic folk hero to some during his flight from justice. The anonymous fund, The December 4th Legal Committee, had amassed almost $157,000 in donations via the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo at the time of writing. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has already been forced to denounce vigilante justice in response to the dark fandom Mangione has attracted. In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint, he said in the aftermath of the suspects arrest. In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this: he is no hero. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The New York Police Department has released new photos of the man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In the two new pictures, released Saturday night, the suspect is seen wearing a black coat and a medical mask as he gets into the back of a cab. This comes after police released the first unmasked photo of the suspect earlier in the week an image captured after the suspect lowered his mask during a flirtatious encounter with a Manhattan hostel clerk. Thompson, 50, was shot at point-blank range outside the New York Hilton Midtown on Wednesday morning just before a major UnitedHealthcare investor conference. Four days on, the gunmans identity and motive remains a mystery with the NYPD offering a $10,000 reward for information, while the FBI is offering $50,000. On Saturday, NYPD divers searched a pond in Central Park for the firearm used in the attack, CNN reported. open image in gallery The man suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson seen in a cab in a new photo from the NYPD ( New York Police Department ) Police are looking into the possibility that the murder weapon is a veterinary gun a larger gun used by farmers to put down animals without making a loud noise, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said earlier this week. As well as the gun, police are still searching for the bike the suspect thought to possibly be a disgruntled employee or client fled on. Police have now found a gray backpack they believe belonged to the suspect in Central Park on Friday. After sending it to a forensics lab, investigators discovered the backpack contained Monopoly money and a Tommy Hilfiger jacket, CNN reported. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said the net is tightening around the suspect. open image in gallery The second new photo of the suspect shared by police ( New York Police Department ) Let him continue to believe he can hide behind a mask, Adams said Saturday. Were going to reveal who he is, and were going to bring him to justice. The search has now expanded beyond New York City with NYPD officers seen arriving in Atlanta on Saturday, where local police are also assisting with the investigation, according to CNN. Police said the suspect arrived in New York City on November 24 on a Greyhound bus departing from Atlanta, Georgia. However, officials are not yet sure exactly where he boarded. Following the shooting, he was seen on footage entering the Port Authority Bus Terminal, but not leaving indicating he may have left the city. After arriving in New York on November 24, the suspect checked into an Upper West Side hostel with a fake New Jersey ID. While in the hostel, he slept in a room with two other men and wore a mask for the majority of his stay. open image in gallery The NYPD released unmasked photos of the suspect earlier this week ( NYPD ) Early on December 4, the suspect was spotted at a nearby Starbucks on West 56th Street and 6th Avenue. Soon after, he headed to the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan and lay in wait for about five minutes before Thompson arrived on the scene, police said. The shooter, who was wearing a mask, approached Thompson from behind and shot him in the right calf and back at 6:46 a.m. Video of the incident shows the shooter calmly walking up behind Thompson before shooting him, then calmly crossing the street. The footage also showed a bystander running away as the suspect opened fire. Thompson was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Moment gunman shoots UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson dead in New York City captured on surveillance video The suspect fled the scene on a bike into Central Park before footage captured him entering the bus terminal. Investigators found three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings, as well as a burner cell phone, at the scene of the shooting. The bullet casings police had the words deny, defend and depose written on them, mirroring a popular phrase in the insurance industry. A 2020 book by Jay Feinman about the insurance industry also bears a similar title: Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Dont Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It. The book describes itself as an expose of insurance injustice and a plan for consumers and lawmakers to fight back. A candy wrapper and water bottle believed to belong to the suspect has also been recovered. Investigators have a huge amount of evidence in their search, including DNA evidence, fingerprints and a massive camera canvass of the suspects movements, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In November 2019, Meagan Jacksons relationship of 16 years collapsed. That same month, her mother, who was set to cosign on a home in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, died. My sister, her demeanor kind of changed, Jacksons half-brother Shawn Harju told the Post and Courier. She basically ended up homeless. Approximately a year later, Greg Rice, Jacksons ex and the father of her four children, was found dead. Shortly afterwards, Jackson and her married work colleague with whom she was having an affair were charged with Rices murder. Jackson and Christopher Dontell worked together at the county coroners office and she was pregnant with his child. Dontell went on trial this week and, on Wednesday, pleaded guilty to lesser charges and agreed to testify against his former lover at her trial. Greg Rice vanishes The saga began when Dontell, the 41-year-old Horry County deputy coroner and a married father-of-two, began a romantic relationship with Jackson. The pair, who both lived around Conway, met after Jackson, 39, was subcontracted to the coroners office working as a body transporter removing corpses from the scene of death. open image in gallery Christopher Dontell was charged with the murder of Meagan Jacksons ex-boyfriend ( Horry County Police Department ) It is not clear exactly when Jackson began working with the Horry County Coroners Office or when the affair started. But by November 2019, Jacksons relationship with Rice was over. Despite parting, the former couple continued to be in regular communication due to their children, police said. Then, on October 5, 2020, Jackson reported Rice missing to police. He was last seen on October 2 near Flintlake Drive outside of Myrtle Beach, according to Horry County police. Multiple searches were conducted over the following days, and search warrants served in an effort to locate the missing 46-year-old. In the early hours of November 8, 2020, Rices body was discovered along the Little Pee Dee Rive. He had been shot five times and police said significant efforts had been made to hide his body, reported Court TV. According to court documents, it had been wrapped in a tarp that was secured by zip ties, and was weighted down by at least one cinder block secured with a ratchet strap. Later, investigators said they had uncovered surveillance footage from a Lowes home improvement store showing Dontell with a shopping cart full of cement blocks, a tarp, and zip ties on October 3 one day after Rice was last seen alive. Arrest and charges open image in gallery Meagan Jackson is currently awaiting trial after several delays ( Horry County Police Department ) Dontell continued working at the coroners office until November 9, when police identified him as a person of interest in the case. Both Dontell and Jackson were arrested on November 11 after police analyzed their cell phone records, deployed license plate readers and conducted witness interviews. Upon their arrest, they admitted to their affair, according to authorities. Detectives later learned that Jackson was pregnant with Dontells child, according to Court TV. It is not clear if she gave birth. Permission was given to examine Chris Dontells county phone and vehicle at that time, coroner Rober Edge said in a statement the day of his arrest. During a search warrant executed at Jacksons home, police said they also found evidence of child abuse on November 12, 2020, according to WBTV. Jackson allegedly locked her children in a room and they were forced to urinate in jars, according to the arrest warrant. Police said batteries were also removed from the doors electronic locks and the windows were padlocked. Jackson and Dontell were hit with two murder charges, two counts of criminal conspiracy, four counts of neglect of children or a helpless person, one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and one count of accessory after the fact for the death of Rice. Jackson and Dontell were released on bond pending trial, but both were returned to jail after they violated their release terms by contacting one another. They allegedly communicated via phone and Dontell secretly met with his co-defendant while she was on house arrest, according to a Horry County solicitor. As of June, Dontell was being held at J Reuben Long Detention Center, according to The Sun News while Jackson returned to home detention. Guilty plea open image in gallery Dontell appeared in court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to two charges ( WMBF/YouTube ) With jury selection for Dontells trial concluding Monday, opening statements were initially scheduled to begin Tuesday. But moments before the trial was set to begin, the defendant indicated he wanted to plead guilty to a single charge of accessory after the fact. According to Mary-Ellen Walter, senior assistant solicitor, Dontell ultimately agreed to plead guilty to two charges Wednesday morning: criminal conspiracy to commit murder and accessory after the fact of murder. The judge told Dontell that he could face up to 20 years in prison for the two charges alone. In exchange for the murder charge being dropped, he agreed to testify against Jackson at her trial, according to Walter. Mrs. Jackson said to him essentially, It was him or you. I need you to go get him out of the cooler at the Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and get rid of him, Walter told the court. From the first day Ive been involved, hes always wanted to plead to what he was guilty of, which was an accessory after, Dontells defense attorney Aimee Zmroczek told WDPE on Wednesday. Dontell is still scheduled to stand trial on other charges. Jacksons trial was due to begin on Monday but was subsequently delayed. She is now scheduled to stand trial on February 10 2025. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Police called to do a welfare check at an apartment near Atlanta discovered five people shot dead, including a 5-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy, in an apparent murder-suicide. In an emailed statement, Lt. Shane Smith of the DeKalb County Police Department said officers responded to the grisly scene on Saturday shortly before 7:30 p.m. There, they found the two young children deceased, along with a 43-year-old woman, a 32-year-old man, and a 26-year-old woman, all of whom appeared to have been shot. None of the victims have been identified, and it is not yet known which of them was the shooter. We are still attempting to notify the next of kin for everyone, Smith said. Once done, we will be able to release the names. The DeKalb PD said investigators believe the killings were domestic-related, and said the residence where it occurred was located on the 2100 block of Vineyard Walk, which, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution , is an apartment complex called the Vineyards at Flat Shoals. open image in gallery The grisly shooting took place in the Vineyards at Flat Shoals apartment complex, according to police ( Google Maps ) DeKalb County, Georgias fourth-most populous, is roughly 20 minutes northeast of Atlanta. The investigation is ongoing, but police said preliminary information suggests murder-suicide. The precise relationship between the five dead remains unknown. The nonprofit Violence Policy Center calls murder-suicides a shockingly common form of gun violence in the United States, and says they occur in the US an estimated 10 times a week. Some 1,200 Americans die in murder-suicides annually, and nine out of 10 murder-suicides involve a firearm, according to the center. Nearly two-thirds of all murder-suicides are carried out by an intimate partner of the victim. Authorities have not released any further information as of Sunday afternoon, and a DeKalb County PD spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Three days after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally gunned down by a masked man lying in wait outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel, the head of the insurers parent company addressed anxious staff in a video sent to all US employees. In it, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty told underlings that their work was critical in preventing the US medical system from providing unnecessary care he claimed would eventually drive up costs to an unsustainable level as he complained about the vitriolic media coverage of the shooting. The two-minute-and-forty-five-second speech came in the wake of widespread glee over the news of Thompsons murder by Americans who have been denied coverage while insurance companies earn record profits. While social media users shared anecdotes about being denied coverage some musicians have even written and shared murder ballads they composed following Thompsons killing, elevating the as-yet unidentified subject, who remains on the run, to near-folk hero status. UnitedHealthcare reportedly has one of the highest denial rates in the entire healthcare industry, and was last year sued for allegedly using a flawed AI algorithm to systematically deny coverage to seniors. Im sure everybody has been disturbed by the amount of negative, and in many cases, vitriolic, media and commentary that has been produced over the last few days, particularly in the social media environment, Witty said in the video, which was leaked to independent investigative journalist Ken Klippenstein. And I want to reassure you of a few things. Witty said the company would continue to put customers first, making an argument, without providing specifics, that UnitedHealthcares mission is truly to make sure that we help the system improve by helping the experiences of individuals get better and better. He told employees that Thompson was dedicated to this somewhat nebulous goal, and claimed few people in the history of the US healthcare industry [have] had a bigger positive effect on American healthcare than Brian. According to Witty, UnitedHealthcares role is a critical role in making sure that care is safe, appropriate, and is delivered when people need it. At the same time, Witty emphasized, [W]e guard against the pressures that exist for unsafe care, or for unnecessary care, to be delivered in a way which makes the whole system too complex, and ultimately unsustainable. So, we continue to make that case, Witty said in conclusion. We will continue to do the work we do I encourage you to tune out that critical noise that were hearing right now. It does not reflect reality. It is simply a sign of an era in which we live. Witty then exhorted staff to focus on what we know to be true. And what we know to be true, he went on, is that the health system needs a company like UnitedHealth Group. The suspect in Brian Thompsons shooting death remains on the lam ( NYPD ) Investigators now believe the suspect in Thompsons killing may be a disgruntled customer or client. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny revealed that three words were etched into rounds and shell casings found at the crime scene delay, deny, and depose a possible reference to Rutgers Law professor Jay Feinmans book, Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Dont Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It. (Feinman declined to comment when reached by this week by The Independent.) For its part, UnitedHealthcare issued a statement, saying: While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place. So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out. We are thankful, even as we grieve. Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brians family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice. The as-yet unidentified shooter remains a fugitive with the multistate manhunt now in its third day. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Some of the elderly residents of seven Louisiana nursing homes who were sent in 2021 to ride out Hurricane Ida in a crowded, ill-equipped warehouse are being offered shares of a nearly $9m settlement after they sued. Retired state judge William Rusty Knight told The Times-Picayune of New Orleans that all the 427 former residents who filed legal claims are being sent letters outlining the proposed settlement. Knight said amounts differ based on patients individual circumstances. People who don't contest the amount offered can expect to receive money within a few weeks. A hearing for those who want to fight the settlement will be held in January. Its been a longer road getting here than we wanted it to be, Knight said. Nobodys getting what they should, quite frankly, because theres not enough money. Bob Dean Jr, 70, owned seven nursing homes in New Orleans and southeast Louisiana. As Ida approached, Dean moved hundreds of residents into a building in the town of Independence, roughly 70 miles northwest of New Orleans. Authorities said conditions at the warehouse deteriorated rapidly after the powerful storm hit on 29 August, 2021. They found ill and elderly bedridden people on mattresses on the wet floor, some crying for help, some lying in their own waste. Civil suits against Dean's corporation said the ceiling leaked and toilets overflowed at the sweltering warehouse, and there was too little food and water. Within days after the storm hit, the state reported the deaths of seven of the evacuees, five of them classified as storm-related. open image in gallery Bob Dean Jr owned seven nursing homes in New Orleans and southeast Louisiana ( AP ) By the time Dean was arrested on state charges in June 2022, he had lost state licenses and federal funding for his nursing homes. Dean pleaded no contest to 15 criminal counts in July and was sentenced to three years of probation, paying $258,000 in restitution and more than $1m as a penalty. Last month, Dean agreed to pay $8.2m to the federal government to settle allegations that he misused assets and income from four nursing homes whose loans were insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Prosecutors say he funneled nursing home money to his personal bank accounts, using the money to buy antiques, guns and cars. But Dean also faced civil lawsuits or legal claims from 427 of the 843 patients who were taken to Independence, or their surviving relatives. Many of the plaintiffs and their lawyers have suggested Dean was hiding other assets. Theres no true justice after what my clients endured, attorney Matthew Hemmer, who represents hundreds of nursing home victims, told WVUE-TV. Knight said he knows of 165 of Dean's former residents who have died since the evacuation, and he said he expects to learn more people have died as responses to the settlement offer are returned. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The front-page newspaper photograph was striking on the morning of April 6, 1967 a dramatic image showing the U.S.S. Canberra firing at Communist targets from the warships position in the Gulf of Tonkin. Little did those readers know his shipmates certainly didnt that one of the Canberras most junior sailors was struggling through those very same waters that day. South Dakotan Douglas Brent Hegdahl, whod never seen the ocean before joining the Navy in the midst of the Vietnam War, had somehow fallen from the ship. Just 20 years old, he survived hours in the Gulf before North Vietnamese fishermen plucked him to safety. Then he was turned over to the North Vietnamese and so began his incredible journey as the youngest and lowest-ranking POW at the infamous Hanoi Hilton, where Hegdahl pretended to be stupid to his captors as he secretly collected information, displaying an ingenious aptitude for memorization, observation and subterfuge. Hegdahl memorized the names of 254 POWs, helping to reclassify 63 service members from MIA to POW not only bringing solace to dozens of wives and families but also providing the military with key intelligence, such as the exact address of the feared prison itself. No one knows what theyre going to do under circumstances like that and Doug, who was from a tiny town in eastern South Dakota, barely got through high school, but he was a smart guy, and he figured it out, says Marc Leepson, whose new book, the first biography of Hegdahl, The Unlikely War Hero: A Vietnam War POWs Story of Courage and Resilience in the Hanoi Hilton, is out this month. open image in gallery Doug Hegdahl was just 20 and serving with the Navy when he fell overboard from the USS Canberra. Its primary mission during the Vietnam War was using its powerful 5- and 8-inch guns to bombard enemy logistical and military targets in both South and North Vietnam ( National Archives ) He somehow figured out the way to survive and did it against all odds and succeeded against anybodys wildest expectations, Leepson, 79 and also a Vietnam veteran, tells The Independent. Memorizing names changed lives. I mean, 63 names were changed from missing in action, which usually means you didnt survive, to prisoner of war, which means you did survive, he says, adding that Hegdahl was an enlisted man amongst fellow prisoners who were Naval Academy graduates, guys who are pilots of giant jet planes that flew off of decks of aircraft carriers and were air aces in the sky. And this 20-year-old kid who was in the deck crew does this amazingly, he says. I think it was one of the most heroic acts not in combat during the Vietnam War. And I think thats something that people should know. Funnily enough, while Hegdahls heroism originated in a brutal prison ironically nicknamed for a famous hotel chain, his early life played out in a different place also locally nicknamed Hilton. Hegdahl and his two brothers grew up living in and working in a hotel his parents purchased in downtown Clark, South Dakota which the locals nicknamed the Hegdahl Hilton, an ironic nod to the fact that it was far from fancy, Leepson writes. Both his parents were Lutherans hailing from Norwegian immigrant families, and Hegdahl enjoyed something of an all-American midwestern childhood, swimming in the local pool and Boy Scouts when he wasnt working on farms or at the family business. He was known as a playful, well-liked practical joker but didnt apply himself at school, taking more than four years to finish high school and graduating at age 19 and a half. He was also a prime candidate for the draft as America continued its highly controversial war effort in Vietnam; his mother convinced him to join the Navy before he could be conscripted, reasoning that it would be safer than in-country combat. open image in gallery Doug Hegdahl in captivity around Christmastime in 1968. He had been held in the Hanoi Hilton since early April 1967 and had lost about sixty pounds after going on a hunger strike in September 1968 to protest being held in solitary ( US Information Agency ) After training in San Diego, Hegdahl got sent to the Canberra in February 1967 and two months later found himself overboard. No one, including Hegdahl, has ever been able to explain how he ended up in the water. The 6-foot, 225-pound apprentice seaman remembered getting up from his bunk and leaving behind his thick eyeglasses, before going up to the deck to watch the guns firing in the dark. I cant tell you how I fell from my ship, Doug said after his release. All I know is, I walked up on the deck. It was dark and they were firing, and the next thing I recall I was in the water. Luckily, the former high school athlete was a strong swimmer. He treaded water for hours before fishermen spotted and rescued him, then turned him over to the North Vietnamese. Two days later, he found himself at Hoa Lo, better known as the Hanoi Hilton where US prisoners including future presidential candidate John McCain were brutally tortured during years of captivity. At first, the North Vietnamese interrogators figured Doug Hegdahl for a spy who concocted a dubious tale of falling off a ship in the Tonkin Gulf, Leepson writes. But he soon convinced them that he was anything but a CIA spy; that he was, in fact, a lowly enlisted man who had no knowledge about any Navy operational information that could be useful to them; and that he really was blown off the deck of his ship. But he also conned the North Vietnamese into believing that he was a bumbling fool by playing it dumb when they interrogated him so much so that the guards started referring to him as The Incredibly Stupid One. Hegdahls ploy and the sense of humor he managed to cling to helped him glean information and work against the enemy as he dutifully memorized names provided by other prisoners. I had probably the most embarrassing capture in the entire Vietnam War, Hegdahl said in a 1997 interview Leepson quotes in the book. I found that my defense posture was just to play dumb. Lets face it, when you fall off your boat, you have a lot to work with. open image in gallery Doug Hegdahl (right) with US Navy Lieutenant Commander Richard Stratton and his wife, Alice Stratton, at their California home in 1973 not long after Dick Strattons release from the Hanoi Hilton. Stratton and Doug became close friends and allies during the six weeks they shared a cell together in 1967 and renewed their friendship after Stratton was released ( Stratton Family Photo ) Leepsons book outlines how, while sweeping the yard, Hegdahl was also sabotaging North Vietnamese vehicles by surreptitiously pouring sand and gravel into gas tanks. On more than one occasion, he was taken away from the prison to support various North Vietnamese propaganda efforts, allowing him to pinpoint and memorize Hanoi Hiltons exact location. He was given a little bit of freedom compared to most of the guys, and he was able to scout around and look and report back on torture, and he found out the address of the Hanoi Hilton, Leepson tells The Independent. Hegdahl and his imbecile routine consistently thwarted propaganda projects by the North Vietnamese, including an attempt to re-enact his watery capture on film. Leepson laughs about the way he outfoxed them. Directed by a propaganda filmmaker and surrounded by villagers serving as extras, Hegdahl repeatedly pretended not to understand instructions, instead playing up and acting out during what should have been scenes. He got the villagers, who were supposed to be like extras in the movie all on his side, and they were laughing and joking, and he was able to frustrate the director to the point that it never got made, Leepson tells The Independent. He quotes a 1972 interview given by Hegdahl who sought to escape the spotlight as time went on after his release in which he says: I was so mad about their propaganda that it became a personal war to think how I could mess it up. open image in gallery Hegdahl and Alice Stratton in Washington, D.C., in 1988; following his release, Hegdahl began working as an instructor in the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school in San Diego Bay, where he was especially adept at giving advice on how to survive in a POW camp, writes Marc Leepson in his new book ( Stratton Family Photo ) Hegdahls savviness and knack for memorization caught the attention and respect of superior officers in the POW camp who ordered him to accept early release, which US military prisoners are forbidden from doing according to the established code of conduct. Hegdahl refused a direct order the first time but eventually relented, and he went home in 1967 with vital information. He helped with the intel and, in addition to the names [Hegdahls work] was part of the reason that, in the fall of 1969, the North Vietnamese, and I write about it in the book, changed the treatment of prisoners for the better, Leepson says. Torture didnt stop, but it did lessen significantly, and some of their strictures were taken away for instance, communication. Roger Shields, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for POW/MIA Affairs from 1971 to 1977, explains in the book that, after Hegdahl provided names to the Pentagon, we told the North Vietnamese, You are responsible for the salvation and the survival of these particular men, thereby putting the onus on the North Vietnamese in a way that had never been done before. On the same day that Hegdahl participated in his first post-release press conference, speaking from Bethesda, Maryland, Ho Chi Minh died prompting a change of leadership that also coincided with more pressure on the Communists from the Nixon Administration regarding treatment of POWs. (The final prisoners would eventually be released in 1973.) Hegdahl joyously reunited with his family upon his return, and his parents had ensured his military paychecks were invested during his time as a POW allowing him to buy a home near the beach in San Diego, where he decided to build his life. The veteran began working as an instructor in the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school in San Diego Bay, where he was especially adept at giving advice on how to survive in a POW camp, Leepson writes. open image in gallery Author Marc Leepson, 79, is a fellow Vietnam Veteran who says Hegdahl figured out the way to survive and did it against all odds and succeeded against anybodys wildest expectations' ( Krysta Norman ) Among his students was William J. Dougherty, a CIA officer who was held captive with 51 others at the US Embassy in Tehran during the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979. I will never, ever forget Doug Hegdahl, Dougherty wrote in a 2001 book about his ordeal. I could recall Hegdahls lectures with almost crystalline clarity, he continued. His comments, advice, examples and stories more than anything else saw me through severe interrogations and helped me keep my sanity, dignity, and secrets intact. Thanks to Doug [and my service in] the Marine Corps, I was well prepared for the Iranians. Doug retired from SERE in 2001, continuing to revel in his privacy and comfort in his adopted seaside city more than three decades after his savvy POW tricks made invaluable contributions to the war effort. On a macro point of view, that is also really significant, besides this individual story of courage not under fire, courage in these horrible conditions where he could have been tortured to within an inch of his life or worse, Leepson tells The Independent. He wasnt but it was a gutsy thing to do. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Saturday Night Live roasted poor little Matt Gaetz and Hunter Biden in its cold open sketch as the two scandal-plagued figures paid a visit to Church Lady following the most satanic year in history. The Church Chat 2.0 skit, airing December 7, welcomed back Dana Carveys character, Church Lady, an elderly woman dedicated to her faith who interviews various celebrities. In the sketch, Church Lady labeled 2024 the most satanic year in history before calling former MAGA lawmaker Gaetz, played by Sarah Sherman, to the stage. open image in gallery Church Lady (Dana Carvey) appears alongside Matt Gaetz (Sarah Sherman), Hunter Biden (David Spade) in the December 7 Saturday Night Live cold open sketch ( Saturday Night Live ) The Florida Republican had been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Attorney General but, days later, removed himself from consideration amid intense scrutiny over a House Ethics Committee inquiry regarding allegations of wrongdoing, including claims he had sex with a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime. The House committee was set to release a bombshell report on its fndings two days after Trump tapped Gaetz, but Gaetzs nomination led him to resign from the House, effectively ending the probe. This week, House Republicans voted down two efforts by Democrats to force the committee to release the report. open image in gallery Sarah Sherman plays Matt Gaetz alongside Dana Carveys Church Lady character on Saturday Night Live' ( Saturday Night Live ) Sherman and Carvey were quick to joke about the situation. You were involved in some little sexual peccadillos, and they wrote a whole report about it, but somehow we never got to see it, did we? Isnt that convenient, Carveys Church Lady quipped. Poor little Matt Gaetz, you better repent, Matt, theres only 17 days left in Christmas, Carvey added. You had me at 17, Shermans Gaetz said a reference to the age of the girl at the center of the allegations against him. Next up to see Church Lady was David Spade playing President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden. Biden announced last week he had pardoned his son for offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024. This comes after Hunter was convicted of three federal gun charges related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018. Three months later, he also pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges. open image in gallery David Spade as Hunter Biden on Saturday Night Live, cracking jokes about President Joe Bidens decision to pardon him ( Saturday Night Live ) They singled me out just because of who I am, Spades Hunter complained to Church Lady about his situation. Much like Trump, they went after me because of my last name and all the illegal things I did. He continued: I've gone through a lot, but my dad loves me unconditionally, and that's the greatest gift of all. Also to anyone who has seen any of those laptop photos, just remember the camera takes off two inches. The sketch ended with a song performed by Church Lady, Gaetz, Hunter and others. Will Christmas be about Jesus? Nobody knows, the cast sang. Or will it be about Santa hanging with the ho, ho, hos? Satan had a good year. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President Joe Biden said that Syria and the broader Middle East faced a historic opportunity for peace and the establishment of a new Syrian state with the fall of Bashar Al-Assads government on Sunday. The US president spoke from the White House and called the moment a positive development while warning that it was important to ensure that an independent Syrian government that served all Syrians. After 13 years of civil war in Syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by Bashar al-Assad and his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office, flee the country, the president said in his address. At long last, the Assad regime has fallen, said Biden on Sunday. Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. open image in gallery Joe Biden addressed the fall of the Syrian government led by Bashar Al-Assad at the White House on Sunday. ( The Independent ) He added that while it is not clear where Bashar Al-Assad and the dictators closest advisors were exactly at this hour, it appeared that they had fled to Moscow. Russian state media, according to Reuters, was making similar claims, indicating that the ousted Syrian leader had been granted political asylum. The US president said he also remained aware of Americans in Syria some residing there, others held captive like journalist Austin Tice. Biden promised to bring Tice home during his remarks. We believe he's alive, Biden told reporters as he departed the lectern. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet." On a call with reporters after the president concluded his remarks, a senior US official added that the stockpile of chemical weapons known to be in the Assad regimes possession before its downfall was being monitored closely. We do have good fidelity on this type of thing, they said. I'll just want to just assure you that we're doing everything we can to prudently ensure that those materials are either not available to anyone or are cared for. open image in gallery Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, seen here before his governments collapse, is thought to have been granted political asylum in Russia. ( AP2000 ) The White House official concluded that the US would be looking for further signs of positive leadership from the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as well as a coalition of Turkish-backed groups known as the Syrian National Army which now hold claim over large parts of the country. Parts of HTS itself were once officially affiliated with Al Qaeda, the terrorist group behind the 9/11 terror attacks, though its leader now claims his ideologies have evolved. The fall of Syrias government this week was sudden, and came in the face of a widespread rebel offensive that overtook the cities of Homs and Aleppo in the days immediately leading up to the fall. Its an end to the decade-long Syrian Civil War, which began during the regionwide Arab Spring phenomenon during the Obama administration and quickly became a shockingly brutal and bloody conflict as Bashar al-Assad, backed by Iranian-supported militias including Hezbollah as well as Russia, pounded rebel forces and occupied areas, pushing them away from the capital. US officials had publicly called for Assad to step down for years, though those calls dwindled after Obama left office. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Those interviewing for positions within the incoming Trump administration will need to do more than prove their qualifications for the job, with new reports claiming the must answer a series of strategic questions to prove their allegiance to Donald Trump At least nine people who were interviewed for jobs or were involved in the process told the New York Times that questions about January 6, the validity of the 2020 election and their voting decisions were brought up. Those questions are seemingly designed to weed out prospective administration members who do not display an obvious allegiance to Trump. Donald Trump has long-valued loyalty in his administration but that has only been heightened since the 2020 election and January 6 attack on the Capitol ( Getty Images ) Those who gave answers that dencounced the violence on January 6, or suggested Joe Biden won the 2020 election, told the newspaper that they did not get jobs. Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk is among the MAGA loyalists tasked with interviewing potential hires for positions in the Pentagon or other intelligence agencies, according to the Times. Not every prospective employee was asked questions related to loyalty. That seems to be an inquiry made in the final rounds of interviews. The new report largely aligns with what Trump allies have said publicly. Howard Lutnick, the co-chair of the Trump transition team and head of the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, told the Financial Timesin October that all administration officials will be on the same side. Were going to give people the role based on their capacity and their fidelity and loyalty to the policy, as well as to the man, Lutnick said. Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of Trump who is helping with the transition process, told Axios in July that his goal is to keep bad actors from infiltrating his fathers administration unlike those who turned against Trump during his first administration. Loyalty is critical for the president-elect because many of his first-term cabinet members and administration officials turned on him. Former Attorney General Bill Barr, former National Security Adviser John Bolton, former Chief of Staff John Kelly, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, former Defense Secretaries James Mattis and Mark Esper along with many others have denounced Trump since working with him. Even his vice president, Mike Pence, refused to endorse him in the 2024 presidential election. So now, the Trump team is conducting its own vetting process for potential administration members. That includes scoring prospective employees in multiple categories, researching past comments they may or may not have said about Trump and going through a series of interviews. Other cabinet members have separate methods of vetting potential aides and officials. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reportedly set up an online test that asks individuals a series of puzzle, language and personality questions. A spokesperson for Trump, incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, told the Times, President Trump will continue to appoint highly qualified men and women who have the talent, experience, and necessary skill sets to make America great again. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump told NBC in a wide-ranging interview that he believes all members of the January 6 committee should be thrown in jail though he stopped short of outright threatening to use the Justice Department to do so. Honestly, they should go to jail, he told Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker in an interview about his day one plans, airing Sunday. When asked about Liz Cheney who was a GOP lawmaker, served as vice chair of the committee and who campaigned with Kamala Harris in the 2024 race Trump said everybody on the panel should be jailed for what they did. Despite this, Trump insisted he would not direct his FBI director pick Kash Patel or attorney general pick Pam Bondi to pursue the committee members or any other political enemies of his. I want her to do what she wants to do. Im not going to instruct her to do it, he said of Bondi. Im not looking to go back into the past, he added, when asked if he would seek to prosecution Biden family members, including President Joe Biden. Im looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success. open image in gallery Donald Trump speaks to NBCs Kristen Welker on Meet the Press ( The Independent ) The president-elect made headlines throughout his 2024 campaign, much like his 2016 bid for the presidency, by threatening to jail his political opponents. Most recently in September, he wrote in a Truth Social post that those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted, referring to top Democratic leaders such as Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. And while he did not follow through with his explicit threat to jail Hillary Clinton following his 2016 election victory, his new focus on installing loyalists at top agencies including the FBI and Justice Department have led many to wonder if the threats are real this time. Despite losing his 2020 reelection bid to Joe Biden, Trump maintained (and still maintains) that he was the rightful winner. His fact-free claims of widespread fraud were weaponized to instigate a mob attack against the US Capitol on January 6 2021, as throngs of his supporters attempted to stop Congress from certifying the transfer of power. Trump went on to be prosecuted for those actions in a now-defunct investigation ended by the Justice Department after his 2024 election victory, as well as by Congress in the form of the bipartisan committee to investigate January 6. Members of the committee compiled countless hours of video evidence and testimony which painted a horrifying scene of the violence that played out during the attack as well as the depth of knowledge Trump and his team had to predict that the attack would occur. open image in gallery Donald Trumps nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, has said the agency should be torn apart for its role in investigating Trumps 2016 campaign ( AP ) In his interview airing Sunday, Trump also said hed pardon some of those rioters on his first day in office. Im going to be acting very quickly. First day, Trump said, adding later about their imprisonment that theyve been in there for years, and theyre in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldnt even be allowed to be open. Patel, the president-elects pick for the FBI, has called for the government to go after journalists with criminal and civil legal action. Patel has also called for the FBI itself to be dismantled following its investigation of the 2016 Trump campaigns alleged ties to Russian operatives. Biden moved to shield his family from some of that danger this past week, and issued a blanket pardon for his son Hunter covering any crimes committed over an 11-year period. The adult son of the incumbent president has a history of drug abuse and at the time of his pardoning was due for sentencing on tax and gun charges. Trump and his allies attacked the pardon as symbolic of Washington corruption while the presidents allies did the opposite of rush to his defense: many Democrats criticized the president for giving the appearance of a separate standard of justice for his family members, given that the facts of his sons criminal case are not in dispute. But the president does have some defenders who have characterized the move as necessary to shield the presidents family from political retribution from the incoming administration. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Iran once again recalls its principled position of respect for the national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and emphasizes that the future and destiny of Syria belong only to the citizens of this country, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in an official statement, Trend reports. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said that military conflicts in Syria must be stopped as soon as possible, terrorist attacks must be prevented, and a national dialogue must be launched with the participation of all groups to form a government that can represent all Syrian citizens. The Iranian Foreign Ministry notes that Iran supports monitoring the political process in Syria through international mechanisms, guided by UN Resolution 2254, and continues constructive cooperation with the UN. The Iranian Foreign Ministry added that in Syria, which is going through the most dangerous period of its history, it is considered important to ensure the safety of all citizens and foreign citizens, as well as the protection of diplomatic buildings. Iran considers Syria's position as an important and influential country in West Asia to be special and will spare no effort to help restore security and stability in the country. The ministry will continue consultations in this direction with all parties, in particular with the countries of the region. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump criticized former President Barack Obama while wading into the ongoing Syria conflict on Saturday, saying the U.S. should not get involved nor should it have ever inserted itself in the matter. In keeping with his isolationist foreign policy, the president-elect wrote on Truth Social that the United States should have nothing to do with the situation in Syria where rebels are currently trying to take over the capital in an attempt to overthrow President Bashar al-Assads government. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! Trump wrote. Yet at the same time, Trump blamed Obama for failing to intervene in the conflict in 2013 when the Russia-backed government used chemical weapons as a form of attack something Obama initially said was the red line that would move the U.S. to get involved. This is where former President Obama refused to honor his commitment of protecting the RED LINE IN THE SAND, and all hell broke out, with Russia stepping in, Trump wrote. Russia, an ally of al-Assad, intervened in the Syrian conflict years ago. However, Trump said due to the current status of the UkraineRussia conflict, Moscow cannot pivot its attention this time. open image in gallery President-elect Donald Trump made it clear he does not want the U.S. to get involved in the Syrian conflict ( Getty Images ) Opposition fighters in Syria, in an unprecedented move, have totally taken over numerous cities, in a highly coordinated offensive, and are now on the outskirts of Damascus, obviously preparing to make a very big move toward taking out Assad, Trump wrote. Russia, because they are so tied up in Ukraine, and with the loss there of over 600,000 soldiers, seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria, a country they have protected for years. The president-elect said there was never much of a benefit in Syria for Russia other than to make Obama look really stupid. In any event, Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! he added. Trumps comments came as he was in Paris meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in his first return to the world stage since clinching victory in the election. open image in gallery Former president Barack Obama once promised to get involved in the Syrian conflict if the country crossed the red line using chemical weapons as a form of attack ( Getty Images ) The conflict in Syria has been going on since 2011. The government, led by al-Assad, has been a central part of the situation having used brutality against peaceful protesters during the Arab Spring. Since then, the Syrian government has relied on its allyship with Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and others to stay in power. However, those allies, much like Russia, have had their attentions diverted by other crises, giving insurgents an opportunity to push forward in the hopes of unseating al-Assad. Over the last week, conflict has escalated in the country, with rebels beginning to seize much of the northwest territory in an attempt to oust al-Assad. open image in gallery Residents leave the city carrying their belongings in the aftermath of the opposition's takeover of Hama, Syria, on December 6 ( AP ) So far, insurgents, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have captured land in the city of Aleppo and several Damascus suburbs marking the first time opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the capital since 2018. The Syrian army has reportedly withdrawn from several Damascus suburbs signalling that al-Assad is losing control over parts of the country. Under Trump, who will return to the White House in a little over a month, it seems unlikely the U.S. will get involved. The president-elect, and his allies, have taken an isolationist approach to foreign conflicts, believing the U.S. should not get involved unless it has a direct interest in it. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President-elect Donald Trump publicly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach an immediate ceasefire deal with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky in a late-night social media post Saturday evening amid reports that Syrias capital of Damascus had fallen to a rebel attack. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that there should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin in the wake of Bashar al-Assad, Putins ally, being ousted by a Turkish-backed rebel force. Reports indicated that the Syrian leader fled the capital in a plane with close advisers; that plane may then have crashed. His whereabouts and status are unknown. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse, Trump said. He added: I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! Trumps comments came just hours after he met with Zelensky in Paris on Saturday for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. His arrival in Washington in January is expected to upend the war in Ukraine as many believe that the Trump administration will end military aid to the country in an attempt to bring the two sides to a peace agreement a move that could more than likely be to Russias benefit if Ukraine is suddenly cut off from the bulk of western support. open image in gallery Donald Trump met with Frances president Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. His administration is expected to sharply shift Ukraine policy after taking office in January ( AP ) Trumps statement continued: Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. Ukraines president has said the actual number of slain troops is around 43,000 since Russias invasion in February of 2022. The fall of Syrias government this week was sudden, and came in the face of a widespread rebel offensive that overtook the cities of Homs and Aleppo in the days immediately leading up to the fall. Its an end to the decade-long Syrian Civil War, which began during the regionwide Arab Spring phenomenon during the Obama administration and quickly became a shockingly brutal and bloody conflict as Bashar al-Assad, backed by Iranian-supported militias including Hezbollah as well as Russia, pounded rebel forces and occupied areas, pushing them away from the capital. US officials had publicly called for Assad to step down for years, though those calls dwindled after Obama left office. What will emerge in Assads place in Syria remains unclear. Militants affiliated with the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as well as a coalition of Turkish-backed groups known as the Syrian National Army now hold claim over large parts of the country, with other smaller groups including jihadist groups all operating across Syria as well. HTS itself was once officially affiliated with Al Qaeda, the terrorist group behind the 9/11 terror attacks, though its leader now claims his ideologies have evolved. Incumbent President Joe Biden, who is due to leave office in January, was monitoring the situation according to a statement released to the White House press pool Saturday evening. The White House has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter. open image in gallery People react to the fall of Syrian regime in Umayyad Square on December 8, 2024 in Damascus ( Getty Images ) The HTS group is still considered a terrorist organization by the US government. That didnt matter across the streets of Damascus on Saturday evening into Sunday morning, however, as civilians celebrated Assads downfall and the end of his brutal regime in the streets, in mosques, and in their homes. As the Assad government fell, attention is now turning to those thought to have been held captive in Syrias infamous prisons (and elsewhere) by the regime and its allies, including US journalist Austin Tice, whose family said at a press conference in recent days (after a meeting with senior US officials) that he is believed to be alive. JD Vance, the incoming vice president, commented on the situation with more detail on Sunday. While doing so, he took aim at Josh Rogin, a Washington Post columnist, for celebrating the downfall of Assad. As President Trump said, this is not our fight and we should stay out of it, wrote Vance on Twitter. Aside from that, opinions like the below make me nervous. The last time this guy was celebrating events in Syria we saw the mass slaughter of Christians and a refugee crisis that destabilized Europe. He added: Many of "the rebels" are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they've moderated. Time will tell. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rival packs of stray dogs scavenging for scraps around the Chernobyl fallout zone may be evolving faster than other animals to survive in one of the most hostile environments on Earth. Scientists are analysing the impact of the worlds worst nuclear disaster 36 years ago on semi-feral canines that roam the decaying, abandoned buildings of the power plant and the surrounding radioactive Red Forest. Miraculously, the wild dogs are still able to breed and endure extreme winters while relying on scraps from tourists who are warned not to touch them. open image in gallery Many of the dogs form packs for protection, while some have surprisingly bonded with humans ( Getty ) Researchers say humans can learn from the resilience of the 500 stray dogs whose numbers have increased in the 36 years after the cataclysmic accident and Soviet coverup. On April 26, 1986, an explosion and fire at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine caused radioactive fallout to spew into the atmosphere. Thirty workers were killed while the long-term death toll from radiation poisoning is estimated to number in the thousands. The packs are thought to be descendants of dogs left behind by families during the chaotic evacuation. They are thought to have survived attempts by Soviet soldiers to shoot the animals to prevent the spread of radiation. Somehow, two small populations of dogs managed to survive in that highly toxic environment, head researcher Dr Norman Kleiman said. Blood samples were collected from the semi-feral dogs captured around the power plant and another pack operating in nearby Chernobyl City. open image in gallery Stray dogs have survived radiation and attempts by Soviet soldiers to kill them ( Getty Images ) Despite sharing breed makeups with German shepherds and being separated by only ten miles, the free-breeding dog populations were found to be reproducing independently of each other. By analysing the dogs DNA, the team identified 391 outlier regions in their genomes that differed between the two groups with some pointing to genetic repair after exposures similar to Chernobyl. Scientists maintain there is still work to be done to evaluate how decades of radiation exposure may have altered animals genomesand even, possibly, sped up evolution. They hope future studies will reveal the genetic effects of exposure to radiation and observe adverse health effects of other nuclear or environmental disasters on both animals and humans. open image in gallery All 61 of the Nuclear Power Plant dogs and 52 of the Chernobyl City dogs were identified as being at least 10% German Shepherd ( AP ) According to Dr Matthew Breen from NC State: The overarching question here is: does an environmental disaster of this magnitude have a genetic impact on life in the region? By teasing out whether or not the genetic changes we detected in these dogs are the canine genomes response to the exposures the populations have faced, we may be able to understand how the dogs survived in such a hostile environment and what that might mean for any population animal or human that experiences similar exposures. open image in gallery The former Energetika cultural centre stands in the abandoned city of Pripyat near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. ( Getty Images ) Swedish authorities were the first to detect radioactive fallout in Europe, forcing Soviet officials, who had attempted to cover up the disaster, to open up about it days later. In 2017, a state veterinary agency in the Czech Republic said about half of all wild boars in the countrys southwest were radioactive and considered unsafe for consumption. The boars feed on an underground mushroom that absorbs radioactivity from the soil. Similar problems with radioactive wild animals were reported in Austria and Germany. The full study on the Chernobyl dogs was published in the journal Canine Medicine and Genetics. Its a safe bet that Bashar al-Assad will be judged by future historians to be among a handful of the most monstrous and murderous of 21st-century dictators. Yet its not impossible that had it not been for the car accident that killed his older brother Basel in 1994, this allegedly introverted person might have been today still working quietly as an ophthalmologist in London instead of being responsible for the deaths of at least 200,000 of his fellow Syrians. It was then, while he was doing his postgraduate medical studies at the Western Eye Hospital, that Bashar was recalled by his father Hafez Al-Assad, the Baathist ruler of Syria, to be groomed as his successor. When Bashar was elected as president on his fathers death in 2000, some Western leaders cherished hopes that he would usher in an era of democratic and economic reform. Among these was Tony Blair, who hoped for a new relationship with the young Syrian president, a fluent English speaker. Assad talked the talk of liberalisation. Even in 2002, when the UK and US were gearing up for war with Iraq, which Assad opposed, the British prime minister, while acknowledging their differences, said after meeting Assad in London that a process of engagement with Syria is the right way forward. In fact, Assad, whose family was part of the Alawite sub-sect of Shia Islam, which had dominated Syria since the 1960s despite representing only 10 per cent of the countrys Sunni-majority population, quite swiftly proved to be every bit as autocratic as his father, if not even more so. Any promotion of economic liberalisation largely benefited a rich Syrian elite. After Lebanons prime minister Rafic Hariri was assassinated in 2005, apparently by Hezbollah, a UN investigation suggested that Syria might have had a hand in the murder, though without conclusive evidence. Either way, after Western pressure and a large-scale revolt within Lebanon, Assad was obliged to remove Syrian troops who had been stationed there since 1976. Inside Syria, one of the regions most effective intelligence services was a bastion against internal dissent. In 2011, Assad faced his first serious internal challenge from anti-government demonstrations partly inspired by the wave of protests erupting especially in Tunisia and Egypt. By 2021, Assads attempts to repress the protests with increasing ferocity caused the demonstrations to erupt into a full-scale civil war. open image in gallery Armed men in Aleppo after rebel forces take control of the city ( EPA ) With Turkey and Qatar among those seeking to fund and arm rebel forces, Assad relied on support from Iran and Hezbollah, which sent fighters to augment Syrian armed forces. In 2015, however, he was able to secure the most powerful backing of all: military forces from Russia, which had long provided him with arms. Assad gradually managed to save his regime at least until the latest surprise advance by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) at the expense of Syria and Syrian society. When he was not using chemical weapons, he authorised the serial deployment of barrel bombs, which caused widespread civilian casualties. open image in gallery A portrait of Bashar al-Assad at a Palestinian camp south of Damascus ( AFP/Getty ) When he was accused by the West of the first major chemical weapons attack of the war which caused mass deaths in Damascus both the US and the UK did not accede to widespread calls for military action against Syria. As the war wore on, Western efforts to unseat or at least restrain his regime were complicated by what they saw as the need to focus on the threat posed by the most jihadist of his opponents. By mid-2018, Assad was largely in control of most of the country; a notable exception was the northwestern area bordering Turkey from which the rebels staged their successful march on Aleppo last week. open image in gallery People try to extinguish fires following an airstrike that targeted Syria's rebel-held northern city of Idlib ( AFP/Getty ) Characteristically, as the war was abating in much of the country, Assad passed a draconian law enabling the state to claim the property of Syrians who fled the conflict. Now he has fled, bringing a dramatic close to his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto control as his country fragmented in a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the citys mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting, God is great. People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Syrians stormed Assads presidential palace in the suburbs as rebels proudly shouted the country was free from the tyrant. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rebel fighters in Syria announced they entered the capital city of Damascus on Sunday, after seizing control of several other cities as part of a stunning offensive to topple the regime of president Bashar al-Assad. Just before dawn, insurgents appeared to be entering the city, according to photos and videos posted on social media. Officials told Reuters that Assad had left the country on a military plane in the early hours of Sunday, although his government initially denied such reports. The prime minister, Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, appeared to confirm that the regime was over. He said he would meet with the rebels, adding that the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. The development is the latest in the offensive movement that Syrian rebels ignited less than two weeks ago in an attempt to challenge al-Assads rule, which has been a conflict since 2011. open image in gallery A giant banner of Syrian President Bashar Assad hangs on the facade of a building in Damascus ( AP ) Just hours earlier, rebels announced they had fully liberated the city of Homs a major intersection point between Damascus and Syrias coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where al-Assad enjoys wide support and where his Russian allies have a naval base and airbase. The rebels moves around Damascus came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assads government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. open image in gallery Syrian National Army (SNA) soldiers celebrate victory in Manbij on December 7, 2024 in Manbij, Syria ( dia images via Getty Images ) The UNs special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called on Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assads chief international backer, said he feels sorry for the Syrian people. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syrias border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Rebels claimed they had also taken control of the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison which sits north of Damascus. The prison was the site of horrific torture and brutality which Amnesty International said was used to degrade, punish and humiliate prisoners. The insurgents claimed that had liberated our prisoners there. Government forces were forced to withdraw from Damascus International Airport, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Sunday. No flights appeared to be going in or out of the airport, according to FlightRadar24. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. The situation is very strange. We are not used to that, the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad has fallen, bringing a shocking end to his familys 50-year reign following a lightning offensive by Islamist rebels. The presidents whereabouts remain unknown after reports he left Damascus early on Sunday as opposition fighters entered Damascus. It was the first time opposition forces had reached the capital since 2018 when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a years-long siege. open image in gallery People celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus ( AFP via Getty Images ) A video shared on Syrian opposition media showed a group of armed men escorting Syrian prime minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel on Sunday. Interventions by Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and others have allowed him to remain in power within the parts of Syria under his control. But no international help for the deposed leader appears forthcoming. Incoming US president Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social: Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by (President) Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer, open image in gallery Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has fled the country his family ruled for 30 years ( AFP via Getty Images ) Here is a look at some of the key aspects of the new developments: Whats the latest? The military command of the Syrian opposition says its fighters have entered the capital Damascus claiming that it is free of President Bashar Assads rule. The so-called Military Command Administration said Assad had fled without giving further details. His departure marks the end of the 54-year Assad family rule of Syria with an iron fist. His father Hafez Assad came to power in a bloodless coup in 1970 and ruled until his death in 2000. Bashar Assad was elected weeks after his fathers death and ruled Syria until he was overthrown on Sunday. The command declared the end of the dark period and the beginning of a new era in Syria. State television in Iran - Assads main backer in the years of war in Syria - reported terrorists had entered Damascus and that Assad had left the capital. An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported seeing groups of armed residents along the road on the outskirts of the capital and hearing gunshots. The citys main police headquarters appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside. Another shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint, uniforms discarded on the ground under a poster of Assads face. In the early hours of Sunday, Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany said that insurgent forces fully liberated Syrias central city of Homs. A rebel commander said they had also taken control of an army camp and villages outside the city. The Syrian military, which has been reinforcing Homs and hammering the rebels with intense airstrikes, did not immediately comment on the reports. Homs, parts of which were controlled by insurgents until 2014, is a major intersection point between Damascus and Syrias coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where President Assad enjoyed wide support and where his Russian allies have a naval base and airbase. Homs province is Syrias largest and borders Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. Earlier the rebels said they seized control of the southern city of Daraa the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against Assad as they pressed on with their lightning advance. The Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria on Saturday, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. This change presents an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that secures the rights of all Syrians, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces Mazloum Abdi said in a written statement, praising the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus. The Kurdish-led group has a significant presence in northeastern Syria, where they have clashed with the extremist Islamic State group and Turkish-backed militias over the years. open image in gallery Rebel forces shoot in the air as they parade in their vehicles through the streets of the central Syrian city of Homs ( AFP via Getty Images ) Rebel commander Colonel Hassan Abdulghani said the insurgents advanced in the countryside around Idlib, putting all of the province of the same name under their control. This could not be independently confirmed. Military vehicles abandoned by Syrian troops dotted the roads in Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province as people posed and took pictures atop an abandoned tank on a highway. What implications could the insurgency have? The Islamist rebels dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in the heart of the region, key allies who propped up Assad during critical periods in the conflict. The collapse followed a shift in the balance of power in the Middle East after many leaders of Lebanons Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, a lynchpin of Assads battlefield force, were killed by Israel over the past two months. Russia, Assads other key ally, has been focused on the war in Ukraine. Turkey-backed Syrian forces have taken control of some 80 per cent of northern Syrias Manbij area and are close to victory against Kurdish forces there, a Turkish security source said. Stabilising western areas of Syria captured in the rebels advance will be key. Western governments, which have shunned the Assad-led state for years, must decide how to deal with a new administration in which a globally designated terrorist group - Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - looks set to have influence. The US will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State, deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrains capital on Sunday. Before its defeat, Islamic State imposed a reign of terror in large swathes of Syria and Iraq. At a conference in Doha, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said terrorist organisations must not be allowed to take advantage of the situation in Syria, and called on everyone to act with caution. HTS, which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria, was formerly an al Qaeda affiliate known as the Nusra Front until its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016. The real question is how orderly will this transition be, and it seems quite clear that Golani is very eager for it to be an orderly one, said Joshua Landis, a Syria expert and director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. Golani will not want a repeat of the chaos that swept Iraq after US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, he said, adding: They are going to have to rebuild ... they will need Europe and the US to lift sanctions. HTS is Syrias strongest rebel group and some residents remain fearful it will impose draconian Islamist rule or instigate reprisals. Assad has been at war with opposition forces seeking his overthrow for 13 years, in a conflict which has claimed an estimated 500,000 lives. Some 6.8 million Syrians have fled the country over the course of the war, mostly resettling in Turkey. Nearly 1.3 million people have been granted protection in EU countries, as of last year. open image in gallery An anti-government fighter holds a weapon as he keeps position near a defaced portrait of Assad, in the city of Hama ( AFP via Getty Images ) The US has around 900 troops in northeast Syria, far from Aleppo, to guard against a resurgence by the Islamist terror group Isis. Both the US and Israel conduct occasional strikes in Syria against government forces and Iran-allied militias. Turkey also has forces in Syria and has influence with the broad alliance of opposition forces storming Aleppo. What do we know about the group leading the insurgency? The US and UN have long designated HTS as a terrorist organisation. Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, emerged as the leader of al-Qaidas Syria branch in 2011, in the first months of Syrias war. His fight was an unwelcome intervention to many in Syrias opposition, who hoped to keep the fight against Assads brutal rule untainted by violent extremism. open image in gallery Abu Mohammed al-Golani analyses a military map of Syria Golani early on claimed responsibility for deadly bombings, pledged to attack Western forces and sent religious police to enforce modest dress by women. He has sought to refashion himself in recent years, renouncing his al-Qaida ties in 2016, disbanding his religious police force, cracking down on extremist groups in his territory, and portraying himself as a protector of other religions, including by allowing the city of Idlibs first Christian mass in years. What is the history of Aleppo in the war? At the crossroads of trade routes and empires for thousands of years, Aleppo is one of the centres of commerce and culture in the Middle East. open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images ) Aleppo was home to 2.3 million people prior to the war breaking out in 2011. Rebels seized the east side of the city in 2012, and it became the proudest symbol of the advance of armed opposition factions. In 2016, government forces backed by Russian airstrikes laid siege to the city. Russian shells, missiles and crude barrel bombs fuel canisters or other containers loaded with explosives and metal methodically levelled neighbourhoods. Starving and under siege, rebels surrendered Aleppo that year. The Russian military's entry was the turning point in the war, allowing Assad to stay on in the territory he held. This year, Israeli airstrikes in Aleppo have hit Hezbollah weapons depots and Syrian forces, among other targets, according to an independent monitoring group. Israel rarely acknowledges strikes at Aleppo and other government-held areas of Syria. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Assad regimes brutal half-century-long grip on Syria has come to an end, in a stunning defeat by opposition insurgents who seized control of Damascus on Sunday after more than 13 years of civil war. In extraordinary scenes, jubilant crowds took to the streets waving a revolutionary flag and shouting Freedom, as the capital was littered with the discarded uniforms of government forces. Families of relatives left to rot for years in the regimes notorious prisons waited anxiously for news of loved ones as videos showed fighters freeing thousands from jails across the country. open image in gallery Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the government collapsed in Damascus on Sunday ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and residence, rifling through luxury designer items belonging to the long-term dictator, after President Bashar al-Assad, along with his wife Asmaa and their two children, as well as top officials, vanished. Russia, a close ally that has propped up the regime for years and will see this as a major blow, said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Late on Sunday, Russian state media said Assad and his family had been granted asylum and were in Moscow. World leaders including Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the end of the Assad regime, albeit amid concerns about what comes next for the war-torn region. Assads sudden overthrow at the hands of a Turkish-backed revolt with roots in jihadist Sunni Islam, limits Irans ability to spread weapons to its allies and could cost Russia its Mediterranean naval base. It also paves the way for millions of refugees scattered for more than a decade in camps across Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to finally return home. open image in gallery Syrian rebels said they faced little resistance as the government dissolved ( AFP via Getty Images ) For Syrians, it brought a sudden unexpected end to a war that had been in deep freeze for years, with hundreds of thousands already dead, cities pounded to dust, an economy hollowed out by global sanctions and no resolution in sight. Families who had been cowering in their homes and fearing more bloody battles ahead, emerged on Sunday to celebrate. It was one of the smoothest transitions ever, Mariam told The Independent from a town on the outskirts of the capital. We thought there would be blood soaking the streets, but no one wanted to fight for Assad any more. Finally, Syrians can be proud of being Syrian. I cant stop crying, added Ahmed, who owns a clothes shop also in a town near the capital. I cant believe he has been defeated. open image in gallery An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) At the notorious Sadnaya prison just north of Damascus, where rebels freed inmates, many of them politican detainees, Zakaria Al-Ashara, who had been jailed for five years, spoke of tasting freedom for the first time. Its an indescribable beautiful feeling. I couldnt believe it when I got out. I dreamed of this moment and imagined it every day, he told The Independent. Every moment was a nightmare. Yet, despite everything, I clung to the dream of freedom and never stopped praying. Outside of the prison, and in nearby cities, family members who knew their loved ones were at some point transferred to Sadnaya waited anxiously for any news - as more and more people were filmed escaping. Fakhria, whose son Abdo Sahwar, a father of two, was arrested 10 years ago, said: I had lost hope, but now my heart is racing with tension. I dont know if Ill find him alive. If I see him, I might die of joy. A fighter among the opposition ranks, who fought in the battles against regime forces in Idlib, Aleppo, Hama and Homs over the past week, told The Independent the battle against Assad had been one for everyone. He said he hoped the countrys myriad factions could now come together. We are fighting for Syria for everyone: Muslims, Christians, Alawites, Druze we are fighting for a Syria that is for all, he added. The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the largest and best-organised of the rebel outfits, said Syria was now free from the tyrant Assad. The rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments. Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting after half a century of Assad family rule. Syrias army command notified officers that Assads rule had ended, but later added that it was continuing operations against terrorist groups in the key cities of Hama and Homs and in the Deraa countryside. Assad, who has not spoken in public since the sudden rebel advance a week ago, has fled Damascus, the Russian foreign ministry said. His government known for generations as heading one of the harshest police states in the entire Middle East with hundreds of thousands of political prisoners in its gulag melted away overnight. Leading rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani said there was no room for turning back and said the group was determined to continue the path they started in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings. open image in gallery Vladimir Putin helped to prop up the Assad regime the toppled Syrian leader is reportedly now in Moscow ( Sputnik ) Rebel Commander Hassan Abdul-Ghani said In the midst of victory they should not forget those who died fighting and paved the way for us towards the capital. The insurgents also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in the heart of the region key allies who propped up Assad during critical periods in the conflict. Since the rebels swept into Aleppo a week ago, government defences have crumbled across the country as insurgents seized a string of major cities and rose up in places where the rebellion had long seemed over. After years locked behind frozen front lines, the insurgents burst out of their northwestern stronghold in Idlib and pushed the swiftest battlefield advance by either side since a street uprising against President Assad mushroomed into civil war more than a decade ago. The collapse followed a seismic shift in the balance of power in the Middle East after the leadership of Lebanons Iran-backed militant Hezbollah, a linchpin of Assads battlefield force, were killed over the past two months. Russia, Assads other key ally, has been embroiled in a ruinous war in Ukraine. open image in gallery Syrians who fled the conflict to other countries during the war celebrated around the world Emma Beals, a non-resident fellow of the Middle East Institute and a leading Syria expert, said that while geopolitics played a major role in the regime overthrow, ultimately this is a phenomenal set of events caused by Syrians themselves. It was a perfect storm, where everything aligns, she said. But at the end of the day, people are tired, they want something new. In regime areas there was an economic collapse, a huge loss of life in army and other social shocks. Even after fighting ended, people saw no benefits. Instead they saw regime cronies getting the contracts and getting wealthier as they got poorer. But she warned that the hard work starts tomorrow and that trying to bring together so many warring factions in such a devastated country will be a major challenge. The huge flip in power and the speed with which this happened is going to make the security situation of the next weeks, and the provision of services alongside that, hard, she explained. There is also the discussion about whos in the transitional government, [and] what the next steps are. open image in gallery Questions remain about what happens now that Assad has been toppled ( AFP via Getty Images ) When the celebrations fade, Syrias new leaders will face the daunting task of trying to deliver stability to a diverse country with competing factions that will need billions of dollars in aid and investments to rebuild. The Syrian rebel coalition, for its part, said it is continuing work to complete the transfer of power to a transitional governing body with full executive powers. The great Syrian revolution has moved from the stage of struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the struggle to build a Syria together that befits the sacrifices of its people, the rebels said in a statement. But there were already clashes erupting with other factions. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who control the northeast of the country and are backed by the United States, said they were already locked in battles with Turkish-backed opposition forces over the northwestern city of Manbij. open image in gallery Syrians celebrate in the main square of Homs ( AFP via Getty Images ) The pace of events has stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability. It marks a turning point for Syria, shattered by years of war which has turned cities to rubble, killed hundreds of thousands of people, and forced millions abroad as refugees. The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State, deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East, Daniel Shapiro, said. HTS, which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria, was formerly an al-Qaeda affiliate known as the Nusra Front until its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016. Golanis outfit is the countrys strongest rebel group and some Syrians remain fearful it will impose draconian Islamist rule or instigate reprisals. Even after Assad had fled, Israel continued to strike targets associated with his government and its Iranian-backed allies, including one in Damascus where Israel had previously accused Iran of developing missiles. Benjamin Netanyahu said the toppling of Assad could make it easier for Israel to reach a ceasefire deal to free hostages in Gaza. The UK said it welcomed the fall of Assads barbaric regime. The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure, Sir Keir said in a statement on Sunday. Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored. We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities, and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days. Asked whether he would be wiling to deal with HTS, Sir Keir said: Its very early days at the moment. We do need a political solution, and thats what we are talking to regional allies about. It is a good thing that Assad has gone, a very good thing for the Syrian people. Additional reporting by Rajaai Bourhan Was it a misstep or a deliberate act of self-destruction? This is the question workers at Gumi City Council in South Korea asked earlier this year when one of their colleagues was found unresponsive at the bottom of a two-metre staircase. The incident was picked up by local media, with headlines asking Why did the diligent civil officer do it? and Was work too hard?. There was also an outpouring of sympathy on social media for the stricken worker, with peoples interest piqued due to the civil servant being in fact a robot. Some believe it is the first ever robot suicide that it intentionally threw itself down the stairs after growing frustrated with its job. Witnesses reported seeing it circling in one spot shortly before the fall, which led to speculation that it was suffering an emotional breakdown. But in order to deliberately kill itself, the robot would first need to be sentient. It is an idea that has been a trope of science fiction for more than a century, but only in recent decades have technologists and philosophers begun to seriously speculate on when and how this might actually unfold. Jonathan Birch, a professor of philosophy at LSE and author of The Edge of Sentience: Risk and Precaution in Humans, Other Animals, and AI, believes that we will very soon see what he calls ambiguously sentient AI. By ambiguously sentient, I mean that some people will be absolutely convinced that their AI companion is a sentient being with a rich inner life, and will be angered when others deny this, he tells The Independent. Meanwhile, others will be equally convinced that these AI companions feel absolutely nothing. It wont be possible to tell who is right because our scientific understanding of sentience is not yet mature enough for that. And this has the potential to lead to very serious social divisions. To prepare for such an eventuality, Professor Birch has been calling on tech companies to acknowledge the risk and to support research aimed at improving our scientific understanding. The debate that arose in South Korea following the robot workers demise centred on the integration of AI and machines into human workplaces, and whether they should be given similar rights as their flesh and blood colleagues. The questions have particular weight in a country where automation is happening at a faster pace than any other country on Earth. A report last month from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) revealed that South Korea has become the first in the world to replace more than 10 per cent of its industrial workforce with robots. Only one other country has even passed 5 per cent. open image in gallery ( IFR/The Independent ) Robots are finding work everywhere in Korea, from restaurant kitchens to hospital operating theatres. The Korean government sees intelligent machines as a way to address record-low birth rates and a rapidly shrinking working-age population. However, the massive influx of robots has raised new challenges about how best to treat and integrate them. Even if they are not yet sentient and have no sense of self, many are already seeing them as some sort of semi-conscious beings that deserve a certain level of dignity. This was highlighted by the reaction to a video last year, which showed a robot abruptly collapsing to the ground while stacking boxes. open image in gallery Proteus, Amazons first fully automated mobile robot, has been allowed to roam in areas of the factory it wasnt previously allowed ( Amazon ) While the robots manufacturer said it was an ordinary malfunction, the clip gained millions of views as people speculated over whether it was, in fact, an act of defiance or exhaustion. Stressed like the rest of us, one person wrote, while another commented: AI making its own decisions and I kinda like it #freewill. Since the incident at the city hall in South Korea, there have been numerous other incidents of robots seeming to kill themselves. Last month, an event billed as Man vs Machine aimed to race an AI-powered car against a human driver. But the contest in Japan never happened; the robo-racer drove itself into the barrier on the way to the start line. Some spectators joked that the AI would rather spin itself out of the race than risk facing a human driver who was once dubbed the torpedo for his reckless driving. As for the robot in South Korea that ended up at the bottom of a set of stairs, there is a third possibility for what happened to it. Something the municipal workers and media seemed reluctant to suggest: it may have been pushed. The IFRs report last week revealed that the average robot density globally has more than doubled over the last seven years. As this trend continues to accelerate in tandem with advances in artificial intelligence, we will increasingly be confronted with how best to live and work alongside our robot counterparts. As the worlds leading robot employer, Amazon has spent more than a decade working on ways to integrate them into the workplace. With a staff of more than 750,000 machines working alongside 1.5 million human employees around the world, robots already make up a third of the retail giants workforce. The firms first fully autonomous robot, Proteus, has been let loose on the companys warehouses, allowed to roam around outside fenced areas that robots have previously been restricted to. This new role alongside human workers meant that a lot of consideration went into making the robot as least annoying as possible. We wanted to make Proteus lovable, Julie Mitchell, a director at Amazon robotics who helped bring the machine to life, told reporters on a recent tour of one of the companys fulfilment centres. A lot of research went into that The faces, the eyes that we put on it, the noises that it makes it is all purposely designed to make it lovable. As robot adoption continues to accelerate in tandem with advances in artificial intelligence, it seems we will increasingly be confronted with what it means to be a robot among humans and vice versa. And serious ethical discussion around AI machines will inevitably expand from not just killer robots but robots killing themselves. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A woman who managed to evade security to be a stowaway on a New York-to-Paris flight last month claims shed tried to sneak into secure areas of other US airports before. Svetlana Dali, 57, told investigators that she had tried to travel for free at several domestic airports, Assistant US attorney Brooke Theodora said at a bail hearing. According to a criminal complaint, Dali flew to Paris as a stowaway on a Delta Air Lines flight on 26 November, before returning to Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday. The document said she snuck past Transportation Security Administration officers by hiding amid a flight crew entering a special lane for airline employees. So she underwent security screening but never had to display a ticket. She then dodged airline employees scanning tickets to board a flight bound for Charles de Gaulle Airport, only to be discovered aboard the plane illegally once it was in the air, the complaint says. When the flight arrived in Paris on 27 November, French law enforcement authorities met her at the gate and detained her before she entered customs. Concerns were raised that Dali might flee while awaiting trial. Theodora said those attempts included one last February at Miami International Airport, where Dali was turned away as she tried to sneak into a secure area by going through a customs processing area to reach departing flights. The prosecutor made the remarks as she urged that bail conditions be strict enough to ensure Dali, an unemployed Russian woman with permanent US residency, would attend her court hearings. open image in gallery Charles de Gaulle Paris airport terminal ( Getty ) Dali, who wore a brown jailhouse uniform and entered court limping with a cane, spoke to her lawyer through a Russian interpreter. Judge Joseph A Marutollo agreed to release Dali with electronic monitoring and strict pre-trial conditions, including a ban from all airports and a requirement that she live at the Philadelphia home of a man she met at church functions and submit to a curfew. He also told her that she must undergo any mental health treatment required by the pre-trial services department, an arm of Brooklyn federal court. Her court-appointed lawyer, Michael Schneider, said that his client, who has no criminal history after being a permanent resident of the US for more than a decade, was involved in what could have been an aberrant act in a certain mental health state thats not going to happen in the future. At a hearing on Thursday, Schneider said the charge against her was minor and that her offense was comparable to jumping a turnstile to enter the citys subway system. Theodora objected to the comparison at Fridays hearing, saying the offense was serious and raised very significant national security concerns and very significant public security risks for obvious reasons. Schneider said on Friday in court that the stowaway charge was unlikely to result in a prison sentence unless she does something stupid. Delta Air Lines has said in a statement that a review concluded that its security infrastructure was sound and that deviation from standard procedures is the root cause of this event. It said it was taking measures to ensure such a breach does not occur again. Nothing is of greater importance than safety and security, the airline said. President-elect Donald Trump praised the future King of England during a historic meeting in France. Trump met with Prince William on Saturday (7 December) at the British Embassy in Paris after attending the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Earlier in the day, the President-elect met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy. Walking into the British Embassy to meet Prince William, Trump declared: Hes a good man. Trump shook Williams hand and told reporters the Prince of Wales is doing a fantastic job before heading to a separate room to sit down and talk. This is the moment Syrian rebels shoot down the statue of former President Hafez al-Assad. It comes as the Syrian government of Hafezs son Bashar has fallen, bringing a stunning end to his familys 50-year reign following a lightning offensive by Islamist rebels. Social media footage shows protesters bringing down the statue of the presidents late father in a main square in a suburb a few miles from the centre of the capital on Saturday (7 December). A plane carrying Assad left Damascus on Sunday morning as rebel fighters entered the capital, and two officials told Reuters he had fled the country. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jeremy Hunt came to talk to students at Kings College London this week. I want to set you a challenge, he told them. The narrative that is prevailing about the British economy is totally mistaken. It is that politicians failed to make tough decisions; that Britain is trapped in a cycle of low growth; and that we are worse than comparable countries. None of this is true. As he set about trying to debunk the fiction promoted by Rachel Reeves, his successor as chancellor, he seemed to have two aims. One was to defend his record, making his case in what might be regarded as Historys first court of appeal: the Chancellors and Treasury postgraduate course at Kings taught by my colleagues Ed Balls and Chetun Patel. But the other was more urgent, which was to push back against Reevess narrative that the Conservatives crashed the economy and that Labour inherited a hidden black hole, requiring emergency action which was not mentioned in the partys manifesto. He has to succeed in this mission to give the Tories a chance at the next election. As long as the voters believe that the Tories drove the economy into a ditch, they are not going to give Kemi Badenoch and Mel Stride the keys to the car if Labour merely underperforms over the next few years. Hunt set the scene by describing the way in which he became chancellor in October 2022. Kwasi Kwartengs unfunded tax cuts had gone down badly with the markets and the Tory party conference had been a disaster. Hunt was in Brussels for a break with his wife, Lucia, who doesnt like flying, so they were exploring Eurostar destinations. He received a text from an unknown number saying, Liz Truss here, please call. open image in gallery Jeremy Hunt is challenging Labours narrative on the budget ( PA Wire ) He said: I assumed it was a prank, so I ignored it and went down to breakfast. At breakfast he had a call from a withheld number and ignored that too. But then a former special adviser of his phoned, and said that Truss wanted to talk to him. So he called 10 Downing Street. The private secretary said: The prime minister is on another call. Can she call you back no, wait, shes come off the call. Putting you through. She said to Hunt: This is not sustainable. So Hunt asked: How do you want me to help? Truss said: Chancellor. Hunt said his response was: Bloody hell. He asked for half an hour to think about it, the most he thought he could request in the circumstances. His wife was up for it, as was his brother, whom he consulted. Funnily enough, the thing that was on my mind was that I had been campaigning as chair of the health select committee to get a long-term workforce plan for the NHS. I thought, If I can just be chancellor for a month, I could get that through. When he called back to accept, he was aware that this was his moment of maximum leverage. He told Truss: Im going to have to take some very difficult decisions and I need you to back me. Which, he said, she did. open image in gallery Hunt thought Trusss summons was a prank ( Getty Images ) He said: The black hole that I had, and it was a real black hole not a fictional one, was 72bn. I had a week to fill it. He was proud of the action that he took to stabilise the economy, and believes that he succeeded. He contrasted his inheritance from Kwarteng with Reevess inheritance from him. When Labour took over, she claimed to have discovered a 22bn hole in the governments accounts for the current financial year. He said: I like Rachel, but an attack works only if it is true. His narrative was quite different: The Office for Budget Responsibility said there was 9.5bn of pressure on the reserves. A black hole is a gap you do not have a plan to fill. But 9.5bn is the sort of pressure that the chief secretary to the Treasury usually manages away in the second half of the financial year. As for the other elements of the hostile narrative, he said he did not believe that Britain was permanently locked into a cycle of low growth: What actually happened is that we have suffered three or four, if you include Brexit black swan events: the financial crash, the pandemic and the energy shock. He thought it was perfectly possible for previous rates of growth to return, provided governments didnt crush the animal spirits of entrepreneurs, and that productivity growth in the public sector could be raised from 1 per cent a year to 2 per cent. Nor did he think that Britain had performed worse than comparable countries: The truth is that the US is the outlier, not us. The US economy has grown faster than other countries; as has its population and its productivity. open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves black hole narrative is a fiction, Hunt says ( PA Wire ) He admitted that Britain has a specific problem with the welfare bill for working-age claimants, which is forecast to rise significantly. But, he said, the increase in mental health claims for long-term sickness benefits makes no sense, and the government should be working on that rather than blaming its predecessor. He said the country suffers from a lack of self-confidence that sometimes borders on self-loathing, but that Labour should not be allowed to use that tendency to pretend that its inheritance was worse than it was. I suspect that Hunts sunny optimism that public-sector productivity gains could have saved run-down public services without big tax increases is not going to persuade many historians let alone voters. I doubt that the winning Tory message at the next election will be that Hunt and Rishi Sunak left a golden legacy that Labour squandered. But Hunt deserves some credit for trying to correct some of Reevess exaggeration of the scale of the problems she inherited. John Rentoul is a visiting professor at Kings College London The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As preparations were being made to entomb former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad in a mausoleum nearby, a young Imam sat on the steps of the mosque and sighed, before confessing a dangerous theological and political truth. As Alawites were not Shia Muslim you know? Were not strictly speaking very Muslim really. Under Assad we just subscribed to all that to create a power block with Shia in Lebanon, and in Iran, to support our minority rule. We see all men of genius Jesus, Plato, even Shakespeare as manifestations of the divine. Were not lying about being Muslim, but were also theologically Christian, and Jews, he explained 24 years ago in the mountain village of al-Qardahah. Syrias Alawites kept that quiet. For decades Hafez, and then his son Bashar, saw being part of a Shia crescent that tied them to Tehran and Lebanon as their best means of survival. Many Christians fell in with them out of fear of the Sunni majority. As Syria collapsed into civil war in 2012, Bashar and the dictators henchmen did everything they could to increase the sectarian rivalries that had always threatened to tear the country apart. open image in gallery An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian president Hafez Assad in Damascus ( AP ) They figured theyd survive longer if they emptied their prisons of Islamist political detainees, let the Kurds do their own thing, and murdered the rest with help from Iran and Russia. No matter that this led to the emergence of the so-called Islamic State in eastern Syria with its harvest of blood and horror, a secession of Kurds (who then got attacked by Turkey) and the gangsterisation of the whole country, the Assads survived another dozen years. But with Russia distracted in Ukraine and Hezbollah hammered by Israeli airstrikes, Syrias Sunni Islamist-led opposition has swept the Assads away in less than a week. No wonder Syrian minorities, especially Alawite and Christian, are celebrating the end of dictatorship by joining in with shouts of One Syria. One Nation. We are One People! as loud as they can. Nows not the time to highlight your difference if youre different in Syria. Syrias tragedy is that its not one nation and that almost none of its neighbours see any advantage in it emerging from the death of the Assad regime as anything other than a mess. Israel doesnt want a stable Syria, as the Jewish state has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967, and annexed the territory in 1981. It wont ever allow Damascus to return to the eastern banks of the Sea of Galilee. open image in gallery Syrias neighbours may prefer chaos to stability ( Getty ) Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, might want to see the back of the more than 3 million Syrian refugees his country has absorbed, but he also wants a free rein to attack Kurdish groups on Syrian territory. Hes been backing Syrian militia who continue to do that, right now. He would not be able to do that if Syria settled down into a democracy. He might, however, back Sunni Islamist parties if they seize power in return for a joint operation against the Kurd-ruled Syrian region of Rojava. Iran may have lost its proxy in the House of Assad, but its other Hezbollah puppets in Lebanon and in Iraq will continue to destabilise Syria just as they have in Iraq, to prevent Sunni hegemony. And, of course, parts of an unstable Syria would be useful for Iranian groups to attack Israel, which means that Lebanons Hezbollah will continue to keep the country off balance. The drive against Assad has been led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham under Abu Mohammed al-Golani. His movement began life as a branch of Islamic State and al-Qaeda but formally split from the latter in 2016. Its carefully cultivated its political image, won plaudits for its administration of areas under its control and reached out to protect minorities. As the likely head of a transitional administration in Syrias fractured hydra-headed rebel movement, al-Golani may try to stick to a moderate political agenda. But this will be a struggle. Chaos in Syria from an Israeli, Turkish, Iranian and Shia perspective would be better than stability and a steady transition to, of all things, democracy. Chaos is much easier to achieve. The future is ours, al-Golani said as he led celebrations in Damascus on Sunday. Who he means by that is not yet clear. But uniting a whole country which will be getting a lot of help to continue to tear itself apart... that will take the kind of genius the Alawite Imam in Assads home town said was evidence of the divine. Sam Kiley has been covering the Middle East for 35 years Finance Current regime makes it harder for the industry here to compete for private investment funds, say sector experts. Photo: Getty Images Irelands funds industry could add up to 5,000 jobs by hosting funds for privately traded investment markets but only if the next government moves to implement key changes in the sector. A failure to implement regulatory changes to a regime that currently makes it harder for the industry here to compete for private investment funds could hurt the overall success of the Irish funds industry, warned Pat Lardner, CEO of industry group Irish Funds. The funds industry was in a moment of change and the sector in Ireland, which employs 19,500 people around the country and generates 1bn in tax revenue, needed to ensure it can compete for substantial new opportunities in this space, he said. Ireland has established itself as a global leader in fund administration mainly for public markets. But investors are now increasingly seeking alternative investment opportunities in private investments in areas such as renewables and infrastructure. In October, the Department of Finance published a review of the sector with a series of recommendations. The owners of a strategic landbank adjoining Dublin Airport are proposing to build a half-million-square-foot cargo facility to handle pharmaceuticals and specialised freight on a site adjacent to all three existing runways. The group, led by Ulick McEvaddy, has entered pre-planning talks with the local authority and intends to lodge a full planning application for the facility in February, according to well-informed sources. The proposal to build four large cargo buildings which together would be close to the size of Amazons huge distribution hub near Baldonnel marks a new step towards a long-talked-about bid by the private landowners to extend Dublin Airport to the west by utilising the privately owned 260-acre landbank. The cargo hub plan, which would be served by the existing road network, is seen by its backers as the first phase of their much bigger aspiration to build an entirely new western campus for Dublin Airport. This could include new car parks, hotels, other aviation-related activities such as a sustainable aviation fuel hub and, ultimately, a third terminal. The proposal has long been controversial. DAA has consistently dismissed it and argued that such a development is not needed and that it has enough space on the existing campus to grow the airport. DAA last month submitted a major planning proposal to expand the airport In 2023, when the land was placed on the market for sale, it appeared that McEvaddy who was not available for comment and his fellow landowners had given up, after decades of seeking backing to develop the lands themselves with backing from a Dubai-based fund. The landowners are understood to have had previous engagement with DAA about a potential sale but failed to agree on a price. At the time, McEvaddy dismissed a reported bid by DAA to buy the land for 75m as derisory. Even now, despite the cargo hub plan, the landbank remains on sale so the move to engage with Fingal County Council on the planning proposal to develop a cargo hub will be dismissed by some as a way to drive up the site value. But sources say work is ongoing on an environmental impact assessment as part of a plan to make a larger application for other elements of the western campus plan. Backers say it complies with the Fingal Development Plan and the Dublin Airport Local Area Plan. The lands owned by the McEvaddy-led group The proposed cargo units would include car parking for 500 cars and 80 trucks, as part of the first phase of the development. The DAA last month submitted a major planning proposal to expand the airport so it can handle 40 million passengers per annum. It proposed the demolition of the airports two existing cargo terminals as well as of a flight catering facility, totalling 200,000sqft. Those facilities are to be removed to make way for a new passenger pier from Terminal Two and the expansion of the existing US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance facility, New cargo facilities are not included and, according to sources, the backers of the proposed cargo-handling facility to the west of the airport believe it can fill any potential gap. Under the deal, a maximum quota will be applied to the amount of agricultural products imported from Mercosur that benefit from lower tariffs. European farmers are set to descend on Brussels this Monday in a flash action protest against a controversial trade deal with the Mercosur trading bloc, which includes key Latin American nations. IFA President Francie Gorman will travel to Brussels over the weekend to meet farm leaders from ahead of Mondays campaign against the deal. The Commission may have sold out European farmers, but there is still a distance to travel yet. Essentially, we are back to where we were in 2019 with an EU Commission-agreed deal without a democratic mandate, Mr Gorman said. The IFA President, who is also the Vice-President of COPA, the European farmer representative body, said that COPA will be coordinating the next steps of the campaign to oppose the deal, with a flash action protest in Brussels. Simon Harris as Taoiseach and Micheal Martin as Tanaiste told the IFA National Council during the General Election campaign that they were opposed to the Mercosur deal. They must carry this commitment forward and oppose this deal tooth and nail, he continued. Commission President Von der Leyen traveled to Uruguay to finalize the deal, just hours after French President Emmanuel Macron's government collapsed. At a press conference, she described the agreement as a "win for Europe." Copa President Massimiliano Giansanti said: "Even before presenting its vision for the Future of Agriculture, the Commission has sent a very worrying message to millions of farmers across Europe. This is especially concerning during such a delicate phase of reopening dialogue between farmers and European institutions. ICMSA has described the signing of the deal as cynically taking advantage of French political chaos to sprint for the finishing line. President of ICMSA, Denis Drennan, said that the Irish Government will have to move quickly and signal immediately its intention to not ratify any Mercosur Agreement. If the bureaucrats and lobbyists get their way and this agreement is signed off on, then the EU forfeits the right to ever again talk about sustainability or the environment and the debate about transitioning to lower emissions farming is over forever as far as the EUs own farmers are concerned, said Mr Drennan. Spokesperson on Agriculture for Independent Ireland, Michael Fitzmaurice, has written to the Taoiseach and Tanaiste, in response to the deal. This could drive Irish beef prices down by an estimated 30%, delivering a devastating blow to an already struggling sector and endangering the livelihoods of rural communities across the country, he said. The letter also highlighted what Mr Fitxmaurice describes as the potential undermining of democratic processes within the EU. There are worrying reports that Germany is pushing to bypass the requirement for national ratification of this deal. This would be a dangerous precedent and a direct affront to the principles of democracy within the EU. MEP Ciaran Mullooly branded the deal as a direct attack on Irish and European farmers. This deal is a betrayal of everything we stand for in Europe, Mr Mullooly said. Irish farmers are being asked to compete on completely uneven ground, while their livelihoods are sacrificed for a trade agreement that prioritises profits over sustainability and fairness. Mr Mullooly has called on Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to convene an emergency meeting of the Council of Agriculture Ministers to halt any further implementation. The MEP has also stated that he is now contacting the Chair of the European Parliaments Agriculture Committee to summon the EU Agriculture Commissioners to explain their position on this agreement. Had Stephen Donnelly retained his seat in the Wicklow constituency there would have been a fair chance of him being re-appointed as health minister in the next Fianna Fail-led government. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a joint statement prepared in collaboration with Russia, Iran, Turkey, and five Arab nations addressing the ongoing crisis in Syria, Trend reports. The statement was shared on the ministry's official account on the social media platform "X". In the document, the participating parties affirmed their commitment to resolving the Syrian crisis solely through political means. Irish News LATEST | Taoiseach says Burke family protest at gala dinner regrettable but he has no concerns over event security Radio presenter tells of taking over from Ryan Tubridy and watching the JNLR ratings Nearly a year on from taking over Ryan Tubridys high-profile radio slot, Oliver Callan still cant get used to his success being measured in ratings. I do inherit a good listenership from Morning Ireland, so the job is just dont make a mess of this where possible, he says. Obviously, taking over a show from someone whos massively famous in the country for 25 years, youre going, people dont know me at all as well, youre thinking they could go elsewhere. The last JNLR figures showed Callans show, at 9am weekdays on RTE Radio 1, has gained 2,000 listeners, leaving him with a daily listenership of 338,000, making it the fourth highest-rating radio show in the country after The Brendan OConnor Show, Today With Claire Byrne and Morning Ireland. It was kind of good to know that theyve stuck around, he says referring to the recent ratings, but adds, I also hate the fact that we have to watch figures. Ive never had to do that before because Callans Kicks is a seasonal show. It feels like a completely different world. Simon Harris is amazing On the Under the Grill podcast, hosted by Caoimhe Young and Kevin Dundon, he speaks fondly of his traditional childhood on the family farm, full of home baking, freshly-grown produce and physical work with the animals. He was the youngest of three siblings, after his elder brother Shane and his sister Aoife, until his baby sister, Aine, came along when he was 11. Weve fantastic memories, we had one of those happy childhoods that Maeve Binchy used to talk about, he says. When asked about his parents pride in his RTE job, he says: Weve always been very measured in our house of never talking too much about what I do, weirdly. Oliver Callan. Photo: David Conachy The 43-year-old is amazed that radio has emerged relatively unscathed from the changes wrought by social media on other sections of the media landscape. The radio figures for that morning slot are still pretty much exactly as they were when Marian Finucane was doing it 25 years ago, he says. Since moving into the slot, Callan, known for his lightning-quick wit and imitation skills, has shown a deeply empathetic side. The stories I get nervous about are when someone who isnt famous is telling a harrowing story weve had a rape case, weve had domestic violence. He won praise for his sensitive interviews with Meav McLoughlin-Doyle, who detailed the horrific abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband, former garda Mark Doyle; and Blathnaid Raleigh, who spoke about waiving her right to anonymity and handing back the shame to the man who raped her. Callan feels a sense of responsibility to get this right. We have to make sure that this person knows what theyre letting themselves in for, because theres going to be a response, and the reason they want to do it is to get that message out there, because theyve heard something like that themselves, and its sort of helped them. Theyre the kind of days you go, were doing good stuff here. This is when the figures dont matter, he says. Leo got bored of Leo and he had to knife himself in the end to get out of the job The Monaghan star, who makes comedy gold out of poking fun at the countrys best-known faces on Callans Kicks, had his own particular reasons for wanting the country to change the political landscape. He isnt getting to hone his comedy skills as much since taking over the daily radio show at the start of the year. I do worry that, Oh my God, am I not doing as much comedy?, he says, adding he is glad his satire show, Callans Kicks has returned to the airwaves. After six years of satirising Leo Varadkar, he was glad to get fresh material when Simon Harris took over the Fine Gael leadership. Leo Varadkar. Photo: Gerry Mooney It feels like a completely different world. Simon Harris is amazing, he says as he imitates the breakneck speed of the politicians speech. Im really enjoying it. I thought we did a good job when Leo was really popular of kind of showing the real Leo, he says. However, towards the end of his tenure, he says, everybody was bored. I was bored of doing Leo. Leo got bored of Leo and he had to knife himself in the end to get out of the job. I was so relieved because it was like, thats flogging a dead horse. Someone whos not going to win an election, is not going to be back, he says. His razor-sharp parodies are more popular with some Fine Gael politicians than others. Leo Varadkar complained a lot to RTE about things we were saying on my show even this year, and on Callans Kicks as well, he says. Whereas I actually got quite a nice letter from Simon Harris during the summer. And its like one of those moments going, oh no, Im going to get to like this guy. So Im probably going to be really hard on him now for the autumn as a result of the beautiful letter. Very nice, decent sound thing that he did. I presume they sometimes take things personally, as journalists would know, whereas I just have to carry on and just do my job and Im there to serve the wider audience. The full interview will be available on the Under the Grill podcast from Wednesday.Callans Kicks airs on RTE Radio 1 on Fridays FIANNA Fail frontrunner for the Justice portfolio, Jim OCallaghan, says his preference is for coalition with Fine Gael and Independents. It comes as the Dail technical group of Independents has expanded its number to 10, adding Aontu TDs Peadar Toibin and Paul Lawless, the latter newly elected for Mayo. Fianna Fail (48) and Fine Gael (38) have 86 seats between them. The first business of the new Dail on December 18 is to elect a Ceann Comhairle, which reduces the chamber to 173 TDs. This means that 87 is a majority, not 88 as widely asserted. Adding the 10-person technical group would give an FF-FG grouping a total of 96 seats, leaving 77 in Opposition and the government in a comfortable majority. There is a recognition, and from experience, that there are a number of Independent TDs who are serious about ensuring stability of Government, Mr OCallaghan said on This Week on RTE Radio One. He agreed with by Sean Canney, one of the technical group, a TD for Galway East, who said groupings he was associated with had a proven track record of stability. He was referring to the period from 2016 to 2020 when he and another technical group were involved in a minority Fine Gael Government, with confidence and supply from Fianna Fail in Opposition. Mr OCallaghan said: Obviously policy is the primary issue, but we also have to look to ensure that what we end up with will result in a stable Government. The last thing that the country needs is instability at the time of great unpredictability in the world. He added: My own view at present, and I think it's hard to be definitive, is that there is a reliable cohort of Independents who, unlike in previous times, do recognise that there are national issues that need to be addressed. And so I think that there is a possibility that we could have stability within a Fianna Fail-Fine Gael and group of Independents Government. This comes as Mary Lou McDonald accused Fianna Fail of looking down its nose at Sinn Fein and the 400,000 who voted for them. Ms McDonald told RTE Radios This Week programme that she regrets her party did not secure enough seats to form a government. Fianna Fail clearly has the numerical advantage. Fianna Fail clearly has eyes only for Fine Gael. They have decided, it seems, that another five years of Fine Gael is what they wish to see. I think thats a really bad outcome from this election, but the ball is at their feet, she said. Theyre talking to independents, theyve talked to others. Interestingly, the only group that theyve steadfastly refused to speak to is the second largest party in the Dail, and I really think for Micheal Martin to look down his nose at over 400,000 people who voted for Sinn Fein and to disregard those votes en masse is really a bad look. The ten-strong technical group consists of Mr Canney, Verona Murphy (Wexford), Michael Lowry (Tipperary North), Noel Grealish (Galway West), Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim), Kevin Boxer Moran (Longford-Westmeath), Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North), Gillian Toole (Meath East), Peadar Toibin (Meath West) and Paul Lawless (Mayo). It is believed that this grouping holds the whip hand in terms of propping up a renewed FF-FG arrangement, with the leader of Independent Ireland, Michael Collins TD, admitting today: We havent got a call from anyone. The Taoiseach and the Tanaiste will meet on Monday, before separate meetings with other parties and blocs throughout the coming week. The two men are unlikely to discuss the nitty-gritty of a resumed rotating Taoiseach deal or any share-out of Cabinet seats and responsibilities, both parties have indicated. But Mr OCallaghan, tipped to head a new Department of Domestic Affairs including Justice which Fianna Fail wants to create, said his partys seat advantage would ultimately have to be reflected in answering such questions. Certainly when it comes to the formation of Government, and indeed, if there's a rotating Taoiseach, the time period for each partys rotation of the office that I think would have had to be reflected by the proportionality of the strength of each party in the Dail, Mr OCallaghan said. It was his own opinion that FF should hold the post of Taoiseach longer than FG should have it, he said. The fact that Fianna Fail is agreeable to a rotating Taoiseach is reflective of the parity of esteem and mutual respect that both parties have for each other, he said, implying Fine Gael could not demand equal time in the top job as of right. He added: If it was the case and maybe this is unfair on Fine Gael but if it was the case that the numbers were reversed and FG had 48 seats, and FF 38 seats, there may be people suggesting that it should be Simon Harris who should be there on his own. There's no suggestion from like that coming from Fianna Fail. We recognise that a rotating Taoiseach is an important issue for Fine Gael, and were prepared to go along with it. But he suggested Fianna Fail should have more ministers than Fine Gael in any resumed arrangement, stressing that his was his own view. There's 15 ministers at Cabinet its an odd number, so you can't have an even amount. My own view is that the slightly increased strength of Fianna Fail in comparison to Fine Gael should be reflected in Government formation. If theres a bar in heaven it would be like this: the Long Hall, the pub where Bruce Springsteen has whiskey behind the bar A man has died and a teenage e-scooter rider is in a serious condition after separate road crashes in Co Kerry. A driver died in a single-vehicle crash near Killarney on Sunday morning. Gardai and emergency services responded to the crash involving a car on the N22 at Islandmore, Clonkeen shortly after 7am. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Formal identification is pending. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators are currently examining the scene. The road at the crash site is closed with traffic diversions in place. The local coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be conducted. Investigating gardai are appealing for witnesses or people who may have video footage from the area around the time of the crash to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, a Garda spokesperson said. Separately, a man in his late teens who was travelling on an e-scooter is in critical condition after being discovered with serious injuries in Tralee. The man was found on Saint Brendans Road in Tralee following a serious incident, which took place at around 6.30pm on Saturday evening. He was then taken to University Hospital Kerry where his condition is described as critical. The scene remains preserved for a technical examination to be carried out. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward. Any road users or pedestrians who were in the area between 6.00pm and 7.00pm and may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make it available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Tralee Garda Station on 066 710 2300, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. A happy childhood seemed to stand to people in later life. Photo: Stock image/Getty They were born before the foundation of the State and are one of the fastest-growing demographics in Ireland. A new study on Irish centenarians gives a fascinating glimpse into the mindset of people who have lived beyond 100 years. The group who have lived through the Civil War, World War II, the advent of electricity and the moon landing has almost doubled in five years to 736 last year (2023) compared to 386 in 2018. While advances in medicine and better nutrition are cited as reasons to explain exceptionally long lives, a new Irish study has examined the psychological and social factors. The study on 17 Irish centenarians 10 women and seven men gives an insight into their childhoods, their ties to family and friends, their religious beliefs and their outlook on lifestyle and ageing. During their childhoods in the 1920s and 1930s, there was an expectation that you would work and contribute to the survival of the family from a young age. Wed be out fetching corn in the fields, doing a full mans day of work when only a young lad maybe around 13, remembered 103-year-old Joe, a farmer from Tipperary. The pivotal role of the family was a theme that ran through the study Nancy (104), from Roscommon, had a similar experience. I worked really hard on our farm at home, milking cows, going to the bog and feeding the animals. The pivotal role of the family was a theme that ran through the study. Many participants recalled being nurtured and protected and most remembered their childhoods in a remarkably positive manner despite their various hardships during a tumultuous epoch of Irish history. Eva (101), a former midwife from Sligo, said she had no unhappy memories from when I was young. So that in itself is saying something right? Participants also remarked on the value of belonging to their wider communities. I have never felt lonely. I have always been surrounded by people I care about, both friends and family, said Peggy (105). The study found the centenarians seemed to have developed a strong sense of self-reliance. Dependence was never a part of my life; you get what you want yourself so that youre not dependent on anybody, said Roger (105). The author of the study, Dr Alison Fagan, a lecturer at the Department of Nursing and Healthcare at the Technological University of the Shannon, said: What became really apparent from the interviews was the absolute importance centenarians placed on their social connectedness. This connectivity though wasnt something that became significant as they aged, but was notable throughout their lifetimes. They placed a lot of emphasis on relationships that were curated and fostered from a young age. She said religion also fostered friendships and relationships in their lives. They stressed the connections they had with others through religion, how it helped them to stay engaged, gave them a sense of purpose and empowered their resilient natures, she added. A happy childhood seemed to stand to people in later life. Photo: Stock image/Getty Dr Fagan said the results of their interviews echo the findings of other international research that reports on the positive correlations between social connectedness and well-being both in later life and across the lifespan not only from a social and psychological perspective, but also a biological perspective. When it came to retirement, people who had formally retired from work substituted other activities into their daily life. Many continued to engage in other work or activities such as hobbies, childminding or volunteering. When I stopped farming, I started making walking sticks and shepherds crooks, said 100-year-old Tom from Roscommon. Roger took up fishing after retirement. I was fishing up until my 103rd birthday but I have continued to play bridge. Dont wait for tomorrow, if you really want something, dont wait, just get out there The study also found an acceptance of age-related changes. Their candid attitude to ageing and general feeling of ease or being laid-back was a personality trait recognised among almost all participants, said the authors. The study, published in the Journal of Ageing Studies, also found that participants tended to have a penchant for making the most of things. Dont wait for tomorrow, if you really want something, dont wait, just get out there, 102-year-old Philip said. Overall, the participants looked back with little regret. If I got to do it all again I wouldnt change a thing and when the time comes, I will die a happy man, said Philip. Names have been changed Barry Egan explains how to snap up charity T-shirts worn by Rosanna Davidson and Laura Whitmore to help the homeless Sunday Independent journalist Barry Egan has teamed up with fashion designer Helen Steele to create a T-shirt with a powerful message Anyone Can Become Homeless. All proceeds from sales of the T-shirt will go to Focus Ireland to help the more than 14,000 homeless people, including more than 4,400 children, in the country. Colour therapy is central to everything artist and fashion designer Helen Steele makes. Now, shes used the power of colour to create a charity T-shirt highlighting the plight of the 4,400 children in Ireland who dont have a home this Christmas. It is modelled here by a host of well-known faces Barry Egan explains how to snap up T-shirts worn by Rosanna Davidson and Laura Whitmore to help the homeless In 2008, fashion designer and artist Helen Steele did some voluntary work at a refuge in the United Arab Emirates for women and children who had been trafficked into the region. She sat and painted with the residents, using paint shed brought in her suitcase from Ireland. Barry Egan explains how to snap up charity T-shirts worn by Rosanna Davidson and Laura Whitmore to help the homeless Some [of the children] were really shy and withdrawn, Steele says. They wouldnt engage or play. That was so sad. Most were hesitant at first but then relaxed into it. There were two boys in particular who were wild, putting painted hands on the walls of the centre. Very few of the women took part one or two got into it eventually. The others just watched and smiled the odd time. I cant believe that we have the highest records of homelessness since records began. I am ashamed," says Helen Steele. Photo: Evan Doherty Steele remembers one young mother who looked to be about 14. She never spoke, nor let her two-year-old son out of her arms. She had a fresh scar going from her left ear to her nose. She had burn marks on her hands. How did it feel to see what these women and children had suffered? Initially, it was fine when I met the first group of mums with their kids. In the second group, the mums and kids were younger. That was where a few mums and kids had scars, bruises, burns but even then they were so happy to get to paint. Some of the kids had never seen paint before. They were so excited about doing something so alien to them. The most significant memory I had leaving there was the joy the kids had doing the most simple thing. But this situation is not just in the Middle East. Here in Ireland, its right under our noses. I have sat in groups with women in the same situation, of all nationalities, including Irish. In July of this year, I met Steele to discuss an idea. I told her that there are over 14,000 people homeless in Ireland, that homelessness causes awful damage to everyone but hurts children the most, and that there are more than 4,400 children currently homeless here. I asked if she would design a T-shirt to raise funds for Focus Ireland, the charity founded by Sr Stanislaus Kennedy that works to challenge homelessness. I had barely got the words out and she was onboard as was Dunnes Stores which will be stocking the T-shirt in two of its Dublin flagship stores from December 12-14. The wording on the shirt is powerful, reading anyone can become homeless on the front, and dont turn your back on homelessness on the reverse. I cant believe that we have the highest records of homelessness since records began. I am ashamed," says Helen Steele. Photo: Evan Doherty The bright colours are typical of Steeles vibrant designs and use of colour but here they have an even deeper symbolism. Thinking back on her time at the refuge in the UAE, Steele says: The children jumped at the brightest boldest colours. Their work was bold full of energy, emotion and colour. Think of children who are currently homeless writing a letter to Santa using bright bold colours, but with a heartbreaking message. That is the reality. I want these T-shirts to be a message to all, she emphasises when we meet as we prepare to launch the fundraiser, which is being supported by celebrities such as Laura Whitmore, Victoria Smurfit and Aidan Gillen. I cant believe that we have the highest records of homelessness since records began. I am ashamed. The reality is it is so expensive to live in Ireland right now. I have a job and I find it hard coming to the end of the month. How on earth are people on minimum wage with three or four kids getting by? How are they feeding and clothing their families? How in earth are they paying rent? Making a living in the worlds of fashion and art is, of course, notoriously difficult. Born in 1974, Helen was the second of Edward and Brenda Kavanaghs six children. Growing up in Maynooth, Co Kildare, she can remember being fascinated by colouring with crayons at the age of two or three. I always loved drawing and painting, and any form of expression and escapism. What was she escaping from? I liked playing in other worlds as a kid. And I dont think Ive lost that. Isnt it much nicer to have that child-like openness and joy to everything that you approach in life? You will have a more nicer life when youre like that. I dont know any other way. I may come across as a happy idiot but I would prefer to be a cup half-full person than not. The T-shirt sports a powerful message, as seen here on Helen Steele. Photo: Evan Doherty She is at her happiest in her studios in Dublin and Monaghan, when she is with her family. She loves hiking and running, and blasting music (Chemical Brothers, Primal Scream, Kneecap, Muse, U2) while she does so. She loves being in the water, be it fishing, waterskiing, kayaking or paddle boarding. The story of how she learned to waterski characterises the kind of woman she is. I was saved from drowning by a friend of my dads when I was seven. I can vividly remember struggling for breath and trying desperately to stay afloat. I know I was in shock and was panicking because my leg was caught under the water in a heavy rope that was dragging me down. I survived thanks to my dads friend George. The following day I got back in the water and learned to waterski. At the age of 13, she went to boarding school in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow. It wasnt an attempt to put the brakes on her boundless seven-times-round-the-garden energy, though. I was a crazy wild child, but my parents never tried to dampen that. If anything, the schools I went to championed that too. Mind you, at junior school, I was always in trouble. I must have been a pain in the arse to teach. The nuns at Rathnew were pretty good, she adds. I hated school but I was lucky in the schools that I went to that I found really good role models. They found things in me that I felt good about. I felt good at sports, so the PE teacher, Miss Clancy, was inspiring. In senior school I had the best art teacher, Miss OMalley. She was a real feminist. She was smart and funny. Miss OMalley was also colourful in the way she dressed which was something Steele totally picked up on. Bloody hell, yeah! I was always experimenting with clothes. At home, she would take the curtains down and make trousers. When she was in fifth year, she went on holidays to Lanzarote with her friend Cathryn and her family. Near the end of the stay, the pair got up to some mischief. We bunked out to go to a nightclub and I fell off a revolving dance floor. The following day I fell asleep in the sun. I was very dizzy looking back now I was probably concussed. When I woke up I was so sunburned, because I had forgotten to apply sunscreen. I had blisters all over my legs, chest and face. She had to go to hospital and have the blisters lanced and dressed. On the flight home, my blistered face scared the kid beside me so much that the air hostess moved me to a different seat. All I could hear was the kid a few rows back saying: Mum, its Freddy Kruger! Does she still manage to get up to adventures? My most adventurous thing to get up to now is a hike over the weekend in the Wicklow or Dublin mountains with family or friends, or a few games of Padel and the odd sneaky pint. I have two kids at home that I am responsible for and I work two jobs so I dont have much time to party. Fashion designer Helen Steele showcases some of her own designs, helensteele.com. Photo: Evan Doherty Shes besotted by her three children. I am the lucky one with my kids. They are all incredible humans that I worship, love and adore. They made me the woman I am today. They are the ones who drew the short straw. They reared me, I reared them. We reared each other. Theyre incredible. Chloe (27) initially studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before changing to law, in which she graduated last year. Halle (22) is a model and studying graphic design. Ronnie (20) dropped out of his business studies course and is now trading in cryptocurrency. He is doing really well exceptionally well, in fact. He is probably making more than I am. I dont understand that world. They understand her world these days at least. When they were younger, they especially Ronnie used to be mortified. Hed be like, Mum, dont get out of the car, with your big puffa jacket full of paint. Youre so embarrassing! I used to spray-paint the trees at home and the doors. She married their father, Stuart Steele, in 1996 and they separated in 2014. I really dont want to go into it out of respect to my kids and those involved. Life can knock you, it can be so dark, and cruel. But all of that makes the brighter times all the more beautiful. Stuarts mother, Lyla Steele, co-founder of Silver Hill Foods in Monaghan, was a huge inspiration to her daughter-in-law. She passed away in 2021. She was an incredible businesswoman. Her work ethic and drive was undoubtedly inspiring. She was one of the few women in agri businesses an industry that was predominantly male-driven. To grow a business in the Border region both before, through and after the Troubles, employing both Catholics and Protestants now that took balls. Her husband, Ronnie, was Protestant. She was Catholic. But that never was an issue to them or their families. "ADHD has made me see life in the brightest, most extra, technicolour...the downside is inability to self-regulate," says designer Helen Steele. See helensteele.com. Photo: Evan Doherty Asked what set her on her own career path as a fashion designer, Steele tells the story (she is a great storyteller) of her maternal grandmother Eileen OConnor who came from Co Mayo. Going back as far as the 1890s, the female line in her family were lace makers and seamstresses. Both my mother and grandmother taught me how to sew and crochet. My mum studied in the Sorbonne in the late 1960s in Paris. She met my dad, they moved to London where she worked in an art gallery specialising in North African primitive arts. When they moved back to Maynooth in the 1970s, she brought a fantastic wardrobe of silk kaftans, batik kaftans and amazing leather and calligraphy art pieces from North Africa and the Middle East. This was a massive influence on me; both her exotic wardrobe and also the amazing wardrobe of my dads mum. She had beautiful Pucci printed gowns. And in junior school, I was friendly with a girl called Fiona Crowley, whose mum was Pat Crowley, the Irish fashion designer. She was such an inspirational woman. All of this I fed off! Steele studied fashion in the 1990s when grunge, minimalism and neon rave club clothing all lived side by side. In 1995, she left fashion college and worked in M&A International and other manufacturing units in Dublin. That was where I learned to pattern cut and work as a machinist. But I knew that even with that experience I still didnt have enough point of difference in an already saturated fashion market. Laura Whitmore wearing the T-shirt designed to raise funds for Focus Ireland Instead, she studied art and sold her work on St Stephens Green and Merrion Square in Dublin at the weekend. On Friday nights, she sold flowers in nightclubs all around the Midlands to get money together to fund her clothing label. Another less profitable side-hustle was singing on Saturday nights with a post-punk band called Woocher. We played in Eamonn Dorans and other places no longer around. We tried to gig in Whelans but got a firm no loads of times. She set up an art studio and soon her work was in galleries from Miami to Beijing, London, Berlin, Muscat and Dubai. Then the recession happened and every gallery folded within three months of each other. The only market that was still open for business was the Middle East. And it was while showing at ArtParis Abu Dhabi in the Emirates Palace that I got a double breakthrough both in art and fashion. My artworks from the exhibition were bought by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to add to his collection of emerging female artists. His collector liked that my work was influenced by the Border region of Ireland and Northern Ireland. She introduced me to her friend who was a buyer for a retail chain in the Middle East [Boutique 1]. Singer Lyra wears the Helen Steele Anyone Can Be Homeless T-shirt to raise funds for Focus Ireland. Photo: Mikey Aldridge Steele was showing with a gallery from Muscat in Oman at the time and the owners of the gallery were part of the Imani royal family. She was given a dress code to respectfully adhere to. So I printed my art onto silk and made a selection of culturally respectful dresses, very much like giant silk oversized tees. This became the foundation of my first collection, which was bought by the woman I was introduced to who was a buyer for Boutique 1. I showed at Paris Fashion Week the following September. I was not expecting many sales but I went from one stockist to 30 over two days. She was not prepared. You can have the best business plan and strategy in place but when, in quick succession in 2013, supermodel Cara Delevingne wears your bomber jacket to Glastonbury, singer Rita Ora performs in a custom catsuit, and a South Korean pop band wear your collection in their new pop video then nothing can stop your website from crashing daily for three weeks because of the demand. That was crazy. It was that period of creating stage wear for musicians that I really learned about sportswear and its capabilities. That was so valuable when it came to the collaboration with Dunnes. The cost of living in Ireland is prohibitive. Most people have very little disposable income left. Photo: Evan Doherty Steele describes her collaboration with Dunnes Stores as her biggest break. Since 2018, shes been producing seasonal collections of athleisure and sportswear for the Irish chain. They have brought my work to a much wider audience. I may have had a wide reach outside of the country but its not the same as having it at home. Home is where the heart is. Working with Dunnes has been one of the most positive, powerful and inspiring experiences of my life. Their drive and vision is infectious. And there is no way I could do what I do without the team I work with. With Steele, you dont so much get answers to questions but instead long and entertaining monologues. Ask her about the influences on her work now and she excitedly gives a long list music, art, culture, film, literature, dreams, dance, sport. I find more and more I am influenced by the new sportswomen, and young musicians. Actor Aidan Gillen wears the Helen Steele T-shirt for Focus Ireland But genuinely what influences me are the women I get to dress daily. Be it hitting the gym, working on the farm, walking the kids to school, hanging out in the park, hiking mountains, or hitting the gym for the first time when you have lost confidence in yourself. What can I create to make getting out of bed a bit easier for them? Whats the perfect comfort clothing? What kind of bright warm clothing can I make to keep the woman undergoing chemo warm? Colour therapy is in all of her work, with different shades used to create a mood and uplifting patterns. Once the print has been created, her team designs the collection around it. Then its months of fits and sampling to get to the final garment. None of this is fast fashion, she says, with each collection taking a year. Its slow and carefully crafted. Her artwork which involves layering and throwing paint on large canvasses is the opposite. For art, its crazy and spontaneous and I end up never showing at least 70pc of it to the public. I have no stop or pause button. Halle Steele, model and daughter of Helen Steele, wears the T-shirt her mum designed for Focus Ireland. Photo: Emily Quinn In 2010, she was diagnosed with ADHD. For me, it can affect my attention, but that means I can focus on lots of projects at once. It makes me spontaneous, have no filter, hyper. Does ADHD feed into her creativity? I think so. It has made me see life in the brightest, most extra, technicolour. I can be working on so many different creative projects at the one time and they all complement each other. The downside is inability to self-regulate. I have no filter and that can get me into trouble sometimes. When I ask how the future is looking for her as a fashion designer, she gives an unfiltered answer. To be brutally honest, this year was tricky, so I will be cutting my cloth more conservatively. What I am seeing and its not just me, its other designers and artists as well is that the cost of living in Ireland is prohibitive. Most people have very little disposable income left. Which brings us back to the subject of homelessness and that knowledge that many people are only a few missed pay cheques away from ending up on the streets. Actor Victoria Smurfit wears the Helen Steele Anyone Can Be Homeless T-shirt to raise funds for Focus Ireland. Photo: Christopher Fenner Last week, Steele was standing in a queue in a grocery store in Dublin. There was a giant Santa on the far side of the tills. She heard a child ahead of her in the queue ask his mother: How will Santa know where to find me? His mum replied: He just will. It made Steele immediately think about how children who are homeless must feel coming up to Christmas. That must be something going through their heads. Raising funds for Focus Ireland is a first and important step, but theres much more that can be done. I think its disgraceful that so many children are homeless in Ireland today. Shame on us all. Helen Steeles Anyone Can Become Homeless T-shirt is on sale this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 12-14, exclusively at Dunnes Stores in Dublins Henry Street and Stephens Green Shopping Centre. Priced at 35, all proceeds go to Focus Ireland. Join Laura Whitmore, Victoria Smurfit, Lyra, Muireann OConnell, Aidan Gillen, Foil, Arms & Hog and the many others taking a stand against homelessness by posting a picture of yourself wearing the T-shirt and tagging it with #AnyoneCanBecomeHomeless The Team: Photographer: Evan Doherty. Styling: Orla Dempsey. Hair and make-up: Sue Brophy. Set assistance: Halle Steele. My favourite room: I walked along the Seine thinking, this is where I want to be Dubliner Rory Clarke on finding his dream home in Paris Rory Clarke grew up in Dublin, met his wife Gaelle in London, and they relocated to Paris 26 years ago where they have their central home on a 13th century street, once a haunt of the Irish lover of Louis XV Rory and Gaelle Clarke in their two-storey apartment which dates from the 1700s. The couple fell in love with the location and also its lovely features, including the original beams, and furnished it with modern Danish design pieces. Photo: Tony Gavin Mary O'Sullivan Sun 8 Dec 2024 at 03:30 Paris is always a good idea, Audrey Hepburn famously said in the movie Sabrina, and Rory Clarke would definitely echo that sentiment. The urbane Dubliner has lived in the city for 26 years with his elegant French wife, Gaelle, and their three twentysomethings their apartment is right in the centre within spitting distance of the Louvre but Rory still remembers his first trip to the French capital at the age of 19. Pop perfection Irish brand Fia is taking part in a Christmas pop-up until December 24 in Brian S Nolan, Dun Laoghaire. The range, handcrafted in Ireland, includes caps, beanies, scarves, sweaters, capes, cardigans, gilets and socks. Everything is made using natural materials like lambs wool, merino, cashmere, Irish tweed, Irish linen and Donegal Yarn. Prices start from 40. Other brands taking part include Ninfa Studio moss wall art, Soak bath products and candles, and Yvonne Bolger jewellery. LH See fiaclothing.com La Bougie The Swag Bag, 65, selected stores nationwide or see labougie.com NOTION Scent and received Make a home a truly sweet one with this Swag Bag from Kinsale-based candle and scent makers, La Bougie. In a handsome cloth gift bag, find a perfume rollerball in Mission Fig and two full-sized candles in Honeysuckle & Sea Salt and Sage & Bitter Orange which might make a welcome change from the more seasonal scents. SC La Bougie The Swag Bag, 65, selected stores nationwide or see labougie.com Cropped vest, 200, liadainaiken.com NECESSITY Made in Ireland For the sustainable fashion lover in your life, the cropped vests from Liadain Aiken are knit on hand-driven machines and then hand finished. Made using merino wool from Donegal Yarns, they come in a range of shades, including bog green with turf trim, dusty pink and striped. LH 200, liadainaiken.com NOTION Pop perfection Irish brand Fia is taking part in a Christmas pop-up until December 24 in Brian S Nolan, Dun Laoghaire. The range, handcrafted in Ireland, includes caps, beanies, scarves, sweaters, capes, cardigans, gilets and socks. Everything is made using natural materials like lambs wool, merino, cashmere, Irish tweed, Irish linen and Donegal Yarn. Prices start from 40. Other brands taking part include Ninfa Studio moss wall art, Soak bath products and candles, and Yvonne Bolger jewellery. LH See fiaclothing.com Beech & Walnut engraved kitchen board, see beechandwalnut.com NECESSITY Personal touch Irish family business Beech & Walnut create beautiful homewares using locally sourced sustainable materials. Kitchen boards which can be personalised with engravings, as well as some larger home pieces, including mirror frames, coffee and hall tables. LH See beechandwalnut.com An Post Taste of Home box, see anpost.com/sendhome NOTION Where the heart is There is still time to send an An Post Taste of Home box, created with SuperValu, to someone in the UK or Europe who might be missing the festive flavours of an Irish Christmas. No sprouts or other surprises, just a selection of Tayto, Barrys Tea, Cadbury, a pack of Mikados, plus McDonnells Hot Curry Sauce. SC 59.99, last postal dates to UK and Europe, December 16. See anpost.com/sendhome Crossbody bag, 120, Magee 1866 x Landa, see magee1866.com NOTION Fab collab Magee 1866 have collaborated with Landa bags to create a beautiful limited-edition collection of leather and flecked herringbone tweed crossbody bags in two sizes, small, 120, large, 275, and a washbag, 150. LH Magee 1866, South Anne Street and Magee 1866 at Arnotts or magee1866.com Olaplex Tree Ornament, 17, selected salons nationwide NECESSITY Hair treat A little something, but a little goes a long way when it comes to the Olaplex No3 Hair Perfector Ornament. Packed to resemble a bauble, it can hang from the tree and is the perfect pressie for those who will do a lot of styling this season. SC Olaplex Tree Ornament, 17, selected salons nationwide Fixx Coffee subscriptions from 9.95-39, see fixxcoffee.com NECESSITY Caffeine fix Give them their daily fix on repeat with the gift of a subscription to Irish-owned Fixx Coffee, where you can order whole or ground coffee from various roasts and origins, as well as selecting the frequency of the delivery to your door, or the door of someone you love. Also, as they celebrate 20 years in business, the code FiXXis20 will get you a 20pc discount on selected items. SC Subscriptions from 9.95-39, see fixxcoffee.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Amid the advancing opposition forces, units of the Syrian army are withdrawing from the center of the capital, Damascus, Trend reports. The opposition forces have reached Umayyad Square in central Damascus and taken control of the headquarters of Syrian state television. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali declared his willingness to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people and to transfer power through peaceful means. Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has departed from the capital, Damascus, in the wake of recent developments in the country. His plane is reported to have headed in an unknown direction. It took just 11 days to end the 13-year rebellion against Bashar al-Assad, an offensive so rapid that what unfolds next in Syria itself is, to an extent, anyones guess. What is clear is that the dial of history is shifting again in the Middle East, not for the first time in the tumultuous 14 months since Hamas carried out its massacre in Israel on Oct 7 last year. Pope Francis has radically reshaped how papal conclaves work, and Vatican power has shifted to the Global South There may be testing times ahead for the princes of the church Pope Francis at his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square last Wednesday. Photo: Reuters Paddy Agnew Sun 8 Dec 2024 at 03:30 Just nine days short of his 88th birthday, Pope Francis has this weekend presided over his 10th consistory that moment when the Pope summons all his cardinals to Rome to mark the enrolment of new members in what is often, quite correctly, billed as the most exclusive club in the world. For the third time in a row, Fine Gael has gone into a general election with a comfortable poll lead before slumping to a dismal result. As was the case in 2016 and 2020, the electorate in 2024 has told Fine Gael: Its not us, its you. Its high time the party took the hint and returned to the opposition benches to rebuild. Waad Al-Kataeb: We Syrians have endured so much, but our dreams of freedom remain Whenever I think back to that first moment when the Syrian revolution began, it feels as though it happened yesterday. That moment planted an unshakable faith within us, despite all the oppression, betrayal and heartbreak weve endured. It was the birth of a dream, one whose shape we couldnt yet see but whose presence was undeniable. We believed we were living a historic moment one that would shape a new face for Syria. I lived through five years of the revolution in Aleppo, witnessing massacres, war crimes and unimaginable suffering. I captured it all through my camera the hope, the pain, the challenges, the betrayals and the resilience until we were forcibly displaced from our city in 2016. It has been eight years since we left Aleppo, leaving us as orphans without her. Back then, we didnt know if we would survive. My husband was managing the last remaining hospital after the Syrian regime and Russia had bombed and destroyed every other medical centre. My daughter Sama was about to turn one year old, and I was pregnant with my second daughter, Taima. We managed to escape with our lives, but losing Aleppo left a deep wound in us. Today, after all these years, Aleppo remains in my heart, in my eyes and in our endless stories. The greatest pain in my life is knowing I will never be able to take my daughters to Aleppo, to walk with them through its streets. But I made a promise to myself and to them that I will never forget. Over the last 13 years, the international community has largely agreed on its stance towards Bashar al-Assad. From the earliest days, he was labelled a dictator, a criminal, a butcher, even an animal. Many world leaders drew red lines that Assad crossed without consequence. But in the last three years, we have been shocked by a significant shift: some countries reopened their embassies in Damascus, others welcomed renewed relations, and Assad had been normalised, as if we Syrians were expected to accept this. Over the last week, however, we Syrians feel a glimmer of hope to rebuild our lives. Perhaps we are living through a different moment now a moment that could open doors to hope once more. There are also challenges in newly liberated areas, where control is divided among armed factions such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, other Islamic groups, and the Free Syrian Army. Even so, I see positive changes in some areas. Statements from factions and organisations in regions such as Aleppo and Hama now speak of peoples rights, and a commitment to the revolutions principles of justice and dignity. Its remarkable to hear voices on the ground confirming these attitudes. Compared with the past, when such statements were often just political propaganda to appeal to international audiences, the current situation feels different. Still, we cannot ignore the risks. These changes may remain experimental, as geopolitical challenges and foreign interventions continue to heavily influence the situation. We worry some powers might impose agendas on the Syrian people that do not reflect their true aspirations. There is always the fear of becoming pawns in international negotiations that disregard our rights. But no matter what, I dont believe that the situation will be worse than the past. We have nothing left to lose. Yes, the conditions are tough, but they are not worse than life under Assad. Our priority is supporting civil society whether in healthcare, education or human rights through genuine actions on the ground. We need to stand together, to raise our voices and to ensure no violations go unchallenged. This last week, I have cried so many times sometimes from joy, sometimes from heartbreak. It was deeply moving to see people return to their homes after years of absence, families reunited after long separations. These are people who suffered displacement and exile, and now they are finding their way back. Other moments were bittersweet: activists standing in the streets of a city weve longed for, capturing its essence with their cameras. Such scenes remind us of a homeland lost, yet affirm that we are still alive and that we still believe this is the beginning of something new. Most emotional of all was seeing political prisoners, who had disappeared for years, finally regain their freedom. They had been hidden from their families, their fates unknown. But now they are back. Its almost impossible to believe its real. In the face of such pain, how can we not be happy? The dream of a free Syria is what drives us to stand here today, at this new crossroads filled with both hopes and fears. No one knows what tomorrow will bring, but what I do know is that the seed of the revolution is still alive within each of us. Today, we remind ourselves that no matter the challenges ahead, we will continue to walk this path towards hope, toward the dream of freedom and dignity. We know the road is long and full of obstacles, but we also know that the dream that began in 2011 will never fade, no matter how much time passes. We dared to dream, and we will never regret choosing dignity. ( The Independent) U.S. president-elect Donald Trump aims to deport all immigrants in the U.S. illegally over his four-year term but wants a deal to protect so-called "Dreamer" immigrants, he said in an interview that aired on Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker." Trump also said he plans to take executive action on his first day in office to try to end birthright citizenship, which confers citizenship on anyone born in the U.S. regardless of their parents' immigration status. Trump, a Republican who won a second term in the White House promising mass deportations, is expected to declare illegal immigration a national emergency when he takes office on Jan. 20 and draw on resources from across the federal government to support a wide-ranging crackdown. Australasia Outrage in Australia as US influencer is filmed taking a baby wombat from its mother Mohan Babu Vs Manchu Manoj: The long-run family feud between this father-son duo has escalated yet again. Several reports suggest that both of them have filed fresh complaints against each other in Pahadi Shareef Police Station. Manchu was the first one to reach the police station with injuries where he allegedly complained that his dad had attacked him urging the cops to file a case. Manoj has also alleged that his wife Mounika was also attacked. Mohan reached the police station sometime later and said that it was Manoj who attacked him instead. As this news escalated, Vishnu Manchu (Mohan's other son and Manoj's brother) issued a statement that read, There is no truth in the news that Mohan Babu and Manchu Manoj have filed mutual complaints. There are imaginary stories that Manchu Manoj came with visible injuries at the police station. Some media channels are spreading false propaganda. There is no truth in them. However, a Gulte report has affirmed that the news of legal complaints is indeed true and Manchu Manoj is reportedly planning to issue a formal statement. What is the reason behind the rift between Mohan Babu and Manchu Manoj? There are two major reasons for the fallout between this family. The first one is the property dispute. Manchu had disagreements with his father mainly regarding the division of the family business and properties. This matter escalated when all the brothers got involved in the matter. Another reason noted was that Vishnu's family didn't like Manoj getting married for the second time to Bhuma Mounika. Manoj had once also released a video on Facebook where he alleged that Vishnu had beaten up his associate badly and a complaint was filed with cops back then. The worst part of the entire family feud is that all of them have directly and indirectly acknowledged the rift and despite reaching the police station multiple times, none of the times they have managed to register a formal FIR. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Bashar al-Assad and his family members arrived in Moscow, Russia provided them with asylum, a source in the Kremlin said, Trend reports. It is noted that the leaders of the armed Syrian opposition guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions. According to the source, Russia considers it necessary to resume negotiations on a settlement in Syria under the auspices of the UN. Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya tied the knot in Hyderabad on December 4 and added a new dimension to their relationship. The wedding was held at the Annapurna Studios and proved to be a star-studded event. Shortly after the wedding, the couple visited a temple to seek blessings for their new journey. This marked their first public appearance as a married couple. They were accompanied by Nagarjuna, Chays father. Now, a video from this temple visit has become the talk of the talk for a sweet reason. Nagarjuna shares a tender moment with Sobhita Dhulipala Telugu star Nagarjuna accompanied Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala as they visited the Srisailam Temple, in Andhra Pradesh, on Friday (December 6). In a video, which has now gone viral on X (formerly known as Twitter), King is seen helping daughter-in-law manage her hair. Sobhita experienced some discomfort during a ceremony as her hair was untied. Nagarjuna noticed the same and brushed her hair behind. The Made in Heaven actress thanked him for his kind gesture. About Sobhita-Chays Wedding Sobhita and Naga Chaitanya tied the knot on December 4 after dating for a while. The wedding was held at the Annapurna Studios, an iconic location that is synonymous with the Akkineni family. It was founded by the legendary Telugu actor ANR, Naga Chaitanya's grandfather. During the wedding, Sobhita looked stunning in a saree. Chay, on the other hand, opted for a smart ensemble that served as a homage to ANR. After the wedding, Nagarjuna blessed the couple and shared some photos from the big day on X. He added that he was happy about the fact that the function was held at the Annapurna Studios with his late father's blessings. Later Baahubali actor Rana Daggubati, who is Chay;s cousin, congratulated the couple and said that he enjoyed being part of the festivities. Moreover, Venkatesh--Naga Chaitanya's uncle-- shared photos from the wedding celebrations. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. K-drama fans were in for a heartbreak this week as the MBC network cancelled When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6, originally slated to air on Friday (December 6) and Saturday (December 7). The move sparked outrage among fans, who took to X to express their frustration and disappointment at the network's decision. Amid the ongoing backlash, a new 'mistake' from the makers of Yoon Yeo Seok and Chae Soo Bin starrer has further left fans fuming. Why were When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6 were cancelled? Local media has cited South Korea's ongoing political turmoil, which erupted after President Yoon Suk Seol declared emergency martial law, as the reason behind the move. While martial law was lifted within hours, the Opposition has now taken it to the streets to demand the impeachment of President Yoon. The impeachment vote slated for Saturday led to a broadcast schedule shake-up, resulting in many channels deferring their schedule. As a result, When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6 were cancelled by MBC last minute. When will When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6 be released? The highly-anticipated episodes 5 and 6 of Park Sang Woo-directed show are now set to air next week. Following the delay, the mystery thriller that runs through January will continue its regular schedule, with new episodes released every Friday and Saturday. When the Phone Rings episodes 5 and 6 are tentatively rescheduled for December 13 and 14, but MBC may adjust the airing dates again due to its upcoming year-end special programming. Why are fans fuming? Before the heartbreaking cancellation, MBC teased a BTS clip and preview for When the Phone Rings episode 5, sparking widespread curiosity among fans of the K-drama. Now, those who have been watching K-dramas would know broadcasters usually drop BTS releases after the telecast of the episode and preview a day before the episode's release. MBC followed the classic playbook, dropping a tantalizing BTS clip and gripping preview, further teasing fans. Not only MBC, Netflix, the international distributor of the drama, also dropped a preview teaser for episode 5. The move has now invited a backlash. Although the BTS clip vanished after the fresh episodes were cancelled, the teaser remains, leaving us with more questions than answers! Following the upheaval, netizens on X had a field day! After MBC's last-minute decision to delay episodes 5 and 6, users couldn't help but poke fun at the network's misstep. As episode 4 ended on a major cliffhanger, eager fans also jumped into theory mode, speculating about the plot's next big reveal - will Baek Sa-Eon (Yoo Yeon Seok) finally uncover the truth about his 'mute' wife Hong-Hee Joo (Soo-Bin)? Is it deliberate mistake of channel to release bts of #WhenThePhoneRingsEp5 to tease fans even if it's not even telecasted yet or they genuinely released as per schedule #WhenThePhoneRings#ChaeSooBin#YooYoonSeok pic.twitter.com/jcV2T2uZJy Aashi (@AashiZin) December 6, 2024 About When the Phone Rings The gripping thriller delves into the complex and troubled marriage of a rising politician, Baek Sae On and his mute wife Hong Hui Ju. Their seemingly perfect life is shattered when a mysterious kidnapper makes a chilling call, setting off a chain of events that exposes the dark secrets and lies beneath their facade. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. BTS, the South Korean supergroup that's taken the world by storm, is also a national treasure. Comprised of seven charismatic members - RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook - BTS has been spreading the K-pop magic globally, making their homeland, South Korea, beam with pride A recent display of the boy group's popularity can be seen in a viral video where protestors are seen grooving to BTS' track Fire. South Korean protestors groove to Fire by BTS In a viral video, BTS' Fire, a song from their first compilation album, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever (2016), can be heard playing outside the National Assembly in Seoul. Bundled up in their winter gear, protestors outside the National Assembly in Seoul transformed into a sea of energetic BTS fans as the son blasted through the air. ARMY Bombs twinkled like stars, while flashlights pulsed in perfect sync, creating a visual spectacle for onlookers. Sharing the video, an X user wrote, "South Korean citizens were playing Fire by bts while protesting in front of the National Assembly, demanding President Yoon's impeachment." Fans react to the viral video Fans also reacted to the video with enthusiastic cheers in the comment section, highlighting BTS' impact in the country. "This is so great to see, this shows the real achievement. Am happy to see that but at the same time don't want to spoil the mood, people still criticize BTS and other groups even without going through all the details," one user wrote. This is so great to see, this shows the real achievement. Am happy to see that but at the same time don't want to spoil the mood, people still criticize BTS and other groups even without going through all the details. Arsh Kaur (@ArshKaur04) December 7, 2024 "Protests look 100x more interesting in South Korea with lightsticks and K-pop music playing," another user mentioned. Protests look 100x more interesting in South Korea with lightsticks and K-pop music playing. Somniator Dead Boy Detectives Era (@greywarenr0nan) December 8, 2024 A third user wrote, "It's very cool how citizens from different fandoms brought their lightsticks with them. From what I've seen on the tl, it seems they are playing several popular K-pop songs. *also another reason why fan wars are toxic and dumb af." It's very cool how citizens from different fandoms brought their lighsticks with them. From what I've seen on the tl, it seems they are playing several popular kpop songs. *also another reason why fan wars are toxic and dumb af. That_One_Eyelash (@That1Eyelash) December 7, 2024 "Well, apparently they DID write a protest song. We just didn't know it," wrote another fan. Well, apparently they DID write a protest song. We just didn't know it. DK (@DKandDaisy) December 8, 2024 Why are South Korean citizens protesting? Protesters gathered outside South Korea's National Assembly on Saturday, demanding President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal as lawmakers voted on his impeachment. The impeachment motion was sparked by Yoon's declaration of martial law on December 3, which he was forced to lift within hours after widespread criticism. While the impeachment motion failed to pass due to a boycott by the ruling People Power Party (PPP), protesters have vowed to continue their fight. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Tension has enveloped Nnewi and Adazi in Anambra State following the sudden disappearance of the emeritus Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala. The 75-year-old Archbishop was last seen on Friday morning when he embarked on a journey with his driver to Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of the State, to attend the burial of another Bishops relation. According to reports, despite efforts by the church to establish contact with him, no communication has been received, and the whereabouts of the Archbishop, his driver, including their vehicle, remain unknown. Advertisement READ ALSO: Yobe Police Burst ATM Fraud Syndicate, Arrest Three Suspects, Recover 47 Stolen Cards The Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, however called for intercessory prayers for the Archbishops safe return. In a prayer report issued on Saturday, Bishop Obi said, We earnestly plead for your fervent prayers for their safety and swift return. The relevant authorities have been contacted, and we are hopeful and trusting in Gods divine intervention for a positive resolution. The Anambra State Police Command has denied receiving any report on the Archbishops disappearance. Also, a member of the Churchs Communication Board anonymously confirmed that they went missing on Friday morning and that their whereabouts remain unknown. The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested three suspected armed robbers during a raid in the Sabon Layi area, recovering a locally-fabricated firearm, ammunition, and other items. According to Ahmed Wakil, the state Police Public Relations Officer on Saturday, Suleiman Adamu, 40, was captured by a patrol team from the C Divisional Police Headquarters. The operation also led to the seizure of a locally-made revolver, eight rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, three used shells, and two motorcycle license plates. Advertisement Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Adamu Sale, also known as Dogo, 30, from the Rafin Makaranta area. READ MORE: Kaduna Police Capture Two Gunrunners, Recover Weapons Sale was connected to several armed robberies in Zaranda village. According to Wakil, During interrogation, the suspects admitted using the locally-made firearm to rob three motorcycles, which they sold to one Jibrin Mohammed, 30, of the Railway Area, Bauchi. Jibrin allegedly admitted to buying stolen motorcycles, disclosing that he purchased one for N70,000 and resold it to scrap metal buyers for N80,000. He also confessed to resolving a dispute privately after being confronted by the owner of a previously stolen motorcycle. Auwal Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police, has ordered a thorough investigation to find further perpetrators and recover more stolen motorcycles. Chelsea fought back from two goals down to win 4-3 at London rivals Tottenham and reduced the gap with Premier Leagues leaders Liverpool to four points. Spurs, who have blown a two-goal lead for the second time this season after losing 3-2 at Brighton in October, were 2-0 up after just 11 minutes through Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski as Marc Cucurella was forced into a change of boots after slipping for both goals. Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo escaped a first-half red card for an over-the-ball tackle on Pape Matar Sarr despite a VAR review. Advertisement READ MORE: EPL: Chelsea Hold Wasteful Man United To Draw, Move Into Top Four Caicedo then won a second-half penalty as he drew a rash challenge from Yves Bissouma that allowed Palmer to equalise from the spot in the 61st minute. Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround in the 73rd minute with a powerful near-post volley. Spurs defensive style were on display again as Sarr gave away another poor penalty that allowed Palmer to produced a cool Panenka in the 84th minute to extend their lead. Heung-Min Son pulled a stoppage-time goal back but it was too little too late as Chelsea held on for a fourth straight league win to move second behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand after the Reds match against Everton was postponed on Saturday. Earlier today, Arsenal secured a point at Fulham as Mikel Arteta continued to maintain top four position. The Enugu Police Command has apprehended eight individuals for armed robbery and fraud in the state. The states police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement on Saturday that one of the accused, named Sadik Ahmed, was a dismissed soldier. Ndukwe stated that the operation, which began on November 12, was carried out collaboratively by Emene Division, Crack Tactical Squad, Octopus Tactical Squads, and the Neighbourhood Watch Group. Advertisement He identified the suspects as Ismaila Isah, 23; Abbas Usman, 33; Mubarak Garba, 24; Abubakar Haruna, 23; Abubakar Sani, 32; Obiri Chukwuebuka, 22; and Bright Omeniru. The Enugu State Police Command has successfully dismantled an interstate criminal syndicate specialised in armed robbery and financial fraud, the statement reads. READ MORE: EFCC Nabs 24 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Kogi Items recovered are ten laptops, land documents, ten mobile phones, assorted jewellery and watches, one MP3 player, one headphone, four power banks, two SIM cards, footwear, and bags. During the operation, Ismaila Isah was apprehended with one locally made pistol, 300,450.00, and some stolen items, while others escaped. His confessional statements and subsequent discreet investigations led to the arrest of Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu. Another locally made pistol and additional stolen items were recovered. The police spokesperson stated that the operatives also seized two locally made pistols loaded with live and spent cartridges, laptops, land documents, and other items. He further stated that the suspects admitted to using the stolen phones to illegally withdraw funds from the victims bank accounts. During interrogation, they admitted to using phones stolen by the syndicate to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims bank accounts. Two SIM cards from different networks were also recovered, Ndukwe said. Investigations reveal that the suspects confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and using the victims mobile phones SIM cards to also commit acts of fraud. They further confessed to moving and selling the stolen proceeds in Imo and other States. Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, admitted to exploiting his background as a former security agent to bypass checkpoints during the interstate shipment of the stolen items. Kanayo Uzoegbe, the states commissioner of police, praised the operatives for their efforts, noting that the suspects would be charged in court once the investigations are completed. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that the Department of State Services (DSS) should not search passengers bags at airports. Keyamo made this statement on the This Morning programme on Arise News on Sunday. Well sit down, but we needed to take this step. DSS, you are not, you have no business searching peoples bags, Keyamo said. Advertisement You are profiling individuals who are going out of the country, people who have been, maybe who are under security checks and all that. Keyamo also addressed the issue of multiple agency checks at airports, which often cause long queues. He suggested that customs officials should focus on items imported into the country, rather than exported items. All these agencies at our airports are not directly under our control; you have multiple agencies, DSS, NDLEA, Customs, and Quarantine, Keyamo said. And these were in place before we came into office, and they were not directly under my control for us to begin to remove them from the airport. READ ALSO: DSS Seeks N5.5bn Damages From SERAP For Office Invasion Claim The Federal Government recently approved measures aimed at curbing harassment faced by travellers with various agencies stationed at airports. Keyamo explained that the aim is not to remove these agencies but to streamline how they perform their duties. Nobody expects to go through an airport without security checks. However, the complaints we have consistently received from Nigerians have been complaints bordering on extortion, corruption, and perhaps even the very tardy process of these security checks, he added. Keyamo also disclosed that the ministry has dismantled the joint inspection table at airports, which often causes congestion. Instead, agencies will work with aviation security at the screening machine to eliminate repetitive searches. He added, So you can then observe all the bags passing through the machine jointly, without harassing anybody, Keyamo said. That is why the machines are there in the first place. You, NDLEA, customs, if you notice anything like drugs inside or suspicious package, pull the person aside, take the person away into your private screening room, and do your further searches there. The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution review has considered a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution which will limit the number of ministers appointed by the president from 45 to 37. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the development is coming, amid serval calls to reduce cost of governance. Some lawmakers from the lower chamber, suggested that President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration can limit over funding of the Federal government if expenses are reduced by the Ministers. Advertisement The legislation Titled: A Bill for an Act to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Streamline the Number of Ministers to be Appointed to the Federal Executive Council, has now been presented before the constitution review committee chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu. Sponsored by the members representing Darazo/Ganjuwa and Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituencies of Bauchi and Borno states respectively, the bill seeks to amend Section 147 (1) of the Constitution to read, There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation, not exceeding 37, as may be established by the President. READ MORE: House of Reps Postpones Special Session On Tax Reform Bill Speaking with PUNCH on Sunday, the Bauchi lawmaker, Mansur Soro, highlighted the gap the proposed legislation sought to address. He said: The bill seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to specify the maximum number of ministers to be appointed to the Federal Executive Council to address duplication of duties, minimise the cost of governance, and enhance efficiency to service at the federal level. We need to reduce the cost of governance, to address inequality in the number of ministers to be appointed from each state and cases of overlapping mandate of ministers. In my opinion, a minister per state is enough while also considering the Federal Capital Territory. Katsina State Police Command has foiled two separate kidnap attempts in Jibia Local Government Area of the state. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that 10 kidnapped victims were rescued after the operation on Saturday. Addressing newsmen on Sunday, the Commands Spokesman, Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed that the incident occurred on December 7th, 2024, at about 19:00 hours at Kwanar Makera along the KatsinaMagamar Jibia LGA. Advertisement He added that a group of armed bandits, with dangerous weapons, opened fire on a moving vehicle, attempting to abduct the occupants. Abubakar said: However, operatives of the command attached to the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters, acting on a tip-off, swiftly responded and engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their mission and flee the scene with gunshot injuries. READ MORE: Police Nab ATM Fraudster In Katsina, Recover 2.7m, 14 Stolen Cards All ten occupants of the vehicle were successfully rescued unharmed. Unfortunately, one of the rescued victims was rushed to the hospital due to severe assault inflicted on him by the assailants. The victim is currently responding to medical treatment. The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, while commending the gallantry and professionalism displayed by the officers, charged them to sustain the tempo in the ongoing fight against all forms of crime and criminality in the state, reiterating the commands commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the people of the state. You are here: China Tourists from Spain visit Tianzifang, an art area in east China's Shanghai, Dec. 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] "China Travel," "Paris Olympics" and "New Quality Productive Forces" are among the "top 10 Chinese buzzwords" of 2024, the National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center announced Saturday. The list, as part of the yearly event "Chinese language review 2024," also included "Artificial Intelligence," "Fostering Virtue and Educating People," "Global South," "Trade-in," "Low-altitude Economy," "Future Industries" and "New Professions." Six of the 10 buzzwords are about new trends in the economy, while "Fostering Virtue and Educating People" is a slogan highlighted at a national education conference held in September as the fundamental task of education development. The "top 10 Chinese buzzwords" are based on the national language resources monitoring corpus, which boasts a corpus scale of over 1 billion Chinese characters. The "Chinese language review 2024" will also see the release of "top 10 online slang terms," "top 10 new words" and "character and word of the year." BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Turkiye is ready to take responsibility for everything that needs to be done to heal Syria's wounds, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, Trend reports. "The Syrian regime's refusal to take the initiative initiated by our esteemed President, foreseeing the upcoming process in Syria, led to the development of events that justified us. Turkiye is ready to take responsibility for everything that needs to be done to heal Syria's wounds and ensure its unity, integrity and security. Thus, millions of Syrians forced to leave their homes will be able to return to their lands," Hakan Fidan said. Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for enhancing electricity supply and security in Nigeria. In an Instagram post on Saturday, Edochie highlighted that many states now enjoy up to 22 hours of power daily, thanks to the presidents policies. He also noted a sharp decrease in terrorist attacks, describing Tinubu as a master strategist and a silent achiever. Advertisement READ MORE: I Break Down When Seeing My Period Bobrisky He wrote, Many states in Nigeria now enjoy 22 hours per day of steady power supply. Terrorist attacks have reduced drastically, all courtesy of the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Jagaban. The master strategist. The silent achiever. So much more to come. Jagaban will fix it all. See some comments on his post onyi_de_luxury_homes reacted: I think your family should examine you to know if youre truly okay? sammieblaze noted: my goodness, is this Yul that we all knew before? This is strange . emmanuel_wonders_ penned: Even Abuja no get, Yul I no dey join mouth for your matter but stop provoking me before Chukwu akpo gi oku there . _shanky40 opined: All this lies just to gain favor from the president,shame supposed they catch u i swear. SEE POST: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDRoo3dsq-o/?igsh=MTNhMGk2OWlmZmN1Zw== Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 65-year-old Ramata Bola Adeyemo on allegations of drug trafficking. According to a statement issued by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi on Sunday, the suspect, a grandmother, was apprehended on December 6 on Odunfa Street in Lagos Island LGA. The agency disclosed that 20.6 litres of codeine-based syrup were found in the suspects possession at the time of arrest. Advertisement The NDLEA also took Egwu Phillip Inya into custody for allegedly attempting to collect 7.40 kg of Loud, a synthetic variant of cannabis, hidden inside three pressure machines. Babafemi stated that the suspect, who claimed to be a building engineer, was apprehended on December 2 at the Okeyson motor park in Enugu. The consignments had arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos import shed on 29th November 2024, the statement reads. READ MORE: Dismissed Soldier Arrested With Seven Others For Alleged Armed Robbery, Fraud In Enugu Following credible intelligence, officers of the MMIA strategic command of the agency had monitored the shipment pass through clearing processes up to a logistics companys warehouse outside the airport where it was to be collected by the consignee. The importer, however, changed the point of collection to Enugu at the last minute. As a result, NDLEA operatives in a follow-up operation in Enugu arrested Egwu when he showed up to collect the consignments. On December 6, the NDLEA recovered at least 511,000 tramadol pills from a Siena car at Hildi, Askira Uba Way in Adamawa. Operatives on patrol observed the cars occupants take a detour after seeing the NDLEA team and, after a distance, abandoned the vehicle with the consignments after realising they were being followed. In Ekiti state, two suspects: Olanrewaju Alale, 48, and Babatunde Kayode Ijadahun, 55, were arrested along Ise- Emure road in a J5 bus marked EPE 958 XJ while transporting 108 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 1, 323 kilograms to Owo, Ondo state from where they claimed the consignment will be moved to the North for distribution. Another suspect, Adekunle Yusuf, 33, was nabbed by NDLEA operatives with 704 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance, concealed in white sacks on Friday 6th December at Idere road, Igboora, Oyo state, the statement reads. Also arrested in Lagos was Alhaji Lawan Manga, who was picked at Ogundana Street, Ikeja on Thursday 5th December, while 4.7kg cannabis and 1.3kg tramadol were recovered from him. A former Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Babangida Aliyu, has criticized Nigerians who are speaking out against the tax reform bills without taking the time to study them. He spoke on Saturday at the graduation ceremony at the National Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, for the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17. Aliyu, who is also a former Governor of Niger State, expressed his disappointment at the Federal Governments failure to effectively communicate the content of the bills to Nigerians. Advertisement The tax reform bills, which include the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024, and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024, have been met with widespread debate since their introduction to the National Assembly. The bills have been rejected by the Governors of the 19 northern states, who are opposed to the new derivation-based model for Value Added Tax distribution outlined in the bills. READ ALSO: Shouldnt Politicize Everything TUC President, Osifo Backs Tinubus Tax Reform Bills According to Aliyu, many Nigerians debating the tax bills have not read them, and the government should do more to communicate the content of the bills to the public. He said, I was speaking to the NSA when we were in the common room, and I said to him, look, many of the people debating the tax bills have not read them. But again, there is the problem of communication, the government should speak more. When the majority of the people are not literate, you should be the first to speak on any major policy, particularly a policy that will bring changes, so, that the people can understand. You cannot say because of one person, the policy cannot be taken. So communication is very, very important, he added. The Adamawa Police Command has apprehended Sunday Moses, a 34-year-old resident of Kwatau village in Hong LGA, for the unlawful importation of ammunition into the state. SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, Public Relations Officer of the Adamawa State Police Command, said in a statement on Saturday that the arrest was part of efforts to maintain a safe and secure environment for the upcoming Yuletide and ongoing harvest season in the state. According to the statement, the simultaneous operations began on December 1, 2024, at several hideouts across the state. Advertisement It stated that the Command had successfully cleansed various sections of Yola city and expanded its presence to Song, Gombi, and Hong LGAs, resulting in arrests and recoveries. READ MORE: Bauchi Police Nab Two Suspects For Vandalizing Government Property The suspect was apprehended, and the following offensive weapons were recovered: 193 rounds of 7.62mm of live ammunition, 171 rounds of 919 pistol ammunition and two hand grenades. The Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, thanked the public for their continued support of the Command and encouraged them to remain alert, offering valuable information to security agencies when needed. The Wright brothers 1911 Model B airplane plane on display at the Franklin Institute after refurbishment in Ohio in 2003. Read more A precious aircraft designed by the Wright brothers towers high inside the Franklin Institute, where it has been housed for almost a century. Before going on display, the 1911 Wright Model B airplane made 748 flights without incident, racing across Philadelphias skyways and circling William Penns statue in Center City. Its celebrity owner, playboy troublemaker Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, was the millionaire son of a wealthy Philadelphia brewer who learned to fly from Orville Wright. Known for speed racing and rule-breaking, Bergdoll had reportedly terrorized the Philadelphia community with his reckless aerial maneuvers using the two-seat flier his mother, Emma Bergdoll, bought him in 1912. Advertisement But by 1933, the plane was among several abandoned vehicles gathering dust and rust in a Delaware County machine shop. Looters had taken its engine and smaller parts while Bergdoll was hiding in Germany as a fugitive after he had escaped police custody for evading the draft. Two years later, Bergdolls flier was put on display at the Franklin Institute, where the treasured artifact is now considered one of the best-preserved planes of its kind. For decades, the museum has maintained that the plane was a gift from Bergdoll, citing a letter he wrote transferring ownership to museum volunteer William H. Sheahan, a member of the local aviation club with whom he once flew. Today, though, Bergdolls daughter Katharina and granddaughter Lesley Gamble, who both live in Virginia, dispute that claim: After previously trusting the museums account, they now believe that the plane was stolen and acquired by the Franklin Institute without Bergdolls permission. A missing document The familys suspicion was raised last year when journalist Tim Lake, a longtime Philadelphia news anchor, contacted them as he researched his book The Bergdoll Boys. Lake had noticed that there was little information about the donor on display, and he was curious about how the museum could have obtained the fliers title, especially given that in 1921, Bergdolls assets had been seized by the U.S. government and were no longer considered his property following his conviction for desertion. For months, Lake reached out to the Franklin Institute for information about the provenance of the Wright brothers plane and requested to see Bergdolls letter, only to be told museum workers couldnt find it. Ultimately, when Lake pressed them again before going to publication in April 2023, assistant director of collections and curatorial Susannah Carroll admitted that the museum had no document signed by Bergdoll regarding the gift. Instead, Carroll wrote, the transfer of ownership was a verbal agreement. Though there is overwhelming circumstantial evidence of Mr. Bergdolls gift of the Wright Model B airplane to The Franklin Institute, at this time, we have not turned up anything signed by Mr. Bergdoll mentioning his gift, she wrote, adding that Lake should understand why neither he nor The Institute would desire to have anything in writing documenting the oral gift. Bergdoll was still a fugitive and his assets had been and continued to be subject to government seizure. She also noted that the family did not question the gift after it first went on display in 1935. At no time between 1935 (when the airplane was put on public exhibit) and Mr. Bergdolls death in 1966 did he, his mother, Emma, or his wife, Berta, ever claim any right to the airplane, that a valid gift had not been made, or request its return, Carroll wrote. That exchange, of course, only brought up more questions. It was a complete about-face of their explanation for acquisition of the airplane that they have presented to the public for the past 90 years without any evidence whatsoever leading to that change, Lake said. I just find it implausible that Sheahan was able to communicate with [Bergdoll] in 1933 and therefore get him to say, Oh, yeah, you can have my airplane. Lake and the Bergdoll family wonder how, ethically, the museum could have accepted such an artifact without documentation from the owner. I had naively assumed that the way they acquired items was aboveboard, said Katharina Bergdoll. Its highly suspicious, in my view. She says the museum owes them a public explanation and restitution, including some compensation for our loss. In a statement to The Inquirer, the museum reiterated that the plane was a legitimate gift that neither Bergdoll nor his family had disputed before. The museum did not comment on the existence of a letter from Bergdoll, but shared a photograph of a 1943 letter written by Berta Bergdoll, saying the plane at the museum was once his own. It was common knowledge that the airplane was at The Franklin Institute from 1934 on, and the government never made any attempt to collect the airplane in or after 1921 as part of its seizure of Bergdolls assets, further legitimizing his gift, the museums statement read. His daughters recent claim and her focus on compensation give a clear picture of her motivation. We will continue to honor Mr. Bergdolls legacy by sharing the story of the Wright Brothers and his part in it with the world as he always wanted. Preserving history Bergdolls intentions are difficult to determine today, but his family believes its unlikely that he would have charitably donated the flier, as he was rather possessive. It was not in his nature to be generous, said his daughter. Lake posits that Sheahan learned about the plane rotting in that abandoned machine shop potentially from an Inquirer article published on Oct. 8, 1933, exposing the contents inside and decided to rescue a piece of history. It was also convenient timing, Lake said, as the Franklin Institute was set to open its new building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and needed a centerpiece attraction for its hall of aviation, having failed to acquire the 1903 Wright Flyer (which went to the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum). I think they took advantage of the fact that Grover Cleveland Bergdoll was on the lam, said Gamble, the granddaughter. Ive surmised that Sheahan somehow realized that if somebody didnt save that airplane, it would be taken apart by vandals and lost forever, Lake said. It was a valiant deed that they did to save that airplane, restore it, and then put it inside the museum, where the Franklin Institute has been a wonderful caretaker of this airplane for 90 some years. Gamble agrees that it could have been a noble mission, but as an art historian, she also points to the history of institutions stealing valuable artifacts around the world under the claim of preservation. Though its an ethical dilemma, she believes that if the museum obtained the flier illegally, the institution should be transparent and held accountable. Part of the harm lies in what the family sees as the Franklin Institutes erasure of Bergdolls legacy and his own small part in the history of aviation. Distancing the flier from the donor was likely due to Bergdolls notoriety Lake called him the most hated man in America as an infamous draft dodger. The Bergdoll name was once painted on an underwing of the plane, and has since been removed; now his daughter believes it should be restored. This story has been updated to mention a letter from Berta Bergdoll that the Franklin Institute shared after an earlier version of the story published online. U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R., Pa.) speaking during the RNC's Pennsylvania delegates breakfast in Wisconsin in July. Read more NEW YORK On the heels of major GOP wins in Pennsylvania last month, several potential candidates are lining up to challenge Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2026. Shapiro, 51, is a first-term Democrat with an unusually high popularity rating. He went mostly unchallenged in the 2022 gubernatorial election, after clearing the Democratic field in the primary election and establishment Republicans failing to block right-wing State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R., Franklin) from winning the GOP primary. Shapiro beat Mastriano by 15 percentage points, without ever having to stand for a debate during the election cycle. Advertisement U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, 60, a Republican who has represented parts of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the House of Representatives since 2019, said he was considering running for governor, but is not yet committed to it. Meuser previously served as secretary of revenue in former Gov. Tom Corbetts administration, was a past president of wheelchair manufacturer Pride Mobility Products, and has remained a staunch supporter of President-elect Donald Trump over the years. Im doing some due diligence, and I have been receiving some encouragement, Meuser said. Another potential candidate that some Republicans have shown interest in running is State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, 60, who overwhelmingly won reelection last month to a second term. Garrity, a former U.S. Army Reserve colonel who received two Bronze Star Medals for her work in combat zones in the Middle East, recently broke Shapiros record by receiving the most-ever votes for a statewide office in Pennsylvania history. However, when asked about whether she was mulling a run and what she thinks of her peers encouragement she declined to say whether she plans to throw her hat in the ring. Im really honored that theyre thinking of me, Garrity said. But you know, were just coming off a win. We did a lot in the first term. We basically broke every record in the Treasury, but theres still a lot more to do. So right now Im really just focusing on the job of treasurer for the moment. Many Pennsylvania Republicans, gathered at events around Midtown Manhattan for the states annual New York City getaway of fancy parties, had similar desire to more seriously challenge Shapiro in the midterm election. Shapiro has long been rumored to have presidential ambitions and he remains a top name in the field for the 2028 presidential election. How well he does in his reelection bid will determine if he makes a run, experts said. Manuel Bonder, a spokesperson for Shapiro, said in a statement that Shapiro is focused on the job he is elected to do. Anyone who is interested in playing political parlor games is welcome to have fun doing so, Bonder added. A few other rumored potential candidates gave a firm No, and said they are not considering a run against Shapiro in 2026. Former Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny), who left the state House in 2020 and has previously considered running for governor, said he is not considering running this time and likes his job as general counsel to Peoples Natural Gas, a utility company headquartered in Pittsburgh. Dave Sunday, the Republican attorney general-elect who won the powerful position in last months election, was also a potential candidate some state Republicans were interested in seeing run. But with his recent election to the statewide row office, he said he wont be running for governor in two years. (During his campaign for AG, he said he did not want to pursue higher office beyond attorney general at this time.) Thats not happening, Sunday said outside the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association annual luncheon. Other names floated as potential candidates include two 2022 gubernatorial candidates Dave White, a former union pipe-fitter and Delaware County Council member, and State Sen. Scott Martin (R., Lancaster). State Sen. Greg Rothman (R., Cumberland) has also been mentioned as a possible contender. Staff writer Katie Bernard contributed to this article. Kendra Van de Water and James Aye, cofounders of the nonprofit YEAH Philly, serve young people involved with the criminal justice system. Many teens dont understand that they deserve better, Van de Water said. You deserve to go to work and not be beat up or bullied or shot at. Read more Advertisement The line stretched down the block neighborhood folks stopping by YEAH Phillys West Philadelphia headquarters to pick up free groceries on one of Novembers last balmy Mondays. Camron Scott, a regular, poked his head into the food distribution window. Heres our worst customer, joked Monet Seidle, 19, as Scott adamantly rejected asparagus, cucumbers, and fresh raspberries in favor of chicken and mac and cheese. Im her best customer, Scott laughed as the two traded trash talk. At YEAH (Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout), neighbors get raspberries and chicken, but the young people distributing the food also benefit, gaining a paycheck, responsibility, leadership, and most important, self-respect. Based in a rowhouse at 52nd Street and Walton Avenue, YEAH Philly runs programs for and by West and Southwest Philadelphia young adults, ages 15 to 24. Programs include support for young adults involved in the criminal justice system, help with food and housing, job training, peer mediation, and advocacy on issues affecting Black youth, particularly health-care access and criminal justice inequities. At its heart, YEAH Philly aims to give what its leaders (which include young people) say teens need most: a safe, nonjudgmental place to hang out during the hours they need it, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., where they can be empowered to lead and to serve. And, if any need arises, YEAH can help, from getting a drivers license to getting out of jail. Hangout possibilities drew Seidle, then 13, to YEAH at a previous location, the Cobbs Creek Recreation Center. Founders Kendra Van de Water and James Aye offered me pizza and asked me, Would you like to have a conversation? The conversation came just in time for Seidle, now employed full time as a shift manager at YEAHs food giveaway. My anger issues were bad, she said. In seventh grade, she was fighting at school, and the situation was escalating. They helped get me anger management therapy, she said. I learned how to calm down, how to walk away. They helped me with my mental health. Last year, she returned the favor. As part of YEAHs peer mediation group, she went to West Parksides Belmont High School, where girls were fighting each other. They were friends who had become enemies, she said. The YEAH team helped Belmonts girls talk through the situation and saved most from expulsion and losing valued senior privileges like going to the prom. As a teenager, Van de Water had none of those issues. She grew up in Lansdale and never had a police run-in until 16, when she went to a friends party in Philadelphia. She was outside waiting for her mother to pick her up, but the police got to her first. She had violated curfew, they said. She told them she was waiting for her mother and turned to call her. As she turned, Van de Water said, she was grabbed roughly by officers and thrown to the ground. She was eventually taken to the old Youth Study Center on the Parkway where she was kept for five days. If that wasnt enough of a real-world education, she learned more from the other kids at the detention center. They were in there for stabbing their grandma, killing their dog. Some had been there for over a year. They didnt have family or support. The experience propelled me to learn all the things about the system, how the system is unjust, especially to Black people. Van de Water graduated from college and later served as a policy analyst for Philadelphias Police Advisory Commission. While there, she attended a youth anti-violence meeting. What struck her immediately was that there were no youth at the meeting. The same thought occurred to Aye, another attendee, then a case manager at a violence intervention program run by Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. They decided to work together. We wanted to talk to young people, instead of talking at them, she said. They devised a 90-question survey asking teens about their lives, their childhoods, what they did after school, what they liked to do, and their feelings about safety and support. To encourage participation, they paid stipends to the nearly 300 West and Southwest Philadelphia teens who answered survey questions in long interviews. Van de Water and Aye learned that teens needed a place to be together. They organized gatherings and workshops at two recreation centers. For a year, in 2019, Aye and Van de Water funded everything themselves, from stipends to endless pizza. YEAHs kids pushed for a place of their own. In 2020, Van de Water and Aye raised $220,000 to buy the Walton Avenue rowhouse. And thats when everything took off, she said. We invest directly in young people, Van de Water said, with all kinds of help. And they really mean all kinds: Embarrassed because he had no front teeth, one teen wore a COVID-19 mask long after the pandemic ended. YEAH got him to a dentist. Its not unusual for YEAH to buy young people a bed frame and a mattress, or to pay for a hot water heater. How do we make you comfortable in your house right now, or how do we get you out of the house? Van de Water said. The teens dont understand that they deserve better, she said. You deserve to be able to live in a comfortable place. You deserve to go to work and not be beat up or bullied or shot at. Van de Water particularly wanted to work with young adults caught in the legal system, especially those arrested for violent crimes. Besides employing lawyers, YEAH also fills in the way a supportive family might, working with and on behalf of the young person, making sure they get what they need and that their rights arent violated, she said. We come to your court date, she said. We start with immediate needs. They are usually couch surfing or homeless. They dont have a lot of support. You cant focus on the other things, like going to school or getting a job, if you dont have basic needs. YEAH helps negotiate GPS monitoring, house arrest, and incarceration. They help those affected get an assignment to forestry camp, a better situation than local detention. Throughout, they focus on goals and opportunities. It worked for Nafis Zollicoffer, 22. When he first met YEAH, he, eight siblings, and his parents lived in a three-bedroom rowhouse. At 18, he wanted to provide for himself. Aye helped Zollicoffer obtain a Social Security card, a birth certificate, a drivers license, and a car. In 60 days, I got everything, Zollicoffer marveled. He graduated from Holy Family College. Then, after a friend was killed, Zollicoffer bought a gun. Pulled over on a routine traffic stop, he was arrested on felony gun charges and faced up to four years in prison if convicted. YEAH got him a lawyer, resulting in a misdemeanor conviction, probation, and the possibility of applying for a pardon. YEAH helped him get jobs and training as a tow truck operator at YEAHs nearby trade training center. YEAH also hired him as a full-time organizational assistant. YEAH has a way of providing the skills and services in a way that people need when they need it, Zollicoffer said. A little later, Zollicoffer had no time to talk. Besides handing out food, YEAH Philly had partnered with the citys health department to distribute free gun safes. It was up to Zollicoffer to manage the line. Near the front was Ro Collins, who lives nearby. Some neighbors, she said, had worried when YEAH bought the rowhouse, fearing the teenagers would cause trouble. But it hasnt worked out that way. They dont have any foolishness, she said. Quite the opposite, said Tawfeeq Feeq Smith, 17, of West Philadelphia. This group is helpful all the way around. People who dont have food, they feed you. They care. Everybody who comes here grows. They make everybody better. Jane M. Von Bergen spent more than 25 years as a reporter and editor at The Inquirer. janevonbtheater@gmail.com This article is part of a series about Philly Gives a community fund to support nonprofits through end-of-year giving. To learn more about Philly Gives, including how to donate, visit phillygives.org. About YEAH Philly Mission: To serve young people who are at the highest risk of being involved in the cycle of violence by both meeting their needs and empowering them to advocate for themselves and their communities Young people served: 300 referred for violent crime support and advocacy 87 kept in the community with services vs. incarceration 99 people trained in peer mediation 43 trained in Stop the Bleed/gunshot first aid 21 placed in long-term employment or internships 2,800 families receiving food at the market Annual spend: $2.12 million in fiscal year 2022 Point of pride: Deep impact on the lives of young people, lifting them out of poverty, and helping them reach goals they didnt know were possible Big dream: To raise $1.75 million to convert a warehouse into a training center for trades such as carpentry, automotive, and culinary You can help: By assisting at events, making food deliveries to homebound seniors, and offering workshops Support: phillygives.org/philly-gives/ Connect: 5257 Walton Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143, or online at yeahphilly.org Website: yeahphilly.org What your YEAH Philly donation can do Pennsylvania's leaders are going to be tested if Donald Trump and his reckless band of unqualified cabinet nominees follow through on plans to trample the rule of law and implement their white Christian nationalist agenda, writes the Editorial Board. Read more Two days after the election, California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a special legislative session focused on Trump-proofing the state from the onslaught of expected attacks on a host of issues including reproductive rights, the environment, and immigrants. We wont sit idle, said Newsom, as lawmakers have proposed funding for lawsuits, electric vehicle rebates, and disaster relief funds. Advertisement Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker likewise vowed to take proactive steps to shore up abortion rights and other laws, while issuing a stern warning regarding any attempts to deport migrants: You come for my people, you come through me. By contrast, Gov. Josh Shapiro has struck a more muted tone, calling for unity. Now that his election is over, it is time to govern to work together, to compromise, and to get stuff done, he said in a statement following the election results. Shapiro added he would continue to defend our democracy and fundamental rights while ensuring the commonwealth is welcoming for all. Thats all well and good, but that is not what Donald Trump has planned. READ MORE: The Trump Threat: The risk posed by a second Donald Trump presidency | Editorial Series The president-elect wants to radically remake the government, prosecute political enemies, deport millions of immigrants, and fight the enemy within. Of course, Newsom and Pritzker represent solidly blue states, so they can afford to be more forceful than Shapiro, who represents a swing state and must work with a divided legislature in a state Trump won with 50.4% of the vote. Shapiro, Newsom, and Pritzker are each said to hold presidential aspirations, so their actions and words will be watched closely. But the style and substance of all three governors and other elected officials will likely be tested once Trump takes office again. How they defend against Trumps extreme measures will directly impact peoples lives. The good news for Pennsylvanians worried Shapiro has gone wobbly is that he has a solid record of defending individual, reproductive, and voting rights. In 2017, just after taking office as attorney general, Shapiro joined a coalition of state attorneys general who opposed Trumps travel ban on people entering the U.S. from Muslim-majority countries. Three years later, Shapiro successfully defended dozens of lawsuits Trump filed before and after Election Day in his widespread attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential outcome. After he was elected governor in 2022, Shapiro appointed Al Schmidt, a Republican election official from Philadelphia, to oversee state elections, and launched an election integrity task force to protect voting rights and free elections. Shapiro ended state funding for 27 pregnancy centers that advocates said used deceptive practices to steer women away from abortions. His administration launched a website that outlined access to abortion services in Pennsylvania, including for individuals traveling from states that made the procedure virtually illegal. Shapiro and other sworn guardians of the Constitution are going to be tested if Trump and his reckless band of unqualified cabinet nominees follow through on plans to slash spending, fire federal workers, trample the rule of law, destroy public health, undo climate change initiatives, and implement their white Christian nationalist agenda. Still, as Mike Tyson famously said, Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. Shapiro should be more proactive and not risk being knocked out. The same goes for Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who has refused to affirm Philadelphias status as a sanctuary city that would resist federal efforts to deport immigrants leaving vulnerable residents who pay wage taxes scared and nervous. Instead of a strong stance opposing Trumps deportation plans and other proposals that would target cities, Parker has so far taken a see no evil approach as she largely rehashed year-old campaign themes to make Philadelphia safer, cleaner, and greener. We are laser-focused on the work ahead, Parker yada yada-ed in a speech after the election. In the same speech, Parker didnt mention Trumps name and made no reference to safeguarding individual rights, let alone protecting the 47,000 undocumented people in the city from deportation. She has refused to speak up as immigrant groups have pressed her to take a firmer stand. By contrast, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu vowed to fight Trumps deportation plan. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city would not help federal agents deport immigrants. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston went one step further, suggesting he could station police officers at the county line to block immigration officers from carrying out mass deportations. Even lower-level officials in other cities are stepping up. The Los Angeles City Council approved a sanctuary city policy, while Chicago lawmakers are working with grassroots organizations to train residents how to engage in civil disobedience and to inform the public of their constitutional rights. Likewise, school boards in other big cities, such as Los Angeles and Chicago, made sure to reaffirm protections for immigrant students and the LGBTQ community. Yet in Philadelphia, even before Trump was elected, an advocacy group said immigrant students were not getting adequate support. READ MORE: The Senate must reject Trumps dangerous, unqualified cabinet nominees | Editorial To his credit, one of former Mayor Jim Kenneys first official acts was to issue an executive order reinstating Philadelphia as a sanctuary city. Kenney took steps to protect immigrants during Trumps previous term and refused to back down from efforts to cut off federal funding from sanctuary cities. After a federal judge ruled in 2018 that the U.S. Department of Justices efforts to block federal funding from the city violated the Constitution, Kenney did a happy dance. During his tenure, Kenney repeatedly stood up to Trump and forcefully called out his reckless policies and dangerous rhetoric. As Trump worked to overturn the 2020 election, Kenney told him to put his big boy pants on and accept defeat. Many appreciated that Kenney had their back and would not be bullied. During Trumps previous term, there were cuts in funding to blue states along with a spike in hate crimes as antisemitism, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and homophobia increased. The next four years look to be much worse as Trump takes the country into uncharted territory. This is no time to ignore the gathering storm. We need fearless leaders willing to stand up to a wannabe dictator. It is fine to hope for the best, but there must also be a plan for the worst. WASHINGTON Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness, Trump wrote on social media, referring to Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Advertisement In a television interview that aired Sunday, Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Asked on NBCs Meet the Press if he were actively working to end the nearly 3-year-old Ukraine war, Trump said, I am. He refused to say if he had spoken to Putin since winning election in November. I dont want to say anything about that, because I dont want to do anything that could impede the negotiation, Trump said. Trumps call for an immediate ceasefire went beyond the public policy stands taken by the Biden administration and Ukraine and drew a cautious response from Zelenskyy. It also marks Trump wading unusually deeply into efforts before his Jan. 20 inauguration to resolve one of the major global crises facing the lame-duck Biden administration. Trump made his proposal after a weekend meeting in Paris with French and Ukrainian leaders in Paris, where many world leaders gathered to celebrate the restoration of Notre Dame cathedral after a devastating fire. None of the advisers traveling with him appeared to have expertise on Ukraine. Kyiv would like to close a deal, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! Trump added. He was referring to mediation efforts by China that many in the West have seen as favoring Russia. Zelenskyy described his discussions Saturday with Trump, brought together by French President Emmanuel Macron, as constructive but has given no further details. Zelenskyy cautioned that Ukraine needs a just and robust peace, that Russians will not destroy within a few years. When we talk about an effective peace with Russia, we must talk first of all about effective peace guarantees. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land, he said Sunday in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Trumps post by repeating Moscows long-standing message that it is open to talks with Ukraine. Peskov referenced a decree by Zelenskyy from October 2022 that declared the prospect of any talks impossible as long as Putin was Russias leader. That decree came after Putin proclaimed four occupied regions of Ukraine to be part of Russia, in what Kyiv and the West said was a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. Trumps former national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, warned there was no such thing as a quick fix to ending Russias war with Ukraine. What Im worried about is this kind of flawed idea that Putin can be placated, right, that Putin will come to some kind of a deal, McMaster told Fox News Sunday. I think its really important for President Trump to adhere to his instinct in this connection ... peace through strength, McMaster said, adding, How about give them what they need to defend themselves, and then saying to Putin, Youre going to lose this war? While Trump has said before that he would like to see a quick ceasefire in Ukraine, his proposal Sunday was framed as a direct appeal to Russia. The quick responses from Ukraine and Russia demonstrated the seriousness with which they regarded the idea from the incoming American president. Both Trump and President Joe Biden pointed this weekend to Russias disengagement in Syria, where the Russian military largely moved out of the way while Syrian rebels overthrew the countrys Russian-allied president, as evidence of the extent to which the Ukraine war has sapped Russias resources. Biden said at the White House on Sunday that resistance from Ukraine had left Russia unable to protect its main ally in the Middle East. The Biden administration and other supporters of Ukraine have made a point of not being seen to press Ukraine for an immediate truce. Ukraines allies fear a quick deal would be largely on the terms of its more powerful neighbor, potentially forcing damaging concessions on Ukraine and allowing Russia to resume the war again once it has built back up its military strength. Trump portrays himself as up to making fast deals to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East that have frustrated many of the Biden administrations own mediation efforts. There is no prohibition on incoming officials or nominees meeting with foreign officials, and it is common and fine for them to do so unless those meetings are designed to subvert or otherwise affect current U.S. policy. The Logan Act bars private citizens from trying to intervene in disputes or controversies between the United States and foreign powers without government approval. But the 1799 statute has produced just two criminal cases, none since the 1850s and neither resulting in a criminal conviction. In the NBC interview taped Friday, Trump renewed his warning to NATO allies that he did not see continued U.S. participation in the Western military alliance as a given during his second term. Trump has long complained that European and the Canadian governments in the mutual-defense bloc are freeloading on military spending by the U.S., by far the most powerful partner in NATO. NATO and its member governments say a majority of countries in the bloc are now hitting voluntary targets for military spending, due in part to pressure from Trump in his first term. Asked whether he would consider the possibility of pulling out of NATO, Trump indicated that was an open question. If theyre paying their bills, and if I think theyre treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely Id stay with NATO, he said. But if not, he was asked if he would consider pulling the U.S. out of the alliance. Trump responded, Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. Trump expressed the same openness when asked if Ukraine should brace for possible cuts in U.S. aid. Possibly, he said. U.S. arms and other military support are vital to Ukraines efforts to fend off invading Russian forces, and Biden has been surging assistance to Ukraine before leaving office. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday announced nearly $1 billion more in longer-term weapons support to Ukraine. Austin spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Sunday about the status of the war and U.S. military backing, the Pentagon said. Russian forces kept up their grinding advance in eastern Ukraine, taking the village of Blahodatne, according to a statement Sunday by Russias defense ministry. If confirmed, that gain would bring Russian forces a step closer toward capturing the town of Velyka Novosilka and disrupting a key logistics route for the Ukrainian army, military analysts said. Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks to the annual Pennsylvania Society dinner at the Hilton Midtown on Saturday. Read more NEW YORK Pennsylvanias wealthy and political elite held their annual glitzy gathering in Midtown Manhattan on Saturday night to celebrate civility and philanthropy in the state, at a dinner headlined by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The dinner closed out the swanky weekend, where legislators, policymakers, and lobbyists schmooze their way through more than a dozen parties, incentivizing Pennsylvanias most powerful officials to come together where no one has a home-field advantage. Advertisement Shapiro, a first-term Democrat, listed his administrations accomplishments over the last year and how Democrats and Republicans were able to come together on major issues, such as creating a new public education funding system with historic investments, as well as new incentives to graduate and retain more college students. He also noted how Pennsylvanians elected a divided legislature to represent them in Harrisburg again this year. Despite all the changes we saw in the most recent election across this country, here in Pennsylvania, voters sent back the exact same partisan makeup of our General Assembly, Shapiro said. While there is a lot of talk of political polarization and partisanship in this country, we have clearly shown that we know how to get around the table, have tough conversations, and work together to get stuff done for the good people of Pennsylvania, Shapiro added, in his remarks to the filled Pennsylvania Society ballroom, a tradition his predecessor, former Gov. Tom Wolf, often skipped. The $600-plus-per-ticket dinner at the Hilton Midtown began by having a moment of silence for Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO who was gunned down outside the same hotel earlier last week. Security measures at the black-tie affair were also increased, such as requiring all attendees to walk through metal detectors before entry. TV cameras still lined the sidewalk outside the hotel into Saturday. READ MORE: At Pa. Society, Dave McCormick is the most popular person in the room The crowd said goodbye to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a three-term Democrat who lost to Sen.-elect Dave McCormick in a historically close race. Casey said he would still attend next year, but will have more time to explore the city. Wed like to thank you for 18 years of dedicated service to our commonwealth and to our country, said Patricia Wellenbach as the crowd gave Casey an extended standing ovation. Shapiro also presented this years Gold Medal award to longtime society member and Erie giant Thomas B. Hagen. Hagen, 89, is the chairman and former CEO of Erie Insurance Group who remains a generous philanthropist in the state. Each awardee including previous winners such as Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden get to choose a charity to benefit from the dinner, and Hagen chose Erie-based education nonprofit Eagles Nest Leadership Corp. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Anti-government armed groups in Syria have already approached Damascus and are entering the city, Trend reports. Syrian opposition forces have already entered the capital. It is also reported that militants have taken control of the Saydnaya military prison, located on the outskirts of Damascus. Setting the gold standard The 2024 winners of IBs Brokers on Underwriting Agencies have been selected for their ability to proactively interact with brokers, listen to their insight and then act on their feedback. That has seen these top underwriting agencies offer support to insureds before and after events occur, embrace technology to leverage data and analytics and also secure additional capacity. While brokers expectations may shift year to year, the top underwriting agencies consistently strive to excel in the areas brokers value most. Data from IBs Brokers on Underwriting Agencies survey reveals key trends in broker priorities for 2024, which the winning agencies have responded to, highlighting opportunities and challenges in areas such as niche and emerging risks, technology and responsiveness. Among the findings compared to 2023s survey are: the ability to place niche and emerging risks rose in priority , reflecting brokers growing reliance on agencies for tailored and innovative solutions technology and automation remain areas of significant potential , with brokers calling for streamlined quoting, binding and claims management processes responsiveness and pricing , while still important, saw a slight dip in satisfaction marketing support and broker compensation schemes continue to rank lowest, suggesting a need for agencies to more effectively address these long-standing concerns Categories such as technical expertise, responsiveness and pricing saw a slight drop in broker satisfaction, underscoring areas where top underwriting agencies can gain ground and strengthen broker trust in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Brokers ratings of underwriting agencies ability to place niche or emerging risks experienced a modest decline, pointing to a growing opportunity for these partners to better serve this market. Similarly, a small decrease in broker satisfaction with technology and automation highlights the importance of leveraging advanced digital tools to improve efficiency and attract more broker business. Declines across most categories show that competition is getting tougher, and brokers expect more than just the basics. Australias top underwriting agencies stand out by focusing on core areas such as technical expertise and product knowledge while bolstering their reputation and support for brokers. While a majority of brokers remain enthusiastic about working with their underwriting agency partners in 2024, the slight reduction in the very likely category and rise in the likely categories compared to 2023 could indicate a shift towards more cautious optimism, as brokers may be exploring other options and greater flexibility in serving their clients. How underwriting agencies can improve and grow business with brokers In 2024, brokers placed more importance on coverage, overall service and turnaround times for new business, showing they value underwriting agencies that offer a smooth process and high-quality service. Those sentiments were evident in brokers top three picks for insurance products provided by an underwriting agency in the past 12 months: AFA Personal accident: Great product, concise offering, competitive price, self-serve online portal and prompt responses from the underwriting team DUAL Australia Professional indemnity: Easy to transact and get a quote in minutes on their portal High Street Underwriting Agency Public and products liability: Easy-to-use system, a good broad appetite, knowledgeable underwriters and quick turnaround time Broker support slipped from fourth to fifth place despite a slight 0.60% rise in importance. Premium stability maintained its sixth-place position, but its increasing weight suggests brokers prioritise predictable pricing to build client trust. Commission structures kept their last-place rank, with a notable 7.58% drop in importance, indicating brokers may be less focused on financial incentives and more attuned to factors that directly benefit their clients. According to IBs data, brokers top seven suggestions to underwriting agencies in Australia for retaining and growing their business include: improve response times: Faster turnaround on quotes, renewals and endorsements; aim to respond within 24 to 48 hours to ensure brokers remain competitive in securing business expand risk appetite: Broaden appetite for niche, unique or hard-to-place risks and expand capacity in Northern Australia; improve clarity and updates on risk appetites and new product offerings enhance communication: Increase direct communication via regular check-ins, visits and training sessions; ensure underwriters are available to discuss risks and respond to inquiries promptly invest in technology: Improve online platforms for quoting, binding and policy documentation; create efficient digital systems, ensuring ease of use and minimal delays build strong relationships: Maintain a human touch with personal outreach, direct support and relationship-building efforts; ensure knowledgeable underwriters are accessible for guidance and decision-making offer competitive pricing and coverage: Focus on price stability and competitive premiums; provide broader coverage and fewer exclusions for complex risks optimise claims management: Bring claims handling in-house to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction; offer proactive claims updates to brokers and clients The top-performing underwriting agencies strike a balance between agility and exceptional service, helping brokers serve their clients. This years winners are in the best position to retain and grow their share of broker business, as the following IB data suggests: 6.57% increase in the number of brokers who write 11-30% of their business with agencies, reflecting the largest growth segment in 2024 vs 2023 brokers relying heavily on agencies for 71-99% of their business has also increased, showcasing the top performers as trusted partners for high-volume business slight decline in brokers giving 100% of their business to agencies underscores opportunities for the top performers to stand out and strengthen loyalty brokers increasing placement of moderate business in the 31-50% category indicates the top agencies are excelling in areas such as coverage, service and turnaround times, factors brokers rated highly in 2024 In its search for the best underwriting agencies in Australia, Insurance Business surveyed 660 brokers, who ranked their top three agencies across 17 insurance types. Brokers also commented on turnaround times, product ranges, pricing and the importance of key service aspects, such as commission structure, service levels and claims handling. Based on this input, IB awarded gold, silver and bronze medals to the top three agencies in each category, as well as a Brokers Pick medal to the top three insurance products. Whats driving Australias top underwriting agencies wins with brokers? Over more than two decades, husband-and-wife duo Alan and Jan Whittle observed that the insurance industry, supposed to focus on caring for people, often lacked a personal touch. Determined to make a difference, they founded HSUA to bring that human touch back. HSUA has expanded to a 40-plus-strong team, including their son, Blair Whittle, acting as CEO. With a dedicated in-house tech team, innovations and automation are implemented at lightning speed, allowing HSUA to stay at the forefront of changing trends and to free up brokers precious time. Its essential our products are market-leading, especially with new entrants. We innovate and adapt our offerings to meet the highest client standards and expectations Blair Whittle High Street Underwriting Agency Our in-house tech team streamlines our ability to adapt to the constantly changing market, acting CEO Whittle says. Weve also been fortunate to have been doing this for over 23 years, and our brokers know that well be around for decades to come. HSUA continues to grow, and its reputation for exceptional customer service and innovation remains at the heart of everything it does. Founded in 2003 by spouses Glenn and Peta Ross, the couple took a leap of faith in launching the business after discovering a need for a niche player in Australias construction sector. One of the cornerstones of its success is the support and training it provides brokers to serve construction clients. What truly sets MECON apart from its competitors is its staff, who bring its thriving culture to life. Peter Drucker said culture eats strategy for breakfast, and while MECON has strategies, these are underpinned by our consistent and deep-seated culture that ensures engagement in goals and strategies are transparently shared across the company, says executive general manager and co-founder Glenn Ross. That also ensures that our service ethic endures. If I had to sum up in a word the reason we won gold and enjoy broker praise and loyalty, that word would be culture. MECONs staff won this gold award because they make working here a pleasure. To a large extent, this radiates outwardly to our brokers, and thats a big thing for us Glenn Ross MECON Insurance MECON has implemented several strategies to address the unique risks and challenges in Australias construction sector: focusing on underwriting results to ensure the ongoing support of its carrier and longevity for its broad product coverage and continued product development responding quickly to market changes with meaningful cover adjustments to meet client challenges, such as solutions for insuring vacated building works when construction companies have liquidated extending the cover of its unique Cover Advantage endorsement and partnering with German-based insurance company ARAG to bring a construction-focused legal expenses insurance offering to clients securing additional capacity to raise its in-house underwriting authority to $50 million in response to broker demand Collaboration with our brokers is our strongest suit; we rely on each other, Ross adds. We survey brokers yearly and donate to a charity based on response numbers, and broker feedback is vital in driving our focus for the year ahead. Ross notes that brokers views are carefully considered and can lead to bespoke training depending on the need and region. We can take a team and divide the brokerage into senior and junior levels, and we love doing that because we often come away with new ideas and understanding of the issues that brokers raise that we can actually work on, he says. Changes in the threat landscape havent solely driven the evolution of Emergences coverage. It continues to provide comprehensive coverage for events such as ransom demands, cyberattacks, hacking and malware. However, over the last few years, the companys focus has shifted towards addressing these events impact on their clients. This isnt just about responding to cyber events, but ensuring insureds have comprehensive support before, during, and after an event, chief operating officer Colin Pausey explains. Our strength lies in having the right people in place to provide person-to-person support, backed by advanced technology. Its this balance that enables us to offer tailored, meaningful solutions to brokers and their clients Colin Pausey Emergence Insurance Emergences approach includes: in-house incident response team that operates under the mantra every second counts direct, personal support during critical incidents, reducing clients stress and enabling quicker resolutions Emergence has also expanded its award-winning cyber event protection policy to cover personal risks, such as those faced by directors or officers, through optional D&O covers, highlighting how it tailors coverage to meet clients current and emerging needs. The cyber-focused company leverages sophisticated tools and analytics, but its approach is rooted in personal, human interaction. The combination is somewhat contradictory, but thats precisely what makes our service effective, says Pausey. Our team is informed by cutting-edge tools but focused on holding the clients hand during critical incidents. Inside Australian brokers picks of the leading underwriting agencies HSUAs 2024 medal achievements Gold: Product liability and public liability Silver: Directors and officers (D&O) and Hospitality Bronze: Financial lines Brokers Pick: Public and products liability Our motto is Shockingly Human Service, so everything we do is with that in mind, says Whittle. We believe that even as a tech-led company, weve never shied away from picking up the phone and chatting with our brokers to get the full story and ensure our brokers get the absolute best coverage for themselves and their clients. Brokers noted that HSUA continues to go from strength to strength and praised its standout qualities: Great turnaround, and I can always speak with the underwriters Plenty of experience and easy-to-use platform Willing to cover difficult-to-place risks Whittle has spotted several trends in the current market, including rates that are holding steady and, in some cases, reducing. Our extensive experience and detailed data collection over the past 20-plus years enable us to accurately determine price adequacy for each risk, allowing us to adjust pricing strategically, he remarks. Staying ahead of the technological curve is also essential for Whittle. The leading underwriting agency achieves this by leveraging advanced technology to enhance their processing efficiencies and reporting capabilities, ensuring it remains competitive and responsive to market demands. MECON Insurance's ninth consecutive medal Gold: Construction With a laser focus on the construction industry, the company keeps close tabs on developments, legislation and related initiatives. It shares that knowledge with brokers through an information-rich portal on its website, MECONpedia. As a member of the Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCRT), which assesses the trustworthiness and reliability of building and construction professionals, Ross keeps across the factors impacting contractors, including labour and material costs, supply chain issues and changing risks. Were listening carefully to our brokers, he says. And we translate that into our market sector and the coverage initiatives that we come up with, including broker training, to keep our products and services competitive and relevant. Brokers praised MECONs staff for their expertise and accessibility: Always knowledgeable and helpful with their coverage; willing to talk about deals and work with the broker to help place it, where possible. They also do some interesting risks that others wont do They pay claims in a fast and fair manner and know the industry well; their underwriters are approachable Emergence's 2024 medal achievement Gold: Cyber and information technology The award-winning cyber insurance agency has earned recognition as a top brokers choice partner for their cyber business for many years. Thats because, in addition to handling claims as they arise, Emergence also provides real-time, 24/7 risk management services as part of its smarter cyber solutions, as well as: broker education and training, including anonymised, real-life claims stories expert advice, tips and actionable insights so clients can improve their cybersecurity and prevent incidents Some of our competitors offer similar services, but we distinguish ourselves with comprehensive support that identifies issues early and helps clients take immediate action, says Pausey. This approach combines an insurance offering with a service offering, which reflects where the more sophisticated players in the market are heading. Brokers lauded Emergence for its expertise and service, noting: They are best in class The underwriter took the time to review and recommend the best product for the client. They offered informative training to our office They stand out for coverage and additional, complimentary services for policyholders Accident and health AFA Gold AHI Insurance Silver DUAL Australia Bronze Commercial motor NTI Gold GT Insurance Silver 360 Underwriting Solutions Bronze Construction MECON Insurance SURA Construction Silver ATC Insurance Solutions Bronze Cyber and information technology Emergence Insurance DUAL Australia Silver 360 Underwriting Solutions Bronze Directors and officers DUAL Australia Gold High Street Underwriting Agency Professional Risk Underwriting Bronze Marine NTI Gold Allianz Marine & Transit Silver NM Insurance Bronze Not-for-profit Community Underwriting Agency Gold DUAL Australia Silver ASR Underwriting Agencies Bronze Product liability High Street Underwriting Agency ASR Underwriting Agencies Silver Pen Underwriting Bronze Property Axis Underwriting Services The Barn Underwriting Agency Silver GOAT Insurance Bronze From outspoken condemnations of Israeli policies to recognising the State of Palestine, Ireland has long been one of Europes most vocal supporters of Gaza and the West Bank. From the top down, the Irish Government has been strong in its opposition to the war in the Middle East, with Simon Harris calling the events in Gaza a humanitarian catastrophe where innocent children, women and men are being starved and slaughtered. In a similar vein, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said Israel was behaving like a monster, calling its response in Gaza without a doubt, a violation of international humanitarian law. Despite its unwavering support, the past 12 months have highlighted the inextricable economic links between Ireland and Israel, from dual-use exports, Irelands investments in Israeli companies operating in illegal settlements, and most recently, the Central Bank of Irelands role in the approval of Israeli Bonds in the European Union (EU). Ireland is the home country of Israeli bonds sold in the 28-member bloc, with the Central Bank of Ireland designated as the competent authority to approve prospectuses for the securities. Third-country issuers, those being countries outside the EU, must choose the Central Bank of a country within the EU as its Home Member State. The choice is up to the issuer, with the Central Bank only able to object if it believes it does not have legal jurisdiction for the approval. Before 2021, the UK was the EU Home Member State for Israel. Following their exit from the bloc, Ireland was chosen by Israel as the new Home Member State. The Central Bank of Ireland approved the first prospectuses for the bond issuance program in 2021, with the securities offered in Ireland, Austria, France, Germany and the Netherlands through the EU passport. Israeli war efforts In the past 12 months, Israel Bonds have been used as a means to support the countrys war efforts in Gaza and the Middle East. The Central Banks role in approving these prospectuses for the European market has been a source of conflict and contention. Just this week, a letter to the Irish Examiner signed by trade union leaders and pro-Palestine groups said the Central Bank was complicit in funding genocide and apartheid by providing the gateway to Europe for Israel bonds. We are deeply concerned that the Central Bank of Ireland is acting as the regulator of Israel bonds in Europe, thereby facilitating their sale, the letter said. It added that under EU law (Regulation 2017/18, Article 32), The Central Bank has the power and responsibility to refuse to validate Israel bonds on the grounds that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found Israel is plausibly committing genocide, and on the technical grounds that the Israel bonds prospectus lacks completeness, given that the funding of genocide, a core function and risk factor, was omitted. In an Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach in October, Sinn Feins finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said more should be done to prevent the sale of Israeli bonds through Ireland, calling on the Central Bank to add further conditionality to the sale of these financial products. Addressing Central Bank Governor Gabriel Makhlouf, Mr Doherty said that current regulation allows for the regulator to include supplementary information when necessary to protect investors. [The regulation] allows you to say, to protect investors and those buying Israeli bonds, that these bonds are for a war, Mr Doherty said. I do not doubt that nobody in the Central Banks wants Ireland to be selling these bonds, but you have enough wiggle room to make sure that that doesnt happen. Since October 7th 2023, Israel Bonds have seen more than $3bn in sales, nearly triple its annual average. The website Israelbondsintl.com, which is used for the promotion of bonds issued under the Central Bank-approved programme, includes phrases such as Israel is at war, Stand with Israel now, and a quote from Israeli President Isaac Herzog rallying for unwavering support for the Jewish state emphasising the crucial role of Israel Bonds during this time of conflict and war. One of the images used to promote Israeli bonds. The Central Bank of Ireland is designated as the competent authority to approve prospectuses for the securities. Responding to Mr Doherty, the Central Bank Governor said the law was clear, adding that legally, the Central Bank must approve a prospectus that offers securities to the public. However, he noted to Mr Doherty that he was very happy to take this away, adding that he would think very hard about the ability he has to do what was of asked him. This week, The Central Bank sent an analysis of the issues discussed at the October Joint Oireachtas Committee meeting, with Mr Makhlouf once again reiterating: In my view, the law is clear and the Central Bank has to approve a prospectus for the offer of securities to the public. The law is also clear that our approval should not be considered an endorsement of the issuer or of the securities. Responding to a query asked in the meeting if the Central Bank reached out to Israel in 2021 when it was choosing a new EU member state to approve its bonds, it said that it did not, with this decision being made in full by Israel. Israel Bonds declined to comment when asked why Ireland was chosen as the regulator of Israeli Bonds in the EU in 2021. Addressing the ICJ ruling, the Central Bank said it did consider the geopolitical developments relevant to the prospectuses, but noted that the regulation it must adhere to is a disclosure regime. The Central Bank ensured that the geopolitical situation and its potential impact on investors was disclosed in the prospectus. The Central Bank will adhere to any financial sanctions or restrictive measures that are imposed under law. ICJ opinion not enough The Central Bank could not refuse to approve the Israeli Bonds programme on the basis of the ICJ Advisory Opinion. Noting the Israel Bonds website, which includes phrases such as Israel is at war, and Stand with Israel now, the Central Bank said that it reviewed the website but did not consider the advertisement material to be inconsistent with the disclosure in the prospectus. In its correspondence, The Central Bank said it can only refuse the approval where it has a legal basis to do so. Other than insufficient prospectus disclosures, it acknowledged a legal basis for refusal being either the existence of the EU financial sanctions that would prohibit the provision of securities by the Israeli government, or national restrictive measures to the same effect. While it remains highly unlikely that the EU will enact such sanctions, the Irish Government could and has already come close to doing so. Occupied Territories Bill In its response to the Oireachtas Committee, the Central Bank noted the last Governments consideration to progress the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018, which proposes to make it an offence for a person to import or sell goods or services originating in an occupied territory. The Central Bank understands from statements of the last Government on the matter that this is being considered but challenges remain that the 2018 Bill needs to be re-drafted and amended substantively, it noted. It added that it was monitoring the progress of the Bill, in particular as to whether any national restrictions are placed on the issuance of securities. While initially opposed due to legal and diplomatic concerns, Fine Gaels Simon Harris and Fianna Fails Micheal Martin have both said the circumstances that previously blocked the draft legislation had now changed due to the ICJs opinion that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were in breach of international law. In the weeks before the general election was called, the Government committed to supporting the Bill, following substantial amendments and changes. However, passing the revised legislation and providing national restrictive measures prohibiting the sale and provision of Israeli bonds will be a matter for the incoming government. I know everyones supposed to be super enthusiastic about Christmas. Not sure if it reflects my age, but Im finding the relentless excess hype pretty unbearable. So much pressure to buy everyone a gift and then the desperation to find something, anything, to fit the bill. Occasionally, one does find the perfect present, but it takes time and lots of thought, something many of us dont have much of these days. If truth be known, many presents are useless and may well be allocated to the regifting drawer, yet one really does want it to be a true token of friendship and love. So, this year, how about we have fun? And it can be fun making some edible presents that folks will really be thrilled to get. Something that will save them time, something they might not get around to making themselves, something they will really enjoy and that will remind them of you when they eat or drink it. So, this week, a few suggestions for the many edible treats one could choose. When I say treats, they dont necessarily need to be sweet. Last Christmas, some busy young friends were absolutely thrilled to get a little selection of frozen homemade soups, a loaf of brown yeast bread and a stick of cultured Jersey butter. Wouldnt you too be delighted to get a pot of delicious fish and shellfish chowder or a fish pie, with a mashed potato topping or a chunky chicken and ham pie with a puff pastry crust? It could be a few sweet sauces to drizzle over an ice cream or pancakes for an instant pudding. Kumquats will be in season, so how about some kumquat marmalade, the most delicious of all things to slather on your breakfast toast. As some foods become progressively less tasty, condiments of all kinds, spicy, fiery or just plain tasty become must-haves in your pantry so a little hamper of Christmas relishes and sweet and savoury jams become even more essential. Every bite will remind your friend of the meaningful present that you really put your heart into. Could be just a little cellophane pack of their favourite cookies and now Im back to my favourite theme Gather the family around for Bake Up Sunday, if they dont seem enthusiastic about cooking, maybe they can wrap, make pretty labels, tie bows, maybe make packs of mulled wine spices. Im on the lookout for all kinds of recycled jars, pots and baskets during the year in charity shops. I pick up all manner of glass, pottery, and clay containers and save them for Christmas. They can be made super-cool, even with newspaper or parchment lids and fancy twine, ribbon or tinsel and a sprig of rosemary or holly. Here are some suggestions. The Chocolate Florentines come from Jane Lovetts The Get-Ahead Christmas Cook, a new book to look out for published by Headline Publishing Group. There are lots and lots of ideas in my A Simply Delicious Christmas, published by Gill Books, which some of you may already have. Jane Lovett's Chocolate Florentines No introduction needed really, other than to say these are far easier than you may think and make lovely (and impressive!) presents who doesnt love a florentine? Servings 26 Course Baking Ingredients 50g butter 60g demerara sugar 60g flaked almonds 30g unsalted, shelled pistachios, roughly chopped 50g dried (pitted) dates or figs, roughly chopped 50g dried cherries or cranberries (or a mixture of the two), roughly chopped 50g mixed candied peel 1 piece of stem ginger in syrup, drained and chopped (optional) 15g plain flour 1 tbsp double cream 150-200g dark chocolate (minimum 70 per cent cocoa solids), broken into pieces icing sugar, for dusting (optional) Method Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan)/Gas Mark 4. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment or silicone paper. Melt the butter and demerara sugar together in a pan on a gentle heat. Set aside. Mix all the nuts, fruit, candied peel and stem ginger (if using) together in a mixing bowl, then add the flour and stir to coat. Stir in the cream into the butter mixture, then pour this over the dry ingredient and mix well to combine. Dot heaped teaspoons of the mixture onto the lined baking sheets, leaving a little space for spreading during cooking. Flatten each one with the back of a teaspoon, trying to avoid holes as best you can, then bake for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Leave on the baking sheets for 3-5 minutes or until firmed up, then transfer to a wire rack using a palette knife and leave to cool. Repeat to make the remainder, if necessary. Melt the chocolate in a small, heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, or in a microwave on high in 30-second bursts. Put a sheet of baking parchment or silicone paper under the wire rack to catch any drips of chocolate. When cold, turn the florentines over with their flat underside now uppermost. With a teaspoon, a small palette knife or brush, spread a layer of melted chocolate over each florentine and leave until the chocolate is cold and set hard, around an hour or so, or chill. If you like, just before the chocolate fully sets, mark a swirly, wavy pattern with a fork. (Scrape up the excess dripped chocolate and use for something else). Arrange the florentines overlapping on a plate, alternating the chocolate and fruit and nut sides uppermost, or store in an airtight container until required. A light dusting of icing sugar just before serving looks pretty too. Recipe from Jane Lovetts The Get-Ahead Christmas Cook published by Headline Publishing Group Chilli Salt recipe by:Darina Allen A perfect stocking-filler for a foodie friend who likes to add a little extra oomph to everything - carry it in your handbag to perk up bland dishes Course Side Ingredients 110g flaky sea salt 2 tbsp crushed dried chilli pepper (Jalapeno or Habanero) 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper Method Mix the salt and chilli together and whizz for a couple of seconds in a food processor or a molcajete with a pestle and mortar. Fill into little airtight glass containers. Salted Caramel Sauce recipe by:Darina Allen Once again, salted caramel sauce is irresistible drizzled over crepes, ice cream or bananas and keeps for weeks in a jar in the fridge. Makes three jars. Course Baking Ingredients 600ml (3x 200g jars) 450g caster sugar 125g unsalted whole butter (diced) 250ml double cream 10g Achill or Dingle sea salt (literally flower of the salt, the very mineral and not too salty top layer) or Maldon Sea salt. Method Put the caster sugar into a large pan over a medium heat and stir continuously until it turns into a rich caramel. You need to do this by eye but aim for a dark mahogany colour. If it is too light, the butter and cream will dilute any caramel flavour, and it will lack that slightly burnt sugar taste that makes this sauce so good. When you are happy with the caramel, very carefully whisk in the cream to stop the cooking. Be really careful not to do it too quickly as the caramel has a tendency to spit. When you have whisked in the cream, add the butter bit by bit until its all incorporated and you have a smooth rich caramel. Allow to cool to 37C and then stir in the sea salt and mix so you get an even distribution. It is very important to allow the caramel to cool before doing this so that the salt crystals do not dissolve, and you then get that lovely crunch. December at Ballymaloe Cookery School Just Cook It Christmas at Ballymaloe Cookery School on December 17 Treat yourself or gift this half day course which will give a tantalising taste of the Ballymaloe Cookery School and provides inspiration for anyone eager to cook a variety of seasonal dishes with greater confidence. Great recipes to expand your repertoire with lots of Christmas themed bread, starters, salads, dressings, mains and puddings A variety of essential techniques youll use again and again Tips for forward planning and saving time Course elements: A short demonstration of the essential techniques to get you started, with your teacher sharing a wealth of knowledge through their expert tips A practical, fun and hands-on session in the kitchen. Ingredients are ready for you to prep and theres plenty of support and guidance while you master the recipes, learn to make the most of your ingredients and gain a deeper learning experience A relaxed informal dinner where youll enjoy the fruits of your labour. Copies of all recipes are included. Heartwarming Christmas Meals at Ballymaloe Cookery School from December 17 Come and join us for two-and-a-half days of delicious Christmas cooking. Join us and make new friends in our demonstration and hands-on kitchens. Learn how to make irresistible Christmas dishes that will become new family traditions. Discover recipes that you can cook ahead of time so that you can enjoy time with your family, entertain friends and bring new flavours to the festive table. A convivial lunch and copies of all recipes are included. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has announced his readiness to cooperate with the opposition, Trend reports. He also said that he had no intention of leaving Damascus. "We are ready to cooperate with any government elected by the Syrian people," the Prime Minister noted. The prime minister also said he wanted to ensure the functioning of state institutions. A West Cork Michelin restaurant provides the backdrop for one of the episodes of this weeks MasterChef: The Professionals, which will also feature controversial presenter Gregg Wallace. Dede in Baltimore and the Inish Beg estate in West Cork will play host to the three remaining contestants on the popular show, which is in its finals week this week. On Tuesday night, the programme shot on location in the West Cork venues will be aired on BBC One, with the broadcaster confirming to the Irish Examiner that the show will feature Gregg Wallace. The well-known presenter is currently facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour and language by 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period. While an investigation is being conducted by the programmes production company, Banijay UK, into the allegations, the BBC has opted to broadcast the Masterchef: The Professionals series which has already been filmed and features Wallace. Gregg Wallace is currently under investigation by the programmes production company, Banijay UK, into the allegations of inappropriate behaviour against him. File Picture: PA A BBC spokeswoman said she could confirm that Wallace will be in the show from Inish Beg and Dede, and said: As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part, and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned. The BBC has described the episode, the second last of this 17th season, as one that will blow away the minds of the three finalists as they cook for one of the worlds most exciting talents in a remote setting that will take their breath away. It also says the challenge for the finalists featured unique cuisine that is a first for the final three. Michelin restaurants The talent is Turkish-born chef Ahmet Dede, who operates a two Michelin-starred restaurant Dede in the Customs House in Baltimore, offering a fusion of Turkish and Irish foods. The venue is one of only five two-starred Michelin restaurants in Ireland, securing its first star in 2021 followed by the second two years later. During the show to be broadcast on Tuesday night, Ahmet will introduce the finalists to cooking some of his own favourite dishes in an outdoor kitchen including a kebab dish and a recipe that combines the finest Irish beef with flavours from the Ottoman Empire. Following that experience, the finalists will be shown at the Inish Beg estate on a private island off Baltimore. Here, they will attempt to introduce Ahmet Dedes techniques as they prepare a fine dining experience for guests including Ahmets family and friends, Wallace, and his fellow judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti. Outdoor kitchens were set up at the estate for the filming of the show, which will feature a lunch comprising of local produce and picks from a larder of Ahmets Turkish favourites. A spokeswoman for Inish Beg said: The chefs will be cooking outdoors with live flames. The finalists will then join Ahmets elite brigade of chefs for a lunchtime service. "They will each be responsible for two dishes from Dedes tasting menu, which can sometimes take the most experienced chef months to master. Inish Beg was purchased in 1997 by Georgiana and Paul Keane in a dilapidated state. It has since been developed into an estate on 97 acres, where produce is grown on an organic farm. It is accessible by a road bridge from the mainland. The show will air at 8pm on Tuesday on BBC One. In a world of fleeting moments, swipes, likes, and tweets, their love story stands the test of time. When Billy and Maureen Lehane exchanged vows in 1954, they promised to love and cherish each another all the days of their lives. Seventy years later, after a lifetime of shared love and memories, they returned with family and friends to the same church on Corks northside for a special Mass to celebrate a milestone few couples reach their platinum wedding anniversary. Billy and Maureen Lehane at a dance in Cork's Imperial Hotel in 1952, two years before they wed. I remember Billy squeezing my hand on the altar as we said our vows that day 70 years ago, and sure that sealed it, Maureen said. Weve had our disagreements, but we were just for each other. There was nobody else for us. There was nobody else I could live with, except Billy. There have been peaks and troughs, humps and bumps, but patience and compromise is the secret. And keep the love light burning. Billy, 95, and Maureen, 93, who live just off the Mallow Rd in Cork, looked as stylish on Saturday as they did on their wedding day in 1954 as they arrived at the Church of the Annunciation in Blackpool for the celebration Mass. They are the heart of our family and a shining example of love and commitment. Its a milestone that speaks to their unwavering love, dedication, and shared life together, their youngest daughter, Helen Morley said. Billy, 95 and Maureen, 93 Lehane with their daughters Elizabeth, Mary, Ursula, and Helen, sons-in law, and members of the bridal party celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a Mass at the Chuch of the Annunciation, Blackpool, Cork on Saturday. The couple have 10 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren with their 29th great grandchild expected soon. Picture: Larry Cummins Billy, from Dublin Hill, first set eyes on Maureen Cooney, from Farranree, at a dance at the citys legendary Arcadia Ballroom on the August bank holiday weekend of 1948, and they arranged their first date that bank holiday Monday at the Blarney Sports. He fell for the Sunbeam girl immediately. And Maureen fell for him too, and they were engaged in 1953. They married at 9am on December 27, 1954, enjoyed their wedding reception in the Metropole Hotel before heading off in a hire car to Dublin for a week-long honeymoon. A week later, they moved into their forever home off the Mallow Rd, where they raised four daughters, Helen, Mary, Liz, and Ursula, all of whom were born one year after the other. When Ursula arrived, they had four children under the age of three. Maureen said: They were better than if we won the Eurovision and the Lotto four times over. Billy was strict with them, but they grew up so well. They are like the best jewels, like diamonds in a crown. We couldnt have asked for more. Today, the couple has 10 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, with number 29 due any day. Billy and Maureen Lehane with their four daughters, Helen, Mary, Liz, and Ursula, on Christmas Day 1959. 'They are like the best jewels, like diamonds in a crown. We couldnt have asked for more,' says Maureen. Billy devoted years to Delaneys GAA Club in Dublin Hill, and worked with Bord Gais until his retirement aged 65. An accomplished musician, he played pipes, piano, organ, and tin whistle, and was former pipe major of the St Nicholas Pipe Band. He also played keyboards in a band with his brother Johnny, 84, the pair performing regularly in The Bowlers Rest in Blackpool. And he was organist at St Olivers Church in Ballyvolane for decades, until the pandemic forced him to retire from that role in his early 90s. Maureen was heavily involved in local community initiatives and was one of the first members of Blackpool Credit Union, serving as a board member there for over 40 years, retiring in her late 80s. She is currently honorary secretary. Billy and Maureen Lehane on one of the first dates. She may be only 4ft 10, but shes a force to be reckoned with. She was our mentor, and is just an amazing mother, Helen said. The secret to their long-life? Having four daughters helped, Helen quipped. But she credits their love of life, and their wide circle of family, neighbours and friends who call to them regularly. And the secret to their long marriage? Maureen says their faith in God was the glue that kept the marriage together. But she said patience and compromise helped. They had separate interests and they always looked at life with a glass half full attitude. The Church of the Annunciation in Blackpool on Cork's northside in January 1953, the year before Billy and Maureen Lehane got married. Commenced in 1945, the church was designed by sculptor Seamus Murphy whose studio was on Watercourse Rd. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive There were peaks and troughs, but faith always kept us going, she said. Sure, we had disagreements, but we always ended the day with a prayer. We might not have said it together, but we stayed together. When a problem comes, naturally you want to run away from it, but you have to remember that it will pass. You shouldnt run away from something, it can be solved, with faith in God. Dont react in the minute. Remember, that this too will pass, relax into it, and no matter how angry you are, try to hand it over to God. Billy, who turns 96 in February, still drives, is still very involved in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and even baked 18 Christmas cakes this year as gifts for people. He was generous with the whiskey, informed sources say. Music at Saturdays Mass was provided by their talented nephews, Sean Lehane, musical director at St Marys Church on Popes Quay, and Johnny McCarthy, the fiddle and flute player and teacher at the Cork School of Music, alongside their granddaughters, Jennifer Jukes and Jane Streimikiene. 70 years on, Billy and Maureen Lehane celebrated their long and happy marriage at Mass with their daughters Elizabeth, Mary, Ursula, and Helen, sons-in law, and members of the bridal party at the Chuch of the Annunciation, Blackpool, Cork on Saturday. Picture: Larry Cummins The family were piped into the Officers Mess at Collins Barracks by their nephew, Billy Murphy, for a family celebration later. Among the guests were Billys siblings, Nell McCarthy, 94, Margie Murphy, 93, Johnny Lehane, 84, Mary Bracken, 81, and Pauline Twomey, 79. Also there was Maureens siblings, Bobbie Lambe, 91, and Alice Osborne, 81. For Billy and Maureen, love isnt about grand gestures or perfect moments its about family, the quiet strength of togetherness, the resilience to weather lifes storms, and the simple joy of growing old with your best friend. They are an inspiration not only to our family but also to the community theyve impacted so deeply over the years, Helen said. Fianna Fail is looking down its nose at the second biggest party and the 400,000 who voted for them, the Sinn Fein president has said. Mary-Lou McDonalds party finished second in the General election with 39 seats in the Dail behind Fianna Fail with 48, but ahead of Fine Gael with 38. None of the parties secured the 88 required to form a government by themselves, with Fianna Fail leader Tanaiste Micheal Martin set to take part in talks with other parties this week. Finna Fail leader and Tanaiste Micheal Martin is expected to begin talks with other parties this week (Liam McBurney/PA) These meetings are expected to include Fine Gael, Labour, Social Democrats and a group of eight independents. Mr Martin has previously indicated he did not plan to go into government with Sinn Fein The Dail is set to meet on December 18, however, it is unclear if political talks will have agreed a new coalition government by then. Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party formed the last coalition government. Ms McDonald told RTE Radios This Week programme that she regrets her party did not secure enough seats to form a government. Fianna Fail clearly has the numerical advantage. Fianna Fail clearly has eyes only for Fine Gael. They have decided, it seems, that another five years of Fine Gael is what they wish to see. I think thats a really bad outcome from this election, but the ball is at their feet, she said. Theyre talking to independents, theyve talked to others. Interestingly, the only group that theyve steadfastly refused to speak to is the second largest party in the Dail, and I really think for Micheal Martin to look down his nose at over 400,000 people who voted for Sinn Fein and to disregard those votes en masse is really a bad look. Ms McDonald said she has already met with the Social Democrats and hopes to meet with Labour in the next week, adding that she also hopes to have the chance to meet with others, including Mr Martin. I think the least that he can do is show a level of respect to the Sinn Fein electorate, she added. Speaking on the same programme, Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan said his partys position is very clear and denied any disrespect to Sinn Fein voters. The position is very clear. Before the election, it was announced by Fianna Fail that we wouldnt go into government with Sinn Fein, and I think it would be very cynical now if after the election we decided to do a U-turn on that, he said. And also I think we need to recognise that before the election, Mary-Lou and Sinn Fein were very definitive about how the country, they said, needed to see the back of Fianna Fail so I think we need to respect what we said to the electorate before the vote and be consistent with it after the vote. Mr OCallaghan said the process of reaching a new coalition government was at an early stage, but it was his own view that there is a reliable cohort of independents who recognise there are national issues that need to be addressed. I think there is a possibility that we could have stability within a Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and group of independents government, he added. He also said that no deadline has been set to agree a new government coalition, but given the unpredictability of the world a new Irish government should be in place before January 20 when Donald Trump is due to start his second term as US president. Meanwhile, Michael Collins of Independent Ireland said the group he has joined, with the two Healy-Rae brothers and Paul Gogarty, have not received a call from anyone yet. He said if they do not form part of a new coalition government, they will instead be a strong opposition. When Fianna Fail and Fine Gael entered coalition for the first time after the last general election in 2020, there was only a three-seat difference in their relative strength. Simon Harris Fine Gael party won 38 seats in the election (Niall Carson/PA) That resulted in an equal partnership at the head of the coalition, with the Green Party as the junior partner. The two main parties swapped the role of Taoiseach halfway through the term. With Fianna Fails lead over Fine Gael having grown to 10 seats following this election, the focus has turned to the future of the rotating taoiseach arrangement and whether it will operate again in the next mandate and, if so, on what basis. There are similar questions about the distribution of ministries and other roles. While Mr Martin has so far refused to be drawn on the specifics, on Wednesday he did suggest he expects Fianna Fails greater strength of numbers to be reflected in the new administration. Labour and the Social Democrats held talks about the post-election landscape at Leinster House in Dublin on Friday. The Labour Party had called for a centre-left platform to engage with the larger parties as part of talks to form a government. However, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian OCallaghan said they would be going it alone and plan to meet with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael next week. The two larger parties, with a combined 86 seats, are just short of the 88 required for a majority. If they wish to return to government together, they would need one smaller party as a junior partner or a handful of independents. The head of a Syrian opposition war monitor says Syrias President Bashar Assad has left the country to an undisclosed location. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Mr Assad took a flight from Damascus early on Sunday. Mr Abdurrahmans comments came after Syrian insurgents said they had entered Damascus, capping a stunning advance across the country, as residents of the capital reported sounds of gunfire and explosions. There was no immediate statement from the Syrian government. The insurgents also announced they had entered the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital and liberated our prisoners there. The night before, opposition forces had taken the central city of Homs, Syrias third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The government denied rumours that president Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs represented a potentially crippling blow for Mr Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syrias coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus the Syrian leaders base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Homs without elaborating. Mr Abdurrahman said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies withdrew from the city, adding that rebels entered parts of it. Syrian opposition fighters drive past a burning government armoured vehicle south of Hama (Ghaith Alsayed/AP) The insurgency announced later on Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The citys capture was a major victory for the rebels, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began on November 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. Should Damascus fall to the opposition forces, the government would have control of only two of 14 provincial capitals: Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Mr Assads government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Mr Assads erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The UNs special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called on Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Mr Assads chief international backer, said he feels sorry for the Syrian people. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syrias border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. The situation is very strange. We are not used to that, the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not. It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a years-long siege. The UN said it was moving non-critical staff outside the country as a precaution. As celebratory gunfire was heard across liberated Syria, the diplomatic guns of Iran and Russia, in Doha to attend a major dialogue forum, fell silent, rendered powerless and irrelevant by events in Damascus. Only 12 hours earlier the key external powers Russia and Iran along with Turkey had met five Arab states on the sidelines of the forum to issue a joint statement appealing for an end to military operations, preservation of Syrias territorial integrity and consultations on a political solution between Bashar al-Assads regime and the opposition. It was a last attempt to retain a semblance of control over events, but the diplomats also anxiously discussed the fate of Syrian president at the meeting, and whether there would be fighting on the streets of Damascus soon. Russian representatives reported to the meeting that Assad was inflexible, refusing to accept reality or the necessity of dialogue with Turkey, the country sponsoring the military forces threatening the capital. Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi looked pained and distracted. Six hours after the weary diplomats left the meeting they woke to the news that Assad had fallen. Rarely have so many diplomats been rendered so irrelevant so quickly. Earlier at the summit on Saturday, the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, had been questioned onstage about Syrias future, an increasingly uncomfortable encounter as he was asked to explain Russias role in the country over the past decade. At one point he was reduced by his interlocutor, James Bays from Al Jazeera, to blurting out: If you want me to say, yes we lost in Syria, we are so desperate, if this is what you need, lets continue. Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters in Damascus, Syria, Sunday Dec. 8, 2024. Picture: AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki Irritated, he badgered his interviewer to switch the discussion to Ukraine, familiar ground on which he could assert Russian military strength and American hypocrisy. But he continued to hold the line that jihadist groups could not take hold in Syria, and Assad was the bulwark to prevent this. Its inadmissible to allow the terrorist groups to take control of the lands in violation of agreements which exist, he said, a reference to insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which had led the breakout from Idlib province to Aleppo and then, extraordinarily, to Damascus. He went through the ritual of referring to the need to implement UN security council resolution 2254 passed in December 2015, with a call for a democratic transition in Syria with which Assad had refused to engage. Asked why Assad had not helped in the transition of power, Lavrov said No ones perfect. He made no reference to the 17 times Russia had vetoed UN security council resolutions to protect Assad. As the interview continued Lavrov fiddled uneasily when he was asked about the future of Russias naval base at Tartus and it airbase at Hmeimim, saying he was not in the business of guessing what would happen. All he knew was that Moscow was doing all it could to prevent terrorists from prevailing, adding that he was sorry for the Syrian people if they followed the fate of Libya and Iraq, two countries that suffered prolonged civil wars after strongmen were toppled by chaotic revolutions. Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. Picture: AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki Asked if he truly thought Assad would win free and fair elections called for in resolution 2254, Lavrov changed the subject to the US presence in eastern Syria supporting Kurdish separatists, including on the lands which historically belonged to Arab tribes, exploiting oil and food resources, selling them in the world market and financing the quasi-state they are building there. Lavrov is probably the most experienced diplomat on the globe, but never could he have been interviewed so self-evidently on the brink of humiliation. Araghchi had also been doing the rounds in Doha, insisting it was possible for Assad to survive and clinging to the point that all external powers had agreed that Syrias territorial integrity must be protected. But he had the haunted look of a man who knew events had suddenly run away from him. In previous days every effort to persuade Iraq, Tehrans last bastion in the Arab world, to come to Assads rescue had failed. Irans 12-year engagement in Syria was coming to an end, marking the closure of its land corridor into Lebanon and Hezbollah. Irans whole security strategy of forward defence had collapsed, and now the government may need to rethink how it survives. By contrast the Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, also a former head of Turkish intelligence, surrounded by a vast entourage, said little in public, sensing his country may be the biggest external beneficiary of Assads fall. Turkey has at its disposal the umbrella group of Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army and a relationship of sorts with HTS. But with power comes responsibility. More than any other country in the region it has the power to help Syrians form the independent consensus government their long struggle for liberation deserves. The Guardian The Assad familys 50-year, often brutal rule of Syria is over after a lightning rebel advance reached the capital Damascus in the early hours of Sunday. President Bashar Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown, as joyful crowds gathered in central squares to celebrate their downfall. Here is a timeline of key events in Syria since Mr Assads move to crush a pro-democracy uprising resulted in civil war: 2011 March: Protests erupt in the city of Daraa over the detention of a group of boys accused of painting anti-government graffiti on their school walls. On March 18, security forces fire at a protest in Daraa, killing four people in what activists say were the first deaths of the uprising. Demonstrations spread, as does the crackdown. April: Security forces raid a sit-in in Syrias third-largest city, Homs, where thousands tried to recreate the mood of Cairos Tahrir Square, the epicentre of protests against Egyptian autocrat Hosni Mubarak. 2012 July 18: A bombing at the Syrian national security building in Damascus during a high-level government crisis meeting kills four top officials, including Mr Assads brother-in-law and the defence minister. Fighting spreads to Aleppo, Syrias largest city and commercial capital. 2013 Syrias government and opposition trade accusations over a gas attack that killed 26 people, including more than a dozen soldiers, in the northern town of Khan al-Assal. A UN investigation later finds sarin nerve gas was used, but does not identify a culprit. May: Lebanons militant Hezbollah group officially joins the Syrian conflict on Mr Assads side. August 21: A chemical attack in Damascuss eastern Ghouta suburbs kills hundreds. The US and others blame Syrian government forces. September 27: The UN Security Council orders Syria to account for and destroy its chemical weapons stockpile, following a surprise deal between Washington and Moscow that averts US strikes. October 14: Syria becomes a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention, prohibiting it from producing, stockpiling or using chemical weapons. People embrace in Londons Trafalgar Square in celebration at the downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad (Alberto Pezzali/AP) 2014 June 23: The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons says it has removed the last of the Syrian governments chemical weapons. June 30: Islamic State declares its so-called caliphate in areas it controls in Iraq and Syria. The refugee crisis accelerates. September 23: The US launches air strikes on IS targets in Syria. 2015 March 28: Syrias north-western city of Idlib falls to Islamic militants led by al-Qaedas affiliate known as the Nusra Front. September 25: The body of three-year-old Alan Kurdi is found on a Turkish beach, drawing attention to the plight of Syrian refugees taking desperate risks to reach the safety of Europe. September 30: Russia begins launching air strikes in Syria in support of Mr Assads forces. 2016 August: Turkish forces cross into northern Syria, capturing areas along the border from the Islamic State group. December: Syrian insurgents pull out of rebel-held eastern neighbourhoods of the northern city of Aleppo after a Russia-backed government offensive. An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late former Syrian president Hafez Assad (Hussein Malla/AP) 2017 April 4: At least 58 die in what doctors say may have been a nerve gas attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in rebel-held Idlib. Witnesses say either Russian or Syrian Sukhoi jets carried out the attack. Moscow and Damascus deny responsibility. The US later fires a barrage of cruise missiles into Syria in retaliation for the Khan Sheikhoun attack, the first direct American assault on the Syrian government. May: Rebels withdraw from the last neighbourhood they controlled in Homs, once dubbed the capital of the revolution. 2018 January 20: Turkey begins a major military operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters in northern enclave of Afrin. April: Syrian government forces capture eastern Ghouta, taking control of all Damascus suburbs and securing Mr Assads seat of power. April 14: The US, Britain and France launch military strikes in Syria to punish Mr Assad for an April 7 purported chemical weapons attack that activists say killed more than 40 people in the Damascus suburb of Douma. 2019 October 10: Turkey begins a ground offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria after US troops pulled back from the area. Bashar Assad with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July 2024 (Valery Sharifulin/Sputnik/Kremlin pool/AP) 2020 March 5: The presidents of Russia and Turkey say they have reached agreement on a ceasefire in north-western Syria, where escalating fighting had threatened to put their forces into direct conflict. The truce also stopped a Russian-backed government offensive on Idlib, the last rebel stronghold. 2024 March: The civil war enters its 14th year, with observers saying violence is on the rise while the worlds attention is focused on other crises, such as Russias onslaught on Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. April: Israel demolishes Irans consulate in Damascus in an air strike, apparently signifying an escalation of its targeting of Iranian military officials and their allies. The attack killed General Ali Reza Zahdi, who led the elite Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria until 2016, according to Irans Revolutionary Guard. Amnesty International says it has documented widespread abuses, including torture and deprivation of medical care, in detention facilities holding thousands of suspected Islamic State members and their relatives in north-east Syria. As the year goes on, Israel steps up its attacks inside Syria, saying it is acting against military sites linked to Iran and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. October: A series of US air strikes target several camps run by Islamic State in Syria in an operation the American military said will disrupt the extremists from conducting attacks in the region and beyond. Young Syrians living in France smile during a rally on Republique square in Paris after the Syrian government fell in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family (Aurelien Morissard/AP) November 27: Syrian armed groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces, setting off fierce clashes and seizing territory in western Aleppo. November 29: Insurgents led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham breach Aleppo and clash with government forces for the first time since 2016. They take the city the next day. December 5: The Syrian army withdraws from the central city of Hama after insurgents break through its defences. December 6: Insurgents enter the central towns of Rastan and Talbise, bringing them closer to Syrias third largest city of Homs. December 7: Opposition forces reach the outskirts of the capital Damascus, as government forces are said to have withdrawn from much of Homs. December 8: The Syrian government of President Bashar Assad falls after the rebels stunning advance across the country. Mr Assad is said to have fled the country for an undisclosed location, as Syrians pour on to the streets to celebrate the end of the regime. Across the Middle East and beyond, the fall of Syrias authoritarian government at the hands of jihadi militants set off waves of jubilation, trepidation and alarm. Expatriate Syrians and many residents across the Middle East exulted at the overthrow of a leader who led his country through 14 years of civil strife that left half a million Syrians dead and displaced millions to countries around the world. While others are worried about further instability rocking a region already in turmoil. Governments whether allies or opponents of Bashar Assad scrambled to absorb the sudden, stunning development and assess the implications for the Middle East and the world. Syrians celebrate the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assads government in the town of Bar Elias, Lebanon, near the border with Syria (Hassan Ammar/AP) In the US, President Joe Biden said that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Mr Assad is a fundamental act of justice after decades of repression, but it was a moment of risk and uncertainty for the Middle East.Speaking at the White House, Mr Biden said the US was not sure of Mr Assads whereabouts, but was monitoring reports he was seeking refuge in Moscow. Mr Biden credited action by the US and its allies for weakening Syrias backers Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said for the first time that they could no longer defend Mr Assads grip on power. Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East, Mr Biden said. President Joe Biden speaks about the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad from the Roosevelt Room at the White House (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) In a social media post on Saturday, before Mr Assads fall was confirmed, President-elect Donald Trump said: Syria is a mess but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! The US has about 900 troops in Syria, including US forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held north east to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. In Lebanon, thousands of Syrians headed for the Masnaa border crossing to return to their home country, despite the uncertainty. Anything is better than Bashar, said Sami Abdel-Latif, a refugee from Hama who was heading back to join his wife and four children. This is a feeling weve been waiting 14 years for, said Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to the capital of Damascus. Now, he said, Syrians have to create a state that is well organised and take care of their country. Many citizens in Syrias neighbouring countries reacted with joy to the news Mr Assad was gone. In Greece, a rally celebrating the fall of Assad was held in central Syntagma Square, in Athens, Greece (Yorgos Karahalis/AP) In Jordans capital, Amman, resident Muhab al-Majali said his fall marked the end of unjust and tyrannical rule. I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians, he said. Syrias neighbours stepped up security along their borders. Lebanon said it was closing all but one of its land border crossings with Syria. Jordan also closed a border crossing. Iran, a key ally of Mr Assad, said the Syrian people should decide their countrys future without destructive, coercive foreign intervention. The Foreign Ministry in Tehran said Iran supports Syrias unity and national sovereignty and hopes to see the end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist activities and the start of a national dialogue with the participation of all groups. People gather to celebrate the Syrian governments fall, in Istanbul, Turkey (Emrah Gurel/AP) The Iraqi government, which is close to Iran, said it supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue for Syria. Egypts foreign ministry urged a comprehensive political process to establish a new era of peace in the war-torn country. The head of Yemens internationally recognised government welcomed the fall of Mr Assad as a historic moment. Turkey has backed anti-Assad militant groups in Syria and could play a key role in what happens next. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the fall of Assad brought hope and he called on the world to help unite and reconstruct Syria. In Europe, many governments welcomed Mr Assads departure while urging a rapid return to stability. People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement that the end of Mr Assads rule was good news, adding that what matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria. Frances foreign ministry welcomed the fall of Mr Assad, saying the Syrian people have suffered too much. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also welcomed the end of Mr Assads barbaric regime. We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days, he said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for calm and urged work to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions. Young Syrians living in France smile during a rally on Republique square in Paris after the Syrian government fell in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family (Aurelien Morissard/AP) Russia, which backed Mr Assad with troops and warplanes, said it has been following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. State media later reported that Mr Assad was in Moscow with his family and they had been granted asylum. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, wrote on X that the ousted Syrian leader had suffered the fate of all dictators who bet on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. The Syrian army command informed officers about the end of the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, Trend reports. Soldiers leave the headquarters of the Syrian Ministry of Defense. Soldiers leave checkpoints in Damascus. The rebel leadership reportedly asked the militants not to seize government buildings and to wait for the planned transfer of power. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he was ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people and take all measures to "transfer" power Dec 08 (Jowhar)- In a shocking turn of events, Syrian rebels have captured the capital city of Damascus, leading to the escape of President Bashar al-Assad. The rebel forces, made up of various opposition groups, have been fighting against the Assad regime for years in a bloody civil war that has devastated the country. The fall of Damascus marks a significant turning point in the conflict, as the rebels now have control over the seat of power in Syria. The capture of the city came after weeks of intense fighting, with rebel forces launching a coordinated assault on key government buildings and military installations. As news of the rebels victory spread, celebrations erupted in the streets of Damascus, with residents cheering and waving rebel flags. Many saw the fall of the Assad regime as a long-awaited moment of liberation, after years of brutal repression and violence. Meanwhile, President Assad was reportedly able to escape the city with a small group of loyal supporters. His whereabouts are currently unknown, but it is believed that he may be seeking refuge in a stronghold in the north of the country. The capture of Damascus raises questions about the future of Syria and the ongoing conflict. With the rebels now in control of the capital, there is hope for a transition to a more democratic and stable government. However, the situation remains volatile, with the possibility of continued fighting and power struggles among various factions. The international community has been closely monitoring the situation in Syria, with many countries expressing support for the rebels and calling for Assad to step down. The United Nations has also condemned the Assad regime for its brutal tactics and human rights abuses. As the dust settles in Damascus, the focus now turns to the rebuilding and reconciliation process that will be necessary to heal the wounds of war and pave the way for a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Syria. Romanias pro-European Union President Klaus Iohannis announced that he would remain in his position until a new president can be elected, following the countrys highest courts decision to cancel the presidential vote just two days prior to the run-off. I will stay in office until a new president of Romania is elected, Mr. Iohannis stated in a speech, adding that a new government resulting from last weekends legislative elections would need to be established to determine a date for the new presidential election. The Romanian Supreme Court annulled the ongoing presidential election amid allegations of Russian interference, declaring that the entire electoral process, originally scheduled to conclude this weekend, would have to be conducted again. The second round of voting had been slated for Sunday, and voting had already commenced at polling stations abroad. Romanias pro-EU President Klaus Iohannis confirmed he would continue in his role The electoral process for electing the president of Romania will be entirely re-conducted, and the government will establish a new date and calendar for the necessary steps, the court stated in its announcement. Mr. Georgescu had low single-digit support in opinion polls before the first round on November 24 but saw a significant surge that led him to a first-place finish, raising concerns regarding the legitimacy of the outcome. This Romanian politician advocates for an end to Romanias support for Ukraine in response to Russias invasion. If he were to win the presidency, it could significantly shift Romanias pro-Western stance, aligning closer with a group of states in Central and Eastern Europe that have influential populist, Russia-leaning politicians, such as Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. The courts ruling has thrown the country into a state of institutional confusion. President Iohanniss term is set to conclude on December 21, and it remains uncertain who will assume the role of head of state after that date. Analysts suggest that the ruling might destabilize institutions, incite street protests, and ultimately jeopardize the nations pro-Western trajectory. It is currently unclear whether Mr. Georgescu will be permitted to participate in the re-run election. Romanias top security council has declassified documents indicating that the country faced aggressive hybrid attacks from Russia during the electoral period. Russia has denied any involvement in Romanias election campaigns. The Supreme Court, which had previously validated the first round of voting, stated in its reversal that it was striving to ensure the fairness and legality of the electoral process, promising a more detailed explanation of its ruling at a later time. George Simion, leader of the opposition hard-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), described the courts ruling as a coup detat, claiming that nine politically appointed judges, fearing that a candidate outside the establishment could become Romanias president, decided to invalidate the will of the Romanian people. Mr. Simion finished fourth in the initial round and subsequently endorsed Mr. Georgescu along with AUR. Calin Georgescu seeks to end Romanian support for Ukraine amidst Russias invasion. Romanias anti-organized crime prosecuting unit DIICOT announced that it is initiating an investigation into Mr. Georgescus campaign following the examination of the declassified documents. Prosecutors are investigating potential crimes related to illegal operations with computer devices or programs, attempted disruption of computer system functions, and unauthorized access to a computer system, the agency stated. The run-off vote would have been the third consecutive election following the first presidential round and the parliamentary election on December 1, where far-right parties acquired a third of the seats, while the ruling Social Democrats emerged as the largest party and aimed to form a pro-EU coalition government. The parliamentary vote remained unaffected by the courts ruling. Read more stories from around the world In one of the declassified documents, Romanias intelligence agency reported that Mr. Georgescu was extensively promoted on the social media platform TikTok through coordinated accounts, recommendation algorithms, and paid promotions. Mr. Georgescu has reported zero campaign expenditure. TikTok refuted any allegations of favoring Mr. Georgescu, stating his account was designated as a political account and treated like all others. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. The Syrian National Army (Free Syrian Army) has launched an operation in PKK/YPG-controlled Manbij, Trend reports. The Syrian National Army has reportedly liberated the settlement of Urayme and the village of Um Dadat in Manbij from the PKK/YPG terrorist organization during Operation Freedom Dawn. It is noted that the army has taken control of 80 percent of Manbij. By Claudia Ituarte-Lima, Lund University (The Conversation) What legal obligations do states have to fight climate change? Should high-emitting countries be held responsible for the harm theyve caused? And should states safeguard the climate for future generations? The international court of justice (ICJ) is considering similar questions to these in hearings ahead of issuing an advisory opinion on the obligations of states concerning climate change. Over the next two weeks, the court will hear statements from 98 countries. The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and is concerned with states. It is not to be confused with the international criminal court (ICC), which prosecutes individuals. Both courts are based in The Hague, Netherlands. Unlike court judgements, advisory opinions are not binding under international law. Yet, they can be instruments of preventive diplomacy and peace. Often, people associate courts with a solely reactive approach to disputes and reparation of harms. For the ICJ this has meant, for instance, a 2018 order for Nicaragua to compensate Costa Rica after it damaged rainforests and wetlands in an unlawful incursion. But courts can also play a critical role in preventing mass violations of human rights and injustices in the first place. For the ICJ, this might involve ruling that states have obligations to carry out due diligence before the approval of a new mine or dam. To fully realise our human rights, the ICJ must take this sort of preventive approach to climate change. The ICJ faces a pivotal choice. It can either address climate change narrowly and reactively, or it could examine state obligations from a broader perspective. That broader perspective might find that states are obliged to take full stewardship of the environment for both present and future generations. This would go beyond global climate change agreements. The problem currently is that certain state actions (and inactions) may be considered sufficient under the UNs Paris agreement, but that does not mean those states are complying with their duties to tackle climate change under international human rights law. Climate change and ecosystem degradation can, of course, violate a wide range of human rights. If the ICJ were to legally clarify that states do have climate obligations that go beyond the Paris agreement, that would represent a significant step forward in international law. There are some precedents. For instance, the international tribunal for law of the sea (Itlos), through a recent advisory opinion of its own, has already recognised that greenhouse gas emissions are a form of marine pollution. States, it says, have specific legal obligations to address such pollution under the UN convention on the law of the sea. The ICJ would also be building on the pioneering ideas of one of its former judges, Christopher Weeramantry of Sri Lanka. He argued that humanity is not in a position of dominance but is a trustee of the environment and that this carries weight as international customary norm. Listen to scientists and traditional knowledge holders Although some courts worldwide have used findings from the IPCC (a global scientific advisory body) in their climate-related rulings, these findings are yet to play a major role in the ICJ. However, the IPCC was explicitly mentioned in the UN general assembly resolution requesting the advisory opinion, and the court now has the opportunity to elevate these critical insights. It should also factor in the IPCCs less well-known sister organisation, the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Ipbes)). Unlike the climate panel, the biodiversity platform weaves together science, practical and traditional knowledge-backed insights. Peace with nature Another way the ICJ can foster prevention is to focus not only on the symptoms of climate change and ecosystem degradation the hurricanes, the enforced migrations and so on but on their root causes. This includes issues like inequality. After all, small island states such as the Seychelles face disproportionate impacts from climate change, despite doing very little to cause it. At the UN general assembly, the representative of Seychelles argued that the ICJs advisory opinion can help put a spotlight on the obligation of states to ensure that people in all countries have a right to a healthy environment. Climate Change, Digital, Midjourney, 2024 This preventive approach can help foster peace with nature the theme of the 2024 UN biodiversity conference and thereby peace among people. This would set a powerful example for other courts, like the human rights courts of Europe, Africa and the Americas. It could inspire them to specify international and regional obligations in a way that promotes environmental justice and peace. Collective action for future generations The court should also take seriously the concerns of future generations. There is a vibrant social movement aiming to advance ambitious, rights-based societal action to address the root causes of planetary challenges. Spearheaded by the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, this campaign has united youth and children civil society organisations, nature conservation and human rights groups, and other groups forming the Alliance for a Climate Justice Advisory Opinion. The Vanuatu government added its support to this call through its leadership and collaboration within the wider UN membership. The passing of the UN general assembly resolution requesting the ICJs advisory opinion is in itself an achievement showing that the ICJ is not solely the domain of senior international lawyers. Instead, it can become an intergenerational space where vibrant social movements can also contribute to transformative international law. If the ICJ does take a preventive and systemic approach, it would be a turning point for global intergenerational and interspecies justice and peace. The world now waits to see whether the court will seize this critical opportunity. Claudia Ituarte-Lima, Leader of the Human Rights and Environment Thematic Area at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Lund University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The Syrian Revolution of 2024 has succeeded in deposing the al-Assad dynasty, in power since 1970, throwing off the rule of the once mighty Syrian Socialist Baath Party, a feared and murderous one-party state. Rebel forces streamed into the capital, Damascus, Sunday morning, facing no significant resistance from government troops, amid rumors that dictator Bashar al-Assad had departed the country for parts unknown a day or two ago. The tip of the spear of the revolution was the fighters of the Levant Liberation Council (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or HTS), a hard line fundamentalist organization that had run the province of Idlib in an authoritarian manner in recent years. It is not ISIL (ISIS, Daesh), though that is one path the victors could take if they were so inclined. So far, their behavior in Aleppo has presented a mixed picture, with some killing of Kurds but less turmoil, including for Christians, than some had feared. The revolution has, however, now become a mass movement, and despite the Fundamentalist Vigilante (Salafi Jihadi) shape of the more effective militias, all sorts of people have joined in. Many of the expatriate supporters of the revolution are businessmen and liberals, who had hoped to come to power in 2011 before al-Assad deliberately provoked a civil war and drove the opposition into the arms of Turkey and the Gulf. Syria is not well placed for a democratic transition, though stranger things have happened. It would be a shame if the people had to trade one form of authoritarianism for another, as happened in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen and Sudan. Overthrowing a dictator is very difficult, but it is no guarantee of liberty. Al-Assad is the seventh long-ruling Arab dictator to fall since January, 2011. The strongmen of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen fell in 2011-2012. The Bahrain monarchy, however, managed to stay in power, as did Al-Assad in Syria, though the cost to the Syrian people was a years-long civil war that left hundreds of thousands dead and half the country homeless. I wrote a book about these Arab Spring youth revolts, based on field work, The New Arabs, which is still good background reading if I do say so myself. Another shoe dropped when a coalition of leftist labor unions, Sufi orders and reformist officers overthrew Omar al-Bashir in Sudan on 11 April 2019. Of the revolts, in Egypt the youth provoked a military coup and then pressured the army to go back to the barracks. In 2013, the army made a counter-coup and Egypt has been run in an even more authoritarian fashion ever since. In Tunisia, there was a successful democratic transition with regular elections in which the losers went home, until 25 July 2021, when elected President Qais Saied made a self-coup and abolished democracy. Tunisia is now as authoritarian or more as under Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the general overthrown in mid-January, 2011. Libya fell into civil war and a kind of partition. Nationalist forces led by Khalifa Hafter control the eastern part of the country, and Muslim fundamentalist forces control the West, along with the capital of Tripoli. They say they have made a government of national unity, but its success is murky. Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the CIA and Russia support Hafter. Turkey supports Tripoli. Yemen fell into civil war, with 80% of the population now ruled by the Houthi Shiite Zaydi militia, which has attracted some Iranian support. A southern separatist militia and Muslim Brotherhood militias have positions in southern and eastern provinces, backed by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, respectively. Sudan saw wrangling between civilians and the officer corps, which dragged its feet on going to the barracks. On October 25, 2021, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan staged a coup and arrested many civilian officials. Then the officer corps split, with the conventional forces backing al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) special operations forces mutinying, with the support of the United Arab Emirates (they get around). The country has plunged into civil war and the humanitarian disaster rivals Gaza in its intensity. One reason these attempts at a democratic transition failed is that all these countries are desperately poor, except for Libya and Bahrain, which only have oil money, which functions anti-democratically to strengthen the state. Adam Przeworski at NYU, now emeritus, found that middle income countries like Spain and Taiwan had a better chance of pulling off a transition from an authoritarian to a democratic system. Why is not clear. My guess is that in societies where the government is wealthier than the society, central state actors can overwhelm the public. Where a society has a lot of middle class people and business interests that value democracy, as in South Korea, they just tell attempted coup-makers no! It also matters what bargains elites make with each other and with the public. One problem everyone ran into in the aftermath of the Arab Spring was that a strong rural-urban divide emerged, which made it difficult to reach a satisfactory compromise. It was paralleled by a nationalist Muslim fundamentalist divide. In 2012-13, rural Egypt wanted the Muslim Brotherhood. Urban Egypt mostly hated the Muslim Brotherhood. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi took advantage of the split to make a coup that might satisfy both demographics. The officer corps has collapsed in Syria, so it doesnt look like Egypt. If it can move to elections and establish a representative government, Syrians could have a shot at a better life. But if it takes the path of Yemen or Libya, with fundamentalist militias fighting for power, then it will become (even more of) a basket case. The fate of the 2.4 million Kurds in the northeast, and of 3.5 million Alawites in the northwest, and of possibly a million Christians plus millions of secular-minded, nationalist Sunnis in Damascus and Aleppo, is very much up in the air. The danger of reprisals against the Alawites for having been the backbone of the Baath Party for 55 years is real. Those considerations are for another day. Today, let the Syrians bask in the overthrow of a horrid dictatorship that tortured 10,000 prisoners to death, kept thousands of prisoners of conscience locked up, and killed hundreds of thousands of people with indiscriminate fire and barrel bombs, and sometimes chemical weapons. Syrians are better off with the possibility of social evolution than with being locked in a political iron cage, even if the ride may turn very bumpy. The German government on Friday rejected Amnesty International's accusation that Israel is committing "genocide" against Palestinians in its military campaign in Gaza. Asked for a response to Amnesty's report, German foreign ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer told reporters: "The question of genocide presupposes a clear intention to eradicate an ethnic group. I still do not recognise any such clear intention and therefore I cannot share the conclusions of the report." "We take the accusations in the report very seriously and are currently analysing them," he said. "We have repeatedly urged the Israeli government to adjust its military operations in Gaza and better fulfil its obligations to protect civilians," Fischer said. "However it is still our opinion that Israel is acting in defence against Hamas which sparked this conflict with its terror attacks," he said. On Thursday the London-based human rights group published a 300-page report on Israel's offensive in Gaza, saying its findings were based on satellite images documenting devastation, fieldwork and ground reports from Gazans, as well as "dehumanising and genocidal statements by Israeli government and military officials". Israel dismissed the findings as "entirely false". The unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas which triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 44,580 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry which the United Nations considers reliable. A Serbian court Friday jailed a Kosovo citizen for a war crime during its independence struggle as tensions spiral between the Balkan neighbours. The Belgrade court said Nezir Mehmetaj was convicted for his role in the abduction of a Roma man during the war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian insurgents in Kosovo in the late 1990s. Mehmetaj was jailed for six years by the Higher Court of Belgrade. Serbia and Kosovo, which has an ethnic Albanian majority, have been at loggerheads since the end of a war in the late 1990s between Belgrade's forces and ethnic Albanian separatists in what was then a province of Serbia. Serbia has never recognised Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence. Tensions are high between the two countries after Pristina blamed Serbia for an explosion targeting a strategic canal in northern Kosovo last weekend, with Prime Minister Albin Kurti calling the blast a "terrorist attack". Serbia has rejected the accusations. War crimes cases against Kosovar Albanians in Serbian courts are rare. Mehmetaj was arrested by Serbian police in January 2020 at the Merdare crossing between Kosovo and Serbia. Since then, he has been held in Belgrade, with the time spent in custody counted toward his sentence. "We will certainly appeal this verdict," Mehmetaj's lawyer Milic Konstantinovic told AFP. "He was convicted on only one count of the indictment, which is based solely on the testimony of a protected witness," Konstantinovic added. The United States led a NATO bombing campaign in 1999 that brought self-rule to Kosovo from Serbia after a war that left 13,000 dead. A Sudanese military air strike on a north Khartoum mosque killed seven civilians on Friday, pro-democracy lawyers said, in the 19th month of a war marked by widespread abuses. Friday's attack occurred on a mosque in Khartoum North, also known as Bahri, which has been under near-total control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the war between the paramilitaries and the army began in April 2023. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the war which has left the northeast African country on the brink of famine, according to aid agencies. "The attack occurred as worshippers were leaving the mosque" after Friday noon prayers, said the Emergency Lawyers, who have been documenting human rights abuses throughout the war. The local resistance committee, one of hundreds of volunteer groups across Sudan delivering frontline aid during the conflict, confirmed the death toll and said "a number of wounded" had also been transported for treatment. The attack was "part of a series of arbitrary military assaults that do not discriminate between civilians and military targets," the lawyers said in a statement. They called the strike a "crime against humanity and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law". Both the army and the RSF have been accused of deliberately targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential areas. A United Nations investigation found both sides committed rights abuses with the RSF particularly implicated in sexual violence. The war between the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, began in the capital Khartoum and forced the army-aligned government to relocate to Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Violence has also been particularly fierce in the country's far-western Darfur region, which borders Chad. On a visit to Darfur early this month, the United Nations humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, called for immediate international action to address Sudan's deepening crisis. Sudan has the highest number of malnutrition cases in eastern Africa, with an estimated 3.7 million children aged six to 59 months and one million pregnant and breastfeeding women acutely malnourished, the UN said in a report this week. Aid agencies warn that 40 percent or more of the country's population will need humanitarian food assistance next year, the report said. The war has also led to accusations of foreign involvement. On Tuesday the army-backed government accused the RSF of launching drones assembled in the United Arab Emirates from Chad. Last year, United Nations experts tasked with monitoring an arms embargo on Darfur said accusations that the UAE had funnelled weapons to the RSF through Chad were "credible". The UAE has repeatedly denied supporting the RSF. Prosecutors with a special international court in The Hague on Friday charged Kosovo's former president Hashim Thaci, who is on trial for war crimes, with obstruction and contempt of court. Thaci "has been charged with three counts of obstruction of official persons in performing official duties, four counts of violating secrecy of proceedings and four counts of contempt of court", said a statement released by prosecutors. A separate statement by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague said, "the indictment charges the accused with offences related to alleged unlawful efforts to influence witness testimonies in the Thaci et al war crimes trial". Four others were charged with Thaci, including the former head of Kosovo's intelligence agency Bashkim Smakaj and Hajredin Kuci, who previously served as deputy prime minister and justice minister. According to the court statement, Thaci provided the four with confidential information about the prosecution's witnesses and had "instructed them to influence" their testimonies. Thaci is set to appear in a public hearing connected with the new charges on Sunday. The KSC is a court located in The Hague to prosecute mainly former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighters for war crimes. Among them is former KLA commander Thaci, who dominated Kosovo's politics after it declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and rose to become president. Thaci resigned from the presidency in late 2020 to face war crimes and crimes against humanity charges, and has pleaded not guilty. - Tarnished hero - Thaci is widely seen as a guerilla hero in Kosovo, but prosecutors said he openly oversaw a brutal reign of violence as the ethnic Albanian KLA tried to tighten their grip on power during and after the war. The Kosovo war, the last of the 1990s conflicts that tore apart the former Yugoslavia, claimed some 13,000 lives. It ended after a NATO bombing campaign forced Serb forces to withdraw. Dubbed the "George Washington of Kosovo" by then-US vice president Joe Biden, Thaci was the young nation's first prime minister after it declared independence from Serbia in 2008. But he has long been dogged by allegations of crimes during and after the war, along with accusations of corruption in Kosovo, where KLA commanders retain key roles in public life. The KSC was set up in 2015 after a 2010 Council of Europe report linked Thaci to organised crime during and after the war. International tensions remain high over Kosovo, which has been recognised by many Western countries but not by Serbia, Russia or China. French authorities have ruled a Paris court can try a Rwandan Hutu shopkeeper alleged to have participated in the execution of Tutsi civilians in 1994 on genocide and crimes against humanity charges. Madjaliwa Safari, 59 and living in France since 2009, will be tried by a special court over the execution of ethnic Tutsi civilians, including children. He is alleged to have participated in the execution of Tutsi civilians between April and July 1994 in the former prefectures of Gitarama and Butare, according to the indictment order signed on Thursday and seen by AFP on Friday. According to the charge sheet, Safari is suspected of having ordered the killing of ethnic Tutsis during the country's bloody civil war. He is accused of working as a guard overseeing a checkpoint whose purpose was to check people's ethnicity via their identity papers and to execute Tutsis. "Mr. Safari categorically denies the accusations of genocide and crimes against humanity ... and has instructed me to appeal," his lawyer, Philippe Meilhac, told AFP. Meilhac criticised what he termed "the increasingly political dimension" of the "processing of the cases of Rwandan nationals prosecuted under the universal jurisdiction" of France. France's national anti-terrorist prosecutor's office requested a trial for Safari in late October. But investigating magistrates then ordered the case dismissed. Investigators have established a Rwandan court sentenced Safari to 15 years in prison in 2007. But he did not serve his sentence, according to a source close to the case. In 2019, on the basis of an arrest warrant issued in July 2017 by the Rwandan prosecutor general, Rwandan authorities asked the French legal system to extradite him, which it refused to do. However the anti-terrorist prosecutor's office, enjoying jurisdiction over crimes against humanity, entrusted investigations to a specialised investigating judge in November 2019. Safari, who since 2017 has enjoyed refugee status, was then arrested in July of last year, charged and detained. France has to date hosted eight trials relating to the 1994 genocide, when an estimated 800,000 people -- mostly ethnic Tutsis -- were slaughtered by the Hutu majority. In October, in the most recent case, a French court jailed a former doctor for 27 years for aiding Rwanda's then authorities to disseminate anti-Tutsi propaganda and participating in mass murder by attempting to destroy evidence of genocide. A senior Saudi royal termed Israel "genocidal" and an "apartheid" state on Saturday, as he called on incoming US President-elect Donald Trump to bring peace to the Middle East. Prince Turki Al Faisal, who was Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief for more than two decades, also said he hoped Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC). His comments at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain follow increasingly tough statements from Saudi officials since talks were paused on a potential normalisation of ties with Israel after the start of the Gaza war. "Israel today, according to international human rights groups, is not only an apartheid colonial state, but it is also a genocidal one," Prince Turki said. "It is committing genocide on the people of Gaza." He added: "It's about time for the world to... take the necessary steps to bring those who are charged by the International Criminal Court to justice." The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant last month on suspicion of crimes against humanity and war crimes. Saudi's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also accused Israel of genocide at a joint Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Riyadh last month. Amnesty International levelled the same charge this week in a new report that was dismissed by Israel as "fabricated" and "based on lies". The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 44,612 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to figures from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable. Prince Turki, also a former Saudi ambassador to the US, said Trump's "strong mandate" from American voters "can enable him to provide the statesmanship that is highly needed in the world. "Friendly countries in the region are hoping that Mr. Trump pursues what he started before, to bring peace with capital letters to the Middle East," he said. "It is time for America, under your presidency, to change the course of this troubled region," he added. During Trump's first administration, the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco signed the Abraham Accords recognising Israel, a break with the long-held Arab consensus that there should be no ties without the creation of a Palestinian state. th/smw CROWN HOLDINGS More than 13 years since Bashar al-Assad's security forces opened fire on protesters demanding democratic reforms, the Syrian president's grip on power may finally be weakening. The 59-year-old son and heir of late dictator Hafez al-Assad has faced several setbacks during the long civil war triggered by his brutal crackdown in March 2011, but has so far managed to cling on to power. Now, with his Lebanese ally Hezbollah reeling from an Israeli onslaught and his great power backer Russia distracted by its invasion of Ukraine, Assad is running short of friends on the battlefield. Key cities in the north, including Aleppo and Hama have fallen to opposition fighters in just a matter of days. And on Saturday the rebels said they are now encircling the capital where Assad has ruled since the death of his father in 2000. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed the rebel advance; Israel is reinforcing its forces in the occupied Golan; and Syria's southern neighbour Jordan is organising an evacuation of its citizens. In a further sign of Assad's isolation, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) group, which controls much of northeast Syria, said it was ready to speak to its foes among the Turkish-backed rebels. But international observers have repeatedly predicted the isolated former ophthalmologist's fall since the earliest months of the uprising, and they have repeatedly been incorrect. The 2011 protests against Assad's rule began after a teenager was arrested for allegedly scrawling anti-government graffiti in the southern town of Daraa. - Stunning advance - Now, for Assad's rule, the "writing is on the wall", Joshua Landis, of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma told AFP. "Things are folding very quickly." The rebel advance has been stunning. After Aleppo and Hama fell in quick succession, the rebels and government forces were clashing Saturday near the major city of Homs. Its capture would effectively cut Assad's capital off from his support base in the Alawite minority community in the coastal highlands. "The Alawite minority has lost faith in Assad," Landis said. "There are serious questions about whether the Syrian army has any fight left." But some caution is merited. After all, haven't world leaders underestimated Assad before? As early as November 2011, Turkey's Erdogan urged Assad to hold free elections and warned that his "office is only temporary". In October 2012, during a re-election campaign debate, US president Barack Obama also warned Assad that his "days are numbered". The next month, Nabil Elaraby, then the head of the Arab League, declared "everyone knows that the regime in Syria will not remain for long". The Syrian strongman defied them all, even as international lawyers drew up arrest warrants for war crimes and rights groups denounced Syria's use of chemical weapons and aerial bombardment in civilian areas. As the civil war spiralled into overlapping regional conflicts -- government versus rebels, Turkey versus Kurdish fighters, US-backed militias against Islamic State group jihadists -- Assad retained his grip. At first he was ostracised by many fellow Arab leaders, leaning instead on Iranian and Russian support, but as it became clear he was not leaving the stage diplomatic ties quietly resumed. - Rebel victories - And meanwhile, Russia and Iran had Assad's back. Lebanon's pro-Iran Hezbollah sent thousands of fighters, backed by Iranian advisers, to bolster Syrian government forces. Russia carried out air strikes. But the speed of this week's rebel victories seems to suggest that without his powerful foreign friends, Assad's Syrian army is a hollow shell. Russia has such little confidence in its ally that its embassy has acknowledged a "difficult military and political situation". Before the recent ceasefire in its conflict with Israel, Hezbollah lost thousands of fighters and weapons and its long-standing chief Hassan Nasrallah. It appears to be in no position to help, despite a Hezbollah source saying Saturday it had sent 2,000 fighters into Syria's Qusayr area "to defend its positions". "The Assad government is in its most precarious position since the summer of 2012," Nick Heras, an analyst at the New Lines Institute, told AFP. "There is a real risk that the Assad government could lose power in Damascus, either through battles or through a negotiated retreat. "Ultimately, the Assad government's ability to survive will depend on the extent to which Iran and Russia see Assad as useful to their strategies in the region." Heras said that Russia, which has a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus, would be loath to withdraw its military personnel and assets from the country, and Iran would be similarly reluctant to abandon Assad. "If either or both of those allies decide they can advance their interests without Assad, then his days in power are numbered," Heras said. The winners would be Assad's main regional opponents: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkey's Erdogan, who both faced periods of intense domestic criticism only to emerge victorious in war. Turkey-backed rebels are now spearheading the opposition advance on Homs, and Israeli air strikes against Hezbollah and Iranian targets in Syria have effectively neutralised Assad's most potent backer. dc-burs/co/srm AFP looks back at almost a quarter century of rule by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since he was propelled to power following the death of his father Hafez in 2000. - 2000: takes over from father - On July 17, 2000, Assad becomes Syria's new head of state, after the death of his father, aged 69, who ruled Syria with an iron grip for 30 years. He won a referendum with more than 97 percent of the vote at which he was the only candidate. On June 10, 2000, the day of Hafez's death, parliament had amended the constitution to lower the minimum age required to become president -- a tailor-made change for Bashar who was born in 1965. He had been appointed commander-in-chief of the armed forces and leader of the ruling Baath party straight after his father's death. - 2000: 'Damascus Spring' - In September that year, 100 intellectuals call for the lifting of martial law, in place since 1963, more freedom and political pluralism. This becomes known as the "Damascus Spring". An ensuing period of apparent openness is short-lived. Assad's government cracks down on dissent and arrests 10 opponents in July 2001. - 2005: withdrawal from Lebanon - In February 2005, former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri is assassinated in a massive Beirut bombing. Major Western powers and Lebanese opposition blame Syria, which has a strong military presence in Lebanon, and call for the withdrawal of its troops. Damascus denies responsibility. In April, the last of tens of thousands of Syrian troops leave Lebanon, ending 29 years of military and political domination. - 2005: 'Damascus Declaration' - In October 2005, opposition parties unite to launch a joint "Damascus Declaration" calling for radical and democratic change, and criticising "a totalitarian-style and sectarian regime". The authorities clamp down on opposition activists and intellectuals. In December 2007, there is a new wave of arrests from among the pro-democracy opposition. - 2011: rebellion leads to war - In March 2011, in the turmoil of the Arab Spring that sees people rise up against autocratic rulers, protests break out in Syria calling for civil liberties and the release of political prisoners. The regime launches a bloody crackdown on what it brands "terrorists". Rallies spread and an armed rebellion ensues which sparks a full-blown civil war, with several regional and international powers getting involved, as well as jihadists. In 2012, the regime uses heavy weapons against the rebels, including airstrikes. It will be accused on numerous occasions of using chemical weapons, charges it denies. Assad clings on to power with massive military backing from Russia and Iran and Tehran-backed Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah, managing to win back most of the territory his regime lost. A truce is declared in March 2020 after an accord between Russia and Turkey, but the country is dogged by bombardments and sporadic jihadist attacks. The war has killed more than 500,000 people, displaced half the country's pre-war population and makes Assad a global pariah. - 2021: fourth term - On May 26, 2021, Assad is re-elected as expected for a fourth term, with 95.1 percent of the vote. - 2023: Return to the Arab diplomatic scene - Syria rejoins the Arab League in May 2023 and Assad takes part in his first summit for more than a decade. Syria had been expelled in 2011 in response to its crackdown on the popular uprising. - 2023: international arrest warrant - In November 2023, France issues an international arrest warrant for Assad, suspected of complicity in crimes against humanity for chemical attacks in 2013 in Syria blamed on his regime. The next day the International Court of Justice, the UN's top legal body, orders Syria to bring an end to torture and cruel and degrading treatment. - 2024: lightning rebel offensive - On November 27, the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leads a rebel offensive and for the first time in the war wrests control of second city Aleppo from Assad's forces. The rebels press on and within days take over other key cities, such as Hama and Homs, before announcing their arrival in the capital Damascus on Sunday. Hours after Assad's office on Saturday denied he had fled the capital, HTS said they had toppled the "tyrant". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported Sunday the president had left the country before security forces abandoned Damascus International Airport. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 8. Israeli army units moved into the buffer zone in the Golan Heights separating the Israeli-controlled territories from Syria amid the events in Syria, Trend reports. Moreover, it is announced that following the recent events in Syria, including the assessment of the situation with the infiltration of armed men into the buffer zone, the Israel Defense Forces moved troops into the buffer zone and a number of other places. To note, this is necessary to protect Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights and to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens. Photo credit: Unsplash In todays competitive digital world, standing out as a local business requires more than just a great product or service. According to Backspace Marketing, a Delaware-based digital agency specializing in local SEO strategies, online reviews have become a cornerstone for improving visibility and building trust. These reviews do more than reflect customer experiencesthey directly influence how search engines rank local businesses. How Reviews Influence Local SEO Online reviews are powerful signals for search engines like Google, which analyze the volume, recency, and sentiment of customer feedback to determine relevance in local search results. Positive reviews improve a businesss credibility, making it more likely to appear at the top of search results. Negative feedback, when managed correctly, can also demonstrate a businesss commitment to improvement and transparency. Backspace Marketing emphasizes the dual role reviews play in building trust with both search engines and potential customers. Businesses with a strong review profile not only attract more clicks but also increase foot traffic and sales. Encouraging Positive Reviews the Right Way Generating positive reviews requires a strategic and customer-focused approach. Backspace Marketing suggests engaging with customers directly to encourage feedback. Simple gestures like sending follow-up emails or providing a direct review link can streamline the process for customers, increasing the likelihood of participation. Customer service is another vital element. A memorable interaction often motivates customers to leave glowing feedback. Delivering consistent excellence ensures a steady flow of positive reviews that boost both your online reputation and SEO rankings. Diversifying Across Multiple Review Platforms While Google reviews are crucial, diversifying across other platforms like Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific review sites can amplify your reach. Backspace Marketing recommends businesses maintain an active presence on multiple platforms to appeal to a broader audience. A consistent approach is key. Accurate informationsuch as your business name, address, and phone numbershould appear uniformly across all platforms. This consistency not only prevents customer confusion but also helps search engines verify your legitimacy, further boosting rankings. Managing Reviews for Maximum Impact Responding to reviews is an essential part of any online reputation management strategy. Positive reviews offer an opportunity to build stronger customer relationships. A simple acknowledgment can leave a lasting impression of gratitude and professionalism. Addressing negative feedback is equally important. When businesses respond to criticism constructively, it demonstrates accountability and a willingness to improve. According to Backspace Marketing, this transparency fosters trust and reassures both customers and search engines that the business values its reputation. Tracking the SEO Benefits of Reviews To measure the impact of reviews on local SEO, businesses should monitor key metrics like average ratings, review volume, and customer engagement. Tools like Google Analytics and specialized platforms can provide insights into how your review strategy affects visibility and customer acquisition. Backspace Marketing advises businesses to review these metrics regularly. By identifying trends and areas for improvement, businesses can refine their approach and stay aligned with changing SEO dynamics. Building a Review-Centric SEO Framework Online reviews are no longer optional in the modern SEO landscape. Backspace Marketing highlights that integrating a review strategy into your SEO framework can significantly enhance long-term visibility. By combining proactive customer engagement, multi-platform review management, and diligent performance tracking, businesses can unlock the full potential of their online presence. Investing in this approach not only boosts search rankings but also establishes trust with your audience. As competition grows, businesses that prioritize reviews will find themselves better equipped to thrive. Whether youre a small local business or an established brand, making online reviews a core component of your strategy can set you apart in a crowded market. The IDF Widows & Orphans Organization (IDFWO) is a dedicated Israeli non-profit that supports the spouses and children of fallen IDF soldiers. Founded in 1991, its the only organization officially recognized by the State of Israel for this mission. IDFWO provides a safety net for over 8,000 women and children, offering emotional care, financial help, and educational opportunities. By creating a close-knit community, IDFWO symbolizes Israels resilience and national gratitude, ensuring that the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten or left alone. How Does IDFWO Support Families of Fallen Soldiers? IDFWO plays a crucial role in providing support to the families of fallen Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. The organization offers a blend of emotional, financial, and educational assistance tailored to meet the unique needs of these families. Emotionally, IDFWO creates a strong support network that helps widows and orphans cope with their loss. They organize various events and gatherings where families can connect, share their experiences, and find comfort in each others company. This sense of community is vital, as it helps them realize they are not alone in their grief. On the financial side, IDFWO provides grants and subsidies to help families manage the economic impact of losing a loved one. These grants can cover medical expenses, educational costs, and other essential needs, ensuring that families do not face additional financial burdens during such a difficult time. Educationally, IDFWO offers scholarships and tutoring programs to help orphans achieve their academic goals. By providing access to quality education, the organization helps these children build a brighter future despite their tragic circumstances. Overall, IDFWOs comprehensive support system ensures that the families of fallen soldiers receive the care and assistance they need to rebuild their lives and honor the memory of their loved ones. What Programs and Services Does IDFWO Offer? The IDF Widows & Orphans Organization (IDFWO) provides a variety of programs and services designed to support and uplift the families of fallen soldiers. These initiatives ensure that the widows and orphans receive the care and assistance they need during challenging times. Otzma Camps One of the most impactful programs is the Otzma Camps, tailored for orphans aged 6-18. These camps are organized during festival breaks and summer vacations, offering a safe and supportive environment where children can connect, heal, and grow. They participate in fun activities, make new friends, and share their experiences with others who understand their unique situation. Otzma Plus For those a bit older, IDFWO has the Otzma Plus program. This empowerment seminar is specifically for orphans aged 19-29. It addresses their specific needs, helping them build confidence, develop skills, and prepare for the future. The program includes workshops, mentorship opportunities, and various activities aimed at personal and professional development. Medical Grants Health is a priority, and IDFWO ensures that widows and adult orphans have access to necessary medical care through their Medical Grants. These grants help cover the costs of specialized healthcare, making sure that no one has to forego treatment due to financial constraints. Care Packages Joining the military service is a significant milestone for many IDF orphans, and IDFWO supports them with Care Packages. These packages contain essential supplies that help the young recruits feel prepared and appreciated as they begin their service. Birthday Gifts To make sure that every member feels special, IDFWO sends out Birthday Gifts annually. These gifts serve as a reminder that they are not alone and that there is a community that cares about them and their well-being. Bar and Bat Mitzvah Delegation Another heartwarming initiative is the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Delegation. This program allows orphans to celebrate this important milestone with their peers, creating lasting memories and a sense of belonging. They have the chance to connect, share their stories, and form bonds that can last a lifetime. Through these diverse programs and services, IDFWO demonstrates their unwavering commitment to supporting the families of fallen soldiers, offering them the care, assistance, and community they need to thrive. What Are IDFWOs Special Initiatives? IDFWO runs several special initiatives to provide targeted support to those in need. One of the key initiatives is the Letzidech (Beside You) Project. This program is specifically designed to assist pregnant widows, offering them the emotional and financial support needed during such a challenging time. Being pregnant and bereaved is an incredibly tough situation, and this project aims to show these women that they are not alone. Another important initiative is The Otzma Project. This program supports bereaved children aged 0-30, focusing on building resilience and helping them process their loss through positive experiences. The Otzma Project includes various activities and events that allow these children to connect with others who share similar experiences, fostering a sense of community and understanding. Through these special initiatives, IDFWO ensures that the unique needs of widows and orphans are met, providing them with the tools and support they need to rebuild their lives. These projects are a testament to the organizations commitment to standing by the families of fallen soldiers, offering them a helping hand when they need it most. What Challenges Does IDFWO Face? The IDF Widows & Orphans Organization (IDFWO) faces numerous challenges as they strive to support the families of fallen soldiers. One of the biggest hurdles is the increasing number of orphans and widows needing assistance due to ongoing conflicts. This rise puts a strain on their resources and capabilities. Additionally, securing consistent donor support is a continuous challenge, essential for sustaining their wide range of programs and services. Despite these obstacles, IDFWO remains dedicated to their mission, ensuring that every family receives the emotional and financial support they need during such difficult times. Summary IDFWO plays a crucial role in supporting the widows and orphans of fallen IDF soldiers. Through various programs and special initiatives, they provide emotional, financial, and educational assistance, helping families navigate their loss and rebuild their lives. Their work showcases the resilience and solidarity of the Israeli spirit. Sunday, December 8, 2024 - Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has cautioned President William Ruto to distance himself from five individuals within his inner circle, warning that their influence could jeopardize his chances of re-election in 2027. In a statement, Ahmednasir said the five are working so hard to ensure he fails. According to him, the group has vastly contributed to the unpopularity of Ruto's regime just two years into his election as president. The individuals Ahmednasir Abdullahi warned President Ruto against include Kikuyu MP and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Economic Advisor Moses Kuria, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda. According to the lawyer, the foregoing individuals have fallen out of favour with the citizenry due to their bravado and hubris and, therefore, pose a threat to the rare political lifeline the president might be having. Ruto should thus detach himself from their company, Ahmednasir advised him. "They are Kenyans President William Ruto and his government must get a court injunction stopping them from praising him and his government...for Ruto to win in 2027," said Ahmednasir. The lawyer's counsel came at a time when the current regime has grown unpopular, the Gen Z uprising constantly challenging its policies deemed oppressive. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, December 08, 2024 - A Chinese alternative healer has been jailed for 15 years after a diabetic grandmother died at his slap therapy workshop. Danielle Carr-Gomm died in October 2016 while taking part in the Paida Lajin therapy event, which sees patients being slapped or slapping themselves repeatedly. Hongchi Xiao, of Cloudbreak, California, was convicted by a jury at Winchester Crown Court of the manslaughter by gross negligence of Mrs Carr-Gomm, from Lewes, East Sussex, in July. The 61-year-old was today sentenced to 10 years in prison, plus a five-year extended licence period at Winchester Crown Court. The trial heard that Mrs Carr-Gomm, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1999, had sought alternatives to her insulin medication because of her vegetarianism and fear of needles. She had first joined a Paida Lajin workshop, which means 'slap and stretch', run by the defendant in Bulgaria in July 2016. She then joined another course later that year, where she fell gravely ill and was heard 'howling in pain' before dying of diabetic ketoacidosis on the fourth day of the workshop at Cleeve House in Wiltshire. Xiao ignored medical evidence that diabetics needs lifesaving insulin and 'evangelised' his slap therapy course as a 'cure' for diabetes. In a broadcast sentencing of Xiao on Friday, Mr Justice Bright said: 'I sentence you on the basis you knew from late in the afternoon of day one of the fact that Danielle Carr-Gomm had stopped taking her insulin. 'Furthermore, you made it clear to her you supported this.' The judge said Xiao made a 'token effort' to get her to take her insulin which was too little, too late, and showed 'no real sign of clear remorse' as he continues to practice and promote Paida Laijin in prison. 'I consider you dangerous even though you do not share the characteristics of most other dangerous offenders,' he added. Jurors were told Mrs Carr-Gomm had sought alternatives to her insulin medication because of her vegetarianism and fear of needles. The court heard that she had provided a testimonial for Xiao, describing him as a 'messenger sent by God' who was 'starting a revolution to put the power back in the hands of the people to cure themselves and to change the whole system of health care'. The trial previously heard Mrs. Carr-Gomm attended her first Paida Lajin retreat in Bulgaria in July, where she also stopped her insulin medication and became seriously ill before recovering. She went on to attend another of Xiao's workshops in Wiltshire in October of that year. The jury heard how Xiao said 'well done' to Mrs Carr-Gomm, after she told the group she had stopped taking her insulin at the week-long retreat, and she became seriously ill. Mr. Atkinson said that by the third day 'she was vomiting, tired and weak, and by the evening she was howling in pain and unable to respond to questions'. A chef at the workshop, Teresa Hayes, told jurors Mrs Carr-Gomm was 'delirious' and 'frothing at the mouth' before she died, adding that she wanted to call an ambulance but trusted those with more experience of the holistic healing method. Mr Atkinson described how the defendant failed to get medical help for Mrs Carr-Gomm before she died in the early hours of the fourth day. He said that Xiao had been an 'exponent' of Paida Lajin for 10 years and had written a book on it. Mr Atkinson said: 'It is said to be a method of self-healing in which 'poisonous waste' is expelled from the body through patting and slapping parts of the body.' He added: 'He does not have medical qualifications or training.' The prosecutor said that Xiao also wrote in the book that 'doctors are brainwashed by drug producers to act as salespersons for their drugs'. Speaking after her death, her son Matthew Carr-Gomm, who lives in New Zealand, said: 'She was always keen to try and find alternative methods of treating and dealing with her diabetes, and was very interested in alternative and holistic medicine and therapies. I know she was desperate to try and cure herself of this disease. 'She always maintained a healthy lifestyle and was adamant that nothing would stop her from living a full life. 'In recent years, mum was in a great place with a partner, a lovely home, and was travelling the world. She had a lot of life left in her.' He said the death of Mrs Carr-Gomm had come as a 'huge shock' to the family. Giving evidence during the trial, Xiao said he would 'never' persuade someone who needed insulin not to take it, adding that insulin is 'useful'. On his attitude towards medication at his workshops, he added: 'First of all, I said I'm not a medical doctor, so everyone is responsible for their own medication. Secondly, I'm not fully against medicine, what I'm concerned about is the side effect of the medicine.' Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker, of the Major Crime Investigation Team at Wiltshire Police, said: 'This has been an extremely complex investigation, with nearly eight years having passed since Danielle's sad death. 'This passage of time, which has been out of our control, has of course added further challenges and complications to the investigation, but I am pleased that a custodial sentence has now been given to Xiao. 'He had no medical qualifications yet, despite this, was actively encouraging those in attendance at his workshops to refrain from taking their regular medication, knowing full well the consequences. 'Xiao's not-guilty plea has only shown the little remorse he has over Danielle's de@th and has made an already extremely difficult and upsetting process for Danielle's family even more prolonged and distressing. 'Danielle was a mother and a grandmother who enjoyed life and had a love of travelling - her death came as a huge shock to her family and friends and our thoughts are very much with them at this time.' Wiltshire Police's Detective Constable Dave Topp said Mrs Carr-Gomm had 'put her trust' in the 'extremely convincing' Hongchi Xiao. Sunday, December 8, 2024 - Detectives drawn from the Operations Support Unit have arrested Steve Okoth Odek alias David Bett, for scamming a foreign national a staggering USD 256,000 in a fake gold deal that involved over 500kg of fake gold. Investigations have revealed that the victim entered into two separate gold purchase agreements with the scammer where on February 6th, 2024 he was to purchase 500kg of gold and on March 14th, 2024 another 580kg with each kilogram priced at USD 40,000. Additionally, the detectives have established that the second contract was signed after the first deal failed where the scammer promised to deliver the gold only after securing certain conditions, including the buyer's responsibility for jet chartering, payment of taxes, and insurance. Despite these terms, the scammer once more failed to deliver the gold, and in an attempt to keep the scam going, he provided 20kg of "gold bars" as collateral, which were stored at MySafe Vault. At this point, the victim remained unaware that he was being scammed, and ended up paying a total of USD 256,000 through two law firms; Owano & Associates Advocates ($126,000) and Alata & Co. Advocates ($139,200). After receiving the money, the scammer attempted to defraud the foreign national of an additional USD 188,080 which failed as his fraudulent dealings had been uncovered and a report made to the police. Swinging into action, the detectives have burned the midnight oil to uncover the truth, recovering the 20kg of "gold" that had been provided as collateral. A thorough analysis revealed that the bars were composed of copper, zinc, and tin, with no trace of gold but just a well-executed scam. Further investigation revealed that the seller's company, PCL Natural Resources Limited, was not licensed by the Ministry of Mining to deal with gold or any precious metals. With this crucial information, the detectives were able to track down the scammer, Steve Okoth Odek, who was arrested and processed pending arraignment The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, December 08, 2024 - Hollywood actor, Jonathan Majors has been spotted enjoying quality time with fiancee Meagan Good. As reported by MailOnline, Majors, who played Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Good were spotted enjoying a sunny day out in Los Angeles on Thursday. The couple, who had already announced their engagement at the 2024 Ebony Power 100 event in November, looked fit and happy while tackling the popular Runyon Canyon hike, as per the publication. Their jog comes a day after Good dished out details about her engagement to the former Marvel actor to TMZ. According to Majors fiancee, the Loki actor proposed to her in Paris. We went to Paris with my Dad and he asked for my hand in marriage there, Good revealed, adding, It was really sweet and cute and he asked my mom for my hand in marriage as well. Sunday, December 08, 2024 - Paris Jackson, the daughter of late pop icon, Micheal Jackson has announced she's engaged to bandmate Justin Long. The American model, 26, revealed she is set to marry the music producer in an Instagram post on Friday, sharing a sweet snap of the proposal and a montage of themselves together. Paris, who is the daughter of the late Michael Jackson, posted the news while paying tribute to Justin - nicknamed Blue- on his birthday. She wrote: 'Happy birthday my sweet blue. doing life with you these last years has been an indescribable whirlwind and i couldnt dream of anyone more perfect for me to do it all with. thank you for letting me be yours. i love you. [sic]' Paris, who was spotted wearing the ring back in September reportedly sta started dating her man in 2022 Prior to that, she dated another bandmate, Gabriel Glenn, and when they split in 2021 after two years together, Paris described it as 'the deepest heartbreak I ever experienced'. Justin Long is a producer, mixer, and music engineer from California who has worked with Paris behind the scenes at her shows for years. Sunday, December 8, 2024 - A close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said Mount Kenya Members of Parliament are planning to abandon President William Ruto once the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is reconstituted. Kenyans have been pressurizing President William Ruto to reconstitute a new IEBC in preparation for the 2027 Presidential election. Speaking on Saturday, Kiambu County Senator Karungo Wa Thangwa said MPs who are on Rutos side will soon leave and join the opposition once IEBC is reconstituted. Thangwa further hinted that Rigathi Gachagua was crafting another political outfit to replace the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the mountain. According to the senator, once the new political party is formed, most leaders elected in Mt Kenya would swarm to align with the electorate. Thang'wa foresaw an event in which those elected under UDA would resign en masse and seek a fresh mandate under the new outfit, which he said would be all-inclusive and sensitive to the people's needs. Anyone ignoring Mt Kenya with its electorate is ignorant...if the president believes in himself, let him reconstitute the IEBC. "He will see many MPs resigning from UDA and seek fresh mandate using a different party that listens to the public," said Thang'wa. The Kenyan DAILY POST The coldest and darkest time of the year brings more than just a Christmas atmosphere. Many people don't tolerate low temperatures, so they're eager to get away to warm countries for the winter. ADVERTISIMENT Travelbag experts have revealed the five best winter travel destinations. According to the study, the demand for sunny spots has increased by 73%. Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt If travelers want nice temperature, lots of sunshine, and almost no humidity, winter is the best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. Temperatures in winter reach around 20 C, so it's the perfect time to explore the amazing city. November and February are the best months to discover all that Sharm El Sheikh has to offer while enjoying the warmth, sunshine and fresh fruit. Paphos, Cyprus ADVERTISIMENT Paphos in Cyprus is ideal for a sunny winter vacation. Daytime temperatures in winter are usually around 18 C. You can take a leisurely stroll along the beach, enjoy local specialties in cafes and restaurants, and try prestige outdoor activities. Paphos is set to become one of the most popular destinations, as sources report that the demand has skyrocketed over the past 12 months. Gran Canaria Another spectacular destination for a sunny winter vacation, Gran Canaria is an incredible choice. With moderate heat, plenty of sunshine, and little occasional rain, it's an idyllic destination. Average temperatures are around 20 C. Since the weather is always great, there are many attractions and activities that are open during the winter. You can have fun at the Aqualand Maspalomas water park, enjoy a refreshing boat ride, or try water sports. Explore a picturesque island with plenty of sun-drenched beaches and many colorful, inviting small towns. ADVERTISIMENT Lanzarote Lanzarote is ideal for soaking up the winter sun. At this time of year, temperatures can reach 21 C, so travelers are almost guaranteed good weather all day long. Spend the day relaxing on the pristine beaches, exploring the famous Timanfaya National Park, or simply enjoying the pool at your all-inclusive resort. Marrakech, Morocco This is an ideal destination for those who want to discover a new culture, immerse themselves in history, and visit valuable sites. From November to February, the temperature reaches 20 C. Marrakech is located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. Like many cities in North Africa and the Middle East, Marrakech has an old fortified part of the city - the Medina quarter - and modern districts - the Gueliz. It is the third most important city in Morocco after Casablanca and Rabat. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Saturday, December 8, 2024 - Narc-Kenya Leader Martha Karua has decried frustration from the Ugandan government in her quest to defend the country's Opposition Leader, Kizza Besigye. In a statement, Karua revealed that she is still waiting to receive the required license from the Ugandan government to allow her to defend Besigye in court despite applying for it 10 days ago. According to the Narc-Kenya leader, authorities have been giving her the runaround, claiming the license is still under processing. "I applied by Ugandan law for a special license to practice just for the Besyge and Lutale case. The physical copy of the application was received and stamped on November 27, but to date, I have not gotten a response," Karua revealed. "I visited their offices, I have followed with three telephone calls to the chairperson of the law council, Justice Muliangoja, and every time she says they are processing," the former Justice Minister continued. Karua has expressed her worry over the delay in issuing her the special license even though she satisfactorily proves her ability and evidence of practice. "Why is it so difficult? All I needed was to show I had a valid practicing certificate in Kenya. I also included that I have a rank of the Senior Counsel, and I had a letter from the law society confirming all those three," Karua revealed. According to Karua, President Yoweri Musevenis government is violating the rights of Besigye yet again after abducting him in Nairobi on the eve of Karua's book launch and hurriedly driving him to Uganda. However, she said she would never give up on Besigye and that she would be going back to Uganda, assuring that no effort to derail her pursuit would prevail. "I will be going back to Kampala on December 10, when I appear again before the military case to resume on Besigye's case, whether or not I will have an audience, I will be there," Karua assured. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, December 08, 2024 - A Muslim physician, Biem Omokhefe, said that a man will feel betrayed if he marries a woman and realises she has been sexually active. How would you feel when a jobless brother deceive you to marry him, knowing fully well he cannot cater for your needs? That's how a brother feel, when he marries you and realised you have been sexually active," he wrote in a Facebook post on Friday. Sunday, December 8, 2024 - Senior Economic Advisor Moses Kuria has advised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to begin advertising the commissioner positions immediately. In a statement yesterday, Kuria concurred with Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola, who questioned how the country could operate without the IEBC Commissioners. While acknowledging Justice Lenaolas sentiments, Kuria urged the IEBC selection panel to commence recruitment by Friday, December 13. According to the government advisor, the delays in the appointment of the IEBC Commissioners pose a huge threat to the country. I urge the other members to meet on Monday and kick off the process of advertising for IEBC Commissioners by Friday, December 13. We are living dangerously without an electoral body, Kuria said. On Friday, Justice Isaac Lenaola criticised the government and the opposition leaders for failing to appoint the IEBC Commissioners hardly two years into the 2027 general elections. Speaking during the Regional Conference on the use of artificial intelligence, Lenaola also hit out at members of Parliament for ignoring the constitution of the electoral body while passing other laws. The Supreme Court judge further questioned the duration the commissioners would have to prepare for the next general elections, adding that such issues must not hold the country hostage. The Kenyan DAILY POST Maynooth University welcomed the return of a special star alumnus, Dr Darragh Ennis for the official Irish book launch of The Body: 10 Things You Should Know, last week. This book reveals everything about the human body in 10 informative, bite-sized essays. It answers a raft of questions about our body, from why blood is red, how our body defends itself, to why we sleep, and how hormones control everything we do. "It is with great pride and excitement that we welcome well-known Maynooth University alumnus, Dr Darragh Ennis, back for the Irish launch of his new book, said Prof Paul Moynagh, Interim Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering at Maynooth University. Known to many as a Chaser on the ITV game show The Chase, Dr Ennis not only showcased his highly impressive knowledge and intellect to a global audience but continues to inspire through his deep passion for scientific subjects, said Prof Moynagh. Open to the public and hosted in MU Library by The Development and Alumni Relations Office, in partnership with the Graduate Research Academy and the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Maynooth University, the event featured a discussion with Dr Ennis, a live Q&A session and book signing, offering a unique opportunity to meet the author, scientist and Chaser star. This book is a testament to his commitment to advancing knowledge and making complex ideas accessible to the public. This event is not only a celebration of Dr Ennis's outstanding work but also a reflection of the vibrant community of scholars, creators, and leaders fostered at Maynooth University. It is a great pleasure to celebrate this milestone, and sharing it with the broader community," Prof Moynagh said. Dr Darragh Ennis is a scientist and professional quizzer, and has researched ecology and animal behaviour at MU. In 1966, Georg Oddner, one of Sweden's most prominent photographers of the 20th century, visited Kyiv. Using his camera, he preserved and passed on to us the shades of life in the Ukrainian capital and its inhabitants in those days. ADVERTISIMENT The unique photos were published in the community "Thirst: Kyiv is interesting" on Facebook. You can see what the city was like 57 years ago. "Kyiv, 1966. This is how the Swedish photographer Georg Oddner saw the city and people of that time: "There is an element of poetry in reality, and I want to capture it," the post reads. ADVERTISIMENT ADVERTISIMENT Georg Oddner (October 17, 1923 - October 7, 2007) was one of Sweden's most prominent photographers of the twentieth century. He worked as a jazz musician and studied advertising in the 1940s, when he was first introduced to photography through John Melin, the art director of Svenska Telegrambyran in Malmo, the largest advertising agency in Scandinavia. Since then, Oddner has worked on a variety of advertising jobs, including industrial, architectural, and fashion. As a reminder, the Lvivska Brama ghost station of the Syretsko-Pecherska subway line in Kyiv is one of the most favorite objects of urban diggers and extreme tourism enthusiasts. The unfinished facility of the Kyiv subway is shrouded in mystery and legend. In Kyiv in the 1970s, the water level in the Dnipro River was very low. As a result, large shoals could be seen between the islands located between the left and right banks of the city. As reported by OBOZ.UA, for a long time the Central Railway Station was considered the main gate of Kyiv. In 1915, an unknown amateur photographer took several photos of its main users - passengers. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Man in The Woman's Shoes returns to the Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny later this month for one night only. This one man theatre show is written and directed by Mikel Murfi. It was commissioned by the Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo and Sligo Arts Office as part of Bealtaine 2012. The production has won many awards and accolades and won the Stewart Parker/ BBC Northern Ireland Radio Drama Award in 2013 along with the Writers Guild of Ireland (Zebby)Award 2014. It was also shortlist for the Best Theatre Script in the Irish Times Theatre Awards in 2013. The show was created with the support of the Sligo County Council Arts Service and The Hawks Well Theatre, Sligo as part of the Bealtaine Festival for Creativity In Older People. The Man In The Womans Shoes has toured extensively in Ireland since 2012. It has played twice in NYC at the Irish Arts Centre in Manhattan. It ran for three weeks at The Tricycle Theatre, London in 2016 to full houses. It is available for limited touring. A new companion piece called I Hear You and Rejoice is currently touring Ireland. The play tells the story of cobbler Pat Farnon who lives on his own just outside of town, contentedly aging in the cottage in which he was reared. The audience is invited to join Pat as he walks the five miles into his metropolis, populated with no-necked water diviners, sporting savants, loudmouths, and preachers. The play will be performed at the Watergate Theatre on Thursday, December 19 at 8pm. watergatetheatre.com Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. A guest post by Spartacus Stultus Clima Mutatio: New Zealand Farmers will soon likely have to pay tax on the emissions their stock produce, in an effort to meet the reductions in green house gas emissions, that we promised under the Paris accord 2015. Just how imposing a tax reduces methane is difficult to understand, but here we are. Cows and Sheep belch out a tiny amount of methane, as a bi product of their 4 stomachs breaking down grass and turning it into protein. Cows eat the equivalent of 10 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide every year* and expel 100kg of methane. Of the remaining carbon, about a quarter of it returns to the land as dung, and rest goes off the farm as animal growth, milk, meat, fibre and ultimately the carcass of the animal itself. Its all part of the wonderful and infinitely complex circle of life. According to scientists the 100kg of methane a cow passes every year is, molecule for molecule, about 30 times worse than CO2 so the cow expels the equivalent of 3 Tonnes of CO2 When you do the maths, cows take out the equivalent of about 6 tonnes of CO2 from the air every year Let me put that to you again, cows are net sequesters of CO2. None of this matters of course, scientists say that most of the CO2 Animals sequester ends up back in the atmosphere in no time and, anyway, its the methane thats the problem. When I suggested to one scientist that it wasnt fair to tax farmers on naturally occurring animal processes, he said Its not a matter of being fair, its that methane is a very potent greenhouse gas, so if we can decrease the amount we emit, then thats a good thing Scientists, bless them, busy themselves with the science. They focus on the heat trapping potential of gases. They live in their heads, and dont have a wider perspective on just how trivial the effects are. Intellectual incest, birthing retarded ideas. What scientists say is no doubt correct in as far as it goes, but they can never, of course, present the full picture of a wonderful and infinitely chaotic atmosphere. Questions like how much of the carbon the cow or sheep ingests ends up in deep storage, is a question unable to be answered, because its just too complicated, but its not zero. Grazing land for example holds about 15 tonnes per ha more carbon than Cropping land, and about 10 tonnes more than forestry land. That report is here https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00288233.2017.1284134 There is no definitive answer to the net impact that animal farming has on the atmosphere but the real-world effect on any animal emissions will be nothing. Its like saying you increase a lake level when you piss in it. Objectively true, but also pathologically stupid. This is the elemental fight in the climate change arena. the effects of the actions we are forced to take are vanishingly small but we are told; Every little bit counts We have to do our bit. We must pay for our privilege. We are guilted, coerced and blackmailed precisely because we all want to do the right thing. We buy electric cars, tilt at windmills, accept higher prices, put useless taxes on farmers, not so that the temperature will be cooler in a hundred years, It wont. we do these things to show that we are good people And because our politicians have mindlessly signed supranational agreements that are equally flawed and meaningless, why? Well because thousands of autistic scientists came to a consensus, 200 other countries signed it and well we dont want to be the pariah. And so here we are. Heres 4 other relevant facts around this; The Paris accord specifically states (page 104, summary for policy makers) that efforts to reduce emissions should not threaten food production. Methane degrades in the atmosphere, having a half-life of 10-12 years, CO2 lasts for hundreds of years The latest IPCC report on page 1016, states that the currently used metric, denoting methane molecules being 28-30 times worse than CO2, overstates their warming potential by 3-4 times. Because of falling herd numbers, the total amount of methane in the worlds atmosphere due to NZ livestock has fallen by 12-15% since 1990 *(Cows eat about 5 tonnes of dry matter grass per year, half of which is carbon, thats derived from CO2, that comes straight out of the atmosphere through the grass absorbing it via photosynthesis. One tonne of elemental carbon makes 3.7 tonnes of CO2) Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Grant Duncan writes: Te Pati Maori have a policy to establish a Maori Parliament. According to the NZ Election Study 2020, however, the proposal for a Maori upper house of parliament is only supported by a minority of Maori, let alone others.* This made me look up the data from the 2020 NZES. Net support for a Maori Upper House is: All -19% Labour -16% National -64% Greens +10% NZ First -12% ACT -41% TPM +42% Men -38% Women -6% Non-Maori -25% Maori Ethnicity -18% So opposition to a Maori Upper House wasn;t massively different between Maori and Non-Maori. Basically it is favoured by 2020 Green and TPM voters and opposed by all others. Also a large gender difference. It is a useful reminder that TPMs views are not shared by most or all Maori. Here is the net favourability of certain politicians by Maori in 2020: John Tamihere -23% Debbie Ngarewa-Packer -15% So significantly more Maori in 2020 had a negative view of Tamihere and Ngarewa-Packer than a favourable view. What legislative powers would a new upper house possess, though? Would it amend, review or veto bills? What method of representation would it use? I actually could be persuaded to support a Maori Upper House so long as its powers were constitutionally limited to a power to scrutinise, inquire, propose amendments and delay (say up to six months) bills. It is not uncommon for upper houses to not be as democratic as lower houses. The UK House of Lords is a prime example. The former NZ Legislative Chamber. The Australian and US Senates vastly favour smaller states etc. As I say, the democratically elected lower house would need to be constitutionally supreme and able to progress laws, even when the upper house disagreed. But I could see an upper house of say 30 Maori MPs elected through proportional representation as being a way for there to be democratic Treaty partner for the Crown. In return the Maori seats would go from the lower House. Based on an exit poll analysis of the 2023 election, a Maori Upper House would have: Labour 14 TPM 7 National 3 Greens 3 NZ First 1 ALCP 1 NZ Loyal 1 And in 2017 it would have been: Labour 16 National 5 NZ First 4 TPM 2 Greens 2 TOP 1 Or theres the model of devolved parliaments, as in the UK (Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales), or the Sami parliaments in Scandinavia, for example Norways. Such subordinate parliaments are delegated with wide-ranging but constitutionally limited powers. The UK model cant work in NZ. A key thing people often miss is that the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments have a geographical basis, not an ethnic basis. The Scottish Parliament passes laws for everyone living on Scotland, including English. And they have no reach over a Scots living in England. Maori in NZ do not live in one territory. There are no reservations like in the US or Australia. The parties opposing Seymours bill have not (yet) produced an alternative draft bill, even though principles of te Tiriti have been developed by the courts. Why not try to codify in statute the judicial opinions that they want to uphold? Are they afraid that this would expose those principles to public scrutiny and possible defeat? I strongly agree here. If you dont like the principles in the Seymour bill, then propose amendments. I would much rather have a parliamentary definition of the principles (even ones I dont fully agree with) than having decades more of lawsuits and judicial evolution of the principles. Certainty is beneficial. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr The Guardian reports: MPs have taken a historic step toward legalising assisted dying in Englandand Wales by backing a bill that would give some terminally ill people the right to end their own lives. Campaigners in favour of the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill said it was a significant move towards giving people more choice over the way they die, after the Commons backed the bill by 330 votes for to 275 against. Brought by the Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, the bill would give terminally ill adults with less than six months to live the right to die once the request has been signed off by two doctors and a high court judge. The head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, is not an "armchair general". On the contrary, according to the military, he regularly takes part in combat operations, although he is also "regularly dissuaded" from doing so. ADVERTISIMENT Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said this in an interview with the Center for Countering Disinformation. He clarified that attempts to dissuade Budanov from direct participation in the operation are "a headache for everyone." In particular, Alina Alekseeva, deputy head of the Center for Countering Information, asked whether Budanov was being dissuaded from participating in combat operations. "They refuse regularly, you can be sure of that. And this, of course, is a constant additional challenge and headache for everyone who is around and for commanders who plan operations. This is an additional responsibility," said Mr. Yusov. The DIU spokesman noted that "everyone cares about the commander's life and health." However, one way or another, Budanov is still involved in combat operations. ADVERTISIMENT "There are cases and situations when personal participation in operations is justified. For example, it is extremely important to motivate personnel to assess the situation on the ground. Many things from the office, even with modern online tools, you cannot assess correctly, plan and react," the officer explained. "And it works and gives its result," Mr. Yusov noted and added that Budanov "remains a combat general" because "he does not want to turn into an office and parquet general." As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the level of trust of Ukrainians in the military is growing. This is evidenced by a sociological study by the Social Monitoring Center. Thus, the rating of potential winners of the presidential election includes three people from the military, who are sometimes ahead of experienced politicians. Among them is the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Weather Alert ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. * WHERE...Portions of south central, southwest, and west central Illinois and central, east central, northeast, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 1 AM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && Boy band scores Tower Records K-pop bestseller By Lee Gyu-lee K-pop boy group Zerobaseone, also known as ZB1, topped Japanese music retailer Tower Records' best seller chart, solidifying its presence in the country's music scene. The group's first Japanese single, "Yura Yura -Fate no Hana-," released in March, took the top spot on the platform's K-pop Top 20 chart with cumulative sales from January to October. The nine-piece act claimed two additional spots on the chart. Its fourth mini-album, CINEMA PARADISE, released in August, clinched the fifth spot, and its third mini-album, You Had Me at Hello, released in May, ranked ninth. The group's popularity in Japan extends beyond album sales, as it also took fifth place in Spotify Japan's Most Shared Artists on Social Media. Feel the POP, the title track of its third mini-album, ranked 10th among Most Shared Songs on Social Media in Japan, making Zerobaseone the only K-pop group to land on the list. They achieved a significant indicator of popularity on social media platforms, the groups agency, WakeOne, said in the release. Zerobaseone with members Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Sung Han-bin, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook and Han Yu-jin debuted in 2023 with the EP YOUTH IN THE SHADE. The members were the top nine finalists of the reality music competition show "Boys Planet." Since then, the group has built a fan base even before its official debut and attracted even more fans with its debut hit, which highlighted the members' artistry, vocal talent and dance skills. ZB1 took the Japanese music scene by storm with its successful debut in the country in March. Its Japanese debut single "Yura Yura -Fate no Hana-" sold over 187,600 copies on the first day of its release, topping Oricons Daily Single Chart. It recorded the highest sales for a debut album by a K-pop artist in the country. It sold half a million copies within a week, earning double platinum certification from the Japan Record Association for selling over 500,000 copies. The group made its way into one of the largest arenas in Japan, K-Arena Yokohama, for a fan concert in March. It also held five shows in Japan as part of its world tour, 2024 ZEROBASEONE THE FIRST TOUR [TIMELESS WORLD], making stops in cities like Aichi and Kanagawa, selling out about 60,000 seats. The group expanded its presence in the country by singing "Only One Story," the new opening theme for popular Japanese animation "Pokemon." The group became one of the most prominent rookies in K-pop here as well, sweeping new artist awards at the Hanteo Music Awards and the Circle Chart Music Awards with a string of hits, including In Bloom, CRUSH and Feel the POP. The group wrapped up its first overseas tour TIMELESS WORLD earlier this month, holding 14 concerts in eight different cities, including Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and Macao. Zerobaseone is set to release its first Japanese EP, PREZENT, on Jan. 29. It will include four original Japanese tracks NOW OR NEVER, Only One Story, Firework and HANA and Japanese versions of two Korean tracks Feel the POP and GOOD SO BAD. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok vowed Sunday to take bold steps swiftly, if necessary, against any excessive volatility in the financial and foreign exchange markets amid political chaos following last week's martial law declaration. Choi made the pledge in a joint statement released by economy-related ministers as South Korea is reeling from the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law Tuesday. Yoon survived impeachment Saturday, but the opposition side has vowed to file an impeachment motion again, demanding the immediate suspension of his presidential powers. "The government will mobilize all resources available in accordance with contingency plans and take bold and swift measures, if necessary," Choi said. The government and the Bank of Korea are taking preemptive measures to respond to market volatilities, vowing to play a key role as an economic control tower to manage the situation in a stable manner. Following the overnight turmoil, the Korean won has sunken to a two-year low, while the stock market tumbled on heavy foreign selling. In an effort to stabilize the markets, the government has vowed to inject "unlimited liquidity" for the time being, and the BOK has begun repo operations for financial institutions. "We have experienced some confusing incidents in the past, but their impact on the economy was limited," Choi said. "The government will put forth all-out efforts to maintain our sovereign rating under any circumstances." The government will send envoys to major nations and international institutions to fully explain the current situation and assure that the country maintains strong economic fundamentals, the minister said. Global rating appraiser S&P Global in April maintained South Korea's long-term sovereign credit rating at "AA," the third-highest level on the company's table, a position it has held since August 2016, when the rating was upgraded by one notch from "AA-." Choi also asked the National Assembly to swiftly finalize the budget for next year. Last week, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) railroaded a downsized budget bill in the parliamentary budget committee and had aimed to pass it through a plenary parliamentary session Monday before National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik put the plan on hold and urged the rival parties to reach a compromise by next Tuesday. The current bill proposed by the DPK puts next year's budget at 677.4 trillion won ($485.3 billion), down 4.1 trillion won from the government's initial proposal, while the ruling People Power Party (PPP) insisted on keeping the government's proposal. The DPK seeks to slash the government's reserve fund and the special activity expenses of the presidential office's secretariat and national security office, as well as those of the prosecution, the state audit agency and the police. (Yonhap) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has said that Ukraine wants to make a deal with the aggressor country Russia. He called the war "madness" that Kyiv wants to stop. ADVERTISIMENT The Republican made the remarks after his meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The quote appeared on Truth Social, a social network created by the Trump Media & Technology Group, and it also mentions the latest developments in Syria. "Assad is gone. He fled his country. His protector Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was no longer interested in protecting him. There was no point in Russia being there at all. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where some 600,000 Russian soldiers lie wounded or dead in a war that should never have started and could go on forever," the post reads. In it, Trump argues that Russia and Iran are now in a weakened state: the former because of Ukraine and the poor economy, the latter because of Israel and its military success. ADVERTISIMENT "Similarly, Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have senselessly lost 400,000 soldiers and many more civilians," the Republican said. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and the need to start negotiations with Russia. "Too many lives have been lost senselessly, too many families have been destroyed, and if this continues, it could turn into something much bigger and much worse. I know Volodymyr well. It is his time to act. China can help. The world is waiting!" Trump summarized. To recap: On December 7, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. He described it as productive, expressing gratitude to both leaders for discussing key issues related to the war and the future of the Ukrainian state. For his part, Macron emphasized the importance of continued cooperation with Ukraine and the United States to ensure peace and stability in the world. As reported by OBOZ.UA, former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst is convinced that Trump's team, whose inauguration is scheduled for January 20, is theoretically capable of generating ideas for peace in Ukraine. According to him, the future members of the national security apparatus understand that the victory of dictator Putin in Ukraine is very dangerous. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! There should be no political divides on economic issues, says expert By Jun Ji-hye Various economic policies pushed by the Yoon Suk Yeol government are losing momentum as the country is suffering a leadership vacuum amid intense controversy over Yoon's surprise declaration and subsequent lifting of martial law last week, which left the country in political turmoil. The failure to pass the impeachment motion against Yoon on Saturday has further heightened political and economic uncertainties. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea vowed to continue pushing for Yoons impeachment every week. In response, ruling People Power Party Chairman Han Dong-hoon vowed to pursue an "orderly retreat" of Yoon, indicating that he may call for the presidents resignation instead of impeachment. With confrontations between rival parties expected to continue, key economic legislation, including a special law to support the semiconductor industry, is likely to be derailed. The Yoon administrations flagship initiatives, such as the Corporate Value-up Program, are at risk of being abandoned as well. As the sense of crisis intensifies, the Ministry of Economy and Finance held an emergency meeting with other government agencies related to the economy on Sunday afternoon and issued a statement pledging their utmost efforts to manage the economy as stably as possible. We will mobilize all available tools and take bold and swift measures in accordance with situation-specific response plans, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said in the statement. The ministries also urged the National Assembly to prioritize economic issues regardless of political divisions in a bid to enable businesses to find opportunities amid the global industrial war. We request that the 2025 budget be finalized promptly to ensure it can be executed normally from the beginning of next year. The special act for the semiconductor industry, crucial for our companies to survive in the global semiconductor war, must also be discussed without further delay, Choi said. According to relevant ministries, the semiconductor industry support policies and related legislation promoted by the government and the ruling party are at risk of being delayed indefinitely amid the ongoing crisis. The special act aimed at promoting the industrys growth, which proposes exceptions to the 52-hour workweek and subsidies exclusively for semiconductor companies, is unlikely to gain bipartisan agreement. Additionally, government measures to increase the integrated investment tax credit rate for semiconductor firms by 5 percentage points and to include R&D facility investments as part of the tax credit for national strategic technologies are also likely to be put on the back burner. Other legislative initiatives, such as the inheritance tax reform plan, which includes lowering the top tax rate, and major projects, including a plan to uncover potential gas and oil reserves in the East Sea, are facing significant hurdles. Policies related to the Corporate Value-up Program, such as a 5 percent tax credit on corporate taxes for increased shareholder returns, also appear to be on the verge of collapse. However, certain bills that have already secured bipartisan agreement, such as the repealing of the financial investment income tax and the postponement of virtual asset taxation, are expected to be processed within the year despite the ongoing impeachment standoff. Still, next years budget is expected to face a rocky road until the final stages amid the political strife. On Nov. 29, the opposition party railroaded a reduced budget proposal in the Assembly's special committee on budget and accounts, cutting 4.1 trillion won ($2.9 billion) from the initial plan proposed by the government. Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik requested that a bipartisan agreement on the budget be reached by Tuesday before the proposal is put to a vote in the plenary session. But the possibility of a smooth agreement has been narrowed significantly, given that Yoon cited the oppositions budget violence as one of the primary reasons for the martial law declaration. In addition, the absence of presidential leadership and the emergence of potential variables in a future change of government are making the development of a medium- to long-term policy roadmap almost impossible. Experts claim that even amid the impeachment standoff, the opposition party must actively collaborate with the government and the ruling party to address urgent issues to minimize economic side effects. The key to the solution lies with the opposition side. A message must be sent that there are no political divides when it comes to the economy, said Ahn Dong-hyun, a professor of Seoul National University. Nobel laureate in literature reveals driving force behind her three-decade oeuvre in lecture By Park Han-sol Han Kang, this years Nobel Prize laureate in literature, began her lecture on Saturday at the Swedish Academy in Stockholm with a poignant recollection: the accidental discovery of poems she had penned as an 8-year-old, tucked away in an old storeroom. Where is love? / It is inside my thump-thumping beating chest. / What is love? / It is the gold thread connecting between our hearts. The year was 1979, just months before her familys move from their hometown of Gwangju to Seoul a shift that preceded one of the darkest chapters in modern Korean history. In 1980, the Gwangju pro-democracy movement in May was met with a brutal military crackdown that claimed or wounded more than 4,600. Fourteen years later, with the publication of her first poetry, followed by her debut short story and novel, Han fully embraced writing as her profession. What drew her particularly to novels often at the cost of considerable portions of my personal life was the way they allowed her to delve into, and dwell in, the questions I feel are imperative and urgent. Each time I work on a novel, I endure the questions; I live inside them, she said in Korean. When I reach the end of these questions I am no longer who I was when I began. And from that changed state, I start again. The next questions follow, like links in a chain or dominoes, overlapping, joining and continuing, and I am moved to write something new. The writer subsequently mused on the fundamental questions that have driven her three-decade oeuvre. In The Vegetarian a surreal tale of a middle-aged housewife who abruptly stops eating meat and begins to believe she is transforming into a tree she wrestles with the following: To what depths can we reject violence? What happens to one who refuses to belong to the species called human? She deepened these inquiries in Greek Lessons, which follows the tender bond between two equally fragile souls: a woman rendered mute by the grief of losing her mother and custody of her son and a man whose hereditary condition is slowly robbing him of his sight. If we must live on in this (violent) world, which moments make that possible? she asked while penning the book. Such a line of inquiry into humanity reached its peak when she turned her gaze to the historical trauma of Gwangju. Her mind flashed back to photographs she had encountered at age 12 haunting images of civilians slaughtered with clubs, bayonets and gunfire, juxtaposed with scenes of an endless line of people outside a hospital, waiting to donate blood for the wounded. What gripped her most was the profound spectrum of human behavior: the capacity for unimaginable cruelty contrasted with acts of selfless compassion and courage. How could such stark dualities coexist in the same world? I had to confront this impossible conundrum if I was to move forward, I realized, she noted. And I understood that writing was my only means of getting through and past it. This reckoning gave rise to Hans tour de force, Human Acts. Writing the piece, she recalled, felt like negotiating an impossible way through the empty space between these two precipices of human horrors and human dignity a journey that continued in her next novel, We Do Not Part, which revisits the 1948 Jeju April 3 Massacre. Until recently, the 54-year-old believed her literary exploration, from her earliest novel to her latest, could be distilled into two overarching questions: Why is the world so violent and painful? And yet, how can the world be this beautiful? But two or three years ago, a new realization began to surface. Could love the force that had captivated her as an 8-year-old poet have been the driving thread all along? Hadnt the deepest layer of my inquiries always been directed toward love? she reflected. Could it be that love was, in fact, my lifes oldest and most fundamental undertone? Toward the end of her 30-minute lecture, the author revealed that her upcoming novel will be formally linked to The White Book, a poetic meditation on grief and loss written out of a wish to lend my life, for a brief time, to my older sister, who died just two hours after birth. In the Booker Prize-shortlisted work, she grapples with the fragility of human existence and memory through 65 white objects such as a newborns gown, breast milk, rice and a shroud each reflecting the tenuous boundary between life and death. Han also likened the act of writing to transmitting an electric current of vivid sensations. When I sense this current reaching the reader, I am astonished and moved, she shared. In those moments, I experience again the thread of language that binds us, how my questions connect with readers through that electric, living force. The United States on Saturday called for the "full and proper" functioning of Korea's democratic institutions and processes after a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol was scrapped due to a lack of quorum. "We continue to call for the full and proper functioning of the ROK's democratic institutions and processes, in accordance with the constitution," a U.S. official said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency. ROK is the acronym for Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. To that end, the U.S. will remain in contact with relevant parties in Korea, the official added. The response came after an impeachment motion against Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law was scrapped Saturday due to a lack of quorum, with all but three of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotting the vote. "The right to peaceful protest is an integral element of a healthy democracy and must be respected in all circumstances," the official said. A massive crowd of protesters staged a rally near the National Assembly compound the previous day, calling for Yoon's ouster. The U.S. official stressed the alliance between the two nations remains "ironclad" amid the ongoing political turmoil. "The U.S. is committed to the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula. The American people will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the Republic of Korea," the official said. "The U.S.-ROK combined defense posture remains strong and ready to respond to any provocations or threats." (Yonhap) Engagement with Trump, APEC preparations in doubt amid martial law fallout By Lee Hyo-jin South Koreas summit-level diplomacy is at a standstill after President Yoon Suk Yeol de facto lost his governance power in the aftermath of his short-lived martial law. Although Yoon escaped impeachment, his political career appears cut short, as the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has officialized the president's early resignation," Sunday. In the meantime, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is expected to take on the role of managing state affairs. However, under the leadership of Han, whose legal authority in the diplomatic realm remains unclear, significant challenges lie ahead for the nations diplomacy. In a joint briefing with the prime minister, Sunday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said his party will pursue an orderly resignation of Yoon. This means that the president is expected to step down before his five-year term ends in 2027. There will be no confusion during the orderly early resignation process, Han said. Even before stepping down, the president will not be involved in state affairs, including diplomacy. The prime minister vowed continuity of diplomatic efforts. Maintaining the strength of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and solidifying trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan are very important tasks. The entire Cabinet, led by the foreign minister, will do its utmost to preserve trust in our relationships with the U.S., Japan and other allies, he said. These developments come after the National Assembly failed to pass a motion to impeach Yoon on Saturday evening. The motion was nullified when 105 of the PPPs 108 lawmakers boycotted the vote, leaving the Assembly short of the required quorum of 200 votes. The impeachment motion was in response to Yoons surprise martial law declaration on Tuesday. The emergency military rule, which lasted for only six hours, thrust the already-unpopular president's political career to the rock bottom. As the president steps aside from state affairs, the prime minister is expected to assume most of his domestic and diplomatic duties. But uncertainties linger regarding how the nation can navigate its diplomatic agenda with its image tarnished following the martial law debacle. 2025 is a pivotal period for South Koreas foreign relations. Efforts had been underway to arrange a meeting between Yoon and incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, while Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was reportedly considering a visit to Seoul in January both plans now in jeopardy due to the political turmoil. Additionally, South Korea is set to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju next October, a major event expected to attract around 20 world leaders and thousands of delegates. The APEC summit has been regarded as a key opportunity to revive the long-stalled summit diplomacy with China, as the two nations have been actively discussing Chinese leader Xi Jinping's participation. But all these efforts are in peril amid a leadership vacuum. "With the U.S. showing reluctance to further engage with the Yoon administration, this could be the end of South Korea's diplomacy under the current government," a diplomatic analyst in Seoul said on condition of anonymity. The U.S. has been openly critical of Yoons martial law attempt. Under such circumstances, other like-minded nations will also be reluctant to engage with South Korea. The best we can do under the prime minister is to show the international community how Yoons resignation happens in a peaceful, democratic manner." After the failed impeachment vote, Sunday, the U.S. administration called for the "proper functioning of South Koreas democratic processes." We continue to call for the full and proper functioning of the ROKs democratic institutions and processes, in accordance with the Constitution, a U.S. official was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency. ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name. The right to peaceful protest is an integral element of a healthy democracy and must be respected in all circumstances, the official added. In a phone call with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his expectation for "the democratic process to prevail," a remark some analysts interpreted as subtle support for Yoons ousting. Seoul's diplomacy with the incoming Trump administration has become trickier. While Trump has not publically reacted regarding the martial law fiasco, his diplomatic approach preferring high-profile leader summits suggests that he may not be willing to engage actively with South Korea's weak president. Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, said Yoons diminished credibility will bring a long-lasting strain on the nation's foreign relations. Credibility and predictability are the most important factors in diplomacy. A leader must have public support to advance their agenda on the international stage. Yoon has lost his leverage in summit diplomacy, he said. Yang also commented that the martial law saga has added uncertainty to the security situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has so far remained silent on the political turmoil in the South, though Yang believed this quiet period will not last long. The Kim Jong-un regime is likely to use the incident as a propaganda tool to claim that South Korea's political system is fragile, while describing their system as more stable and secure, he said. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Japan on Sunday in his last trip to the Indo-Pacific as the Pentagon chief, as he seeks to cement the Joe Biden administration's policy legacy of deepening regional alliances and partnerships. Austin arrived at Yokota Air Base near Tokyo, kicking off the Asia swing that has excluded an anticipated stop in Korea, another key U.S. ally, in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law attempt last week. During the trip through Wednesday, the secretary is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, visit a U.S. aircraft carrier, meet with American troops and observe a military exercise involving Australian forces, according to a senior U.S. defense official. "The secretary's trip is going to be highlighting how much the Department of Defense has achieved with Japan, a key treaty ally, over the last four years to advance peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," the official told reporters. "We are continuing to build on these accomplishments, and the next three days will give us a chance to see some of them in person and in implementation." Austin plans to meet Ishiba and Nakatani separately on Tuesday to take stock of progress that the two countries have made in recent years and underscore the importance of the alliance, the official said. Other events include his visit to the USS George Washington nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at the Yokosuka Naval Base and his observation of a U.S.-Japan military exercise where Australian forces are participating for the first time. The secretary's trip to Japan comes as Washington sees Tokyo as vital to its "new convergence" efforts to bring together U.S. allies and partners in fit-for-purpose groupings to promote a shared vision for a "free and open" Indo-Pacific. "New convergence of allies and partners, who share a vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and (of) the stronger and more resilient and more capable, networked partnerships is strengthening deterrence in the region, and Japan is emerging as a common denominator of that network," the official said. The cancellation of Austin's visit to Seoul has added to concerns that the aftermath of the short-lived martial law imposition could affect security coordination between Seoul and Washington on North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. After the martial law episode, Seoul and Washington also postponed a session of the Nuclear Consultative Group, the allies' key nuclear deterrence platform, and a related exercise originally slated to take place in Washington last week. U.S. officials have expressed "grave concern" over the martial law declaration though they reiterated that America's commitment to the alliance with South Korea remains "ironclad." (Yonhap) A senior U.S. defense official said Sunday top Pentagon officials have been in "good communications" with their Korean counterparts following President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law attempt, while highlighting trilateral cooperation with Japan as a "top-tier" policy priority. The official made the remarks as concerns have emerged that political uncertainty in the aftermath of the martial law episode in Seoul could negatively affect security coordination between Seoul and Washington amid North Korea's evolving military threats. "I will just say the Department of Defense's senior leaders have been in regular contact with ROK counterparts. Chairman Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with his counterpart. Gen. LaCamera, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, has spoken with his counterpart," the official told reporters aboard an Air Force plane en route to Japan. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. "I've had a chance to speak with my counterpart as well. So we are in good communications with our important ally here," he added. The official is accompanying Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin who arrived at Yokota Air Base near Tokyo on Sunday night for his 13th and last trip to the Indo-Pacific in his capacity as the Pentagon chief. He underscored the importance of three-way cooperation with Japan, when asked if Austin will discuss relations with Korea during his planned talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Defense Minister Gen. Nakatani on Tuesday. "The trilateral relationship between U.S., Japan and ROK has been a top-tier priority of the Biden administration from the very start," he said. "I would note, having worked in the Obama-Biden administration, it was a significant priority at that time, and then Vice President Joe Biden and then Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken were some of the people who were really in charge of managing that trilateral relationship about a decade ago. It is no surprise that they took it on as a major priority." Austin's Asia trip this week has excluded an expected trip to Seoul in the wake of the short-lived martial law imposition in Seoul. The cancellation came as Seoul's defense chief post was left vacant after former Minister Kim Yong-hyun resigned last week in connection with the martial law turmoil. "We had been planning a trip out to the region and discussing a potential stop in Seoul, but had not codified the trip or made any specific plans," the official said. Mindful of concerns in Seoul about the allies' security coordination, the official reaffirmed that the Korea-U.S. alliance remains "ironclad." "We are committed to peace and security of the Korean Peninsula, and the American people and Korean people are standing shoulder to shoulder," he said. "The U.S.-ROK combined posture remains strong, and we are ready to respond to any threats." (Yonhap) Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday highlighted the United States' network of alliances as a "great strategic advantage," and called for "strong" and "steady" American leadership as he seeks to cement the Biden administration's security policy legacy. Austin made the remarks at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, amid expectations that after taking office on Jan. 20, President-elect Donald Trump would reorient U.S. foreign policy under his America First credo likely to affect ties with allies and America's global leadership role. The secretary stressed that U.S. allies and partners, including South Korea, are "huge force multipliers," as he enumerated major security challenges, including "malice" from North Korea, China's assertiveness and Russia's war in Ukraine, to name a few. "First, we know that our unmatched network of alliances and partnerships is one of America's great strategic advantages," Austin said in a keynote speech. He added: "In today's world, any policy of 'peace through strength' depends by definition on alliances. American power projection depends by definition on our friends abroad. And American security depends by definition on those who freely join us in common purpose." Ahead of Trump's return to the White House, concerns have lingered that his perceived transactional approach to allies and partners could be a source of tension at a time when a raft of global challenges call for closer security coordination with them. Austin said that America's rivals and foes look at its network of allies and partners "with envy," while warning that they want to "divide and weaken" the U.S., and split it off from its allies and partners. He also pointed out a growing alignment among potential adversaries. "Yes, autocrats may band together. But when Putin turns to North Korea for troops, it is not a sign of strength. It's an admission of weakness," he said. "Autocrats resort to partnerships of convenience. But America leads partnerships of conviction." Austin asserted the need for America to maintain robust global leadership, which he said rallies allies and partners for shared security. "Peace is not self-executing. Order does not preserve itself. And security does not flower on its own," he said. "The world built by American leadership can only be maintained by American leadership." He underscored that the troubles of the current times will "only grow worse without strong and steady American leadership." "And if we forfeit our position of responsibility, our rivals and foes will be glad to fill the vacuum," he said. The secretary took stock of progress in the Biden administration's efforts to address global security quandaries, while noting that four years ago before Biden took office, America faced a "moment of great challenge." "We face major national security challenges. That includes coercion and bullying from the People's Republic of China; imperial aggression from Putin's Russia; malice from Iran, North Korea and terrorist groups; and autocrats worldwide who believe that democracy is a thing of the past," he said. "But we have stood up to Putin, stood up to North Korea, stood up to Iran, stood up to Hamas and Hizballah, and stood up to autocrats and thugs and bullies worldwide. We have stood up for American values and American leadership." He voiced hope that progress from the Biden administration will continue. "The baton will soon be passed. Others will decide the course ahead," he said. "And I hope that they will build on the strength that we have forged over the past four years." Austin attended the annual forum before he heads to Japan in his 13th trip to the Indo-Pacific. He had initially planned a visit to South Korea, but the Korea portion of the trip was canceled in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition. (Yonhap) Kim Soo-hyuns agency says he dated Kim Sae-ron for 1 year after she became adult By Lee Hae-rin Tens of thousands of Koreans from all walks of life protested all day long in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Saturday, demanding lawmakers vote for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law. Even after the Assemblys failure to pass the motion, people remained determined to return next week and the week after to remove him from office. As of 5 p.m. on Saturday, the eight-lane road in front of the Assembly was already packed with people heavily layered in padded jackets and winter gear, shouting, "Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol," braving subzero temperatures. Due to the large crowd, the subway did not stop at National Assembly Station and Yeouido Station on Line 9, and the road in front of the Assembly was closed to traffic. The 1.5-kilometer road from Yeouido Station to the Assemblys main gate was flooded with colorful lights. Many who attended the protest told The Korea Times that the president's two-minute public apology that aired earlier that day fanned their anger further and led them to join the rally. "I was aware of the protest but had no intention to attend it. I was doing the laundry when I saw the news, and I couldn't stand how ridiculous the statement sounded. I joined the protest because I couldn't just stand by as a citizen of the Republic of Korea, and I didn't want to be ashamed of myself," Choi, 37, said. Calls for Yoon's resignation echoed across Yeouido, Korea's financial and political hub. "I came here determined to stay up all night. I will be in front of the National Assembly until the impeachment motion passes," Khoo, 26, said. Some people participated in the rally as a family. "When I first heard the news (about the martial law), I thought it was fake news. When I heard the helicopter moving around, my kids started crying," Lee, a 32-year-old from Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, said. "That's why I joined the rally with my family." People's anger reached its peak as members of the ruling People Power Party left the Assembly chamber en masse, boycotting the impeachment vote. "I dont know whose idea it was, but it's the worst idea ever to leave without voting like that. The entire nation is watching all of them in real time, yet they turned against the people and left. This is where martial forces came to catch you guys with guns just a few days ago," Kim, 22, said. As Rep. Park Chan-dae of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea called out the names of the 108 ruling party lawmakers who boycotted and walked out of the Assembly chamber, protesters at the candlelight rally also shouted their names, urging them to return. At around 9:26 p.m., Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced that the motion was scrapped without a ballot count, as it fell short of the required quorum of 200 votes out of 300 seats, amid bursts of outrage and sighs from lawmakers. "It is devastating and heartbreaking," Cho, 25, said. "Of course, Yoons declaration of martial law was shocking, but the fact that the lawmakers refused to vote as a group is also as shocking. I feel disgusted. The People Power Party must be dissolved, and I will never forget or forgive those lawmakers until I die." Although the impeachment motion was scrapped, people remained determined to continue to hold street rallies until Yoon is ousted. Park, 32, said she will keep coming out next week and the week after next until Yoon gets impeached. "This is just beginning. Let's see who wins. We know impeachment is a long-term war," she said, referring to the monthslong candlelight rallies of 2016 that led former President Park Geun-hye to step down. By Lee Hae-rin K-pop light sticks of all colors glowed during the massive rally in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Saturday, as protesters voiced support for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Young women protesters in their 20s and 30s, rooting for different K-pop groups, including SHINee, NCT, NewJeans and Seventeen, joined the protest holding their light sticks, singing along and chanting slogans. A light stick refers to official fan merchandise priced between $30 and 50, offered by each K-pop group for events such as concerts. Fans use them to cheer for their idols. As the plenary session of the National Assembly began at around 5 p.m., the protest transformed into something akin to a K-pop music festival. Participants danced and chanted together to K-pop hits such as aespa's "Whiplash," Rose's "APT. and Seventeen subunit BooSeokSoons "Fighting," modifying lyrics to criticize Yoon and demand his impeachment. The trend developed over the week during daily candlelight vigils held in front of the National Assembly, following the sudden declaration of martial law on Tuesday night. "Dear K-pop fans across the country, please bring your light stick to the rally. We will hold a candlelight concert for you," announced Candlelight Action (@candlemove), a civic group organizing the rally, said Thursday on its social media. "At the time of Park Geun-hye's impeachment, some lawmakers said, 'The candlelight will go out when the wind blows.' That's why I brought this light stick because there is no way anyone can turn this off," Cho, a 24-year old NCT fan who customized her light stick to bear the word "impeachment," said. Many others who were unfamiliar with fan culture found it fascinating and enjoyed the new, festive aspect of the countrys protest culture. "I realized that the protest culture has changed a lot. Its more fun and joyous, Kim, 52, who had participated in the candlelight rallies seven years ago for the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, said. Lee, 59, said he will make sure to bring something as bright as the K-pop light stick next Saturday. "I expected more people from my generation to come to this rally, but surprisingly, there were so many young women. I was so moved and touched to see the colorful glow and bright energy made by them, he said. K-pop fans said they developed the know-how, persistence and love from their fan activities, citing that their skills turned out to be useful for the protests. "We (K-pop fans) are very used to waiting outside in the cold. We are also good at shouting and cheering aloud for what we love. I see that in protest it is no different," a Seventeen fan, Heo, 24, said. She added, "Our protest will be fun and cool, just like a concert. That's why we will come back tomorrow and invite more people to join us. Come and see." Giant panda An An is pictured at China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Dujiangyan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province in July 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Two giant pandas gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) were officially named "An An" and "Ke Ke", the same with their birth names, Ocean Park Hong Kong said on Saturday. The names were chosen from over 22,600 proposals the amusement park had received during a citywide naming campaign launched by the HKSAR government in October. The character "An" means peace in Chinese and "Ke" connotes limitless possibilities. Together the two characters form "encore," which can be interpreted as unending good fortune for Hong Kong, said the park. The pair will make their public debut on Sunday, having undergone quarantine and adapted to the new environment since they relocated from southwest China's Sichuan Province on Sept. 26. At a greeting ceremony for the giant pandas held on Saturday, Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee thanked caretakers from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda and the park for helping the pandas settle in Hong Kong. He said the HKSAR government will continue to host giant panda-themed activities for residents and visitors. After the overthrow of dictator Bashar al-Assad, Syrian rebels began attacking Kurds in the north of the country. In the near future, opposition forces intend to liberate the city of Manbij. ADVERTISIMENT The rebel command has stated that it intends to eliminate the "separatist project" in northern Syria. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of the interim government of Syria on the social network X. The Islamist rebels cooperated with the Kurds to overthrow the Assad regime, but now they have turned on each other. Syrian rebels say they are attacking Kurdish forces in the north of the country. "The forces of the Syrian National Army are determined to liberate the city of Manbij from the gang of the separatist party after it occupied the city, in which it practiced all forms of terrorism against civilians of all faiths and nationalities," the Syrian rebels said in a statement. Military operations have already begun in the area of Manbij. Syrian rebels called on local residents to stay in their homes. At the same time, the soldiers of the regime forces in Manbij are offered to lay down their arms and wait for the Syrian rebels. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, on December 8, rebels in Syria announced that the country's capital was "now free of Bashar al-Assad," and the army command informed officers that the president's 24-year authoritarian rule was over. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad had allegedly voluntarily decided to leave the presidency. The Russian Federation also noted that the dictator had ordered a peaceful transfer of power. Only verified information is available in the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will convene a Cabinet meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, officials said, in a move to promptly stabilize the political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law last week. The meeting comes a day after a motion to impeach Yoon was scrapped due to a lack of quorum, with all but three ruling party lawmakers boycotting the vote. During the meeting, Han is set to discuss follow-up measures to handle the fallout from Yoon's martial law declaration and the subsequent impeachment vote. The prime minister is also scheduled to meet with ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon at 11 a.m. at the party's headquarters in western Seoul and announce a joint statement following their talks. (Yonhap) Police conducted a search-and seizure of evidence at the official residence and office of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Sunday, officials said, amid a widening probe over treason charges in connection with President Yoon Suk Yeol's surprise declaration of martial law last week. An investigation team at the police has also obtained a court warrant, specifying allegations of treason, as well as mutiny under military criminal law, to secure Kim's call records, officials said. The move followed Kim's arrest by a prosecution-led special investigation headquarters earlier in the day. The team seized Kim's mobile phone and sent him to a detention center in eastern Seoul. From Sunday's visit, the police confiscated a cellphone believed to have been used by Kim, along with some 17 other digital devices. Police will run a forensic analysis on the phone to find out whether it was the one Kim had used at the time of the martial law imposition. Kim apparently discarded his cellphone following the martial law chaos. As part of efforts to expand its investigation into the botched martial law declaration, police said it will additionally dispatch 30 officers to run a 150-member special investigation team. Meanwhile, police said they are not considering launching a joint investigation into the martial law declaration with the prosecution. The response came after Park Se-hyun, who is leading a special investigation headquarters into the case, said at a press briefing that the prosecution is willing to work with police upon their request for a joint probe. (Yonhap) Ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon vowed Sunday to minimize the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law declaration with the president's "early" and "orderly" departure. The move came a day after a motion to impeach Yoon fell through due to a lack of quorum, with all but three PPP lawmakers boycotting the vote. "Through an orderly early departure of the president, we will minimize the chaos for the Republic of Korea and its people, stabilize the political situation and restore liberal democracy," Han said at the PPP headquarters in western Seoul. The party leader stressed that the majority of the public believes that Yoon should step down, as he is unable to govern normally for the remainder of his term. In what appeared to be an attempt to ease concern among the public and the international community, he said the president will not take part in state affairs, including diplomacy, even before his departure. He also vowed to ensure a stern and transparent investigation into the political turmoil and hold regular talks with the prime minister at least once a week to prevent potential vacuums in administering state affairs. "There will be no chaos in the process of an orderly early departure," Han said. "Until the president's departure, the prime minister and the party will closely consult to seamlessly take care of livelihood issues and state affairs." Han denounced Yoon's martial law declaration and subsequent entry of soldiers into the National Assembly as an "unconstitutional act" and said the PPP, as the ruling party, takes the public's judgment of the situation seriously. The prime minister also reaffirmed efforts to swiftly stabilize the situation, vowing to put the people first. "What is most important at this moment is that not one inch of a vacuum in state affairs should happen," he said in a separate statement. He stressed that the whole Cabinet, with efforts led by the foreign minister, will strive to maintain trust with the United States, Japan and other friendly countries. "Firmly maintaining the South Korea-U.S. alliance and the trilateral security cooperation with the U.S. and Japan is a very big and crucial task," Prime Minister Han said. He said he will humbly seek cooperation with the opposition-controlled National Assembly as he called for a parliamentary passage of the budget bill, saying the timely execution of the budget plan is the only way to recover the economy and people's livelihoods at the right time. The surprise declaration of martial law Tuesday night came after the opposition Democratic Party railroaded a downsized budget bill in the parliamentary budget committee, and submitted impeachment motions against the chief state auditor and three senior prosecutors over their roles in investigations related to the relocation of the presidential office and first lady Kim Keon Hee. (Yonhap) Opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung on Sunday accused the ruling party and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of "destroying the constitutional order" after the two announced they will work together to manage state affairs following a scrapped impeachment vote on President Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), also blasted the ruling People Power Party (PPP) for effectively blocking the efforts to suspend Yoon's duties, accusing it of being "complicit" in the treason committed by the president after Yoon's botched martial law declaration. Earlier in the day, Han and PPP leader Han Dong-hoon held a joint press briefing and said that Yoon will not be involved in state affairs, including diplomacy, even before his departure, and the prime minister will lead the state affairs until Yoon's "early" and "orderly" departure. "The ruling party leader and prime minister are destroying the constitutional order again," Lee said in a press conference at the National Assembly. "(The announcement) means that Yoon Suk Yeol will stay behind orchestrating, while using conspirators to maintain this state of insurrection," Lee said. "This represents the 'second rebellion' under a new guise." Lee criticized the idea of the PPP and Han "managing the country together" as "bizarre" when the president is still present and in office. Lee also stressed that presidential powers are not the "sole property" of the president. "Yoon Suk Yeol, the main culprit in the treason and military rebellion, must immediately step down, or be impeached. The DPK will make sure he gets impeached this Saturday, under the name of our people," Lee said. The DPK called for the immediate arrest and investigation of Yoon over his short-lived martial law declaration. Yoon survived impeachment Saturday due to a lack of quorum, with all but three ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers boycotting the vote following his surprise declaration of martial law last week. "Suspending Yoon's presidential duty is the only process that accords with the Constitution, and any other measures are unconstitutional and nothing but another act of insurrection," DPK lawmaker Kim Min-seok told a press briefing. The DPK also warned the ruling party chief would be subject to investigation for his meetings with Yoon, "who led the insurrection." The opposition party called for depriving Yoon of his power to command the military, vowing to pass a special counsel probe over treason charges against the president and other officials. The opposition party vowed to present the motion every week by breaking up special sessions so as to bypass the rule of preventing the same bill from being reintroduced during the same session. The DPK, accordingly, is expected to reintroduce a new impeachment motion Wednesday when an extraordinary parliamentary session begins. (Yonhap) President Yoon Suk Yeol has been booked as a suspect on charges of treason, the prosecution said Sunday. "Numerous complaints have been submitted, and an investigation is under way in accordance with the process," said Park Se-hyun, who leads a special investigation headquarters into Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law last week. Park said prosecutors are investigating the charges of treason and abuse of power against Yoon. (Yonhap) National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said Sunday it would be a "blatant violation of the Constitution" should the prime minister and ruling party jointly exercise presidential power. Woo's remarks came just hours after Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon vowed to minimize the chaos through an orderly early departure of the president. "The transfer of presidential power comes from the people, and such a process should abide by the Constitution and the principle of popular sovereignty," Woo said in an emergency press conference at the National Assembly, denouncing the joint press briefing as being "arrogant." "Impeachment is the sole legal process to suspend the president's duty, and the Constitution specifies the process in the event the president cannot carry out his role," Woo said. He noted how a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over imposing martial law was scrapped Saturday. All but three ruling party lawmakers boycotted the vote, resulting in a lack of quorum. The Assembly speaker said he has expressed his thoughts on the issue in phone talks with the prime minister and rejected Han's request for a meeting. The Assembly speaker also proposed talks between the ruling party and the main opposition to discuss the immediate suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol's power and resolve the chaos sparked by Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law last week. (Yonhap) Interior Minister Lee Sang-min stepped down from his post Sunday amid political turmoil sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law declaration last week. The ministry said Yoon accepted Lee's resignation shortly after he offered to resign. Lee, one of Yoon's closest aides, announced his resignation in a statement, a day after the main opposition party proposed an impeachment motion against Lee, with the vote scheduled for Tuesday. In a parliamentary committee session following the lifting of martial law, Lee appeared to defend Yoon, saying the president carried out martial law while abiding by the constitutional process and law. But Yoon's acceptance of the resignation may spark further criticism as it is seen as an act of exercising presidential power, contrary to the earlier announcement by ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon that Yoon will no longer engage in the running of state affairs until his "early and orderly" exit. In February last year, Lee was suspended from his job after the main opposition-controlled National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against him for the crowd crush in the 2022 Halloween celebrations in Seoul's Itaewon district, which killed 159 people. In July last year, the Constitutional Court unanimously rejected the motion, immediately reinstating him as minister. (Yonhap) Ruling party, PM pledge Yoons early departure; opposition seeks revote By Kwak Yeon-soo The National Assemblys scrapped vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol is increasing uncertainties in the nations politics and society rather than subduing the confusion stemming from his short-lived martial law. The ruling party is promising Yoons early resignation and exclusion from his duties but without details or a specific timeline, while the opposition bloc is calling such plans unconstitutional and pledging to keep seeking impeachment until it is passed. Ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo issued addresses together, Sunday, on how to stabilize the situation and manage state affairs in an effort to ease concerns of the public and the international community as the nation grapples with the fallout from Yoons martial law fiasco. Their announcement came a day after Yoon escaped an impeachment vote as the motion was scrapped without a ballot count, as it fell short of quorum after all but three PPP lawmakers boycotted the vote. The two Hans said they agree on the public opinion that Yoon should be removed from the post because it is impossible for him to lead the country properly during his remaining term, set to end May 2027. Through Yoons early and orderly exit from office, we will minimize confusion, stabilize the political situation and properly establish free democracy," the PPP leader said. "The president will effectively be excluded from his duties, including foreign policy and other state affairs, and the prime minister will consult with the party to ensure that the administration of state affairs proceeds without any disruptions. He added, I will hold regular talks with the prime minister at least once a week to discuss livelihood issues as well as the economy, foreign affairs and defense. The investigation into the political turmoil will be thorough, impartial and transparent for any individual, including the president. He stressed that Yoons martial law declaration was clearly an unconstitutional act. However, he did not elaborate on what an orderly resignation means, how much the president will be excluded from his duties and when the "early departure" will be. The prime minister, for his part, said he would make efforts to swiftly stabilize the political turmoil. The most important thing to do is to ensure that chaos doesnt disrupt the peoples livelihoods. In this time of crisis, it is essential that the governments budget proposal and related bills pass the National Assembly to ensure stable governance. Once the budget is finalized, ministries can begin executing necessary measures to restore the economy and support citizens, he said. The international situation is becoming increasingly uncertain. Firmly maintaining the Korea-U.S. alliance and trilateral security cooperation with the U.S. and Japan is a very big and crucial task. The two Hans address, however, immediately faced protest from the opposition bloc, which said their proposal and pledges were as unconstitutional and illegal as Yoons martial law declaration. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) rejected the PPPs plans and called for the immediate arrest and investigation of Yoon. The two Hans announcement to share power while having Yoon step aside is another coup that violates the constitutional order. Its absolutely mind-blowing how people can have such an outrageous imagination that ignores national sovereignty, DPK leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung said. Yoon, the main culprit of the confrontation mentality against the Republic of Korea who committed a grave act of insurrection, must resign immediately or be impeached immediately. That is the only way to resolve this crisis. We will push for the impeachment vote again on Dec. 14. A prime minister-led government until the presidents orderly exit is unconstitutional. The exclusion of an incumbent president from state affairs isnt supported by the Constitution. A prime minister has no authority to appoint public officials, review presidential decrees, exercise diplomatic rights or command the Army," Rep. Kim Min-seok of the DPK said during a press conference. He added the PPP leader doesn't have any authority to lead state affairs. "PPP leader Han and the prime minister should be subject to investigation for colluding with Yoon, who led the insurrection. Yoons immediate impeachment is the only way to resolve the turmoil, Kim said. The DPK also called for depriving Yoon of his power to command the military, vowing to pass a special counsel probe over treason charges against the president and other officials. It said the opposition bloc will seek a revote for impeachment every week until it succeeds. It is the people's command to remove Yoon from office as soon as possible. People are demanding his immediate resignation, not his orderly resignation. If he does not resign voluntarily, we need to suspend his presidential duties through impeachment, Rep. Han Min-soo, spokesperson of the DPK, said. Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik proposed talks between the ruling and opposition parties to immediately suspend Yoon's presidential duties. He also said the proposals by the PPP chief and the prime minister violate the Constitution. "Granting power to the president and transition of power come from the people, and the procedures must follow the Constitution and the principles of national sovereignty," Woo said. Experts pointed out that the joint address didnt provide details on how Yoon will exit the office. I understand that they are trying to soothe public concerns. But the public wont feel relieved unless they provide us details on how theyre going to run the country without the president or how Yoon is going to exit in an orderly manner. If we impeach the president, we can feel reassured because its done by the system. But Han Dong-hoons argument of Yoons orderly exit has no institutional basis. If the president changes his mind, he can come to the forefront at any time, said Shin Yul, a professor of political science at Myongji University. The world now sees Korea as an unstable country. The martial law fiasco has dealt a massive blow to our economy and diplomacy. The best way is for Yoon to resign, or be impeached. Ex-defense minister detained as martial law mastermind By Jung Da-hyun President Yoon Suk Yeol has become a suspect in the widening investigation into his short-lived martial law as he faces charges of treason and abuse of power, according to the prosecution, Sunday. While the ruling and opposition parties clash over the impeachment motion against Yoon, the prosecution and police are moving forward with their investigations, undeterred by the outcome of the National Assembly's impeachment vote which was scrapped due to ruling party members' boycott. During a press briefing, Park Se-hyun, head of the prosecution's special investigation team, said they have begun investigating according to due procedures, after multiple complaints were filed against Yoon. "It is standard procedure to register an individual as a suspect when a complaint or accusation is filed," Park said. He said the team will investigate both the treason and abuse of power accusations. "In essence, this case involves a public official misusing authority to incite insurrection with the intent of disrupting the constitutional order. These actions constitute the criteria for treason and abuse of power under the law." The treason charges filed against Yoon are not protected under the constitutional immunity granted to the president, allowing the investigation to proceed regardless of the outcome of Saturday's impeachment vote. Ex-defense minister detained as investigations intensify Prosecutors also detained former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on charges of treason early Sunday. He was apprehended about six hours after voluntarily appearing for questioning at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office at 1:30 a.m. After the initial questioning, the prosecution placed him under detention, seized his mobile phone and searched his official residence and former office. Kim is accused of being the mastermind behind the entire martial law saga. Prosecutors determined that the treason charges filed against Kim constitute a serious crime and that emergency detention was necessary due to concerns over the possibility of destruction of evidence. Kim was transferred to a detention center in eastern Seoul. Prosecutors are required to have an official arrest warrant issued by a court within 48 hours of such detention. The prosecution also obtained a court warrant to secure Kim's phone records, specifying allegations of treason as well as mutiny under military criminal law. Kim, a close aide to the president who attended Chungam High School in Seoul a year ahead of Yoon, is believed to have proposed the martial law declaration and played a key role in orchestrating it alongside the president. Prosecutors are investigating his involvement in the presidents declaration and subsequent lifting of martial law as well as the deployment of armed forces to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission. Investigating Kim is expected to discover the truth about the situation as spy agency officials and military commanders that participated in the short-lived martial law are giving conflicting statements about the events surrounding the martial law declaration. Kwak Jong-geun, the former commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, stated that he had received orders from Kim to "remove members of the National Assembly." Kwak explained that he refused to follow the order, citing its illegality. However, Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the first Airborne Special Forces Brigade, stated that he received a directive from Kwak who allegedly instructed him to "stop the vote by the lawmakers, even if it means breaking down the doors or cutting off the electricity." The prosecution plans to first gather testimony from Kim and then cross-reference his statements with those of other individuals involved and analyze physical evidence to confirm the facts. Separately from the prosecution, the police have set up their own investigative team of 150 officers. The police said they are not considering launching a joint investigation with the prosecution. President Yoon Suk Yeol has appointed a senior official of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) as its first deputy director, the intelligence agency said Sunday. Oh Ho-ryong, a special aide to the NIS chief, was appointed Friday to replace Hong Jang-won, who was fired for his alleged failure to obey Yoon's order to arrest politicians when Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law was in force, according to officials. Yoon made the personnel decision, a day before he said he will leave all decisions, including his term, to his People Power Party in order to stabilize the nation. Born in 1960, Oh joined the NIS after graduating from Seoul National University and has mainly served a role of collecting overseas intelligence and handling affairs on international cooperation for about 30 years, the NIS said. (Yonhap) The fall of the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad is natural: he relied on the help of his Russian "colleague" Vladimir Putin, and the latter always betrays those who trust him. It is now important to do everything possible to restore stability and security in the country and the region as a whole and to protect Syrians from violence. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga. The diplomat added that our country is ready to start moving towards restoring relations with Syria under the new government and supports the Syrian people. The head of Ukrainian diplomacy noted that the Kremlin, as always, has left another of its situational "allies" to its fate. "Assad has fallen. This has always been the case with all dictators who rely on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. Now the main goal is to restore security in Syria and effectively protect people from violence," Sybiga emphasized. For now, he said, the international community should help stabilize the situation in Syria. At the same time, Sybiga sees prerequisites for the resumption of relations between Ukraine and Syria in the future. ADVERTISIMENT "Every effort should be made to stabilize the region, to ensure an inclusive political dialogue in Syria for the sake of functioning state institutions. We express our readiness to pave the way for the resumption of relations in the future and reaffirm our support for the Syrian people," he emphasized. On the morning of December 8, the world learned that Syrian rebels had overthrown the Assad regime. The dictator himself disappeared the night before, and then the Russian Foreign Ministry said that he had allegedly agreed to peacefully transfer power "after negotiations." Russian "diplomats" also assured that Russian troops in Syria were "in no danger." Meanwhile, the DIU said that Lavrov's department is being somewhat disingenuous, because after the capture of Damascus, the rebels are moving to the coast, and the Russians are shamefully fleeing their bases in Syria. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon on Sunday said Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will manage state affairs following the scrapped impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol amid growing criticism over the announcement that the party and the government would jointly manage state affairs. Han, the leader of the ruling People Power Party, made the remark after the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea leveled sharp criticism at him and the prime minister over the announcement that they will work together to manage state affairs. They said Yoon will no longer be involved in state affairs, including diplomacy, and there will be preparations for his "early and orderly" exit. "The party leader cannot exercise state authority," Han told reporters. "The prime minister will handle them, and of course, there will be close consultations between the party and the government." Han also said "an orderly resignation" is a better option than impeachment, which carries a lot of uncertainties. "There is considerable uncertainty as to whether it will pass and what decision the Constitutional Court will make ... extreme political confusion is expected, so an orderly and early resignation is a better option," he said. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung blasted the decision as an act of "destroying the constitutional order," calling the idea of the ruling party and the prime minister managing the country together "bizarre," considering the president is still in office. (Yonhap) The military's counterintelligence unit had already drafted plans to implement martial law in November at the instruction of the unit's chief, an opposition lawmaker said Sunday. Rep. Choo Mi-ae of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea made the case, claiming her office obtained documents indicating that the Counterintelligence Command had prepared the plans in writing at the order of its commander, Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung. Yeo is one of the three commanders who have been suspended from duty and are likely to face a probe over their alleged roles in the botched martial law imposition by President Yoon Suk Yeol last week. According to Choo, the documents include plans for declaring martial law, details on the Martial Law Act and its related decrees, as well as other considerations. Part of the documents states that the president "has no right to reject if the majority of parliament demands the end of martial law." Choo said this suggests that the counterintelligence unit looked into blocking the National Assembly from exercising its authority to demand the lifting of martial law. (Yonhap) By Kim Ae-ran Impelled by the fire of the Spirit, listening to contemporary humanity, we communicate the Gospel of hope. This is the main theme of the upcoming 12th FSP (Daughters of St. Paul) General Chapter that will be held in Ariccia, Italy, from Sept. 7 to Oct. 7, 2025. We want to live and communicate hope. Pope Francis also proclaimed 2024 as the Year of Prayer before celebrating 2025 as Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope. Because so many signs of disasters are revealed all over the world, we are concerned about the reality. Thus, we are dreaming, praying and planning to have more hope. As an exhibitor of Pauline books, I participated in the 25th annual St. Louis Marian Conference held for three days last May 17 to 19. During this dynamic event of inspiration, faith, hope and fellowship on the theme of the word was made flesh, dwelt amongst us, I took a chance to listen to Eric Genuis music and talks in the evening concert of healing and inspiration. Listening to his talks about suffering, I was touched by his passionate sharing. His spontaneous way of playing the piano attracted my eyes. I was so engaged in his mission of "Concerts for Hope." What made him so enthusiastic about his music ministry? His performance with storytelling was extraordinary. Born in Toronto, Canada, in 1967, Genuis now lives in Louisville, Kentucky. As an inspiring composer, musician, pianist and instructor, he is well-known for his Concerts for Hope. Performing his original compositions more than a hundred times a year, he is fully dedicated to music ministry in prisons, hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, homeless shelters, veterans homes and inner-city schools. He keeps playing the piano for marginalized people because he strongly feels music can bring humanity and beauty to people. He firmly believes that music can impact culture. Just passing by his booth with piles of various CDs, I was encouraged to see his presence giving hope through his constant music projects. Concerts for Hope is a nonprofit organization in which Genuis seeks to bring hope and inspiration to forgotten individuals on the fringe of society. As a captivating speaker who consoles thousands of people, he regards music as a language with the profound ability to stir the heart, inspire the mind and awaken the soul. He hopes that his music will spark hope, uplift emotions, renew the spirit and resonate within the heart of our shared human experience. His musical career began in 1997 when he was invited to perform at an AIDS benefit in Poland in front of 15,000 people. Then, he started touring the United States. Since then, he shares a marvelous healing ministry with a talented group of musicians. His faithful activities for marginalized people remind me of a three-minute speech by Jorge Mario Bergoglio just before being elected as Pope Francis. Evangelizing implies apostolic zeal and presupposes a bold willingness in the church to come out of herself and to go to the peripheries, not only the geographical peripheries but also the existential ones; the mystery of sin, pain, injustice, ignorance and absence of faith, all forms of deprivation, of all forms of misery. When the church does not come out of herself to evangelize, she becomes self-referential and then becomes sick. Kim Ae-ran is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (Figlie di San Paolo), living the Good News and proclaiming it with various means of social communication. It's time to unite, think what's best for Korea Political turmoil has escalated after the motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday failed to garner the 200 votes required for its passage. Partisan politics and polarization aren't the answer at this critical juncture. What is needed most now is a concerted bipartisan effort to restore stability and find a way for Yoon to leave office peacefully and early, in order to prevent further damage to the nation and its economy. To achieve this, Yoon and the leaders of major political parties must set aside their egos and stop exploiting the current crisis to advance their own political agendas. It is time for them to unite and collaborate in finding a solution that is best for the nation. The ruling camp must also present a clear, convincing roadmap that fulfills its commitment to Yoons early resignation. In a televised address on Saturday, just hours before the vote on his impeachment, Yoon stated that he would take full legal and political responsibility for his actions. He announced that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) would work together to manage state affairs based on a consensus. The prime minister and PPP leader Han Dong-hoon responded to Yoons call in a joint televised address held on Sunday, pledging to manage the nations affairs effectively despite the leadership vacuum, in order to mitigate potential damage to the countrys defense and economy. The party chairman promised to draw up and present a specific roadmap for this process as soon as possible. The prime minister emphasized the governments priority to prevent a vacuum in state affairs. The next move now lies with the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). Unfortunately, the DPK has firmly rejected the proposal from the two Hans to establish a weekly policy consultation meeting between the government and the ruling party to lead the nation temporarily until Yoons resignation is finalized. The DPK argued that the proposal is against the Constitution and was unacceptable, urging the prosecution to arrest Yoon and Cabinet members involved in what they called acts of rebellion. The DPK vowed to submit another motion to impeach Yoon on Wednesday. Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the DPK, stated that his party would continue to pursue impeachment proceedings until the National Assembly agrees to suspend Yoons duties, hopefully before the end of the year. He lashed out at the ruling party and its leader after the impeachment motion failed on Saturday, accusing PPP Chairman Han of using politics to further his own ambitions. Lee was referring to Hans shifting stance on the impeachment motion. The DPK had tabled the impeachment motion only days after Yoons political gamble ended in failure. The hastiness of the vote suggests that Chairman Lee is under significant pressure, with little time to lose. In November, Lee was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for violating election laws. If the Supreme Court upholds the district courts ruling, Lee will be disqualified from running in elections for 10 years. Lee immediately appealed the decision, and a ruling is expected on the case in the upper court within three months. If Lee appeals again, a final ruling could take another three months in the Supreme Court. His political future depends on the top courts decision, putting him under extreme pressure. It would benefit Lee if the impeachment motion were approved quickly, allowing the Constitutional Court to review it and potentially impeach Yoon. The best-case scenario for Lee will be that a presidential election could be held before the Supreme Court issues its ruling on his case. Ruling party leader Han also faces criticism for appearing to prioritize his own political interests over the nations well-being. He initially stated on Thursday that the PPP would vote against the impeachment motion but reversed his position the next day, arguing that Yoons suspension was necessary to protect the country. This shift came after reports surfaced suggesting Hans name was on a list of politicians to be arrested right after Yoon declared martial law an allegation the presidential office denied. This incident raises questions about Hans attempts to influence the ruling partys stance on impeachment based on unverified media reports about his own fate. At this critical moment, political leaders must prioritize the nations best interests. Korea urgently needs selfless leadership to navigate the ongoing turmoil and restore stability. It is time to unite, not to continue fighting over partisan interests. By Kang Seung-woo The Korea Times, the nation's oldest English-language daily, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jinju City and the Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Foundation to promote Koreas entrepreneurial spirit on a global scale. The signing ceremony was held on Friday at Jinju City Hall in South Gyeongsang Province, attended by Korea Times President and Publisher Oh Young-jin, Jinju Mayor Jo Kyoo-il, Jinju K-Entrepreneurship Foundation Chairman Kim Jong-wook and other officials. The agreement seeks to establish a collaborative framework among the three parties to highlight the excellence of Jinju's K-entrepreneurship, which embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of four prominent conglomerates Samsung, LG, GS Corp. and Hyosung. Notably, the founders of these companies Samsungs Lee Byung-chul, LGs Koo In-hoe, GSs Hur Man-jung and Hyosungs Cho Hong-jai all attended Jisu Elementary School in Seungsan Village, Jinju. The MOU also aims to foster an ecosystem for entrepreneurship development both domestically and internationally. The key elements of the agreement include: promoting Jinju's K-Entrepreneurship globally, collaborating on hosting the Jinju International Forum on Entrepreneurship and enhancing the international presence of Jinju's K-Entrepreneurship. The city has been hosting the international forum since last year. "We are delighted to collaborate in sharing the entrepreneurial spirit of the founders of global companies, who grew their businesses from Jinju and became pillars of Korea's economy, with international readers. We will spare no effort in supporting Jinjus journey to establish itself as a global city of entrepreneurship, Oh said. Jo said, This agreement with The Korea Times will serve as a significant stepping stone for Jinju City to emerge as a global hub of entrepreneurship. Moving forward, we will work closely together to transform Jinju into a world-renowned capital of entrepreneurship. Expressing optimism about The Korea Times playing a key role in promoting the excellence of Jinju's K-entrepreneurship, Kim said, Together, let us transform the Jinju International Forum on Entrepreneurship into a leading economic forum representing Korea, akin to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland." Korea-US Business Council likely to set aside talks about Trumps return By Park Jae-hyuk Prolonged political turmoil in Korea has put businesspeople here under pressure to reassure their U.S. partners, leaving them little room to discuss how to address the challenges posed by the incoming Donald Trump administration's protectionist trade policies. Industry officials expect Koreas current political and economic situations to become the main topic of the forthcoming 35th meeting of the Korea-U.S. Business Council in Washington, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday (local time). The Federation of Korean Industries, which co-hosts the event with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is said to be rearranging topics and programs, including prescheduled meetings between Korean businesspeople and key figures from U.S. Congress and think tanks, who are close to Trump. Before President Yoon Suk Yeols shortlived martial law sparked moves to impeach him, Korean participants of the event had planned to express their concerns over Trumps threat to revoke the Joe Biden administrations tax credits for businesses. Korean businesspeople had also sought to study the political and economic conditions of the United States, given that the council will hold its meeting in the U.S. for the first time in five years after the 31st event in 2019. Last month, Korean and U.S. heads of the council met in Seoul to discuss the potential impacts of Trumps return on their bilateral partnership. As it has been uncertain when Korean ministers will resume their overseas trips for economic diplomacy, however, businesspeople here have now been tasked with convincing U.S. companies of Koreas stability. Despite continued efforts to relieve the anxiety of foreign businesspeople, the government is already considered to have lost its grip on economic policies amid the leadership vacuum. The cancellation of Korea International Trade Association Chairman Yoon Jin-siks visit to the U.S. this month has also made the role of the Korea-U.S. Business Council more important. On Wednesday when martial law was lifted, he decided not to attend a seminar that was supposed to be hosted jointly by the association and Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, to discuss economic cooperation with the next U.S. government. Our chairman postponed his trip to Korea for an inspection of economic conditions, said the business lobby representing Korean exporters. Additionally, foreign businesspeople reluctant to visit Korea have forced Korean companies to travel abroad to meet their investors and partners. After the Swedish prime minister postponed his planned visit to Seoul last Thursday, several members of the European countrys business delegation decided not to visit as well. Investor AB Chairman Jacob Wallenberg, a banker from a prominent Swedish family, who had been reportedly scheduled to visit Korea from Wednesday to Saturday, also left two days earlier than initially planned. UFC CEO Dana White, known for his friendship with Trump, decided not to come to Korea for his participation in the Z-Fight Night mixed martial arts event on Dec. 14 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, citing the martial law declaration. SK, KT, LG step up monitoring on upcoming rallies By Lee Min-hyung Telecom firms will remain in emergency mode to prevent any unexpected network shutdowns at some major gathering points in Seoul and metropolitan cities, as the public, angered by the National Assembly's failed attempt to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, are expected to continue taking to the streets, industry officials said Sunday. The move came in reaction to public discomfort caused by a temporary network error in Yeouido in Seoul, Saturday, when a huge crowd of people staged a protest demanding the resignation or impeachment of Yoon for his sudden declaration of martial law on Tuesday night. As mass rallies are expected to continue amid the ongoing political turmoil, the nations three major telecom firms, such as SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus, are stepping up their monitoring at major rally venues. They are deploying mobile base stations there and increasing their traffic capacity to prevent any further network shutdowns. Officials from the telecom industry said they are heightening vigilance in such regions and taking appropriate measures for stable network supply. We will strengthen our efforts to operate a stable telecommunications network at major rallying points nationwide, an official from a telecom firm said. Most telecom firms have already experienced such network failures themselves, so we do not expect any further problems. KT opened an emergency control center in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, to enhance its monitoring on the rallies and take immediate action in case of traffic overload. The telecom firm is also operating mobile base stations in Yeouido and other key venues for rallies, such as Gwanghwamun and Yongsan District in central Seoul. LG Uplus also pledged to do its utmost by leveling up its monitoring on real-time network traffic in the regions where people are expected to gather for rallies. Another industry official said the latest network failure was attributable to the abrupt mass gathering. Telecom firms typically deploy mobile base stations at venues of concerts or protests, but the companies did not expect such a huge crowd people to gather for the rallies in multiple locations on Saturday, the official said. But as the protests are widely expected to continue until Yoon steps down either by impeachment or voluntary resignation, telecom firms will keep tightening their vigilance for additional rallies, according to the official. Naver and Kakao, the two most representative IT platform operators here, have also entered a similar emergency mode following their temporary service disruptions when Yoon declared martial law. Naver, the dominant internet portal operator, plans to strengthen its real-time monitoring for overloading of its web traffic. Kakao also began operating its own emergency response system on the day and expanded servers to stably respond to any possible traffic congestion. By Park Jae-hyuk Busans politicians, businesspeople and civic groups have been trying to prevent Korean Air from relocating Air Busan to Incheon International Airport from the nations second-largest city. Their move came as Korean Air is set to include Asiana Airlines as its subsidiary on Dec. 12 and integrate Jin Air with Asianas two budget carriers, following the approvals from antitrust regulators in the European Union and other countries for the takeover. Air Busan is one of Asianas two low-cost carriers (LCCs) along with Air Seoul. After Korean Air announced its plan to acquire Asiana in November 2020, Busans business community has called for the sale of Air Busan to a local company. Busans city government, on the other hand, has sought to host the integrated LCCs headquarters. During the metropolitan city governments meeting on Wednesday with the citys businesspeople and civic groups, however, the participants agreed to ask Korean Air and the central government to locate the integrated LCCs headquarters in Busan or to leave Air Busan as an independent entity headquartered in the city. They also emphasized the need for Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon to meet with Korean Air Chairman Cho Won-tae. However, it remains uncertain whether Korean Air will accept the request. In 2022, Cho told foreign media that the three LCCs will be merged under the Jin Air brand and that Incheon will be the main hub for the combined LCC, while Busan will be a secondary hub. Additionally, some civic groups in Busan are still calling for the sale of Air Busan. They claimed that the combined LCC will hire most of its employees in Seoul and Incheon, even if it will locate its headquarters in Busan. Syrian rebels announced they gained full control over the key city of Homs early on Sunday after only a day of fighting, leaving President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year rule dangling by a thread as insurgents marched on the capital, Damascus. Thousands of Homs residents poured onto the streets after the army withdrew from the central city, dancing and chanting "Assad is gone, Homs is free" and "Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad." Rebels fired into the air in celebration, and youths tore down posters of the Syrian president, whose territorial control has collapsed in a dizzying week-long retreat by the military. The fall of Homs gives the insurgents control over Syria's strategic heartland and a key highway crossroads, severing Damascus from the coastal region that is the stronghold of Assad's Alawite sect and where his Russian allies have a naval base and air base. Homs' capture is also a powerful symbol of the rebel movement's dramatic comeback in the 13-year-old conflict. Swathes of Homs were destroyed by grueling siege warfare between the rebels and the army years ago. The fighting ground down the insurgents, who were forced out. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the main rebel leader, called the capture of Homs a historic moment and urged fighters not to harm "those who drop their arms." Rebels freed thousands of detainees from the city prison. Security forces left in haste after burning their documents. The battle for control of the country is likely to turn quickly to the capital. Residents of numerous Damascus districts turned out to protest Assad on Saturday evening, and security forces were either unwilling or unable to clamp down. Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghani said in a statement early Sunday that operations were ongoing to "completely liberate" the countryside around Damascus and rebel forces were looking toward the capital. In one suburb, a statue of Assad's father, the late President Hafez al-Assad, was toppled and torn apart. The Syrian army said it was reinforcing around Damascus, and state television reported on Saturday that Assad remained in the city. Outside the city, rebels swept across the entire southwest over 24 hours and established control. Existential threat to Assad rule The fall of Homs and threat to the capital pose an immediate existential danger to the Assad dynasty's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. Foreign officials said the government may be on the verge of collapse. One U.S. official put the timeframe at five to 10 days, while another said Assad could be ousted within the coming week. The pace of events has stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Russia issued a joint statement saying the crisis was a dangerous development and calling for a political solution. But there was no indication they agreed on any concrete steps, with the situation inside Syria changing by the hour. Syria's civil war, which erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad's rule, dragged in big outside powers, created space for jihadist militants to plot attacks around the world and sent millions of refugees into neighboring states. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the strongest rebel group, is the former al Qaeda affiliate in Syria regarded by the U.S. and others as a terrorist organization, and many Syrians remain fearful it will impose draconian Islamist rule. Golani has tried to reassure minorities that he will not interfere with them and the international community that he opposes Islamist attacks abroad. In Aleppo, which the rebels captured a week ago, there have not been reports of reprisals. When asked on Saturday whether he believed Golani, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov replied, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group withdrew from the Syrian city of Qusayr on the border with Lebanon before rebel forces seized it, Syrian army sources said on Sunday. At least 150 armored vehicles carrying hundreds of Hezbollah fighters left the city, long a point on the route for arms transfers and fighters moving in and out of Syria, the sources said. Israel hit one of the convoys as it was departing, one source said. Allies' role in supporting Assad Assad long relied on allies to subdue the rebels. Russian warplanes conducted bombing while Iran sent allied forces including Hezbollah and Iraqi militia to reinforce the Syrian military and storm insurgent strongholds. But Russia has been focused on the war in Ukraine since 2022 and Hezbollah has suffered big losses in its own grueling war with Israel, significantly limiting its ability or that of Iran to bolster Assad. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has said the U.S. should not be involved in the conflict and should "let it play out." (Reuters) The United States unveiled a $988 million aid package of new arms and equipment to Ukraine for its ongoing fight against Russia's invasion on Saturday. The package nearly halves the available $2.21 billion remaining in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative as the Biden administration works to commit to buying weapons from industry, rather than pulling from U.S. weapons stocks. The USAI funds will be put toward buying ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) made by Lockheed Martin as well as drones and spare parts to maintain artillery equipment, according to the Pentagon. Announcement of the package came on Saturday as the defense industry and policy makers meet at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in California. The Biden administration has often used Presidential Drawdown Authority, which authorizes President Joe Biden to transfer excess articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency. The USAI funds are separate and will go to purchase new weapons from industry. The Biden administration still has about $6 billion of congressionally granted presidential drawdown authority, including funds authorized in 2024 and funds discovered by the Pentagon after overestimating the value of arms shipped to Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has committed more than $62 billion worth of security assistance to Ukraine. (Reuters) The issue of Russian military presence in Syria after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime will be decided by the new government. Power is now being transferred to the opposition forces, and all the old ministers remain in Damascus and continue to work until a new government is formed. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad al-Jalali in an interview with Al Arabiya TV channel. He added that he did not know where Assad was, and that he had last contacted him on the evening of December 7. According to the head of the Syrian government, all power in the country after the fall of the Assad regime will be transferred to the rebels. It is they who will resolve all the issues that have accumulated, including the issue of Russia's military presence in Syria. "This issue (of Russia's military presence in Syria - Ed.) is not within my jurisdiction, it will be resolved by the new government at the next stage," al-Jalali emphasized. Russia has maintained its military presence in Syria and supported the Assad regime for almost a decade. The prime minister himself assured that he had no intention of leaving the country and was ready to "support the further management of public affairs." ADVERTISIMENT "We are ready to cooperate with any leadership that the people choose. We extend our hand to every Syrian citizen who wants to preserve the state and believes that Syria is for all Syrians," the head of the Syrian government emphasized. Al-Jalali also said that he hopes that "everyone will act reasonably." Currently, the Syrian government is negotiating with rebel leaders, including the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, and the leadership of the militants' operational headquarters. "He (al-Julani - Ed.) said that services will continue to be provided to the population, that there will be no revenge and reprisals," the Prime Minister said, emphasizing that he had received security guarantees for the ministers of the Syrian government. According to al-Jalali, he does not know where Assad is now: the last time they had contact was in the evening of December 7. He also does not know the whereabouts of Syrian Defense Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas and Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh. As a reminder, on the evening of December 7, it became known that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family fled Damascus. He did not address the nation with the announced address: instead, the head of the Syrian army spoke as the dictator and assured that the fight would continue. According to some media reports, Assad's family fled Syria for Russia the day before. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken Damascus in a lightning offensive on Sunday, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. Residents in the Syrian capital were seen cheering in the streets of Damascus, as the rebel factions heralded the departure of "tyrant" Assad and "declare the city of Damascus free." The president's reported departure comes less than two weeks since the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group launched its campaign challenging more than five decades of rule by the Assad family. "After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and (forced) displacement... we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria," the rebel factions said on Telegram. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said he was ready to cooperate with "any leadership chosen by the Syrian people". The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP "Assad left Syria via Damascus international airport before the army security forces left" the facility. AFP was unable to immediately confirm the report, which follows a source close to Hezbollah saying fighters from the key Assad ally had left their positions around Damascus. HTS said their fighters broke into a jail on the outskirts of the capital, announcing an "end of the era of tyranny in the prison of Sednaya" which has become a by-word for darkest abuses of the Syrian regime. The rapid developments in Damascus come only hours after HTS said they had captured the strategic city of Homs, on the way to the capital. The defense ministry earlier denied that rebels had entered Homs, describing the situation there as "safe and stable". Homs lies about 140 kilometers (85 miles) north of the capital and was the third major city seized by the rebels who began their advance on November 27, reigniting a years-long war that had become largely dormant. Hezbollah fighters leave Monitoring events in Damascus, the Britain-based Observatory confirmed "the doors of the infamous 'Sednaya' prison... have been opened for thousands of detainees who were imprisoned by the security apparatus throughout the regime's rule." Assad's government has earlier denied the army had withdrawn from areas around Damascus. Reports the president had fled were followed by the premier saying he was ready to "cooperate" with a new leadership and any handover process. "This country can be a normal country that builds good relations with its neighbors and the world... but this issue is up to any leadership chosen by the Syrian people," Jalali said in a speech broadcast on his Facebook account. Assad has for years been backed by Lebanese Hezbollah, whose forces "vacated their positions around Damascus" according to a source close to the group. Hezbollah "has instructed its fighters in recent hours to withdraw from the Homs area, with some heading to Latakia (in Syria) and others to the Hermel area in Lebanon", the source also told AFP. 'Suddenly everyone was scared' AFP has been unable to independently verify some of the information provided by the government and the rebels, as its journalists cannot reach the areas around Damascus where the rebels say they are present. Residents of the capital described to AFP a state of panic on Saturday as traffic jams clogged the city center, people sought supplies and queued to withdraw money from ATMs. "The situation was not like this when I left my house this morning... suddenly everyone was scared," said one woman, Rania. A few kilometers (miles) away, the mood was starkly different. In a Damascus suburb, witnesses said protesters toppled a statue of Assad's father, the late leader Hafez al-Assad. AFPTV images from Hama, Syria's fourth-largest city, showed abandoned tanks and other armoured vehicles, one of them on fire. Hama resident Kharfan Mansour said he was "happy with the liberation of Hama and the liberation of Syria from the Assad regime." Soldiers 'fled' to Iraq The Observatory said on Saturday government forces had lost control of all southern Daraa province, the cradle of the 2011 uprising. The army said it was "redeploying and repositioning" in Daraa and another southern province, Sweida. The Observatory also said troops were also evacuating posts in Quneitra, near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Jordan has urged its citizens to leave neighboring Syria "as soon as possible", as have the United States and Assad ally Russia, which both keep troops in Syria. An AFP correspondent in Daraa saw local fighters guarding public property and civil institutions. In Sweida, a local fighter told AFP that after government forces withdrew "from their positions and headquarters, we are now securing and protecting vital facilities". An Iraqi security source told AFP that Baghdad has allowed in hundreds of Syrian soldiers, who "fled the front lines", through the Al-Qaim border crossing. A second source put the figure at 2,000 troops, including officers. 'War, blood and tears' HTS is rooted in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda. Proscribed as a terrorist organization by Western governments, it has sought to soften its image in recent years, and told minority groups living in areas they now control not to worry. Since the offensive began, at least 826 people, mostly combatants but also including 111 civilians, have been killed, the Observatory said. The United Nations said the violence has displaced 370,000 people. UN special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, called for "urgent political talks" to implement a 2015 Security Council resolution, which set out a roadmap for a negotiated settlement. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that the United States should "not get involved", after outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Friday for a "political solution to the conflict", in a call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. After Fidan and his Iranian and Russian counterparts discussed Syria in Qatar on Saturday, Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said they agreed on the initiation of "political dialogue between the Syrian government and legitimate opposition groups." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was "inadmissible" to allow a "terrorist group to take control" of Syrian territory. Moscow and Tehran have supported Assad's government and army during the war. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government backs some armed groups in northern Syria, said Saturday that Syria "is tired of war, blood and tears." (AFP) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the official reopening Saturday of the famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Zelenskyy and Trump had previously been scheduled to meet separately with Macron. Also making a surprise appearance at Notre Dame was billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, one of the key campaign contributors to Trump's presidential campaign and now a top adviser. First Lady Jill Biden was at the event officially representing the United States, while Britain's Prince William attended the ceremony in place of his father, King Charles III, who continues to receive cancer treatment. It wasn't immediately clear what if any discussions, informal or otherwise, Trump had with Zelenskyy about the situation in Ukraine. Last month, Zelensky said Trump's victory in the U.S. election would mean an earlier end to Russia's war inside Ukraine, since a full-scale invasion in February 2022. Trump was greeted with applause when he arrived at the French presidential residence, the Elysee Palace, where he held an official meeting with Macron. The former and future president confirmed earlier this week he would attend the ceremony in Paris for the reopening. It marks his first overseas visit since winning the election in November. The famed Gothic-style cathedral was badly damaged during a fire in April 2019. Macron later pledged to have the massive restoration complete within five years. Macron took office in 2017 and served as France's president during the three final years of Trump's first presidential term. The two men picked up that existing relationship Saturday before heading to the reopening ceremony. "We had a great relationship, as everyone knows. We've accomplished a lot together. And the people of France are spectacular. I guess it's one of our largest groups in the United States, French people," Trump told reporters. "And we respect them and we love them. Very talented people, extremely energetic people, as you know very well." Macron called Trump's attendance on Saturday a "great honor for the French people." Approximately 50 heads of state are in Paris for the reopening of the iconic landmark, which is being presided over by the Archbishop of Paris. "You were at that time president, for the first time, and I remember the solidarity and your immediate action," Macron told Trump on Saturday. "So welcome back again. We're very happy to have you here." He added in an official social media post, "United States, Ukraine, and France. Together on this historic day. Gathered for Notre-Dame. Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security." (UPI) The Russian foreign ministry said on Sunday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had left office and departed the country after giving orders there be a peaceful handover of power. In a statement, the ministry did not say where Assad was now and said Russia has not taken part in the talks around his departure. "As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power," the ministry said. "Russia did not participate in these negotiations." It added that Moscow was extremely worried by events in Syria and urged all sides to refrain from violence. "We urge all parties involved to refrain from the use of violence and to resolve all issues of governance through political means," the statement said. "In that regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition." It said Russia's military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time. (Reuters) Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. At the entrance to the factory, theres an inscription on the wall: Developing new energy vehicles is the only way for China to go from being a great automobile country to an automobile power. Xi Jinping. Thats how things are in the Peoples Republic: the communist leadership sets the course, develops five-year plans and years later the guidelines are translated into this incessant hydraulic clatter. You can hear the hum of the assembly lines and the chorus of metallic growls. BYD, the Chinese plug-in giant, has opened the doors of one of its factories in Xian, the ancestral capital of the Chinese empire, to a small group of journalists. The company (whose name is an acronym for Build Your Dreams) is competing with Tesla for the position of the worlds leading producer of electric cars. At the moment, when plug-in hybrids are taken into account, BYD surpasses Elon Musks company. In this factory, we have the capacity to produce 3,000 vehicles a day, one of the guides explains. The journalists have just climbed into tourist carts that move along one side of the assembly line. An army of robotic arms is adjusting parts. There are few human beings: sparks fly as the skeletons of the cars move forward and take shape. The guide stresses that part of BYDs secret is that the firm carries out the research and development of 100% of the vehicles key components, such as the electric motors and the batteries. Its very detailed, the guide notes. Workers on the assembly line, building electric vehicles for the Chinese giant BYD. Pictured at the company's factory in Xi'an, on October 30, 2024. Guillermo Abril The visit is a rare and fleeting look at the insides of an industry in which China has become the undisputed leader, with more than 30.16 million cars produced last year (including all types of engines). This is far ahead of the countys closest rival, the U.S., which produces 10.6 million cars annually, according to data from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA). Today, the Asian giant is the great production center for manufacturers involved in the ecological transition. Electric cars are the spearhead. Meanwhile, Chinese leadership is also dominating the wind and solar energy sectors. In Europe, Chinese dominance over this production as well as in the extraction of critical resources required for the green transformation has become a headache. On the one hand, windmills, solar panels and cheap plug-in cars are needed to meet decarbonization objectives but, at the same time, theres a need to avoid excessive dependence and protect national industries from a Chinese sector thats strongly subsidized by Beijing. China is responsible for 60% of the worlds wind turbine manufacturing capacity, more than 80% of solar cell manufacturing, and almost 40% of heat pump manufacturing. This is according to a report on distortions in the Chinese economy, which was published in April 2024 by the European Commission as part of a trade defense investigation. The report delves into the fine print of the latest five-year plans, as well as the Made in China 2025 program. In the document, Beijing envisions a world headed towards a future with low or zero carbon emissions, with its renewable energy sectors entering a new stage to leapfrog stages of technological development. The document cites numerous examples of direct aid, such as tax reductions or preferential treatment in public tenders, and even the possible use of forced labor. As with any business or product, Europe depends on China and other countries to successfully master the transition. These interdependencies are the norm rather than the exception. While its essential to raise awareness about these dependencies, theyre misused by politicians to justify unnecessary protectionist policies, says Norbert Rucker, head of Economics & Next Generation Research at Swiss bank Julius Baer. The EUs view, however, is different. In September of 2023, when announcing the investigation into the Chinese electric car, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the need to increase economic security. The EUs energy dependence on Russia and the catastrophic consequences of this are fresh on Brussels mind. Just think of Chinas restrictions on the export of gallium and germanium, essential for products such as semiconductors and solar panels, said Von der Leyen, citing a recent example. Beijing has warned that, if it deems it necessary, it will play with the power conferred by its dominance. This dominance is indeed overwhelming, according to Francisco Carranza, CEO of the Spanish company Basquevolt. His firm seeks to provide Europe with a solid-state battery that will allow it to produce cheaper vehicles with greater autonomy, without depending so much on Chinese technology and materials. Theyve positioned themselves in such a way that they control all the layers of the electric car, from the vehicle to the raw materials, including the batteries. Its difficult to reach a context in which Europe can be independent of China, he reflects. China has the largest battery producers in the world (CATL and the aforementioned BYD), which supplies its own and other cars. This company produces its own chips and it even has a ship, the Explorer No. 1, thats the first in a fleet destined to take its electric cars to ports around the world. Its arrival in the EU together with other Chinese brands, such as MG (from SAIC Motor) or Chery led Brussels to approve tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese cars, in response to state subsidies in its production chain. An angry Beijing has reported the case to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), considering the measure to be a mere tool of protectionism. The Chinese government has also responded with tariffs and investigations into the import of European products, raising the specter of a trade war while negotiations continue. In the automotive sector, there are those who wonder whether what the EU is doing with plans such as Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) in Spain, which subsidizes the industry with billions of euros is actually different from what it accuses China of doing. The Asian giant, whose economy is limping along due to the effects of a gigantic real estate bubble, relies on a good part of its growth to a change of model based on high-tech manufacturing. Investment in industries in this sector has grown by 9.3% year-over-year between January and October of 2024, while investment destined for residential and commercial construction has plummeted by 10.3%. The country needs to export goods to reactivate its finances and its well aware of the desire for green products. The world urgently needs them, says Wang Huiyao, a former adviser to the Chinese government. He now heads the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization. China is the country that has developed the greatest capacity, we must seize this opportunity, he adds. In its negotiating arguments with Brussels, the government in Beijing always repeats this idea: without Chinese products, the EU wont be able to undertake its green transition. And, if it taxes them with tariffs, the process will be much more expensive. Its a legitimate claim, opines economist Michael Pettis, an expert on Chinese finance. He believes that, to undertake this green transition, at least in the short-term, it would be better to buy from the country that has the greatest comparative advantage in the production of these goods. That is, China. But the long-term is another matter. These importing countries have to make a calculation. Whats more worthwhile: this flood of products that are cheap, but create unemployment in the [Eurozone]? Or the cost of imposing tariffs? In the EU, the energy transition is already a fact, not something of the future, replies a diplomatic source based in Beijing, who insists that the market hasnt been closed to Chinese electricity, only rebalanced to avoid unfair competition. The community bloc, he adds, is ahead of China in many aspects: emissions are 37% lower than in 1990, while those of the Asian giant the worlds leading per capita emitter of greenhouse gases continue to grow. China has even just surpassed the EU in terms of historical emissions, according to the specialized media outlet Carbon Brief. And despite the fact that China is the country that installs the most renewable power in the world, nearly 60% of its electricity is still produced with coal. Its also the energy that powers its factories: The production cycle of these electric cars is more polluting than those made in Europe, concludes this source, who nevertheless assumes that it is obvious that [Chinas] electric cars are of unbeatable quality and price. And theyll continue to enter the European market. The EU wants to avoid what happened with solar panels: it was once a powerhouse, until China bolstered its production machinery, with the help of state aid. In any case, the solar sector in China is currently experiencing the effects of these subsidies, which has fueled a new problem: the main manufacturers recorded large losses in the third quarter of 2024, due to serious excess capacity and price wars. According to Bloomberg, Longi, one of the worlds largest solar panel producers, has recorded four consecutive quarters of declines and plans to lay off 30% of its workforce. This year, the company was the subject of an EU investigation into foreign subsidies, after submitting to a public tender in Romania: it ended up withdrawing. During a recent visit by EL PAIS to the Longi headquarters in Xian, a communications representative for the company declined to respond when questioned about both issues. Chinese cars, made in Europe Chinese production isnt innocuous. The shadow of the possible closure of three Volkswagen factories and the dismissal of thousands of workers is already hanging over Germany. The opening of Chinese factories in Europe could be part of the agreement between Beijing and Brussels something that Spain is also waiting for. The country has already secured a first Chinese plant, belonging to Chery, which will use the facilities that Nissan abandoned at the end of 2021 to produce its own models. The Chinese firm will also bring back Ebro a Spanish brand that has been extinct since 1987 together with its Spanish partner, EV Motors. Another company thats considering setting up production in Spain is SAIC Motor, the most affected by the tariffs on Chinese cars. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with executives from the firm during his visit to China in September of 2024. In any case, the impact of tariffs remains to be seen. This is because, for example, a large part of European electric cars use Chinese batteries, which account for around half of the total cost of the vehicle. China controls almost two-thirds of world production in this sector, according to a study by Natixis CIB. Renault, meanwhile, is equipping its electric vehicles which are manufactured in northern France with batteries from AESC Envision, a Chinese company that will build a gigafactory in Spain, for which it has requested public aid from the governments Electric and Connected Vehicle Fund. CATL, which is already building a battery plant in Hungary, is also planning another one in Spain, with the help of Stellantis, the largest automobile producer in the country. It manufactured more than one million vehicles in 2023. Envision also took advantage of Prime Minister Sanchezs tour of China to announce an investment of more than $900 million to build an electrolyzer factory in Spain, essential for the production of renewable green hydrogen. Other countries such as Hungary or countries like Turkey, which are outside the EU but maintain free trade agreements with the bloc have also benefited from large Chinese investments such as those announced by CATL or BYD. Control over key materials China is the worlds largest supplier of critical raw materials, which are essential in strategic areas, such as renewable energy, digital, aerospace, and defense technologies, according to a 2023 study by the European Commission. There are well-known examples, such as rare earth elements that are used to manufacture wind turbine motors, lithium for batteries, or silicon for semiconductors. This past week, the steel giant ArcelorMittal pointed out that its not profitable to produce green steel from renewable hydrogen in Europe, despite the large state subsidies. Chinas production capacity, on the other hand, means that green steel can be produced more cheaply. Chinas strategy is to control all stages of the value chain, from the extraction of materials to final output. In the field of lithium, it has large companies to do this, such as Ganfeng Lithium or Tianqi Lithium. The country also accounts for almost all of the worlds graphite production, another key material in battery anodes. Without graphite, theres no battery, Carranza explains. All gigafactories use this material. The project that his company, Basquevolt, is working on replaces graphite with lithium, a material that China also dominates, but less so, he clarifies. According to the Lowy Institute, the Asian giant has 7% of the worlds lithium reserves, but processes nearly 70% of global lithium. And according to Reuters, it also refines more than 90% of the worlds graphite. Beijing imposed export restrictions on this material in 2023, in response to the previous blow dealt by Washington to curtail the Chinese semiconductor sector. With Donald Trump who has announced tariffs of 60% on all Chinese products its foreseeable that this battle will intensify. In this version of global uncertainty 2.0, various analysts believe that Beijing will seek a rapprochement with the EU, taking advantage of the likely geopolitical distancing between both sides of the Atlantic. Today, the Chinese government sees itself as being better prepared than in 2018. And the sale of green products is a key part of its strategy. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition James Cox Being "afraid of what happened to Labour or the Greens" in government is a "cop out" for smaller parties, according to a newly-elected Independent Ireland TD. Ken O'Flynn, from Cork North-Central, is the party's newest TD, joining Michael Collins, Michael Fitzmaurice and Richard O'Donoghue. In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Mr O'Flynn said: "We're not stupid enough to think we'll get everything. We know there has to be compromise. We're not afraid of going into government. "The Greens lost their seats because of their policies, Labour did the same because of their water charge policies and not listening to the people. I think it's a very cynical view to take that if you're the junior partner you always get screwed. "The prime example of that is the Progressive Democrats, who went into government with Fianna Fail twice and came back with more seats because they were a watchdog, and they promoted themselves as a watchdog. "We'd like to be a similar watchdog for government overspend, holding people to account for the bike sheds and security huts, all that stuff." He added: "One of the things we're very interested in is a department of efficiency, similar to what Mr Trump is doing with Elon Musk, having effiency and oversight. "There is already a commission there with very little power which doesn't seem to have the wherewithal of fulfilling that. The Public Accounts Committee needs to have their power expanded for local authorities, county councils and city councils." The EU-Mercosur trade deal has been heavily criticised by Independent Ireland, led by the party's MEP Ciaran Mullooly. Energy costs must be addressed in a long-term, meaningful way. Mr O'Flynn said protecting farming and fisheries is a priority for his party, along with the restoration of the 9 per cent VAT rate for the hospitality industry (excluding hotel accommodation) and more support for small businesses. "We've had 600 cafes and restaurants close this year and those figures have probably gone up this month. They'd be two big issues, to ensure the survival of small to medium size businesses. "Bringing down energy costs is another big one, we're the only country in Europe that decided to open up the energy business and de-regulate it with the view of energy costs going down. "The ESB has made huge profit but we have the second-most expensive elecriticty in Europe. "The cost of living is a huge problem. Delivering any product is more expensive. "There must be a review of some of the green carbon taxes out there, I'm not saying all of the green policies were bad, the retro-fitting has had a very positive effect, but I think we have to be sensible about our fuel prices and the cost of living and doing business. "Energy costs must be addressed in a long-term, meaningful way." Immigration Independent Ireland has been critical of the Government's immigration policy, but Mr O'Flynn said Fianna Fail and Fine Gael's recent changes in combatting illegal immigration are more in line with their policy. He also claimed some of their policies were "lifted and transcribed in a slightly different way". "I'm more encouraged in the last few months by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, a number of our policy documents were lifted and transcribed in a different way, as if it was put into AI to write from their perspective. "Things we were being mocked for 12 months ago, around immigration policy. A lot of it has fallen into the Fine Gael manifesto, Aontu and Fianna Fail as well." Mr O'Flynn said more needs to be done to support working people. USC exemption One proposal he suggested is a one-month USC exemption for all workers in November. "It's very tough if you're relying on social welfare, but everyone on social welfare has received a bonus in some shape or form, but there doesn't seem to be any bonus for workers. We'd like to see a costing and the possibility of releasing the USC charge for one month off the salary of workers. "Strategically for the month of November, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we believe a lot of that money would go back into the economy and circulate very quickly. "It would be an acknowledgement to those who are working, those Leo Varadkar referred to as 'the person who gets up in the morning', who are often forgotten about and often say at the door 'I'm paying a mortgage, doing everything right, working every day and feeling like I have no reward'. "Tax on overtime is another thing we need to look at, I'm hearing continuously people saying it's not worth doing overtime. "These elephants in the room are red lines for us. It's about protecting the small business, giving a little bit back to the working people, protecting farming and fisheries, and the 9 per cent VAT." When asked if potential coalition partners would see Independent Ireland as a stable party, as it's made up of a group of Independents, Mr O'Flynn argued "we're more stable than other parties if anything". "I think we're more stable. We're not having internal or external arguments, we're not running to the media saying 'Ken O'Flynn wants to do this, Michael Collins wants to do that, this fella is a lunatic', all this stuff that is going on wholesale at the moment. "In 12 months since we came together, we have elected 24 councillors, one MEP, and we have brought back an additional TD. We were close to doubling our numbers but pipped at the post, and that's democracy." I'm not going to lose my seat because people say 'he never tried', for me that's the greatest sin. With outreach from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael likely to come soon, Mr O'Flynn said his party would stick to their key issues but would be open to compromises and "not afraid of being in government". "The high moral ground can be a very lonely place for a lot of politicians, and you can occupy that for all your life, but my experience in life through business is I don't have to like everyone I do business with. "If you lose your seat it's because your policies didn't work, I'm not going to lose my seat because people say 'he never tried', for me that's the greatest sin. We put our name forward to make an effective change, to change legislation, to fix things and address a problem coming down the line, that's what you're there for. "This cop out of not going in because 'we're afraid of what happened to Labour and the Greens', then you've been a coward in the fight. There is also a practicality with us in that we realise you can't be accommodated on everything. There are things we want to do and achieve." New Delhi [India], December 8 (ANI): M Rajeshwar Rao, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Sunday highlighted the transformative journey of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) since 2016, emphasising its critical role in improving bank asset quality and facilitating substantial pre-admission settlements of underlying debts of over Rs 10 lakh crore. While acknowledging the substantial progress made in cleaning up banks' balance sheets, the Deputy Governor also underscored potential areas of improvement. Also Read | Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: 99% Delhiites Support AAP Govt's Free Schemes, Claims Party. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs added in a release added that Deputy Governor stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders, with a focus on restructuring and revival, and suggested that detailed studies of IBC cases could provide valuable insights for future lending strategies. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) in association with INSOL India organized an International Conclave focusing on "Insolvency Resolution: Evolution & Global Perspective". Also Read | Instagram New Feature Updates: Meta-Owned Photo and Video Sharing Platform Introduces Replies, Prompts and Insights To Broadcast Channels; Check Details and Know How To Use It. The event brought together distinguished experts and practitioners from across jurisdictions to share insights and experiences in insolvency resolution. Ravi Mital, Chairperson, IBBI in his special address highlighted the versatility and transformative potential of the Code, underscoring its role in dismantling the "defaulters' paradise" through significant behavioural changes in the debtor-creditor ecosystem. He noted the remarkable settlement of over 28,000 cases before admission, while also addressing challenges such as time-sensitive nature of value preservation. Emphasizing IBBI's proactive approach, he outlined key regulatory reforms aimed at reducing delays and maximizing asset value. He also mentioned about consideration of innovative approaches like mediation, creditor-led resolution processes, and group insolvency mechanisms. Rajnish Kumar, Ex Chairman, State Bank of India delivered the special address. Drawing from his firsthand experience as SBI Chairman during the initial stages of the IBC, he characterized the IBC as one of the most significant economic reforms, highlighting its transformative impact on the banking ecosystem. He emphasised that the true success of IBC should not be measured solely by the recovery rate, but by its broader achievements in reshaping the debtor-creditor relationship and enhancing the overall health of the banking sector. He underscored the importance of the Committee of Creditors (CoC) pursuing the larger objective of value maximization. Dr Sonali Abeyratne, Technical Director of INSOL International, also delivered the special address. In her address she outlined the organization's core functions and recent initiatives. She specifically discussed INSOL International's engagement with INSOL India and emphasized the importance of international collaboration and sharing global best practices in insolvency resolution. Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Managing Director, SBI delivered a keynote address. He provided lenders' perspective on the Code, highlighting its phenomenal evolution and significant contribution. Drawing from his international experience in insolvency frameworks, Mr. Singh lauded the IBC's transformative impact on bank profits and asset quality. He emphasized the critical need for maintaining bank health as a cornerstone of achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat, and offered constructive suggestions for further improvement. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Champhai (Mizoram) [India], December 8 (ANI): In a significant operation to counter cross-border smuggling in Mizoram, Assam Rifles, in collaboration with the Land Customs Station seized foreign-origin contraband valued at Rs 12.15 lakh in Zokhawthar, a press release said on Sunday. According to the release, acting on specific intelligence inputs, troops of Assam Rifles launched an Area Domination Patrol, resulting in the recovery of 136 foreign-origin e-cigarettes, five cases and 45 cartons of foreign-origin cigarettes, 19 cases of foreign-origin beer, and 38 bottles of foreign-origin liquor on Saturday that were abandoned at the site. Also Read | Bhopal Shocker: Tuition Teacher Shows Porn Videos to Female Students on Pretext of Teaching Biology, Rapes Them; Arrested. The contraband has been handed over to the Land Customs Station, Zokhawthar, Champhai District, Mizoram, for further investigation and legal proceedings, the release added. This operation reflects the relentless efforts of the Assam Rifles to secure the Indo-Myanmar border and to stop smuggling activities. Also Read | Delhi: UPSC Coach Claims IPS Trainee Broke Glass on His Head at Wedding in Kapashera Area, FIR Lodged (Watch Video). Earlier, one person was apprehended in the Ngur area of Mizoram's Champhai district for carrying illegal Indian currency notes worth Rs 1.24 crore, officials said on Saturday. In a joint operation, Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police recovered Rs 1.24 crore from an individual identified as a Myanmarese national. He was apprehended in connection with the seized currency notes in denominations of Rs 500, Rs 200, and Rs 100. "Assam Rifles along with Mizoram Police recovered Rs1,24,89,900 Crore of Illegal Indian Currency (Rupees One Crore Twenty-four Lakhs Eighty-Nine Thousand Nine Hundred) and apprehended one individual (Myanmarese) in general Area Ngur, Champhai District, Mizoram on 04 Dec 2024," The Assam Rifles posted on X. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 8 (ANI): Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has criticized the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab, accusing it of having a secret alliance with the central government. Pandher also sought to know why the state government is stopping the media, despite claiming to support farmers and labourers. Also Read | Jabalpur Shocker: Fed Up Over Constant Harassment, 2 Security Guards Kill Man With Iron Rod, Burn His Body With Petrol and Set Printing Press on Fire To Destroy Evidence; Arrested. He alleged that the Punjab government was attempting to hide the central government's actions, and demanded that the Chief Minister Mann and Arvind Kejriwal should explain themselves. "We used to say that Bhagwant Mann government is having some sort of alliance with the central government. Today, the way media is being stopped, the CM and Arvind Kejriwal should come forward and explain this. They (AAP) say that they are with farmers and labourers, then why they are stopping the media? Bhagwant Mann government's face has been exposed. Earlier we were against the central govt only, but now we have to deal with the state government also The Punjab government is trying to put a shutter on what is being done by the central government...," he said. Also Read | George Jacob Koovakad Elevated to Rank of Cardonal: PM Narendra Modi Extends Best Wishes to First Indian Catholic Priest To Be Elevated to Cardinal at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican. According to farmer leader Pandher, a group of 101 farmers will march towards Delhi today at 12 noon. The farmers are protesting various demands at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border. Ahead of the protest by farmers, SSP Patiala issued a memorandum cautioning the media against interfering in farmers' matters, citing a specific incident on December 6, 2024, that violated statutory provisions, and urging mediapersons to maintain a safe distance while fulfilling their responsibilities. SSP Patiala, Nanak Singh said, "Media has not been stopped. We have no such intentions. But, it was needed to brief the media. Last time we came to know that three to four media people were injured. To avoid that we briefed the media... We will try not to let this happen - but if someone gets injured, we have our medical team for evacuation." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 8 (PTI) The CBI has arrested a senior official of Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited, a central PSU, in connection with a bribery case after Rs 10 lakh was seized from a luxury car in which he was travelling in Bhubaneswar, officials said Sunday. Besides Chanchal Mukherjee, Group General Manager (GGM) of Bridge and Roof Company, two private persons -- Santosh Moharana, Director of Penta A Studio Private Limited and middleman Debadutta Mohapatra -- were also arrested for allegedly bribing Mukherjee, they said. Also Read | Ghaziabad Shocker: 6-Month-Old Foetus Stuck in Toilet Pipe Recovered in Uttar Pradesh, Probe Underway. The central probe agency had conducted a trap operation after registering a case against four persons including the three arrested accused. According to the CBI, the accused were allegedly indulging in corrupt and illegal activities in the matter of awarding work orders of the PSU and clearing bills in lieu of undue advantage in the form of bribe. Also Read | Chennai Shocker: College Student with Mental Health Issues Allegedly Raped by 10 Men Over 10 Months; 2, Including Minor, Arrested. It was alleged that accused Moharana met the group general manager (Mukherjee) at his Bhubaneswar office on December 6 during which the GGM demanded Rs 10 lakh and promised to adjust the said amount in future billings, a CBI spokesperson said. After doing preliminary verification, the CBI laid a trap on Saturday where Mukherjee was caught taking Rs 10 lakh bribe in a Mercedes Maybach car. The cash of Rs 10 lakh which was allegedly delivered to Mukherjee by Moharana was also recovered by the CBI, the officials said. "Searches are being conducted at eight locations in Bhubaneswar and Kolkata which have so far led to recovery of incriminating documents, a vehicle used in the commission of offence along with digital devices," the spokesperson said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand) [India], December 8 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offered prayers at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, in the Rudraprayag district on Sunday morning and sought blessings to make the winter Char Dham Yatra successful. Notably, Omkareshwar Temple is known to be Baba Kedarnath's winter residence. Also Read | MP SET Admit Card 2024: Hall Ticket for Madhya Pradesh State Eligibility Test Exam Out at mppsc.mp.gov.in, Get Direct Link and Know Steps To Download. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "...We prayed that the winter pilgrimage which is going to begin be successful. May the lord's blessings keep on us... We are trying to establish every possible arrangement according to the winter pilgrimage. God has special courtesy to this place and sunshine remains here for 12 months as many of the places have foggy weather," CM said. "I appeal to all to come to Uttarakhand and experience the religious and tourism places," CM added while speaking to ANI. Also Read | Jabalpur Shocker: Fed Up Over Constant Harassment, 2 Security Guards Kill Man With Iron Rod, Burn His Body With Petrol and Set Printing Press on Fire To Destroy Evidence; Arrested. During his visit, he was given a conch shell by Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Chairman Ajendra Ajay at Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath. Earlier, CM Dhami had underlined that the state government is working on plans to promote the winter Char Dham Yatra. "The state government is issuing guidelines to all concerned officials for the promotion of the winter Char Dham Yatra. All arrangements are being made for the winter journey. A high-level meeting will be held in the coming days regarding the Char Dham Yatra," the official statement quoted Dhami saying. He also assured that preparations for the upcoming Yatra would begin as soon as the current Yatra ends, and work would be done to provide people with employment during the winter journey. On Saturday while speaking to ANI has showed confidence in the winter Char Dham Yatra, and said that he believes that the Yatra will be a "game changer" for the state. "This time we are starting the winter pilgrimage. The plan has been made for it. Instructions for its preparation have also been given to all," he told ANI. During the winter months in Uttarakhand, the traditional Char Dham holy shrines--Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath--are closed due to heavy snowfall. However, the winter Char Dham Yatra involves a pilgrimage to alternative shrines like Ukhimath, Pandukeshwar, Kharsali, and Mukhwa, according to the state's tourism department. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 8 (ANI): The "jatha," contingent of 101 farmers, participating in the 'Dilli Chalo' march on Sunday, has been called off following escalating tensions and injuries among the protesters, farmer leaders said while addressing the media. The decision to withdraw the group was made after several farmers were injured, with one in serious condition and admitted to PGI. Also Read | Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: 99% Delhiites Support AAP Govt's Free Schemes, Claims Party. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that the situation will be assessed in a meeting scheduled for tomorrow, with further updates to be provided during a press conference. Despite the government's efforts to prevent the march, including restricting media coverage, the farmers remain determined to continue their agitation. Pandher announced the decision to call off the 'jatha' marching towards Delhi, saying, "Today we have decided to withdraw the 'jatha'. The agitation will continue today. One farmer has been admitted to PGI and is in serious condition, and 8-9 farmers are injured, so we have withdrawn the 'jatha'. After the meeting, we will tell you about the future program." Also Read | Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav Celebrates Northeast India's Vibrant Textile, Tourism, Says PM Narendra Modi. According to sources, the injured farmers identified include Resham Singh, Dilbagh Singh, Mehr Singh, Karnail Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Kulwinder Singh. Four of them are in serious condition, and one has been referred to PGI for further treatment. Pandher added that the group had attempted to march towards Delhi, but the government made every effort to stop them. "The Modi government has the most powerful means and resources in the world to spread false propaganda and misinformation. The government does not seem to have any intention of resolving this issue through dialogue with us," he said. Earlier in the day, the Punjab government tried to stop media coverage of the protest, but after intervention, media teams were able to continue their work. Pandher stated that tomorrow both farmer groups would meet to assess the situation and plan their next steps. "After the decision is made, we will share the information through a press conference in the evening," he said. Meanwhile, at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, DSP Shahabad Ramkumar said, "The team has been deployed here since morning... We gave clear instructions that we will check their (farmers') identity and permission and only then will we allow them to move forward... They disagreed... we want them to maintain peace and enter after taking permission..." Also, Haryana Police deployed tear gas at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border to disperse farmers. A verbal altercation ensued between the police and the protesting farmers, with drone footage showing police blocking the farmers at the border. According to Haryana Police, the group of farmers moving forward did not match the list of 101 farmers scheduled to participate in the march. "We will first identify them (farmers) and then allow them to proceed. We have a list of the names of 101 farmers, and these are not the same people. They are not letting us identify them and are moving ahead as a mob," said a Haryana Police official deployed at the site. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) A bridge in Lyon over the Rhone river that was destroyed by the Germans in their 1944 retreat from the French city in order to complicate the Allies advance. French historian Marc Bloch (1886-1944) will be inducted into Frances Pantheon of illustrious figures, according to an announcement made by the countrys President Emmanuel Macron on November 23. Eighty years have passed since Chauvrais, one of Blochs monikers during the German occupation, was arrested, interrogated by Gestapo chief Klaus Barbie and finally, executed in a group of 30 people. He had just finished the draft of two fundamental works for understanding our times: Strange Defeat, outlining the collapse of France in the face of Nazism, and The Historians Craft, a defense of his work against obscurantism and hatred, words that the medievalist left behind, written in blood. His was a life defined by his work and the history of Europe. He was born in Alsace to a Jewish family, though he would soon move to Paris, where his father taught ancient history. Bloch followed the well-worn path of the French intellectual and political elite and attended the Ecole Normale Superieure, and then opted to teach, his great passion. He worked at the lycees of Montpellier and Amiens, until the outbreak of the Great War. A decorated Captain Bloch returned to his native region, where he was hired at the University of Strasbourg, which had been reincorporated into France. There, he came into contact with a group of social scientists, many of them German, who wanted to leave behind their previous disciplines in the post-war period. For years, they fostered an exchange of methods and ideas pertaining to economics, geography, sociology and psychology. It was during this time he met the man who would become his great friend, Lucien Febvre, with whom he founded the journal Annales in 1929. Bearing the tagline Economic and Social History, it completely renewed its field of study. A decade later, he published his masterpiece Feudal Society and became chair of economic history at the Sorbonne. He hardly had time to enjoy the position. In September, war broke out again. Captain Bloch, despite being over 50 years old and having six children, volunteered. On the frontlines, he witnessed a long retreat from Belgium to Dunkirk, which left both the army and country paralyzed. He described with great lucidity the causes of an unmitigated defeat that no one wanted to recognize. The French military strategy, based on the aged defensive tactic of the trenches, was a great mistake. Bloch once wrote that the Germans triumph was an intellectual victory. He saw similarities in the attitude of the political and diplomatic elite, as well as a good part of French society. Petain, Verduns hero, asked for an armistice with Germany amid Frances internal war. Collaborationism and racial laws sprang up around the country. Following the enactment of anti-Jewish laws by the Vichy French government, in October 1940, Bloch was expelled from the Sorbonne. With much difficulty, he managed to move his family to the heart of a France that had been split into two. Historian Marc Bloch. In Clermont-Ferrand, he made contact with early local resistance groups, but it was in Montpellier that he came to form part of Combat, one of the countrys most extensive underground networks. Albert Camus, editor-in-chief of its publication, agreed with Bloch on opposing the occupation by all mean necessary and on denouncing collaborationists. Both were driven by the need to write, to be clear, to the end. Bloch moved to Lyon in the middle of 1943 to organize the local insurrection. He went by the alias Narbonne, the ancient capital of Gaul. Himmler himself, one of the Nazi leaders, gave the order to put an end to the conflicts and to hasten the final solution in France. The SS destroyed the ancient port city of Marseille, closed the Spanish border and laid siege to Lyon, Nice, and Nimes. On March 8, 1944, Bloch was arrested by the Gestapo. Transferred to prison, he began to be tortured by Klaus Barbie, known as the Butcher of Lyon. Klaus Barbie, former Gestapo officer, at the first session of his trial in a Lyon court. Peter Turnley (Corbis/VCG via Getty Images) Bloch, who just two decades before had written Les Rois thaumaturges, knew that men like Barbie had blind faith in power, that they exercise it on their victims through blows and humiliations. The old supernatural belief in the royal dynasties of France and England survived in the 20th century through the cult of the leader. A new feudalism was sweeping Europe. Bloch faced off with it, with all of his militaristic knowledge, with every tool at the disposal of a historian. He wrote his final work while underground, though it remained unfinished. It is not a denouncement nor an accusation of collaborationists. He knew that sooner or later, he would be caught. It was The Historians Craft, a defense of both archival work and critical capacity, the two great weapons of the science of change, as he called history itself. Nazi Klaus Barbie during his military service. Barbie, who had killed Jean Moulin, the leader of the French resistance, a few months prior, had free reign. He started with frigid showers at dawn and solitary confinement, proceeded onto dislocated wrists and various broken ribs. But Bloch would reveal only his real name. Finally, on June 16, with the Allies in Normandy, he was driven outside of Lyon, where he was executed, along with other members of the local resistance. Bloch is being inducted into the Pantheon for his work, his teaching and his courage, according to Macron. His books of explanatory synthesis are still used today as manuals. His didactic idea of history as a tool of citizenship is now seen as a threat to narratives of purist identity and foundational myth, which seek to resurrect the magical formulas of the past. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that today, in the face of a new feudalism, Bloch achieves the highest public and state recognition. He enters the Pantheon by right. Gutmaro Gomez Bravo is professor of contemporary history at the Complutense University of Madrid. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Ahmedabad, December 8: A man was arrested for allegedly manhandling the manager of a public sector bank in Ahmedabad over TDS on interest on his fixed deposit and assaulting another person, police said Sunday. A purported video of the incident went viral, in which two men are seen holding each other's collars while a woman is heard trying to pacify them. In the clip, the enraged customer slaps a person and tears his shirt amid the woman's pleas for peace. A police official said that the incident was reported on December 5 when a customer got into an argument with the manager of the Vastrapur branch of the Union Bank of India. An FIR was registered and the accused, Jaimin Rawal, was arrested the same day, said inspector of Vastrapur police station LL Chavda. Female Doctor And Her Colleague Assaulted by Patients at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi, Resident Doctors Complain About About Glaring Lapses in Security Management at Hospital Treating COVID-19 Patients. In his complaint, the manager said Rawal started blaming the bank for a higher tax deduction at source (TDS) over interest on his FD even after being explained that he could claim the money while filing his income tax return. The accused allegedly started abusing the bank manager and snatched his ID card. He also allegedly slapped an employee of an insurance company when he tried to intervene, and tore his shirt. Lady DSP Gayatri Attacked in Tamil Nadu: Woman Cop Manhandled, Her Hair Pulled During Road Blockade Agitation in Virudhunagar Over Drivers Murder, 7 Arrested (Watch Video). Man Manhandles Bank Manager over Tax Deduction on FD Interest 'Customer' turned 'Crocodile' after TDS Deduction in Bank FD. FM sud instruct Bank staffs to learn 'taekwondo' for self defense. pic.twitter.com/CEDarfxcqi Newton Bank Kumar (@idesibanda) December 6, 2024 Rawal has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 115-2 (voluntarily hurt), 221 (obstructing public servant from performing duty) and 296 (using obscene words). (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], December 8 (ANI): A search operation was launched in the Hiranagar town area of Kathua district following suspicious movement of three persons on Sunday, officials said. Speaking to reporters, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua Shobhit Saxena said that since Sunday night, a joint operation has been carried out to search the area in collaboration with the Army, Special Operations Group (SOG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other agencies. Also Read | Kuwait: Over 100 Kerala Nurses Flee to Canada, Australia and European Countries After Defrauding Gulf Bank of INR 700 Crore, Case Registered. Aerial surveillance is also being done, SSP Kathua Shobhit Saxena added. "There was some suspected movement. So, we responded within one hour. Since last night, together with Army, SOG, CRPF and others, we searched the entire area. Aerial surveillance is also being done. So, let's see what happens. We had reports about the presence of 3-4 people. We are corroborating this, people are being questioned. Search continues," SSP Kathua said. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 8, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. In a separate incident, two police personnel were found dead with bullet injuries inside a police vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur on Sunday morning, police said. According to Udhampur police, an AK-47 rifle was used in the incident. Speaking to ANI, SSP Udhampur Amod Ashok Nagpure said that the personnel were on their way to the Talwara training centre from Sopore. "The incident happened at 6.30 am. They were going from Sopore towards the training centre in Talwara. Police officers have reached the spot. As per the initial investigation, it has been proven that an AK-47 rifle was used in the incident. Two Police personnel have died. A third Police personnel is safe. They will be taken to GMC Udhampur for postmortem and other procedures," the Udhampur SSP said. On December 3, one terrorist was killed during an encounter with security forces in Srinagar's Dachigam forest. The encounter started on December 2, based on specific intelligence input, a joint operation was launched by Indian Army and J-K Police at Harwan, Srinagar. During the search initial contact was established. Further information is awaited. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Imphal (Manipur) [India], December 8 (ANI): In a series of successful joint operations, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, in coordination with Manipur Police and other security forces, recovered 14 weapons, ammunition and warlike stores (WLS) from both hill and valley regions in the districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Thoubal of Manipur, a release said on Sunday. As per the release, acting on specific intelligence of the presence of arms and ammunition in the general area of Loiching Ridge in Kangpokpi district, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police launched a joint operation on December 2 and recovered one sniper rifle, one Lathode gun, two 9mm pistols, and one SBBL gun, ammunition and war like stores. Also Read | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Launches Winter Char Dham Yatra, Performs Puja at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. On the same day in Churachandpur district, an intelligence-based joint operation by Assam Rifles and Manipur Police in the general area of Phaikhothang Village resulted in the recovery of one 7.62 mm SLR rifle, one 12-bore single-barrel gun, and one 9mm pistol, ammunition and war like stores, the release said. In the Thoubal district, two intelligence-based joint operations by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police were conducted on 04 and 06 December in the areas of Fungei Ching near Leirongthel Pitra and Pechi respectively, it added. Also Read | Maharashtra Assembly Special Session: 106 Legislators-Elect Take Oath As MLA. The operation in Fungei Ching resulted in the recovery of one SLR, one Carbine Machine Gun, one Double Barrel Rifle, two Pistols, Grenades, ammunition and war-like stores. Similarly, the operation in the general area of Pechi resulted in the recovery of one weapon, ammunition and war-like stores, it said. The recovered items have been handed over to Manipur Police. The successful recovery of these warlike stores highlights the seamless cooperation between the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and other law enforcement agencies, demonstrating their commitment to ensuring the security and safety of the region, added the release. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 8 (ANI): The Hindu society in Navi Mumbai took to the streets on Sunday to protest against the atrocities on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh. People from the Hindu community participated in it and expressed their dissent over the matter. Also Read | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Launches Winter Char Dham Yatra, Performs Puja at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. During the protest, ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) representative Advaita Chaitanya Maharaj said that nowadays, the tolerance of Hindus has become their biggest weakness and that it was the duty of all Hindus to come to the street and demand justice for Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested in Bangladesh on the charges of sedition. Maharaj stated that there was a need for all Hindus to come together and register their protest against this atrocity and that the Indian government would not do anything until Hindus take to the streets over this matter. Also Read | Maharashtra Assembly Special Session: 106 Legislators-Elect Take Oath As MLA. "The tolerance of Hindus has become their biggest weakness today... It is the duty of all Hindus to come to the street and demand justice for Chinmoy Krishna Das...There is a need for all Hindus to come together and register their protest against this atrocity... The Indian government will not do anything until Hindus take to the streets... There are about 100 crore Hindus in the whole country, and if even half of them come out on the streets, the world will realise the power of Hindus," he said. Notably, there have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests.Another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in North of Dhaka came under attack on late Friday night.India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. India had urged Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru, Dec 8 (PTI) The Karnataka government on Sunday formed a four-member panel to probe the maternal deaths in Ballari hospital and elsewhere in the state. The government said the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation Managing Director M Kanagavalli, Assistant Drug Controller Venkatesh, Microbiologist in the Bangalore Medical College Dr Aseema Banu and a senior pharmacology professor nominated by the Rajiv Gandhi University Health Sciences Vice Chancellor. Also Read | Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: 99% Delhiites Support AAP Govt's Free Schemes, Claims Party. The terms of reference of the panel is to analyse the sequence of events beginning from the time of issue of the purchase order for the 196 batches of Intravenous Fluid Ringer Lactate till November 30, 2024 and to report any procedural lapses at the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation (KSMSCL). The verification team should also inquire into the role of all officers at KSMSCL so as to fix responsibilities for the lapses, the order said. Also Read | Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav Celebrates Northeast India's Vibrant Textile, Tourism, Says PM Narendra Modi. The panel will also verify the existing procedures at KSMSCL and identify gaps in terms of the existing standard and good practices with regard to the procedure of empanelment of labs, testing of the samples, discarding of the batches or the entire supply depending on the Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) reports and report about the compliance of established or absence of standard process. The order said the panel will also compare the good practices of states like Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan pertaining to drug procurement, quality testing, reporting of adverse effects with the existing practice at KSMSCL. The Vice Chancellor of the RGUHS or representative will have to give suggestions for an effective Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place for Public Health Facilities. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], December 8 (ANI): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh has said that after successful trails of lavender in Bhaderwah the focus of the centre is to boost the lavender farming in Udhampur. He chaired the District Development Coordination & Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting here to review the progress of various Centrally Sponsored schemes (CSS) being implemented in the district Udhampur on Sunday. Also Read | BPSC 70th Preliminary Exam Will Be Held on December 13 in 'One Shift, One Paper' Format, No Question of Extending Date, Says Chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai. Jitendra Singh said, "After successful trails of lavender in Bhaderwah our focus is to boost the Lavender farming in Udhampur." Dr Singh instructed the Departments to complete the government of India schemes and projects at the earliest. Also Read | Ghaziabad Shocker: 6-Month-Old Foetus Stuck in Toilet Pipe Recovered in Uttar Pradesh, Probe Underway. He said Lavender trails are also done in Latti village and the mission is to boost Lavender farming and engage more and more youths in Startups. He added that more than 3000 youths are already engaged in Lavender farming startups. Dr Singh also added that Kalari has become the 'One district one Product' for Udhampur district. He further said, "Mantali International Yoga was constructed and now we are looking for value addition for residential complexes with the help of Private companies so that tourists flow increases towards Mantali in district Udhampur. We are going to boost Pradhan Mantri Har Ghar Surya Yojana, Pardhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana and Pardhan Mantri Savnidhi Yojana in the district by creating mass awareness especially in rural Udhampur." At the meeting, Dr Jitendra Singh reviewed the status of implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) with the district administration and representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). The Union Minister was given a detailed presentation on schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) PM-Kisan, MGNREGA, and SAMAGRA Shiksha. During the meeting, he was also apprised about the implementation of schemes related to Health, Education and Employment. In his address, Dr Jitendra Singh affirmed that the Government of India has embarked on a mission aimed at enhancing the quality of life of citizens through improvements in delivery of essential services and infrastructure. He reiterated that effective delivery of services and facilities aimed at reducing public inconvenience must be ensured by the concerned departments. He said the government is committed to ensuring Ease of Living and improving level of satisfaction of citizens. The Union Minister called for improving the quality of roads built under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). He issued a direction that maintenance of PMGSY roads must be monitored, and in case of any lapses on the part of contractors and other stakeholders, strict action needs to be taken. He said ensuring connectivity to habitations which are yet to be covered under the scheme should be prioritised, and steps be taken to initiate work as soon as possible. On shortage of ambulances in hospitals, Dr Jitendra Singh suggested that these emergency and life-saving vehicles can be procured, utilising funds provided under MPLAD scheme. He directed the district administration to formulate a proposal in this regard for consideration. The DISHA meeting was attended by DDC, Chairperson, Udhampur, Lal Chand; Member, Legislative Assembly, Udhampur West, Pawan Kumar Gupta; Member, Legislative Assembly Udhampur East, Ranbir Singh Pathania; Member, Legislative Assembly, Chenani, Balwant Singh Mankotia; Member, Legislative Assembly, Ramnagar, Sunil Bhardwaj; DDC, Vice Chairperson, Juhi Manhas Pathania; DDC members Amit Sharma, Parikshat Singh, Puran Chand Rakesh Sharma, Pinki Singh. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) UP Ministers with Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi. (Photo/Screengrab of video shared by UP CMO) Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 8 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended an invitation to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday to attend the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. CM Majhi was presented with a Shubh Kalash filled with sacred Gangajal and the event's logo. Odisha Minister of Culture, Suryabanshi Suraj was also present at this moment. Also Read | Manali Fire: Major Blaze Erupts at Private Resort in Himachal Pradesh, No Casualties Reported (Watch Video). Uttar Pradesh Ministers Anil Rajbhar and Satish Chandra Sharma visited CM Majhi to extend him on behalf of CM Yogi Earlier on December 3, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said that the preparations for Maha Kumbh 2025 are almost complete and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the inaugural program. Also Read | Bomb Hoax Call in Uttar Pradesh: Threat Call Regarding Placement of Bombs at 3 Locations in Lucknow Turns out to Be Hoax. "All preparations for Kumbh are almost complete. Before Kumbh, PM Narendra Modi will address the inaugural program and the whole world will witness the Maha Kumbh which is going to be organized. We will go to Mumbai and Jaipur and invite the public representatives and people there for Maha Kumbh.," he said. On December 2, the Uttar Pradesh government declared the Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as a new district. The decision, which led to the formation of the new Maha Kumbh Mela district, was made to streamline the management and administration of the upcoming Kumbh Mela, ensuring smooth operations for the grand religious event scheduled for January 2025. In a bid to ensure the safety and convenience of an estimated 45 crore devotees, the Yogi Adityanath government is revolutionizing preparations for the upcoming Maha Kumbh. For the first time, the grand event is being digitized on such a large scale, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media platforms to enhance management and security. Security arrangements are being made across land, water, and air. In a first, to prevent any untoward incidents during the bathing rituals, the water police are being equipped with high-tech jet skis, often referred to as "mini ships." Al-powered cameras are being installed throughout the Kumbh site to monitor the massive crowd and ensure 24/7 surveillance. These state-of- the-art cameras will not only bolster security but also assist in reuniting individuals who may get separated during the event. In addition, popular social media platforms like Facebook and X will provide immediate assistance in locating lost relatives, streamlining the process of reuniting families amidst the sea of pilgrims. Mahakumbh starts with Paush Purnima Snan, which is on 13 January 2025. The Kumbh festival will conclude with the last bath on 26 February 2025, the day of Mahashivratri. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 8 (PTI) Delhi BJP leaders, including MPs, MLAs and councillors, held protests in slum settlements across the national capital against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over problems faced by people living in these areas. In a statement, the Delhi BJP said the protests were held at 968 small and large slum clusters in Delhi to highlight the local issues arising from the "negligence" of the AAP government. Also Read | Latest Government Jobs Notifications: Apply for 128 Apprentice Posts of Kolkata Metro Railway Recruitment 2024 at mtp.indianrailways.gov.in, Check Details Here. Residents of these slums participated in the demonstrations along with BJP workers, it added. Addressing the participants in the protest held at the Govindpuri slum of the Kalkaji Assembly constituency, South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said that due to the "corruption" of the Kejriwal government, the condition of slum areas has deteriorated. Also Read | MP SET Admit Card 2024: Hall Ticket for Madhya Pradesh State Eligibility Test Exam Out at mppsc.mp.gov.in, Get Direct Link and Know Steps To Download. "There are no proper roads, sanitation or drinking water facilities. Residents of these slums are deprived of basic amenities. Once the BJP forms the government, it will work to fulfil the aspirations of slum residents," he said. The Delhi BJP has engaged residents of slum areas through a comprehensive reach-out campaign ahead of the assembly polls due early next year. Slum dwellers comprise a significant section of voters in Delhi and are considered to be mostly voters of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP. Delhi BJP general secretary Vishnu Mittal said senior party leaders will stay in slum clusters on December 15 night to interact with people regarding the issues they face. North West Delhi MP Yogender Chandolia, who led the protest in the JJ colony Bawana, charged that poor condition of toilets and drains and electricity bills have forced slum residents to live in deplorable conditions and the AAP government is responsible for this. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, West Delhi MP, addressed protesters at the Goyla Dairy slum. He charged that for the past 10 years, the AAP government has treated slum residents merely as a vote bank and as a result of this, they are living in "subhuman conditions today". Other BJP MPs, senior leaders such as Parvesh Verma and Ramesh Bidhuri, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta, MLAs Abhay Verma, OP Sharma and Jitendra Mahajan and former Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay also participated in the protests in various assembly constituencies. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ghaziabad, December 8: A six-month-old foetus, stuck in a toilet pipe of a house, was recovered on Sunday in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, police said. The foetus was taken out after breaking the pipe by the owner of the house Devendra alias Deva, they said. Upon receiving information Indirapuram police reached the spot and interrogated the landlord, who told them that in the morning the pipe was cut due to water stagnation, following which they found the foetus stuck in the pipe. Car Stunt in Ghaziabad Video: SUV Driver Takes Vehicle on Footpath Indirapurams NH 9 Service Road, Police Reponds. He also also told the police that nine tenants are living in his house. All of them have been interrogated and after completing the legal action the foetus has been preserved, the police added. Ghaziabad Shocker: 3-Year-Old Child Crushed To Death By Van While Playing Outside House in UP, Disturbing Video Surfaces. The DNA of the tenants will be matched with DNA of the embryo to ascertain who committed the crime, Indirapuram Assistant Commissioner of Police Swatantra Kumar Singh told PTI. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Balochistan [Pakistan], December 8, (ANI): Residents of Parom, a town in the Panjgur district of Balochistan, staged a sit-in outside a local Frontier Corps (FC) camp, calling for the immediate release of their missing family members. They warned that if their demands were not addressed, they would escalate their protests. In a statement, the residents claimed that Pakistani forces carried out an operation late Thursday night, encircling the area and raiding homes. They accused the forces of damaging property, stealing valuables, and physically abusing the locals. Also Read | Israel Deploys Forces in New Positions in Golan Buffer Zone Amid 'Fall' of Bashar al-Assad Regime in Syria. During the operation, four young men Khalil Siddique, Abdul Shakoor Saleh, Arshad Rafiq, and Waseem, son of Muhammad Hashim were reportedly taken into custody and have since disappeared, with no information about their current whereabouts The Balochistan post reported. The protesters have declared that their demonstration will persist until the detainees are freed and emphasized that any harm during the protest would be the responsibility of the forces and local authorities. Also Read | George Jacob Koovakad Elevated to Rank of Cardonal: PM Narendra Modi Extends Best Wishes to First Indian Catholic Priest To Be Elevated to Cardinal at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican. Local sources revealed that all the missing individuals were labourers or drivers of vehicles transporting oil. The residents have demanded their immediate release, stressing that these men were not engaged in any criminal activities. Meanwhile, the protest camp organized by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) outside the press club in Quetta marked its 5659th day. Political and social activists, including Muhammad Ali Baloch, Abdul Razzaq Baloch, Mir Bijjar Marri, Tahir Badini, and Suresh Bugti, arrived from Khuzdar to express their solidarity with the families of the missing persons. In a conversation with the visitors, VBMP Vice Chairman Mama Qadeer Baloch criticized the Pakistani state for its ongoing disregard for international human rights standards. He denounced the growing crackdown in regions such as Panjgur, Khuzdar, Kharan, Kalat, Bolan, Dera Bugti, and Harnai, where military operations have reportedly intensified in recent weeks. Mama Qadeer also accused state-backed militias of carrying out atrocities against the Baloch people. He pointed to the rising number of abductions and the discovery of mutilated bodies, describing it as a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Balochistan. The people of Balochistan have consistently raised their concerns about enforced disappearances and military operations, yet their calls for justice and accountability have gone unaddressed. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thanks to the use of social media, millennials and Gen Zs are able to list their ex-partners red flags. And, at the same time, they accept that they may not get a reply to message for three days, because the other person was dissociated. Too much attachment screws up relationships. Rank your red flags. Dissociating: why it happens to you, me and all of us. These are just three titles of videos, photos and reels on Instagram and TikTok, which touch on psychology, certain types of attachment, toxic dynamics and other topics related to mental health. When 21-year-old Carmen and 20-year-old Bea (who prefer not to give their last names) go on their social media accounts, its common for them to find this kind of content on the Explore pages. Both young women are members of Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012), a generation of young people for whom theres no separation between the virtual and the real world. And, therefore, on many occasions, Carmen and Bea hop on social media to solve their problems, manage trauma and try to better understand themselves and their relationships. In short, they carry out therapy through a screen, even if the person on the other side isnt a mental health professional. Popularly known as Instagram therapy a concept coined by Katy Waldman in The New Yorker this online phenomenon works in a very simple way that Gen Zs apply in their daily lives. They go on Instagram or TikTok, obtain a self-diagnosis through a reel or a post and adapt to its symptoms. They also justify behaviors by simply naming the term. And, when they dont know how or are unable to manage their problems, they just open Instagram or TikTok again. As soon as she heard the term benching leaving a person on the bench, without committing to moving forward in the relationship, while maintaining minimal contact Bea says that she opened TikTok and determined that a girl she met in the summer was doing this to her. As for Carmen after an hour of learning about various types of attachment via social media diagnosed herself with an anxious attachment style for two reasons: she was overprotected by her parents during childhood, and she was already giving her boyfriend intense displays of love at the beginning of their relationship. From their queries on social media, Carmen and Bea are able to list the so-called red flags of their ex-partners, or identify whether a person in their environment is being love-bombed an overdose of insistent and repeated displays of affection and excessive love, which often end abruptly. But they also accept the fact that someone they know may not reply to their message for three days because theyre feeling dissociated (translation: the communication was so intense that their head was unable to process it in real time). They also tolerate disrespect from themselves and from others by identifying themselves as HSPs (highly sensitive persons). For Silvia Sanz a clinical psychologist and sexologist who specializes in treating couples social media and this type of content have helped young people become aware of some topics that were previously taboo in public conversation. Theyre also able to have greater knowledge about social dynamics. However, for Maria Arias a clinical psychologist even though she considers it positive that stigmas are disappearing, the normalization of going to the psychologist and the disappearance of the taboo can lead to the other extreme, where the word therapy loses its value. Nowadays, its fashionable to go to therapy. Which is bad, because needing therapy and self-diagnosing shows that something isnt right in our existence, the specialist explains. Therefore, the problem isnt that behaviors are being identified online both psychologists think that this is something positive and also the beginning of treating and managing problems but that the behaviors are normalized and justified, without any intention of resolving them. Things going wrong shouldnt be normal, Arias says. However, when the focus is shifted to more severe mental disorders such as depression or schizophrenia the reality is very different, due to the stigmatizing effect of media discourse. This past October, a study Cant Stop Scrolling! Adolescents Patterns of TikTok Use and Digital Well-Being Self-Perception was published in the journal Nature. It points out that, while the progress of diagnoses among young people is positive, it also clarifies that sometimes and depending on the disorder theres still a stigma and discrimination against people who suffer from them. According to the analysis, this is a disincentive to seek help. Therefore, on these occasions, the number of existing cases is much higher than the number of people diagnosed. Instagram therapy transforms a nuanced and contextualized process [of psychological help and mental health care] into something exclusively individual, to be directed at the ego. As if the most important premise were: Im the most important person and I need to take care of myself, writes U.S. psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb in her book, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone (2019). Carmen and Bea based on this pseudo-therapeutic language and content, which has flooded popular culture and the internet began self-diagnosing themselves, their friends and their family. For example, Carmen who has diagnosed herself as having an anxious attachment style says that shes unconsciously discovered herself recreating the patterns shes seen on social media, which are associated with this type of attachment. And that, on occasion, shes even justified negative behaviors that come her way. As a therapist, I avoid labels that can reinforce negative patterns in the sense of Thats how I am, I cannot change, because they maintain harmful behaviors and exclude the possibility of healing, Arias emphasizes. Sanz, for her part, explains that self-diagnosis among Gen Zs which is fostered by social media limits them when it comes to modifying behaviors, because they justify them. And it also leads them to accept certain negative attitudes in others, by attributing them to patterns that they mistakenly identify because of these [self-]diagnoses. Sanz has also observed how Instagram therapy which has contributed to blurring the fine line that separates the invisibility of going to the psychologist from the extreme normalization of taking care of mental health manifests itself, in real life, in dichotomous behaviors among young people when theyre in relationships. Their standards are more open, taking into account their needs and at the same time being less tolerant, by prioritizing individual well-being over that of the relationship. Theyre more influenced by social media, constantly comparing themselves and self-diagnosing, while accepting excessively inappropriate behaviors. But, at the same time, theyre more flexible, they communicate better and gender roles arent as rigid. Additionally, while Gen Zs tend to be more traditional, for them, commitment is never so serious. A TikTok video or an Instagram photo brief, superficial and sweeping can be the beginning of a more complex process because, in the words of Arias, identifying any pattern or symptom is fine, through a video or wherever. But she clarifies: This is only the first step. Afterwards, the process must be accompanied by professional tools. Both psychologists emphasize that in order to accurately diagnose any psychological or mental health problem, manage it and solve it a complex assessment carried out by a professional is required. A smartphone and a social media account arent enough, no matter how much they influence the relationships between Gen Zs. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition London, Dec 8 (AP) Half a century of rule by the Assad family in Syria crumbled with astonishing speed after insurgents burst out of a rebel-held enclave and converged on the capital, Damascus, taking city after city in a matter of days. Opposition forces swept across the country and entered Damascus with little or no resistance as the Syrian army melted away. President Bashar Assad, Syria's ruler for 24 years succeeding his father, Hafez Assad fled the country. Russian state media reported that he was in Moscow. Also Read | Bashar al-Assad, Ousted Syrian President Arrived in Moscow With His Family and Given Asylum, Say Russian State News Agencies. It's a stunning development in Syria's devastating 13-year conflict. Anti-government protests in 2011 met with a brutal crackdown, escalating into a civil war that has killed more than half a million people and displaced half of Syria's prewar population of 23 million. Assad, backed by Iran and Russia, gradually regained control of more than two-thirds of Syria, leaving the rebels with one stronghold in the northwest of the country. And there the conflict remained, largely frozen, for years until late November. Here's a look at a seismic two weeks for the Middle East. Also Read | Syria Crisis: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Declares Disengagement Agreement Defunct After Fall of Bashar al-Assad's Government. Wednesday, November 27: Rebel offensive begins Armed opposition groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces in northwestern Syria and claim to have wrested control of over 15 villages from government forces in northwestern Aleppo province. The government and its allies respond with airstrikes and shelling in an attempt to halt the insurgent advances. The offensive is led by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaida and known as the Nusra Front, HTS later distanced itself from al-Qaida, seeking to market itself as a more moderate group. It is classed as a terrorist group by the United Nations and the US. The attack on Aleppo follows weeks of simmering low-level violence, including government attacks on opposition-held areas. Turkey, a main backer of Syrian opposition groups, says the rebels began a limited offensive to stop the attacks, but it expanded as government forces began to retreat. Thursday, Nov. 28: The offensive expands The offensive expands to reach the countryside of Idlib province amid reports government troops are retreating. Friday, Nov. 29: Rebels enter Aleppo The insurgents enter Aleppo, Syria's largest city, for the first time since they were pushed out in 2016 after a gruelling military campaign by Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran. They meet with little resistance. Saturday, Nov. 30: Aleppo falls under insurgent control The rebels say they control Aleppo, raising a flag over the city's citadel and occupying the international airport. The Syrian armed forces claim to have redeployed troops and equipment in preparation for a counterattack. By evening, the insurgents have seized at least four towns in the central Hama province and claim to have entered the provincial capital. Sunday, Dec. 1: The government fights back The Syrian military launches a counterattack with troops and airstrikes on Idlib and Aleppo. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits Damascus, telling Assad that Tehran will support the counteroffensive. But Assad receives little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular airstrikes. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Monday, Dec. 2-Wednesday, Dec. 4: Fighting rages near Hama The insurgents push south, advancing to within 10 kilometers (6 miles) of Hama, the country's fourth-largest city and a key crossroads in central Syria, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Damascus. State media reports fierce fighting in the province, and both state media and a U.K.-based observer group say government forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have recaptured some territory. Turkey urges Assad to hold talks with the opposition. Thursday, Dec. 5: Insurgents capture Hama After several days of fighting the rebels sweep into Hama. Dozens of jubilant fighters are seen firing into the air in celebration in Assi Square, the site of massive anti-government protests in the early days of the uprising in 2011. The Syrian army says it has redeployed to positions outside the city to protect civilians. Friday, Dec. 6: Rebels advance on Homs Rapidly advancing now, the rebels seize two towns on the outskirts of Homs, Syria's third-largest city. About 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Hama, Homs is the gateway to Damascus and the location of one of Syria's two state-owned oil refineries. Capturing it would cut the link between Damascus, Assad's seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. The government denies reports that its military has withdrawn from the city. Top diplomats from countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Russia, hold talks on Syria in the Qatari capital, Doha. Saturday, Dec. 7: Homs falls and Assad's grip weakens Opposition forces take Homs after government forces abandon it. The insurgents say they have encircled Damascus and are carrying out the final stage of their offensive. The UN special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition, as Syrian state media denies Assad has fled the country. Sunday, Dec. 8: Assad is toppled Syrian state television airs a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all prisoners have been set free. HTS commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani visits the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and calls Assad's fall a victory for the Islamic nation. Russian officials and Iranian state TV say Assad has left Syria. Russian state news agencies later report he and his family are in Moscow and were granted asylum. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali says Syria's government is ready to extend its hand to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Muzaffarabad [PoJK], December 8, (ANI): Shaukat Nawaz Mir, President of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), has strongly criticised the newly introduced Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024, which imposes severe restrictions on public gatherings in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Speaking out against the government's actions, Mir accused Pakistani politicians of neglecting the basic needs of the people for decades, pointing out the stark contrast between their lavish lifestyles and the struggles faced by ordinary citizens. Also Read | Elephant Death in Pakistan: Tusker Dies of Apparent Heart Failure at Safari Park in Karachi Weeks After Family Reunion. Mir recalled how, earlier this year, successful protests led by the JAAC resulted in a reduction in electricity and flour prices, providing much-needed relief to the public. However, he lamented that these gains have been reversed, with the authorities now imposing cuts to subsidies. He criticized the government for revoking these beneficial decisions and questioned why the authorities are now oppressing peaceful assemblies that have led to tangible results for the people. Also Read | Donald Trump's 'Not Our Fight' Remark: West Asia Strategist Waiel Awwad Counters US President-Elect's Statement, Says 'America Deeply Involved in Middle East Crisis'. "In the past, when politicians ignored your electricity bills, when they did nothing to ease the burden of rising living costs, and when they failed to inquire about the welfare of your children, you took to the streets under the Jammu-Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee to demand cheap electricity and affordable flour. Now, when your voices are still needed, why is the government so intent on silencing them?" Mir said. "This is not political rhetoric; I am speaking about the genuine demands of the people." A local trader also weighed in on the growing unrest, stating that the new ordinance, which has sparked widespread protests, is strongly opposed by the business community in PoJK. "We reject this ordinance, and we will not rest until it is revoked. The government's actions are an affront to our rights," the trader said. Mir emphasized that the struggle for the people's rights will continue, condemning the government's double standards and their failure to honour previous promises made to the people of PoJK. He called on citizens to unite and maintain pressure on the authorities until the ordinance is repealed and the government's commitments to the people are fulfilled. The protests show no signs of slowing down, with the JAAC and local communities pledging to continue their fight for justice, as they demand the restoration of subsidies and the protection of their fundamental rights. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], December 8 (ANI): The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) several top leaders in connection with the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case, ARY News reported. According to reports, the 25 accused mentioned in the GHQ attack case include PTI's top leaders like Ali Amin Gandapur, Shehryar Afridi, Zain Qureshi, Shibli Faraz, Tahir Sadiq, Malik Taimoor Masood and Kanwal Shauzab Also Read | George Jacob Koovakad Elevated to Rank of Cardonal: PM Narendra Modi Extends Best Wishes to First Indian Catholic Priest To Be Elevated to Cardinal at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican. ATC Rawalpindi Judge Amjad Ali Shah signed the warrants, ordering the Rawalpindi Police (CPO) to arrest them and present them before court by December 10. The court's decision showcases efforts to hold the accused accountable for their alleged involvement in the GHQ attack case. On December 5, Judge Amjad Ali Shah indicted PTI founder Imran Khan and 60 other PTI leaders were indicted in the GHQ attack case, ARY News reported. Also Read | Hague Blast: At Least 5 Killed After 3-Storey Apartment Partially Collapse Due to Explosion in Building in Netherlands. After the decision announced by the ATC, the police arrested four PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub, Raja Basharat, and Malik Ahmad Chatta, in connection with the GHQ attack case. 23 other accused in the case, including Zulfi Bukhari, Murad Saeed and Shehbaz Gill, have been declared proclaimed offenders. On May 9 last year, Khan, who served as Pakistan's PM from 2018 to 2022, was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court, where he was present for a hearing in a corruption case. He was accused of receiving illegal gifts and assets from other nations. Protests erupted acrosss the country following Imran Khan's arrest, as his supporters and party workers took to the streets to demand his release. The PTI protesters attacked and vandalised several civil and military installations, including the Jinnah House in Lahore, the Mianwali airbase, GHQ of the army in Rawalpindi and and others. The protesters also set vehicles on fire, blocked roads and clashed with police and security personnel. Over 5,000 people were arrested and charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other laws for their involvement in the riots, ARY News reported. The federal government accused Imran Khan of being the mastermind of these attacks and said that it had evidence of his involvement. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New York, Dec 8 (AP) They have seen him smiling on a hostel security camera, but don't know his name. They found the backpack he discarded while fleeing, but don't know where he's gone. As the search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killer goes on, investigators are reckoning with a tantalizing dichotomy: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. Also Read | Hamas Releases New Video of Israeli Hostage Matan Zangauker, Says Ending Gaza War Key to Any Truce Deal. Police don't know who he is, where he is, or why he did it though they are confident that it was a targeted attack instead of a random act. The net is tightening, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Saturday. Also Read | Who Is Bashar al-Assad? Why Is Syria Witnessing Civil War for Over 12 Years?. Hours after he spoke, police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his bag there Friday. Retracing the gunman's steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting Wednesday morning outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a USD 50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to USD 10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police provided no updates on the hunt Saturday, but investigators are urging patience even with a killer on the loose. Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson's family and coworkers and the shooter's randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. This isn't Blue Bloods.' We're not going to solve this in 60 minutes," Kenny told reporters Friday. We're painstakingly going through every bit of evidence that we can come across. The shooter paid cash at the hostel, presented what police believe was a fake ID and is believed to have paid cash for taxi rides and other transactions. He didn't speak to others at the hostel and almost always kept his face covered with a mask, only lowering it while eating. But investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment in which he briefly showed his face soon after arriving in New York on Nov 24. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven't been able to ID him using facial recognition possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. On Friday evening, investigators found a backpack in Central Park that had been worn by the gunman, police said. They didn't immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. Another potential clue, a fingerprint on an item he purchased at a Starbucks minutes before the shooting, has so far proven useless for identifying him, Kenny said. Aided by surveillance cameras on nearly every building and block, police have been able to retrace the shooter's movements. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 am as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company's annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson's body bore the words delay, deny and depose, mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. Kenny said the fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client. Investigators know from surveillance video that the shooter fled into Central Park on a bicycle and ditched it around 7 am near 85th Street. He then walked a couple blocks and got into a taxi, arriving at 7:30 am at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, which is near the northern tip of Manhattan and offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington. Investigators don't know what happened next. They are searching through more surveillance video but have yet to locate video of the shooter getting on a bus or exiting the station. We have reason to believe that the person in question has left New York City, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told CNN on Friday. Police have determined from video that the gunman was in the city for 10 days before the shooting. He arrived at Manhattan's main bus terminal on a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta, though it's not clear whether he embarked there or at one of about a half-dozen stops along the route. Immediately after that, he took a cab to the vicinity of the Hilton and was there for about a half hour, Kenny said. At around 11 pm on the night he arrived, he went by taxi to the HI New York City Hostel. It was there, while speaking with an employee in the lobby, that he briefly pulled down the mask and smiled, giving investigators the brief glimpse they are now relying on to identify and capture a killer. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Beirut, Dec 9 (AP) Syrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule. Russian state news agencies were reporting that President Bashar Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were given asylum. Russia said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Also Read | Bashar al-Assad, Ousted Syrian President Arrived in Moscow With His Family and Given Asylum, Say Russian State News Agencies. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag. Others ransacked the presidential palace and residence. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago leads the biggest rebel faction in Syria and is poised to chart the country's future. Also Read | Syria Crisis: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Declares Disengagement Agreement Defunct After Fall of Bashar al-Assad's Government. He made his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, at the capital's sprawling Umayyad Mosque, and called himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Assad's fall was a victory to the Islamic nation. The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Israel has issued warnings to villages in southern Syria and its forces seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Here's the Latest: Israel releases images of work on a new barrier with Syria The Israeli military said on Sunday it was reinforcing a barrier along its border with Syria as part of its enhanced preparedness in the area following the fall of the Assad regime. Israel released images of the construction, which showed bulldozers digging what appeared to be a trench. The army said in a statement that the barrier was named New East. Satellite images analysed by The Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began building what could be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria. The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarised zone during the work. Over the weekend, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel's presence along the border with Syria. Russian news agency reporting that Assad has arrived in Moscow Russian state news agencies reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum. The agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but had contacted the Kremlin for comment. Arab League condemns Israel for seizing territory in Golan Heights CAIRO The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Syrian President Bashar Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. Hours after Assad's overthrow, Israel announced it had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights that was established by a cease-fire agreement with Syria in 1974. In a statement, the Arab League said Israel illegally sought to occupy more territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a temporary defensive position. United Nations secretary-general marks the fall of the dictatorial regime' in Syria UNITED NATIONS The United Nations secretary-general is marking the fall of the dictatorial regime in Syria and says the future of the country is is a matter for the Syrians to determine. A statement by Antonio Guterres also called for calm and the protection of the rights of all Syrians as well as of diplomatic and consular facilities in Syria. He said there is much work ahead to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions, and he called on the international community to ensure that any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity. Top Ukraine diplomat says Assad is a dictator' who relied on Russia to prop up his rule KYIV -- Ukraine's top diplomat on Sunday responded to Assad's ouster by describing him as a dictator who relied on Russia to prop up his rule - a reference to the military campaign Moscow has waged in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad's government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. "Assad has fallen. This has always been and will be the case with all dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him, foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. In a separate update on the social network, Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to take steps towards restoring relations with Syria, severed months into Russia's full-scale invasion of the neighbouring state. Kyiv broke off diplomatic ties after Damascus in June 2022 recognised Kremlin-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as independent territories, in a move welcomed by Moscow and decried by the West as a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. Israeli military issues warning to residents of five villages in southern Syria JERUSALEM The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents of five villages and towns in southern Syria to stay inside their homes for their safety. The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act, the IDF's Arabic-language spokesman said on X. The military didn't respond to questions. Earlier, Israel said its troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Defence Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights Jewish and Druze so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. Head of Syria's biggest rebel faction in first appearance since Assad's fall calls it a victory to the Islamic nation". BEIRUT - The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capital's sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against President Bashar Assad is a victory to the Islamic nation. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus. He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria a farm for Iran's greed. He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal amphetamine Captagon that brought cash to Assad's circles. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, said on Sunday that the victory was achieved because of God and the blood of martyrs. He said that he left Syria 20 years ago and since then his heart has longed for this movement. Many Jordanian people welcome the fall of Assad's regime AMMAN The vast majority of the Jordanian people are welcoming the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime and the success of the Syrian revolution. There is no doubt that I felt overwhelming joy at the fall of the Assad regime," said Badi Al-Rafaia, Engineer, union activist and member of the Islamic Action Front. "There is no doubt that we are happy with what happened in Syria, happy with the success of the revolution, happy with the Syrian people getting rid of an oppressor and criminal who treated the Syrian people and made the Syrian state a failed state. Al-Rafaia said that Jordan is benefiting from what happened in Syria, and "we hope that Jordan will help the revolution succeed and not work against it. Amman resident Muhab al-Majali said the fall of the Assad regime is The end of every unjust and tyrannical rule, and more than that, it mortgaged the country and its people to the Iranians, who abandoned it in minutes... I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians. The International Committee of the Red Cross calls for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria BERLIN The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria after the fall of Bashir Assad's government. Our teams in Syria, including in Damascus, have been closely monitoring the fast-evolving security and humanitarian situation in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the ICRC's head of delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a written statement on Sunday. The ICRC is responding wherever possible, with further efforts underway, as hundreds of thousands of people need care and humanitarian assistance, he said. Sakalian called on all parties to urgently enable safe and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian workers to reach those in need, to protect civilians, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law". Iraqi government supports efforts seeking to open a dialogue for Syria's future BAGHDAD The Iraqi government said in a statement Sunday that it supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue for Syria leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. The statement from government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi, said that Iraq understands the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region. It cautioned against interfering in Syria's internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another. Iraq, which has a close relationship with Iran - once a strong ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad - has taken in some 2,000 Syrian army soldiers who fled the country amid the advance of armed opposition groups. Yemen's leader welcomes the fall of Syria's government CAIRO The head of Yemen's internationally recognised government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. It's a historic moment, Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assad's downfall. It's time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity. Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Iran's support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemen's internationally recognised government for a decade. Families wander through the presidential palace in Damascus, taking picture DAMASCUS Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus' Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. But for some the celebration was bittersweet. I am very happy, but this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of the prison and know where is he is, said Damascus resident Bassam Masr. I have been searching for him for two hours - he has been detained for 13 years. Netanyahu says Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights after Syrian unrest TEL AVIV Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assad's rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a temporary defensive position. Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began construction of what could possibly be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria. The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarised zone during the work. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarised zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, with around 1,100 peacekeepers from Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Uruguay. After the 1973 Mideast war, the UN Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 400 square kilometer (155 square mile) demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there. Airstrikes reported in the area of the Mezzeh military airport DAMASCUS An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital on Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike. Israel often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian army's Fourth Division and another former military site outside of Damascus on Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel's presence along the border between Israel and Syria. Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Damascus, December 8: Crowds gathered in Syria's Damascus on Sunday to celebrate the fall of Bashar Assad's government with chants, prayers and the occasional gunfire after opposition fighters entered the capital following a stunning advance. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Syrian opposition war monitor, said Assad took a flight from Damascus and left early Sunday. There was no immediate official statement from the Syrian government and Assad's whereabouts remain unknown. Syria Crisis: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Says Israel Forces Have Seized Buffer Zone in Golan Heights After Syrian Unrest. It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018 when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege. The night before, opposition forces had taken the central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Here's the Latest: Yemen's leader welcomes the fall of Syria's government CAIRO The head of Yemen's internationally recognised government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. It's a historic moment, Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assad's downfall. It's time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity. Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Iran's support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemen's internationally recognised government for a decade. Families wander through the presidential palace in Damascus, taking pictures. Syria Crisis: Bashar al-Assad Left Country After Deciding To Leave Presidential Post, Gave Instructions To Transfer Power Peacefully, Claims Russia's Foreign Ministry. DAMASCUS Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus' Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. Iran, which had closely backed Assad, says Syrians should decide country's future TEHRAN, Iran Iran says the Syrian people should decide their country's future without destructive, coercive foreign intervention. The Foreign Ministry statement issued Sunday marked Iran's first official reaction to the overthrow of President Bashar Assad, who it had strongly backed through nearly 14 years of civil war. Netanyahu says Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights after Syrian unrest TEL AVIV, Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assad's rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a temporary defensive position. Syrians cross over from Lebanon, facing an uncertain future but hopeful for change MASNAA, Lebanon At Lebanon's Masnaa crossing into Syria, the mood was festive Sunday with some local Lebanese residents handing out congratulatory sweets to Syrians lined up to return to their country. Sami Abdel-Latif, a refugee from Hama who was heading to Syria to join his wife and four children, said while the future in Syria is still uncertain, anything is better than Bashar. He said he expected some chaos initially but that eventually the situation would settle down. Egyptians express mixed feelings over collapse of Assad's government CAIRO Egyptians expressed mixed feelings following the downfall of Syria's Bashar Assad. Many welcomed Assad's ouster after decades of repression under his rule and that of his father Hafez Assad. Others, however, expressed concerns about the future of Syria, mostly given the extremist past of rebel commanders, especially Abu Mohammed al-Golani who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, labelled a terrorist by the United States. EU top diplomat welcomes Bashar Assad's ouster BRUSSELS The European Union's top diplomat welcomed the fall of Bashar Assad and said that the collapse of his rule underlines how weak his supporters in Moscow and Tehran have become. The end of Assad's dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas posted on X. German Chancellor calls for speedy return of order in Syria BERLIN Reacting to the fall of Bashir Assad's government, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Sunday that what matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria. The Syrian people have experienced appalling suffering, the chancellor said in an emailed statement. The end of Assad's rule over Syria is therefore good news. Airstrikes reported in the area of the Mezzeh military airport DAMASCUS, Syria An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. China hopes for stability soon in Syria BEIJING China said it was closely monitoring the situation in Syria and that it hoped stability would return as soon as possible, according to a statement published Sunday on the Foreign Ministry's website. Beijing said it has been helping Chinese nationals who wish to leave Syria to do so in a safe manner and that it remained in contact with those still in the country. Opposition forces announce curfew in Damascus BEIRUT The command of the Syrian armed opposition says it will impose Sunday a curfew in Damascus, starting at 4 pm local time till 5 am on Monday. The Military Operations Administration, which posted the decision on Telegram, did not give a reason for the curfew. Russia claims Assad left Syria after giving instructions to transfer power peacefully MOSCOW Russia's Foreign Ministry claimed Sunday that Bashar Assad had left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups, and gave instructions to transfer power peacefully. In a post on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday, the ministry said Moscow had not directly participated in these talks. It also said it has been following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern." France welcomes the fall of Bashar Assad PARIS The French Foreign Affairs ministry said France welcomes the fall of Bashar Assad's government after more than 13 years of violent repression against its own people. The ministry said in a statement: The Syrian people have suffered too much. Bashar Assad has bled dry country, emptied of a large part of its people who, if not forced into exile, have been massacred, tortured and bombarded with chemical weapons by the regime and its allies. UN envoy for Syria expresses hope but warns of immense challenges DOHA, Qatar The UN envoy for Syria says the ouster of President Bashar Assad has created an opportunity to address the country's deep problems and create a brighter future after years of conflict. But he says immense challenges remain. Geir Pederson told reporters that the changes in Syria now raise hope for millions of refugees, internally displaced, political prisoners and families whose loved ones have disappeared. Turkish foreign minister calls on world to help stabilise Syria BEIRUT Hakan Fidan said Sunday that Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people will shape the future of their own country, calling on the international community to support Syrians. Fidan is attending the Qatari diplomatic forum that started late Saturday and is hosting eight countries with an interest in Syria, including the U.S. and Iran. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Taipei, Dec 8 (AP) China sent 14 warships, seven military aircraft and four balloons near Taiwan between Saturday and Sunday, according to Taiwan's Defence Ministry, as Beijing ramps up pressure on the island it claims as its own. China's military activities come amid speculation Beijing might organise military drills around the island in response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's recent visit to Pacific allies, including US stops in Hawaii and Guam. Also Read | Hamas Releases New Video of Israeli Hostage Matan Zangauker, Says Ending Gaza War Key to Any Truce Deal. China claims Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy of 23 million people, as its own territory, and bristles at other countries' formal exchanges with Taiwan. The United States, like most countries, doesn't recognize Taiwan as a country but is its main unofficial backer and sells it arms. The Chinese government has pledged to annex Taiwan, through military force if necessary, and sends ships and military planes near the island almost daily. Also Read | Assad Regime Falls: War Monitor Says President Bashar al-Assad Fled Syria After Rebels Entered Damascus. The 14 warships, seven military planes and four balloons were reported over 24 hours between 6 am on Saturday and 6 am on Sunday, according to Taiwan's Defence Ministry. The ministry said six of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial demarcation zone between Taiwan and China. One of the balloons brushed over the island's northern tip, according to the ministry. Lai on Friday called on China to refrain from threats and said Beijing's military exercises will not be able to win the respect of neighbouring countries. Lai's first overseas trip since taking office in May included visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The rest of the world, including the U.S., has official ties with China. Lai's stops in Hawaii and Guam from where he had phone calls with U.S. Congress leaders angered China, which opposes U.S. arms sales and military assistance to Taiwan. There was widespread speculation China might organize war games around Taiwan in response to the visit, though it was unclear when they might start. In October, China held drills around Taiwan involving a record one-day total of 153 aircraft, 14 navy vessels and 12 Chinese government ships in response to a Lai speech in which he rejected Beijing's claims over Taiwan. Beijing has labelled Lai a separatist and refuses to speak to him. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ankara, Dec 8 (AP) Syrian refugees across Turkey jubilantly welcomed the downfall of Bashar Assad's government Sunday, with many embracing the chance to return to their homeland. Large crowds waving Syrian and Turkish flags gathered in the main square of Kilis, a border city in southern Turkey. Also Read | Elephant Death in Pakistan: Tusker Dies of Apparent Heart Failure at Safari Park in Karachi Weeks After Family Reunion. In Hatay province, which also lies on the Syrian frontier, many said it was time to go home after years of living in Turkey, which hosts some 3 million Syrians. We are free now, everyone should return to their homeland, Mahmud Esma told the DHA news agency at the Cilvegozu border gate. Also Read | Donald Trump's 'Not Our Fight' Remark: West Asia Strategist Waiel Awwad Counters US President-Elect's Statement, Says 'America Deeply Involved in Middle East Crisis'. Turkey, which shares a 911-kilometre-long frontier with Syria, has been a main backer of opposition groups aiming to topple Assad since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. While Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement, observers believe that the offensive, which appears to be aligned with Turkey's long-time goals, could not have gone ahead without Ankara's consent. It has allowed Turkey, through its Syrian proxy the Syrian National Army, to push back against Kurdish forces in Syria allied to its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. The jihadi group that spearheaded the 10-day march on Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, is listed as a terrorist organisation by Ankara. However, Turkey has operated alongside it for years in northern Syria and is believed to exert significant influence over the group. Here's a look at Turkey's position, how Assad's removal could serve the country's objectives and possible risks ahead: Ties with Syria Turkey has stated its support for Syria's territorial integrity: the last thing it wants is a Kurdish-controlled autonomous region on its border or a fresh exodus of refugees created by instability. Ankara has conducted several incursions into Syria since 2016 with the aim of pushing back the Islamic State group or Kurdish militants and creating a buffer zone along its border, and now controls a stretch of territory in northern Syria. Turkey was previously involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between the regime and insurgents, including holding talks with Assad's main supporters, Russia and Iran. Recently Ankara sought a reconciliation with Assad in order to mitigate the threat to Turkey from Kurdish militias and ensure the safe return of refugees. Assad rebuffed Turkey's overtures. Where Turkey stands Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of involvement in the anti-government offensive, stating opposition to developments that increase instability in the region. All statements that claim Turkey provoked or that Turkey supported this are untrue. They are all lies, Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, said this week. Analysts say, however, that the rebel offensive would have been impossible without a green light from Turkey. Turkish officials say Ankara stalled the offensive for months. Opposition forces finally went ahead with the assault after the Syrian government attacked opposition-held areas, violating agreements between Russia, Iran and Turkey to de-escalate the conflict. The offensive was initially meant to be limited, the officials said, but expanded after Syrian government forces began retreating from their positions. Speaking in Qatar on Sunday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey attaches great importance for the national unity, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and the well-being of the Syrian people. Thereby millions of Syrians who were forced to leave their homes can return to their land. Risks ahead The Syrian government's fall could pose several risks to Turkey, including sending a new wave of refugees toward the Turkish border if chaos ensues. Sinan Ulgen, director of the Istanbul-based Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies, said that first and foremost Turkey wants a stable Syria. The first risk that Turkey would want to avoid that all cost is the territorial disintegration of Syria, with different power structures vying to obtain autonomy on their territory, he said, highlighting the PKK-linked Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units, the YPG, in northeast Syria. A stable period of transition would allow Turkey to channel economic aid to Syria to create the conditions for the return of refugees, Ulgen added. Some analysts have suggested that the rebel offensive could stoke tensions with Syria's backers, Iran and Russia. Turkey, a NATO member, has sought to balance close relations with both Ukraine and Russia in the face of Moscow's full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Ulgen noted that Russia has not accused Turkey of stoking the insurgents' advance. He said this was due in part to not wanting Turkey to switch to become more anti-Russia in its stance on the war in Ukraine. I don't think that this creates a breaking point in Turkey-Russian relations. Alignment of goals The developments have raised hopes that Turkey may achieve its strategic objectives in Syria, including securing its southern borders and facilitating the safe return of Syrian refugees. Since 2022, Turkey has sought to normalise relations with Syria. However, Assad insisted on the withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Syria, while Turkey maintains it cannot withdraw as long as threats from Kurdish militias persist. Whether a change of rule in Syria will allow Turkey to push the YPG away from its borders remains to be seen. HTS has reportedly developed good ties with the YPG, which heads the Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey views the YPG as a terrorist organisation despite its alliance with the US against the Islamic State group. Calling for the preservation of Syria's territorial integrity, Fidan said Turkey was being watchful to make sure that terrorist organisations, especially Daesh and PKK, are not taking advantage of the situation. He was referring to the Islamic State group and the YPG. The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army expelled the YPG from Tal Rifaat, north of Aleppo, during the latest advance. On Sunday, Turkish security officials said it had seized control of most of the Kurdish-held city of Manbij. Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Fund in Ankara, noted that Turkey would expect to have a significant say in the new-look Syria. There will be negotiations that will decide the future of Syria, he said. Turkey will be influential but so will the United States and so will the Middle Eastern countries that will finance the rebuilding of Syria. Gonul Tol, director of the US-based Middle East Institutes' Turkish Programme, noted that Turkey may not be able to control the HTS as it pursues its own interests. HTS are a wild card. Does Turkey really want a jihadist organisation to be running a neighbouring country? she said. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in the Bandra area of Mumbai on Saturday, has issued a public statement thanking his followers for their concern. He also said that All is well now and that the health scare was majorly caused by his hectic stint at the recently concluded 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Subhash Ghai Health Update: Director 'Doing Fine' After Being Admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, Confirms Spokesperson. Recently, the filmmaker attended the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, where his memoir, Karma's Child: The Story of Indian Cinema's Ultimate Showman was launched. The festival also saw the screening of his musical Taal. On Sunday, the filmmaker-producer took to his X, formerly Twitter, and wrote, I feel so blessed to know that Ive so many friends expressing their love n affection for my health. after my hectic stint at IFFI goa. ALL IS WELL NOW n see u soon. SMILE AGAIN. thank you (sic). Subhash Ghai Shares His Health Update After Hospitalisation I feel so blessed to know that Ive so many friends expressing their love n affection for my health. after my hectic stint at IFFI goa. ALL IS WELL NOW n see u soon. SMILE AGAIN. thank you Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) December 8, 2024 Earlier, the hospital had shared in a statement that his past medical history was positive for Ischemic heart disease (s/p AVR 2009, CABG in 2011 and pacemaker insertion in 2011) and a recently diagnosed hypothyroidism. He was admitted to the ICU under the care of Dr Rohit Deshpande. Subhash Ghai started his career in Bollywood as an actor. He did small roles in films like Taqdeer and Aaradhna. Later he did lead roles in films like Umang and Gumrah. However, his career as an actor did not see much success, following which he switched to direction. He is known for films like Kalicharan, Vishwanath, Karz, Hero, Vidhaata, Meri Jung, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Saudagar, Khalnayak, Pardes and Taal. Aitraaz 2: Subhash Ghai Announces Sequel After 20 Years, Praises Priyanka Chopras Iconic Performance (View Post). In 2006, he received the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues for producing the social problem film Iqbal. The same year, he founded the Whistling Woods International film and media institution in Mumbai. He last produced and wrote the comedy-drama streaming movie 36 Farmhouse, which was released in 2022. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 08, 2024 09:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). There has long been tension within the Manchu family, but the situation seems to have reached a breaking point. Recently, actor Manchu Manoj filed a formal complaint against his father, veteran actor Mohan Babu. According to Gulte, Manoj approached the police station, accusing his father of physically attacking both him and his wife, Bhuma Mounika. This shocking development has raised eyebrows as the father-son duo, who have reportedly had a strained relationship for years, now face a new chapter of conflict that has spilt into the public eye. Kannappa: Makers of Vishnu Manchus Mythological Film Unveil Striking Poster of Akshay Kumar As Lord Shiva on His Birthday! All Not Well in the Manchu Family Manchu Manoj reportedly met with police officials and presented evidence of his injuries, which he claims were inflicted by his father, Mohan Babu. In response, Mohan Babu has filed a counter-complaint, alleging that he was the one attacked first. As authorities delve into the case, sources suggest that a long-standing property dispute within the family could be at the heart of this escalating conflict. With both father and son now filing cases against each other, the investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days. Mohan Babu Expresses Grief Over Gurucharans Death, Shares Fond Memories of the Veteran Lyricist. Statement From Manchu Vishnu's Team Amid this, Manoj's brother Manchu Vishnus team issued a statement, calling the news false: There is no truth in the news that Mohan Babu and Manchu Manoj have filed mutual complaints. There are imaginary stories that Manchu Manoj came with visible injuries at the police station. Some media channels are spreading false propaganda. There is no truth in them, revealed a statement from Vishnus team. Kannappa: Leaked Picture of Prabhas From Mukesh Kumar Singhs Upcoming Fantasy Film Goes Viral, Makers Announce INR 5 Lakh Reward To Trace Culprit. For the unversed, in 2023, the ongoing feud between Manchu brothers Manoj and Vishnu escalated to a serious level, with reports suggesting it became physical. Manoj allegedly accused Vishnu, known for his role in Kannappa, of misbehaving with his family members. The incident attracted significant attention after a video of the altercation surfaced online, further fuelling the tension between the two. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 08, 2024 01:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Businessman Marco Grossi, pictured at the headquarters of his company, iLovePDF, in Barcelona. Vicens Gimenez Reading the following article will take about 10 minutes. During that time, 300,000 people will have visited iLovePDF.com to cut, merge, compress, and perform other tasks on a PDF document. Most of these users will not have paid for this quick and accessible tool, created by Marco Grossi, a 39-year-old from Barcelona, who rides his bicycle to work each morning, with the goal of staying in his company until his retirement. We dont have any investors behind us, weve never had one, and were not looking for one, Grossi says. When asked about offers for his website, which is among the worlds 50 most visited, he responds, I never had an entrepreneurial spirit. I dont even open purchase proposals because I know how they end. What makes me happy is coming to work by bike and meeting the team in the office. I hope I never have to think about selling. Grossi worked alone at home until 2017, when the websites grew so big receiving between 200,000 and 300,000 daily visits that he had to hire his first employee, a colleague from his university. He keeps his companys turnover figures private, but now employs 43 people and rarely gives interviews. The idea for iLovePDF.com originated in 2010 when Grossi, a Design graduate with an Italian father and Spanish mother, needed to cut and paste a PDF. I realized that it was a very simple task and that I could actually create it myself. Thats how iLovePDF.com came to be. By October 2024, it had gained 150 million visits and ranked 34th globally, surpassing Amazon in India and coming just below Wikipedia in Russia, according to data from the Singapore portal ahrefs.com. Grossi writes on a whiteboard in front of two employees of his company, iLovePDF, at its headquarters in Barcelona. Vicens Gimenez A lot of people think the name and logo could be improved, but... dont you remember it? says Grossi during an interview via Google Meet. For several years, he balanced his web development work focused on solving PDF-related problems with his freelance work as a web page designer. I studied Multimedia and Photography at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. My father is from Milan. He came to Barcelona at 20 and met my mother, who is from here, and started designing websites in the 1990s. I was born in Barcelona, though I studied at the Italian school, he shares. The humility of Grossi stands in stark contrast to the typical CEO culture in the current digital business ecosystem, where ego, flamboyance, and calls for investor attention are the norm. Instead, Grossi stays true to his focus on creating a good free product. I cant understand how iLovePDF is a free tool. Its perhaps one of the best inventions in history after the wheel, air conditioning, and penicillin, tweeted Mariano Heller, a lawyer in Buenos Aires, in August 2023. From time to time, Grossis image, mainly visible on his LinkedIn profile, goes viral on X through memes that humorously elevate him to the status of a savior for creating such a tool thats able to solve so many problems. Yes, sometimes I see this, and we appreciate the affection, but really thats why I hardly give interviews, I like to lead my normal life without being a public figure. For example, our business growth is sustained. We will never be a company that hires 200 people one year and then has to close. The year we hired the most was when we hired 10 people, and staff turnover is very low, he points out. Between 80% and 90% of iLovePDFs revenue comes from premium subscriptions, which are mainly offered to businesses. The remaining revenue is generated through a banner ad. A paid subscription, priced at around $4 per month, grants offline tool access, technical support, and PDF-to-Word conversion with image recognition. Actually, the free tier works for 99.9% of the people who use us and will continue to do so. But for the past couple of years we have had a sales team of five people for businesses, he says. One of the biggest fears users have about free digital solutions is file security and transparency in data usage. All PDFs are deleted within two hours. No one can access them. We know that the PDF file has been used, but we cant get in. Plus, we have ISO 27001 certification and have passed several internal and external security audits, which is not the same as just saying in words that iLovePDF is safe to use, he explains. The iLovePDF website, running on an iPad. Vicens Gimenez In 1982, mathematician Dr. John Warnock, driven by a desire to solve the problem of printing what appeared on the screen, founded a company in California. By 1991, he invented a tool allowing screens to be transferred to printers, which he initially called Camelot. A year later, he patented the Portable Document Format (PDF). Warnock, alongside his partner Chuck Geschke, went on to establish Adobe Systems, adopting the name of the stream next to their house in Palo Alto. Over the course of decades, they quietly created a business giant in an industry filled with messianic personalities such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Marco Grossi believes that PDF will continue to exist as a standard format in the short and medium term because at the moment AI [which could create a direct competition] is not in this field. His project for images, iLoveIMG.com, is also growing at a rapid pace. Grossi remains committed to innovation, maintaining a close-knit team, and disconnecting through outdoor sports. The way in which the internet affects people, especially on social media, has gotten worse. The human mind is not prepared to be so connected. You could say that I make a living from this, from the internet, but it is a tool that makes your work easier. I think we have to readapt how we approach society so we arent seeing it through Instagram. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Jodhpur, December 8: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said India will soon create a comprehensive anti-drone unit to secure its borders as the "menace" of unmanned aerial vehicles is going to get serious in the coming days. Addressing BSF troops at the 60th Raising Day event of the force here at its training camp, about 300 km from the India-Pakistan border, Shah said the initial results of a "laser equipped anti-drone gun-mounted" mechanism have been encouraging. Amit Shah Ji Has Ruined Delhi: AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal Takes On Centre Over Shahdara Shootout Incident, Says BJP Is No Longer Able To Handle Law and Order Situation. This has led to an increase in drone neutralisation and detection cases, up from 3 per cent to 55 per cent, along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, he said. "The drone menace is going to get more serious in the coming days... We are tackling this issue with a 'whole of government' approach with the defence and research organisations and the DRDO joining hands. "We are going to create a comprehensive anti-drone unit for the country in the coming time," Shah said. According to official data, more than 260 drones have been downed or recovered from India's border with Pakistan this year as compared to about 110 in 2023. The maximum number of such interdictions of drones carrying arms and drugs have taken place in Punjab and very few in Rajasthan and Jammu. Gujarat Lok Seva Trust Has Been Serving for Peoples Welfare for 35 Years, Says Home Minister Amit Shah. The minister reviewed the ceremonial parade, took salute and awarded medals to gallantry award winners and some other decorations. The Border Security Force (BSF), which has a strength of about 2.65 lakh personnel, was raised on December 1, 1965. It is primarily tasked with guarding more than 6,300 kms of Indian fronts with Pakistan and Bangladesh apart from rendering a variety of duties in the internal security domain of the country. Shah said the ongoing Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) for securing India's borders with Pakistan (2,289 km) and Bangladesh (4,096 km) is a work in progress. "We have had an encouraging response from the CIBMS deployed along the riverine border in Assam's Dhubri (India-Bangladesh international border) but some improvements are required," he said. The minister also said that the Modi government's Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) for developing and bringing into the mainstream the population of northern borders will be implemented for all the frontier villages of the country. This is the Modi government's "biggest achievement" vis-a-vis enhancing border security and working for the population living in these remote areas with a fund allocation of Rs 48,000 crore. It is being run on an "experimental basis" in around 3,000 villages, he said. Shah said the Union government has sanctioned a "big" budget for strengthening India's borders -- fencing, frontier infrastructure, roads and other logistics. "Securing global recognition and the number one place for India by 2047 is not possible without our security personnel... the jawans who guard our borders with dedication," he said. Shah said about 573 new border posts have been created by the Modi government apart from 1,812 km of roads. Mumbai, December 8: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has lost relevance and is not needed by the ruling Mahayuti, Union minister Ramdas Athawale said on Sunday. The MNS failed to win a single seat in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, which were swept by the Mahayuti, the losers including the party chief's son Amit Thackeray from Mumbai's Mahim constituency. Ramdas Athawale Claims Devendra Fadnavis Will Be Next Maharashtra CM With NCPs Support (Watch Video). "Raj Thackeray thought power could not come without him. His dreams have been shattered. With me in the alliance, there is no place for Raj Thackeray. He changes his strategies and the colour of his party flag. It reflects his diminishing relevance," said Athawale, whose Republican Party of India (A) has been with the BJP-led NDA for over a decade. Speaking to reporters in Nashik, the Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment also expressed confidence that his party will get representation in the Devendra Fadnavis government. Ramdas Athawales Ministerial Position Is Sure: Nitin Gadkari Makes Playful Jibe at Ramdas Athawale, Video Goes Viral. Slamming the Maha Vikas Aghadi for blaming EVM "misuse" for the crushing defeat in the recent assembly polls, Athawale said the opposition was "disrespecting democracy by making such excuses". Twenty-two terrorists and six security members were killed in separate military operations in Pakistan, the military said. Security forces conducted the operations in various districts of the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in a statement on Saturday. Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia after rebels seized control of Damascus, according to Russian news agencies. The Russian government has granted Assad and his family asylum on humanitarian grounds. Meanwhile, Syrian rebels, made up of various opposition groups, said they were working to transition power to a new governing body with full executive powers. Syria Crisis: Bashar al-Assad Left Country After Deciding To Leave Presidential Post, Gave Instructions To Transfer Power Peacefully, Claims Russia's Foreign Ministry. Bashar al-Assad and Family Granted Asylum in Russia After Rebels Capture Damascus BREAKING: Assad and family have arrived in Moscow, Russia has granted them asylum. The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) December 8, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter (X), Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) Jerusalem, December 8: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the 1974 UN-monitored Disengagement Agreement, which established a demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria, has "collapsed". Netanyahu made the comments during a visit to Mount Bental in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, a vantage point overlooking the Syrian border. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz. Syria Crisis: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Says Israel Forces Have Seized Buffer Zone in Golan Heights After Syrian Unrest. The Prime Minister said the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government had "triggered a chain reaction across the Middle East". Netanyahu noted that the Syrian administration's fall presents "new and very significant opportunities for Israel," while warning of the risks posed by the situation. He said he had ordered Israeli forces to enter the buffer zone and assume positions to prevent hostile entities from taking hold of the area, Xinhua news agency reported. "We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border," he said, in an apparent message to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the rebel advances in Syria. Netanyahu pledged that Israel would closely monitor developments and "do whatever is necessary to protect our borders and ensure our security." He also expressed hope for "a policy of good neighborliness" with Syria. Katz, for his part, said he instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), with the approval of the cabinet, to "take control of the buffer zone and key vantage points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights -- both Jewish and Druze -- so that they will not be exposed to threats from the other side." Since fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon in October last year, Israel has escalated its airstrikes in Syria, claiming to have targetted Iran and Hezbollah-affiliated militias and activities. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 08, 2024 11:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mumbai, December 8: Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, has faced immense challenges to his rule since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. Initially seen as a leader who could bring change, his presidency quickly became synonymous with repression and brutality. Despite this, Assad managed to retain power, aided by strong support from international allies such as Russia and Iran. His forces have endured over 12 years of devastating conflict, facing off against a fractured opposition and an influx of extremist groups. As of December 2024, Assads government is on the verge of collapse following a swift offensive by insurgent forces. The rebel group's rapid advance has seen them seize key cities, including Aleppo and Hama, leaving Damascus encircled. With reports indicating that Assad may have fled the capital, the situation is rapidly evolving. The long-standing Assad regime, once bolstered by external support, is now at a crossroads. With all eyes now on Syria's civil war, let's know who Bashar al-Assad is and why is Syria witnessing civil war for over 12 years. Bashar al-Assad Regime To Fall in Syria? Insurgents Reach Gates of Damascus, Threatening To Upend Decades of Syrian President Assads Rule. Who is Bashar al-Assad? Born in Damascus on September 11, 1965, Bashar al-Assad is the current president of Syria, a position he has held since 2000. He succeeded his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly three decades. Assad was educated as an ophthalmologist and initially lived outside the political spotlight until his older brother, Basil, was killed in a car accident in 1994. This tragic event led to Bashar being groomed to take over the presidency despite his lack of political or military experience at the time. After a period of military training, he was groomed to take his father's place, rising to power at just 34 years old. He ascended to the presidency in 2000 following a swift constitutional amendment that lowered the age requirement. His early years in office were marked by optimism, with hopes for political and economic reforms. However, over time, Assad maintained his fathers authoritarian style of governance, suppressing political dissent and tightening his grip on power. His regimes approach to governance became more repressive as dissent grew, culminating in the 2011 uprising that spiralled into a devastating civil war. Syria Civil War: Syrian Rebels Claim To Enter Strategic Stronghold Homs, President Bashar al-Assads Military Vows To Continue Fight. Why Is Syria in War? Syria's descent into war began in 2011, sparked by widespread protests during the Arab Spring, calling for democratic reforms and an end to Bashar al-Assads authoritarian rule. The government's brutal response to peaceful demonstrations, including mass arrests and violent crackdowns, escalated the situation. Over time, the unrest transformed into an armed rebellion, with various opposition groups fighting to overthrow Assad. The regimes use of heavy military force, including chemical weapons, worsened the conflict, drawing in foreign powers and turning the war into a complex international crisis. The war further intensified as international powers became involved, with Russia and Iran supporting Assads regime, while the United States, Turkey, and Gulf nations backed various opposition groups. The rise of ISIS in 2013 complicated the conflict, shifting global focus toward combating the extremist group. As of December 2024, the situation in Syria remains dire, with insurgents advancing toward Damascus, putting the Assad regime under significant threat. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 08, 2024 08:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Lunar Squares of Selfishness On a day rich in lunar squares to highly influential planets, it can be helpful to remember that everyone needs to feel important. To recognize this need in yourself and get the attention in a way youre proud of is the stuff of superior skill. Some try to prove their importance by framing themselves as the best of the best or the worst of the worst. Its an absurd way to compete, but hyperbole is natural for beginners. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You never know from where your next inspiration will come or how useful the ideas that emerge from it will be. This is why youre willing to entertain offbeat characters and notions that just might be weird enough to work. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Communication isnt always talk. In fact, too much talk can detract from clear communication, as it makes it harder to separate the signal from the noise. Sharpen your point with the flint of brevity and it will pierce perfectly. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Dont compete for attention, rather hold out for the focus given from genuine interest and curiosity. Those who dont lend it are not a good match. Take yourself out of the competition. Shine your light your way and attract your people. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Friends and lovers are wonderful supporters, but they may not be ideal accountability partners. This is one of those times when you need someone outside of your personal circle to offer you the necessary objectivity to stay on track. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Youll make quite an impression by being true to yourself. You come across as unselfconscious yet thoughtful, striking that rare combination that makes others feel instantly comfortable with sharing what they normally might not. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Instead of analyzing every detail of a relationship, youll rise above it and gain a clearer view. This fresh perspective will help you understand whats working and where your heart really wants to go. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Youd rather get an honest, uncomfortable truth than a sweet-sounding lie that fades with time. Truth might be hard to swallow at first, but you know its a better foundation than any temporary comfort. CANCER (June 22-July 22). The current environment is teaching you, but memories can teach you even more if you let them because to some extent you are reenacting a pattern. Reflecting on a situation will add new layers of insight and a breakthrough moment. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You hold back just enough to inspire the other person to reach out, which works time and again. Yet were you to keep this up, you would surely hit the day when it would cease to work. Plan for a big gesture of surprise generosity soon. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Do what you want, not what they want. Even if its the same thing, intention matters. It will go right if youre doing it for yourself, and things will progress differently if youre doing it because another person prefers it. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Trust your instincts -- when your gut says no, respect that boundary and move on. Its possible to stay open to lifes opportunities without saying yes to every single one. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Youve been industrious, and now its time to let your mind unwind. Lounge with intention. Make rest your craft. Let yourself recharge fully because this is much-needed rest that will set you up for a strong push in the days ahead. TODAYS BIRTHDAY (Dec. 8). Your reality is no accident. Destiny is out to delight you. The best part is, you wont have to guess about this. There will be evidence everywhere you turn. A beautiful environment, the love in someones eyes, the means to go somewhere new and taste other cultures, and the work that lets you buy, sell and profit. More highlights: Youll be celebrated for the truly smart solutions you bring to a team that would not be the same without you. Your family grows and so does your heart. Aries and Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 5, 1, 12 and 4. CELEBRITY PROFILES: From her evolving sound to her star-studded collaborations, Nicki Minaj remains a compelling figure in pop culture, constantly innovating while staying true to her fire-sign essence. Recently, Minaj released her fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2, celebrating a return to the Pink Friday era that launched her to fame. Natal sun, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Neptune are all ablaze in Sagittarius, as abundantly evidenced notably in her approach to social media, highlighting humor and those bold, truth-telling tendencies, whether shes addressing industry dynamics or connecting directly with fans. Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM Legal aid was requested for four solicitors to represent a man accused of having four types of drugs in a single package at Portlaoise Prison. Sean Maloney (27) of 20 Ballywaltrim Heights, Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow is accused of having cannabis, cocaine, heroin and alprazolam for sale or supply at Portlaoise Prison on December 21 last year. He appeared in court via video link before Portlaoise District Court where solicitor Michael Byrne requested a remand of a week and said there might be progress on the case. Judge Andrew Cody noted that there was a request for four solicitors to be assigned legal aid in the case. Mr Byrne confirmed there was and he asked that solicitors Aonghus McCarthy, Aoife McTaggart, Sinead Willox be assigned along with himself. Judge Cody asked for details of the alleged offence and wanted to know if the drugs were alleged to have been found in a yard, cell or during a visit. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said it would be alleged a transaction occurred during a visit and the drugs were contained in a package. Were they analysed together? One cert or four certificates? Judge Cody asked. Sgt Kirby told Judge Cody that there was one certificate. He said the case was summary, meaning it would be heard in the district court, and Judge Nicola Andrews had previously accepted jurisdiction. In terms of the legal aid application, why are four solicitors needed? Judge Cody asked. Mr Byrne said the allegation related to four distinct types of drugs. It is four serious charges, he said. He pointed out that they were Section 15C charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is hardly intended that four solicitors are going to appear, said Judge Cody. Mr Byrne said I would doubt that judge, one solicitor will appear in court. Judge Cody adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on December 12 at 10.30am for the purpose of determining legal aid. He said the defendant can appear via video link on that date. Books of evidence were served on two men who appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault. One man (58), who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions but has a Laois address, faces a total of 44 charges relating to offences allegedly committed in Laois over a five year period on dates between 1986 and 1991. The second man (54), who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions but has a Tipperary address, also faces a total of 44 charges relating to offences allegedly committed over a five year period in Laois on dates between 1986 and 1991. Garda Lisa Murray served a book of evidence on each of the accused at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the DPP had directed that both men be sent forward for trial to the current sittings of the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald, who was representing the defendant with a Laois address, asked for legal aid for two counsel and a solicitor. Judge Andrew Cody granted the application, remanded the defendant on bail and sent him forward to the current sittings of the Central Criminal Court. He granted legal aid for a solicitor and two counsel to the co-accused and remanded him on bail and sent him forward to the current sittings of the Central Criminal Court. Si quieres compartir tu cuenta, cambia tu suscripcion a la modalidad Premium, asi podras anadir otro usuario. Cada uno accedera con su propia cuenta de email, lo que os permitira personalizar vuestra experiencia en EL PAIS. Tienes una suscripcion de empresa? Accede aqui para contratar mas cuentas. En el caso de no saber quien esta usando tu cuenta, te recomendamos cambiar tu contrasena aqui. Si decides continuar compartiendo tu cuenta, este mensaje se mostrara en tu dispositivo y en el de la otra persona que esta usando tu cuenta de forma indefinida, afectando a tu experiencia de lectura. Puedes consultar aqui los terminos y condiciones de la suscripcion digital. The mum of a Laois infant with disabilities is struggling to comprehend what she says is a 'scandalous' issue with a local HSE storage facility which they claim could end up costing them thousands of euros but also delay the development of their child. The mum of the infant with disability issues contacted the Leinster Express / Laois Live in frustration with an issue she's encountered since her child, aged one, was referred to the Children's Disability Network Team (CDNT) in Laois. The HSE says a CDNT includes health and social care professionals. They provide services for children with disabilities. Each team member specialises in different areas of child development. They work together with families to support children with complex needs. One element of this work involves assessing a child's disability needs and organising equipment to help children live and develop and overcome the disability. The parents who contacted the Leinster Express / Laois Live were recently referred to the team. At one of the first consultations in Portlaoise, they were advised that their child would need a device to help with standing. The equipment is crucial as it helps the child's progress to walk later on. However and to their surprise, the parents say they were also told that they would have to purchase the device. Families are supposed to be able to borrow devices from the HSE through the team. However, the parents claim that this was impossible because the team could not access equipment for Laois children because of an issue with a storage facility. The parents claim that the storage unit in Mountmellick was inaccessible due to a health and safety problem which meant equipment purchased for the Laois team could not be accessed for the past three years. "Nobody has been in or out of the building for three years so nobody has access. That equipment is in extreme demand so every individual that needs equipment is being purchased but if you don't have a medical card you fall through the cracks," said the mum. Secondly, there is supposed to be a regional and national backup arrangement when equipment cannot be sourced locally. However, the parents say Laois is not now registered on the so-called 'Assettrak' HSE system which would allow teams source the equipment through a regional or national loan bank. The parents researched the price of the device their child needs and found it would cost 2,000. They were told that if they had a medical card a device could be purchased for them though this could take time. While they will only need the weight-bearing device for a relatively short time, they know that their child will need other likely costly devices temporarily as the infant gets older. They have already been told if they do not have the device recommended right now, the child is behind the ideal timeframe for development. The parents have spoken with members of Disability Network teams in the Dublin and Wicklow regions and found that Laois is out of step with how families should normally access devices. "This is scandalous. My child needs one right now. But there is a room full of equipment that children could be availing or there is a system that the rest of the country uses to borrow from. But they are not doing that in Laois," she said. The mum said the expensive equipment is gathering 'cobwebs' in the storage facility while the taxpayer is losing out because funds are being paid out through the medical card system for new equipment that might only be used once. "Surely this is abusing it (the medical card system). Where is all the money coming from? It's not right," she said. Apart from the equipment, the mother believes that the Laois network is one of the most under-resourced in the country. She said this was highlighted by Laois TD Brian Stanley at a pre-election meeting on disabilities in Portlaoise. The Leinster Express / Laois Live contacted HSE. It confirmed that there is reduced access to the facility. "The HSE can confirm that due to a health and safety issue within HSE Therapy Stores, Mountmellick there has been reduced access to equipment located on the mezzanine floor of this building. But stock held in this premises for paediatric services are recycled aids and appliances only. It should be noted that there is not a significant amount of paediatric equipment available for recycling due to the nature of the caseload and the needs of the children, in that regard the Childrens Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) have advised that the reduced access to the premises is not significantly impacting the provision of equipment to families. "At present, new equipment when required is ordered. When ordering new aids and appliances, there can on occasion be delays in relation to getting appointments with the Reps from the various companies, however the CDNTS have advised that no child to date has been significantly delayed in getting their appropriate equipment. "In addition to the purchase of new aids and appliances, the clinicians with the CDNTS, where possible work to identify equipment in the community which can be re-issued and re-used without storing in the MDA Unit, Mountmellick. This means that in some cases where a child no longer requires a piece of equipment the staff from HSE Stores collect the equipment, clean it, service it (without storing it) and then re-issue to another child in the community. "Where there is no child in need of the equipment then it has been cleaned by HSE Stores staff and stored within the HSE Spraoi Centre in Portlaoise. Also it should be noted that the frequency of the Aids and appliances meetings held by the Heads of Discipline in the Midlands has increased to twice a month, thus reducing delays in relation to obtaining funding for new equipment. The HSE can confirm that there is no wastage of equipment in the community. "Finally, HSE confirm that the CDNTs in Laois / Offaly do not advise parents to buy or borrow equipment, although are aware that parents do, on occasion decide to seek equipment with their own private resources," said the statment. Portlaoise College hosted their annual STEM night which offers local primary school students an engaging and interactive evening that underscores the importance of creativity, perseverance, and problem-solving skills in todays world. The event aims to ignite young learners' enthusiasm for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through hands-on activities and collaborative challenges. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY The evening was meticulously organised by Ms Kelly, a Science and Biology teacher, along with her colleagues Mr Kenny, Head of Technology, and Technology teacher Mr Bennett. A special highlight this year was the return of past pupil Laoise Shaughnessy, now a student at NUI Maynooth, who assisted in delivering the Science workshop with enthusiasm and expertise, inspiring the next generation. Students participated in four carefully designed workshops, each tailored to ensure learners of all abilities could experience both success and enjoyment. In the Science workshop, students performed hands-on experiments to identify whether various substances were acids or bases. In Computer Science, they explored the educational potential of Minecraft and immersed themselves in virtual reality through VR headsets. The Engineering workshop challenged students to design and construct bridges capable of holding a specific weight, fostering teamwork and innovation. Finally, in the Mathematics workshop, they transformed 2D templates into 3D shapes, employing precise calculations to achieve their goals. Ms Kelly shared her thoughts on the event, saying: STEM Night is always a fantastic opportunity to spark curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Its wonderful to see the students so engaged and enjoying themselves. Mr Daly, Principal of Portlaoise College, also expressed his pride in the evening's success: Events like this highlight the incredible dedication of our staff and the power of hands-on learning to inspire the young minds of our community. Though the event books out quickly every year, the smiles and laughter echoing through the school during the evening truly capture the spirit of fun and discovery that STEM Night is all about. On Tuesday, November 19, Bunscoil Bhride welcomed Noel Hendrick, Irelands Olympic canoeist, to Rathangan. After showcasing their cross-curricular work on the Olympics, fourth and fifth class, along with the Active Schools Committee led the Kildare Olympian ambassador through a jubilant and colourful guard of honour before proudly singing Amhran na bhFiann in assembly. The children were enthralled by his inspirational talk about never giving up on finding a sport you love and his personal story of resilience. This visit all came about last September, when Ms Freeborns fourth and fifth class created a video application to send to Dare to Believe, demonstrating why Bunscoil Bhride deserves to have a Team Ireland Olympic Ambassador visit. Out of 1,400 schools, they were one of the lucky 50 to be successful this term. The school presented Noel with hundreds of creative designs for his new canoe and impressed the Paris 24 semi-finalist with their fiercely energetic An Haka Gaelach performance. After the assembly, Ms Freeborns class and the Active School members took part in a visualisation activity with Noel and made time for autographs of course. Having earned their fourth Active School flag last year, this visit was a really special day in the history of the school. The photographs give a glimpse into just some of the highlights which will be remembered for years to come. The school would like to thank Noel and everyone at Dare to Believe for organising the event. CORBALLY resident and 1995 Housewife of the Year (HOTY) Philomena Delaney wasn't the stereotypical winner of the competition in the 90's but says Ireland was on the cusp of change when she scooped the prestigious accolade almost 30 years ago. Philomena along with ten other winners of the competition are the subject of the new documentary, Housewife of the Year which is currently showing in select Irish cinemas. She says: In 1995, obviously, things were changing. I wasn't just a housewife, I also had a job... Some people might have opened B&Bs and different things. I didn't do any of that. I had my own job, and I just continued on with my career. The poignant film tells the story of Irelands treatment of women through the prism of a unique, surreal, live televised competition, where a generation of Irish women competed in front of a live audience for the title of Housewife of the Year. In the film, the contestants share their direct experiences of the marriage bar, a lack of contraception, Magdalene laundries and financial vulnerability. Its the story of a resilient generation of women and how they changed a country. Despite some sad stories in the film, Philomena had an extremely positive experience winning the competition, saying it's only brought greatness into her life. It was fantastic, and it was a huge honour. It was a major thing. It was like the Rose of Tralee, I suppose really. Philomena says the documentary is being received very well so far. It was very sensitively done... I was half afraid at the start, I thought there'd be a backlash because it's so old fashioned. She feels the competition was hugely of its time and that it's very nostalgic for people to look back on. The women's role has definitely, thankfully, changed, and it's 50/50 all the way now. Philomena is proud to be the final HOTY as the competition ended in 1995. She declares: I still have the tiara, and I'm still reigning. This is what I say at the end of the movie and I said every housewife is housewife of the year. READ MORE: Limerick signs Sister Cities Agreement with Austin, Texas She continues: That's my claim to fame because everybody starts laughing then because my sister went to see it and she phoned me and she said every one was in stitches when you said you're still reigning. Philomena's friend nominated her for HOTY because she wanted to win a gas cooker. If you nominated the regional winner, you won a gas cooker so that was the driving force. That's why I entered the competition. I had never seen it on television. I didn't know anything about it, explains the Cork native. As the eldest girl of eleven children, Philomena has always been used to a busy household. It was fairly hectic but it was good. I never knew anything else but children. As a result of scooping the HOTY award, she had to travel across Ireland performing cookery demos. As soon as I won the competition, you were an ambassador for Calor, but then I was also an ambassador for Limerick. She showcased local food institutions at the demos. I always got my fish in Sadlier's and Bella Italia always gave me the fresh pasta so you ended up being an ambassador for your city as well as Calor Coals and Gas. At one of her cookery demos in Cork, a whopping 600 people attended. Philomena often gave two cookery demos a week along with working part-time as a dental hygienist. I was actually cooking for about 18 months up and down so I got really good at that, and I really enjoyed it and every demo was like a gig. Once I had to take to the road, I was gone, and I had two small little girls at the time, and we got an au pair from Gran Canaria, Celia Herrera Ramirez... She became part of our family so she's the godmother now to the baby that's being christened on Saturday. Philomena said Celia visits Ireland every year, and her family also go to Gran Canaria every year. There was loads of positive spins off (of the competition) but that was possibly the best one. SCOIL Fhionain in Kilfinane has been focusing on the message of giving in the run up to Christmas this year. Over the last number of months, the south Limerick primary school has been working hard to support the most vulnerable over the festive period. Throughout the month of November, the school took part in the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal, donating a total of 170 boxes. These boxes were filled with toys, treats, stationary and gifts, with the aim to bring joy to those less fortunate. The Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal is an annual campaign where thousands of people across Ireland donate shoeboxes filled with gifts for children affected by poverty in countries across Africa and eastern Europe. It is an opportunity to share a little joy and excitement with children who live in circumstances where these can often be in short supply, a spokesperson for the school said. READ MORE: Author and Limerick university lecturer Donal Ryan wins Novel of the Year Scoil Fhionain are proud to donate such a large number of shoeboxes this year, surpassing the figure from last year, and would like to thank all who contributed in any shape or form. Furthering the aim of spreading joy this Christmas, the sixth class students of Scoil Fhionain have created and crafted heartfelt Christmas letters and cards for those in Milford Care Centre and St Camillus Hospital in Limerick city. The initiative aims to connect generations and bring a touch of warmth and festive cheer to those who may be spending their holidays away from their families. The children poured their creativity and thoughtfulness into each letter, expressing well-wishes, sharing holiday stories, and reminding the residents that they are cherished members of the community, a spokesperson for the school explained. This Christmas letter-writing project not only showcases the creativity of our sixth class but also fosters a sense of connection and understanding within our community. We are immensely proud of our students for embracing this initiative with open heads and open hearts. The letters aim to bring smiles to the faces of the elderly residents and create a sense of togetherness during a time that can be a challenging time for some, the Kilfinane school statement concluded. THE Childrens Ark at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has received an early Christmas present after a fundraising drive from a Limerick man. Brian Hayes, who lives in the city, was devastated to learn two children from the southside of Limerick city were being bullied. So to set up a GoFundMe page on the internet. He made a donation to the two children - who we have agreed not to name. But there was a balance of more than 700, which he donated to the Childrens Ark. The facility on the campus of UHL helps young children who require hospital treatment, providing them with a safe, kind and colourful environment. The money Brian has donated will be used to buy toys in the Ark. The whole reason of this fundraiser was to help these kids and let everyone know that everybody is like the bully. For every one bad person, there are 10 good people. Money is not everything. But for kids, it can help them at Christmas, he said. Brian met both children and said they were overwhelmed at the effort he had gone to. I think it made them feel that much better knowing that the public of Limerick and Ireland got behind them, he said. There are 8.2 billion people in the world. Of them, 300,000 are Icelandic, of which very few are photographer-authors with a big social media following. But I got lucky and ran into Gunnar Freyr Gunnarsson, the writer of Stunning Iceland: The Hedonists Guide, on a far-flung Thai island in March. The next roll of the dice that went my way was Iceland Airwaves Festival announcing Lambrini Girls and Anish Kumar, two upcoming British bands whose music I enjoy, as part of its line-up. So, I landed in Iceland on 7 November all fired up for the festival and met Gunnarsson at Reykjaviks popular bookstore-cafe Penninn Eymundsson. The day after Iceland Airwaves Festivals final actKumars high energy setmy Australian friend and I trudged to a bakery to buy some snacks before collecting our rental car. At the bakery, we ran into a solo traveller, another Aussie, and asked her if she would like to join us for a road trip. After initial hesitation, she said yes. The three of us picked up the car at 10am and drove east. We were following an itinerary Gunnarsson had given. After two hours of driving through vast stretches of stunning landscape, we reached the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where strong winds seemed to forewarn us against visiting the main attraction. We should have paid heed to the warning because once we got there neither of us could resist the temptation of walking behind the waterfall. Of course, neither of us had done any research and were under-prepared. By the time we came back out from under the waterfall, we were soaking wet. We spread our wet shoes and clothes on the car floor and empty seats in the hope that they would dry while I drove barefoot towards the Kvernufoss waterfall. The wind was so strong that we were having trouble keeping a straight line during the 20-minute hike to the waterfall, which seemed set in a land described in The Lord of the Rings. The heater in the car and strong winds had dried our clothes a bit. But we chose to stand on a rock and take in the waterfalls majestic beauty from afar. This was followed by another short hike to the nearby Skogafoss, a bigger waterfall. While the wind was blowing the spray on the people admiring Skogafoss, the sun came out behind us and a double rainbow appeared as if we were in a fairytale. Another short drive took us to the famous black sand beaches of Reynisfjara, where we took a walk all the way to a cave despite the waters looking cold, violent and angry thanks to the sneaker waves that multiple boards along the way warned us about. The last stop was Skool Beans cafe, housed in a vintage yellow American schoolbus in the village of Vik. A PRIVATE TOUR We were in thrall to what we had just experienced when Gunnarssons text pinged, Would you and your friend like to come out for a drive tomorrow? My wife, Kasia, and I would like to show you a few of our favourite spots." We agreed. At 8.30am the following day, a shiny red all-terrain Jeep Wrangler was waiting for my friend and me. Before Gunnarsson or Kassia, the smell of fresh cinnamon buns and coffee greeted us. The treats are from my favourite bakery in Reykjavik, Brau & co," Gunnarsson said. Conversation and laughter filled the warm car as soon as we started rolling. It was then that I found out Gunnarsson also offers bespoke private tours of Iceland (and later, with Google, discovered his tours cost 2,600 for up to four people, meals extra). An hour later when we stopped for a snack, they told us we were headed to the Snfellsnes Peninsula, considered one of the seven energy centres, or chakras, in the world. We started with a drive on the red lava fields, from where trucks dig up gravel to make roads in Iceland. If I were to imagine what driving on Mars feels like, this was it. No one thinks of animals when visiting Iceland but thats a mistake. Icelandic horses are among the most exported beings. Gunnarsson also took us to Ytri Tunga beach to show us seals from close quarters. Another short drive brought us to the iconic Buakirkja, the black church in Buir, which feels out of this world against the golden yellow-brown hues of the late autumn grass. This is a popular venue for weddings because the setting makes for stunning pictures. Many European-American couples pick this venue in Iceland for their wedding because it is midway between the two continents, says Gunnarsson. The final stop before lunch was Arnarstapi. Even if you are not the kind who takes pictures, there is no way you can stop yourself from picking up your phone and turning on the camera. Everywhere you look theres astonishing natural beautya natural lava arch in the water, a stone bridge that you can walk on and a basalt rock formation that looks like two trolls kissing. By now, we were famished so we went to a traditional Icelandic restaurant, run by women, famous for its hearty Kjotsupa meat stew and marriage cakes. They also offer vegetarian options. With our tummies full and hearts content, Id have been happy to nap in my warm bed but Gunnarsson wanted to show us the Kirkjufell, where you literally have the mountain to yourself. It has great spots for taking dramatic drone pictures. Three out of four people in the car voted for bed so, as a compromise, Gunnarsson took us on a little off-roading adventure on black sand dunes before returning to Reykjavik. Looking back, I now realise that almost every place I visited was devoid of big buses and the accompanying tourists clicking pictures non stop. Perhaps, the best way to see a new place is to let someone who knows the place intimately show you their" landplaces big tours wouldnt take you to or Googles search engine algorithm wont show. Shrenik Avlani is a writer and editor and the co-author of The Shivfit Way, a book on functional fitness. SYRIANS HAVE seen these scenes before: their countrymen tearing down posters of Bashar al-Assad, overrunning his army bases, storming the jails where he keeps political prisoners. But that was ten years ago and more, and they had not expected to see them again, certainly not now, and not with this air of finality. Yet Mr Assad is abandoned by his army and his foreign allies: his brutal 24-year reign suddenly seems to be nearing its end . Eleven days have passed since rebels launched an offensive in north-west Syria, ostensibly to retaliate for the shelling of rebel-held areas. As they pressed forward, the regimes army melted away, so the rebels kept going. They took Aleppo, Syrias second city, on November 29th, and then Hama to the south on December 5th. Now they are in the outskirts of Homs, Syrias third-largest city. The rebels are led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate that broke with the jihadist group in 2017 and has for years governed a slice of north-west Syria. They have met stiffer opposition around Homs than in Hama or Aleppo. But it seems probable that the city will fall in the next day or two. That would allow the rebels to sever the highway that links inland Damascus to the coast, the heartland of Mr Assads Alawite sect. The regime would struggle to resupply its capital, while the rebels would have a clear path to it. Damascus lies 160km south of Homs, less than the distance the rebels have already travelled. Other insurgents have beaten HTS to Damascus, though. Over the past few days the rebellion has spread to southern Syria. The fighting there does not involve HTS; instead it is led by local groups that have their own long-standing issues with the regime. They claimed control of the three governorates south of the capital, including Daraa, where the Syrian uprising began in 2011. Then they started driving north. By the evening of December 7th they had reached the southern suburbs of Damascus. There were poignant scenes in places like Daraya, a Damascus suburb where civilians were forced to eat grass to survive a four-year regime siege that ended in 2016. In Jaramana, to the east of Damascus, residents pulled down a statue of Hafez al-Assad, the presidents father. Meanwhile, in the north-east, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a mainly Kurdish militia, is on the march as well. It is pushing the regime out of Deir ez-Zor, the largest city in the east. The SDF has also seized al-Bukamal, a border crossing that has been a vital conduit for smuggling weapons and drugs. The mayor of al-Qaim, a border town in Iraq, says thousands of Syrian troops have sought refuge there. The regimes ever-shrinking rump state, consisting of Damascus and the coast, is now almost totally encircled. Nobody has seen Mr Assad in days. His office claims he is still in Damascus, working as usual; but there are no images to confirm it, and many Syrians think that means he is long gone. His family is already thought to be in Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Rumours that he might address the nation on December 7th proved untrue. Instead his army chief gave a brief, half-hearted statement: trust us, everything is fine. A few loyalists still believe the regime can hold out, if not in the capital, then on the coast. Many others seem to have accepted that Mr Assad is toast. Fares Shehabi, a former MP from Aleppo and a staunch Assad propagandist, tweeted that it was time for Syrians to put all of our differences aside". A decade ago people like him warned Assad or we burn the country"; now they want to let bygones be bygones. The regimes foreign allies have offered only token help. Russia has carried out some scattered air strikes in northern Syria, while Iran said it would send missiles and drones. But Mr Assad would need much more than that to repel the rebel offensive. His allies are voting with their feet. On December 6th the Russian embassy in Damascus told its citizens to leave Syria while they still could. Iran has also reportedly evacuated some of its military personnel. A desperate Mr Assad has tried courting Arab states. Multiple sources say he made a personal appeal to Muhammad bin Zayed, the president of the UAE, who has a well-known hatred of Islamist groups like HTS. He has also begged for help from Egypt, Jordan and other countries. But nobody is willing to help a regime that now seems a lost cause. Hes telling everyone he wants to fight," one well-connected Syrian says of Mr Assad. The problem is that no one else wants to fight for him." What happens next is impossible to predict. If the dictator really does fall, or has already fled, HTS will want a big role in governing a post-Assad Syria. It already runs a reasonably competent government in Idlib, in north-western Syria, and it is trying to enforce discipline among its fighters. An edict on December 7th warned them not to loot government offices or private homes, and to avoid firing their guns in the air. But HTS probably lacks the resources to govern a big, diverse country. The farther it gets from Idlib, the more it will need to work with others. Rebels in the south might want a degree of autonomy; so will the SDF in the north-east. Though HTS has tried to reassure Christians, Alawites and other minorities, it is likely that some of them will flee the country. As the rebels advanced on Damascus, officials from Iran, Russia and Turkey met on the sidelines of a conference in Qatar to discuss Syrias future. They did not agree on much. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, called for dialogue between the regime and the opposition; events on the ground may swiftly make that moot. Whoever governs Syria next, Russias priority will be to keep its naval base at Tartus, its sole port on the Mediterranean. Turkey, which has backed the rebels in northern Syria, will have the most influence over how they act. Donald Trump, Americas president-elect, seems content to let others sort out the mess: THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT," he wrote on social media. For many Syrians, though, such questions can wait. There is great unease about the futurebut greater relief that the end of the Assad regime, which brought so much death and destruction, seems nigh. The worst argument of the West that I have encountered is that fake news changed public opinion and gave the world Donald Trump, and that this sort of propaganda creates the myth of other strongmen across the world. Like some bad Western theories, the view has developed the aura of a common truth even as evidence grows that it is highly unlikely and this view itself could be a piece of fake news. It is an idea constructed by sophisticated American intellectual systems, and the idea has two parts. One is that the Russian state succeeded in influencing US elections by manipulating public opinion. The second is that Russia and other antagonists of the liberal West did this through the diabolical power of social media, especially Facebook. Thus the good guys could not exert a moral influence on Americans. This is particularly amusing if you have a long memory. Because just about eight years before the political emergence of Donald Trump, when Barack Obama used Facebook effectively to campaign, you were told what a great innovation social media was, how the young and the good had found a new tool, leaving conservative uncles clueless. But later, when the uncle constituency started using social media very effectively, Facebook suddenly became a dark force. Even if you do not follow Western media, you couldnt have escaped the view that fake news had an outsized role in the rise of Trump because Western media is so influential that whatever they say reaches you, like it or not. And you would have noticed that this time round, as Donald Trump won again, claims of Russian interference and the hysteria around fake news have been muted. What happened? Did Russia quit interfering? Fake news ceased to exist? No, there is evidence of Russian attempts to interfere and that large sums of money were poured into countless pieces of fake news in the lead-up to the polls. Just that it is now becoming clear that their impact was limited, or non-existent. There was always such a view, but the good guys have started conceding it only now. What Western intellectual systems did not get about human nature is that fake news does not add to the popularity of a controversial figure; instead, the popularity of such a figure contributes to the success of fake news. About 10 years ago, Russian fake-news farms didnt just plant fake news favouring Trump; they also planted news that would favour his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Maybe they wanted to create rancour, or it could well be that they didnt know what they were doing, which is always the most underrated theory for many things people do. Fake news that favoured Trump turned out to be a lot more popular than fake news in favour of Clinton. Not long ago, very few people had ideologies. So few, in fact, that they had a hefty name. Remember ideologue? Today, almost everyone is one. It is the reason intellectuals have stopped using the term. There was a time when millions could be influenced by a few. But the age of influence is over, and what we have today is the age of corroboration. People who are called influencers are not really that; they are popular because they are corroborators. They say what people want to hear; just that they say it well. The moment they say anything too difficult, their popularity begins to diminish. If fake news made no difference, why did Western media propagate the view it had a disproportionate role in the popularity of Trump? They believed in that theory. They had to, otherwise they would be reminded of their irrelevance in the field of influence. Western media not only interprets America for Americans, it also interprets the world for the world. Often, it tells another nation what it should be doing. In its view, a Donald Trump would be a political joke. And that is exactly what it told us. But he turned out to be very popular, pointing to the possibility that the journalistic, artistic and intellectual systems of a society do not fully grasp the nature of people. They simply didnt get their own subject matter. So they needed to believe that extraordinary dark forces were responsible for why they initially got the nature of people so wrong. It is from this desperation that they gave too much credit to Russian interference." Also, they had to defame Facebook in particular and all of social media. They had a problem with Facebook even before social media began to diminish the power of the old media. Not long ago, a single book critic could make a book into a modern classic, a film reviewer could decide a films fate and a political editor could influence votes. But the hyper-democracy of social media took the power of the few and gave it to the many. The old media of the West resented that. And with the rise of Trump, they saw in it what they wished to. If fake news is not responsible for the rise of Trump or any politician, if Russian interference had no impact on US elections, why is there fake news? Who is pouring in all that money and why? A political entity does many things to sway opinion and win votes. The goal is abstract and not every path needs to be effective. Also, if there is a budget for something, it would attract a type of people who claim they know how to spend it. Also, fake news is probably the easiest and cheapest form of political subterfuge. And it can be sustained for years without anyone being clear about whether it is worth even the little money it costs. So, it is easier to explain why people spread fake news that makes no difference than to explain why people write poetry. Raise your hand if youve been victimized by bad weather in the last year or so. Was your travel disrupted? Did your home get unbearably hot? Have you been impacted by flooding? When I asked these questions at a panel event recently, only a lucky few in the audience kept their hands down. Even if we werent individually experiencing climate change, wed want our communities to avoid tragedies. After all, societies cant thrive underwater, which is why the Netherlands has excellent flood management systems. Yet, emissions from burning fossil fuels are baking the planet and its impacts are coming at us thick and fast. In many cases, we need to prepare and adapt with more urgency than planned. Take the example of the UK, where I live. In April 2023, the government brought forward deadlines for raising tidal flood defences upstream of the Thames Barrier by 15 years to 2050 because sea levels are rising faster than projected. In 2021, the UKs Climate Change Risk Assessment said there is a very small chance" of the UK exceeding 40 Celsius by 2040. In 2022, temperatures rose to a record 40.3 Celsius. The London Climate Resilience Review, commissioned by Mayor Sadiq Khan and chaired by Emma Howard Boyd, former head of the Environment Agency, pulled no punches when it laid out the multiple lethal" risks for Londoners, concluding that the UKs capital is underprepared for more frequent, overlapping and severe climate impacts. Adaptation, the process of adjusting our lives and infrastructure to the effects of climate change, was once mitigations controversial cousin. Now, its a necessary evil. Some considered it a taboo topic out of fear that it accepted the damage done to our planet and minimized the critical need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The money spent on adaptation lags way behind allocations for mitigation. A 2024 climate finance report from the Climate Policy Initiative found that while mitigation finance totalled $1.3 trillion globally in 2022, adaptation finance reached just $76 billion. The vast majority comes from public funds. Yet, given the scale of the issue, its clear that theres a need for private sector involvement. Even though adaptation is now considered essential by experts, its seen as less investable than mitigationparticularly when the focus of private finance is revenue generation. But as three reports on adaptation financing found, there are a couple of urban centres that London and other UK cities could learn from: Singapore and Copenhagen. Londons approach to adaptation relies heavily on public funding with limited private money, while climate policy itself is fragmented and unstable, according to a co-author of the reports, Raffaele Della Croce, co-director of the Singapore Green Finance Centre and a research fellow at the Centre for Climate Finance and Investment, Imperial College Business School. Singapore has an ambitious whole-government approach to climate adaptation, committing $74 billion to the task by the end of the century. This, alongside sustainable planning frameworks and the involvement of its central bank, creates a sense of urgency and regulatory certainty. With a clear route to adaptation, the city-state has built protective infrastructure such as its Marina Barrage and houses more nature in its urban environment to protect against storm surges and heatwaves. Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, the Cloudburst Management Plan, designed after a devastating once-in-1,000-year rainfall event to help the city better cope with excess water, has led to effective transformation across the city. The use of natural solutionstrees, ponds and soilalso helps address other climate hazards such as extreme heat. To pay for it, the Danish city adopted an innovative finance scheme, utilizing a water tariff and municipal pooled-credit facility. Failing to embed adaptation measures into climate plans will cause problems. Many have blamed the removal of dams for the tragic flooding in Valencia and other parts of Spain. The stonking deluge of rain, likely intensified by climate change, was ultimately the real hazardbut had dams been in place, it may not have had such devastating consequences. The final report is full of detailed recommendations for the government, financial institutions and investors, including ways to mobilize more private capital with innovative financial instruments and improved climate risk assessments. But theres a simple lesson to be learnt from places successfully adjusting to the crisis: When the government promotes adaptation and focuses on resilience in its standards and regulation, enthusiasm and money may follow. Bloomberg In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be hard to keep track of all the important developments that have happened during the week. To help readers keep on top of things, we have created the Weekly Tech Recap, where we take a look at the top news stories making waves in the world of technology each week. This week, Google CEO Sundar Pichai challenged Satya Nadella's Microsoft to an AI duel, OpenAI launched its news model O1, Grok AI became available for free to all users and more. Top tech news of the week: 1) Grok AI now available for free to all users: Elon Musk's Grok AI chatbot is no longer tied behind a paywall and can now be accessed by all users for free. Grok was first launched by Musk's xAI in 2023 and was closely integrated with X (formerly Twitter), but users had to purchase an X premium subscription in order to get access to the chatbot, unlike many of its peers like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude. While xAI is yet to issue a formal statement confirming the availability of Grok for all users, many users have shared their experience on gaining access to Grok without purchasing an X premium subscription. We can confirm that Grok AI has indeed rolled out to our X feed. 2) Microsoft vs Google: Google CEO Sundar Pichai has taken a swipe at Microsoft chief Satya Nadella, calling for an "anytime, anywhere" AI duel between their companies' models. Pichai was speaking at the New York Times' DealBook Summit, where he talked about the pace of AI development and also the changes coming to search in 2025. Notably, Nadella, while speaking at the Norges Bank Investment Managements podcast earlier this year, had said, Google should have been the default winner in the world of big techs AI race." Pichai shot back at the Microsoft CEO at the DealBook Summit, saying, I would love to do a side-by-side comparison of Microsofts own models and our models any day, any time. They are using someone else's model." 3) Government asks Meta to tackle scams on WhatsApp: Indian government has asked Meta to tackle the growing scams on WhatsApp. The intervention comes amidst a surge in the cases of cyberfrauds in the country and after PM Modi also highlighted the rise in Digital Arrest cases during a recent episode of Mann ki Baat. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) secretary S Krishnan confirmed that the government had taken up the matter of growing scams with WhatsApp while noting that its an ongoing process. In an interaction with The Economic Times, Krishnan said, We have taken it (scams issue) up with Meta. This is a continuous process. They (scamsters) will keep discovering newer ways, making people worry," 4) OpenAI launches ChatGPT Pro subscription: OpenAI has announced the launch of a new subscription tier, ChatGPT Pro, offering exclusive access to advanced features, including the latest AI model, OpenAI o1. Priced at $200 per month (approximately 158), ChatGPT Pro provides users with unlimited access to GPT-4o, advanced voice mode, and an enhanced version of o1, known as o1 Pro Mode. This upgraded mode utilises additional computing resources to deliver superior solutions for complex challenges, such as intricate coding tasks, scientific reasoning, and advanced mathematics. The existing Plus tier, costing $20 per month (around 16), will remain available, offering early access to new features and all models. However, it will not include o1 Pro Mode or its additional capabilities. Simultaneously, OpenAI has rolled out the stable version of its o1 model, which replaces the earlier o1-preview version. Originally introduced in September under the code name Strawberry as a limited preview, the upgraded o1 model is now accessible to ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers. Enterprise and Edu users are set to gain access next week. 5) OnePlus addresses green line issue: OnePlus has finally addressed the long-standing green line issue that has plagued its phones for years. The Chinese smartphone maker is now trying to ensure peace of mind for its customers by offering a lifetime warranty on all models. Apart from offering lifetime free warranty, OnePlus also says it is making significant strides in display technology in order to tackle the environment factors affecting the AMOLED display on their phones. Particularly, the company is integratin a layer of Enhanced Edge Bonding Layer in all OnePLus AMOLED displays which is said to lead to superior PVX edge-sealing materials. 6) Google extends life of older Pixel devices: While Android manufacturers are notorious for skimping on promised OS updates, Google has gone in a completely different direction by providing longer software support for its Pixel devices than originally promised. Google had promised 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches with the Pixel 6, Pixel 7 and Pixel Fold. However, the company has now announced that it will provide an additional two years of OS updates for these devices, meaning that the Pixel 6, Pixel 7 and Pixel Fold will be eligible for 5 years of OS updates and security patches from the date they went on sale. Irish farmers including Noel Kiernan from Longford have joined forces for a new book combining scientific research with local knowledge that gives farmers and others practical tips on how to create a more sustainable future, while protecting land and nature. At a time of great challenge and uncertainty for farm families, The Farming For Nature Handbook is a practical guide to protecting and restoring nature. With contributions from more than 50 Irish farmers, the book also shares farmers experiences of how working with nature can help reduce costs and improve incomes. While there is widespread awareness of the environmental damage caused by poor farming practices, this book in contrast attempts to highlight the positive ways farmers can sustain and enhance our natural environment, and benefit from the results. It is hoped The Farming For Nature Handbook will become the essential guide to caring profitably for our land. The book, was launched on November 28th, was inspired by regular requests to the non-profit Farming For Nature project from landowners, farmers, smallholders and growers wanting to learn how best to manage their land, big or small, in a way that enhances habitats, protects profits, and safeguards our natural environment and rural communities. The Farming For Nature project was set up to support, encourage and inspire farmers who farm, or who wish to farm, in a way that will improve the natural health of our countryside. Noel Kiernan, a beef, sheep and forestry farmer from Ballymahon, is one of the contributors, and shares his views on sustainable farming in the book. He says:Hedges should not be cut low, should be allowed to produce fruit and should provide opportunities for nesting birds and insects. Fieldfare and redwing especially will benefit from this. The book was conceived and developed by Brigid Barry, researched and mainly written by conservation ecologist Dr. Emma Hart on behalf of Farming For Nature and co-edited by Dr. Brendan Dunford of the Burrenbeo Trust. It is beautifully illustrated with watercolours and sketches by farmer and artist Clive Bright as well as digital images by scientific illustrator William Helps. The Farming For Nature Handbook, published by Dingle Publishing, was launched on November 28th, 2024. RRP 30. It is available to order (and pre-order now) at www.farmingfornature.ie The book was supported financially by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Lifes2Good Foundation. Read next: https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/local-news/1673924/trocaire-urges-longford-to-give-a-gift-that-truly-matters.html The importance of supporting local business and ensuring Longford town reaps the benefits in the run up to Christmas has been highlighted by Longford Municipal District Cathaoirleach Seamus Butler. The former president of Longford Chamber of Commerce who served in the position for nine years from 1994 is well aware of how local businesses rely on a productive festive period. Councillor Butler stated there is an abundance of choice and he referred to praise he heard from family members who travelled from county Cork. We had family relatives who came to Longford for a day and they were blown away by the choice of women's clothing and accessories that were available in the town," he said. "They said there was as much choice as any provincial town in Ireland." READ NEXT: Serial shoplifter who stole goods worth 1,000 in Longford sentenced to eight months in prison The Fianna Fail representative said he is optimistic the council parking initiative will encourage more people to do their Christmas shopping in Longford. "We have free off-street parking every weekend up until the week before Christmas and then we have continuous (free) off-street parking every day of the week, that is a big plus," he added. Cllr Butler stated this measure will ensure people will not have the inconvenience of searching for coins. "We are trying to get more of them converted to alternative card payment machines and hopefully we will see more of them in the new year," he said. "We had people complaining that they wanted to go to Roscommon town because you did not have to pay for parking." Cllr Butler has encouraged shoppers to support Longford businesses and local communities this Christmas by spending their money in local retailers and visiting their websites. READ NEXT: Longford country music legend Mick Flavin first started singing into a bucket! "There are quite a lot of Longford shops who do quite a big proportion of their business online so if you are thinking of searching for deals I would say look-up Longford businesses as well as searching on Amazon and all of these other sites. The Christmas lights were switched on last Friday, November 29 and the Longford MD Cathaoirleach stated the county town is a welcoming place and he highlighted the importance of shopping locally. Local communities are behind locally-owned shops and even the bigger ones that have numerous stores around the country, all the staff are local and they earn their living there and live in the community," he said. "So instead of going outside Longford you have huge choices here and I would urge everyone to consider that because families and their children coming will want to see a vibrant Longford." Approximately 55,000 homes, farms and businesses remain without power following extremely strong and gusty winds associated with Storm Darragh which caused widespread and extensive damage to the electricity network across the country. As of 5pm on Sunday, ESB Networks teams have restored power to 340,000 customers impacted by Storm Darragh. The impact is nationwide but some of the most affected areas are in the North West, Midlands and South East. PICTURES | Dramatic photos as Storm Darragh bares his teeth knocking trees in Longford and cutting power supply In Longford, crews are addressing a number of faults, and in many instances the predicted restoration of power is by Tuesday and Wednesday of this week; * a fault in Ballymahon (Cloncullen Road 15 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 8pm tonight, December 8) * a fault in Ballymahon (near Abbeyderg 27 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 8pm on Tuesday, December 10) * a fault at Clonfower, Aghamore (455 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Wednesday, December 11) * outage at Aghamore (Killashee - 27 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Monday, December 9) * outage at Aghamore (Ballycore / Begnagh - 85 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Wednesday, December 11) * a fault at Aghamore (14 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Tuesday, December 10) * a fault at Aghamore (near Cloontuskert National School 78 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 6pm on Wednesday, December 11) *a fault at Longford (2,402 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Tuesday, December 10) * a fault at Ballymacormack, Longford (15 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Monday, December 9) * a fault near White Linen Woods, Longford (42 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Sunday, December 8) * a fault near Lisnamuck, Longford (46 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Sunday, December 8) * a fault near Knockmartin, Longford (61 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 8pm on Tuesday, December 10) * a fault near Bawn, Longford (82 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Monday, December 9) * a fault near Bawn, Longford (27 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 8pm on Tuesday, December 10) * a fault near Oghil, Longford (10 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Monday, December 9) * a fault near Moat Farrell, Longford (72 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 8pm on Tuesday, December 10) * a fault near Edenmore (Gaigue), Longford (120 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 10pm on Sunday, December 8) * a fault near Smear, Longford (10 customers are affected and power is expected to be restored by 7pm on Tuesday, December 10) Also read: Storm Darragh has caused widespread disruption to broadband services in Longford Storm Darragh is similar in impact to Storm Ophelia in 2017, which left 385,000 customers without power at the peak but with more widespread impact across the country. All ESB Networks crews, with extensive support from partner contractors, will continue working into this evening and tonight to safely restore power to as many customers as possible in challenging conditions. Furthermore, crews from French counterparts Enedis are sailing overnight and will arrive tomorrow to assist with power restoration in the worst impacted areas. There is longstanding cooperation in place with electricity network operators in Ireland, the UK and France in providing such support. Also read: Hanlons celebrates their 20th year in business with 10,000 cash giveaway The majority of customers impacted by Storm Darragh have had their power restored but significant numbers will be without supply for a number of days. Due to the severity and significant scale of the damage some customers could be without power for approximately a week. Assessment of the extent of damage is continuing. It is important that any impacted customers who use electrically powered medical devices contact their healthcare professional to make alternative arrangements if necessary. Given the scale of the damage and the dynamic nature of the event, we will continue to update estimated restoration times for customers and we will update www.PowerCheck.ie as information is confirmed. We advise customers to sign up for our Keep me Updated service for power outages on www.PowerCheck.ie to receive status updates directly. Our Customer Contact Centre Agents will be supporting customers throughout Storm Darragh but will not be in a position to provide outage information until the network assessment has been fully conducted which is still ongoing in some of the worst affected areas. Also read: Longford farmer contributes to new book on a more sustainable farming future We acknowledge the disruption to family and commercial life this causes, and thank customers across the country, especially those who will again remain without power overnight, for their patience as our crews work to safely restore power. An Important Public Safety Message: If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999. By Ayumu Abe, KYODO NEWS - Dec 8, 2024 - 11:25 | Feature, All, Japan It was a little before 6 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2023, when Tsutomu Arakawa woke up later than usual to find his wife Yasuko missing. Over a year has passed since Yasuko, who had been diagnosed with an early-onset type of dementia, disappeared from their home in the western Japan city of Yonago. Her husband Tsutomu is desperately seeking any information on her whereabouts. The type of dementia she suffers is rare, affecting only 1 percent of those stricken with the disease. Tsutomu, 65, wishes he had contacted the police earlier, given that he waited until that afternoon to act. Now, haunted by regret, he still puts up missing person posters of his 60-year-old wife and posts messages on social media in the hope she will be found alive. The shoulder bag and leather shoes Yasuko always wore were gone. She went missing on a Tuesday, when the couple would usually visit their neighborhood supermarket at 8 a.m. for its weekly sale. When Yasuko had wandered before, Tsutomu found her at the store. He thought this time would be the same but she was neither there nor anywhere else nearby. He had the city use its emergency broadcast system, which can be used to track down dementia sufferers, to no avail. But Tsutomu remained positive, believing "there is no way I won't find her," he said. The next day, there was a troubling development in the case. Police came to Tsutomu's residence to show him security camera footage of a person who appeared to be Yasuko walking toward the city of Matsue in neighboring Shimane Prefecture where her parents live. All promising leads about her location ended there. The couple's home city of Yonago, in Tottori Prefecture, is near the border of the two prefectures and about 30 kilometers from Matsue, Shimane's capital. There was a report of a sighting of a woman fitting Yasuko's description entering the yard of a private home in the city of Yasugi, but no video camera footage. Yasuko experiences symptoms of semantic dementia, a rare, progressive type of the brain disease that causes a loss in the ability to understand the meaning of words and other stimuli. According to Katsuya Urakami, a professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Tottori University, the disease often occurs in people in their 50s and 60s, much younger than dementia usually surfaces. Yasuko was diagnosed in 2021. Her eldest son realized something was wrong when she described a crow she had seen as "the black thing." Unlike wandering, which is often a problem for Alzheimer's sufferers, patients with semantic dementia repeat predetermined behaviors. Professor Urakami described the case of the missing woman as "very rare." Even after her diagnosis, Yasuko retained some independence and would take 20-minute walks alone in the evening along a set path or cook breakfast of bread and eggs. Even so, Tsutomu quit his job last July to dedicate himself to her care. The day before she went missing, Tsutomu had discussed with carers measures to ensure his wife's wellbeing. They had proposed placing a global positioning system tracking device inside her shoe. He is tormented by certain thoughts: If only he had contacted the police immediately; if only he had made her carry her ID card. "I am still full of regrets," Tsutomu said. The National Police Agency reported in July that a record 19,039 people with dementia or suspected dementia were reported missing to the police nationwide in 2023. The number increased by 330 from the previous year, the 11th consecutive year of increase. More than 11,000 were over 80 years old, nearly 7,000 in their 70s, and close to 1,000 in their 60s or younger. Amid Japan's graying population, the number of reported dementia sufferers or suspected sufferers missing has doubled over the past decade. Tsutomu believes it is important that people with dementia "not be forced to do what they don't want to do." Tsutomu regrets doing just that as he had put Yasuko into adult daycare before he quit his job, despite knowing she opposed the arrangement. He printed new missing person posters with photos of Yasuko in the spring, asking attendants to display them at Shimane train stations as well as convenience stores, gasoline stations and other prominent places. Tsutomu posted on X, formerly Twitter, "There must be clues out there," but so far there have been no leads. At home alone, he still awaits her return. "I just want her to come back to me unharmed," he said. Related coverage: FEATURE:Over 1 mil. Japanese affected by concussions not shown in CT scans FEATURE: Brokerages investing in future of Japan with kids' financial ed. FEATURE: Monk's memorial trips sent message of peace to Siberia Middle Eastern food chain NAYA is marking its expansion into Massachusetts with the opening of a new Boston location. The Boston restaurant will open on Wednesday, Dec. 11, a press release states. This will mark NAYAs 29th location joining others in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The address for the Boston location is 95 Summer St. NAYA was founded in 2008 and has become a popular fast-casual option for Middle Eastern cuisine. The chain was recognized as one of the countrys hottest startup fast casuals by QSR Magazine this year. NAYA lets diners build their own bowl, wrap or salad from 17 ingredients, including vermicelli rice and shawarma falafel. NAYA also offers several appetizers, dips and sweets. To celebrate the debut of the Boston restaurant, NAYA will offer $1 bowls and rolls on opening day. In addition, 100% of proceeds will go toward Rosies Place, a local charity dedicated to supporting women in need. NAYA will offer $5 bowls and rolls through Dec. 31 as well. NAYA is planning to open more Massachusetts locations in early 2025, the press release states. NAYA has another location opening soon at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, according to the chains website. A year ago, Harry L. Chandler was in Hawaii, a place where 82 years earlier hed seen the ravages of war unfolding before his eyes. This time he was hailed by the 21st century U.S. Navy as a returning hero, honored for his service to the nation and feted at events both solemn and celebratory. For all the decades in between Chandler has carried with him still vivid memories of that December morning in 1941 when he was just 20 years old. He remembers the swarm of fighter planes over Pearl Harbor as he hoisted the American flag at Navy mobile hospital 2 on a hill overlooking Battleship Row. He remembers being hustled with other hospital corpsman aboard trucks bound for the harbor. He remembers finding the carnage of men floating amid burning oil and then toiling to pull survivors from the sea. In this photo from May, World War II veteran Harry Chandler salutes at the National World War II monument in Washington, D.C., during a visit with Southeast Florida Honor Flight.Chandler Family Photo Only once before had Chandler, who is now 103, returned to the place where World War II began for America, but last years visit may well have brought him a peace he needed. Photos from his journey document the pensive moments he spent at the USS Arizona Memorial and the poignant laying of flower petals upon the harbors waters in tribute to the lost sailors. I went to the Arizona (memorial), and it was like, Jeez, Im back in the war, Chandler recalled this week. It was fascinating to think, this many years ago I was in the same place, thinking the same things. We really got out of this one. It was scary, but the scariness just left and you had to do the job you were sent there to do. Meeting teenaged Junior ROTC cadets reassured him the Navy is in good hands for the future, Chandler said. It was very nice. They were very pleased to meet me, he said. It was like I was somebody special, but I wasnt, if you know what I mean. Chandler said its difficult for him to believe 83 years have passed. It doesnt seem possible. Im not old enough, he said, followed by a hearty laugh. You think about what went on and say to yourself, How lucky was I? This is the way I feel. I was very fortunate. I thank the Lord for seeing me through all of this and being able to perform during it. The Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor left an indelible mark on the lives of those who experienced it and galvanized a generation of Americans to rally united as World War II unfolded. For decades, the words Remember Pearl Harbor. Keep America alert were not to be forgotten. Over the course of just two hours and 20 minutes that morning, Japanese invaders by air and water dealt the U.S. Pacific fleet a deadly blow. Twelve ships, including three battleships, were sunk or beached; nine others were damaged. The attack killed close to 2,500 Americans and injured 1,200 more. The loss of the mighty battleship USS Arizona - now the site of a U.S. Park Service memorial - accounted for the loss of 1,177 lives. The battleship USS Arizona belches smoke as it topples over into the sea during a Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. In a speech to a joint session of Congress a day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said Dec. 7, 1941, was "a date which will live in infamy." The attack brought the U.S. into World War II. (Associated Press)AP Within hours, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was before a joint session of Congress, proclaiming Dec. 7 a date which will live in infamy, imploring and then receiving a declaration of war. For the ensuing four years, war would rage on two fronts in the Pacific and in Europe, claiming the lives of more than 400,000 Americans. For Chandler, who had quit Holyoke High School early to enlist in the Navy in 1939, the lesson of that time is less about the toll of war and more about how the nation rallied together, united in a cause. I think the most important thing is to remember those who should never be forgotten because its what caused most of the men from the Pearl Harbor days to do what we did, to act like we were supposed to act, he said. (The attack) just brought power to us. It was almost a miracle to think that everybody in the country would agree that, hey, this had to be, and its going to be taken care of. Theres no doubt about it. Lets put it this way, Chandler added, explaining that the whys of the Pearl Harbor attack have regularly run through his mind. Thats what kept popping through (my) head. Why did all of this have to happen? But, it did, and were fortunate it did. When you stop to think about it, everybody got right on board and did what they had to do. They realized how close they came to being annihilated. Something like that turns your head. We could have been in big trouble (and) it all ended up to be a good thing. Harry L. Chandler, a native of Holyoke, was serving as a hospital corpsman with the Navy in Pearl Harbor at the time of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack by the Japanese. (CHANDLER FAMILY PHOTO)The Republican Chandler recognizes he is among an ever-dwindling number of World War II veterans, let alone those who survived Pearl Harbor. Its among the reasons, he said, that he wanted to participate in the national commemoration and see the harbor what will likely be one last time. A decade ago, there were thought to be between 2,000 and 2,500 survivors of Pearl Harbor alive in the U.S. Today, the estimate is fewer than two dozen remain. Two were scheduled to participate in this years national commemoration. Chandler declined an invitation to return, as the rigors of the trip would have been too challenging, according to his grandson Ron Mahaffee. For Mahaffee, last years journey to Pearl Harbor with Chandler was equally moving. I certainly have lifelong and lifechanging memories of being on that trip with him. For me, to take this warrior back and relive with him what he experienced in his service was priceless. During Chandlers visit to Pearl Harbor, his recollections of the attack were captured by Pacific Historic Parks as part of an oral history project. His story and those of others as well as the national commemoration ceremonies can be viewed online at pacifichistoricparks.org. Cynthia G. Simison is retired executive editor emerita of The Republican. She may be reached by email to csimison@repub.com. A winning Keno ticket worth $25,000 was sold at a convenience store in Carver on Saturday. The ticket was purchased at Quickeez on North Main Street, which is also Route 58. In Keno, players select up to 12 numbers spots to play, and then choose numbers between 1 and 80 to fill each spot. Each number spot offers unique prizes and odds of winning. Players then choose how much they want to wager on each drawing between $1 and $20 and how many drawings they want to use the same numbers for. The same numbers can be played in up to 30 consecutive drawings, and drawings take place every day every three minutes from 5:04 a.m. to 1:01 a.m. Players can also multiply their prizes up to 10 times by marking the Keno Bonus. Keno Bonus is not available on the 10 spot, 11 spot or 12 spot. Overall, at least 198 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Saturday, including two in Springfield and three in Worcester. The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600. So far, the largest lottery prize won in Massachusetts this year was worth $1 million a year for life. The prize was from the lotterys Lifetime Millions scratch ticket game. The winner claimed their prize through a trust on July 10, and opted to receive a one-time payment of $15.4 million. Mansfield police are hoping the public can provide them with information about a man they say destroyed several mailboxes in East Mansfield with a baseball bat overnight on Saturday. Officers spent Sunday morning taking reports of damaged mailboxes along a portion of East Street east of where the street joins with Route 106, Mansfield police wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday. Video from one victim shows a wannabe Juan Soto working on his off-season swing after getting out of a vehicle and destroying the mailbox around 1 a.m. this morning, police wrote in a Facebook post. Stoughton police arrested two men Friday after a threat to shoot up a home was reported. Officers arrested 35-year-old Hyde Park resident Aaron Powell and 26-year-old Boston resident Thomas Searcy in connection with the incident, Stoughton police said in a press release. They charged Powell with possession of a firearm without an FID card subsequent offense and Searcy with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. On Friday, a Stoughton sergeant and four officers responded to a house on Mayflower Lane shortly before 12:20 p.m. for a report that threats to shoot up the home had been made, police said. The dispatcher told the group the suspects were inside a car parked in front of the home. At the scene, they found Searcy in such a car in the drivers seat and Powell inside the car seated as a passenger. A man and woman were seriously injured in a two-alarm house fire in Wakefield Sunday morning, according to firefighters. The Wakefield Fire Department began receiving calls about an explosion at 318 Water St. around 8:45 a.m., the fire department said in a press release. At the scene, firefighters saw heavy flames coming from the third floor of the six-family home and immediately struck a second alarm. Wakefield firefighters and police officers rescued two adults from the homes third floor, the fire department said. First responders took a woman with serious injuries to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston by ambulance. They also took a man with serious injuries to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. KYODO NEWS - Dec 8, 2024 - 22:00 | All, Japan, World The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- S. Korea Pres. Yoon to step aside before resigning: party head SEOUL - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not engage in the work of government ahead of his impending resignation, the ruling party leader said Sunday, a day after an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his declaration of martial law failed. "Even before his resignation, the president will not be involved in state affairs, including diplomacy," People Power Party leader Han Dong Hoon said in a statement, without elaborating on when Yoon is expected to step down. ---------- Japanese atomic bomb survivors depart for Nobel Peace Prize ceremony TOKYO - A group of Japanese atomic bomb survivors representing Nobel Peace Prize-winning group Nihon Hidankyo left Tokyo on Sunday for Oslo where they will attend the award ceremony. Terumi Tanaka of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, who will deliver a speech at Tuesday's ceremony, said ahead of his departure, "I would like to talk about the survivors' campaign that has continued to demand that nuclear weapons must be abolished." ---------- Syria gov't falls, rebels declare end to Assad family's rule CAIRO - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government has collapsed, with rebels taking control of Damacus, media reports said Sunday, ending over half a century of iron-fisted rule by the Assad family. Assad flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination earlier in the day, Reuters reported, citing two senior Syrian army officers. ---------- Archbishop of Tokyo Kikuchi becomes a cardinal in Catholic Church ROME - Pope Francis on Saturday held a ceremony in the Vatican to install Isao Kikuchi, the archbishop of Tokyo, as one of 21 new cardinals of the Catholic Church. Following the ceremony, known as a consistory, at St. Peter's Basilica in which cardinals received a red hat and a ring from the pope, Kikuchi, 66, told reporters, "It is our mission to contribute to the development of the world." ---------- Izakayas close at faster pace than during COVID-19 amid inflation TOKYO - Japanese-style pubs, known as izakaya, are going bankrupt at a faster rate than during the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumers cut back on socializing expenses amid rising prices, according to a recent survey by a credit research firm. From January to November this year, 203 izakaya operators went out of business, exceeding the 189 recorded for the whole of 2020, when the pandemic began to spread in Japan, Teikoku Databank Ltd. said. ---------- Genes in large intestine may shed light on colorectal cancer: study OSAKA - A Japanese research team has discovered new evidence on how genes function in the large intestine, a move that could shed light on why colorectal cancer often develops on the left side. Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in Japan, with 78 percent of patients developing it on the left side of their large intestine, according to the team, including researchers from Osaka University. ---------- Football: Kobe win 3-way title race to defend J-League crown KOBE - Vissel Kobe defended the J-League first-division championship Sunday by beating Shonan Bellmare 3-0 at home, securing three points to stay atop in the three-way title race and seal the league and Emperor's Cup double. Sanfrecce Hiroshima began the final round of the season a point behind the holders but lost 3-1 at Gamba Osaka, while third-placed J1 debutants Machida Zelvia succumbed 3-1 at Kashima Antlers, having needed to win and both teams ahead of them to lose. Video: Olympic champ Oka holds gymnastics clinic The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Thompson, 50, died in a dawn ambush Wednesday as he walked to the companys annual investor conference at a Hilton in Midtown Manhattan, blocks from tourist draws like Radio City Music Hall and the Museum of Modern Art. The killing, and the shooters movements in the minutes before and afterward, were captured on some of the multitudes of security cameras present in that part of the city. One video showed him approach Thompson from behind, level his pistol, and fire several shots, barely pausing to clear a brief gun jam while the dying health executive tumbled to the pavement. Other security cameras captured the initial stages of the gunmans escape. He was seen fleeing the block across a pedestrian plaza, then escaping on a bicycle into Central Park, where he vanished. Police used drones, helicopters and dogs in an intense search, but the killers whereabouts remained unknown late into the night. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that while investigators had not yet established a motive, the shooting was no random act of violence. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target, Tisch said at a news conference Wednesday. From watching the video, it does seem that hes proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Police issued several surveillance images of the man, who wore a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face and wouldnt have attracted attention on a frigid winter day. Some of the photos were taken at a Starbucks coffee shop shortly before the shooting. The police department originally offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. But the reward increased to $50,000. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cell phone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled. They were also searching Thompsons hotel room, interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues, and reviewing his social media, Kenny said. Police initially said the shooter rode into Central Park on a bicycle from the citys bike-share program, CitiBike. A spokesperson for the programs operator, Lyft, said police officials informed the company Wednesday afternoon that the bike was not from the CitiBike fleet. Healthcare giant UnitedHealth Group was holding its annual meeting with investors to update Wall Street on the companys direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompsons death. Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with the company since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs. 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The latest House Rebuilding Guide published by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) shows that national average re-build costs, which include demolition and site clearance, have increased by an average of 6.2 per cent over the past 12 months. The North West region, which includes Mayo, recorded the highest increase but still has the lowest rebuild costs. The cost of rebuilding a detached bungalow in the region was recorded at 2,368 per square meter. The most expensive form of house to rebuild in the North West was a four-bedroom detached house, with a cost of 2,639 per square metre. In Mayo and Donegal, thousands of homes infected with pyrite and mica will require total demolition and rebuilding. Many affected homeowners have said they have been left out of pocket even after accessing the government's redress scheme. Chartered Quantity Surveyor Kevin Brady said labour costs, skills shortages, the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, high energy prices and supply chain issues had led to significant volatility over the past five years. SCSI members are saying the demand for builders throughout the country remains at an all-time high and this is also a contributory factor to the increases we are seeing in this years figures, Mr Brady said. He added that the concrete levy introduced to help fund the Defective Concrete Block Redress Scheme had increased the cost of pre-cast concrete while the introduction of two new levies on waste and disposal in September is likely to increase costs going forward. Dublin had the highest rebuild costs, with every type of house assessed more expensive per square metre than every type of house in the North West region. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, December 8, 2024 Google filed a lawsuit on Friday to block the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from placing its payment arm under federal supervision that would subject to the same inspections as the ones it conducts with major banks and other financial institutions for potential violations of the law. The app was only placed on such supervision after determining that it meets the legal requirements to do so. The CFPB said the Google Pay app -- as well as its peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service, which was discontinued in the U.S. earlier this year -- accused Google of reasonable cause to determine that it has engaged in conduct that poses risks to consumers and that is "does not constitute a finding" it has done anything wrong, but rather that it does indicate the company poses risks to consumers. Reuters initially reported the lawsuit. advertisement advertisement The CFPB tied the risks to Google's handling of what it called "erroneous" transactions and fraud prevention. Customer complaints accuse Google of not adequately investigating erroneous transfers, or adequately explaining the findings of its investigations into the issues. The complaints also suggest Google did not do enough to prevent fraud. Google claims that the designation is unwarranted, given its decision to discontinue the Google Pay App and P2P payment platform. That argument is not persuasive for the following independent reasons. It states past conduct, reasonable cause that it is engaging, or has engaged consumers. Google's move follows earlier reports that the CFPB had been negotiating with Google for months. The Order by the Bureau does not require any immediate action by Google and will notify the company if needs reports or forms or plans to contact an examination. KYODO NEWS - Dec 8, 2024 - 19:16 | World, All South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will not engage in the work of government ahead of his impending resignation, the ruling party leader said Sunday, a day after an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his declaration of martial law failed. "Even before his resignation, the president will not be involved in state affairs, including diplomacy," People Power Party leader Han Dong Hoon said in a statement, without elaborating on when Yoon is expected to step down. Han said he will oversee national affairs in close consultation with Prime Minister Han Duck Soo. The prime minister, who appeared with the party chief, emphasized that maintaining a strong alliance with the United States, and reinforcing trilateral ties also involving Japan, are "important" tasks. The remarks came amid concerns in Japan and the United States that the ongoing political turmoil in South Korea may threaten improving relations between Tokyo and Seoul and progress in trilateral cooperation. In Tokyo, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Japan has been monitoring the situation in South Korea "with special and serious interest." "South Korea is a valuable and important neighbor to our country. We will continue to work closely together," he told reporters. Relations between Tokyo and Seoul have improved under the conservative administration led by Yoon, who took office in 2022, with the South Korean government proposing a solution to a thorny dispute over wartime labor compensation last year. South Korean politics were thrown into turmoil when Yoon abruptly declared martial law late on Tuesday to rein in what he described as "anti-state" activities. The declared martial law only lasted six hours as lawmakers quickly convened early Wednesday and voted for it to be lifted. While Yoon was condemned for the move by lawmakers and the public, he survived an impeachment motion Saturday after it failed to secure the required votes in parliament. Related coverage: South Korea president escapes impeachment over martial law turmoil Japan wary South Korea turmoil may hurt improving bilateral ties South Korea ruling party head says Yoon must be stripped of powers Not too long ago, one of the biggest names in the world and founder of Infosys, Mr. Narayana Murthy was called out on the internet for a casual remark he made about work-life balance and how he voiced his opinion about people working a minimum 70 hours a week to make India a successful economy. While the learned man, who runs one of the biggest companies in the world was merely sharing what he preaches and believes the young generation needs to do, his words did not go down too well with people on the internet and he was called out for making tall claims which can alter ones mental sanity. Now, the man has again come under the radar after a post of him buying a luxurious new residence has gone viral. @ X As per reports, Mr Murthy has invested in a Rs 50 crore apartment in Bangalores posh address, the Kingfisher Towers. Apparently his wife, Mrs Sudha Murthy had purchased a property here four years ago. Post this , his remark about how the youth should work over 70 hours per week has again gone viral and now people are trolling him for this magnanimous purchase. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, putting an end to the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule but raising questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after President Bashar Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown. Russia, a close ally, said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance, leads the biggest rebel faction and is poised to chart the country's future direction. The end of Assad's rule deals a major blow to Iran and its allies, already weakened by over a year of conflict with Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights dating back to 1974, after Syrian troops abandoned their positions in the latest unrest. The rebels now face the daunting task of healing bitter divides in a country ravaged by war and still split among different armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas. Syrian state television aired a video statement early Sunday by a group of rebels saying that Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been set free. They called on people to preserve the institutions of the free Syrian state. The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. The rebels said they freed people held at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. A video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked and confused. At least one small child could be seen among them. Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi, who appeared on State TV later in the day, sought to reassure Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, saying: Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects. We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did," he added. Celebrations across the capital Residents of Damascus gathered to pray mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting God is great. People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air. Revelers filled Umayyad Square in the city center, where the Defense Ministry is located. Men fired celebratory gunshots into the air and some waved the three-starred Syrian flag that predates the Assad government and was adopted by the revolutionaries. I cannot express my happiness," said Bassam Masr. But this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he. I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Videos from Damascus showed families wandering into the presidential palace, with some emerging carrying stacks of plates and other household items. Syrias al-Watan newspaper, which was historically pro-government, wrote: We are facing a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood. We believe and trust that Syria will be for all Syrians. The newspaper added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing government statements in the past, saying: We only carried out the instructions and published the news they sent us. A statement from the Alawite sect to which Assad belongs and which has formed the core of his base called on young Syrians to be calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country. The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. Assad's whereabouts are unknown Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said in a video statement that the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video shared on Syrian opposition media showed a group of armed men escorting him out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel on Sunday. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Assad took a flight Sunday from Damascus. A senior diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, which had sought to rehabilitate Assad's image and has welcomed high-profile exiles in recent years, declined to comment on his whereabouts when asked by reporters at a conference in Bahrain. Anwar Gargash said Assad's destination at this point is a footnote in history, comparing it to the long exile of German Kaiser Wilhelm II after World War I. Assad has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war, including a 2013 chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of the capital. There was no immediate comment from Iran, which had been Assads staunchest supporter. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Calls for an orderly transition The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall in a matter of days as the Syrian army melted away. Russia, Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, which provided crucial support to Assad throughout the uprising, abandoned him in the final days as they reeled from other conflicts. The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. Its leader, al-Golani, has sought to recast the group as a moderate and tolerant force. HTS set up a salvation government in 2017 to administer a large region in northwestern Syria under its control. Golani has made history and sparked hope among millions of Syrians," said Dareen Khalifa, a senior adviser with the International Crisis Group and an expert on Syrian groups. "But he and the rebels now face a formidable challenge ahead. One can only hope they rise to the occasion. The U.N.s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday. The participants included Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatars Foreign Ministry spokesman, told reporters that they agreed on the need to engage all parties on the ground," including the HTS, and that the main concern is stability and safe transition. Netanyahu said the 1974 agreement separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights had collapsed," with Syrian soldiers abandoning their positions, and that Israel had seized the buffer zone for its own protection. The military said the deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war and the international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. ___ Sewell reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue, Sarah El Deeb and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut, Samar Kassaballi, Omar Sanadiki and Ghaith Alsayed in Damascus, Syria, Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain, Josef Federman in Doha, Qatar, and Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) Military leaders are rattled by a list of woke senior officers that a conservative group urged Pete Hegseth to dismiss for promoting diversity in the ranks if he is confirmed to lead the Pentagon. The list compiled by the American Accountability Foundation includes 20 general officers or senior admirals and a disproportionate number of female officers. It has had a chilling effect on the Pentagons often frank discussions as leaders try to figure out how to address the potential firings and diversity issues under President-elect Donald Trump. Those on the list in many cases seem to be targeted for public comments they made either in interviews or at events on diversity, and in some cases for retweeting posts that promote diversity. Tom Jones, a former aide to Republican senators who leads the foundation, said Friday that those on the list are pretty egregious advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, policies, which he called problematic. The nominee has been pretty clear that that has no place in the military, Jones said of Hegseth. Hegseth has embraced Trumps effort to end programs that promote diversity in the ranks and fire those who reflect those values. Other Trump picks, like Kash Patel for FBI director, have suggested targeting those in government who are not aligned with Trump. But Hegseth has been fighting to save his nomination as he faces allegations of excessive drinking and sexual assault and over his views questioning the role of women in combat. He spent the week on Capitol Hill trying to win the support of Republican senators, who must confirm him to lead the Pentagon, doing a radio interview and penning an opinion column. Some service members have complained in the past about the Pentagon's DEI programs, saying they add to an already heavy workload. The Pentagon still has a long way to go in having a general officer corps or specialty occupations such as pilots that have a racial and gender makeup reflective of the country. A defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the list said senior leaders are hoping that once Trump is sworn in, they will be able to discuss the issue further. They are prepared to provide additional context to the incoming administration, the official told The Associated Press, which is not publishing the names to protect service members privacy. Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Friday that the list would have considerable, wide and deep consequences. He said when military members see people singled out, they will start focusing on their own survival rather than the mission or their job. You will drive people out, Hagel said. It affects morale as widely and deeply as anything it creates a negative dynamic that will trickle through an organization." The list, which was first reported by The New York Post, includes nine Air Force general officers, seven Navy admirals of different ranks and four Army general officers. Eight of those 20 are women even though only 17% of the military is female. None are Marines. One female Navy officer was named because she gave a speech at a 2015 Womens Equality Day event, where she noted that 80% of Congress is male, which affects what bills move forward. The officer also was targeted because she said diversity is our strength. The phrase is a widely distributed talking point that officers across the Pentagon have used for years to talk about the importance of having a military that reflects different educational, geographic, economic, gender and racial backgrounds in the country. An Air Force colonel, who is white, was called out for an opinion piece he wrote following the death of George Floyd, saying, Dear white colonel, we must address our blind spots about race. A female Air Force officer was targeted because of multiple woke posts on her X feed, including a tweet about LGBTQ rights, one about whiteness and another about honoring the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on a stamp. Another female Air Force officer was on the list because she served as a panelist for a diversity, equity and inclusion discussion in 2021. The list names an Army officer who traveled to 14 historically Black colleges to expand the militarys intelligence recruitment efforts, and an Air Force officer partly because he co-chairs the Asian-Pacific Islander subgroup of the services diversity task force. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition team, said in a statement that No policy should be deemed official unless it comes directly from President Trump. But in an interview Wednesday for Megyn Kellys SiriusXM satellite radio show, Hegseth said Trump told him he wanted a warfighter who would clean out the woke crap. Hegseth got a boost Friday from Trump, who posted on his social media site that Hegseth will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense. The president-elect added that Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!! Jones told the AP in June that his American Accountability Foundation was investigating scores of federal employees suspected of being hostile to Trump's policies. The work aligns with the Heritage Foundations far-reaching Project 2025 blueprint for a conservative administration. A letter Jones sent to Hegseth containing the list, dated Tuesday, says purging the woke from the military is imperative. The letter points to tensions with Iran, Russia and China and says we cannot afford to have a military distracted and demoralized by leftist ideology. Our nations security is at stake. Conservatives view the federal workforce as overstepping its role to become a power center that can drive or thwart a presidents agenda. During the first Trump administration, government officials came under attack from the White House and congressional Republicans, as Trump's own Cabinet often raised objections to some of his more singular or even unlawful proposals. ___ AP writer Courtney Bonnell contributed from Washington. WASHINGTON (AP) Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness," Trump wrote on social media, referring to Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a television interview that aired Sunday, Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Asked on NBC's Meet the Press if he were actively working to end the nearly 3-year-old Ukraine war, Trump said, I am. He refused to say if he had spoken to Putin since winning election in November. I dont want to say anything about that, because I dont want to do anything that could impede the negotiation, Trump said. Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire went beyond the public policy stands taken by the Biden administration and Ukraine and drew a cautious response from Zelenskyy. It also marks Trump wading unusually deeply into efforts before his Jan. 20 inauguration to resolve one of the major global crises facing the lame-duck Biden administration. Trump made his proposal after a weekend meeting in Paris with French and Ukrainian leaders in Paris, where many world leaders gathered to celebrate the restoration of Notre Dame cathedral after a devastating fire. None of the advisers traveling with him appeared to have expertise on Ukraine. Kyiv would like to close a deal, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! Trump added. He was referring to mediation efforts by China that many in the West have seen as favoring Russia. Zelenskyy described his discussions Saturday with Trump, brought together by French President Emmanuel Macron, as constructive" but has given no further details. Zelenskyy cautioned that Ukraine needs a just and robust peace, that Russians will not destroy within a few years. When we talk about an effective peace with Russia, we must talk first of all about effective peace guarantees. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land, he said Sunday in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Trump's post by repeating Moscows long-standing message that it is open to talks with Ukraine. Peskov referenced a decree by Zelenskyy from October 2022 that declared the prospect of any talks impossible as long as Putin was Russia's leader. That decree came after Putin proclaimed four occupied regions of Ukraine to be part of Russia, in what Kyiv and the West said was a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. Trumps former national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, warned there was no such thing as a quick fix to ending Russias war with Ukraine. What Im worried about is this kind of flawed idea that Putin can be placated, right, that Putin will come to some kind of a deal, McMaster told Fox News Sunday." I think its really important for President Trump to adhere to his instinct in this connection ... peace through strength, McMaster said, adding, How about give them what they need to defend themselves, and then saying to Putin, Youre going to lose this war? While Trump has said before that he would like to see a quick ceasefire in Ukraine, his proposal Sunday was framed as a direct appeal to Russia. The quick responses from Ukraine and Russia demonstrated the seriousness with which they regarded the idea from the incoming American president. Both Trump and President Joe Biden pointed this weekend to Russias disengagement in Syria, where the Russian military largely moved out of the way while Syrian rebels overthrew the countrys Russian-allied president, as evidence of the extent to which the Ukraine war has sapped Russias resources. Biden said at the White House on Sunday that resistance from Ukraine had "left Russia unable to protect its main ally in the Middle East. The Biden administration and other supporters of Ukraine have made a point of not being seen to press Ukraine for an immediate truce. Ukraine's allies fear a quick deal would be largely on the terms of its more powerful neighbor, potentially forcing damaging concessions on Ukraine and allowing Russia to resume the war again once it has built back up its military strength. Trump portrays himself as up to making fast deals to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East that have frustrated many of the Biden administration's own mediation efforts. There is no prohibition on incoming officials or nominees meeting with foreign officials, and it is common and fine for them to do so unless those meetings are designed to subvert or otherwise affect current U.S. policy. The Logan Act bars private citizens from trying to intervene in disputes or controversies between the United States and foreign powers without government approval. But the 1799 statute has produced just two criminal cases, none since the 1850s and neither resulting in a criminal conviction. In the NBC interview taped Friday, Trump renewed his warning to NATO allies that he did not see continued U.S. participation in the Western military alliance as a given during his second term. Trump has long complained that European and the Canadian governments in the mutual-defense bloc are freeloading on military spending by the U.S., by far the most powerful partner in NATO. NATO and its member governments say a majority of countries in the bloc are now hitting voluntary targets for military spending, due in part to pressure from Trump in his first term. Asked whether he would consider the possibility of pulling out of NATO, Trump indicated that was an open question. If theyre paying their bills, and if I think theyre treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely Id stay with NATO, he said. But if not, he was asked if he would consider pulling the U.S. out of the alliance. Trump responded, Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. Trump expressed the same openness when asked if Ukraine should brace for possible cuts in U.S. aid. Possibly, he said. U.S. arms and other military support are vital to Ukraine's efforts to fend off invading Russian forces, and Biden has been surging assistance to Ukraine before leaving office. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday announced nearly $1 billion more in longer-term weapons support to Ukraine. Austin spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Sunday about the status of the war and U.S. military backing, the Pentagon said. Russian forces kept up their grinding advance in eastern Ukraine, taking the village of Blahodatne, according to a statement Sunday by Russias defense ministry. If confirmed, that gain would bring Russian forces a step closer toward capturing the town of Velyka Novosilka and disrupting a key logistics route for the Ukrainian army, military analysts said. ___ Kozlowska reported from London. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York and AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI - In the middle of the cornfield, ringed by highway guardrails, metal tubing covered in valves and gauges protrudes from the earth. As a kid helping out on his grandparents West Michigan farm, Todd Zoerhof took it for granted. The equipment was everywhere. Riding around on bikes, he and his friends would shoot the squat metal structures with BB guns. Today, the pipes arent for target practice. Theyre the reason hes at odds with one of the states largest utilities. That company, Consumers Energy, is no stranger to friction with customers over frequent power outages, criticism when it seeks raise energy rates or skirmishes on the path of big infrastructure projects, like gas pipelines. But quietly in West Michigan, a unique energy conflict is brewing. There, in sprawling geologic formations deep underground, Consumers pools natural gas for the winter before piping it to homes and businesses across the state when its needed most. In exchange, some residents living above the deep gas storage fields have been grandfathered into an arrangement that provides them gas free of charge from dozens of metal wellheads that dot their farmland, like the one on Zoerhofs property near Holland. A natural gas storage wellhead in the Overisel Storage Field owned by Consumers Energy in Allegan County on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. There are dozens of wellheads throughout the storage field, many of which are on privately owned farm fields.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Its unclear exactly how many Michiganders have so-called farm taps, the private gas hookups that connect directly to pipelines or storage fields, rather than traditional gas mains, but its likely only in the hundreds. Its a set-up Zoerhofs family and his neighbors counted on since the 1950s, but it could all be coming to an end. For some, Consumers is wriggling out of the deal, citing safety and reliability issues forcing the decommissioning of old gas wells. But residents say its another example of a big utility getting its way, while leaving them to stomach costly alternatives. And the conflict may rear its head across other parts of Michigan, a state with more subterranean gas stockpile space than any other in the nation. Its the big guy pushing the little people around, thats what we feel it is, said Zoerhof, now in his 50s and still living on his familys centennial farm in Allegan County. But Consumers says it is merely assessing gas wells as required under federal safety regulations which were instituted after a massive California methane leak in 2015 caused thousands near Los Angeles to evacuate their homes. After inspection, some wells are plugged, and the free gas service goes with it, Consumers maintains. Consumers Energy is committed to the safety of the customers we serve, our co-workers and the public, said spokesperson Brian Wheeler in a statement. West Michigan residents push back on loss of contract gas The letter arrived via UPS in March, with another soon behind. Dennis Kroeze had until May 1 to find another source of gas, it said. Kroeze lives above Consumers 11,000-acre Overisel storage field, less than 10 miles from Holland and near Zoerhof. As Consumers decommissioned a gas well serving his home, he stood to lose what the utility referred to as free gas. He and his neighbors have another name for it. Contract gas. Its a nod to the fact that they or their predecessors granted Consumers subsurface rights on their property and the ability for employees to lay pipelines and access the land to maintain their equipment. Zoerhofs grandparents inked his current contract in 1957. Access roads crisscross their farmland, and theyre accustomed to seeing company trucks and workers. Zoerhof can remember Consumers employees handing out candy when he was a boy. But today, he says, they dont even wave. An aerial view of crews work at a natural gas storage well on the Overisel Field owned by Consumers Energy in Allegan County on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. The flames or "burn off" is a release of natural gas to safely vent gas that might otherwise accumulate and pose a safety hazard. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Residents at Overisel and the neighboring Salem field are surrounded by pipelines and gas equipment. And mishaps have happened, like a 2007 explosion that scorched entire trees, leaving behind a crater but no injuries. Youre living on a minefield here, literally, said Zoerhof. The free gas service to their homes is a fair bargain, residents say, and some paid more for their homes as a result. An electrician and farmer by trade, Kroeze said he doesnt have to be a lawyer to find problems with the impending shutoff letter, reading over his own decades-old contract running with his land. Theyre basically bullying us out of the gas, but they still want to use our property, he said. He looked into his options. Service from SEMCO Energy, an alternate provider, would run more than $5,500 for installation on top of $200 gas bills hed never factored into his budget, he said. Consumers only offered $2,500 in courtesy assistance. In a letter that summer, a Consumers attorney pushed back on his position that the company was still obligated to provide him gas, even if it shut down his well. Under modern regulations connecting to another well could run $450,000 to $500,000, the lawyer wrote. That was kind of a kick in the face, Kroeze said. Dennis Kroeze checks the freeze-off on a natural gas storage wellhead on his property in the Overisel Storage Field owned by Consumers Energy in Allegan County on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. The freeze-offs can disrupt the gas supply to homes on that line. There are dozens of wellheads throughout the storage field, many of which are on privately owned farm fields.Joel Bissell | MLive.com Gas reservoirs play key role in Michigan heating For the utility, Michigans largest energy provider, gas storage fields are a key part of its business. They offer the secret to reliability and affordability, Consumers boasts on its website. The fields, many depleted underground oil or gas formations, let the utility purchase gas in the summer when costs are typically lowest, or squirrel it away to weather price fluctuations. Half of customer gas deliveries in the colder months involved the stored fuel, according to the utility. Its a big deal for a state where three-fourths of households rely on utility gas for heat. Since 2017, Consumers has been working its way through a federally required storage integrity management program, involving baseline assessment of all its gas wells, Wheeler said. While some landowners might erroneously feel targeted, the inspections apply across the board and dont single out gas users, he said. The program has led to 218 wells being plugged across Michigan, with 60 free gas users transitioning to another fuel source as a result. But Consumers position that shutting down a well on someones land means termination of their gas is under dispute. In the Overisel and Salem fields, contracts include reference to right to gas from wells on homeowners land and property pooled or unitized together for the purposes of gas exploration. A map of Consumers Energys Overisel Storage Fields in Allegan County. Consumers stores natural gas in deep underground geological formations spread across farms in the area.Joel Bissell | MLive.com The landowners believe as long as Consumers is operating a well on the storage fields, landowners there cant be cut off from their gas, said Kyle Konwinski, an environmental lawyer representing Zoerhof, Kroeze and dozens of others. The landowners teaming up is key to fighting the behemoth that is Consumers, he said. The company has taken a scattershot approach, he claims. Landowners have been offered varying amounts of money as Consumers threatens to shut off gas, according to Konwinski and residents. Wheeler disputed this, saying monetary courtesy assistance has been the same under the well integrity program begun in 2017. Some have received the notices close to the winter heating season, sparking anxieties, Konwinski said, and others cant afford the sudden expense of a switch. We definitely want consistency, Konwinski said. This piecemeal approach that Consumers is currently taking is causing huge amounts of fear and angst amongst that community. Farm taps pose safety risks, regulators say From Konwinskis perspective, its clear Consumers would prefer not to have landowners hooked up to its storage fields via farm taps dating back to the 50s. These utilities absolutely want to get rid of them, he said. One reason might be because they involve huge liability, the attorney added. In Pennsylvania, when a service line running from a gas well to a home failed, the resulting explosion destroyed the structure and severely burned one of the homeowners. Farm taps have stirred safety concerns as far away as Colorado. A natural gas storage wellhead in the Overisel Storage Field owned by Consumers Energy in Allegan County on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. There are dozens of wellheads throughout the storage field, many of which are on privately owned farm fields.Joel Bissell | MLive.com In 2015, Michigan regulators opened an inquiry into the hookups, flagging a slew of safety issues. In some cases, the gas provided isnt pumped with additives providing the distinctive rotten egg smell that helps identify leaks, they said. In other cases, emergency valves are lacking, and the private lines can cross roads and other properties, leaving them vulnerable to damage. As it stands, the Michigan Public Service Commission, which oversees gas safety in Michigan, doesnt have any programs to incentivize abandonment of farm taps, but it encourages compliance with pipeline safety rules, according to spokesperson Matt Helms. In 2018, the commission did ban future installation of the hookups unless they can be built, inspected and maintained in accordance with modern safety standards. Asked how many farm taps exist in the state, Helms directed MLive to submit a Freedom of Information Act request for official documents, which is still pending. In a 2016 regulatory filing, DTE Energy reported 57 homes connected to storage fields in Mid-Michigan and the Thumb, and Consumers now has about 230 landowners connected to wells on eight of its 15 storage fields, according to Wheeler. Gas dispute continues unresolved About 130 of those Consumers users received a letter this fall requesting a laundry list of documentation on individual homes farm taps and gas lines. Failure to respond could mean termination of gas service, it stated. Zoerhof said a mechanical contractor he consulted estimated checking off the list could run $1,000, on top of more ongoing costs. Several years ago, he invested more than $2,000 to fix his gas line. Konwinski sees the requirement as another attempt to push landowners. I think theyre trying to use some leverage to get folks off this free gas, he said. The letters were prompted by recent incidents highlighting the fact that some gas users arent safely maintaining their privately-owned systems, according to Wheeler, who did not specify. Consumers Energy is committed to public safety and believes that it is not controversial to require gas users to demonstrate their compliance with their contractual and legal obligations that are in place to ensure the publics safety, he said. Todd Zoerhof poses with a natural gas storage wellhead on his property in the Overisel Storage Field owned by Consumers Energy in Allegan County on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. There are dozens of wellheads throughout the storage field, many of which are on privately owned farm fields. Zoerhof says consumers is trying to take contracted gas away from local residents who have wells on their property. Many of the contracts were signed with residents in the 1950s and 60s.Joel Bissell | MLive.com In the meantime, residents in Allegan County say they wont be deterred. Though they have a lawyer, they havent yet ended up in court with Consumers. They arent against losing their contract gas, as long as theyre fairly compensated, Zoerhof said. We dont feel its right for Consumers to have their cake and eat it too, he said. OAKLAND COUNTY, MI An alleged gunman was taken into custody stemming from a shooting at a hotel that hospitalized one person, Michigan State Police said. The injured person who was not identified by gender or age was taken to a hospital and remains in critical condition. Troopers first responded to a 5:30 p.m. report of a shooting Friday, Dec. 6, at the American Inn and Suites, at 11000 W. 8 Mile Road in Royal Oak Township. At the scene, police found one person wounded. Troopers secured the hotel and determined the suspect had fled the scene. The injured person was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment. Investigators then started to collect evidence, interview witnesses and gather video from the scene and surrounding businesses. Detectives developed a lead on a suspect on Saturday, Dec. 7, and located the suspect vehicle in the backyard of a home in Detroit. Troopers performed a search warrant at the home and made an arrest. The person arrested was also not identified by gender or age. A weapon and the vehicle were also recovered. The investigation remains ongoing. ANN ARBOR, MI - Ron Weiser does not often speak at University of Michigan Board of Regents meetings, other than announcing his attendance or supporting a motion. When he raised his voice in his last meeting Dec. 5, it cracked and pushed through tears. His eight-year term ends Jan. 1, so he pledged to continue serving the university for his remaining few weeks on the job. After several minutes of praise from his fellow regents and President Santa Ono, it was finally his turn to speak. HOLLAND, MI A specialty bourbon 10 years in the making is coming back just in time for the holidays, and there is only one place where people can buy it. New Holland Brewing Company announced the second annual release of Dragons Milk Origin 10 will take place Saturday, Dec. 14, exclusively at New Hollands brewpub at 66 E Eighth St. in downtown Holland. Origin 10 is a limited-release bourbon that is pot-distilled from a high-malt mash bill, aged for 10 years and bottled at 117.11 proof. We are incredibly proud to be one of very few craft distillers offering 10-year-old bourbon from our very own distillate and are proud to offer this bourbon as the pinnacle expression of Dragons Milk bourbon, a statement from New Holland read. This is the second time New Holland is offering Origin 10, following last years debut, and bottles are expected to sell out quickly. Origin 10 retails for $289.99. This years release is limited to only 137 bottles compared to last years 140 and subsequent releases could be even smaller as available barrels will be fewer than originally planned, the brewery said. Doors open for food and drink at 9 a.m. and bottle sales begin at 10 a.m. Employees will provide customers who show up early with a ticket to secure their bottle. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. Ibrahim Thiaw (C), executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), tastes goji berry juice at the China Pavilion during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) RIYADH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Gazing at the goji berries in his hands, Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), was amazed by the taste and economic value of the little red berries grown in China's northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. "Four billion U.S. dollars?" Thiaw looked thrilled when learning of the annual output value the goji berry industry generates for the locals. "That's incredible," he said while taking another sip of the goji berry juice. During his Friday tour to the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thiaw was impressed by China's decades-long efforts in desertification control. "With China, we have a good example of what can be done in the degraded lands. From the economic point of view, it is socially profitable and creates millions of jobs," he said. The goji berry industry in Ningxia is just part of China's anti-desertification story. Themed "Cross-Century Green Great Wall, China's Restoration in Action," the exhibition showcases China's battle against desertification, particularly through the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, a major national initiative aimed at reversing desertification. The new technologies China has applied in its desertification control also took the spotlight. From tree-planting robots to satellite remote sensing systems, Thiaw listened attentively as the exhibition staff introduced the technologies displayed at the pavilion. His eyes were also drawn to the photovoltaic panels in a poster, which were widely used in the city of Ordos, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, to reduce carbon emissions and boost resilience against drought. "One of the challenges facing photovoltaic power plants in the desert is that sand and dust will accumulate on the panels. How do you clean them?" Thiaw asked. "With drones and robots," a staffer replied. "It's a convenient solution!" Thiaw nodded. Continuing his stroll through the pavilion, he was captivated by a display about the construction of China's "green Great Wall," which encapsulates China's efforts to prevent sandstorms, conserve water and soil, and safeguard agriculture in its drought and desert area. China's "green Great Wall" is "extraordinary," showing "how much traditional knowledge is combined with new technologies, how much long-term vision is combined with the need to have short-term solutions, how much business is associated with ecology, to create the positive movement that is needed to actually bring the land back to health," he remarked. "I would urge my colleagues and visitors here in COP16 to come because it tells something concrete," Thiaw said. Covering more than 600 square meters, the China Pavilion is the second-largest national pavilion at COP16. Running from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," COP16 is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. During the conference, delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience against droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. Ibrahim Thiaw (R), executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), is presented with a stuffed toy panda at the China Pavilion during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), signs the guestbook at the China Pavilion during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) JACKSON, MI - On the 83rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the Jackson community held a memorial to honor the over 2,300 soldiers who gave their lives serving in the war. Despite the cold temperatures, the Jackson community showed up in great number to honor the fallen soldiers from Pearl Harbor, an event that propelled the United States into World War II. American Legion department of Michigan commander Dan Cooper reads names of the fallen soldiers during the Jackson Pearl Harbor Memorial at USS Arizona Memorial in Cascades Park in Jackson on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Josh Boland | MLive.com VFW Department of Michigan Senior Vice Commander Reinold Yahnka and American Legion Department of Michigan Commander Dan Cooper read aloud the names of the 28 fallen soldiers from Michigan during the ceremony. Carol Hatch, music director of Queens Church, rang a bell to honor each soldier. Jacksons last remaining Pearl Harbor survivor Hertbert Elfring Sr., who died back in May, was honored specially for the 2024 memorial. VVA Chapter 109 Honor Guard stand at attention during the Jackson Pearl Harbor Memorial at USS Arizona Memorial in Cascades Park in Jackson on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Josh Boland | MLive.com He was 102-years-old, he was in charge of the shore battery at the time of the attack, Stan Mazur said. God rest his soul, it was important to add him to this years memorial. VVA Chapter 109 Honor Guard performed the rifle salute as well as the playing of Taps and Raising of the Colors. Pastor Chris Garrow from Cascades Baptist Church led the invocation and benediction. A USS Arizona Battleship plaque is incased along with a piece of the ship and the list of names of the Michigan soldiers that were stationed on board the ship at the memorial site during the Jackson Pearl Harbor Memorial at USS Arizona Memorial in Cascades Park in Jackson on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Josh Boland | MLive.com Stan Mazur from American Legion Post 29 led the effort to bring a piece of the USS Arizona to the Jackson war memorial site. We are fortunate to have a lot of cooperation from the local community, he said. Members of the Jackson area community supported with donations to help build the memorial. JACKSON, MI - As someone who experienced firsthand how the right counselor can change a young persons life, Jill Raymond has dedicated herself to being that person for Jacksons young people in need. Raymond, 38, has served as a counselor at Jackson High School for the past nine years - 10 if you include her year as an intern while she was attending Spring Arbor University. Though originally from Michigan, Raymond moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota at a young age due to her parents' job. While attending Red River High School, the right school counselor made her feel at home and changed the path she would follow the rest of her life. Raymond sat down with MLive/Jackson Citizen Patriot to talk about how her own struggles when young led her to becoming a counselor, and how the last decade has taught her more about herself and the students she serves. Jackson Citizen Patriot: Was there a specific moment or experience that inspired you to get into the field youre in now? Jill Raymond: When I was growing up, my parents moved around quite a bit. They worked for the Salvation Army, so ever four or five years wed move to a new location, and the move from Adrian, Michigan, to Grand Forks was my hardest move. I was an eighth grader and was really close to my friends and felt like everything was perfect, and then we found out we were moving 16 hours away. It was a very different experience for me. I went from going to Christian private schools my whole life to my first public school, and I was struggling. My counselor at the time, Mrs. Ripplinger, did an amazing job making me feel at home and helping me find a place at Red River and a sense of belonging. I feel like my mom either set her up with me because she knew I was having a hard time, or she just had good intuition. When I graduated, I told her that I knew from that point on I wanted to become a school counselor who could help students navigate their own challenges and help them find confidence and belonging, just as she had done for me. JCP: Why was working in the field and district youre in now such a calling for you? Raymond: After I graduated from college I was hired on as a matching specialist with Big Brothers Big Sisters, where I had the privilege of meeting hundreds of youth in Jackson, all seeking mentors. I did that for a year, and I really felt it helped me get to know the Jackson community. After that job, I still wasnt ready to go back to school, so I went back to my alma mater of Spring Arbor and worked in college admissions for six years. I got my masters for free, a huge plus, and I just learned a ton about college admissions, financial aid and the steps necessary for high school students to succeed at the next academic level. So when I interned at Jackson High during my last year at Spring Arbor, I had this weird blend where I could see high school students and college students, and how that transition went. When I got my job at Jackson High, I felt I was uniquely experienced to be a school counselor. JCP: What is your favorite part of your job? Raymond: I love speaking truth into kids' lives. Youth are just lost, especially since COVID. I feel like our kids just feel insecure, anxious and depressed - you see a lot more of that since COVID - and its really cool as an adult to be able to see their strengths, because they have a hard time seeing those things, and to tell them Youre really great at this, have you considered this career? Its great to be able to be a positive voice in kids lives and help them see themselves in a better light. JCP: The field of education has changed and evolved in several ways since the COVID-19 pandemic - in what ways, if any, have you changed or evolved in your role in the past few years? Raymond: Ive made it a priority to reinforce what makes each student unique and valuable. Ive found that recognizing and affirming their strengths helps build their confidence and resilience. In a world where they are often overwhelmed with negativity or perfectionism, I want my students to know that they are capable, worthy and full of potential. When I first started, I feel like I was more direct. Im always kind and Im always loving, but I wasnt afraid to call a kid out early. Then COVID really crippled our youth. They became a lot more sensitive, and a lot harder on themselves. I think the pandemic helped me become a much kinder and more encouraged counselor. Its not just about academic support, its about helping students recognize their own worth and potential and offering them the encouragement they need to believe in themselves. JCP: Is there a specific moment from your career that you would consider to be the most rewarding? Raymond: One of the most rewarding moments in my career happened just last year. Jackson High School hired one of my former students, who had once shared with me her dream was to follow in my footsteps and become a school counselor. Over the last year, it has been so rewarding to see her grow into an amazing professional who is now making a positive impact on her own students. It felt like a full-circle moment for me. It truly affirmed that the inspiration I received from my own school counselor has been passed down, and that my work has helped shape and inspire the next generation of school counselors. Watching her thrive and knowing I played a part in that journey has been incredibly fulfilling. If you know a K-12 educator in Jackson County who might make a good subject for the weekly Meet the Teacher series, send an email with their contact information to mkukulka@mlive.com. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. TEHRAN, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The 26th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) kicked off in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Sunday, the official news agency IRNA reported. Chaired by Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad, the one-day meeting was attended by GECF Secretary-General Mohamed Hamel and ministers, deputy ministers, and senior officials from GECF member states' oil and gas ministries, the report said. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Paknejad said the meeting provided a favorable opportunity for exchanging ideas and consultations among GECF members and observers. He also warned that tensions and threats in the West Asia region, including those in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and Syria, undermine regional stability and global energy security. Also at the ceremony, Hamel said that since the forum's establishment in 2001, global demand for natural gas had risen by 70 percent, according to Shana News Agency affiliated with the Iranian Oil Ministry. He said the GECF predicted that global natural gas consumption would see a 34-percent increase by 2050. The GECF has 12 full members, including Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. The organization also has eight observer countries, five of which -- Azerbaijan, Iraq, Mauritania, Senegal, and Mozambique -- attended the meeting, according to the IRNA report. GECF members collectively control 69 percent of the world's gas reserves, 39 percent of its marketed production, 40 percent of global gas exports, and 51 percent of liquefied natural gas exports, according to an overview report published on GECF's website. Yang Guoping checks corn planted in saline-alkali fields in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Wang Peng) Yang Guoping (2nd R) and his students check corn planted in saline-alkali fields in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Wang Peng) In this aerial drone photo, a harvester harvests corn planted in a saline-alkali field in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows microorganisms selected by the team of Yang Guoping to transform saline-alkali land at a laboratory in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) In this aerial drone photo, a harvester harvests corn planted in a saline-alkali field in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) Yang Guoping studies microorganisms at a laboratory in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) Yang Guoping studies microorganisms at a laboratory in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said Sunday it would be a "blatant violation of the Constitution" should the prime minister and ruling party jointly exercise presidential power. Woo made the remarks during a press conference at the National Assembly, just hours after Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon issued a joint statement, affirming President Yoon Suk-yeol would not be involved in the country's internal and foreign affairs before he steps down. Woo said that presenting the joint statement is an act of misleading the public as it makes an unconstitutional act look legitimate, calling it "arrogant." "The transfer of presidential power comes from the people, and such a process should abide by the Constitution and the principle of popular sovereignty," Woo said, adding "Impeachment is the only legal procedure to suspend the president from carrying out his duties." The parliament speaker also proposed talks between the ruling party and the main opposition to discuss the immediate suspension of Yoon's duties and resolve the political turmoil following Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law Tuesday. In a further development Sunday, President Yoon accepted the resignation of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min. "I believe stepping down is necessary to prevent further disruptions and confusion in governance," Lee said in a statement. Lee's resignation followed an impeachment motion filed by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on Saturday, which accused him of complicity in the declaration of martial law and mobilizing police to block lawmakers from entering the National Assembly. People visit the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) HEFEI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have discovered dozens of human fossils dating back 300,000 years, which are the earliest ones found in East Asia in terms of the evolution process towards Homo sapiens, the species to which all modern human beings belong. The human fossils, along with a large number of fossilized animal bones and stone tools, have been unearthed at the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County, east China's Anhui Province. Chinese researchers reported their latest discoveries and studies concerning the Hualongdong ancient human site at an academic conference held in Dongzhi County from Friday to Sunday this week. Nearly 100 researchers and scholars, including over a dozen international experts, attended the event. Discovered in late 1988, the Hualongdong site has yielded remarkable finds during continuous excavations since 2013. Approximately 20 individual ancient human fossils, including a relatively complete skull, over 400 stone artifacts, numerous bone fragments with evidence of artificial cutting and chopping, and more than 80 vertebrate fossils have been unearthed at this site. From April to November 2024, an archaeological team conducted a new round of excavations, covering an area of 40 square meters. A total of 11 human fossils were unearthed, including one well-preserved foot metatarsal bone, one broken frontal bone, one middle femur fragment and eight skull fragments. Wu Xiujie, a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and leader of the Hualongdong excavation team, said these discoveries show that a large family of more than 20 individuals lived at the site. "They had a 'dining hall' where they cut, chopped and processed food. A karst cave was probably their bedroom for hiding from wild beasts at night, but it has collapsed, and we have not yet excavated it. We hope to discover more fossils in the future," Wu added. She also explained that the human fossils at Huanlongdong belong to ancient humans with physical characteristics between the Homo erectus and modern human stages -- which is unlike any other premodern human fossil ever found. A skull fossil unearthed in 2015 is one of the most important discoveries made at Hualongdong to date. Researchers inferred that the skull belonged to a girl of 13 or 14 years old. "The fossil displays a unique blend of primitive and modern characteristics," Wu noted. "The facial structure and mandible show early evolution toward modern humans, including a flat face, high eye sockets, slender skull, and a jawbone that displays the early development of a chin -- a defining feature of modern humans." "She already looked very similar to us, but still retained some ancient features," Wu said. The foot metatarsal bone found this year is the only one unearthed in China, and it could provide important information in studying both how the ancients walked and their height, Wu said. In addition, the finely crafted stone tools found at Hualongdong show the relatively high technical level of the Hualongdong cave people 300,000 years ago. They were very intelligent, and had evolved towards the stage of Homo sapiens, according to Wu. "The Hualongdong humans were the earliest ancient humans in East Asia who exhibited the most characteristics of Homo sapiens, and were at a key turning point in the evolution from ancient humans towards modern humans. The Hualongdong site will provide a wealth of information on how modern humans evolved," said Liu Wu, another researcher with the IVPP, who has conducted excavations at the site for more than a decade. According to experts, Hualongdong is the second site in China, after Zhoukoudian, where the Peking Man fossils were discovered, to produce a rich collection of human fossils and stone tools -- providing crucial evidence regarding human activities during the Middle to Late Pleistocene. Xu Xing, an academician with the CAS, emphasized the significance of the discoveries at Hualongdong. "For much of the past, fossil evidence of ancient humans primarily came from Africa or the Middle East. The 300,000-year time-frame is critical for understanding the origins of modern humans. The skull fossil unearthed at Hualongdong, with its relatively complete mandible, is an exceptionally rare find that may hold clues to answering key questions about the emergence of Homo sapiens." A popular theory, based on studies of DNA and fossils mainly from Africa and the Middle East, as well as some human-made products, suggests that modern humans originated in Africa and spread to various parts of the world. However, in recent decades, discoveries and research of new fossils from various places, especially in China, have shown that this process was actually not simple, but more complex, Xu said. "The discoveries of human fossils at Hualongdong and related research will enrich our understanding of how this process was completed. Some scholars believe that the origin of modern humans may have been in different places. We will wait and see if the Hualongdong fossils can provide support for this viewpoint," Xu added. International experts have also expressed enthusiasm about this site. Maria Martinon-Torres, director of Spain's National Research Center on Human Evolution, described the Hualongdong site as one of the most significant discoveries in human evolution over the past decade. "We are looking at a hominin population that is different from Homo erectus, with derived traits closely linked to the origins of our species. I think this research is important for the whole international community," said Martinon-Torres. The discoveries at Hualongdong have generated excitement in both the global anthropology and evolutionary biology communities. "It is between Homo erectus and Homo sapiens -- a period for which fossil evidence is scarce. Additional finds like these are invaluable," said Yosuke Kaifu, a professor at the University of Tokyo. "Researchers are continuing their work, and it's a highly promising site that excites us all." Beyond its significance for human evolution, scholars believe the Hualongdong site carries broader implications. Charles Musiba, a professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University, highlighted the site as a model for international collaboration. "Fossil bones and stone tools show that there is a lot of commonality among our species and our ancestors. Humans have been migrating back and forth for more than 300,000 years, and cross-cultural interactions have probably shaped us as a species," said Musiba. "The Hualongdong site and related research bring together Chinese and global scientists, fostering collaboration instead of polarization," he added. "We are united in seeking answers to the fundamental question: Who are we, and where did we come from?" An international expert attending the Hualongdong site academic conference visits the exhibition hall of the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows human skull fossil fragments displayed at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) A drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows people visiting the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This picture taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows a craniofacial reconstruction on display at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Wu Xiujie, a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, introduces the latest discoveries and studies concerning the Hualongdong ancient human site during the Hualongdong site academic conference in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows a re-enactment of an ancient human hunting scene at Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This picture provided by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows the process of the craniofacial reconstruction of a skull fossil unearthed at the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Handout via Xinhua) Wu Xiujie (1st L, front), a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, introduces Hualongdong site to visitors at the site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows bone fragments with evidence of artificial cutting and chopping displayed at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows a view of the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows a view of the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) A drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows people visiting the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) A drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows people visiting the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Wu Xiujie, a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, introduces the latest discoveries and studies concerning the Hualongdong ancient human site during the Hualongdong site academic conference in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Experts attending the Hualongdong site academic conference visit the exhibition hall of the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) People visit the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows stone artifacts displayed at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) International experts attending the Hualongdong site academic conference visit the exhibition hall of the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) This picture taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows a model showing a human skull and mandible at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) A visitor takes pictures of an item displayed at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu) Ibrahim Thiaw (C), executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), tastes goji berry juice when visiting the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) RIYADH, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Gazing at the goji berries in his hands, Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), was amazed by the taste and economic value of the little red berries grown in China's northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. "Four billion U.S. dollars?" Thiaw looked thrilled when learning of the annual output value the goji berry industry generates for the locals. "That's incredible," he said while taking another sip of the goji berry juice. During his Friday tour to the China Pavilion at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thiaw was impressed by China's decades-long efforts in desertification control. "With China, we have a good example of what can be done in the degraded lands. From the economic point of view, it is socially profitable and creates millions of jobs," he said. The goji berry industry in Ningxia is just part of China's anti-desertification story. Ibrahim Thiaw (R), executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), presents a commemorative glass plaque for the 30th anniversary of the UNCCD to the Chinese delegation at the China Pavilion during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UNCCD held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Themed "Cross-Century Green Great Wall, China's Restoration in Action," the exhibition showcases China's battle against desertification, particularly through the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, a major national initiative aimed at reversing desertification. The new technologies China has applied in its desertification control also took the spotlight. From tree-planting robots to satellite remote sensing systems, Thiaw listened attentively as the exhibition staff introduced the technologies displayed at the pavilion. His eyes were also drawn to the photovoltaic panels in a poster, which were widely used in the city of Ordos, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, to reduce carbon emissions and boost resilience against drought. "One of the challenges facing photovoltaic power plants in the desert is that sand and dust will accumulate on the panels. How do you clean them?" Thiaw asked. "With drones and robots," a staffer replied. "It's a convenient solution!" Thiaw nodded. An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 8, 2024 shows scenery at the Wulanmaodu pasture, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Since the launch of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP), a large-scale afforestation project, in 1978, China has seen continuous improvement in the ecological environment in northwestern, northern, and northeastern regions. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen) Continuing his stroll through the pavilion, he was captivated by a display about the construction of China's "green Great Wall," which encapsulates China's efforts to prevent sandstorms, conserve water and soil, and safeguard agriculture in its drought and desert area. China's "green Great Wall" is "extraordinary," showing "how much traditional knowledge is combined with new technologies, how much long-term vision is combined with the need to have short-term solutions, how much business is associated with ecology, to create the positive movement that is needed to actually bring the land back to health," he remarked. "I would urge my colleagues and visitors here in COP16 to come because it tells something concrete," Thiaw said. Covering more than 600 square meters, the China Pavilion is the second-largest national pavilion at COP16. Running from Dec. 2 to 13 under the theme "Our Land. Our Future," COP16 is the largest UN land-focused conference to date and the first UNCCD COP in the Middle East and North Africa. During the conference, delegates are expected to make decisions on collective actions aimed at accelerating land restoration, improving resilience against droughts and sandstorms, restoring soil health, and scaling up nature-positive food production, with a focus on 2030 and beyond. Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Over the past year, about 14,000 American youths have visited China for exchange and study since the announcement of China's pledge to invite 50,000 young Americans to visit in the next five years, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said here on Friday. "In November last year, President Xi Jinping announced in San Francisco that China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years. To implement the initiative, China has set up a YES program -- the Young Envoys Scholarship. Over the past year, President Xi invited American youths to visit China on multiple occasions, which was warmly received here in the States," Xie said at an event promoting China-U.S. youth exchanges held at the Chinese embassy in the United States. The initiative "has provided an effective platform that brings our youths closer, opened up an important window for better understanding China, and ushered in a new chapter of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples," he added. While such people-to-people exchanges have come under some headwinds in the past few years, good news keeps coming with joint efforts, the ambassador said. Xie said what has been achieved in the past year is far from enough, and much remains to be done "to continue removing disruptions, stay undaunted by the chilling effect, oppose any backpedaling, and move forward hand in hand, to build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges and inject constant impetus into China-U.S. relations." The ambassador encouraged youths from both countries to take up the baton of history and shoulder the responsibility of fostering a stable, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relationship. Friday's event was attended by over 300 guests, including representatives of teachers and students who visited China during the year, as well as Chinese and American friends from all walks of life. Two panel discussions were held at the event, during which the panelists expressed their best wishes for China-U.S. youth exchanges, and their expectations for continued education exchange and cooperation that will benefit the two countries and the world. Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas and their daughter Malti Marie's 'lil magic moment' in New York, see fresh pics Sarika Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Sobhita Dhulipala gives a sneak peek of her wedding ceremony with dreamy wedding pics with Naga Chaitanya Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Sunil Matkar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Trump says US should stay out of fighting in Syria as opposition forces gain ground Siddharth Chakravorty USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks at a press conference during the Doha Forum 2024 in Qatar, Dec. 8, 2024. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed here on Sunday the need to prevent terrorist organizations from exploiting the situation in Syria for their own agendas. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua) DOHA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed here on Sunday the need to prevent terrorist organizations from exploiting the situation in Syria for their own agendas. Speaking at a press conference during the Doha Forum 2024 in Qatar, Fidan expressed Turkiye's commitment to supporting the Syrian people, pledging to help address the challenges ahead. When asked about the whereabouts of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, he responded, "Probably out of Syria." Recent developments in Syria, Fidan noted, have been closely reviewed and monitored in collaboration with key Arab nations, including Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, as well as the United States, in a concerted effort to promote regional stability. "The new administration must be established in an orderly manner," Fidan stressed, urging international and regional actors to help ensure a smooth transition in Syria. Fidan's remarks came as Syrian rebel forces took the capital Damascus and declared the collapse of Assad's government earlier on Sunday. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept December 08, 2024 / 21:58 IST Prime Minister Netanyahu called the collapse of the Assad regime a historic event, presenting both opportunities and risks for the Middle East. He extended peace to Syrian groups seeking coexistence with Israel, linking the regime's fall to Israel's actions against Hezbollah and Iran. He adds, "This collapse is a direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad's main supporters. It set off a chain reaction of all those who want to free themselves from this tyranny and its suppression. But it also means we have to take action against possible threats. One of them is the collapse of the Separation of Forces agreement from 1974 between Israel and Syria. This agreement held for 50 years. Last night it collapsed. The Syrian army abandoned its positions. We gave the Israeli army the order to take over these positions to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel. This is a temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found. We're going to follow events very carefully. If we can establish neighbourly relations and peaceful relations with the new forces emerging in Syria, that's our desire. But if we do not, we'll do whatever it takes to defend the State of Israel and the border of Israel..." Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Siddharth Chakravorty USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Flash Mongolia-China cooperation in combating desertification, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change is fruitful and flourishing, Mongolia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Saldan Odontuya has said. Joint environmental initiatives are a key area of bilateral eco-cooperation, said the minister in an interview with Xinhua, adding that they are in line with the shared goals outlined in the 2022 joint statement on advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era between Mongolia and China. To further strengthen cooperation in desertification prevention, the two countries have jointly established the China-Mongolia Desertification Prevention and Control Cooperation Center. A research team from Peking University is preparing a comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study, and a joint working group is conducting research on the project, the minister added. As part of this collaboration, China has supported Mongolia's "Plant a Billion Trees" plan, which aims to plant at least 1 billion trees by 2030 to combat desertification. China International Development Cooperation Agency has reached an agreement with Mongolia's Ministry of Economy and Development and other relevant agencies to advance desertification prevention. Additionally, Mongolian officials and environmental experts have traveled to China to learn from the country's desertification control experience. Odontuya highlighted the success of a joint project between Mongolia and China from 2018 to 2024, which aimed at protecting the critically endangered Gobi bear (Mazaalai) through technical assistance to improve research conditions and facilitate collaboration between Mongolian and Chinese scientists. The Gobi Desert is home to rare and endangered species, such as the Gobi bear, Przewalski's horses (Takhi), argali wild sheep, snow leopards, and migratory birds. This area is the only habitat of the critically endangered wild Bactrian camel (Khavtgai). Looking ahead, Mongolia seeks to expand cross-border conservation efforts, with an emphasis on wildlife migration routes protection, zoonotic diseases prevention, and capacity-building, Odontuya said. Mongolia-China cross-border preservation, collaborative research, and cross-border corridors significantly contribute to protecting the species in their native habitats and conserving biodiversity, the minister noted. In southern Mongolia's Gobi Desert, the government is developing infrastructure in an environmentally sustainable manner to protect wildlife like the white gazelle and Mongolian wild asses (Equus hemionus), the minister said. "We have already begun approving and implementing standards for wildlife-friendly crossings and fences," Odontuya said. "Drawing on this experience, Mongolia is ready to collaborate with China to make the border fences between the two countries more wildlife-friendly." DAMASCUS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Opposition activists said the rebel fighters entered the Syrian capital of Damascus at dawn Sunday, according to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The monitor said hundreds of government soldiers were ordered to withdraw from Damascus International Airport, and were seen removing their military uniforms and donning civilian clothing. Multiple media outlets have reported that Syrian President Bashar Assad has left the country, citing rebel forces. The Syrian presidency said Saturday Assad was still performing his constitutional duties in the capital. Xinhua reporters in Damascus witnessed intense gunshots reverberating through the streets with heavy traffic caused by cars departing the capital. The claims, if true, mark a significant development in the Syrian conflict which began in 2011. 'Bangalore will collapse soon because of this': Techie recalls 'language issue' at Diljit Dosanjh concert Ankita Sengupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept This 59-year-old has been living under the sea for 2 months. His home has a bed, internet, but no shower Ankita Sengupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'Do you have a better deal?': Jaishankar defends Indias Russian oil purchases Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Saturday that it will provide weapons worth 988 million U.S. dollars to Ukraine over a relatively longer term to enhance its military capabilities amid the conflict with Russia. According to a statement, the additional military assistance, to be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), involves ammunition for the HIMARS, unmanned aerial vehicles, and equipment, components, and spare parts to maintain, repair, and overhaul artillery systems, tanks, and armored vehicles. This is the Joe Biden administration's 22nd USAI package for Ukraine, the statement said. Unlike weapons provided through the Presidential Drawdown Authorities that are pulled down directly from shelves in the Pentagon's warehouse, weapons in a USAI package are usually procured through contracts signed by the U.S. government with domestic manufacturers, often resulting in longer delivery times. Russia says Syria's Bashar al-Assad has left country and gave orders for peaceful power handover 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept UK's Starmer to push for stronger ties with UAE, Saudi Arabia in first Gulf visit 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Where is Assad? The Syrian president who ruled for over two decades Manjiri Patil USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Who are Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)? The Syrian rebels who overthrew Assad Manjiri Patil USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Calin Georgescu (front), winner of the first round of Romania's presidential elections, gestures after talking to the media in front of a closed polling station in Mogosoaia, near Bucharest, Romania, Dec. 8, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua) Observers note that the controversy underscores the need for stronger mechanisms to ensure electoral integrity and public confidence in democratic processes. BUCHAREST, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Tensions flared on Romania's Constitution Day as political figures and citizens voiced their outrage over the unprecedented cancellation of the 2024 presidential elections. The Central Electoral Bureau announced Saturday that its operations would cease on Dec. 13, following the decision by the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) to annul the results of the first round of the elections. Calin Georgescu, an independent presidential candidate, gathered with supporters on Sunday at a polling station in Mogosoaia and expressed concern about the state of democracy in Romania. "Today is Constitution Day, and yet there is nothing constitutional left in Romania," said Georgescu. He emphasized the importance of democracy and vowed to continue peaceful advocacy for citizens' rights. On the same day, the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), a right-wing political party, initiated a petition for free elections, with plans to submit it to international organizations, including the Venice Commission and Council of Europe. George Simion, president of the AUR, also announced the party's intention to file a complaint with Romania's supreme court, condemning the election cancellation as a breach of democratic norms. Elena Lasconi, the presidential candidate from the Save Romania Union, criticized the CCR's decision as "illegal and immoral" and vowed to continue pursuing her political ambitions. "If CCR annuls the elections ten times, I will run an eleventh," she said. CCR President Marian Enache, meanwhile, defended the decision and used Constitution Day to call for adherence to democratic principles and counter disinformation. "We are witnessing forces that threaten the fundamental values of democracy," Enache said, reiterating the court's commitment to the rule of law and citizens' rights. In response to criticism, Enache highlighted the importance of trust in the Constitution and alignment with European values, warning of the dangers posed by misinformation and the unchecked influence of artificial intelligence on public decision-making. The cancellation has fueled distrust in public institutions and intensified political divides. Observers note that the controversy underscores the need for stronger mechanisms to ensure electoral integrity and public confidence in democratic processes. The dominance of key electoral institutions by the National Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party has raised concerns about potential bias and manipulation, which could undermine the credibility of the 2024 elections, said Claudia Badulescu, a research fellow at the Institute of European Studies of the Free University of Brussels. Badulescu said in a report that the cancellation raises significant questions about the country's political stability and adherence to democratic values, with both domestic and international implications for governance and public trust. Who is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani? The Syrian rebel leader who overthrew the Assad regime Siddharth Chakravorty USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Zelensky says had 'good and productive meeting' with Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron Swarali Bodas USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept NASCAR games to be taken off digital stores: Heres what you should know Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept DAMASCUS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian National Coalition, a main Syrian opposition, vowed Sunday to continue working towards the transfer of authority to a transitional governing body with full executive powers, to usher in a free, democratic, and pluralistic Syria. In a statement to the international community, the coalition emphasized its commitment to ensuring stability and security in neighboring countries and stressed that Syrians would refrain from interfering in the affairs of regional states. The coalition said it looked forward to forging strategic partnerships with countries in the region and around the world to rebuild Syria for all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or sect. The group reiterated its vision of a nation founded on equality and democratic principles, laying the groundwork for a peaceful and inclusive future. In recent days, Damascus has become a focal point of fast-moving developments marking a critical turning point in Syria's long-running civil conflict. The Syrian capital, which for years remained under the firm control of President Bashar al-Assad's government, experienced Sunday a sudden and dramatic shift in power following major rebel advances in the country. Beginning in late November, armed opposition groups scored significant gains in northern provinces such as Aleppo, where the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group spearheaded a major offensive against government forces. With rebels advancing, reports emerged of swift army withdrawals from key southern provinces, including Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida. Inside the capital, these developments sparked public anxiety, with many residents unsure of what would follow. They rushed to secure basic necessities, such as bread and rice. After opposition forces seized control of Damascus, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement on Sunday that al-Assad has left Syria and resigned as the country's president, who, meanwhile, called for a peaceful transfer of power. Local factions and international observers are closely monitoring the situation in Syria, concerned about the stability of diplomatic missions and the potential for violence in the Syrian capital following incidents such as the storming of the Iranian embassy. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Sunday condemned the attack, while noting that Iran's ambassador to Syria and the embassy's staffers were in full health. Keira Knightley looks on as she attends the European premiere of "Official Secrets" at the BFI London Film Festival 2019, in London, Britain, Oct. 10, 2019. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's main opposition party said Sunday it will push for another vote on an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol on Dec. 14. The remarks came a day after President Yoon survived an impeachment motion in parliament as members of his ruling party boycotted the vote. JERUSALEM, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the 1974 UN-monitored Disengagement Agreement, which established a demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria, has "collapsed." Netanyahu made the comments during a visit to Mount Bental in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, a vantage point overlooking the Syrian border. He was accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz. The prime minister said the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government had "triggered a chain reaction across the Middle East." Netanyahu noted that the Syrian administration's fall presents "new and very significant opportunities for Israel," while warning of the risks posed by the situation. He said he had ordered Israeli forces to enter the buffer zone and assume positions to prevent hostile entities from taking hold of the area. "We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border," he said, in an apparent message to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the rebel advances in Syria. Netanyahu pledged that Israel would closely monitor developments and "do whatever is necessary to protect our borders and ensure our security." He also expressed hope for "a policy of good neighborliness" with Syria. Katz, for his part, said he instructed the Israel Defense Forces, with the approval of the cabinet, to "take control of the buffer zone and key vantage points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights -- both Jewish and Druze -- so that they will not be exposed to threats from the other side." Since fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon in October last year, Israel has escalated its airstrikes in Syria, claiming to have targeted Iran- and Hezbollah-affiliated militias and activities. By Nika Dubrovsky and David Graeber. Dubrovsky is an artist, writer, and founder of the David Graeber Institute and the Museum of Care. Graeber was an anthropologist, activist, and bestselling author This excerpt is adapted from their book Cities Made Differentlyand is distributed in partnership with Human Bridges. Cross posted from Wiki Observatory. Introduction In thousands of ways, we are taught to accept the world we live in as the only possible one, but thousands of other ways of organizing homes, cities, schools, societies, economies, and cosmologies have existed and could exist. We started a project called Made Differently: designed to play with the possibility and to overcome the suspicioninstilled in us every daythat life is limited, miserable, and boring. Our first focus is Cities Made Differently, exploring different ways of living together. Read and imagine four different kinds of cities taken from our book which are listed below, and continue your exploration, downloadable at a4kids.org, for drawing and dreaming. City of Greed What if you had to live in a city whose citizens must pay not only for housing and health care but also for the air they breathe? The dystopian novel The Air Merchant takes place in a secret underground factory city. Mr. Bailey, the factory owner, condenses air from the atmosphere and sells it to his fellow citizens for a profit. Eventually, the Earths atmosphere thins, creating a catastrophic shortage of breathable air. With the price of air increasing, fewer and fewer humans can afford to keep breathing. When people cant pay for the air they breathe, the police throw them out of the city. Everyone lives in constant fear of suffocating, thinking only of how to earn enough money to spare their loved ones and themselves that terrible fate. The food company Nestle is often criticized for its irresponsible use of water in India, Pakistan, and other developing countries. Captured in the documentary film We Feed the World (2005), former Nestle chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe said: Its a question of whether we should privatize the normal water supply for the population. And there are two different opinions on the matter NGOs, who bang on about declaring water a public right Thats an extreme solution. The other view says that water is a foodstuff like any other, and like any other foodstuff, it should have a market value. Personally, I believe its better to give a foodstuff a value so that were all aware it has its price City as a Family Imagine a city without any strangers, where everything is shared, and everyone looks after each other. There are no shops, no money, and no danger at all. We think of the family as a group that practices basic communism: from each according to his ability to each according to his needs. Any family is thought to be protected by bonds of kinship from the cruel laws of the outside world. Unlike businesses, rarely will a family throw out a sick child or an elderly parent because they are no longer revenue-generating assets. According to Roman law, which still underlies the value system of Western societies, a family was all those people living within the household of a paterfamilias or father whose authority over them was recognized as absolute. Under the protection of her father, a woman might be spared abuse from her husband, but their children, slaves, and other dependents were his to do with as he wanted. According to early Roman law, a father was fully within his rights to whip, torture, or sell them. A father could even execute his children, provided that he found them to have committed capital crimes. With his slaves, he didnt even need that excuse. The patriarchal family is also the model for authoritarianism. In ancient Rome, the patriarch had the right to treat his household members as property rather than as equal human beings. The Enlightenment philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that humankind originally lived in small bands of hunter-gatherers composed of close friends and relatives until big cities and agriculture emerged, and with them wars, greed, and exploitation. However, archaeology shows us numerous examples of how people in different times and across different parts of the Earth lived in large metropolitan areas while managing their collective affairs on a fairly egalitarian basis. At the same time, there have always been small communities where status inequality prevailed and a privileged minority at the top benefited by exploiting the rest. We know from our personal experience that in almost every family there are elements of both authoritarianism and baseline communism. This contradiction never fully goes away but different cultures handle it differently. A City f Runners The people who live in this city believe that real life is all about constant competition. The people in a city of runners find it fascinating or even necessary to keep track of who among them is more important, who is richer, smarter, more beautiful, or more worthy. There are many ideas about how the city came to have habits like this. One of the citys revered philosophers, Thomas Hobbes, believed that the natural state of human beings is to seek violent domination over their neighbors, and that society without the authority of the sovereign would quickly turn into a battle of all against all. Constant competition between people is thus seen as an enjoyable game as compared to real war, which is always lurking around the corner. Naturally, in cities like this, there must be some who are poor, ugly, and unhappy. Just as in some childrens games, there are winners and losers. People living in the city of runners foster an admiration for winning in their kids, and an ambition to surpass their peers in all areas. Children in the city of runners have no interest in learning together, sharing, or mutual aid. Helping someone pass an exam is considered cheating and is strictly punished. All their lives, adults are engaged in constant competition over beauty, skill, and wealth. Runners believe that people who live differently from them and who refuse to play their games simply choose to be losers. During the 1968 student unrest in Western countries, some disaffected young people abandoned the big cities for the sleepy provinces where they created autonomous settlements, many of which still exist today. Underground City Living in an underground city could be safe and convenient. Without weather, theres no risk of storms. And no trees mean no forest fires. Underground cities have been around practically forever. The city of Derinkuyu in the Turkish province of Cappadocia, for example, was built between 2000 and 1000 BCE. The landscape of volcanic tuffa unique soft stonecould be hollowed out without requiring complex tools, making room to house 20,000 people. The underground city boasted a stable, corrals, churches, schools, canteens, bakeries, barns, wine cellars, and workshops. The intricate system of tunnels connecting it all together meant that intruders would not know their way around and quickly get lost. Tunnels are found underneath many cities. Rome is famous for its catacombs, and at one time subterranean burial chambers were commonplace. These days, tunnels tend to be for underground trains called subways. In Beijing, the residents became so fearful of nuclear war that they built an entire bunker city, with 30 kilometers of tunnels connecting underground houses, schools, hospitals, shops, libraries, theaters, and factories. Theres even an underground roller skating rink! Mexico City has not gone as far as to build an entire city underground, but architect Esteban Suarez is planning an underground apartment building. And what a building it will be! Piercing the center of the Mexican capital with its tip will be a 65-story pyramidno wonder they call it the earthscraper. The glass-enclosed area above the surface will be for recreation and outdoor concerts. Underground, the building will be heated and powered with geothermal energy, making the pyramid energy self-sufficient. Its not easy building downward into the earth, but building underground wont disrupt the historical landscape of the city. And it evades the citys building codes restricting the height of structures to eight floors. Mirny, a town in the Russian far north, has its eye on an abandoned diamond mine as the site for an underground city. There are no more diamonds to be found, but its abandonment threatens neighboring villages with cave-ins and landslides. Moscow architect Nikolai Lyutomsky has proposed a solution: building a strong concrete skeleton inside the quarry to strengthen its walls while covering its top with a transparent dome, resulting in an underground eco-city fit for 10,000 people. Located in the Yakutia Republic, the town has a harsh arctic climate with temperatures reaching as low as -60 degrees Celsius in the winter. But underground, the temperature never falls below zero. The quarry would thus be good for both people and plants. Its architects have allocated most of the citys inner space to vertical farms. Farms for food production, technical laboratories, factories, and research centers are located underground and, aboveground, there will be play centers and schools. Moving between the underground and the surface is quick and easy. Going underground to avoid possible misfortunesmight seem like a good idea, but theres a catch: if you dont like the rules of your community its tough to get out. How important is it to be able to easily leave one community, whose rules no longer suit you, and join a different one? The chaos theory of profitability refuted The Next Recession Climate/Environment Pandemics Long Covid: The search for answers inches forward 48 Hills India The Koreas China? Syraqistan What is happening in Syria is a major loss for the Syrian people and their allies, including Russia and Iran and ultimately both China and the rest of the multipolar world. It is a reminder that the US and its proxies remain the greatest threat to human peace and prosperity Brian Berletic (@BrianJBerletic) December 8, 2024 Putins worst nightmare. Not only is he losing an important client state, but this is what its going to look like when his regime crumbles. https://t.co/2jsQFG5wUl Sir William Browder KCMG (@Billbrowder) December 7, 2024 Syria is part of the payoff from the Ukraine provocation. US bogs down Russia so Syria is vulnerable. Israel as tip of spear of imperial project continues. Sam Husseini (@samhusseini) December 8, 2024 Russia sounds completely checked out of events in Syria Lavrov citing UN resolutions and other generalities and clearly eager to pivot to discussing Russias views on the war in Ukraine. Accuses moderator of trying to drown me in Syria by asking about it. Its over. https://t.co/Lt9Ng6Qix3 Murtaza Hussain (@MazMHussain) December 7, 2024 Lest we forget: Looks like our side in Syria won. Lets all hope it now doesnt go like the last time we won in Iraq and Libya. pic.twitter.com/F3HbpE5uiv Aaron Mate (@aaronjmate) December 7, 2024 Former General of the US Army Wesley Clark on the military strategy after 9/11 attacks: We are going to take out 7 countries in 5 years: Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and finishing it off with Iran [2007] pic.twitter.com/eNWOC8p795 WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) August 3, 2024 ; And: The collective Western reporting of Syria this week puts me in mind of this all-timer. pic.twitter.com/3RmVuBjjnq Alan MacLeod (@AlanRMacLeod) December 7, 2024 New Not-So-Cold War European Disunion The Caucasus In depth discussion with Presidents Trump & Macron. Exposed the stolen election and extremely alarming repression against the people of Georgia. Underscored the need for a strong US. The Georgian people have a friend in Donald Trump. God bless the United States of America pic.twitter.com/w9myeFG61P Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) December 7, 2024 Imperial Collapse Watch Cynical Overtakes Sacred, as the West Bares its True Face Simplicius the Thinker Trump Transition As Big Tech Profit Growth Slows, Investors Hunt for a New Thing Bloomberg OpenAI Enters Silicon Valleys Hot New Business: War WSJ Defence startups Palantir, Anduril to save data from battlefield to train AI models Bloomberg Anthropic partners with Palantir OpenAI partners with Anduril Anduril partners with Palantir! Everybody is partnering with everybody? What does it all mean pic.twitter.com/EBcsDCbC2X Deedy (@deedydas) December 7, 2024 Groves of Academe AI Reality raids Internal exile Guillotine Watch this is what it must have felt like to hear robin hood stories in like 1370 https://t.co/bQ5MTRxoSl @katewagner.bsky.social (@mcmansionhell) December 8, 2024 apparently health CEOs are getting their Wiki pages deleted pic.twitter.com/R5ChccoMqO db (@dbessner) December 6, 2024 NEW: New Yorkers hold a UnitedHealthcare CEO k*ller lookalike competition. The following person was the winner. Im glad people do not feel great about the current state of things & are willing to openly express that. He looks a little too similar. pic.twitter.com/IcXsDLHve0 Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 7, 2024 Zeitgeist Watch Phantom Vibrations of a Lost Smartphone Sapiens Class Warfare Utah Quietly Downgrades Northrop Grumman Worker Death Charges Inkstick How a San Francisco Navy Lab Became a Hub for Human Radiation Experiments San Francisco Public Press KIYOSHI Octopus Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Department of Education was WEAPONIZED under Biden to attack, fine and bankrupt religious schools across America Not only does the Biden Regime despise all things religious, but they have gone to the extreme of trying to bankrupt and shut down faith-based schools across the nation, using the Department of Education as a financial weapon to fine these education hubs for hundreds of thousands of dollars each, in many instances. According to a Fox News Report, more than two-thirds of all enforcement-based actions by the Biden regimes insidious education department has specifically targeted religious (and career) schools. Two of the nations most prominent Christian schools, Liberty University and Canyon University, faced record-high fines, worse than the ones due to Jerry Sanduskys sexual crimes at Penn State and Larry Nassars at Michigan State. The Biden regime secretly bans Christian schools from receiving federal student aid. Simple Clery Act violations result in fines approaching $1 million, compared to the same at public schools that only get fined a fourth the amount. The Demonic Democrats do not like young folks learning about ethics and morals, because then they wont be interested in transgender perverted lifestyles where you get your genitals mutilated with surgery attempts to switch genders and take cancer-inducing hormone drugs to make girls voices deeper and grow facial hair. The Biden regime likes kids as young as daycare age watching transexuals dance around in thongs and high heels and sit the kids on their laps to read them twisted stories during the Drag Queen Story Hour. This makes kids experience gender dysphoria and helps the demented child-trafficking Biden regime find more prospects for their movement. Trump administration vows to overhaul perverted, demented, worthless Department of Education and the twisted Liberal DEI, CRT, PC-pronoun agendas Schools are supposed to be for learning, critical thinking and developing skills for the real world, not thinking about hating races, switching genders and wondering if your teacher is a man or a woman. Donald J. Trump has vowed to fix the broken education system, from kindergarten through college, and get rid of all of this liberal indoctrination thats been woven into the schools by the perverts in DC, including child-hair-sniffing Joe Biden and his low-IQ cohort who wants taxpayers to fund gender-bender surgery for illegal immigrant children. Trump has appointed Linda McMahon, former Administrator of the Small Business Administration, as U.S. Secretary of Education. She will expand state choice, empower parents to make smart education decisions for their families and use her decades of leadership experience in education to empower the next generation of American students and workers. Just when you thought only the FBI, CIA, DHS, FDA, DOJ and CDC were the weaponized 3-letter government agencies the Democrats use to destroy patriotic Americans who go against the grain of the tyranny, along comes the DoE (Department of Education). Dont dare try to attend a religious school and get a decent education, where you have morals, ethics, individual thoughts and critical thinking skills that help you get into a nice college and have a solid career to follow. Oh no, not with the Democrats in charge. No scholarships, grants or student loans for you. This has been a communist country for four long years, disguised as a republic. Everyones children have been disgustingly brainwashed by the system that teaches them to be shallow morons that pay attention to social media like its the bible, except its the book for Satans followers, or something like that. Liberal curriculum means youre taught to hate all white people, turn gay as soon as possible and assume you have no personal freedoms or rights by the time you are a young adult. Bookmark Censored.news to your favorite websites for truth news about education and freedom of religion thats all still being censored by Democrat politicians right now. Sources for this article include: TheGatewayPundit.com FoxNews.com NaturalNews.com Incoming FCC chairman Brendan Carr prepping for battle against censors: Censorship is about stopping ideas Veteran Republican Brendan Carr, President-elect Trump's pick to chair the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is eager to fight with the censors that for too long have discriminated against conservative voices online. In a recent interview with Fox News, Carr explained how he plans to hit the ground running the moment Trump is reinstalled into the White House on January 20. "Combatting tech censorship is going to be one of the top priorities for me," Carr said. "We need to restore Americans' right to free speech ... you mentioned Facebook and other companies. They've been part of a censorship cartel that has worked with advertisers. They've worked with government officials to censor the free speech rights of everyday Americans. That's got to end." "America is a country of founders, people who have pushed frontiers. When you silence speech, you silence ideas. Instead, we need to unleash prosperity again." Incoming FCC Chairman @BrendanCarrFCC: "Combatting tech censorship is going to be one of the top priorities for me." "America is a country of founders, people who have pushed frontiers. When you silence speech, you silence ideas. Instead, we need to unleash prosperity, again." pic.twitter.com/wsXboFEMly CAPITAL (@capitalnewshq) December 1, 2024 (Related: Have you checked out the list of all of Trump's nominees thus far?) Section 230 of Communications Decency Act "may be on the line" Back in November, Carr spoke out against the tech industry, accusing tech companies of participating in a "censorship cartel that included not only technology and social media companies but advertising, marketing, and so-called 'fact-checking' organizations as well as the Biden-Harris administration itself." "The relevant conduct extended from removing or blocking social media posts to suppress their information and viewpoints, including through efforts to delist them, lower their rankings, or harm their profitability," he added. Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft & others have played central roles in the censorship cartel. The Orwellian named NewsGuard along with fact checking groups & ad agencies helped enforce one-sided narratives. The censorship cartel must be dismantled. pic.twitter.com/Xf0sEYOUfv Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) November 15, 2024 Carr spoke directly to the Section 230 provisions of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) that have created a loophole for Big Tech to play both content "publisher" versus content "provider," depending on the situation, in order to suit its own interests. "As you know, Big Tech's prized liability shield, Section 230, is codified in the Communications Act, which the FCC administers," Carr said at the time. "As relevant here, Section 230 only confers benefits on Big Tech companies when they operate, in the words of the statute, 'in good faith.'" "The censorship cartel must be dismantled." One of the biggest censorship offenders is Google, which many want to see fully investigated. Someone on X / Twitter wrote that Google is "changing their algorithm to hide certain news stor[ies] ... Especially during the campaign," and that the incoming Trump administration needs to look into this. "It's not just the suppression of views," someone interjected in the comments. "It's the unwarranted promotion of others in an effort to push an agenda. You'd think just by looking at advertising over the past four years that 90% of America is black and gay." Another wrote that if Republicans like Carr are truly serious about addressing systemic censorship, then they need to create and pass "a digital bill of rights." "A few simple tweaks to Section 230 which protects companies like Facebook from being sued for libel for comments made by users. If they are to enjoy that protection, they cannot act like publishers and decide what can be posted under vague 'community guidelines.'" "If a law is broken, they report to the police. Otherwise, they must not promote one ideology over another or censor posts they don't like." The latest up-to-the-minute news about the transition from Biden to Trump can be found at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com Female GOP senators defend Pete Hegseth amid MSM smears Female Republican senators have come forward in defense of Pete Hegseth , President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Defense (DoD), amid mainstream media (MSM) smears targeting the former Fox News host. Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis expressed full support for Hegseth after meeting with him on Monday, Dec. 2. She told reporters: "Are soldiers sometimes wild childs? Yeah, that can happen," subtly referencing his rocky private life. "But it is very clear that this guy is the guy who, at a time when Americans were losing confidence in their own military [and] in our ability to project strength around the world, Pete Hegseth is the answer to that concern." West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito also expressed support for Hegseth in a post on X. She wrote how glad she was to meet with him and discuss "their shared priorities of restoring U.S. military deterrence and attracting more patriotic young Americans to military service." Capito concluded: "I thank Pete for his years of service in uniform and dedication to our country." Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn likewise defended Hegseth, arguing that he is "an outstanding choice" for defense secretary and is "more than qualified" for the role. "I've spoken with Pete Hegseth about his military background and business experience [and] I am confident he will bolster our military and make an excellent addition to the Trump administration," she wrote. "There has also been an outpouring of support from male GOP senators, but female GOP senators have been particularly important as [Hegseth's] critics smear him with 2017 allegations of rape, despite a police report saying there was no evidence of rape and mistreatment of women," Breitbart News wrote. "Hegseth [also] comes under attack from anonymous sources in reports about his alleged behavior when drinking or with women from as far back as 2014." Police report clears Hegseth of any wrongdoing Last month, Breitbart News reported that a police report from 2017 had cast doubt on the sexual assault allegation against Hegseth. The document was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. According to the police report, the accuser whose name is redacted in the document claimed Hegseth sexually assaulted her during a 2017 GOP women's conference at a Monterey, California hotel. The alleged crime occurred after conference organizers went to the hotel's bar for drinks following an after-party. But the report raised questions about her claim, with several eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage showing the opposite. The accuser and Hegseth ostensibly had a consensual sexual encounter that she was attempting to hide from her husband, who was staying with her at the same hotel along with their children. The accuser believed "something may have been slipped into her drink, as she cannot remember most of the night's events" at the time. But surveillance footage begged to differ, as clips showed her appearing coherent before and after the alleged assault and had even "locked arms" with the former Fox News host while smiling. An eyewitness also told police that she saw the unnamed accuser flirting with Hegseth. A hotel worker likewise recounted that the accuser put her hand and arm on his back and led him toward the direction of the hotel shortly before the alleged sexual assault happened. Hegseth was "very intoxicated," while she was not. Moreover, the police report said a person who appears to be the accuser's husband told law enforcement that she said she "must have fallen asleep" somewhere upon returning to her room. This aligned with Hegseth's statement to police that the accuser said she was going to tell her husband. Megyn Kelly, Hegseth's former colleague on Fox News, commented on the accuser's 2017 claims in her podcast. "This smells like utter b------t. All of this sounds much more consistent with a woman who had a booty call," she said. (Related: Woman who accused Brett Kavanaugh of rape admits she totally made up her story to "get attention.") Visit Trump.news for more stories about the president-elect's picks for his cabinet. Watch Breanna Morello breaking down the false sexual assault accusation against Pete Hegseth in this clip. This video is from the MyPodcastDropped2320 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump chooses pro-Israel Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense. Trump picks pro-war Zionist shill Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary. Pete Hegseth, Trump's defense secretary pick, covered in pro-war tattoos, including Matthew 10:34 that promises the SWORD, not peace. Sources include: Breitbart.com 1 Breitbart.com 2 Brighteon.com House GOP demands investigation into FEMAs ignoring of pro-Trump rural areas in desperate need of aid Republican congressmen in the House of Representatives are demanding a probe into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ignoring the need for aid of areas that support President-elect Donald Trump Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) made this call in a letter sent Tuesday, Dec. 3, to Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari. Citing the Daily Wire's reporting, they urged Cuffari to look into claims that former FEMA supervisor Marni Washington allegedly instructed workers to ignore homes with pro-Trump yard signs in Lake Placid, Florida. Washington was later fired in the wake of the incident. The two congressmen also noted that the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (HTC) is aware of reports of FEMA employees in North Carolina "skipping any home that displayed a 'Make America Great Again,' 'Drain the Swamp,' 'Don't Tread on Me' or Trump campaign sign" on its front lawn. If three or more signs were present were seen, FEMA staffers were told to abandon entire areas without notifying residents of hurricane aid. Graves and Perry raised concerns that these actions might indicate a broader pattern of "political bias" within the agency. They emphasized their growing worry that this avoidance could be more extensive than initially reported, potentially leaving victims unaware of available federal assistance. Graves chairs the overall HTC, while Perry chairs the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management under it. The incidents happened at the heels of Hurricanes Helene and Milton hitting the two states. Last month, FEMA Director Deanne Criswell told lawmakers at Capitol Hill that the Florida incident was isolated. She also asserted that the agency does not engage in any policies leading to systemic avoidance. But upon further pressing by Perry, Criswell agreed to request an investigation from Cuffari's office into the matter. The FEMA head later told the House Oversight Committee that she had requested an "independent" investigation from the inspector general. Marni Washington: FEMA skipping pro-Trump houses is a standard agency policy Meanwhile, Washington who was fired from the agency after news of the Florida incident broke out later sat down with journalist Roland Martin to share her side of the story. She lamented how the agency is scapegoating her and disclosed that avoiding pro-Trump homes is standard FEMA policy for its staffers. (Related: FEMA official fired over leaked memo telling government aid workers to "avoid Trump houses" after Hurricane Milton.) According to Washington, FEMA leadership was aware of "politically hostile" homes being skipped. Such "avoidance," she added, wasn't merely confined to one state but took place in multiple states. "FEMA preaches avoidance first, and then de-escalation. This is not isolated. This is a colossal event of avoidance, not just in the state of Florida. You will find avoidance in the Carolinas," she told Martin. The former FEMA employee also confirmed that because a few households with Trump signs on their lawns were critical of the agency, all such homes on particular streets were determined to meet "the community trend of political hostility" in the Sunshine State and are to be skipped over. Washington added that such a policy was necessary, and was even encouraged by FEMA leaders, to prevent aid workers from being subjected to a "hostile work environment." Examples of the latter include hurricane victims making "crazy" remarks such as "drain the swamp." The now-fired FEMA worker also expressed irritation that third parties working with the agency had leaked news of pro-Trump homes were being passed over. She suggested that the federal government crack down on them for their "egregious" whistleblowing. Head over to BigGovernment.news for similar stories. Watch this Fox News report about Marn'i Washington telling FEMA aid workers in Florida to avoid houses with Trump yard signs. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: FEMA under fire: Critics claim agency actively hinders Hurricane Helene relief efforts. FEMA under Biden now CONFISCATING donations made to Hurricane Helene survivors. Local police in Appalachia say DON'T DONATE TO FEMA: "They are hindering what a lot of people are trying to accomplish." Fact or fiction? Media claims FEMA isn't in Helene-ravaged western N.C. because "armed militias" are hunting down federal aid workers. FEMA INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX hard at work in North Carolina post-Helene, stealing resources, denying supplies while victims suffer and die. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com 1 DailyWire.com TheNationalPulse.com 2 Brighteon.com U.S. Navy destroyers successfully repel Houthi missile and drone attacks in Gulf of Aden Over the weekend, two Navy destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS OKane (DDG 77) successfully repelled missile and drone attacks launched by northern Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting American vessels in the Red Sea. The confrontation occurred between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2024, while the destroyers were escorting three merchant vessels flying the flag of the United States through the Gulf of Aden. Despite the attacks, which involved at least three anti-ship ballistic missiles, three one-way attack or suicide drones and one anti-ship cruise missiles, no injuries or damage to any vessels were reported. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the Navy destroyers intercepted and neutralized the threats, preventing harm to both civilian and military vessels. (Related: SUDDEN PEACE? Trump win causes Yemen's Houthis to halt war on U.S. Navy for now, at least.) The attack unfolded as USS Stockdale and USS OKane were escorting merchant vessels through a strategic waterway in the Gulf of Aden. The ships were approached by a group of Houthi-launched weapons, and a confrontation ensued. The U.S. Navy destroyers fired on the incoming missiles and drones, successfully disabling the threats and ensuring the safety of the vessels. CENTCOM confirmed that no one was injured in the incident, and the suspects fled the scene. A lookout alert was issued to local law enforcement, but the attackers remain at large. Houthis continue to threaten shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden This attack is just the latest in a series of confrontations between U.S. forces and the Houthis. The rebels have been targeting the regions vital shipping lanes in an effort to disrupt international trade and military operations. Despite U.S. retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen, the group continues to pose a significant threat to maritime security. The Houthis regularly fire anti-ship missiles, drones and other weapons at vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In recent months, USS Stockdale has been involved in multiple defensive operations to repel these threats. In late September and mid-November, the destroyer successfully engaged in similar encounters, further emphasizing the growing determination of the Houthis to strike U.S. warships and disrupt naval operations. In response to the persistent threat posed by the Houthis, the U.S. Navy, along with European allies, has deployed warships to the region to defend shipping lanes from further attacks. U.S. Navy assets, including destroyers and air support, have been actively engaged in protecting both military and commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have been targeting Western military assets with increasing frequency. Their weapons are often aimed at U.S. and European warships transiting the strategic waterways of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. However, U.S. Navy ships, including USS Stockdale, have consistently managed to repel these attacks, ensuring the safety of both U.S. military personnel and civilian maritime vessels. Despite the ongoing efforts to counter Houthi threats, the group remains resilient. The United States and its allies are concerned about the rebels' growing ability to target both military and commercial vessels. U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, has expressed alarm over the Houthis' determination to strike U.S. and European warships in the region. These attacks reflect a broader strategic effort to undermine international shipping and military presence in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Watch this clip reporting on a recent Houthi strike against Israeli military facilities. This video is from the Treasure Of The Sun channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The USS Abraham Lincoln was just attacked in the Middle East, and Yemen's Houthis are claiming credit. Yemen hypersonic missile strike reaches central Israel as Houthis warn more is to come. Houthi attack on Greek oil tanker sparks fears of environmental catastrophe in Red Sea. Yemen's Houthis claim to have used a domestically made HYPERSONIC MISSILE against an Israeli ship. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com BusinessInsider.com Brighteon.com Over the past year, about 14,000 American youths have visited China for exchange and study since the announcement of China's pledge to invite 50,000 young Americans to visit in the next five years, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said on Friday. "In November last year, President Xi Jinping announced in San Francisco that China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years. To implement the initiative, China has set up a YES program -- the Young Envoys Scholarship. Over the past year, President Xi invited American youths to visit China on multiple occasions, which was warmly received here in the States," Xie said at an event promoting China-U.S. youth exchanges held at the Chinese embassy in the United States. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Secret Service agents open fire on suspected carjackers near Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens residence in D.C. Secret Service agents opened fire on suspected carjackers attempting to break into vehicles near the residence of outgoing Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen in northwestern Washington, D.C. The incident occurred on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at around 1:30 a.m. in an area with high-profile administration officials, prompting a swift law enforcement response. The suspects fled the scene in a sedan. Secret Service confirmed the gunfire was part of an "agent-involved shooting," and no injuries were reported. The Washington Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the United States Attorneys Office, headed by Matthew Graves. Authorities are still working to determine the suspects' motives and whether they had any connection to Yellen. The investigation is ongoing, but no further details have been released at this time. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said: There is currently no indication that anyone was struck by gunfire, and no harm was done to any protectees." The MPD's Internal Affairs Division's Force Investigations Team is handling the inquiry, as required by law for any officer-involved shooting in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Attorneys Office will independently review the case's facts and evidence. It remains unclear whether Secretary Yellen was inside her home at the time of the incident, as no reports have confirmed her presence. As of now, no suspects have been identified. Individuals with high levels of protection in Washington, D.C. still being targeted This incident in D.C. adds to a growing pattern of violent crime targeting those under high levels of protection in Washington. Just months earlier, in July, an 18-year-old attempted a carjacking near the home of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The U.S. Marshals assigned to protect Justice Sotomayor responded, and shots were fired during the altercation. (Related: Anti-gun Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor's bodyguards shoot alleged carjacker multiple times in self-defense.) The suspect, Kentrell Flowers, approached one of the unmarked Marshal vehicles and pointed a gun at the Deputy U.S. Marshal inside, prompting the Marshal to fire. Flowers was shot in the mouth but survived, and authorities later recovered a firearm at the scene. The rise in such incidents has raised concerns about the increasing threats faced by law enforcement and government officials, even with robust protective measures in place. The Secret Service's quick response in Tuesday's case prevented any harm to Yellen, though the suspects remain on the run. As investigations continue, Washington's law enforcement agencies are under pressure to address these security breaches and ensure the safety of both public officials and residents alike. This incident also highlights the dangers faced by those working to protect government figures, as violent crime continues to escalate in the nations capital. With both the Secret Service and the U.S. Marshals involved in recent shootings, these agencies are becoming more active in responding to carjackings and other violent crimes targeting high-profile individuals. However, the growing frequency of these attacks raises questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and the increasing risks to both law enforcement officers and the public. Watch this MSNBC broadcast on the officer-involved shooting near the home of Secretary Janet Yellen. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Internal Homeland Security memo warns Tren de Aragua is now active in 16 states and Washington, D.C. Former Trump official HOSPITALIZED after violent carjacking incident in D.C. Surge in VIOLENT CRIMES disrupting lives and businesses in Washington, D.C. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com FoxNews.com Brighteon.com Texas border officials discover unaccompanied 4-year-old girl smuggled from Central America Authorities in Texas recently encountered a heartbreaking case involving a four-year-old girl smuggled alone from Central America with the hopes of reuniting her with her previously deported mother who is waiting in South Carolina. The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) released a disturbing video showing a trooper interviewing the child, who had been found among over 200 undocumented immigrants crossing into Eagle Pass on Sunday, Nov. 24. The toddler, believed to be from El Salvador, was carrying a note with a name and phone number common for children trafficked alone across the border in an attempt to reunite with family. She told border officials she was headed to join her parents already in the United States. This girl was one of 60 unaccompanied minors discovered in the group of migrants. Lt. Chris Olivarez, a spokesperson for TxDPS, condemned the situation, saying that regardless of political views, exposing children to dangerous criminal trafficking networks is unacceptable. He pointed out that many trafficked children are never seen again and stressed that it is the law enforcement officers on the frontlines who are ensuring the safety of these vulnerable children. (Related: SQUATTERS GALORE: Illegal migrants are now taking over homes of American host families: How many are coming? We knew nothing!) NewsNation later reached out to a woman who claimed to be the childs mother, Patty, currently living in South Carolina. Patty explained that she had been previously deported with her daughter and had paid smugglers $4,500 to bring her daughter from El Salvador to join her in the United States. Patty revealed she had arranged the journey through smugglers in both Honduras and Mexico and had not heard from her daughter since the smugglers informed her they had handed the girl off to another coyote a local term for people who smuggle migrants across the border as part of the operation to cross the border. "I found a coyote, and I paid for them to bring her to me," Patty said. "She came alone. It was just the coyote. The last time I talked to my daughter was Saturday, and I haven't heard anything since." Patty also shared her frustration over the lack of communication from the smugglers, who had stopped answering her calls as her daughter neared the U.S. border. "I had one of their numbers, but they're not answering me. They told me they were done with their job delivering my daughter to immigration," Patty said. She is now waiting for federal authorities to reunite her with her daughter. Unaccompanied minor discovered thanks to Texas' Operation Lone Star The case involving Patty's daughter is part of a larger anti-illegal immigration effort in Texas known as Operation Lone Star. Launched by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2021, the operation combines the efforts of the TxDPS and the Texas Military Forces, which includes the National Guard, State Guard, Militia and Rangers. The operation combats human smuggling, illegal immigration and drug trafficking through the southern border. Through this initiative, over 900 children have been rescued from human trafficking and abandonment. Olivarez emphasized the importance of Operation Lone Star, noting the increasing number of unaccompanied minors crossing the border. Patty's story is a grim reminder of the dangers facing unaccompanied minors making the treacherous journey across the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite political debates surrounding immigration policy, the situation underscores the need for continued vigilance and intervention to protect vulnerable children. The growing number of children being trafficked and the increasing exploitation of minors at the border highlight the urgent need for action to ensure their safety and well-being. Watch this report from Firstpost America discussing Texas' offer to President-elect Donald Trump to construct a massive 1,400-acre complex to detain and deport illegal immigrants. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: TRAITOR: Trump lambasts Bidens immigration policies aiming to replace American voters with illegal migrants. Major U.S. corporations are relying on illegal migrants for cheap labor. Three-judge panel on Ninth Circuit unanimously rules that feds trump local officials in deporting illegal migrants. Sources include: InfoWars.com Newsweek.com Brighteon.com Ukraine pushes for NATO membership as lawmaker calls for NUKES Ukraine is continuing its push to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) amid calls by a Ukrainian lawmaker for Kyiv to develop nuclear weapons against Russia. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) emphasized this in a statement issued Tuesday, Dec. 3. It described NATO membership as the only viable security guarantee against Russian aggression. "Having the bitter experience of the Budapest Memorandum behind us, we will not settle for any alternatives, surrogates or substitutes for Ukraine's full membership in NATO," the statement read. The Budapest Memorandum of 1994 resulted in Ukraine giving up the nuclear weapons stationed in its country by the Soviet Union, per the Kyiv Independent. In exchange, both Russia and the United States recognized its borders and gave it security guarantees. Thus, the MFA urged the main parties to the treaty the U.S., the United Kingdom, France and China to support Ukraine's NATO membership. According to Reuters, the MFA's statement coincided with a two-day meeting of foreign ministers of NATO member nations in Brussels. However, the outlet added that the group "sidestepped Kyiv's call for an immediate invitation." (Related: Blinken says Ukraine "will become a member of NATO.") "Although NATO has stated that Ukraine's path to membership is 'irreversible,' the alliance has not set a date or issued an invitation. Diplomats said there was currently no consensus among its 32 members to do so," Reuters stated. The Kyiv Independent also pointed out that several NATO member countries including Germany, Slovakia and Hungary disagree with allowing Ukraine to join at the soonest. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha joined the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, brandishing a copy of the 30-year-old agreement. "This document failed to secure Ukrainian security and transatlantic security, so we must avoid [repeating] such mistakes," he told attendees. Ukrainian lawmaker urges Kyiv to develop nukes According to YourNews, "Russia has repeatedly warned that NATO membership for Ukraine and any potential development of nuclear weapons by the country would cross its 'red lines.' The Kremlin views NATO's eastward expansion and the militarization of Ukraine as existential threats to its national security." But such an issue is not a concern for People's Deputy (PD) Aleksey Goncharenko. The member of the Verkhovna Rada Ukraine's parliament urged Kyiv to develop nuclear weapons on its own as NATO membership alone is insufficient. "NATO is a good thing. But NATO will not defend us, nuclear weapons would," the PD wrote on social media. "We should disregard everything and everyone and make the bomb. Then we'll figure things out." Goncharenko's comments echo past calls by Ukrainian leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The comedian-turned-chief executive previously introduced the idea of nuclear weapons before retracting his remarks. Even Western officials have reportedly discussed the possibility of arming Ukraine with nuclear weapons, only to walk back on the idea later. In the same vein, Washington has reiterated that it won't return nuclear weapons surrendered by Kyiv as part of the Budapest Memorandum in the fight against Moscow. Outgoing National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday, Dec. 1, that the U.S. won't be giving nuclear weapons to Ukraine. "That is not under consideration," he said. "What we are doing is surging various conventional capacities to Ukraine so that they can effectively defend themselves and take the fight to the Russians, not [giving Ukraine] nuclear capability." Sullivan added that he and the Biden administration will "do everything" in their power "to get Ukraine all the tools we possibly can to strengthen their position on the battlefield so that theyll be stronger at the negotiating table." Check out UkraineWitness.com for more stories about Ukraine. Watch Josh Sigurdson of World Alternative Media discussing the idea of the West arming Ukraine with nuclear weapons in this clip. This video is from the Mckenna channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: NATO considering PREEMPTIVE "precision strikes" on Russia as West shifts from defense to offense against Russia. Zelensky presents "victory plan" to allies: Immediate NATO membership and unlimited military aid. NATO's direct involvement in Russia-Ukraine conflict could easily escalate into a NUCLEAR WAR. U.S., European officials considering sending NUCLEAR weapons to Ukraine. NATO, U.S. considering sending troops and NUKES to Ukraine. Sources include: YourNews.com KyivIndependent.com Reuters.com InfoWars.com Brighteon.com Rep. Comer says Joe Biden will pardon his brother James after son Hunter U.S. Rep James Comer (R-KY) expects outgoing President Joe Biden to pardon his brother James following the Democrat's pardon of his son Hunter. Comer, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee (HOC), made this remark Monday, Dec. 2., on the Fox News program "Hannity." He told program host Sean Hannity that the pardons won't stop with Hunter as more members of the Biden family including James, a political consultant would find themselves off the hook. Hannity asked: "In your mind, is this over? Is this over for Joe? Is it over for his brother? Is it over for other family members that were paid monies here, or does this continue? Does Joe need to think about pardoning these family members and maybe himself?" Comer replied: "Remember, the HOC referred Jim as well as Hunter to the Department of Justice for perjury. We deposed Biden and he lied under oath. We brought Jim in for a transcribed interview and he lied under oath. That's in a report that [Rep.] Jim Jordan (R-OH) and I signed and published for the American people. So I would fully expect Joe to pardon Jim." "In our investigation, we found that [Biden] family members profited from the influence-peddling schemes, where they were shaking down our adversaries around the world for tens of millions of dollars. And then they created all these shell companies and laundered the money through the shell companies." (Related: Comer: 9 Biden family members identified as recipients of foreign cash.) U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX), another member of the HOC, told the media agency on the same day that James Biden could "very well be" the next Biden family member to receive a presidential pardon. "Joe Biden has been lying to the American people for so long about this and other things," he continued. Joe makes sure no member of his family goes to jail Comer's remarks followed the 82-year-old Democratic president pardoning Hunter on Sunday, Dec. 1. The "full and unconditional pardon" for the presidential son came weeks before his sentencing on federal gun and tax crimes. Its scope from Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec. 1 also sparked controversy, as included in that period was the time he was involved in business deals with James. A 2022 piece from the Washington Post described James, who is seven years younger than Joe, as a "political wild card." James dabbled in various businesses, from nightclubs to insurance to hospitals. He would often drop the name of his more prominent brother to attract investors, the piece said. "[James] has also walked up to ethical lines his brother has avoided, leaving a complicated trail of business dealings and angry lawsuits," the Post continued. True enough, GOP lawmakers accused James of trading on his elder brother's name to take out loans with no intention of paying them back. Comer told Hannity on Monday: "Jim took in all these loans, he didn't pay any principal, had no loan documentation. At what point do these loans become income they never pay taxes on?" "And by the way, why did he get those loans? And what was he doing?" During a Feb. 21 joint hearing by the HOC and the House Judiciary Committee, James reiterated that he did not take out any improper loans. Fund manager Michael Lewitt wrote off $225,000 in loans to James' firm when he was investing in a rural hospital chain. But the following month, Lewitt told POLITICO that he did not forgive the loans. A third party took over James' debt in 2020 when Joe was running for president. The fund manager did not name the third party when he spoke to the outlet. Visit BidenCrimeFamily.news for more stories about the Biden family's misdeeds. Watch Jim Kessler of the Third Way think tank stressing that Joe Biden made a "mistake" when he pardoned his son Hunter in this clip. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Joe Biden PARDONS son Hunter despite repeatedly insisting he wouldn't. By pardoning Hunter, Joe Biden covers up his own influence-peddling crimes. Trump hints at pardon for J6 political prisoners after Joe Biden pardons his son. Hunter's lawyer jumps at chance to dismiss his indictment after Daddy Joe Biden issues pardon. Sources include: Breitbart.com Newsweek.com Brighteon.com Jaipur, Dec 7 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 in Jaipur on December 9. As the Chief Guest, PM Modi will deliver the inaugural address at the summit, which will be hosted at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC). The event will see participation from over 5,000 dignitaries, including leading industrialists, diplomats, trade representatives, and investors from around the globe. The inaugural ceremony will begin with a welcome address by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who will outline the states development agenda and ambitious goal of doubling its economy to $350 billion within five years. The three-day event will witness the participation of 32 countries, including 17 as 'Partner Countries.' Esteemed industrialists such as Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anil Agarwal, Gautam Adani, Anand Mahindra, Sanjiv Puri, and Ajay S. Shriram will attend the summit. Diplomats, including Ambassador of Japan Keiichi Ono, will also grace the occasion. The summit has already seen an impressive start, with MoUs worth 30 lakh crore signed ahead of the event. This remarkable achievement underscores Rajasthans position as a preferred investment destination. Key sessions will promote bilateral cooperation between Rajasthan and participating nations, with eight focused Country Sessions planned for deeper engagement. Partner countries include Japan, Denmark, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and Spain, among others, while non-partner participants hail from countries like the US, UK, Germany, and Australia. The summit will spotlight 12 key sectors through thematic sessions, including women entrepreneurship; sustainable energy and mining; water management; healthcare and startups; and education and infrastructure. These discussions will explore Rajasthans commitment to leveraging innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity to drive growth. There will be a Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave held on December 10 which aims to connect Rajasthanis living abroad, fostering a sense of community and exploring collaborative opportunities with the state. The MSME Conclave will be held on December 11 in which MSME entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry experts will address sectoral challenges and emerging opportunities. The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 promises to be a landmark event, positioning Rajasthan as a global hub for investment, innovation, and sustainable development. With a rich lineup of activities and influential attendees, the summit is set to accelerate the state's journey toward economic transformation. Mumbai, Dec 8 : Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who was recently seen in a cameo role in 'Singham Again', has returned to India surrounded by heavy security after celebrating actress-singer Iulia Vantur's father's birthday in Romania. Salman and Iulia are rumoured to be dating. However, neither has confirmed or denied the same. She also shared pictures from the celebrations on his Instagram. She wrote in the caption, "Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you and thank you 2 heroes". The actor was seen at the arrival of the Terminal 2 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai. The actor was seen dressed casually in black T-shirt, a pair of denims and a coat. His head of security Shera accompanied him as the actor walked to his car. On Saturday, Salman performed for his Dabangg Reloaded Tour in Dubai. He also took to his Instagram, and shared a BTS video from the venue in which he could be seen rehearsing for the performance. The event marked his first global appearance since receiving threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The actor was joined by other stars on the tour including Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueliene Fernandez, Sonakshi Sinha, Aastha Gill, Sunil Grover, Prabhu Deva and Maniesh Paul. This comes amid death threats issued to Salman by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Earlier, in October this year, Salman's close friend Baba Siddique was gunned down near his office in the Bandra area of Mumbai. Salman on his part has been maintaining a low-profile, and has limited his public appearances after the assassination of Baba Siddique. Meanwhile, Baba Siddique, who was very close to the Hindi film fraternity, was killed by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. He was known for throwing lavish Iftar parties and hosting several high-profile guests in those parties. It was a Baba Siddique Iftar party in 2013 that ended a long-standing feud between the two of the biggest superstars of Bollywood, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan after a 5 year-long spat which divided the entire Bollywood into 2 camps of loyalists. New Delhi, Dec 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana on December 9 to launch 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' in line with his commitment to women empowerment and financial inclusion. According to a PMO statement, the launch at the historic city of Panipat is an initiative of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) designed to empower women aged 18-70 years, who have passed Class X. They will receive specialised training and a stipend for the first three years to promote financial literacy and insurance awareness, it said. After training, these women can serve as LIC agents and the graduate Bima Sakhis would have the opportunity to qualify for being considered for Development Officer roles in LIC. The Prime Minister will also distribute appointment Certificates to prospective Bima Sakhis. During the programme, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal. The main campus and six regional research stations, spread over 495 acres, will be established at a cost of over Rs 700 crore. The University will have one College of Horticulture for Graduate and Post-Graduate studies and five schools covering 10 horticulture disciplines. It will work towards crop diversification and world-class research for the development of horticulture technologies. The Prime Minister will first travel to Jaipur and at 10.30 a.m., inaugurate the 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024' at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC). After this, he will travel to Panipat in neighbouring Haryana. The theme of the Investment Summit to be held from December 9-11 is 'Replete, Responsible, Ready'. The Summit will host 12 sectoral thematic sessions on the themes of water security, sustainable mining, sustainable finance, inclusive tourism, agri-business innovations and women-led Startups among others. Eight Country sessions will also be held during the Summit with participating countries on themes like 'Water Management for Livable Cities', 'Versatility of Industries- manufacturing and beyond' and 'Trade & Tourism'. Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave and MSME Conclave will also be held. The Rajasthan Global Business Expo will feature thematic pavilions such as the Rajasthan Pavilion, Country Pavilions, and Startups Pavilion, among others. Over 32 countries, including 16 partner countries and 20 international organisations will participate in the Summit. Hyderabad, Dec 8 : The breathtaking display of Indian Air Forces Suryakiran Aerobatic Team dazzled the skies over the picturesque Hussain Sagar lake here on Sunday as part of the celebrations to mark one year of Telangana's Congress government. The aerobatic manoeuvres such as loops, rolls, crosses and inverted flying by the team led by Group Captain Ajay Dasrathi left the people spellbound. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues, senior leaders of Congress, and top officials were among those present at Hussain Sagar to watch the thrilling aerial display. Flying close at a distance of merely 5 metres, the team consisting of nine Hawk Mk 132 aircraft kept the eyes of the huge crowd of spectators glued to the skies. The team displayed various formations and produced smoke with colours of the national flag - saffron, white, and green - across the sky during their aerial performances. People gathered in large numbers on the banks of the lake to watch the spectacular manoeuvres of the team comprising its Leader Ajay Dasrathi, Deputy Leader Group Captain Sidhesh Kartik, Squadron Leader Jasdeep Singh, Squadron Leader Himkhush Chandel, Squadron Leader Ankit Vashisth, Squadron Leader Vishnu, Squadron Leader Diwakar Sharma, Squadron Leader Gaurav Patel, Wing Commander Rajesh Kajla, Wing Commander Arjun Patel, Wing Commander Kuldeep Hooda and Wing Commander Allen George. The technical team was led by Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi, Squadron Leader Sandeep Dhayal and Flight Lieutenant Manil Sharma. According to a defence statement, the event was conducted as part of the Indian Air Force Outreach Programme. Established in 1996, Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT holds the coveted title of being the only nine-aircraft aerobatic team in Asia, and is one of the elite few teams in the world. This exceptional team has performed over 700 displays across India, while also representing the professionalism of the IAF at international air shows in countries such as China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, and the UAE. All members live by the team's motto 'Sadaiva Sarvottam' meaning Always the Best! SKAT embodies the spirit of excellence. The pilots undergo intensive training to master complex aerobatic manoeuvres, with their expertise and flawless coordination forming the foundation of close formation flying. The aircraft flown by the Suryakiran Team is the Hawk Mk 132 advanced jet trainer. This aircraft is used to impart fighter flying training to the newly commissioned pilots of the Indian Air Force. This aircraft is proudly made in India today by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) showcasing the nations aviation technology. Recently, the Suryakiran Teams Hawk Mk 132 aircraft have undergone a significant indigenous modification i.e the integration of smoke pods capable of producing coloured smoke. This advancement was developed within India at the Indian Air Force's Base Repair Depot, Nashik. MOSCOW, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Bashar al-Assad has left Syria and resigned as the country's President while calling for a peaceful transfer of power, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. "After negotiations with some of the participants in the armed conflict within the Arab Syrian Republic, Bashar al-Assad decided to resign as president and leave the country, while instructing for a peaceful transfer of power," said the Russian Foreign Ministry. The ministry added that Russia did not participate in any talks related to a transfer of power and strongly called on all concerned parties to abandon violence and resolve all governance issues through political means. Russian military bases in Syria are on high alert, but their security is not seriously threatened, said the ministry, adding that Russia is in contact with all Syrian opposition groups. The ministry said that Russia supports the efforts to establish an inclusive political process based on Resolution 2254 of the UN Security Council and expects the involvement of the UN and the Security Council. A grant of nearly $1.5 million from the Department of Health and Human Services through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will enable University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center to develop and implement an Alternatives to Opioids (ALTO) program within its Emergency Department (ED). The program aims to decrease opioid use in the ED by increasing provider knowledge of integrative therapies such as music therapy and acupuncture, implementing these modalities within the emergency department, and providing sustained outpatient follow-up through UH Connor Whole Health. The program is led by Kiran Faryar, MD, MPH, Director of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine; Christine Davis, MBA, Project Manager, Center for Emergency Medicine; and Sam Rodgers-Melnick, MPH, LPMT, MT-BC, a researcher with UH Connor Whole Health. UH will use these funds to highlight and refine how evidence-based integrative therapies such as music therapy and acupuncture can be applied within the emergency medicine workflow. UH is the only Cleveland hospital to receive this funding. We are providing therapies that have never been implemented at this scale in the UH emergency department, in order to best care for patients with acute pain. When prescribing opioids there is always the potential for abuse. Data shows both music therapy and acupuncture improve pain and anxiety for patients with short term and long-term pain. This will be an evidence-based technique we can offer patients without the potential risk of substance use disorder." Kiran Faryar, MD, MPH, Director of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center The comprehensive approach to combating the opioid crisis comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports U.S. drug overdose deaths decreased by 10 percent. Multiple programs launched at UH over the past several years have helped make a difference. An Ohio Department of Health report revealed a 9 percent decline in overdose deaths across the state. In 2023, Ohio recorded 4,452 unintentional drug overdose deaths, down from 4,915 in 2022. "This is an expanded care offering to our patients expected to demonstrate feasibility and hopefully efficacy of integrative therapies in the emergency department," said Davis. "We hope it will reduce current rates of opioids use, both prescribing rate and patient utilization rate, and pave the way for more patients to access alternative care." The goal for the UH Cleveland Medical Center ED-ALTO program is to demonstrate integrative therapies are a short-term and long-term solution for pain relief; showcase that their application is feasible in the emergency department setting; and ultimately decrease the number of opioids prescribed for acute pain. "Our long history of practice-based research and clinical trials at UH has demonstrated that acupuncture and music therapy can be integrated within clinical care, provide clinically significant pain relief, and help patients better manage stress and anxiety associated with their health conditions," said Rodgers-Melnick, Co-Principal Investigator. "With this award, we will be able to provide these modalities at the critical moment when patients present to the ED with conditions such as sickle cell pain crises, musculoskeletal injuries, and abdominal pain. "Through providing interventions in the ED and then connecting patients with follow-up care, we will not only address patients' acute pain, but also better equip them to manage pain in the future with less exposure to opioids." UH Cleveland Medical Center Emergency Department has started to offer these services to patients. The skies aren't always so friendly for patients and families affected by food allergies, who may often experience worry and anxiety regarding airline travel, according to a new study from the Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research at Northwestern University (CFAAR). The study will be published the morning of Dec. 5 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - IN PRACTICE. The findings, which reflect survey responses from more than 4,700 individual patients and families across the world, show that airline travel is a significant source of worry and anxiety for individuals managing food allergy for many reasons. Specific sources of worry for those traveling with food allergy include: Uncertainty regarding whether specific accommodations arranged during the flight-booking process will be honored when individuals arrive at the airport. For example, many respondents reported being told by airlines that food allergy-related cabin announcements would be made (20%), allergen-free "buffer" zones would be established (17%), or allergen-free food options would be available on board (23%), yet these promised accommodations were not granted in-flight. Reportedly having to sign special waivers absolving the airline of liability (5%) or provide a signed doctor's note that they are "fit to fly" (12%) prior to boarding the plane. Potentially having epinephrine or allergy-safe foods confiscated or contaminated by airport security/customs agents. Food allergies are on the rise and affect more than 33 million people in the U.S., according to data previously published by lead author Christopher Warren, director of population health research at Northwestern's CFAAR, and current study senior author Dr. Ruchi Gupta, who directs CFAAR. These data clearly show that air travel is a major stressor for those affected by food allergy - to the point that food allergy-related airline policies were the single-most important consideration respondents identified when making air-travel decisions - taking priority over factors like the proximity of the airport to their home, flight duration and price." Christopher Warren, director of population health research at Northwestern's CFAAR "We are not asking for the moon and stars, we just want reasonable accommodations that are promised in advance of travel to be honored at 30,000 feet," said study co-author Lianne Mandelbaum, a leading advocate for the implementation of airline safety measures to protect food-allergic passengers and founder of the non-profit No Nut Traveler. "On every flight it is uncertain if and how crew members will accommodate nut allergies, and this adds tremendous unnecessary stress," Mandelbaum said. "Flying with food allergies is akin to a game of roulette, each flight a random spin around the wheel." Mandelbaum has collected testimonials on No Nut Traveler that include people with food allergies being kicked off flights for asking for an announcement, being mocked by flight attendants and being ridiculed by other passengers. Passengers simply want the precautions they requested during the booking process and were told would be provided, Mandelbaum said. These include being allowed to pre-board the flight and wipe down their space to remove allergens and establishing a buffer zone around them where allergens won't be served. "When you get to the gate and everyone acts like you're crazy for bringing this up, that's a terrible experience," she said. But not everyone flying with a food allergy feels similarly empowered to advocate for their medical needs during air travel. "We also found that a disturbingly high proportion of surveyed travelers reported deliberately not disclosing their food allergy when travelling, with many expressing concern that such efforts would lead to undesired consequences," said Warren, who also is an assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Most travelers we surveyed expressed confidence that their anxiety could be substantially reduced if airlines systematically implemented appropriate policies, and around one in three respondents could recall a specific experience where an airline or flight crew member went 'above and beyond' to accommodate their food allergy, accommodations that were often related to the crew member's own personal experiences with food allergy," Warren said. "On the occasions when I have been called upon to treat in-flight health emergencies and have personally cracked open the in-flight medical bag, I have been pleasantly surprised each time I found unexpired epinephrine auto-injectors ready for immediate use," said senior author Gupta, who has personal experience effectively managing food allergy during air travel. "However, I know that this is not always the case. Every traveler and family at risk of anaphylaxis deserves the peace of mind that their potentially life-saving medication is unexpired and ready for use in every emergency kit." This study engaged more than 40 global research institutions and patient advocacy organizations to better understand the experiences, barriers and desired facilitators of safe airline travel. The title of the article is "Understanding experiences, barriers, and facilitators of safe airline travel: A global survey of food allergy patients and caregivers." A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Waterloo analyzed data from nearly 500,000 Canadian patients who lived in nursing homes across Canada between 2000 and 2022. It found that residents who were given antipsychotic medications showed a significant worsening of their behaviors. In fact, nearly 68 per cent of residents who used antipsychotics had more problems with their behaviour during follow-up checks. This is the first national longitudinal study of its kind, using a statistical technique to measure the effect of antipsychotic treatments." Dr. Daniel Leme, study's lead author and postdoctoral scholar in Waterloo's School of Public Health Sciences Antipsychotics are often prescribed in nursing homes "off-label," meaning they're used for purposes not approved by health authorities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For example, they might be given to manage behaviours associated with dementia, even though these drugs are only approved for treating conditions like schizophrenia or certain types of psychosis. The study found that 26 per cent of nursing home residents in Canada were given antipsychotics in ways not recommended by the FDA between 2014 and 2020. Although antipsychotics are often used to calm residents with aggressive or agitated behaviour, the medications can have serious side effects. These include tremors, restlessness, rigidity, painful muscle contractions and the inability to stand and walk, which can exacerbate existing behavioural and psychological symptoms. "Sometimes people may say they don't have enough staff to deal with these issues, but the reality is that these medications can make disability and cognitive impairment worse," said Dr. John Hirdes, a professor in the School of Public Health Sciences. "We need to seriously reconsider the use of antipsychotics for people who do not have conditions associated with psychosis." The study outlines the inappropriate use of antipsychotics to treat behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which can include irritability, aggression, agitation, anxiety, depression, sleep or appetite changes, apathy, wandering, repetitive questioning, sexually inappropriate behaviours and refusal of care. Instead of turning to medication right away, researchers suggest focusing on person-centred care - getting to the root causes of a resident's behaviour and offering support in other ways. For example, a resident might need better pain management, clearer communication, or activities to help reduce anxiety. Non-drug therapies like music, art, social interaction, and gentle exercise have been shown to help manage behaviour without the need for antipsychotics. Training staff to understand the risks of antipsychotics and how to offer better care has also been linked to improved outcomes for nursing home residents, including less agitation and a better quality of life. The study, published in the November 2024 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, is part of an international project called I-Care4Old, and was funded by the New Frontiers Research Fund Global Grant. by Xinhua writers Yi Ling and Li Like CHENGDU, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Liu Lina, affectionately known as "mummy" to her three cats, has dedicated herself to pet-raising since childhood with the motto, "Love them tender, love them true." Nowadays, she complements this devotion with a touch of science, diligently investigating any "invisible life-threatening dangers" that could affect her beloved furry family members. The 44-year-old owner of a land surveying service company based in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, is waiting for the genetic disease screening reports for her three cats -- one Siamese, one gray Dragon-Li, or Chinese Li Hua, with black stripes and one pure-white Li Hua. Three weeks ago, during the annual "Double 11" online shopping festival, Liu spent around 4,200 yuan (about 585 U.S. dollars) on molecular diagnostic kits to screen her pets for genetic diseases. She expects to receive the test results in two weeks. According to Liu, the DIY testing process is no challenge as "it is almost the same as a COVID-19 test" -- collecting specimens with cotton swabs from a pet's mouth, nostrils and anus, sealing the specimens in containers and then mailing them to the test kit producer. "It's a little expensive compared with a visit to a pet hospital, but it's totally worthwhile as it's an early investment that ensures the healthy life of my cats," Liu told Xinhua. Deng Cao, founder of the Chengdu Lyukang Technology Co., Ltd. in southwest China's Sichuan Province, which specializes in developing molecular diagnostic kits for pet breed identification and genetic disease screening, sees genetic testing a "proactive" push for better pet health care. Deng views these tests as a solid guide, allowing pet owners to raise their pets with a more scientific approach. The poorly-controlled process of improving breed purity in previous years through inbreeding has inevitably led to genetic diseases, according to Deng. "However, we can gradually improve the quality of the pet population and reduce the risk of genetic diseases by screening for major hereditary diseases," said Deng. On the pet owners' side, early screening and detection for genetic diseases will help them get a better grasp of how to care for their pets. This approach enables proactive intervention in the occurrence and progression of genetic diseases in their pets. The final screening report provided to pet owners will clearly outline the recommended feeding and care methods, highlighting the dos and don'ts to delay the onset of disease and ensure the pets' welfare, said Deng. For example, polycystic kidney disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which are commonly seen in cats, can be detected through genetic screening. However, these diseases show very few symptoms, which are often missed by pet owners when the cats are still young, he said. Another example is some dogs carry genetic bone diseases. "So walking dogs, a daily practice of many pet dog owners, is not recommended and for those dog owners, they should pay extra attention to their dogs' food for better nutrition of bones," he added. The demand for pets in China has been rising in recent years due to an aging population, an increase of single-person households, improved living standards and the gradual relaxation of domestic pet ownership policies since the beginning of the 21st century. Deng believes that, given these circumstances, the Chinese pet genetic testing market has rapidly developed new opportunities. Pets are no longer seen merely as tools for guarding homes, as they were in the past, but have become indispensable emotional support and life companions for many. "The millennials, or the post-80s and post-90s, make up two-thirds of pet owners in China, who tend to spend more on pets' health and happiness, and more importantly, take care of their pets with a more scientific approach," he said. The 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper, released on Nov. 28, revealed that the pet (dogs and cats) market in China grew by 7.5 percent in 2024 from 2023, reaching 300.2 billion yuan. The number of pet dogs and cats reached 124 million, an increase of 2.1 percent year on year. The average annual expenditure for a pet dog is 2,961 yuan in 2024, an increase of 3 percent compared to 2023, while that for a pet cat is 2,020 yuan, marking a 4.9 percent rise from 2023. Among their expenditure on pets, 52.8 percent goes to pet food, followed closely by pet medical care which accounts for 28 percent. The proportion of young pet owners continues to rise, and they tend to prefer products that offer both high quality and practicality, according to the white paper. In Deng's view, the COVID-19 pandemic is a game changer for China's pet genetic disease screening market. He describes it as still "young," but believes it will be worth billions of yuan in the near future. "We can feel the profound impact of the pandemic on the pet owners' feelings towards their pets and how much they value their companionship during hard times," said Deng. "In addition, the public has gained more medical knowledge of the illness, which has shifted their concept of health care. Many now believe that we should start taking care of our health from the outset. They also understand the importance of prevention (vaccines and disease screening) and early intervention, a concept they also apply to their pets," he added. In China, pet genetic testing is mainly conducted in pet hospitals and breeding institutions in the country's first-tier cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. However, the business is now also booming in regional cities like Chengdu and Nanjing, according to Deng. However, due to technological and financial limitations, many small pet clinics are unable to provide comprehensive testing services, thus providing business opportunities for third-party testing institutions like Deng's company, which was founded in February 2022. "Now, our product has been successfully launched, and we have established a medium-sized computer cluster and a small-scale sequencing laboratory to meet the product's testing needs," Deng said. According to Deng, Lyukang utilizes the second-generation sequencing technology, enabling the detection of genes related to all known diseases in the entire genome. "This approach is more comprehensive and accurate than single-gene testing," he explained, adding the testing kits are sold at prices ranging from 499 yuan to 2,799 yuan. Additionally, the company has introduced consumer-grade and diagnostic-grade testing products to cater to different customer needs. The former is user-friendly, allowing for at-home sample collection and preliminary screening, while the diagnostic-grade product provides more detailed testing results and requires further confirmation at a hospital. "They have different target consumers -- the former is for pet owners and the latter is designed for pet breeding institutions, veterinary hospitals and animal protection organizations," said Deng. By hosting free testing events and offering discounts on test kits through its online store, Lyukang attracts customers while also using the gathered data and experiences to continually enhance its technical expertise. The company now plans to collect more data on indigenous dog and cat breeds in China over the next three years, constructing a localized genetic database to enhance market competitiveness. "I was born in a farmer's family in Jianyang, near Chengdu, a place known as Jianzhou in ancient times. My hometown is home to a unique indigenous cat breed, the Jianzhou Cat, which hasn't been recognized internationally yet due to limited genetic data. It's a dream of mine to gain international recognition for this breed, which makes my work today more meaningful," said Deng. Many individuals seeking asylum in the United States show increased stress and pain symptoms that are associated with indications of cardiovascular disease, according to Weill Cornell Medicine researchers. We would not have expected the rates of these illnesses or conditions to be this high in such a young, otherwise healthy population." Dr. Gunisha Kaur, study's senior author, associate professor of anesthesiology and anesthesiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center The study, published Dec. 5 in Nature Mental Health, analyzed medical evaluations from 453 U.S. asylum seekers for symptoms associated with psychological stress, cardiovascular disease risk and physical pain. The findings surprised researchers as the median age for the asylum seekers was 30, which is young to be showing cardiovascular concerns. Co-first authors, Dr. Jacob Lurie, interventional pain medicine fellow at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Dr. Harlan Linver Pietz, internal medicine resident at Yale New Haven Hospital, were training at Weill Cornell Medicine during the study. A confluence of stressors impact asylum seekers Nearly 120 million people globally were affected by forced displacement by the end of 2023, an 8% rise from 2022, according to the United Nations Global Trends report. In addition to a high level of psychological trauma, survivors of torture report other health issues, including persistent physical pain related to traumatic injuries. During a qualitative study about stress, legal status and pain, asylum seekers seen at the Human Rights Impact Lab at Weill Cornell Medicine, where Dr. Kaur is founding director, reported concerning symptoms of cardiovascular disease. "Clinicians and researchers aren't typically looking for cardiovascular disease in these young patients," Dr. Kaur said. This prompted the researchers to consider a larger cohort to determine the prevalence of these conditions. With diagnosis comes appropriate treatment They first reviewed evaluations of refugees from around the world who had visited the Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights between 2010 and 2020. The clinic, dedicated to survivors of torture who are seeking asylum, is run by medical students and supervised by faculty, including Dr. Kaur who is co-medical director. They found that 47% of participants reported worrisome symptoms of cardiovascular disease, including heart palpitations, feeling like fainting, stroke and chest pain. In addition, 31% of those who experienced cardiovascular disease symptoms also reported feeling symptoms of psychological stress and physical pain. Having both stress and pain symptoms strongly predicted cardiovascular disease symptoms. The findings may prompt clinicians who are evaluating this younger population to consider cardiovascular concerns as a real possibility. "This will be valuable for clinicians to better understand how these characteristic symptoms of cardiovascular disease can manifest. Without accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatments aren't possible," said Annabel Lee, a fourth-year medical student at Weill Cornell Medical College and a co-author of the study. The authors plan to further investigate the occurrence of these symptoms in this population and potential interventions that could mitigate them. They anticipate that the actual prevalence of stress, pain and cardiovascular disease symptoms is actually higher than the findings in this study. "This is an unexplored, untapped area of scientific investigation," Dr. Kaur said. "Now that we know these diseases are unexpectedly prevalent, we should be addressing this upfront. Increased rehabilitation and decreased healthcare costs benefit not only these individuals, but the communities in which they reside." This research was supported in part by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant K23NS116114, National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the NIH grant T32GM007739 and a Predoctoral Fellowship from the National Cancer Institute F30CA257282. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) - a non-profit alliance of leading cancer centers - hosted a Patient Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., today. The annual event brings together leading experts to promote strategies and best practices for improving cancer care. This year's summit focused on practice and policy solutions for sharing accurate, evidence-based health information with patients and caregivers. It featured a keynote address from W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, MMHC, Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), along with panel discussions that included Robin Vanderpool, DrPH, Chief of the NCI's Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch. "When people with cancer are empowered to make informed choices about their care, they tend to have better outcomes," said Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN, who welcomed attendees at the start of the program. "That means we must provide patients with clear, trustworthy information that meets them where they are. For example, the NCCN Guidelines for Patients offer plain-language explanations of the latest evidence-based recommendations. They feature expert guidance on most cancer types, along with prevention, screening, and supportive care. We share them in multiple languages and formats, including books and webinars." "Every person facing cancer needs and deserves high-quality information to understand their options and guide their decisions. The National Cancer Institute, NCCN, and other organizations represented at the summit contribute to a complex information landscape to meet the needs of people with cancer," said Dr. Rathmell. "Trust in the cancer research enterprise is essential to ensuring that scientific progress includes and reflects the diversity of patient experiences and providing reliable health information is a key aspect of earning and honoring that trust." During a series of Best Practices Presentations for sharing patient-centered health information, NCCN's Senior Director of Patient Information Operations, Dorothy Shead, explained that the NCCN Guidelines for Patients are available for free at NCCN.org/patientguidelines or via the NCCN Patient Guides for Cancer App - thanks to funding via the NCCN Foundation. Additional presentations came from spokespeople for We Engage 4 Health, HPV Cancers Alliance, Cancer Support Community, and the Frontier & Rural Patient Navigators at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute. More information can be found in a new resource toolkit at NCCN.org/patient-advocacy-resources. Preventing the spread of misinformation Speakers underscored the need to identify and debunk any myths that can create misunderstanding and a false sense of security. They discussed the importance of working with trusted messengers to counter misinformation. A key lesson learned from COVID-19 was the importance of having trusted professional and community advocates address misinformation and disinformation. Diverse researchers, scientists, policymakers, faith-based leaders, and community advocates with similar lived experiences can serve as sources of trusted information. It is important to support and expand cancer education at the community level and engage with people where they are born, live, work, play, worship and transition life." Martha Dawson, DNP, RN, FAAN, FACHE, Immediate Past President, National Black Nurses Association "Misinformation in cancer care can create confusion, delay treatment, and undermine trust between patients and providers. By addressing these challenges head-on, we can empower patients with accurate, accessible information to make informed decisions about their health," agreed Skyler Johnson, MD, Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. "Effective communication is at the heart of quality cancer care. We need to equip clinicians and patients with the tools and strategies to counter misinformation, foster trust, and work together through an increasingly complex healthcare landscape." Clear and consistent messaging to build trust A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the importance of clear and consistent health messaging that is delivered in a way everyone can understand. That means keeping in mind inclusive technology and supportive health literacy levels. Speakers cautioned against using too much medical jargon, instead focusing on language that can resonate. They also noted that it can be hard to retain information right after learning you or a loved one has cancer, so careful repetition can be key. Speakers also reiterated how crucial it is to build trust with each patient through open and honest two-way relationships. "As a survivor and caregiver, I've seen firsthand the impact that clear and culturally-relevant care discussions can have for patients and their families," explained Randi Ervin, Survivor/Advocate, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). "Compassionate, empathetic, and relatable communication - delivered at the right time - can make a difficult journey feel a little more manageable for families like mine." Bryce Reeve, PhD, Professor, Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, commented: "As a health care system, we have a responsibility to ensure that every individual with cancer has a voice in their care. This is especially important for young children and individuals from marginalized communities whose values, perceptions, and experiences have often been overlooked." "Regardless of our affiliations, whether it be community healthcare, academic medicine, the federal government, or the nonprofit sector, it is critical for us to recognize the richness of collaborating with non-science/healthcare community members to address challenges such as health misinformation and equitable clinical trial participation," concluded Arnethea Sutton, PhD, Interim Assistant Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Not only will these collaborations contribute to trust-building amongst all partners, but the richness of diverse thought and perspectives will contribute to the translation of science and ultimately equitable outcomes for all." The gut microbiota might perhaps one day become a routine tool for the early diagnosis of many diseases and to guide treatment, but at present there is a lack of solid scientific evidence to support these claims. Yet, day by day, there are more and more offers of commercial kits for do-it-yourself testing, at the moment totally lacking in meaning and scientific solidity. To put a stop to this drift, an international panel of experts, coordinated by Dr. Gianluca Ianiro, has drawn up 'instructions for use' for best practice in microbiota testing and recommendations for its indications, methods of analysis, presentation of results and potential clinical applications. In a consensus paper published in Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, the current knowledge gaps and future directions of research in this field are also recalled. The aim of this paper is to provide a regulatory framework for the provision of microbiota tests and to reduce the use of inappropriate tests, in order to pave the way for an evidence-based development of human microbiota diagnostics in medicine. The gut microbiota is a key mediator of a number of essential human functions: from metabolism to immune regulation to drug response. Imbalances in its composition ('dysbiosis') are also associated with various intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases and can influence the response to treatments (including cancer). Although this field is still pioneering, there are already spin-offs in clinical practice. Microbiota manipulation, by means of faecal microbiota transplantation, for instance, is currently the routine treatment for relapses of Clostridioides difficile infection. Several lines of research are evaluating the gut microbiota as a possible tool for diagnosis, prognosis, risk stratification and response to treatment. In short, interest and enthusiasm abound, but valid scientific evidence is currently lacking, and future doctors are not taught in universities how to interpret a microbiota test, nor how to manipulate it for therapeutic purposes. But the market runs faster than science, as has already happened in the past with home genetic tests. In order to give a rule to this new gold rush and define standards of quality and accuracy, a panel of international experts, led by Professors Antonio Gasbarrini and Giovanni Cammarota and Dr Gianluca Ianiro of Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli (FPG)/Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), among the absolute pioneers of microbiota research, drew up a consensus document, published in Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 'In recent years,' recalls Dr. Serena Porcari of the Unit of Gastroenterology Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli and first author of the study, 'the intestinal microbiota has taken on a key role as a diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic tool. From this point of view, the first step, for a targeted modulation of the microbiota itself, is to obtain a standardisation of its analysis, regulated according to the definition of minimum criteria for performing the test'. This initiative is aimed at establishing ethical, organisational and technical rules for the development, commercial use and clinical implementation of microbiota tests. The document is the result of a consensus of a multidisciplinary consortium of experts in this field, coordinated by Professor Gianluca Ianiro, including clinicians, bioinformaticians, microbial ecologists and clinical microbiologists. The take-home message of the Consensus is that the time is not yet ripe to use microbiota analysis widely (outside highly specialized centres) in clinical practice, particularly for the early diagnosis of many diseases or as a guide to treatment. 'Further intervention studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of personalised (and not 'one-size-fits-all') modulation based on the results of these tests,' says Professor Giovanni Cammarota, Professor of Gastroenterology, UCSC and Director of the FPG Gastroenterology Unit. It is also necessary to educate the medical community to implement these tests in clinical practice.'This document marks a decisive step towards a standardisation that has become indispensable,' argues Professor Antonio Gasbarrini, Dean of UCSC and Director of the Digestive Disease Center and of the Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit - making the microbiota an increasingly integrated element in personalised medicine. In the clinical context, such guidelines will be essential to translate research advances into concrete applications, improving the management of many microbiota-related gastroenterological and systemic diseases. As Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Catholic University, I also believe that the proposed standardisation represents a fundamental contribution not only to clinical practice and research, but also to innovative teaching in medical degree courses and post-graduate courses. In fact, the recommendations put forward by the experts offer a solid and standardised scientific reference that can be immediately integrated into training programmes to prepare the doctors of the future to use microbiota testing in a critical and informed manner.' 'This consensus document represents a crucial step towards bringing order to the current panorama of diagnostic tests on the intestinal microbiota,' emphasizes Professor Maurizio Sanguinetti, Professor of Microbiology at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and Director of the Department of Laboratory and Haematological Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli. 'The diagnostic characterisation of the intestinal microbiota must be based on rigorous standards, in order to guarantee reliable and clinically useful results. It is not a simple laboratory test, but a complex tool that requires a deep understanding of microbial dynamics and their impact on human health. This is why these analyses must be conducted by highly qualified personnel with specific expertise in clinical microbiology and bioinformatics. In our Microbiology Laboratory at the Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, we already apply diagnostic tests on the intestinal microbiota following the principles and best practices outlined in the document. It is essential to invest in the training of future physicians and microbiologists so that they acquire the necessary skills to correctly interpret the results of these tests and apply them effectively in clinical practice. This document provides a valuable basis to guide not only the current use of the tests, but also their future development, always with a view to evidence-based and personalised medicine.' A UCLA Health analysis of MDMA-assisted therapy research suggests that the drug could improve outcomes of treatment of a wider range of trauma-related conditions experienced by military personnel beyond the current focus on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by increasing a collaborative and trusting relationship between a client and therapist. The review paper, authored by UCLA Health assistant clinical professor of psychiatry Walter Dunn and published in the journal NeuroRehabilitation, explains that even in the absence of PTSD, military service members who have sustained a neurological injury in training or combat, such as a traumatic brain injury, can experience emotional and cognitive challenges that can complicate their treatment and recovery. Dunn, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and staff psychiatrist at the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, said the abrupt transition, especially for young, healthy service members, from the rigorous demands of military service to facing the possibility of medical discharge can lead to feelings of isolation, self-doubt and other emotions that can interfere with the neurorehabilitation process. Clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy in treating patients with PTSD suggest it may improve their ability to tolerate treatment and reduce dropout rates, Dunn said. The results from these trials and in other studies among healthy populations suggest the drug's effects in facilitating social connections, improved self-esteem and increased neural and behavioral plasticity could also benefit service members undergoing neurorehabilitation for other conditions and injuries, Dunn states. These are service members who are in peak physical condition and they suddenly suffer a catastrophic injury, one that could dramatically change the course of their life. MDMA-assisted therapy could be very helpful in this context." Walter Dunn, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry, UCLA Health Namely, Dunn said the drug's effects could improve the relationship and trust between therapist and patient through its amplification of social reward in doses of 75 mg to 125 mg. No studies have directly investigated MDMA's effects on therapeutic alliance in the context of neurorehabilitation. MDMA may also work to counter the impacts of low self-esteem that lead to emotional dysfunction and poor coping strategies. Dunn also cites a need for more study on MDMA's effects on neuroplasticity which is the brain's ability to adapt and change in humans. Mouse studies cited in the review found MDMA reduced anxiety behavior, improved working memory and social reward learning through neuroplastic mechanisms. The review paper was published following the decision earlier this year by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in August to reject an application for the use of MDMA-assisted therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency classifies MDMA as a Schedule I narcotic, which is considered to be a drug that has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." Dunn served as a member of the FDA's independent advisory board that reviewed the application for MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. Dunn was the only member who voted in favor of recommending approval of the application based on both safety and efficacy. "By its very nature, military service involves exposure to stressful and adverse experiences. It is an inherently dangerous profession," Dunn said. "This reality highlights the critical need for a sustained commitment to developing new treatments to support those who serve in the armed forces." New research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that living in a disadvantaged neighborhood is associated with higher blood pressure and lower cognitive scores, even among people who do not have an existing diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. The study appears online today in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, a journal of the Alzheimer's Association. We know that inequitable access to education, employment, income and housing increases the risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. However, more research is needed to better understand the impact of social determinants of health, including what this study analyzed with neighborhood disadvantage." James R. Bateman, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and principal investigator of the study Bateman said neighborhood disadvantage refers to the lack of social and economic resources in one's environment. To assess neighborhood disadvantage, the research team used the highly recognized national Area Deprivation Index, which measures housing quality, education and income. "Our goal of the study was to analyze the relationship of neighborhood disadvantage with measures of cardiometabolic health and cognition in individuals with and without diagnosed mild cognitive impairment," said Bateman, who is also a neurologist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Bateman said it was important for the team to compare individuals with a diagnosis to those without one to better understand how a person's current cognitive state impacts the relationship between their environment and their health. Cognition refers to the mental process of thinking, learning, remembering, being aware of surroundings and using judgment. Mild cognitive impairment is a decline in memory and thinking skills that is greater than expected with normal aging and is a risk factor for dementia. Bateman noted that many cardiometabolic diseases may increase the risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. Cardiometabolic health is the cardiovascular and metabolic health of an individual and involves the management of risk factors such as blood glucose, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity. For the study, Bateman and team analyzed data from 537 adults over the age of 55 from the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Healthy Brain Study at Wake Forest University School of Medicine from 2016 to 2021. Individuals received clinical exams, neurocognitive testing and neuroimaging, in addition to cardiometabolic tests to screen for diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. The neurocognitive testing included in the study evaluated constructs such as memory, executive function, language, visuospatial skills, concentration and attention. "We found an association between neighborhood disadvantage and higher blood pressure and cardiometabolic index, as well as lower cognitive scores in individuals who did not have a diagnosed mild cognitive impairment," said Sudarshan Krishnamurthy, a fifth-year M.D./Ph.D. student at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and first author of the paper. Krishnamurthy said that neighborhood disadvantage was only associated with higher hemoglobin A1C, which measures blood sugar, in people with diagnosed mild cognitive impairment. "These findings show that living in a disadvantaged neighborhood has a bigger impact on heart health and brain function in people without preexisting cognitive issues," Bateman said. "Our study highlights the importance of implementing structural changes to address social determinants of health to mitigate cardiometabolic and cognitive risks." Krishnamurthy added that the study underscores the impact of a person's living environment. "This study confirms what we had hypothesized: Where you live and the resources and opportunities that are available to you as a result, have a tangible impact on your risk for dementia," Krishnamurthy said. Established in 2016, the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Wake Forest University School of Medicine is one of only 35 research centers in the country funded by the National Institute on Aging. Its goal is to translate research advances into improved diagnosis and care for people with the disease, and to find a treatment or ways to prevent Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. This study was supported by funding from NIH P30 AG072947, AHA 24PRE1200264, R01AG054069, R01AG058969, NIH R01 AG072547, NIH R01 AG079388, NIH UG1 CA189974 and NIH U19 AG074865. A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis describes an innovative method of analyzing mammograms that significantly improves the accuracy of predicting the risk of breast cancer development over the following five years. Using up to three years of previous mammograms, the new method identified individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer 2.3 times more accurately than the standard method, which is based on questionnaires assessing clinical risk factors alone, such as age, race and family history of breast cancer. The study is published Dec. 5 in JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics. We are seeking ways to improve early detection, since that increases the chances of successful treatment. This improved prediction of risk also may help research surrounding prevention, so that we can find better ways for women who fall into the high-risk category to lower their five-year risk of developing breast cancer." Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH, senior author, associate director of Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, and the Niess-Gain Professor of Surgery This risk-prediction method builds on past research led by Colditz and lead author Shu (Joy) Jiang, PhD, a statistician, data scientist and associate professor of surgery in the Division of Public Health Sciences at WashU Medicine. The researchers showed that prior mammograms hold a wealth of information on early signs of breast cancer development that can't be perceived even by a well-trained human eye. This information includes subtle changes over time in breast density, which is a measure of the relative amounts of fibrous versus fatty tissue in the breasts. For the new study, the team built an algorithm based on artificial intelligence that can discern subtle differences in mammograms and help identify those women at highest risk of developing a new breast tumor over a specific timeframe. In addition to breast density, their machine-learning tool considers changes in other patterns in the images, including in texture, calcification and asymmetry within the breasts. "Our new method is able to detect subtle changes over time in repeated mammogram images that are not visible to the eye," said Jiang, yet these changes hold rich information that can help identify high-risk individuals. At the moment, risk-reduction options are limited and can include drugs such as tamoxifen that lower risk but may have unwanted side effects. Most of the time, women at high risk are offered more frequent screening or the option of adding another imaging method, such as an MRI, to try to identify cancer as early as possible. "Today, we don't have a way to know who is likely to develop breast cancer in the future based on their mammogram images," said co-author Debbie L. Bennett, MD, an associate professor of radiology and chief of breast imaging for the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at WashU Medicine. "What's so exciting about this research is that it indicates that it is possible to glean this information from current and prior mammograms using this algorithm. The prediction is never going to be perfect, but this study suggests the new algorithm is much better than our current methods." AI improves prediction of breast cancer development The researchers trained their machine-learning algorithm on the mammograms of more than 10,000 women who received breast cancer screenings through Siteman Cancer Center from 2008 2012. These individuals were followed through 2020, and in that time 478 were diagnosed with breast cancer. The researchers then applied their method to predict breast cancer risk in a separate set of patients - more than 18,000 women who received mammograms through Emory University in the Atlanta area from 2013 2020. Subsequently, 332 women were diagnosed with breast cancer during the follow-up period, which ended in 2020. According to the new prediction model, women in the high-risk group were 21 times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer over the following five years than were those in the lowest-risk group. In the high-risk group, 53 out of every 1,000 women screened developed breast cancer over the next five years. In contrast, in the low-risk group, 2.6 women per 1,000 screened developed breast cancer over the following five years. Under the old questionnaire-based methods, only 23 women per 1,000 screened were correctly classified in the high-risk group, providing evidence that the old method, in this case, missed 30 breast cancer cases that the new method found. The mammograms were conducted at academic medical centers and community clinics, demonstrating that the accuracy of the method holds up in diverse settings. Importantly, the algorithm was built with robust representation of Black women, who are usually underrepresented in development of breast cancer risk models. The accuracy for predicting risk held up across racial groups. Of the women screened through Siteman, most were white, and 27% were Black. Of those screened through Emory, 42% were Black. In ongoing work, the researchers are testing the algorithm in women of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, including those of Asian, southeast Asian and Native American descent, to help ensure that the method is equally accurate for everyone. The researchers are working with WashU's Office of Technology Management toward patents and licensing on the new method with the goal of making it broadly available anywhere screening mammograms are provided. Colditz and Jiang also are working toward founding a start-up company around this technology. Jiang S, Bennett DL, Rosner BA, Tamimi RM, Colditz GA. Development and validation of a dynamic 5-year breast cancer risk model using repeated mammograms. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics. Dec. 5, 2024. This work was supported by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Jiang and Colditz have patents pending related to this work, predicting disease risk using radiomic images. In the journal "Science Translational Medicine", scientists from DZNE and LMU Hospital report on new insights into the mechanisms of "Niemann-Pick type C" (NPC), a rare neurodegenerative disease associated with dementia that can manifest as early as childhood. Their findings, based on studies in mice, cell cultures and patients, emphasize that neuroinflammation, which is mediated by the brain's immune system, plays a crucial role in NPC. In addition, their research points to a biomarker that could potentially be useful in disease monitoring and assessment of treatment response. Specifically, this refers to a molecule called TSPO, which can be detected in the brain by means of positron emission tomography (PET). We typically associate dementia with elderly people. However, there are also dementias that manifest in children and lead to death already by the age of 30 or even earlier, such as Niemann-Pick type C." Dr. Sabina Tahirovic, neuroscientist at DZNE's Munich site It is estimated that in Germany around 150 individuals are affected by this rare neurodegenerative disease. They have mutations in one of two specific genes that regulate lipid metabolism. This results in a harmful build-up of fat molecules in the brain and other organs. This, in turn, can trigger movement disorders as well as severe psychiatric and neurological symptoms, including dementia. Biomarkers needed "It often takes years before NPC is diagnosed, with multiple visits to different doctors. The critical mutations are easy to detect, but NPC is often not considered initially because the disease is so rare", Tahirovic explains. Certain drugs acting upon lipid metabolism can alleviate symptoms. However, so far, there are no therapies that can permanently halt the disease. "Although we know the genetic causes of NPC, the mechanisms relevant for its development are still poorly understood. Our results now underscore that neuroinflammation is a decisive factor in NPC. Besides, we identified TSPO as a potential biomarker for disease monitoring and response to therapy," the neuroscientist says. "With the development of recent therapeutics for NPC, we urgently need such biomarkers to monitor clinical benefits and disease progression." A pathological cascade Building on results from previous studies, Tahirovic and colleagues focused on the "microglia": these cells belong to the brain's immune system and are therefore specialized in combating pathogens and other threats. In NPC however, they seem to do more harm than good. "We were able to show that the microglia actively contribute to NPC pathology by triggering a harmful neuroinflammatory response in the brain", Tahirovic says. "Overall, we see these immune cells as part of a pathological cascade that also involves other brain cells and ultimately leads to neuronal damage. Current treatments for NPC aim to reduce the amount of lipids in cells, as their overload is pathological. Our findings emphasize the significance of inflammation in NPC. In view of this, I believe that combining lipid lowering strategies with immunomodulation is a promising approach for future therapies." A potential biomarker The current research combines studies in mice and cell cultures with the analysis of blood samples and PET scans taken from NPC patients. This was possible through a cooperation with the Department of Nuclear Medicine and the Department of Neurology at the LMU Hospital in Munich. "The so-called translocator protein, or TSPO for short, is a common marker for inflammation in several brain diseases. However, until now, TSPO had not been associated with microglial activation and disease progression in NPC. Specifically, we have found that microglial hyperactivity as observed in NPC is reflected in a marked increase in TSPO levels. As this molecule is found in the power plants of every cell, it apparently comes into play when the microglial energy demand rise," Tahirovic explains. "Thus, TSPO may serve as a marker for disease monitoring. That is, it could help evaluate the state of the disease and predict its further progression." In addition, TSPO may also be useful for assessing response to therapy. "We conclude this from data of patients treated with a drug that can alleviate symptoms of NPC. This compound, called N-acetyl-L-Leucine, was recently approved by the US authorities for the treatment of NPC", Tahirovic says. "In my view TSPO would be a valuable addition to the set of biomarkers that are currently used in other, more common neurodegenerative diseases. It would make sense to combine them and test their utility in clinical trials on NPC." PET and blood TSPO can be imaged in the brain using PET scanning, a technique that is available in specialized clinics and molecular imaging facilities. "TSPO could be of relevance both for clinical studies on NPC as for clinical routine. PET imaging might be difficult with young patients, as they need to stay calm while in the scanner. But we showed that it is feasible with older individuals affected by NPC," says Prof. Matthias Brendel, a neuroimaging expert at LMU Hospital. Furthermore, data from the current and previous studies suggest that certain blood cells reflect features of the microglia. Specifically, this concerns the macrophages which are, so to speak, siblings of the microglia. "Blood macrophages could also be a way to assess TSPO. Our current assays to monitor TSPO may still be too complex for clinical routine, but there is certainly room for development," Tahirovic says. "Taken together, our findings not only shed new light on fundamental disease mechanisms, but may also have practical implications for NPC patients." 'Challenges From Gaza To Lebanon To Syria': Jaishankar At Manama Dialogue In Bahrain Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 16:51 IST External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar pointed to the crisis-ridden Middle East amid the swiftly developing situation in Syria, where rebels have overthrown the Bashar al-Assad regime External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on December 8. (Image: PTI/File) Pointing to the crisis-ridden Middle East with the swiftly developing situation in Syria, where rebels have overthrown the Bashar al-Assad regime, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said there were challenges from Gaza to Lebanon to Syria". Jaishankar was speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, where he arrived on Saturday (December 7). The theme of the 20th edition of the event is Middle East leadership in shaping regional prosperity and security. related stories On Indias contribution in solving the ongoing conflict in West Asia, he said: We are doing this on the diplomatic side. We are one country that has the ability to speak to both Israel and Iran. That is one communication link, which is weak. We are not the only communication link. We are serving an important cause; at the right moment, right people get what the intended message is." ALSO READ | Assad Regime Shocked By Rebel Takeover Of Syria: What Comes Next? This is the final leg of his four-day, two-nation trip. He was received by his Bahrain counterpart Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. The minister will also co-chair the 4th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission (HJC) with Al Zayani, which will review the entire gamut of the bilateral relations and discuss avenues to further strengthen the multifaceted ties between India and Bahrain". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Jaishankar arrived in Bahrain after his visit to Qatar, during which he met the countrys top leadership as well as leaders of other countries. He also took part in the Doha Forum panel on Conflict resolution in a new era. (With PTI inputs) Location : Manama, Bahrain First Published: December 08, 2024, 16:03 IST Police Use Tear Gas To Stop Protesting Farmers From Marching Towards Delhi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 13:13 IST Farmers also attempted to enter the national capital on Friday but were stopped by Haryana police through barricading and use of teargas shells. Police used tear gas against farmers marching on Delhi | Image/X The protesting farmers resumed their march to Delhi from the Shambhu border on Sunday afternoon, stating that they had not received any invitation from the Union Government for talks on a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) and other agrarian demands. The visuals from the Shambhu border showed police using tear gas to disperse the protesting farmers and stop them from marching towards the national capital. related stories A group of 101 farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha led the march from the Delhi-Haryana Shambhu border towards the national capital when it met with resistance from security officials stationed there. #WATCH | Farmers Dilli Chalo march | Visulas from the Shambhu border where Police use tear gas to disperse farmersWe will first identify them (farmers) and then we can allow them to go ahead. We have a list of the names of 101 farmers, and they are not those people they pic.twitter.com/qpZM8LK1vw ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2024 The groups attempted to enter the national capital on Friday but were stopped by Haryana police through barricading and use of teargas shells. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that 16 farmers were injured in clashes with security officials, with one losing his hearing ability. Subsequently, the march was halted for 48 hours and was set to resume today. SKM convener Sarvan Singh Pandher said, We waited for the Union governments invitation to talk, but we didnt get any. We will try again to march to the National Capital. This time, too, our farmers will be on foot and undefended." Security Beefed Up At Sambhu Border In view of the farmers Delhi Chalo protest on Sunday, Haryana Police made tight security arrangements at the Shambhu border, with visuals showing heavy barricading and installation of nails. #WATCH | Police put barricades and install nails at the Shambhu Border as the farmers have announced to resume their Dilli Chalo march today. pic.twitter.com/gBA3r0J2GM ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2024 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The internet services in Ambala have also been suspended until December 9 in the wake of the farmers protest. Security has been tightened, with police saying they have sufficient forces to manage the farmers. The Ambala administration also prohibited gatherings of more than five people. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 08, 2024, 08:16 IST Gold Chains, Phones: Items Worth Rs 12 Lakh Stolen During Maharashtra Govt Swearing-in Event Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 20:05 IST According to the police, the theft took place as people were exiting the venue through gate number two of the venue The high-profile event saw BJP's Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as CM, alongside Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde and NCP's Ajit Pawar, who were sworn in as Deputy CMs. (PTI photo) At least Rs 12 lakh worth of items, including gold chains, mobile phones, and cash, were stolen during the grand swearing-in ceremony of the Mahayuti government at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai on December 5. The high-profile event saw Devendra Fadnavis returning as Chief Minister after a five-year hiatus, alongside Shiv Senas Eknath Shinde and NCPs Ajit Pawar, who were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers. related stories The ceremony was a grand affair attended by top political figures and industry personalities, and was secured by more than 4,000 police officers deployed across the venue and its surrounding areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the notable guests at the event, which attracted over 40,000 supporters of the Mahayuti alliance. According to the police, the theft took place as people were exiting the venue through gate number two of the venue. The thieves took advantage of the large crowd and stole valuables, including gold chains, mobile phones, and wallets. The thieves, who stole gold chains, phones and picked wallets, took advantage of people exiting the event from gate number two. Personnel from the police station and Crime Branch are working to nab the accused," an official told the news agency PTI. An official from Azad Maidan police station confirmed that FIRs have been lodged against unidentified persons, and efforts are underway to catch the suspects. The police are currently reviewing CCTV footage to help identify the culprits. No arrests have been made yet. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The swearing-in ceremony marked the formation of the new Mahayuti government, following two weeks of intense negotiations between the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP after the state assembly elections. The Mahayuti alliance won 230 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, securing a majority. (With inputs from PTI) First Published: December 08, 2024, 19:45 IST Farmers dry chili peppers in Kigali, Rwanda, Dec. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Li) KIGALI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Herman Uwizeyimana, a pioneering Rwandan chili farmer with a PhD in ecology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, made a bold decision in 2019 to leave his public service job and embark on a farming career. Despite the challenges of forgoing a regular monthly salary, he saw farming as an opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of Rwandans and contribute to national development. Uwizeyimana ventured into chili farming under Fisher Global, a Rwandan agriculture company involved in growing and exporting chili. He views the trade between China and Rwanda as a blessing, and his daily smile is a testament to his success as one of the farmers exporting to the Asian country. As an ecologist, Uwizeyimana's background has been instrumental in running a successful farming business that has created jobs for hundreds of local Rwandans. Reflecting on his time studying in China, Uwizeyimana realized his dream of contributing to Rwandan development through a business that benefits local communities. "We work with around 1,500 farmers. We provide the right seeds, technical assistance, agronomists, and training. After harvest, we dry the chili before exporting it to China," Uwizeyimana told Xinhua in a recent interview. Cassien Habineza, the company's head agronomist, joined the team in 2023. He shared how much he has learned, which has benefited him personally and professionally. "With a reliable income, I've been able to improve my family's welfare," he said. Fisher Global operates chili farms on 300 hectares across Rwanda, working with various agricultural cooperatives. Although the company specializes in chili farming, it also grows soybeans and maize, with soybeans serving as a rotational crop to maintain soil health. According to the company, over the past three years, Fisher Global has exported between 200 and 300 metric tons of dried chili annually, with 230 tons exported last year alone. Uwizeyimana's goal, however, is to expand exports to 1,500 metric tons of dried chili per year. The company's farms are mainly located in eastern Rwanda, with a presence in several districts across the country, excluding the northern regions where the climate is not conducive to chili farming. From each hectare of chili, a farmer can harvest around 10 tons of fresh chili per season, with two growing seasons per year. Currently, the company employs approximately 31 permanent staff and around 1,200 casual laborers, including those involved in chili and onion farming and transplanting. Uwizeyimana believes that chili farming has become a vital link between Rwanda's agricultural sector and global markets. "When people talk about chili, they often think of China. Everyone knows that our main market is China, and we have many farmers involved," he said. Commercial chili farming is a relatively new concept in Rwanda, where most people once grew it on a small scale for home consumption. Today, however, it's a lucrative industry, generating substantial income and offering significant employment opportunities, Uwizeyimana said, adding that as chili farming continues to expand, it is playing an important role in the country's economic development and boosting the purchasing power of local communities. Uwizeyimana expressed optimism about China's new policy, which, effective Dec. 1, grants zero-tariff treatment to goods from the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations. He sees the policy as a major boost for African farmers and predicts it will increase the volume of African exports to China. "This policy shows that China is a good friend of African countries," he said. Motivated by the new policy, Uwizeyimana plans to expand his chili farming operation to produce even larger quantities for export. Habineza, an agronomist, also sees the policy as a boon for African farmers. "In this case, companies' profits will increase with the zero-tax treatment policy introduced by China. I think it will also strengthen cooperation between African and Chinese companies and ease the exportation of products to the Chinese market," he said. However, the chili business has not been without challenges. Working with a workforce that lacks agricultural knowledge has been a significant hurdle. "We not only have to train people but also cultivate the right mindset, especially since many of our employees are young. It's a challenge to guide them toward the right agricultural practices," Uwizeyimana noted. Looking ahead, Uwizeyimana is optimistic about the future of the chili business. He is confident that his efforts, along with the growing market for Rwandan chili, will continue to drive transformation in the agricultural sector and enhance the livelihoods of many. Herman Uwizeyimana, a pioneering Rwandan chili farmer with a PhD in ecology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, checks the growth of chili peppers in a field in Kigali, Rwanda, Dec. 4, 2024.(Xinhua/Ji Li) Cassien Habineza, head agronomist of Fisher Global, checks the growth of chili peppers in a field in Kigali, Rwanda, Dec. 4, 2024.(Xinhua/Ji Li) Gujarat Court Acquits Ex-IPS Officer Sanjiv Bhatt In Custodial Torture Case Published By : PTI Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 10:44 IST Sanjiv Bhatt was earlier sentenced to life imprisonment in 1990 custodial death case in Jamnagar and 20 years in jail in a 1996 case relating to planting drugs to frame Rajasthan-based lawyer in Palanpur. Ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt (PTI File Image) A court in Gujarats Porbandar has acquitted former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt in a 1997 custodial torture case, citing that the prosecution could not prove the case beyond reasonable doubt". Additional chief judicial magistrate Mukesh Pandya on Saturday acquitted Bhatt, the then superintendent of police (SP) of Porbandar, in a case registered against him under IPC sections pertaining to causing grievous hurt to obtain confession and other provisions by giving him the benefit of the doubt due to lack of evidence. related stories Bhatt was earlier sentenced to life imprisonment in a 1990 custodial death case in Jamnagar and 20 years in jail in a 1996 case relating to planting drugs to frame a Rajasthan-based lawyer in Palanpur. He is currently lodged in the Rajkot Central Jail. The court held that the prosecution could not prove the case beyond reasonable doubt" that the complainant was forced to confess to the crime and made to surrender by voluntarily causing pain using dangerous weapons and threats. It also noted that the sanction required to prosecute the accused, who was then a public servant discharging his duty, had not been obtained in the case. Bhatt and constable Vajubhai Chau, against whom the case was abated after his death, were charged under sections 330 (causing hurt to extort confession) and 324 (causing hurt with dangerous weapons) of the Indian Penal Code on the complaint by one Naran Jadav for causing him physical and mental torture in police custody to extract confession in a Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) and Arms Act case. A first information report was filed against Bhatt and Chau in a Porbandar city B-division police station on April 15, 2013, following the courts direction on Jadavs complaint before a magistrate court on July 6, 1997. Jadav was one of the 22 accused in the 1994 arms landing case. According to the prosecution, a team of Porbandar police had taken Jadav to Bhatts residence in Porbandar on July 5, 1997, from the Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad on a transfer warrant. Jadav was given electric shocks on different parts of his body, including his private parts. His son was also given electric shocks. The complainant later informed the court of the judicial magistrate about the torture, following which an inquiry was ordered. Based on the evidence, the court registered a case on December 31, 1998, and issued a summons to Bhatt and Chau. On April 15, 2013, the court ordered an FIR against Bhatt and Chau. Bhatt is undergoing life imprisonment in a 1990 Jamnagar custodial death case. In March 2024, the former IPS officer was also sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by a court at Palanpur in Banaskantha district in a 1996 case related to planting drugs to frame a Rajasthan-based lawyer. He is also an accused in a case of alleged fabrication of evidence in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots cases along with activist Teesta Setalvad and former Gujarat director general of police R B Sreekumar. Bhatt, who was removed from police service by the Gujarat government over unauthorised absence, moved the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat High Courts January 9, 2024 order dismissing his appeal. The high court had upheld the conviction of Bhatt and co-accused Pravinsinh Zala under sections 302 (murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC for murder by the sessions court in Jamnagar on June 20, 2019. Bhatt, as the then additional SP, had detained around 150 people on October 30, 1990, following a communal riot in Jamjodhpur town following a bandh call against the halting of BJP leader L K Advanis rath yatra for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. One of the detained persons, Prabhudas Vaishnani, died in hospital after his release. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bhatt had hit the headlines when he filed an affidavit in the top court alleging then chief minister Narendra Modis role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. A special investigation team debunked these allegations. He was suspended from service in 2011 and sacked by the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2015 for unauthorised absence". Location : Gujarat, India First Published: December 08, 2024, 10:38 IST Uttarakhand: Unable To Afford Ambulance, Woman Brings Brother's Body Home Tied To Taxi Roof Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 20:30 IST Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami had ordered an inquiry into the matter and directed the officials to take strict actions against the culprits After conducting the post-mortem, the police handed over the body to Shivani on Saturday. (Image via X/@Ramraajya) Unable to afford a private ambulance service, a woman took her brothers body, tied to the roof of a taxi, to a village in Pithoragarh district, 195 kilometres away. Taking cognizance of the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had ordered an inquiry into the matter and directed the officials to take strict actions against the culprits. related stories According to police, Shivani (22), a resident of a village in Berinag lived with her younger brother Abhishek (20). On Friday, Abhishek came from work early and complained of a headache. He was later found unconscious near a railway track and taken to Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College in Haldwani for treatment. The doctors declared him dead. After conducting the post-mortem, the police handed over the body to Shivani on Saturday. She reportedly spoke to many ambulance drivers standing outside the hospital mortuary to take her brothers body home but they asked for Rs 10,000 12,000 as fare. Being unable to arrange for the fare price, she called a taxi driver from her village and was forced to take the body by tying it to the roof of the vehicle and travel 195 kilometres. When asked about the incident, Dr Arun Joshi, Principal of Sushila Tiwari Government Medical College, said that the incident happened outside the hospital because of which it did not come to his notice. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said, If it had happened inside the hospital or if I was asked for help, I would have helped." The patients relatives who were standing outside the hospital said that no one supervises private ambulances and they charge exorbitant fares for taking patients. Dhami has asked the state Health Secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter and take strict action against the culprits, a government spokesperson said. Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India First Published: December 08, 2024, 20:28 IST Yogi To Address World Hindu Economic Forum In Mumbai Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 15:01 IST Yogi Adityanath will attend the World Hindu Economic Forum for the second time since 2019 when he addressed the occasion in Mumbai. UP CM Yogi Adityanath (PTI Image) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will address the World Hindu Economic Forum-2024 (WHEF-2024), which is set to take place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai from December 13 to 15. This comes exactly a month before the worlds biggest religious congregation Maha Kumbh 2025 will begin on January 13. related stories Yogi will attend the WHEF for the second time. He previously addressed the event in Mumbai in 2019. Officials said that the WHEF-2024 will be one of the largest gatherings of industrialists, businessmen and entrepreneurs from the Hindu community. The theme of the economic forum is Think in future, for the future". WHEF-2024 is more than just an event its a global movement aimed at empowering individuals, businesses, and communities through the collective strength of Hindu economic principles," the WHEF website said. Those attending the three-day event will gain insights from the speakers of sectors ranging from finance, tech, manufacturing and government, according to an official. A senior official from the Chief Ministers office confirmed that CM Yogi Adityanath will attend the World Hindu Economic Forum. The CMs speech will highlight the positive transformations in Uttar Pradesh over the past seven years, focusing on improved economic conditions and a shift in the states perception, which has attracted major business investments," the official said. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will also speak at the event. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all CEOs and MDs from leading business houses will deliver lectures during the three-day forum. The WHEF started in 2012 in Hong Kong and has since held successful annual forums in cities like Bangkok (2013), New Delhi (2014), London (2015), Los Angeles (2016), Chicago (2018), Mumbai (2019), and Bangkok (2023). First Published: December 08, 2024, 15:01 IST Kriti Sanon Exudes Demure Vibes In Earthy Tones As She Dons A Burberry Silk Shirt And Maxi Kilt Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 09:47 IST Kriti Sanon wore a silk shirt and a maxi kilt skirt from Burberry's Winter 2024 collection. The earthy tones of the look exuded quiet luxury. Kriti Sanon was styled by Sukriti Grover. With an impeccable fashion sense and a knack for nailing every outfit, Kriti Sanon has continuously wowed the fashion police. The actor slays in every look, even those that are out of her comfort zone. Recently, she exuded demure vibes in a brown and green Burberry ensemble. In a series of pictures shared by celebrity stylist Sukriti Grover, Kriti Sanon exuded grace as she was dressed head-to-toe in Burberrys Winter 2024 collection. The actor opted for earthy tones in the shades of brown and green which made her look naturally even more stunning. She wore Burberrys Paisley-print silk shirt and paired it with the brands Wool Mohair Maxi Kilt. She carried a classic Mini Rocking Horse Bag from the winter collection, bringing out her quiet, demure energy. related stories Take a look at the pictures here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by S U K R I T I G R O V E R (@sukritigrover) The solid brown of the skirt balanced out the paisley print of the shirt. The midi-length skirt made the outfit perfect to transition from business lunches to a coffee run. The shirt had an interesting neck scarf detail which lent it an overall high-fashion look. The sophisticated look was complemented by Sanons minimal makeup. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For the makeup, she went with a matte base and kept it simple. A muted smokey brown eyeshadow defined her eyes. She coated her eyelashes with mascara to make it pop and went with barely-there contouring to give herself a natural look. She ditched the colours and went with muted brown lipstick to bring the look together. With minimal makeup, the attention remains solely on the outfit which is earthy and has elements of quiet luxury. On the work front, Kriti was recently seen in Do Patti where she played a double role. She shared the screen with Kajol and Shaheer Shaikh in the thriller. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 08, 2024, 09:42 IST Ananya Panday Shares Photos With Spice Girls Suhana Khan And Navya Nanda, Fans React | See Here Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 12:19 IST The photos quickly went viral, garnering love from fans. Bhavana Pandey also reacted to the pictures. Ananya Panday poses with her BFFs Suhana Khan and Navya Nanda Ananya Panday has set the internet on fire with new photos featuring Suhana Khan and Navya Naveli Nanda. She referred to themselves as the Spice Girls," the trio looked stunning in the photos. The photos quickly went viral, garnering love from fans. Bhavana Pandey also reacted to the pictures. Taking to her Instagram handle, Ananya Panday shared photos in which we can see them posing together. Spice girls", read caption. Navya Nanda reacted with heart emojis. Suhana Khan also dropped emojis in the comment section. One of the fans wrote, You are so adorable." Another wrote, Hot". related stories Take a look here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ananya (@ananyapanday) Ananya Panday posted a snippet of her decorated Christmas tree. On December 4, the CTRL actress took to her Instagram stories to share a picture of her beautifully decorated tree. Well, the tree, decked with colourful twinkling lights, shimmering red globes, red tree toppers, and Christmas figurines, clearly shows her excitement about the upcoming festival. As she dropped the image on social media, Ananya penned Merry Merry. Speaking about Ananya Pandays work, the actress was last seen in Vikramaditya Motwanes CTRL opposite Vihaan Samat. She essayed the role of Nella Awasthi, while Vihaan Samat was seen as Joe Mascarenhas. The film explores the question, In a world where data is power, how much of ourselves should we share online, and what happens when we lose control of that information?" The film is currently available on streaming giant Netflix. Next, she will star in Akshay Kumars next with R Madhavan. Produced by Karan Johars Dharma Productions, the film is said to be based on the book The Case That Shook the Empire. It showcases the cover-up of a massacre that forced Indias leading barrister, C Sankaran Nair, to start a battle against the British Empire. Besides, she will also feature in Vivek Sonis directorial, Chand Mera Dil, a romantic drama scheduled for release in 2025. First Published: December 08, 2024, 12:19 IST Hema Malinis Love-Filled Birthday Message For Dharmendra Melts Hearts: 'Ever Since We First Met...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 19:04 IST Veteran actor and politician Hema Malini shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to her husband, Bollywood icon Dharmendra, celebrating their enduring love and decades of partnership. Hema Malini celebrates husband Dharmendras birthday with a touching Instagram post that highlights their enduring love. Veteran actor and politician Hema Malini marked her husband, Bollywood legend Dharmendras birthday with a touching message that resonated deeply with fans and followers. Married since 1980, Hema Malini and Dharmendra have long been celebrated as one of Bollywoods most enduring and cherished couples. On Friday, Hema shared two heartwarming pictures on Instagram, featuring herself and Dharmendra radiating joy and affection. related stories The post, paired with a heartfelt caption, beautifully encapsulated their decades-long love story. A day to celebrate! Happiest Birthday to the man of my dreams. I hold your heart as you hold mine ever since we first met many years ago. We have been through good times and bad, always together, steadfast in our love for each other. I look forward to being dazzled by your charm for many more years to come. May God bless you with good health and happiness always," wrote Hema Malini. The couples journey has been nothing short of inspiring, both on and off the screen. Dharmendra and Hema Malini have shared iconic roles in classic films such as Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, The Burning Train, Raja Jani, Dharm Aur Qanoon, and Do Dishayen. Their cinematic chemistry is as timeless as their real-life partnership. Over the years, the couple has built a beautiful family, raising two daughters, actor Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, while continuing to leave an indelible mark on Bollywood. Despite their illustrious careers, they have remained grounded, nurturing a life built on love, respect, and mutual admiration. Dharmendra, revered as one of Indian cinemas most iconic stars, continues to captivate audiences. Most recently, he appeared in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, sharing the screen with Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. Looking forward, Dharmendra has several promising projects in the pipeline. He is set to star in the war drama Ikkis, based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a Param Vir Chakra recipient. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the film will feature Dharmendra alongside Agastya Nanda, Amitabh Bachchans grandson. Additionally, the actor is gearing up for Apne 2, the sequel to the much-loved Apne. Directed by Anil Sharma, the film will unite the Deol family on screen, featuring Dharmendra alongside his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, as well as grandson Karan Deol. First Published: December 08, 2024, 19:04 IST Naga Chaitanya Says Rana Daggubati Makes Him 'Depressed', Asks His Wife 'Does He Have Time For You?' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 07, 2024, 12:36 IST Rana Daggubati's wife, Miheeka Bajaj, said that her actor husband does not have time. Rana Daggubati poses with his cousin Naga Chaitanya. Rana Daggubati and Naga Chaitanya have an adorable bond. The two cousins often speak highly of one another and hype each other up. As Rana Daggubati has started his talk show, The Rana Daggubati Show, his family will be seen making an appearance to support him. Naga Chaitanya will be on the show and in a new promo, he could be seen talking about how much Rana works. Naga Chaitanya said that Rana Daggubati is always working on new projects, making him feel inefficient. Naga Chaitanya asked Ranas wife, Miheeka Bajaj, How many things is he doing?" She replied, If one could keep track of that." Watch their interaction here: related stories Naga Chaitanya then joked, You know, whenever I meet Rana, I go back home depressed because he tells me these 1000 things hes doing, and I feel like Im doing nothing in life." Miheeka said, We all do. How much ever you work, you can never match up to up. So we should not try." Chay then asked Miheeka, Does he have time for you?" She said, Other than time in life, he has everything." Meanwhile, Rana Daggubati recently attended Naga Chaitanyas wedding with Sobhita Dhulipala. Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipalas wedding was grand yet intimate, highlighting the bond between the Akkineni and the Daggubati families. The two actors got married on Wednesday, December 4. The couple tied the knot at the Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. Rana Daggubati recently opened up about the wedding. Rana Daggubati told India Today, Its my cousins wedding, so Ive got to be there. Yeah, it was fun. We had a great time; we had a blast. Celebrations are always fun. I wish the couple well. It has been two hectic days!" For the unversed, Rana Daggubati is related to Naga Chaitanya as their parents are siblings. Rana Daggubati is the son of Venkatesh Daggubati, brother of Lakshmi Daggubati. Lakshmi is Naga Chaitanyas mother and Nagarjunas first wife. Lakshmi married Nagarjuna in 1984. The former couple parted ways in 1990 due to unknown reasons. Rana Daggubati also congratulated newlyweds Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala post the wedding. Sharing official pictures from the wedding ceremony on his Instagram story, Rana wrote, Congratulations to these two," along with heart emojis. A few other pictures from Naga Chaitanyas Pellikoduku ceremony have emerged on Instagram. A monochromatic picture shows him posing solo by a tree, while another picture shows Rana Daggubati kissing his cousin Chays hand. First Published: December 07, 2024, 12:36 IST Pushpa 2 Sandhya Theatre Incident: Owner, 2 Others Arrested In Connection With Woman's Death In Stampede Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 21:23 IST Three individuals have been arrested on Sunday, December 8, after the tragic death of a woman during a stampede at the Pushpa 2 premiere in Hyderabad. Pushpa 2 stampede: Sandhya Theatre owner, 2 others arrested On December 4, chaos broke out at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the premiere of Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna starrer Pushpa 2. A massive crowd had gathered, and the situation spiralled out of control, resulting in a tragic stampede that claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman, and left her 13-year-old son injured. In a recent update, three individuals were arrested on Sunday, December 8, in connection with the womans tragic death. According to ANI, the arrested individuals include the owner of Sandhya Theatre, the manager of the theatre, as well as the lower balcony-upper balcony manager. They have been charged with negligence in implementing proper security measures. They were produced before the court and sent to judicial custody. The stampede reportedly occurred as a large crowd gathered to see superstar Allu Arjun, which led to chaos due to insufficient crowd control. related stories L Ramesh Kumar, ACP Chikkadpally told ANI, During the investigation today we have arrested three people in the incident. We arrested them and produced them before the court. Court has sent them to judicial custodyThe child injured is recouping well in a good manner" #WATCH | Sandhya theatre stampede incident | L Ramesh Kumar, ACP Chikkadpally says, During the investigation today we have arrested three people in the incident. We arrested them and produced them before the court. Court has sent them to judicial custodyThe child injured is pic.twitter.com/KRmE8JOtxK ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2024 Post the incident, the deceaseds family reportedly lodged a complaint at Chikkadapally Police Station. A case was registered under Sections 105 and 118(1) read with 3(5) of the BNS Act. Central Zone DCP Akshansh Yadav stated, According to the complaint, the theatre management, actor Allu Arjun, and his security team have been made accused We have to identify who in his security team were present yesterday and who pushed people, creating this situation Our deployment was there, and there is no lapse on the polices part. Investigation is ongoing." Hindustan Times quoted Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand saying that there was no intimation from the side of the theatre management or Allu Arjuns team that they will be visiting the theatre. Additionally, despite the theatre management being aware of his arrival, no separate entry or exit was designated for the actor and his team. He said that stringent action as per law will be taken against all the individuals responsible for the choatic situation that led to the death of the woman. On 6th December, Allu Arjun finally addressed the womans tragic death. After apologising on X, the actor spoke about it during the press meet in Hyderabad on Saturday. He apologised saying, We are extremely sorry. We genuinely didnt know what happened. Ive been doing this for 20 years (going to theatres on opening day); its very unfortunate that this happened." Allu Arjun announced an assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the grieving family. He also promised to cover the medical expenses of the 13-year-old son, who was injured in the incident. First Published: December 08, 2024, 20:44 IST Shalini Passi Would Like To Take Mira Rajput And Dimple Kapadia With Her On Bigg Boss; Heres Why Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 16:53 IST Shalini Passi, who graced the latest episode of Bigg Boss 18, recently talked about her time in the BB house, what she would like to change about the house, and much more! Shalini Passi recently made an appearance on Bigg Boss 18. Delhi-based art connoisseur and philanthropist Shalini Passi, who became an overnight sensation after her stint in Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives, recently graced the latest episode of Bigg Boss 18. While she was on the reality show for only a day, her presence garnered a lot of attention, and added positive vibes to the BB house. In a recent conversation, Shalini Passi revealed she would like to take Shahid Kapoors wife Mira Rajput and Dimple Kapadia inside the BB house. In a chat with Indian Express, Shalini Passi was asked who from Bollywood would she like to take with her on the show. She said that she would like to take Mira Rajput as she thinks they would get along. She also named Dimple Kapadia, and explained that she would take her so that she can find out all about the actress hair secrets. I would choose Mira Rajput. She is lovely. I met her recently. She has launched her skincare line. I would gel with her. I would also take Dimple Kapadia ji so that I can know all her hair secrets," she said. related stories Shalini was then asked what she would like to change in the Bigg Boss house, to which she replied, The carpet reminded me of Delhi airport. It was very nostalgic. The Trojan horse was very cute and the pool was amazing." Meanwhile, a promo of Bigg Boss 18 shows Shalini Passi talking about her experience in the BB house. When asked who she thinks is the smartest player in the house, Shalini said, It would be difficult to judge, but I think Chahat." When asked which contestant, according to her, is playing the sympathy card, she replied, Rajat. Because wo ek baat ko chhodna nahi chahte." Shalini Passi featured in the Netflix reality series Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives, which premiered in October this year. While she is yet to reveal whats next for her in the OTT space, she recently mentioned that she has some exciting projects in the pipeline. During a Reddit AMA session, she wrote, Lots of projects in the pipeline we will keep you posted, there is lots of excitement going on, so be ready for a lot of surprises coming up in 2025!" First Published: December 08, 2024, 16:53 IST Sobhita Dhulipala-Naga Chaitanya Give Sneak-Peek Into Telugu Wedding Rituals; Share Dreamy PICS From Ceremony Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 19:25 IST Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya radiate love and happiness in official pictures from their wedding ceremony shared by them! Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala radiate love and joy in official pictures from their wedding ceremony. Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya have finally shared the official pictures from their wedding ceremony. The couple got married in a traditional Telugu ceremony on December 4 at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. While several visuals from their special day surfaced online, fans were eagerly waiting for the newlyweds to post the official pictures. Much to their delight, Chay and Sobhita have finally dropped some dreamy photos from their wedding ceremony that give fans a sneak-peek into the beautiful traditional wedding rituals. The first picture shared by Sobhita and Naga Chaitanya shows the actress rubbing haldi on Chays face. As part of Madhuparakam ritual, Sobhita is dressed up in a white sari with a red border. Meanwhile, another picture shows the bride and groom exchanging jaimalas. Sobhita and Chay are seen playfully exchanging flower garlands. Another picture features Sobhita during the Talambralu ceremony. As part of the Telugu ritual, the bride and the groom pour a rice and turmeric mixture over each others head. The picture shows Sobhita beaming with joy as the rice mixture is poured over her. related stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sobhita (@sobhitad) Meanwhile, another picture shows Sobhita wearing a toe ring. In one photo, she is seen seated on a huge, decorated basket that looks like a lotus. She looks stunning in a beautiful golden kanjivaram saree. Another picture shows Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita looking lovingly at each other at the wedding ceremony. The last black-and-white snap is from the Arundhati Nakshatram ritual, where the bride and groom are shown stars representing Arundhati and Vasistha. Naga Chaitanya is seen lovingly holding Sobhitas hand as she pointed out at the stars. Soon after Sobhita and Naga Chaitanya shared the pictures, congratulatory messages started pouring in. Music composer Vishal Dadlani wrote, Congratulations guys! The best of all things, always! @sobhitad." Meanwhile their fans showered them with love and blessings. Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipalas wedding was attended by celebrities such as SS Rajamouli, Ram Charan, Chiranjeevi, Rana Daggubati, Karthi, Anurag Kashyap, among others. Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala made their first public appearance post their wedding, on 67th December. They were spotted by the paparazzi as they visited the Srisailam temple in Andhra Pradesh with Nagarjuna. First Published: December 08, 2024, 19:25 IST Flash The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, released a new video on Saturday showing an Israeli hostage alive and held in Gaza, in which he called for a prisoner exchange deal. "I was held captive by Hamas for over 420 days ... To Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, I heard about your new plan to bring us home, offering 5 million dollars to anyone who ensured our safe return and exit from Gaza," said the hostage identified as Matan Zangauker. "The (Israeli) government neglected us and continued to do so every day. I hoped you would do everything you could to change the situation and bring me and the other prisoners back alive, in good health, and safely," Zangauker said. His mother, Einav Zangauker, is one of the prominent activists in the struggle for the release of the hostages, including pressuring the Israeli government to advance a deal with Hamas. Einav Zangauker spoke at a demonstration in Tel Aviv after the video was released and addressed Netanyahu, "The fact that Matan is alive today does not mean that he will survive the winter or the continued military pressure. The only way to return Matan and everyone is through a deal, even at the cost of ending the war." Also on Saturday, Hamas said in a statement that ending the war and Israeli "aggression" is the core of any agreement in Gaza. The statement was issued following a meeting in Doha between Mohammad Darwish, chairman of Hamas's Shura Council, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Darwish said Hamas is open to mediator proposals, provided they prioritize the interests of the Palestinian people and work to ease their suffering, and urged increasing support for Gaza's residents and countering Israel's "malicious plans" of killings, blockade, and starvation in the enclave. Darwish also highlighted the outcomes of recent meetings in Cairo between Hamas and Fatah delegations held under Egyptian sponsorship. On Thursday, Hamas announced its approval of the Egyptian proposal to form a joint committee with Fatah to run the post-war Gaza Strip. According to the Saturday statement by Hamas, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's commitment to the Palestinian cause and emphasized efforts to strengthen the Palestinian people's resilience through all possible means and platforms. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 44,664, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Saturday. This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the city view in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. Opposition activists said the rebel fighters entered the Syrian capital of Damascus at dawn Sunday, according to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Later on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria took over state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of al-Assad's government. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Opposition activists said the rebel fighters entered the Syrian capital of Damascus at dawn Sunday, according to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The monitor said hundreds of government soldiers were ordered to withdraw from Damascus International Airport, and were seen removing their military uniforms and donning civilian clothing. Multiple media outlets have reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left the country, citing rebel forces. The Syrian presidency said Saturday al-Assad was still performing his constitutional duties in the capital. Xinhua reporters in Damascus witnessed intense gunshots reverberating through the streets with heavy traffic caused by cars departing the capital. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali said in a speech published on Facebook shortly after the rebels' claim of entering Damascus that he was ready to "cooperate" with any leadership chosen by the people and urged citizens against vandalizing public facilities. Abu Mohammad al-Julani, leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, has prohibited his forces from approaching public institutions, stating that they will remain under the supervision of the country's prime minister until they are officially handed over, according to a statement published on the group's social media outlets. He also banned his fighters from opening fire in the air. Later on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria took over state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of al-Assad's government. A man in military fatigues, flanked by armed fighters, read the statement on air, calling it "Statement No. 1." He claimed that rebel units had captured Damascus. This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the city view in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. Opposition activists said the rebel fighters entered the Syrian capital of Damascus at dawn Sunday, according to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Later on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria took over state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of al-Assad's government. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) Triptii Dimri Looks Elated As She Kicks Off Christmas Festivities With Rumoured BF Sam Merchant | PICS Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 15:40 IST Christmas arrived early for Bollywood actress Triptii Dimri! The actress kickstarted the holiday season with her rumoured beau Sam Merchant and their friends. Triptii Dimri and Sam Merchant enjoy Christmas festivities. Triptii Dimri got into the Christmas spirit, and kicked off the holiday season with her rumoured boyfriend Sam Merchant last night. The actress gave fans a sneak-peek into her fun-filled outing yesterday as she painted the town red with Sam Merchant, and their friends. The actress looked cheerful and posed for several pictures as she fully embraced the holiday spirit. Triptii Dimri took to her Instagram stories on Saturday to share some glimpses from the Christmas festivities. The Animal actress, her rumoured beau Sam Merchant and their friends enjoyed a special event in Mumbai, called Starry Starry Night. Two selfies clicked by Sam Merchant show Triptii Dimri and their friends posing happily. Meanwhile, other pictures and videos give us a glimpse of the event. The actress beamed with joy in the pictures, and was seen wearing a brown sweatshirt with blue denim jeans. Meanwhile, Sam was also dressed casually and was seen in a black tee. The last picture is a selfie of Triptii wherein she is seen relaxing at the end of the day, with a Merry Christmas cushion next to her. Check out the pictures below! related stories While neither Triptii nor Sam has ever acknowledged their dating rumours, their pictures and social media posts for each other only add fuel to the rumours. Just a few days ago, as IMDd named Triptii as the Most Popular Indian Star of 2024, Sam Merchant gave her a shoutout and expressed how proud he is of her. Sharing the news on his Instgaram story, he wrote, Making us proud," along with several evil eye, clapping and sunglasses emoji. A few days ago, Triptii was spotted enjoying a bike ride with Sam Merchant in the city. Pictures and videos shared by the paparazzi showed her riding pillion behind Sam. As the photographers approached, the actor was seen turning her face away to avoid the cameras. According to media reports, Triptii began dating Sam after her rumored breakup with Karnesh Ssharma, Anushka Sharmas brother. The two were said to have parted ways in December 2022. First Published: December 08, 2024, 15:40 IST AAP Accuses BJP Of Settling Rohingya Refugees In Delhi Ahead Of Polls, BJP Denies Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 23:30 IST The BJP accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of resorting to "baseless rhetoric" A Rohingya refugee woman draws water from a hand pump at a temporary shelter in New Delhi. (AP file photo) Ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, the AAP on Sunday accused the BJP of settling Rohingya refugees in the city while publicly vilifying them. Reacting to the allegation, the BJP said the real issue is not the settlement of legal refugees but the presence of millions of illegally-residing Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshis not only in Delhi but also in other states and accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of resorting to baseless rhetoric". related stories In a statement, senior AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Atishi, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, pointed to a 2022 post on X by Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri as evidence of the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) involvement in housing Rohingya Muslims in EWS (Economically Weaker Section) flats in Delhis Bakkarwala area. Hardeep Puris tweet proves that the BJP conspired to settle Rohingyas in Delhi while pretending to oppose them. They provided EWS flats, security and facilities to them but misled the public with their hate rhetoric. This is the BJPs dirty and deceitful politics," Sisodia said in a post in Hindi on X. Atishi echoed similar sentiments and said, The BJP was so desperate to accuse Arvind Kejriwal that they forgot their own role in bringing and settling Rohingyas in Delhi. Hardeep Puris tweet has exposed the truth to the people of Delhi." On August 17, 2022, Union minister Hardeep Puri had tweeted that India has a tradition of welcoming refugees and announced plans to relocate Rohingyas to EWS flats in Delhi, ensuring them basic amenities, UNHCR IDs and security. This contradicts the BJPs public stance on the issue," the statement said. Singh said, Delhiites can now see who truly brought and settled Rohingyas in the city. The BJPs duplicity stands exposed." Other AAP leaders, including Sandeep Pathak, Raghav Chadha and Gopal Rai, also took to social media to slam the BJP, accusing it of indulging in divisive politics. Reacting to the allegation, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said ever since his party launched a campaign to disenfranchise illegally-residing Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshis and expel them from the country, Kejriwal and other AAP leaders have been resorting to a baseless rhetoric to divert the attention of people from the core issues affecting Delhi. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The real issue is not the settlement of legal refugees but the presence of millions of illegally-residing Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, not just in Delhi but also in states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand," Sachdeva was quoted as saying in statement issued by the BJP. The AAP had raised the issue of Rohingya infiltrators even in 2022, the BJP leaqder said, adding, Back then, we had said, and we reiterate now, that refugees are a separate matter, but infiltrators should be kept in detention camps, not in flats." The controversy comes as political tensions rise ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls due in February, with both the AAP and the BJP accusing each other of misleading the public. First Published: December 08, 2024, 23:28 IST 'Accept Defeat': Fadnavis Responds To Sharad Pawar's Remark On Maharashtra Poll Results Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 09:24 IST Sharad Pawar earlier said a comparison between votes polled and seats won by political parties in the Maharashtra assembly polls was "surprising." Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and NCP-SP Chief Sharad Pawar | File Image/PTI Maharashtras newly-elected Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday submitted his sharp response to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawars recent remarks on BJP-led Mahayutis victory in Maharashtra elections, saying that the opposition must accept defeat" and introspect." Sharad Pawar, whose party could bag only 10 seats in the 288-member assembly, said a comparison between votes polled and seats won by political parties in the Maharashtra assembly polls was surprising. related stories Responding to Sharad Pawars allegations that Congress and NCP (SP) won fewer seats despite getting more votes than Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, Fadnavis pointed to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP secured more votes (1,49,13,914) but won only 9 seats. Meanwhile, Congress received 96,41,856 votes and won 13 seats," Fadnavis noted in a post on X. Shiv Sena (Eknath Shindes party) got 73,77,674 votes and 7 seats, while NCP-Sharad Pawar group got 58,51,166 votes and 8 seats," Fadnavis added while highlighting the Lok Sabha 2024 election results. , @PawarSpeaks , . ? 2024 , 1,49,13,914 9, 96,41,856 13. 73,77,674 7 Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) December 7, 2024 It comes after Sharad Pawar while addressing a press conference in Kolhapur on Saturday, said, Congress got around 80 lakhs while the number of elected members from the party is 15. Shiv Sena got 79 lakh votes with 57 members elected. We (NCP-SP) got 72 lakh votes with 10 members elected. Ajit Pawar-led NCP received 58 lakh votes with 41 members elected." In the Maharashtra Assembly polls, the Sharad Pawar-led party contested 87 seats while Ajit Pawars NCP fought on 59 seats. This is just the data we are presenting. Commenting on it at this point is not appropriate since we dont have any more information," he said, adding fuel to the oppositions ongoing protest over the alleged misuse" of EVMs in the Maharashtra assembly elections. The BJP leaders have rejected the allegations against EVMs, mocking the opposition, saying they are looking for excuses to hide their shortcomings. Pawar said that the Opposition should not lose heart over its rout but go back to the people who do not seem to be enthused by the massive victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti in the Maharashtra elections. The Mahayuti alliance consisting of BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena secured a landslide victory in the November 20 state polls by winning 230 of the 288 seats. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all First Published: December 08, 2024, 09:23 IST MVA Leaders Meet Maharashtra CM, Demand Deputy Speaker Post For Opposition Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 20:13 IST MVA leaders told Devendra Fadnavis they would allow the speaker to be elected unopposed but urged the ruling side to grant them the deputy speaker's post Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (Photo: Facebook) Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders on Sunday met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sought the deputy speakers post for one of the constituent parties in the opposition alliance. The leaders told Fadnavis the opposition would allow the speaker of the assembly to be elected unopposed but wanted the ruling side to follow protocol and give them the deputy speakers post. related stories The delegation was led by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav. Speaking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan complex, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole reiterated that the post of deputy speaker should be given to the opposition. Maharashtras legislative tradition suggests that the speaker should be elected unopposed and the deputy speakers post must be given to the opposition. In the Delhi Assembly, despite the BJP having only three MLAs, the Aam Aadmi Party had granted it Leader of the Opposition post," he pointed out. A Maha Vikas Aghadi delegation met CM Fadnavis to discuss granting the Leader of Opposition post to the MVA. We hope the Mahayuti government will consider this proposal positively," Patole added. The Maha Vikas Aghadi constitutes the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all None of the three parties could win 10 per cent seats in the November 20 polls to claim the LoP post. The Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged victorious on 20 seats, the Congress on 16 and NCP (SP) on 10. Later, the MVA leaders held a meeting to discuss the alliances floor strategy in the legislature. Location : Maharashtra, India First Published: December 08, 2024, 20:11 IST Sonia Gandhi Linked To Organisation Funded By George Soros, Alleges BJP Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 22:20 IST The BJP claimed that Sonia Gandhi, as the co-president of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific Foundation, is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi. (PTI file photo) The BJP on Sunday alleged that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has links to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation and which has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation. This association shows the influence of foreign entities in Indias internal affairs, the ruling party said in a series of posts on X. related stories Meanwhile, notwithstanding the US dismissal of BJPs allegations that it is backing attempts to destabilise India, party MP Nishikant Dubey said he would pose 10 questions to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on the issue. He said media portal Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Hungarian-American businessman have colluded with the opposition to ruin Indias economy and defame the Modi government. The BJP claimed that Sonia Gandhi, as the co-president of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation. Notably, the FDL-AP Foundation has expressed their views that treat Kashmir as a separate entity," the party said. This association between Sonia Gandhi and an organisation that has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation expresses the influence of foreign entities on Indias internal affairs and the political impact of such connections," it said. The BJP further claimed that Sonia Gandhis chairmanship of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation led to a partnership with the George Soros Foundation, displaying the influence of foreign funding on Indian organisations". Rahul Gandhis press conference on Adani was live telecast by George Soros-funded OCCRP, which Gandhi used as a source to criticise Adani. It shows nothing but their strong and dangerous relationship and highlights their attempts to derail the Indian economy. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has publicly acknowledged George Soros as an old friend. Its something truly noteworthy," it said. The BJPs allegations come after it claimed on Thursday that the US deep state" colluded with OCCRP and Rahul Gandhi to damage Indias image. The US on Saturday rejected BJPs allegations that organisations funded by its State Department and elements in the American deep state" were behind attempts to destabilise India through targeted attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business tycoon Gautam Adani. A spokesperson at the US embassy described the allegations as disappointing" and asserted that the US government has been a champion of media freedom around the world. Reacting to the US embassys statement, BJP MP Dubey said, Yesterday I read the statement of the US embassy officials again and again. They admitted that the US government funds OCCRP and Soros foundation also funds it." The job of OCCRP and Soros is to ruin Indias economy and defame the Modi government in connivance with opposition leaders, he said in his post on X in Hindi. After yesterdays statement, I will have to ask Rahul Gandhi my 10 questions in the Lok Sabha. The opposition is trying to suppress my voice in Parliament. Lok Sabha Rule 357 gives me the right to ask questions. Waiting for tomorrow," the MP said. The BJP has cited Gandhis use of OCCRP reports to attack the Adani Group and accuse it of having closeness with the government. Its disappointing that the ruling party in India would make these kinds of accusations," the US embassy spokesperson said on Saturday. The US government works with independent organisations on programming that supports professional development and capacity building training for journalists. This programming does not influence the editorial decisions or direction of these organisations," the official said. OCCRP, headquartered in Amsterdam, is a media platform that largely focuses on stories relating to crime and corruption. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last month, US prosecutors charged Adani, 62, his nephew Sagar and other defendants for paying over USD 250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to Indian government officials to win solar energy contracts on terms that could potentially bring in more than USD 2 billion in profit. The Adani Group has dismissed the charges as baseless". The opposition Congress has accused the government of shielding the businessman and it is pressing for the setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee for a thorough investigation into the allegations. First Published: December 08, 2024, 22:19 IST From Demure To Brat, TikTok Trends That Dominated Pop Culture In 2024 Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 17:01 IST The influence of TikTok was felt across the board in the music industry, with 13 of the 16 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits of 2024 boasting viral trends on the platform. How the biggest TikTok moments of 2024 brought us together. (Photo Credits: X) In 2024, TikTok continued to be the epicentre of internet culture. The community showed us a year full of remakes of recipes and catchphrases, plus icons that are furry and feathered. From sassy hippos to brash dances and soothing vibes to culinary magic, this was the year of memorable moments that shaped pop culture. Lets look at how the biggest TikTok moments of 2024 brought us together, teased a giggle from us or quietly widened the definition of chronically online. Demure vs. Brat related stories TikTok taught us that in 2024 people are going to fall in love with someone opposite. At one extreme, we embraced the minimum realism a phrase that creator Jools Lebron coined as being very demure, very mindful". #demure evolved from a popular phrase to something more. From teaching a basic everyday makeup look to an ASMR meditation TikTok had this collective yearning for more peace, hence Dictionary.com declared demure" as their Word of the Year. On the other hand, people were channelling their inner brats." The phenomenon popularised through Brat Summer and driven by an Apple dance by Kelley Heyer inspired by Charli XCX was about sass, about confidence and finally-about independence. So popular was this word that Collins Dictionary crowned it its Word of the Year. Animal Kingdom And, of course, TikTok would not be TikTok without mentioning its popular animal performers. So, 2024 did not disappoint. A pygmy hippo from Thailand, Moo Deng, became a true darling. But she was not alone: she was joined by Pesto, the oversized King Penguin from Australia and the rest of the hilariously dubbed Knights of the Round Table." From Spuds to Salad TikToks food galaxy proved simple ingredients are all it takes to achieve global sensations: from Spud Brothers baking potatoes into trends in the UK with their indulgent toppings, Dubai-based Fix Dessert Chocolatiers ultimate chocolate bars leave people drooling, to Canadian Logan Moffit getting them internationally obsessed over a cucumber salad. The so-called cucumber magic" even made grocery stores suffer in terms of supply. TikToks 2024 Music Megahits top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In 2024, the platforms Top 10 global songs powered an incredible 200 million video creations and racked up more than 8 billion streams on Spotify. This year, the most popular hit was the reggaeton smash Gata Only by FloyyMenor featuring Cris Mj. Considered by the platform as TikToks Global Song of the Year and Song of the Summer, Gata Only spurred 50 million TikTok videos and more than 1.3 billion streams on Spotify. Across the entire industry, the presence and contribution of TikTok were potentiated in 2024, with 13 of the 16 #1 Billboard Hot 100 that was generated through viral trends in TikTok. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 08, 2024, 17:01 IST Watch: Pilot Lands Safely After Vulture Smashes Through Plane's Windshield In Brazil Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 15:00 IST The incident took place on Thursday, December 5, when the aircraft was on its way to Eirunepe from Envira in Brazil's Amazonas. The relieved passengers later shared their personal experiences. (Representative Image) A single-engine aircraft ferrying five passengers in Brazil had a narrow escape when a vulture crashed through the planes cockpit windshield and hung in front of its pilot for the remainder of the flight. The incident took place on Thursday, December 5, when the aircraft was on its way to Eirunepe from Envira in Brazils Amazonas, the New York Post reported. related stories Viral footage taken after the crash shows the vultures corpse dangling in front of the pilot, hampering his vision. Despite the shocking incident, the pilot managed to remain calm and finally landed the aircraft at the Eirunepe airport without any interference. It was a close call," the unnamed pilot told Jam Press as she recounted the incident. The pilot and co-pilot were visibly shaken by the incident as they could be heard explaining the mishap to other people onboard. Nobody was injured in the incident. The relieved passengers later shared their personal experiences. We thought we wouldnt get out alive Its a miracle the pilot managed to land with that right in his face," one of them said. The pilot suggested that the rubbish dump" next to the airport might be one of the reasons for the presence of vultures in the area. This is the fault of the rubbish dump next to the airport, which attracts an absurd number of vultures to the area," he said. As a video of the incident went viral on social media, many expressed their views on the uncertainty of air travel. Wow! So incredible they survived," one person wrote, while another one added, A vulture? DAMN! Thatd give me nightmares." A third comment read, How unpredictable nature can be, even at 30,000 feet." This was not the first time when bird smashed through the cockpit in a wild manner. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier this year, Spanish-French aerobatic pilot Olivier Masurel died after a vulture hit his cockpit and caused the light aircraft he was flying to crash on the spot. Masurel was coming back after taking part in the San Javier Air Festival in the Region of Murcia. A statement by San Javier Air Show organisers said, We accompany his family and friends in this heartfelt loss, flying was his passion and this fatal accident has taken his life; fly high, dear Olivier". Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 08, 2024, 15:00 IST Wisdom, The World's Oldest Wild Bird, Lays Egg At 74 After 4-Year Hiatus Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 09:10 IST According to the NY Times, Wisdom was first fitted with an identification band in 1956, when she was around six years old. Isn't it a miracle? (Photo Credits: Facebook) Wisdom, the worlds oldest known wild bird and a Laysan albatross, has laid an egg at the age of 74, marking her first in four years. Believed to be her 60th egg, it was laid at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii, a place she has returned to for decades to breed and raise her chicks. The Pacific Region of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service shared the news this week on their official Facebook page. Jonathan Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, was quoted by CBS News as saying: We are optimistic that the egg will hatch." related stories According to The New York Times, Wisdom was first fitted with an identification band in 1956, at an estimated age of about six. Since then, she has become a symbol of longevity, successfully raising up to 30 chicks. Ornithologists usually predict that albatrosses do not live past 68 years. Albatrosses are known for forming long-term monogamous bonds and laying only one egg per year. Wisdoms previous mate, Akeakamai, has not been seen for several years. This season, upon her return to Midway Atoll, she began courting a new partner. According to BBC, she laid an egg with this new mate, displaying her strong instincts and enduring vitality. Laysan albatrosses typically lay their eggs between November and December. Once an egg is laid, both parents share the incubation duties for about two months. The chick hatches around 65 days later and remains under parental care for five to six months before making its first flight. Wildlife biologists are optimistic about the success of Wisdoms new egg, estimating a 70-80% chance of success due to her good health and her new mates commitment, according to BBC. As 60 Minutes highlighted in 2018, Wisdoms remarkable age has not only exceeded the average lifespan for her species but has also defied the harsh conditions of her environment. She nests on the Midway Atoll islands, which are plagued by plastic waste. The 60 Minutes team reported that Wisdom serves as a symbol of hope for researchers, especially since many of her fellow albatrosses have died with their stomachs full of plastic. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The USFWS described Wisdom as a world-renowned symbol of hope for all species that depend upon the health of the ocean to survive," according to CBS News. Wisdoms journey also points towards the importance of conservation in protecting seabird habitats. Every year, millions of seabirds return to Midway Atoll to nest, as its a critical nesting area for avian life. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 08, 2024, 09:10 IST Bashar Al-Assad Out, Rebels Take Over Syria: What Comes Next? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 16:31 IST Assad's downfall has disrupted the "Axis of Resistance" that connects Tehran to Hezbollah in Lebanon through Syria. A portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is pictured with its frame broken | Image/AFP Hours after the Syrian rebels declared the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad following the complete seizure of Damascus on Sunday, their supporters gathered near central squares to celebrate, chanting anti-Assad slogans. Bashar al-Assad came to power succeeding his father Hafez Al-Assad in 2000 and ruled Syria for over two decades till an armed rebellion overthrew his regime. related stories The offensive, led by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as the Al-Nusra Front and affiliated with the terror group Al-Qaeda, along with allied factions, has resulted in the unprecedented fall of the Assad regime after five decades of iron-fisted rule in Syria. Bashar al-Assads fathers rule over Syria with an iron grip for nearly three decades was seen as repressive by many. Hopes were high that relieving reforms would be made in Syria under Bashars rule. But the aspirations never came to reality as he followed his fathers footprints. Assads legacy will be indelibly marked by his handling of the 2011 protests, which spiralled into a devastating civil war. The conflict claimed over half a million lives, forced six million people to become refugees, and left countless others internally displaced. People Celebrate Assads Ouster The Syrians, especially the supporters of the rebel group, gathered to celebrate in the central squares of Damascus and other cities, ringing out celebratory gunshots and honking horns. Syrians in the city of Douma in Damascus countryside took to the streets, rejoicing at the whithdrwal of Assad regime and Iranian militias pic.twitter.com/EbYoR8kD9h Tannie (@putin_76) December 7, 2024 My feelings are indescribable," said Omar Daher, a 29-year-old lawyer. After the fear that he (Assad) and his father made us live in for many years and the panic and state of terror that I was living in, I cant believe it." Daher said his father had been killed by security forces and his brother was in detention, his fate unknown. Assad is a criminal, a tyrant and a dog," he added. Transition Of Power The removal of Assad, who has not been heard from since the rebels claim, brings an end to more than 50 years of his familys rule of the nation of about 23 million, which has been buffeted and fractured by more than a decade of civil war. Rebel leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani announced the formation of a transitional authority. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has said the government is ready for any handover of power as the rebels announce the end of the era". The development in Syria has stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a fresh wave of regional instability. It also marks a turning point for Syria, which has been shattered by years of war which has turned cities to rubble, killed hundreds of thousands of people, and forced millions abroad as refugees. What Next For Syrians? The end of Assads rule doesnt mean peace for Syrians, given the links of rebels- HTS- with extremist groups like Al-Qaeda. With fears of another term of harsh and authoritarian rule under the rebels, millions of displaced Syrians, both within the country and abroad, face an uncertain future, which is unrealised. HTS, with a violent past, has left no stone unturned to project itself as a nationalist force. However, many are not convinced and are equally concerned about their next planning after toppling the regime. At the same time, the dramatic changes could lead to a dangerous power vacuum and eventually result in chaos and even more violence in a country already witnessing dramatic scenes. Major Blow To Russia, Iran? Iran is seeing the regime change as a major blow to their influence in the region. Under the Assad regime, Syria served as a connection between the Iranians and Hezbollah, and it was key for the transfer of weapons and ammunition to the group. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Assads downfall has undoubtedly disrupted the Axis of Resistance" that connects Tehran to Hezbollah in Lebanon through Syria. Hezbollah itself has been weakened after a long-standing war with Israel, which continues. Assad appeared to be largely on his own as it found its last ally Russia already occupied in war with Ukraine. Since its intervention in 2015, Russia has remained the Assad regimes most unwavering ally, safeguarding strategic assets like the Tartous naval facility and the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia. Location : Syria First Published: December 08, 2024, 15:36 IST Canadas Sukh Dhaliwal Threatened Me Over 1984 Riots Motion: MP Chandra Arya | Exclusive Curated By : Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 20:13 IST The incident allegedly took place after Dhaliwal, MP for Surrey-Newton in B.C., attempted to get unanimous consent from the House on a motion to condemn the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as genocide Sukh Dhaliwal (left) and Chandra Arya. (X) Canadas Liberal MP Chandra Arya, in a post on X, accused his caucus colleague Sukh Dhaliwal of threatening him in the House of Commons on Friday. The incident allegedly took place after Dhaliwal, MP for Surrey-Newton in B.C., attempted to get unanimous consent from the House on a motion to condemn the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as genocide". related stories A number of MPs, including Arya, who represents Ontario, called out no" before Dhaliwal was able to finish reading his motion, denying it unanimous support. Arya later claimed he was the only one to say no". Around 20 minutes later, Arya stood up in the House on a point of order and said Dhaliwal threatened" him on his way out of the Commons chamber. He also said another unnamed MP aggressively accosted" him in the lobby. Today, the Member of Parliament from Surrey-Newton attempted to have the Parliament declare the 1984 riots in India against Sikhs as a genocide.He sought unanimous consent from all Members in the House of Commons to pass his motion. I was the only Member present in the House pic.twitter.com/wENlwUd234 Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) December 6, 2024 DHALIWALS RESPONSE Dhaliwals speech against India in the House of Commons solidifies the fact. He also posted on X: Today, I introduced a unanimous consent motion in Parliament to recognize the crimes committed against Sikhs in India during and after 1984 as genocide. Sadly, some Conservative MPs and one Liberal MP opposed it." Today, I introduced a unanimous consent motion in Parliament to recognize the crimes committed against Sikhs in India during and after 1984 as genocide. Sadly, some Conservative MPs and one Liberal MP opposed it. pic.twitter.com/ABpcqMZpUz Sukh Dhaliwal (@sukhdhaliwal) December 6, 2024 DHALIWAL-NIJJAR-PAKISTAN LINK News18 has earlier reported on the alleged links between Dhaliwal and Khalistani slain terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. According to sources, Nijjar was always supported by Dhaliwal. Even as Nijjar was on the no-fly list, Dhaliwal ensured Nijjar stayed in a gurdwara in his constituency.Nijjar used to run immigration rackets. He got help from Dhaliwal and the money was distributed between them," said sources. News18 has already reported how Dhaliwal was the mastermind of the developments after Nijjar killing. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sources have said that the link between Dhaliwal, Pakistans Inter-State Intelligence (ISI) and Nijjar is clearly visible as Dhaliwals posters were pasted in Lahore on his visit four months ago. Dhaliwal was also made the chief of the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. Sources said he was rewarded for garnering mass Sikh support after Nijjar killing and his proximity to the ISI. That is where the conspiracy was planned. The whole of Canada knows about the diminishing image of Dhaliwal and Trudeau. They used Nijjars murder to gain some sympathy of Khalistanis. Dhaliwal floated the idea to Trudeau when he got back from Pakistan. First Published: December 08, 2024, 20:00 IST by Xinhua writers Xu Jiatong, Dai He NAIROBI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's economic growth has benefited the world, and its pursuit of comprehensive reforms and modernization will create many opportunities globally, said a Kenyan expert on China-Africa relations. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Stephen Ndegwa said he expects China's commitment to high-quality development and wider opening-up to chart a new chapter in international relations and cooperation. China is promoting the development of a digital economy and boosting high-quality infrastructure development globally, said the Nairobi-based expert, adding that its products, whether in industries, infrastructure, technology, or digital and scientific fields, are constantly improving in quality. Ndegwa expressed his optimism that the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting and the G20 Leaders' Summit would be key in sustaining global stability, particularly in the economic sphere. He underscored that economic stability is essential for development and that addressing broader global challenges becomes more feasible when the economic foundation is solid. "China's presence at the APEC meeting and the G20 summit will have a positive impact on the world. There will be more discussions on how to promote multilateralism and broader prospects for global trade and development," Ndegwa said. The expert said through the Belt and Road Initiative and other initiatives, China has strengthened economic ties with many countries and significantly boosted regional and global economic growth. With its robust economic growth and the rise of a consumer-driven economy, China offers new opportunities to increase bilateral trade with other countries, Ndegwa said, adding that this dynamic exchange is set to strengthen further, serving as a model for future regional cooperation. Ndegwa also highlighted China's contribution to the economic growth of Kenya and the larger African region, noting that China has done a lot of work in Kenya, from stadiums to roads and various infrastructures. "China's construction has contributed to Kenya's economic growth, especially through the roads built by China, which have opened up markets that were previously inaccessible and allowed producers to transport products throughout the country," Ndegwa said. Ndegwa noted that he has visited China multiple times, saying that he believes China's cooperation with its partners is sincere. "China's development is a blessing for the world," Ndegwa added. Canadian MP Opposes Motion To Declare 1984 Riots As 'Genocide', Accuses Khalistani Lobby Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 16:23 IST Chandra Arya said that he was the only Member of Parliament present to oppose the motion, and his single objection was enough to prevent its approval Canadian MP Chandra Arya. (Image via X) Indian-origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya has condemned a motion in the Canadian Parliament that sought to label the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as genocide," warning that the politically powerful Khalistani lobby" would likely attempt to push the motion again. Arya stated that he was the only Member of Parliament present to oppose the motion, and his single objection was enough to prevent its approval. related stories In a post on X Friday, Arya wrote, Today, the Member of Parliament from Surrey-Newton attempted to have the Parliament declare the 1984 riots in India against Sikhs as a genocide. He sought unanimous consent from all Members in the House of Commons to pass his motion." Today, the Member of Parliament from Surrey-Newton attempted to have the Parliament declare the 1984 riots in India against Sikhs as a genocide.He sought unanimous consent from all Members in the House of Commons to pass his motion. I was the only Member present in the House pic.twitter.com/wENlwUd234 Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) December 6, 2024 He further expressed that there have been several attempts, both inside and outside Parliament, to stop him from openly voicing the concerns of Hindu-Canadians. The politically powerful Khalistani lobby will undoubtedly try again to push for Parliament to label the 1984 riots as genocide," he noted. In his post, Arya urged Hindu-Canadians to actively engage with their MPs to ensure the motion is blocked in the future. Reach out to your local Members of Parliament and secure their commitment to oppose this motion whenever it arises," he added. 1984 Riots Undeniably Barbaric While condemning the violence, Arya described the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, as undeniably barbaric." Thousands of innocent Sikhs lost their lives in those horrific events, and we all condemn this brutality without reservation," he said. However, he argued that labelling these tragic riots as genocide is misleading and unjustified. He explained that such an assertion fuels anti-Hindu sentiments and risks driving a wedge between the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada. We must not let these divisive elements succeed in their efforts to destabilize harmony," he noted. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Arya further added that the only way to prevent Canadas Parliament from declaring the 1984 riots as genocide is by ensuring that every MPor at least a significant number of MPsstand up and say NO when unanimous consent is sought." He once again called on Hindu-Canadians to reach out to their MPs and firmly request their opposition to the Khalistani-driven narrative. Let us stand united against this anti-Hindu agenda and safeguard our communities," he concluded. Location : Canada First Published: December 08, 2024, 16:21 IST 'World Is Waiting': Trump Urges Putin To End Ukraine War As Assad Regime Collapses In Syria Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 14:14 IST Trump's remarks came after he met Zelenskyy in Paris along with Macron and held discussions about Russia-Ukraine war. Donald Trump with Putin (AP File Photo) US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday said that Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy was up for a deal to bring his countrys war with Russia to an end and called upon Vladimir Putin to take a step towards negotiation. Stating that he knows Putin well", Trump said that it is his time to act" in ending the Russia-Ukraine war that has claimed hundreds of lives on both sides of the border. related stories His remarks came a day after he met Zelenskyy in Paris along with French President Emmanuel Macron who hosted three-way talks at the Elysee Palace on Saturday. China Can Help: Trump Tells Putin To End Ukraine War Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success. Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness," Trump wrote on Truth Social. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin," he added. Trump underlined that countless lives have already been lost and as many families have been destroyed in the war that has continued for months. He said that if it goes on, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse". I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting," Trump said. Trumps Message To Putin Mentions Syria Turmoil The US President-elect also mentioned the Syrian civil war in his message to Putin who backed Syrian President Bashar Al-Assads government, and said that Russia lost all interest" in Syria due to its war in Ukraine. He also said that both Russia and Iran are weakened" due to their ongoing offensives. Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever," Trump said. Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success," he added. Earlier on Saturday, Trump had said that the US should stay out of Syria, calling it a mess". Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" Trump had said. Syrian Civil War: Assad Flees Damascus Assad fled Syria on Sunday as the rebels stormed Damascus, the capital city. They took key strategic positions, forcing Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali to declare that he was ready to cooperate with the leadership chosen by the people of Syria. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said that he was ready for any handover procedures". Since November 27, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies have initiated a sweeping offensive, seizing significant territories from government control. Their advances have included major cities such as Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and now Damascus. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: December 08, 2024, 13:47 IST Pope Francis Elevates Indian Priest As Cardinal, PM Modi Says 'Matter Of Immense Pride' Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 07:33 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other senior leaders and heads of churches across India have welcomed the announcement with joy and pride. Archbishop George Koovakad will be created as a Cardinal by Pope Francis | Image@X In a grand consistory held in the Vatican on Saturday, 51-year-old Indian priest George Jacob Koovakad was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Francis. The ceremony, held at the famous St Peters Basilica and attended by clergy and dignitaries from around the world, witnessed the induction of 21 new cardinals from various countries. related stories The ceremony began at 8.30 pm (IST) marking a procession with 21 cardinal-designated to the altar of St Peters Basilica. Later, the Pope addressed the gathering and handed over the ceremonious cap and ring to the cardinal-designate, followed by a certificate accompanied by prayers. Hailing from the Archdiocese of Changanassery in Kerala, Koovakads appointment brings the total number of Indian cardinals to six, further strengthening the countrys representation in the Vatican. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other senior leaders and heads of churches across India have welcomed the announcement with joy and pride. It is a matter of immense pride for India that Archbishop George Koovakad will be created as a Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis," Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X on Saturday. He said the Government of India sent a delegation led by Union Minister George Kurian to witness this ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, the Indian delegation also called on Pope Francis, his post further read. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in his message, extended all greetings to the new cardinal, saying the elevation of priest George Koovakad is a recognition for the Christian community in India and Kerala and especially the Syro Malabar Church. Faithfuls from Kerala and across the world have expressed pride in the elevation of one of their own priests. Cardinal George Alencherry, the former Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, expressed his delight at the elevation of another Indian to the cardinalate. He is a person who has rendered commendable services to the Church," he said, adding that it is a proud moment for the Catholic Church, Kerala, and India. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis noted that this decision to directly elevate a priest is a special recognition. Priests from Changanassery hailed this as a proud moment for the Indian Church. Many believers from his hometown have travelled to the Vatican to witness the momentous occasion. Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam hailed the moment as a big recognition for the believers. In Changanassery, parishioners and well-wishers celebrated the historic occasion with special prayers and thanksgiving services. The Indian delegation headed by Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian, comprising former Union Ministers of State Kodikkunnil Suresh, former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, BJP leaders Anil Antony, Anoop Antony, and Tom Vadakkan also witnessed the ordination ceremony. The episcopal consecration ceremony was held in Changanassery last month as part of his elevation to the rank of cardinal. Koovakad, has been organising Pope Francis international travels since 2020. Previously, Koovakad, who held the title of Monsignor, was declared the Titular Archbishop of Nisibis in Turkey. The priest is currently based in the Vatican. A delegation from the Archdiocese of Changanassery, to which he belongs, departed for the Vatican on Thursday to attend the ordination ceremony. The delegation was led by Changanassery Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil. Born on 11 August 1973 in Thiruvananthapuram, Koovakad was ordained as a priest on July 24, 2004. He later pursued training for diplomatic service at the prestigious Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. In 2006, he began his diplomatic career at the Apostolic Nunciature in Algeria. Over the years, Koovakad held various significant roles, including Secretary of the Nunciature in South Korea (20092012) and Iran (20122014). He subsequently served as Counsellor of the Nunciatures in Costa Rica (20142018) and Venezuela (20182020). In 2020, he joined the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, where he assumed responsibility for organising the Popes global travels, according to the Church. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Following the ordination ceremony, the new cardinals will visit the Pope at the Vatican Palace to receive his blessing. On Sunday, at 1 PM (IST), they will join the Pope in celebrating Holy Mass, according to a Church release. Location : Vatican City First Published: December 08, 2024, 07:32 IST Russia Confirms Assad's 'Resignation' As Rebels Take Over Damascus, Says 'He Left The Country' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 21:04 IST Syrian rebels declared the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad following the complete seizure of Damascus on Sunday. An anti-government fighter tears down a portrait of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, after jihadists and their allies entered the northern Syrian city. (IMAGE: AFP) Bashar Al-Assad has resigned from the post of the President of Syria and left the country, Russia confirmed the development on Sunday after the rebels toppled the Assads long regime in a weeklong lightning offensive. Moscow said that Assad left the position after talks with the sides involved in the conflict. He also agreed to transfer power peacefully to the rebels. related stories As a result of negotiations between B Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. Russian Foreign Ministry says, We are following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving pic.twitter.com/85brA0w0bo ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2024 Moscow said that it didnt participate in the negotiation talks. It further appealed to the opposition fighters to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues by political means." The Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition. We call for respect for the opinions of all ethno-confessional forces of Syrian society, and support efforts to establish an inclusive political process," the foreign ministry added. Syrian opposition fighters have declared that the country has been liberated" after they stormed the capital city of Damascus and announced that President Assad had fled the capital city to an unknown destination. Assad Fled To Unknown Destination The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Assad left on a private plane that took off from Damascus international airport at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Saturday night, without specifying where he headed. After that, the army and security forces pulled out of the airport, with commercial flights already suspended earlier, added the Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources on the ground. There have been speculations that Assad have been killed after it abruptly reversed course and flew in the opposite direction for several minutes before vanishing from radar near the city of Homs, Reuters reported. Russian Troops On Alert In Syria Moscow said that the Russian troops stationed in Syria have been put on high alert and that as of early afternoon Sunday, there was no serious threat" to the security of Russias military bases there. Russia has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assads government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. Syrians Celebrate Assads Ouster The people of the country took to the streets to celebrate hours after Assad fled the country. They took down the statues of the Assad family all across the country as dramatic scenes unfolded from parts of the country. The offensive, led by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as the Al-Nusra Front and affiliated with the terror group Al-Qaeda, along with allied factions, has resulted in the unprecedented fall of the Assad regime after five decades of iron-fisted rule in Syria. The stunning opposition advance came after 13 years of brutal war, putting an end to the regime. Who Is Bashar Al-Assad? Bashar Al-Assad came to power succeeding his father Hafez Al-Assad in 2000 and ruled Syria for over two decades till an armed rebellion overthrew his regime. Bashar Al-Assads fathers rule over Syria with an iron grip for nearly three decades was seen as repressive by many. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Assads legacy will be indelibly marked by his handling of the 2011 protests, which spiralled into a devastating civil war. The conflict claimed over half a million lives, forced six million people to become refugees, and left countless others internally displaced. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Damascus, Syria First Published: December 08, 2024, 17:20 IST Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 10:41 IST Syria Civil War News Highlights: A monitor of Syrias war on Sunday said Israeli strikes targeted government security buildings in Damascus, followed by subsequent fire, hours after rebels overran the capital following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. Israeli strikes targeted a security complex in Damascus near the former regimes buildings including intelligence, customs and a military headquarters, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Damascus has cancelled all flight operations till December 18 amid the rebel takeover. The West, meanwhile, hailed Assads exit saying it is good news that his barbaric rule has ended, but warned that the swiftly developing situation must not descend into chaos. Gleeful Syrians poured into the streets, celebrating with gunfire as a stunning rebel advance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, and other opposition fighters reached the capital putting an end to the Assad familys 50 years of iron rule. Many gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes similar to the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Others ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after the president and other top officials reportedly vanished. However, later in the night on Sunday, it was reported that Assad and his family arrived in Moscow and has been granted asylum by the Russian authorities on humanitarian grounds. FOLLOW THE Highlights HERE: The Great Rescue Of 2015: How Russias Intervention Kept Syrias Assad In Power Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 13:34 IST Syria Civil War: On September 30, 2015, the Russian Federation entered Syria, stopping the rebels and saving the Bashar Assad regime in Damascus Syrian President Bashar Assad (left) with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP File) The fall of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assads government on Sunday brought to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto power as his country fragmented amid a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. It also reminded of the time when Russian President Vladimir Putin had rushed to a battered Assads help. related stories Syrian rebels on Sunday declared the capital Damascus free" after entering the city to scant resistance from regime forces, claiming Assad has fled the capital. With no clear successor, it throws the country into further uncertainty. The Syrian war has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the countrys pre-war population of 23 million. As the uprising spiralled into a civil war, millions of Syrians fled across the borders into Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon and on to Europe. His departure brings an end to the Assad family rule, spanning just under 54 years. THE ARAB SPRING: HOW IT BEGAN The Arab Spring was a series of anti-government protests, uprisings and armed rebellions that spread across much of the Arab world in the early 2010s. It began in Tunisia in response to corruption and economic stagnation. From Tunisia, the protests then spread to five other countries: Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain. As marches seeking the release of youngsters who put out anti-regime graffiti on in Southern Daraa spread, Assad used military firepower, soon escalating it to a civil war. By 2012, rebel brigades seized key cities in the north, including parts of Aleppo, Syrias largest city. In 2014, the Islamic State caliphate was formed. As it claimed roughly a third of Syrian territory, with Raqqa as its capital, it led to other triggers. RUSSIA TO THE RESCUE The fighting since 2011 and desertion had weakened the Syrian Arab Army, despite the support of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), deployment of Iranian militias and Russian mercenaries, and regular shipments of Russian weaponry. In March 2015, the Syrian government lost a second provincial capital, Idlib, in addition to Raqqa, Aleppo, Deir Az Zor, Hassakeh, Deraa and Quneitra. On September 30, 2015, the Russian Federation entered the Syrian civil war. Russian air and missile strikes began targeting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Army of Conquest, al-Nusra Front, and the Free Syrian Army. It also provided armament and air support to Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces in their operations against ISIL in Syria. Russia moved beyond bombing just military targets and began bombing hospitals and medical facilities. Russias intervention stopped the rebels, which were backed by the West, Turkey and the Gulf, and effectively preserved the Baathist regime in Damascus. This made Russia more assertive in the Middle East, leading to parallels with Cold War-era regional dynamics. In five years, Russia not only managed to preserve the Syrian government, but also largely marginalised the opposition and the political-military force. Russias leading role in Syria also gave it regional leverage beyond the Syrian borders. However, saddled with its own war with Ukraine, Russia, in recent years, has been considerably withdrawing from Syria, even as the rebels continued their aggressive advances. OTHERS WERENT AS LUCKY top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The 2011 Arab Spring saw Libya descend into a civil war with protests against corruption and unemployment. NATO intervened militarily on the side of the anti-Gaddafist National Transitional Council (NTC). Gaddafis government was overthrown. He retreated to Sirte only to be captured, tortured and killed by NTC militants. Hosni Mubarak stepped down during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 after 18 days of demonstrations. During the Tunisian revolution, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, known as Ben Ali or Ezzine, was overthrown in 2011 and fled to Saudi Arabia. Yemens Ali Abdullah Saleh was ousted as President in 2012. With Agency Inputs First Published: December 08, 2024, 12:37 IST Ousted Syrian President Assad, His Family In Russia, Granted Asylum: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 00:10 IST Earlier in the day, Russia announced that Assad had resigned from the post of the President of Syria and left the country to an unknown destination. Syrias ouster President Bashar al-Assad (File) Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russias Moscow after the rebels took over the countrys capital city Damascus on Sunday, Russian news agencies reported citing a Kremlin source. Assad and members of his family have arrived in Moscow," the source told the Russian news agencies. Assad family has been granted asylum by the Russian authorities on humanitarian grounds", the source added. related stories Follow LIVE Updates Earlier in the day, Russia announced that Assad had resigned from the post of the President of Syria and left the country to an unknown destination. As a result of negotiations between B Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully," the Russian foreign ministry had said in a statement. Speculations swirled over the fate of Assad after the rebels advanced the capital city. It was assumed that he might seek refuge in Russia or Iran. As reported earlier, the ousted leader was visiting Moscow just before the rebel offensive and Iranian news agencies published a photograph of him that showed him meeting a top Iranian official in Damascus. Assad has not spoken in public since the rebels advance a week ago, when insurgents seized northern Aleppo in a surprise attack before marching into a succession of cities as frontlines crumbled. Meanwhile, as per the sources, Moscow had received guarantees from Syrian insurgents of the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Fled to Unknown Destination The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Assad left on a private plane that took off from Damascus international airport at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Saturday night, without specifying where he headed. There were also the reports of Assad being killed in a plane crash after it abruptly reversed course and flew in the opposite direction for several minutes before vanishing from radar near the city of Homs, Reuters reported. What Fueled Speculations Of Assads Death? Reuters cited data from the Flightradar website and reported that a Syrian plane took off from the Damascus airport around the same time when the capital city was stormed by the anti-regime forces. The flight initially moved towards Syrias coastal region which is believed to be his stronghold. However, the plane made a U-turn abruptly and flew in the opposite direction for some time before it disappeared from the map. The abrupt U-turn and disappearance from the radar fueled speculations Assad might have been killed mid-air. Syrians Celebrate Assads Ouster Celebrations erupted around Syria and crowds ransacked Assads palace earlier today the HTS, formerly known as the Al-Nusra Front and affiliated with the terror group Al-Qaeda, along with allied factions, ended five decades of Baath party rule. Who Is Bashar al-Assad? Bashar Al-Assad came to power succeeding his father Hafez Al-Assad in 2000 and ruled Syria for over two decades till an armed rebellion overthrew his regime. Bashar Al-Assads fathers rule over Syria with an iron grip for nearly three decades was seen as repressive by many. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Assads legacy will be indelibly marked by his handling of the 2011 protests, which spiralled into a devastating civil war. The conflict claimed over half a million lives, forced six million people to become refugees, and left countless others internally displaced. Over the past 11 days, a rebel alliance charged through Syria in the boldest challenge to the Assad rule in years following decades of brutal reign by the Assad dynasty marked by fighting, bloodshed and an oppressive political crackdown. Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: December 08, 2024, 23:41 IST Syrian President Assad Flees Damascus As Rebels Storm Capital, Take Over Television Network Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 10:42 IST The Bashar Al-Assad regime collapsed as the rebel forces entered Damascus on Sunday, forcing the President to flee the capital city, according to sources. Syrian rebel groups storm Damascus, take over capital (AP Image) Assad Regime Collapses: Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad fled Damascus as the Islamist coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led rebel forces entered the capital city on Sunday and took over key strategic positions. They also took control of the state television and broadcasting headquarters in the city. The residents of the city reported sounds of gunfire as the Syrian capital fell. related stories Anti-Regime Forces Enter Damascus They entered Damascus overnight searching for Assad, however, they failed to find him, the report said. Militarily, Damascus has fallen," CNN reported quoting a source familiar with the rebel groups movements. The rebels were also in touch with the senior Assad regime officials who are mulling defecting, CNN reported. Assad was nowhere to be found in Damascus", a source said. His military leadership ordered the surrender of the remaining soldiers and informed the troops that the regime has collapsed, according to reports. Rebel Groups Advance Further The anti-regime forces have been closing in on the capital city from the north, south, and east, and reached suburbs as close as 5 miles and in one case barely a mile away from the capital city. The main rebel group earlier said that they had captured four cities within 24 hours Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda, and Homs and it would now lay its focus on Damascus. Our operations are continuing to liberate the entire Damascus countryside, and our eyes are on the capital, Damascus," spokesperson Lt. Col. Hassan Abdul Ghani was quoted as saying early on Sunday. Chaos At Damascus Airport Chaotic scenes unfolded inside the Damascus airport as the anti-regime forces stormed the capital city. Scores of people rushed through the security checkpoints and ran to the departure gates, attempting to flee the country. Syrias rebel force comprise Islamist and moderate groups who shed their differences and united to fight the Assad regime, ISIS and Iran-backed militias. Donald Trump On Syria Situation US President-elect Donald Trump termed Syria as a mess and said that the United States should stay out of it. He said that the removal of Assad may be the best thing that can happen" to the country which has long seen a civil war. Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" Trump posted on X. US Not To Dive Into Syrian Civil War top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all US National Security Advisor that the United States will want to ensure prevention of the resurgence of ISIS, however, it would not get involved in the civil war in Syria. He said that the US is not going to dive into" the current Syrian situation but will take steps to prevent the ISIS resurgence. Location : Damascus, Syria First Published: December 08, 2024, 07:36 IST Syrian PM Says Ready For Handover Of Power As Damascus Falls To Rebels, Biden Monitors Situation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 10:41 IST President Bashar Al-Assad fled Damascus as rebel forces stormed the Syrian capital on Sunday, leading to the fall of his regime. Syria civil war: Assad flees Damascus (AP Image) Syrian Regime Falls: After Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad fled Damascus, Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said on Sunday that he was ready to cooperate" with any leadership chosen by the people. He said that Syria can be a normal country" that builds good relations with the world, including its neighbours. but this issue is up to any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. We are ready to cooperate with it (that leadership) and offer all possible facilities," Jalali said in a speech broadcast on his Facebook account. related stories He announced he was ready for any handover procedures". Institutions Remain Under PM Until Handover: Syrian Rebels As the Prime Minister expressed willingness to cooperate in the transfer of power, an anti-regime leader said that the institutions of the country will remain with PM until official handover. To all military forces in the city of Damascus, it is strictly forbidden to approach public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until they are officially handed over," Leader of Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham said. He also forbade the rebels from shooting into the air. Assad Fled Country, Damascus Free Of Tyrant: Rebels The rebels declared the fleeing of Assad from the country on Sunday and called upon the citizens of the country living abroad to return to a free Syria". Damascus was free of the tyrant," they said. The rebel factions said on Telegram that tyrant Assad" has fled and we declare the city of Damascus free". After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and (forced) displacement we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria," they said. Biden Monitoring Developments In Syria: White House US President Joe Biden is monitoring extraordinary events" unfolding in Syria, the White House said in a statement, as Assad fled the country and anti-regime forces took control of the capital city. President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners," National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett posted on X. The main rebel group had earlier said that they captured four cities within 24 hours Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda, and Homs and the next stop was the capital city of Damascus. The anti-regime groups stormed the capital on early Sunday morning and captured key positions. President Assad was nowhere to be found, shortly after which rebels announced the end of his regime. Since November 27, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies have launched a massive offensive, taking large parts of the country from government control. This included major cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In southern and eastern Syria, local rebels took over, forcing government forces to retreat. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Damascus, Syria First Published: December 08, 2024, 09:28 IST Syrian Rebels Declare Damascus 'Liberated' In First Televised Address, Army Says Fight Continues Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 15:19 IST Bashar Al-Assad fled the country on Sunday as rebels fought their way into Damascus after days of fighting and capturing other major cities. Syrian civil war (AP Image) Syrian Civil War: The Syrian rebels announced on Sunday that the capital city, Damascus, had been liberated" and President Bashar al-Assad had been toppled, delivering their first statement to the nation on state TV. The city of Damascus has been liberated," a man dressed in civilian clothes said. related stories The tyrant Bashar al Assad has been toppled," he said, adding that the rebels have freed the prisoners from the prison of Damascus. We wish all our fighters and citizens preserve and maintain the property of the state of Syria. Long live Syria," the rebels said. Syrians Celebrate Assads Ouster The people of the country took to the streets to celebrate hours after Assad fled the country. They took down the statues of the Assad family all across the country as dramatic scenes unfolded from parts of the country. HISTORIC SCENES UNFOLDING: Statues of Hafez al-Assad are being destroyed all across Syria. pic.twitter.com/Qf74Vz6sgT Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 8, 2024 However, the Syrian army said that its forces are continuing their operations in the countryside of Hama, Homs, and Deraa. The military has yet not commented on the takeover of Damascus by the rebels. It has also made no remarks on Assads ouster from the country. US-Backed Force Calls Assads Ouster Historic Moment top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all General Commander of the Kurdish-led and US-backed force Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi said that Syria is undergoing the fall of an authoritarian regime and termed the day as a historic moment". This change is an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantees the rights of all Syrians," the commander said. Location : Damascus, Syria First Published: December 08, 2024, 12:28 IST By Dames Alexander Sinaga JAKARTA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- It has been over a month since Prabowo Subianto assumed office as president of Indonesia, the world's fourth-most populous country. The former army general announced that his administration, officially known as the "Red and White Cabinet," has introduced several policies aimed at improving citizens' welfare. The Red and White Cabinet, comprising 48 ministers and five heads of ministerial-level agencies, features both new faces and experienced officials from the previous administration of Joko Widodo. "It's been more than a month since we took over the administration of the country, and we have provided the people with important policies," Prabowo said during a recent plenary cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta. Prabowo, who once chaired the Indonesian Farmers Association, highlighted the importance of supporting agricultural livelihoods. One of his administration's initial measures is debt relief for individuals and micro, small, and medium enterprises in the farming, fishing, and plantation sectors. Other recent initiatives include a 6.5 percent increase in the minimum wage for 2025 and a 10 percent reduction in domestic airfares during the year-end holiday season, which have been well received by many. According to Irwansyah, a political science lecturer at the University of Indonesia, Prabowo's administration has been working to address various national concerns while managing a broad political coalition. He noted that balancing competing priorities within the government could shape future policy directions. Prabowo leads the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) and is supported by major parties such as Golkar, the country's second-largest political party, and the National Mandate Party. The composition of the cabinet reflects efforts to accommodate diverse political interests while ensuring policy continuity and stability, said Irwansyah. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Prabowo and his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo's eldest son, presented an eight-point development program called Asta Cita. The program outlines goals such as strengthening Indonesia's national principles of Pancasila, democracy, and human rights; enhancing national defense and security; and promoting national independence through self-sufficiency in food, energy, water, the creative economy, the green economy, and the blue economy. Irwansyah noted that Asta Cita builds on Widodo's decade-long development agenda, Nawa Cita, which was first introduced as a nine-point program during the 2014 presidential campaign. While Asta Cita is seen by some as a rebranding of Nawa Cita, both initiatives share a common focus on sustainable development and national resilience, though several goals from Nawa Cita remain unfulfilled. The expert also identified several key challenges for Prabowo's administration. Addressing economic constraints and ensuring efficient budget management remain pressing concerns, he said, especially amid a dynamic global economic environment. He highlighted that continued efforts to strengthen governance and public trust will be essential for effective policy implementation. "Clear communication of policy goals and transparent decision-making processes could enhance administrative performance," he said. On the international front, he said, the administration is expected to navigate evolving geopolitical dynamics involving the world's major countries. Crafting a clear foreign policy strategy will likely help maintain Indonesia's stability and international standing. Domestically, fostering social cohesion and managing diverse societal interests will be important as the government seeks to implement its policy agenda. "Promoting dialogue and engagement with various stakeholders could strengthen national unity and stability," he added. Syrian Rebels Storm Presidential Palace; Loot Furniture, Assads Personal Belongings | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 20:29 IST Several videos were doing rounds the corner on social media where people were seen roaming and filming inside the presidential palace. People take pictures inside the palace. (Image: AP) The Syrian opposition fighters have taken over the Presidential Palace in Damascus after a lightning offensive that seized control of the capital and ousted President Bashar al-Assad, ending five decades of Baath rule in the country. Several videos were doing rounds the corner on social media where people were seen roaming and filming inside the presidential palace, Al-Rawda, in Damascus on Sunday. related stories Follow LIVE Updates Here The video showed people entering the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, as children ran through the grand rooms and men slid a large trunk across the ornate floor. They also smashed Assads family portraits in the presidential palace. According to a report by AFP, the palaces reception hall was set ablaze by the rebels. Russias decade long effort to prop up Syrian dictator Assad has failed, with rebels in full control after only one week fighting.Inside Assads presidential palace, Damascus. pic.twitter.com/wHVqtezBfq KyivPost (@KyivPost) December 8, 2024 Groups of Syrians also strolled through the palace, wandering from room to room, posing for photographs, and with some taking items of furniture or ornaments. Several men also carried smart chairs over their shoulders. In a storeroom, cupboards were ransacked and objects strewn across the floor. In the first television address on Sunday, the Syrian rebels announced that the capital city has been liberated" and Assad government has been toppled. Syrian rebels are now smashing gilded Assad family portraits in the presidential palace of Damascus pic.twitter.com/BZpZuIjwUr Drew Pavlou (@DrewPavlou) December 8, 2024 A video of another palace, the Muhajreen Palace, showed rebels walking across a white marble floor and through tall wooden doors. A man was seen carrying a vase in his hand, and a large cabinet stood empty with its doors ajar. The presidents departure, which was also reported by a war monitor, comes less than two weeks after the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group launched its campaign challenging more than five decades of rule by the Assad family. Syrian Rebels Topple Statues Of Assads Father Earlier today, some videos showed the protesters dragging statues of Assads father and former President Hafez al-Assad through the capital city in a show of support for the opposition forces. Hafez Al-Assad assumed the office of Prime Minister after seizing power through a dramatic coup in 1970 and served as Syrias President till his death in 2000. Then his son, Bashar al-Assad, succeeded to power and ruled Syria for over two decades till an armed rebellion overthrew his regime. This statue of the late Syrian president, Hafez Assad, the father of current leader Bashar Assad, was torn down in the city of Hama after rebels took control. pic.twitter.com/iX4JiV5kCN DW News (@dwnews) December 7, 2024 In Hama city, which is located 200 km from Damascus, the statue of Hafez al-Assad was pulled down and destroyed by the protesters amid celebrations and loud noises of slogans. In another video, the protesters supporting the rebels were seen dragging the statues decapitated head with a vehicle. It was dragged through the road as they sat on it and chased it to kick. In the city of Latakia too, a statue of the former President was pulled down as protesters cheered with celebrations all around. This is the head of a statue of Hafez Al-Assad. The person who massacred their families in the 80s, the former dictator and the father of the current dictator. Syrians will never stop fighting until freedom is achieved. This is #Hama pic.twitter.com/wxQJTGwlyj Omar Alshogre | (@omarAlshogre) December 6, 2024 Syrians Celebrate Assads Ouster The people of the country took to the streets to celebrate hours after Assad fled the country. They took down the statues of the Assad family all across the country as dramatic scenes unfolded from parts of the country. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Many gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes similar to the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Damascus, Syria First Published: December 08, 2024, 19:07 IST 'Victory To Islamic Nation': Leader Of Syria's Biggest Rebel Faction Hails Assad's Fall Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 23:09 IST The leader of Syrias Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus visited capitals landmark Umayyad Mosque. The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, address a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque (AFP) In his first public appearance after ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday, the leader of Syrias biggest rebel faction Abu Mohammed al-Golani hailed the fall of Assad as a victory to the Islamic nation." He also told the gathering that Assad had made Syria a farm for Irans greed." related stories Follow LIVE Updates The leader of Syrias Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus visited capitals landmark Umayyad Mosque Sunday. Jolani while addressing , used his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa. He greeted the crowd amid cheering and chants of Allahu akbar (God is greatest)," a video shared by the rebels on their Telegram channel showed. Celebrations erupted around Syria and crowds ransacked Assads palace earlier today the HTS, formerly known as the Al-Nusra Front and affiliated with the terror group Al-Qaeda, along with allied factions, ended five decades of Baath party rule. Earlier, Russia confirmed today that Assad has resigned from the post of the President of Syria and left the country. While there has been no communication from Assad or his entourage on his whereabouts, Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said he was ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people". Assad Fled To Unknown Destination The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Assad left on a private plane that took off from Damascus international airport at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Saturday night, without specifying where he headed. After that, the army and security forces pulled out of the airport, with commercial flights already suspended earlier, added the Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources on the ground. There have been speculations that Assad have been killed after it abruptly reversed course and flew in the opposite direction for several minutes before vanishing from radar near the city of Homs, Reuters reported. Celebrations Across Syria Residents in the capital were seen cheering in the streets as the rebel factions heralded the departure of tyrant" Assad, saying, We declare the city of Damascus free." The people of the country took to the streets to celebrate hours after Assad fled the country. They took down the statues of the Assad family all across the country as dramatic scenes unfolded from parts of the country. As rebels entered the capital, HTS said its fighters broke into a jail on the outskirts of Damascus, announcing an end of the era of tyranny in the prison of Sednaya", which has become a by-word for the darkest abuses of Assads era. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all UN war crimes investigators on Sunday described Assads fall as a historic new beginning" for Syrians, urging those taking charge to ensure the atrocities" committed under his rule are not repeated. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Damascus, Syria First Published: December 08, 2024, 22:09 IST What Happened To Bashar Al-Assad After Rebel Takeover Of Syria? Flight Path Sparks Mystery Curated By : & News18.com Last Updated: December 08, 2024, 18:09 IST Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad fled the country on Sunday as rebel groups reached Damascus, leading to the fall of his regime. A Syrian anti government fighter shoots against a large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, hanging on the facade of a municipal building in the west-central city of Hama (AFP) Syrian Regime Falls: Syrias ousted President Bashar Al-Assad, who fled the country on Sunday morning after rebels stormed Damascus, may have been killed in a plane crash, sources told news agency Reuters. The report cited the unexplained U-turn and disappearance" of Assads flight from the capital city, according to Flightradar data. related stories Meanwhile, Russia has said that Assad has resigned from the post of the President of Syria and left the country to an unknown destination. Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali earlier said that he didnt know the whereabouts of Assad and his defence minister. He told the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya that they lost communication Saturday night. What Fueled Speculations Of Assads Death? Reuters cited data from the Flightradar website and reported that a Syrian plane took off from the Damascus airport around the same time when the capital city was stormed by the anti-regime forces. The flight initially moved towards Syrias coastal region which is believed to be his stronghold. However, the plane made a U-turn abruptly and flew in the opposite direction for some time before it disappeared from the map. The abrupt U-turn and disappearance from the radar fueled speculations Assad might have been killed mid-air. The flight data indicates that the jet descended sharply from 3,650 metres to 1,070 metres in the minutes before disappearing, fuelling speculation it may have been targeted as it crossed the rebel-held territory of Homs. Here is the screen recording on Flight Radar of SYR9218 going off the radar. Allegedly, with Assad on board. #Syria pic.twitter.com/cK3Dd3yLjI SpiltyTea (@Spiltea) December 8, 2024 No Clarity If Assad Was On Board Two Syrian sources told Reuters that there was a very high probability" that the fleeing President may have been killed if he was on the plane". One source said that the possibility of the transponder being switched off also exists, but I believe the bigger probability is that the aircraft was taken down". Assad Seeking Refuge In Moscow? As the rebel advanced, there were speculation that he may seek refuge in Russia or Iran. As per the report, Assad was visiting Moscow just before the rebel offensive and Iranian news agencies published a photograph of him that showing him meeting a top Iranian official in Damascus. Assad has not spoken in public since the rebels advance a week ago, when insurgents seized northern Aleppo in a surprise attack before marching into a succession of cities as frontlines crumbled. Who Is Bashar Al-Assad? Bashar Al-Assad came to power succeeding his father Hafez Al-Assad in 2000 and ruled Syria for over two decades till an armed rebellion overthrew his regime. Bashar Al-Assads fathers rule over Syria with an iron grip for nearly three decades was seen as repressive by many. Assads legacy will be indelibly marked by his handling of the 2011 protests, which spiralled into a devastating civil war. The conflict claimed over half a million lives, forced six million people to become refugees, and left countless others internally displaced. The removal of Assad, who has not been heard from since the rebels claim, brings an end to more than 50 years of his familys rule in Syria. People Celebrate Assads Ouster The Syrians, especially the supporters of the rebel group, gathered to celebrate in the central squares of Damascus and other cities, ringing out celebratory gunshots and honking horns. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In Syria, the opposition forces also reportedly freed all the detainees from Damascus notorious Sednaya jail, announcing an end of the era of tyranny in the prison of Sednaya". (With inputs from Reuters) Location : Damascus, Syria First Published: December 08, 2024, 15:43 IST Bashar Al-Assad, The Ousted President Who Ignited Syrian Civil War And Oversaw 500,000 Killings Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 00:17 IST Syria was thrown into a civil war by President Bashar Al-Assad as he led a bloody crackdown on the peaceful protestors in 2011. Assad fled the country on Sunday, as a result of rebels storming Damascus. Syrian civil war: President Bashar Al-Assad (AP Image) Syrian Regime Falls: Ousted Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad fled the country on Sunday as the rebels entered the capital city of Damascus, ending not only his 24-year rule but also leading to the downfall of his clans five-decade reign in the country. In his over two-decade rule, Assad cracked down on a pro-democracy revolution that led to one of the bloodiest civil wars in the 21st century. related stories His reign came to an end with his departure from the country and the announcement by Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali to hand over the power to the people of Syria. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Who Is Bashar Al-Assad? Assad relied on his alliances with Russia, Iran, and Lebanons Hezbollah for years to remain in power. He faced nationwide protests and armed rebellion demanding his removal from power. He crushed all of it with an iron fist to take control back of much of Syria in the civil war that broke out in 2011. He led a merciless war of survival for his rule and presented himself in front of the people in the country and the outside world as though he was Syrias only option to counter the Islamist threat. However, an Islamist-led rebel offensive began on November 27 and continued until taking control over the capital city. Assad portrayed himself as the protector of Syrias minorities, a wall against extremism and the only person capable of providing stability to a country torn by war. There were several votes held over the years only on government-held territory and he won majority of the ballots. The Western countries raised alarms that the elections were neither free nor fair. He is the son of Hafez al-Assad who ruled Syria for nearly three decades until his death in 2000. Hafez, who was the head of the Syrian Baath Party, brought upon the people of the country a regime where the slightest suspicion of dissent was sufficient to land one in jail or even worse. He possesses the same qualities as his father. Bashar was not in line to take over as the President, however, he had to fall in line to take over the post after his older brother Bassel, who was expected to inherit power, died in a road accident in 1994. Bashar dropped his studies in ophthalmology in London and left the city where he had met his wife Asma, a British-Syrian and Sunni Muslim. Upon his return to Syria, he undertook a military studies course and was tutored in politics by his father. After his fathers death, Bashar took over as president by referendum, running unopposed. He won a second term in 2007. He took charge of the office at the age of 34 and was earlier seen as a reformer by Syrians, who could end the repression and bring about some economic liberalisation. However, his initial image as a reformer did not last long after the authorities jailed academics, intellectuals, and other members of the Damascus Spring movement. When the Arab Spring arrived in Syria in March 2011, peaceful protests erupted that called for a change. Assad, as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, ordered a brutal crackdown on the protestors which led to a civil war in the country that killed over 5,00,000 people and left half the population displaced. His stance on the crackdown on the protestors did not change as he justified the bombings and military actions as a war on terrorists". Assad maintained his stance throughout his regime that the conflict in Syria was orchestrated from abroad. The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and (to) redraw the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West," Assad said on Monday. Location : Damascus, Syria First Published: December 08, 2024, 11:57 IST The dealers who sell Stellantis vehicles have been complaining for years about the damage inflicted on their businesses by company policies, going public with their gripes via an open letter this fall to warn about the company's direction. And they've felt ignored. So dealers contending with high prices and inventory were relieved to see CEO Carlos Tavares resign this week, the Detroit Free Press reports. They realize changes won't be instant, but there are several steps the dealers want the next CEO to take quickly. For starters, one said, "We hope for a leader who values collaboration with dealers." NANNING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 ASEAN-Oriented Cultural Exchange and Cooperation Forum kicked off on Sunday in Nanning, the capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, highlighting cultural exchange and tourism cooperation between China and ASEAN. Some 150 guests from home and abroad attended the forum, sharing suggestions on in-depth cultural experiences and cross-border tourism cooperation between China and ASEAN member states. Natalia Bayona, executive director of the United Nations (UN) World Tourism Organization, delivered a speech by video link. She suggested that both sides could enhance communication and coordination in fields such as policy formulation, market trend analysis and tourism product innovation. Bayona also called on China and ASEAN to pay attention to strengthening exchange and cooperation in the protection of their cultural heritage. Formerly known as the China-ASEAN Cultural Forum, the event has been held 18 times and serves as a high-level exchange platform in humanities between China and ASEAN. The forum's host region, Guangxi, is at the forefront of China's opening-up and cooperation with ASEAN. Since the beginning of this year, Guangxi has sent cultural and tourism exchange delegations to ASEAN members such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam to carry out cultural exchange and tourism promotion activities. Guangxi has become an important transport hub for Chinese tourists traveling to ASEAN countries, and a popular destination for ASEAN tourists to experience Chinese culture. To say the tiny Canadian community of the Tuktoyaktuk in the Western Arctic is worried about climate change is a little abstract. To say they're worried about their small cemetery makes it painfully real for the hamlet's 1,000 Inuvialuit residents. A New York Times Magazine story notes that only a few decades ago, people had to light a fire to thaw the ground enough to dig a grave. "Nowadays, in some corners of the cemetery, probes are too short to find the permafrost," writes Norimitsu Onishi. "Along a deep fissure running across the cemetery, gravesites have caved in and crosses lean in the same direction like dominoes ready to topple over." The cemetery is only one example: The story follows researchers documenting the accelerating loss of Tuktoyaktuk's land as permafrost melts. Onishi interviews locals who have had to move their homesthe actual structuresaway from danger zones. Residents have placed boulders along the shoreline in spots to slow the erosion, but the gist of the story is that these are all temporary measures, a way to buy time before the entire hamlet must relocate. As Onishi puts it, Tuktoyaktuk's residents are on track to become "Canada's first climate refugees." But probably not the last: The Arctic is heating up four times as fast as the global average thanks to declining sea ice, the story notes. And what is taking place in Tuktoyaktuk "is being replicated around the Arctic," says Christopher Burn, a permafrost expert at Carleton University in Ottawa. Read the full story. (Or check out other longform recaps.) / ProPublica: All of the US Is at Risk to Formaldehyde Investigation finds too-high levels of the ubiquitous chemical across the country It's a case that, per the Verge , was "a long time coming": One influencer is suing another, alleging copyright infringement and more. Alyssa Sheil and Sydney Nicole Gifford (who now sometimes goes by Sydney Nicole Slone after getting married) met each other a few years back, both of them young Amazon influencers (Sheil is now 21, Gifford 24) who lived in Austin, Texas. While a lasting friendship did not come out of those meetings, a rivalry apparently did: Both women hawk Amazon merchandise that falls into the "beige, neutral, minimalistic" category, and months after their last meeting in early 2023, Gifford says followers alerted her that Sheil's content seemed to be copying Gifford's. Gifford says Sheil often posted about the same products she'd posted about days or weeks before, often using similar photo poses or video framing. She is also suing for misappropriation of another person's likeness, claiming Sheil even changed her hairstyle in an attempt to look more like Gifforda claim made particularly complicated, Sheil says, by the fact that Sheil is a Black Latina woman while Gifford identifies as a white Hispanic. The full piece delves into the Amazon influencer program (which, not surprisingly, pushes many specific products to its participants) and influencer culture in general. This lawsuit could have wide-ranging implications for that culture, given the current lack of regulations governing it. But Sheil says the whole thing is groundless: "There are hundreds of people with the exact same aesthetic, and I'm the only one that's having to go through this." Read the full story at the Verge. (More influencer stories.) It seemed at first glance to be a typical online celebration for a major life achievement. "Thrilled to say I passed my viva with no corrections and am officially PhDone," Cambridge University scholar Ally Louks wrote last week on X to announce she'd finished her thesis to earn her PhD in English lit. But her post has since been seen nearly 118 million times, and the response to it has been far from typical, even spurring a rape threat against Louks, reports the CBC . It appears the title of her thesis"Olfactory Ethics: The Politics of Smell in Modern and Contemporary Prose"shown in the pic she posted is what set people off. Louks explains that the descriptions of those smells in literature can be exploited to boost sexism, racism, and other injusticese.g., "the attribution of a foul smell to the Black body during the trans-Atlantic slave trade as a tool of dehumanization." Although Louks tells the BBC that most of the responses she received were "incredibly nice, kind, and generous," others took on a more disturbing tone that slammed her thesis for being too "woke," per the CBC. "What a stupid f---ing thing to 'study,'" one commenter noted. Another wrote: "You would have spent your years better by getting married and having children." She even received a rape threat via email, which local police are now investigating. On Friday, Louks posted a statement from Cambridge that congratulated her on her thesis and decried the "harassment and misogyny" hurled her way from internet "trolls." As for Louks herself, she's not letting those trolls bring her down and has kept her post up, though she's not engaging with those making hurtful comments. "I didn't want them to think that they'd chased me off or that they'd affected me in any way, because they truly haven't," she tells the CBC. "I do feel safe." She also notes that, although she believes "that misogyny is at play ... I also think there's a kind of broader arc here going on about people questioning the value of literary study and of the humanities and, indeed, of academia." (More controversy stories.) The fall of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria is expected to bring about a fundamental shift in the balance of power in the Mideast. But exactly how that will play out is still in flux. Coverage: Possible vacuum: The Wall Street Journal reports that the speed with which the government collapsed10 dayshas raised fears of a "dangerous vacuum" in a nation that plays a vital role in the Mideast despite its relatively small size. The main rebel faction behind this latest military push is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, but other rebel groups operate in various regions of the country. The Wall Street Journal reports that the speed with which the government collapsed10 dayshas raised fears of a "dangerous vacuum" in a nation that plays a vital role in the Mideast despite its relatively small size. The main rebel faction behind this latest military push is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, but other rebel groups operate in various regions of the country. Russia, Iran: In some ways, Assad's fate was sealed by the wars in Ukraine and Lebanon, notes the Journal. His regime has for years been propped by Russia and Iran, but both nations have withdrawn military resources for those wars. (Iran backs Hezbollah in Lebanon.) Russia and Iran also evacuated personnel from Syria in recent days, rather than helping Assad fend off the assault. Guyana is revisiting a dark history nearly a half-century after the Rev. Jim Jones and more than 900 of his followers died in a 1978 mass suicide-murder in the rural interior of the South American country. A government-backed tour operator wants to open the former commune now shrouded by lush vegetation to visitors, a proposal that is reopening old wounds, the AP reports, with opponents saying it would disrespect victims and bring up a painful past. "We think it is about time," said Rose Sewcharran, director of Wonderlust Adventures. "This happens all over the world. We have multiple examples of dark, morbid tourism around the world, including Auschwitz and the Holocaust museum." Jordan Vilchez, who grew up in California and was moved into the Peoples Temple commune at age 14, said from the US that she has mixed feelings about the tour. She was in Guyana's capital when Jones ordered hundreds of his followers to drink a poisoned grape-flavored drink that was given to children first. Her two sisters and two nephews were among the victims. "I just missed dying by one day," she said. Vilchez, 67, said Guyana has every right to profit from any plans related to Jonestown but added, "Then on the other hand, I just feel like any situation where people were manipulated into their deaths should be treated with respect." Vilchez wants the tour operator to provide context and explain why so many people went to Guyana trusting they would find a better life, per the AP. The tour would ferry visitors to the far-flung village of Port Kaituma, nestled in the lush jungles of northern Guyana. It's a trip available only by boat, helicopter or plane; rivers instead of roads connect Guyana's interior. Once there, it's another six miles via a rough and overgrown dirt trail to the abandoned commune and former agricultural settlement. Neville Bissember, a law professor at the University of Guyana, questioned the idea, calling it "ghoulish and bizarre" in a recently published letter. "What part of Guyana's nature and culture is represented in a place where death by mass suicide and other atrocities and human rights violations were perpetuated against a submissive group of American citizens, which had nothing to do with Guyana nor Guyanese?" he wrote. (More Jonestown massacre stories.) Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family, Russian state media reported Sunday, and was granted asylum "for humanitarian reasons." The report could not immediately be confirmed by outside outlets. Russia had supported Assad's government, and a Kremlin official said Syrian rebels provided assurances, the Washington Post reports. "Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition who have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria," per Tass. Addressing the nation from the White House on Sunday, President Biden called Assad's fall a "fundamental act of justice" after decades of brutality and repression. He cautioned that for the Middle East, this is "a moment of risk and uncertainty," per the AP. Biden said actions by the US and allies weakened Syria's supporters. "For the first time" the president said, Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah could not keep what he called "this abhorrent regime" in power. "Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," Biden said. He added that the US will work with all groups to help the move "toward an independent, sovereign Syria," per the New York Times. He revealed that the military launched airstrikes on Sunday to try to keep the Islamic State from filling the void. "US forces conducted a dozen of precision strikes, airstrikes, within Syria, targeting ISIS camps and ISIS operatives," he said. Among the priorities for the Biden administration is gaining the release of Austin Tice, the American journalist who went missing in Syria in 2012. "We believe he's alive," Biden said after reading his statement Sunday. "We think we can get him back." Tice's mother said Friday she has been provided information that her son is alive. The head of the Syrian Emergency Task Force told CBS News on Sunday that rebels are trying to locate Tice, per the Post. (More Syria stories.) Tourists stroll on a commercial street at night in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi) An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 7, 2024 shows a night fair on a street in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi) Tourists select flowers on a street at night in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi) Tourists visit a night fair on a street in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi) Tourists visit a night fair in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei) Tourists pose for a photo on a street at night in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi) Tourists have rice noodles at a restaurant on a street at night in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi) Tourists select clothes on a street at night in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi) Tourists walk past a shopping mall in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows Israeli troops near the buffer zone between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that its troops have entered the buffer zone between Israel and Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that its troops have entered the buffer zone between Israel and Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government. The IDF said in a statement that it "has deployed forces in the buffer zone and other areas deemed necessary for defense." The military added that it aims to establish a defensive line in the Golan Heights and prevent movement from Syria toward the border. While emphasizing that it is "not interfering with the internal events in Syria," the IDF warned that it "will continue to act as necessary to preserve the buffer zone and defend Israel and its civilians." School studies in four Druze communities in the northern Golan Heights, including Buq'ata, Ein Qiniye, Mas'ade, and Majdal Shams, were cancelled, and the students were called to carry on with educational activity online. Additionally, agricultural areas of Merom Golan-Ein Zivan and Buq'ata-Khirbet Ein Hura in the Golan Heights were declared "a closed military zone," the IDF said. On Friday, the IDF announced that it was reinforcing its ground and air forces along the border and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. The buffer zone, a UN-monitored demilitarized area established under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria, is intended to remain free of military presence. This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows Israeli troops in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that its troops have entered the buffer zone between Israel and Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua) A man looks at the regions of Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Dec. 8, 2024. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that its troops have entered the buffer zone between Israel and Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows Israeli troops near the buffer zone between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that its troops have entered the buffer zone between Israel and Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows the buffer zone between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that its troops have entered the buffer zone between Israel and Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows Israeli troops in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that its troops have entered the buffer zone between Israel and Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Syrian opposition fighters announced a curfew in Damascus on Sunday, effective from 4 p.m. (1300 GMT) to 5 a.m. local time, following their capture of the Syrian capital that led to the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's government. New York City residents interested in crime in their neighborhoods can head to a website published by their police department and pull up a detailed map of incidents. If Hudson County residents wanted that level of information, theyd have to make the map themselves. Authorities in Middlesex County arrested a 23-year-old alleged to have been driving the car that killed a 57-year-old woman crossing the street in Perth Amboy on her way home from work on Thursday, officials said. Jarleidys A. Bautista, 23, of Perth Amboy, was arrested Saturday and charged with second-degree leaving the scene of an accident and third-degree endangering an injured victim, officials from the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office announced Saturday in a statement. Perth Amboy police responded to the area of Elm Street between Market Street and Riverview Drive around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday for a report of someone hit by a car, authorities said. Police found Gladis Ruiz, 57, of Elizabeth, suffering from injuries at the scene and she was rushed to the hospital for treatment, officials said. Ruiz was later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to authorities. Investigators determined that Ruiz was crossing the street at the time she was struck and was walking home from work, officials said. Bautista remains in custody at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending a detention hearing, officials said. An attorney for Bautista was not immediately listed in court records Saturday. The investigation remains active and ongoing, according to officials, and anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Perth Amboy Police Department or the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X A Mercer County man was killed and a Burlington County man was critically wounded in a shooting early Sunday outside a bar on Dickinson Street in East Trenton, authorities said. City police officers responded to multiple calls about a shooting around 12:55 a.m. and found one man with gunshot wounds. He was transported by Trenton EMS to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in the city, Trenton Police spokesperson Capt. Lisette Rios told NJ Advance Media. Another man with a gunshot wound from the same incident was transported privately to the hospital, she said. Both were initially in extremely critical condition. One, identified later as Kristoffer Givens, 47, of Ewing, later died, the Mercer County Prosecutors Office said. The other, a Willingboro resident, was in stable condition Sunday. Prosecutors Homicide Task Force detectives learned there was an argument outside of the bar and multiple shots were fired. The Willingboro man was taken to the hospital by private vehicle; police officers found Givens about a block away and was treated by Trenton EMS. No arrests have been made as of Sunday. Anyone with information can contact Detective Ramon Santiago at 609-989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at 609- 256-0997 or via email at mchtftips@mercercounty.org. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. A Southampton woman was pronounced dead Saturday after a single-car crash in Burlington County, police said in a statement. Pemberton police responded to a call just after 6:30 p.m. on Friday where a Subaru Outback collided with a tree on Fort Dix Road. The driver, Jacquelin Warner, was heading westbound on the street before veering off-road and striking a tree head-on, according to police. Paramedics arrived at the scene and found Warner unresponsive and not breathing. She was taken to Deborah Capital Health in Browns Mills and then Cooper University Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries early Saturday morning, the statement said. The Pemberton Township Traffic Unit is currently investigating the crash. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Christopher Burch can be reached at cburch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SwishBurch. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips/. As art museums go, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan is the cathedral of museums. No. The basilica. And when I visited two days before Thanksgiving, the plaza and steps were filled and buzzing with patrons of all ages. It almost seemed like it was Christmas. And once you entered the Medieval Sculpture Hall, it certainly was, as you saw the second most memorable tree in Manhattan with the Neapolitan Baroque Creche. The tall 20-foot blue spruce is adorned with cherubs and angels. More than 70 additional figures at the base represent the three elements of Nativity scenes traditional to 18th-century Naples: shepherds and their flocks, the three Magi, and peasants and townspeople. Enhancing the display are nearly 50 animals and background elements such as the ruins of a Roman temple, several quaint houses and a typical Italian fountain that create a dramatic setting for the Nativity. You can catch this holiday exhibit through Jan. 6. Then wander into the Cantor Galleries to see the silver menorah from the late 19th century crafted for the Great Synagogue in Ukraine. The museum claims it is one of the largest silver Hanukkah lamps known. On loan from the Moldovan Family Collection, the Hanukkah menorah commemorates an important moment in Jewish history: the triumphant Maccabean revolt against the oppressive Seleucid Empire and the reconsecration of the Jewish Holy Temple in 165 BC. The lamps eight branches refer to the miracle in which the last vessel of oil, which should have lasted only one day, kept the temple menorah lit for eight days to allow for the temples rebirth. Religion was the reason for my visit, so I also ventured into Siena, Italy, back in the first half of the 14th century when the Tuscan city was one of the great capitals of Italy. It was not a port or river city, but Siena sat strategically on a major route from northern Europe to Rome and further south to Naples. After a military victory over the Florentines in 1260, the Sienese dedicated their city to the Virgin Mary, whose image was emblazoned on all official documents with the inscription May the Virgin protect ancient Siena whose beauty she preserves. In 1285, an elected council of nine leaders brought a period of peace and prosperity until 1355, when the plague wiped out half the citys population, including many of the artists whose works are exhibited at the Met. Artists, especially painters, transformed Siena to create large decorative pieces for civic and religious buildings while also producing smaller paintings collected and admired far beyond the city walls. On view through Jan. 26, the Mets Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350, the first exhibit outside of Europe to focus on the extraordinary achievement of Sienese artists in the 1300s, highlights four remarkable painters: Duccio di Buoninsegna, Simone Martini and brothers Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. These religious works are a feast for the eyes, and you need to linger in front of them so you can notice the humanity within them. Christmas is a time for seeing many depictions of the Mother and Child. Examine di Buoninsegnas Virgin and Child. The curator captures how Duccio has suffused the figure of the Virgin with a gentle grace and a melancholy that contrasts with the playfulness of the Christ Child. The infant grasps his mothers veil as babies do. Segna di Buonaventuras Virgin and Child is placed alongside Nine Angels on one side and The Crucifixion on the right for a reason. Several paintings like it contrast Marys sorrow while holding her infant who would eventually be crucified. Looking at Simone Martinis Christ Discovered in the Temple, you notice Jesus as a teenager with arms folded, probably stewing as his parents scold him for disappearing from them. The curator captured the mood: Simone focused on exploring the dynamic of a family drama: an elderly father points to the worry that a childs absence has brought to his mother; the pouting adolescent seems unmoved. But you will be moved by viewing the rise of religious painting, and it will get you into the spirit of the holidays. The Rev. Alexander Santora is the pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph, 400 Willow Ave., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Email: padrealex@yahoo.com; X: @padrehoboken. The annual Northeast Epidemiology Conference, hosted in November by the New Jersey Department of Health, was a gathering of state epidemiologists and public health professionals from nine states and New York City. The conference occurred two days after the national election. Many present were worried about ongoing funding for public health. All of the programs have state funding, but, on average, 80% of state and local public health funding comes from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Besides personnel, this funding also supports systems to track illness and identify outbreaks. The group shared information on outbreak investigations and strategies to limit infectious and chronic diseases. Among outbreaks investigated this year were toxoplasmosis parasitic illness acquired at venison dinners in New York State; rising hospitalizations for leptospirosis in New York City, likely linked to rat urine; and eastern equine encephalitis, a mosquito-borne virus appearing in most northeastern and New England states. All states are bracing for possible bird flu in cows, with Massachusetts having established a monthly survey system for all of its dairy farms. The young, bright, enthusiastic professionals at the conference are part of our invisible shield of protection. Pathogens do not care about political party affiliation or race and ethnicity. While some neighborhoods are more protected than others from some pathogens, no place is fully safe. Parasites and viruses can become tiny terrorists, threatening our health and survival. Epidemiologists track their location, pattern of attack, and find ways to eliminate or reduce the source of the threat. This summer, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee released a Fiscal 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill proposing substantial cuts to public health funding for personnel, training, testing and research. The bill, H.R. 9029, has not yet been acted on by the full House. Ongoing support for these services is essential for our health and is a bipartisan concern. Whatever your political perspective, I urge you to contact your representatives in Washington, urging support for public health. Pauline Thomas, M.D. Note: The writer is a professor and the director of the Training Program in Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Rutgers Health-New Jersey Medical School. The Big Lie gets new life The so-called Big Lie that Donald Trump won the 2020 election now in multiple variations is back in our public life with a new vengeance. Although some people may dismiss them as just talk that wont be acted upon, the lie and its derivatives have real consequences for people and institutions that are targeted: Individuals can be hounded, hurt financially, or even killed, as on Jan. 6, 2021. As everyone now sees, Trumps claim that he knew nothing about the alleged far-right blueprint for his second term, Project 2025, looks to be false. The president-elect just designated Russell Vought, a major Project 2025 co-author, as director of his Office of Management and Budget. Trumps current nominee for attorney general, Pam Biondi, has actively supported the original election lie that led to the Jan. 6 insurrection. And, Trumps billionaire supporter, Elon Musk, is targeting retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the patriot who blew the whistle on Trumps attempt to shake down the Ukrainian president for political gain. Musk has called Vindman guilty of treason, which, under U.S. law, can be punishable by death. The national media, unfortunately, continues to do a poor job by simply reporting untrue statements, thus accepting them at face value, and leaving the public to make up their minds. However, we cannot function as a democracy if we accept our public arena as an environment for lies and self-serving manipulation, with no commitment to the greater good. This stokes cynicism, confusion, and passivity from citizens. Weve seen such behavior in nations which were, and are, under authoritarian leaders. Its not a future that any of us should want for our country. Steven Lestition, Lawrenceville Big Brother is watching you on the bridge If you drive frequently between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, youll want to be more careful than usual about your driving. Earlier this year, the Delaware River Port Authority announced that it would allow the New Jersey State Police to install a new generation of high-speed, digital license-plate reading cameras at its four bridges, the Betsy Ross, Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman and Commodore Barry. These cameras are not just an aid for toll collection; they can catch speeders and reckless drivers, and help police identify drivers with non-bridge, unpaid traffic violations. Automatic license plate scanners are becoming popular in law enforcement and can often be found on police cars, road signs and other structures. Historically in New Jersey, traffic violations and deadly accidents are at their peak from the Thanksgiving holiday to New Years Day. Drive as though your life depends on it because it does. Ed Vreeswyk, Yardville A mistake to thwart Trumps nominees Political pundits, Democrats and some Republicans are making a terrible mistake trying to thwart some of President-elect Donald Trumps nominees for high government offices, such as secretary of defense and the directors of national intelligence and the FBI. Of course, Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel, respectively, are woefully unqualified for those posts, in terms of both morality and competence. But, the Senate needs to confirm these horrendous choices. Only then will Americans realize, maybe, how much harm a second Trump presidency can inflict on America and its world standing. Hopefully, that lesson will be painful enough so that the electorate never makes such a mistake again. Yes, it will be difficult to endure the hardships we are likely to face. But the most compelling way for a child to learn not to touch a hot stove is, unfortunately, to touch a hot stove. Ouch! Rudy Larini, Somerset When Biden said, no to pardon, he meant it I am so tired of the attacks against President Joe Biden for pardoning his son Hunter. The reasons are many, but I wont bother going over them. Heres my main reason for writing: When the president promised earlier to abide by the decision of the courts in his sons criminal cases, and not pardon him, I think he meant it. At that time, Im sure Joe Biden did not believe Donald Trump would again be elected president and nominate the likes of Kash Patel to head the FBI, as well as other cronies whove vowed to weaponize the Department of Justice against of all Trumps enemies within. Theyre poised to continue to hunt Hunter to get back at the president, as well as other Democrats, for whatever crimes against their dear leader theyve imagined. Under these new circumstances, you cannot blame President Biden for pardoning his one and only surviving son. Get off his case and let the man retire in peace. Karen Banda, Bloomfield A special thanks to newspaper carriers We have been subscribers to The Times of Trenton since 1986. (Yes, were that old). Since publication of the print version is slated to cease in February, wed like to send a huge thank you to all of the newspaper carriers who have made our daily deliveries over these almost four decades. We started with boys and girls delivering on their bikes and coming to the door to collect payment every week, to men and women driving by in their vehicles, with payment being made online. But the service has always been excellent, on time and covered with protective plastic, even through rain, hail, sleet and snow. We have always included tips in our payments and for Christmas recognition, and I urge those that who are still getting home delivery to do the same, whether or not you have done so in the past. Its your last chance to show your appreciation. Unfortunately, some of these carriers are losing an important source of income and, at the very least, it would be a nice way to end an invisible, but very appreciated, relationship. Rochelle Clerkin, Hamilton Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. By Marlene Z. Asselta New Jerseys gasoline tax has long been a source of contention. The state Treasury Departments recent announcement that the per-gallon rate will rise again, effective Jan. 1, necessitates considerable debate. This tax supplies revenue for Transportation Trust Fund capital projects. The yearly tax rate is established on a predetermined formula, based on the previous years sales volume and how much money is needed to replenish the fund. While the need for significant investment in our regional infrastructure is undeniable, the way our gas-tax revenue has been allocated leaves much to be desired. South Jersey remains disproportionately underserved despite its significant contributions to the states economy. This inequity stifles our regions economic growth and leaves many communities at a disadvantage. South Jersey drivers pay the same gas-tax rate as those in the northern part of the state, yet our region sees a fraction of the benefits. Investments to improve our roadways, bridges and public transit systems are consistently disproportionately below to that of our northern neighbors. Meanwhile, South Jerseys infrastructure continues to lag, making it much more difficult for businesses to thrive and denying residents access to needed services and opportunities. Southern New Jersey contributes to the states economy through its agricultural hubs and flourishing manufacturing, logistics and tourism sectors. New Jerseys transportation planning must adopt a holistic approach that considers the unique needs of our region, including South Jerseys predominantly rural landscape. Such planning would include expansion of bus routes and commuter rail, developing regional transit hubs, and exploring innovative solutions such as on-demand ride-sharing services, tailored to low-density areas. South Jersey needs its fair share of gas tax revenue to break this cycle and unlock its full potential. Targeted investments in our infrastructure would not only level the playing field but also provide the foundation for sustained economic growth. The Southern New Jersey Development Council (SNJDC) has long advocated for a more balanced approach to infrastructure funding. We urge state leaders to adopt policies that recognize South Jerseys unique needs and contributions. Specifically: 1. Transparency in gas-tax revenue allocation: clear reporting on how funds are distributed across regions, ensuring accountability and fairness. 2. Priority funding for underserved communities: directed investments in areas with the greatest need, including rural and low-income communities in South Jersey. 3. A long-term infrastructure plan: A comprehensive strategy that prioritizes equity and considers the unique geographic and economic challenges of South Jersey. As discussions about motor fuel taxes move forward, I implore our state leaders to consider the broader implications of inequity. South Jersey deserves better, and the time to act is now. Lets work together to ensure that every community in our state, regardless of ZIP code, has access to the resources they need to succeed. Only then can we build a stronger, more equitable New Jersey. Marlene Z. Asselta is president of the Southern New Jersey Development Council, a nonprofit business group that advocates for responsible economic development in New Jerseys eight southernmost counties. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Xxxxxxxxx Vivek Ramaswamy the billionaire who failed in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination and his gambit to be Donald Trumps running mate, and had to settle for a powerless consulting job recommending cuts to the federal government tried to run interference for Trumps controversial cabinet nominees on Saturday. President Trump won by a massive margin with a historic mandate [and] he deserves the Cabinet he desires to govern, Ramaswamy tweeted. Actually ... Trump did not win by a massive margin. His popular vote victory of roughly 1.5% is one of the smallest margins in the past 100 years. In addition, in the House of Representatives, the GOP has the tiniest majority in American history. Thats not a historic mandate. Also, the Senate is given advise and consent powers by the Constitution to consult on and approve treaties signed and appointments made by the president to public positions, including Cabinet secretaries, federal judges, Officers of the Armed Forces and others. Its not a rubber stamp. So far, Matt Gaetz, Trumps nominee for Attorney General faced with allegations that he had sex with a minor, has gone down in flames before even reaching a hearing. And it appears former Fox weekend host Pete Hegseth will meet a similar fate in his bid for Secretary of Defense because of character issues. Opposition also is mounting for vaccine-denier Robert Kennedy Jr., nominated to run the Department of Health and Human Services, and Tulsi Gabbard, nominated to be the Director of National Security. Ramaswamy appears to be a student at the Tommy Tuberville School of Constitutional Law. The Alabama senator said its not the senates job to question Trumps picks. Who are we to say that were a better vetter and picker of people than Donald Trump? Tuberville told CNNs Manu Raju. When Raju noted that senators have an obligation to advise and consent, Tuberville replied: Advise and consent, but thats more the Democrats ... they should do all the background work. Tuberville added: Donald Trump did all the vetting they needed to do on Pete Hegseth. And I just cant believe we even have people on our side, theyre saying, Well, Ive got to look at this, got to look at that. Locals rally in a street in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. In a stunning turn of events on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria seized control of the capital, Damascus, following a rapid offensive that saw major Syrian cities falling like dominos within days. After taking over, opposition fighters appeared on state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- In a stunning turn of events on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria seized control of the capital, Damascus, following a rapid offensive that saw major Syrian cities falling like dominos within days. After taking over, opposition fighters appeared on state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule. A man in military fatigues, flanked by armed fighters, read a statement on air, calling it "Statement No. 1." He claimed that rebel units had captured Damascus. Opposition activists said the rebel fighters entered the Syrian capital at dawn Sunday, according to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The monitor said hundreds of government soldiers were ordered to withdraw from Damascus International Airport and were seen removing their military uniforms and donning civilian clothing. Multiple media outlets have reported that al-Assad has left the country, citing rebel forces. Xinhua reporters in Damascus witnessed intense gunshots reverberating through the streets with heavy traffic caused by cars departing the capital. Civilians took to the streets, waving the "revolution flag," an older flag used in Syria before the rule of Hafez al-Assad, the late father of Bashar al-Assad. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali announced his readiness to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. Opposition military leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad Al-Julani, declared Al-Jallali would oversee public institutions until an official transfer of authority is completed. "We extend our hands to every Syrian citizen committed to safeguarding the country's resources," Al-Jallali said in a televised address. "Syria belongs to all Syrians, and I urge everyone to think rationally about the nation's best interests." Al-Julani instructed opposition forces in Damascus to refrain from approaching public institutions and banned celebratory gunfire. "These facilities will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until they are handed over formally," he said in a statement. The opposition celebrated the release of prisoners from Sednaya Prison near Damascus. The prison was emptied as security forces withdrew. Flight data from the tracking platform FlightRadar24 showed a Syrian Air jet departing Damascus amid reports of opposition control of the capital. Initially heading toward the Alawite-dominated coastal region, the aircraft abruptly changed course before disappearing from radar, raising speculation about a possible evacuation of senior government figures. Earlier Sunday, opposition fighters secured full control of Homs, a pivotal city and strategic crossroads, after a brief but intense battle. The victory severed connections between Damascus and the coastal strongholds of al-Assad's Alawite community. "The fall of Homs marks a historic moment," Al-Julani said, urging his fighters to show restraint toward those who surrender. Thousands of prisoners in the city were freed as security forces fled, reportedly setting fire to government documents before departing. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. BUCHAREST, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Romania's High Court of Cassation and Justice on Sunday rejected a request from the party of Justice and Respect in Europe for All (DREPT) to annul the results of the recent parliamentary elections. The court ruled the appeal as "unfounded," with the decision being final. Vlad Alexandrescu, a DREPT leader, criticized the verdict in a Facebook post, noting that it legitimizes alleged manipulations. The REPER party on Friday also called for cancellation of the parliamentary elections. On Wednesday, the Central Electoral Bureau revealed that seven political parties have crossed the electoral threshold to enter Parliament. The PSD led with 22.4 percent of the Senate vote and 21.96 percent for the Chamber, followed by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians with 18.3 percent and 18.01 percent, respectively. The PNL ranked third with 14.28 percent in the Senate and 13.2 percent in the Chamber. Other parties meeting the threshold include the USR, the S.O.S. Romania, the Party of Young People, and the UDMR. Many properties across North Devon are still without power following the damage by Storm Darragh yesterday (December 7), the Gazette can reveal. Among those affected is an 88-year-old woman in North Molton, who has been without electricity for over 24 hours. The womans daughter, who lives in North Cyprus, reached out to the Gazette to express her frustration at the ongoing disruption, explaining that the situation has left her mother struggling. "We experience power cuts over here, but never for such a long period of time," she said. "This is ridiculous." The elderly resident has been informed that her electricity will not be restored until tomorrow evening at 8pm, leaving her without heat, light, and essential appliances for an extended period during cold winter conditions. National Grid has been working to address the widespread outages caused by the storm, which has brought down power lines across the region. In a social media post, Roisin Quinn, Field Operations Director at National Grid, said: Wed like to thank all customers affected by Storm Darragh for their patience. Our engineering teams are working around the clock to get you reconnected as quickly and safely as possible. As of 7pm on December 8, the electricity company confirmed on their social media page that 88,341 properties remain without power across South Wales, the South West, and the Midlands, while engineers have restored power to over 1.4 million customers. The Gazette has contacted the National Grid for further comment. Staff members count ballots at a polling station in Accra, Ghana, Dec. 7, 2024. Ghana's general election voting closed at 5 p.m., local time, Saturday, giving way to the counting of ballots. The voting began at 7 a.m., with more than 18 million eligible voters taking to the polling stations across the country to choose a new president and 276 parliamentarians. (Xinhua/Seth) ACCRA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's general election voting closed at 5 p.m., local time, Saturday, giving way to the counting of ballots. The voting began at 7 a.m., with more than 18 million eligible voters taking to the polling stations across the country to choose a new president and 276 parliamentarians. The Electoral Commission (EC) said in its afternoon update that the election was generally peaceful with no major incidents. Jean Mensah, chairperson of the EC, urged officials of the commission in charge of polling stations to discharge their duties lawfully and deliver unquestionable outcomes at the end. The EC said 13 candidates had entered the race to contest the presidential election, but one died, leaving 12, with 801 parliamentary candidates. The winner of the presidential election needs to receive 50 percent plus at least one vote. But if no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes will compete in a run-off. This is the ninth general election since the West African country returned to constitutional rule in 1992. Staff members count ballots at a polling station in Accra, Ghana, Dec. 7, 2024. Ghana's general election voting closed at 5 p.m., local time, Saturday, giving way to the counting of ballots. The voting began at 7 a.m., with more than 18 million eligible voters taking to the polling stations across the country to choose a new president and 276 parliamentarians. (Xinhua/Seth) Staff members count ballots at a polling station in Accra, Ghana, Dec. 7, 2024. Ghana's general election voting closed at 5 p.m., local time, Saturday, giving way to the counting of ballots. The voting began at 7 a.m., with more than 18 million eligible voters taking to the polling stations across the country to choose a new president and 276 parliamentarians. (Xinhua/Seth) Staff members count ballots at a polling station in Accra, Ghana, Dec. 7, 2024. Ghana's general election voting closed at 5 p.m., local time, Saturday, giving way to the counting of ballots. The voting began at 7 a.m., with more than 18 million eligible voters taking to the polling stations across the country to choose a new president and 276 parliamentarians. (Xinhua/Seth) State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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[Photo/Xinhua] Over the past year, about 14,000 American youths have visited China for exchange and study since the announcement of China's pledge to invite 50,000 young Americans to visit in the next five years, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said in Washington on Friday. "In November last year, President Xi Jinping announced in San Francisco that China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years. To implement the initiative, China has set up a YES program -- the Young Envoys Scholarship. Over the past year, President Xi invited American youths to visit China on multiple occasions, which was warmly received here in the States," Xie said at an event promoting China-U.S. youth exchanges held at the Chinese embassy in the United States. The initiative "has provided an effective platform that brings our youths closer, opened up an important window for better understanding China, and ushered in a new chapter of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples," he added. While such people-to-people exchanges have come under some headwinds in the past few years, good news keeps coming with joint efforts, the ambassador said. Xie said what has been achieved in the past year is far from enough, and much remains to be done "to continue removing disruptions, stay undaunted by the chilling effect, oppose any backpedaling, and move forward hand in hand, to build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges and inject constant impetus into China-U.S. relations." The ambassador encouraged youths from both countries to take up the baton of history and shoulder the responsibility of fostering a stable, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relationship. Friday's event was attended by over 300 guests, including representatives of teachers and students who visited China during the year, as well as Chinese and American friends from all walks of life. Two panel discussions were held at the event, during which the panelists expressed their best wishes for China-U.S. youth exchanges, and their expectations for continued education exchange and cooperation that will benefit the two countries and the world. Chen Ji (R, front), a professor from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), advises a patient during an event in Vienna, Austria, Dec. 7, 2024. An event of TCM free consulting service was held here on Saturday. (Xinhua/He Canling) Zhang Hong (R), a professor from Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), introduces moxibustion techniques to a patient during an event in Vienna, Austria, Dec. 7, 2024. An event of TCM free consulting service was held here on Saturday. (Xinhua/He Canling) KABUL, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Sunday that it will distribute China-donated relief items to over 175,000 conflict-affected Afghans across the country in the coming weeks. According to UNHCR, the relief items, including kitchen sets, blankets, jerry cans and plastic tarpaulins, will be distributed to more than 27,500 households or over 175,000 Afghans across the war-ridden country. Welcoming China's humanitarian aid, Arafat Jamal, UNHCR's representative in Afghanistan, says, "We are immensely grateful for this important support from Chinese aid. It enables UNHCR to support displaced families who are struggling at difficult times so that they can meet their basic needs." China has supported Afghanistan over the past years with essential relief items, which have been distributed among poor and natural disaster-affected families in the country. by Xinhua writers Ma Ruxuan and Chen Binjie GENEVA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Maltese sinologist Stephen Cachia has been brimming with excitement in recent days, thanks to China's newly-extended visa-free policy. After a one-year trial, China decided in November to further broaden the scope of this policy to more European countries, including Malta. As a lecturer in Chinese history at the University of Malta and a fluent Chinese speaker, Cachia has developed a deep connection with Chinese culture. "I always encourage my students to visit China to experience its people, culture, and historical sites firsthand," he said. "This visa-free policy will make their trips much easier and more seamless." Cachia, who has visited China multiple times, looks forward to returning to explore the country again. The journey toward visa-free travel to China for Europeans began in November 2023, when China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a one-year trial of unilateral visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Under this policy, eligible individuals could visit China for business, tourism, family visits, or simply transit without a visa, with stays of up to 15 days. The trial, which started on Dec. 1, 2023, proved successful, prompting an expansion throughout 2024. By Nov. 30, 2024, the policy covered 38 countries, most of them European countries, with the maximum stay increased to 30 days. The policy also demonstrates greater flexibility by including travel for the purpose of exchanges. BOOSTING TOURISM AND EXCHANGE China's unilateral visa-free policy has fueled a surge in international arrivals. In the third quarter of 2024, China recorded nearly 8.2 million inbound trips by foreigners, a 48.8 percent year-on-year increase. Among these, around 4.9 million entries were visa-free, a remarkable 78.6 percent rise compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from Air China's Geneva office reported a significant growth in passenger numbers. Since the visa exemption's implementation on March 14, its Geneva-Beijing flights had carried around 29,000 passengers as of Nov. 30, marking an 80 percent increase compared to 2023. The rise in travel has also spurred a buzz on social media, with "China Travel" becoming a top-trending term across global platforms, such as Facebook and TikTok. Luigi Gambardella, president of the Brussels-based digital association ChinaEU, highlighted the policy's role in promoting cultural exchange. "Firsthand experiences in China help visitors break stereotypes and gain a better understanding of its social and economic dynamics," he said. In Croatia, a newly added country in November, the policy has yet to reach many people. However, Damir Kresic, managing director of Croatia's Institute for Tourism, praised the initiative as a gesture of goodwill. "This is China's way of saying to the world: You are welcome, you are all invited," he said, adding that he has been spreading the news among friends and family. FOSTERING ECONOMIC BENEFITS Marjana Majeric, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, noted that the extended 30-day visa-free period facilitates deeper economic ties, offering businesses better market access and opportunities for development cooperation. Major companies, including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, have recognized the policy's impact in streamlining business travel and enhancing investor confidence. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have also benefited, as managers now find it easier to attend exhibitions and meetings in China. Jochen Tueting, CEO of Chery Europe, explained that the visa-free regime facilitates multinationals by improving coordination among local teams in China and fostering cooperative automotive development between China and Europe. "I believe this is incredibly business-friendly and increases overall operational efficiency," Tueting said. "If we need to travel to China immediately, we can book a flight for the following day under this arrangement, which is incredibly simple and quick." DRIVING GLOBAL GROWTH Ralph Ossa, the World Trade Organization's chief economist, described the visa-free policy as "a driver of global trade in services and investment." Gambardella echoed this sentiment, noting that in an era of sluggish global economic recovery and rising protectionism, China's visa policy optimizations inject confidence and momentum into the world economy and promote economic globalization. Zheng Yongnian, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), considers the visa-free policy an important part of China's unilateral opening-up measures, which also include opening the domestic market to foreign enterprises and hosting the China International Import Expo. Together with multilateral and bilateral opening-up initiatives, such as Joining the WTO and free trade agreements, these measures have promoted a positive cycle of trade between China and the world, Zheng noted. "It demonstrates China's dedication to openness and counters the misconception of retreating into isolation," said Liang Guoyong, a senior economist with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. "This experience is worth further promotion." SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik Sunday said the prime minister and the ruling party's joint exercise of presidential power is "unconstitutional." In a televised address, Woo also said impeachment is the only legal procedure for President Yoon Suk-yeol's breach of the constitution, referring to his short-lived declaration of martial law on Tuesday. Human and Machine Intelligence: A thought Experiment and a few questions With the intention of using it as a framework for investigating machine intelligence, this author set out to describe a straightforward, comprehensive, and easy-to-understand theory of how the brain produces intelligence. Committed to defining intelligence in terms of perception, brain physiology, and anatomy, he was confident that such a broad framework would enable his theory to not only uncover the secrets of how the brain creates intelligence but also how it becomes aware and comprehends the thoughts it generates. Ignoring most of the other brain systems, Hawking's framework focused on the seat of intelligence, the neocortex. The MIT Turing Curse When Jeff Hawking arrived on the scene in the early 1980s, he found that neuroscience had abundant data but lacked theories. He therefore set about utilizing these data, initially as the source material for his thought experiments and later as the foundation for crafting a heuristic theory of intelligence of his own. Drawing inspiration from Alan Turing's indirect approach to defining intelligence, Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the time aimed to construct computer programs that exhibited intelligent behavior. With this strategy, there was no need to directly define intelligence or define what it meant to "understand." Indeed, when Turing himself addressed the question of how to build an intelligent machine, he believed that computers could be intelligent but refrained from engaging in the nitty-gritty arguments about its feasibility. He also felt unable to formally define intelligence, so he refrained from attempting to do so. Instead, he proposed an existence proof for intelligence-- the infamous Turing test: if a computer can deceive a human interrogator into believing that it is merely another person, then by definition, that computer is intelligent. Guided by the Turing test as his measuring stick and the universal Turing machine as his medium, Turing played a pivotal role in launching the field of AI. The central dogma of AI was that the brain is merely another type of computer. Regardless of how an AI system is designed, if it exhibits human-like behavior, it is inherently intelligent. Following Turing into this ill-conceived knowledge silo, Hawking believed that the promoters of AI had overlooked two crucial elements in building intelligent machines: intelligence and understanding. In fact, MIT, the birthplace of AI, took great pride in disregarding neurobiology because, as they argued, the neurosciences were simply too complex. Their ultimate goal was to write computer programs, akin to Turing's universal computing machines, that would match or surpass human capabilities. If this endeavor failed, they would simply simulate the entire brain. At the heart of the Turing perspective lay the notion that computers were fundamentally the same regardless of their construction details. In the Turing universe, intelligence was the enigmatic black box that only needed to demonstrate intelligent behavior. However, Hawking would demonstrate that intelligence is not merely a display of intelligent behavior but rather a phenomenon that occurs within our brains. While AI achieved remarkable success employing the Turing approach, it remained true that even with its triumphs over human beings in chess by Deep Blue, AlphaGo by DeepMind, and Jeopardy by Watson, AI still struggled to prove that Turing's universal computing machine was all that was required to replicate human intelligence in a machine. Arguably, while those three programs were highly successful and, to some extent, engaged in both creative and autonomous decision-making, few experts mistook their actions for genuine human intelligence. Most significantly, there is no evidence that any of these programs comprehended their own actions, nor did their designers appear to recognize the significance of "understanding" in defining intelligence. Thus, while those three superhuman programs were undoubtedly impressive and groundbreaking, the jury is still out on whether they were merely large and fast storage devices equipped with sophisticated lookup tables, or if they were merely the computer equivalent of John Searle's "Chinese Room," exhibiting intelligent behavior without truly understanding its origins. The recent "passing of the Turing test" by a machine only further confused the matter of the value of using an indirect test to determine what is intelligent. To truly define intelligence, the author decided he needed an entirely different framework than that provided by Turing's infamous test. He sought a framework that acknowledged the fact that while computers and brains are built on fundamentally different principles, they share many commonalities. As for their differences, one is programmed, while the other is self-organized. One requires perfection to function, while the other tolerates failures. One has a CPU, while the other lacks centralized control. Computers are human creations, while brains evolved through self-assembly, making them autonomous, self-regulating, and capable of understanding the meaning of their outputs. On the other hand, CPUs are merely collections of logic gates, and computer chips are composed of millions of logic gates working together to compute algorithms. Similarly, nerve cells can function like living logic gates, implementing the same basic logical operations as a CPU. And, like computer chips, billions of neurons collaborate to form the nervous system. Additionally, the neocortex utilizes vast amounts of memory to make predictions and compute algorithms. Beyond these comparisons, Hawking recognized that brains not only perform computations like computers but also think, are aware of their thoughts, and comprehend their meanings. These are profound differences that cannot be cleverly concealed behind superficial answers to one-on-one interrogations. Hawking believed that it is precisely these latter differences, that, so far, no computer can perform, that must be at the center of any theoretical framework attempting to explain human intelligence. This is when Hawking's engaged in an Einstein-like thought experiment that resulted in an epiphany about how brains come to perform the cognitive abilities that computers are incapable of. His "aha moment" was realizing that brains are quick to attend to new information. Could this also mean that the brain utilizes its memory as a pattern-recognition and prediction machine? Indeed, for every activity, the brain must be simultaneously making parallel sensory predictions about what it anticipates seeing, hearing, or feeling even before it experiences them? Under such conditions, accurate matches with unfolding reality (that is accurate predictions) would undoubtedly be recorded by the brain as "understanding." Therefore, the ability to make anticipatory predictions across parallel sensory modalities must be at the core of the brain's processing? Our brains must automatically store familiar prediction patterns and then "attend" to the unusual. In essence, the brain must continuously generate low-level predictions in parallel across all our senses simultaneously because most of its predictions occur routinely in the background outside awareness. These predictions must be so pervasive that what we perceive and how we perceive the world cannot solely originate from our senses alone but must also be a combination of what we sense and the predictions derived from our memory. With this thought experiment, Jeff Hawking believed he had unlocked the code of human intelligence. He had just postulated that pattern recognition and predictions were the primary functions of the neocortex and, consequently, the foundation of intelligence. If we want to comprehend what intelligence is, what creativity is, what consciousness is, what awareness is, how our brain functions, and how to construct intelligent machines, we must grasp the nature of these predictions and how the neocortex generates them. Even intelligent behavior itself is best understood as a byproduct of predictions. The author dubbed his discovery, the memory-prediction framework. It would provide the detailed mechanisms of how the brain actually implements its intelligence, awareness, consciousness, and understanding. In Walks Vernon B. Mountcastle Some time after this epiphany, Hawking came across a paper titled "An Organizing Principle for Cerebral Function," authored by Vernon B. Mountcastle, the esteemed father of neuroscience at John Hopkins University. This paper should have been to neuroscience what Einstein's 1905 paper on Special Relativity was to physics. But it wasn't. Despite being a renowned professor, Mountcastle faced challenges in convincing his colleagues of the most astonishing theoretical discovery in brain science: the remarkable uniformity of the sensory and motor regions of the neocortex. These regions, which handled inputs and outputs, were remarkably similar in appearance. For instance, the auditory input resembled the regions that processed touch, which in turn resembled the regions that controlled muscles, which in turn resembled Broca's language area, and so on. The neocortex, encompassing all these disparate sensory regions, appeared as smooth as the calm waters of a Minnesota lake. The question arose: why was this so? Mountcastle proposed an intriguing answer: since these regions all looked the same, perhaps they performed the same fundamental operations? Based on this observation, he suggested that the cortex might utilize the same identical computations across all sensory modalities to accomplish its diverse functions. While the validity of Mountcastle's paper is still being determined by time and peer-reviewed research, a closer examination at the electron microscope level revealed a remarkable truth: Mountcastle was probably correct. The entire structure of the neocortex (approximately the size of a serving napkin when spread out) contained all the sensing modalities, each packed into the same six-layered stacks of neurons. Each layer was about the thickness of a playing card, and all these layers operated in a synchronized manner. While there were indeed variations among these modal areas, these differences did not translate into variations in the way the respective signals were transmitted to the brain. And here's where Mountcastle's brilliance shines, making his theoretical weight palpable. Regardless of the sensory modality, the signals sent up to the neocortex employed the same signaling mechanism. Each sensory input was converted into identical axonal spikes before becoming an output sent to the neocortex. Consequently, Mountcastle's paper was accurate. The uniform surface of the neocortex resulted from the execution of the same axonal algorithm by all signals received, irrespective of the sensing modality engaged in the sending. This realization underscores the fact that the visual area is visual and the motor area is motoric because of the connections between the regions of the cortex and the central nervous system. Despite their structural differences, the mechanisms for transmitting signals to the brain remain consistent. Upon reading Mountcastle's paper, Hawking concluded that his thought experiment must be correct. There exists a common function and algorithm performed by all cortical regions and modalities across the neocortex. If we acknowledge that our genes specify the connections between the regions of the cortex, which is highly specific to function and species, then according to Mountcastle, vision is no different from hearing, which is no different from motor output, which is no different from sight. The cortical tissue itself must be performing the same function everywhere. Furthermore, if we assume that the neocortex recognizes patterns and then makes predictions based on them, its microscopic anatomy makes complete biological sense. Laboratory experiments with ferrets provided partial confirmation of this hypothesis. When cortical tissue containing the signaling machinery for one sensory modality was exchanged with another, the animal's sensory abilities remained unchanged. Similarly, when the ferret's hearing mechanisms were rewired to see, and its eyes to hear, the ferret's sensory abilities remained unaffected. It is universally recognized too that congenitally blind individuals can utilize their hearing or touch as substitutes for their missing sight. Hawking concluded that Mountcastle must be correct. The algorithm the cortex employed must be independent of any specific function or sensory modality. The brain employs the same process to perceive as to hear as to feel as to move. The neocortex performs a universal action that can be applied to any sensory or motor system. This unified them under a single algorithm, thereby exposing the fallacy of all previous attempts to comprehend and engineer human behavior based solely on sensory distinctions. To Hawking, this was the Rosetta Stone of neuroscience-- a single paper with a single idea that united all the diverse and remarkable capabilities of the human mind. Mountcastle vs. Turing: a Clear Victory When AI specialists attempt to create a computer capable of sight, they develop a vocabulary related to sight. If they want to comprehend language, they construct separate algorithms based on rules of grammar, syntax, and semantics, among other factors. However, if Mountcastle's theory is accurate, these approaches are not how the brain solves these problems, and their efforts are therefore destined to be suboptimal at best. The brain recognizes patterns, makes predictions, and then stores them hierarchically for future pattern matches. The higher up the hierarchy, the more general the match. In all cases, successful AI programs have been limited to the specific task for which they were designed. They lack the ability to generalize, which prevents them from thinking like humans. What we learned from Mountcastle's paper extends far beyond its carefully formulated hypothesis that inputs entering the neocortex are essentially similar. Even though sound is transmitted as compression waves through air, vision is carried as light, and touch is perceived as pressure over the skin, the sense organs that supply these signals are all distinct. However, once these signals are converted into brain-bound "action potentials," they become identical, merely electrical patterns. All human brains are pattern recognition machines. Our perceptions and knowledge of the world are constructed from these patterns. In fact, the brain is the only part of your body that lacks inherent senses. A neurosurgeon could insert a finger into your brain, and you wouldn't feel a thing. All the information that enters your mind arrives as spatial-temporal patterns on the axons, including knowledge about the brain itself! It is the very reason for the conundrum of how the brain knows of it's own existence -- otherwise known as the mind-body problem. The problem evaporates once we recognize that the way the brain knows of itself is the same way that it knows of the outside world: through the feedback from it's own neocortical sensing apparatuses. The isolation of the brain from its own operations is the cause of the philosophical knot that gives rise to the idea that mind and brain are separate. They are not. It's all body. Mind is just the feeling we get when the neocortex is operating. This feeling is simply the neocortex carrying out its normal functions. Your neocortex creates a model of the world in its hierarchical memory. Thoughts are what occurs when this model runs on its own; memory recall leads to predictions, which act like new sensory inputs, which lead to new memory recall, in a recursive loop. Our most contemplative thoughts are not driven by or even connected to the real world; they are purely a creation of our model. Altogether it is just another manifestation of Mountcastle's singular, potent algorithm, implemented by every region of the neocortex. If you connect regions of the neocortex in a suitable hierarchy and provide a stream of input using Mountcastle's algorithm, it will recognize patterns, make predictions, and learn about its environment, including about itself. Therefore, there is no reason for intelligent machines of the future to possess the same senses or capabilities as humans. Mountcastle's algorithm can be deployed in novel ways, with novel senses, within machined neocortical sheets, enabling genuine, adaptable intelligence to emerge beyond biological brains. Summary On his way to reverse-engineering the neocortex for purposes of simulating human intelligence in a machine, this engineer turned self-taught neuroscientist, has mixed the right questions with settled neuroscience and with a couple of his own epiphanies, and arguably hit the mind-body trifecta: At once, he shows how the neocortex models the world using pattern recognition to make predictions. Then explains how the neocortex uses one algorithm for all modalities of thought. And finally, almost as an afterthought, he explains how the brain only appears to be conscious. Consciousness like, thought and awareness is simply the feeling we get when the neocortex is operating. Will we ever be able to build computers that think like humans? Yes, but with some difficulties. Will intelligent computers eventually take over the world? No, because building intelligent machines is not the same thing as building self-replicating machines. Neither brains nor computers can directly self-replicate. And, in any case, self-replication does not require intelligence, and intelligence does not require self-replication. A read you will never forget. Ten stars! (Article changed on Dec 09, 2024 at 7:49 AM EST) On November 21, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Hamas military chief Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri (aka Mohammed Deif), Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, all on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. It's unclear whether Deif remains alive. Hamas's official statement on the warrants was a call to "expand the scope of accountability to all criminal occupation leaders." The more interesting reaction comes from the Israeli regime, which has announced its "intention to appeal to the court along with a demand to delay implementation of the arrest warrants" ... while simultaneously reiterating its pre-existing denial of the ICC's jurisdiction over Israel, Israeli actions, or Israeli citizens. Well, which is it going to be? Does the ICC have jurisdiction or doesn't it? If it doesn't have jurisdiction to issue the warrants, it doesn't have jurisdiction to hear an appeal of those warrants. The Israeli jurisdiction claim is based on the fact that Israel is not a member state of the International Criminal Court. But the state of Palestine IS a member state of the International Criminal Court, and the alleged actions for which the warrants were issued took place in Palestine, not Israel. ICC jurisdiction comes in two flavors: First, jurisdiction over citizens of member states who allegedly commit war crimes or crimes against humanity, no matter where those crimes are committed. That's the jurisdiction which applies to Mohammed Deif. His alleged crimes were committed in Israel, but since the state he resides in is under ICC jurisdiction, Deif is under ICC jurisdiction. Second, jurisdiction over war crimes or crimes against humanity allegedly committed in ICC member states, regardless of who, from where, allegedly commits them. That's the jurisdiction which applies to Netanyahu and Gallant. The alleged crimes were committed in Palestine. Netanyahu's and Gallant's Israeli citizenship doesn't exempt them from ICC jurisdiction any more than me being from the United States would exempt me from prosecution in, or extradition to, Poland for a murder I stood accused of committing in Warsaw. It's that latter jurisdiction which Netanyahu and Gallant deny -- but which they would necessarily have to recognize to enjoy standing to appeal the warrants. Instead of making up their minds, they're resorting to the usual Israeli regime policy of loudly demanding their own absolute exemption from, while crying everyone else's absolute obligation to, "international law" and "rules-based order." Naturally, they're backed up on that dodge by their friends in Washington, DC, who proclaim the same policy for both the US regime and its Middle East welfare client. But those exceptionalist demands are clearly wearing out their welcome elsewhere. Netanyahu and Gallant probably shouldn't plan near-future vacation trips to ICC member states. President Biden pardons son Hunter. (Image by YouTube, Channel: TODAY) Details DMCA By Bob Gaydos This week, in the category of "Wow, I didn't see that coming," we have President Joe Biden pardoning his son, Hunter. Way to go, Joe. Finally, a Democrat realized it was suicide to bring a knife to a gun fight. As has become predictable, Biden received all sorts of self-righteous criticism from some fellow Democrats and the so-called mainstream media for pardoning Hunter, after saying that he wouldn't. Democrats are supposed to be better than that, goes the argument. What about all those things he said about Trump? It just legitimizes all Trump's pardons, etcetera. Nonsense. There's not a father worth his salt in the world who would not, if he were also president of the most powerful country in the world, pardon his son while the opportunity still existed, especially considering the charges the son was convicted of and the extraordinary political and public pressure by Republicans over the years to harm the father by persecuting this son. Not pardoning Hunter would have been unforgivable. As the president said in announcing the pardon, "No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son -- and that is wrong. There has been an effort to break Hunter -- who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they've tried to break me -- and there's no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough." Indeed. The criticism of Biden, especially from the media, but also from some members of his own party, rests largely on the foolish belief that, even though Republicans have refused to play by the so-called rules of bipartisan government since about the time Ronald Reagan was elected, Democrats are still supposed to be the good guys and take the high ground, do the right, moral thing. Look where that got them in 2016 and this year. Two well-qualified women candidates for president rejected by an electorate that preferred a lying racist, amoral buffoon. A buffoon, by the way, who is a convicted felon, adjudicated rapist, twice-impeached, adulterous former president who went out of his way to do favors for family members and loyalists, be it pardons, lucrative financial deals or well-paid, low-expectation jobs. So spare me the breast-beating. And spare me the holier than thou "reporting" on the pardon. Most of the stories say Hunter Biden was convicted on a gun charge or a firearms charge or weapons charge and for tax evasion. He was actually convicted of lying on a firearms application form about his drug addiction. He also pleaded guilty to failing to pay taxes that he later paid with penalties. Not uncommon occurrences and not a major threat to society. Also, obviously a result of his addiction to drugs and alcohol. Usually, these don't wind up being felony charges. But when one political party has it in for the other political party, sometimes unusual things happen. President Biden addressed his remarks to "reasonable" persons. The few who existed in the Republican Party have left. The MAGA cultists who buy Trump's game, hook, line and sinker don't qualify. But I suspect that if some of those "just following the story" reporters would track down a few so-called "typical" Trump voters who were upset about the price of eggs, a lot of them would say they were OK with a father pardoning his son. In this case an 82-year-old father with an extraordinary career of service to his country who has tragically lost another adult son to brain cancer and a young daughter and previous wife in an automobile accident. And maybe, if those reporters want to chase a presidential family story, they can ask the president-in-waiting what qualifies Charles Kushner, father-in-law of Trump's daughter, Ivanka, for the position of ambassador to France. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). A giant panda is pictured at Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 8, 2024. Giant pandas "An An" and "Ke Ke" gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) HONG KONG, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Excitement in the metropolis has reached a fever pitch as a pair of new panda members, known as An An and Ke Ke, made their much-awaited public debut on Sunday at Ocean Park Hong Kong's giant panda enclosure. At 9:30 a.m. local time before the park opened, early birds were already queuing outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures, ready to meet the two pandas, the third pair gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), after more than two months of the duo's quarantine and adaptation. A Hong Kong resident surnamed Lau was among the hundreds of panda lovers standing in line, wearing themed clothes and a panda-shaped headband. "The moment has finally come!" exclaimed Lau, who has been a panda fan for more than 10 years. Hopefully, Hong Kong can develop its own distinctive "Panda IP," Lau told Xinhua. She then joined a growing crowd of early birds who rushed into the venue for a good spot. To maintain order around the panda enclosure, 150 tickets were handed out every 15 minutes. Visitors can enter the park for 10 minutes each time. About 30 minutes after the park's opening, no tickets were left until 2:00 p.m.. Inside the venue, the pair, all five years old, took turns to do their livestream eating. Ke Ke showed up first for breakfast, before she approached the crowd, walked back to a tree trunk, and made various gestures. Frisky An An performed his climbing moves, shuttling around the climbing frames with his bamboos. Some fans even came from afar. Anthony from the United States was also standing in line to capture these adorable moments with his camera. "The pair has obviously distinct characters and are doing quite well here," he said, adding that this is his first time to see a real panda in person and has become an instant fan of the duo. Anthony said he is planning to see them again during his stay in Hong Kong. To make the two new members to the panda family here at home, Hong Kong Ocean Park has put a lot of thought into the layout of the enclosure. Ke Ke owns a "tunnel" and a "throne" while An An's home is "furnished" with a climbing frame and tree stand. Both have been devised to simulate the wild foraging environment. Moreover, the temperature of the venue is kept at 19 degrees Celsius. Ocean Park Hong Kong said the pair can already understand commands in Cantonese, and their carers now call them An An and Ke Ke in Cantonese. The two pandas have good appetites and can eat as much as around 10 kilograms of food daily, plus additional food following their meals. An An is a carrot fanatic and Ke Ke is a sweet potato lover. Their carers will feed them various seasonal foods, including bamboo shoots, apples, pears, high-fiber cakes, and steamed cornbread made from corn flour, soybean flour and eggs. A local panda fan surnamed Lee stood near the enclosure after her visit, editing videos on her phone before she uploaded them to her social media. "I document the life of these pandas not only because of their healing properties, but also because it enables people to see what Hong Kong is doing in panda conservation. It is also a window to understand Hong Kong and the wider China," she said. Across Hong Kong, panda parades are unfolding in winter to share the joy, from the iconic Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui to the "Panda Go! Fest HK" exhibition featuring 2,500 panda sculptures in Ngong Ping 360, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and elsewhere in the city. There are new panada-themed programs in the pipeline, including stamps, outdoor carnivals and experience activities. The HKSAR government will seize the opportunities brought by the pandas to bring wonderful and unforgettable panda experiences to residents and visitors, and tell well the stories of Hong Kong, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee told a greeting ceremony for the giant pandas on Saturday. Visitors take pictures of a giant panda at Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 8, 2024. Giant pandas "An An" and "Ke Ke" gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) Visitors take pictures of a giant panda at Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 8, 2024. Giant pandas "An An" and "Ke Ke" gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) A giant panda eats bamboo at Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 8, 2024. Giant pandas "An An" and "Ke Ke" gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) Visitors take selfies with a giant panda at Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 8, 2024. Giant pandas "An An" and "Ke Ke" gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) You must understand that your pain is trivial except insofar as you can use it to connect with other people's pain; and insofar as you can do that with your pain, you can be released from it, and then hopefully it works the other way around too; insofar as I can tell you what it is to suffer, perhaps I can help you suffer less. James Baldwin, "The Artist's Struggle for Integrity" It happens every day. I'm walking in my neighborhood or I'm sitting in a seat at my neighborhood restaurant. At the neighborhood grocery store. It's at the local library. At the hospital. Anywhere, really. When the manager of the building where I live feels free to speak to me, a 71-year-old educated Black woman, about my behavior! The problem is my behavior! Hear it? The smile and, more telling, the piercing eyes. Accusatory, and it's hard to stay facing her. To look her straight in the eye. But I do. Does she think she's back in the day when America was "great, and I was still a girl and she the woman? What leasing rule have I violated? What law? Or what crime committed? Although I'm well aware that thinking while Black is criminal. So is writing while Black. That might be worse! I've come to ask I ask what she planned to do about the white woman below me, mentally ill and racist, opening her living room window to tell another neighbor who is coming to see me that I have been to jail! What will you do about this defamation of my character ? What about this lie? And it's all about my behavior ! And the message: You're out of place! In "civilized" countries, white dominate, writes James Baldwin. Blacks, therefore, "clearly know their place." Never forget, sister. They remind us daily : You dared to speak up to her, a white woman ! You spoke out about the white women below you ! You are criminalized ! I, nonetheless, displayed a little attitude, anyway, and I stood up, and walking toward the door, I said to the manager, how dare you ! I could swear I heard something fall. And break! ** When I bear witness, not just to what happens to me daily, I do so as Baldwin did in his time. I do so for those "who cannot because they didn't survive." That would include the more than 4500 people in Gaza, or thousands more under the ruins of schools, businesses, churches, hospitals, and homes, and it would include the many Black ancestors kidnapped, starved and ill-treated, shipped and sold, and forced to labor to build this nation called the United States of America. I bear witness to the practice of genocide within this "civilized" country as well as in countries where my people's place is to contribute tax dollars for the funding of genocide in Gaza. I bear witness "for those who survived it all, wounded and broken." Neve Gordon, writing in the London Review of Books ( LRB ), explains his effort to conduct "non-violent direct action against Israel's military siege of the West Bank and Gaza" in 2018. Then, he not only objected to the siege but also joined "the Palestinian people in their struggle for self-determination." It wasn't long before he was accused of being anti-Semitic." This "new anti-Semitism" seems to suggest, Gordon writes, that his "form of criticism of Zionism and of the actions and policies of Israel" should be understood by all as a claim that Jews are to be hated. Jews are inferior. By this logic, Gordon explains, Zionism "is identical to Jewishness." In London, the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism protested in front of universities the visit of Francesca Albanese, an International lawyer and UN Special Rapporteur invited to speak at the London School of Economics and Political Science on November 11, 2024. Albanese, another bearing witness, has declared that Israel isn't "just committing was crimes or crimes against humanity in Gaza," ( The Guardian ). Israel is also carrying out a genocide in Gaza. Calling for the UN to suspend Israel's membership, she, in turn, is denounced as anti-Semitic! A criminal of sorts. Equal to fascists in her hatred of Jews, Albanese is "unfit" for the position she holds at the UN. Albanese's retort is to point to the destruction in Gaza, to the dead babies, to the starving survivors. They are victims of a genocide! Israel, she insists to a Guardian reporter, is intent on destroying Palestinian life. When the protesters at the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism rally carried "Ban Fran" banners, they were sending a message to all those who dare to bear witness: Albanese "is not welcome at British universities." Those who want to bear witness by protesting Zionism and genocide are criminalized! They too are told to watch their behavior! You are speaking up and marching in the streets, challenging the power of Israel supported by the power of the United States. I will continue to bear witness to the practice of anti-Semitism, but I will also continue to bear witness against Zionism. Know you don't belong in a "civilized" world if you don't remain in your place! While college students and Jewish organizations around the global marched on behalf of the Palestinians, I started reading Nehisi Coates' The Message. At first, I was hesitant, until I saw him interviewed on television. He looked like a Black who has experienced a thousand cuts. He has that familiar problem too. Sounds like he's not so well behaved. I decided to read The Message . I'm coming along with Coates in the second half of the book. I'm journeying with him to Israel and Palestine. I'm along side him in the streets and when he stops to talk to people. I too see how I'm responsible. It's my mess too! Here! I don't have the "luxury" of "detachment." Baldwin, again. Thanks to a reminder by professor Eddie S. Glaude Jr. in Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own. Everything, for Baldwin had become political; and yet, unlike Emerson, he couldn't afford to detach himself "from the ugliness of the day or the belief that it own identity was bound up with the idea of America itself-- because that idea, in part, relied on a lie about him ." One day, not long after the presidential elections in November, I mentioned to a Puerto Rican woman, the new resident coordinator in the senior complex where I live, if she felt the heightened concern with Blacks, Indigenous, Haitians, Caribbeans? She didn't understand why people she knew where talking about leaving the country. Some even talking about moving to another state. When she arrives at her home at the end of her work day, she showers, eats, and goes to bed" The lie this country tells is about me. It's about me and anyone who isn't white. Anyone terrified about a deportation campaign, to be spearheaded by authoritarians, fascists. I'm at the center of that lie, and, if I don't remain in my place, that lie shatters into tiny pieces. I read The Message. I was in that Israeli hotel the day Coates returned from viewing the plaque . T hat "glare of racism" greets us" Are you are guest ? Coates showed the man blocking the way his passkey and, moving on, he, we, heard the message, loud and clear: " 'What the f--- are you doing here.'" The people of South Africa remembered. They remembered that time when Menachem Begin took office in the late 1970s. There was "no single country was buying more Israel arms than South Africa." Black South Africans didn't belong and, consequently, were "deprived of their rights." In other words, Black South African labor funded Zionism's agenda to deprive Palestinians of their rights. Coates ends up bearing witness to genocide too. ** I studied the Holocaust as part of my doctoral studies in modern American literature, 1900-1945. How is it possible to read most writers of that era and not read the historical discourse on the Holocaust. As Coates writes, the Jews had been "abandoned" to the gas chambers. They had endured "Dreyfus and Shylock," the "expulsion from Spain," and "two thousand years of degradation-- Now, however, the Jews have a "home." The Jewish people, he continues, have "taken their place among The Strong." So, in return, is Israel, Coates asks, like the US, where Blacks weren't considered "the equal of any white man,: to now see the Palestinians as not equal to the Jew? Are the Israelis exceeding the administration of Jim Crow? And Coates supplies an example of Israel going above and beyond even the American ideology of white supremacy, evident in Jim Crow laws. For it's not a matter of standing at a "For Coloreds Only" water fountain. The consumption of water for an Israeli Jew is "nearly four times that of Palestinians living under occupation." Yet, Coates adds, if someone speaks on this disparity and calls it out, as say Dr. Martin Luther King called out injustice in his time, they would be considered anti-Semitic today. It would seem, Coates argues, that Israel embodies the "West and its contradictions." There isn't a democracy in Israel, no more than there is here in the US, he adds. But worse, in Israel, the Palestinian is subject to second-class citizenry, if you can call it that, subject to check points, inhibiting their mobility throughout Israel, let alone Gaza. Besides a shortest of water, the people are being starved. Palestinians are dying from starvation because Israel is limiting the amount of aid allowed to enter what's left of Gaza. Palestinians, he continues, have "shorter lives," are poorer, and are forced to "live in more violent neighborhoods." Yet, the US and Israel consider themselves "civilized" democracies; yet writes Coates, both have their "foundations in exploitation." Jim Crow era in the US overflowed with injustices. Consider how "the flag of slavery" waved "above a state capitol" until many came toppling down my young, brave protesters. Jim Crow, too, writes Coates was "a balcony of the Lorraine Motel," a "'poll tax,'" "'redlining,'" "'grandfather clause,'" and "'whites only'" signs. For all of that, it's much worse in Gaza! Hear the message loud and clear: only one side has the power, the weapons, the laws, writes Coates, and, therefore, how is it possible for him, a survivor of those daily cuts and blows, insults and criminalization, how could he be expected to have an interest in hearing the Israeli defense for occupation? As a Black American, his presence in Israel is questionable. Questionable because the government knows enough to know the history of Black people, African Americans, in America. They know the history of the Palestinians at least since 1948. They suspect Coates, an intelligent man, knows that the systemic segregation of the Palestinians is expected, as Coates writes, to erase from the argument and purge from the narrative their existence. You can't be at home where you are not wanted. Yet, on the other hand, it felt like home . America was far away and, yet, not so far away. He could connect the dots and see in Israel's oppression of the Palestinians America's Jim Crow era and the segregation of Black people. " This putative "Jewish democracy' is like its American patron," Coates, continues, "an expansionist power" And every expansionist power needs a good story to justify its plunder." So the powerful are always on a civilizing mission, in which land is simply taken from those who have no idea of what to do with it, given their lack of humanity, anyway. Furthermore, in a "web of subsidies," Coates explains, there "is an incentive to further colonize the land of the Palestinians. Colonization "advances a primary interest of Israeli state-- the erosion of any grounds for a future Palestine state." It's no wonder that settlers "colonize" as "armed perpetrators of violence." The Nakba, on the other hand, was a catastrophe. Becoming "displaced persons," many were forcefully removed from their homes and, thus, communities. I didn't need Coates to see in the Nakba decimated Black communities in Tulsa or Wilmington or Rosewood. Communities wiped out by believers of the lie , people who adhered to the laws enabling the continuation of white supremacy and the belief that only white people matter. Jewish settlers building walls, home, shrines to "Jewish superiority or Jewish supremacy" was familiar to Coates. The "displacement" of Black Americans too! What is America if not a country filled with hypocrisy? Like most Black children, Coates recalls recognizing that while white Americans had more material possessions, they, nonetheless, "knew less." White America had "seen more of the world than I had-- but not more of humanity itself." They were "deeply ignorant of their own country's history, and thus they had no intimate sense of how far their country could fall." The murder of George Floyd went viral, so many Americans decried the racial violence, claiming, this isn't America ! But for Black Americans, this is America 24/7! If you live in fear, as most whites do, then existence is a nightmare filled with dark, monstrous beings. Beings who don't know they meaning of freedom! Therefore, wokeness haunts whites in fear. Their children are perceptually in danger of being exposed to Toni Morrison's Sethe, sitting and rocking, spilling the beans. The state of Israel became part of the Strong, the powerful and, therefore, part of white identity. During the 20 th Century, Jewish immigration to the US was kept to a minimum as a result of the 1948 immigration bill; however, "the cause of Jewish whiteness was advanced." Hypocrisy succeeds anyway. As long as the Jews, "' over there," waged war "against natives and savages,'" also over there, their identity in whiteness was assured. The "'mass mutation' into whiteness," writes Coates, "was advanced." It's no accident that the IDF, Mossad, and Shin Bet all became "synonyms for righteous manly violence." ** The last leg of the journey is the City of David, home to the slayer of Goliath. Or so the story goes. Nonetheless, as Coates learned, it's the city where the narrative justifies theft of the land. Tourist sites abound! It is a city where Coates confronts a profound truth that makes for a profound understand of the world white identity created. I had never heard about this plaque . I, as some opposed to the funding of Israel with my taxes. As someone who finds it increasingly frustrating to see these mangled bodies of little Palestinian children, frustrating to see these anguished mothers and fathers" When will it end? When will there be a ceasefire! A cessation of all the maiming and killing? " The plaque," writes Coates, "bore the flag of the United States and the name of one of its former ambassadors to Israel." Moving closer, Coates reads the following inscription: "'The City of David beings Biblical Jerusalem to life at the very place where the kings and the prophets of the Bible walked.'" A shunned Coates continues reading: "the spiritual bedrock of our values as a nation comes from Jerusalem. It is upon these ideas that the American republic was founded and the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel was formed." It's no wonder, he continues, that the Evangelical church and the settlers are "a perfect match." Coates had to sit and think. The writer read again using his mind's eye the inscription, "the spiritual bedrock of our values as a nation-- What has happened in Palestine and whatever will take place will be as a result of him! Genocide committed against another state will be done. And done in his name! Our name! I don't want to belong in this world ! But then, isn't this the message? "' You'd really be better off somewhere else.'" But then, no witnessing ! And there's the man at the hotel, waiting. And there's the "glare of racism," the thousand cuts, and the behavior that makes criminals of us who witness and protest! It's understood by Palestinians living in Gaza and those living in Israel. To understand Palestine, writes Coates, is to "understand the Nakba as a particular thing, ranging even beyond any analogies with Jim Crow, colonialism, or apartheid." ** Writing is a powerful tool. Formed in the tradition of Ida B. Wells and W. E. B. Du Bois, Coates writes that our writing is often denied access "to leading journals or publications." The narrative of the powerful will deny us to advance white supremacy. Palestinians write too, and they want to be heard. But the Strong and powerful and white control the narrative. There will be narratives, stories to witness. And there will be Palestinians doing the witnessing. "To save the world." To save the world ! We stand here. Sit here. Remain here. Immortalize here. And we have only one goal to be. Mahmoud Darwish, "A State of Siege" 2002 Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On November 29, Aleppo fell into the hands of an Islamist group from Idlib, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. It took just three days of fighting for the second largest city in Syria to fall to an invasion of Turkish-backed fighters. Leaders of Arab countries were quick to call Damascus and pledge their support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Since 2011, some Arab world leaders have had stormy relationship with Assad at times, while others have always stood by Damascus. Much of that feeling of solidarity now is based on the realization that their country could next in line to be targeted by a foreign intervention using radical Islamic fighters. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed emphasised the UAE's solidarity with Syria and its support in combating terrorism and extremism when he called Assad after the Aleppo invasion. King Abdullah II of Jordan emphasised Jordan's solidarity with Syria, reaffirming its support for Syria's territorial unity, sovereignty, and stabilit On Sunday, both Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held phone talks with their Syrian counterpart Bassam Sabbagh. Safadi expressed Jordan's concern over the developments in Syria, stressing the importance of eliminating terrorism. Hussein said destabilizing the security and stability of Syria poses a threat to the security of Iraq and the region in general, urging regional cooperation to address security challenges and combat extremism. Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty has reiterated Egypt's unwavering support for the Syrian state and its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. During a telephone conversation with Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bassam Sabbagh, Abdelatty stressed the importance of Syria's stability and security, with implications for the entire region. They discussed the support of the Syrian state within the Arab League. On December 1, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. The unplanned meeting was in response to the invasion of Aleppo. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have been leading efforts to normalize ties with Assad, reinstating Syria to the Arab League and hosting the Syrian leader on rare trips abroad. After Aleppo's fall, Assad called MBZ, with the UAE emphasizing a peaceful resolution to the conflict, while Syria highlighted counter-terrorism cooperation. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Dr. Ahmad Alderzi, the noted microbiologist and political activist, to gain more insight. 1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): On November 29, the industrial capital of Syria, Aleppo, was attacked and occupied by extremist Islamic terrorists supported by Turkiye. In your opinion, how did the terrorists manage to seize the city so quickly? Ahmad Alderzi (AA): A combination of internal and external factors contributed to the easy fall of Aleppo. The internal factors relate to the severe exhaustion of the Syrian economy due to harsh Western sanctions on Syria, along with poor internal economic management, which reflected on the Syrian military's capabilities and morale. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Author, Bruce Lerro, Co-Founder and Co-Organizer for Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism Orientation Situating my article Often the rise of China and the Middle East appears to many Westerners as something recent, maybe 30 years old. Before that? Is Western dominance beginning with the Greeks and Romans - right? Wrong, not even close! The rise of the East and the South has roughly a 1,300 year history of dominance from 500 CE to 1800 CE. What is happening in the East today is no "Eurasian Miracle". With the wind of 1,300 years at its back, it is returning to its long historical prominence today. In two my recent articles, Neocon Realists and Global Neoliberals Dead on Arrival and The Myopia of Anglo Saxons Rulers I attempted to show how narrow International Relations Theory is in its systematic exclusion of the Eastern and Southern parts of the world from its theoretical history. In his book The Eurocentric Conception of World Politics, John Hobson rightfully accuses the West of Eurocentrism, paternalism, and imperialism. But in an earlier book, The Eastern Origins of Western Civilization, he methodically shows how the West first depended on and then denied that Eastern and Southern civilizations were a source of most of their technological, scientific and cultural breakthroughs. This article is based on The Eastern Origins of Western Civilization Western claims about their place in world history Charles Martel's victory over the Saracens at the battle of Tours and Poitiers 732 CE Europe pioneers the medieval agricultural revolution 600-1000 CE Italian pioneers long-distance trade and early capitalism. Italy the leading global power 1000 CE European crusaders assert control over the Islamic Middle East Post 1095 CE Italian Renaissance and scientific revolution 1400-1650 CE China withdraws from the world, leaving a vacuum filled by Europeans 1434 CE Guttenberg invents the movable metal-type printing press 1455 CE Bartolomeu Diaz is the first to reach the Cape of Good Hope 1487-88 CE European Age of Discovery and the emergence of early Western globalization Post 1492 CE The Spanish plunder American gold and silver bullion post 1492 CE Da Gama makes its first contact with "primitives" and isolate Indian people 1498 CE The Europeans defeat the Asians and monopolize world trade 1498-1800 CE European military revolution 1550-1660 CE First industrial miracle happens in Britain 1700-1850 CE British industrialization is the triumph of domestic or self-generated change 1700-1850 CE Commodore Perry opens up isolated Tokugawa Japan 1853 CE Meiji Japan industrializes by copying the West 1853 CE Britain reverses its trade deficit with China in the 1820s CE Opium wars and unequal treaties force open and rescue China's "backward" economy 1839-1858 CE Stopping Eurocentric thinking in its tracks You might not suspect that European goods were considered inferior both in terms of quality and price by Easterners. Public health and clean water were more advanced in China than in Europe. By 1800, as much as 22% of the Japanese population were living in towns, a figure that exceeds Europe. Even as late as 1850, the Japanese standard of living was higher than that of the British. In conclusion, Europe invented very little for themselves. The only genuine innovations that they made before the 18th century were the Archimedean screw, the crankshaft or camshaft and alcoholic distillation process. Countering the Eurocentric Myth of the Pristine West John M. Hobsons claims in his book The Eastern Origins of Western Civilisation are: The West and the East have been fundamentally and consistently interlinked through globalization ever since 500 CE. The East was more advanced than the West between 500-1800 CE. It wasn't until 1800 that the West first caught up with and then surpassed China. The East and South were not only not passive bystanders, but in the overwhelming number of cases, they were the initiator of technological, economic and even cultural change. The West did initiate new inventions and ways of life but only beginning in the 19 th century. century. It was also in the 19 th century that the West began its denial of Eastern and Southern influence. century that the West began its denial of Eastern and Southern influence. This denial of pioneering role of Western leadership in world history requires a revisionist history of virtually the whole world of the last 1500 years. Eurocentric Propaganda Maps Eurocentrism has multiple sides to its denial, neglect and outright lying about its place in world history. One piece of black propaganda can be seen is in the ways its maps are constructed. Hobson points out that on the realistic map, the actual landmass of the southern hemisphere is exactly twice that of the Northern hemisphere. And yet in the Mercator map the landmass of the North occupiers 2/3 of the landmass. Secondly, while Scandinavia is about a third of the size of India, they are accorded the same amount of space on a map. Lastly, Greenland appears almost twice the size of China even though the latter is almost four times the size of Greenland. Placement of National and Regional Formations in World History Textbooks I remember my textbooks on world history. While they might start with Africa and Asia, the chapters were relatively short. But as soon as we got to Europe there are long chapters on technology, economics, politics and philosophy. It might not be until the end of the book than the rest of the world is reintroduced again. It's as if there was no interaction going on between the West and the rest of the world between the time of the Greeks and the 20th century. Orientalist and Patriarchal Construction of the West vs the East The West is presented as a dynamic, ingenious, proactive, rational, scientific disciplined, ordered, self-controlled, sensible, mind-oriented, scientific, paternal, independent, functional, free, democratic, tolerant, honest, civilized morally and economically progressive (capitalist), parsimonious, and individualistic. On the other hand, the East (China, India and the Middle East) and the South (mostly Africa) is conceived of as unchanging, imitative, ignorant, passive, irrational superstitiously ritualistic, lazy, chaotic, erratic, spontaneous, emotional, body-oriented, exotic, alluring and childlike. Furthermore they are dependent, dysfunctional, enslaved, despotic, and intolerant. They are presented as corrupt, barbaric, savages, who are morally regressive economically stagnant, indolent, cruel and collectivist. Ten Western social scientists from the 19th century down to the present have accepted these dualistic stereotypes. It is out of these extremely unjust characterizations that the myth of the pristine Western development was born. Hobson writes that there is no dualist more extreme in categorizing the East and West than Max Weber. See Table 1 at Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism. The Western Falsification of the World Before 1500 CE Furthermore, standard picture of the world before 1500 is presented by Eurocentrism as: the world mired in stagnant tradition; a fragmented world divided between insulated and backward regional and; civilizations governed by a despotic states, mainly of the East. This concept was consciously reconstructed by Eurocentric intellectuals in the 19th century so that first Venice and later Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands and Britain were represented as the leading global powers in the post 1000 period. Please see Table 2 for Hobson's rebuttals The Eastern Origins of Western Civilization Middle Ages and the Islamic state We are now in a position to compare the Western claims of civilization and what happened when the East and South are given their due. First, much greater than the victory of Charles Martel, between 751-1453 there was the Arab victory in the Battle of Talas which established Islamic domination in West Central Asia. In addition, the Ottoman Turks took over Constantinople in 1453. Nine hundred years before the Europeans developed an agricultural revolution, the Chinese pioneered many technologies that enabled the European agricultural revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries. There was no comparison between the primitive and hopeless agriculture of Europe before the 18th century and the advanced agriculture of China after the 4th century BCE (57) Technology of the agricultural revolution The basic technological ingredients of the medieval agricultural revolution were: watermills; windmills; heavy moldboard plough which created drainage furrows; new animal harnesses; and iron horseshoes. Contrary to Eurocentric historians, none of these technological innovations were pioneered by Europeans. Either it was diffused to the West by the East, or Westerners innovated after the Eastern raw materials made them available. For example, Hobson tells us the plough entered Eastern Europe through the East from Siberia in the 9th century. The collar harness was clearly pioneered by the Chinese in the 3rd century CE. The invention of the stirrup really came from India in the late 2nd century and the Chinese bronze and cast-iron stirrup in the 3rd century. Other inventions adapted from China included the rotary winnowing machine and seed drills. Some of the revolutionary rotational crops used by the British in the 18th century were being used by the Chinese some 12 centuries earlier. Italian Trade Hobson's central claim is that virtually all the major innovations that lay behind the development of Italian capitalism were derived from the more advanced East, especially the Middle East and China. The Italians might have been pioneers of long-distance trade that established merchant capitalism in Europe, but not on a world scale. The Italians were late arrivals to an Afro-Asian led global economy. The globalization enabled the diffusion of Eastern inventions to enable the development of a backward West. Neither did the European Crusades assert control over the Islamic Middle East. They remained dependent on the Islamic Middle East as well as Egypt. One last point about the Italians. Six-hundred years before the Italian Renaissance of 1400-1650 there was an Eastern and Islamic Renaissance which was the foundation for not only the Western Renaissance, but the scientific revolution of the 17th century. Eastern origins of the financial revolution Italians did not invent the bills of exchange, credit institutions, insurance and banking. Sumerians and Sassanids were using banks, bills of exchange and checks before the advent of Islam, although it was the Muslims who took these early beginnings the furthest. In the West, single entry bookkeeping was the most widespread use right down to the end of the 19th century. The Italian traders only began to use mathematics to replace the old abacus system once the Pisan merchant Fibonacci relayed eastern knowledge in 1202. The Eastern Renaissance Arab scholars drew heavily on Persian and Indian as well as Chinese sources on medicine, mathematics philosophy theology, literature, and poetry that lay the foundation for the Italian Renaissance. It's true that Leonardo Fibonacci, wrote a book rejecting the old abacus system in favor of the new Hindu-Arabic system. However, by the beginning of the 10thcentury all six of the classical trigonometric functions had been defined and tabulated by Muslim mathematicians. Ibn al-Shatir of the Maragha school develop a series of mathematical models which were almost the same as those developed 150 years later by Copernicus in his heliocentric theory of the heavens. The Eastern origins of the navigational revolution The foundation of the navigational revolution was the astrolabe and mariners' compass. The compass could be used even in cloudy weather when the stars were covered. These breakthroughs allowed Europeans to take to the oceans. However, most of them were invented and all were refined in the East. It was the Muslims who undertook all the major innovations. Qualification about Italy This is not to say that Italy was unimportant to the fortunes of European commerce. However, Venice prevailed over its rival Genoa not because of its so-called ingenuity but because of its lucrative access to the East via Egypt and the Middle East. Italians played a vitally important role in spreading commercialization through Christendom (not the world). According to Hobson, the belief that Italy was important or the development of Europe in the medieval period seems reasonable. But the notion that Italians pioneered these inventions is a myth The Myth of the European Age of Discovery When we examine the so-called European Age of Discovery we find that that over 1,000 years before Bartolomeu Diaz circled the Cape of Good Hope the Arabs sailed around the Cape and into Europe. The Chinese did so in the 9th century and in the third century the "primitive" Polynesians and Indians sailed to the Cape and the East Coast of Africa. Chinese ships were striking in both their size and quantity. In the 8th century some 2,000 ships were working on the Yangtze. It can be safely said that the Chinese were the greatest sailors in history. For nearly two millennium they had ships and sailing techniques far in advance of the rest of the world that comparisons are embarrassing. (58) As for the Portuguese, they borrowed Islamic innovations in mathematics in order to work out latitude, a longitude relying on the Islamic tables developed by an 11th century Muslim astronomer. The European age or the "Vasco da Gama epoch of Asia" turns out to be retrospective Eurocentric wishful thinking The myth of Spanish gold ruling the world As for the globalization of the economy in the 15th century, one thousand years ago, the Afro-Asian age expanded to a globalized market while not choosing to initiate imperialism. In the late 15th century, the Spanish plundered New World civilizations for their gold and silver. But 40 years before this, the Chinese initiated a silver currency and provided a strong demand for European silver. India Was not isolated It is said that Vasco Da Gama made the first contact with Indian civilization which is presented as isolated. However, John Hobson tells us India was not isolated but had trading contact with the rest of Eurasia. In fact, Indians were economically superior to their Portuguese discoverers. Furthermore, the Chinese, Indian, Islamic and maybe Black African science and technology provided the basis for Portuguese ships and navigation. China and the Ming Dynasty When we turn to China, we hear the common claim that China withdrew in 1434, inexplicitly renouncing an opportunity to compete with Western imperialism. Supposedly they left a gap which the West filled. But the truth is China maintained its power as a world trader all the way from 1434 to well into the 19th century (1840). Hobson tells us that: The original documents were distorted by the Chinese state in an attempt at being seen as maintaining a Confucius-like isolationist ideal. It was clear that one way or another Chinese merchants continued their extremely lucrative trading with or without official sanctioning. Many European scholars had been therefore easily seduced by the rhetoric of the Chinese state. (63,70) One typical myth of Chinese state was that in true oriental despotic form, they crushed all capitalist activities. The reality is that the system was simply too large and the state too weak to be able to set up a command economy. The second myth is that the Ming state only dealt with luxury commodities. The truth, according to Hobson is that the majority of textiles produced in India were aimed at mass markets. Hobson says half the world was in China's grip. China could have had the greatest colonial power 100 years before the great age of European exploration. They simply were not interested in imperialism (nor are they today). China was the most powerful economy between 1100 to 1800/1840. Even as late as roughly 1800-1850, Chinese population growth rates increased at a phenomenal rate and would only be matched by Britain after its industrialization. China and the printing press As for the Gutenberg printing press and the movable mental type printing press, the Chinese had this by 1095. In addition, the Koreans invented the first metal type thirty years before the Guttenberg press. By the end of the 15th century, the Chinese published more books than all the other countries combined. Even as early as 978, one of the Chinese libraries contained 80,000 volumes. It was exceeded by the holdings of some of the major Islamic libraries. It was only in the 19thcentury that the European printing press became faster than its Asian counterparts. Myth of European pioneering of a military revolution Before the military revolution, swords, lances, mace and cross-bows were used in warfare. These were replaced by gunpowder, guns and cannons. Much has been made about the European military revolution between 1550 and 1660. But at most, 700 years before this between 850-1290, the Chinese developed all three that underly that military revolution. While the Europeans eventually took these military technologies further, (certainly by the 19th century) the fact remains that without the available advances from the East, there would have been nothing to have been taken further. It was the Jesuits who persuaded Europeans to face the fact that gunpowder, the compass, paper and printing all were invented in China. England drug-dealing opium Lastly we turn to the relationship between the British and the Chinese. Up until 1820, the Chinese matched the British industrially and it was the British who had a trade deficit. Eurocentric historians congratulate the British in reversing its trade imbalance, not bothering to mention the way they did that was by pushing opium. Even radicals like Marx and Engels looked the other way when the British "opened up" China, rescuing it, according to Marx and Engels, from Oriental despotism. There is a slight problem according to Hobson. Since as far back as 850 China has been open to world trade and achieved great economic progress long before the British had any industrialization of comparative commercial relations. Respect for China until the 19th century Many Enlightenment thinkers positively associated with China and its ideas including Montaigne, Leibniz, Voltaire, Wolf, Quesnay, Hume and Adam Smith. Voltaire's book in 1756 has been described as the perfect compendium of all the positive feeling of the time in Europe about the Far East. Martin Bernal reminds us that no European of the 18th century (before 1780) could claim that Europe had created itself. Britain as a late developer of the industrial revolution For Eurocentric historians, the British genius was responsible for the industrial revolution unaided by anyone else, non-Europeans especially. But almost 2,000 years earlier, the Chinese had developed industry. The first cast-iron object dated from 513 BCE. Steel was being produced by the 2nd century BCE. China produced 13,500 tons of iron in 806, some 90,400 tons by 1064 and as many as 125,000 by 1078. Even as late as 1788 Britain was producing only 76,000. Chinese iron was not confined to weapons and decorative art but to tools and production. All this was made possible by the breakthroughs in smelting" and the use of blast furnaces. It was the assimilation of what the Chinese had built that made possible the industrial revolution in Britain. Further, the industrialization process was made possible not by some independent British know-how but through the exploitation of multiple African resources. (51-53) The steam engine, pride of the British industrial revolution, was antedated by the Chinese as early as 1313 CE. The cotton industry, Hobson says, was the pacemaker of British industrialization. But here too, the cotton industry first found its home in both China and India centuries earlier. Japan industrialized before England When we turn to Japan, we find that Eurocentric historians agree that the Meiji empire underwent a powerful industrialization process, but they imagine that the process happened late, after 1853. Furthermore, it was only through Commodore Perry "opening up" the isolated Tokugawa Japan that industrialization began. But little did they know that Tokugawa Japan was tied to the global economy ever since 1603! Independent Tokugawa development provided a starting point for the subsequent Meiji industrialization. In other words, Japan was an early developer of industry, even before the industrial revolution in Britain. English Racist Identity in Justifying Imperialism In my article The Myopia of Anglo-American Rulers I went into great detail about the Eurocentrism, paternalism and racism that is involved in Western international relations theory. This described how Westerners convinced themselves of their superiority over the East and South. I will just briefly add George Fredrickson's two kinds of racism, implicit and explicit in the eightieth and 19th centuries. Implicit racism occurs in the 18th and first half of the 19th centuries. Its foundation was cultural, institutional and environmental. People were not conscious of practicing it and their way of expressing imperialism was to imagine they were on a civilizing mission. They had a "Peter Pan" theory of East as childlike, alluring and exotic. In Britain after 1840 there was a new kind of racism which Fredrickson called explicit. Here the criteria for this "scientific" racism was genetic or physical characteristics of the Easterners and Southern civilizations. This racism was overt and conscious, and the superiority of the West was understood as permanent. Their ways of justifying imperialism were a mixture of optimism and pessimism. It was optimistic in its Social Darwinist mentality of subjugation at the hands of the superior British. However, it was also pessimistic because the English feared contact with other races might contaminate the Westerners. Evolution of Western Identity 500 CE to 1900 CE Westerners also divided societies into civilized (British, Germany) barbaric (China, India, Japan) and savage (Africa). Each type had a skin color, temperament, religion, climatic character, type of government, self, manner of thinking, ontogenesis, social and political legitimizing and social pathology. See Table 3 a t Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism. How Than Did Contingency Enable The Rise of the Oriental West? The prominent anti-Eurocentric scholars Kenneth Pomeranz and James Blaut emphasize contingency (the fortuitous accident) as the critical factor in the rise of the West. The West was lucky that: The more powerful Eastern societies did not seek to colonize Europe. The Mongols turned to China - not Europe. Mongols delivered both goods and Eastern resources. The Muslims were not interested in conquering Western Europe. The Spanish stumbled on the Americas where gold and silver lay in abundance. The Native Americans had inadequate immune systems. African slaves had adequate immune systems. The East Indian company happened to be in India at a time when the Mughal polity began to disintegrate of its own accord Conclusion I began this article by situating it within two previous articles I wrote showing how narrow International Relations Theory is cross-culturally in the exclusion of the Eastern and Southern civilizations from its theoretical understanding of world events. Embedded in this theory was Eurocentrism, paternalism, racism and imperialism. In this article, thanks to John M. Hobson's book Eastern Origins of Western Civilization I show how in 19 areas of its history Western claims to superiority and leadership in relationship to science, technology, world trade, military weaponry, industry the West was dependent on the East from the 5th to the 19th centuries. It only clearly took the lead around 1840. So how did the West first deny its dependency and then insist on its superiority over the civilizations it once depended on? I begin by pointing out how on a microlevel its propaganda can be experienced in the areas of map-making and textbook construction. I name Max Weber as the historian with the most extreme hostility to the East and South in his study of Eastern and Western civilizations. I identify eight European myths about the status of world civilizations at the dawn of the modern West, 1500 CE. I then comb through the West's dependency on Islamic, Chinese, Indian and African civilizations from 500 to 1900 BCE. I close my article by showing the extent to which the West did become more powerful was based on luck more than skill. So what does this have to do with the world today? It has been clear to me through my study of political economists and world historians that the West has been in decline since the mid 1970s and as China, Russia and Iran are rising along with BRICS. My article attempts to show that the rise of the West has not been a glorious 500 year trek, beginning with the Renaissance or two thousand year triumph beginning with Greeks. It has been a short 130-year history which is ending. The rise of the East and the South has roughly a 1,300 year history with the wind at its back and is returning to its long historical prominence today. Almost everywhere, plurality voting is the system used for elections. It is a simple system which can work quite well, so long as there are more than two candidates; in other words, not usually. In concept, plurality elections will elect the candidate who is the top choice of the largest number of voters. But when there are more than two candidates, is that even a sensible objective? And we might also question whether plurality elections actually even realize that objective. For now, let us assume it is accurate to claim that the votes are cast for voters' favorite candidates. Even when there are only two candidates, our experience with elections is that usually there are nearly as many voters who vote for another candidate as there are who voted for the winner; and, as is so often the case, there are more than two candidates, the number of disappointed voters can even be in the majority. Can we not hope to do better than this? To a considerable extent, these disappointing outcomes are due to polarization. Polarization fosters and enforces a two-party duopoly and limits, to no more than two, the number of viable candidates (viable candidates are the ones who have a realistic chance of winning election). A duopoly motivates most voters to limit their voting, not to mention their attention, to focus only on the two duopoly candidates. Even when voters happen to prefer another candidate, typically they choose not to waste their only vote on that candidate; they know that candidate to have no realistic chance of winning election. A consequence of this behavior is that ballots fail to reliably show which candidate is a voter's favorite. So, our assumption is false and there really is no way to know whether an election is achieving its objective. Well aware of how dysfunctional plurality elections can be, voters cast strategic votes constrained by predictions of electability and not simply on the basis of preference. Strategic voting makes it difficult to interpret what election results mean and perhaps for that reason, strategic voting is often regarded as something to be avoided. And it is true that in extreme cases, strategic voting could serve a malicious intent such as an attack on election integrity. But that is not the usual situation. Most often it is good strategic voting, an entirely honorable effort to forestall a flawed election. Voters generally resent having to do this, but the voters are not to blame for the problem; it is the dysfunctional plurality voting system that is the problem. It is widely understood that we have a duopoly because we continue to use plurality voting; this claim even has a name, Duverger's Law. It really seems more of an observation than a law, but that aside, Duverger's Law should not be interpreted as suggesting that just any other voting system would let us avoid the duopoly. We might coin the name, Duverger's pitfall, for this unjustified assumption. There is little reason to think that just another voting system such as ranked choice voting or approval voting would result in additional viable candidates; doing that seems to require a very special sort of voting system. So, what about a balanced system? Balanced voting systems offer alternatives that mitigate some problems with plurality voting. They measure voter opposition to candidates and treat opposition votes as equally significant as support votes. The inclusion of an opposition vote enables voters to just as easily penalize individual candidates as it is for them to reward them. Fear of such punishing votes should cause candidates to hesitate before offending even their non-supporters. This improvement alone makes suggests that balance provides at least a step in the right direction. Adopting a balanced voting system might encourage more candidates to compete in elections. And there is reason to hope with more candidates there will be a few who would seem acceptable to (though perhaps not the very first choice of) a distinct majority of voters. Unfortunately though, it is no more clear than with ranked choice or approval voting, how merely adopting a balanced voting system would make it possible for even such a popular third party candidates to ever win election. When accustomed to a duopoly, most voters do not even consider voting for other than one of the two duopoly candidates. So merely introducing additional candidates to an election will not particularly improve the likelihood that one of them will get elected; indeed, multiple third-party candidates are more apt to compete with each other than with the duopoly. Something further is needed for third parties to credibly compete with the duopoly. Evaluative voting systems offer yet other alternatives to plurality voting. Using these systems, voters evaluate each candidate in isolation, not in comparison to one another. An example of this is approval voting; an approval voter can support any number of candidates while abstaining (withholding support) for the others. The approval voter is encouraged to make decisions for one candidate at a time in isolation, with never a need to compare one candidate with another. The voter simply checkmarks which candidates the voter believes would be a satisfactory choice. Approval voting makes voting pretty easy. Sadly though, approval voting also lacks what is needed to cure a duopoly. BAV is the jewel found at the intersection. (Image by Paul Cohen) Details DMCA Balanced approval voting (BAV) is a quite special voting system because it is both balanced and evaluative. Because BAV is evaluative, voters face no perplexing decision about whether to vote for one candidate or against another. A BAV voter is entirely free to do both. Using BAV, a voter can specify opposition to several candidates, support to several others while abstaining with respect to the remaining candidates. Given a duopoly, the voter who prefers the Democrat will almost certainly vote for the Democrat and against the Republican. But these are details; the most significant thing to know about BAV, is that that it promises to be a cure for duopoly. Such voting systems are a rare breed and BAV is just one of that rare breed, but it is unique in appearing to be the simplest of the balanced and evaluative systems. By being balanced and evaluative, BAV is able to penalize polarization itself. Whenever there are two polarizing candidates, they find themselves pitted against one another in a way that reduces the vote tallies for both; Democrats vote for the Democratic candidate and against the Republican candidate; likewise, Republicans vote for the Republican and against the Democrat; both would have a net vote of zero. Usually, of course, the numbers would be only approximately equal, but still, tallying this way can strip the duopoly of its unbreachable dominance; perhaps not always but often. With the duopoly candidates stripped of this advantage, other candidates will be able to achieve viability and duopoly can be relegated to the dustbin of history. All parties will feel forced to moderate their positions and learn to compete against a greater number of viable opponents. While the Republican and Democratic parties can still survive, compete and even win elections at times, they would never regain the kind dominance the two have so long shared. BAV has important virtues beyond merely encouraging additional viable candidates. BAV is easy to understand, simple to administer and it encourages voter participation by making voting particularly easy. This is because BAV reduces the need for voters to make particularly difficult choices even while it provides voters with improved flexibility in specifying their preferences. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Police arrested a woman Saturday after she allegedly threatened people camping out near the Moda Center for a Billie Eilish concert. Police say the woman threatened the campers with a knife and stole their sleeping bag. Portland police officers responded to the Lloyd District near North Williams Avenue and Northeast Multnomah Street around 11 a.m. Saturday after getting a call about a stabbing. When the first officers arrived, they found no one with injuries, police said, and began searching for a suspect. Two people who were camping near the arena ahead of a concert told police that the same suspect threatened them with a knife. Eilish is scheduled to perform Sunday evening. Jessica Bailey told KOIN 6 that she and her family were camping by the intersection to get a good spot for general admission seats when the woman approached them demanding money or their sleeping bag. Officers arrested 52-year-old Angelique Butler, who had the sleeping bag with her and a large kitchen-style knife, police said. A picture of the knife Portland police said was in Angelique Butler's possession. The 52-year-old was arrested Saturday and accused of threatening people camping for a Billie Eilish concert with this knife.Courtesy of Portland Police Bureau Bailey told the television station that she also saw Butler threaten a bicyclist with her knife, stabbing at him or near him. She wasnt sure if the man got hurt. Police said they were unable to find the man who may have been stabbed. Butler remains in custody at Multnomah Countys downtown jail on allegations of menacing, robbery, disorderly conduct and unlawful use of a weapon. She is scheduled to appear in Multnomah County Circuit Court Monday. Butler had a separate warrant issued for her arrest related to a criminal mischief case in Multnomah County. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221- 4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake. Almost 100 art students displayed their works on Saturday at the last day of the Pacific Northwest College of Arts Makers Market Event many of them chatting with curious customers and with each other as they sold prints, ceramics, stickers and works in other mediums. Having to sit there and tell people about things I made and how I made them has been a little scary, said Malina Buntin, a sophomore at the college who makes whimsical but functional ceramicware. But I think Im getting used to it. For Buntin and many other artists working to kick-start their careers at the event in the colleges downtown building the show was their first time selling at a market, an essential skill for many professional artists. For students, its a lot of hands-on experience, said Dylan Mead, a senior who helped organize the event. Its important to me that students know how to market their art. Mead said that this years Makers Market with over 90 artists participating was almost double the size of last years. People have been really enjoying being able to not just make money off of it, but also interact with the Portland community, they said. Elsewhere at the event, some artists were tabling for the first time. We really wanted to do it this year because it was our last chance to participate, said senior Alex Lawson-Mangum as she sat next to her friend and fellow senior Audrey Shuman. On the table in front of them were dozens of colorful, stylized illustrations drawing inspiration from mythology and pop culture: a scene with a unicorn, Dungeons and Dragons monsters, a portrait of Chappell Roan. Its just a great introduction to selling your own stuff, Shuman added. I feel more empowered to do events in the future. But both Shuman and Lawson-Mangum described a career as a professional artist as challenging and competitive. They hoped that honing their marketing skills before graduation would give them a leg up after school. The event featured art in a variety of mediums, including ceramics such as those created by sophomore Heather Bruns (pictured).Tatum Todd/The Oregonian Despite the possible challenges, many students were excited about the prospect of creating things for a living. Ive always been drawn to the art path, said sophomore Heather Bruns, who makes gothic-inspired mugs and other functional ceramics. I knew that whatever I pursue career-wise, I wanted to actually enjoy it and be fulfilled by my work. Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313. Pearl Harbor survivors, Ken Stevens, 102, of Powers, Oregon, second from the left, and Ira "Ike" Schab, 104, of Beaverton, wait before the start of the 83rd Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Honolulu.Mengshin Lin | AP PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii Ira Ike Schab, a 104-year-old Pearl Harbor attack survivor from Beaverton, was so determined to stand and salute during a remembrance ceremony honoring those killed in the Japanese bombing that thrust the U.S. into World War II some 83 years ago that he spent six weeks in physical therapy to build the strength to do so. On Saturday, Schab gingerly rose from his wheelchair and raised his right hand, returning a salute delivered by sailors on a destroyer and a submarine passing by in the harbor. His son and a daughter supported him from either side. I was honored to do it. Im glad I was capable of standing up, he said afterward. Im getting old, you know. Schab is one of only two servicemen who lived through the attack who made it to an annual observance hosted by the U.S. Navy and National Park Service on a grass field overlooking the harbor. A third survivor had been planning to join them but had to cancel because of health issues. The Dec. 7, 1941, bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. Nearly half, or 1,177, were sailors and Marines on board the USS Arizona, which sank during the battle. The remains of more than 900 Arizona crew members are still entombed on the submerged vessel. Dozens of survivors once joined the event but their attendance has declined as survivors have aged. Today there are only 16 still living, according to a list maintained by Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Military historian J. Michael Wenger has estimated there were some 87,000 military personnel on Oahu on the day of the attack. Schab agreed when ceremony organizers asked him earlier this year to salute on behalf of all survivors and World War II veterans. Hes been working hard, because this is his goal, said his daughter Kimberlee Heinrichs, who traveled to Hawaii with Schab from their Beaverton home. He wanted to be able to stand for that. Schab was a sailor on the USS Dobbin at the time of the attack, serving as the tuba player in the ships band. He had showered and put on a clean uniform when he heard the call for a fire rescue party. He hurried topside to see Japanese planes flying overhead and the USS Utah capsizing. He quickly went back below deck to join a daisy chain of sailors feeding shells to an anti-aircraft gun topside. Ken Stevens, 102, who served on the USS Whitney, joined Schab at the ceremony. Stevens lives in Powers, Oregon. USS Curtiss sailor Bob Fernandez, 100, was unable to come due to health issues. Attendees observed a moment of silence at 7:54 a.m., the same time the attack began eight decades ago. F-22 jets in missing man formation flew overhead shortly after. Fernandez, speaking in a phone interview from California, where he lives with his nephew in Lodi, recalled feeling shocked and surprised as the attack began. When those things go off like that, we didnt know whats what, Fernandez said. We didnt even know we were in a war. Fernandez was a mess cook on the Curtiss and his job that morning was to bring sailors coffee and food as he waited tables during breakfast. Then they heard an alarm sound. Through a porthole, Fernandez saw a plane with the red ball insignia painted on Japanese aircraft fly by. Fernandez rushed down three decks to a magazine room where he and other sailors waited for someone to unlock a door storing 5-inch, 38-caliber shells so they could begin passing them to the ships guns. He has told interviewers over the years that some of his fellow sailors were praying and crying as they heard gunfire up above. I felt kind of scared because I didnt know what the hell was going on, Fernandez said. The ships guns hit a Japanese plane that crashed into one of its cranes. Shortly after, its guns hit a dive bomber that then slammed into the ship and exploded below deck, setting the hangar and main decks on fire, according to the Navy History and Heritage Command. Fernandezs ship, the Curtiss, lost 21 men and nearly 60 of its sailors were injured. Many laud Pearl Harbor survivors as heroes, but Fernandez doesnt view himself that way. Im not a hero, he said. Im just nothing but an ammunition passer. By AUDREY McAVOY, Associated Press Associated Press journalist Terry Chea contributed from Lodi, California. DAMASCUS, Syria Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russian media said Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his familys 50 years of iron rule. Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire and waved the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East, President Joe Biden said, crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syrias backers Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a fundamental act of justice but also a moment of risk and uncertainty, and said rebel groups are saying the right things now but the U.S. would assess their actions. Russia requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the U.N., in a post on Telegram. The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. A spokesman there didnt immediately respond to questions. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. The leader of Syrias biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is poised to chart the countrys future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assads fall as a victory to the Islamic nation. Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he said Assad had made Syria a farm for Irans greed. The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They urged people to preserve the institutions of the free Syrian state, and announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. An online video purported to show rebels freeing dozens of women at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. At least one small child was seen among them. This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he, said one relative, Bassam Masr. I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years. Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi appeared on state TV and sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, saying: Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects. We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did, he added. Celebrations in the capital Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, God is great. People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. Soldiers and police fled their posts and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Families wandered the presidential palace, walking by damaged portraits of Assad. Other parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. Its like a dream. I need someone to wake me up, said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with love. Rebels stood guard at the Justice Ministry, where Judge Khitam Haddad said he and colleagues were protecting documents. Outside, residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels have felt the pain of the people, said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syrias historically pro-government newspaper al-Watan called it a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood. It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements ordered from above. A statement from the Alawite sect that formed the core of Assads base called on young Syrians to be calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country. The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. Calls for an orderly transition The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. The road to Damascus from the Lebanese border was littered with military uniforms and charred armored vehicles. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. The end of Assads rule was a major blow to Iran and its proxies, already weakened by conflict with Israel. Iran said Syrians should decide their future without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Hossein Akbari, Irans ambassador to Syria, said it was effectively impossible to help the Syrian government after it admitted the insurgents military superiority. Speaking on Iranian state media from an undisclosed location, he said Syrias government decided Saturday night to hand over power peacefully. When the army and the people could not resist, it was a good decision to let go to prevent bloodshed and destruction, Akbari said, adding that some of his colleagues left Syria before sunrise. Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on state TV, said there were concerns about the possibility of civil war, disintegration of Syria, total collapse and turning Syria into a shelter for terrorists. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has said the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel. The U.N.s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatars Foreign Ministry spokesman, said they agreed on the need to engage all parties on the ground, including the HTS, and that the main concern is stability and safe transition. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israels military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didnt respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the U.S., views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israels efforts to take advantage of Assads downfall to occupy more territory. -- By Abdulrahman Shaheen, Sarah El Deeb and Abby Sewell, The Associated Press What are we doing thats bigger than ourselves? That question, posed by Dr. Brian Druker in an interview with the Portland Business Journal, helps explain why the internationally renowned researcher decided to resign as chief executive of OHSUs Knight Cancer Institute. Drukers groundbreaking work led to a miracle treatment for a type of leukemia. He knows firsthand the power of vision, ingenuity and tenacity. The notes and photos from patients who are living full lives thanks to the drug he helped develop are reminders of why he and others do the work they do. But the institution where he has spent more than 30 years, he has concluded, no longer fosters such ambitions. While he will remain at OHSU for the immediate future, he has publicly shared his willingness to go elsewhere, telling colleagues that his goals of advancing cancer research and improving patient care are no longer achievable at OHSU. We have lost sight of what is crucial and forgotten our mission, he wrote in an email, published by The Lund Report. Even Drukers understated language cannot mask how piercing his criticism is. There is no single other researcher as synonymous with innovation at OHSU than Druker. His resignation and message should set off alarms with OHSU leaders. Instead, in the public announcement of his resignation, OHSU appeared to treat the change as a ho-hum shift that reflects the obliviousness that Druker is calling out. Although OHSU leaders on Friday offered a stronger rebuttal in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board, the institution has been slow to recognize the symbolic significance to the greater community of Drukers resignation. The bombshell announcement once again puts the spotlight on OHSU, which has been in the headlines lately for all the wrong reasons. Over the past two years, Oregons preeminent public research university and medical center has struggled to navigate financial challenges, laid off hundreds and faced profound internal strife. News stories have reported on low morale and department heads lack of confidence in then-president Danny Jacobs; turmoil after students reported that a professor secretly took photos of them; allegations of retaliation by top leaders over how administrators handled those allegations with the former medical school dean ultimately filing a lawsuit against OHSU; and finally Jacobs abrupt October resignation. Even the departure of the beleaguered president was steeped in controversy, as the board sought to bypass any meaningful process and immediately replace Jacobs with the current medical school dean until Gov. Tina Kotek stepped in. That long list doesnt even include the challenges OHSU faces in trying to win state approval of a proposed merger with Legacy Health System. The troubles facing OHSU today paint a far different picture of the institution from a decade ago. Challenged by philanthropists Phil and Penny Knight in 2013 to match their $500 million donation, OHSU rallied donors both in-state and globally to raise its share in two years. That massive haul led to the creation of the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center at the Knight Cancer Institute, helping recruit researchers from a wide variety of fields to focus on the early detection of and intervention in lethal cancers. Beyond that blockbuster fundraising campaign, OHSU, perched high on Marquam Hill and growing on the river bank, has literally and figuratively served as a beacon for Oregon in its ambitions as a forward-thinking leader in research that remains rooted in a mission of public service to Oregonians. But as Druker has argued, that focus has shifted as OHSU has faced budget shortfalls and adopted cost-cutting measures. While OHSUs board and top leaders must continue their work to reduce operating losses which are projected to be $25 million for the current fiscal year the financial game plan must be grounded in a clear strategic vision for what OHSU is and will be, even if it is a narrower vision than in the past. Thats particularly important for OHSU if it is to present a strong argument to regulators, employees and the community that a merger with Legacy makes sense for Oregon, not just OHSUs bottom line. While OHSU argues a merged entity will be able to provide patients better access to care, shorter wait times and higher quality health care for all, former Gov. John Kitzhaber noted his concerns over the proposal in a recent blog post. To date, there has been no clear articulation of why this transaction will be in the public interest not only in the interest of Oregon consumers, but also in terms of addressing the larger challenges facing Oregons health care system: the escalating cost of premiums and deductibles, the lack of access to behavioral health, and the crisis in primary care, he wrote. In response to Drukers note, OHSU leaders are now pushing back, saying that while Drukers resignation is a significant loss, they disagree strongly with the assertion that the institution has lost sight of its mission. In an email to the editorial board, OHSU interim president Steve Stadum and OHSU Board Chair Chad Paulson stressed that the current and future success of this university is not built on or around one individual. Our accomplished, dedicated members will continue to advance scientific discoveries and breakthroughs, educate future generations of health care professionals for Oregon and beyond, and provide exceptional patient care. Stadum also pointed to record research funding, additional donations and other initiatives that show OHSUs continuing commitment to its core mission. But OHSU board members, along with Kotek and other state leaders, should not ignore the significance of this moment nor the call for a clearly communicated vision for the future. The institution is at a crossroads as it attempts a massive merger in a turbulent industry with flagging support from its own employees and the loss of a marquee name. The choice of who will succeed as president is a critical one something the board failed to recognize in its initial plan to immediately plug the vacancy with the current medical school dean as a way to preserve stability. While stability is key, the board should also prioritize someone who can bring together a fractured institution and unite people behind an inspiring vision for the future. In stepping down from his position, Druker wrestled with what he could be doing thats bigger than himself. OHSUs leaders must keep that same question front and center. -The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: Today, I turn over my space to responses from readers to recent columns. Over the past few months, I have addressed why we publish public employee salaries and PERS benefits, how we typically cover suicides, our clean slate program and the beginning of The Oregonians 175th year of publication. My columns, found at oregonlive.com/editors, typically draw a dozen or so emails, sometimes many more. I write regularly to try to explain our journalistic decision-making and pull back the curtain on newsroom operations. One column discussed how we handled reporting on the death by suicide of a young person in a public place. We did not identify the person because we dont do so unless the individual is prominent. One woman responded this way: Just a note to say thank you for reflecting on the complexity of reporting on deaths by suicide. There is no easy answer, no perfect formula except to be thoughtful and conscientious about all that is at play, all who are affected, and all thats at stake. It sounds like the O and other local newsrooms are trying to meet that bar. My life has been touched and, to a degree, shaped by an early loss by suicide and loss by traumatic sudden death. I appreciate the care you put into your article and to the very difficult topic. Especially in this highly charged, difficult era we live in, it rang as a positive note. Another woman disagreed with our approach. Why do we cover this up? I dont agree that we should let it be private. ... We do a disservice to the community because we have a serious mental health crisis and continue to make it a shameful thing by keeping quiet. The state and feds need to help people by bringing this into the open and making it okay to seek help and provide a well known way to seek help. Drunk driving is a serious issue -- involving addiction and also shame. Yet you report on that. Id encourage you to allow more reporting of suicide to inform others and maybe people will start being outraged there arent more readily available mental health solutions without a shameful stigma attached. On public salaries, one reader didnt mince words. He wrote: Youre so full of s**t. You publish the salary info because it gets clicks. You know that its irresistible for friends/family/foes/co-workers to look up what others are making. Yes, the data is public but that doesnt mean it should be published so widely. You could make all of your points while anonymizing the data. Most readers who responded disliked the publicity. But some agreed transparency was necessary. One reader wrote: I can only speak for myself, but I think its very important for us to know the salaries of people who serve the public and are paid by the public. They have great control over our lives, and we should know exactly how they are compensated. I opened the column on public salaries with an anecdote about how my salary was private as The Oregonian/OregonLive is a privately owned company. That didnt sit right with this reader: So, its important to make public the salary of a low-level part-time county employee because that person is a public employee, but the person in charge of whats news and what opinions are important to the community are off-limits. Wow, the hypocrisy runs deep in The Oregonian. A few dozen readers responded to my recent update on our clean slate program, which provides a way for readers to ask us to review and possibly remove older information about their past, typically minor crimes. Most readers agreed the man at issue deserved his second chance, but a few disagreed strongly. On the pro side: This is a wonderful example of acknowledging the importance of new beginnings and is so important! On the other hand: He was stupid enough to do what he did. You cannot change that. His record should remain in force. Just another example of the liberal bent of your newspaper. To be clear, unless a criminal record is expunged, it remains public record. Our program removes some articles from our website or from search engine results, but the articles remain in our historical archive, available through the Multnomah County Library or online at oregonlive.com/oregonianarchives. Finally, on crossing into our 175th year of continuous publication, readers sent congratulations: Now, more than ever, truthful and ethical journalism is important to our democracy. Another said: What a treat! Ive been reading The Oregonian since I learned to read, back in the 1950s. Glad to know of all the ups and downs the newspaper has endured. And, finally: Happy birthday, T. You dont look a day over 165.. Tommy Thanks, Tommy, whoever you are! Reach me at tbottomly@oregonian.com. NAIROBI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Over 100 young technology leaders from Kenya have graduated from China's tech giant Huawei-sponsored training aimed at enhancing their digital skills, preparing them for a pivotal role in the country's envisioned knowledge-based economy. The graduation ceremony, held late Saturday in Nairobi, the country's capital, marked the successful completion of the Huawei DigiTruck program by 180 youth. The event was attended by lawmakers, community leaders, business executives, and innovators. Khadija Mohammed Ahmed, media director of Huawei Technologies Kenya, said that the graduates not only gained advanced information and communications technology (ICT) skills but also showed passion and dedication to contributing to the growth of Kenya's digital economy. "This is not just a graduation; it is the beginning of a new chapter for these talented people," Ahmed said in a statement released Sunday in Nairobi. "Through the Huawei ICT Academy, they now have access to global opportunities that will help them continue growing and innovating in the ICT field." Launched in 2019 under Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative, the DigiTruck is a mobile, solar-powered classroom equipped with internet access, laptops, and smartphones. It travels to remote communities, offering free ICT training to youth across Kenya. The latest cohort of graduates acquired skills in cloud computing, coding, and digital literacy, demonstrating their problem-solving abilities. Maureen Mwaniki, public affairs director at Huawei Technologies Kenya, emphasized that improving digital skills would enable local youth to secure sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their communities. "We encourage all young people to continue learning and upskilling, exploring new areas of growth as emerging technologies take center stage in our increasingly digital world," Mwaniki said. John Kiarie, a lawmaker representing Nairobi's Dagoretti constituency, praised the partnership between the government and industry stakeholders like Huawei, which is enhancing digital literacy among the youth and increasing their employability. Kiarie also noted that the Huawei DigiTruck program has created a vast pool of highly skilled youth ready to drive transformation across key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and finance. Barbara Smith Warner and Arnie Roblan Smith Warner is a former Oregon House majority leader and state representative representing Northeast Portland. Roblan is a former co-speaker of the House and state senator representing the southern Oregon coast. Five years ago, Oregon took a historic step for all children by passing the Student Success Act of 2019. The landmark legislation has added a much-needed $2 billion to our state budget each biennium for early learning and K-12 education. But unlike most of Oregons K-12 funding, the law also requires school districts to problem-solve with their communities, set clear goals to boost outcomes and invest in strategies that promise to make the biggest difference. As Oregon legislators prepare to once again take up the question of K-12 funding, they should look to the Student Success Act as a model. It shows how the state can target taxpayer dollars for public education in a way that prioritizes collaboration, school improvement and accountability. As state legislators, we co-chaired the committee that crafted the Student Success Act. Together with a bipartisan group of colleagues, we traveled nearly 3,000 miles across the state, visiting 77 schools in 29 communities along the way. We listened to students, educators and families about their experiences and needs. Their ideas helped us build a systemwide plan to strengthen K-12 schools and finally reverse the decades-old trend of public education underfunding since Measure 5 capped local property taxes. At its core, the Student Success Act is designed to do three things for K-12: accelerate improvement in student academic outcomes, ramp up support for student mental health and close opportunity and achievement gaps that impact historically underserved students including students of color as well as those living in rural areas, experiencing disability and navigating economic or housing insecurity. Knowing student success is critical to our states economic future, the Legislature created a new corporate activity tax to help school districts fulfill the Student Success Acts promise. What has the Student Success Act accomplished so far? New research from Foundations for a Better Oregon, a nonprofit and nonpartisan education advocacy organization, shows school districts used the laws funding to hire hundreds of school counselors, nurses and other critical mental health support staff during the pandemic. Such investments recognize that students academic success and attendance require supporting their social, emotional and behavioral health as well. Districts are also investing in more instructional time for K-12 students, offering tutoring and summer programming, increasing access to accelerated courses and expanding career and technical education. The data show that these academic investments are helping more students stay on track to earn their high school diploma and steadily improving Oregons graduation rates. Just as importantly, the Student Success Act is building the culture of accountability, rigor and collaboration we need to drive school improvement. For example, the law requires school districts to review data in order to better understand the strengths and needs of different groups of students; consult research on best educational practices; and engage their communities including students, families and educators to decide which investments will make the biggest difference for kids. To track whether Student Success Act investments are working, districts must also set new growth targets to improve key student data metrics like third-grade reading, high school graduation, and regular school attendance. If districts are struggling to meet their targets, the Oregon Department of Education is equipped to step in and provide support. This progress matters, and there is more to do. As experts told us in 2018 and Oregons state auditors reminded us in 2022, the key to improving systems is to pick a strategy and stick with it over time often 10 years or more and fine-tune it along the way. Recent public opinion research also shows the Student Success Acts goals and school improvement strategies remain extraordinarily popular among Oregonians. Looking ahead, we applaud Gov. Tina Kotek and state legislators for courageously taking a fresh look at public education funding and accountability. As our public education system rebuilds from the COVID-19 crisis, student outcomes are lagging and deep-rooted inequities persist. And now, labor negotiations and budget cuts are roiling many school districts. Like many Oregonians, we share the sense of urgency that state leaders must do more for students and schools. Instead of reinventing the wheel, we urge them and all of Oregons 197 school districts to learn from what the Student Success Act has accomplished so far, and make sure its goals and strategies are guiding how we invest our entire K-12 budget. School improvement should be the north star for not only the $2 billion Student Success Act, but also for the more than $10 billion State School Fund, which provides the vast majority of state dollars for K-12 schools. While increasing school funding is important, it is not enough on its own to radically improve student outcomes. Too often, school districts design well-intentioned but unfocused budgets, missing opportunities to clearly connect local spending to their desired outcomes and then track which investments translate into measurable gains for students. We must have clear guidance on how state money can best be used for students and transparency in how it is spent. In these uncertain and polarizing times, Oregon students need a strong public education more than ever, one that allows them to imagine a better future for themselves and for each other. If we want our kids to live out their most ambitious dreams, we must provide the education they need to chase those dreams. Thats why the Student Success Act keeps expectations highfor every student and every school. Lets hold the same high expectations for every dollar we spend on public education. Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: A recent letter writer asked what President-elect Donald Trump did during his first presidency that so badly impacted Oregon, (Readers respond: Anti-Trump fears are alarmist propaganda, Dec. 4). My answer is that during the protests of 2020, Trump sent federal agents to Portland. As The Guardian reported, these agents detained protesters in unmarked vans, teargassed crowds, beat reporters and worked without visible identification, despite the objections of Portlands mayor, Oregons governor and the states two Democratic senators. Why did Trump do this? The Guardian report concluded that Trump and his supporters saw the federal intervention as a template to be used in cities around the country. The letter writer claims that fears about a second Trump presidency are mostly alarmist, fake news and propaganda. Considering that Trump now views the use of the military within the United States as appropriate, and that he wants to go after the enemy within, as a resident of Portland, Oregon, I am indeed alarmed. Mitchell Turker, Portland To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. The Christmas season is a busy one. Especially, perhaps, in the United States, where commercialism drives both it and us, and where it falls during a frenetic period known as the holidays, preceded by Halloween and Thanksgiving and succeeded by New Years Eve and New Years Day (to mention only a few of the festivities). Its easy to lose track of whats really important. One way, perhaps, of staying focused, is to make sure that we attend the temple at least once during this period. (Which is rendered somewhat more difficult than it usually is by holiday-reduced temple schedules, school vacations, and holiday-increased demands on our time.) In support of my point, more or less, I invoke Truman Madsen, who died in 2009 and whom I greatly miss. He changed the direction of my life at a crucial stage, when I was a high school student in California. I probably would not have attended Brigham Young University absent a particular encounter with him. I had him as a teacher when I arrived at BYU. Eventually, he became a faculty colleague, and then a friend. Although, owing to the politics of the region, I havent been back to Jerusalem since November 2022, Ive typically visited the city at least once annually for years now where, among other things, I taught for nearly six months on the faculty of BYUs Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies during a period when Truman Madsen was serving there as the Centers director. Here are two passages from a devotional address entitled Foundations of Temple Worship that Truman delivered at the Idaho campus of Brigham Young University in October 2004: President McKay asked for a million dollars from the local saints, and had pledge cards before the meeting was over for that amount, plus. Then he spoke about the temple. Ill spare you the details except for the core statement that I have cherished, and which bent, as it were, the twig in me, which has grown and grown ever since. He said, Brothers and sisters, I believe there are few, even temple workers, who comprehend the full meaning and power of the temple endowment. Seen for what it is, it is the step-by-step ascent into the eternal presence. If our young people could only glimpse it, it would be the most powerful spiritual motivation of their lives. I resolved that day, because of what happened in my heart, always to raise my voice in testifying of the temple and never of criticizing it, to carry out as best I could my dream of finding a queen who would share in me the total conviction that the temple is ours, made for us and prepared for us, and that out of that could come a family who would love the Lord Jesus Christ as nothing else in the universe. . . . The fulness of truth, and the fulness of the Holy Ghost, and the fulness of the priesthood, and the fulness of the glory of the Father are all phrases that are ocurrent in connection with the temple, and cannot be received anywhere else, nowhere else on the planet. You cannot receive the fulness that the Lord has for you without coming through the temple and having the temple come through you. In attending the temple, we serve others. We do for them what they cannot do for themselves. And that is precisely what the Savior did, for all of us, in coming to this earth. Service in the temple ranks among the most Christ-like things that we can do. On Thursday, my blog entry here was already so very long that I chose not to include a favorite piece of Christmas music for that day. But I compensate for that today by offering two: The first is Gustav Holsts famous 1906 setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). The poem has two weak points, in my estimation apart, of course, from the fact that Jesus almost certainly wasnt born in the bleak mid-winter: First, repeating snow on snow twice seems unimaginative to me. Second, so does the vague if I were a wise man, I would do my part. (Ive made the offer before, though, and it still remains: Can anybody else out there improve on these passages?) However, what I can I give Him, Give my heart is wonderful. And the second stanza (heaven cannot hold Him Nor earth sustain, Heaven and earth shall flee away When He comes to reign, matched by the contrasting A stable-place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, is simply magnificent. Here are the lyrics of the Holst arrangement (which omits at least one stanza of Christina Rosettis original) as performed by the Tenebrae Choir, under the direction of Nigel Short: In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan; Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter Long ago. Our God, heaven cannot hold Him Nor earth sustain, Heaven and earth shall flee away When He comes to reign: In the bleak mid-winter A stable-place sufficed The Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ. Enough for Him, whom Cherubim Worship night and day, A breastful of milk And a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom Angels Fall down before, The ox and ass and camel Which adore. What can I give Him, Poor as I am? If I were a Shepherd I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man I would do my part, Yet what I can I give Him, Give my heart. That stable, years ago, was a temple. Seriously. Given the literal presence in it of the Lord himself, what else could it have been? The second of my Christmas favorites for today is O Holy Night, which was originally composed in French. The most stirring portion of the song for me has always been the English verse that reads Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is Love and His gospel is Peace; Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, And in his name all oppression shall cease. May that day come soon! In the meantime, for something just a bit different and unexpected, here is a rendition of it by the great operatic tenor Jussi Bjorling. (1911-1960), unfortunately performed in his (though not the songs) native Swedish. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, putting an end to the Assad familys 50 years of iron rule but raising questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after President Bashar Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown. Russia, a close ally, said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance, leads the biggest rebel faction and is poised to chart the countrys future direction. The end of Assads rule deals a major blow to Iran and its allies, already weakened by over a year of conflict with Israel. Iran, which had strongly backed Assad throughout the civil war, said Syrians should decide their countrys future without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights dating back to 1974, after Syrian troops abandoned their positions in the latest unrest. The rebels now face the daunting task of healing bitter divides in a country ravaged by war and still split among different armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas. Syrian state television aired a video statement early Sunday by a group of rebels saying that Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been set free. They called on people to preserve the institutions of the free Syrian state. The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. The rebels said they freed people held at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. A video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked and confused. At least one small child could be seen among them. Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi, who appeared on State TV later in the day, sought to reassure Syrias religious and ethnic minorities, saying: Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects. We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did, he added. Celebrations across the capital Residents of Damascus gathered to pray mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting God is great. People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air. Revelers filled Umayyad Square in the city center, where the Defense Ministry is located. Men fired celebratory gunshots into the air and some waved the three-starred Syrian flag that predates the Assad government and was adopted by the revolutionaries. I cannot express my happiness, said Bassam Masr. But this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he. I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Videos from Damascus showed families wandering into the presidential palace, with some emerging carrying stacks of plates and other household items. Syrias al-Watan newspaper, which was historically pro-government, wrote: We are facing a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood. We believe and trust that Syria will be for all Syrians. The newspaper added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing government statements in the past, saying: We only carried out the instructions and published the news they sent us. A statement from the Alawite sect to which Assad belongs and which has formed the core of his base called on young Syrians to be calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country. The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. Assads whereabouts are unknown Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said in a video statement that the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video shared on Syrian opposition media showed a group of armed men escorting him out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel on Sunday. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Assad took a flight Sunday from Damascus. A senior diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, which had sought to rehabilitate Assads image and has welcomed high-profile exiles in recent years, declined to comment on his whereabouts when asked by reporters at a conference in Bahrain. Anwar Gargash said Assads destination at this point is a footnote in history, comparing it to the long exile of German Kaiser Wilhelm II after World War I. Assad has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war, including a 2013 chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of the capital. There was no immediate comment from Iran, which had been Assads staunchest supporter. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Calls for an orderly transition The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall in a matter of days as the Syrian army melted away. Russia, Iran and Lebanons Hezbollah militant group, which provided crucial support to Assad throughout the uprising, abandoned him in the final days as they reeled from other conflicts. The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. Its leader, al-Golani, has sought to recast the group as a moderate and tolerant force. HTS set up a salvation government in 2017 to administer a large region in northwestern Syria under its control. Golani has made history and sparked hope among millions of Syrians, said Dareen Khalifa, a senior adviser with the International Crisis Group and an expert on Syrian groups. But he and the rebels now face a formidable challenge ahead. One can only hope they rise to the occasion. The U.N.s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday. The participants included Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatars Foreign Ministry spokesman, told reporters that they agreed on the need to engage all parties on the ground, including the HTS, and that the main concern is stability and safe transition. Netanyahu said the 1974 agreement separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights had collapsed, with Syrian soldiers abandoning their positions, and that Israel had seized the buffer zone for its own protection. The military said the deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war and the international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. JINAN, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Nine people who were previously reported missing in a fire that broke out at a refrigerated warehouse under construction in east China's Shandong Province have been located and confirmed dead on Sunday morning. The fire occurred on Saturday at the warehouse owned by a local company called Lanrun in the city of Rongcheng, according to the local emergency management department. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Syrias government appears to have fallen after opposition fighters said they entered Damascus following a stunning advance. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country, Jalili said in a video statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. A Syrian opposition war monitor, Rami Abdurrahman, said Assad left the country on a flight from Damascus early Sunday. Jalili did not address reports of Assads departure. Opposition fighters entered Syrias capital in a swiftly developing crisis that has taken much of the world by surprise. Syrias army has abandoned key cities with little resistance. Who are these opposition fighters? If they take control of Damascus after seizing some of Syrias largest cities, what then? Here is a look at the stunning reversal of fortune for Assad and the government in just the past 10 days, and what might lie ahead as Syrias 13-year civil war reignites. The aim? Overthrow the government This is the first time that opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when the countrys troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The approaching fighters are led by the most powerful insurgent group in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, along with an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been entrenched in the northwest. They launched the shock offensive on Nov. 27 with gunmen capturing Aleppo, Syrias largest city, and the central city of Hama, the fourth largest. The HTS has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. But the group said in recent years it cut ties with al-Qaida, and experts say HTS has sought to remake itself in recent years by focusing on promoting civilian government in their territory as well as military action. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive is to overthrow Assads government. Possible rifts ahead The HTS and Syrian National Army have been allies at times and rivals at times, and their aims might diverge. The Turkish-backed militias also have an interest in creating a buffer zone near the Turkish border to keep away Kurdish militants at odds with Ankara. Turkey has been a main backer of the fighters seeking to overthrow Assad but more recently has urged reconciliation, and Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive. Whether the HTS and the Syrian National Army will work together if they succeed in overthrowing Assad or turn on each other again is a major question. Others take advantage While the flash offensive against Syrias government began in the north, armed opposition groups have also mobilized elsewhere. The southern areas of Sweida and Daraa have both been taken locally. Sweida is the heartland of Syrias Druze religious minority and had been the site of regular anti-government protests even after Assad seemingly consolidated his control over the area. Daraa is a Sunni Muslim area that was widely seen as the cradle of the uprising against Assads rule that erupted in 2011. Daraa was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018, but rebels remained in some areas. In recent years, Daraa was in a state of uneasy quiet under a Russian-mediated ceasefire deal. And much of Syrias east is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States that in the past has clashed with most other armed groups in the country. Syrias government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. Whats next? A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces have started carrying out the final stage of their offensive by encircling Damascus. And Syrian troops withdrew Saturday from much of the central city of Homs, Syrias third largest, according to a pro-government outlet and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. If that city is captured, the link would be cut between Damascus, Assads seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. Homs to the coastal cities will be a very huge red line politically and socially. Politically, if this line is crossed, then we are talking about the end of the entire Syria, the one that we knew in the past, said a Damascus resident, Anas Joudeh. Assad appears to be largely on his own as allies Russia and Iran are distracted by other conflicts and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been weakened by its war with Israel, now under a fragile ceasefire. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition, saying the situation is changing by the minute. He met with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. Hot off the recent openings of its first two Central Pennsylvania stores - with a third expected later this week - Wawa is looking to add a Gettysburg-area location, according to the Hanover Evening Sun. The convenience store chain, wildly popular in Philadelphia and New Jersey, is on a westward expansion plan to add roughly 40 stores in the center of Pennsylvania over the next several years. According to the Evening Sun, minutes from the Straban Township Planning Commission reveal that Wawas next target is a proposed 6,000-square-foot store and gas station on the corner of Gateway Boulevard and Route 30, just northeast of Gettysburg. The new site would be located in the Gateway Gettysburg condo development, and is on track for planning commission approval in late December or early January, the Evening Sun reported. Wawas first Central Pennsylvania store opened in September on the Harrisburg Pike in Lower Swatara Township. A second location opened in Dover, York County, last week, and a third opening is expected this coming week in East Pennsboro Township. Former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key speaks at the "Vision 2025" business event held by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, in Auckland, New Zealand, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Long Lei) AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Former New Zealand prime ministers John Key and Chris Hipkins have said that a sound New Zealand-China relationship is very important to their country. At the "Vision 2025" business event held by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand on Friday, Key said China remains New Zealand's largest trading partner and a major source of tourists, students, and investment. Relationship with China is crucial for New Zealand's economic future, said the former prime minister. Hipkins, who is also the current opposition leader, echoed Key's statement on the importance of the bilateral relationship. "I think New Zealanders increasingly do understand that the relationship between New Zealand and China is the cornerstone of New Zealand's economic and social prosperity. It's a relationship of mutual respect and shared economic benefits," said Hipkins. Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong introduced China's latest adjustment of its visa-free policy for New Zealand, and urged the two sides to strengthen communication and cooperation in various sectors. New Zealand Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay had just returned from leading a New Zealand trade mission at last month's China International Import Export, a significant platform for New Zealand exporters to showcase their products and services in China. The New Zealand government has set an ambitious goal of doubling its export value in 10 years, in delivering which China is a critical element, said the minister. New Zealand Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay speaks at the "Vision 2025" business event held by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, in Auckland, New Zealand, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Long Lei) Former New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins speaks at the "Vision 2025" business event held by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, in Auckland, New Zealand, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Long Lei) Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong speaks at the "Vision 2025" business event held by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, in Auckland, New Zealand, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Long Lei) Father Knows Best: "Pops" Busts Poker Star Son on Tournament Bubble Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link Brett Reichard bagged the chip lead on Day 1a of the $1,110 Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) St. Louis Main Event thanks in large part to a pot he won against his poker champ son, Josh Reichard, on the bubble. The first session of the $300,000 guaranteed tournament at Hollywood Casino attracted 67 entrants on Thursday. Seven players bagged chips, all of whom are officially in the money. There were still two Day 1 starting flights remaining, to take place on Friday and Saturday, before the tournament wraps up on Sunday in Missouri. "Pops" Sends Son Home Brett "Pops" Reichard Josh Reichard, according to The Hendon Mob, has over $4.4 million in live tournament cashes. That includes 15 World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) rings, a World Poker Tour (WPT) title, and he's an MSPT Hall of Famer and Player of the Year. But his dad, who has $530,000 in cashes, can also play poker at a high level. The younger Reichard's superior tournament resume didn't help him in a hand against his father in the Main Event. Both players were all in preflop with eight players remaining on Day 1a with the blinds at 3,000/5,000. "Pops" had his son in bad shape with 1010 against 99 with over 60 big blinds in the pot. Josh Reichard would get no help when the board ran out 728J5, and he was eliminated in eighth place on the Day 1a bubble. Brett Reichard, however, catapulted into the lead with 671,000 chips to finish off the night. Brad Heitmeyer bagged the second largest stack at 513,000 chips. MSPT St. Louis Main Event Day 1a Chip Counts Place Player Chip Counts 1 Brett Reichard 671,000 2 Brad Heitmeyer 513,000 3 Mark Koeln 327,000 4 Andros Ioakimides 274,000 5 Chris Audrain 106,000 6 Aaron Johnson 92,000 7 Robert Shallenberger 30,000 Robert Shallenberger benefited greatly from the Reichard-on-Reichard crime as he finished the session with just six big blinds and still reached the money. The MSPT champion who had the option to try again to bag chips on Day 1b and/or 1c told PokerNews he "happily" called off an all-in bet preflop with a middling pocket pair, implying that "Pops" may have been playing a little too loose that night. But, as it turned out, father took son to school. Brett Reichard still had the largest stack entering Saturday's Day 1c flight as the Day 1b chip leader, Matt Genebacher, ended with 561,000 and was one of 15 players to bag chips during the session. Share this article The 2,200 Eureka High Roller is set to begin today at 12 p.m. local time at the Hilton Prague as part of the 2024 European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague. Known for its massive fields and intense competition, this event attracts top-tier professionals and aspiring amateurs alike, all chasing poker glory and a significant prize. Last year, Grzegorz Kozieja triumphed over a challenging field of 1,478 entries to secure the title and a remarkable 474,510 payday. The Polish pro demonstrated outstanding determination, rallying from a chip disadvantage to defeat Safwane Bahri in an intense heads-up showdown. With even larger numbers anticipated this year, the 2024 edition promises to be another thrilling installment of the Eureka High Roller. 2023 2,200 Eureka High Roller Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize (EUR) 1 Grzegorz Kozieja Poland 474,510 2 Safwane Bahri France 292,520 3 Bruno Volkmann Brazil 208,940 4 Jason Wheeler United States 160,730 5 Dan Larsen Denmark 123,640 6 Sokratis Linaras Greece 95,120 7 Vasileios Chatzilazarou Cyprus 73,160 8 Pablo Brito Silva Brazil 56,300 Players will start at Level 1 with blinds of 100/200 and a 200 big blind ante, receiving 30,000 chips as their starting stack. Levels last 40 minutes, with a 20-minute break every three levels and a 75-minute dinner break after Level 10. Late registration closes at the start of Level 11, and unlimited reentries are permitted. Day 1 will play down to the money, with the bubble expected to burst when approximately 15% of the field remains. All players advancing to Day 2 will have locked up a minimum payout, and the action will continue tomorrow until a new champion is crowned. Stay tuned to PokerNews for live updates, key moments, and chip counts as we follow the 2,200 Eureka High Roller from the first flop to the final hand. Despite the cold weather, the European Poker Tour Prague started to heat up with the introduction of the inaugural 25,000 Super High Roller Warm Up at the Hilton Prague. This one-day event saw 34 super high rollers cough up the eye-watering 25,000 buy-in to sit and compete, generating a prize pool of 807,500. The main beneficiary of this six-figure sum was eventual winner Espen Jorstad, whose dominating final table performance saw him lay claim to his first title on the EPT circuit, in addition to 277,500. Having won the bracelet in the World Series of Poker Main Event, Jorstad's resume in poker certainly needs no introduction, but as he continues to carve his legacy among the poker elite, a win today will be forever remembered as his maiden win on the European Poker Tour Circuit. 25,000 Super High Roller Warm Up Final Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Espen Jorstad Norway 277,500 2 Enrico Camosci Italy 180,700 3 Ilya Nikiforov Estonia 124,200 4 Roman Hrabec Czechia 91,900 5 Nikita Kuznetsov Russia 71,700 6 Viacheslav Buldygin Russia 56,500 7 Morten Klein Norway 5,000 Action of the Day Andras Nemeth had already made an impressive showing here in Prague having taken down the 10,200 EPT Mystery Bounty for 132,980 just two days ago. With his winnings, Nemeth reinvested a total of 50,000, across two bullets, into todays Super High Roller. Nemeths first entry came to an end when a blind versus blind cooler saw Jorstad become the recipient of his entire stack; Nemeths pocket tens failed to hold against the Norwegians ace-queen, sending him to the rail. Unfortunately for Nemeth, his second bullet also proved to be unsuccessful. Again, his pocket tens failed to hold against the ace-king of Enrico Camosci, decimating his stack and resulting in his departure as the first after registration had closed. Andras Nemeth Thomas Santerne was also denied his second EPT title of the week, after claiming the trophy in the most recent 20,000 No-Limit Hold'em tournament. A potential triple-up awaited Santerne, but the straight of Morten Klein marked the end of the French phenom's tournament. Online wonder turned live crusher, Niklas Astedts elimination in tenth place ensured all remaining players were giong to the final table and the race toward the money became the central focus. An Unconventional Bubble What would normally be considered the soft bubble was attributed to Markkos Ladev's exit in eighth place, leaving the remaining finalists on the stone money bubble. However, the moment Ladevs seat was vacated, Morten Klein was quick to make a suggestion. Klein informed the table he was in a race with Kayhan Mokri for points in a Norwegian league and needed a cash of 5,000 to beat him. The remaining players saw the humor in the suggestion and all agreed to take 1,000 off each of the top five spots to accommodate a seventh-place prize of 5,000 for the bubble boy. As if spoken into existence, Klein did in fact bust in seventh place. Despite being down 20,000 on the day, Klein was seemingly delighted with the result that hed managed to negotiate for himself. Morten Klein Remaining Final Table Action Viacheslav Buldygins exit in sixth place was the first considerable payout of 56,500, setting the pace of play as the bustouts began to come thick and fast. The beneficiary of this flurry of action was, by and large, Jorstad, whod amassed a considerable chip lead by the time three-handed play was underway. The victory was sealed in a dramatic three-way all in. Although Camosci had the best preflop holding at showdown, it was a miraculous ace on the river that saw Jorstad eliminate both players and claim his first EPT title and 277,500. Camosci recounted the hand in a short video for his Instagram story. As he panned for comment, Jorstad simply said Barry mother f***ing Greenstein! The Charleston School of Law hasnt quite closed the case in a lengthy quest to surrender its for-profit status. But it's deep into the closing arguments. Last weekend, the downtown school crossed over into new territory when it officially converted to a tax-exempt organization, or, in clunky IRS legalese, a "501(c)(3)." It's now owned lock, stock and barrel by its foundation and is governed by a newly elected board of trustees. The long-anticipated switch on Dec. 1 caps a goal that Georgetown attorney Ed Bell announced in October 2015, when a privately held company he led acquired the then-financially troubled school with intentions to make it a nonprofit institution. The quicker we can do it, the better, Bell said at the time. It took nearly a decade, but as last Sunday, all of the liabilities and assets, including a valuable piece of downtown real estate tied up in litigation, were handed over to the school's foundation, along with the membership interests in the for-profit ownership group. No money was exchanged in the transfers. This change will allow us even greater opportunities to build on the successes we have achieved over the last nine years," Bell said in a prepared statement last week. Getting it done Jonathan Marcantel, who was named interim dean in October when Larry Cunningham left for a job in the federal court system, called the new ownership structure the realization of "a long-awaited dream." "I think, from the faculty and staff perspective, we always wanted to convert," he said, while also acknowledging "the challenges associated with getting it done." Even so, it was business as usual when classes resumed Monday morning. DAMASCUS/JERUSALEM, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Three explosions were heard in Syria's capital Damascus on Sunday, in what are believed to be Israeli airstrikes targeting abandoned military bases, according to local media reports. The explosions, rocking the Mazzeh neighborhood of the city, are part of a series of strikes that took place across southern Syria. Voice of the Capital, a local monitoring group, reported simultaneous strikes targeting areas in the countryside of the southern Daraa and Sweida provinces, with the extent of the damage and potential casualties remaining unclear. Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported on Sunday that Israeli warplanes struck weapons storage facilities in southern Syria and near Damascus airport, citing concerns that the rebels or local militias could seize the arms. "Israel is acting to thwart threats against it and anything that could harm our air superiority," an Israeli security official was quoted as saying. Mazzeh is home to air defense batteries and a military airport, a critical facility for the Syrian military near the capital. The air base was targeted in previous Israeli strikes aimed at Iranian-linked facilities or weapons transfers. These incidents come as Syrian opposition fighters seized Damascus earlier on Sunday, declaring the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule. Director: Tosin Igho Cast: Stan Nze, Omowunmi Dada, Kalu Ikeagwu, Uzor Arukwe, Shaffy Bello, Tina Mba, Ashafa Salamot, Francis Sule, Boma Akpore, Tony Akposheri, and Esegine Orezi Allen. Running Time: 1 hour 55 minutes Release Date: 28 November Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video The word, Suspicion in todays modern world carries an air of doubt, mistrust, and an intuitive sense that something is not quite as it seems. It is the lens through which we often question motives, uncover hidden truths, and face the unsettling possibility of betrayal. Tosin Ighos Suspicion embraces this concept wholeheartedly, weaving it into a gripping crime drama imbued with supernatural undertones. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The film paints a vivid picture of a world where justice, vengeance, and morality collide against the backdrop of black magic. It follows Voke (Stan Nze), an ordinary man with an extraordinary family legacy, on a perilous journey of self-discovery and retribution after the brutal murder of his best friend Rogba (Uzor Arukwe) and Rogbas young daughter. Suspicion stars a stellar ensemble cast, including Tina Mba, Omowunmi Dada, and Kalu Ikeagwu and showcases a refreshing take on supernatural thrillers, expertly blending realism with fantasy. Plot The story begins with a chilling prologue that sets the tone for the films supernatural narrative. A mother, Obatere (Tina Mba), performs a ritual on her young son, Voke, immersing him in an enchanted liquid to make him impervious to harm. This act ties Voke to a family legacy steeped in black magic, a connection that he unknowingly carries into adulthood. Fast forward: Voke leads an unassuming life until a routine school run turns tragic. His goddaughter, Lolu (Ashafa Sakamoto), is abducted, and despite his desperate attempts to save her, the situation spirals out of control. The discovery of Lolus lifeless body, eyes gouged out, pushes Voke into the dark recesses of grief and rage. Seeking answers, he turns to his enigmatic mother, who reveals the familys occult history while warning of an even greater power obstructing their path. Undeterred, Voke plunges deeper into his investigation, uncovering a series of murders connected by the use of black magic. The clues lead him to unsettling visions, linking the crimes and exposing the nefarious forces at play. But as the mystery unravels, so too does the danger. Voke becomes the target of a shadowy assassin, narrowly escaping death with the aid of his former lover, Chisom (Omowunmi Dada). The climax builds to a heart-pounding confrontation as Voke faces the devastating truth about those he trusted most. In a moment of reckoning, he must decide whether to embrace his supernatural legacy fully or forsake it to preserve his humanity. Character analysis Voke (Stan Nze) Vokes journey is the emotional backbone of the film. As a man thrust into extraordinary circumstances, Stan Nze captures the tension between vulnerability and strength with masterful subtlety. Voke is both a grieving friend and a reluctant hero, making his transformation into an avenger deeply compelling. Obatere (Tina Mba) Obatere is a multi-dimensional character whose performance balances maternal warmth and chilling authority. Tina Mbas portrayal of the family matriarch steeped in black magic is a standout, delivering moments of profound emotion and commanding power. Chisom (Omowunmi Dada) Chisom serves as both Vokes love interest and a moral compass. Omowunmi Dada brings depth to her role, portraying Chisoms struggle with loyalty and the shadow of past relationships with authenticity and grace. Tony (Kalu Ikeagwu) Though his role is brief, Tonys presence is pivotal. Kalu Ikeagwus multilingual performance adds authenticity and texture, enriching the films narrative. Supporting Cast Notable mentions include Uzor Arukwes haunting performance as Rogba and Ron Mgbatogus chillingly restrained portrayal of Vokes father. Each supporting actor enriches the films atmosphere and heightens its emotional stakes. Themes Betrayal and Trust: The film delves into the fragile nature of trust, exploring how betrayal can sever bonds and drive individuals to seek justice at any cost. Moral Ambiguity of Power: Through Vokes journey, Suspicion examines the moral dilemmas of wielding power, particularly when it comes at the expense of ones humanity. The Supernatural as Metaphor: The film uses black magic as a metaphor for the unseen forces that shape our livesbe it fate, family legacies, or societal pressures. Suspicion questions whether the theme of vengeance can ever be just and the toll it takes on those who pursue it. Critical Review Ighos direction is commendable, blending genres to create a film that feels fresh and dynamic. The cinematography, particularly the visual effects used to depict supernatural phenomena, is a marked improvement in Nollywoods technical standards. Scenes like Voke catching a bullet mid-air were so smooth, or would you think of the eerie ritualsthey were executed with finesse, immersing viewers in the films world. However, the narrative occasionally falters, particularly in its pacing. The transition of Chisom from Vokes ex-lover to Tonys wife feels rushed, leaving some gaps in the emotional arc. Additionally, while Stan Nze delivers a solid and commendable performance, his facial expressions lack variety, which occasionally undermines the emotional depth of his character. Despite these minor shortcomings, the films strengths far outweigh its flaws. The subtle portrayal of black magic, eschewing Nollywood cliches, and the strong performances from the ensemble cast elevate Suspicion as a standout supernatural thriller. Verdict Suspicion is a thought-provoking, genre-bending film that successfully intertwines crime drama with supernatural elements. Its compelling narrative, strong performances, and high production values mark it as a significant achievement for Nollywood. Though not without its flaws, it is a deeply engaging and visually striking film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. Suspicion is rated 7/10. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Osama Faqeeha, deputy minister for environment at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculturen, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) RIYADH, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia highly values China's efforts to combat desertification and would learn and benefit more from China's experience, said a senior Saudi official. China's desertification control practices were very impressive, said Osama Faqeeha, first deputy minister for environment at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the ongoing 16th session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. "We have witnessed China's large projects to combat desertification. They are very successful, and we commend China for that," he said. The official said the country can benefit a lot from China's success in combatting desertification while engaging with Chinese companies, researchers and institutes. Rapid development and increased livestock grazing have led to land degradation in Saudi Arabia, and it is imperative to address desertification in the country. The country launched the Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative in March 2021 to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment in the kingdom and the whole region. Faqeeha explained that those initiatives, a core component of Saudi Vision 2030, operate on two main tracks -- environment and energy. As the country strives to re-green deserts to tackle drought and land degradation, Faqeeha said the number (of trees) is not the ultimate goal. "I think our focus is not the number... We are doing this with due consideration for sustainability, which is the most important thing," he said. Besides a joint fight against desertification, Faqeeha also noted "a lot of opportunities" for cooperation between the two countries under the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership. "Our national center for waste management is engaging Chinese companies to explore collaboration opportunities. I think Chinese technology and Chinese companies can come and invest," he said. Faqeeha also expressed optimism about the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030. "China can be a strategic partner, not only work in Saudi Arabia, but work with the whole member countries of the Middle East Green Initiative," he said. Hours after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country following the invasion of Damascus by rebels, he is now in Moscow, Russia, BBC is reporting. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the armed opposition comprising different rebel groups gained major cities including Aleppo, Hama and Homs. The coalition of rebel groups led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group linked to al-Qaeda, began its latest offensive against Syrian government forces about seven days ago. The brazen offensive, first launched from HTS stronghold Idlib, pushed back government forces who, according to reports, withdrew from their standpoints and surrendered their weapons. Earlier, HTS leader who was a former commander of al-Qaeda, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, said state institutions would remain under the supervision of Mr al-Assads prime minister, Mohammad al-Jalali, until formal handing over. Al-Assad in Russia, granted asylum Citing reports by Russian news media, BBC reports that Mr al-Assad and his family have been granted asylum by Russia. Moscow has been instrumental to the deposed presidents sway on power after it sent troops to Syria in 2015. In return for military assistance, the Syrian authorities awarded Russia 49-year leases on the air base in Hmeimim and its naval base in Tartus. Russia secured an important foothold in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the bases became hubs for transferring military contractors in and out of Africa. Al Jazeera reports that Mr al-Assad could have been evacuated by a Russian plane from a Russian air base in Latakia, one of Mr al-Assads coastal governorate strongholds. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later BBC Russia editor Steve Rosenberg writes that the deployment of troops to Damascus in 2015 was one of Russias key objectives to assert itself as a global power. It was Vladimir Putins first major challenge to the power and dominance of the West, away from the former Soviet space. And a successful one, too, so it seemed, he said. Mr al-Assads exit is thus a big blow to its backers including Russia, Iran and Iran-backed Lebanese militia, Hezbollah. Given Russias ongoing war in Ukraine and Irans internal struggles and conflict with Israel, Mr al-Assad was left to rule his country as the rebels waged war to end his regime. Although Irans embassy in Syria was reportedly besieged and vandalised by the rebels, Russian officials are said to be in contact with representatives of the Syrian rebels. Moscow wants assurance from the rebels that its bases in Latakia and Tartus, as well as Russian diplomatic missions in Syria, will be secured. The fall of the deposed president has been celebrated by some leaders in the West and Middle East. US President Joe Biden expressed relief that Mr al-Assads rule has come to an end. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice, Mr Biden said. Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. US President-elect Donald Trump shared similar thoughts but warned that the US should not get involved in the crisis. Al-Julani eyeing the power seat A few hours after his foot soldiers took over Damascus, Mr al-Julani arrived in the city and observed a sujud (prostration) in an open field, as seen in a video shared by a jihadi expert, Aaron Zelin. Mr Al-Julani later addressed a crowd in a Syrian mosque in a fashion that presented him as a new leader of the country. Al Jazeeras Zein Basravi wrote that there were two things very significant in the speech delivered by the HTS leader. Mr al-Julanis speech spread hope for Syrians as he said a Syria for all Syrians should be something people focus on. Denouncing Iran and its role in Syria, the HTS leader said the country would no longer be influenced by Iran. In his recent interview with CNN, Mr al-Julani also berated Russia, saying it tried to prop up Mr al-Assads regime, which he described as already dead. Mr Zelin, the jihadi expert, in an X post, shared the rebels statement warning that incursion into private and public property in Damascus by anyone would not be tolerated. However, analysts are concerned about what comes next after the toppling of Mr al-Assads government. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has had a phone conversation with John Mahama, who is projected to win the Ghanaian presidential election. According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian president spoke with Mr Mahama on Sunday to congratulate him on his expected victory. Mr Mahamas opponent, Mahamudu Bawumia, had earlier conceded defeat and congratulated the opposition candidate. However, the Electoral Commission of Ghana has yet to officially declare Mr Mahama the winner, as results collation is still ongoing across the country. Mr Bawumias concession speech has, however, helped to ease tensions in the country. PREMIUM TIMES reported that members of Mr Mahamas party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have been celebrating in parts of Accra since Mr Bawumias early morning concession speech. In the statement, Mr Onanuga noted that the Nigerian leader, who also serves as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), discussed the implications of Saturdays election on stability in the West African region. In a telephone call to Mahama, President Tinubu expressed hope that Mahamas ascension to power for the second time would further enhance stability in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which President Tinubu is the chairman, the statement noted. The statement added: President Tinubu commended the people of Ghana for their commitment to democracy, which was demonstrated through the peaceful and successful conduct of both the presidential and parliamentary elections. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He applauded Ghanaians for demonstrating once again to the world that democracy is the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice, and transparent governance in Africa. Many countries in the West African bloc are grappling with political instability and have given support to military interventions. Countries such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are currently under military rule. Mr Tinubus first baptism of fire as ECOWAS Chairman was the Niger coup. Despite his interventions, efforts to ensure the return of democracy to the country have so far been unsuccessful. Applauds Bawumias stance In the statement, Mr Tinubu also commended Mr Bawumia, the candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), for his decision to ease tensions through his concession speech. The Nigerian leader applauded the candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for conceding defeat before the official announcement by Ghanas Electoral Commission. President Tinubu said Bawumias stance reinforced Ghanas democratic ethos, the statement reads. Mr Mahama served as the President of Ghana from 2012 to 2017. Before that, he was Vice President from 2009 to 2012, a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2009, and held deputy and ministerial roles between 1998 and 2001. The Nigerian president stated that he looks forward to working with Mr Mahamas incoming administration to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and build a brighter future for the West African region. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Flash The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Saturday that it will provide weapons worth 988 million U.S. dollars to Ukraine over a relatively longer term to enhance its military capabilities amid the conflict with Russia. According to a statement, the additional military assistance, to be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), involves ammunition for the HIMARS, unmanned aerial vehicles, and equipment, components, and spare parts to maintain, repair, and overhaul artillery systems, tanks, and armored vehicles. This is the Joe Biden administration's 22nd USAI package for Ukraine, the statement said. Unlike weapons provided through the Presidential Drawdown Authorities that are pulled down directly from shelves in the Pentagon's warehouse, weapons in a USAI package are usually procured through contracts signed by the U.S. government with domestic manufacturers, often resulting in longer delivery times. Locals rally in a street in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. The rapid fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government followed an intense rebel offensive spanning less than two weeks. The campaign culminated in the opposition's announcement that Assad had fled the capital and relinquished power. Later in the day, Russian state media announced that Assad had landed in Moscow, and was granted asylum along with his family. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attends the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 11, 2024. (SPA via Xinhua) In Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) head Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani, spearheading the lightning assault, said Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali, appointed prime minister by al-Assad in September, would temporarily oversee public institutions. Al-Jolani instructed opposition forces in Damascus to refrain from approaching public institutions and banned celebratory gunfire. Al-Jallali, the prime minister, also called on Syrians to protect public facilities, saying they belonged to all citizens. "We extend our hands to every Syrian citizen committed to safeguarding the country's resources," Al-Jallali said in a televised address. "Syria belongs to all Syrians, and I urge everyone to think rationally about the nation's best interests." This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the city view in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) However, crowds of people stormed the house of Assad and two presidential palaces amid recorded cases of looting. Abandoned arms left by Syrian soldiers were taken by young men. The Iranian embassy in Damascus was also stormed by armed militants. The military command of the opposition imposed a curfew starting from afternoon till the next day while issuing warnings and threatening jail penalties against looters and those firing guns in the air. In midst of the upheaval, Israel mounted a series of unprecedented airstrikes, hitting former Syrian security and military sites in Damascus and Quneitra repeatedly within a single day, according to local reports. Some of these strikes targeted abandoned army positions and facilities previously associated with the now-defunct Fourth Division near Damascus. Israeli ground forces also reportedly pushed into parts of Jabal al-Sheikh, taking over old surveillance posts without opposition. Meanwhile, the Syrian National Coalition, an alliance of opposition groups formed in exile following the 2011 uprising against Assad, vowed Sunday to continue working towards the transfer of authority to a transitional governing body with full executive powers, with the goal of ushering in a free, democratic, and pluralistic Syria. The Naval Institute of Technology (NIT) will transform into a full-fledged polytechnic, which will eventually be open to civilians, the institutes commandant, Sunday Oyegade, has said. According to Mr Oyegade, the plan is an end goal of the continued evolution of the institutes curriculum to include specialised courses, as the Nigerian Navy expands its fleet and embraced technological advancements over the years. Mr Oyegade disclosed the plan at the maiden convocation and graduation ceremony of the NIT in Sapele, Delta State, on Friday. The institute, which started as the Nigerian Navy Technical Training Centre (NNTTC) in 1982, is a major driver of the Nigerian Navys Research & Development efforts. Mr Oyegade recalled that, in 2020, a strategic decision was made to align the institutes programmes with global best practices and national standards. He said the decision culminated in the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) accreditation of some of the institutes four-year Artificer courses and their subsequent transformation into Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes. He highlighted the benefits of pursuing NBTE status to include enhancing the credibility and recognition of the institutes qualifications, which allows its graduates to seamlessly transition into further academic pursuits or professional certifications. This will thereby broaden their career prospects within and beyond the Navy, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Apart from ensuring that graduates are technically proficient and equipped with analytical and problem-solving capabilities, he said, NBTE status will expose students to cutting-edge technologies, and positioning the Institute as a hub for innovation. This transition not only benefits the graduates but also strengthens the operational efficiency and reputation of the Nigerian Navy as a whole, Mr Oyegade said. He said transition will also position the NIT, as one of the drivers of the Nigerian Navys Research & Development efforts, to draw funds from such government agencies as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) among many others. Doubtless, the potentials of the Institute are enormous, and like its Air Force counterpart, the Nigerian Navy envisions to ultimately transform NIT to a full fledged polytechnic that would also be open to civilian students in the nearest future, he added. On Friday, the institute graduated 88 students who had completed training in Marine Engineering, Weapon Electrical Engineering, and Automobile Engineering. Forty-six of the graduates specialised in Marine Engineering, 27 in Weapon Electrical Engineering, and 15 in Automobile Engineering. There were 28 Student Officers Application Course who also graduated. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, a vice admiral, represented by the Chief of Naval Engineering, Baratuaipri Iyalla, a rear admiral, graced the occasion as the special guest of honour. Other guests in attendance included the Director of Weapons Electrical Engineering Naval Headquarters, I.U. Ubani, a rear admiral. The Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Istifanus Abara, a rear admiral represented by Kasimu Bushi, also a rear admiral. NIT courses The institute is accredited to run National Diplomas in Marine Engineering and Electrical/Electronic Engineering; and Higher National Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Electronics and Telecomms option). Mr Okegade said the institute is on the verge of earning accreditation status for its Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering and Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Power and Machine Options). It has set modalities in place for NBTE approval of National Diplomas in Welding and Fabrication, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Computer Science programmes. This transformation would ensure that our graduates are not only prepared for naval service but also equipped to compete on the global stage as certified engineering technologists, he said. While wishing the graduates success, Mr Oyegade encouraged them to apply the values instilled in them during their training. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has congratulated President-elect John Dramani Mahama on his victory in the Saturday general election in Ghana, following his opponents concession speech. In a telephone call to Mr Mahama, Mr Tinubu hoped that his ascension to power for the second time would further bring stability to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Mr Tinubu commended the people of Ghana for their unwavering commitment to democracy. He said this was demonstrated through the peaceful and successful conduct of both the presidential and parliamentary elections, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the presidents spokesman, said in a statement. Mr Tinubu applauded Ghanaians for demonstrating again to the world that democracy was the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice and transparent governance in Africa. He affirmed that Nigerias and the regions belief in the principles of the peoples right to choose their leaders freely would remain a source of pride. The Nigerian leader commended Mahamudu Bawumia, the candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Vice-President of Ghana, for conceding defeat before the official announcement by Ghanas Electoral Commission. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Tinubu said Mr Bawumias stance reinforced Ghanas democratic ethos. He said that Mahamas return to the Jubilee House, having served as President from 2012 to 2017, reflected the Ghanaian peoples trust in his stewardship and vision to take the country to greater heights. Mr Mahama served as Vice President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012, Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2009, and held deputy and ministerial roles between 1998 and 2001. President Tinubu renews his steadfast support for deepening the fraternal bonds between Nigeria and Ghana underpinned by shared history, cultural ties, mutual support and cooperation, Pan-African goals, democracy, the rule of law and economic integration. The Nigerian leader thanks President Nana Akufo-Addo for his exemplary leadership and numerous contributions to Ghanas progress and regional peace and stability. The President looks forward to working with President Mahamas incoming administration to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and build a brighter future in the West Africa region, Mr Onanuga said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Wilson Akubo, a pastor at the Family Worship Centre, Abuja, has called on fellow religious leaders to encourage their members to donate blood. Mr Akubo represented the senior pastor of the church, Serah Omakwu, at an engagement with religious leaders as Nigeria marks its 3rd National Blood Donors Day in Abuja. He emphasised the importance of saving lives, noting that We as a church have been helping in saving lives by donating blood for the past 20 years. So I want to call on all churches, all pastors, all Imams to encourage their people to willingly donate blood. It is life-saving. And when we do that, we do it unto God. Blood shortage in Nigeria Director-General of the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), Saleh Yugudah, emphasised the critical need for blood donation in Nigeria. We are able to supply less than 30 per cent of our needs, he said. Additionally, he emphasised that the lack of available blood can have devastating effects on patients in need, including those suffering from maternal mortality, infant mortality, and road traffic accidents. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Citing World Health Organisations (WHO) estimates, Mr Yugudah encouraged all eligible Nigerians to donate blood, highlighting its numerous benefits, including saving lives and receiving free medical checkups. He also clarified common misconceptions about blood donation, including the fact that women can donate blood safely and that hospitals collect service charges, not payment for blood. Mr Yugudah reassured potential donors that women can donate blood safely, as long as they meet the necessary health criteria. He also addressed concerns regarding the cost of blood, explaining that hospitals collect service charges, not payment for blood itself. These charges, Yugudah noted, are necessary to cover the costs associated with screening and testing donated blood. Donors speak Some donors shared their experiences and encouragement at the NBSAs event, highlighting the importance of blood donation and its numerous benefits. Samuel Eruwa, a first-time donor, emphasised the importance of blood donation as a godly responsibility. He said: I see this as a godly responsibility because Christianity, the basis of Christianity, is salvation, and God depicted that by giving his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. And as his followers, we have to emulate his footsteps by giving. Esther Williams, a donor, also highlighted some of the benefits associated with blood donations. ALSO READ: Nigerian lawmakers pledge support for blood donation amid funding challenges From my little research, its just the law of giving and receiving. So if you give blood, it simply means you are purifying the wound in your body and you are giving room for more to come in. So its for your own health benefits too, she said. About NBSA The NBSA is a critical component of Nigerias healthcare infrastructure, playing a vital role in ensuring the availability of safe and adequate blood supply for the countrys healthcare system. Established to address the perennial shortage of blood in Nigeria, the NBSA has been working tirelessly to promote voluntary blood donation, collect and screen donated blood, and distribute it to hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide. The NBSAs core mandate is to ensure the availability of safe and adequate blood supply for Nigerias healthcare system. To achieve this objective, the agency has set out to promote voluntary blood donation, improve the quality of donated blood, and enhance the efficiency of blood distribution nationwide. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, said it has commenced a total and indefinite strike action over the Lagos State Governments failure to implement the federal government-approved salary increment of 25 and 35 per cent for its members since January 2023. The strike action began on 6 December, according to a statement by the ASUU-LASU Chairperson Ibrahim Bakare, a professor, and Secretary Sylvester Idowu. The statement is dated Sunday, 8 December. We note with dismay that this agreement has been implemented in all the federal universities and eighteen (18) state universities as of today, the statement said. The union said the declaration of the strike action conforms with the decision of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of all the staff unions in the university, adding that a letter has been sent to the vice-chancellor, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, a professor, and the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. JAC comprises ASUU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), according to Punch newspaper. Strike The union is also calling on the Lagos State Government to harmonise its members salary scale with that of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology and the Lagos State University of Education, which it said earns better than their counterparts in LASU. ASUU-LASU noted that the government has failed to implement the recommendation of a committee set up by the government on the harmonisation of salaries. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We use this medium to appeal to our world-class students to display a high sense of maturity, solidarity and understanding in this matter. We implore them to keep calm and watch as events unfold, it added. We are aware that the state government and the university management are making frantic efforts to resolve the unfortunate development. ASUU, students union disagree ASUU-LASU also dismissed a press statement by the students union which reportedly claims that only ASUU members are embarking on the strike action and that academic activities would continue unhindered. The Punch had reported a statement by the Students Union President, Ayomide Adebobola, and Public Relations Officer, Mouyon Asikoto, respectively, assuring students of undisrupted academic activities. However, ASUU asked that students disregard the statement. The statement reads in part: Our law-abiding students should disregard the Press Release dated 7th December 2024, jointly signed by the LASU Students Union President and the Public Relations Officer that activities continue in LASU despite SSANU and NASU industrial strike. We wish to remind them that students have no stake in the matter or possess any right to meddle into welfare issues involving staff members of the university and the government, and as such they should not allow themselves to be used in a matter that does not directly concern them. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has signed the states District Creation Law 2024, which creates 83 new districts. Mr Fintiri, in a letter to the lawmakers dated 2 December, requested the repeal and re-enactment of the Adamawa state districts creation law 2024 and to provide for matters incidental. The State House of Assembly deliberated on the bill for a day and passed it on 3 December, and the governor assented to it the following day. At a closed ceremony at the Government House, Governor Fintiri said the new law was aimed at enhancing governance and addressing security challenges at the grassroots level. However, observers said the new law is a step towards creating additional emirates with first-class emirs in the state. The law weakens the influence of the Lamido of Adamawa, Mustapha Barkindo, by reducing the local government areas under his control from eight to three. The Adamawa emirate covered Hong, Song, Gombi, Fufore, Girei, Yola North, Yola South, and Mayo-Belwa. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Under the new law, it is left with Girei Jimeta and Yola. Like the Lamido, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who holds the title of Waziri and is a senior kingmaker in the Adamawa emirate, will now exercise emirate authority in three local government areas. The new law also whittles down the influence of the Emir of Mubi, Abubakar Isa-Ahmadu, who has Michika, Madagali, Mubi North, Mubi South, and Maiha under him. Also, the Bachama Kingdom, under its paramount ruler, the Hama of Bachama, Homun Daniel-Shaga, now has Numan and Lamurde LGAs. Ganye emirate has Jada, Ganye, and Toungo, while Demsa chiefdom, with one local government area, has two emirs. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The arguments that Nigerians have marshalled can be categorised into two camps. Farotimis sympathisers are convinced that Babalola is using his connections as a top lawyer with high connections in government to intimidate a professional junior. Many senior professionals are, however, on the ABUAD founders side. Among them is Dr Olusegun Abejide Much ado about a book! There will always be hawks and doves on both sides. It is at such times that I appreciate the admonition of Gordon B Hincklrey: A small publication that came to me some years ago carried the following: Once a man who had been slandered by a newspaper came to Edward Everett asking what to do about it. Said Everett, Do Nothing! Half the people who bought the paper never saw the article. Half of those who saw it, did not read it. Half of those who understood it, did not believe it. Half of those who believed it are of no account anyway (Sunny Side of the Street, Nov. 1989). So many of us make a great fuss over matters of small consequence. We are so easily offended. Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way. The heavens have no fury like a lawyer scorned. On account of Aare Afe Babalolas complaint that Dele Farotimi criminally libelled him in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, the younger lawyer was bundled from Lagos to Ado-Ekiti to face the music. Social media has since been clogged with positive and negative reactions on both sides. The matter has become so incendiary that even senior lawyers and commentators have been very careful in their analyses. Nobody wants to be at the receiving end of criminal liability, least of all lawyers and columnists! Civil Or Criminal? Aare Babalola, 95, is a legal icon and the revered Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). He was called to the Bar in England after being awarded the University of Londons LLB in 1963. The defendant is the gutsy 56-year-old Dele Farotimi, also a lawyer, a seasoned political activist and author. He was called to the Nigerian bar in 1999 and was in active legal practice until 2018. Luckily, eggheads in the legal discipline have been educating unlearned members of the public about the bolts and nuts of the matter in contention. The first thing that befuddled people outside the legal field is the confusion over whether libel is a civil or criminal matter. Dr Olusegun Abejide generously shares his professional view: Civil defamation focuses on providing remedies to the victim through compensatory or punitive damages. The defamed individual brings a lawsuit against the defamer, seeking redress for the harm done to their reputation. The burden of proof lies on the plaintiff to demonstrate that the defamatory statements were false, damaging, and made with malice or negligence. When the aggrieved party seeks monetary compensation or a public apology to restore their reputation, they often pursue civil cases. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Criminal defamation, on the other hand, involves treating defamation as a public wrong. Here, the state prosecutes the defendant, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence and its impact. Criminal defamation emphasises deterrence, sending a clear message that slander carries severe consequences. Take the hypothetical scenario involving Mr. Farotimi and Chief Afe Babalola, a prominent figure based in Ado Ekiti. If defamatory material targeting Chief Afe Babalola originates in Lagos but affects his reputation, businesses, and personal relationships in Ekiti, the legal right to address the matter in Ekiti is unequivocal. The theory of effect upholds the principle of establishing jurisdiction when the defamatory act yields tangible consequences. But why was Farotimis case treated as a criminal matter and not a civil one? Defamation Abejide explains: Defamation remains actionable as both a civil and a criminal matter under Nigerian law, enshrined in statutes and judicial precedents. Section 373 of Nigerias Criminal Code Act provides the framework for prosecuting criminal defamation, underscoring its significance in maintaining societal order and protecting individual reputations Take the hypothetical scenario involving Mr. Farotimi and Chief Afe Babalola, a prominent figure based in Ado Ekiti. If defamatory material targeting Chief Afe Babalola originates in Lagos but affects his reputation, businesses, and personal relationships in Ekiti, the legal right to address the matter in Ekiti is unequivocal. The theory of effect upholds the principle of establishing jurisdiction when the defamatory act yields tangible consequences. This explanation seems to neutralise the accusation by Farotimis teeming admirers who have seized the cyber superhighway by the jugular alleging that the lawyer was conspiratorially and illegally abducted from Lagos to Ado-Ekiti in a replay of the same kind of accusation of self-help he had made against Aare Babalola, which caused the original problem. Why would his accuser use the states law enforcement machinery to abduct the accused to Ado-Ekiti if not as a result of collusion? The arrest of the human rights advocate sparked so much public interest in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System to the extent that it became a bestseller on Amazon, and also generated worldwide buzz on the internet. However, in addition to the 16 counts of criminal defamation of senior lawyer Babalola filed against him based on excerpts from the book before a chief magistrates court in Ado Ekiti, the police also filed new charges focusing on Farotimis comments in online interviews, in which he reaffirmed allegations made in his book. The case of Chief Afe Babalola serves as a cautionary tale for those who assume they can defame others with impunity. The notion that a defendant should be immune to prosecution outside the location of their act reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of legal principles. Just as defamatory material can damage a reputation globally, so too can its accountability transcend borders Two Camps The arguments that Nigerians have marshalled can be categorised into two camps. Farotimis sympathisers are convinced that Babalola is using his connections as a top lawyer with high connections in government to intimidate a professional junior. Many senior professionals are, however, on the ABUAD founders side. Among them is Dr Olusegun Abejide who argues as follows: The case of Chief Afe Babalola serves as a cautionary tale for those who assume they can defame others with impunity. The notion that a defendant should be immune to prosecution outside the location of their act reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of legal principles. Just as defamatory material can damage a reputation globally, so too can its accountability transcend borders Let this serve as a reminder: free speech is a right, but with every right comes responsibility. Defamation is recklessness, and those who walk it must be prepared to face the consequences when the aggrieved seek justice. In a world where words have power, let us wield them with care, respect, and an unwavering commitment to truth. But the masters of the trade used to counsel temperance in days gone by. Lets take a story told of the respected jurist, Dr Akinola Aguda, who had served as Chief Justice of Botswana and opened a legal consultancy service after retirement. As narrated by Richard Akinola: He told me that two briefs he usually advised against were Defamation and Divorce matters, particularly if the person is old. According to him, at the hearing, lots of unpalatable things that people never knew about may come up, to the embarrassment of the parties and their children. For instance, in defamation matters when your reputation is in question, a defendant is at liberty to bring up a dirty past the plaintiff may have forgotten. Different Folks, Different Strokes Akinola also recounted another option open to anyone who has been libelled. Call it the Gani Option and you wouldnt be wrong. It was the option taken by the inimitable lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (now deceased) when his erstwhile friend, Dr Olu Onagoruwa, wrote a book titled, A Rebel In General Abachas Government to justify his serving in the Abacha government. Fawehinmi wrote another book to counter the false assertions against him in Onagoruwas book. While it is within the right of any individual to choose his right of action when defamed, the admonition of Dr Aguda is quite instructive. Let the sleeping dog snore! Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on wole.olaoye@gmail.com, Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Remission of the obvious criminal libel contained in his new book is the only viable way forward for Mr Farotimi. And it is even only a counsel of Chief Afe Babalolas towering eminence that can help Mr Farotimi ward off the other graver and more ominous charge of bringing the Supreme Court to disrepute, that lurks ahead, and which can potentially result in Farotimis name being struck off the roll of legal practitioners! I like Mr Dele Farotimi, his courage, forthrightness and pan-Nigerian views. But anyone with a basic understanding of the principles of the law of libel will concede that Mr Farotimi is in hot soup, and that there might be nothing untoward in his arraignment in a Magistrate Court in Ekiti State on charges of criminally defaming foremost lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN)! The courts in Ekiti State have jurisdiction to try criminal defamation, and all that the prosecution has to do to secure a conviction is to field one witness who will testify that the defamatory matter in the book was published to him in Ekiti, and that he read it in Ekiti, and thought the least of the eminent lawyer afterwards. Publication in this instance occurs when the book, put out for sale by Farotimi or his agents, is bought and read by the buyer in Ekiti! It would matter not that Mr Farotimi resides in Lagos, where defamation is only a civil wrong, and not a crime. In Ekiti State, defamation is both a crime and a civil wrong. Once Farotimi enters Ekiti, whether voluntarily or by force, the criminal courts in Ekiti are automatically seized of jurisdiction to try him. That has been our law ever since the old Supreme Court case of Patrick Njovens V. State! That principle was recently reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in Nnamdi Kanus case, in which the Court emphasised that the fact of Kanus rendition into the country does not vitiate the jurisdiction of the criminal courts in Nigeria to try him. But there is a way out for Farotimi, to which I shall return later. There is no doubt that to allege, as Farotimi did in his book, that Chief Afe Babalola compromised the justices of the Supreme Court to obtain favourable judgment in a land case, is defamatory of the eminent lawyer, unless it can be substantiated. At least, the allegation has discredited the eminent Silk in his office, trade and profession, and has lowered him in the estimation of right-thinking members of society! There is a possibility that what Mr Farotimi alleged in his book is true, but in the law of defamation, there is an initial presumption that a defamatory statement is untrue, and the burden of proving that the allegation is substantially true is on Mr Farotimi. To discharge this evidential onus against Chief Afe Babalola in Ekiti, or anywhere else, might be a mountain too high to climb. Several years ago, I found myself in somewhat similar circumstances against the same iconic chief! Chief Afe Babalola had sued a certain Dr Usoro, a maritime shipping magnate, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to recover professional fees amounting to $1 million for representing his company in an oil and gas matter, at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. According to the pleadings, Chief Afe Babalola was contracted by Dr Usoro at his Emmanuel Chambers in Ibadan. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Doctor Usoro hired me to represent him in the suit brought by Chief Babalola at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. After reviewing the facts, I came to the conclusion, along with my colleagues in Chambers, that the High Court of the FCT had no jurisdiction to hear the matter. We therefore filed a preliminary objection, protesting jurisdiction. The High Court of the FCT took arguments on the preliminary objection, agreed with us, and struck out Chief Afe Babalolas suit, meaning that Chief was now free to re-commence the suit in Ibadan, or Port Harcourt! I recognised there and then that our victory was only a pyrrhic one. I at once reached out to Chief Babalolas counsel in the Abuja matter, after consulting Dr Usoro, my client, that I wanted to go to Ibadan to beg the Chief. So, I drove to Ibadan to the Chiefs iconic Emmanuel Chambers, where I was received by one of the his proteges, Chief Adenipekun (SAN). This was circa 2011. After explaining my mission, an extremely delighted Chief Adenipekun, after informing me that Chief Afe Babalola was away in Ado-Ekiti, put a call across to the eminent chief, and informed him of my presence and mission. Chief Babalola asked that the phone should be handed over to me. He began by extolling my humility, saying that because of what you have done, you will be greater than me. I responded that Chief, Sir, you know that that can never be possible. The Chief laughed heartily and said, in that sonorous Yoruba accent of his, I want you to come to Ado-Ekiti tomorrow to see what the Lord has used me to do for humanity! Very early the following day, my driver and I, accompanied by a staff of Emmanuel Chambers who led the way in his own car, proceeded to Ado-Ekiti, arriving the premises of the magnificent Afe Babalola University after 2 p.m. I was shortly ushered into the Chiefs sprawling office, where I came face-to-face with the living legend. He rose to his feet to receive me, and I made straight for the floor, prostrating. I then gently explained to him once again why I had sojourned all the way from Abuja to see him. The visibly elated Chief enthused that that was the way law was practiced in the days of yore. I could see that my humility had disarmed the nimble law master. After exhausting his outrage at Dr Usoro, and bemoaning how cavalierly Usoro had discarded their solemn understanding, the Chief then assured me, in a very moving tone, that your journey to Ado-Ekiti shall not be in vain. No one comes to see me in Ado-Ekiti and goes home empty-handed. For your sake, I will forgive the $1 million. But my worry now is that Dr Usoro, whom I know very well, will treat you exactly the same way he has treated me. Chief Afe Babalola then asked that I be taken to a guest house within the campus for lunch, and perhaps some rest, after which, later in the evening, they will take you round to see what the Lord has used me to do for humanity. I passed the night at the University guest house, and just when we were about to leave the following morning, an emissary from the Chief arrived to inform me that the Chief left that morning on a journey, but had asked him to give me a parcel to enable me buy petrol for the journey home. Inside the parcel was the sum of N1 million; a princely sum back in 2011. In my humble view, moving frontally against Chief Afe will not aid Dele Farotimis cause. The facts and the law are skewed against him. But Farotimi has one thing going for him: his close relationship with Peter Obi, who has a close relationship with former President Obasanjo, who in turn has a close relationship with Chief Afe Babalola. Once Dele Farotimi is granted bail, he must move swiftly to see Peter Obi, who should take him to plead with Chief Obasanjo, after which he must then undertake that trip to Ado Ekiti, like I did back in 2011, to see what the Lord God has used Chief Afe to do for humanity. Remission of the obvious criminal libel contained in his new book is the only viable way forward for Mr Farotimi. And it is even only a counsel of Chief Afe Babalolas towering eminence that can help Mr Farotimi ward off the other graver and more ominous charge of bringing the Supreme Court to disrepute, that lurks ahead, and which can potentially result in Farotimis name being struck off the roll of legal practitioners! After all, the Chief himself did assure me, back in 2011, that no one comes to see him in Ado Ekiti and leaves empty-handed! Kenneth Ikonne, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, writes from Abuja. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BEIRUT, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on the village of Dibbine in the Marjeyoun district in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA). According to NNA, Israeli warplanes raided the eastern mountain area between the village of Kfar Zabad and the town of Anjar, located in the Bekaa Valley. Meanwhile, the Israeli army kidnapped two Lebanese citizens from the municipality of Ain Qinia in Hasbaya district while they were picking olives, said the report. The Israeli army said on social media platform X that its troops are currently operating in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from deploying and to remove threats, saying the action is "in accordance with the understanding between Israel and Lebanon." A ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, went into effect on Nov. 27, aiming to halt nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite the truce, tensions remain high as both sides exchange accusations of ceasefire violations, raising concerns about the agreement's durability. Apostle Paul said, if there be prophecy, they will fail (1st Corinthians 13:8). In other words, gifts dont outlive fruits. Its the other way round. It is still possible to end in hell with all your encounters on earth, if you choose to abandon your faith and the word of God, and choose to pursue signs and manifestations. Jesus said, a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after signs (Matthew 16:4). Lets come back to Nigeria to glean a different type of lesson from the sacrificial humility of one of Gods dearest servants in Nigeria: Gbile Akanni. Gods servant, Gbile Akanni was once invited to a conference in a part of Nigeria. While he was speaking, there was a sudden commotion. It was a major distraction. What had happened? A famous preacher in Nigeria, who was also one of the guest ministers, had arrived with a retinue of personal assistants. There were these rumblings and movements in the facility. The host minister had also stood up to meet up with the famous guest minister, contributing further to the chaos that had now enveloped the once quiet facility, while the man of God was already in the middle of an important ministration. They walked the popular minister into the auditorium, and just before the big man of God sat down, the host pastor walked up to the podium while Daddy Gbile Akanni was still speaking and requested that he should take his seat because it was time to welcome and celebrate the big man of God who had just arrived. Daddy Gbile released the microphone, picked up his Bible, and went back to his seat. The host pastor took his time to introduce and celebrate the big man of God. In fact, he invited him to come up to the podium to greet the church, to which he obliged. After the big man of God was done, the host pastor returned to the pulpit to bring back Daddy Gbile Akanni to the podium to continue his message. The man of God did exactly just that. But to the amazement of the audience, he didnt say anything about what had happened. In fact, it was as though nothing had happened. He actually greeted and celebrated the big man of God too, and continued from where he was interrupted. Daddy Gbile laughed and said to them, I died to the flesh a long time ago. The men were shocked. Then they told him clearly that they had been looking for a servant of God who would be invited annually to their church conference in a particular state in South-West Nigeria. According to them, now we have found the man we are looking for. This was what opened Daddy Gbile Akannis ministry to this particular state in Nigeria, which is still thriving till date. After the meeting, Daddy Gbile was taken back to his hotel, and that was when he knew what had transpired across a section of the congregation. He had barely taken off his clothes and relaxed when he had a knock on his door. It was a team of some guests who had attended the meeting from another state. They were at the hotel to connect with Daddy Gbile Akanni and apologise to him, because, according to them, they had never in their lives seen how a servant of God could be embarrassed like this without saying a word after the episode. They told him that they saw all the drama that happened, and as shocked as they were with what the host pastor had done, they were more intensely shocked at Baba Gbiles calm and humble disposition to the situation. Daddy Gbile laughed and said to them, I died to the flesh a long time ago. The men were shocked. Then they told him clearly that they had been looking for a servant of God who would be invited annually to their church conference in a particular state in South-West Nigeria. According to them, now we have found the man we are looking for. This was what opened Daddy Gbile Akannis ministry to this particular state in Nigeria, which is still thriving till date. A genuine servant of God is not solely known by charisma, but most importantly by character. He is not known solely by miracles, but most importantly by godliness. In the Bible, character trumps charisma and gifts. Sadly, Satan has shifted the focus of the church to the charismatic status of ministers, to validate every one of our actions and decisions, forgetting that a genuine servant of God can still fall into the flesh and make bad choices that could potentially bring severe consequences to not just him, but the entire body of Christ. the move of the Spirit does not violate the fruits of the Spirit: love, humility, meekness, faithfulness, self-control, joy, perseverance, endurance, and peace. God does not and will not contradict Himself. In all situations, we, ministers or believers in general, must always be overtly fruit conscious, and not be overtly encounter and power conscious at the expense of fruits. It seems like as long as there are manifestations such as the prophetic, miracles, revelations, and inspirational teachings, nothing else is worth our attention. In certain remote cases, the Holy Spirit could lead a servant of God to take certain actions in response to a specific dire situation to restore order to the body. But the move of the Spirit does not violate the fruits of the Spirit: love, humility, meekness, faithfulness, self-control, joy, perseverance, endurance, and peace. God does not and will not contradict Himself. In all situations, we, ministers or believers in general, must always be overtly fruit conscious, and not be overtly encounter and power conscious at the expense of fruits. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Apostle Paul said, if there be prophecy, they will fail (1st Corinthians 13:8). In other words, gifts dont outlive fruits. Its the other way round. It is still possible to end in hell with all your encounters on earth, if you choose to abandon your faith and the word of God, and choose to pursue signs and manifestations. Jesus said, a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after signs (Matthew 16:4). It is better to fail with the fruits of the spirit than to succeed with the works of the flesh. Ayo Akerele is the Senior Pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through ayoakerele2012@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The question of whether the law of defamation is a hindrance to freedom of speech and a curtailment to democratic process confronted the Burkinabe, a few years ago. Lohe Issa Konate was Burkina Faso, that landlocked West African countrys own Dele Farotimi. He was a journalist with the newspaper, LOuragan (The Hurricane). Like a tempestuous hurricane, on 1 August, 2012, Konate published a series of articles in the weekly newspaper attacking the conduct of a local prosecutor in a money counterfeiting matter. A week later, Konate doubled down on this same allegation against the judicial system of Burkina Faso by writing a stinging piece on another matter instituted by the same prosecutor. Like Farotimi, Konate shot bullets of expletives, which included rogue officer, against the prosecutor while alleging corruption in the countrys judiciary. Angered by this against-method manner of publicly shaming the judicial system, the prosecutor promptly filed a complaint against Konate through a defamation suit. In it, he alleged public insult and contempt of court against the journalist. Alongside these, the state also filed criminal charges against Konate and sought damages. In October, 2012, Konate was found guilty by an Ouagadougou High Court. He was then sentenced to one year imprisonment, fined $3000, and a $9000 damages to be paid by him to the prosecutor. The court was not done yet. It suspended the LOuragan newspaper which published the articles for a period of six months. At the Ouagadougou Court of Appeal, the court upheld the judgment. However, in June, 2013, an application was filed by the Media Legal Defense Initiative (MLDI), an NGO with special bias for providing legal defense to independent media, journalists, and bloggers under threat for their publications. It was filed at the African Court on Human and Peoples Right (ACHPR). MLDI alleged that the penalties imposed by the Ouagadougou courts on Konate were excessive and violated his freedom of expression rights as guaranteed by Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. On 5 December, 2014, the court, in delivering this landmark judgment, which was its first case regarding freedom of the press, overruled the conviction of Konate. It stated that the conviction was a disproportionate interference in the applicants guaranteed rights to freedom of expression. It noted that public figures in Burkina Faso must develop tolerance for criticisms. It then ordered the Burkina Faso government to amend its legislation on defamation so as to make it compliant with international standards. It also ordered a repeal of Burkina Fasos custodial sentences for defamation. Dr Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti State, last Thursday, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, delivered a thought-provoking lecture to mark the 80th birthday of journalism colossus and Nigerias former ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi. In the lecture, entitled The Future and the Challenges of the Nigerian State, Fayemi invoked the spirit of that ever-engaging locus classicus on Nigeria, The Famished Road, authored by Ben Okri. In it, Okri looks at the concept of nation-building as a generation-to-generation effort. Each generation possesses its own predilections, with which it confronts nationhood, he says. The generation that will take over from us is an impatient generation. It is the generation called the Gen Z. It was the generation whose impatience for excuses of previous generations goaded into trooping to the streets in what has now been known as the #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protests. It is fearless. It suffered yet-to-be-properly-enumerated casualties in the process. It is a defiant generation, what Yoruba call the esin-o-koku (the fly fears no death) generation. In the lecture, Fayemi compares that generation to post-Apartheid generation of South Africa called the Born free generation. The generation literally carries no baggage and holds no captive. It is a generation that the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus was probably referring to when he said you cannot step into the same river twice. Everything happens for and to it at supersonic speed inventions, technology etc. In Nigeria, that generation didnt witness the orgy of military rule and a roulette of coups. It didnt live to see the wickedness of rulers and servile, even if complicit following. One feature that hallmarks this generation is impatience with norms, long-held views, traditions, practices and orthodoxies. Look at the Farotimi and Afe Babalola legal duel which is the main issue of discourse in Nigeria today. Take a look also at the huge swath of public opinion behind Farotimi. Not that Farotimi himself is a youth, properly defined, but he carries its anger, its venom and dis-alignment with the ruinous Nigerian status-quo. You will locate impatience with orthodoxy in this horde of youthful supporters egging Farotimi on, in spite of his alleged violation of legal orthodoxy. The youth is not interested in the obsessive fascination of the generations before it with norms, whether legal, social or political. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later While legal orthodoxy tells us about the ancient rules of defamation, even criminal defamation, and the boundaries that must not be crossed, the youth cares less. It asks brash, carelessly confounding, even if seismic questions. It asks, for instance, how those rules can help in fighting endemic corruption which, with its twin, bad rule, has conspired to under-develop Nigeria. The Nigerian youth is aware that the judiciary is complicit in and has been known to be the imperial castle where corruption resides in Nigeria today. The youth doesnt care if Farotimis allegations against Babalola are unfounded in law. It doesnt care that Afe, a legal colossus, has the right to defend himself against this autumn tsunami which threatens to drown decades of his contributions to law and statesmanship. It doesnt care that Afe is one of Nigerias greatest private investors in education. It just doesnt care. Generations before this generation are the enemies of the youth, the Gen Z generation says. If public opinion is the barometer for measuring guilt or innocence of action, check the social media: Afe Babalola is guilty as charged. I am not surprised that Babalolas counsel, on Friday, chose to address a press conference on the matter, in disregard for the upbraid of Nigerian lawyers, especially senior lawyers penchant for discussing cases pending in the court, by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kuburat Kekere-Ekun. The CJN upbraided them during her screening in the senate in September. There, she decried senior lawyers declarative or authoritative pronouncements that border on the subjudice. In the Konate case in Burkina Faso, the ACHPR did not seem to have provided answers to burning questions. One of the beliefs by those against legal orthodoxy is that the law of defamation is anti-democratic and has served as bulwark against the fight against corruption. Enshrined in Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the purpose of the defamation law is to protect reputation from arbitrary mudslinging, abuse and damage. The same Nigerian Constitution, under section 45, limits the exercise of individual freedom for the purpose of ensuring that this right is exercised with caution. Under sections 60, 373-380 of the Criminal Code, provision is made that, where the effect of defamatory words seems to cause a breach of peace, the Police or the Attorney General may prosecute the defendant for offence of criminal libel. Taken in its totality however, the defamation law has been held to constitute an impediment to the guarantee of rights to freedom of expression and a major shield against promotion of democratic virtues. Among the major cancerous afflictions that Nigeria suffers today is corruption. Judicial corruption is its handmaiden. Corruptions audacity and permeating influence are terrifying. It is almost an impossibility to get anything done in Nigeria without corrupting officials. All over the world, the renown of Nigerian institutions as beehive of corruption precedes any interface with them. Globally, Nigeria wears its maggots-laced badge as the place where the umbilical cord of corruption was buried. A pervasive stench culture of corruption and impunity reigns here. This culture is almost unanimously accepted as native to us, though it hinders effective governance and erodes public trust. The culture also kills enterprise, industry, talent and excellence, replacing them with mediocrities and reign of the adder-brained in public service. Since the advent of colonial rule, so much fuss had been made about how ingrained corruption is in the heart of Africa. Some claim it is genetic since, even pre-colonial rule, African relations were watered by kleptocracy. We have some wise-sayings that are enablers of and symptoms of corruption which we were born into. Only a few of our mores and lore frown against corruption. Africa, like Shakespeares Othello, however, espouses a good name. Good name in man and womanis the immediate jewel of their soulshe that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed, Shakespeare says. It becomes difficult to reconcile this same Africa, which espouses the virtues of a good name, with the fact that it, in another breath, also encourages corruption. Take for example an ancient pithy saying in Yorubaland which says, only the one who pre-waters the ground walks on wet ground, or the Igbo saying that it is the person who holds palm-frond that the goat saunters towards. Or the Yoruba saying that, If you are unlucky not to have a representative in the judicial council, even if you are innocent, you can be found guilty Beeyan o leni nigbimo, bo rojo are, ebi lo mi a je. All these affirm unmistakably that corruption and favouritism predate colonialism in Africa. Either in the isms nepotism, favouritism, cronyism or even financial subversions, Nigeria has had its share of the vermin of kleptocrats in high and low places, right from the establishment of official structures of public service. Judicial corruption is king here. Though many attempts have been made to dress it in borrowed robes of euphemisms, judicial corruption is growing in leaps and bounds in Nigeria. In its bother about corruption in the house of justice, Transparency International affirms that all sectors of society rely on the courts to sanction corrupt officials, politicians, citizens and businesspeople, who steal resources and weaken integrity in public and private life. It maintains that, when the judicial system is corrupt, justice cannot be done and the whole society is done for. It was in recognition of this that Justice Kuburat Kekere-Ekun, at her screening in the Senate, literally swore to tackle corruption. As if bitten by the metaphysical bug the Yoruba call sise-sise inexplicable constant errors in June last year, Nigerian senator, Adamu Bulkachuwa, whose wife, Zainab, was judge and President of the Court of Appeal, publicly confessed to influencing his wifes judicial decisions. He had said: My wife, whose freedom and independence I encroached upon while (she) was in office, and she has been very tolerant and accepted my encroachment and extended her help to my colleagues. Bulkachuwa, now 84 years old, and a stalwart of the APC, who represented Bauchi North senatorial district in the Ninth Senate, made this revelation at a valedictory session of the senate. The video of this revelation instantly went viral. Miscarriage of justice by judicial officers and judicial corruption are not a new phenomenon in Nigeria. Hubert Ogundes famous play, Yoruba Ronu Yoruba, think! performed in 1964, though aimed as an attack on SL Akintola, Premier of the Western Region, was a damming review of intra-Yoruba relations where probity was becoming an anathema. Ogunde excoriated a phenomenon where the guilty are set free and the innocent are adjudged guilty won a gbebi falare, won a gbare felebi. Earlier, in the 1962-published book, The Incorruptible Judge, written by D Olu Adegoke, the concept of corruption was brought to the fore and how the judiciary can help tame it through its impartiality. The virus of compromise of court decisions has become cancerous today as it is generally believed to be a recurrent happening. That was why when Bulkachuwa confessed to the crime in the Nigerian parliament, without prodding, many Nigerians saw it as Karma fighting for the common man. But, what has happened ever since? There are many real but unsubstantiated allegations of cahoots between judges and senior lawyers in perpetration of judicial corruption. You must be against-method and possessing the wild spirit of the Gen Z generation to say this openly and pin names and faces to it. Corruption in the judiciary is however not an openly advertized bazaar. It is operated under cultic darkness by the parties. While lawyers know among themselves who and who are corrupt elements, lawyers also know pliable judges who can be bought for a price. It is to this set of people that they go when there is the need for mortgaging of conscience for a fee. Both Farotimi and Afe Babalola, as lawyers, are aware that the vermin of corruption is destroying the judicial institution in Nigeria. However, if Farotimi does not have evidence that irresistibly points at the facts before making all those weighty allegations in his book, it will be the height of recklessness by any worshipper ever in the temple of justice. If he has evidence, it will be good for the sanity of the legal system and the expansion of democratic frontiers in Nigeria, especially in combating the demon of judicial corruption. But, come to think of it, which institution in Nigeria is corruption-free? Are judges and lawyers not part of the corruption whole that is sucking the blood of Nigeria like a leech? Is journalism corruption-free? The other day, the EFCC said it seized 753 duplexes, its highest ever recovery since its inception. The political class swims in sewage, bankers do and Nigeria in totality is one huge stinking sewer. Legal orthodoxy does not support Farotimi. That is why many lawyers feel scandalised and horrified at the claims in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. However, Farotimi represents the growing impatience with legal norms that are incapable of taming the shrew of rot and underdevelopment. The reality of corruption in the judiciary is one that many Nigerians know, are aware of the destruction it daily wreaks but are consigned into silence because of judicial orthodoxy. After all, two people cannot suffer the calamity of lie-telling; if the one being told does not know he is being told a lie, the one telling it will certainly be aware he is telling a lie. If bystanders to courts do not know that bribery takes place between litigants, lawyers and judges, the lawyers will know, the giver knows and judges who receive the bribe know. Judicial orthodoxy spells out silence if the one who alleges does not have irrebutable evidence to buttress their claim. What Farotimi did with that book of his was to peer torch into the eyes of the leopard in the dark (gbena woju oloola, ekun). What he did, even if a mountainous animal like the elephant does it, the animal will get his horns twisted (iwo e a lo!). Farotimi has figuratively entered a mythic forest called Forest of the Wicked, the Igbo Odaju. It is a forest that can be likened to DO Fagunwas Igbo Olodumare the Forest of God. In this forest, there are ghommids which included Esu-kekere-ode, a two-foot-tall ghommid which lives in an anthill and prevents travelers from entering Igbo Olodumare. There is also what Fagunwa calls the Anjonnu-Iberu, a ghommid that guards the entrance to Igbo Olodumare and a furry-bearded-One, a part-human, part-ghommid creature that lives on a rock. While entering Igbo Odaju, elders warn the faint-hearted not to dare come near them. The ones whose mothers have not weaned from suckling are exempted. Mothers are also warned to hold their children with a leash, lest they stray into the forest. It is a forest where flesh-eating animals inhabit the leopards, lions, jackals, ghommids and the Queen of fishes Arogidigba. Farotimis matter is made worse because the judges who he alleged as recipients of the alleged bribe will sit in judgment over his matter. Again, apprehending him like a common criminal, and keeping him in jail for this long, for a bail-able offence, are too punitive and a reflection of the vengeful nature of those who wanted him to suffer for standing up to a legal shark in Nigerias reckless river. But if Farotimi survives in this task of breaking the coconut pod on his own head and I pray he does he may have begun a major revolution against corruption. Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Since assuming office, Governor Umar Namadi has demonstrated unwavering commitment to improving healthcare services, ensuring access, and reducing the burden of poverty on the people of Jigawa State. Under his leadership, Jigawas health infrastructure was enhanced because he has prioritised the development of healthcare facilities across the state to ensure quality and accessible services for all. Jigawa prioritises maternal and child health services with immunization coverage of 62%, one of the best in the country. The state government is optimising 67 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) by providing security fence, 24/7 solar-powered water and power scheme with well-furnished staff quarters to enhance retention of human resources for health. The administration has begun the construction of new general hospitals in Kafin Hausa, a University Community and Ringim, the only emirate headquarters without a befitting hospital to address the gap in secondary healthcare. Currently, there is ongoing work at two specialist hospitals in Hadejia and Kazaure, to ensure Jigawa State meets its tertiary healthcare needs. Under the administration, Jigawa is also facilitating the revitalization of additional 114 apex PHCs under the IMPACT Project to further improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Governor Namadi recognises the critical importance of human resources in healthcare delivery and has made significant investments in this area by approving the implementation of the federal salary scale for Jigawa State health workers with effect from December 2024 to boost staff morale. The construction of a new School of Nursing and Midwifery in Hadejia will increase the states training capacity, with three schools of nursing and three schools of midwifery, Jigawa will inject an additional 720 health personnel annually from 2025 to Jigawa health sector, this was approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) after an accreditation was granted for 5 years to the schools. The government has recruited 924 PHC workers, 200 senior health workers, 250 midwives, and an additional 1,000 essential PHC workers. Furthermore, 250 midwives were absorbed into the state civil service as provided in the GAVI MoU. The Namadi administration has reduced the burden of poverty through healthcare financing and has championed initiatives to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare services. The sum of 1 billion was released to the Jigawa Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (JICHMA) to strengthen the social insurance scheme. J-Basic Health Package is another milestone. A total of 143,500 vulnerable individuals (500 from each of the 287 wards) now receive free healthcare services under this initiative. Health Camps: Over 3,000 surgeries have been conducted free of charge as part of health camps initiated to address critical health needs across the state. The Namadi administration invested about 500 million allocated for the procurement of nutritional supplement to combat malnutrition among children. The administration has also embarked on the establishment of free dialysis centres in Kazaure, Gumel, Ringim and Dutse while the existing one in Hadejia has been upgraded. Non- communicable diseases patients are given free treatment. This cover residents suffering from hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell disease and cancer. Governor Namadis administration has enacted critical laws and reforms to strengthen the legal and policy frameworks to institutionalize healthcare improvements. Under his visionary leadership, Jigawa State is experiencing a healthcare revolution. These bold strides reflect Mr Namadis dedication to improving the lives of the people through accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services. *Malam Isa Surajo, Technical Adviser to the Governor of Jigawa State on Health Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police command in Niger has arrested an 18-year-old suspect, Fatiyah Abdulhakeem, in connection with the murder of Adamu Jagaba, a block industry owner in Minna. The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in Minna on Sunday. He said the incident occurred on 7 December at about 11:30 a.m. when the suspect trespassed into the block industry located along Eastern Bye-pass, Minna, and attacked the deceased. He said the victim was stabbed several times in the head and neck and hit multiple times with a stapler in the office. Mr Abiodun said the suspect then made away with the deceased Toyota Camry vehicle with Reg. No. MNA 61 AE. He said the police operatives visited the scene and commenced an investigation into the incident. According to him, following the circulation of the vehicles details to all police points and formations within the state, the Police Crack Squad intercepted the vehicle along Bosso Estate Road, Minna, at about 7 p.m. on the same day. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said the suspect was arrested, adding that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to being the victims car painter and conspired with some of the deceased workers to carry out the crime. The PPRO added that the suspect also mentioned the names of his gang members, who are at large and efforts were ongoing to apprehend the other gang members involved in the crime. He said the suspect would be charged to court for prosecution immediately after the investigation. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ekiti State Government on Sunday handed out cheques to the tune of N146 million as compensation to 46 residents of Oke Ako Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of the state, whose land was acquired for commercial agriculture. A total of 4,000 hectares of land was allocated to young farmers in the Bring Back the Youth in Agriculture scheme, a programme in partnership with an investor, YSP Farm Limited. About initiative The project, according to the government, is aimed at boosting agribusiness, engaging youths in commercial agriculture and opening up the community and its environs for wealth creation. Also, a different range of tractors and processing equipment were inaugurated by the Government for use by the young farmers. The event coincided with the dry season harvest by the participants in the agriculture programme. Governor speaks Speaking shortly before distributing the cheques, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, said he was satisfied with the takeoff of the agribusiness project despite the initial delay witnessed in a bid to resolve some issues around land acquisition. The governor explained that the payment of the compensation was delayed to allow for the conclusion of the enumeration of economic trees that were affected by the acquisition, noting that the second round of the enumeration exercise would soon commence to pay compensation to more landowners. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later While noting that Oke Ako is an integral part of the Ekiti State Special Agriculture Processing, the governor stressed that the centre is a great economic asset capable of becoming a hub for training tractor drivers and assembling and repairing tractors with expatriates on the ground to train the youths. He lauded the Oke Ako community led by the Regent, Tinuade Ogunbiyi, for their cooperation with his administration, saying commercial agricultural activities would attract rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, provision of health facilities and establishment of cottage industries capable of turning around the economy of the axis. The governor charged the people of the area to support the initiative led by Yemisi Joluwe. He explained his administration would always provide the enabling environment for investment opportunities, empowerment of the youths and development of the grassroots economy to thrive in every part of the state. Impact on security The governor also noted that kidnapping and other criminal activities have reduced remarkably in the area, saying most of the forests that served as hideouts have been cultivated under the agribusiness scheme involving the youths. He said: What we are doing here today is another promise we have kept in ensuring that compensation is paid to our citizens whose land was acquired for commercial agricultural purposes. We are paying them the compensation for the economic trees lost to the acquisition process and for them to use the money to get another land for the continuation of their farming so that they will not be denied of their means of livelihood. For development to get to any place, it will be accompanied by some pains. Its just like a woman who is giving birth to a baby; she will have to endure pain, after which the pain will be overshadowed by the joy of the birth of a new baby. The governor said before the remaining economic trees are removed, compensation would be paid to the owners, noting that the presence of large-scale commercial farming will bring many positive things. Factories, schools and hospitals will spring up here while we can also have tractor assembling and engineering hub, he added. Commissioner speaks Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, said the commitment of the governor made the payment of compensation possible. He added that the personal appearance of the governor bore eloquent testimony to his commitment to the growth of agriculture and ensuring food security in the state. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Lands, Survey and e-GIS, James Olaleye, a professor, said the sacrifices of the landowners would go a long way in turning Ekiti into a leading agricultural centre in Nigeria. He pointed out that the Bureau of Lands, under his watch, has been working tirelessly to ensure that land administration practices align with the vision of economic growth and food security. The Regent of Oke Ako, Princess Ogunbiyi, hailed the governor for attracting investors to the community, pledging the unflinching support of her people to the smooth operations of the farms. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- News Advisory: The family of Austin Tice his 17 relatives are gathering in front of St. John's Church at 16th and H Street NW to pray for the safe return of Austin Tice and to call for the U.S. Government to act to work to secure and protect their son. Austin Tice has been held in Syria since 2012. He is the longest held U.S. journalist hostage and the only U.S. journalist currently being held overseas. He is a Marine veteran and an alumni of Georgetown University. Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-725-7787 SOURCE National Press Club ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Prime Minister of Mongolia, L. Oyun-Erdene, has completed a week-long visit to the Middle East during which he discussed how to increase bilateral co-operation and promote economic development with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. During his visit, the Prime Minister met with: Prime Minister of Mongolia L. Oyun-Erdene meets with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Prime Minister of Mongolia L. Oyun-Erdene meets with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud Prime Minister of Mongolia L. Oyun-Erdene meets with President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, with whom he discussed expanding bilateral co-operation in the areas of renewable energy, minerals and environmental protection Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa , with the two leaders discussing plans to work together to promote economic development and combat desertification , with the two leaders discussing plans to work together to promote economic development and combat desertification President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , who agreed with Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene on the importance of strengthening ties in areas ranging from the digital economy to tourism The historic nature of the visit which included the first ever official visit by a Prime Minister of Mongolia to Bahrain and the seniority of those meeting with the Prime Minister, underscore Mongolia's increasing attractiveness to international partners as a destination for foreign direct investment. This follows Mongolia's economy growing by 7% in 2023. During his time in the region, the Prime Minister also gave a keynote speech to the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 16), taking place in Riyadh, during which he outlined the impact of desertification on Mongolia and the need for international collaboration to tackle this issue. Mongolia will host the UNCCD COP 17 summit in 2026. The Prime Minister also attended the One Water Summit taking place in Riyadh, where in a meeting with President Macron of France both leaders expressed their interest in expanding co-operation in the mining sector in an environmentally-sustainable way, and commencing work on major joint projects in the near future. Commenting on his visit, the Prime Minister of Mongolia, L. Oyun-Erdene, said: "Strengthening Mongolia's economic and diplomatic links with key Third Neighbours in the Middle East is vital to secure the investment that will deliver a better standard of living for our people and tackle the environmental challenges that threaten our nomadic heritage. "In working more closely with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, we can unlock new opportunities in mining, renewable energy, tourism, agriculture and other sectors, partnering to deliver major projects to the benefit of our citizens. "The success of my visit shows that countries in fast-growing parts of the world are increasingly looking on Mongolia as a partner for growth and economic development, and I look forward to our ties in the region going from strength-to-strength in the years ahead." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2575534/Bahrain.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2575535/Saudi_Arabia.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2575536/UAE.jpg SOURCE The Government of Mongolia PARAMUS, N.J., Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SK Life Science, Inc. , a global leader in treatments for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and a subsidiary of SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., presented data at the American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting, showcasing its antiseizure medication XCOPRI (cenobamate tablets) CV. Key data offered a better understanding of cenobamate's unique dual mechanism of action (MOA) that enhances GABAergic inhibition at the type A -aminobutyric acid (GABA A ) ion channel and reduces neuronal excitability by preferentially inhibiting the persistent sodium current. "We are a company dedicated to advancing treatment options for epilepsy, supporting the epilepsy community and providing meaningful solutions for patients and their families," said Louis Ferrari, BS, RPh, MBA, vice president, Medical Affairs at SK Life Science. "It is critically important for patients with epilepsy to achieve seizure control as early as possible. The data we presented at AES offer new insights into our drug's unique dual MOA and highlight the potential for flexible and individualized dosing with cenobamate which, along with adjustment of concomitant ASMs to improve tolerability, may help more patients achieve optimal seizure reduction. Additionally, our data provided objective evidence of our treatment's effect on patterns of electrical activity in the brain and seizure reduction." We are dedicated to advancing treatment options and providing meaningful solutions for the epilepsy community. Post this Clarification of the MOA of cenobamate Deeper understanding of cenobamate's bi-modal mechanism of action further elucidates its dual role on voltage-gated sodium channels and GABA A receptors. Specifically, in preclinical studies, researchers observed cenobamate's selectivity for blockade of persistent sodium currents (I NaP ), while sparing the transient sodium current (I NaT ). The effect of cenobamate's selective I NaP block on the resting membrane potential is augmented by its positive allosteric modulation of GABA A receptor-mediated tonic currents. Cenobamate's selectivity for the I NaP over the I NaT likely represents action on the Na V 1.6 channel over the Na V 1.1 channel, a feature not seen with traditional ASMs, like phenytoin or carbamazepine. Potential for flexible and individualized dosing New data examining the initial doses of cenobamate that were associated with seizure freedom in the phase 3 open-label efficacy subset showed the initial seizure freedom interval occurred at a wide range of cenobamate doses, with some patients requiring higher doses. These data highlight the potential for flexible and individualized dosing with cenobamate which, along with adjustment of concomitant antiseizure medication to improve tolerability, may help more patients achieve optimal seizure reduction. The effect of cenobamate on responsive neurostimulation epileptiform events A retrospective, multicenter, observational, 24-week study among 37 patients with uncontrolled seizures, showed a significant reduction in epileptiform events along with a significant reduction in clinically reported seizures during adjunctive cenobamate treatment. Results from this analysis demonstrate, through electrocorticographic data and observation of clinical seizures, the effectiveness of cenobamate in the treatment of focal seizures. The complete list of SK Life Science abstracts presented at AES can be found here . About SK Life Science, Inc. and SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. SK Life Science, Inc., with headquarters in Paramus, New Jersey, is a U.S. subsidiary of SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., a pioneering South Korean company in drug development and commercialization. Together, they are advancing innovative treatments for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and oncology, with eight compounds currently in development. SK Life Science and SK Biopharmaceuticals are committed to addressing critical unmet medical needs for patients with conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disorders, neuropathic pain, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia. For more information, visit www.SKLifeScienceInc.com . SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. is part of SK Group, South Korea's second-largest conglomerate. SK Group is a collection of global industry-leading companies driving innovations in energy, advanced materials, biopharmaceuticals and digital business. For more information about SK Biopharmaceuticals, visit www.skbp.com/eng . About XCOPRI (cenobamate tablets) CV Cenobamate is an antiseizure medication (ASM) discovered and developed by SK Biopharmaceuticals and SK Life Science. Cenobamate reduces neuronal excitability through a unique dual mechanism of action, preferentially inhibiting the persistent sodium current and enhancing GABAergic inhibition at the type A -aminobutyric acid (GABAA) ion channel. The precise mechanism by which Cenobamate exerts its therapeutic effect is unknown. Cenobamate is marketed under the brand name XCOPRI in the U.S. by SK Life Science, Inc. Additionally, XCOPRI is commercialized in Canada and Israel by SK Biopharmaceuticals' partners, Paladin Labs Inc. and Dexcel Ltd. Cenobamate is marketed as ONTOZRY by Angelini Pharma S.p.A. in Europe, the UK, and Switzerland. Cenobamate is also being developed for commercialization by SK Biopharmaceuticals' partners in many other countries to meet the needs of patients living with epilepsy, including Dong-A ST Co., Ltd., Eurofarma Laboratorios S.A., Hikma MENA FZE, Ignis Therapeutics, Inc. and ONO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. XCOPRI and ONTOZRY are registered trademarks of SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION FOR XCOPRI (cenobamate tablets) CV DO NOT TAKE XCOPRI IF YOU: Are allergic to cenobamate or any of the other ingredients in XCOPRI. Have a genetic problem (called Familial Short QT syndrome) that affects the electrical system of the heart. XCOPRI CAN CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, INCLUDING: Allergic reactions: XCOPRI can cause serious skin rash or other serious allergic reactions which may affect organs and other parts of your body like the liver or blood cells. You may or may not have a rash with these types of reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away and go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following: swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or tongue, trouble swallowing or breathing, a skin rash, hives, fever, swollen glands, or sore throat that does not go away or comes and goes, painful sores in the mouth or around your eyes, yellowing of your skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, severe fatigue or weakness, severe muscle pain, frequent infections, or infections that do not go away. Take XCOPRI exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. It is very important to increase your dose of XCOPRI slowly, as instructed by your healthcare provider. QT shortening: XCOPRI may cause problems with the electrical system of the heart (QT shortening). Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of QT shortening including fast heartbeat (heart palpitations) that last a long time or fainting. Suicidal behavior and ideation: Antiepileptic drugs, including XCOPRI, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying; attempting to commit suicide; new or worse depression, anxiety, or irritability; feeling agitated or restless; panic attacks; trouble sleeping (insomnia); acting aggressive; being angry or violent; acting on dangerous impulses; an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania); or other unusual changes in behavior or mood. Nervous system problems: XCOPRI may cause problems that affect your nervous system. Symptoms of nervous system problems include: dizziness, trouble walking or with coordination, feeling sleepy and tired, trouble concentrating, remembering, and thinking clearly, and vision problems. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how XCOPRI affects you. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that can make you sleepy or dizzy while taking XCOPRI without first talking to your healthcare provider. DISCONTINUATION: Do not stop taking XCOPRI without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping XCOPRI suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping seizure medicine suddenly in a patient who has epilepsy can cause seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus). DRUG INTERACTIONS: XCOPRI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how XCOPRI works. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider. Tell healthcare providers about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: XCOPRI may cause your birth control medicine to be less effective. Talk to your health care provider about the best birth control method to use. Talk to your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XCOPRI will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking XCOPRI. You and your healthcare provider will decide if you should take XCOPRI while you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking XCOPRI, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic medicine during pregnancy. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or go to www.aedpregnancyregistry.org . Talk to your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XCOPRI passes into breastmilk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking XCOPRI. COMMON SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects in patients taking XCOPRI include dizziness, sleepiness, headache, double vision, and feeling tired. These are not all the possible side effects of XCOPRI. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch . DRUG ABUSE: XCOPRI is a federally controlled substance (CV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep XCOPRI in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away XCOPRI may harm others and is against the law. INDICATION: XCOPRI is a prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults 18 years of age and older. It is not known if XCOPRI is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age. Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide . This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment. Please see full Prescribing Information . About Epilepsy Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder. There are approximately 3.4 million people living with epilepsy in the United States, with 150,000 new cases each year in the country.1,2 Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. The seizures in epilepsy may be related to a brain injury or a family tendency, but often the cause is completely unknown. Having seizures and epilepsy can affect one's safety, relationships, work, driving, and much more.3,4 People with epilepsy are at risk for accidents and other health complications, including falling, drowning, depression and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP).3,4 Despite the availability of many antiepileptic therapies, almost 40 percent of people with epilepsy are not able to achieve seizure freedom, meaning they have epilepsy that remains uncontrolled.5 References Epilepsy Foundation. Who Can Get Epilepsy? https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/who-gets-epilepsy . Accessed December 2024 . Epilepsy Foundation. Facts & Statistics About Epilepsy. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/epilepsy-statistics . Accessed December 2024 . Epilepsy Foundation. Staying Safe. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe . Accessed December 2024 . Epilepsy Foundation. Complications and Risks. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy . Accessed December 2024 . Chen Z, Brodie MJ, Liew D, Kwan P. Treatment outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy treated with established and new antiepileptic drugs: a 30-year longitudinal cohort study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29279892 . Published online December 26, 2017 . SOURCE SK Life Science, Inc. Advances across continuum of care show promise and hope for patients SAN DIEGO, Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Studies being presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition highlight progress in preventing and treating blood cancers. "It's very encouraging to see advances being made across the continuum of care for blood cancers," said Surbhi Sidana, MD, an associate professor of medicine at Stanford University in California, who moderated the briefing Diagnosing and Treating Blood Cancers and "Almost" Cancers. "In this set of studies, investigators are focused on improving our understanding of environmental exposures that can increase cancer risk, ascertaining whether early intervention can improve outcomes for patients with a high-risk precancerous condition, identifying promising new treatment approaches for patients for whom existing options fall short, and shedding light on the ways in which socioeconomic factors may limit patients' access to a potentially life-saving treatment," Dr. Sidana said. In the first study, the drug daratumumab cut the risk of disease progression by half in patients who faced a high risk of developing multiple myeloma (a cancer of plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow and are part of the immune system) within two years. The second and third studies involved patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common form of leukemia in adults in the United States. In previously untreated patients, a combination regimen of two oral drugs significantly lengthened the time until the disease worsened and caused fewer adverse effects compared with a standard treatment regimen. And in early results of an ongoing trial, patients with returning CLL after at least two prior treatments responded well to epcoritamab, a biologic agent that is a bispecific CD20/CD3 T cell engager. In the fourth study, researchers found that first responders who worked at the World Trade Center site following the September 11, 2001, attacks were three times more likely to have genetic changes associated with an increased risk of blood cancer compared with non-exposed first responders or members of the public. Those with the genetic changes also have as much as a five-fold increased risk for leukemia. And in the last study, researchers showed that, for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, socioeconomic factors can limit access to a potentially curative transplant of blood-forming stem cells from a healthy donor. Patients were less likely to receive such a transplant and more likely to die without receiving one if they lived in neighborhoods where more residents had less than a high school education, had incomes below the federal poverty level, or received benefits from federal assistance programs. Daratumumab Cuts Risk of Progression by Half in Smoldering Multiple Myeloma 773: Phase 3 Randomized Study of Daratumumab Monotherapy Versus Active Monitoring in Patients with High-Risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma: Primary Results of the Aquila Study Patients at high risk for developing multiple myeloma who received the drug daratumumab for up to three years saw a 51% reduction in their risk of disease progression compared with similar patients who were actively monitored but not treated. "Compared with active monitoring, single-agent treatment with daratumumab had an acceptable safety profile and showed a clinically meaningful benefit in preventing or delaying progression to active multiple myeloma in high-risk patients," said principal investigator Meletios A. Dimopoulos, MD, professor and chairman of the department of clinical therapeutics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine. "These results represent a new option for high-risk patients and their physicians to consider when weighing the pros and cons of treatment versus active monitoring." Patients enrolled in the AQUILA study, a randomized phase III clinical trial conducted in 24 countries, had been diagnosed with high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma, a precancerous condition with features that put them at more than 50% risk of developing active cancer within two years. The decision to treat these patients or not is controversial among hematologists. Active monitoring, in which patients are closely evaluated by their doctors for any signs that their condition is getting worse, is currently the standard of care. A total of 390 patients were enrolled. Patients' median age was 64 and 48% were men. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either subcutaneous daratumumab every 28 days or active monitoring for up to 36 months or until their condition progressed to multiple myeloma, whichever came first. The study's primary endpoint was the elapsed time between randomization to treatment and a multiple myeloma diagnosis. Disease progression was assessed by an independent review committee using internationally accepted diagnostic criteria. Secondary endpoints included patients' overall response rate, progression free survival on first-line treatment, and overall survival. After a median follow-up of 65.2 months (about five and a half years), Dimopoulos and his colleagues estimated that 63.1% of the patients assigned to daratumumab had not progressed to active multiple myeloma at five years, compared with 40.8% of those assigned to active monitoring. For patients who received active monitoring, the median time to a multiple myeloma diagnosis was 41.5 months (about three and a half years). The overall response rate was 63.4% among patients receiving daratumumab, compared with 2.0% for those being actively monitored. In the daratumumab group, 33% of patients began treatment for active multiple myeloma, compared with 52% of those in the active monitoring group. Adverse events requiring treatment occurred in 40.4% of patients who received daratumumab, compared with 30.1% of those who were actively monitored. In both groups, the most common moderate-to-severe adverse effect was high blood pressure. A total of 41 patients died, 15 (7.7%) of those treated with daratumumab, compared with 26 (13%) who received active monitoring. This difference was statistically significant. "This is the first study to show improved outcomes with an agent that is not chemotherapy in patients with a myeloma-related condition. Furthermore, the observed benefit in the overall survival of the daratumumab-treated patients is very encouraging," Dr. Dimopoulos said. Daratumumab is a biologic therapy made from living cells that works by attaching to proteins found on the surface of cancer cells. It both kills cancer cells directly and stimulates cells from the patient's immune system to multiply and kill cancer cells. Daratumumab is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use either alone or in combination with standard-of-care drug regimens for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma or myeloma that has come back or not responded to other treatments. Dr. Dimopoulos cautioned that the findings apply only to patients whose smoldering multiple myeloma has specific features that place them at the highest risk for developing active cancer. Future studies should test whether using daratumumab in combination with other agents can further improve outcomes for these patients, he said. This study was funded by Janssen Research & Development, LLC, a sister company of Janssen Biotech, Inc., which manufactures daratumumab. Both companies are subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson. The study was simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Meletios A. Dimopoulos, MD, of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, will present this study during an oral presentation on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. Pacific time in Pacific Ballroom Salons 21-22 in the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. Combination of Two Oral Agents Improves Progression-Free Survival in Previously Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 1009: Fixed-Duration Acalabrutinib Plus Venetoclax with or without Obinutuzumab Versus Chemoimmunotherapy for First-Line Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Interim Analysis of the Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized, Phase 3 AMPLIFY Trial Among patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), those who received a combination regimen of the oral medications acalabrutinib and venetoclax had significantly better survival without their cancer getting worse and experienced fewer serious adverse events than patients who received one of two standard multidrug treatment regimens for CLL. Patients who also received a third agent, obinutuzumab, had even better survival free of disease progression, but also experienced a higher rate of serious adverse events. "The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating superior progression-free survival (PFS) for the acalabrutinib-venetoclax combination regimen compared with standard therapy, said principal investigator Jennifer R. Brown, MD, PhD, director of the CLL Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Worthington and Margaret Collette Professor of Medicine in the field of Hematologic Oncology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "Findings were similar when obinutuzumab was added to the two oral agents, and both regimens had manageable safety profiles." The acalabrutinib-venetoclax combination offers the first fixed-duration regimen consisting of all oral agents for patients with previously untreated CLL that is expected to be approved in the U.S., Dr. Brown explained. "It's a simple regimen that will be easier for patients to take," she said. CLL is a cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. It is the most common form of leukemia in adults in the United States, with around 19,000 new cases diagnosed annually, mostly in people aged 65 or older. It is more common in men than in women. Roughly half of patients with CLL carry mutations in a gene from a family of genes known as IgHV; in these patients, the cancer tends to grow more slowly and, with treatment, can go into remission for many years. In patients with unmutated IgHV, the cancer is more aggressive and tends to relapse more quickly after treatment. Treatment regimens for CLL have included acalabrutinib and a slightly older drug, ibrutinib, which are in a class known as BTK inhibitors, and venetoclax, which is in a class known as BCL2 inhibitors, said Dr. Brown. However, the BTK inhibitors usually need to be taken indefinitely, which can lead to an accumulation of adverse effects, she said. Venetoclax is often combined with obinutuzumab, which is given as an infusion, a regimen that can be burdensome for patients, as it involves more clinic visits, Dr. Brown said. This study, known as AMPLIFY, tested the effectiveness of combining the BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax, and adding obinutuzumab to the two oral medications, in patients with previously untreated CLL. The randomized phase III clinical trial was conducted in 27 countries. A total of 867 patients (median age 61, 64.5% male) were randomly assigned to one of three study arms. Patients in Arm A received acalabrutinib and venetoclax (AV); in Arm B, acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab (AVO); and in Arm C, the control arm, one of two combination regimens chosen by their doctor: fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) or bendamustine and rituximab (BR). Around 60% of patients enrolled in the trial had unmutated IgHV. Patients with the highest risk CLL, in which a gene called TP53 is mutated or deleted, were not enrolled in the AMPLIFY trial because this form of the disease usually does not respond to the chemotherapy used in the control arm of the trial, Dr. Brown said. PFS, the primary endpoint, was defined as the elapsed time from random assignment to worsening of the cancer among patients in Arm A (AV) compared with those in Arm C. Disease progression was assessed by an independent review committee using internationally accepted criteria. Secondary endpoints included PFS in Arm B (AVO) versus Arm C. All patients were treated for 14 months or until their cancer showed signs of worsening. After a median follow-up period of 41 months, both the AV and AVO regimens showed a statistically significant improvement in PFS compared with the control regimen of FCR or BR. Dr. Brown and her colleagues estimated that 76.8% of patients who received AV and 83.1% of those who received AVO were free of disease progression at three years, compared with 66.5% of patients who received FCR or BR. Serious adverse events occurred in 24.7% of patients who received AV, 38.4% of those who received AVO, and 27.4% of those who received FCR or BR. A low white blood cell count was the most common serious adverse event across all three treatment arms. The trial was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic and a total of 56 patients (10 in the AV group, 25 in the AVO group, and 21 in the control group) died of COVID complications. "The addition of obinutuzumab to acalabrutinib and venetoclax improved efficacy but also led to more adverse effects and more COVID deaths," Dr. Brown said. "Our next steps will include trying to better understand which patients get the most benefit from adding obinutuzumab and what factors lead to some patients relapsing sooner." A limitation of the study is that FCR and BR, the combination regimens used to treat patients assigned to the control group, which were considered to be the standard of care for initial treatment of CLL when the AMPLIFY trial began in 2019, are no longer considered standard of care in the U.S. This is a common challenge for clinical trials, Dr. Brown said, as standards of care can evolve quickly whereas it usually takes several years to obtain results from a large clinical trial. She noted that although FCR has higher rates of adverse effects than some other therapies, it remains a highly effective treatment option that is widely used around the world and can be curative in a subset of patients. This study was funded by AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of acalabrutinib. Jennifer R. Brown, MD, PhD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, will present this study on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time during an oral presentation in Marriott Grand Ballroom 8-9 in the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. High Response Rate, Manageable Adverse Effects Seen with Epcoritamab in Pretreated R/R CLL 883: Epcoritamab Monotherapy in Patients (Pts) with Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Results from CLL Expansion and Optimization Cohorts of Epcore CLL-1 In early results from a nonrandomized study, the biologic agent epcoritamab, which leverages patients' own immune systems to find and kill cancer cells, showed promise in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that had come back or not responded to at least two prior treatments. "In heavily pretreated CLL, single-agent epcoritamab had a high overall response rate and a manageable safety profile," said principal investigator Alexey Danilov, MD, PhD, a professor in the department of hematology & hematopoietic cell transplantation at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California. Two classes of targeted drugs known as BTK and BCL2 inhibitors are the standard of care for both previously untreated CLL and CLL that has come back after treatment, Dr. Danilov said. However, some patients do not respond well to these agents. Moreover, in almost all patients with CLL, these classes of drugs eventually stop working. "To date, no treatments have been shown in randomized trials to be effective for patients whose CLL has worsened after treatment with both BTK and BCL2 inhibitors," he said. "There is an unmet need for new treatment options for this group of patients." Epcoritamab, which is given as an injection under the skin, belongs to a class of drugs known as bispecific T-cell engagers. It works by attaching to proteins on the surfaces of both cancer cells and healthy T cells (cells in the immune system that help kill cancer cells). This brings the cancer cells and the T cells closer to each other, which enables the T cells to more effectively kill the cancer cells. Epcoritamab is approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration to treat two types of lymphoma that have come back or not responded to at least two prior therapies. "CLL cells have learned how to persist in the body by making themselves invisible to the patient's immune system," Dr. Danilov said. "Epcoritamab essentially works as a bridge between the body's immune cells and the CLL cells, boosting the ability of the immune cells to find, attack, and kill the cancer cells." The ongoing EPCORE CLL-1 trial is testing the effectiveness of epcoritamab in patients with CLL and other blood cancers that have come back after treatment with at least two different agents, including a BTK inhibitor. The trial, which is being conducted in 12 countries, will enroll a total of 184 patients. The current study reports early results for the first 40 patients (median age 71.5, mostly male) enrolled in the trial. Most had CLL with features that make it more challenging to treat, such as a mutation in the TP53 gene or a chromosomal abnormality known as 17p deletion. Everyone was treated with the same dose of epcoritamab, with the first group (the EXP cohort, 23 patients) receiving the drug in three gradually increasing doses, while the second group (the OPT cohort; 17 patients), who were enrolled later, received it in four increasing doses. The primary endpoint for the EXP cohort was the overall response rate (ORR), defined as the proportion of patients in whom signs of cancer either completely cleared or reduced by at least half. Secondary endpoints included the time until patients' cancer showed signs of worsening, overall survival, and minimal residual disease (MRD), which refers to cancer cells that remain in the blood or bone marrow at a level that can be detected only with highly sensitive tests. For the OPT cohort, the primary endpoints included the number and severity of new cases of common side effects. In the EXP cohort, after a median follow-up period of 22.8 months, the ORR was 61%. Among responding patients, 39% had a complete response, meaning that signs of cancer completely cleared. For all patients in this cohort, the median time until their cancer showed signs of worsening was 12.8 months. After about 15 months of follow-up, an estimated 65% of patients (15 people) were still alive. Among 12 responding patients (52%) who underwent MRD testing, nine (75%) had undetectable MRD in tests based on the standard sensitivity level. "The response rate was very impressive for a single agent, especially considering that most patients had already been treated with both BTK and BCL2 inhibitors without success and had disease features that are difficult to treat," Dr. Danilov said. Low blood counts were common in patients in the EXP cohort. However, most patients had low blood counts when they enrolled in the study, Dr. Danilov said, suggesting that the low counts were often caused by the cancer rather than by the study treatment. Cytokine release syndrome, or CRS (which includes symptoms like fever, nausea, headache, rash, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and trouble breathing), was the most frequent non-blood-related adverse effect, occurring in 96% of patients. In most cases, CRS was mild, Dr. Danilov said, and mostly occurred after the first full dose of epcoritamab. Other common side effects were diarrhea, fatigue, and swelling in the hands or lower legs. Four patients in the EXP cohort (17%) died, all of causes other than CLL. Follow-up for patients in the OPT cohort, who were enrolled in the study later than those in the EXP cohort, was just 2.9 months. Because of the brevity of follow-up to date, data on the effectiveness of epcoritamab treatment in this cohort are not yet available, Dr. Danilov said. Eighty-four percent of patients had mild CRS; none had severe CRS. To date, no patients in the OPT cohort have died. No patients in either cohort have discontinued treatment because of adverse effects, Dr. Danilov said. He cautioned that these are early results from just 40 patients. "We will need to treat more patients, follow them for a longer period of time, and conduct randomized studies to validate these findings," he said. "We also want to test epcoritamab in patients with CLL who have had fewer prior therapies," he said. "There is reason to believe it could be even more effective if used earlier in the disease course, when a patient's immune system is less compromised." This study was funded by GenMab, co-developer of epcoritamab with AbbVie. Alexey Danilov, MD, PhD, of City of Hope, will present this study on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 2:45 p.m. Pacific time during an oral presentation in Marriott Grand Ballroom 5-6 in the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. Study Finds Genetic Changes, Elevated Leukemia Risk in Ground Zero First Responders 943: Elevated Clonal Hematopoiesis in Environmentally Exposed Responders Has Distinct Age-Related Patterns and Relies on IL1RAP for Clonal Expansion First responders who worked at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City were three times more likely to have genetic changes associated with an increased risk of blood cancer compared with other first responders or members of the public who were not exposed to Ground Zero. Moreover, younger first responders (under age 60) who had worked at the site not only showed these genetic changes, which are rarely seen in people under 70, but the changes were unlike any previously seen in this condition, which commonly occur during normal aging. Ground Zero first responders with these genetic changes have as much as a five-fold increased risk for leukemia. Interestingly, when researchers exposed laboratory mice to dust from Ground Zero at a level equivalent to what first responders were exposed to in an eight-hour shift, the mice developed the same genetic changes seen in the responders. In particular, exposing the mice to the toxic dust led to overproduction of a protein called IL1RAP, which stimulates inflammation and increases the risk of cancer development. Deleting the gene for this protein halted the precancerous genetic changes and expansion of mutant blood cells. "Our study has shown not only an increased risk of developing leukemia in Ground Zero-exposed first responders, but also a distinct spectrum of precancerous genetic changes in younger exposed responders," said principal investigator Divij Verma, PhD, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. "We have also demonstrated that inflammation induced by exposure to toxic dust is the likely mechanism for these genetic changes, and that turning off the IL1RAP gene, in particular, may be a promising strategy to delay or inhibit the development of these genetic changes or prevent progression to leukemia." The genetic changes, known as clonal hematopoiesis (CH), have no signs or symptoms and are generally detected only when a person undergoes genetic testing for another condition such as a solid tumor or an unexplained low blood count. CH occurs in about 10% of people aged 70 and older, but is rare in people under 70. Studies have shown that people with CH have about a 1% per year chance of developing leukemia or another blood cancer; they are also at elevated risk for heart and liver diseases. Dr. Verma and his colleagues collected blood samples from 988 firefighters and emergency medical personnel who were exposed to high levels of airborne dust, gases, and potential cancer-causing substances at Ground Zero and examined their genomes to determine how many had CH and how many of those with CH developed leukemia. On average, the blood samples were collected 10 years after exposure; at the time of the blood draw, the responders' median age was 56. The investigators then compared the Ground Zero-exposed responders with 255 firefighters who had not been at the site but had occupational exposures to pollutants and potentially toxic substances, and to 195 people from the general population who were not first responders and had not been at Ground Zero. They found that 14% of the exposed first responders had CH, compared with 7% of firefighters and other people who had not been at Ground Zero. Even though DNMT3A and TET2 were the two most common mutated genes in Ground Zero-exposed responders, the subsequent spectrum of mutations was distinct in younger Ground Zero-exposed responders (i.e., those now aged under 60) and included APC (6.6%), KMT2D (4.8%), ATM (4.8%), PIK3CA (4.2%) CREBBP (3.0%), BRCA2 (2.4%), ERBB4 (2.4%), and ARID1A (2.4%), which have not been reported in any previous CH studies. Notably, in the firefighters and other first responders who had no Ground Zero exposure, the risk of having CH was the same as for people who were not first responders and had not been to the site. Among Ground Zero-exposed first responders with CH, 3.7% developed leukemia, compared with 0.6% of those in the non-exposed comparison groups. Compared with exposed first responders without CH, those with CH had more genetic changes indicating an elevated risk for leukemia or another blood cancer, as well as increased levels of neutrophils and monocytes (types of white blood cells) and red cell width suggestive of greater inflammation. All Ground Zero-exposed first responders with CH are being contacted and invited to visit the hospital to identify any health problems as early as possible and initiate treatment, if necessary, Dr. Verma said. He and his team are conducting further research to identify any differences in exposures and their effects among first responders who worked at Ground Zero during the first three days of the disaster versus those who were there later. They are also working to identify the specific toxic components of the dust collected from Ground Zero, the mechanisms by which it causes genetic changes in exposed people, and whether these mechanisms and their effects are unique to Ground Zero exposure or have similarities with those seen in people exposed to wildfires, burn pits, and other environmental exposures. A limitation of the study is that while deleting the gene for IL1RAP halted precancerous genetic changes in mice, no studies have yet been done to show whether this strategy will work in people. However, Dr. Verma said, IL1RAP is a potentially important target, as it inhibits signaling from several mediators of inflammation. Targeting IL1RAP holds significant potential for reducing inflammation and combating inflammation-driven malignancies, he said. This study was funded by grants from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. Divij Verma, PhD, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, will present this study on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time in Grand Hall C in the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. Prospective Study Finds Social and Economic Factors Limit Access to Stem Cell Transplants for Patients with AML 6: Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Access to and Outcomes of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (allo-HCT) for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): A Multi-Center Observational Study Many patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be cured by a transplant of blood-forming stem cells from a healthy donor, known as an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Studies have shown, however, that for a variety of reasons HCT may not be equally available to patients with AML from all backgrounds. A prospective study examining the impact of social determinants of health on access to and survival after allogeneic HCT for patients with AML has shown that patients living in neighborhoods where more residents had less than a high school education, had incomes below the federal poverty level, or received benefits from federal assistance programs were less likely to receive HCT and more likely to die without receiving it. Among patients who did receive HCT, social and economic barriers, particularly lower education and use of federal assistance programs, were linked with a modest increase in mortality. "To the best of our knowledge, this is the first prospective, multi-center study to evaluate the impact of specific social determinants of health on access to HCT and survival outcomes," said first author Natalie Wuliji, DO, an assistant professor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. "Our results could set the stage to help identify targeted interventions to improve access to HCT for patients with AML who face socioeconomic barriers." AML is a fast-growing cancer of the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. Previous studies that looked back at the records of patients treated in the past have suggested that patients with AML who have lower incomes or fewer years of education, belong to minority racial or ethnic groups, or lack private health insurance face more barriers to obtaining HCT than other patients. Other research has shown that social determinants of health defined as the conditions in which people live and work, such as low income, low education level, food insecurity, and housing instability can significantly affect health outcomes. "We found that social and economic barriers have a greater impact on the ability to receive a transplant or on the risk of death before transplant than on outcomes after the transplant," Dr. Wuliji said. "These findings suggest that access to allo-HCT may help level the playing field for AML patients across socioeconomic backgrounds, though further studies are needed to confirm this." HCT is costly, available at a limited number of specialized centers, and involves a lengthy hospital stay, Dr. Wuliji said all of which impose burdens on patients and families who have limited resources, difficulty taking time off work to travel for care, or limited health insurance coverage. For this study, Dr. Wuliji and her colleagues followed 692 adult patients for a median of 4.5 years after their AML diagnosis. The patients were treated at one of 13 medical centers across the U.S. The researchers collected data on how many patients received HCT and how many died before and after receiving HCT. They classified patients by the zip code in which they lived and examined U.S. Census Bureau data for those zip codes on a range of social and economic factors. These included median household income, the percentage of adults aged 25 or older with less than a high school education, and the percentage of households receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI, a federal program for people with disabilities and low-income older adults), or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (also known as food stamps). The research team also documented patient-reported race as a proxy for exposure to discrimination. They then used statistical methods to evaluate the effects of these social and economic factors on the patients' likelihood of receiving HCT, dying without receiving HCT, and dying after HCT. The patients' median age was 62; 43% were aged 65 or over and 43% were female. Most (77%) had newly diagnosed AML with features associated with a poor outlook. Across all zip codes, 7.3% had less than a high school education; 9.5% had incomes below the federal poverty level; 10.2% received SNAP benefits; and 4.2% received SSI. Most patients (86%) self-identified as white, 6% as Black, 3% as Asian, and 4% as another race. Overall, 46% of patients received HCT; among those aged 65 or over, 31% received HCT. A total of 291 patients died without receiving HCT. The risk of dying without receiving HCT increased by 24% as the proportion of zip-code residents with less than a high school education increased by 10%, by 40% for each increase in the proportion of residents receiving SSI, by 18% for each 10% increase in the proportion with incomes below poverty, and by 14% for each increase in the proportion receiving SNAP benefits. The likelihood of a patient receiving HCT decreased by 30% as the percentage of zip-code residents with less than a high school education increased by 10%; by 22% for each 10% increase in households receiving SSI; by 5% for each 10% increase in households with incomes below poverty; and by 9% for each 10% increase in households receiving SNAP benefits. Compared with white patients, Asian patients had a 34% higher likelihood of receiving HCT, Black patients an 18% reduced likelihood, and those of other races an 11% reduced likelihood. However, given the small percentage of non-white patients in the study, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the impact of race on study outcomes, Dr. Wuliji said. The likelihood of receiving HCT increased by 5% with a $25,000 increase in median income in the zip code. Among patients who received HCT, the risk of dying after the procedure increased by 17% as the percentage of zip-code residents with less than a high school education increased by 10%, by 22% as the percentage of households receiving SSI increased by 10%, and by 12% as the percentage receiving SNAP benefits increased by 10%. No increase in the risk of dying after HCT was seen for patients with incomes below poverty. An ongoing trial aims to increase the participation of patients from groups underrepresented in clinical trials and to develop HCT-focused patient education materials, Dr. Wuliji said. Future plans include exploring novel ways to improve access to HCT for patients who live in neighborhoods with lower education levels or poverty. The impact of social and economic barriers on mortality among patients receiving HCT needs to be confirmed in future studies, Dr. Wuliji said. Limitations of the study are that its findings on SDOH are based on zip-code level data rather than patient-level data and that patients who could not understand or read English were excluded because patients were required to complete questionnaires and surveys that were available only in English, she said. This study was funded by grants from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the American Society of Hematology. The study was simultaneously published in Blood. Natalie Wuliji, DO, of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, will present this study on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time during a plenary session in Hall B in the San Diego Convention Center. About the American Society of Hematology The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (hematology.org) is the world's largest professional society of hematologists dedicated to furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood. Since 1958, the Society has led the development of hematology as a discipline by promoting research, patient care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology. The Blood journals (https://ashpublications.org/journals) are the premier source for basic, translational, and clinical hematological research. The Blood journals publish more peer-reviewed hematology research than any other academic journals worldwide. SOURCE American Society of Hematology CAIRO, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government on Sunday has brought Syria into the spotlight of the Middle East. While closely monitoring future developments, regional countries expressed support for the will and choice of the Syrian people and hoped for a swift restoration of unity and security in the country. The Arab League called on Sunday for a peaceful, inclusive, and secure political transition process in Syria. In a statement, the Arab League stressed the importance of placing national interests above all else, exercising restraint, and safeguarding lives and property. The Arab League also condemned Israel's actions, including its attempts to exploit the current situation in Syria to expand its occupation of the Golan Heights and declare the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria null and void. Iran, a close ally of Assad, said on Sunday that it believes the Syrian people should have the sole right to determine their own future, free from any foreign interference or imposition. The Iranian Foreign Ministry called for national talks involving all segments of Syrian society to form an inclusive government, pledging to support efforts to ensure security and stability in Syria. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry also emphasized the importance of respecting the Syrian people's will, saying, "It is up to them (Syrians) alone to choose their representatives and their political system, as well as to shape the future of their country for the good of Syria." The ministry also expressed Lebanon's willingness to build the "best" relations with its neighbor and its representatives, in a way that "preserves the common interests of both countries." However, in the meantime, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the army to tighten control over the border with Syria to prevent any threat to Lebanon's civil peace. Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that it stands by the Syrian people and their choice and calls for the country's territorial integrity to be preserved. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms that it stands with the fraternal Syrian people and their choice during this special period in Syria's history, and calls for redoubled efforts to preserve the unity of Syria," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry called on the international community to "cooperate with Syrians for the benefit of their country and not to interfere in its internal affairs. Also on Sunday, King Abdullah II of Jordan said the kingdom stands with the Syrian people and respects their will and choice, calling for urgent and swift efforts to restore stability and avoid further conflict that could lead to chaos. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Jordan will provide all possible support to help Syrians rebuild their country, institutions, and political system. Echoing the same sentiments, Iraq also reaffirms the necessity of respecting the free will of Syrians, emphasizing that the security, territorial integrity, and independence of Syria are of paramount importance not only for Iraq but also for the region. Iraqi government spokesman Basim al-Awadi said in a statement that the Iraqi government is maintaining international communications to promote efforts toward security and stability in Syria. Egypt proposed starting an integrated and comprehensive political process to address Syrian issues, calling on all Syrian parties to preserve Syria's national institutions and prioritize their state's higher interest. Cairo pledged coordinated efforts with regional and international partners to assist with Syria's reconstruction and the safe return of Syrian refugees. Stressing its solidarity with the Syrian people, the Algerian Foreign Ministry urged all Syrian parties to unite, maintain peace, and safeguard the country's security and territorial integrity. It also highlighted the importance of inclusive dialogue among Syrians to prioritize national interests, protect resources, and build a future based on institutions reflecting the people's will, free from foreign interference. In a stunning turn of events on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria seized control of the capital Damascus and declared the end of Assad's rule, following a rapid offensive that saw major Syrian cities falling like dominos within days. Yemen on Sunday welcomed the opposition gains and the ensuing political shift in Syria, which Yemen's Information Minister Muammar Eryani described on X as a sign of the waning regional influence of Iran. Eryani also expressed confidence in Yemen's resilience against the Iran-backed Houthi group, which has held much of northern Yemen since the eruption of the Yemeni civil war in late 2014. SAN DIEGO, Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of The Toronto-Dominion Bank ("TD Bank") (NYSE: TD) securities between February 29, 2024 and October 9, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until Monday, December 23, 2024 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the TD Bank class action lawsuit. Captioned Tiessen v. The Toronto-Dominion Bank, No. 24-cv-08032 (S.D.N.Y.), the TD Bank class action lawsuit charges TD Bank as well as certain of TD Bank's top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the TD Bank class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-the-toronto-dominion-bank-class-action-lawsuit-td.html You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected]. CASE ALLEGATIONS: The Toronto-Dominion Bank offers its products and services in the United States under the "TD Bank" and "America's Most Convenient Bank" brand names. The TD Bank class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose material adverse facts concerning the true state of TD Bank's anti-money laundering ("AML") program; pertinently, TD Bank concealed or otherwise minimized the significance of the failures of TD Bank's AML program and made no indication that the imposition of an asset cap or other punitive or compliance measures would be imposed that would undermine TD Bank's continued growth for the foreseeable future. The TD Bank class action lawsuit further alleges that, on October 10, 2024, TD Bank unveiled the resolutions reached from U.S. investigations, which included, in addition to the punitive payment of $3.09 billion, both an asset cap, preventing TD Bank's U.S. subsidiaries from exceeding a collective $434 billion, a reflection of TD Bank's assets as of September 30, 2024, and further subjects TD Bank to more stringent approval processes for its product, service, and market rollouts. Further, the U.S. Department of Justice, in their own corresponding release, highlighted the significance of TD Bank's failures as "the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to Bank Secrecy Act program failures and the first U.S. bank in history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering," the complaint alleges. On this news, TD Bank's stock price fell by more than 10%, according to the TD Bank class action lawsuit. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired TD Bank securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the TD Bank class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the TD Bank class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the TD Bank class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the TD Bank class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud cases. Our Firm has been #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. We recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm in the last four years. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever $7.2 billion in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 [email protected] SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Islamabad, Dec 8 : Twenty-two terrorists and six security members were killed in separate military operations in Pakistan, the military said. Security forces conducted the operations in various districts of the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in a statement on Saturday. During an intelligence-based operation in Tank district, nine terrorists were killed and six others injured, Xinhua news agency reported. In another operation, 10 terrorists were killed after security forces engaged terrorists' location in North Waziristan district of the province. Separately, security forces successfully thwarted terrorists' attempt to attack a security check post in Hangu district and killed three terrorists. The statement said that six soldiers were killed during the operation in Hangu district. Johannesburg, Dec 8 : South African Airways (SAA) pilots called off their strike after receiving a salary increment, the airline said. The SAA pilots started the strike Thursday following a breakdown in salary negotiations with the company. This resulted in the cancellation of nearly half the carrier's flights on that day, Xinhua news agency reported. The SAA said the strike was suspended Saturday morning after the pilots reached an agreement with the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA). The airline said they offered an additional one per cent salary increase, resulting in a total salary increase of 9.47 per cent for the pilots. "As part of the agreement that broke the deadlock in wage negotiations, engagements on a continuous enterprise improvement program will continue over the next eight weeks. We are committed to implementing work-life concessions that should enhance the productivity of our world-acclaimed pilots," said John Lamola, chief executive officer of the SAA. Lamola said that over 100 pilots have returned to their duties by Saturday noon, and the SAA is expected to reach 100 per cent flight schedule by Sunday. Belgrade, Dec 8 : Serbia's economy grew by an estimated 3.8 per cent year-on-year in the first ten months of 2024, placing it among the fastest-growing economies in Europe, according to the country's latest Macroeconomic Analyses and Trends (MAT) report. The December edition of MAT, published Friday by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and the Economics Institute, noted that this growth was achieved despite challenges faced by key Eurozone trading partners, Xinhua news agency reported. Serbia successfully redirected its exports to markets in China and Turkey, offsetting reduced demand from the European Union. "Without this strategic diversification, Serbia's goods exports would have declined in the first nine months of the year," the report said. Serbia's foreign trade continued to improve, marking its fourth consecutive month of growth in October, with a 6.8 per cent year-on-year increase, equivalent to approximately $412 million. In the first ten months of 2024, Serbian goods exports reached $2.72 billion, up 4.4 per cent, while goods imports amounted to $3.73 billion, reflecting an 8.7 per cent rise. The trade deficit widened to approximately one billion US dollars, an increase of 22 per cent. Industrial production also performed well, rising by 3.3 per cent from January to October. October saw a particularly strong year-on-year surge of 8.1 per cent, it said. Doha, Dec 8 : Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Syrian opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a "terrorist organisation," and such groups must not be allowed to take control of Syria. While attending the Doha Forum 2024 in Qatar, Lavrov highlighted the role of the Russian Air Force in assisting the Syrian government to combat opposition forces, Xinhua news agency reported. In a trilateral meeting with Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers, Lavrov said the three parties had reached a consensus on the need for coordinated efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution, emphasising that hostilities in Syria must come to an immediate end. Since November 27, Syrian rebel groups, led by the HTS, have launched major offensives on multiple fronts in Syria, advancing further on government-held territories after seising key cities like Aleppo and Hama. The Doha Forum is an annual event focusing on regional and international issues and global challenges. This year's forum, themed "The Innovation Imperative," is taking place on Saturday and Sunday. Damascus, Dec 8 : Syria's Interior Minister asserted that a "very strong security cordon" surrounds the outskirts of Damascus and cannot be breached, countering recent claims of shifting front lines amid the ongoing conflict in the country. In a separate statement, Jassem al-Mahmoud, deputy governor of Rural Damascus province, told Sham FM radio on Saturday that there is no truth to reports of army withdrawals from several towns and villages near the capital. Instead, he said, forces are redeploying and regrouping within the areas rather than pulling back entirely, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, the Syrian Presidency denied what it called "fabrications" spread by foreign media, which had circulated rumors that President Bashar Assad had left Damascus or made sudden foreign trips. The Presidency stressed that Assad continues to perform his constitutional duties in the capital and that any official information about the president's activities will be released solely through state-run media and the Presidential Office's official channels. Also on Saturday, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said in Doha that Tehran, Moscow and Ankara have agreed that political talks should begin between the Syrian government and opposition groups, the official news agency IRNA reported. He made the remarks in an address to reporters while elaborating on the outcomes of his joint meeting on Syria with his Russian and Turkish counterparts earlier in the day within the framework of the Astana format in the Qatari capital on the sidelines of the 22nd Doha Forum, set for December 7-8. Calling the situation in Syria "very important," Araghchi said, "all the participants agreed that the hostilities in Syria should immediately come to an end, and Syria's territorial integrity and national sovereignty should be respected." Political talks between the Syrian government and the opposition groups "were the demands put forward in the meeting," he said, adding that Iran and Russia were both expected to consult with the Syrian government in this regard. According to IRNA, Araghchi reaffirmed on Saturday Iran's support for the Syrian people and government. Meanwhile, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen called for calm and an orderly political transition in Syria at a press conference held on the sidelines of the Doha Forum. The situation in Syria "is changing by the minute," he said, urging avoiding bloodshed in the country and implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Pedersen said that he held a meeting with the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, and Turkey earlier in the day and also consulted with representatives from the US, France, Britain, and Germany and that all parties agreed on the matter. The Astana process, launched in 2017 with Turkey, Russia, and Iran as guarantors, aims to resolve the Syrian civil war, which began in early 2011. The fighting between government forces and rebel groups, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has seen a sharp escalation for territorial gains since November 27. Tehran, Dec 8 : At least four people were killed and eight others injured in an explosion at a residential building in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan. The blast occurred in the provincial capital Tabriz on Saturday afternoon due to natural gas release. The blast inflicted damage on a few nearby buildings, said Vahid Shadinia, spokesman for the provincial emergency medical service, reports Xinhua news agency quoting the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA). Rescuers and law enforcement teams, as well as six ambulances, have been sent to the scene, Shadinia said, adding that the rescue and relief operations were continuing and that further details would be provided subsequently. Accra, Dec 8 : Ghana's general election voting closed giving way to the counting of ballots. The voting began at 7 a.m., and closed at 5 p.m. on Saturday with more than 18 million eligible voters taking to the polling stations across the country to choose a new president and 276 parliamentarians, Xinhua news agency reoorted. The Electoral Commission (EC) said in its afternoon update that the election was generally peaceful with no major incidents. Jean Mensah, chairperson of the EC, urged officials of the commission in charge of polling stations to discharge their duties lawfully and deliver unquestionable outcomes at the end. The EC said 13 candidates had entered the race to contest the presidential election, but one died, leaving 12, with 801 parliamentary candidates. The winner of the presidential election needs to receive 50 per cent plus at least one vote. But if no candidate secures more than 50 per cent of the votes in the first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes will compete in a run-off. This is the ninth general election since the West African country returned to constitutional rule in 1992. Jerusalem, Dec 8 : An Israeli officer was killed in southern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. According to the statement, the officer, Avraham Ben Pinchas, was a platoon commander in the 46th Battalion of the IDF's 401st Armoured Brigade, Xinhua news agency reported. Israel's Channel 12 News reported that the officer was killed on Saturday when an anti-tank missile hit the tank he was commanding. The IDF said Ben Pinchas was the 809th Israeli soldier killed since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict last year. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 44,664, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Saturday. Syrian people gather in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. Syrian armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." (Str/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. The rapid fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government followed an intense rebel offensive spanning less than two weeks. The campaign culminated in the opposition's announcement that Assad had fled the capital and relinquished power. Later in the day, Russian state media announced that Assad had landed in Moscow, and was granted asylum along with his family. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." In Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) head Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani, spearheading the lightning assault, said Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali, appointed prime minister by al-Assad in September, would temporarily oversee public institutions. Al-Jolani instructed opposition forces in Damascus to refrain from approaching public institutions and banned celebratory gunfire. Al-Jallali, the prime minister, also called on Syrians to protect public facilities, saying they belonged to all citizens. "We extend our hands to every Syrian citizen committed to safeguarding the country's resources," Al-Jallali said in a televised address. "Syria belongs to all Syrians, and I urge everyone to think rationally about the nation's best interests." However, crowds of people stormed the house of Assad and two presidential palaces amid recorded cases of looting. Abandoned arms left by Syrian soldiers were taken by young men. The Iranian embassy in Damascus was also stormed by armed militants. The military command of the opposition imposed a curfew starting from afternoon till the next day while issuing warnings and threatening jail penalties against looters and those firing guns in the air. In midst of the upheaval, Israel mounted a series of unprecedented airstrikes, hitting former Syrian security and military sites in Damascus and Quneitra repeatedly within a single day, according to local reports. Some of these strikes targeted abandoned army positions and facilities previously associated with the now-defunct Fourth Division near Damascus. Israeli ground forces also reportedly pushed into parts of Jabal al-Sheikh, taking over old surveillance posts without opposition. Meanwhile, the Syrian National Coalition, an alliance of opposition groups formed in exile following the 2011 uprising against Assad, vowed Sunday to continue working towards the transfer of authority to a transitional governing body with full executive powers, with the goal of ushering in a free, democratic, and pluralistic Syria. This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows rebel fighters in Damascus, Syria. Syrian armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." (Str/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows thick smoke after an explosion in Damascus, Syria. Syrian armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) Syrian people gather in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. Syrian armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." (Str/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows rebel fighters in Damascus, Syria. Syrian armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." (Str/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows thick smoke after an explosion in Damascus, Syria. Syrian armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows thick smoke after an explosion in Damascus, Syria. Syrian armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) Armed militants gather outside the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. Syrian armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." The Iranian embassy in Damascus was stormed by armed militants. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows the interior of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria. Syrian armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." The Iranian embassy in Damascus was stormed by armed militants. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua) Gaza, Dec 8 : The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, released a new video showing an Israeli hostage alive and held in Gaza, in which he called for a prisoner exchange deal. "I was held captive by Hamas for over 420 days ... To Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, I heard about your new plan to bring us home, offering 5 million dollars to anyone who ensured our safe return and exit from Gaza," said the hostage identified as Matan Zangauker. "The (Israeli) government neglected us and continued to do so every day. I hoped you would do everything you could to change the situation and bring me and the other prisoners back alive, in good health, and safely," Zangauker said. His mother, Einav Zangauker, is one of the prominent activists in the struggle for the release of the hostages, including pressuring the Israeli government to advance a deal with Hamas, Xinhua news agency reported. Einav Zangauker spoke at a demonstration in Tel Aviv after the video was released and addressed Netanyahu, "The fact that Matan is alive today does not mean that he will survive the winter or the continued military pressure. The only way to return Matan and everyone is through a deal, even at the cost of ending the war." Also on Saturday, Hamas said in a statement that ending the war and Israeli "aggression" is the core of any agreement in Gaza. The statement was issued following a meeting in Doha between Mohammad Darwish, chairman of Hamas's Shura Council, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Darwish said Hamas is open to mediator proposals, provided they prioritise the interests of the Palestinian people and work to ease their suffering, and urged increasing support for Gaza's residents and countering Israel's "malicious plans" of killings, blockade, and starvation in the enclave. Darwish also highlighted the outcomes of recent meetings in Cairo between Hamas and Fatah delegations held under Egyptian sponsorship. On Thursday, Hamas announced its approval of the Egyptian proposal to form a joint committee with Fatah to run the post-war Gaza Strip. According to the Saturday statement by Hamas, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's commitment to the Palestinian cause and emphasised efforts to strengthen the Palestinian people's resilience through all possible means and platforms. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 44,664, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Saturday. Bengaluru, Dec 8 : The stage is set for high-voltage action during the winter session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, which will be held from December 9 to December 20 at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, a bordering city in north Karnataka. The opposition BJP and JD(S) are prepared to target the Congress-led Karnataka government, especially with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah becoming the first CM in the stateas history to appear before the Lokayukta for questioning as an accused in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. The issue of maternal deaths in the Ballari region -- with the state recording 327 official maternal deaths this year -- will likely cause an uproar in the Assembly and Council. This matter, surfacing just before the winter session, poses a significant setback for the ruling Congress party. Other key issues expected to be raised by the opposition include the Waqf row, the Maharshi Valmiki Tribal Welfare Corporation scam, internal reservation, the release of funds for MLAs, and the alleged appeasement policies of the Congress government. On the other hand, the ruling Congress party is ready to face the opposition with confidence following its recent victories in three Assembly by-elections. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remains confident after these wins, asserting that they represent a fitting response from the people of Karnataka to the allegations against him. The Congress government is also poised to confront the BJP over the alleged Covid scam during its tenure. Deputy CM and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar has warned that those who profited from the scam will not be spared. The BJP has announced plans to hold a massive protest on the first day of the winter session in front of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha over the Waqf issue. While Congress may be relieved by its recent bypoll victories, the BJP and JD(S) have pledged to continue their fight against the government. This winter session is historically significant as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhias address at the 39th Congress session in Belagavi on December 26a"27, 1924. In honour of this milestone, a Congress session is planned in Belagavi on the same dates this year. The administrative machinery of Siddaramaiahas government has shifted to Belagavi for the session. During his previous term (2013a"2018), Siddaramaiah consistently held the session in Belagavi for five years. This session marks the second of his current term, and the district administration has made all necessary preparations to ensure it runs smoothly. The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) plans a large rally against the government on the session's first day. Permission for the MES rally has been denied this year as well. To prevent disruptions, the Police Commissioner has imposed prohibitory orders. Additionally, the district administration is prepared to restrict the entry of Maharashtra leaders into Belagavi. Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peeth seer Basava Jaya Mruthynjaya Swami leading the agitation demanding reservation under the 2A category has announced that he will lay siege to the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha during the winter session with thousands of tractors. He has also charged that the community leaders are being targeted and threatened by the Congress government. Political experts predict dramatic scenes, chaos, and protests in both Houses of the state legislature during this winter session. Beirut, Dec 8 : Four people were killed and six others injured in an Israeli airstrike on the village of Beit Lif in the Bint Jbeil district in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported. Meanwhile, a person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a motorbike in the village of Deir Siriane in southern Lebanon, Xinhua news agency reported quoting NNA. The NNA also reported that Civil Defence teams retrieved the bodies of four Syrians who were killed on November 24 in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a residential building in the Basta neighborhood in Beirut. A ceasefire, brokered by the US and France, went into effect on November 27, aiming to halt nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Under the agreement, both sides agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities, with Israel gradually withdrawing its forces from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah retreating north of the Litani River. Despite the truce, tensions remain high as both sides exchange accusations of ceasefire violations, raising concerns about the agreement's durability. New Delhi, Dec 8 : Farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha will restart their 'Delhi chalo' march on Sunday, with a 101-member delegation set to begin their protest from the Shambhu border between Haryana and Punjab at noon. This decision follows clashes at the Shambhu border two days ago, where police prevented them from advancing toward the national capital. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed that 16 farmers were injured during the recent confrontations and alleged that the government has made no effort to address their grievances. Security has been tightened at the Shambhu border, where farmers have been gathering to demand action on various issues. Haryana Police, in anticipation of further unrest, has installed additional barricades and urged media personnel to maintain a safe distance from the protest sites. Internet services in Ambala have been suspended until December 9 as a precautionary measure, and gatherings of more than five people have been prohibited by the Ambala administration. This follows a similar attempt by farmers earlier this year to march to Delhi, which was also halted by security forces at the border. Farmers have outlined a list of demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), debt waivers, and pensions for both farmers and agricultural labourers. They are also opposing any hike in electricity tariffs and are calling for justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Additionally, they seek the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who lost their lives during the 2020-21 agitation. Despite the heightened security measures and restrictions, the farmers remain resolute in their efforts to reach Delhi and press for their demands, signalling ongoing tensions between the farming community and the government. Chennai, Dec 8 : The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested eight fishermen from Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing near Neduntheevu. According to Tamil Nadu coastal police sources they were arrested during early morning hours of Sunday. The Navy also seized two costly mechanised fishing vessels. The detained fishermen were taken to the Kankesanturai Port Camp for investigation. Following this, they will reportedly be handed over to Jaffna Fisheries Department officials. This incident follows the arrest of 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen on December 4, along with the seizure of two fishing vessels near Katchatheevu. Other fishermen who witnessed the incident claimed that the Sri Lankan Navy severely attacked them, damaging their fishing nets and GPS equipment. Some even alleged that their boats were deliberately rammed by the Navy, causing extensive damage. On December 3, the Sri Lankan Navy detained 18 Tamil Nadu fishermen near Neduntheevu for allegedly crossing the IMBL. These fishermen along with their two boats were taken to the Kangesan Naval Base for further investigation. The recurring arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen have caused significant distress in the fishing community. According to the Tamil Nadu Coastal Police, Sri Lankan authorities accuse these fishermen of entering Sri Lankan waters and engaging in illegal fishing activities. Since June 16, 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has reportedly arrested 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 boats. Many of these fishermen remain detained in Sri Lankan jails, leading to widespread protests and demands for government intervention. During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, the Union External Affairs Minister discussed the issue of these arrests with the Sri Lankan government, urging measures to prevent further detentions and boat seizures. However, despite these discussions, the arrests continue unabated, intensifying fears within the fishing community. A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, emphasized the growing hardships faced by fishermen and their families. "The livelihood of our fishermen is under threat. Thousands of families who rely on fishing and related activities are facing severe hardship. A sense of fear has already gripped fishermen and their families about venturing out to sea," he said. Thajudhin also raised concerns about the Sri Lankan government's decision to nationalize seized mechanised fishing boats. "This action will devastate the industry, as many fishermen have taken loans to purchase these expensive boats, expecting to repay them through their earnings," he explained. Fishermen's associations across Tamil Nadu are organising large-scale protests in the coastal districts. They have written to the Prime Minister, urging him to intervene and put an end to mid-sea arrests and the seizure of mechanized boats, which form the backbone of the fishermen's livelihoods. Seoul, Dec 8 : The South Korean currency was the worst performer around the globe last week as the political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law has affected sentiment, data showed on Sunday. The Korean won dropped by 24.5 won per dollar over the past week, the sharpest weekly fall since the third week of January when the currency dropped 25.5 won, according to data compiled by Yonhap Infomax, Yonhap News Agency's financial information arm. The won was down 1.86 percent against the greenback Friday from a week earlier, the worst performer among major currencies. The Australian dollar lost 1.32 per cent, and the Chinese yuan fell 0.36 percent against the U.S. dollar, while the Japanese yuan and the British pound gained 0.1 per cent and 0.26 per cent, respectively. The won plunged to 1,442 won, the lowest since October 2022, during offshore intraday trading Wednesday, hours after Yoon declared emergency martial law in a surprise late-night televised address, and has stayed at the 1,400 won level. On Friday, the local currency was quoted at 1,419.20 won against the greenback at 3:30 p.m., down 4.1 won from the previous session. "The political developments have further dented investor sentiment, already affected by concerns about the semiconductor industry cycle and uncertainty stemming from Donald Trump's tariff policy," said Moon Jeong-hee, an economist from KB Kookmin Bank. Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Sunday called for the immediate arrest and investigation of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law declaration. Yoon survived impeachment Saturday due to a lack of quorum, with all but three ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers boycotting the vote following his surprise, short-lived declaration of martial law last week. The DP also called for depriving Yoon of his power to command the military, vowing to pass a special counsel probe over treason charges against the president and other officials. a"IANS na/ The Hague, Dec 8 : Dutch authorities have confirmed the recovery of five bodies from the rubble of an apartment building that partially collapsed following a powerful explosion on Saturday morning. Search efforts for additional victims are ongoing, with emergency services warning earlier that the death toll could rise to around 20, reports Xinhua news agency. "The reality is that the chances of survival for them are slim. We are preparing for the worst-case scenario," Mayor Jan van Zanen told a press conference. Two individuals rescued earlier in the day are in critical condition, the mayor said. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said on X that he was shocked by images of the damaged apartment building. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima also expressed their sympathy on X, stating, "We sympathise with all those who have been personally affected or who fear for the fate of their loved ones." The incident occurred on Tarwekamp Street in the northeastern Mariahoeve district of The Hague. Images from the scene show that the facades of several apartments have been swept away. The building includes shops on the ground floor and two residential floors above. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Police said that a car was seen speeding away from the scene shortly after the explosion. Authorities are urging witnesses to come forward. New Delhi, Dec 8 : The government aims to cut the logistics costs in the country to single-digit levels in the next two-three years, according to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. The logistics cost in India is currently 14-16 per cent and "we will reduce the logistics costs as far as speed is concerned. I am sure that within two to three years, the logistics cost will be nine per cent, which would significantly enhance India's economic competitiveness", said the minister. The government has launched several strategic policies to address logistics sector constraints, including the Prime Minister Gati Shakti-National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) and the National Logistics Policy (NLP). Addressing an event in Mumbai, the minister emphasised the need to explore hydrogen as a key fuel source for the future, highlighting the potential of biomass and biodigester technologies to produce hydrogen and CNG. The minister said the country will also lead the world in alternate and biofuels within the next 10 years. Currently, the total toll income currently stands at Rs 52,000 crore. Within two years, this income is projected to reach Rs 1.4 lakh crore. "We are building green express highways and there is no issue regarding funding because every project we undertake is economically viable," Gadkari said at the 'CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards' event. "We also have strong support from the Finance Ministry, with a budget of Rs 2.8 lakh crore. Most importantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prioritised infrastructure development, focusing on sectors such as water, power, transport, and communication," the minister emphasised. Addressing challenges in infrastructure development, Gadkari stressed the importance of innovative strategies and collaborative efforts to overcome obstacles and ensure timely execution. From 2000 to 2022, India's goods export increased from $48.5 billion to $467.5 billion while industrial exports grew from $39.6 billion to $317.4 billion. The government aims to reach $2 trillion in exports of goods and services by 2030. IANS na/ Chennai, Dec 8 : Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has announced that 3,000 teachers will be appointed in government schools. In a statement on Sunday, the minister highlighted a significant "backlog of teacher vacancies" left unaddressed during the previous AIADMK regime. He alleged that the previous AIADMK government neglected these vacancies throughout their 10-year rule. The minister assured that the current government led by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin was making concerted efforts to fill the secondary school teacher positions in government schools. Anbil Mahesh attributed the increasing enrollment in government schools to improved education and infrastructure development under the Dravidian model regime. He stated, "It is necessary to have an adequate number of teachers, and we have been initiating steps to appoint qualified teachers." However, he noted certain challenges in completing the recruitment process. Non-teaching staff have sought appointments and promotions based on seniority, complicating the recruitment process for teachers. The minister emphasised that the issue had been brought to the Chief Minister's notice and assured that a suitable resolution would be reached under his guidance. He reiterated the government's commitment to filling every teaching vacancy to maintain the quality of education in state schools. The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has been conducting an accelerated campaign to boost student enrollment in government schools. In the current academic year, 80,076 new students have enrolled in state-run schools. Government schools in Kallakurichi district recorded the highest enrollment, with 10,411 new students admitted since March 1. To increase enrollment, the Department instructed District Education Officers, teachers, and parents to promote government schools through various awareness initiatives. Strategies included distributing leaflets, organising rallies, and displaying banners to highlight the benefits of government school education and welfare schemes. Schools also hired autorickshaws to broadcast enrollment messages in local communities. K. Anbarasan, a teacher in Chennai, said, "Teachers often go door-to-door to educate parents about the benefits of enrolling their children in government schools. Last year, we admitted over 200 children." Despite these efforts, primary school teachers have pointed out challenges in competing with private schools. R. Gomathi, a teacher from Kallakurichi, explained, "While we offer numerous benefits, we are severely short-staffed. Private schools promise a dedicated teacher per class and prioritise English, making it difficult for us to compete." The Tamil Nadu government remains focused on addressing these challenges and ensuring that government schools provide quality education to all students. TEHRAN, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Iran said on Sunday that it believes the Syrian people should have the sole right to determine their own future, free from any foreign interference or imposition. In response to the latest developments in Syria, including the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that, "... determining Syria's future and making decisions about its destiny are solely the responsibility of the Syrian people, without any destructive interference or external imposition." The ministry added that to achieve that, it was necessary to end military conflicts in the country as soon as possible, prevent terrorist actions and start national talks involving all segments of Syria's society to form an inclusive government representing all Syrian people. The statement added that Iran will spare no effort to help ensure security and stability in Syria, and will continue consultations with all influential parties, especially those in the West Asia region. On Sunday morning, opposition forces stormed Iran's embassy in Damascus after capturing the Syrian capital. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that the embassy had been evacuated prior to the assault. Mumbai, Dec 8 : Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who will be next seen in the second season of the streaming series 'Citadel', is celebrating six years of togetherness with her musician husband Nick Jonas. The actress recently took to her Instagram, and shared a series of pictures from their trip to New York. The pictures also feature the couple's daughter, Malti Marie. The actress wrote in the caption, "A quick lil New York moment (sic)". Nick also shared pictures from their trip. He wrote in the caption, "6 year wedding anniversary. Moana 2. Family time. New York City. What could be better? My heart is full." The couple tied the knot on December 1 and 2, 2018 as per Christian and Hindu traditions at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. They hosted two wedding receptions, one in Delhi and another in Mumbai. They welcomed their daughter through surrogacy in January 2022. Earlier this year, the actress celebrated a working birthday on the sets of her upcoming project 'The Bluff'. Nick, who couldn't be with the actress in person, made sure that his wife had a great time by setting up a dosa truck on the film set, offering plain, masala, Mysore masala, onion and cheese dosas. Nick visited India in January this year with his brothers Joe and Kevin to perform at the second edition of the multi-genre music festival Lollapalooza India. Meanwhile, on the work front, the actress will be seen in the second of her spy-thriller streaming show 'Citadel'. As per reports, the second season of the global series is set to begin production this year, with Joe Russo, of Russo brothers, at the helm. Priyanka will be returning to her role of Nadia along with Richard Madden, who essays the role of Mason Kane. The Russo brothers serve as executive producers on the global series. She also recently wrapped up the period film 'The Bluff'. On the occasion of the film's wrap-up, she had shared a fun video of herself wearing a face mask on the sets. Adelaide, Dec 8 : Australia are 19 runs away from winning the Adelaide Test and squaring the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series after skipper Pat Cummins used short balls to good effect and pick 5-57 in his 14 overs to bowl out India for 175 in their second innings on day three's play on Sunday. Adelaide, Dec 8 (IANS) Australia are 19 runs away from winning the Adelaide Test and squaring the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series after skipper Pat Cummins used short balls to good effect and pick 5-57 in his 14 overs to bowl out India for 175 in their second innings on day threeas play on Sunday. Resuming from 128/5, India could add only 47 runs before their second innings was brought to a swift end in 36.5 overs by Australia, with Nitish Kumar Reddy continuing to be impressive by top-scoring with 42. Cummins led solidly from the front to his second five-wicket haul against India in Tests, while Scott Boland picked up three scalps and Mitchell Starc took two wickets to put Australia on the verge of making a stunning comeback in the five-match series after suffering a crushing 295-run defeat in Perth. Indiaas hopes of going out of trouble met a swift end on day three as Starc got a full ball to just straighten off the seam and take Rishabh Pantas outside edge to second slip to dismiss him for 28. Cumminsa bouncer plan worked when he found the glove edge of Ravichandran Ashwinas attempted hook and was easily caught behind by Alex Carey. Even as Reddy looked solid in defence, the bouncer ploy worked again for Cummins when he prised out the shoulder edge of a tangled Harshit Rana and was caught easily by gully, just an over after Starc hit him on the helmet with a pacy lifter. Reddy pushed India into a slender lead when he hammered Scott Boland over long-on for a one-bounce four, and hooked a bumper from Cummins over backward square leg for six. But Cummins had the last laugh as Reddy arched back to ramp over slips, but was caught by third man. Boland ended Indiaas innings by having Mohammed Siraj mistime to Head at mid-wicket, who back-pedaled and tumbled on his back to complete the catch. Brief Scores: India 180 and 175 in 36.5 overs (Nitish Kumar Reddy 42, Rishabh Pant 28; Pat Cummins 5-57, Scott Boland 3-51) trail Australia 337 by 18 runs Adelaide, Dec 8 : Skipper Pat Cummins used short balls to good effect and pick 5-57 in his 14 overs to set the base for Australia securing a commanding ten-wicket win over India on day three of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. The result also means Australia have squared the five-match series 1-1. Resuming from 128/5, India could add only 47 runs before their second innings was brought to a swift end in 36.5 overs by Australia, with Nitish Kumar Reddy continuing to be impressive by top-scoring with 42. Cummins led solidly from the front to get his second five-wicket haul against India in Tests, while Scott Boland picked up three scalps and Mitchell Starc took two wickets, as India gave Australia a target of just 19. Openers Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja were unbeaten on 10 and nine, respectively, as Australia completed the chase in just 3.2 overs to stage a stunning comeback with a thumping win in Adelaide after suffering a crushing 295-run defeat in Perth. It also means Australia maintains its clean slate of winning day-night Tests in Adelaide. Indiaas hopes of going out of trouble met a swift end on day three as Starc got a full ball to just straighten off the seam and take Rishabh Pantas outside edge to second slip to dismiss him for 28. Cumminsa bouncer plan worked when he found the glove edge of Ravichandran Ashwinas attempted hook and was easily caught behind by Alex Carey. Even as Reddy looked solid in defence, the bouncer ploy worked again for Cummins when he prised out the shoulder edge of a tangled Harshit Rana and was caught easily by gully, just an over after Starc hit him on the helmet with a pacy lifter. Reddy pushed India into a slender lead when he hammered Scott Boland over long-on for a one-bounce four, and hooked a bumper from Cummins over backward square leg for six. But Cummins had the last laugh as Reddy arched back to ramp over slips, but was caught by third man. Boland ended Indiaas innings by having Mohammed Siraj mistime to Travis Head at mid-wicket, who backpedalled and tumbled on his back to complete the catch. With Australia taking the winning honours over India in Adelaide, both teams have now got two more days of rest before meeting in the third game at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 14. Brief Scores: India 180 and 175 in 36.5 overs (Nitish Kumar Reddy 42, Rishabh Pant 28; Pat Cummins 5-57, Scott Boland 3-51) lost to Australia 337 and 19/0 in 3.2 overs by ten wickets New Delhi, Dec 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana on December 9 to launch 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' in line with his commitment to women empowerment and financial inclusion. According to a PMO statement, the launch at the historic city of Panipat is an initiative of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) designed to empower women aged 18-70 years, who have passed Class X. They will receive specialised training and a stipend for the first three years to promote financial literacy and insurance awareness, it said. After training, these women can serve as LIC agents and the graduate Bima Sakhis would have the opportunity to qualify for being considered for Development Officer roles in LIC. The Prime Minister will also distribute appointment Certificates to prospective Bima Sakhis. During the programme, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal. The main campus and six regional research stations, spread over 495 acres, will be established at a cost of over Rs 700 crore. The University will have one College of Horticulture for Graduate and Post-Graduate studies and five schools covering 10 horticulture disciplines. It will work towards crop diversification and world-class research for the development of horticulture technologies. The Prime Minister will first travel to Jaipur and at 10.30 a.m., inaugurate the 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024' at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC). After this, he will travel to Panipat in neighbouring Haryana. The theme of the Investment Summit to be held from December 9-11 is 'Replete, Responsible, Ready'. The Summit will host 12 sectoral thematic sessions on the themes of water security, sustainable mining, sustainable finance, inclusive tourism, agri-business innovations and women-led Startups among others. Eight Country sessions will also be held during the Summit with participating countries on themes like 'Water Management for Livable Cities', 'Versatility of Industries- manufacturing and beyond' and 'Trade & Tourism'. Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave and MSME Conclave will also be held. The Rajasthan Global Business Expo will feature thematic pavilions such as the Rajasthan Pavilion, Country Pavilions, and Startups Pavilion, among others. Over 32 countries, including 16 partner countries and 20 international organisations will participate in the Summit. Kolkata, Dec 8 : A youth was arrested on the charges of raping a five-year-old girl in West Bengal's Murshidabad district. Kolkata, Dec 8 (IANS) A youth was arrested on the charges of raping a five-year-old girl in West Bengal's Murshidabad district. The accused was caught red-handed by the victim's father and his neighbours in a nearby forest area on Saturday night. The victim's father alleged that the accused picked her up from the residence and took her to the nearby forest area. After being nabbed red-handed, the accused youth was severely thrashed by the local people. Later, the cops of Barwan Police Station were informed and the accused was arrested late Saturday night. The victim was currently under treatment at a local hospital. The cops will present the accused youth at a district court on Sunday and the public prosecutor will seek his police custody. The accused has been booked under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses POCSO) Act, 2012. Incidentally, on Friday after, a district court in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal handed the death penalty to a person convicted in connection with the rape and murder of a minor girl at Jaynagar in the same district in October this year. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee complimented the state police and all concerned for completing the trial, conviction and sentence processes within 62 days from the day of the crime. West Bengal has recorded a series of rape as well as rape & murder cases over the past few months where many of the victims were minors. The most-talked-about incident in the matter was the gruesome rape and murder of a woman doctor of state-run R. G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata within the premises of the health facility in August. The trial process in the matter was currently on at a special court in Kolkata. Los Angeles, Dec 8 : After Hollywood stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner seem to be getting closer as they continue to spend time together this holiday season. The former couple, who share kids Violet, 19, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12, were spotted out for a drive on Saturday morning, after Garner, 52, picked up some fresh bagels, reports 'People' magazine. The pair reportedly had breakfast together and then headed out for a drive through the Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood, before they went to Affleck's home. As per 'People', a source said earlier this week that Garner, who is dating businessman John Miller, has plans to celebrate the rest of the holidays with Affleck, also 52, and their kids after they asked to spend Thanksgiving together. The source told 'People', "Jen truly just wants her kids to be happy. She will continue to make sure that they spend time together as a family and include Ben. They have Christmas plans with the kids too. The kids enjoy when they all spend time together". On Thanksgiving, the exes, who split in 2015 after nearly 10 years of marriage, before finalising their divorce three years later, spent the day together volunteering and serving free meals to the homeless community in L.A. as they attended The Midnight Mission's annual Thanksgiving Street Fair. Affleck and Garner were joined by their children, and a source said of the outing, "They truly enjoy giving back to their community and cherishing quality time together as a family". Garner recently shared how she and the kids plan to celebrate during the holiday season, first sharing how they cook as a family for Thanksgiving. The actress said her kids are now at an age where they can each prepare their own dishes as part of the family's larger meal. Tel Aviv, Dec 8 : Israel has deployed its forces in new positions within the buffer zone along the Israel-Syria border in the Golan Heights on Sunday following the"fall" of the Assad regime in Syria. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the move, marking the first such deployment since the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement was signed. The IDF, in a post on X, stated, "In accordance with the situational assessment following the recent events in Syria, including the entry of armed personnel into the buffer zone, the IDF has deployed forces in the buffer zone and in several other places necessary for its defence, to ensure the safety of the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel." The move comes following a fresh assessment and "the possibility of gunmen entering the buffer zone," the post read. "We emphasise that the IDF does not intervene in the events taking place in Syria," the security forces said. The deployment coincides with significant upheaval in Syria. According to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, rebel fighters entered Damascus at dawn on Sunday. Reports indicate that hundreds of government soldiers were seen withdrawing from Damascus International Airport, shedding their military uniforms for civilian clothing. Multiple media outlets have reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country, although the Syrian presidency maintains that Assad is still fulfilling his constitutional duties in the capital. Social media footage from Damascus reveals intense gunfire and heavy traffic as residents attempt to flee the city. In another video, a statue of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father and predecessor, is shown being torn down, symbolising the regime's collapse. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali addressed the situation in a Facebook post, expressing his willingness to "cooperate" with any leadership chosen by the people. He also urged citizens to refrain from vandalising public property. New Delhi, Dec 8 : In a judgement of extraordinary importance, the Supreme Court of India on November 25 quashed the Telangana state order facilitating preferential allotment of land to MPs, MLAs, bureaucrats, judges and journalists within Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and using strong words described the distribution of state largesse as "capricious, irrational and arbitrary." It held that the action violated Article 14 of the Constitution. Terming it as an "abuse of power" by the state government meant to cater to the affluent sections of society, the judgement clearly hinted that this was a corrupt practice. Upholding the public interest petition, the ruling declared that the policy of the state government aperpetuated inequalitya and undermined the principle of substantive equality enshrined in the Constitution. In the words of the Supreme Court "When the government allocates land at discounted rates to the privileged few, it engenders a system of inequality conferring on them a material advantage that remains inaccessible to the common citizen. This preferential treatment conveys the message that certain individuals are entitled to more, not due to the necessities of their public office or the public good but simply because of their astatusa." The apex court pointed out that the policy gave preferential treatment to the higher echelons of all the three wings of the government-legislators, bureaucrats and members of the higher judiciary -- and reminded the journalists that as they represented the Fifth Pillar of democracy they were expected to provide checks on any arbitrary exercise of the state power-seeking, in this case, to allot land on the premise of benefitting "deserving sections of society." The judgement of the Supreme Court has in a way questioned the traditional model of governance existing in this country for decades and seriously faulted it for defying the fundamental right to equality. The civil appeal challenging the allotment of land parcels at Hyderabad has led to a total-looking judgement in as much as the Supreme Court passed an order of restitution directing that while the lease deeds executed by the State of Telangana in favour of the cooperative societies stood cancelled, the state would refund the entire amount deposited by a member including the stamp duty and registration fees along with interest as per prevailing RBI rate. The court even prescribed how the development charges paid by the Societies would be paid back. The court reiterated that whereas the power to distribute and redistribute public assets fell within the Stateas discretion, such discretion is not absolute being subject to Article 14 of the Constitution and the logic of equality. The SC ruled that "It cannot be questioned that the state policy and executive action must satisfy the requirements of this article." There is a certain punch in this judgement that would deter the executive from exercising the state power arbitrarily and somewhere check the politician-bureaucratic nexus that has been a bane for democracy in India. It is interesting that the Supreme Court gave another judgement touching on the philosophy of governance in democratic India -- again on November 25 --dismissing petitions that had pleaded for the removal of the words "secular" and "socialist" inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment made during the Emergency in 1976. Those behind the petition saw a contradiction between the stipulation that the state would neither favour nor oppose any religion and the mention of constitutional protections for "minorities." The original assumption of the makers of the Constitution was that by laying emphasis on equality before the law and equal treatment of all communities along with the grant of freedom of belief as a fundamental right, they had made India inherently secular. The Supreme Court took the view that India had developed its own interpretation of secularism and evolved a tradition wherein the state neither supported any religion nor penalised the practice of any faith. In any case, secularism was built into the democratic architecture of India because of "one man one vote," the absence of any denominational stamp on the government and a guarantee that policies will not serve the cause of any one community. In its earlier pronouncements, the apex court had considered secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution equating it with the nationas commitment to treating persons of all faiths equally and without discrimination. The SC retained the word in the Preamble apparently accepting this simple non-ideological interpretation. As regards the inclusion of the word "socialist" in the Preamble, it is said that the Constituent Assembly did not consider this necessary on the ground that future generations should not be tied down forever to a particular model of economy. The makers of the Constitution believed in the principle of economic justice. In the November 25 judgement, the SC did not scrutinise the fact that the Preamble was amended during the Emergency but noted that the question had been settled in 1978 when the 44th Amendment was passed. It interpreted the adjective "socialist" as the indicator of a state dedicated to the welfare of the people. The Constitution seeks to provide minimum facilities to all people to free them from poverty, hunger and unemployment and mandates the state to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. The SC thus interpreted a asocialist statea in the Indian context as being a awelfare statea-- nothing more -- as any regime in India was committed to establishing asocial and economic justicea. Classical Socialism is an ideology of the state that believed in public ownership of all means of production. Incidentally, the philosophy of Integral Humanism was propounded by the late Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay opposed both Western capitalist individualism and Marxist Socialism- it seemingly accepted a middle ground rejecting the "excesses" of both sides. The Supreme Court as in the case of Secularism took a non-ideological view of the word Socialist figuring in the Preamble and legitimised its inclusion in the Preamble. These two judgements of the Supreme Court bench were headed by the new Chief Justice -- have a special significance in as much as they touched on the very philosophy of the state on which Indian democracy was anchored. They emphasise that all citizens stood on the same footing in the eyes of the regime, that the basic structure of the Indian Constitution would remain unaltered, that India was wedded to the philosophy of improving a lot of its people, that the rulers might change but the system of rules must have continuity and that the country must remain vigilant against corruption at any level and in any sphere of governance. In the case of allotment of land at Hyderabad, the CJI declared that "The benefits granted to the privileged and well-off classes come at a cost as they effectively deprive and deny the essentials to the marginalised and socially vulnerable populations." The policy does not meet the fairness standards prescribed by the Constitution. The apex court in the Hyderabad case was in a way adjudicating on the Constitutional validity of decisions made by the democratic dispensation in the course of the day-to-day administration and setting the bar of apeopleas interesta for them. It upheld the continuance of the words "secular" and "socialist" in the Preamble on the grounds that they were in tune with the ethos of the Indian Constitution and that the power to amend extended to the Preamble to the Constitution as well. It also took an adverse view of the fact that the petitions were filed years after the amendments had been made. It implied that the policies of the Indian state would pass muster so long as they provided a "people-oriented" governance, regardless of how secularism and socialism were ideologically defined in various quarters. (The writer is former Director, Intelligence Bureau.) dcpathak/rs/kvd Seoul, Dec 8 : South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min offered to quit on Sunday amid political turmoil sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law declaration last week. Lee, one of Yoon's closest aides, announced his resignation in a statement a day after the main opposition party proposed an impeachment motion against Lee, with the vote scheduled for Tuesday, reports Yonhap news agency. In a parliamentary committee session following the lifting of martial law, Lee appeared to defend Yoon, saying the president carried out martial law while abiding by the constitutional process and law. In February last year, Lee was suspended from his job after the main opposition-controlled National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against him for the crowd crush in the 2022 Halloween celebrations in Seoul's Itaewon district, which killed 159 people. In July last year, the Constitutional Court unanimously rejected the motion, immediately reinstating him as minister. Mumbai, Dec 8 : Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in the Bandra area of Mumbai on Saturday, has issued a public statement thanking his followers for their concern. Mumbai, Dec 8 (IANS) Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in the Bandra area of Mumbai on Saturday, has issued a public statement thanking his followers for their concern. He also said that "All is well now", and that the health scare was majorly caused by his hectic stint at the recently concluded 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Recently, the filmmaker attended the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, where his memoir, 'Karma's Child: The Story of Indian Cinema's Ultimate Showman' was launched. The festival also saw the screening of his musical 'Taal'. On Sunday, the filmmaker-producer took to his X, formerly Twitter, and wrote, "I feel so blessed to know that I've so many friends expressing their love n affection for my health. after my hectic stint at IFFI goa. ALL IS WELL NOW n see u soon. SMILE AGAIN. thank you (sic)". Earlier, the hospital had shared in a statement that his past medical history was positive for Ischemic heart disease (s/p AVR 2009, CABG in 2011 and pacemaker insertion in 2011) and a recently diagnosed hypothyroidism. He was admitted to the ICU under the care of Dr. Rohit Deshpande. Subhash Ghai started his career in Bollywood as an actor. He did small roles in films like 'Taqdeer' and 'Aaradhna'. Later he did lead roles in films like 'Umang' and 'Gumrah'. However, his career as an actor did not see much success following which he switched to direction. He is known for films like 'Kalicharan', 'Vishwanath', 'Karz', 'Hero', 'Vidhaata', 'Meri Jung', 'Karma', 'Ram Lakhan', 'Saudagar', 'Khalnayak', 'Pardes' and 'Taal'. In 2006, he received the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues for producing the social problem film 'Iqbal'. The same year he founded the Whistling Woods International film and media institution in Mumbai. He last produced and wrote the comedy-drama streaming movie '36 Farmhouse' which was released in 2022. DAMASCUS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes carried out multiple strikes on Sunday against the former Syrian government's military and security sites in and around Damascus, as well as targets in the southwestern province of Quneitra, according to local reports and observers. In the Syrian capital, air raids targeted the security compound district near former army headquarters, intelligence offices, and customs buildings, igniting fires and sending thick plumes of smoke into the air, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Earlier in the day, Israeli jets struck storage facilities once used by the now-defunct Fourth Division near a research center outside Damascus, as well as another old military site in Syria's eastern mountain range bordering Lebanon. The al-Mezzeh Military Airport in Damascus and the outskirts of Beitima village in western rural Damascus were also targeted, producing a series of loud explosions. Additional strikes hit previously held military positions near Quneitra and empty observation posts in the Jabal al-Sheikh area, where Israeli ground forces reportedly advanced to secure those abandoned outposts. The rapid succession of strikes highlights Israel's efforts to consolidate control over key strategic points and preemptively neutralize any remaining military infrastructure linked to the former Syrian leadership, possibly preventing its use by the opposition factions currently in control. These incidents come as Syrian opposition fighters seized Damascus earlier on Sunday, declaring the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule. Seoul, Dec 8 : South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said on Sunday it would be a "blatant violation of the Constitution" should the Prime Minister and ruling party jointly exercise presidential power. Woo's remarks came just hours after Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon vowed to minimise the chaos through an orderly early departure of the President, Yonhap news agency reported. "The transfer of presidential power comes from the people, and such a process should abide by the Constitution and the principle of popular sovereignty," Woo said in an emergency press conference at the National Assembly, denouncing the joint press briefing as being "arrogant." "Impeachment is the sole legal process to suspend the president's duty, and the Constitution specifies the process in the event the President cannot carry out his role," Woo said. He noted how a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over imposing martial law was scrapped Saturday. All but three ruling party lawmakers boycotted the vote, resulting in a lack of quorum. The Assembly Speaker said he had expressed his thoughts on the issue in phone talks with the Prime Minister and rejected Han's request for a meeting. The Assembly Speaker also proposed talks between the ruling party and the main opposition to discuss the immediate suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol's power and resolve the chaos sparked by Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law last week. Jaipur, Dec 8 : To realise the vision of making the state a $350 billion economy in the next five years, the three-day 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit' will be organised from December 9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest of the summit and deliver the inaugural address. The event will see industrialists, investors and ambassadors from 32 countries, of which 17 will be "partner countries". Several Union Cabinet and State Cabinet members, more than 5,000 investors, business and trade officials, and delegates will attend the summit. MoUs for investment proposals worth Rs 30 lakh crore have already been signed. Eminent business dignitaries scheduled to grace the event include Gautam Adani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anil Agrawal, Anand Mahindra and Sanjeev Puri. At least 4,000 policemen, including 11 IPS officers, have been deployed to maintain law and order. Around 180 special guests including investors, businessmen and ambassadors will attend the summit and four five-star hotels have been booked for their stay. Additional Commissioner (Law and Order) Rameshwar Singh said tight security arrangements have been made for the Prime Minister's visit to Jaipur and the summit. "JECC campus has been converted into a security fortress. Tight security arrangements have been made in the entire city. During the event, two IPS and other police officers will see traffic management." Apart from the inaugural and 'country sessions', the summit includes the Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave, MSME Conclave and thematic sessions for 12 sectors. Many experts from the country and the world, top officials of industry and business, and officials of the Central and Rajasthan governments will participate in these sessions and discuss major challenges, technological changes and emerging opportunities. On the second day of the summit, the Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave will be held to bring together the migrant Rajasthanis spread across the world on one platform and promote cooperation. On the third day, MSME entrepreneurs, investors, many experts from the country and the world, top officials of the industry and business world, and officials of the Central and Rajasthan governments will participate and discuss future challenges and preparations of this sector. Denmark, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Malaysia, Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nepal, Oman, Poland and Thailand are the partner countries of the summit. Besides, the US, the UK, Germany, Australia, Indonesia, Egypt, Finland, Russia, the Seychelles, Chad, Ecuador, Ghana, Iraq, Madagascar, Paraguay and Zimbabwe will participate in the summit. Mumbai, Dec 8 : The Mahayuti on Sunday took aim at the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) factions, accusing them of infighting and mutual blame after their dismal performance in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. This follows the Samajwadi Party's (SP) decision to quit the MVA opposition alliance barely two weeks after the Assembly poll results. SP state president and MLA Abu Asim Azmi cited several grievances for the abrupt withdrawal, slamming the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) for their lack of coordination during the elections. "There was no coordination in the MVA during the seat-sharing process or the election campaign. We were excluded from meetings and rallies. This disunity led to the MVA's massive defeat in the polls," said Azmi while addressing the media. Mahayuti leaders accused the MVA factions of resorting to blame games post-defeat, arguing that their narrative would have been different had they won. Speaking to IANS, Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande remarked, "I am surprised it took Abu Azmi this long to voice such issues. If the MVA had won, would he have said these things? This appears to be a new tactic, and it holds no relevance now." BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay echoed the criticism: "As Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, 'Ek hai to safe hai' (Unity is safety). When Hindus unite, leaders like Abu Azmi and Uddhav Thackeray are left unnerved." "They are confused about their stance on Hindus and Muslims, but we, under PM Modi and CM Devendra Fadnavis, proudly stand as Hindus," he told IANS. Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant told IANS, "Abu Azmi's departure reflects the disjointed leadership of the MVA. They speak from both sides, and Azmi's accusations validate this." Azmi's decision was further fueled by the SP's demand for 12 Assembly seats, of which they contested only six, winning two -- Azmi from Mankhurd-Shivajinagar in Mumbai and Rais Kasam Shaikh from Bhiwandi East in Thane. Targeting Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, Azmi alleged that Thackeray had directed his party workers to pursue a Hindutva agenda aggressively ahead of the upcoming civic elections. Azmi also criticised a social media post by SS (UBT) MLC Milind Narvekar, which celebrated the Babri Mosque demolition, featuring images of Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray, and Aditya Thackeray. "Posts like these are unacceptable. They hurt sentiments and go against the principles of secularism, unity, and respect for all communities. We stand for democracy, the Constitution, and harmony, not division," said a visibly upset Azmi. Azmi made it clear that the SP would not align with any party adopting a communal approach, reaffirming its commitment to secular values and inclusive governance. New Delhi, Dec 8 : Amid growing discontent within the INDIA bloc, BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli on Sunday highlighted concerns over the leadership of Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that constituent parties are questioning his ability to lead the alliance forward. His remarks came as tensions are rising within the Opposition bloc, with various leaders expressing dissatisfaction over the Congress party's conduct. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has voiced its displeasure with Congress' behaviour in Parliament, while Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has openly expressed discontent and even offered to take over the leadership of the alliance if necessary. Additionally, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar on Saturday endorsed Mamata Banerjee as a capable national leader, noting the competence of her party's representatives in Parliament. Talking to IANS, Kohli said, "It is clear from these developments that there is concern among the constituent parties of the INDIA bloc. It is also becoming evident that different leaders are questioning the leadership capabilities of Rahul Gandhi, wondering whether he can lead the alliance forward." Kohli further stated that Congress must answer whether the other constituent parties remain committed to the alliance and to Rahul Gandhias leadership, stressing that the BJP has no involvement in this matter. He also commented on Sharad Pawar's backing of Mamata Banerjee, calling him a senior and respected leader. Kohli suggested that Pawar's endorsement of Mamata was a direct critique of Congress, particularly as the Samajwadi Party's decision to leave the alliance after a controversy involving Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackerayas aide Milind Narvekar highlighted tensions within the Maharashtra-based Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. Despite these cracks, the INDIA bloc continues to present a united front. However, with internal disagreements becoming more apparent, Congress now faces increased pressure to address the growing leadership concerns within its ranks. Mumbai, Dec 8 : The BJP on Sunday accused NCP-SP President Sharad Pawar of misleading the people over the EVM issue instead of accepting the defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. BJP state unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also objected to Pawar's visit to Markadwadi in Solapur district where he asked the authorities why the villagers were prevented from conducting a "mock ballot paper poll" on December 3. He dared the Maha Vikas Aghadi legislators to resign if they felt EVMs were faulty. "We respect Sharad Pawar but it is not appropriate for him to spread lies at this age. He should have accepted defeat. Sharad Pawar is confusing the public and hiding his failure," claimed Bawankule. "He (Sharad Pawar) suffered a huge defeat in the Assembly polls. The people rejected him and he is fearing defeat in the upcoming local body elections. Now, Sharad Pawar is confusing people. The people who came to Markadwadi today are Sharad Pawar's activists. Why no objections were raised earlier in Markadwadi when voting was done on EVMs during the Lok Saha elections? They should have objected then after seeing the voting percentage. Sharad Pawar is trying to cover up his failure by deliberately misleading Maharashtra," alleged Bawankule. Bawankule further said that Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi or any other leaders of their factions "will not be of any use as the people of Maharashtra are tired of their gimmicks". "The people know that the Mahayuti is pro-development, so Maharashtra has voted for it. We will work under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis to make Maharashtra the number one state in the country. If the Maha Vikas Aghadi feels that EVMs were faulty, then all of its elected MPs should resign. There have been many elections in which BJP suffered losses. We did not blame EVMs for our failure in the Lok Sabha. We went ahead after correcting mistakes that were made," said Bawankule. Earlier, Chief Minister Fadnavis took on Sharad Pawar over his statement showing the disparity between votes received and seats won by various parties in the state Assembly election. CM Fadnavis said, "You are a senior leader... At least you should not mislead the people of the country. Why fewer seats with more votes? Let's see what happened in the 2024 Lok Sabha, the BJP got 1,49,13,914 votes and nine seats, but Congress got 96,41,856 votes and 13 seats. Shiv Sena got 73,77,674 votes and seven seats, while NCP(SP) got 58,51,166 votes and eight seats. He further stated, "If you accept defeat, you will get out of this quickly! It is hoped that you will at least advise your colleagues to introspect." Doha, Dec 8 : Sanctions by the US and its allies are hurting various pillars of the global market, particularly in energy, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said at the Doha Forum. The chief of Russia's third-largest oil company said that the competitive environment has been destroyed by the creation of preferences and benefits, and it is now being replaced by unilateral sanctions imposed by the US and its allies. "Sanctions are destroying the previously inviolable institution of contractual obligations, the legal system itself, and, as a result, the social sphere and, ultimately, the global market," Sechin said. "Over the last 20 years, we see that the number of US sanctions has exceeded 15,000, plus 5,000 sanctions imposed by their European allies. Unfortunately, the energy sector, due to its demand and importance, has become an instrument of special attention and pressure," he said. "The redistribution of the global energy market as a result of sanctions' massive application, destruction of competition, destruction of long-term contracts and supply chains is characterised today by price volatility, risks of shortages, and false 'green' transition goals," Sechin stated. The Rosneft CEO also called attention to the fact that the economic background that accompanies political decisions is often the main reason for their (sanctions) implementation. Citing history, he said that it was not customary to hide the economic motives of wars till the colonial period and the "total political and ideological cover-up of the true objectives of the war is a tradition that has not just survived, but has acquired complete and perfect forms over time". Sechin noted that World War I "began as a war for the redistribution of colonies between the old colonisers and the new ones, who were offended by the initial division of the world, and the dramatic robbery of defeated Germany was one of the reasons that led to World War II, the main beneficiary of which was the United States, which gained enormous economic advantages over the war-ravaged economy of old Europe". "This system, built on the absolute domination of the US and its allies, is undergoing the painful transformation we are witnessing at the moment," Sechin added. Chennai, Dec 8 : After the landslide in Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu claimed seven lives, an expert committee's report was awaited on whether devotees will be allowed to climb the Annamalai Hills for the Karthigai Mahadeepam festival on December 13. Karthigai Mahadeepam festival is one of the most popular festivals in Tamil Nadu. The landslide occurred on December 1, after heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Fengal. Rocks slid down the 2,668-foot-high hill, resulting in the tragic deaths. A nine-member expert team, led by Saravana Vel Raj, Commissioner of the Directorate of Mines, and including geotechnical and mining experts, has commenced a detailed investigation to assess the safety of the mountain terrain, focusing on soil composition and other geological factors. Their findings will determine whether pilgrims can safely climb the hills. Meanwhile, the 10-day Karthigai Deepam festival at the revered Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai has begun. The festival, a significant cultural and spiritual event in Tamil Nadu, symbolises the victory of light over darkness. Its deep connection to mythology and elaborate rituals and celebrations draws large numbers of devotees annually. In 2023, around 40 devotees climbed the hills chanting 'Arunachaleshwara'. However, police restricted the entry of large vehicles to the town, and 14,000 personnel were deployed for crowd management. The festival's highlight is the lighting of the Mahadeepam atop the 2,668-foot Annamalai Hill, an auspicious ritual practised for generations. According to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), the cauldron for the 'Mahadeepam' is carried along a seven-kilometre route on the rear side of the temple by a team of 20, primarily fishermen. This tradition, deeply rooted in Tamil Nadu's culture and spirituality, underscores the significance of the Karthigai Deepam festival as a time of spiritual renewal and enlightenment for devotees. Mumbai, Dec 8 : Actress Preity Zinta, who is known for 'Dil Chahta Hai', 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' and others, has shared a heartwarming post about her son Jai cooking Indian flat bread, 'Roti'. On Sunday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared three pictures of Jai making rotis with his grandmother. She wrote in the caption, "The best things in life are free. Like the joy of eating this Roti made by nani ma and our youngest chef Jai. Happy Sunday everyone". Jai, who is the son of the actress and her husband Gene Goodenough, was born in 2021 via surrogacy. The couple also have a daughter named Gia. Earlier, the actress participated in the IPL auctions. After her digital detox, she invited recommendations from her Instagram followers for the players that she could pick in her IPL team. The actress took to her Instagram at the time, and shared a video from the balcony of her hotel room. The video showed the skyline of Jeddah. She wrote in the caption, "Done with my digital detox ! Landed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the IPL Auction. Watch this space for some amazing new announcements folks. Till then all recommendations for our new team are welcome. Bring it on #Ting #IPLAuction2025 #Saddasquad @punjabkingsipl". Earlier, the actress gave a shoutout to parents through a social media post for their sacrifice and their hard work. She was seen holding hands of both her kids in a picture which was attached to an elaborated note. She wrote, "The last two weeks have been particularly difficult as Gene was travelling for work & I was holding fort doing mama duties which include waking up the kids, getting them ready for school, packing their lunch box, dropping & picking them up from school, dinner & finally putting them to bed". Meanwhile, on the work front, the actress will be next seen in 'Lahore 1947', a period drama film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan. New Delhi, Dec 8 : The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has played a critical role in improving bank asset quality and facilitating substantial pre-admission settlements of underlying debts of over Rs 10 lakh crore since it was first introduced in 2016, as per RBI Deputy Governor M. Rajeshwar Rao. Addressing an international conclave, focusing on "Insolvency Resolution: Evolution & Global Perspective" here, Rao stressed the importance of collaborative eorts among stakeholders, with a focus on restructuring and revival, and suggested that detailed studies of IBC cases could provide valuable insights for future lending strategies. While acknowledging the substantial progress made in cleaning up banks' balance sheets, the Deputy Governor also underscored potential areas of improvement at the conference organised by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) in association with INSOL India, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on Sunday. IBBI Chairperson Ravi Mital, in his address, highlighted the versatility and transformative potential of the Code, underscoring its role in dismantling the "defaulters' paradise" through signicant behavioural changes in the debtor-creditor ecosystem. He noted the remarkable settlement of over 28,000 cases before admission, while also addressing challenges such as the time-sensitive nature of value preservation. Emphasising the IBBI's proactive approach, he outlined key regulatory reforms aimed at reducing delays and maximising asset value. He also mentioned about consideration of innovative approaches like mediation, creditor-led resolution processes, and group insolvency mechanisms. State Bank of India's former Chairman Rajnish Kumar delivered the special address. Drawing from his rsthand experience as SBI Chairman during the initial stages of the IBC, he characterised the IBC as one of the most signicant economic reforms, highlighting its transformative impact on the banking ecosystem. He emphasised that the true success of the IBC should not be measured solely by the recovery rate, but by its broader achievements in reshaping the debtor-creditor relationship and enhancing the overall health of the banking sector. He underscored the importance of the Committee of Creditors (CoC) pursuing the larger objective of value maximisation. INSOL International Technical Director Sonali Abeyratne, in her address, outlined the organization's core functions and recent initiatives. She specically discussed INSOL International's engagement with INSOL India and emphasised the importance of international collaboration and sharing global best practices in insolvency resolution. INSOL India President Dinkar Venkatasubramanian, president of INSOL India, delivered a welcome address, tracing the evolutionary journey of the IBC in India, highlighting the Code's signicant impact on the insolvency resolution landscape, and also outlining INSOL India's recent initiatives aimed at strengthening the insolvency ecosystem in the country. SBI Managing Director Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh, in the keynote address, provided lenders' perspective on the Code, highlighting its phenomenal evolution and signicant contribution. Drawing from his international experience in insolvency frameworks, Singh lauded the IBC's transformative impact on bank prots and asset quality. He emphasised the critical need for maintaining bank health as a cornerstone of achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat, and oered constructive suggestions for further improvement. Hyderabad, Dec 8 : The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Sunday released a 'chargesheet' against Telangana's Congress government on completion of one year, accusing it of failure on all fronts. The main opposition party alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has pushed the state backward with his negative attitude. Releasing the chargesheet, the BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao alleged that the Congress failed to implement the six guarantees and keep other promises made during the elections. Referring to the dismantling of iron barricades in front of Pragati Bhavan, the then official residence of the Chief Minister, Harish Rao said the government made a beginning with demolition and a negative approach, and hence the results have also been negative. The BRS leader said the Revanth Reddy government tried to escape from implementing poll promises by presenting so-called 'white papers'. He alleged that, from school children to the pensioners, all sections of people were suffering under the Congress rule. Harish Rao said Telangana's development has faded due to the Chief Minister's negative approach. Lashing out at the government over organising the celebrations on the completion of one year, the BRS leader asked there is nothing to be celebrated. The BRS leader accused the government of tarnishing the state's image with false propaganda that the state became bankrupt. Claiming that the agriculture sector flourished during the 10-year rule of BRS, he alleged that farmers have been distressed ever since Congress came to power. The former minister said the government failed to totally implement loan waiver scheme for farmers. He also alleged that the Congress discontinued the Rythu Bandhu scheme under which farmers were being provided investment support. Harish Rao said tenant farmers and agriculture workers are still waiting for the government to implement its promises. Accusing the government of betraying women, the BRS leader asked what happened to the guarantees of Rs 2,500 per month for women and one tola gold for the marriage of poor girls. Harish Rao alleged that the Congress party cheated youth by not fulfilling the promise of two lakh jobs in the first year. "The promise of Rs.4,000 unemployment allowance was also false," he said. Asserting that government schools and residential schools are losing the public trust, the BRS leader said the institutions have become notorious for food poisoning, dog bites, snake bites, and electrocution. According to the 'chargesheet', 49 students died of food contamination and another 906 were taken ill during one year. The opposition party also slammed the Congress government for resorting to the demolition of the houses of the poor in the name of HYDRAA and the Musi Rejuvenation project. "The government took anti-Constitutional measures by trampling humanity and justice," Harish Rao said. The 'chargesheet' also referred to the alleged forcible acquisition of land from tribals for pharma cluster in the Chief Minister's constituency, Kodangal. "There is no peace and security in the state. In fact, there is no home minister for the state," says the 'chargesheet'. The BRS alleged that there was mockery of democracy during the last one year with denial of right to protest, illegal arrests, detentions and curbs. GAZA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli drone attack on a gathering in central Gaza City, said the Palestinian civil defense in the Gaza Strip. Civil defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said in a press statement that the victims include children and women. The Israeli army has not commented on this incident yet. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Sunday that its troops recently completed a targeted operation to dismantle underground militant infrastructure in the Jabalia area in the northern Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said in a press statement that its members destroyed an Israeli armored personnel carrier and a tank on Saturday in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 44,708, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday. Jinan, Dec 8 : Nine people, who were previously reported missing in a fire that broke out at a refrigerated warehouse under construction in China's Shandong Province, were confirmed dead on Sunday morning. The fire occurred on Saturday at the warehouse owned by a local company called Lanrun in the city of Rongcheng, according to the local emergency management department, Xinhua news agency reported. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Earlier on August 5, 2020, nine people trapped underneath were found dead after a warehouse partially collapsed in Harbin, capital of China's Heilongjiang Province. The collapse happened in a warehouse of a food company in the city's Daoli District, leaving nine people trapped under the rubble. A team of over 350 rescuers had found the nine trapped people and detected no vital signs on them all. Damascus, Dec 8 : As the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) announced on Sunday the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria and the "beginning of a new era" after capturing Damascus, all eyes are now focused on the next moves that will be made by its leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani, who once worked with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the founder and leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Affiliated to Al-Qaida and known as Nusra Front earlier, HTS led the rebel groups as they began a major offensive in northern Syria on November 27, capturing major cities like Aleppo, Hama before finally storming Damascus. As several conflicting reports continue to emerge about the whereabouts of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, the world is closely watching the unrest unleashed in the region by HTS which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States. 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' Abu Mohammad al-Julani, meanwhile, has a $10 million bounty on his head. Born as Ahmed Hussein Al-Shara, Julani is also known as Mohammad al-Jawlani and Abu Muhammad al-Golani. He worked for Al-Qaida in Iraq and also spent five years in a US prison. Julani pledged allegiance to Al-Qaida and its leader Ayman al-Zawahiri as Al-Nusrah Front vowed to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assadas regime as early as in 2012, It was Baghdadi who had instructed Julani to establish a front for Al-Qaida in Syria by developing a local presence and fighting. Al-Qaida in Iraq supplied the Nusra Front with manpower, money, weapons and advice. In May 2013, Julani was named as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' by the US State Department The FBI sought information on the leadership of the Al Nusra Front (ANF) and the US Department of Stateas Rewards for Justice programme announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Julani. On July 24, 2013, the UN Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee placed Julani on its list of sanctioned terrorists, making him subject to an international asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo. In July 2016, Julani praised Al-Qaida and Zawahiri in an online video while announcing that the ANF, Al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria, was changing its name to Jabhat Fath Al Sham (Conquest of the Levant Front). Next year, it was merged with several other hardline opposition groups to form Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) with al-Julani calling the shots. According to the local media, the jihadi outfit HTS and Julani have returned to the regional scene after a withdrawal of about five years, during which the organisation went through many internal changes "in terms of relations with other factions in Idlib" and experienced major regional and international transformations, including the Covid-19 phase, the Ukrainian war and the Al-Aqsa flood. "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has overcome many obstacles during the past period, after splitting from ISIS and pledging allegiance to the global Al-Qaeda organisation, then disengaging from it, and transforming into Jabhat Fateh al-Sham first, and then into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as a local military, administrative and political authority," Lebanon's Al-Manar reported on Sunday. The report mentioned that HTS was able to maintain its strength and control in the region due to the formation of the so-called 'Salvation Government' in Idlib, Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war which pushed the world's attention away from Syria for a long period. "Since Jabhat al-Nusra severed its ties with al-Qaeda in 2017, Abu Muhammad al-Julani has sought to establish a new approach based on 'jihadism in methodology and nationalism in geography', benefiting from the experiences of Iraq and the influence of Syrian reality," the report added. Meanwhile, several analysts believe that those celebrating the fall of the decades-old Bashar al-Assad regime are, in a way, backing terrorists from ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Russia, which has put its military bases in Syria on a "high alert", said that it is following the "dramatic events" with extreme concern. "As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully. Russia did not participate in these negotiations. At the same time, we appeal to all parties involved with a strong call to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues by political means," read a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Seoul, Dec 8 : Interior Minister Lee Sang-min stepped down from his post on Sunday amid political turmoil sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law declaration last week. The ministry said Yoon accepted Lee's resignation shortly after he offered to resign. Lee, one of Yoon's closest aides, announced his resignation in a statement, a day after the main opposition party proposed an impeachment motion against Lee, with the vote scheduled for Tuesday, Yonhap news agency reported. In a parliamentary committee session following the lifting of martial law, Lee appeared to defend Yoon, saying the President carried out martial law while abiding by the constitutional process and law. But Yoon's acceptance of the resignation may spark further criticism as it is seen as an act of exercising presidential power, contrary to the earlier announcement by ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon that Yoon will no longer engage in the running of state affairs until his 'early and orderly' exit. In February last year, Lee was suspended from his job after the main opposition-controlled National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against him for the crowd crush in the 2022 Halloween celebrations in Seoul's Itaewon district, which killed 159 people. In July last year, the Constitutional Court unanimously rejected the motion, immediately reinstating him as minister. New Delhi, Dec 8 : Brand Arvind Kejriwal is set to face its toughest test yet as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), an off-shoot of an anti-corruption campaign of Anna Hazare, looks to return to power in Delhi for a third successive term. The AAP's third attempt at capturing the 'Dilli Darbar' comes amid fears of anti-incumbency, poor performance of MLAs, and the party chief's growing faith in turncoats from other parties. The fact that the youngest of the three parties in Delhi is keen to field dissidents or old war horses from the BJP and Congress, reportedly on a third of the 70 seats, reflects Kejriwal's growing maturity in politics and dexterity in micropolitics, say political analysts. The induction of almost a dozen BJP and Congress former MLAs into the AAP also reflects Kejriwal's realisation that his charisma is no longer enough to get any candidate or non-performing sitting MLA elected. This is a cause of worry for the AAP which it seems to be addressing. Kejriwal appears to be getting ready for the toughest battle of his political career and championing the vote bank politics of free services for the poorest of voters an art he has mastered. Despite the BJP's growing desperation to come to power in Delhi, Kejriwal seems to be in no mood to let pundits write his political obituary just yet. Not even in the backdrop of the corruption allegations levelled by rivals and jail stays of his and his cabinet colleagues. "There is no guarantee that allegations of corruption against Kejriwal or the AAP will do the same trick for the BJP as they did for the new outfit which rode an anti-corruption wave to come to power," said S.K. Chahal, Dean, Social Sciences, Kurukshetra University. He said elections in Delhi are decided by the poor, slum dwellers, and migrants and Kejriwal has managed to remain on the offensive, rather than slip into a defensive mode, despite the tirade against him. In fact, he has countered by questioning the BJP on the law and order situation. "Poor voters still constitute 70-80 per cent of the electorate and the one who picks their issues will succeed. Kejriwal has very smartly addressed these voters' concerns with free power, water, and health services over the past 10 years," Chahal said. The AAP continues to work on its strategy of targeting certain categories of voters including autorickshaw drivers seeking fare hikes, e-rickshaw drivers who need free power, and lawyers who have been offered insurance cover. The AAP had won 62 out of 70 seats in Delhi Assembly in 2015. The BJP won 8 and the Congress failed to open its account. Elections to pick the 8th Delhi Legislative Assembly are likely to be held around February. BJP's 25-year jinx The forced political exile of the BJP in the Capital has lasted 25 years. There can't be a better opportunity for the Vijay Rath of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to end the political drought of the Delhi unit, especially, after a series of electoral wins in Lok Sabha and key states like Haryana and Maharashtra. Over the past three decades, the party's Assembly election failures have been linked to its tendency to lose sight of the bigger mission while attempting to give fair representation to the various sub-groups or communities like Punjabis, Jats, Vaishyas, and Poorvanchalis. The party's trusted caste-matrix formula and Hindutva pitch don't really work in Delhi as effectively as they do in other states, probably, because the voters here are more aware and practical about what they need from the government, say political analysts. New Delhi Lok Sabha MP Bansuri Swaraj, whose mother Sushma Swaraj was the last BJP Chief Minister that Delhi had in 1998, has emerged as a potential "Woman CM" face in the city. North-East Lok Sabha MP Manoj Tiwari, the only sitting MP to be fielded in parliamentary elections earlier this year, is also a strong contender for the top post, said party sources. There are indications that the upcoming Assembly elections may turn out to be a clash between the development model of the Modi government and the Kejriwal government. Chahal said that the BJP's inability to win a majority in the Delhi Assembly is partly linked to a leadership crisis at the local unit level. "There is no Garibo ka Masiha in Delhi BJP to rival Kejriwal," he said. Fort Delhi remains a challenge for the BJP which always wins in Lok Sabha elections but fails in Assembly elections where micro and colony-level issues get eminent. BJP leaders in Delhi are confident that the corruption allegations against Kejriwal and his ministers over the excise policy, the renovation of his official residence or "Sheeshmahal", and scams in Yamuna cleaning would be able to turn the tide in the party's favour in the coming elections. Chahal believes that the BJP wants to address the poor voters' concerns but the real challenge lies in its ability to convince the migrants or slum dwellers that it would deliver better or on par with the AAP. In fact, one indication of BJP's course correction in the current Assembly elections on "freebies" came recently when the party's manifesto committee leaders indicated that the party would not only continue free services like water, power and bus travel but also improve their quality on coming to power. Till the last election, the BJP had confined itself to calling Kejriwal's free welfare schemes as "bad economics" and a "wastage of tax-payers' money". The BJP is also aiming to capitalise on the so-called dissatisfaction among sections of voters including Out-of-job bus marshals and contract employees in hospitals, agitating guest teachers, DTC contract employees, and autorickshaw drivers. The issue of 'bogus voters' or the presence of Rohingyas in voters' list has also been highlighted by the BJP which is also promising Rs 5 lakh health insurance under PM-JAY. It remains to be seen if the seven BJP MPs from Delhi and the charisma of PM Modi will manage to break the party's 25-year jinx. Congress battling revival pangs For the Congress, which has not been able to win even a single seat in the Assembly since 2015, there is nothing to lose. Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav has already announced the party's decision to fight elections alone in all 70 constituencies. He even described the tie-up with the AAP in the Lok Sabha election as a mistake. Yadav's Delhi Nyay Yatra concluded on Saturday after covering 650 km across 70 Assembly segments, giving a glimmer of hope to its cadre. However, the big questions about a leadership crisis and organisational network crisis still remain. Ever since the poor, Dalits and Muslim supporters of the Congress switched loyalty to the AAP in 2015, the Congress has shrunk in influence. Its two dozen councillors in MCD are the only elected representatives in the city which once ruled Delhi for 15 years. Yadav's latest strategy of questioning Kejriwal on law and order in the city appears to be striking a chord with the party's traditional voters in the rural belt. He has asked Kejriwal about the difference the AAP has brought about in the city over the past 10 years, after coming to power in 2015 by accusing the then Congress Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit of lawlessness in the city in the backdrop of the Nirbhaya gangrape. "Law and order was in the hands of the Central government in 2015 and is still with the Union government, so what is the AAP's contribution in this field?" he asked recently, accusing the AAP convenor of using poor law and order as a stick to beat the rivals for political gains just before Assembly elections. Political analysts believe the Congress will remain an insignificant player in the upcoming Assembly elections as it remains riddled with a leadership crisis. But its presence in the fray is only going to benefit the BJP as the contest may turn into a triangular fight in some pockets, something that the BSP used to do two decades ago. Chennai, Dec 8 : Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has called for immediate intervention by the Union government to secure the release of Tamil fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. Ramadoss said that 40 fishermen from Tamil Nadu had been detained by the Sri Lankan Navy over the past week. The arrests have sparked protests from the fishermen and their families, who are demanding urgent action. "These arrests challenge India's sovereignty," said the former Union Minister, highlighting the gravity of the situation. He pointed out that in 2024 alone, 569 Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested, and 73 boats were impounded by the Sri Lankan Navy. He urged the Union government to ensure the immediate release of the detained fishermen and also called for joint efforts by both Central and state governments to find a permanent resolution to the recurring issue. On Sunday (December 8), the Sri Lankan Navy arrested eight fishermen from Rameswaram for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing near Neduntheevu. Two mechanised fishing vessels were also seized. The detained fishermen were taken to the Kankesanturai Port Camp for investigation and are expected to be handed over to Jaffna Fisheries Department officials. This incident follows the arrest of 14 Tamil Nadu fishermen on December 4, along with the seizure of two fishing vessels near Katchatheevu. The detained fishermen claimed they were severely attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy, which allegedly damaged their fishing nets and GPS equipment. Some also accused the Navy of ramming their boats, causing extensive damage. On December 3, another 18 Tamil Nadu fishermen were detained near Neduntheevu for allegedly crossing the IMBL. They, along with their boats, were taken to the Kankesan Naval Base for further investigation. The repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen have caused widespread distress within the fishing community. According to Tamil Nadu Coastal Police, Sri Lankan authorities have accused the fishermen of entering Sri Lankan waters and engaging in illegal fishing activities. Many of these detained fishermen remain in Sri Lankan jails, leading to widespread protests and demands for government intervention. During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, the Union External Affairs Minister discussed the issue with the Sri Lankan government, urging measures to prevent further arrests and seizures. However, the arrests have continued, deepening fears among the fishing community. A. Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, expressed concern over the increasing hardships faced by fishermen and their families. "The livelihood of our fishermen is under threat. Thousands of families who rely on fishing and related activities are facing severe hardship. A sense of fear has already gripped fishermen and their families about venturing out to sea," he said. Thajudhin also criticised the Sri Lankan government's decision to nationalise seized mechanised fishing boats, stating that it would devastate the fishing industry. "Many fishermen have taken loans to purchase these expensive boats, expecting to repay them through their earnings," he explained. Fishermen's associations across Tamil Nadu have announced large-scale protests in coastal districts. They have also written to the Prime Minister, urging him to intervene and put an end to mid-sea arrests and the seizure of mechanised boats, which are essential for their livelihoods. Chandigarh, Dec 8 : Protesting farmers, mainly from Punjab, on Sunday again suspended their foot march to Delhi for the day after some of them suffered injuries in teargas shelling by Haryana Police on the interstate border to disperse them and to stop them from carrying on with the 'Delhi Chalo' march. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed at least eight farmers were injured and one of them was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. "We have called back the 'jatha' (group of 101 farmers)," he told reporters at the protest site. Pandher said the farmers would decide their next course of action after a meeting of their forums -- the Samyuka Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Earlier in the day, the second batch of 101 farmers resumed their foot march from the Shambhu protest site but they were halted by multilayered barricading erected by Haryana security personnel. Tear gas shells were lobbed at the protesting farmers and water jets were used as well to disperse them after they reached the barricade. Haryana Police's Deputy Superintendent of Police Ram Kumar told the media, "We have been given clear-cut instructions that we will check their identity and permission and only then will we allow them to move forward and they (farmers) disagreed." Farmers, under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, began their 'Delhi Chalo' march's second day after deferring it for a day on Saturday, but were stopped after a few metres at the barricades, guarded by a heavy welded wire mesh. The farmers have been marching in support of their long-pending demands, including legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, loan waiver and reforms to improve conditions in the agricultural sector. "The Haryana government has turned this border like the India-Pakistan border," said a protester. As a preventive measure to check any untoward incidents, the security at the interstate border located on the Ghaggar Rivulet has been heightened. As a goodwill gesture, police personnel tried to pacify the farmers, who were arguing that being Indians, they have the right to march to their national capital, like any citizen, without permission. The police offered them water and biscuits, besides showering of petals. Protesting farmers on Friday deferred their march for a day as they claimed that six of them got injured in a clash with security forces. They also said they were ready for talks with the Centre over their demands without confrontation with the government. But they decided to resume their protest as they didn't get any offer of talks from the Central government. Ahead of the resumption of the march, Pandher said they have not received any message from the Centre for talks to address their issues. Central paramilitary forces have also been deployed on the Haryana side of the border along with the state police. Haryana Police had asked the first batch of 101 farmers that were heading to the national capital not to proceed further and cited a prohibitory order clamped under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The security forces had also used at least 50 teargas shells to disperse the protesting farmers when they attempted to cross the makeshift barricades, heavily guarded by paramilitary and police personnel, by climbing on them. It was set up temporarily on the border to prevent the protesting farmers from moving ahead. Mobile Internet and the sending of bulk messages have been suspended in parts of Ambala district. District officials have already issued orders banning gatherings of five or more people, and government-run and private schools were shut for the day on the administration's order. To prevent disruptions, the Haryana Police had tightened security at Ambala's border with Punjab with multilayered barricades at the Shambhu border on National Highway 44, and also deployed water cannons. The farmers' earlier attempts to march to Delhi on February 13 and 21 were thwarted by heavy security at the Punjab-Haryana border. Since then, farmers under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been staging protests at the border. New Delhi, Dec 8 : India's digital infrastructure has undergone a transformative evolution in recent years and so far, 138.34 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated, the government announced on Sunday. DigiLocker, a platform for digital document verification, now stores 776 crore documents, serving more than 37.046 crore users. Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA), the worldas largest education platform, has helped impart 556.37 crore learning sessions. It has achieved 17.95 crore course enrollments and 14.37 crore course completions, according to the government. "With a rapidly expanding digital economy, driven by innovations in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and digital governance, India's infrastructure is continuously evolving to meet the growing demands of the public and private sectors," said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. After reaching a record high in October of 16.58 billion transactions and a value of Rs 23.50 lakh crore, UPI transactions in November stood at 15.48 billion transactions (38 per cent year-on-year growth) with a value of Rs 21.55 lakh crore (24 per cent YoY growth). The number of UPI transactions may touch 25 billion a month towards the end of 2025. One of the central pillars of Indiaas digital infrastructure is the expansion and development of data centres. Indiaas data centre industry is poised for substantial growth, with expectations for a significant increase in IT load capacity, which is approximately at 1000 MW currently. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has established state-of-the-art National Data Centres (NDC) in cities like Delhi, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad, providing robust cloud services to government ministries, state governments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs). These data centres also offer essential disaster recovery and hosting services, ensuring continuity in government operations. At NDC, storage capacity has been expanded to approximately 100PB, including All Flash Enterprise Class Storage, Object Storage, and Unified Storage. Additionally, around 5,000 odd servers are deployed to support various cloud workloads. Another state-of-the-art NDC (Tier-III) of 200 Racks expandable to 400 Racks is being established at Guwahati, said the government. To address the unique challenges faced by the northeastern region, the National Data Centre - North East Region (NDC-NER) was launched in September 2020. This facility aims to bridge the digital divide, foster socio-economic development, and improve public services in the region by providing a reliable, high-performance data storage and cloud service infrastructure. Indiaas growing cloud service ecosystem has been crucial in supporting its digital transformation. Over 300 government departments are now utilising cloud services, contributing to the rapid growth of Indiaas digital public infrastructure. Other significant platforms include Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for government procurement, UMANG (providing access to government services), and API SETU (for open APIs). Co-WIN and Aarogya Setu have been pivotal in health services, including vaccination tracking and contact tracing. Dhaka, Dec 8 : Mark Malloch-Brown, the former President of the Open Society Foundations founded by Hungarian-born billionaire US investor George Soros, met Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government in Bangladesh, in Dhaka on Sunday. "Lord Mark Malloch-Brown calls on Chief Advisor Bangladesh," Yunus' office posted on X with a photograph from the meeting. Brown, who has also previously worked with the United Nations, World Bank and as a minister with the British government, had stepped down from his role in June 2024 following Binaifer Nowrojee's appointment as the new president of the Open Society Foundations. Over the last few years, nonagenarian Soros has openly declared his intention to remove nationalist governments from power, including in India. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar had referred to Soros as an "old, rich, opinionated and dangerous" person for making repeated attempts to hurt India's image and democratic structure. Calling him a "left-winger" who has "an awful lot of money", former US National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton had told IANS that the controversial businessman's views should not be labelled as Washington's stand on several key issues. "Look, Soros is a left winger in American political terms and he has an awful lot of money. He uses a lot of it in American politics and certainly there are reports that he uses a lot of it around the world also. Some reports of what he's doing are more accurate than others, but I think his overall worldview is not one that I share," Bolton told IANS in an exclusive chat in October. Interestingly, the Brown-Yunus meeting took place just before Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to hold Foreign Office Consultations with his Bangladesh counterpart Jashim Uddin, in Dhaka on Monday. Relations between the two countries have nosedived over the past few months as India remains extremely concerned with the surge in extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocations, especially against the Hindu community, in Bangladesh. Earlier this week, Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had accused Yunus of being the "mastermind of mass killings" and orchestrating attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Addressing an Awami League event in New York virtually, Hasina slammed Yunus for allegedly targeting Hindu temples, including ISKCON sites, and other religious places of the minorities in Bangladesh. "Today, I have been accused of mass killings. In reality, it is Muhammad Yunus who is responsible for mass killings through a deliberate plan along with his student coordinators. They are the masterminds," she had asserted. The minorities in Bangladesh, especially Hindus, have come under a severe attack by Islamist elements in Bangladesh after the formation of the interim government in the country headed by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. Patna, Dec 8 : Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) being run by the Central government is aiding and assisting those engaged in the fisheries sector to start their own enterprise and contribute to the generation of direct and indirect job opportunities. The target is also to augment fish production as well as consumption per capita, by bringing more vitality to the supply chain. Under this scheme, financial assistance and training is being given to fishermen for enhancing the aquaculture business. In Bihar, this scheme is providing employment opportunities to the young generation and also writing a new chapter of self-reliance in rural areas. A PMMSY beneficiary named Uday Kumar from Nalanda district shared his story of growth under the scheme. "We were imparted training under the PMMSY scheme, following which we started fish farming. Earlier, we were working only on our own land but now we have expanded our business by taking more land on lease," he said. He told IANS that this scheme has helped him accumulate yearly income of Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh. He said that under the scheme, he initially received an assistance amount of Rs 60,000, with which he started fish farming. He and his fellow fishermen say that the scheme has brought a revolution in the field of fisheries and those in the fisheries sector are benefiting from it. Shivanandan Prasad, Director of Bihar State Matsyajeevi Cooperative Federation told IANS that the scheme is proving to be very beneficial for the fishermen. "Under this, subsidies of up to 50 per cent are being given on construction of ponds, renovation of old ponds, fish farming materials like fish food, medicines and aerator machines. Apart from this, technical facilities like motor pumps are also being provided," he said. He further elaborated that training is being given to thousands of farmers in Nalanda district due to which only one family but many are being fed and their financial condition is improving. "Even those who donat have a corpus of their own can benefit from the scheme and launch their own enterprise. The formation of a dedicated ministry for fisheries has given a strong impetus to the industry," he said. Both Shivanandan Prasad and Uday Kumar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing a transformational change in the lives of the poor and unemployed. "PMMSY yojana is a big step towards increasing the income of fish farmers and making them self-reliant," they said. Kabul, Dec 8 : A total of 970,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their motherland from Iran, Pakistan and Turkey in the past eight months. "Among them, about 88,000 are from Pakistan, around 5,000 from Turkey, and the remaining from Iran," the media quoted Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesman for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, Xinhua news agency reported quoting local media outlet TOLO news on Sunday. According to official data released by the ministry, about 7 million Afghan refugees are living abroad, with the majority of them in Afghanistan's neighbouring Pakistan and Iran. The Afghan caretaker government has been repeatedly urging Afghan refugees to cease living abroad as refugees and return home to contribute to the rebuilding of their war-damaged country. This undated photo shows artifacts uncovered at the Taposiris Magna temple complex west of Alexandria, Egypt.(Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities/Handout via Xinhua) CAIRO, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian-Dominican archaeological mission uncovered a collection of artifacts at the Taposiris Magna temple complex west of Alexandria, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Sunday. The finds, which include statues, coins, and pottery, shed new light on the history of the site during the late Ptolemaic period, the ministry said in a statement. The mission, led by Kathleen Martinez, discovered foundation deposits beneath the southern wall of the temple's outer enclosure. Among the most significant finds are a small white marble statue of a woman wearing a royal crown and a limestone bust of a king wearing a "nemes" headdress. Martinez said the female statue may depict Queen Cleopatra VII, although other archaeologists have suggested it could represent a princess due to differences in facial features, according to the statement. The team also unearthed 337 coins, many bearing the image of Cleopatra VII, along with a variety of pottery, oil lamps, limestone vessels for storing food and cosmetics, bronze figurines, and an amulet in the shape of a scarab inscribed with the phrase "The justice of Ra has shone." A bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor was also found. These discoveries, along with pottery shards dating back to the late Ptolemaic period, indicate that the temple walls were constructed in the first century BC. Martinez also announced the discovery of the remains of a Greek temple dating back to the fourth century BC, which was destroyed between the second century BC and the beginning of the AD era. This temple is located near a deep tunnel system that runs from Lake Mariut in Alexandria to the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, the mission uncovered a large cemetery containing 20 burial chambers, as well as a tomb with three chambers beneath the ancient Taposiris Magna lighthouse. Inside one of these chambers, nine white marble busts and several other artifacts were found, the statement said. Preliminary underwater excavations near the remains of the Taposiris Magna temple have also yielded human skeletal remains and a large quantity of pottery, further underscoring the historical and cultural significance of the site, according to the statement. This undated photo shows a coin uncovered at the Taposiris Magna temple complex west of Alexandria, Egypt.(Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities/Handout via Xinhua) This undated photo shows a statue head uncovered at the Taposiris Magna temple complex west of Alexandria, Egypt.(Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities/Handout via Xinhua) Ranchi, Dec 8 : Under the directions from the Union Home Ministry, the Jharkhand government has devised a comprehensive strategy to eradicate Maoists and other extremist groups in the state, with state Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta on Sunday convening a high-level meeting with senior police officials at Chaibasa, the district headquarters of West Singhbhum, to outline the new plan. Addressing the media after the meeting, DGP Gupta stated that efforts to eliminate Maoists nationwide are yielding results. "We are receiving cooperation from villagers, who are now actively assisting the police in combating the left-wing extremism," he said. DGP Gupta directed police officers to identify Maoist operatives and their logistical supporters. A total of 65 Maoists and extremists have been identified in the state. Fresh rewards have been announced for information leading to their arrest. Of Jharkhandas 24 districts, only five remain affected by Maoist activity, he said. Commending the police force, the DGP said: "During recent assembly and Lok Sabha elections, security forces successfully countered the Maoist boycott threats, enabling fearless voting across the state, including areas previously under Maoist influence. No incidents of Maoist violence were reported during these elections a" a first in nearly three decades." The meeting emphasised enhancing intelligence networks to track remaining Maoists and instructions were issued to dismantle their hideouts with thorough preparations. DGP Gupta also directed the conduct of security audits of police posts and camps, property attachment and confiscation of absconding Maoists, close monitoring of Maoists released on bail and assessment of infrastructure, including communication systems, bridges, and roads in Maoist-affected areas. In the meeting, he also issued strict guidelines for professional police conduct and public grievance redressal. He directed district SPs to take strict disciplinary action against any police personnel found misbehaving with the public. "Police stations must register First Information Reports (FIRs) related to Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC), human trafficking, cybercrimes, and crimes against women without considering jurisdictional boundaries", he said. He said officers at DIG, SSP, and SP ranks are required to establish mechanisms allowing victims to file complaints at higher levels if police stations fail to register their FIRs. "Senior officers (DIGs, SSPs, SPs) are to conduct workshops for station in-charges, clerks, and other police staff, training them on maintaining professionalism and treating the public with respect," he said. The Jharkhand Police are also compiling dossiers on individuals accused of harassing women and college girls. "A review of past cases of eve-teasing is underway, and those found repeating such offences will face action," he said. Jakarta, Dec 8 : One person was killed, another went missing, and 49 others survived after a passenger ship sank in the waters off Indonesia's East Java province on Sunday. The wooden ship, Kapal Layar Motor Fajar Lorena, went down at about 1:10 p.m. Jakarta time in the waters of Situbondo regency after departing from a seaport in Sumenep regency. The ship was heading to a seaport in Situbondo regency. Both regencies are located in East Java province, according to Muhamad Hariyadi, head of the provincial search and rescue office, Xinhua news agency reported. "One person has died, another is missing, and 49 others survived the incident," he told Xinhua, citing the ship's manifest, which listed 51 people on board. The evacuation involved about 50 personnel from a joint rescue team, and the search for the missing person is ongoing, he added. Hariyadi said extreme weather conditions were blamed for the incident. "This happened because of poor weather conditions; the waves were big," he said. Indonesia's meteorology, climatology, and geophysics agency has warned of extreme weather conditions, including huge waves and heavy rains that pose risks to maritime travel. Accra, Dec 8 : Ghanaian Vice President and ruling party candidate Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat on Sunday in the 2024 presidential election. In a brief televised address from his official residence, Bawumia, who leads the ruling New Patriotic Party, acknowledged the results, expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their support, and extended congratulations to former President John Dramani Mahama on his victory in the presidential race, Xinhua news agency reported. Ghanaians cast their votes on Saturday to elect a new president and 276 parliamentarians. The Electoral Commission of Ghana has yet to officially announce the final results. Guwahati, Dec 8 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday "advised" that Congress MLAs who are willing to switch sides to join the BJP must wait for a few months as the Assembly election is due in Assam in 2026. Guwahati, Dec 8 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday "advised" that Congress MLAs who are willing to switch sides to join the BJP must wait for a few months as the Assembly election is due in Assam in 2026. "The Congress MLAs who are keen to join the BJP must wait for a few months because it will unnecessarily initiate another by-election in the state. But the Assembly poll is due in Assam in the next one and a half year. Therefore, I advised those legislators to wait at least till February next year," the Chief Minister told media persons. However, the Chief Minister also said, "We will see how the situation will unfold but yes the MLAs who desire to join our party will be welcomed." Meanwhile, the Cabinet gave its nod to create the Barak Valley Development Department dedicated to opening new avenues for the progress of the southern Assam region. An official statement said that to bring the administration to the doorstep of the citizens and strive for equitable development of Barak Valley, the Cabinet has approved the creation of the Barak Valley Development Department. "The department will benefit the people of Cachar, Sribhumi and Hailakandi through rapid development and create job opportunities for support staff," the statement said. The Cabinet has accorded approval to the Production Linked Incentive of Rs 2/litre of ethanol for a period of three years to three grain-based ethanol manufacturing units also approved to boost farmers' income and move to cleaner fuel alternatives. The Cabinet has also approved the Policy of Compensation to the legal heirs or to the Next of Kin (NOK) of prisoners in cases of unnatural death. The Chief Minister wrote on X: "In today's meeting of the #AssamCabinet after its expansion, we resolved to create a Barak Valley Development Department; approve financial support to NOKs of deceased prisoners; and to provide the incentive to ethanol production to 3 units." Meanwhile, four ministers Prasanta Phookan, Kaushik Rai, Krishnendu Paul and Rupesh Goala were also inducted into the Cabinet on Saturday. This is the first expansion of the Cabinet since Himanta Biswa Sarma took the Chief Minister's post in the state three years ago. --IANS tdr/dan Imphal, Dec 8 : The Assam Rifles and the Manipur Police separately destroyed huge illegal poppy farming areas in Chandel and Ukhrul Districts, officials said on Sunday. An Assam Rifles spokesperson said that, in a decisive effort to combat illegal activities, the para-military force, in collaboration with the villagers of Saibol Joupi, TM Dingpi, and T Bollon, successfully cleared approximately two square kilometres of illegal poppy cultivation in Chandel district. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote community health and societal well-being, he said. The official said that the operation follows extensive awareness programs conducted by the Assam Rifles, aimed at educating local communities about the detrimental effects of poppy cultivation. These initiatives inspired villagers to take a proactive stance against illegal farming, demonstrating their commitment to fostering a safer and healthier environment. "This collaboration exemplifies the united resolve of both security forces and local communities in addressing the challenges posed by illegal cultivation," stated the spokesperson. He said that the operation not only disrupted the supply chain associated with illicit activities but also paved the way for a more peaceful and progressive future for the region. The Assam Rifles expressed appreciation for the active involvement of the villagers, highlighting the growing cooperation between communities and security forces in ensuring development and stability in northeast India. Manipur Police also in a separate operation destroyed 30 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in the Khamason range of Ukhrul District and arrested four persons. Appreciating the police action, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in his post on the X on Sunday said: "Kudos to the Manipur Police for their unwavering dedication to the "War on Drugs" campaign. On the night of December 6, Manipur Police achieved a significant milestone in the fight against drug menace by apprehending four individuals involved in poppy cultivation spanning approximately 30 acres in the Khamason range, Ukhrul District." The Chief Minister said that the state government remains steadfast in its mission to eradicate the drug menace from Manipur. According to a government report, various law enforcement agencies, including Manipur Police, have destroyed 19,135.60 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in the state's 12 districts between 2017 and 2024. The report, prepared by Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre (MARSAC), in the mountainous Kangpokpi district, the highest areas of 4,454.4 acres of illegal poppy cultivation were destroyed in the last seven years (2017-2024), followed by 3,348 acres in Ukhrul and 2,713.8 acres in Churachandpur. The MARSAC is an autonomous government institution under the Planning Department of the Manipur government. The report said that deforestation, due to mass poppy cultivation, resulted in several adverse impacts on the ecosystem, including soil erosion, a loss of biodiversity, and changes in the local climate, the report said. The Manipur government on a number of occasions said that the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur (since May last year) is a creation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar adding that these migrants after illegally settling in the state started the cultivation of illicit poppies. The Chief Minister's 'War on Drugs' has strongly hit the illegal immigrants' illegal activities, a government statement has said. According to the statement, since 1969, there has been an increase in the number of villages in the districts of Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur and Pherzawl by 893, from 731 to 1,624. "Abnormal 122 per cent increase in mushrooming of villages, many of which are in forest areas, in the five hill districts, which are Kuki people dominated, or which have a sizeable Kuki population," the government statement said. In the remaining hill districts of Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul and Kamjong, which are Naga-dominated, the increase during the same period is a figure of merely 49, up from 527 to 576, a mere 9 per cent increase. Kurukshetra, Dec 8 : In a veiled reference to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday cautioned against the "sinister designs" of some internal and international forces attempting to harm India. Kurukshetra, Dec 8 (IANS) In a veiled reference to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday cautioned against the "sinister designs" of some internal and international forces attempting to harm India. Addressing the International Gita Mahotsav, VP Dhankhar said, "Using money power to push a particular narrative, these forces, in a coordinated manner, want to damage our economy. Their sinister design and pernicious objective are to taint, tarnish, and diminish our Constitutional institutions, thereby derailing our growth trajectory." "Such powers cannot be ignored, the Gita has given us the message that when the time comes we need to crush these forces and attack them," said the Vice President. He said the message he wants to give from the holy land of Kurukshetra is that of "nation first". "There is no scope for dilution in patriotism. It should be pure and hundred per cent." The Vice President also sent a message to habitual critics. "Some people are a recipe for chaos. They can only be critical, they can't think in a positive way. My message to them is to understand the import of the Gita." At a time when the weaker sections are being helped to emerge from poverty, these critics, with distorted thinking, even question the official data, prepared for the sake of planning welfare schemes, that state that there are 80 crore poor in the country, he said Equating governance with a Yagya, VP Dhankar said, "The dream to make India developed by 2047 is like a Yagya in which everyone will have to give offerings to make the Yagya successful and beneficial for the country." Highlighting the diversity in the country, he said, "Just imagine the kind of diversity we have and all this converges to unity." Calling for collective efforts, he said, there should be healthy competition but that should not mean a war. "In today's world, there are no rivals." "People may have a different point of view, a counter view, but that needs to be respected in a country with diversity like ours," he said. The International Gita Mahotsav -- 2024 is being celebrated in Kurukshetra, Haryana, the birthplace of the Bhagavadgita from November 28 to December 15. The festival is showcasing a divine confluence of spirituality, culture, and art. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini said the International Gita Mahotsav has achieved immense success and popularity since 2016. Lakhs of people from India and abroad are attending the Bhagavadgita Mahotsav. Last year, approximately 45 to 50 lakh people participated, and a similar turnout is expected this year. He said this year Tanzania is the partner country for the International Gita Mahotsav, while Odisha is the partner state. Mumbai, December 8 : Naga Chaitanya-Sobhita Dhulipala who recently got married at Annapura studios in Hyderabad took to social media to share special moments from their much hyped wedding. Posting their first official pictures from the wedding on Instagram they captioned it in Telugu. The first picture shows Shobhita lovingly holding Naga's face. The rest of the pictures show multiple rituals held during their wedding ceremony including 'Havan' and 'Jaimaala' . During the 'Jaimala' ceremony, the couple can be seen in a playful mood, as they try to put the garland around each other's neck, with neither willing to give in. Earlier Naga's father Nagaarjuna Akkeneni had shared special moments from their wedding and had expressed gratitude to friends, family and fans. Nagaarjuna wrote " My heart is overflowing with gratitude. To the media, thank you for your understanding and for giving us the space to cherish this beautiful moment. Your thoughtful respect and kind wishes have added to our joy." The couple also visited Srisailam Temple in Andhra Pradesh post their wedding.As per reports they performed 'rudrabhishek' in the temple. The newlyweds were accompanied by Naga Chaitanya's father Nagaarjuna. Naga and Shobhita got married on December 5th, 2024. The intimate yet star-studded affair was graced by luminaries such as Chiranjeevi, PV Sindhu, Nayanthara, NTR, and celebrated couples like Ram Charan-Upasana Konidela and Mahesh Babu-Namrata Shirodkar. With the Akkineni and Daggubati families coming together, it was a true family celebration. Annapurna Studios was founded by Naga Chaitanya's grandfather, Akkineni Nageswara Rao. It is a cherished family legacy not only for Akkineni family but for the entire Telugu cinema fraternity. Spanning 22 acres in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, the studio holds a significant place in Tollywood's history, making it a fitting backdrop for this memorable day. IANS ayk/ -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Hyderabad, Dec 8 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday termed as foolish the modification made in 'Telangana Thalli (Mother Telangana)' statue by the Congress government. KCR, as Rao is popularly known, alleged that by changing the design of the statue, Telanganaas identity is being attacked. Slamming the Revanth Reddy-led government, he said it has no understanding of the Telangana movement and history, remarking if this (modifying the statue) was a work of a government and asked if a government would go on making changes. Addressing the BRS Legislature Party meeting at his house at Erravalli in Siddipet district, the BRS chiefas reaction to the modified statue of aTelangana Thallia a day ahead of its unveiling by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in the state Secretariat. The government has invited KCR to the unveiling as part of the celebrations to mark one year of the Congress government. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Saturday personally met the former Chief Minister to hand over the invitation on behalf of the government. BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao told the media after the BRS Legislative Party meeting that KCR asked the party legislators to raise various issues faced by people in both houses of the state legislature during the session beginning on December 9. KCR asked MLAs and MLCs to take the government to task in both the Assembly and the Council over its failures and non-implementation of poll promises. Rama Rao said the party would also raise the issue of illegal arrests of its legislators and leaders and false cases being booked against them. He said the BRS would question the government over the crisis in agriculture and its failure to fulfil promises made to farmers. The opposition party would also take the government to task over the recent excess committed on tribals, Dalits and other weaker sections to forcibly acquire their lands for the pharma cluster in the Chief Ministeras constituency Kodangal. KCR told the meeting that a public meeting would be held in February against the anti-people measures of the Congress government. He told the legislators that the party would constitute all committees after February and this would be followed by a membership drive. New Delhi, Dec 8 : The question -- is it the right time for the opposition-minus Congress to assert its identity today -- no longer seems overstated. The churn has begun and loud voices are seeking a change in the INDIA bloc's leadership. New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) The question -- is it the right time for the opposition-minus Congress to assert its identity today -- no longer seems overstated. The churn has begun and loud voices are seeking a change in the INDIA blocas leadership. Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav a" the blocas two major performers a" have started targeting Congress at its most vulnerable points. Their party leaders are directly and indirectly pointing fingers at the grand old party and its leader Rahul Gandhi. Their contentions are not unfounded. The Congress has lost its sheen over the past few decades and has witnessed more downslides even as the Gandhi familyas electoral fortunes have excelled. It has failed to build on issues and corner the Modi-led government and is rather obsessed with businessmen and the Prime Minister. Despite having Mallikarjun Kharge as its president, the Congress is largely perceived as a Gandhi family-dominated party. The family has done itself well with Rahul Gandhi winning two Lok Sabha seats a" Wayanad and Rae Bareli; Priyanka Gandhi Vadra registering a huge victory in Wayanad after her brother chose to retain Rae Bareli; mother Sonia Gandhi successfully shifted to the Rajya Sabha later giving up Rae Bareli Lok Sabha for her son. Family loyalist Kishori Lal Sharma wrested the Amethi Lok Sabha seat from Smriti Irani. The family has secured its fortunes but the party has floundered. Except for Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, the Congress has performed badly in the rest of the states. The partyas better performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is being credited to the regional allies. For instance, in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, it was chiefly Akhilesh Yadavas Samajwadi Party (SP) that did the best in the INDIA bloc and helped the Congress to gain also. The Samajwadi Party raised its tally to 37 seats from five and its vote share jumped from 18.11 per cent to 33.59 per cent. Congress increased its vote share by over three per cent to 9.46 per cent with six seats against one earlier. While SP helped Congress in Uttar Pradesh, in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections the grand old party refused to accommodate Akhilesh Yadavas party. In the recently held bypolls also, Congress fared poorly in comparison to its INDIA bloc allies. The Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party did much better. The only consolation for the Congress party was winning all three seats in Karnataka and retaining one in Madhya Pradesh. However, its performance in Rajasthan, Assam, Punjab and Gujarat was poor. In the Jharkhand Assembly polls, which the INDIA bloc has been celebrating, the truth is that the Hemant Soren-led JMMas strong performance secured the victory. It certainly was not Congressa win. In the South, the DMK has been going strong and has elbowed out all, including Congress though it is an INDIA bloc ally. The only place where the grand old party has been able to maintain its lead is Karnataka. The Opposition minus Congress has started expressing itself openly. Raising the bugle this time is none other than Mamata Banerjee. In Bengal, she has maintained her supremacy in the Lok Sabha elections and the Assembly polls and the various bypolls. She remains unvanquished. She has stopped the BJP from growing in the state and has pinned the rest, including the Left and the Congress. The Trinamool's dominance in West Bengal has bolstered its position within the INDIA bloc, especially after the recent bypoll victories in the state. The back-to-back wins have reinforced Mamata Banerjee's stature as a formidable anti-BJP force in the opposition bloc. Her party leaders have been calling on the Congress and other INDIA bloc allies to set aside their egos and recognise Mamata Banerjee as the leader of the alliance. They have also said that the Congress should take the backseat. The Maharashtra Assembly election results seem to be the last straw for the Opposition minus Congress. Days after a few of her party, Trinamool Congress MPs, said that she should be in the INDIA blocas driveras seat, Mamata Banerjee expressed her wish. She said that she was ready to take up the leadership of the INDIA bloc. Quickly lending her support was the Samajwadi Party, which urged the INDIA bloc to discuss Mamata Banerjee's suggestion and extended "100 per cent support and cooperation" to her. The party also wants Congress to take responsibility for the losses, be it in Haryana or Maharashtra where it was the main party. The CPI has also been equally scathing of the Congress for not accommodating its allies, especially in the Haryana and Maharashtra polls. Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MP Supriya Sule has also positively reacted to Mamata Banerjee's statement. Sule has said that they will be happy if the Trinamool Congress chief takes on more responsibility within the alliance. The Congress, which is still reeling from the Maharashtra loss, may find it difficult to resist INDIA alliesa contentions this time. The party may or may not go for introspection but the Opposition minus Congress needs to find its footing and this is the right time. (Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in) Seoul, Dec 8 : Police raided the official residence and office of former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Sunday, officials said, amid a widening probe over treason charges in connection with President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law last week. An investigation team at the police has also obtained a court warrant, specifying allegations of treason, as well as mutiny under military criminal law, to secure Kim's call records, officials said. The move followed Kim's arrest by a prosecution-led special investigation headquarters earlier in the day. The team seized Kim's mobile phone and sent him to a detention centre in Seoul, Yonhap news agency reported. From Sunday's raid, the police confiscated a cell phone believed to have been used by Kim, along with some 17 other digital devices. Police will run a forensic analysis on the phone to find out whether it was the one Kim had used at the time of the martial law imposition. Kim has apparently discarded his cell phone following the martial law chaos. As part of efforts to expand its investigation into the botched martial law declaration, police said it will additionally dispatch 30 officers to run a 150-member special investigation team. Meanwhile, police said they are not considering launching a joint investigation into the martial law declaration with the prosecution. The response came after Park Se-hyun, who is leading a special investigation headquarters into the case, told a press briefing that the prosecution is willing to work with police upon their request for a joint probe. Song Ruirong, a Chinese teacher of the Confucius Institute at Addis Ababa University, teaches Chinese to Ethiopian tourism professionals at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, Dec. 2, 2024. by Xinhua writers Habtamu Worku, Liu Fangqiang ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Tsegaye Gebremedhin, a seasoned tour guide, is among 60 Ethiopian tourism professionals embracing the transformative power of language as Ethiopia, a nation rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty, sets its sight on capitalizing on the burgeoning Chinese outbound tourism market. As the East African country seeks to strengthen its people-to-people, economic, and diplomatic ties with China, as part of a national strategic focus to enhance tourism sector's contribution to its economic growth, Ethiopian tour guides like Gebremedhin recognize that mastering the Chinese language is a crucial tool to augment their professional skills and attract Chinese tourists. With 11 years of experience as a tour guide, Gebremedhin has seen a significant rise in the number of Chinese visitors to Ethiopia. He stresses the importance of Ethiopian guides learning Chinese to fully capitalize on the growing influx of Chinese tourists and the promising prospects ahead. "Back in the days, we used to mostly see Chinese nationals engaged in investment and construction sectors. However, these days, when we go to the airport to welcome our guests, a significant number of the travelers are Chinese," Gebremedhin said. From his observations, Chinese tourists are increasingly seeking authentic experiences in Ethiopia, eager to explore the country's diverse landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage. However, Gebremedhin notes that the language barrier has become a major challenge, affecting the overall experience for Chinese tourists. Recognizing this challenge and the growing demand for language skills, Gebremedhin has taken proactive steps to learn Chinese. Driven by both personal ambition and the professional opportunities it offers, he has been studying the language for over six months. "By speaking their language and guiding them in their mother tongue, we can significantly enhance the experience of Chinese travelers here in Ethiopia," he said. Gebremedhin is one of 60 Ethiopian tour guides currently learning Chinese as part of an initiative designed to provide basic language proficiency in three weeks. The program, launched by the Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ethiopian Tourist Guides Professional Association (ETGPA) and the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, aims to equip Ethiopia's tourism and hospitality professionals with essential language skills. Ethiopia, a country with a rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and remarkable biodiversity, boasts several UNESCO World Heritage sites. These include the Melka Kunture and Balchit archaeological sites, the Bale and Simien mountains national parks, the obelisks of Aksum, and the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, among others. The country is also celebrated as the birthplace of coffee and has a vibrant arts and crafts scene, making it an increasingly attractive destination for international tourists, including those from China. Given Ethiopia's strong socioeconomic and interpersonal ties with China, the language training program, offered by the Confucius Institute at Addis Ababa University, is expected to help Ethiopia tap into the rapidly expanding Chinese outbound tourism market. "Our classes are specifically designed for tourism professionals, which include many topics and words related to tourism and Ethiopia's famous tourist attractions such as the Ethiopian coffee ceremony and the National Museum of Ethiopia," said Song Ruirong, a Chinese teacher of the Confucius Institute. To reinforce learning, Song compiles a list of Chinese words students have asked about in classes and hands out the list to students to help them memorize these terms. "They have asked for many Chinese words and phrases related to Ethiopia's tourism, such as volcano, camping, and wild-dog. They are not in our textbook, but I was able to write them down and include them in our word-list," Song said. One week into the training, most students are already comfortable using basic Chinese, simulating scenarios such as shopping, booking hotels, and introducing themselves. In addition to language instruction, students also participate in Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese aerobic exercise, each morning for half an hour before classes. "It's a great warm-up activity that leads us to the mood of Chinese study," Gebremedhin said. Wutsifte Girma, another experienced tour guide, emphasizes that intercultural communication is not just a skill but a gateway to deeper connections. She points out that the language barrier remains a significant challenge for her and her colleagues, especially with the rapid increase in Chinese visitors to Ethiopia, and overcoming this barrier is essential for fostering better interactions and understanding between tour guides and tourists. "Since the Chinese and Ethiopian people are getting along more than ever, I believe it is beneficial to learn Mandarin. I am confident that there will be an increasing number of Chinese travelers coming to Ethiopia, leading to enhanced mutual understanding, as both our countries are historically and culturally rich," said Girma. Her optimism reflects a broader trend where language learning fosters mutual appreciation and cultural exchange. Ethiopian Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa underscored the nation's aspiration to become the preferred destination for Chinese tourists, acknowledging the critical importance of effective communication to help achieve the target. "Today, China has one of the largest outbound tourism globally. Ethiopia and China have a longstanding relationship that includes diplomatic, economic, and strategic ties. Both countries have long years of civilizations," Kassa said. The Ethiopian tourism minister said the Chinese language training for Ethiopian tour guides "is an excellent start to assist our ministry to achieve its plan of making the Chinese market a core market." Highlighting the tourism sector's "tremendous contribution" to the Ethiopian economy, serving as a source of foreign exchange, employment, and ensuring sustainable development, she added that Chinese businesses are also playing a significant role in engaging in Ethiopia's tourism sector to meet the needs of Chinese tourists. "There are a good number of Chinese hotels, restaurants, and other travel related businesses in Ethiopia. Chinese are contributing a lot to the tourism investment," she said. Endy Assefa, president of ETGPA, underscored the importance of equipping tour guides with essential Chinese language skills, emphasizing that they are the storytellers and first points of contact for visitors, shaping their perceptions about the country and its people. As Sino-Ethiopian people-to-people ties continue to flourish, the commitment of Ethiopian tour guides to mastering the Chinese language is set to pave the way for a more connected and vibrant tourism experience. This effort will ultimately enable Ethiopia to tap into the burgeoning economic potential of Chinese outbound tourists. "This training is a symbol of our commitment to welcoming Chinese tourists with open arms and ensuring they feel at home in Ethiopia. China is more than a market. It is a gateway to the future," Assefa said. "By learning the Chinese language, we are not just acquiring a skill. We are building bridges for cultural exchange, understanding, and growth." Song Ruirong, a Chinese teacher of the Confucius Institute at Addis Ababa University, teaches Chinese to Ethiopian tourism professionals at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, Dec. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang) Kolkata, Dec 8 : A senior official of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) said on Sunday that Bangladesh would head towards a major genocide in the coming days if the situation is not brought under control. Vice President and spokesman of ISKCON-Kolkata Radharaman Das said that several videos are surfacing from Bangladesh where fundamentalists are seen instigating the common people claiming that the time has come to "slaughter" the associates of ISKCON. "They are claiming that ISCON is like cancer and that it can be eliminated only by cutting it out. Such fundamentalists, who have a large number of followers on their social media accounts are issuing such appeals to their followers. The videos by such fundamentalists are being viewed by a large number of people," claimed Das. Das further claimed that one such fundamentalist religious leader in Bangladesh is moving to different pockets of Bangladesh in his private jet. "He is going to places and telling his followers that it is time that the ISKCON devotees and followers be nabbed and slaughtered," Das claimed. He also said that if such fundamentalists are allowed to spread such hate messages freely the situation in Bangladesh will worsen further. "They are virtually instigating the common people to go for a virtual genocide. If people in Bangladesh are inspired by their appeals and start acting then even the Bangladesh Army and Police would not be able to bring the situation under control. In that case, there are possibilities of genocide there," Das said. He also said that another temple located in Dhaka district in Bangladesh was set on fire on Saturday in the early morning hours. "Some people came and gutted the entire temple by using petrol. The idols of the deities were also vandalised. All such things are happening because such fundamentalist leaders are moving to places and making such provocative statements against ISKCON. So the first necessity is to arrest such fundamentalists. Unless they are controlled, Bangladesh will be heading for a major genocide," Das claimed. Jerusalem, Dec 8 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the 1974 UN-monitored Disengagement Agreement, which established a demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria, has "collapsed". Netanyahu made the comments during a visit to Mount Bental in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, a vantage point overlooking the Syrian border. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz. The Prime Minister said the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government had "triggered a chain reaction across the Middle East". Netanyahu noted that the Syrian administration's fall presents "new and very significant opportunities for Israel," while warning of the risks posed by the situation. He said he had ordered Israeli forces to enter the buffer zone and assume positions to prevent hostile entities from taking hold of the area, Xinhua news agency reported. "We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border," he said, in an apparent message to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the rebel advances in Syria. Netanyahu pledged that Israel would closely monitor developments and "do whatever is necessary to protect our borders and ensure our security." He also expressed hope for "a policy of good neighborliness" with Syria. Katz, for his part, said he instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), with the approval of the cabinet, to "take control of the buffer zone and key vantage points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights -- both Jewish and Druze -- so that they will not be exposed to threats from the other side." Since fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon in October last year, Israel has escalated its airstrikes in Syria, claiming to have targetted Iran and Hezbollah-affiliated militias and activities. Hyderabad, Dec 8 : Hyderabad Police have arrested three persons in connection with the case registered over a stampede at a theatre during the premier show of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' on December 4. A woman died, and her son was critically injured during the stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the premier show attended by actor Allu Arjun. Chikkadpally Police, which had registered a case against theatre management, Allu Arjun and his team, arrested the theatre owner, general manager and security manager. The arrested men were produced before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody. Hyderabad Police on December 5 booked actor Allu Arjun, his security team and the management of Sandhya 70mm Theatre on a complaint by the deceased woman's husband. Chikkadpally Police Station registered the case under sections 105 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 118(1) (Voluntarily causing hurt) r/w 3(5) BNS. According to the police, there was no intimation from theatre management or the actor's team that they would be visiting the theatre. The theatre management also did not make any additional provisions regarding security to manage the crowd. Revathi (35) and her son Sri Tej (13) felt suffocated due to a large public influx and immediately the police personnel who were on duty pulled them out of the public from the lower balcony and performed CPR to her son and immediately shifted them to the nearby Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital. The doctor of Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital said that she was dead and son Sri Tej was advised to be shifted to another hospital for better treatment. Allu Arjun on December 6 announced assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the deceased's family and said that he is 'deeply heartbroken'. The actor assured the grieving family that he would meet them personally and extend every possible assistance. Allu Arjun also promised to take care of the medical expenses of the boy, whose condition remained critical. "Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and will meet the family personally. While respecting their need for space to grieve, I stand committed to extend every possible assistance to help them navigate through this challenging journey," Allu Arjun posted on X. Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 8 : The family and friends of Abdul Rahim expressed deep disappointment on Sunday after the Riyadh Criminal Court in Saudi Arabia once again delayed its ruling on his release petition. Rahim has been imprisoned for the past 18 years in connection with the death of a Saudi boy. On Sunday, the court postponed its decision after accepting arguments opposing the public prosecutionas case. The hearing was adjourned, and the date for the next hearing is expected to be announced soon, according to the Abdul Rahim Legal Assistance Committee. Notably, Rahimas death sentence was commuted on July 2 after the deceasedas family agreed to accept compensation. The committee had raised 15 million Saudi riyals (approximately Rs 34 crore) through what is believed to be the largest crowdfunding effort in Keralaas history. The funds were transferred on May 23 to an account set up by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). On April 15, the committee formally informed the Saudi court that the compensation amount had been arranged. The court, in turn, notified the family of the deceased, who agreed to accept the blood money and grant Rahim a pardon. A cheque for 15 million Saudi riyals was handed over to the familyas advocate. However, Rahimas release has been delayed because the case concerning the public offence remains unresolved. On November 17, a new judicial bench postponed the verdict for another two weeks, further prolonging the uncertainty. Even after a release order is issued, it will require approval from the higher court and the governorate before Rahim can be a free man again. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has already arranged all necessary travel documents for Rahimas return to India. Abdul Rahim, an auto driver from Feroke, Kozhikode, travelled to Saudi Arabia in 2006 in search of better opportunities. He was employed as a driver for Saudi national Abdulla Abdurahman Al Shahri and was also responsible for the care of his differently-abled son, Anas Al Shahri. While driving one day, a device that helped the boy breathe accidentally fell inside the car, causing the boy to lose consciousness and die. Despite it being an accident, Rahim was charged with murder and sentenced to death under Saudi law. This verdict was later revised after the boyas family agreed to accept blood money. The Abdul Rahim Legal Assistance Committee has vowed to continue its efforts to secure his release. Chandigarh, Dec 8 : Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar showered praises on Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for his impeccable character. Amidst the presence of Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, while addressing people at the Gita Gyan Sansthanam in Kurukshetra, he said, "Nayab Singh Saini is a grounded person with impeccable character, hard-working, and a person of high thinking. I am confident that Nayab Singh Saini will undoubtedly do exceptional work." The Vice President said that companions play a decisive role in life, and Haryana has found its companion and charioteer in Nayab Singh Saini. He visited to attend the International Gita Jayanti Mahotsav -- 2024 and said Haryana is a land of endless possibilities, a leader of the nation, and its talent is unparalleled in every field. "Under the leadership of Nayab Singh Saini, the talent of every Haryanvi will shine even brighter," he said. The Vice President expressed hope that he and his wife share a profound connection with Haryana. He said visiting this sacred land, where Lord Krishna delivered his timeless teachings to Arjuna, is an experience he will always cherish. Dhankhar emphasised the message from the birthplace of the Bhagavadgita, "Dharmakshetra-Kurukshetra is that the nation is supreme. Patriotism should be pure and absolute". The Vice President said for more than a decade, India has been making history. "After six decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had the privilege of becoming the charioteer of the nation". He said, "India has seen unprecedented economic progress and institutional advancement in the past 10 years, and now India is on the path to becoming a developed nation." Dhankhar said a developed India is no longer a dream but a goal. "To achieve this, we must adopt the concentration and determination of Arjuna, as he focused solely on his goal, just as we must focus solely on our target to succeed," he said. The Vice President spoke about five principles from the Bhagavadgita, which he presented as "Panchamrit". These principles are essential for social order, peace, development, brotherhood, progress, and happiness, he said. Dhankhar said the "country faces certain challenges, with some forces trying to harm India's economy and institutions". However, he urged that "we must remember that we are Indians, and being an Indian is our strength." He encouraged everyone to understand the essence of the Bhagavadgita and its message of positive thinking and harmony. Bhubaneswar, Dec 8 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday launched distribution of input assistance of Rs 800 in addition to the Minimum Support Price of Rs 2,300 per quintal of paddy to farmers. With this, the BJP government in Odisha fulfilled its pre-poll promise to ensure the farmers receive Rs 3,100 per quintal of paddy. The subsidy will be directly transferred to farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. CM Majhi launched the distribution of additional input subsidies during a special programme held in the Sohela area of Bargarh district on Sunday. While launching the distribution, CM Majhi said "all the four major decisions taken in the first cabinet meeting after the formation of our government on June 12 have been implemented within six months. Out of these, one of the significant decisions was to provide Rs 3100 for the purchase of paddy which we fulfilled today at Sohela in Bargarh". He also asserted that his government also fulfilled all the four promises - opening four entry gates in Jagannath Temple at Puri, Rs 500 crore corpus fund for the 12th century shrine, financial assistance to women in the state under the Subhadra scheme. CM Majhi also said that the procurement of paddy started on November 20 while as many as 21,500 farmers received the additional input assistance of Rs 800 on Sunday. He said that the farmers will receive Rs 3,100 per quintal through DBT within 48 hours of the procurement of paddy from Sunday. The Chief Minister also noted that the state government has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the procurement process to be robust, clean and fully transparent. Strict vigilance has been kept on borders with neighbouring states to stop the sale of paddy brought from other states. He also urged the farmers to contact and apprised the authorities on toll-free number 1967 and apprised them of any irregularities in the procurement process at Mandi. CM Majhi said that the government has made a provision of Rs 5,000 crore in the Agriculture Department budget so that the farmers do not face any problem in getting the additional input subsidy of Rs 800. He further added that a record amount of Rs 33,919 crore has been allocated this year for the welfare of the farmers of Odisha. Seoul, Dec 8 : South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with US Ambassador Philip Goldberg late Sunday to discuss efforts to strengthen and maintain the bilateral alliance in the aftermath of last week's martial law debacle, Cho's office said. "Minister Cho emphasised the government's firm commitment to overcoming the current difficult situation, based on South Korea's democratic resilience and the rule of law," the foreign ministry said in a message to reporters. "The two sides agreed to work together to strengthen and maintain the South Korea-U.S. alliance without wavering," the ministry said, reported Yonhap news agency. Goldberg also said in a post on X that the meeting has taken place. "I met with @FMChoTaeyul to discuss the current situation in the Republic of Korea. We both agreed that the Alliance is ironclad," he said, referring to South Korea by its official name. Sunday's meeting between Cho and the top U.S. envoy marked their second such meeting since the martial law turmoil. They had also met on Thursday, the day after the martial law was lifted. Bucharest, Dec 8 : Tensions flared on Romania's Constitution Day as political figures and citizens voiced their outrage over the unprecedented cancellation of the 2024 presidential elections. The Central Electoral Bureau announced Saturday that its operations would cease on December 13, following the decision by the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) to annul the results of the first round of the elections. Calin Georgescu, an independent presidential candidate, gathered with supporters on Sunday at a polling station in Mogosoaia and expressed concern about the state of democracy in Romania. "Today is Constitution Day, and yet there is nothing constitutional left in Romania," said Georgescu. He emphasised the importance of democracy and vowed to continue peaceful advocacy for citizens' rights. On the same day, the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), a right-wing political party, initiated a petition for free elections, with plans to submit it to international organisations, including the Venice Commission and Council of Europe. George Simion, president of the AUR, also announced the party's intention to file a complaint with Romania's supreme court, condemning the election cancellation as a breach of democratic norms, Xinhua news agency reported. Elena Lasconi, the presidential candidate from the Save Romania Union, criticized the CCR's decision as "illegal and immoral" and vowed to continue pursuing her political ambitions. "If CCR annuls the elections ten times, I will run an eleventh," she said. CCR President Marian Enache, meanwhile, defended the decision and used Constitution Day to call for adherence to democratic principles and counter disinformation. "We are witnessing forces that threaten the fundamental values of democracy," Enache said, reiterating the court's commitment to the rule of law and citizens' rights. In response to criticism, Enache highlighted the importance of trust in the Constitution and alignment with European values, warning of the dangers posed by misinformation and the unchecked influence of artificial intelligence on public decision-making. The cancellation has fueled distrust in public institutions and intensified political divides. Observers note that the controversy underscores the need for stronger mechanisms to ensure electoral integrity and public confidence in democratic processes. The dominance of key electoral institutions by the National Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party has raised concerns about potential bias and manipulation, which could undermine the credibility of the 2024 elections, said Claudia Badulescu, a research fellow at the Institute of European Studies of the Free University of Brussels. Badulescu said in a report that the cancellation raises significant questions about the country's political stability and adherence to democratic values, with both domestic and international implications for governance and public trust. New Delhi, Dec 8 : Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav on Sunday said that just before elections the leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP rake up old issues like giving EWS flats to Rohingya refugees to divert voter's attention from core issues and sufferings of Delhiites. New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav on Sunday said that just before elections the leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP rake up old issues like giving EWS flats to Rohingya refugees to divert voteras attention from core issues and sufferings of Delhiites. The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President said that over two crore Delhiites have been putting up with unbearable hardships for the past 10 years, with the AAP government in Delhi and the BJP government at the Centre showing no concern for their welfare. He said that the AAP, which came to power in the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) making big promises, has not constituted the all-powerful decision-making body, Standing Committee, due to its tussle with BJP even after two years, which was just a pointer to Arvind Kejriwalas inefficient governance model. Yadav said that during the month-long Delhi Nyay Yatra, he received thousands of complaints from residents about the devastated state of affairs under the AAP and BJP rule, as Kejriwal and BJP had neglected them to play petty politics. The Delhi Congress chief said that the AAP leaders were making a hue and cry about a two-year-old tweet by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri about the plan to provide EWS flats to Rohingya refugees to cover up the Kejriwal Governmentas massive corruption and misrule. He said that Kejriwal, Chief Minister Atishi and other AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh do not talk about the plight of the people who need to put up with broken roads, monsoon woes, air and water pollution, stoppage of welfare pensions, steep prices, unemployment, deteriorating law and order, the pitiable condition of government schools and hospitals, among other problems. Yadav said that the AAP and the BJP have been trading charges against each other on Purias old tweet though during the past five years, neither the Kejriwal Government nor the BJP showed any concern for Rohingyas. The Delhi Congress chief said that Kejriwal, who did not come out of his home when thousands of people died during the Covid-19 pandemic, colluded with the BJP when the DDA carried out large-scale demolitions at JJ clusters. Yadav said that Kejriwal was a master in making aRevdia (freebie) promises but such promises only filled his own pockets and did not benefit the common people. The poor in JJ clusters are forced to purchase bottled water for consumption as they are not getting even the dirty tap water supplied by the Delhi Jal Board, he alleged. New Delhi, Dec 8 : The Saras Food Festival in the national capital's Baba Kharak Singh Marg is offering a wide array of lip-smacking dishes from across the country, thereby luring lots of food connoisseurs and gourmands to the venue. The one-of-its kind festival has turned Connaught Place into a bustling hub, as more than 300 dishes from across 25 states are on display here. One of the key attractions of the food festival is the 'Lakhpati Didis' and their stalls offering culinary delights at the venue. The food festival, organised by the Ministry of Rural Development, offers a rich palate of delectable dishes which include crispy Dal Baati Churma of Rajasthan, Hilsa of West Bengal, Telangana's Dum Biryani, Odisha's Mughlai Chicken and Punjab's Sarson Ka Saag with Makki Ki Roti and more. Saras Food Festival's focus is on women empowerment. About 150 women entrepreneurs and members of self-help groups (SHGs) including the 'Lakhpati Didis' are showcasing their culinary skills at the ongoing food festival. Many of the 'Lakhpati Didis' said that they are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for enabling them to make a mark in the food business. Manati Devnath, speaking to IANS, said that the Lakhpati Didi scheme has proved to be a boon for us. "It is because of the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are earning considerable income and bringing change in our lives. Today we are standing on our feet, all this has been possible only with the help of PM Modi," he said. Another beneficiary named Saanvi said that first of all, we want to thank the Prime Minister. "Earlier, we did not even come out of the house, but now we are living life standing on our feet. 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme has given us a golden opportunity to become self-reliant," she said. Another beneficiary said that the confidence we have gained after availing the benefit of this scheme is incredible. "We also try to explain to other women in our community that if they believe in themselves, they can come out of any situation. Let us tell you that under the Lakhpati Didi Scheme, financial assistance, training and marketing support is provided to women SHGs so that they can develop their professional skills. Through this scheme, work is being done to empower millions of women across the country," she said. TRIPOLI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah on Sunday approved the National Food Security Strategy 2025-2035, the Libyan government said in a statement. The strategy includes 174 projects and 65 programs for ensuring food security in the country, the statement said. In a speech at the approval ceremony, Dbeibah said that food security is a top national priority and a fundamental pillar of economic and social stability, noting that the strategy is a response mechanism to major challenges facing Libya, according to the statement. "The government is committed to providing the necessary resources and support for the implementation of this strategy, which aims to enhance local production, achieve food self-sufficiency, and build a sustainable food system," the statement added. The prime minister also called for joining efforts between government and private sectors to ensure the implementation of the strategy. Imphal, Dec 8 : The 10-party INDIA bloc in Manipur will organise a sit-in-demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday, demanding immediate restoration of peace and normalcy in the northeastern state. Congress' Manipur President Keisham Meghachandra Singh on Sunday said that the sit-in-demonstration would be held in protest against the "inaction of the Centre and the state government". "The protest is organised in view of the 19-month-long ethnic strife in Manipur, with the aim of calling for urgent intervention and the restoration of peace and normalcy in the state," he said. A team of INDIA bloc Manipur leaders led by Congress state unit Vice President Hareshwar Goswami left for New Delhi on Sunday to participate in the protest at the national capital. The 10-party INDIA bloc in Manipur on December 6 urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur, at the earliest convenience or hold talks with political parties from the state in New Delhi. The bloc, led by the Congress, submitted a letter to the Prime Ministeras Office (PMO) on December 6, requesting him to visit Manipur to resolve the 19-month-long ethnic conflict. Meghachandra Singh, talking to the media said that the leaders of the INDIA bloc sought permission to hold a sit-in demonstration in Jantar Mantar on December 6 but the authorities declined permission. "It is very unfortunate that we canat practise our right to protest unprecedented turmoil... Our movement will not stop. We will continue to protest in different forms," said Singh. He said that due to the 19-month-long ethnic violence over one lakh people were displaced from their homes and villages while a few hundred people were killed and hundreds of others injured. The violence also destroyed huge amounts of property of the people of different communities, the Congress leader said, adding that the continued violence has also further escalated the turmoil with unprecedented pain, trauma, fear and complete helplessness among the people of Manipur. "We urged the Prime Minister that if he does not find time to visit Manipur, he can call political leaders from the state to hear the serious situation in the state," the state Congress chief said. Meanwhile, around 20 civil society organisations and student bodies from Imphal Valley have announced plans to hold a rally in Delhi on December 22. Prayagraj, Dec 8 : Crores of devotees are set to assemble for the world's largest religious event Mahakumbh beginning on January 13, 2025, on the holy banks of Sangam in Teerthraj Prayagraj. Besides ensuring a robust pilgrimage framework for pilgrims, the Yogi Adityanath government has placed strong emphasis on their health through the establishment of Netra Kumbh, a special initiative dedicated to eye care. Spread over nine acres, Netra Kumbh targets will examine the eyes of more than 5 lakh devotees and distribute 3 lakh pairs of glasses simultaneously. Moreover, eye patients would also be identified during these examinations who require surgical interventions. They will be facilitated to undergo free operations at hospitals near their homes. This will be possible because of state govt inking agreements with more than 150 hospitals across the country. Kavindra Pratap Singh, chairman of the organising committee of Netra Kumbh, emphasised that for the first time in Mahakumbh history, patients referred by doctors for eye surgeries will be able to receive free operations at a hospital in their home district. "After examination, patients will receive referral cards, one of which will be sent to the respective hospital while the other will go to Saksham, the organising body of Netra Kumbh. Patients or Saksham workers can coordinate the surgeries based on convenience, both during and after the fair," he added. Kavindra Pratap Singh described Mahakumbh as "symbol of social harmony" and highlighted that Netra Kumbh represents a "mass eye treatment Mahayagna" aimed at addressing vision-related issues among devotees. He confirmed that doctors from the Indian Army would also volunteer their services free of cost, offering free examinations, medicines, and refreshments to eye patients. Netra Kumbh was first organised in 2019 and since then has grown substantially. During the 2019 Kumbh, the event entered the Limca Book of World Records by providing glasses to 1.5 lakh people and examining 3 lakh patients. This year, the scale of Netra Kumbh is expected to break the previous records, becoming the largest event of eye examinations and glasses distribution in any religious or medical event worldwide. Dr. Kirtika Agarwal, media coordinator of Netra Kumbh, said that the initiative will be set up in the fair area near Nagvasuki Temple in Sector 6. Netra Kumbh will run daily from January 12 to February 26, excluding the main bathing festival. She further added that approximately 150 doctors from outside the region will provide their services throughout the 45 days of Netra Kumbh, supported by 400 additional medical professionals. On any given day, 40 doctors will operate the Outpatient Department (OPD) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an extension up to 4 p.m. if needed. In addition to 40 doctors in the OPD, there will be more than 500 optometrists, out of which 100 will provide services daily. This combined team of 200 medical professionals and volunteers will be available to examine and treat eye patients daily throughout the fair. Seoul, Dec 8 : South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party said Sunday that it will try to push for a vote to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol every Saturday following a botched impeachment attempt. Kang Yu-jung, the Democratic Party spokesperson, told reporters that a new impeachment motion will be reported to the National Assembly on Thursday and put up for a vote on Saturday. Kang noted that the party will continue to pursue the report on Thursday and the vote on Saturday for impeachment against Yoon, Xinhua news agency reported. The first impeachment motion against Yoon was scrapped as most of the 108 ruling People Power Party lawmakers boycotted it on December 7. Of 300 National Assembly lawmakers, more than 200 lawmakers are required to vote yes to pass the impeachment motion over Yoon's declaration of an emergency martial law that was repealed by the parliament. The Democratic Party will submit bills on Monday to appoint special prosecutors and investigate charges of Yoon's insurrection and scandal involving his wife in a bid to put them up for a vote as early as Thursday, the spokesperson said. Under the standing independent counsel bill that cannot be vetoed by the embattled president, the opposition has the right to recommend a special prosecutor, but the president can delay the appointment of the prosecutor. Separately, the Democratic Party will report motions to impeach the justice minister and police chief to the parliament on Tuesday and put them up for a vote on Thursday. New Delhi, Dec 8 : Former J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina on Sunday criticised the "Hindutva is a disease" remark of Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti, describing it as "irresponsible and undignified". New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) Former J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina on Sunday criticised the "Hindutva is a disease" remark of Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti, describing it as "irresponsible and undignified". Speaking to IANS, Raina said, "Iltija Mufti has used very irresponsible and undignified language. In her tweet which she has made while re-tweeting a video, Iltija Mufti's language is very derogatory." The BJP leader also demanded apologies from Iltija Mufti. "There can be differences of opinion in politics but there should not be a possibility of abuse. There should be respect towards everyone and I think that Iltiza Mufti should express regret and also apologise for the language and words she has used," Raina told IANS. The controversy erupted on Saturday after Iltija posted on X, stating, "Hindutva is a disease." "Even Lord Ram will have to hang his head in shame after seeing all this. Minor Muslim children are being beaten with chappals just because of their refusal to take the name of Ram. Hindutva is a disease that has affected millions of Indians and tarnished the name of God," she wrote. Later after backlash from several leaders, Iltija clarified her stance, saying that she invoked Lord Ram in her post to spotlight the hypocrisy of those who claim to uphold Ram Rajya while indulging in acts of brutality. Ravinder Raina also spoke on the issue of Jammu's Rohingya Muslims who claimed that their water supply was snapped. The BJP leader said, "Rohingyas are residents of Myanmar. Now because the situation there is better than before, and Rohingyas living in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have started going back to their country, I think such a policy should be made in the country as well as in Jammu and Kashmir." "We know the situation of Jammu and Kashmir or we know that there are border areas here which remain disturbed sometimes taking unfair advantage of their poverty, anti-country elements try to trigger untoward incidents here. Hence the time has come that the Rohingyas should be sent to their country with respect," he added. Mumbai, Dec 8 : Kerala Minister of Law, Industries and Coir P Rajeev said that public welfare and the state's green development will remain the government's top priority while attracting private investment and clarified that there were no restrictions on working with the Adani Group in future. Mumbai, Dec 8 (IANS) Kerala Minister of Law, Industries and Coir P Rajeev said that public welfare and the stateas green development will remain the governmentas top priority while attracting private investment and clarified that there were no restrictions on working with the Adani Group in future. Talking to reporters, Rajeev said the Adani Groupas Vizhinjam Seaport near its capital Thiruvananthapuram will go ahead as planned, ruling out any rethink in the backdrop of proceedings against the Adani group in the US. Expressing the governmentas objective of promoting green projects, the minister said there is no bar on investment from any private investor, including the Adani Group, but clarified that the Left government was firm about not allowing the privatisation of water and electricity distribution. Rajeev said the government is committed to creating jobs and for that private investment would be encouraged as earlier. However, no special sops would be offered at the cost of losing revenue, he said. While Rajeev praised the Adani Groupas Vizhinjam port project, he reiterated the Left governmentas opposition to a group company operating domestic and international terminals of Thiruvananthapuram airport. Outlining knowledge-based industries as the governmentas priority, the minister highlighted that workersa protests in the state were below the national average and the stateas worker safety track record was also impressive. Rajeev said the state government has been pushing for a digital revolution in the state and was keen to become the first fully digitally literate state. Showcasing the stateas literate and productive workforce, the Minister invited private investment claiming that the high wage levels in the state may appear to be a little unattractive but these come with the assurance of high productivity of workers. In the last three years, Kerala has received Rs 46,000 crore worth of investment even as the government maintains its focus on high-tech and knowledge-based industries. Processing of spices, robotics and manufacturing of medical devices have been the special areas of investment. In over two years, the state government has been able to generate seven lakh new jobs in small enterprises. Mumbai, Dec 8 : Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday proposed to launch a startup bridge between Norway and India, as the two countries discuss various ways to boost trade ties. Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, suggested that the startup initiative could be launched during the Indo-Nordic summit next year. Addressing the India-Norway Business Forum here, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Goyal committed to addressing various concerns collectively with relevant ministries to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations further between the two nations. The forum brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to discuss avenues for deepening India-Norway trade and investment ties across priority sectors. Various key issues were raised including regulatory challenges, public procurement concerns and quality standards compliance across sectors. Issues across key sectors such as maritime, shipping, energy, food processing, logistics, oil and gas, renewable energy and circular economy were presented to the minister. In a video message, Cecilie Myrseth, Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, highlighted the potential for Norwegian companies to grow in India under the The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) agreement. Goyal highlighted India's robust investment landscape, emphasising the country's compelling value proposition for international partners. He underscored India's strategic advantages: a young, dynamic workforce, strong democratic institutions, growing consumer market, and decisive national leadership. Moreover, the Commerce Minister positioned India as an attractive global investment hub, inviting Norwegian companies to leverage local talent not just for domestic opportunities, but as a launchpad for international market expansion. Gurneet Tej, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, highlighted the growing India-Norway partnership, emphasising bilateral trade between the two countries which reached $1.1 billion and Norway emerging as Indiaas 33rd largest investor. She emphasised the sectors of cooperation, including blue economy, green hydrogen, renewable energy, fisheries, and water management, while noting Norwayas increasing role in Indiaas infrastructure development. The recently signed TEPA between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was lauded as a significant step toward strengthening economic collaboration. India signed TEPA with four developed nations - Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein a" which is an important economic bloc in Europe. a"IANS na/ Bhubaneswar, Dec 8 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, government of Delhi and the District Magistrates of Darbhanga in Bihar, Kozhikode in Kerala, Cuttack in Odisha and Tiruvallur in Tamil Nadu seeking Action Taken Report (ATR) in connection with the unabated deaths of labourers during sewage cleaning and manual scavenging. The authorities have been asked to submit the ATR within six weeks of the receipt of the order. The commission issued the directions while acting on a petition filed by rights activist and advocate Radhakanta Tripathy. "It is a matter of serious concern that the state authorities are unable to prevent deaths on account of sewage cleaning/ manual scavenging despite the directions issued by the Supreme Court and the Advisory issued by this Commission on the matter," observed the NHRC. The Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India has also been directed by the NHRC to ensure needful measures for preventing the deaths related to sewage cleaning/ manual scavenging. The complainant drew the attention of the commission towards deaths and injuries of workers due to sewage cleaning/ manual scavenging in Delhi, Bihar, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and other states in the recent past. Quoting data shared by the Central government in August this year, the complainant highlighted that as many as 453 people have died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks since 2014, even as 732 of India's 766 districts declared themselves free from manual scavenging. "Such deaths are not just a gross violation of human rights; they also violate the various Supreme Court orders on Prevention of Manual Scavenging. Besides, since each and every person involved in this work and henceforth dying in the pits belong to the Dalit community, these deaths are also a clearcut violation of the Prevention of Atrocities Act," alleged Tripathy. He further accused those deaths of sanitation workers in sewers and septic tanks as an ongoing human rights crisis in India. Tripathy stated that the absence of robust policies reflects a broader societal indifference towards issues affecting the marginalised communities in India. He sought the intervention of the NHRC to ensure proper rehabilitation of the deceased families and recommended exemplary action plans to check such fatal incidents in the future. Hyderabad, Dec 8 : Actor Manchu Manoj approached a hospital in Hyderabad for treatment of his injuries on Sunday amid reports of a fight with his father and veteran actor Mohan Babu. Manoj reached a private hospital in Banjara Hills for treatment. The actor, who was having difficulty even in walking, was accompanied by his wife Mounika. After the treatment, Manoj left the hospital. He did not reply to questions from mediapersons about how he sustained the injuries. He also kept quiet when asked if there was truth in the reports circulating in the media since morning. Manojas visit to hospital is said to be aimed at building a medico-legal case. Police are likely to visit Manojas house to record his statement. Both Manoj and Mohan Babu reported to have complained against each other to police over dial 100. The police advised them to lodge complaints in writing. Manoj alleged that his father beat him and his wife. On the other hand, Mohan Babu also complained to police that his son attacked him. The fight between them is reportedly related to family property which includes a chain of educational institutions in the temple town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. Amid the reports of a fight between father and son, Mohan Babu through his spokesman released a statement, urging media not to broadcast imaginary stories. Mohan Babu is one of the senior actors of Tollywood. The 72-year-old is also a former Member of Parliament. He was associated with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) since it was floated in 1982 by legendary actor N. T. Rama Rao. In 1995, the TDP nominated Mohan Babu to the Rajya Sabha. In 2019, he joined YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and actively campaigned for the party in Andhra Pradesh. He bid goodbye to active politics in 2022 saying he wants to focus on educational institutions and films. Mohan Babu has two sons and a daughter. His both sons Manchu Manoj and Manchu Vishnu and daughter Manchu Lakshmi are actors. Last year, there were reports of a rift in the family. Manoj had posted a video alleging that his brother frequently assaults their relatives and close aides. He later deleted the video. Vishnu, however, denied any rift and his team claimed that the video posted by Manoj was part of a reality show. New Delhi, Dec 8 : BJP spokesperson Gourav Vallabh on Sunday urged the protesting farmers not to become pawns in the hands of the opposition political parties. Speaking to IANS, Gourav Vallabh said, "Our government respects all the 'Annadatas' (food providers) of the country. Our government salutes the contribution of all the farmers of the country. But I request my fellow farmers and farmer brothers that you should not become pawns in the hands of these opposition political parties." "As far as MSP is concerned, the growth that has taken place in MSP in the last 10 years has never happened before. The work that has happened in the last 10 years for farmers or in the welfare of farmers has never happened before," he added. "Be it drop on peacock crop, be it Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), be it Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in which Rs 6000 is given to every family per year, be it Neem coated urea, or be it matter of easily providing urea and other fertilizers to farmers. We are committed to what needs to be done. We understand all your issues and have worked in the last 10 years and will continue to do so in the future too," the BJP leader said. "The doors of the government are always open for the farmers. Whether they want to meet the minister, the officials, the experts, or the agricultural scientists, the government is available to the farmers 24 hours they should come and talk at the table Modi government is committed to resolving all their issues," Vallabh told IANS. The BJP leader also reacted to Iltija Mufti's "Hindutva is a disease" remark and questioned the silence of the INDIA bloc leaders over the controversial statement. "Will the leaders of the INDIA alliance give their statement on this or maintain silence as usual? In Tamil Nadu Sanatan is called corona, Rahul Gandhi ji remains silent. Congress remains silent, Aam Aadmi Party leaders remain silent, INDI alliance leader Akhilesh Yadav remains silent. This means they believe so," Vallabh stated. "And now a constituent party of the INDI alliance has said that Hindutva is a disease the disease is that mindset in which lakhs of innocent people were killed inside Kashmir, it is called a disease, the way terrorism has spread, it is called a disease. When Hindus are being killed selectively in Bangladesh, Hindu Sadhus are being put in jail, that mindset is called a disease," he added. He also urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to stop those people who work to disturb the religious harmony, try to abuse the Hindu religion and immediately arrest and put them in jail. Speaking on the latest tension in the INDIA bloc which erupted after Mamata Banerjee's willingness to lead the alliance, the BJP leader said, "The only objective of the opposition alliance was to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people have rejected them. Therefore the balloon named INDI Coalition has burst. Now there is no alliance called INDI alliance in the country." Gourav Vallabh also criticized former Delhi CM and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal over the alleged liquor scam. He blamed the AAP-led Delhi government for not implementing Central schemes like Ayushman Bharat, etc. Moscow, Dec 8 : Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow after escaping from the Middle East country, and they have received asylum in Russia, the media reported, citing top officials. A leading Russian media outlet citing a Kremlin source said that Assad and his family have been granted asylum by Russia for humanitarian reasons. Russia, an ally of Syria, has stressed the necessity to restart negotiations on the settlement of the situation in the Middle East nation under the 'overall guidance' of the United Nations. Assad stepped down as the president of Syria and left the country, hours after rebel forces took control of the capital Damascus. The BBC reported that early on Sunday morning, after their fighters entered the city without resistance, the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies declared that "the tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled". Assad has not been seen in pictures since he met the Iranian Foreign Minister in Damascus a week ago. He had then vowed to "crush" the rebels seizing territory at a brisk pace. In a stunning turn of events on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria seized control of the capital, Damascus, following a rapid offensive that saw major Syrian cities falling like dominos within days. After taking over, opposition fighters appeared on state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule. A man in military fatigues, flanked by armed fighters, read a statement on air, calling it 'Statement No. 1.' He claimed that rebel units had captured Damascus. Opposition activists said the rebel fighters entered the Syrian capital at dawn Sunday, according to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Xinhua news agency reported. The monitor said hundreds of government soldiers were ordered to withdraw from Damascus International Airport and were seen removing their military uniforms and donning civilian clothing. Multiple media outlets have reported that al-Assad has left the country, citing rebel forces. Reporters of Xinhua news agency in Damascus witnessed intense gunshots reverberating through the streets with heavy traffic caused by cars departing the capital. Civilians took to the streets, waving the 'revolution flag,' an older flag used in Syria before the rule of Hafez al-Assad, the late father of Bashar al-Assad. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali announced his readiness to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. Opposition military leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad Al-Julani, declared Al-Jallali would oversee public institutions until an official transfer of authority is completed. KABUL, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- A total of 970,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their motherland from Iran, Pakistan and Turkiye in the past eight months, local media outlet TOLOnews reported Sunday. "Among them, about 88,000 are from Pakistan, around 5,000 from Turkiye, and the remaining from Iran," the media quoted Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesman for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, as saying. According to official data released by the ministry, about 7 million Afghan refugees are living abroad, with the majority of them in Afghanistan's neighboring Pakistan and Iran. The Afghan caretaker government has been repeatedly urging Afghan refugees to cease living abroad as refugees and return home to contribute to the rebuilding of their war-damaged country. New Delhi, Dec 8 : BJP spokesperson Gourav Vallabh on Sunday urged the protesting farmers not to become pawns in the hands of the opposition political parties. Speaking to IANS, Gourav Vallabh said, "Our government respects all the 'Annadatas' (food providers) of the country. Our government salutes the contribution of all the farmers of the country. But I request my fellow farmers and farmer brothers that you should not become pawns in the hands of these opposition political parties." "As far as MSP is concerned, the growth that has taken place in MSP in the last 10 years has never happened before. The work that has happened in the last 10 years for farmers or in the welfare of farmers has never happened before," he added. "Be it Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme, be it Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in which Rs 6000 is given to every family per year, be it Neem coated urea, or be it matter of easily providing urea and other fertilizers to farmers. We are committed to what needs to be done. We understand all your issues and have worked in the last 10 years and will continue to do so in the future too," the BJP leader said. "The doors of the government are always open for the farmers. Whether they want to meet the minister, the officials, the experts, or the agricultural scientists, the government is available to the farmers 24 hours they should come and talk at the table Modi government is committed to resolving all their issues," Vallabh told IANS. The BJP leader also reacted to Iltija Mufti's "Hindutva is a disease" remark and questioned the silence of the INDIA bloc leaders over the controversial statement. "Will the leaders of the INDIA alliance give their statement on this or maintain silence as usual? In Tamil Nadu Sanatan is called corona, Rahul Gandhi ji remains silent. Congress remains silent, Aam Aadmi Party leaders remain silent, INDI alliance leader Akhilesh Yadav remains silent. This means they believe so," Vallabh stated. "And now a constituent party of the INDI alliance has said that Hindutva is a disease the disease is that mindset in which lakhs of innocent people were killed inside Kashmir, it is called a disease, the way terrorism has spread, it is called a disease. When Hindus are being killed selectively in Bangladesh, Hindu Sadhus are being put in jail, that mindset is called a disease," he added. He also urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to stop those people who work to disturb the religious harmony, try to abuse the Hindu religion and immediately arrest and put them in jail. Speaking on the latest tension in the INDIA bloc which erupted after Mamata Banerjee's willingness to lead the alliance, the BJP leader said, "The only objective of the opposition alliance was to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people have rejected them. Therefore the balloon named INDI Coalition has burst. Now there is no alliance called INDI alliance in the country." Gourav Vallabh also criticized former Delhi CM and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal over the alleged liquor scam. He blamed the AAP-led Delhi government for not implementing Central schemes like Ayushman Bharat, etc. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Media mogul Tyler Perry has paid tribute to Steve Mensch, president and general manager of operations at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, after Mensch died this weekend in a small plane crash in Florida. He was 62. ADVERTISEMENT "This time of year, grief meets me like an unwanted visitor, as tomorrow marks 15 years since the loss of my mother. It feels especially harder because I have lost so many friends and mentors this year, ranging in age from as young as 40 to 92," Perry wrote on Instagram Saturday. "And today, yet another loss. I've been trying to understand this tragedy all day -- what went wrong with that plane. Steve loved flying, and he loved that plane; he took so much pride in it," Perry added. "Steve Mensch was truly a kind soul and a great leader at the studio. We all adored him and are devastated that he's gone. I'm praying for his family as we all try to make sense of this heartbreak. Life is but a moment; we are like vapors. Hold strong to the people you love AND TELL THEM!" CNN reported that Mensch was found dead at the scene of the crash Friday night in Citrus County, Fla. Mensch was the pilot of the single-engine Vans RV12 and the only person onboard at the time of the incident. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Mensch joined Tyler Perry Studios in 2016 after the company had bought the former Fort McPherson Army Base in Atlanta. Mensch held leadership positions at Third Rail Studios, Qingdao Oriental Movie Industrial Park and Turner Broadcasting and also worked at Feature Systems Inc, AT&T and Embassy Suites. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! He is survived by his wife and three children. "Marty, the girls, and I were saddened to learn of Steve Mensch's passing," Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrote on X. "A good man and an instrumental part of a studio Georgia is proud to call its own, his achievements made our state better and brought more opportunities to its people. His loved ones and the entire Tyler Perry Studios team will be in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn this loss." The iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" will be sold at auction on Saturday nearly 20 years after they were stolen in Minnesota. ADVERTISEMENT The slippers are among several pairs that Garland wore in the film and while clicking her heels and repeating, "There's no place like home," near the film's end. Heritage Auctions in Dallas is selling them with a current bid of $1.5 million, plus a 25% buyer's premium to push it close to a $2 million sale. The ruby slippers "were much more than just a piece of Hollywood memorabilia, much more than a valuable piece of industry history," author and ruby slippers expert Rhys Thomas said of them in his book, "The Ruby Slippers of Oz." "They transcended Hollywood, to the point where they represented the power image of innocence to all America," Thomas wrote. The ruby slippers were stolen in 2005 while on display at a museum in Grand Rapids, Minn., which is Garland's birthplace. The FBI recovered the stolen slippers in 2018 some 13 years after the theft. They were returned to owner Michael Shaw, who had loaned them to the Grand Rapids museum in 2005. Terry Jon Martin, 77, was indicted for the theft in May 2023 and pleaded guilty the following October, but was sentenced to time served due to ill health that has left him wheelchair-bound and dependent upon a portable oxygen tank. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Martin confessed to using a small sledgehammer to break into the museum and smash open the display case that contained the slippers. His attorney said Martin had a history of burglary and stole the slippers after an associate told him they must contain precious stones to justify their insured value of $1 million. After stealing them, Martin learned they were made using glass instead of rubies and their insured value was due to their prominence in the classic film and connection to Garland. The man who allegedly was to fence the stolen slippers, Jerry Hal Saliterman, 77, was indicted in March and is schedule for trial in January. He has not entered a plea, but his attorney says Saliterman is not guilty. The slippers are one of four surviving pairs made for the film. KABUL, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Afghan counter-narcotics police have discovered 30 kg of methamphetamine and arrested 7 drug smugglers in northern Kunduz and eastern Laghman province, the country's Ministry of Interior said in a statement on Sunday. The contraband was confiscated during a counter-narcotics operation launched in the province's Khan Abad district. Four individuals who had the intention of smuggling the drugs were arrested, the statement added. Meanwhile, Afghan police have arrested three people for involvement in illicit drug selling and purchasing in the vicinity of Mehtarlam city, capital of Laghman province, it said. The Afghan caretaker government has outlawed the cultivation of illicit crops, including opium poppy and hashish, as well as the processing and smuggling of narcotics and their sale and purchase nationwide. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said India will soon create a comprehensive anti-drone unit to secure its borders as the "menace" of unmanned aerial vehicles is going to get serious in the coming days. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah felicitates a BSF jawan at the 60th Raising Day event, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, December 8, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X Addressing Border Security Force troops at the 60th Raising Day event of the force in Jodhpur e at its training camp, about 300 km from the India-Pakistan border, Shah said the initial results of a "laser-equipped anti-drone gun-mounted" mechanism have been encouraging. This has led to an increase in drone neutralisation and detection cases, up from 3 percent to 55 percent, along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, he said. "The drone menace is going to get more serious in the coming days... We are tackling this issue with a 'whole of government' approach with the defence and research organisations and the DRDO joining hands." "We are going to create a comprehensive anti-drone unit for the country in the coming time," Shah said. According to official data, more than 260 drones have been downed or recovered from India's border with Pakistan this year as compared to about 110 in 2023. The maximum number of such interdictions of drones carrying arms and drugs have taken place in Punjab and very few in Rajasthan and Jammu. The minister reviewed the ceremonial parade, took salute and awarded medals to gallantry award winners and some other decorations. The Border Security Force, which has a strength of about 2.65 lakh personnel, was raised on December 1, 1965. It is primarily tasked with guarding more than 6,300 km of Indian fronts with Pakistan and Bangladesh apart from rendering a variety of duties in the internal security domain of the country. Shah said the ongoing Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System for securing India's borders with Pakistan (2,289 km) and Bangladesh (4,096 km) is a work in progress. "We have had an encouraging response from the CIBMS deployed along the riverine border in Assam's Dhubri (India-Bangladesh international border) but some improvements are required," he said. The minister also said that the Modi government's Vibrant Village Programme for developing and bringing into the mainstream the population of northern borders will be implemented for all the frontier villages of the country. This is the Modi government's "biggest achievement" vis-a-vis enhancing border security and working for the population living in these remote areas with a fund allocation of Rs 48,000 crore. It is being run on an "experimental basis" in around 3,000 villages, he said. Shah said the Union government has sanctioned a "big" budget for strengthening India's borders -- fencing, frontier infrastructure, roads and other logistics. "Securing global recognition and the number one place for India by 2047 is not possible without our security personnel... the jawans who guard our borders with dedication," he said. Shah said about 573 new border posts have been created by the Modi government apart from 1,812 km of roads. BSF director general Daljit Singh Chawdhary said 13,226 newly trained personnel have been posted in various battalions and this will add to the "operational strength" of the force. An additional 4,000 freshly recruited personnel are under training while about 12,000 will join the force next month to learn security and combat skills before being posted at the borders, he said. Chawdhary also spoke about the "increasing number" of drones carrying arms and drugs being sent by the enemy from across the Pakistan border. More than 250 drones have been intercepted this year on the western border, he said. "We have deployed a DRDO made anti-drone system to check this menace," he said. The Delhi police special cell arrested a man from Hyderabad allegedly involved in the illegal trafficking of Indian youths and forcing them to work in fake call centres engaging in cyber fraud, an officer said on Sunday. Image used for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo The arrest came after a 2,500-km non-stop chase, the officer claimed. "After a long persevering chase of 2,500 km, Kamran Haider alias Zaidi was nabbed from Hyderabad," deputy commissioner of police (special cell) Manoj C said. Zaidi carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh on information leading to his arrest, declared by the National Investigation Agency. According to the police, on May 27, a case was registered at New Friends Colony police station on the complaint of one Naresh Lakhavath, who said he was searching for a job when he came across Ali International Service, a consultancy firm supposedly based in New Delhi. "The firm offered him a job in Thailand and Laos and he was eventually sent to Thailand. But when he reached there, his passport was snatched and he was forced to work for a Chinese company which used to scam Indian people online," the DCP said. The case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency. An investigation carried out by the NIA identified Manjoor Alam, Sahil, Ashish, Pawan Yadav, and Haider as key conspirators. All five were involved in trafficking vulnerable Indian youth to the Golden Triangle Region in Laos where they were forced to commit cyber scams targeting European and American citizens, the officer said. They operated through Ali International Services, which functioned as a front. "The main accused was identified as Kamran Haider. Kamran Haider absconded and despite all efforts accused Kamran Haider could not be arrested. He was trying to flee to Thailand and Laos," the DCP said. Haider continuously changed his locations from one state to another after he absconded. Teams were stationed in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to nab him, the police said. "Zaidi was located in Hyderabad, Telangana. Immediately two different teams of the special cell were sent to Hyderabad. He was apprehended on December 7 after a long persevering chase of 2,500 km by the team without any rest. "He was apprehended near Nampally Railway Station, Hyderabad, Telangana while trying to escape to another hideout," said the DCP. Agitating farmers suspended their foot march to Delhi on Sunday after some of them sustained injuries in teargas shelling by Haryana security personnel who thwarted yet another attempt by the protesters to cross the Punjab-Haryana border. IMAGE: An aerial view of Shambhu border as farmers hold 'Delhi Chalo' protest on various demands, in Patiala, Punjab, December 8, 2024. Photograph: ANI PhotoX Farmer leaders said they would decide the next course of action on Monday. After a group of 101 farmers resumed the foot march this afternoon, they were halted by a multilayered barricade set up by Haryana security personnel who surprised the protesters by offering them tea and biscuits and showering them with flower petals. But the protesters claimed it was all a "drama" as the police soon lobbed teargas shells and used water jets to disperse them when they insisted on crossing the Shambhu border. As the confrontation escalated, the farmers, many of whom had covered their faces and were wearing protective eyewear, receded a few metres. Some tried to cover the teargas shells with wet jute bags. On Friday too, the protesters had suspended their march after some of them suffered injuries due to tear gas shells, and farmer leaders had accused Haryana Police of high-handedness. An official statement on Sunday evening said the administration kept appealing to the protesting farmers to reveal their identities but there were some "aggressive people" in the group who repeatedly tried to bring down the police barricades by using ropes and iron hooks, while no responsible farmer leader was seen. Ambala police had earlier said the farmer outfits, which are agitating for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price and other demands, can march to Delhi only after getting permission from the national capital administration. The protesters, referred to as 'marjeevras' (individuals willing to die for a cause), were stopped just a few meters into their march, leading to a standoff that continued for over three hours, after which they called off their march for the day due to the police action. In the evening, Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told reporters that six farmers were injured and one of them was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. He said farmers would decide their next course of action in a meeting of their forums -- the Samyuka Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha -- on Monday. "We have called back the 'jatha' (group of 101 farmers)," he told reporters in Shambhu. "Whatever happened today was seen by the whole country," said Pandher, condemning the use of teargas against farmers. "The (Haryana) administration used tactics like offering biscuits, 'langar', showering flower petals. Immediately after showering flowers, they (Haryana security personnel) fired teargas shells and rubber bullets at farmers," he claimed. The protesting farmers have been pressing the Centre to initiate talks with them to address their issues. As the protesters reached the barricades on Sunday, a few police personnel climbed the roof of a tin shed, where security personnel have been stationed, and threw flower petals on a group of farmers. Farmer leader Baldev Singh Zira, who led the 'jatha' on Sunday, said it was a "drama" by Haryana Police. "Along with tea, and biscuits, they fired teargas shells," he said, adding, "They have been exposed." Zira said farmers were moving ahead in a peaceful manner and they were not carrying any weapon as he criticised the Haryana security personnel for using teargas against them. Pandher said the farmers who sustained injuries included Resham Singh, who was referred to the PGIMER, Dilbagh Singh, Major Singh and Harbhajan Singh. He claimed that mediapersons were stopped by the Punjab Police from reaching the protest site. He said that Haryana police had asked the Punjab Police to keep the media at least one km away from the protest site. A Haryana security personnel was seen asking farmers to show permission to march to Delhi and questioned the identity of some of the protesters. "First we will identify them to see whether they have any permission. We have got the list (of 101 farmers) but they are not those whose names are mentioned in the list. They are not giving their identities which means they are coming in the shape of a mob," he told reporters at the site. A farmer said, "They are saying that our names were not on the list. We do not know which list they have. When we asked them whether they would allow us to move ahead after verifying our identities, they told us then we would have to show the permission." Meanwhile, a meeting was held on Sunday evening in which the farmer leaders, Ambala deputy commissioner Parth Gupta, senior superintendent of police SS Bhoria and Punjab police deputy inspector general Mandeep Singh Sidhu and Patiala senior superintendent of police Nanak Singh participated. DIG Sidhu said the talks were held in a positive atmosphere but refused to share any details regarding the meeting. Ambala DC Parth Gupta said efforts were on to arrive at some solution. Asked if the Centre is ready to hold talks with the protesting farmers, Gupta said, "Today the meeting was held at their (officers) level. We heard what the farmer leaders said and our effort is that whatever the issue is that should be resolved through talks." "We will try to take this issue to the level where it can be resolved," he said. After the meeting, Pandher reiterated that the farmers wanted the Centre to hold talks with them to resolve their issues and said they would take a call during a meeting of farmers on Monday. Pandher said the Ambala district administration has sought time in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Panipat on Monday. Haryana Police again accused the protesting farmers of creating a ruckus and trying to break the police barricading. "The administration kept repeatedly appealing to the farmers to reveal their identities. Today, again some aggressive people were part of the group of farmers and they repeatedly tried their best to bring down the police barricades by using ropes with sharp iron hooks. "Today again no responsible farmer leader was seen in this group. The police administration exercised restraint and repeatedly warned the farmers to stay back and not to disturb the law and order," said an official release. Flowers were also showered on farmers, said police. Pandher said their protest completed 300 days on Sunday. Farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. The Haryana police had earlier asked the farmers not to proceed with the march and cited a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that bans unlawful assembly of five or more people in the district. Pandher had on Saturday said farmers hadn't heard from the Centre on the matter. Shortly before the farmers' march on Friday, the Haryana government suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS service in 11 villages of the Ambala district till December 9. The farmers had earlier attempted to march towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were stopped by security forces deployed at the border points. Another farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal continued with his fast unto death, which entered the 13th day on Sunday, at the Khanauri border. Farmers claimed that Dallewal had lost 8 kg weight. Besides MSP, the farmers are demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands. Despite the ongoing crisis in Syria, which saw the fall of the over two-decade-long rule of President Bashar al-Assad after rebels took over, the Indian embassy continues to remain operational in Damascus and is in touch with all Indian nationals, sources said on Sunday. IMAGE: People step on the Syrina government's flag during a protest celebrating the fall of Bashar Al-Assads regime outside the Syrian embassy in Madrid, Spain, December 8, 2024. Photograph: Ana Beltran/Reuters The sources further stated that all the Indian nationals there are safe and the embassy remains available to assist them in the crisis-hit nation. "Indian embassy continues to remain operational in Damascus, Syria. The Embassy is in touch with all Indian nationals, and they are safe. The embassy remains available to assist Indian nationals in Syria," the sources said. The situation in Syria remains a focal point for all the other nations after Syrian rebels on Sunday entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee for an unknown destination, ending his over two-decade rule in the country. The development came hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. The head of Syria's main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said that Damascus is now "without Bashar al-Assad" according to Reuters. This came after Syrian rebels claimed capturing Damascus. "The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the armed opposition said in a statement. Earlier on Friday, the Indian government issued a travel advisory for Syria, strongly advising Indian nationals to avoid all travel to the country until further notice. "In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification," the ministry of external affairs stated. "Indians currently in Syria are requested to remain in touch with Indian embassy in Damascus at their emergency helpline number (also on WhatsApp) and email ID hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in for updates. Those who can, are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights and others are requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum," it added. "We declare Damascus free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad," they said. The rebels earlier claimed to have entered the capital and taken control of the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison north of Damascus, CNN reported. The report further cited the Military Operations Command's post on Telegram which read, "We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad." "To the displaced all over the world, a free Syria awaits you," the statement added. The civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years has resurfaced and within a span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups have taken over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa. In a grand consistory held in the Vatican on Saturday, 51-year-old Indian priest George Jacob Koovakad was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Francis. IMAGE: The red hat, or biretta, being bestowed upon Kerala-born George Jacob Koovakad by Pope Francis at a ceremony, known as a consistory, at the Vatican on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Photographs: @narendramodi/X The ceremony, held at the famous St Peter's Basilica and attended by clergy and dignitaries from around the world, witnessed the induction of 21 new cardinals from various countries. The ceremony began at 8.30 pm (IST) marking a procession with 21 cardinal-designated to the altar of St Peter's Basilica. Later, the Pope addressed the gathering and handed over the ceremonious cap and ring to the cardinal-designate, followed by a certificate accompanied by prayers. Hailing from the Archdiocese of Changanassery in Kerala, Koovakad's appointment brings the total number of Indian cardinals to six, further strengthening the country's representation in the Vatican. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other senior leaders and heads of churches across India have welcomed the announcement with joy and pride. "It is a matter of immense pride for India that Archbishop George Koovakad will be created as a Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis," Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on 'X' on Saturday. He said the Government of India sent a delegation led by Union Minister George Kurian to witness this ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, the Indian delegation also called on Pope Francis, his post further read. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in his message, extended all greetings to the new cardinal, saying the elevation of priest George Koovakad is a recognition for the Christian community in India and Kerala and especially the Syro Malabar Church. Faithfuls from Kerala and across the world have expressed pride in the elevation of one of their own priests. Cardinal George Alencherry, the former Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, expressed his delight at the elevation of another Indian to the cardinalate. "He is a person who has rendered commendable services to the Church," he said, adding that it is a proud moment for the Catholic Church, Kerala, and India. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis noted that this decision to directly elevate a priest is a special recognition. Priests from Changanassery hailed this as a proud moment for the Indian Church. Many believers from his hometown have travelled to the Vatican to witness the momentous occasion. Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam hailed the moment as a big recognition for the believers. In Changanassery, parishioners and well-wishers celebrated the historic occasion with special prayers and thanksgiving services. The Indian delegation headed by Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian, comprising former Union Ministers of State Kodikkunnil Suresh, former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, BJP leaders Anil Antony, Anoop Antony, and Tom Vadakkan also witnessed the ordination ceremony. The episcopal consecration ceremony was held in Changanassery last month as part of his elevation to the rank of cardinal. Koovakad, has been organising Pope Francis' international travels since 2020. Previously, Koovakad, who held the title of Monsignor, was declared the Titular Archbishop of Nisibis in Turkey. The priest is currently based in the Vatican. A delegation from the Archdiocese of Changanassery, to which he belongs, departed for the Vatican on Thursday to attend the ordination ceremony. The delegation was led by Changanassery Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil. Born on 11 August 1973 in Thiruvananthapuram, Koovakad was ordained as a priest on July 24, 2004. He later pursued training for diplomatic service at the prestigious Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. In 2006, he began his diplomatic career at the Apostolic Nunciature in Algeria. Over the years, Koovakad held various significant roles, including Secretary of the Nunciature in South Korea (20092012) and Iran (20122014). He subsequently served as Counsellor of the Nunciatures in Costa Rica (20142018) and Venezuela (20182020). In 2020, he joined the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, where he assumed responsibility for organising the Pope's global travels, according to the Church. Following the ordination ceremony, the new cardinals will visit the Pope at the Vatican Palace to receive his blessing. On Sunday, at 1 PM (IST), they will join the Pope in celebrating Holy Mass, according to a Church release. Pakistan's intelligence agency Inter-Services IntelligenceI has reportedly resorted to infiltrating individuals under the influence of drugs or posing as mentally disturbed into India to utilise them to deliver critical messages to hardcore terrorists incarcerated in the country's prisons. IMAGE: Security personnel conduct a cordon and search operation against hiding terrorists in the forest area of Zabarwan on the outskirts of Srinagar, November 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Officials said that more than 10 such cases have been reported since July this year in which Pakistani nationals have entered India from their country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Many of them have been sent to prisons in Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan. The officials said security agencies suspect these individuals are Inter-Services Intelligence couriers tasked with relaying important communication to the jailed terrorists wherever possible. Interrogation of these individuals typically shows that they have been trained in resistance techniques to withstand questioning by security personnel. The behaviour displayed by those apprehended has raised suspicions among officials, who suggest that their superficial details and evasive responses indicate a potentially larger agenda behind their infiltration, possibly stemming from the fear of repercussions from their handlers. They explained that the use of mobile phones and the internet leaves behind electronic footprints that could expose the plans of both state and non-state actors operating across the border. As a result, the ISI has adopted this new modus operandi. The infiltration strategy reportedly includes women and minors, who may also serve as couriers. In a notable incident in July, a minor from Pakistan's Attock was intercepted in Punjab. During searches, security personnel discovered a damp paper containing Arabic writing though it was not legible, the officials said. The ISI's infiltration tactics have been linked to drug smuggling operations. In one case from Bijnour village in Rajasthan, a Pakistani national posing as mentally disturbed finally spilled the beans during intense questioning that he had been hired by two drug lords in Pakistan -- Sarfaraz Johiya and Nawaz -- to facilitate narcotics trafficking into India and gather information on the deployment of Border Security Force troops. In another recent incident, a Pakistani youth named Mohammed Asad from Lahore drove to the zero line on his motorcycle and seemingly awaited arrest by the BSF. During interrogation, he claimed to have had a family dispute over his girlfriend. The officials noted that Asad, who was subsequently moved to prison, may have been acting as a courier. Security agencies have requested additional custody for extended interrogation. In October, a 31-year-old man who identified himself as Shahid Imran entered India through the Jammu sector, claiming that he wanted to visit a Kali temple to get married. The officials explained that such infiltrators are generally booked under the Foreigners Act and Passports Act, for which the punishment ranges from two years to eight years in prison and following this, they are deported. They said that in the late 1990s and early 2000s, ISI exploited the Samjhauta Express, the rail link between India and Pakistan, for covert courier operations, employing individuals known as "sawari operators". This service continued until February 2019, when the train service was halted. The "sawari operators" played a crucial role in smuggling drugs and transporting funds intended to finance terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Punjab. However, following a significant crackdown by authorities, these operations were effectively curtailed, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of numerous individuals involved in such activities. Recent developments suggest that the ISI's current method of sending couriers mirrors these past tactics. The officials said that the infiltration strategies being employed now are reminiscent of the past, as the agency seeks new ways to bypass law enforcement and deliver crucial communication and resources across the border. SYDNEY, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Two men have been seriously injured in a stabbing spree in Melbourne's northwest, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Sunday. Police in the Australian state of Victoria said that a group of men approached and allegedly assaulted an 18-year-old man outside a shopping center on Lake Street in Caroline Springs, 20 kilometers northwest of central Melbourne, at around midnight on Saturday night. The 18-year-old was stabbed and was taken to hospital in a serious condition. Victoria Police said the group of assailants fled in a dark-colored vehicle and drove further along the street before allegedly attacking another man and stealing his phone. The 22-year-old second victim also suffered serious stab wounds and was hospitalized. Police detectives have commenced an investigation into the attacks and asked anyone with information to come forward. The Maharashtra State Waqf Board has denied issuing notices to farmers in Latur over land ownership. Image used for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo The notices were issued by the Waqf Tribunal following a claim filed by an individual. "The notices to Talegaon farmers were issued by the Waqf Tribunal following a claim filed by an individual. These notices do not originate from the Maharashtra State Waqf Board. We have not made any claim on land in any village in Latur district," asserted Waqf Board chairman Sameer Kazi The Waqf Board will verify all aspects legally when the matter comes to it, Kazi added. Sources said the notices were issued on May 30 in connection with a petition filed by one Patel Sayyed Irfan in the Waqf Tribunal. The notices ask these 103 farmers to respond to questions related to the petition, submission of documents and bringing witnesses, they added. "I own five acres of land. I have all documents to prove ownership. The next hearing in the Waqf Tribunal is on December 20. I will submit them through my advocate. These lands have been passed down to us through generations. These are not Waqf property," said Tukaram Kanwate, one of the 103 farmers who have received notices. Speaking on the issue, Ahmedpur tehsildar Ujjwala Pangarkar said, "Notices concerning nearly 300 acres of land belonging to 103 farmers in Talegaon have been issued by the Waqf Tribunal. After collecting complete details, an affidavit will be filed by the government in the matter." Such notices have caused widespread fear in the region and the Maharashtra government must intervene to give all farmers justice, Kanwate asserted. Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters in Mumbai, deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, when asked about these notices, had said, "There will be no illegal work and no injustice will be done on anyone. This government functions according to the Constitution." Incidentally, the Union government introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on August 8 this year to streamline the working of the Waqf Board and ensure efficient management of its properties. The Bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Waqf refers to properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law. Protests were held in various parts of West Bengal on Sunday over the alleged atrocities on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. IMAGE: Hindu activists take part in the Saurya Diwas protest rally over the violence against minorities in Bangladesh, in Kolkata, December 6, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Hundreds of people joined the protest rallies organised by Hindutva groups in Kolkata, Kanthi, Kakdwip, Sandeshkhali and Purulia, calling for the immediate release of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. At the demonstration outside the Salt Lake International Bus Terminus near Kolkata, protesters torched Dhakai Jamdani saris from Bangladesh. They called for a boycott of Bangladeshi goods, warning that Indians wouldn't remain silent if the disrespect toward the tricolour and attacks on Hindus continued. "We condemn the continuous targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh and the hate-driven narratives against India. We will not sit idle and with burning the Jamdani sarees, we urge people to boycott Bangladeshi products," said a protestor. "What kind of Bangladesh is this? The people who fought for liberation in 1971 now seem to be erasing their own history," said another protestor. Leading the protest rally in Kanthi, the state's Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said 'sanatanis' were united against rising fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh. "The martyrdom of 30,000 Indian soldiers in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war has been forgotten by the Islamists in the neighbouring country. Today's rally is a wake-up call to the elements across the border to stop rabble-rousing rhetoric," he said. When asked about anti-India statements by Bangladeshi groups, Adhikari said that following international protocol and UN guidelines, the Narendra Modi government will take appropriate steps at the right moment. Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday expressed his support to the people of Markadwadi village in Maharashtra's Solapur district, who raised doubts about electronic voting machines and announced plans to conduct a repoll using ballot papers. IMAGE: NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar arrives at the party office to chair the meeting with newly-elected party MLAs, in Mumbai, December 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Earlier this week, police registered a case against more than 200 persons from the village and nearby areas for allegedly trying to conduct a re-election using ballot papers in an unauthorised manner. Pawar, accompanied by several NCP-SP leaders, including Jayant Patil, met villagers. Addressing a gathering, the senior politician said, "I would like to thank the villagers because you have shown the right direction to the whole country. You (villagers) were the ones who thought of conducting polls using ballot papers." "We have collected some data about EVMs. People cast their votes, but in the end, the results were unexpected. You raised awareness about the issue, and the process needs to change," he added. Pawar slammed the police action against villagers who sought to conduct a "re-election" using ballot papers. "How can the police restrict the gathering of villagers in their village? How can they even file police complaints against you (villagers)? Collect all such complaints and give them to me. I will take this up with the chief minister, state chief electoral officer, the prime minister, and even the Election Commission of India," he said. A group of villagers had insisted on re-election with ballot papers while casting doubts on the votes counted through EVMs for a polling booth at Markadwadi in the November 20 state polls. The village comes under the Malshiras assembly constituency, where NCP-SP candidate Uttam Jankar defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party's Ram Satpute by 13,147 votes. Though Jankar won the seat, Markadwadi residents claimed the quantum of votes polled by the NCP-SP leader was lesser than Satpute, expressing doubt about the EVMs. The NCP-SP chief said the opposition does not wish to politicise the issue of this village. "It is my request to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis that we do not want to politicise the matter. We want to resolve the doubts of these villagers," he said. Pawar had on Saturday said a comparison between votes polled and seats won by political parties in the Maharashtra assembly polls was surprising. "It is true that we have been defeated. We should not fret over it but go back to the people, as no enthusiasm is visible among the people about the election results. There is a lot of resentment," the senior politician had said during a press conference in Kolhapur. The ruling BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance won 230 of the 288 seats in the November 20 elections. The Opposition's strength in the assembly is low but many young Opposition MLAs will show their mettle after a couple of sessions, Pawar said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that as a senior leader, Pawar should not mislead the country. "You will come out of this if you accept defeat. I expect you to give your colleagues advice on introspection," he stated on X. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday alleged that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has links to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation and which has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation. IMAGE: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi (right)and party MP Jairam Ramesh attend the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, December 6, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo This association shows the influence of foreign entities in India's internal affairs, the ruling party said in a series of posts on X Meanwhile, notwithstanding the US' dismissal of BJP's allegations that it is backing attempts to destabilise India, party MP Nishikant Dubey said he would pose 10 questions to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on the issue. He said media portal Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and Hungarian-American businessman have colluded with the Opposition to ruin India's economy and defame the Modi government. The BJP claimed that Sonia Gandhi, as the co-president of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific Foundation, is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation. "Notably, the FDL-AP Foundation has expressed their views that treat Kashmir as a separate entity," the party said. "This association between Sonia Gandhi and an organisation that has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation expresses the influence of foreign entities on India's internal affairs and the political impact of such connections," it said. The BJP further claimed that Sonia Gandhi's chairmanship of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation led to a partnership with the George Soros Foundation, "displaying the influence of foreign funding on Indian organisations". "Rahul Gandhi's press conference on Adani was live telecast by George Soros-funded OCCRP, which Gandhi used as a source to criticise Adani. It shows nothing but their strong and dangerous relationship and highlights their attempts to derail the Indian economy. "Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has publicly acknowledged George Soros as an 'old friend'. It's something truly noteworthy," it said. The BJP's allegations come after it claimed on Thursday that the US "deep state" colluded with OCCRP and Rahul Gandhi to damage India's image. The US on Saturday rejected BJP's allegations that organisations funded by its state department and elements in the American "deep state" were behind attempts to destabilise India through targeted attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business tycoon Gautam Adani. A spokesperson at the US embassy described the allegations as "disappointing" and asserted that the US government has been a champion of media freedom around the world. Reacting to the US embassy's statement, BJP MP Dubey said, "Yesterday I read the statement of the US embassy officials again and again. They admitted that the US government funds OCCRP and Soros' foundation also funds it." The job of OCCRP and Soros is to ruin India's economy and defame the Modi government in connivance with opposition leaders, he said in his post on X in Hindi. "After yesterday's statement, I will have to ask Rahul Gandhi my 10 questions in the Lok Sabha. The opposition is trying to suppress my voice in Parliament. Lok Sabha Rule 357 gives me the right to ask questions. Waiting for tomorrow," the MP said. The BJP has cited Gandhi's use of OCCRP reports to attack the Adani Group and accuse it of having closeness with the government. "It's disappointing that the ruling party in India would make these kinds of accusations," the US embassy spokesperson said on Saturday. "The US government works with independent organisations on programming that supports professional development and capacity building training for journalists. This programming does not influence the editorial decisions or direction of these organisations," the official said. OCCRP, headquartered in Amsterdam, is a media platform that largely focuses on stories relating to crime and corruption. Last month, US prosecutors charged Adani, 62, his nephew Sagar and other defendants for paying over $250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to Indian government officials to win solar energy contracts on terms that could potentially bring in more than USD 2 billion in profit. The Adani Group has dismissed the charges as "baseless". The opposition Congress has accused the government of shielding the businessman and it is pressing for the setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee for a thorough investigation into the allegations. South Korea's former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, has been arrested on Sunday as prosecutors investigated his role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's decision last week to impose martial law, The New York Times reported. IMAGE: Protesters wear masks depicting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, outgoing defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, People Power Party's leader Han Dong-hoon and Choo Kyung-ho at a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, December 7, 2024. Photograph: Kim Soo-hyeon/Reuters Yoon's decision caused political upheavel in South Korea, including an Opposition-led attempt to impeach South Korea President and protests. Kim is the first person to be arrested as prosecutors start their probe into allegations made by Yoon's political opponents. The opposition has asserted that Yoon and his followers in the government and military conducted insurrection and other crimes when they sent soldiers and police personnel into the National Assembly to seize the legislature shortly after South Korea's President imposed martial law last week, according to The New York Times report. Kim, who surrendered himself to investigators on Sunday, wads arrested without a court warrant. The police and prosecutors can use "emergency arrest" when they have grounds to suspect a person who committed a serious crime and there is risk of them fleeing the country or tampering with evidence. They need to apply for a court warrant within two days to formally arrest the suspect. Kim Yong-hyun, who supported Yoon's martial law plan, resigned following the President's announcement. The military rule remained for only six hours after the National Assembly voted against it on Wednesday and forced Yoon to reverse it. It was unclear whether South Korea's former defence minister had a lawyer. Speaking to a daily Dong-A Ilbo prior to his arrest, he said he had been involved in Yoon's decision of imposing martial law, but stressed that it was put in place according to legal procedures. For most of the two and a half years he has been serving as South Korea's President, Yoon has faced low approval ratings and been in political standoff with the Opposition. The Opposition and Yoon have tussled particularly over his refusal to accept their demands that a special prosecutor be appointed to probe allegations of corruption involving his wife. In a statement on Tuesday, Yoon announced that he was imposing martial law to rid the National Assembly of "shameless North Korean followers and anti-state forces." On Saturday, he apologised to the people of the nation for his "desperate" action, The New York Times reported. Yoon Suk Yeol said he would leave it to his party, People Power Party, to decide how long he should remain in office and how the government should be run. After his announcement, PPP decided to boycott the impeachment vote. All except three of the 108 PPP lawmakers joined the boycott, saving Yoon from impeachment. On Friday, South Korea's defence ministry suspended three Army lieutenant generals from their jobs, as prosecutors conducted their investigation into their possible roles in Yoon's declaration of martial law, The New York Times reported. One of them, Lt General Kwak Jong-geun, said Kim ordered him to send special forces troops into the National Assembly on Tuesday night. He said Kim directed him to remove lawmakers from the Assembly hall where they were gathering to vote against Yoon's military rule. However, he did not follow his order. The defense ministry said it also asked the Justice Ministry to impose a ban on three generals and seven other military officers from leaving the country. Yoon has not made any remarks publically since the impeachment effort failed. However, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon later announced that his party would push for Yoon's 'early resignation.' Amid a rebel offensive, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has flown out of Damascus for an unknown destination on Sunday, Reuters reported. The news agency cited two senior army officers, whom it did not name as rebels Syrian groups said they entered the capital, Damascus, in the early hours today. The development comes hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. The head of Syria's main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said that Damascus is now "without Bashar al-Assad" according to Reuters. Al Jazeera reported that Syrian rebels have said they have captured Damascus. "The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the armed opposition said in a statement. "We declare Damascus free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad," they said. The rebels earlier claimed to have entered the capital and taken control of the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison north of Damascus, CNN reported. CNN cited the Military Operations Command's post on Telegram which said, "We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad." The statement added, "To the displaced all over the world, a free Syria awaits you." The civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years has resurfaced and within a the span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups have taken over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa. The pro-government Sham FM radio station reported that militants had infiltrated the cities of al-Rastan and Tell Bisa in Homs' northern part. Syria's defence ministry, however has refuted reports about troops withdrawal from Homs. "Reports disseminated in some media outlets and resources linked with terrorist organizations about the withdrawal of any units of our armed forces from the city of Homs and its neighbourhoods are not true," it said in a statement posted on its social media page. Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he does not plan on leaving his home as he aims to ensure that public institutions continue to function. "I urge all to think rationally and to think about they country," al-Jalali said. "We extend our hand to the opposition who have extended their hand and asserted that they will not harm anyone who belongs to this country," he was cited as saying by Al Jazeera. Videos posted online, which Al Jazeera said it had verified, show several people in the Ummayad Square, standing on an abandoned military tank and singing in celebration. On December 5, the Syrian army command stated that militants had infiltrated several neighbourhoods in the city of Hama. According to its statement, government forces were redeployed outside the city. On December 7, the Syrian Defence Ministry announced that military units operating in the south of the country were being regrouped in accordance with the military's strategic plan. Iran envoy to Beirut on Saturday said that the Syria developments pose a "threat" to entire region, the IRNA news agency reported. Syrian government is engaged in fighting with terrorist groups that launched an offensive on November 27 from their stronghold in the western province of Idlib, it reported. The Wall Street Journal had reported yesterday that Tehran warned Syrian President Bashar Assad last week that its assistance to his government in the fight against militant armed groups would be reduced, According to the sources, Iran withdrew its senior officers stationed in eastern Syria. The newspaper also noted that the Iranian side accused the Syrian troops of retreating. According to the Washington Post, the rebel advances are being led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a faction once associated with Al-Qaeda. A newly announced rebel faction, the Southern Operations Room, said Saturday its forces had taken the southern city of Daraa. Meanwhile, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt Iraq, Russia, Turkey, and Iran expressed their support for the cessation of hostilities in Syria to pave the way for the launch of a political process, according to a joint statement issued following their meeting on the Syrian crisis in Doha. Russia urged its citizens to leave Syria "on commercial flights through existing airports." A 42-year-old tantrik arrested for allegedly conspiring to murder a businessman died in police custody in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Sunday after admitting to killing 12 people by giving them drinks laced with a chemical, the police said. Image used for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo The Sarkhej police arrested Navalsinh Chavda around 1 am on December 3 when he was on his way to commit the crime after his partner for a taxi business with whom he shared the plan tipped off the police, an official said. The police secured Chavda's remand till 3 pm on December 10 for further probe into his occult practices and possible involvement in human sacrifices, he said. "Around 10 am on Sunday, Chavda fell ill and was rushed to the civil hospital in an ambulance, but the doctors declared him dead on arrival. The accused confessed to 12 murders during interrogation, and all deaths had occurred due to consumption of sodium nitrite," the official said. Deputy commissioner of police Shivam Verma said the accused confessed to having committed 12 murders by making his victims consume sodium nitrite dissolved in water during occult rituals. Chavda admitted to having murdered a man in Ahmedabad, six in Surendranagar, including three members of his family, three in Rajkot, and one each in Wankaner (Morbi district) and Anjar (Kutch district), Verma said. He said the accused confessed to having murdered a man whose body was found in the Aslali area of Ahmedabad in August 2021 in what appeared to be a road accident. A post-mortem later suggested it to be a case of death by poisoning. The probe has also revealed that the accused had similarly killed his grandmother around 14 years ago and his mother and uncle a year ago, Verma said. According to the police, Chavda procured sodium nitrite, a chemical used for dry cleaning, from a laboratory in his hometown, Surendranagar. Due to poisoning, several of his victims died of heart attacks, while the nature of the deaths of a few other victims was a matter of investigation, the official said. Chavda had found out about the chemical from another tantrik. The substance would take effect 15 to 20 minutes after consumption and cause heart attack, etc., leading to death, he said. The accused called himself a bhuvaji and proclaimed that he had the power to perform magic and miracles. He also had an ashram at Wadhwan in Surendranagar where he practised black magic, the police said. He would offer to multiply his victims' wealth or solve their problems, they said. The police had recovered incriminating evidence from Chavda's vehicle, including items used in rituals and white powder. Amid rising atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, the All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association has decided to deny hotel and restaurant services to Bangladeshi citizens. IMAGE: Leader of Opposition in West Bengal and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari during a Saurya Diwas protest rally over the violence against minorities in Bangladesh, in Kolkata, December 6, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo In a statement, Bhaskar Chakraborty, office secretary, All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association says, "On 2nd December we took a decision in the presence of all our members that starting 2nd December, no hotel will be available for Bangladeshi citizens." The decision was taken as a strong response to the growing unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh. The All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association announced a ban on providing services to Bangladeshi citizens in the state. The decision, which took effect immediately, follows allegations of escalating persecution of Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh. Bhaskar Chakrabarty, secretary, All Tripura Hotel & Restaurant Owners' Association told ANI, "The primary reason for this decision is the disrespect shown towards our national flag in Bangladesh. Additionally, the incident involving the Bangladesh High Commission has also played a significant role in shaping this resolution." "Another reason is to ensure the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi nationals visiting here. If any untoward incident occurs involving a Bangladeshi guest, the entire responsibility would fall on the hotel owner. To avoid such complications, we decided on the 2nd of this month that we will not provide rooms to Bangladeshi citizens," he said. He clarified, "The (Bangladeshi) citizens who checked in Agartala before 2nd December can stay here but we won't accept any new bookings. It was also decided that if someone comes here under a critical condition with proper documents, for medical purposes, they will be provided rooms." In an official statement, signed by ATHROA secretary Bhashkar Chakraborty, the association condemned recent incidents involving extremist actions against minority groups in Bangladesh. "We are a secular country that respects all religions, but the recent atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh have deeply concerned us. The behaviour of certain elements in Bangladesh is unacceptable, especially their disrespect towards the Indian national flag," the statement read. The association emphasised that Tripura has historically welcomed people from Bangladesh with warmth and hospitality. However, the recent developments have led to a change in stance. The ban on services, which includes all hotel and restaurant facilities, applies to Bangladeshi citizens visiting the state from December 2, 2024. ATHROA president Sumit Saha, speaking to the Tripura Times, expressed strong disapproval of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. "We have always believed in treating all guests with respect. However, the current situation in Bangladesh has made it impossible for us to continue offering services to those who come from a nation where such atrocities are happening," Saha said. The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting the move as a stand against violence and discrimination, while others question its impact on tourism and business relations between the two countries. Nonetheless, the association remains firm in its position, citing the need to stand in solidarity with the oppressed minority communities in Bangladesh. As of now, the ban is expected to remain in place until further notice, with ATHROA pledging to monitor the situation closely. Meanwhile, Bangladesh continues to see increased violence against Hindu minorties. On the intermitter night of Friday and Saturday, the Laxshmi Narayan Mandir was allegedly burnt. Temple authorities filed a complaint against the same and alleged that the attackers had aimed to harm them. SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party said Sunday that it will try to push for a vote to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol every Saturday following a botched impeachment attempt. Kang Yu-jung, the Democratic Party spokesperson, told reporters that a new impeachment motion will be reported to the National Assembly on Thursday and put up for a vote on Saturday. Kang noted that the party will continue to pursue the report on Thursday and the vote on Saturday for impeachment against Yoon. The first impeachment motion against Yoon was scrapped as most of the 108 ruling People Power Party lawmakers boycotted it on Dec. 7. Of 300 National Assembly lawmakers, more than 200 lawmakers are required to vote yes to pass the impeachment motion over Yoon's declaration of an emergency martial law that was repealed by the parliament. The Democratic Party will submit bills on Monday to appoint special prosecutors and investigate charges of Yoon's insurrection and scandal involving his wife in a bid to put them up for a vote as early as Thursday, the spokesperson said. Under the standing independent counsel bill that cannot be vetoed by the embattled president, the opposition has the right to recommend a special prosecutor, but the president can delay the appointment of the prosecutor. Separately, the Democratic Party will report motions to impeach the justice minister and police chief to the parliament on Tuesday and put them up for a vote on Thursday. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A Taliban shutdown on midwife and nurse training in Afghanistan has students worried over the health consequences for women. Medical trainees have launched singing protests and taken to social media to decry the latest restriction on Afghan women's education. 5 A ventilation fan in a room that workers say is deafeningly loud when the OSM is in operation. Josef Filip, the technical manager of the OSM, told RFE/RL the network of shelters was a state secret under the Soviet-backed communist regime in Czechoslovakia. It was built during the Cold War and at that time it was under the control of the military, he says. US President Donald Trump said he sees a "very good chance" for peace between Ukraine and Russia after "very good and productive discussions" between US officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a March 14 post on his Truth Social site, Trump also said the United States had urged Russia to spare the lives of "thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers that Putin has said have been isolated by Russian troops in Russia's Kursk region. Ukraine disputes that claim. The post came just hours after the Kremlin said it was "cautiously optimistic" following a meeting late on March 13 between Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. "We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump wrote. Trump added that "thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position." "I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared," he wrote. "This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II." Putin said a day earlier that a group of Ukrainian troops were "isolated" in the Kursk region, the site of a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces last August. Responding to Trump's plea on March 14, he said the soldiers' lives would be spared if they surrendered and urged Kyiv to order them to do so. Officials in Kyiv have said that while Ukrainian forces have been slowly withdrawing in the Kursk region under heavy pressure from Russian troops, but the armed forces general staff said on March 14 that "[r]eports of the alleged 'encirclement' of Ukrainian units...in the Kursk region are false and fabricated." "There is no threat of encirclement of our units," it said in a statement on social media. Zelenskyy Challenges Putin's Motives Earlier on March 14, Putin's spokesman said there were grounds for "cautious optimism" over Trump's 30-day cease-fire proposal, which Ukraine accepted earlier this week at talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine, meanwhile, questioned Moscow's sincerity in ending the war, which is now in its fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion on February 2022. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that Putin sent Trump a message about his cease-fire proposal after his talks with Witkoff in the Russian capital. "When Mr Witkoff brings all the information to President Trump, we will determine the timing of a conversation (between Trump and Putin). There are reasons to be cautiously optimistic," Peskov said. Putin said a day earlier that he agrees in principle with the US proposal for a temporary cease-fire with Ukraine, but added that "there are nuances," such as Western weapons deliveries to Kyiv, that he wants addressed first. The Russian leader also said any agreement should lead to long-term peace that addresses the "root" reasons for the war, an apparent reference to NATO expansion and other developments Putin claims have put Russia's security in jeopardy. In a video posted late on March 13, Zelenskyy questioned Putin's motives, saying the Russian leader was preparing to reject the proposal but was afraid to tell Trump. "That's why in Moscow they are imposing upon the idea of a cease-fire these conditions -- so that nothing happens at all, or so that it cannot happen for as long as possible," Zelenskyy said. He followed up on March 14 with a post on social media accusing the Kremlin of trying to "complicate and drag out the process." "Russia is the only party that wants the war to continue and diplomacy to break down," he said on X after a call with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, cardinal Pietro Parolin. Putin's Response To Trump's Pressure Kyiv agreed to Trump's 30-day cease-fire proposal at a meeting in Jeddah on March 11, putting the onus for peace in Moscow's lap. Putin's response threw the ball back into US hands, at least to some degree. Trump called Putin's initial reaction to peace talk developments "promising" but incomplete, though he added he hoped Russia would "do the right thing" and agree to the deal. "I think the Russians are keen not to be seen as the intransigent party as that could lead to consequences from Trump, such as sanctions. So that informed Putin's comments today," John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank, told RFE/RL. Trump has made ending the war in Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, and is wielding US leverage to get both Kyiv and Moscow to the table. On March 13, the US administration heightened pressure on Russia by increasing restrictions on the country's oil, gas, and banking sectors. Among the measures, the Treasury Department was allowing the expiration of a 60-day exemption put in place in January by the Biden administration that let some energy transactions involving sanctioned Russian banks continue. The move would make it more difficult for other nations, especially in Europe, to buy Russian oil. Meanwhile, the foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) -- which includes the United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan -- said they discussed imposing more sanctions on Russia and boosting support for Ukraine if the Kremlin does not agree to the cease-fire. Among the measures discussed during the March 13-14 meeting were caps on the price for Russian oil exports, they said in a joint statement. Western nations in late 2022 imposed a $60-a-barrel price cap on the export of Russian oil using Western ships or insurance. It is unclear if the G7 discussions touched on lowering the price cap. Russia's economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, which account for a third of federal budget revenues. In a joint statement following the meeting, the G7 said that "we reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence." "We welcomed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and in particular the meeting on March 11 between the US and Ukraine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," it added. Putin also said there were several unanswered questions in the proposal, such as what to do about Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region. "If we have a cease-fire, does that mean that everyone there would leave?" Putin said. "Should we release them [Ukrainian troops] after they committed crimes against the population? Or would they surrender?" Ukraine denies committing such crimes, saying it abides by humanitarian law and does not target civilians. Why Should Russia Agree To A Cease-Fire? Kyiv seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August, a move seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip in any peace talks. That strategy is now failing as Russian forces supported by North Korean troops push the Ukrainians out of Kursk. Russia has regained more than half the territory in Kursk initially captured by Ukraine. Zelenskyy told reporters on March 14 that the situation in Kursk was "obviously very difficult." Among the other concerns Putin voiced about the cease-fire proposal is whether Ukraine would use the 30-day period to mobilize and train forces or rearm with the help of the West. He also raised the question of how the nearly 2,000-kilometer front would be monitored. Zelenskyy told reporters that the front could be monitored by US satellites. Experts had warned that Putin would likely seek to drag out cease-fire talks because his forces have the upper hand on the battlefield. Aside from the advances in Kursk, Russia is gaining territory in eastern Ukraine -- albeit at high human and material costs -- due to its significant manpower advantage. However, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has stopped Russian forces at the gates of Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub in Donetsk region, after months of fighting on the outskirts of the city. Zelenskyy asserted that the incursion into Kursk forced Russia to pull forces from eastern Ukraine, giving his troops time to defend the city. Russia is seeking to capture at a minimum the entirety of the four regions of Ukraine it claims to have annexed in September 2022: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson. A cease-fire freezing the current front lines would leave them short of that goal. "One way the Russians could slow down this process without coming out directly and saying 'no', is by dragging out those technical discussions on monitoring" the cease-fire, Hardie said. "That could also give them ways to try to pin the blame back on Ukraine, by insisting on certain technical matters that Ukraine might find objectionable," he said. When Vladimir Putin took the reins of power in a post-Soviet Russia in shambles a quarter-century ago, he immediately set about restoring Moscow's status as a global power. It took 15 years, but Russia heralded its military intervention in the Syrian civil war as proof of its return as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Moscow leveraged that image to expand its influence throughout the Middle East and beyond as a counterweight to the West. Now, the fall of the government of President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally of Moscow, has dealt a serious blow to Russia's great-power ambitions. "Putin's military adventure in Syria was designed to demonstrate that Russia is a great power and can project its influence abroad," said Phillip Smyth, a Middle East expert. "Losing Syria is a huge slap in the face for Putin." Assad's ouster represents not only a reputational hit to Russia but likely a major strategic setback. Syria is home to two major Russian military installations: an air base in Hmeimim and a naval base in Tartus. The latter is Russia's only warm-water naval base outside the former Soviet Union and provides Moscow access to the Mediterranean Sea. "Russia has used its bases in Syria to project its power both into the eastern Mediterranean and into the broader Middle East," said Smyth. High-Maintenance Asset Russia's military intervention in Syria in 2015 changed the tide of the war. Moscow's devastating aerial campaigns against rebel positions helped the Syrian Army regain swaths of territory and keep Assad in power. Moscow's Syria campaign came a year after its invasion of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula as well as its support for separatist forces in Ukraine's east. Moscow capitalized on its involvement in both Syria and Ukraine to sell itself as a power capable of challenging the United States, NATO, and the West in general while expanding its global reach from the Mediterranean to Africa and Latin America. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Syria became more of an asset for Moscow, analysts say, while also presenting the challenge of maintaining military campaigns on two fronts. With the anticipated fall of Russian military assets in Syria following the collapse of Assad's government, the task has become even more daunting. Russia is already heavily invested in a major counteroffensive to regain captured territory in its southwestern Kursk region that it lost to Ukraine, to the point that it is relying on help from North Korean troops. At the same time, it is trying to take as much territory as it can in Ukraine's east before possible peace talks. Russian military facilities along the Mediterranean coast in western Syria could be overrun by militants led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, and its allies. Aaron Zelin, senior fellow at the Washington Institute, says Russia simply does not have the same firepower at its disposal to protect its assets in Syria. "It is important to remember that Russia has to deal with its larger war in Ukraine now compared to when they first went in Syria in 2015," Zelin said. "Russia also has its assets fighting in sub-Saharan Africa, too. And unlike a decade ago, when Russia had the Wagner Group led by [the deceased Yevgeny] Prigozhin...Russia doesn't have the same level of capacity or capability to deal with this now in the same way." Zelin said losing the Tartus naval base, in particular, would be an "extremely huge loss for Russia." "It's Russia's only warm-water port that it can use for its naval activities and power projection," he said. "Losing it would essentially cut Russia out of the core of the Middle East." Moscow did not send ground troops to help Damascus, which fell to the HTS and its allies on December 8. Russia has conducted dozens of air strikes since the militants launched their offensive against Assad's forces in late November, but Moscow's limited intervention did little to stop the rebel advance. Russia will pay a huge price for its failure in Syria, analysts say. The fall of Assad is a "major blow to Russia's claim of still being a global power in terms of sustaining military and political influence abroad," said Hamidreza Azizi, a fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. From there, actors in other regions such as Latin America and Africa might "start rethinking their ties and their reliance on Russia as well," he said. French President Emmanuel Macron (C), U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are pictured after their meeting in Paris, France, Dec. 7, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron held a trilateral meeting on Saturday afternoon with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. The meeting occurred before the inauguration ceremony of the restored Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, to which dozens of heads of state and government were invited. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua) PARIS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron held a trilateral meeting on Saturday afternoon with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. The meeting occurred before the inauguration ceremony of the restored Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, to which dozens of heads of state and government were invited. "The United States, Ukraine, and France. Together on this historic day. Gathered for Notre-Dame. Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security," Macron said on his X account. Zelensky extended his gratitude to Macron for organizing the important meeting. "We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way," he said on his X account. French President Emmanuel Macron (3rd L), U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (2nd L) are pictured after their meeting in Paris, France, Dec. 7, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron held a trilateral meeting on Saturday afternoon with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. The meeting occurred before the inauguration ceremony of the restored Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, to which dozens of heads of state and government were invited. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua) Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. I'm RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now. A Warning From The Baltics Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis offered a clear warning for those who say that China is able to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine. Finding Perspective: Speaking to the French international affairs outlet Geopolitique.eu, Landsbergis stamped down the idea. China is waiting for a moment of weakness to step in and offer solutions and I fear that some in Europe would accept this offer because its a cheap alternative to us stepping up, in the same way that you buy a Chinese car because its cheaper. The same goes for their peace proposals. Landsbergis was commenting on a recent interview with outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and The New York Times, where Blinken said that one of the reasons that Moscow had not escalated into a nuclear war in Ukraine was because of China. If you follow that line of reasoning, it means that China has become a protector of Europe. That would be the beginning of a new paradigm, Landsbergis said. If we accept that China, which in my view supports Russia and is therefore an adversary of the countries supporting Ukraine, is now the guarantor of nuclear deterrence on our continent, it would be a dangerous mistake and a failure. Why It Matters: Landsbergiss warning comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office and Europe anxiously looks at a very different geopolitical reality. Trumps tariff threats and less traditional approach to Washingtons relationship with Europe is a source of consternation in European capitals and there is talk in some corners about having a more amenable position toward Beijing to balance the Trump administration. On January 14, Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke with European Council President Antonio Costa to begin what many analysts believe will be a charm offensive from Beijing toward the continent. But while Trump may have a rockier relationship with Brussels and various capitals than his predecessor, Beijing is also facing a different playing field than when U.S. President Joe Biden took office. Chinas support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine has strained ties with Europe, and Brussels is taking aim at Chinese companies in some sectors, a trend that looks set to continue. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has also voiced strong criticism of China, especially for its stance around the war in Ukraine and its long-term repercussions. Landsbergis shared similar sentiments, saying that Ukraine is central to what will happen in the future between China and Taiwan. I mentioned earlier that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has managed to change the nuclear doctrine by getting us to accept, at least for now, that resisting an attack is a form of escalation and therefore a nuclear strike is justified. One can imagine a situation where China imposes a blockade, even a partial one, on Taiwan and they resist and we try to lift it, then China could use the Russian playbook, he said. I dont think we collectively understand how reckless it is. Three more stories from Eurasia 1. The Taliban Courts Chinese Capital My Afghan colleagues at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and I reported about a new road built by the Taliban in northeast Afghanistan that the hardline group is hoping can better connect the country to neighboring China. The Details: The first section of the road in the Wakhan Corridor was completed a year ago in early 2024, and the Taliban is looking to build out the connections further to one day open up more trade with China. The road link is part of a series of announcements and groundbreaking ceremonies in 2024 -- from oil deals to mining rights -- that the Taliban are hoping will keep moving ahead in the coming year. But the main questions remain over whether the militants can finally calm China's long-standing security concerns. Haiyun Ma, an associate professor at Frostburg University, told me that, despite the lofty deals, Chinese investment is still not flowing in Afghanistan and that there are growing frustrations under the surface between Beijing and the Taliban. Ma says that the announcement in 2024 helps bring prestige and legitimacy to the Taliban as it adapts to governing and that it offers a low-risk, low-commitment way for Beijing to signal long-term intent toward the country. But he adds that China is in no hurry to have a footprint in Afghanistan. China is yet to set up a border crossing in the area where the Wakhan road leads and despite all the resource deals, Beijing has plenty of already developed alternatives elsewhere in the world to help meet its domestic needs. 2. Trump, Greenland, China, And The Arctic Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has once again kicked up a storm by refusing to rule out the use of force to gain control of Greenland. As my colleague Todd Prince writes, Trumps pursuit shines a light on the complicated national-security picture in the Arctic between the United States, China, Russia, and other players. What You Need To Know: While China is not an Arctic nation, it is seeking to be a major player in the region. In recent years, Beijing has sought to buy ports, other infrastructure, and mining rights on Greenland though it has not been successful. Todd writes that the United States suspected China's real interest in those projects was to place dual-use sensors and radars in the Arctic Circle to help control their military satellites and gather intelligence on U.S. space-based operations in the region. 3. U.S. Energy Sanctions Hurt Chinese, Indian Purchases Of Russian Oil Chinese and Indian refiners are looking for new fuel supplies as they adapt to hard-hitting new U.S. sanctions on Russian oil producers and tankers. What It Means: Many of the newly sanctioned tankers brought oil to China and India, and both Bloomberg and Reuters reported that the sanctions have led to a jump in prices and driven Chinese refiners back to sellers of oil that is not restricted. The sanctions were announced on January 10 and they target Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, two of Russia's five largest largest oil producers, as well as 183 vessels transporting Russian oil and oil products to foreign markets. The Biden administration also sanctioned opaque traders of Russian oil, more than 30 Russia-based oil-field service providers, and more than a dozen leading Russian energy officials and executives. The Chinese refiner Yulong Petrochemical has previously bought Russian crude, but, according to industry data, it purchased 4 million barrels of crude from the United Arab Emirates following the sanctions. After the sanctions announcement, Unipec, a subsidiary of Chinas state-owned energy giant Sinopec, booked four large carriers of crude from the Middle East which the data intelligence firm Kpler said could carry a total of up to 2 million barrels. Across The Supercontinent Kyivs China Consultations: Ukraines Foreign Ministry told RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service that 2024 was a year of developing political dialogue in Beijing, pointing to the extensive high-level talks with their counterparts in the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi added that Kyiv considers China one of the countries that can and does have influence on the Russian Federation. And we will continue to maintain this contact with the Chinese side. Parting Shots: In a speech at the State Department on January 13 summing up his administrations record, Biden said the United States has widened its lead over competitors like Russia and China. "Our adversaries are weaker than they were when we came into this job four years ago. Let's consider Russia. Putin invaded Ukraine. He thought he'd conquer Kyiv in a matter of days. But the truth is, since that war began, I'm the only one that stood in the center of Kyiv, not him," Biden said, referring to his visit to the embattled nation last year. The China Connection: As Russian forces have intensified their advances in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks, they're being helped by a new tool on the battlefield: drones that fly with the use of fiber-optic cables, RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service and I reported. Some Ukrainian experts have said that the drone models used by Russia are very similar to Chinas commercially available Skywalker drone. There are also growing reports in Ukrainian media of high-quantity orders being placed at Chinese factories by Russian companies for large spools of fiber-optic cables. One Thing To Watch Trade between China and Russia reached a record high in 2024, according to official data released on January 13 by Chinas General Administration of Customs. The figures show how Beijing and Moscows efforts to strengthen their relationship are paying off in the face of tough Western economic sanctions on Russia. While the 2024 trade data reached an all-time high, the year-on-year growth rate slowed significantly compared to the 26.3 percent surge seen in 2023. Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have. Until next time, Reid Standish If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every other Wednesday. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, Russian state media reported, as rebels have taken control of the Syrian capital, Damascus, bringing to an end the brutal, half-century rule of the Assad family. According to Russian media reports, Assad and his family have been granted asylum by Moscow. The Biden administration could not confirm the information but said it had no reason to doubt it. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Assad "decided to resign" after "negotiations" with a "number of participants in the armed conflict" and left office "giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power." "Russia did not participate in these negotiations," the ministry added. Russia has been a longstanding ally of Syria, providing significant military and political support to Assad's regime, especially during the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011. The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement came as the rebels said in a statement aired on state TV that Damascus is "now free of Assad," whose family ruled the country with an iron fist since 1971. Syrians across the country took to the streets to celebrate Assad's ouster, pulling down statues and ransacking government buildings. Social media footage showed crowds of men entering the presidential place in Damascus, with reports of looting. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said in a video that the government is "ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people." "We believe that Syria is for all Syrians and that it is the country of all its sons and that this country can be a normal state that builds good relations with its neighbors and the world without entering into any regional alliances and blocs," Jalali said. He was later seen leaving his home on December 8, escorted by armed men, reportedly to meet the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Sunni rebel group that led the current offensive against the Assad regime. HTS is a U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization. In recent years, the Islamist militant group severed ties with Al-Qaeda and sought to remake itself as a pragmatic alternative to the Syrian government. But concerns remain over its alleged rights abuses and ties to terrorist groups. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the HTS, has sought to reassure Shi'ite Alawites and other Syrian minorities, including Christians, that he will not discriminate against minorities. U.S. Strikes Against IS In Washington, President Joe Biden said the United States "will engage with all Syrian groups" as the country transitions to a post-Assad government. He cautioned that some of the rebel groups that helped overthrow Assad "have their own grim record" of human rights abuses even though they have been "saying the right things" in recent days. "As they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions," Biden said in a televised address from the White House on December 8. He said the United States will be closely watching the activities of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, which could seek to use the power vacuum to again establish rule in Syria. Biden said the United States conducted precision strikes on IS positions in Syria earlier in the day. A senior Biden administration official told reporters on background it was a "significant" strike on 75 IS targets in eastern Syria using B-52s and F-15s. "These guys want to reconstitute...and we are going to make sure that if they think they can seize advantage in this situation, that they can't," the senior official said. Setback For Russia Experts have said the fall of the Assad regime represents a major geopolitical setback for the Kremlin, which, along with Tehran, has supported the Syrian government through many years of civil war. The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Russia and Iran did not appear to bolster the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), which was rapidly collapsing, by rushing in additional forces. Biden said Russia has been weakened by the nearly three-year war in Ukraine while Iran's proxies in the region have been crushed by Israel. Russia has an estimated 7,500 troops and multiple military sites in Syria, including an air base at Hmeimim and strategic naval facilities at Tartus, which are also used to support the Kremlin's actions in North and Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the Russian RIA Novosti news agency, the leaders of the armed Syrian opposition "have guaranteed security to the Russian military bases and diplomatic establishments in Syria." RFE/RL can not confirm those reports. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declined to comment on the fate of the Russian bases, saying he "wasn't in the business of guessing." The senior Biden administration official expressed some doubt about Russia's ability to maintain the bases. "The Russians have now announced that they have taken Assad to Moscow. So we'll see what the Syrians who have worked for decades to overthrow the yoke of the Assad regime think about that when it comes to the Russian facilities," he said. Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament, said on December 8 that Syrians will have to cope with a full-scale war alone, but he suggested Moscow was ready to support the Syrian people in certain circumstances. The ISW said Moscow had not yet begun to evacuate the naval base, "but it remains unclear whether Russia will keep its vessels at the port as Syrian rebels continue to advance swiftly across regime-held territory." Ruslan Suleymanov, a Russian expert on the Middle East, told RFE/RL that Moscow would "cooperate with the rebels" if they take power in Damascus and that HTS too has "claimed previously that it was ready to negotiate" with the Kremlin. "Putin wants to save his military presence in the region. In any case, to do that, he has to make concessions -- both to jihadists and to [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan who supports [the rebels]," Suleymanov said. The surprise offensive began on November 27 during which a coalition of rebel groups led by HTS captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's second largest. Since then, they moved on to take other major cities with Assad's forces providing little resistance. Besides HTS, the fighters include forces of an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Turkey has denied backing the offensive, though experts say insurgents would not have launched it without the country's consent. The United Nations said on December 6 that almost 300,000 people in Syria had already been displaced since late November by the fighting, and that up to 1.5 million could be forced to flee as the rebels advance and inflict losses on Assad, as well as his Russian and Iranian allies. Assad has relied on Iran and Russia to remain in power since the conflict erupted in 2011. Neighbors, World Powers React The developments in Damascus prompted Syria's neighbors to take urgent measures, with Lebanon announcing it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Israel said on December 8 it has deployed forces in a demilitarized buffer zone along its northern border with Syria and sent troops "other places necessary for its defense." The Israeli military said the deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. The United States said it will maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State (IS) in the region. The United States has about 900 soldiers in Syria. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said Washington is "aware that the chaotic and dynamic circumstances on the ground in Syria could give [IS] space to find the ability to become active, to plan external operations." Speaking at a security conference in Bahrain on December 8, Shapiro said the United States is determined to work with its partners to "continue to degrade [IS] capabilities." "[We're determined] to ensure [IS's] enduring defeat, to ensure the secure detention of IS fighters and the repatriation of displaced persons," Shapiro added. UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen described the latest developments as a "watershed moment in Syria's history" and urged all armed actors in the country to maintain law and order and preserve pubic institutions. Speaking in Doha on December 8, Pedersen also said he has no information on Assad's whereabouts. Tom Fletcher, head of the UN humanitarian aid agency, warned about the plight of the millions of Syrians displaced by nearly 14 years of the countrys civil war. Now many more are in danger, Fletcher said. We will respond wherever, whenever, however we can, to support people in need, including reception centers -- food, water, fuel, tents, blankets, he said. British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called for a "political solution" while the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement it was time in Syria for unity, a peaceful political transition, and for fighting to end. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa Eva Osborne A third man (20s) who was arrested in connection with an investigation targeting an organised crime group suspected of carrying out burglaries at homes and businesses nationwide has been charged. The man is expected to appear before Donegal District Court on Monday morning at approximately 10:30am. Two other men (one aged in his 50s, the other in his 20s) were due to appear before a special sitting of Sligo District Court on Friday evening. The three men were arrested as part of an operation targeting an organised criminal group suspected of committing burglaries of residential and commercial properties in the North-Western Region and elsewhere nationwide. The search operation took place in Dublin and Kildare on Friday, November 29th. Four vehicles have been seized, including a high performance Blue BMW, and a substantial amount of suspected stolen property has been recovered. The operation forms part of Operation Thor, An Garda Siochana's national strategy targeting organised crime groups involved in burglaries and associated criminal activity. Investigations are ongoing, gardai said. Haryana police and protesting farmers locked in dispute over movement permissions The protester added that the police are citing a lack of permission for their movement. Farmers 'Delhi Chalo' Protest March Latest News Today: A standoff continues at the Shambhu border as Haryana police and protesting farmers remain locked in a heated dispute over movement permissions. Farmers participating in the 'Delhi Chalo' march allege undue restrictions, while the police insist on identifying participants before allowing them to proceed. Speaking about the situation, a Haryana police official stated, "We will first identify them (farmers) and then we can allow them to go ahead. We have a list of the names of 101 farmers, and they are not those peoplethey are not letting us identify them. They are moving ahead as a mob." Advertisement Farmers, however, have rejected the police's claims. A protester at the scene accused authorities of using faulty records to justify halting their march. "The list they (police) have is wrongit doesnt include the farmers coming here. We have asked them to let us move ahead, and we will show our identity cards," he said. The protester added that the police are citing a lack of permission for their movement. "Why do we have to prove our identity if the government hasnt granted us permission? We are trying to resolve this through dialogue, but we will move ahead no matter what. I told them (police) to go to Haryana as this is the land of Punjab," he said. This impasse comes as tensions run high, with farmers determined to carry out their march despite significant resistance from authorities. Both sides have expressed a commitment to dialogue, but the situation remains volatile, with no immediate resolution in sight. Tear Gas, Detentions as Farmers Resume 'Delhi Chalo' Protest The Delhi police, citing security concerns, had fortified the border with barricades and embedded nails Tear Gas, Detentions as Farmers Resume 'Delhi Chalo' Protest Latest news: The 'Delhi Chalo' movement resumed today, with hundreds of farmers gathering at the Shambhu border to push for long-pending demands, including a fair Minimum Support Price (MSP). Tensions escalated as police fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, detaining several participants. The Delhi police, citing security concerns, had fortified the border with barricades and embedded nails. Farmer representative Sarwan Singh Pandher condemned the authorities' actions. "Farmers are being treated with brutality despite our peaceful approach. Tomorrow, a group of 101 will continue the march to Delhi, abiding by all regulations," he assured. Advertisement The protests, led by Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukta Kisan Morcha, have now reached 300 days without resolution. Protesters are demanding action on the Supreme Court-appointed committee's recommendations regarding MSP, free electricity, and fair access to agricultural markets. Ayyakannu, a representative of the United Farmers Front from Tamil Nadu, criticized the central government's inaction, noting stark income disparities over decades. "In 1970, teachers and sugarcane farmers earned comparable incomes. Today, the gap is unacceptably wide, and MSP remains inadequate," he said. Farmers across Tamil Nadu are set to protest on December 16 before joining the Delhi agitation. The movement's leaders reiterated their resolve, warning of intensified demonstrations if their demands remain unmet. Advertisement (For more news apart from Tear Gas, Detentions as Farmers Resume 'Delhi Chalo' Protest Latest news, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Heartbreaking Tragedy: Punjabi Security Guard Harshandeep Singh Shot Dead in Edmonton The tragic incident comes on the heels of another heart-wrenching loss for the Punjabi diaspora in Canada. Punjab Youth Shot Dead, Edmonton Sikh Murder Latest News: A wave of grief has swept through the Punjabi and Sikh communities worldwide after a tragic video surfaced on the internet, showing 20-year-old Harshandeep Singh, a Punjabi security guard, being shot and killed while on duty in Edmonton, Canada. Harshandeep, a Sikh youth, had moved to Canada in pursuit of better opportunities, like many others from Punjab, but his journey met a devastating end. Advertisement The tragic incident comes on the heels of another heart-wrenching loss for the Punjabi diaspora in Canada. Just days ago, 22-year-old Gurasis Singh, an international student from Punjab studying at Lambton College in Sarnia, was stabbed to death. The alleged perpetrator, 36-year-old Crossley Hunter from Sarnia, has been charged with second-degree murder in Gurasis case. Harshandeeps death has reignited discussions about the safety and well-being of immigrants and international students in Canada. Community leaders and organizations call for increased measures to protect these vulnerable groups, who often work long hours in high-risk jobs to support themselves and their families back home. Both incidents have left families shattered, with parents and loved ones in Punjab mourning the untimely loss of their children. The back-to-back tragedies highlight the challenges faced by young immigrants, from adjusting to a new environment to navigating safety concerns. Advertisement Authorities in Edmonton are conducting a thorough investigation into Harshandeeps murder. Two people were arrested, each suspected of first-degree murder in the death of a security guard, Edmonton police said Saturday. (For more news apart from Punjab Youth Shot Dead, Edmonton Sikh Murder Latest News, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) December 8, 2024 A roundup of local and international news. Newsflash Newsroom, 08.12.2024, 13:56 Church. The Romanian Orthodox Church issued a statement urging parish churches, monasteries and church goers not to get involved or take part in actions that are contrary to the law and social peace. The statement refers to information circulating on the social media groups of representatives of certain political parties according to which the former are to go to churches today to try to mobilise church goers to hold protests against the Constitutional Court and other state institutions. The Romanian Orthodox Church warns that such instigation can have negative consequences both for the clergy and believers and recalls that the Church promotes prayer and inner peace for the good of society. The reaction comes after Calin Georgescu, who ran for president on an extremist and sovereignist platform and who is at the heart of a scandal linked to Russias meddling in the elections, urged people to go the polling stations today, despite the fact that elections have been cancelled by the Constitutional Court. The members of the sovereignist Alliance for the Union of Romanians, which is also contesting the cancellation of the elections, have also been urged by their party to go to the site of the polling stations to light candles. The Constitutional Court on Friday ruled to annul the presidential elections and resume the entire election process, saying it had been tampered with. Judges also said that the fair and transparent nature of the election campaign was affected and election funding rules were disregarded. Investigation. Seven persons are under investigation as part of a criminal case opened in Romania after over 100 people attended last week the commemoration of the leader of the former Corneliu Zelea Codreanu Legionnaire Movement, where they displayed fascist and legionnaire symbols, which is against the law. According to the Prosecutor Generals Office, the persons under investigation used legionnaire flags and symbols and then shared their videos of the event on TikTok. The justice ministry also announced an investigation into five persons in connection to death threats to supporters of former presidential candidate Elena Lasconi. Another case refers to the funding of the presidential election campaign, with searches being conducted in Brasov, in the centre, targeting Bogdan Peschir, the holder of a TikTok account suspected by prosecutors of corrupting voters, money laundering and IT fraud. Documents declassified by the Supreme Council of National Defence indicate that he contributed to financing Calin Georgescus election campaign. Syria. The Syrian army announced the end of the Assad regime. News agencies report that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad left Damascus for an unknown destination, while rebel forces entered the capital following a lightning offensive that began in the north of the country. The rebel leader said the former prime minister will supervise public institutions until the hand-over of power. The UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen called on all Syrians to prioritise dialogue, unity and respect for international humanitarian legislation and for human rights in the reconstruction of their society, adding that he is ready to support the Syrian people on their journey to a stable and inclusive future. The Romanian foreign ministry advised its citizens to leave Syria immediately, on any available safe route, as the situation escalated. The ministry underlines that at the moment, there are no direct flights to Romania and suggest the land routes to Beirut, Lebanon, via the Masnaa border crossing. Romanian citizens are also advised to inform the embassy of their presence in the region and their location, so that they can be contacted in the event of an emergency. Book fair. Today is the last day of the Gaudeamus Book Fair, organised by Radio Romania in Bucharest between December 4 and 8. Visitors can still buy new book releases at discount prices and attend book launches and debates. On Saturday, almost 200 events were scheduled, including book launches, meetings with writers, debates and book illustration workshops. The honorary president of this years edition was writer Mircea Cartarescu, one of the best-known and most appreciated contemporary Romanian writers and the recipient of many national and international awards. The 150-200cc motorcycle segment in India, often regarded as the bridge between commuter bikes and performance-oriented machines, witnessed a marginal decline in sales in October 2024 The total sales for this segment stood at 1,80,003 units, reflecting a year-on-year (YoY) decline of 0.23% compared to 1,80,417 units sold in October 2023. While some manufacturers registered impressive growth, others experienced significant setbacks, showcasing a mixed performance for the segment. 150cc to 200cc Motorcycle Sales Oct 2024 TVS Apache Leads the Pack TVS Apache emerged as the leader in this segment, recording 50,097 units in salesa YoY growth of 27.84% compared to 39,187 units sold in October 2023. The Apache series continues to attract enthusiasts with its versatile offerings, sporty design, and feature-rich lineup. Bajaj Pulsar, traditionally a strong player in this segment, experienced a significant setback with a 36.47% YoY decline. Sales dropped to 36,336 units in October 2024 from 57,198 units in October 2023. This sharp decline reflects increased competition and shifting consumer preferences within the segment. Honda Unicorn made headlines with an impressive YoY growth of 93.66%, selling 31,768 units in October 2024 compared to 16,404 units in the same period last year. The Unicorns robust performance underscores its appeal as a reliable and efficient commuter motorcycle, particularly in semi-urban and rural markets. Yamahas Mixed Performance Yamaha showed a mixed performance in the 150-200cc segment. The Yamaha MT 15 registered a stellar 53.45% YoY growth with 13,405 units sold, up from 8,736 units last year. However, the Yamaha R15, despite its sporty appeal, saw an 11.69% decline, selling 11,449 units compared to 12,964 units in October 2023. The Yamaha FZ remained relatively stable with a minor dip of 0.70%. The KTM 200 series saw an 18.79% increase in sales, reaching 4,028 units in October 2024 compared to 3,391 units last year. The KTM brands association with performance and adventure continues to resonate with young buyers seeking thrill and style. Hero MotoCorps offerings faced significant declines. The Hero Xtreme saw a steep 47.86% drop in sales, and the XPulse 200 fell by 24.37%. Similarly, Suzuki Gixxer registered a 7.12% decline, selling 1,814 units compared to 1,953 units last year. While the Unicorn excelled, other Honda models struggled. The Honda Hornet 2.0 witnessed a sharp decline of 65.51%, and the CB200X saw a 45.47% drop in sales, highlighting challenges in sustaining demand for these models. Month on Month Comparison In addition to the year-on-year comparison, a closer look at the month-on-month (MoM) sales performance reveals interesting dynamics in the 150-200cc motorcycle segment for October 2024. Total sales for this segment stood at 1,80,003 units, a marginal increase of 0.15% compared to the 1,79,738 units sold in September 2024. The slight MoM increase of 0.15% indicates that the 150-200cc motorcycle segment remains steady, with significant gains in some models balancing out declines in others. With popular models like TVS Apache, Yamaha MT 15, and KTM 200 showing strong growth, the segment is poised for continued competition and innovation. However, challenges remain for declining models, urging manufacturers to adopt dynamic strategies to sustain their market share. Considering the displacement and performance it packs, Hero Mavrick 440 mileage test results in real-world conditions are impressive Indias leading motorcycle manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, needs no introduction. The company has an unmatched legacy in India and abroad with budget commuter offerings. Reliability, affordability, accessibility, fuel efficiency and economical running costs are the main forte of Hero and its budget commuters. Now, Hero has a proper big bike in their portfolio for the first time with Mavrick 440. But how much mileage (fuel Efficiency) can one expect out of Heros first big bike? Hero MotoCorp provided Rushlane with a review sample and heres what the Mavrick 440 managed to eke out riding through a mixture of city (with traffic) and highways. Hero Mavrick 440 Mileage Report With the review sample provided by Hero MotoCorp, I embarked on a long weekend solo ride to experience Heros first-ever big bike. I took the motorcycle from my place in Pune to Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, then to Nashik and returned back to Pune in just two days. Mavrick 440 packs ample performance with a 440cc oil-cooled engine with 27 bhp and 36 Nm, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. I was curious to find out just how fuel-efficient Hero Mavrick 440 is. So, I followed a proper tank-to-tank method. Mavricks fuel tank was filled to the brim and travelled across city traffic and highway run, including a few bad patches of roads along the way. After riding it for 192.5 km, I filled the tank back again to the brim, at the same spot as before, for a close-to-accurate reading. As seen in our mileage test run, Hero Mavrick 440 consumed 4.48L of fuel to cover 192.5 km. This was a surprising result as the mileage figure (fuel efficiency) turned out to be an impressive 42.96 km/l. It has to be noted that the majority of this ride was done on highways within a set speed limit of 100 km/h. Around 10% of this 192.5 km mileage was in the city with reasonable traffic in and around Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Even on highways, throttle modulation was normal and I was not wringing it hard. Average highway speeds maintained across this ride were between 90 km/h and 100 km/h. Is the mileage good? Interestingly, bikes instrument cluster showed a range of 451 km when the tank was filled to the brim. I felt like the Fuel gauge was generally inconsistent during my period with this motorcycle. In the city, especially in Pune traffic, I was getting around 25 km/l to 30 km/l, which is acceptable for a motorcycle of this displacement and performance. The sub 500cc premium single-cylinder motorcycle segment is gaining popularity and has been populated by multiple offerings across many brands. Royal Enfield has launched Himalayan 450 and Guerrilla 450, Bajaj-KTM duo has 390 Duke, 390 Adventure, RC 390 and Husqvarna Svartpilen 401, Bajaj-Triumph has Speed T4, Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X. Hero MotoCorp and Harley-Davidson partnership are crashing the party with Mavrick 440 and X440 respectively. Hero Mavrick 440 is the more affordable offering, while still offering the same basic ethos as X440, sans the brand factor and a few nice-to-have elements. With pricing as the key strength, Mavrick 440 even undercuts Royal Enfields Classic 350. Achieving a more striking road presence is the primary purpose of the new body kit introduced for Innova Crysta Launched in 2016, Innova Crysta has remained a favourite for commercial as well as private buyers. A ladder frame chassis, robust diesel powertrain, optimal comfort and reliable performance are some of the key USPs of Innova Crysta. The MPV currently ranks 5th in the list of Toyotas best selling cars in India. It contributes around 12.5% to Toyotas overall sales. Innova Crysta new Rugged kit Current-gen Innova Crysta already has a dominating street presence. Some of the key features include an imposing front grille, sharp LED headlamps and sporty diamond-cut alloy wheels. The new Rugged kit further enhances the overall look and feel. At the front, the Rugged kit has chrome accents for the front grille and hood. Side profile is enhanced with shielding overfenders. These will also protect the vehicle from potential scratches and dents. At the rear, the Rugged kit offers a sporty rear spoiler. Some of the accessories under the Rugged kit have been developed by TTIPL. These will be installed at the dealership and users will be charged the relevant price. Apart from the Rugged kit, a lot more accessories are already available for Innova Crysta. Some of the really exciting items include a hood scoop, bumper emblem in silver finish, muffler cutter and roof spoiler garnish. There are some exclusive accessories for the interiors as well. These include a wooden panel on the dashboard, 3D floor mats and scuff plate. Innova Crysta users can also choose from a wide variety of functional accessories. These include a rear camera, welcome door lamp, leg room lamp, wireless charger, digital video recorder, tyre pressure monitoring system, illuminated scuff plate, fog lamp with fitting kit and air purifier. By providing an extensive range of accessories, Toyota has ensured that users can enhance the visuals and also improve overall cabin experience. Toyota Innova Crysta Powertrain, features Innova Crysta is currently available with only a 2.4-litre diesel engine. It generates 150 PS and 343 Nm and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Even when an automatic transmission option is not available, Innova Crysta continues to register strong sales. However, with upcoming stricter emission norms, continuing with a diesel engine will get tougher. It remains to be seen what plans Toyota has to deal with such challenges. An immediate alternative is apparently the Innova HyCross, available in petrol and petrol-hybrid powertrain options. Talking about features, Innova Crysta has a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, start / stop button and combination meter with TFT MID. Theres ambient lighting, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift lever and door inner garnish. Other highlights include automatic climate control, 8-way power adjustable driver seat, wireless door lock, cruise control and tilt and telescopic steering column. Safety kit includes 3-7 airbags, vehicle stability control, hill start assist control, back monitor and front clearance sonar with MID indication. Investors looking for stocks to hold on to for a while might want to consider dividend-paying companies. Besides offering a regular stream of passive income, dividend stocks have generally outperformed their non-dividend peers over the long run. That's not surprising. Maintaining a growing dividend program through good times and bad requires a rock-solid business. Healthcare companies have an added advantage since they are in a defensive industry that performs comparatively better when the economy slows down. Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free With that backdrop, let's consider two healthcare dividend stocks for investors focused on the long game: Merck (NYSE: MRK) and Medtronic (NYSE: MDT). 1. Merck The market's forward-looking nature explains why Merck's shares are down by 10% this year. Investors are already focusing ahead to 2028, when the company's biggest moneymaker by far, the cancer drug Keytruda, will lose patent exclusivity in the U.S. And even before that, Keytruda could face competition from an investigational therapy called ivonescimab that is being developed to treat non-small cell lung cancer, among other diseases for which Keytruda has earned indications. Is there any way for Merck to get out of this bind? Yes, there is. First, the company has been working on a subcutaneous version of its crown jewel that should earn many of the same indications as the original and extend its patent life. Ivonescimab's challenge might be real, but the medicine won't earn approval in the U.S. for at least a couple of years or so. Furthermore, Merck is being proactive, as shown by its recent partnership with privately held China-based LaNova Medicines to develop LM-299, a bispecific antibody in the same class of medicines as ivonescimab. Something might come out of Merck's partnership with LaNova, or maybe it will be a bust. The important point is that Merck, a longtime leader in oncology, will seek to find ways to get around this new challenge. The company's success will also depend on products in other fields. That includes the newly approved Winrevair, a therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension; Merck's vaccine business; its animal health unit, and more. Its pipeline features more than 60 programs in phase 2 studies and more than 30 in phase 3 clinical trials. The company hasn't maintained its leadership in the pharmaceutical industry for decades by accident. Expect it to do the same for much longer. Were nearing the end of 2024. So it's an especially good time to assess what financial moves you should make before the clock runs out. Luckily, financial planners spend the final weeks of the year thinking about just such things. Back in 2023, we asked several experts for their thoughts, and we made a list of six key financial steps to take by Dec. 31. Readers responded, so we reached out to the same experts again this year, along with one or two new ones, to see if their advice had changed. The answer: Not really. Here are their suggestions, which include bolstering retirement savings, tweaking insurance coverage and seeking savvy tax shelters. Update beneficiaries on 401(k), life insurance policy A typical investment account or life insurance policy requires you to name beneficiaries, the loved ones who will get the money upon your demise. For many of us, beneficiary designations function as an estate plan: theyre legally binding and dictate what happens to a large portion of your assets. Some people dont get around to naming beneficiaries. Births, deaths and family feuds can change the estate-planning landscape. The end of the year is a good time to take stock. I suggest making sure your beneficiaries are up to date on your investment accounts, said Colin Day, a certified financial planner in St. Louis. It might not be the first thing people think of, but you will be surrounded by loved ones during the holiday season, Day said. It's a great reminder that you love and support these people, and you want to make sure your hard-earned dollars will get to them if something were to happen. Review your estate plan and insurance coverage by Dec. 31. Review estate plan and insurance coverage More broadly, the years end is a good time to review your estate plan, powers of attorney and insurance coverage, said Paul Mendelsohn, a certified public accountant in Livingston, New Jersey. Do you have life insurance, long-term disability insurance and long-term care insurance? Mendelsohn said. If not, should you consider getting them? Long-term care insurance, perhaps the least-known of these three, helps cover the costs of assisted living and nursing homes. Keep in mind, Mendelsohn said, that if one spouse has an insurance policy through work, it does not cover the other spouse. If you havent done so recently, schedule a meeting with an estate planning attorney to create or update your will, health care directives and other legal documents, said Niv Persaud, a certified financial planner in Atlanta. Make charitable donations and gifts Charitable giving is a big part of the holidays. And the IRS allows you to deduct cash donations to qualified charities, potentially up to 60% of your income. Donations are tax-deductible only if they go to recognized charities. Youll need documentation for larger donations, NerdWallet says. Charitable giving works as a tax shelter only if you itemize your deductions, rather than claim the standard deduction, at tax time. (Most of us dont itemize.) Charitable gifts should be made before the end of the year if one wants the deduction" for 2024, said Seth Benjamin Mullikin, a certified financial planner in Charlotte, North Carolina. The holiday season is also a great time to make financial gifts to loved ones, Mullikin said. Individuals can gift up to $18,000 per recipient in 2024 without filing a gift tax return. The gift tax is a federal levy on transfers of money or property to someone who doesnt give you something of equal value in return, according to NerdWallet. If you give more than the annual gift tax limit, you must report it to the IRS. Maximize pretax retirement savings December is a good time to make sure youve maxed out your retirement planning contributions, said Catherine Valega, a certified financial planner in Winchester, Massachusetts. Tax-advantaged retirement accounts allow investors to save a portion of their income before taxes are taken out. But theres a limit. For individual retirement accounts, or IRAs, the annual contribution limit is $7,000, or $8,000 for anyone 50 or older. For employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, the maximum employee contribution is higher: $23,000, or $30,500 for people 50 and over. "It's particularly important to take steps now to max out the 401(k)," said Robert Brokamp, a certified financial planner and senior adviser at The Motley Fool. "Because, in most cases, you can't just send in a check." Contributions generally go through your employer's payroll system, and you'll have to make any adjustments before the last checks of the year go out. Contribution limits go up in 2025. So, now is also a good time to update your payroll deductions and IRA contributions to reflect the new caps, said Rob Schultz, a certified financial planner in Encino, California. Even higher "catch-up" limits will be available for people 60 to 63 in 2025. "I'm guessing most people have no idea about that new capability," Valega said. Over 73? Take required minimum distribution on retirement account A required minimum distribution, or RMD, is an amount you must withdraw from an IRA or 401(k) once you turn 73. If you havent already, you need to complete your required minimum distributions from your IRA by December 31, said Devin Pope, a certified financial planner in Salt Lake City. In exchange for the tax perks, the IRS requires that savers begin withdrawing from retirement plans when they reach a certain age. The RMD is a way for taxing authorities to take their cut from your retirement account. A financial adviser can tell you how much you need to withdraw by years end, or you can consult an RMD table. If you fail to withdraw the funds, you will face a 25% excise tax on the total you didnt cash out. More: Half of Americans leave FSA health care money on the table. Here are 10 ways to spend it. Harvest tax losses The end of another year is an ideal time for an investment strategy called tax-loss harvesting. The technique, a tax-time staple for the wealthy, turns an investment loser into a tax winner. You sell an investment that is down, replace it with something similar and leverage the losses to offset gains you have made by selling other investments. Harvest tax losses, if you have them, Mullikin said. And that completes the list. See how many items you can check off between now and New Year's Eve. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Financial moves to make by Dec. 31: Wills, trusts and IRAs The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced Friday that it was placing Googles payment arm under federal supervision. In response, Google filed a lawsuit seeking to block the move. Such supervision would subject Google to the same inspections that the bureau conducts with major banks and other financial institutions for potential violations of the law. The CFPB recently finalized regulations that brought payments and digital wallet services under its purview. The CFPBs announcement acknowledged that Google was disputing the designation. The bureau said that placing a company under supervision does not constitute a finding that the entity has engaged in wrongdoing, but it does indicate that the company poses risks to consumers. In this case, the bureau cited complaints that Google had not adequately investigated or explained allegedly erroneous transactions, and that the company failed to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud. This follows earlier reporting that the CFPB had been negotiating with Google for months. Reuters reports that Googles lawsuit argued that the CFPB was relying on a small number of unsubstantiated complaints about Google Pay, which was discontinued as a standalone app in the United States earlier this year. This is a clear case of government overreach involving Google Pay peer-to-peer payments, which never raised risks and is no longer provided in the U.S., and we are challenging it in court, a Google spokesperson said in a statement. Regardless of how Googles lawsuit plays out in court, the CFPBs decision might also be reversed after the Donald Trumps presidential administration takes over in January. European shares extended gains on Friday as investors assessed the fallout from the collapse of the French government and subsequent resignation of Prime Minister Michel Barnier, while upbeat eurozone GDP data boosted sentiment. The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.24% in early deals at 520.74 points, Frances CAC 40 shrugged off the political turmoil to post a 1.45% gain. Barnier handed in his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday but will stay on until a successor is appointed. He quit after left wing parties combined with the extreme right in a no confidence vote to topple his minority government in protest at the decision to force through 60bn in Budget cuts without a parliamentary vote. Macron, who many blame for the current political crisis, made a defiant speech on Thursday insisting he would see out his presidential term, which ends in 2027. European stocks are close to a one-month high as traders assess rapidly unfolding political events in France. Theres some hope that President Emmanuel Macron will serve out his term and that a budget can be passed in the coming weeks as the EUs second largest economy looks to tackle its debt crisis, said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Derren Nathan. But until President Macron announces a replacement for Prime Minister Michel Barnier, uncertainty is likely to prevail. Finding a candidate who can unify a deeply polarised nation will be no easy task. In economic news, economic output in the euro area rose more quickly over the three months ending in September than over the preceding quarter, as Germany skirted recession and aggregate demand in Ireland spiked. According to Eurostat, gross domestic product in the single currency area expanded at a quarter-on-quarter pace of 0.4%, after growth of 0.2% during the three months to June. Key to that outcome, German GDP rebounded by 0.1% on the quarter after a 0.3% drop during the previous three months. German industrial production fell unexpectedly in October, due to declines in energy production and the automotive industry, according to official data published on Friday. Meanwhile US nonfarm payrolls data is due later in the day with economists expecting 220,000 new jobs being added. In equities news, Direct Line shares surged after the company said it would recommend a sweetened 3.6bn from rival Aviva. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Moviegoers on all shores are raving about long-awaited cinematic adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical Wicked, which has debuted to record numbers. Now through Jan. 13, 2025, fans of Elphaba and Glinda can snack on themed dishes and drinks designed to transport audiences straight to the land of Oz, combining delectable flavors with the spectacle of one of the greatest musicals of all time. For more information about screenings and the exclusive menu, visit Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas official website. For tickets, visit to drafthouse.com to secure your seats. The Alamo Drafthouse is located within The Boulevard shopping center, located at Hylan Boulevard and Beach Avenue, which includes over 1,500 free parking spaces available for Alamo Drafthouse guests. The Wicked-themed menu showcases a range of delightful options that reflect its whimsical and dramatic spirit, including: Shiz University Chicken Wrap: A combination of grilled chicken, roasted garlic aioli, goat cheese, arugula, and tomato in a tortilla wrap, served with fries. Diners can Make it Wicked by adding bacon and cheddar. Yellow Brick Burger: Double beef patties with American cheese, Alamo sauce, pickles, and shredded lettuce on a toasted bun, served with fries. Upgrade it to Make it Emerald by adding avocado and alfalfa sprouts. Candy Cane Shake: A vanilla ice cream shake blended with crushed candy canes and topped with whipped cream and more candy cane pieces. Papa Elfs Peppermint Schnapps Shake: An adult version of the Candy Cane Shake with a kick of peppermint schnapps. Hot Cocoa & Cookies: Indulgent hot chocolate with marshmallows, served alongside two freshly baked sugar cookies. Guests can add Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur for an extra touch of cheer. Shiner Holiday Cheer: A Bavarian-style dark wheat ale brewed with peaches and roasted pecans. For fans in the mood for retail therapy, Oz-themed exclusive merchandise is also available, including a Glinda Cocoa Mug, which can be ordered directly to your seat while supplies last. MORE ABOUT WICKED After more than two decades of spellbinding audiences on stage, Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the movie explores the untold story of the witches of Oz, their unlikely friendship, and the events leading up to The Wizard of Oz. Whether youve sung along to the shows iconic tunes or are a newcomer to the magic, seeing WICKED in theaters is an unparalleled experience. Alamo Drafthouse offers specialty screenings, including magical Movie Parties, tasty Brunch Screenings, and classic showings. The New York Public Library presents the annual Best Books of 2024 highlighting top fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, poetry, and more for adults, kids, and teens, all recommended by their expert staff and librarians. These books can be found in the Librarys catalog, with many offered in various formats like accessible editions, e-books, and audiobooks, alongside other 2024 highlights including new books from New York City, Library-studied works, author talks recordings, and more. The website showcasing the Best Books of 2024 features separate sections for all ages, with adults having 50 recommended books across various genres, including biography and memoir, comics, fiction, and others. In addition, both teens and kids have access to a wide variety of genres, with the teen section featuring up to 50 recommended books and the kids' section offering up to 100 titles, providing plenty of options for young readers to explore and enjoy. The New York Public Library has made it convenient for Spanish-speaking children to access books by offering a wide selection of titles available in Spanish, ensuring that young readers from diverse linguistic backgrounds can connect with literature in their native language. If one is unsure where to begin, there is an option located on their website that introduces their recommended top 10 picks for adults, teens, kids, as well as Spanish-speaking kids. Be sure to visit their website which provides more information, including ways to donate, which library to choose from, and how to access a library card. London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - December 7, 2024) - Icona Capital, a leading alternative investment group, has acquired an island in the Maldives. The Island is renowned for its immaculate natural beauty and is also situated in excellent proximity to both - the international Male airport and the domestic Maamigili airport, thereby offering easy accessibility for international travelers. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Icona Capital's return to the ultra-luxury hospitality sector. With its' unmatched track record of success and dedication to excellence, Icona Capital's acquisition further underscores its commitment to investing in unique and high-potential opportunities in the luxury hospitality sector. "We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of this rare island in the Maldives," said Max-Herve George, Chairman & current CEO of Icona Capital. "This investment aligns perfectly with our vision of creating unique and exceptional investment opportunities globally." Max-Herve George is also well-known for his previous success with Ultima Capital in the ultra-luxury hospitality sector, which he founded in 2013, leading it to a successful IPO in 2019 before its sale in 2023, and remains deeply passionate about hospitality and property development. "Our goal is to continue reinventing the concept of luxury as we did with Ultima", added George. Icona Capital Group, founded by Max-Herve George, is known for its strong entrepreneurial ventures, operating in various sectors, including Data Centres, Real Estate, Credit, and the Financial Sector. Media Details Company Name: Icona Capital Contact Person: Alexander Maxwell Mail: harry@iconacapital.com City/Country: London, United Kingdom Website: https://iconacapital.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232935 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Anyone who knows Frank Morisano is aware that his name is synonymous with leadership, dedication and resilience. Throughout the last 34 years, Morisano has had an impact at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), and on the community as a whole. A firefighter at heart and a nurse by calling, his story is one of service, adaptability and a deeply rooted sense of purpose in fulfilling the needs of others. Born into a family with a proud firefighting tradition, Morisano initially pursued social work before finding his calling as a firefighter. Frank Morisano, left, Dr. Brahim Ardolic and an FDNY official. (Courtesy/SIUH)Staten Island Advance Joining the FDNY during the height of New Yorks heroin epidemic, he adapted to the rigors of one of Manhattans most demanding neighborhoods. His time as a firefighter wasnt just about extinguishing flames but also about saving lives and forging bonds that would last a lifetime. Frank Morisano at the firehouse. (Courtesy/SIUH)Staten Island Advance And in keeping with tradition, Morisanos son Nick is now a member of New York Citys Bravest as well. Frank Morisano and his son, Nick Morisano. (Courtesy/SIUH)Staten Island Advance A CAREER ENDING INJURY RESULTED IN A CHANGE However, a career-ending injury in 1988 brought an unexpected turn. Undeterred, Morisano transitioned into nursing, starting as a security guard at SIUH while pursuing his nursing degree. His dedication and determination propelled him to become a respected nurse, particularly in the neuroscience and emergency departments. Known for his natural leadership, Morisano became a mentor to countless colleagues, offering guidance and promoting growth. His approach to leadership was selfless and nurturing, earning the admiration of peers and mentees alike. Over his 34-year tenure at SIUH, Morisanos leadership shone brightest in times of crisis. During the 9/11 attacks, he played a pivotal role in hospital operations, drawing from his firefighter and nursing experiences. The tragedy left a deep personal mark, with the loss of 40 friends and colleagues, including his entire firehouse crew. Hurricane Sandy further tested his resolve as he managed hospital operations amid rising floodwaters, while his son, a trainee EMT, braved the storm to help others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Morisanos administrative oversight of critical departments reiterated his ability to navigate challenges with a calm demeanor and precision. Frank Morisano, center, and his colleagues at Staten Island University Hospital. (Courtesy/SIUH)Staten Island Advance As his career evolved, he transitioned into community health, embracing a role that brought him back to his roots of direct service. He extended SIUHs reach across Staten Island, building partnerships with unions, civil service groups, and local organizations to improve healthcare access for underserved populations. Programs like the AP Tech and EMT Scholarship initiatives stand as hallmarks of his leadership, as he offered young Staten Islanders opportunities to pursue healthcare careers while addressing workforce shortages. From the left, Frank Morisano, Keith and Linda Manfredi and Dr. Brahim Ardolic. (Courtesy/SIUH)Staten Island Advance Among his many achievements is Morisanos collaboration with the Joseph Maffeo Foundation to establish a new pediatric emergency department. And receiving the foundations Angel Award was a tribute to his efforts. Now retired, his legacy is defined not only by his professional achievements but by the lives he touched and the inspiration he provided. Frank Morisano, a registered nurse. (Courtesy/SIUH)Staten Island Advance Whether as a firefighter, nurse, or leader, he has embodied the spirit of giving back. Reflecting on his journey, he said, Looking back on my life, when I die, I still want to come back as me. This was one of my greatest honors, working at this hospital for 34 years. Im going to look back on it with pride. Morisanos life reflects the core message of Its a Wonderful Life: one persons dedication and service can make a lasting difference in their community. Hear more of his extraordinary tales by visiting: Editors Note: In honor of the many Staten Islanders who have shown the best of what the borough is this year, we are highlighting some of the standouts, and honoring them as Staten Islands Brightest Lights of 2024. Congratulations to them, and every borough resident who has found their own way to give back, make change, be a role model, inspire others, advocate and/or care about their community in 2024. Staten Islands Brightest Lights of 2024: Joe Pendergast His story, summed up: On May 31 at about 7:30 a.m., FDNY firefighter Joe Pendergast was on his way to work, driving from his Staten Island home to Ladder 113 in Brooklyn. Still off-duty, Pendergast, 33, spotted smoke coming from an apartment building. Within a living room in the building an e-bike was on fire, and a resident inside was attempting to extract his dogs from the second floor, a FDNY spokesperson said. Pendergast urged the occupant to flee and soon a second e-bike exploded near the doorway. In an effort to contain the blaze, Pendergast shut the door, burning his arm in the process, the FDNY said. Due to Pendergasts heroic actions the four dogs were rescued. Another 60 firefighters ultimately came to the scene to get the blaze under control. Read the full story about Joe Pendergast by Luke Peteley >> STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As New Yorkers continue to adjust to the citys mandatory curbside composting program, some may be left wondering if theyll need to purchase another new composting bin every time they change addresses. As of Oct. 6, all New York City residents are now required to separate their organic waste from the rest of their trash as part of the citys expanded curbside composting program. Hi Neighbor, OK . . . enough already. All still wringing your hands over Joe Bidens pardon of his son, please . . . stop. Our president-elect would have done the same thing. In fact, he did. Almost. As did Obama. And the Bushes, 41 and 43. Although none of those pardons were for their sons. Donald Trump did pardon his son-n-laws dad. Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother. Dick Nixon pardoned Jimmy Hoffa. And perhaps the greatest pardon of all -- Gerald Ford pardoned Dick Nixon. Talk about Its who you know, not what you know. All of this is not to say its the right thing to do. Fact is, its now part of the agenda as the president gets closer to the door in the waning days of an administration. Friends get pardoned. Campaign donors get pardoned. And it opens the door wide not that it wasnt already open for the incoming president to pardon the January 6 hostages, as he calls them. Terrorists is more like it. Whats so troubling about all this is how skeptical Americans who bellyache continually that all politicians do is lie . . . are right. Did anyone really believe Joe Biden when he assured us over and over that he would not pardon his son? In June, just after Hunters conviction, Joe assured America that, indeed, he puts the American judicial process before family. I will accept the outcome of this case and continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal, the president told us in June. Did anyone really believe Donald Trump when he claimed little to no knowledge of Project 2025, the handbook designed to transform America into Donald Trumps version of America? Lets not even get into the stolen 2020 election, or Haitians eating dogs. Democrats can spin Hunters pardon till it gets them dizzy. True, the Biden family story is tragic. Joe lost a wife and daughter in a horrific car accident. He lost a son to brain cancer. He almost lost Hunter to drug addiction. But Hunter is a criminal. He lied to get a gun and he didnt pay $1.4 million in taxes till he had to. Not to mention he leveraged his family name to make millions of overseas dollars. He wouldnt have, but could have been sentenced to 25 years. Its a good bet Pop would have pardoned him no matter, but the pardon became a lock when Donald Trump swearing hed take revenge on all his enemies won the election. The thought of his son in federal prison with a Trump-controlled Justice Department must have sent chills up the old mans spine. Bread and water would have been a luxury. Joe knew Hunter would have been a Trump target, so pardoned his kid for all federal crimes known and unknown over the past decade. On the other side of the aisle, when Donald felt the winds blowing against Project 2025, the incoming commander-in-chief knew what he had to do. Lie. Disavow it. I have nothing to do with it, he said. Absolutely ridiculous, he called some of the recommendations. So he did read it! Add to that a bunch of his former White House staffers were authors or contributors, some chosen to join the Trump 2025 Cabinet or work on his team. And some, if not directly connected to Project 2025, display much the same philosophy, like Kash Patel, Trumps pick to head the FBI. Patel authored his own book, a trilogy actually, entitled The Plot Against the King. It opens with Hillary Queenton and her shifty knight spreading lies that King Donald had cheated to become king. Clever, huh? This, neighbors, could well be our next FBI director. And to come full circle, weve had the sitting president and his allies denying Trumps claims that the Justice Department is politicized under a Biden administration, now charging the Justice Department is politicized. I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice, said the man who for years defended the purity of the process. Where does it all lead? Well, already our mayor, Eric Adams, under federal indictment for bribery and illegal benefits from foreign nationals, points to a politicized Justice Department that indicted him because of his criticism of the Biden border policy. Tom, a Midland Beach neighbor, asked me recently, Are the Democrats not going in the wrong direction? After the debacle Dems called a Biden-and-then-Harris presidential campaign, I had to agree. They are. Seeing all this now, however, I fear its not only the Democrats going in the wrong direction. Its our country. Brian Oh by the way: President Bidens sweeping pardon of his son only counts on the federal level. Dad better hope Hunter didnt skip out on a parking ticket in some state with a Republican-friendly governor. Because you know Donalds Justice Department will be looking, and Hunters federal pardon means nothing on the state level. One of the best backup options for the Yankees in free agency if they miss on Juan Soto came off the board on Saturday night. Shortstop Willy Adames signed a seven-year, $182 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. Jeff Passan of ESPN was first to report Adames signing, the biggest contract in Giants franchise history. Earlier this week, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that the Yankees were showing interest in Adames. It wasnt a perfect fit necessarily, since the Yankees already have Anthony Volpe at shortstop, but they couldve made it work, using Adames to fill one of their other infield holes. The free agent was coming off a career year with the Brewers. An option for the Yankees couldve been to move Adames to third base, sliding Jazz Chisholm Jr. over to second. Adames was reportedly willing to change positions for the right situation and the right deal in free agency. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Giants, Braves and Dodgers were the most active pursuers of Adames in free agency. The Yankees love Adames, Heyman said, but they have another priority at the moment. That priority is Soto, who is expected to make his free agency decision imminently. He could pick a team over this weekend with the Winter Meetings set to begin on Sunday in Dallas. The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers are the known suitors for Soto. Offers for the generational outfielder have reportedly eclipsed the $600 million mark and many expect the final contract for Soto to be higher than $700 million. If the Yankees dont retain Soto and he chooses one of those other high-spending contenders, theyll need to pivot quickly and turn their best remaining backup plan into reality. With Adames no longer available, other position players the Yankees have been linked to include third baseman Alex Bregman, first baseman Pete Alonso and first baseman Christian Walker. Cubs outfielder and first baseman Cody Bellinger is another veteran piece the Yankees are interested in, but that would require a trade. Chicago is reportedly determined to get rid of Bellinger this winter. Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com. When Mark Cuban was asked about his favorite Shark Tank investment during an interview on Good Morning America, he didn't hesitate: DUDE Wipes. In an Instagram reel posted in October, Cuban joked, "We all gotta wipe, right?" He added, "Everything's a potty joke to them. Business is great. They're killing it. They're gonna do one-hundred-plus million dollars this year. So wipe early, wipe often." https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBJXztgC5jf Don't Miss: That offbeat humor is at the core of DUDE Wipes' success. Launched in 2011 by childhood friends from the Chicago suburbs Sean Riley, Ryan Meegan and Jeffrey Klimkowski the company has gone from a quirky idea to a serious disrupter in the $11 billion toilet paper industry. In 2023 alone, the brand raked in $110 million in revenue, up from $70 million the year before and now holds a 1% market share in a space dominated by giants like Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble. The concept of DUDE Wipes started as a simple hack: Riley stocked their shared apartment bathroom with baby wipes. The roommates realized that while traditional toilet paper wasn't cutting it, baby wipes, let alone men, weren't marketed for adults. From that lightbulb moment, they sketched their prototype, pooled together $30,000 in savings and ordered their first batch of wipes. With just $5,000 left for marketing, they began handing out samples at college campuses, music festivals and fraternity houses. See Also: Its no wonder Jeff Bezos holds over $70 million in art this alternative asset has outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, delivering an average annual return of 11.4%. Heres how everyday investors are getting started. "We didn't have any money for marketing, but we had a product," Riley explained. DUDE Wipes got its big break on Shark Tank in 2015. With their bold pitch telling Mark Cuban that his "a** hates him" for using dry toilet paper they secured a $300,000 investment for 25% of the company. Cuban's investment remains the only outside funding they've ever taken. Fast forward to today and DUDE Wipes is now a staple in over 20,000 stores, including Walmart, Target and Kroger. This year, they expanded to Sam's Club and Costco. They've also doubled down on irreverent marketing, including Super Bowl billboards poking fun at pop culture figures like Taylor Swift ("It's me. Hi. I'm the solution. It's me. Not TP.") and Travis Kelce ("We love a clean tight end, too."). American lawmakers and intelligence officials have said that TikTok poses a national security threat under ByteDance. They say the Chinese governments oversight of private companies would allow it to use the app to retrieve sensitive information about Americans or to spread propaganda, though they have not publicly shared evidence that this has occurred. They have also noted that apps like Facebook and YouTube are banned in China and that the country does not allow TikTok there. TikTok said it would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, which it expected to rule differently. The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue, Michael Hughes, a spokesperson for TikTok, said in a statement. He called the ban outright censorship of the American people. Attorney-General Merrick Garland called the ruling an important step in blocking the Chinese government from weaponising TikTok. Exactly what happens next for the app is unclear, as there is no guarantee that the Supreme Court will take up the case. Anupam Chander, a professor of law and technology at Georgetown University, is among the experts who expect the Supreme Court will take up the case and extend TikToks future in the US. The Supreme Court, not wanting to see this app go dark on January 19, will freeze the law, and then this gets handed over to the Trump administration and a Trump Department of Justice to figure out what they want to do, he said. The US is concerned about the potential of a Chinese entity to exploit its user base about 170 million of TikToks billion-plus monthly users are Americans to try to influence US government policy. Credit: AP If the company doesnt sell, its short-term hope for continuing in the United States will be a court-ordered injunction that would pause the law from taking effect. Paul Gallant, a policy analyst for financial services firm TD Cowen, recently said he expected the Supreme Court to take up the appeal and rule by June. On Friday Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan acknowledged the apps popularity and noted that without a sale, many Americans could lose access to an outlet for expression, a source of community and even a means of income. But, he added: Congress judged it necessary to assume that risk given the grave national security threats it perceived. And because the record reflects that Congress decision was considered, consistent with long-standing regulatory practice, and devoid of an institutional aim to suppress particular messages or ideas, we are not in a position to set it aside. Based on the laws timeline and language, it is not clear how Trump could save TikTok. A spokesperson for his team said in November that he will deliver on a plan to rescue the app but provided few details about how he would do so. It would take an act of Congress to repeal the law. Some experts have speculated that Trump could ask his new attorney-general to refrain from enforcing it. But that would put technology companies like Apple and Google in a tricky spot. The law penalises companies for distributing or updating TikTok on their app stores, so tech giants would have to trust in the Trump administrations potentially mercurial promises of non-enforcement and prepare for that to change under a different president. The law also gives the president the authority to decide whether a sale or a similar transaction successfully removes TikTok from foreign adversary control. Some experts speculated that ByteDance could make some structural changes to appease those requirements. If Trump blessed them, he could allow the app to continue operating in the US. And despite Trumps promises, his commitment to TikToks future is uncertain, given his hawkish stance on China. In 2020, he sought to block TikTok in the US and force its sale to a group of American companies, citing similar national security concerns to those raised this year by Congress. President-elect Donald Trump may yet save TikTok, but that would put Apple and Google in a tricky spot. Credit: Bloomberg Congress passed the law after being swayed by several closed-door intelligence briefings that outlined the threats posed by TikToks ownership. There is a chance that Trump changes his mind about the app if he is briefed on that same information once in office, said Sarah Kreps, a professor at the Tech Policy Institute at Cornell University. Loading Its clear that the legislators thought there was enough evidence supporting a danger, and there was a willingness to set free speech concerns aside in favour of national security, she said. Overall, she said it remained to be seen which version of Trump would take up the TikTok question. Is it going to be Trump the dealmaker or Trump the China hawk? she said. This is so complicated. Free speech advocates quickly condemned the decision and predicted that the Supreme Court would rule differently. The American Civil Liberties Union called it a major blow to freedom of expression online with dangerous implications for other platforms under foreign ownership. Jameel Jaffer, executive director at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, wrote in a post on Bluesky that the ruling was deeply misguided and gives the government sweeping power to restrict Americans access to information, ideas, and media from abroad. But Gallant said in a note on Friday that the unanimous ruling from the three judges suggested that the Supreme Court would also uphold the decision. He noted that the Washington, DC, court judges were made up of two conservatives and one liberal, similar to the Supreme Courts make-up. While TikTok and ByteDance have said that a sale is not possible, there is a chance that the ruling will create new movement in that arena. Steven Mnuchin, a Treasury secretary during Trumps first term, said in March that he was trying to put together a group to buy TikTok because they should be owned by US businesses. In May, billionaire Frank McCourt also expressed interest, which he reiterated on Friday. Other rumoured suitors have included Bobby Kotick, the former chief executive of video game company Activision Blizzard. In 2020, possible buyers included Microsoft and the cloud computing company Oracle. Enforcement of the rules governing the estate tax has eased in part because the IRS has been decimated by years of budget cuts. In the early 1990s, the agency audited more than 20 per cent of all estate tax returns. By 2020, the rate had fallen to about 3 per cent. Newly elected Senate majority leader John Thune. Credit: AP The trend is likely to accelerate with Republicans controlling both the White House and Capitol Hill. They are already slashing funding for law enforcement by the IRS. The incoming Senate majority leader, John Thune, and other congressional Republicans for years have been trying to kill the estate tax, branding it as a penalty on family farms and small businesses. Yet, Huangs multibillion-dollar manoeuvre detailed in the fine print of his filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and his foundations disclosures to the IRS - shows the extent to which the estate tax has already been hollowed out. An Nvidia spokesperson, Stephanie Matthew, declined to discuss details of the Huangs tax strategies. The United States adopted the modern estate tax in 1916. In recent decades, congressional Republicans have successfully watered it down, cutting the rate and increasing the amount that is exempt from the tax. Today, a married couple can pass on about $US27 million ($42 million) tax-free; anything more than that is generally supposed to be taxed at a 40 pr cent rate. Can you dig it? In 2012, Huang and his wife, Lori, took one of their first steps to shield their fortune from the estate tax. They set up a financial vehicle known as an irrevocable trust and moved 584,000 Nvidia shares into it, according to a securities disclosure Huang filed. The shares were worth about $US7 million ($11 million) at the time, but they would eventually generate tax savings many times greater. The Huangs were taking advantage of a precedent set nearly two decades earlier, in 1995, when the IRS blessed a transaction that tax professionals affectionately nicknamed I Dig It. (The moniker was a play on the name of the type of financial vehicle involved: an intentionally defective grantor trust.) One of the beauties of I Dig It was that it had the potential to largely circumvent not only the estate tax but also the federal gift tax. That tax applies to assets that multimillionaires give to their heirs while theyre alive and essentially serves as a backstop to the estate tax; otherwise, rich people could give away all their money before they die in order to avoid the estate tax. Loading In Huangs case, the details in securities filings are limited. But multiple experts, said it was almost certainly a classic I Dig It gift, loan and sale transaction. The $US7 million of shares Huang moved into his trust in 2012 are today worth more than $US3 billion ($4.7 billion). If those shares were directly passed on to Huangs heirs, they would be taxed at 40 per cent or well over $US1 billion. Instead, the tax bill will probably be no more than a few hundred thousand dollars. The Huangs soon took another big step toward reducing their estate tax bill. In 2016, they set up several vehicles known as grantor-retained annuity trusts or GRATs, securities filings show. They put just over 3 million Nvidia shares into their four new GRATs. The shares were worth about $US100 million ($156 million). If their value rose, the increase would be a tax-free windfall for their two adult children, who both work at Nvidia. That is precisely what happened. The shares are now worth more than $US15 billion ($23.4 billion), according to data from securities filings compiled by Equilar, a data firm. That means the Huang family is poised to avoid roughly $US6 billion ($9.4 billion) in estate taxes. If the Huangs trusts sell their shares, that will generate a hefty capital gains tax bill more than $US4 billion ($6.2 billion), based on Nvidias current stock price. The Huangs can pay that bill on behalf of the trusts without it counting as a taxable gift to their heirs. Tax strategy Starting in 2007, Huang deployed another technique that would further reduce his familys estate taxes. This strategy involved taking advantage of his and his wifes charitable foundation. Huang has given the Jen Hsun & Lori Huang Foundation shares of Nvidia worth about $US330 million ($516 million) at the time of the donations. Such donations are tax-deductible, meaning they reduced the Huangs income tax bills in the years that the gifts took place. Loading Foundations are required to make annual donations to charities equal to at least 5 per cent of their total assets. But the Huangs foundation is satisfying that requirement by giving heavily to what is known as a donor-advised fund. Such funds are pools of money that the donor controls. There are limitations on how the money can be spent. Buying cars or vacation homes or the like is off-limits. But a fund could, say, invest money in a business run by the donors friend or donate enough money to name a building at a university that the donors children hope to attend. There is a gaping loophole in the tax laws: Donor-advised funds are not required to actually give any money to charitable organisations. When the donor dies, control of the fund can pass to his heirs without incurring any estate taxes. Advertisement Review Eating outMarrickville This airy zen-like corner cafe puts a Japanese spin on Australian brunch The pretty thrilling menu at Marrickvilles Algorithm cafe includes banana loaf with earl grey caramel butter, hand-piped French crullers and roasted spam with egg, chilli aioli and tomato relish on a sourdough English muffin. Lenny Ann Low December 6, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 / 10 Algorithms Baby Angelina Kartiko and Beryl Leomongga. Louise Kennerley 2 / 10 Prawn roll. Louise Kennerley 3 / 10 Spam and egg roll with organic Japanese matcha. Louise Kennerley 4 / 10 Algo folded egg. Louise Kennerley 5 / 10 Organic Japanese matcha. Louise Kennerley 6 / 10 Louise Kennerley 7 / 10 The Avorithm and iced coffee. Louise Kennerley 8 / 10 Rhythm, Algorithms cold brew served over ice and topped with orange-zested vanilla cream. Louise Kennerley 9 / 10 A pair of French crullers and an iced coffee. Louise Kennerley 10 / 10 Louise Kennerley Previous Slide Next Slide Japanese$$$$ Just over two years ago, Baby Angelina Kartiko and Beryl Leomongga, husband and wife owners of Marrickville corner cafe Algorithm, made a life-changing decision. Weeks from returning to Indonesia after living in Sydney, they decided to stay. We were selling our furniture, our car, and then something happened, Leomongga says. We got something in our hearts. Kartiko agrees. We feel Australia is our home, she says. Advertisement Algo folded egg. Louise Kennerley The pair soon spotted Algorithms site, an orange-brown brick building that housed a cake shop, and painted it white. They updated and refitted the interior with serious coffee and kitchen equipment, reworked the decor with cool grey tones and drafted staff. In September 2023, they opened Algorithm, their first cafe. Now, on any day of the week, it is full of customers. Its amazing, Leomongga says. We thank god for that. Kartiko, head chef with a background of working at Bills and Quay, nods. We serve what we love, she says. And that overflows to our customers. Advertisement The menu, which ranges from banana loaf with earl grey caramel butter to roasted spam with egg, chilli aioli and tomato relish on a sourdough English muffin, and green pea and chickpea falafels with butternut pumpkin hummus, cherry tomatoes, avocado, dukkah and green dressing, is pretty thrilling. Its Australian brunch but I also like Japanese fusion, so it has a little Japanese touch, Kartiko says. Our background is Indonesian but we want to blend with the Australian culture. Thats why we serve Australian brunch. Prawn roll. Louise Kennerley Kartiko devises weekly and weekend specials. This weeks include a lush prawn roll and a crispy skin chicken caesar roll with fresh corn, crunchy maple bacon, egg and fried shallots on a potato bun. Advertisement Kartikos French crullers, a signature cinnamon version and todays special, cookies and cream, are hand-piped each morning. Both are buttery cathedrals of melt-in-the-mouth sweetness. Other pastries, housed in a slide-out counter drawer, included a dainty canele and a croissant cup (created in collaboration with Stanmore bakery Pastry Story), the latter layered with espresso brownie, orange flan, vanilla cream and shaved chocolate. If you can eat this without a short food blissdream afterwards, I cant help you. Leomongga leads a tailored range of caffeine options using Mecca beans. He holds their Moonwalker blend in high esteem. Organic Japanese matcha. Louise Kennerley Advertisement The first time I had coffee in Australia that I love it was Moonwalker, he says. That is a classic that never fades. Drink it in Algorithms zen-like decor, a granite poem to hues of grey. Theres a large round concrete table, a marble-like, aluminium-topped front counter, speckled grey plates and cups and cement-style flooring and walls. If anyone wearing a primary colour walks in, its like fireworks going off in a quarry. Were sitting on pale angular stools sipping signature glasses of Rhythm, Algorithms cold brew served over ice and topped with orange-zested vanilla cream (without question, the caffeine drink of the summer), while, metres away, cars, buses, bicycles, skateboards, trucks, motorcycles and banking aeroplanes flow by. Algorithm also excels with its staff, an area Kartiko and Leomongga feel strongly about. Advertisement Photo: Louise Kennerley Everyone that works here, we treat them as a family, Leomongga says. We want to make happy vibes so that every time customers come they can feel the happiness inside. Its not just work here and then go home. We want to invest in them for the future. Customers are greeted with great cheer and inquiry. Takeaway orders and tables are swiftly organised. Menus, cutlery, napkins and carafes of water arrive like lightning. People awaiting takeaways sit in specially built seating nooks with adjustable cubes for arm rests. On this humid late spring morning, three police officers in bulletproof vests order iced raspberry earl grey teas with wildflower honey and vanilla cream. Kartiko and Leomongga will soon open a second Algorithm in Potts Point on Darlinghurst Road. Advertisement The plan is January but Im pushing the builder to open in December, Leomongga says. Well have the classic Algorithm food and drink but with some tweaks. The low-down Vibe: Airy, cement-hued corner cafe in semi-industrial Marrickville with curated coffee, excellent service and finessed menu with Japanese edge Cost: $40, plus drinks (for two) Review A bakery-cafe on Parramatta Road shouldnt work. So what makes this one special? Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up The nations union movement has accused the Reserve Bank of failing to do its job by not cutting interest rates while holding a protest outside the institutions Sydney headquarters. ACTU secretary Sally McManus used the first day of the RBA boards final two-day meeting of the year to argue the bank was again wrong about the Australian economy. ACTU secretary Sally McManus on Monday called for interest rate cuts outside the Reserve Bank. Credit: Louie Douvis The bank has held the official cash rate steady at 4.35 per cent since November last year even as inflation and wages growth has eased. Last weeks national accounts revealed living standards suffering their biggest fall on record with growth over the past year at just 0.8 per cent. McManus, alongside rank-and-file members of several unions, said the national accounts should have been a wake-up call for the RBA about the plight facing many Australians. She said the biggest cost-of-living pressure was now the RBAs previous interest rate increases, which were forcing many consumers to cut their spending. Loading Its the Reserve Bank that needs to do its job and start cutting interest rates, she said. We believe the Reserve Bank is out of step and out of touch. McManus said the bank had been wrong about a possible wage-price spiral which concerned the RBA through 2022 and 2023. She accused the bank of ignoring the role of price gouging in inflation, while it now wanted to drive up unemployment to bring inflation down. It is wrong for the Reserve Bank to want unemployment to go up before they consider cutting interest rates, she said. The bank will announce its final decision of the year on Tuesday afternoon before governor Michele Bullock explains the RBAs thinking about the economy. The push by some members of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to ban NSW Police from marching in next years parade was always going to sit oddly beside an organisation that has its roots in protesting against discrimination. The narrow defeat of three contentious resolutions targeting police does not release NSW Police from the obligation of redoubling efforts to mend fences with the LGBTIQ community. The proposed Sydney Mardi Gras NSW Police ban is part of a broader agenda to radicalise the event. Credit: Fairfax Media As revealed by the Herald, the first resolution, from the board, recommended police be barred until they committed to improving relationships. The second motion, from the activist group Pride in Protest, wanted police banned, while the third proposed they could march but not in uniform. Mardi Gras has often been riven by internal conflicts. That is what happens when a move to protest exclusion evolves into a broader social movement embraced by the wider community and then into a stellar commercial and tourist attraction. Some politicians, including Premier Chris Minns and federal Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek, recoiled at the vote to exclude police. Mardi Gras was born of conflict in 1978 when police cracked down on a protest march and commemoration of New Yorks Stonewall riots years earlier that sparked the global gay rights movement. The brutal NSW Police response brought national attention and helped make the parade an annual Sydney event. Twenty years after the Sydney arrests, the police joined the parade. Loading NSW Police marching in Mardi Gras parades invariably sat awkwardly against their policing role. Tension erupted in 2013, when violence and drug searches undercut any growing goodwill and led to the establishment of the 2014 Mardi Gras Police Accord. Establishment of the accord nevertheless was controversial within the community due to historic mistrust of NSW Police, and it came under renewed attack last December following a report from a Special Commission of Inquiry led by NSW Supreme Court Justice John Sackar into LGBTIQ hate crimes in NSW between 1970 and 2010. The relationship was further challenged last February after the alleged double murder of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird by an officer using a police-issued weapon. The Herald called for police to sit out the 2024 march given the extreme sensitivities in the community after the alleged murders. But, after being initially excluded, a compromise solution allowed officers to march in plain clothes. For many, the 2024 Mardi Gras was an event spent in mourning, and although the NSW Police established Taskforce Atlas to oversee implementation of Sackars recommendations, the weekends close vote suggests the anger and hurt have never disappeared entirely. In considering whether serious harm had been proven, Gibson said the internet is a vast resource, with the capacity for publications to be read by millions or by a bare handful of people. It is not enough for a publication to be uploaded onto the internet, even on a frequently accessed page. Gibson said Facebook comments on posts do not have the same visibility as a post would have and the comment was published to a handful of people. Mannoun called evidence from his political campaign manager and a friend at the council who had read the post, but Gibson said they read it only because it was part of their duties to keep an eye on the defendant and his fellow troublemakers and their evidence cannot demonstrate serious harm. Monumental change to law University of Sydney Professor David Rolph, an expert in defamation law, said the introduction in 2021 of serious harm as part of what the plaintiff has to prove to establish liability was a monumental change. Previously, damage to reputation was presumed. Now, up front, the plaintiff has to prove the actual impact of the publication on their reputation, Rolph said. We are starting to see in the case law what the requirement of serious harm will mean in practice, but it will take some time for all of the implications of serious harm on the longstanding tort of defamation to be fully worked through. University of Melbourne Law School associate professor Jason Bosland, director of the Media and Communications Law Research Network, said there was no direct evidence in this case of anyone thinking less of the plaintiff, and so it was all based on inferential evidence. Based on what was available to the judge here, that wasnt sufficient [to establish serious harm], Bosland said. In the absence of direct evidence, it can be quite difficult to establish that the serious harm threshold has been met. Loading Bosland said there would be circumstances where the seriousness of the words themselves, combined with the extent of publication, will be sufficient, particularly if they were published by mainstream media outlets. But this case demonstrated that establishing serious harm in the context of a social media publication with a limited audience might be more difficult. Its obviously going to weed out these types of disputes, which is what it was intended to do, Bosland said. Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich established serious harm in his successful Federal Court defamation case against former NSW One Nation leader-turned-upper house independent MP Mark Latham over an offensive tweet. In that case, the court said the tweet unleashed a torrent of hate-filled venom against Greenwich. No appeal In a written statement, Mannoun told The Sydney Morning Herald: I have no intention to appeal as it is clear the comment is defamatory, however, it is challenging to prove serious harm when you have just had an election and won every polling booth and booths that the Liberal Party have never won in history. He said it was unfortunate that the disgusting comments go unpunished. Ristevski said he was happy with the courts decision. Mannoun and Ristevski have long been at loggerheads. Ristevski was convicted last year of offences under the states Electoral Act and fined a total of $3000 for distributing anonymous election flyers about Mannouns wife, Tina Ayyad, now the Liberal MP for the state seat of Holsworthy, that failed to display the name and address of the printer and the person authorising their distribution. Lawyers, accountants and real estate agents are in the sights of the states crime commissioner, who says the large-scale drug imports that dominate Sydneys organised crime scene are impossible without these professionals. So-called criminal enablers are becoming increasingly important to organised criminals who can no longer keep [their profits] in suitcases under the bed, says NSW Crime Commissioner Michael Barnes. With its eye-watering profits, cocaine is among the drugs that dominate Sydneys organised crime scene. Credit: Michael Howard Large-scale drug imports, primarily of cocaine and methamphetamine, dominate the citys burgeoning organised crime scene. Cocaine prices in Sydney are among the worlds highest and the rectification of a post-pandemic supply issue has led usage to rebound. The eye-watering profits from these imports then need to be dealt with, which is where professional services come in, Barnes said in an interview after the Crime Commissions annual report to parliament was tabled. Whatever the outcome of next years federal election, the prime minister will undoubtedly spend much of his time on the campaign trail arguing that his government has served young Australians well. To an extent, this is true. Labor has delivered a suite of policies targeted at Gen Z voters: introducing a 15 per cent increase in rent assistance in 2023 (the first real rise in more than three decades) and a further 10 per cent increase in September; enacting the help to buy scheme for first-home owners; wiping $3 billion from HECS debt; and committing a further $588 million to mental health services. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen If this were the whole picture, Anthony Albanese would be right to expect favour from young voters at the next election, the first in which Gen Z and Millennials will outnumber Baby Boomers (about 50 per cent of voters heading to the ballot box in 2025 will be between the ages of 18 and 45, compared with 33 per cent of voters who are Boomers). But last week there was an about-face that will seriously jeopardise Labors standing with young voters, and surely bring the question of youth support to the top of the PMs list of worries. Parents struggling to claim the state governments $400 school saving bonus fear they could miss out after technical glitches marred the rollout, while others are frustrated over restrictions on how they can spend the money. Schools say they have been overwhelmed by questions from exasperated parents, whose efforts to contact the Education Department were met with email bounce backs and unanswered phone calls. Parents Victoria says parents should be able to decide how they spent the $400 bonus, especially when it came to digital devices. Credit: iStock That forced the schools to write to families to say the governments system for applying for the money was experiencing teething issues. Victorian Principals Association deputy president Deborah Grossek said a meeting had been held with the department to discuss the delays, in which it was said that Microsoft email accounts were behind the problem. https://www.tipranks.com/news/the-fly/revival-gold-closes-strategic-placement-with-dundee-corporation Newmont (NEM) announced that it has agreed to sell its Cripple Creek & Victor, or CC&V, operation in Colorado to SSR Mining (SSRM) for up to $275M in cash consideration. Upon closing the announced transactions, Newmont will have delivered up to $3.9B in gross proceeds from non-core asset divestitures and investment sales. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to certain conditions being satisfied. Under the terms of the agreement, Newmont expects to receive gross proceeds of up to $275M, which includes: cash consideration of $100M, due upon closing deferred contingent cash consideration of $87.5M upon receipt of pending regulatory approvals; deferred contingent cash consideration of $87.5M upon resolution of regulatory applications relating to the Carlton Tunnel. Upon completion of an updated regulator-approved closure plan and in the event aggregate closure costs at CC&V exceed $500M, Newmont will be responsible for funding 90% of the incremental closure costs in such updated closure plan, either on an as-incurred basis or pursuant to a net present value lump sum payment option. Pick the best stocks and maximize your portfolio: Discover top-rated stocks from highly ranked analysts with Analyst Top Stocks! Easily identify outperforming stocks and invest smarter with Top Smart Score Stocks Published first on TheFly the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See Insiders Hot Stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on NEM: There may be no such thing as a well-behaved dog, a study has found. Research on more than 43,000 dogs in the US found that essentially all pet dogs have at least one serious behavioural issue. Whos been a bad boy? Credit: iStock Dogs of all breeds, ages, sexes and neuter statuses were included in the analysis. It found 99.12 per cent had behavioural issues. Questionnaires were given to owners and asked them to anonymously, and honestly, rank the severity of bad behaviours in their pet on a scale of zero to four. US announces nearly $1 bn in new military aid for Ukraine Washington, Dec 7 (AFP) Dec 07, 2024 The United States on Saturday announced a new $988 million security assistance package for Ukraine as Washington races to provide aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump's November election victory has cast doubt on the future of American aid for Ukraine, providing a limited window for billions of dollars in already authorized assistance to be disbursed before he is sworn in next month. The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement. Trump met in Paris earlier Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said any resolution of the war with Russia should be a "just" settlement that includes "strong security guarantees for Ukraine." The meeting was of huge importance to Zelensky, given fears in Kyiv that Trump may urge Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow. The latest aid will be funded via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, under which military equipment is procured from the defense industry or partners rather than drawn from American stocks, meaning it will not immediately arrive on the battlefield. It follows a $725 million package announced on Monday that included a second tranche of landmines as well as anti-air and anti-armor weapons. The outgoing administration of President Joe Biden is working to get as much aid as possible to Ukraine before Trump -- who has repeatedly criticized US assistance for Kyiv and claimed he could secure a ceasefire within hours -- takes over. Trump's comments have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about the future of US aid, and Ukraine's ability to withstand Russian attacks in the absence of further American support. "Our job has been to try and put Ukraine in the strongest possible position on the battlefield so that it is in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Saturday. In the closing weeks of Biden's term, the goal is "a massive surge of assistance and to up the economic pressure on Russia," he said. - America 'weaker' alone - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday warned that failure to continue opposing Russia's actions would have dire consequences. "We can continue to stand up to the Kremlin. Or we can let (Russian President Vladimir) Putin have his way -- and condemn our children and grandchildren to live in a world of chaos and conflict," said Austin, who like Sullivan was speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. "This administration has made its choice. And so has a bipartisan coalition in Congress. The next administration must make its own choice." The defense chief also emphasized the importance of US allies and partners in his remarks -- a contrast to Trump's go-it-alone "America first" world view. "Here is the stark military fact: our allies and partners are huge force multipliers," Austin said. "Ultimately, America is weaker when it stands alone. And America is smaller when it stands apart," he said. "There is no such thing as a safe retreat from today's interwoven world." The United States has spearheaded the push for international support for Ukraine, quickly forging a coalition to back Kyiv after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and coordinating aid from dozens of countries. Ukraine's international supporters have since then provided tens of billions of dollars in weapons, ammunition, training and other security aid that has been key to helping Kyiv resist Russian forces. By Laila Kearney NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices fell by more than 1% on Friday and cemented weekly losses as analysts projected a supply surplus next year on weak demand despite an OPEC+ decision to delay output hikes and extend deep production cuts to the end of 2026. Brent crude futures settled at $71.12 a barrel, shedding 97 cents, or 1.4%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled at $67.20 a barrel, falling $1.10, or 1.6%. For the week, Brent prices lost more than 2.5%, while WTI saw a drop of 1.2%. A rising number oil and gas rigs deployed in the United States this week, pointing to rising production from the world's biggest crude producer, also pushed prices lower. On Thursday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, pushed back the start of oil output rises by three months until April and extended the full unwinding of cuts by a year until the end of 2026. Weak global oil demand and the prospect of OPEC+ ramping up production as soon as prices rise have weighed on trading, said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York. "They're just waiting for better pricing and once they get that, they're going to start jumping in again," Yawger said. OPEC+, which is responsible for about half of the world's oil output, was planning to start unwinding cuts from October 2024, but a slowdown in global demand - especially from top crude importer China - and rising output elsewhere have forced it to postpone the plan several times. "While OPEC+'s decision to hold off strengthens fundamentals in the near term, it could be seen as an implicit admission that demand is sluggish," analysts at HSBC Global Research said. Bank of America forecast that increasing oil surpluses will drive the price of Brent to an average $65 a barrel in 2025, while oil demand growth will rebound to 1 million barrels per day (bpd) next year, the bank said in a note on Friday. HSBC, meanwhile, now expects a smaller oil market surplus of 0.2 million bpd, from 0.5 million bpd previously, it said in a note. Brent has largely stayed in a tight range of $70-$75 per barrel in the past month, as investors weighed weak demand signals in China and heightened geopolitical risk in the Middle East. "The general narrative is that the market is stuck in its rather narrow range. While immediate developments might push it out of this range on the upside briefly, the medium-term view remains rather pessimistic," PVM analyst Tamas Varga said. Also pressuring prices was the U.S. rig count, which grew for the first time in eight weeks, energy services firm Baker Hughes said on Friday in its closely followed report. South Korea president still on thin ice over martial law mayhem Seoul, Dec 8 (AFP) Dec 08, 2024 South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's future remained uncertain Sunday after surviving an impeachment vote over his brief imposition of martial law. The defence minister in charge when Yoon suspended civilian law late Tuesday was meanwhile reportedly arrested on Sunday and his official residence and office raided. A boycott by Yoon's party killed off the impeachment motion late Saturday even as huge crowds braved freezing temperatures outside parliament to demand his ouster. But the deeply unpopular president's survival may be short-lived, with Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) saying that it had "effectively obtained (Yoon's) promise to step down". "Until the president steps down, the president will be effectively excluded from his duties," it said in a statement. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo were set to meet at 11:00 am (0200 GMT) to discuss plans for Yoon's "orderly retreat", the premier's office said. A cabinet meeting will follow at 2:00 pm. The failure of the impeachment motion "means a more protracted political crisis", Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korean Studies at the University of Oslo, told AFP. "We will have a politically dead president -- basically unable to govern any longer -- and hundreds of thousands coming to the streets every week until Yoon is removed," he said. - Sorry - On Saturday before the vote, Yoon, 63, reappeared for the first time in three days and apologised for the "anxiety and inconvenience". He said he would leave it to his party to decide his fate. Massive crowds -- police said there were 150,000 people, organisers one million -- gathered outside parliament into the evening to pressure lawmakers to oust the president. Many wore elaborate outfits, carrying home-made flags and waving colourful glow sticks and LED candles as K-pop tunes blasted from speakers. "Even though we didn't get the outcome we wanted today, I am neither discouraged nor disappointed because we will get it eventually," said protester Jo Ah-gyeong, 30, after the impeachment vote. "I'll keep coming here until we get it," she told AFP. The opposition has already vowed to try to impeach Yoon again as soon as Wednesday, and many protesters vowed to continue demonstrations next weekend. "I will impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, who has become the worst risk for South Korea, at any cost," opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said. - Insurrection - Regardless of the political situation, police are investigating Yoon and others for alleged insurrection over the extraordinary events of Tuesday night. Early Sunday police arrested Kim Yong-hyun, who quit as defence minister on Wednesday and who was slapped with a travel ban, reports said. Kim's arrest came about six hours after he showed up for questioning at 1:30 am, Yonhap reported. Declaring martial law late Tuesday, Yoon said it would safeguard South Korea "from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements plundering people's freedom and happiness". Security forces sealed the National Assembly, helicopters landed on the roof and almost 300 soldiers tried to lock down the building. But as parliamentary staffers blocked the soldiers with sofas and fire extinguishers, enough MPs got inside -- many climbed walls to enter -- and voted down Yoon's move. The episode brought back painful memories of South Korea's autocratic past and blindsided its allies, with the US administration only finding out via television. "This is a country we've spent our entire lives building," Shin Jae-hyung, 66, who suffered arrest and torture in the 1970s and 80s as he battled successive military-led regimes, told AFP. The head of South Korean special forces said he had been ordered to "drag out" lawmakers from parliament. A purported arrest list included opposition leader Lee, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and PPP leader Han. The ruling party's vote boycott "might delay the demise of Yoon's tenure but won't prevent it," Gi-Wook Shin, a sociology professor at Stanford University, told AFP. "Its road will be messier," he said. burs-stu/dhc Lebanon says boosting troops on Syria border after Assad's fall Beirut, Lebanon, Dec 8 (AFP) Dec 08, 2024 The Lebanese army said on Sunday it was reinforcing its presence on the border with neighbouring Syria, after the government of President Bashar al-Assad fell and rebels took the capital Damascus. "In light of rapid developments and delicate circumstances that the region is going through... units tasked with monitoring and controlling the northern and eastern borders have been reinforced, in conjunction with tightening surveillance measures," the army said in a statement. On Sunday, Syrian rebels swept into Damascus declaring they had toppled "tyrant" Assad, whose current whereabouts are unknown after he reportedly fled the country. An AFP correspondent saw dozens of cars lining the main Masnaa crossing between the two countries as Syrian families returned home, with crowds cheering and chanting anti-Assad slogans. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he discussed the situation at the Syrian border in a call with army commander Joseph Aoun and security forces chiefs. Mikati insisted "in these calls on the priority of tightening control over the border and distancing Lebanon from the repercussions of the developments in Syria", his office said in a statement. Authorities say Lebanon currently hosts around two million Syrians, while more than 800,000 are registered with the United Nations -- the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. Many fled Syria after its civil war began following the repression of anti-government protests in 2011. Israel PM says 'central link in Iran's axis of evil' has fallen in Syria Jerusalem, Dec 8 (AFP) Dec 08, 2024 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in Syria was a "historic day in the... Middle East" and the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil". Netanyahu said the events are "a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, Assad's main supporters. It has triggered a chain reaction across the Middle East, empowering those seeking to break free from this oppressive regime." He spoke on a visit to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. In recent months, Israel has killed commanders in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as well as the senior leaders of Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, both of which are backed by Tehran. The Israeli premier said Assad's overthrow "presents significant new opportunities" for Israel "but is not without risks". He said his country was "pursuing a good neighbour policy" and that: "We extend a hand of peace to our Druze neighbours, who are brothers to our Druze citizens in Israel. We also extend this hand of peace to Kurds, Christians, and Muslims who wish to live peacefully with Israel." Syria is a multi-ethnic, multi-confessional country with significant minorities of Christians, Alawites and Kurds as well as the Druze, an ethno-religious Arab minority group with significant populations in Israel and Lebanon, and others. "We will closely monitor developments and take the necessary steps to defend our border and our security", Netanyahu said. He also said he had ordered the military to take control of a demilitarised buffer zone on the Syrian border. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, speaking on the same trip, said of Iran: "Its tentacles are being severed one by one". Islamist-led Syrian rebels overthrew more than five decades of rule by Assad and his father Hafez in a lightning offensive that began on November 27, dramatically overturning a years-long stalemate in the civil war that began in 2011. Assad was propped up by substantial military support from Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, as well as by the Russian military from 2015 onwards. The Israeli military killed long-time Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a massive air strike on Beirut in September. Since the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011, Israel carried out hundreds of strikes in the country, mainly targeting the army and Iran-backed groups. The military intensified such strikes after almost a year of hostilities with Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon escalated in late September, before a ceasefire took effect on November 27, the same day Syria's rebel advance began. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes in Syria but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in the country. 'The revolution has won': Syrians in Iraqi Kurdistan celebrate Assad's fall Arbil, Iraq, Dec 8 (AFP) Dec 08, 2024 Brandishing the flag of the opposition, dozens of Syrian refugees in Iraq's Kurdistan region on Sunday celebrated the fall of Bashar al-Assad, dubbing the Syrian president's fall a victory for the "revolution". After nearly 14 years of civil war in their home country, Syrians gathered near the centuries-old citadel in the Iraqi Kurdish capital Arbil, many of them breaking out into the traditional dabkeh dance on the streets. "One, one, the Syrian people are one," they shouted, raising the opposition flag with three red stars, AFP video showed. Assad "exiled us, killed our people and did everything he could to us", said Ayman Assir, 24. "He tried using all means to end this revolution, but thanks be to God, the revolution has won after 14 years." Like many others, the young man has been unable to return home for years "because of the mandatory military service" there. Despite working as an interior architect in Arbil during that time, he dreams of taking "the first plane" back to his war-ravaged home country. On Sunday, Islamist-led rebel groups announced they had "liberated" the capital and that Assad had fled after 24 years in power. - 'Independence day' - Around 280,000 Syrians sought refuge in neighbouring Iraq, according to the UN, with the majority of them in the autonomous Kurdistan region. They are among millions who fled Syria following the outbreak of civil war in 2011 after Assad's violent crackdown on anti-government protests. Though one woman she said she was "happy with the fall of the regime and full liberation" of the country, she still spoke under a pseudonym, Umm sham, a practice adopted by many for decades in fear of reprisals against them or their families back home. "If God wills it, we will all return and Syria will be rebuilt," said the 40-year-old woman. "Enough torment, oppression and executioners" of our youth, she added. Hailing from Latakia, a stronghold of the Assad family on Syria's coast, Salim Eido said: "Today is an independence day." "Finally the people can breathe, after more than 20 years of dictatorship and oppression." Salma Mustafa similarly joined the festivities, but the 35-year-old Syrian Kurd still saw a need for vigilance. She hoped for "a government that gives rights to all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity". She had just one wish, "the selection of a good leader for the country." A new complaint was filed against Visa Inc. (V) by shareholder (plaintiff) Beibei Cai on November 20, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The defendants in the complaint are the company, CEO Ryan McInerney, CFO Chris Suh, and Peter Andreski, global corporate controller and chief accounting officer. Pick the best stocks and maximize your portfolio: Discover top-rated stocks from highly ranked analysts with Analyst Top Stocks! Easily identify outperforming stocks and invest smarter with Top Smart Score Stocks The plaintiff alleges that she bought Visa stock at artificially inflated prices between November 16, 2023 and September 23, 2024 (the Class Period). The plaintiff is now seeking compensation for her financial losses. To learn more about the lawsuit, click here. Visa is one of the leading players in the digital payments space. It facilitates transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities. The filed complaint alleges that during the Class Period, the defendants misled Visa investors in violation of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act. Plaintiffs Allegations According to the complaint, Visa intentionally misrepresented information in its financial statements submitted to the U.S. SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). In particular, the plaintiff alleges that Suh and Andreski failed to exercise proper oversight and control over Visas financial statements. The complaint accuses Visa of downplaying the risk that the company would be the target of an antitrust investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). For instance, in the annual report filed with the SEC on November 15, 2023, Visa stated that it was in compliance with federal antitrust laws, amongst other federal regulations. Additionally, in the quarterly 10-Q reports filed in April 2024 and July 2024, the company indicated that it complied with federal antitrust laws. However, the plaintiff alleges that as revealed in subsequent disclosures, Visas executives knew or should have known that the company was in routine violation of federal antitrust laws. Visas Misrepresentations In contrast to the claims made by Visa and the other defendants in the companys financial statements, they allegedly misled investors about its compliance with federal antitrust laws. The truth came out on September 23, 2024, when multiple news outlets reported that the DOJ planned to file a lawsuit against Visa for antitrust violations. The next day, the DOJ filed United States of America vs. Visa Inc., which accused the company of four separate violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that Visas market dominance is due to systematic anticompetitive practices that thwart competition. (front) Workspace Property Trust's Roger Thomas and Thomas Rizk; (back) 333 Phoenixville Pike Pike in Pennsylvania; 4550 South 44th Place in Arizona (Workspace Property Trust, Linkedin, Loopnet) The complexes are miles outside of cities including Phoenix, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Miami. Some have the look and feel of the 1999 classic Office Space. Two years ago, Workspace Property Trust made a billion-dollar bet on suburban offices, doubling its portfolio to 18 million square feet. In the wake of Covid, it looked like companies would trade cities for the suburbs, repeating the trend of several decades before. It is the clear solution for corporations looking to provide a safe, accessible, flexible, lifestyle-oriented, and community-based environment, Workspace co-founder Thomas Rizk said at the time. Last month, that thesis came crashing down. A $1.2 billion loan backed by some of Workspaces suburban office campuses landed in special servicing for imminent maturity default, according to Morningstar Credit. Its the biggest securitized office loan and the second biggest CMBS loan of any kind in special servicing, according to Morningstar Credit. The only larger CMBS debt in special servicing, at $1.4 billion, is tied to another hulking suburban complex, New Jerseys Mall of America. Workspaces other co-founder, Roger Thomas, did not respond to a request for comment. The company is part of Rizks eponymous investment firm Rizk Ventures. Workspace wasnt wrong in thinking suburban offices would outperform those in city centers. As of April, according to Colliers, city offices had posted higher vacancy rates than their suburban peers for two years straight, the Wall Street Journal reported. But being better wasnt enough. Office vacancy rates still surged in the burbs, just not by as much as in cities. They climbed to 17 percent in January from 12.2 percent in January 2020 while their city counterparts surged to 18.5 percent from 10.3, according to the Journal. Occupancy rates at the Workspace Property Trust portfolio declined similarly. Across 146 properties, occupancy dropped to 76 percent this summer from 80 percent at the end of 2022. The portfolio was 95 percent leased when the loan was made in 2018, according to Morningstar. In another questionable call, Workspace Property Trust used floating-rate debt, only to see the Federal Reserve raise rates like ride-share apps in a rainstorm. It did manage to blunt the pain with a rate cap it had acquired. As of June, the portfolios net cash flow was barely covering monthly mortgage payments, according to Morningstar. Workspace is now pushing for a workout that gives it time to bolster tenancy. Rob Verrones Iron Hound Management is representing Workspace in those negotiations. The workout firm also represented Workspace last year when it scored a short-term extension on the same debt. I'm sorry, but ADHD has become a scam that is wildly overdiagnosed and an excuse for poor behaviour I'm sorry, but ADHD has become a scam that is wildly overdiagnosed Ex-head of MI6 Sir John Sawers told Sky News: When I was chief of MI6 10 or 12 years ago, we looked at all of these Syrian opposition groups and classified them into those that we could support and those who were beyond the pale and too close to al-Qaeda, and Tahrir al-Sham was definitely in the latter category. Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu on Sunday, in a message on Constitution Day, said that the Fundamental Law and Romania's European path must be defended, Agerpres reports. "This year, recent and ongoing circumstances, which we never thought we would witness again, have brought to the forefront situations where our country was asymmetrically attacked, and the integrity of an essential right - the right to vote - was influenced by state-of-the-art technological means, distorting a fundamental process for the correct and authentic expression of the people's will. Especially in such moments, we must rely on our Constitution, our values, and our way of life, which were won by our ancestors through sacrifice and hardship. The Constitution must be defended, Romania's European path must be defended, our membership in the European Union and NATO must be defended, the democratic values of our society must be defended, and the integrity of democratic processes must be protected when it is attacked, whether from within or from abroad, as recently happened," the message reads. "There are times when it is not enough to declare our attachment to national values and assets on festive or anniversary occasions, but we must unhesitatingly take responsibility for defending them through actions and through institutions. A democratic state and democratic society act through institutions. These must be strong and determined, represented by those who form and represent them, whether elected or appointed according to the law, in situations when national assets and values, institutions, and, ultimately, the country and the people are attacked or undermined," said the Interior minister. Save Romania Union (USR) President Elena Lasconi made an appeal to citizens not to respond to provocations, drawing attention to the fact that on Sunday there would be an attempt to "further destabilize the country", Agerpres reports. "We are living in troubled times. We are extremely fragile. I know your anger and frustrations. I ask you not to turn them into ammunition for extremists! I see that tomorrow there will be an attempt to further destabilize the country. I address you, people of good faith: stay on the right side of history and do not go to vote tomorrow as the Russian politicians urge you to do! It is true that the decision of the Constitutional Court has divided us even more, weakened trust in institutions, and came with a very high cost. But I trust in the vote, no matter how many times the Constitutional Court will make arbitrary decisions. And if the Constitutional Court cancels the elections ten times, I will run for the 11th time," she wrote on Facebook. "With wisdom, humility, and a firm desire to defend the country we all love, I ask you not to respond to provocations," Lasconi transmitted. The International Democratic Union (IDU), the largest centre-right political party alliance in the world, of which the National Liberal Party (PNL) is a member, adopted a resolution in Washington condemning the hybrid aggression of the Russian Federation against Romania and the Kremlin's efforts to destabilise European democracies, announced PNL MEP Siegfried Muresan in a Facebook post, Agerpres reports. The IDU also calls on European institutions to investigate and combat external interference, including the illegal use of social media platforms such as TikTok, which was reported during the elections in Romania. The IDU includes major centre-right parties from the European Union, such as the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, the People's Party of Spain, and the European People's Party, the largest centre-right political party alliance in Europe. The Republican Party of the United States, the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom, the Conservative Party of Canada, and the Liberal Party of Australia are also members of the International Democratic Union. The National Defence Ministry (MApN) warns on Sunday regarding disinformation circulating online, especially on the TikTok platform. Various recordings of military equipment movements, filmed in previous days, are being falsely presented as occurring on December 7, Agerpres reports. "For example, the images captured in the first video in Bucharest were filmed on the morning of December 1 and show the movement of military vehicles from the Romanian Army and allied forces that were part of the parade block. The tanks and armored vehicles in the video were heading toward Piata Presei Libere [Free Press Square] to form the parade line that passed under the Arch of Triumph during the National Military Parade," the MApN said in a press release. "Another recurring theme, also seen today on digital platforms, including in podcast-style shows, involves alleged imminent preparations by the National Defence Ministry to recruit young people aged 18 to 35 or mobilise reservists for deployment to the front in Ukraine. All of this information is false!," the ministry stresses in the press release. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in a message on Constitution Day said that the Fundamental Law remains the guarantor of the stability of political and institutional life, Agerpres reports. "On Constitution Day, I reaffirm the government's commitment to promoting constitutional principles and supporting the institutional framework that ensures compliance with the Fundamental Law. Today, more than ever, the Fundamental Law remains the guarantor of the stability of political and institutional life, the balance of social peace in the nation, and the continuation of our European and Euro-Atlantic path," the prime minister said in his message. Investigators confiscated seven million dollars from Bogdan Peschir, the person who financed Calin Georgescu's campaign on TikTok, after overnight raids at his homes in Brasov, Agerpres reports. According to officials from the General Prosecutor's Office, the searches began on Saturday morning and were completed overnight. Several devices, computers, and storage media were seized from the three properties of Bogdan Peschir in Brasov. After the hearings, prosecutors decided to release Bogdan Peschir without imposing any restrictive measures on him.According to documents presented by the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) to the Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT), Bogdan Peschir used the account 'bogpr,' through which he made donations exceeding one million euros on TikTok to finance Georgescu's campaign.TikTok representatives confirmed the identity of the user "bogpr" and mentioned that this account made payments totaling 381,000 dollars between October 24 and November 24, 2024, to TikTok users involved in promoting Calin Georgescu, even after the conclusion of the electoral campaign.SRI also reported that the funding for TikTok influencers was secured through the FameUp platform (dedicated to monetizing online promotional activities), where the advertising opportunity was published, along with well-defined descriptions. "One of the methods used to attract Romanian influencers to promote Calin Georgescu's candidacy was contacting them by email by the company (...), of South African origin, offering 1,000 euros for sharing a video made by them," SRI added. The High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) rejected the request of the DREPT party to annul the parliamentary elections, as announced by one of the party's leaders, Vlad Alexandrescu, Agerpres reports. "The challenge filed by the contesting party, the Party of Justice and Respect in Europe for All, against Decision No. 337/D of December 6, 2024, by the Central Electoral Bureau regarding the Senate and Chamber of Deputies elections in 2024, is rejected as unfounded. Final," reads the court ruling. There is a bigger scandal than President Joe Bidens sweeping pardon of his son Hunter a scandal that has been hiding in plain sight for a long time now. Biden has done a remarkable job staying out of sight from the press. And the dominant media has done a spectacularly poor job of reporting on him or Vice President Kamala Harris. It seems inconceivable that Americans still do not know when Bidens cognitive decline became apparent, his current level of functioning, and when the vice president was aware of his issues with the presidents mental acuity. The news media, mass media, dominant media, or legacy media, pick your preferred term, has destroyed its own credibility over the last four years. They have no one to blame but themselves (and maybe Biden) for the loss of trust by the American people. By the media, I am referring to journalistic endeavors, publications and media organizations which have members in the White House press corps or a Washington bureau. Yascha Mounk, German-American political scientist, author, and freelance journalist, had this nugget embedded in a recent Substack newsletter: Various European diplomats have told me in the last weeks that it was well-known in European capitals that Joe Biden was suffering from significant mental decline years ago, because he would show up to meetings not knowing where he was, because he would repeat himself in the same meeting two or three times until he was ushered away by some of his staff. Anyone who watched Bidens debate debacle on June 27 would not second-guess Mounks reporting. But for those who need a reminder, Biden appeared confused, was inarticulate and rambled and kept looking blankly either down or off to the side of the debate stage. I have long been critical of Donald Trump and believe he deserves the scrutiny he receives. But while journalists have appeared to crawl over broken glass to investigate and report negatively on Trump, there has been no such standard for them to do the same with Biden. There has been little reporting on Bidens infirmity since he left the presidential race after that fateful debate. Instead, we get trickles of information like the above from Mounk and from actors like George Clooney. Clooney, who hosted a fundraiser for Biden on June 15, said that Biden was not the Joe big F-ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate. So it should come as no surprise that for the third consecutive year, Gallup is reporting that more U.S. adults (36%) have no trust at all in the media and another 33% express not very much confidence. Only 31% of respondents said they have a great deal (8%) or fair amount (23%) of confidence in the media to report the news fully, accurately and fairly, which is 1 percentage point below the prior record low of 32% recorded last year and in 2016. The media is not the only one to blame here. Bidens post-pardon actions show the other side of this story and the challenges facing the press who try their level best on covering him. Immediately after releasing his statement and pardon for Hunter, Biden scooted off on Air Force One and flew for his final foreign trip of his presidency, to Angola, avoiding public scrutiny not only for issuing the pardon but also for lying to the American people when he previously said, repeatedly, that he wouldnt do it in the first place. As of this writing, Biden has not spoken publicly about his controversial decision. He did not answer reporters questions on the pardon during a refueling stop in West Africa on Monday. From the podium in the West Wing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to questions about the pardon mostly by repeating Bidens own earlier statement on the issue. When Harris was asked about Bidens mental acuity by the press during her presidential campaign, her answers were less than reassuring. NBC News Hallie Jackson asked Harris: Can you say that you were honest with the American people about what you saw in those moments with President Biden, as you were with him again and again repeatedly in that time? Harris responded: Of course. Joe Biden is an extremely accomplished, experienced and capable in every way that anyone would want if theyre president. If trust is to be regained, the Fourth Estate of our democracy needs to return to their roots and stop acting as an arm to the Democratic Party. Whether that was their intention or not, it has become the dominant perception. Shining a light on elected officials, no matter what their party, would be a good start. Missouris voters have spoken on abortion rights. They declared on Nov. 5, by an unambiguous margin, that the states constitution now guarantees women complete control over their own reproductive decisions prior to fetal viability. Period, end, full stop. Yet it comes as no surprise that some Republican lawmakers are already filing legislation to, in the words of one of them, unravel the voters decision in the legislative session that starts in January. This kind of contempt for the will of the voters has been repeatedly demonstrated by Missouri lawmakers before, on myriad issues; on this one, defenders of this newly enshrined right must give zero ground. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in mid-2022, leaving it to the states to restrict abortion rights in any way they wanted, Missouri became the first state to institute a near-total ban. The procedure was prohibited from the moment of conception in almost all situations, even in cases of rape or incest. Doctors who violated the ban could face 15 years in prison. The sole, vague exception was for medical emergencies. Inevitably, reports arose of women in dire medical distress who were refused necessary abortions because hospitals and doctors felt they had to err on the side of caution if there was any question whether it was dire enough. The extremism of that ban explains why even in a conservative state like Missouri, the ballot initiative to overturn it was always destined to pass. Anti-choice lawmakers knew that, which is why they tried every trick in the book to prevent a fair up-or-down vote. Their schemes included a failed attempt to change the rules to make ballot measures harder to pass, as well as a campaign of outright lies about what the amendment would do. That all failed and the amendment passed, by a margin of a little over 3% not a landslide, but inarguably a victory. The amendment doesnt automatically create or overturn any law. Instead, it sets a standard for full abortion rights up to the point of fetal viability. Proponents now must separately get the ban overturned by the courts as a violation of the newly passed amendment. Planned Parenthood affiliates sued last month to start that process. Even staunchly anti-choice Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey now acknowledges the amendment makes the near-total ban legally invalid. However, Bailey is arguing that various other restrictions Missouri previously had in place should remain in force, such as a 72-hour waiting period that serves no purpose but to harass women seeking abortions, as well as medically unnecessary licensing hurdles for abortion providers. Meanwhile, state legislators have begun filing bills that seek to undermine the voters decision on this issue. They range from attempts to limit the newly guaranteed reproductive rights to specific circumstances (like rape or incest) to seeking another statewide vote to restore the full ban. As Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, told The Kansas City Star, legislators intend to push back on the newly approved amendment with an eye toward trying to unravel what people unfortunately passed. In other words, theyre not even paying lip-service to the notion of respecting the voters will. Thats a sadly familiar situation in Missouri, where Republican lawmakers have previously demonstrated their contempt for that will by bucking the voters decisions regarding issues such as Medicaid expansion and gerrymandering. With their recent actions in court and in their legislative filings, theyve made it clear they wont accept the decision of more than half the states voters protecting reproductive rights. Pro-choice legislators and activists must vigilantly defend those rights in the Legislature, in court and in the public forum. Friends and families of sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York, assigned to the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, wait to welcome home their loved ones from deployment, Dec. 6, 2024. More than 4,000 sailors and Marines assigned to the WSPARG supported a wide range of interoperability opportunities and exercises, increasing combat readiness and crisis response capabilities while strengthening relationships with NATO allies and partners. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group returned to its home in Hampton Roads, Va., on Friday after completing a seven-month deployment, according to a U.S. Navy news release. The group consisted of the flagship USS Wasp, a first-in-class amphibious assault ship; the USS New York, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship; and the USS Oak Hill, a Harpers Ferry-class amphibious landing dock ship. The ships were accompanied on deployment by the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York greet their families after returning to Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment, Dec. 6, 2024. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Fire Controlman 2nd Class Joseph Griffith, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), reunites with a loved one following deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, Dec. 6, 2024. (Leah Moore/U.S. Navy) Sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York greet their families after returning to Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment, Dec. 6, 2024. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Chief Quartermaster Jason Gibson, assigned to the USS New York, hugs his wife and child upon returning from a deployment on the pier in Norfolk, Va., Dec. 6, 2024. (Jesse Turner/U.S. Navy) Friends and families of Sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York, assigned to the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, wait to welcome home their loved ones from deployment, Dec. 6, 2024. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York greet their families after returning to Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment, Dec. 6, 2024. (Sophie A. Pinkham/U.S. Navy) Friends and families of the crew of the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) await the ships return to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort on Dec. 7, 2024, from a seven-month deployment. (Torrey W. Lee/U.S. Navy) Sailors assigned to the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill disembark for liberty as the ship returns to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort on Dec. 7, 2024, from a seven-month deployment. (Torrey W. Lee/U.S. Navy) Hull Technician 2nd Class Zack Mulvihill, assigned to the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill, is interviewed by a reporter with his family as the ship returns to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort on Dec. 7, 2024, from a seven-month deployment. (Torrey W. Lee/U.S. Navy) The deployment entailed high-profile exercises in the Baltic Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and over a dozen port visits. The Baltic Operations 2024 exercise prompted flyovers by Russian bombers in June. The MEU also regularly rotated forces to the Republic of Cyprus for bilateral training there, the release said. The training came just weeks before U.S. President Joe Biden met with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides in late October. The latter expressed hope for expanded defense cooperation shortly after the meeting. Capt. Nakia Cooper, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 4, reunites with his wife following deployment, Dec. 6, 2024. (Leah Moore/U.S. Navy) Capt. Nakia Cooper, the commodore of Amphibious Squadron 4 (which commanded the WSP ARG-24th MEU group), said the deployment showed the strength of the amphibious forces. Commanding officer of the 24th MEU Col. Todd Mahar said the deployment strengthened ties with U.S. allies and that it ensured regional stability and deterred adversaries, per the release. The 24th MEU returned home to Camp Lejeune, N.C., earlier in the week. The USS Wasp and USS New York returned to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia and the USS Oak Hill is returning to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, also in Virginia. Harriet West and Irma Cayton go over their recruiting schedule report. (National Archives via The Washington Post) According to most official accounts, Georgia Watson did not exist. As part of a highly secretive Army unit, composed almost entirely of women responsible for defending D.C. against an air attack, Watson had been instructed to say nothing to anyone about her unit. We did not exist on paper, had no table of organization, and could officially be issued nothing, she wrote years later in her memoir. The unit was known only as Battery X. Although Battery X did not exist on paper, its work was very real. In mid-1942, Gen. George C. Marshall, the Army chief of staff, personally directed the Army to handpick several dozen women for a classified assignment: evaluating whether women could be successfully integrated into D.C.s antiaircraft artillery units. When the women reported for duty in late 1942, Americans were on edge. A year before, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and the Japanese rout of American holdings in the Pacific had rattled the nation. Residents on the East and West coasts installed blackout curtains, painted their windows, and dimmed the lights in the evenings. Air raid drills were commonplace, and civilian patrols kept watch in towers dotting the outskirts of major cities. Months of German U-boat attacks in the Atlantic, some of them alarmingly close to the East Coast, reinforced the sense that the United States might again come under direct attack. Watson and the women of Battery X trained to ensure that the Axis Powers never got close enough to try. The idea of using Army women to guard the nations coasts was born of necessity. Marshall, the American commander responsible for allocating Army resources during World War II, faced an acute personnel dilemma in 1943: He needed more men to fight abroad, more men to defend the homeland, and more men to build weapons and he was running out of them fast. But on a serendipitous visit to England, Marshall stumbled on a solution to his manpower crisis: women. After seeing the effectiveness of the British women defending England from attack in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, Marshall quickly realized that the women signing up in droves for the U.S. Army womens program then called the Womens Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) could be used in the same way. A recruiting poster for Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. (Library of Congress via The Washington Post) Marshall knew the experiment would be controversial. Even though hundreds of thousands of women were donning military uniforms by 1943, none of them had been authorized to help operate heavy weapons. He needed to be sure women could do the job. But if they failed, no one could know they had tried. Watson understood that discretion was paramount. The gun batteries defending the Capitol would be used in the experiment and their location rated the highest classification, she wrote, adding that public attitudes toward the use of women in combat positions also made it necessary. The lack of recognition, however, did not stop Watson and her colleagues from doing their jobs. Military women in World War II were there to serve. Elna Hillard joined the WAAC one month after it was established. Her first assignment was to oversee Battery Xs training, and she got to see the units performance up close. During one drill, she wrote in a memoir, the male colonel responsible for timing the exercise was dumbfounded when her crew matched the speed of the best crew in the entire command. Impossible, he said. Assuming there had been an error, the colonel asked the women to do the same task two more times. They found the target just as fast. When explaining what made the women so effective, Hillard said that they were willing to make small, creative changes that had a big effect on the outcome. For instance, rather than follow the standard practice of intentionally overshooting the target by a wide margin and then walking this distance back, the women almost never overshot on purpose. Instead, Hillard said, they got as close as they could on the first try, and then patiently zeroed in on the target in small, deliberate increments. In this way and countless others, the women of Battery X proved they could do the job and do it well. We got no medals, no commendations, no news releases, Watson wrote, nothing but the private satisfaction of proving to ourselves that we could keep our mouths shut and do a job. Any job. Despite their sterling performance during training, the women of Battery X never got the chance to operate guns over Washington. By the time they had completed their final qualification exercises and passed with a near-perfect score the threat of air attack had receded. Army planners shifted their focus to Europe, and the women moved on to their next assignments. Eighty-two years later, the memory of Battery X has nearly vanished. The women involved in the experiment, like Watson and Hilliard, have died; and, with no official record of the unit, there has been little public acknowledgment of Battery Xs trailblazing work. All that is left of their service are a handful of short memoirs. Before the unit disbanded, however, there were a few moments of quiet recognition. When, in 1943, Rep. Harold Cooley (R-North Carolina) accused the War Department of endangering Congress by defending the capital with wooden guns (they were decoys), Congress sent the chair of the Senate Special Committee to Investigate National Defense to Hillards office to inspect the unit. When the chairman, then-Sen. Harry S. Truman (D-Missouri) arrived, Hillard remembered that he peppered the unit commander with questions. As former artillery officer himself, Truman understood the ins and outs of air defense and insisted on a comprehensive overview from Hillards superiors. Ultimately, Truman walked away from the briefing satisfied with the men and women defending Washington. Excellent organization, Truman said. I feel safe now. Lena Andrews is the author of Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Women Who Helped Win World War II and an Associate Research Professor at the University of Marylands School of Public Policy. Ken Stevens, left, and Ira Schab, veterans who survived the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Oahu, attend the 83rd commemoration of the attack at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Dec. 7, 2024. (Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes) PEARL HARBOR NATIONAL MEMORIAL, Hawaii Only two veterans who survived the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor attended the annual commemoration Saturday in Hawaii. Ken Stevens, 102, of Powers, Ore., and Ira Schab, 104, of Beaverton, Ore., sat in the front row facing the harbor waters where Pacific Fleets Battleship Row was laid to waste in an attack that brought America into World War II. The ceremony was once attended by scores of surviving Dec. 7 veterans. Fewer than two dozen remain living. The pair were joined by only six other World War II veterans. This was a tough year here at Pearl Harbor, as we reached a milestone we all knew was coming but had hoped would never arrive, Tom Leatherman, superintendent of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, told the audience. In April, Lou Conter died at his California home at age 102. He had been among the 335 sailors and Marines who survived the destruction of the USS Arizona, which claimed the lives of 1,177 crew members after Japanese planes dropped armor-piercing bombs on the battleship as it was moored in the harbor. The remains of more than 900 sailors and Marines remain entombed in the ship, which is now part of the USS Arizona Memorial. Overall, the Dec. 7 attack killed 2,335 service members and 68 civilians on Oahu. Although no living crew members of the Arizona remain, the legacy of the ship and crew were central to this 83rd commemoration carrying the theme Forging Ahead. The keynote speaker, Nikki Stratton, is the granddaughter of Arizona survivor Donald Stratton, who died in 2020 at age 97. It is a privilege to stand before you today as a member of the Stratton family, a family whose story is forever entwined with the legacy of Pearl Harbor and the enduring spirit of the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941, said Nikki Stratton, who lives in Denver. Nikki Stratton, granddaughter of USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton, who died in 2020, delivers the keynote address at the 83rd commemoration of the 1941 attack at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii, Dec. 7, 2024. (Wyatt Olson/Stars and Stripes) Stratton will be the sponsor of a Virginia-class attack submarine to be christened USS Arizona, the first Navy vessel to carry that name since the battleship was lost in 1941. The sub is under construction in Groton, Conn., and expected to be completed by 2028. My grandfather, Donald Stratton, faced unimaginable adversity aboard the Arizona, she said. His survival was a testament to the grit, compassion and loyalty of those who fought beside him and risked everything to save others. Today, as we look toward the future with the commissioning of the USS Arizona, SSN-803, we honor that same determination the belief that we can do hard things, whether overcoming great tragedy, carrying forward cherished legacies or embracing the joy of remembrance and progress. Last December, Conters nephew, Marine Corps Capt. Ray Daniel Hower, focused on the legacy left by the veterans who survived the attack during his keynote address. Victory in World War II was not preordained nor an accident, U.S. Pacific Fleets commander, Adm. Stephen Koehler, told the audience. It happened because our greatest generation responded to the attack on Pearl Harbor with tenacity, he said. They set standards for excellence to which we strive to emulate today. A man walks by a broken portrait of the late Syrian President Hafez Assad as people search for belongings in the ransacked private residence of Syrian President Bashar Assad in the Malkeh district of Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Hussein Malla/AP) MANAMA, Bahrain For Irans theocratic government, it keeps getting worse. Its decadeslong strategy of building an Axis of Resistance supporting militant groups and proxies around the region is falling apart. First came the crushing Israeli campaign in Gaza triggered by the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Iranian-backed Hamas. That war spawned another in Lebanon, where Israel has mauled Irans most powerful ally, Hezbollah, even as Israel has launched successful airstrikes openly inside of Iran for the first time. And now Irans longtime stalwart ally and client in Syria, President Bashar Assad, is gone. As dawn broke Sunday, rebel forces completed a lightning offensive by seizing the ancient capital of Damascus and tearing down symbols of more than 50 years of Assads rule over the Mideast crossroads. Ali Akbar Velayati, a key adviser to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, once called Assad and Syria the golden ring of the resistance chain in the region. Without the Syrian government, this chain will break and the resistance against Israel and its supporters will be weakened. That break in the chain is literal. Syria was an important geographical link that allowed Iran to move weapons and other supplies to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Its loss now further weakens Hezbollah, whose powerful arsenal in southern Lebanon had put Iranian influence directly on the border of its nemesis Israel. Irans deterrence thinking is really shattered by events in Gaza, by events in Lebanon and definitely by developments in Syria, a United Arab Emirates senior diplomat Anwar Gargash said at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. Iran still holds the card of its nuclear program. Though it denies that intention, it can use the potential for building a weapons capability to cast a shadow of influence in the region. Iran remains a critical regional player, Gargash said. We should use this moment to connect and speak about whats next in my opinion. Its a dramatic reversal in Irans regional might Only a few years ago, the Islamic Republic loomed ascendant across the wider Middle East. Its Axis of Resistance was at a zenith. Hezbollah in Lebanon stood up against Israel. Assad appeared to have weathered an Arab Spring uprising-turned-civil war. Iraqi insurgents killed U.S. troops with Iranian-designed roadside bombs. Yemens Houthi rebels fought a Saudi-led coalition to a stalemate. Syria, at the crossroads, played a vital role. Early in Syrias civil war, when it appeared Assad might be overthrown, Iran and its ally, Hezbollah, rushed fighters to support him in the name of defending Shiite shrines in Syria. Russia later joined with a scorched earth campaign of airstrikes. The campaign won back territory, even as Syria remained divided into zones of government and insurgent control. But the speed of Assads collapse the past week showed just how reliant he was on support from Iran and Russia which at the crucial moment didnt come. Russia remains mired years after launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. For Iran, international sanctions over its advancing nuclear program have ground down its economy. For Israel, breaking Irans regional network has been a major goal, though it is wary over jihadi fighters among the insurgents who toppled Assad. Israel on Sunday moved troops into a demilitarized buffer zone with Syria by the Israel-held Golan Heights in what it called a temporary security measure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Assads fall a historic day, saying it was the direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assads main supporters. Irans theocratic rulers long touted their regional network to Iranians as a show of their countrys strength, and its crumbling could raise repercussions at home though there is no immediate sign of their hold weakening. Anger over the tens of billions of dollars Iran is believed to have spent propping up Assad was a rallying cry in rounds of nationwide anti-government protests that have broken out over recent years, most recently in 2022. Iran could respond by revving up its nuclear program The loss of Syria does not mean the end of Irans ability to project power in the Mideast. The Houthi rebels continue to launch attacks on Israel and on ships moving through the Red Sea though the tempo of their attacks have again fallen without a clear explanation from their leadership. Iran also maintains its nuclear program. While insisting it enriches uranium for peaceful purposes, Western intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency say Iran had an organized nuclear weapons program until 2003. The head of the IAEA also warned Friday that Iran is poised to quite dramatically increase its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium as it has started cascades of advanced centrifuges. If Iran would develop nuclear weapons, that would be a great blow to the international nonproliferation regime, said Thanos Dokos. Greeces national security adviser, in Bahrain. There remains a risk of wider attacks in the region, particularly on oil infrastructure. An attack in 2019 initially claimed by the Houthis but later assessed by experts to have been carried out by Iran temporarily halved Saudi Arabias production of oil. If, as a result of escalation, there are attacks against the energy infrastructure of Iran or Saudi Arabia, that would be bad news for the global oil supply, Dokos warned. Whatever happens next, Iran will need to make the decision weighing the problems it faces at both home and abroad. Whereas stability is a difficult commodity to export, instability can travel very fast, which is why stability in the Middle East is very important for all of us, Dokos said. Syrian opposition fighters remove a government Syrian flag from an official building in Salamiyah, east of Hama, Syria Syria, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (Ghaith Alsayed/AP) When a patchwork of rebel armies threatened Syrias capital a decade ago, governments from Washington to the Middle East were forced to confront a jarring possibility: A collapse of Syrias brutal autocracy might lead to the rise of something even worse. At the time, the United States and its allies were pouring billions of dollars into arming pro-democracy rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. But the militias that posed the greatest threat to Damascus were led by religious extremists bent on turning Syria into an Islamist caliphate. What if Assad fell, analysts asked, only to be replaced by groups that Washington regarded as terrorists? The scenario was given a name: the catastrophic success. The same question is being asked with urgency as intelligence agencies around the world contemplate the sweeping gains over the past week by the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS an Arabic name that translates to the Organization for the Liberation of the Levant. The groups pedigree is well known, with historic links to both the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. From Jerusalem and Amman to Washington and Paris, governments are bracing for the real possibility that Damascus could come under the sway of a militant faction that the United States has officially labeled a terrorist organization. They may have evolved, but their essential ideology is still the same, said one Middle Eastern official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss military assessments, as reports of fresh HTS conquests continued to stream in. U.S. and Middle Eastern officials acknowledge that the situation in Syria is profoundly different compared to a decade ago. Russia now has multiple military bases in Syria and has shown a readiness to use air power to ensure the survival of its most important Middle East ally. According to a broad array of analysts and Syria experts, HTS also has changed, not just in its rhetoric but in its actions, including at least an initial public embrace of pluralism and religious freedom in areas that it has come to occupy. Whether HTSs professions of reform are genuine is far from clear. It is one unknown among a swirl of uncertainties in a crisis changing so rapidly that Western intelligence analysts acknowledge they are struggling to keep up. HTSs blitz through Aleppo, Hama and Homs three of Syrias five largest cities has spurred fierce debates among U.S. and Middle Eastern analysts over whether the rebel group could also capture Damascus, a prospect that U.S. officials assessed Saturday as increasingly likely. But how HTS would wield power if successful remained unknown. Also unclear is whether other armed groups will exploit the collapse of Syrian authority to gain new territory. Among the possible beneficiaries of the current crisis is the Islamic State, which has cells in villages and towns in Syrias central and eastern deserts. The outcome could have major security impacts for Syrias neighbors as well as the hundreds of U.S. service personnel deployed at military outposts in southern and northeastern Syria. The consequences could be even more profound for ordinary Syrians, including the 14 million - more than two-thirds of the countrys population - who are internally displaced or living as refugees, and the vast numbers of others who are simply exhausted after 13 years of conflict. Were not in 2014 anymore, and the groups were seeing in 2024 are not the same, said Charles Lister, director of the Syria program at the Middle East Institute, a Washington think tank. Despite concerns about some of the groups that are leading these advances, the idea that there could be some change around the corner is not necessarily being seen by Syrians as a bad thing. Until 10 days ago when all this started, there had been no light at the end of their very dark tunnel. A black swan event Almost no one saw it coming. For years, the conventional wisdom held that Syrias civil war was a frozen conflict. After teetering on collapse against an onslaught of rebel militias, Assad was rescued in 2015 by Russia and Iran, which committed their own militaries to ensure the survival of a crucial ally. Assads forces had been struggling for three years against a sustained onslaught by a fractious network of rebel groups with competing interests and goals. The largest of the secular, pro-democracy factions was backed by the United States, which sought to tip the scale by providing military training and massive quantities of weapons and ammunition under a covert CIA program known as Timber Sycamore. The aid was partly intended to prevent a rise to power by Islamist groups such as the Islamic State - the catastrophic success that U.S. policymakers feared in early 2015. Yet, over time, the rebel side came to be dominated by the Islamists. Among these was a powerful al-Qaeda-linked group known then as the al-Nusra Front. Today, after numerous attempts at a remake, it is called HTS. The militia group was among the principal targets when Russian warplanes, backed by thousands of Iranian and Hezbollah fighters, began a drive in 2015 to expel the rebels from Syrias major cities. In 2016, Iranians helped direct the siege of rebel-held Aleppo, a metropolis of nearly 3 million people that was nearly destroyed in the fighting. After al-Nusras retreat, an uneasy stalemate emerged, with Turkish-backed opposition forces controlling a narrow buffer zone along Syrias northern border and U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters dominating the eastern provinces. Islamist rebels, led by HTS, retreated to a small enclave around the northern city of Idlib. Despite occasional skirmishes, the lines barely moved for years. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah built military bases in Syria to ensure that Assad could never be forcibly removed from power. Assads prospects began to deteriorate, almost unnoticed at first, amid the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in the aftermath of Hamass Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack. By decimating Hezbollahs leadership and destroying much of its military capability, Israel undermined an essential pillar in Assads security infrastructure. Syrias other benefactors, Iran and Russia, had become distracted meanwhile by problems elsewhere, including Moscows war against Ukraine. Despite the warning signs, Syria experts admit they overestimated the stability of the defensive wall that Assad built around himself. Over the past year it had quietly eroded, up until the day that a reinvigorated HTS decided to give it a shove. Over time, Assads capabilities were going down, but it had to be put to the test, Andrew Tabler, a top adviser on Syria for the Trump administrations first National Security Council, said Thursday at a policy forum sponsored by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. So HTS, in their offensive, decided to poke the front line in a very dramatic way. That sudden collapse led to a sudden collapse of the entire front. In the first nine days of the HTS offensive, rebel fighters overwhelmed Syrian army troops in Aleppo and Hama and pushed to the outskirts of Homs, a major security hub for Assads forces. Still, many U.S. and Middle Eastern analysts were predicting that the offensive would grind to halt as Syrian forces, backed again by Russian air power, regrouped to defend the approach to the capital. By late Saturday, the 11th day, with fighting underway in Homs and Syrian troops on the retreat in the countrys southern provinces, official predictions about Assads future had become much gloomier. A senior U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss military assessments, said Saturday said there was a significant risk of the regimes collapse in the near term. Despite Russian and Iranian statements vowing to back Assad, the official said U.S. analysts were seeing evidence that support for the Syrian leader was wavering. Both countries were advising their citizens to quickly leave the country, the official said. Homs is where we start entering endgame territory for Assad, said Aaron Lund, a fellow at Century International and Middle East analyst at the Swedish Defense Research Agency, speaking on the Warcast podcast Friday. A collapse of government control in Syrias third-largest city and leading industrial center would effectively cut the regime in two parts, separating Damascus from the coastal areas that provide Assads main base of support and house Russian air bases and naval ports. That is the point where the destruction of his regime starts looking very, very plausible, he said. A new kind of rebel army? By all accounts, HTS has evolved considerably since the days of the catastrophic success warnings. By 2015, the group formerly known as al-Nusra Front had changed its name and disavowed any ties with the Islamic State, its parent organization. In 2016, its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, had also publicly broken with al-Qaeda and other Islamist extremist groups. Jolani has sought since then to cultivate a more moderate, tolerant image and to root out sometimes brutally Islamic State supporters in his enclave as well as extremists within his organization, analysts say. Even as his army was on the march in the past two weeks, Jolani has gone out of his way to present his reformers credentials to Western audiences, offering interviews to CNN and the New York Times. No one has the right to erase another group, Jolani said of Syrias ethnic and religious minorities in a CNN interview broadcast on Friday. These sects have coexisted in this region for hundreds of years, and no one has the right to eliminate them. Jolani even suggested that he might disband his own organization in order to build a new government that represented all parts of Syrian society. We are talking about building Syria, Jolani said. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is merely one part of this dialogue, and it may dissolve at any time. It is not an end in itself but a means to perform a task: confronting this regime. Syrian advocacy groups say Jolani has generally followed through on his pledge of moderation by allowing freedom of worship and granting rights to women - including the right to pursue professional careers and attend college in HTSs Idlib stronghold, as well as the cities that have recently fallen to the group. Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a Washington-based advocacy group with an extensive network in northern Syria, said Aleppos citizens have largely welcomed the HTS fighters. A prominent leader of the citys Orthodox community told him that Christian neighborhoods were putting up Christmas decorations without rebel interference, Moustafa said. There are no reports of violations against citizens, he said. Moustafa, who also spoke at the Washington Institute forum, chafed at calls by the Biden administration and other Western officials for an immediate de-escalation in the fighting. De-escalation of what? The liberation of towns and cities from a Russian-Iranian-backed Assad regime? he asked. Still, several U.S. and Middle Eastern analysts said they are not yet convinced by Jolanis claims of reform. Some noted that Afghanistans Taliban rulers also promised a more tolerant governing style after seizing control of Kabul in 2021. Instead, Afghanistans conservative leaders have imposed draconian restrictions on the countrys female population, including a new prohibition against attending medical classes. Other officials noted that HTS has expressed support for Hamass Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel - echoing the stance taken by Hezbollah and Iran, Assads longtime backers. Even if HTS seizes control Damascus, the reality of the groups nature and intentions may not be clear for weeks or months. By then, Jolani and his followers may already be deeply entrenched, analysts say. Hes still personally a very conservative Islamist figure, said Lister, the Middle East Institute scholar. He has created a trajectory that he cannot reverse. Now there is a question, and a justifiable one, as to whether or not he can sustain this kind of balance. Warrick and Nakashima reported from Washington. Missy Ryan, Karen DeYoung, John Hudson and Dan Lamothe contributed to this report. An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle receives fuel over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Oct. 13, 2024. (Zachary Willis/U.S. Air Force) U.S. Air Force jets including B-52s and F-15 fighter jets struck 75 Islamic State targets Sunday in central Syria on the day the regime of Bashar al-Assad collapsed, the U.S. Central Command said. A CENTCOM statement said the strikes against ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS and to ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria. The operation struck over 75 targets using multiple U.S. Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s, the statement said. Battle damage assessments are underway, and there are no indications of civilian casualties. There should be no doubt we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria, said General Michael Erik Kurilla, the CENTCOM commander. All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way. ISIS is not part of the coalition that seized Damascus before dawn Sunday and forced Assad to flee to his longtime ally Russia. The U.S. maintains about 900 troops in Syria to prevent ISIS from staging a comeback. The U.S. also maintains substantial air assets in neighboring countries which could have taken part in Sundays attacks. The renewal plan designates the block being considered for a 27-story, 300-foot-tall apartment building as a blighted area, which qualifies it for an estimated $11 million in tax-increment financing. Loyalists had expected security services to make big disclosure to court ahead of trial Cops busted an MI5 guns operation when they arrested UVF boss Winston Winkie Irvine, loyalist sources are claiming. Forty-nine-year-old Irvine is facing jail time after pleading guilty to a series of arms offences arising out of his arrest along with leading Larne loyalist Robert Workman in possession of a car load of guns and ammunition. After initially pleading not guilty to the June 2022 offence, the Sunday World can reveal that loyalists sources are claiming Irvine was actually part of a British security service operation inadvertently intercepted by the PSNI. It is claimed that Irvine was part of a British state operation, giving intelligence and security agencies access to weapons potentially used in UVF operations. The plan was to place the guns in the hands of security and intelligence services for forensic examination, according to the sources. Security and UVF sources have suggested to the Sunday World that state agencies turned their back on Irvine. The Sunday World understands that fears that Irvine knows too much fuelled his and Workmans admission of guilt. Initially the pair were bullish about their role in what appeared to be a significant arms seizure. Irvine and Workman were confident they could beat the charges off the back of a bold claim by Irvines barrister Joe Brolly. The GAA legend told Belfast Magistrates court in June 2022 that there would be a significant disclosure that would explain the terrorist pals involvement in the movement of weapons. No disclosure has been made. Irvine had been at the forefront of unionist protests at Drumcree and the disputed Orange Order parade past the Arodyne shops in north Belfast which resulted in a three-year stand-off. Winston Winkie Irvine throwing a crate during a riot It ended in 2016 after the UVF walked away, amid claims Irvine had stuck a deal with the British government. Its suspected hes been in the governments pocket ever since. Once tipped to be the man to take over from 40-year UVF Chief of Staff John Bunter Graham, Irvine is now a man of the past. Believed to still be the commander of UVF B Company based in the Woodvale area of the great Shankill, Irvine has now been dumped by the organisation he has served. This week the court told Irvine his offences pass the threshold for custodial sentence and he has told friends and family he expects to go to jail. It is a calamitous fall for the man who saw himself as the natural inheritor of David Ervines mantel as the loyalist peacemaker. UVF veterans are convinced Irvine was in the pocket of the British security services. They [British] turned their back on him, a source said. Even Winkie is not indispensable. At his initial court appearance two-and-a-half years ago, barrister Brolly referenced then Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton as a contact of his client. Singleton has recently been appointed Deputy Chief Constable, but his alleged connection with Irvine has resulted in the UVF chief being given a new nickname Winkie Singleton. Irvine and Workmans bravado evaporated when it emerged their alleged security paymasters had abandoned them. The British dont want any details about the guns to come out, which would happen if they contested the charges. Theyve been dropped, no longer useful. No details were given in court on Monday on the circumstances surrounding the offences, further fuelling suspicions that the pair Irvine in particular have struck a deal. There has been no explanation of what Irvine was doing with such a quantity if arms. It fuels claims that he has been too close to government agencies. The Sunday World understands Irvine was, at one time, regarded as a key figure in bringing loyalist paramilitary groups into line. His reward was well-paid publicly funded community jobs. This week the International Fund for Ireland refused to confirm whether it would pull funding from the Building Cultural Networks initiative, an offshoot of the loyalist ACT programme which benefits from 900,000 in public and charity funding. Irvine hosted a conference in May celebrating loyalist culture while on bail, raising further questions about his relationship with the state. Limerick woman Natasha OBrien was beaten unconscious by former solider Cathal Crotty Natasha OBrien, the Limerick woman beaten unconscious by a former solider, was not informed that the States appeal against the undue leniency of her attackers fully suspended sentence will be heard next month. Ms OBrien said she is in a blind rage that she was not informed the case will be heard on January 23, but instead read about it in the media. As a victim in the case, the 25-year-old should have been informed about the court date from within the criminal justice system, as she has a right to attend. Ms OBrien said it appeared as if nothing has been learned about how to support survivors in the court process. Natasha OBrien was viciously assaulted on a street in Limerick city by soldier Cathal Crotty, who received a three-year suspended sentence. Photo: Brian Arthur Cathal Crotty (22) from Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, received a three-year suspended sentence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court last June and was ordered to pay 3,000 in compensation after he pleaded guilty to carrying out an unprovoked attack on Ms OBrien on OConnell Street in Limerick in May, 2022. I am in a blind rage at the moment, to be blatantly presented with this evident lack of progression and regard for supporting and involving the victim in the criminal justice process, Ms OBrien said. Nothing has been learned. No action has been taken to improve or change this outdated system of ignorance and injustice. The State so casually risks the compounded re-traumatisation of victims, over and over and over again. There is a total absence of procedure and competence in safeguarding victims. This is a terrible look for the State. I will be investigating this monumental disservice and I will find my answers and demand solutions. Soldier Cathal Crotty was given a suspended sentence for his assault on Natasha O'Brien There are mechanisms in place within the criminal justice system that should have ensured Ms OBrien was informed of the date of the States appeal. Victims and survivors cannot and will not be forgotten and ignored. The State might have a track record of ignoring its people and their needs, but I will continue to be heard, Ms OBrien said. No action has yet been taken to enforce the consideration of victims, but I will not stop taking action until we see a new approach across the board. I will not live in a State in which I am consistently overlooked, and I will not stand idle and allow any victim to succumb to the same fate as I have. We will see change and we will see it very soon. Natasha O'Brien pictured on O'Connell Street, Limerick near where she was viciously assaulted in May 2022. Ms OBrien, who was not known to Crotty, was walking home with a friend when Crotty grabbed her by her hair and punched her to the ground after she asked him to stop shouting a homophobic slur at passers-by, his criminal trial heard. Ms OBrien, who sustained a broken nose and bruising and suffered nightmares and panic attacks afterwards, said she thought Crotty was going to kill her. Hours after the attack Crotty, who was a serving member of the Defence Forces at the time, boasted to friends on Snapchat: Two to put her down, two to put her out, in reference to striking Ms OBrien. Crotty was discharged from the Army in July. The DPPs appeal against the suspended sentence has been lodged on the basis of undue leniency. Last Monday, a judge set the hearing for January 23. Answering a call from Joshs grandson to get the ponies ready for the funeral, horse and pony owners from Finglas and beyond turned out The funeral party of Anthony Josh Fowler paid tribute to his late son Shane yesterday by driving past a plaque erected in his honour. This image shows the horse drawn carriage carrying floral tributes to murder victim Josh Fowler driving past Shanes memorial yesterday. Shane Fowler (35), was killed in a motorbike crash in 2018 while apparently in possession of a gun. The bike being ridden by Shane Fowler hit a lamp-post on May 6, 2018, and emergency services that were called to the scene found a handgun nearby. But as they were dealing with the critically injured motorbike rider, somebody stepped forward from the crowd that had gathered and removed the gun from the scene. Yesterday, dozens of horse-drawn carriage drivers joined the funeral cortege of murdered grandfather Anthony Josh Fowler as his grieving family laid the 63-year-old to rest. Answering a call from Joshs grandson to get the ponies ready for the funeral, horse and pony owners from Finglas and beyond turned out to escort Joshs remains to Glasnevin Cemetery Chapel. The father-of-four lost his life after he was stabbed by a youth who called to his house in Dunsink Green in Finglas, Dublin 11 at around 12.30am on November 26 looking for a younger associate. Gardai do not believe that the attack which claimed Joshs life was premeditated but rather that he was stabbed during a struggle that broke out at his front door. Floral tributes to Josh Fowler Ahead of yesterdays funeral, Joshs family paid tribute to him as a person who had the rare gift of making everyone feel seen and valued. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the tragic passing of Josh, a devoted and cherished husband to Barbara and an endlessly loving father to Glen, Kaide, Joshua and his late son Shane, who he now joins in eternal rest, his funeral notice read. A memorial erected for Shane Fowler near his home Predeceased by his beloved parents, Maura and Anthony, and his dear brothers, Derek and Andrew, Josh leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unforgettable memories. Joshs life was one of warmth and generosity. He will be profoundly missed by his adoring wife Barbara, his children, and his treasured grandchildren Dylan, Alisha, Kayden, Ella, Tristan, Troy, Kallie, and little KK each of whom held a special place in his heart. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughters-in-law Leanne, Cathrina, and Jenny, his sister Geraldine, brother Noel, and countless nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours, and friends. Josh had the rare gift of making everyone feel seen and valued. His smile, humour, and unconditional love brightened the lives of all who knew him. Josh Fowler's funeral There have been no arrests yet following the killing almost two weeks ago. Gardai believe the chief suspect for Mr Fowlers murder has fled the area and may even have left the jurisdiction.The suspect was well known to Mr Fowler. Gardai are working on the theory that he did not arrive at the victims Finglas home with the intention of stabbing him. It seems to be a criminal caper that went out of all control when Fowler confronted who was at his door, a source said. Josh Fowler The young man they were looking for cash from was present and it seems the victim was trying to protect him when he suffered the fatal stab wound. This young man has also not made himself available for questioning. Josh Fowler was known to local gardai and had a number of criminal convictions, including one in relation to growing cannabis in 2019, for which he received a two-year sentence. His son Shane Fowler, aged 35, died in 2018 when he lost control of a motorbike he was driving and hit a lamppost. He was carrying a handgun at the time and when paramedics were treating him someone took the firearm and fled with it, in order to conceal the weapon from gardai. It was suspected he was on his way to murder local gang boss Mr Flashy who had links to the Kinahan crime cartel. The victim and his associates had been involved in a long-standing criminal dispute with the gang controlled by Mr Flashy. Before and after being locked up, Josh Fowler was a target for the Mr Flashy gang, and gardai responded to an assault linked to that dispute in the Ratoath Road area around two years ago in which he was brutally attacked. However, his murder is not connected to the feud. In the wake of Joshs murder, there have been a number of incidents, feared to be reprisal attacks, suspected to have been carried out by associates of the deceased man. One of these was an arson attack at a property in north Dublin. Detectives believe that associates of Fowler some of whom are involved in drug dealing in the locality paid a local burglar to burn down a property in the aftermath of the murder. Gardai are appealing for any witnesses, particularly anyone with video footage (including dash cam) from the area at the time of the killing, to contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. After his narrow election loss, gang figure tells Sunday World hes not done with politics Gerry The Monk Hutch says he is not done with politics Gerry The Monk Hutch has revealed he is considering setting up his own political party after getting a bit of a taste for politics. The veteran criminal sent shockwaves through Irelands political class by almost getting elected to the Dail last week. Hutch narrowly lost out to Labours Marie Sherlock in a tight fight for the fourth seat in Dublin Central a story which made headlines across the world. The Monks unexpected success was greeted with shock and anger by TDs from the main political parties including Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour and the Social Democrats. Ivana Bacik said that she was appalled at the vote while Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said she condemned The Monks candidacy. While former taoiseach Bertie Ahern gave a more considered view, saying Hutch had been kind to the community in Dublin Central in indirect ways. However, the widespread criticism from the established political parties does not appear to have deterred Hutch from the world of politics. In a statement to the Sunday World, Hutch said he believed he would have won a Dail seat if he had a political organisation behind him. Gerry Hutch causes a media scrum as he arrives at the count centre in the RDS He also insisted that he had not given up his political ambitions and believed he could build on his previous successes. Im thinking of forming my own party some sort of an independents in alliance so that we could back one another up when it comes to preferences. Im not ready to move away from politics. Ive got a bit of a taste for it and I can also now identify what happened with my vote. He added: I didnt have enough second and third preference votes and that cost me the seat. If I had allies running with me I would have got more of those second and third votes and it would have made all the difference. I would have rocked the poll. Hutch flew back into Ireland two weeks before the election after being released on bail of 100k by a Spanish court. He had been arrested last month at his second home in Lanzarote as part of a Spanish-led investigation into money-laundering. The Monks arrest was seen as the death-knell for his chances of taking a seat in the hotly contested constituency. Political observers had claimed they expected Hutch to get around 1,000 first preference votes with his prospects of getting elected being widely dismissed on RTE. However, when the first tallies of the votes were counted, it became obvious that Hutch was in with a good chance of taking a seat. Gerry Hutch arrives at the count centre in the RDS Speaking to the Sunday World, Hutch said that he believes he could build a political machine by allying himself with other local community figures based across Dublin. The way I see it, if there are other people who are working in the community and they are very popular in the likes of Ballymun or Finglas or Crumlin and [if] they decided to run as independents then we could get together so we can back one another up. Or people across the country who are the same. The system is rigged in favour of the parties. I want genuine people who are really interested in working for their communities. Im just putting it out there to see what comes back. Mary Lou McDonald, Paschal Donohoe, Gary Gannon and Labours Marie Sherlock were ultimately elected to the Dail. However, the fact that a man who has been linked to organised crime for decades was nearly chosen by voters became the focus of international coverage of the election. Politico described the growing sense of disbelief among the politically savvy crowd that the Monk had polled so well. While the BBC said Hutch may feel robbed after being hotly tipped to secure a seat but also said he didnt appear sore about his defeat when he arrived at the count centre. Marie Sherlock speaks to the media after getting elected as a TD International news agency Reuters said Hutch came close to being elected thanks to a surge of support in deprived areas of the Dublin Central constituency. Reuters noted that the US State Department said in 2022 that the Hutch drug trafficking gang was locked in a turf war with the Kinahan crime group. The Hutch gang was named by the State Department when it offered a $5 million reward for help in arresting leaders of the Kinahan gang suspected of drug trafficking, the agencys article said. Following her election, Marie Sherlock was congratulated by Hutch, who made his way across the RDS. Sherlock told RTE she had been surprised that Hutch maintained his lead until the very end but said it reflected working-class anger that the countrys unprecedented fiscal wealth wasnt making their lives better. This country is awash with money and yet we have so many huge problems that remain unresolved, she said. Hutchs vote total, as well as her own, she said, reflected the reality that people struggling with high costs and scarce housing want change in how our country is run. They want a voice. Relatives wrote to Garda Commissioner expressing deep concerns over investigation Bernie and Brendan Farrell at the family home in Rooskey where Brendans father Liam Farrell was found dead. Photo: Frank McGrath Gardai are expected to meet the family of an elderly Leitrim farmer who died in suspicious circumstances, after they wrote to the Garda Commissioner expressing their deep concerns over the initial handling of the case five years ago. The body of Liam Farrell (87) was found by his daughter on January 12, 2020, lying at the back of the family home where he lived alone near the village of Rooskey in Co Leitrim. The father of five was found facing up, and his head was wedged in the corner of the wall. He was covered in blood and there was extensive bruising, abrasions and cuts to his face and body. Blood was spattered around the walls and door of the house. There was also blood found on a mop and in a mop bucket. Mr Farrells shoes and socks had been removed. His blazer and overcoat had also been removed, as well as the blood-soaked knotted tie he had been wearing. The keys of his home were found at the front gate to the property. It appeared that he had only made it to the back door, which was found locked. A post-mortem showed the widower died as a result of a heart attack caused by severe coronary heart disease. An inquest held in September this year returned an open verdict, which meant that the jury could not be satisfied as to the actual circumstances surrounding Mr Farrells death. Liam Farrell was 87 years old. During the inquest, it emerged that the consultant pathologist at Sligo University Hospital who performed the post-mortem was not told the body had been found in suspicious circumstances. He believed he was dealing with a case of death by natural causes. If he had known gardai were treating the case as suspicious, he would have referred the post-mortem to a forensic pathologist instead. The family of the Leitrim man believe that his death was precipitated by an assault. Their suspicions were supported by Dr Jack Crane, the former state pathologist for Northern Ireland, who was retained by the Farrell family. He told the inquest that in his opinion, the deceased had been assaulted by a third party. Following the inquest, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris announced that he had instructed a senior officer to peer review the file on the original investigation. In the meantime, on September 21, private forensic specialists hired by the family found traces of blood on a rope in a shed beside Mr Farrells home. Gardai were alerted to the find and crime scene investigators carried out a separate forensic examination at the property. In a letter sent to the commissioner on October 24, Frank Buttimer, the familys solicitor, reiterated the familys belief that information shared with gardai at the time of the farmers death pointed to it being suspicious. We are absolutely sure that Daddy was attacked, probably by someone he knew, and all the evidence supports that view Mr Buttimer said inquiries conducted by gardai with the assistance of family members and others established at that time the likelihood or probability that his death occurred in violent circumstances, or that were was likely to be a causative link between an act of violence and his death. He added that the An Garda Siochana investigation remains a matter of ongoing and deep concern to my clients and that those concerns were established to be well founded following the inquest. Mr Buttimer requested that the commissioner or some of his officers would meet the family to discuss their concerns and that a comprehensive review of the investigation be carried out, so further action may be taken. Earlier this week, gardai informed the family that they have received the results of the forensic tests and have requested a meeting with them next week to discuss the findings and the case in general. Last night, Mr Farrells family welcomed the move. They reiterated their belief that the death was the result of an attack and that their fathers attacker may be living in the local community but is afraid to come forward. We are absolutely sure that Daddy was attacked, probably by someone he knew, and all the evidence supports that view. We want the gardai to conduct a fresh investigation, Mr Farrells son Willy said. Shortly after Daddy died, a person well known to us said that he had not died where he was found and that his body was dragged to the back of the house. We see no evidence that the source of that information was properly investigated. The scene that greeted me was just horrific and I cannot get it out of my mind Willy Farrell, who lives in the US, said that as their fathers body was not properly forensically examined, the family were now contemplating seeking to have him exhumed so his body can be examined by a forensic pathologist. From what came up at the inquest, particularly the unanswered questions it raised including the post-mortem, we believe there are grounds for us to request the authorities to exhume Daddys body for a forensic examination, he said. Brendan Farrell, who lives in Leitrim, rushed to his fathers home when his sister alerted him and said he has no doubt that his father was the victim of a violent attack. The scene that greeted me was just horrific and I cannot get it out of my mind, he said. I didnt recognise Daddy, my father the big, strong man I couldnt believe it it was carnage. None of us, his children, will rest until we get to the truth. The Farrell family said they welcomed the intervention of the commissioner and are due to meet investigating gardai on Friday of next week. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Photo: Steve Humphreys We welcome the intervention of the commissioner to have a peer review of the case and that a meeting has been organised. Hopefully we will get some answers and learn the results of the blood samples found at the house, Brendan Farrell added. Liam Farrell was last seen alive after having a few pints in each of his two local pubs, Reynolds Bar and then the Weir Lodge, on Saturday evening January 11, 2020, which was his weekly routine. After having his customary five pints between the two pubs and chatting with his neighbours, he said goodnight and left The Weir shortly after midnight. He was seen by a local taxi driver walking in the direction of his home about 300 metres up the old Sligo to Dublin road. Eyewitnesses said that he was steady on his feet and was not drunk. His daughter, Anne Carroll, made the discovery when she called in on him at around 3.30pm on January 12. He was not breathing and was unresponsive. The mystery of what happened to Mr Farrell took on more sinister connotations two weeks after his funeral, when a neighbour contacted another son, Peter, before he travelled back to Texas where he lives with his family. Peter Farrell said: He told me, There is something you need to know before returning to America your father did not die where he was found he was dragged there. To say I was shocked would be putting it mildly. A local woman, Anne Vaughan, told the inquest in September that she and her daughter saw Mr Farrell talking to a mystery man in Reynolds Bar that night. She had never seen the man before and described him as being in his 60s, having whitish hair and wearing a black hat. Ms Vaughan said: Look, I didnt like the look of him from when I set eyes on him. Birthday girl took lethal cocktail of potent substances The powder is a deadly mix of ecstasy, ketamine, amphetamines, and in some cases LSD and fentanyl. Sources believe Chloe who is understood not to have been a regular drug user was tempted as she hit the town to celebrate her 25th birthday. There are now fears that others will fall foul of the deadly drug combination. Chloe's friends bearing her coffin this week The Sunday World understands the tragic incident at Lux nightclub in Belfasts Cathedral Quarter sparked panic across the city. One person collapsed at another nightclub and rumours circulated that pink cocaine was responsible, until it was confirmed to have been unconnected. The presence of fentanyl on the streets of Belfast is causing concern. Estimated to be 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin, it has laid waste to inner cities across the US and has now reached these shores. Users are reduced to a zombie-like state, and first-time users run the risk of triggering a heart attack. Chloe Ferris's heartbroken parents Declan and Sharon standing next to their daughter's coffin This week Chloes family and friends gathered to mourn the loss of a special young woman when they should have been celebrating her 25th birthday. Mourners at St Pauls Church on the Falls Road were told of Chloes love of adventure and travel, how she lived a life filled to the brim with love. Chloe died in the early hours of Sunday at Lux nightclub in the city centre as she celebrated her birthday and would have turned 25 on December 3. In an emotional address to mourners read by Fr Darren Brennan, parents Declan and Sharon wished their first-born child a happy birthday. Its like even the heavens are in tears as we remember Chloe, a beautiful, special, blossoming young woman, he said. We will not pretend we are not heartbroken, because we are, but were not going to pretend that Chloes life wasnt an amazing one. A picture of Chloe held at her funeral She achieved so very, very much in a life filled to the brim with love a love which flowed both ways. Memories you all will cherish forever and that she has left behind. Anyone who has been to the house on the Whitewell Road will know just how welcoming a place it is, how warm and how beautiful a place it is. Not just a house; truly a home. Thats thanks to Sharon and Declan and to their family and the love that is palpable in that place. Chloe, a former pupil of St Clares Primary School in west Belfast, was a trainee at Enhance Belfast before opening her own beauty, Chloes Beauty. Fr Brennan read out an emotional tribute from parents Declan and Sharon. Where do we start with our Miss Chloe girl? they said. She was our first born and was spoilt by her soft-touch dad, whom she continued to prey on all of her life. Chloe Ferris They spoke of the love Chloe was shown by all her aunts, uncles and cousins, and how that love was returned, and of the group of friends she had made at school who continued to enjoy life to the fullest. The Sister Squad a group of well-mannered young women we were all proud of. They had a great influence on Chloes attitude to life, her parents continued. They also spoke of how she had been to Africa, and her involvement with cross-community youth group RCity. They recalled how their daughter had blossomed into a business-owner beautician. Chloes little business had to flourish. And it did. It flourished and flourished. She was so proud of it, and we were of her. Requiem Mass was followed by burial in Milltown Cemetery. Police are still investigating the circumstances of Chloes death after the nightclub incident, which also left one of her friends in hospital. She has since been discharged and is recovering at home. Two men in their 20s, arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences following the incident, have since been released on bail. Voting is open for the 2024 Tremains Christmas Lights Trail through Tauranga and the Western Bay, with an outstanding 62 homes and businesses lit up with festive cheer. They include Welcome Bay Vet Clinic, where an official handover of a Christmas tradition stretching back two decades has happened. This year The Hits, the Weekend Sun and Tremains Real Estate have teamed up to make 2024s lights trail better than ever before. Participating addresses are spread from Waihi to Lower Kaimai to Paengaroa, and the homes will be lit up each evening from 8pm to 11am until December 17, when voting closes. New owners of Welcome Bay Vet Clinic, Dr Hannah Bain and vet nurse Sarah Wilson, are determined to maintain the animal-centric light decorations that have been iconic in the community for the last two decades. Thats the main thing people ask about when they find out the business is changing hands, said Bain. Every single friend, family and client has immediately checked that well still be doing the annual [Christmas light] display. Former owner Dr John Drummond said his first attempt about 20 years ago at constructing a dog pulling a cat on a sleigh, from aluminium rods and fairy lights, failed horribly. It was a mess, said Drummond, who began the vet clinic light display for his community. There was too much detail in the design and the lights were all over the place, but the following year rope lights came out and we simplified the design. It was really good, said Drummond. Then we learned how to do time switches to create motion and we were away. Drummond has fond memories of his now-adult son as a young fella dressing as Santa and standing out outside the clinic to hand out lollies to people following the citys light trail. Welcome Bay vet Clinic former owner Dr John Drummond said his first attempt at constructing a dog pulling a cat on a sleigh out of aluminium rods and fairy lights about 20 years ago failed horribly. Photo / David Hall. He would disappear into the minibuses from retirement villages and dish out the chewy toffees and we realised he needed a bag full of soft lollies too, said Drummond. As a team, we love the Christmas lights and putting up decorations, said Bain. John has been amazing because most of the lights are animals, like Santa Cat, and hes designed them himself. Hes a very clever man. The boxes of decorations took up most of the attic space of the clinic, so residents will have noticed a growing display as each decoration is added. Bain describes it as a project of stages. This year was special because Drummond was passing on the legacy he created before he retires. Were learning the ropes of how its all unravelled, placed and plugged in and then how to pack it all down again, said Bain. Entries outstanding The display at 54 Sandhurst Drive for the 2024 Tremains Christmas Lights Trail. Tremains Real Estate managing director Anton Jones said the public entries to this years trail were outstanding. He said Tremains would host two special evening events in Christmas light hotspots with sausage sizzles, spot prizes, games and fun for the kids. These would be held at Matepu Reserve in the Lakes on December 12 and in Papamoa Easts Wairakei Avenue on December 13. Both events would run from 8pm-9.45pm. He encouraged everyone to come along to an event or see the lights another night. 7 Rewarewa Place in Matua lit up for the 2024 Tremains Christmas Lights Trail. People can vote for their favourite home until December 17. The trail winner will be announced on December 18. Peoples Choice awards will offer prizes for first, second and third place and Bethlehem Town Centre has donated prizes for light trail participants to win. You can find the list of participating homes below as well as in the Weekend Sun, the Bay of Plenty Times and on The Hits website - where you can also download a list of addresses, find them on a map and vote for your favourites. - Additional reporting Samantha Motion 2024 Tremains Christmas Lights Trail Gate Pa Greerton Bellevue Athenree Hairini Katikati Lower Kaimai Matua Maungatapu Mount Maunganui Ohauiti Omokoroa Otumoetai Papamoa Pyes Pa/Lakes Te Puke/Paengaroa Waihi Welcome Bay Fluoride-free water could be available for Tauranga residents willing to travel outside the city to access it. The Tauranga City Council has had conversations with the Western Bay of Plenty District Council on the potential to provide an unfluoridated water supply close to the city boundary. Mayor Mahe Drysdale said it was important for residents to have a choice around fluoride in the water supply. Whilst we are legally required to fluoridate our citys water supply, I am pleased we can discuss options for access to unfluoridated water for those residents who wish to have it, he said. The estimated cost of setting up the supply point was $30,000 plus a yearly ongoing cost of $5000, according to a city council report. The Tauranga council will decide whether to continue this work at a meeting on Monday. Taurangas water has been fluoridated since October 24 following an order from the Director-General of Health. The council faced a potential $200,000 fine plus daily fines of $10,000 per day if it failed to comply with the order. When councillors voted to fluoridate the water, they asked staff to look at costs and options for residents to access non-fluoridated water. Only two (Katikati and Athenree) of Western Bay of Plentys eight water supplies are required to be fluoridated. The rest will remain non-fluoridated. Access for Tauranga would be via a metered communal tap, with the water usage then charged back to Tauranga City Council. Harington St became one-way in March and Liquorland owner Lisa Parker says the change has reduced her sales by a third. Photo / David Hall Priority projects and controversial street designs The council has set aside two days for the meeting to cover the 15 public items on the agenda. It will consider options to return Harington St in Taurangas city centre to two-way traffic. Harington St is one of five central streets that moved to a one-way system in March under a pilot aimed at reducing disruption from construction projects in the area. Lisa Parker, who owns Liquorland on Harington St, presented a petition to council in November calling for the street to return to two-way traffic. Parker told the council the one-way system caused sales to drop and she feared she might have to close her business. She previously told Local Democracy Reporting that if the street returned to two-way and the public responded it might be in time to save her business. An artist's impression of what Te Manawataki o Te Papa, Tauranga's future civic precinct, will look like. One of the city centre construction projects is the $306m civic precinct Te Manawataki O Te Papa. It includes a library and community hub, civic whare for meetings, an exhibition gallery and a museum. Detailed design and initial pilings for the whare, exhibition and museum projects were almost complete and council approval was needed to move ahead with construction. Drysdale said: As we are now moving into a new phase of this project, we need to review the current funding arrangements and ensure all viable options have been explored to deliver the best outcomes for the community. The council committed $151.5 million of the project to be paid for through rates. The remainder was to be made up from external funders, including a $21m Tect grant, Government and local grants, and selling council assets. Construction of the library and community hub was under way, with timber framing being installed. It is due to be completed by the end of 2026. The civic whare, exhibition centre and museum are planned for completion in 2028. Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale. Photo / Alex Cairns The council will also consider which projects to prioritise as part of the 2025/26 draft annual plan. Drysdale said the current economic environment meant the council faced some important choices on where to prioritise investment and spending in Tauranga. He said ratepayers wanted value for money in everything the council does. A council report recommended overall rates increase for industrial, commercial and residential properties be limited to 12.5%. The report said work was required to find savings and achieve that. Public consultation on the draft 2025-26 Annual Plan will take place from March 28 to April 28. A business case for the future of water delivery will also be discussed on Monday, in response to the Governments Local Water Done Well policy. Local Water Done Well replaces the previous Governments Three Waters Reform. Water assets would remain in the councils hands and the Government has asked Tauranga to plan how it would provide future water services. The plan would ensure the council was delivering water services in a cost-effective and efficient way, while allocating enough money for future upgrades through to 2055, said Drysdale. The details Mondays meeting begins at 9.30am and will be held at the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chambers, 1 Elizabeth St. Tuesdays meeting starts at 9.30am and will be at the University of Waikato Tauranga Campus, Te Manawaroa Room, 101-121 Durham St. The meetings will also be livestreamed on the councils YouTube channel. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. MPs Todd McClay and Rawiri Waititi are urging Air New Zealand to revisit its decision to temporarily cut vital daily direct flights between Rotorua and Wellington. The national carrier announced this week it would remove early-morning flights departing from Rotorua and evening arrival flights on the route from February to June, and reinstate a daily Rotorua-Auckland return service absent since the pandemic, among other regional route changes. Trade Minister and Rotorua MP Todd McClay says the national carriers fleet issues are not Rotoruas problem, while Te Pati Maori co-leader and Waiariki MP Rawiri Waititi has expressed extreme disappointment at the loss of the service. Air NZ says the changes reflect lower demand, especially from government and corporate customers and are not linked to the engine issues its domestic A320/21 jets faced. Flights from Rotorua to Wellington would be available later in the day and the evening return service would be rescheduled. Gripes about flight schedules, cancellations and costs in Rotorua were the top write-in issue raised in a recent survey of 99 local businesspeople. While some Rotorua leaders have celebrated this weeks Auckland announcement, they have concerns about the loss of the Wellington services. Rotorua Airport chief executive Nicole Brewer said Air NZs decision came after robust conversation and while it created challenges, the extra Auckland flights were amazing news. Brewer spoke at a Rotorua Lakes Council community and district development committee meeting on Wednesday. Rotorua Airport chief executive Nicole Brewer speaks at a December council meeting. Photo / Laura Smith It will benefit some, it will disrupt others thats what network changes do. She discussed the options with Air NZ before the companys decision and believed it got the balance right. The Auckland flights which Air NZ has said would allow a full day in Auckland had long been asked for by the business community, she said. She said Air NZ faced challenges from lower government and domestic travel, an ageing regional fleet, higher costs, capacity constraints and engineering issues. There is a very capable team at Air New Zealand and if there were silver bullets they would have found them a long time ago. McClay said he spoke with Air NZ on Wednesday to impress upon them community concern and the need for these flights to come back. National Party Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Photo / Laura Smith In response to the claim Government travel changes had impacted scheduling, he said he understood the carrier was dealing with network issues relating to engineering problems with its fleet but thats their problem, not Rotoruas. He said he emphasised Rotorua was an important business and tourism destination and Air NZ needed to bring the service back later in 2025. In a letter to Air NZ, Waititi said the Auckland flights were positive but expressed his extreme disappointment at the removal of the RotoruaWellington overnight service. This route is a vital connection for many of us who reside in Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty. The removal of this link will impact those particularly with business or government commitments in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and onward connections to assist with the reinstatement of the tourism operations in Rotorua. Rotoruas connectivity to Wellington is critical for our regions economic development and for those of us who work to advocate for our community at the national level. Rotorua Business Chamber chief executive Bryce Heard said early flights to Wellington and evening returns to Rotorua had been available for at least 40 years, including with other carriers at times. He welcomed the Auckland flights but worried how the changes would impact travellers wanting to spend the day in Wellington. He believed business passengers would rather stay overnight than fly via Auckland, given the physical demands and risk of extra delays or disruptions from having to take extra flights. It would be a real concern if it were to become permanent. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell told RNZ business travellers having to stay overnight was not good for productivity, but the Auckland flights were a small win for Rotorua, both for business and as a top tourist destination. Air NZ domestic general manager Scott Carr said the changes reflected softened demand for services in the capital. Wellington-Rotorua travellers could connect via Auckland, leaving the capital at 6.40am and arriving in Rotorua at 9am. The reinstatement of overnight services on Rotorua-Auckland will support the ongoing tourism recovery to allow for better inbound and outbound connectivity to our international services out of Auckland. Carr said most customers affected by its changes would experience only minor adjustments to flight times. About 6000 people nationwide would be rebooked on services scheduled within 3-4 hours of their original flight. Air NZ continuously reviewed fares, especially as its costs rose. We also review our network on an ongoing basis to ensure were servicing our customers based on demand. We will assess our network to plan the schedule from July closer to the time. He did not address Local Democracy Reporting questions about how the Wellington route changes could impact capacity on flights via Auckland, or fares. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Not all trash is treasure. The majority of it needs to be properly disposed of but, in Colorado Springs, too much of it is becoming an eyesore Lady Justice wears a blindfold to signify the laws impartiality to all who appear before her. Syracuse City Court Judge Felicia Pitts Davis flouted that bedrock principle, and her oath as a public servant, by refusing to wed a same-sex couple. The state Commission on Judicial Conduct should discipline Pitts Davis for blatantly discriminating against Shawntay Davis and Niccora Davis. The couple came to city court Nov. 16 to be married in a civil ceremony. As they awaited their turn, they watched Pitts Davis shed tears when marrying an opposite-sex couple. Then Pitts Davis abruptly stepped out. Another judge came into court to perform the wedding. Pitts Davis claims that same-sex marriage is against her religious beliefs. The court system already gives judges who cant set aside their personal beliefs an out they can decide not to perform any weddings, period. Judges who choose to perform marriages may not unlawfully discriminate when deciding which couples they will marry, a spokesman for the court system told syracuse.com. Marriage equality has been the law in New York since 2011. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that marriage is a fundamental right that cannot be denied to same-sex couples. Pitts Davis knew this when she ran for office in 2020. How many other same-sex couples did she refuse to marry, or pawn off on other judges? Did gay defendants, crime victims or lawyers get a fair shake in her courtroom? These are fair questions. District Attorney William Fitzpatrick wants Pitts Davis to recuse herself from criminal cases. The judge also is facing calls to resign. Pitts Davis must answer for her discriminatory conduct. The state Commission on Judicial Conduct should assess a stiff penalty. What should that be? There appears to be no public precedent; if the commission has punished a judge who discriminated against a gay couple, it was kept secret. If it helps them to decide on an appropriate penalty, just about the worst thing a judge can do is undermine the impartiality of the courts. The court system also should look in the mirror. Officers of the court not least the judges who filled in for Pitts Davis had to know about her antipathy toward gay couples. Why didnt someone complain anonymously? The supervising judge and the state Office of Court Administration stonewalled for two weeks; they wouldnt even confirm that weddings took place that day. Why did they protect her? Their lack of transparency only deepens the publics distrust in the legal system, compounding the damage Pitts Davis has done to their own institution. Pitts Davis also damaged the larger LGBTQ+ community. In her courtroom, at least, they are second-class citizens, despite the laws on the books and that blindfold on Lady Justice. Correction: An earlier version of this editorial incorrectly said the state Commission on Judicial Conduct stonewalled on releasing information about the wedding for two weeks. It was the state Office of Court Administration that stonewalled, refusing to answer questions about the incident. About Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines. If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion lead, at mmorelli@syracuse.com President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter for gun, tax and any other crimes dating to 2014, despite promising not to do so when he was running for reelection. Editorial cartoonists mostly criticized the decision. Bill Bramhall leads the gallery with his view that Biden invoked the presidents power to further erode trust in government. Phil Hands portrays the blanket pardon as a get out of jail free card familiar to players of the Monopoly game. Mike Luckovich likens Bidens action to President-elect Donald Trumps promise to pardon the Jan. 6 rioters. Steve Breen sees Biden and his son as residents of the swamp. Michael Ramirez and Drew Sheneman invoke the presidents ritual pardon of the Thanksgiving turkey. Dana Summers draws Bidens legacy going down the drain. Joey Weatherfords Santa Claus receives notification to take Hunter Biden off the naughty list. Trumps cabinet picks remained on the defensive. Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth vowed to fight, despite the drip of allegations about his alcohol use and treatment of women. Jack Ohman depicts Hegseth dodging incoming mortar fire, including criticism from his mother. Kash Patel, Trumps nominee for FBI director, is variously depicted throwing stones at his own agency and failing to pass a background check. Other topics in this weeks editorial cartoon gallery include gaming out the impact of tariffs on consumers; Trumps bromance with Elon Musk; and the commercialization of Christmas. Cartoons were drawn by Jack Ohman, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Mike Luckovich, Steve Breen and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate. The victim of an alleged three-day kidnapping told investigators they were handcuffed, tortured, and raped. The details, included in the arrest affidavit for Hannah Viramontes, 26, allege that Viramontes held her former romantic partner and current roommate at gunpoint and repeatedly threatened to kill her. Police received a 911 call about a gunshot in the 1200 block of Kingsley Drive on Monday. At the same same time, another 911 call came in, where the caller said she was being held hostage, and had shot at their captor. Officers arrived on the scene and found Viramontes suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to a hospital for surgery. Inside a nearby house, police found a woman with numerous injuries. Featured Local Savings The woman told police that she had been speaking with her roommate, Viramontes, on Nov. 30, when she suddenly struck the victim in the face and pulled out a handgun, demanding that she lie on the ground and put her hands behind her back. The woman said Viramontes proceeded to handcuff her, punch, and kick her, and cut her with a pocketknife. According to the affidavit, the woman suffered continued abuse, including being stabbed with pens, burned with a lighter or cigarette, penetrative sexual assault and the threat of death over the course of days, with Viramontes handcuffing herself to the victim at night. The woman said Monday she noticed one of her handcuffs had become loose at one point. She told investigators that she waited until Viramontes had set down the handgun and left the room, before attempting to escape. She said she ran to a sliding glass door and attempted to lock her captor out. She said Viramontes began kicking the glass door. The woman, fearful for her life, said she shot at her captor twice through the door, before running further into the house to use a phone to call 911. Detectives said doctors examining the victim in the case reported injuries consistent with her recollection of events, including wrist injuries consistent with handcuffs, cuts, massive bruising, bite marks, puncture wounds and numerous slashing wounds. Doctors say the victim could face permanent disfigurement. As of Friday, Viramontes remains in the hospital, according to police. She does not yet have a court date. First God Newbie Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Pune Posts: 23 Thanked: 46 Times Re: Maharashtra government sets deadline for HSRP number plates for Pre-2019 vehicles: 31st March 20 Quote: ruzbehxyz Originally Posted by The Maharashtra Transport Commissioner's Office has set March 31, 2025 deadline for installation of the HSRPs to the vehicles and appointed three agencies, after a long-drawn-out tendering process, to carry out the task. [Was stopped couple of times but that was before HSRP was mandated but managed to pass through because of being localite.] The previous term of this government in MH hadn't started the process after enquiring RTO in Pune Quote: UD17 Originally Posted by Time for the helpless taxpayers and general citizens to pay for freebies offered by this Govt. More than reducing the vehicle theft, this exercise looks like a money collection drive of this new Govt. Indeed what a fantasy the administration has that they think its possible to replace the HSRP 100s of thousand vehicles in just 3 months. For Karnataka (with the opposite government), they gave the same deadlines, the end result was, one half of the vehicles within the state were able to be replaced, the other half got botched up in issues, later the government stopped caring and then kept extending the deadlines, mostly assuming because of interstate vehicles & to reduce any disputes between the neighboring states. Quote: UD17 Originally Posted by I also have on vehicle that would be affected by this new requirement. Lets see how it goes in coming days. Finally a relief of interstate travellers, there was always concern while travelling to my hometown in Karnataka for traffic police to stop vehicle because the number plate wasn't HSRP as new Karnataka Government in 2023 had mandated HSRP for all their vehicles.The previous term of this government in MH hadn't started the process after enquiring RTO in PuneSo far in neighboring Karnataka and in Uttar Pradesh which mandated HSRP was able to do it.For Karnataka (with the opposite government), they gave the same deadlines, the end result was, one half of the vehicles within the state were able to be replaced, the other half got botched up in issues, later the government stopped caring and then kept extending the deadlines, mostly assuming because of interstate vehicles & to reduce any disputes between the neighboring states.Same, I just hope the process is smooth like Karnatakas and no duplicate fakes emerge in the name of HSRP mandating. Last edited by Axe77 : 10th December 2024 at 16:23 . Reason: Punctuation, caps, trimming quoted post. Please review the forum rules before proceeding. Despite her apple-cheeked smile and rigid poise, it was clear the patient had seen brighter days. Her clothes were woefully unhip and her once-glorious mane bore the hallmark of a brutalist barber, possibly a pet. But after an emergency trim and dose of Magic Eraser (stat!), the doctor appeared pleased with her progress. Do you remember The Crissy? said Pat Dinsmore, her voice almost a coo as she cradled the larger-than-Barbie facsimile. Her hair went all the way to her ankles, and you could adjust it. This vintage Crissys hair-apparent days may have been cut short, but shes lucky enough to have arrived at The Doll Doctors, for a makeover and a second chance. At this toy convalescent center in Colorado Springs, volunteers including chief doc Dinsmore prep donated dolls and stuffed animals for a new life and new home with a child who otherwise might go without. For the throngs of plastic and plushy patients who find their way to this small team of retirees and rehab elves each year, the prognosis is almost always good. Most just need a wash or clean, new clothes and accessories, and some love, and theyre ready to bring a smile to a new generation of kids, Dinsmore said. Speaking of generations: Somewhere in the craft room/doll ER of Dinsmores home is a '70s-era pair of pants, and a bright orange hat, for Crissys decidedly more limited locks. Her hair still moves some, but not like it did, said the doctor, who recently turned 81, lifting a hand to her own, shorter-these-days coif and practically thinking out loud: Tell me about it, sister. Doll Doctors was founded in 1995 by Jeanne Henninger, a little, wisping, full of energy dynamo and volunteer job counselor for the Springs Ecumenical Social Ministries, Dinsmore said. Henninger noticed the organization was giving out as is dolls and toys collected through donations and toy drives. Not one to let a fixable problem linger, she asked permission to take the dolls home, clean them, and stitch up those that needed repairs. What began as a mostly personal mission became a nonprofit in its own right, said Dinsmore, a grandmother and enthusiastic maker of doll clothes who was still working part time in real estate when she learned of the group, and decided to add it to her to-do list. Soon enough, Henninger announced she was ready to pass the torch, and Dinsmore stepped up to take over. Twenty-seven years later, lifting those heavy bags full of dozens and dozens of dolls is much more of a chore, and it can be a struggle to see those tiny stitches. But shes got good glasses, and for now theres help. Most of the women are widows, and were fortunate that the staff at the church will schlep stuff in for us and schlep things out, but some of the bins are quite heavy, she said. Sourcing affordable doll shoes, an item that can be a challenge to DIY, has also turned out to be tough in modern times. A local, since-closed craft shop used to sell assorted bags of them for what amounted to pocket change. Matched pairs now go for several dollars, or more, plus shipping, online, Dinsmore said. "We do get donated doll clothing and other items as well, but whatever we use and need that isn't donated, we buy," Dinsmore said, poking through a home-based supply closet neatly, but tightly, packed with project pieces, ribbons, fabric, patterns, a veritable fortress of thread and notions. Youre amazing! proclaimed a motion activated Elsa doll from her spot on the craft table, as the doctor plucked through a nearby pile. These are clothes ... too many. These are small hats. ... and I made this, but I haven't finished it yet," Dinsmore said, holding up a fleece hoodie rendered perfectly, from a scaled down human-sized pattern, in miniature form. "Theres no one to wear it right now at this moment, but someone will come along." Featured Local Savings Each regifted Doll Doctors item also comes kitted out, some with sleeping bags and mattresses and toys of their own, and all with finishing touches, clear bags and bows. Volunteers meet monthly in the basement of First Lutheran Church to sort donations, bow, bag and accessorize items that still bear tags or appear unused, and route the rest for more specialized care and outfitting, primarily at the homes of Dinsmore and fellow doll docs Elaine Glynn and Jean Habbinga. In Doll Doctors' almost 30 years, members have fixed up and passed along more than 42,000 dolls and stuffed animals, according to Dinsmore's records. We used to take them all home, but it became overwhelming to store and transport them, she said, Donations are stored in bags that, during busy times, may get stacked to the ceiling of their allocated storage space at the church. They dont let me cover the utility box, but sometimes it gets awful close, she said. "This is a great creative outlet, and we love doing it, but we're getting old. And it really is a lot of work." The bulk of the volunteers output goes to the Santa Bob Telmosse Foundation, to be distributed at its annual holiday giveaway, which this year will celebrate its 42nd event for families on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. We benefit from everything that the Doll Doctors do, said Bob Telmosse' Foundation board member Sharon Oldfield. And they do so, so much. At the citys cutest triage center on a late summer Monday, Oldfield joined the team for what was expected to be and was a busy session ahead of the upcoming holiday, and Santa Bob giveaway. Oldfield held up a Care Bear-style plushy, with a mug cute enough to melt a candy cane. Yeah, its kind of an awwww fest here, chimed in Doll Doctors volunteer Dodie Dean Robertson, but theres another side to it, too. Robertson volunteered at last years Santa Bob giveaway. Seeing Doll Doctors dolls bring a smile warmed her spirit; seeing the long lines of needy families stretching out the door of the event center, however, was "heartbreaking." Theres just so much need out there. You can know that, but seeing it in a personal way like that really can change your perspective," she said. Robertsons 10-year-old granddaughter had a similar reality kick, lending a hand at that event, and begged to join for the Doll Doctors' monthly meetings. She didnt realize there were kids who dont have all the things she has, but, because of that, things clicked for her, Robertson said. She went home and cleared out all her old toys to donate them which is something she never would have considered doing before." If school conflicted with Doll Doctors meetings, 10-year-old Sydney Harnett told her grandmother she'd be open to skipping class. That's how dedicated she was. "It really did affect her," said Robertson, whose granddaughter eventually did attend a meeting, during summer break. "I feel like it helped her to become a more compassionate, and generous, person." And that's what the Doll Doctors is really all about, said Dinsmore: kids, families, and sowing the ground with kindness for generations to come. That's why each doll and plushy gets personal attention, and each donor when such information is known a personal thank-you. "A woman with five daughters donated all their dolls. I said, 'If you give me their names, I will write each one a letter,' and I did, so they keep this giving thought in their minds for their future lives, she said. Now, she's hoping all the paying forward will pan out, and someone will step up to ensure the future of the practice. "We hope and plan to keep going until someone else takes over," Dinsmore said, "because we don't don't want Doll Doctors to go away." There was a time just last year, in fact when Derrick Bernard Jr. was by all appearances a respected community activist and rap artist in Colorado Springs. But in November he was convicted of first-degree murder, and separately indicted in federal court for a hate crime hoax. In the federal indictment, the 35-year-old Black man, who goes by Phoenixx Ugrilla in his role as a rapper and radio DJ, is alleged to have staged a hate crime in 2023 to bolster support and sympathy for then-mayoral candidate Yemi Mobolade. The indictment does not mention the Colorado Springs mayor by name but does detail how Bernard was in contact with the candidate both before and after the alleged hoax, including a 5-minute phone call three days after the fact. Mobolade has declined to comment specifically on the nature of that phone call. Bernard has not responded to questions from The Gazette about the call. Bernard was convicted this November of the 2019 murder of rapper William "FYL JACKK" Underwood. Prosecutors argued that Bernard ordered an associate to commit the murder of Underwood after the two had publicly feuded. He still faces felony trial in two other cases, as well, including the allegations he tried to kill two Colorado Springs police officers. For all of that, he would seem an unlikely political ally for Mobolade, a businessman, pastor and now mayor of Colorado's second-largest city. But before Bernard's legal troubles surfaced in such spectacular fashion, his reputation was that of a strong public advocate, through his radio station, for the people of southeast Colorado Springs. Mobolade was just one of a dozen or so local political figures within the orbit of Bernard and the radio station he helped found, known as "Family Flavors The Slide." The station, billed as a nonprofit, minority-owned and community-centric media outlet, launched in 2020 with Bernard and Ashley "Trinity" Blackcloud (another one of the defendants in the federal hate crime indictment) as founders and board members. The Slide The station, which at first broadcast at 95.7 FM, had an eclectic mix of radio personalities, including Bernard himself, who made the jump from Blazin 98.5 FM. On-air talent also included Rachel Stovall and Regina English who would go on to be the Republican and Democratic candidates for House District 17 in the 2022 election who hosted separate shows on the station. Stovall's show, "Rachel's Round Table," featured music along with conversations with community leaders including Joe Roybal, back when he was campaigning to become El Paso County sheriff. Current state Sen. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, and his son, musician Tony Exum Jr., participated in a community conversation about Black fatherhood, broadcast by The Slide that first year. The Gazette reached out to all of those participants regarding their history with The Slide. English did not respond to phone calls, and Roybal didn't respond to a request made to his public information officer. Exum declined to comment. Stovall, currently a columnist for The Gazette, declined comment. "Just not interested," she said. "That phase of my life is over." The Slide, beyond just music, often promoted and hosted community events, notably homeless outreach, where Bernard's staff would partner with area nonprofits to provide food, clothing and services to those in need. Mobolade has repeatedly said that he only knew Bernard as "a local media personality." By 2022 the station had a presence at many community promotions involving southeast Colorado Springs. Bernard and his entourage performed on the stage as part of the Southern Colorado Juneteenth celebration in America the Beautiful Park. Mobolade, as part of his mayoral campaign, was a keynote speaker at one of the station's community events that July. The next month, the station would host a pair of political roundtables about the November 2022 election. Mobolade, Stovall, Exum and Roybal were in attendance, as was Republican Steve Schleiker, who was running for county clerk and recorder. "As with many other candidates and civic leaders who participated in the stations programs, I saw it as a platform to connect with constituents and engage in meaningful discussions," Schleiker told The Gazette. Schleiker, who won his race in 2022, described The Slide during those years as "a hub for community interaction and dialogue, especially within southeast Colorado Springs." Another member of the station's roundtable talks was El Paso County Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez, who was promoting his candidacy for the 2023 Colorado Springs mayoral race. "What I recall of (Bernard) and his group, they were involved in promoting the local community in the Southeast," said Gonzalez. "There was a bunch of collaboration, a lot of local leaders involved." As seen on video from the roundtable talk, the discussion was moderated by Blackcloud, now co-indicted with Bernard in the alleged hate crime hoax during the mayoral race. Backing Mobolade The Slide held rigorously to its pro-minority and pro-southeast Colorado Springs reputation, even as it stayed otherwise impartial in political races. But that changed during the run-up to the 2023 mayoral race. In an April 2024 interview, before her indictment in the federal case, Blackcloud told The Gazette that The Slide was "super-supportive" of Mobolade's campaign. "Him being the city's first elected Black mayor, and we're a Black-owned broadcasting company we just thought it was excellent," she said. "We wanted to be part of history." Mobolade is Colorado Springs' first elected Black mayor. In 1997, City Councilmember Leon Young became the first Black mayor when he was appointed on an interim basis. Mobolade would go on to win first place in the first round of voting, but didn't win more than 50% of the overall vote, triggering a May runoff election against the second-place finisher, Republican Wayne Williams, the former Colorado secretary of state. Mobolade would win the May 16, 2023, runoff election against Williams, garnering 57% of the vote. The Slide shared Mobolade's victory posts and promoted his swearing-in ceremony. Nine days later, the Police Department would conduct warranted searches of the vehicles and residences of Bernard and Blackcloud. Hate crime hoax In the early morning hours of April 23, 2023, a video was sent to area media, The Slide and the Mobolade campaign from an anonymous email account, purporting to show racially motivated vandalism of a "Yemi for Mayor" campaign sign in the city. It showed a racial slur spray-painted across the sign and a flaming cross set in front. Featured Local Savings In a statement to Gazette media partner KOAA at the time, Mobolade expressed doubt about the legitimacy and motivation behind the vandalism. "We do not know if the photo is of real events or if it was staged/created. Either way, it's reprehensible," the statement reads in part. Mobolade also encouraged the media not to post photos of the vandalism "as not to give this sort of behavior any oxygen." The Slide gave considerable airtime to the crime. "When we heard there was a hate crime that occurred targeting him, we went crazy on the radio about it," Blackcloud said in her April 2024 interview. Contacted about his reaction to the Bernard indictment, Williams said he does not think news of the vandalism was the primary reason for his political defeat. "But it didn't help," Williams said, mentioning that he faced false accusations in the aftermath of the vandalism media coverage. "No one responded to all the news coverage of it by saying, well, we should vote for Wayne." Police investigated the vandalism, but did not publicly disclose how that investigation went. The federal indictment states that a can of spray paint similar to the one used in the vandalism was found in Blackcloud's car. The case was eventually turned over to the FBI, which refused to comment on The Gazette's inquiries into the case until last month, when federal prosecutors announced the indictment of Bernard, Blackcloud and Deanna West, 38, who also appeared on The Slide and goes by the names "Vital Sweetz" and "Sage West." Prosecutors allege Bernard, Blackcloud and West conducted the vandalism around 3 a.m. in the morning of April 23. Blackcloud and West are accused of taking the photo and video of the vandalism and sending it via email to area media, The Slide and Mobolade's campaign. The mayor's office declined to comment on the five-minute phone call with Bernard on April 26, 2023, after the incident or any other communication Mobolade and Bernard shared. Another indictment detail is that the day Mobolade won, Bernard texted Blackcloud a link to apply for job positions with the city, telling her "I want favors, quicker than later." Mobolade, when asked for additional details about his communication with Bernard and the FBI investigators, has issued a series of statements, saying that he "fully cooperated in the investigation, and it is important that the judicial process is followed to allow for a successful prosecution that brings justice for our community." When news of the indictment broke, Longinos and Schleiker said they were shocked. "While I trust the process to uncover the truth, the damage caused by even the perception of wrongdoing is profoundly frustrating," Schleiker, who served as the county's clerk and recorder in 2023 overseeing the mayoral election, said of the alleged hoax. Bernard, Blackcloud and West have pleaded not guilty to the hoax indictment charges. Bernard and Blackcloud both told The Gazette that the indictment is the latest in a series of criminal allegations both have faced in recent months as part of an intimidation campaign by the criminal justice system. "It's a shame what lengths the system will go to in order to misdirect and slander those whom bring the criminality of public servants to the attention of the people," Bernard told The Gazette from the El Paso County jail. Rap sheet Bernard was arrested by Colorado Springs police on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, for his alleged role in a physical altercation at an area Waffle House nine months earlier. Both he and Blackcloud, who was also briefly charged in the Waffle House fight, say they were surprised to be arrested for an incident they had thought was a settled matter. Blackcloud said she and Bernard had been the victims in the fight, and that the restaurant had even given her a cash settlement to help cover her medical bills to recover from injuries she says restaurant employees inflicted. Some of the conflict had even been captured on video by bystanders. Almost a year later, she said no one anticipated criminal charges to be filed. Blackcloud claimed the police searches regarding the campaign sign vandalism case just two days before Bernard's arrest on Memorial Day was the start of a pattern of harassment by the criminal justice system, leading to Bernard eventually facing murder and attempted murder charges in the months that followed. "They've turned up their assault on the First Amendment, on journalism in our city, on independent news they have been trying to destroy The Slide," she said. But in the fall of 2023, it seemed like Bernard's assault and menacing charges from the Waffle House (with the felony assault charges later being dismissed), and the potential of charges over the sign vandalism were his most serious legal problems. Some of the good will he had built up with The Slide was still working in his favor, too. English, now the elected representative of House District 17, protested Bernard's detainment and treatment inside the El Paso County jail in early August, standing in the jail lobby, holding up a sign supporting Bernard and bearing the hashtag #FreeTheBird. Bernard, meanwhile, has been anything but silent during his incarceration. "Dear Yemi, do the right thing," began a video posted on Aug. 31, 2023, featuring Bernard's voice on The Slide's official YouTube channel. The video tries to alternately shame and cajole the newly elected Mobolade to assist Bernard in his legal troubles. Meanwhile, The Slide has been diminished by its' founders' legal troubles. The site has lost all its paid programming, and is no longer playing on streaming services. As of press time the "Listen Live NOW" link on station's website, theslidewbn.org, did not work. The last show podcast uploaded by the station was in March 2023. Attempts to contact several of the former DJs went unanswered. The social media feeds of the many community leaders who used to support The Slide are conspicuously quiet. The station's last Instagram post that wasn't about proclaiming Bernard's or Blackcloud's innocence is nearly a year old, celebrating the Homeless Not Hopeless Vol. 11 community event. "The mission doesn't stop, the work doesn't stop," Blackcloud told The Gazette this week. She said the station continues to sponsor community events, even if its online presence and cache with community leaders has diminished. According to Longinos, the good things The Slide legitimately did, like the community outreach events and the candidate forums, "are valuable and we need other nonprofits and organizations to step up and be that voice." Schleiker said he feels angry and deeply disappointed about Bernard's murder conviction and other alleged misdeeds. "Actions like this could undermine the integrity of the work we all strive to uphold, especially when so many of us work tirelessly to serve our community with honesty and transparency." Bernard, in his recent jailhouse messages to The Gazette, says he will appeal his murder conviction, and intends to continue fighting his other charges. "God is great," he said in one recent message. "Stay tuned, bro." Colorado Politics reporter Ernest Luning contributed to this report. Syria rebels' lightning offensive: 11 days to the fall of Damascus Beirut, Lebanon, Dec 8 (AFP) Dec 08, 2024 Islamist-led rebels on Sunday declared the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule in Syria, saying they have toppled him as they swept into Damascus and sent him fleeing. The rebels' rapid advance in the last days had reignited a years-long war that had begun in 2011 when Assad repressed anti-government protests but which had become largely dormant. Here is a recap of their lightning offensive: - November 27 - Jihadists launch a surprise attack on the Syrian army in the northern province of Aleppo, sparking clashes that kill more than 130 people in 24 hours, according to war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The attack is launched by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) -- which controls much of the northwest Idlib area and slivers of neighbouring Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces -- and its allied factions. - November 28 - The offensive by HTS comes during a sensitive time for Syria and the region, with a fragile ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel taking effect in neighbouring Lebanon. Rebels also cut the highway linking Aleppo to Syria's capital Damascus. - November 29, 30 - Jihadists shell government-held Aleppo and enter the northern city in a blitz assault against forces of the Iranian- and Russian-backed Syrian government. In response, Russian warplanes launch raids on Aleppo city "for the first time since 2016", the Observatory said. The rebels seize control of most of Aleppo within a day, and hold more than 80 towns and villages in the north. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speak with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts expressing concerns over the "dangerous" escalation of hostilities. - December 1 - The war monitor's head says "Aleppo city is out of control of Syrian regime forces" for the first time in more than a decade. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travel to Damascus to meet Assad, saying before his departure that Tehran would "firmly support the Syrian government and army". The United States and its allies France, Germany and Britain call for "de-escalation", urging for the protection of civilians and infrastructure in Syria. - December 2 - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian both pledged "unconditional support" for their ally, according to the Kremlin. - December 5 - The rebels captured Hama, Syria's fourth largest city, after days of fierce fighting with Assad's forces. Syrian rebel chief Abu Mohammed al-Jolani says there would be "no revenge" after Hama's seizure. China's embassy sends an urgent notice advising its citizens to leave Syria. - December 6 - The rebels are within striking distance of Syria's Homs, known as the "capital of the revolution". HTS leader Jolani says the goal of the offensive was to overthrow Assad's rule, reiterating "our right to use all available means to achieve that goal". Syrian troops and Iran-backed paramilitaries pull out of eastern Deir Ezzor city -- home to Iranian advisers brought in post-2011 -- and its surroundings. More than 820 people, including 111 civilians, have been killed since the offensive began, the Observatory says. The violence has displaced 280,000 people, with the UN warning that numbers could swell to 1.5 million. - December 7 - The rebels take Homs, and HTS leader says: "Damascus awaits you". Defence ministry denies news of the army's withdrawal from around Damascus. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government backs some armed groups in northern Syria, says Syria "is tired of war, blood and tears". Lebanon's Hezbollah sends 2,000 fighters into Syria "to defend its positions", says a source. - December 8 - The army and other security forces pulls out of Damascus international airport after Assad reportedly flees the country, says the Observatory. Rebels enter Damascus and declare the end of Assad rule, sending residents streaming into the streets celebrating. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali says he is ready to "cooperate" with any leadership chosen by the people and for any handover process. Inaction by Premier Jacinta Allan on a pledge to consider overhauling electoral laws is likely to trigger a High Court challenge by independent candidates who say the rules create an unconstitutional constraint on political communication. Correspondence seen by this masthead between the premier and lawyers for a group of independents who unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Victorian election reveals the candidates, who say the rules limit their fundraising and restrict their ability to fairly campaign, have run out of patience. Former judge Ron Merkel, SC, has been briefed to represent the group of independent candidates. Credit: Joe Armao It comes after Allan promised to consider changing the laws before the next state poll due in 2026 following the governments own review that demanded changes to level the playing field. The candidates demand for the government to act by November was not met, leaving litigation as the likely next step in a high-stakes dispute. Supporters were encouraged to bring bunches of flowers, which they placed in the fence surrounding the burnt shell of the synagogue. Police and security officers were in the area during the gathering. Klein said while the congregation was still reeling, they found strength after they came together on Saturday Shabbat, the holy day of rest and were buoyed by widespread community support. A lot of the wives and the children were quite shaken up, he said. In school on Friday, we had people come talk to the children to explain to them that most of Melbourne and Australia is not like this. There are some people that dont like us, but we have to stay strong and continue to thrive. Surveying the wall of vibrant flowers, Adass Israel member Moshe Pollak said the public outpouring helped ease the hurt over the destruction of important religious texts. Im incredibly touched by the warmth people have shown it just tugs at my heart, he said. Klein said he estimated Adass Israel could be without a permanent synagogue for more than a year while their place of worship was rebuilt. You know, we wake up in the morning, we go to synagogue. Afternoon, the synagogue. Evening, the synagogue. All of our ceremonies and parties the synagogue is the central point of the community, Klein said. While those at the park near the Ripponlea train station danced and sang, the mood was still sombre at times, and attendees urged action from governments to stamp out antisemitism. The destroyed interior of the Adass Israel synagogue. The premier said the attack was an act of antisemitic evil designed to strike terror into the hearts of the Victorian community. But she would not label it an act of terrorism until she had received advice from police. [Victorian and federal police] will be having a joint meeting tomorrow morning to review the preliminary investigative work that has been done over the last couple of days, and will provide further advice on what that investigation has discovered, Allan said. Its really important to not compromise prosecutions and take advice from [police]. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, however, said on Sunday that he personally believed the firebombing was a terrorist attack. Albanese, who announced a new round of funding for Jewish community groups to combat a rise in antisemitic incidents, came under criticism from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who said the federal governments grotesque stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had created a hostile climate for Jewish people in Australia. Ripponlea resident Simonne Winecier said it was amazing to see the outpouring of support for the Jewish community, but called for those in power to take escalating hatred against Jews seriously. Loading I fear for my childrens lives and I fear for my life. I fear going out as a proud Jew, she said. My parents were Holocaust survivors, and I am glad they are not here today to see what happened to the Adass Israel synagogue. My parents came here because it was the lucky country. They worked so hard and gave so much, and now Australia is failing. Speaking at Sundays rally, state Opposition Leader John Pesutto criticised the premier for not showing up to the event. Allan on Sunday morning held a press conference in Northcote to announce changes to red tape to make it easier for businesses. I would have hoped that all political leaders, regardless of political background, would come today. Today was a very important occasion, Pesutto said. Ive been coming to too many events like this, calling for action were not seeing any evidence that the government understand the seriousness of the risks to our Jewish community. At a rally in the Melbourne CBD on Sunday, Free Palestine Melbourne organiser Nasser Mashni condemned the attack on the Ripponlea synagogue, saying there was no room for hate in their movement. Whoever set fire to this synagogue is a racist, is a fascist, is an antisemite, is a Nazi, and theyre not from here. They are not us. Our movement has no room for them, he said. We condemn that act, and we stand here with our brothers and sisters and our siblings who are Jewish who show up every single week ... we stand in solidarity with them because our fight is not with Judaism, its with Zionism. The pro-Palestine rally in Melbournes CBD on Sunday. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui On Friday, Allan met leaders from the Adass Israel congregation, pledging $100,000 to help rebuild the synagogue. During her visit, she was heckled by several frustrated congregants, who accused her government of ignoring an escalation of vilification against Jewish people over the past year. In Northcote on Sunday, Allan said: Our focus is firmly centred on providing the support that the Jewish community needs. That support in terms of that increased police presence, the additional support for increased security, which we have been providing since those evil attacks on [Israel on] October 7th [2023], and also to look at further ways that we can strengthen support for the Jewish community. Jewish federal Labor MP Josh Burns, whose office was vandalised and had fires lit there in June, said his community was clearly hurting. Loading This is a very difficult wake-up call. It shouldnt have gotten to this point. We need to respond with strength, clarity and action, he said. Allan reiterated that the governments focus when it came to tackling the rise of hate crimes across the state would be its anti-vilification laws, introduced to parliament last month. Its about placing vilification and hate in the crimes act where it belongs, strengthening powers of police and also to send a very clear message about the sort of culture that is expected here in Victoria, a culture of respect, she said. Allan declined to comment on the statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who linked the attack on the Ripponlea synagogue with what he called the Albanese governments anti-Israel sentiment, and lashed Australias scandalous decision to vote in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution calling on Israel to withdraw from the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. Pro-Palestinian protesters have vowed to return to Melbournes CBD every weekend for as long as it takes to liberate Palestine, as the Victorian government mulls changes to protest laws that might outlaw rallies at places of worship. The late afternoon change in position from the government, which had previously been dismissive of tightening protest laws, came two days after arsonists set fire to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea in an attack early on Friday. Pro-Palestinian protesters march through the streets of Melbourne on Sunday. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui On Saturday, NSW Premier Chris Minns ordered his government to explore outlawing protests at places of worship after a rally at Sydneys Great Synagogue while members of the Israel Institute of Technology were inside. Premier Jacinta Allan initially dismissed questions about similar changes on Sunday, but later a Victorian government spokesperson said the government would consider changes to ensure that people can exercise their right to attend places of worship freely, without fear, intimidation, harassment or obstruction. Seoul: South Korean prosecutors on Sunday arrested ex-defence minister Kim Yong-hyun over his alleged role in President Yoon Suk Yeols declaration of martial law on Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency said. Yoon survived an impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, prompted by his short-lived attempt to impose martial law, but the leader of his own party said he would be effectively excluded from his duties before eventually stepping down. A protest against President Yoon Suk Yeol outside Seouls national assembly on Saturday. Credit: Bloomberg Ruling Party leader Han Dong-hoon plans to meet Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Sunday. Kim, who offered his resignation on Wednesday, was seen as a central figure in Tuesdays brief martial law declaration. Both a senior military official and filings to impeach Yoon by opposition members said Kim had made the proposal to Yoon. Paris: With three resounding knocks on its doors by Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich, wielding a staff carved from fire-scorched beams, the citys grand old lady roared back. Five years after a runaway fire devoured its roof, a renovated Notre Dame Cathedral reopened its doors, its centuries-old bell ringing in an emotional return of one of the worlds most recognised monuments, a symbol of French culture and an expression of the human spirit. Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich knocks on the doors of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Credit: AP Brothers and sisters, let us enter now into Notre Dame, Ulrich said before knocking on the doors, the echoes bouncing around the walls. Then, he pushed open the door and entered as a choir sang. In the congregation sat US President-elect Donald Trump, the heir to the British throne and the wartime leader of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. Their host was French President Emmanuel Macron, this week mired in his own political mess. I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall, said Mohammed Amer al-Oulabi, 44, who works in the electricity sector. From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them [the opposition forces] a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud. Rebel forces led by HTS in the city centre of Homs. Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus, waving and chanting freedom, witnesses said. We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya Prison, the rebels said. Sednaya is a large military prison on the outskirts of Damascus where the Syrian government detained thousands. But the Syrian army later said it was continuing operations against terrorist groups in the towns of Hama and Homs and Deraa countryside. Assads departure marks the end of the 54-year iron-fisted rule of the Assad family in Syria. His father, Hafez al-Assad, rose to power in a bloodless coup in 1970 and ruled until his death in 2000. Bashar al-Assad was elected weeks after his fathers death and ruled Syria until he was overthrown on Sunday. The rebels declared on Telegram the end of the dark period and the beginning of a new era in Syria. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said on Sunday that the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. Opposition fighters arrive to cheers in the Syrian capital on Sunday. Credit: AP I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country, Jalali said in a video statement. He would go to his office to continue work in the morning, he said, and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. He called for Syria to hold free elections to allow its people to decide their leadership. Jalali did not address reports that Assad had left the country. Assad and the Syrian defence ministers whereabouts were unknown, the prime minister said. There has been speculation Assad could flee to the United Arab Emirates, where his extended family is known to own properties in Dubai. Flight-tracking data showed private jets moving between Damascus and the UAE on Saturday. When senior Emirati diplomat Anwar Gargash was faced with a question directly asking him if Assad was going to the UAE, he dismissed it, saying it was a footnote in history, without answering. A Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels, data from the Flightradar website said. A giant portrait of Bashar al-Assad sits on a building in Damascus. Credit: AP The aircraft initially flew towards Syrias coastal region, a stronghold of Assads Alawite sect, before making an abrupt U-turn and flying in the opposite direction for a few minutes, then disappearing off the map. Reuters could not immediately ascertain who was on board. Hours earlier, rebels announced they had gained full control of the key city of Homs after only a day of fighting, leaving Bashar al-Assads 24-year rule dangling by a thread. Thousands of Homs residents poured onto the streets after the army withdrew from the central city, dancing and chanting Assad is gone, Homs is free and Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad. People arrive at the Jordanian side of the border as others wait in their cars on Saturday, after a ban on crossings into Syria. Credit: Getty Images Rebels fired guns into the air in celebration, and youths tore down posters of the Syrian president, whose territorial control collapsed in a dizzying week-long retreat by the military. The fall of Homs gave the insurgents control over Syrias strategic heartland and a key highway crossroads, severing Damascus from the coastal region that is the Alawite sects stronghold and where Assads Russian allies have a naval and an air base. Homs capture was also a powerful symbol of the rebel movements dramatic comeback in the 13-year-old conflict. Swaths of Homs were destroyed by gruelling siege warfare between the rebels and the army years ago fighting that ground down the insurgents, who were forced out. Loading Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) commander Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the main rebel leader, called the capture of Homs a historic moment and urged fighters not to harm those who drop their arms. In one suburb, a statue of Assads father was toppled and torn apart. Since the rebels sweep into Aleppo a week ago, government defences have crumbled at a dizzying speed as insurgents seized a string of major cities and rose in places where the rebellion had long seemed over. The advances were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaeda and is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and the United Nations. The insurgents have met little resistance from the Syrian Army. The UNs special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, Pedersen said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assads chief international backer, said he felt sorry for the Syrian people. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syrias border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the city were shuttered, a resident told the Associated Press, and those still open had run out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. The situation is very strange. We are not used to that, the resident said, insisting on anonymity for fear of retributions. Assad has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Lebanons Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assads forces, has been weakened by a year-long conflict with Israel. Iran has had its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. Israel, which has severely weakened the Iran-backed groups Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, will likely celebrate the fall of Assad, another of Irans key regional allies. But the prospect of an Islamist group ruling Syria will likely raise concerns. US President Joe Biden and his team were monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and in touch with regional partners, the White House said. A Syrian opposition fighter holds a rocket launcher in front of the provincial government office. Credit: AP President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that the US should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on implementing a 2015 UN resolution calling for a Syrian-led political process would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with UN-supervised elections. Foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pedersen, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha summit on Saturday to discuss the situation. Loading Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Russia issued a joint statement that said the crisis was a dangerous development and called for a political solution. Turkey is the main backer of the rebels. HTS controls much of north-west Syria and, in 2017, set up a salvation government to run daily affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Jolani has sought to remake the groups image, cutting ties with al-Qaeda, ditching hardline officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since the conflict broke out in March 2011, and many Syrians remain fearful the rebel group will impose draconian Islamist rule. Jolani has tried to reassure minorities that he will not interfere with them and the international community that he opposes Islamist attacks abroad. In Aleppo, which the rebels captured a week ago, there have not been reports of reprisals. Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. Credit: Al Jazeera When asked on Saturday whether he believed Jolani, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov replied: The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The shock offensive began on November 27, during which rebel fighters captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syrias largest, and the central city of Hama, the countrys fourth-largest city. The pace of events has stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability. Qatars top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticised Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the countrys underlying problems. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Beirut: The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government on Sunday brought to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold on to power as his country fragmented amid a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. Assads downfall came as a stark contrast to his first months as Syrias unlikely president in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his fathers iron grip. Only 34 years old, the Western-educated ophthalmologist was a rather geeky, tech-savvy fan of computers with a gentle demeanour. A Syrian opposition fighter tears up a painting depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his late father, Hazef al-Assad, at the Aleppo international airport. Credit: AP But when faced with protests against his rule that erupted in March 2011, Assad turned to the brutal tactics of his father in an attempt to crush them. As the uprising haemorrhaged into an outright civil war, he unleashed his military to blast opposition-held cities, with support from allies Iran and Russia. Loading International rights groups and prosecutors alleged widespread use of torture and extrajudicial executions in Syrias government-run detention centres. The Syrian war has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the countrys prewar population of 23 million. As the uprising spiralled into a civil war, millions of Syrians fled across the borders into Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon, and on to Europe. Advertisement His departure brings an end to the Assad family rule, spanning just under 54 years. With no clear successor, it throws the country into further uncertainty. Until recently, it seemed Assad was almost out of the woods. The long-running conflict had settled along frozen conflict lines in recent years, with Assads government regaining control of most of Syrias territory while the north-west remained under the control of opposition groups and the north-east under Kurdish control. While Damascus remained under crippling Western sanctions, neighbouring countries had begun to resign themselves to Assads continued hold on power. The Arab League reinstated Syrias membership last year, and Saudi Arabia in May announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria since severing ties with Damascus 12 years earlier. Armed rebels in Homs, before their march on Damascus. Credit: Getty Images However, the geopolitical tide turned quickly with a surprise offensive launched by opposition groups based in north-west Syria in late November. Government forces quickly collapsed, while Assads allies, preoccupied by other conflicts including Russias war in Ukraine and the year-long wars between Israel and the Iran-backed militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas appeared reluctant to forcefully intervene. Assads whereabouts were not clear on Sunday, amid reports he had left the country as insurgents took control of the Syrian capital. He came to power in 2000 by a twist of fate. His father had been cultivating Bashars oldest brother, Basil, as his successor, but in 1994 Basil was killed in a car crash in Damascus. Bashar was brought home from his ophthalmology practice in London, put through military training and elevated to the rank of colonel to establish his credentials so he could one day rule. Advertisement When Hafez al-Assad died in 2000, parliament quickly lowered the presidential age requirement from 40 to 34. Bashars elevation was sealed by a nationwide referendum, in which he was the only candidate. After then president Hafez al-Assad died in 2000, mourners carried posters of him and his two sons: Basil (left), who died in a car crash in 1994, and Bashar (centre), who succeeded him. Credit: AP Hafez, a lifelong military man, ruled the country for nearly 30 years, during which he set up a Soviet-style centralised economy and kept such a stifling hand over dissent that Syrians feared even to joke about politics to their friends. He pursued a secular ideology that sought to bury sectarian differences under Arab nationalism and the image of heroic resistance to Israel. He formed an alliance with the Shiite clerical leadership in Iran, sealed Syrian domination over Lebanon and set up a network of Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups. Bashar initially seemed completely unlike his strongman father. Then president-elect Lieutenant General Bashar al-Assad (right) attends military training games with Ali Aslan, chief of staff of the Syrian army, in 2000. Credit: AP Tall and lanky with a slight lisp, he had a quiet, gentle demeanour. His only official position before becoming president was head of the Syrian Computer Society. His wife, Asma al-Akhras, whom he married several months after taking office, was attractive, stylish and British-born. Advertisement The young couple, who eventually had three children, seemed to shun trappings of power. They lived in an apartment in the upscale Abu Rummaneh district of Damascus, as opposed to a palatial mansion like other Arab leaders. British born: Asma Assad, wife of Bashar al-Assad. Credit: AP Initially upon coming to office, Assad freed political prisoners and allowed more open discourse. In the Damascus Spring, salons for intellectuals emerged where Syrians could discuss art, culture and politics to a degree impossible under his father. But after 1000 intellectuals signed a public petition calling for multiparty democracy and greater freedoms in 2001, and others tried to form a political party, the salons were snuffed out by the feared secret police, who jailed dozens of activists. Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma (centre) with their children (from left) Zein, Hafez and Karim outside the Great Mosque of Aleppo in 2022. Credit: Facebook Instead of a political opening, Assad turned to economic reforms. He slowly lifted economic restrictions, let in foreign banks, threw the doors open to imports and empowered the private sector. Damascus and other cities long mired in drabness saw a flourishing of shopping malls, restaurants and consumer goods. Tourism swelled. Abroad, he stuck to the line his father had set, based on the alliance with Iran and a policy of insisting on a full return of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, although in practice Assad never militarily confronted Israel. Advertisement In 2005, he suffered a heavy blow with the loss of Syrias decades-old control over neighbouring Lebanon after the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri. With many Lebanese accusing Damascus of being behind the slaying, Syria was forced to withdraw its troops from the country, and a pro-American government came into power. At the same time, the Arab world became split into two camps one of US-allied, Sunni-led countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the other of Syria and Shiite-led Iran, with ties to Hezbollah and Palestinian militants. Bashar al-Assad (second right) was awarded an honorary doctorate in Moscow in 2005. Credit: AP Throughout, Assad relied largely on the same power base at home as his father: his Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam comprising about 10 per cent of the population. Many of the positions in his government went to younger generations of the same families that had worked for his father. Drawn in as well were the new middle class created by his reforms, including prominent Sunni merchant families. Loading Assad also turned to his family. His younger brother Maher headed the elite Presidential Guard and would lead the crackdown against the uprising. Their sister Bushra was a strong voice in his inner circle, along with her husband, deputy defence minister Assef Shawkat, until he was killed in a 2012 bombing. Bashars cousin Rami Makhlouf became the countrys biggest businessman, heading a financial empire before the two had a falling out that led to Makhlouf being pushed aside. Assad also increasingly entrusted key roles to his wife, Asma, before she announced in May that she was undergoing treatment for leukemia and stepped out of the limelight. Advertisement On schedule ACTRESS Pooja Hegde has wrapped up the first schedule of David Dhawans tentatively titled Hai JawaniToh Ishq Hona Hai, a romantic entertainer, starring Varun Dhawan. The film, expected to release in 2025, is said to feature Pooja in a glamorous role amidst a fresh and hilarious storyline. The actress has been juggling her time between Mumbai and Chennai, simultaneously shooting for Thalapathy 69, where she stars opposite Thalapathy Vijay. A source confirmed:Its been a whirlwind schedule for Pooja as she shuttles between cities, ensuring that every project gets her best. Her commitment and energy are truly commendable. She has wrapped her first schedule of the film and will be shooting abroad for a month early next year for the next schedule. Pooja has an exciting lineup for 2025. She will kick off the year with Deva opposite Shahid Kapoor. Following that, she will be seen in an intense role in Suriya 44, where she stars opposite Suriya. Adding to that she has Thalapathy 69, which is reportedly Thalapathy Vijay's final film. Last month, Pooja shared a glimpse of Thalapathy 69 shoot in Chennai She took to her Instagram story to share a view of Chennai, where the team is shooting.The actress captioned the post, Chennai Mornings Day 16, revealing that her day started early at 6:30 a.m., along with the hashtag #T69. Scheduled for release in October 2025 across multiple languages Thalapathy 69 is set to be a monumental tribute to Vijay's legacy Human rights & human duties go hand in hand Anjali Thombre By Vaishnavi Pillay : With scary images emerging from Bangladesh, the issue of human rights and their violation has occupied the centrestage of public discourse in India. But, how did the situation in the neighbouring country come to a pass? Was it about insensitivity towards human rights or lack of responsibility towards human duties? With this question, The Hitavada spoke to social activist Anjali Thombre, Chief of womens wing of Bharatiya Vichar Manch, Nagpur, ahead of the International Human Rights Day on December 10. People know a lot about their rights and fight for them. But, even after being aware of their duties, they do not follow them. We see movements and protests for rights, but do we see such efforts for duties? No, we do not, observed Thombre. She stressed that rights and duties go hand in hand, and until people understand this balance, meaningful change would remain elusive. hombre felt that Indians were better aware about human rights and the issues that remained neglected for long were coming to light. In the Indian context, Thombre acknowledged the comprehensive rights enshrined in the Constitution of India but lamented the gap between theory and practice. She also mentioned that political interests often overshadowed the pursuit of justice. Politicians accorded priority to vote-bank politics over real issues linked to human rights. We must remind everyone, especially politicians, that human rights are for humans, not for politics. Justice should not be dictated by political agendas, she emphasised. New challenges are emerging in private sector where women are facing hurdles in promotion due to assumptions about their contribution, as they need to balance professional responsibilities with family commitments, she said. The issue, she suggested, lies in the unfounded justifications often used to deny opportunities to women. Also, on the often misunderstood concept of gender equality in society, she pointed out that equality did not necessarily mean men and women doing the same tasks. Equality is not about mimicking each others roles but rather understanding shared responsibility, and ensuring that everyone has the freedom to live with dignity and respect, she added. Responding to another question, Anjali Thombre mentioned that in some villages in India, some communities still faced discrimination in accessing cremation grounds. If societal attitudes do not change, rights will remain inaccessible. To truly exercise rights, one needs societys support. Sometimes, misuse of laws creates resentment within communities, and this undermines progress, she remarked. While mentioning challenges faced by human rights activists in India, she dubbed the difficulty of maintaining a balanced approach in a polarised landscape as one of those challenges. The narrative around human rights issues often favours certain voices while ignores others, she observed. If a woman from one community faces discrimination, her story often gains international traction. Yet, a similar issue from another community struggles to fetch same attention, she rued. Thombre acknowledged the significant role social media played in amplifying opinions, both positive and negative. However, she concluded that this freedom of expression should not come at the cost of infringing upon others rights. n MoS Defence gets Rs 50 lakh extortion threat NEW DELHI : UNION Minister of State (MoS) for Defence, Sanjay Seth on Saturday confirmed that Delhi Police is investigating a threatening message he received demanding a ransom of Rs 50 lakh. The MoS reported that the extortionmessagewassenttohis mobile phoneon Friday evening. Subsequently, Seth also informed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) about the threat the same evening and met with senior police officials of the Delhi Police todiscuss thematterathisDelhi residence. Speaking to IANS about the incident, Seth stated, IinformedtheDelhi Police yesterday itself. The DCP and other senior officials have been investigating the matter thoroughly and with full force. Narmadapuram Regional Industry Conclave spursRs 18000 crore in investments, will create 24000 jobs By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla : BHOPAL, THE 6th edition of Regional Industry Conclave received overwhelming response from industrialists. Madhya Pradesh has received an investment proposals worth Rs 18000 crore, which would help create 24,000 job opportunities in the region. Addressing the inaugural session of the Regional Industry Conclave in Narmadapuram, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, said that the industrial area of Mohasa-Babai will become the centre of development for the entire Narmadapuram region. This area in the Satpura range is about to make history. Narmadapuram has achieved tremendous success in Regional Industrial Conclave (RIC). The land for Mohasa-Babai Solar Energy Park has been expanded from 227 acres to 884 acres. Land allotment letters were also distributed for the establishment of 20 industrial units in the RIC. During the groundbreaking ceremony for power and renewable energy equipment manufacturing units in the Mohasa-Babai industrial area, Chief Minister Dr Yadav said this expansion supports new facilities and processes to drive industrial growth and attract investment in key sectors. With industrial development, local youths from Sohagpur, Itarsi, Seoni Malwa, Pipariya, and Pachmarhi will be benefited to a great extent. It will discourage migration for jobs. The State Government is mulling to start ITI for 8th pass students also. Will also be set up in the State and State Government will also consider to establish logistic park in the region. Themed on New Horizons, New Possibilities, the Conclaveaimstoboostinvestment in sectors like food processing, agriculture, dairy, tourism and renewable energy. On the occasion, Chief Minister Dr Yadav distributed landallotmentletterstoGreen Energy Private Limited (60 acres), Lands Mill Green Industry Private Limited (70 acres), Lands Mill Green Industry Private Limited (18 acres),LandsMillRenewables Private Limited (30 acres), Insolation Green Energy Private Limited (45 acres), Premium Energy Global and Private Limited (50 acres), Satvik Solar Industry Private Limited (50 acres), Suncoin Solar Photovoltaics Private Limited (30 acres), Res Green EnergyManufacturingPrivate Limited (38 acres), Elpaxon Solar Limited(30 acres),VSNL Green Power Private Limited, Paramount Communication Limited, Taxer Energy Private Limited, Blue Neva Private Limited, Jet Wave Solutions PrivateLimited,FraDigmAlfar Capacitors Private Limited,Gladen Healthcare Private Limited. The sixth Regional Industry Conclave (RIC), an initiative tobringinvestmentinMadhya Pradesh,beganatITICampus in Narmadapuram on Saturday. Under the theme New Horizons, New Possibilities, the programme has given a special focus to sectors like agriculture, dairy, food processing, renewable energy, tourism, and textiles. According to the Industry Departmentofficial,morethan 4,000 leading industrialists, including 3,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) representatives, and 75leadinginvestorshavecome to attend the conclave. Delegations from Canada, Vietnam,Netherlands,Mexico and Malaysia also took part in the event. Aiming toshowcase regional potential at national and global level, DrYadav led governmenthasearlierorganised industrialconclave at Ujjain, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Sagar, and Rewa. The State Government has received over Rs 75,000 crore investment proposals fromthese fiveconclaves.This conclave will help in positioningNarmadapuramregion on industrial map as well as further strengthen mutual cooperationbetweeninvestors and the Government. The consulate general of Japan in Kolkata has invited a delegation of the tourism department of Burdwan University to visit the country early next year for a possible tie-up between the reputed universities in Japan with the oldest department of any government university offering tourism degree in eastern India. Representatives of Japan Airlines and Nippon Airlines were also present. Advertisement A high-level meeting in Kolkata took place in which the consulate general of Japan in Kolkata, Nakagawa Kochi and other officials and Professor Mir Abdul Sofique, head of the department of Burdwan University were present. He has termed the outcome of the meeting highly positive. We are deeply interested in this collaboration to boost tourism in both these two countries, he added. Advertisement The department of tourism of Burdwan University, which is the oldest government institution in Eastern India offering MBA in tourism management, has been exploring opportunities with possible tie-up with various foreign varsities for training, placement, joint academic activities and technology development with several foreign varsities and institutions, including Japan. Talking to The Statesman, Nakagawa Kochi, consul general of Japan, said that they are very excited to ink a deal with Burdwan University and to explore the vast opportunities in the tourism sector and have invited a delegation team to visit Japan early next year. Professor Mir Abdul Sofique has informed that India is a Buddhist tourism hub and every year thousands of Japanese tourists visit these Buddhist destinations. At this juncture any Indo-Japan collaboration, related to tourism will immensely benefit both these two countries. He said that the Japan Consul General has invited to visit Nara, an archaeological-enriched site and for a prospective tie-up. Nara is the capital of Japans Nara Prefecture, in south-central Honshu. The city has significant temples and artwork dating to the 8th century, when it was Japans capital. There are immensely popular Buddgist destinations like Nalanda, Sarnath, Elora, Elephanta Caves, Sachi in Madhya Pradesh, Rajgir, Bodhgaya in our country. In West Bengal too there are popular destinations like Chandra Ketu Garh in 24 Parganas, Bera Champa in North 24 Parganas etc. and many other lesser-known destinations in our state and also in northeast India which can be further explored. Hundreds of villagers of Lower Kumarpur area in ward 22 of Asansol Municipal Corporation are agitating and brought out a rally today and submitted a memorandum at the office of district magistrate of West Burdwan alleging illegal filling of the only pond in the area. The agitators chanted slogans and also held placards, including both men and women in Asansol town. Advertisement Already, Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC) have arrested five persons allegedly for filling up illegal ponds in the Asansol Municipal Corporation area and encroaching on state government land. While two of them have managed to get bail, three others are still in police custody. These five people have been arrested in two separate pond filling cases under Asansol North police station and Asansol South police station. Advertisement The strict actions by the police against the land dealers in Asansol is still continuing and at this juncture a fresh controversy of illegally filling up a pond has raked up. The pond falls under the jurisdiction of Asansol South police station. Ujjwal Mondal and Gobordhon Mondal, the agitators said that it is the only waterbody in the village and the local people also perform Chhath Puja every year. Suddenly, since the past few days some people are trying to fill up the pong using bulldozers. They are also trying to erect boundary wall and grab the vast waterbody. Still there is water in the pond and the villagers are finding it difficult to use the only pond in their locality now, alleged the locals. However, the local developer Shankar Sharma claimed that he has taken that land on lease from the government and as per records of the land and land reforms department there is no mention of a waterbody present on that parcel of land. However, the agitators have submitted documents to the DM office stating that there is mention of a waterbody on one acre of land along with a mass petition. District Magistrate of West Burdwan S Ponnambalam has promised the agitators to probe the matter and take steps. The agitation by the local people was led by the Gram Unnayan Samity of Lower Kumarpur area under ward 22 of AMC. Mayor of Asansol Municipal Corporation Bidhan Upadhyay said that he is not aware of this incident and has said that he will also send civic officials to the site for inspections. The state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today strongly condemned horrific arson attack on the ISKCON Namhatta Centre in Dhaka and urged the interim government of Bangladesh to take immediate steps to find out the culprits and ensure safety of the religious minorities. The state president of the BJP and Union minister of state for development of north eastern region Sukanta Majumder demanded immediate action against the culprits. Strongly condemn the horrific arson attack on the #ISKCON Namhatta Centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which destroyed the Deities of Sri Sri Laxmi Narayan and sacred temple items. This is an unforgivable act of hatred against a place of worship. Immediate action must be taken to bring the culprits to justice and ensure the safety of religious minorities. #ISKCON #SaveBangladeshiHindus he wrote on X-handle. Advertisement As hatred continues to plague Bangladesh. This time, miscreants set fire to an ISKCON centre in Dhaka. Temples have also been attacked, and the idol of Lakshmi Narayan has been burnt. This is the claim made by Radha Raman Das, vice-president of ISKCON Kolkata. Paschim Banga Pradesh Adkhya (Bengal chief) of All India Santa Samaj Mahamandaleswar Paratamanandaji Maharaj said that in Bangladesh, violence against minority Hindus is escalating by the day. Even religious sites are not spared from the violence. In just one day, the saints and Sanatani Hindus tightened their grip on them, blocking the Petrapole border for a day and making their stance clear. Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to the Bangladesh government should remember that exporters and importers are predominantly Hindus. We are the monks appealing to the mukti yodhdha (freedom fighters) of Bangladesh: stay a bit more united. After 20, January, 2025, the global community will step forward for Bangladesh, said Swami Paratamanandaji Maharaj. Advertisement As this the new reports of beatings and even murders are surfacing Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, a city-based organisation took out a mammoth rally from Tollygunge this afternoon. There was a big procession at Ranaghat and Krishnanagar by Hindu Oikya, another organisation demanding release of the arrested monk Chinmoy Prabhu. They also burnt the Bangladeshi items on NH-34 as a mark of protests today. In the past month and a half, Bangladesh has been in turmoil over incidents like demands to ban ISKCON, the arrest of monk Chinmoy Prabhu, and allegations of Hindu persecution. In protest against the oppression of minorities, ordinary citizens and various Hindu organisations have taken to the streets in places like Kolkata, Delhi, and Tripura. Amidst all this, another incident of religious violence has come to light. On Saturday morning, Radha Raman Das, vice-president of ISKCON Kolkata, shared on the X platform by saying that another ISKCON Namhatta centre in Bangladesh had been burned down. All items inside the Shri Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Dhaka had been completely destroyed by fire. Early this morning, by 3 am, miscreants set fire to the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple and Shri Shri Mahabhagya Lakshmi Narayan Temple. These are located in Dhour village under the Hare Krishna Namhatta Sangha. Petrol or octane was used to set the fire after breaking through the tin roof at the back of the temple, he wrote on X-handle. The ruling Trinamul Congress on Saturday nominated partys trade union leader Ritabrata Banerjee as its candidate for the coming Rajya Sabha (RS) by-election scheduled to be held on 20 December. After the resignation of former bureaucrat Jawhar Sircar as the RS MP during the second week of September in protest against the RG Kar Hospital rape-murder incident, the bypoll was necessitated. Mr Sircar, a retired IAS officer, also had resigned from the party. Advertisement We are pleased to announce the candidature of Ritabrata Banerjee for the forthcoming Rajya Sabha by-election, the party said today in a post on X. Advertisement We extend our heartfelt wishes to him. May he work towards upholding Trinamools endurable legacy of indomitable spirit and continue advocating for the rights of every Indian, the post stated. By-elections will be held in the sole vacant Rajya Sabha seat from West Bengal, apart from seats in three other states. Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamul Congress, has also expressed his best wishes for the INTTUC state president. Mr Banerjee in his post on X today wrote hailing the decision: This recognition is truly well-deserved, reflecting the tireless effort @RitabrataBanerj has invested in strengthening the organization and advocating for trade union workers across WB. While it may take time, commitment, performance and hard work are always rewarded in the end. Ritabrata was brought into the Trinamul Congress with the initiative of the partys national general secretary. He was with the CPM till 2017 and was its Rajya Sabha MP, before joining the ruling party in the state. The CPM had expelled him on charges of several controversial issues. On 8 September, Trinamul Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar after stepping down from the upper House of the Parliament had in a two-page letter written to the Trinamul chief poured his grievances over the rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital, the administrations repressive steps to curb the protests and the corruption charges levelled at the ruling party from time to time. In a bid to help India strengthen and modernise its logistics sector, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $350 million policy-based loan to support wide-ranging reforms in the sector. The logistics sector reforms are also expected to create substantial employment opportunities, both in urban and rural areas. The increased demand for skilled logistics workers, driven by private sector investments and process efficiency, will contribute to job creation. Advertisement The loan will finance the second subprogramme of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem Programme, which supports the governments efforts to create a comprehensive policy, planning, and institutional framework at the federal, state, and city levels. Advertisement The government has launched several strategic policies to address logistics sector constraints, including the Prime Minister Gati Shakti-National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) and the National Logistics Policy (NLP). The development of the logistics sector has a profound impact on the manufacturing sectors competitiveness. Improved logistics efficiency enhances supply chain resilience, reduces transaction costs, and boosts export competitiveness, said Sameer Khatiwada, ADB Senior Public Management Economist. The integration of digital technologies and standardised processes facilitates smoother movement of goods, which is crucial for manufacturing growth, Khatiwada added. ADBs programme supported Indias reform efforts, which have improved Indias ranking in the World Banks Logistics Performance Index and reduced logistics costs significantly. Key actions include the establishment of institutional arrangements for logistics planning at the state and city levels, implementation of a grain storage plan, and adoption of green transition guidelines for inland waterways. From 2000 to 2022, Indias goods export increased from $48.5 billion to $467.5 billion while industrial exports grew from $39.6 billion to $317.4 billion. The government aims to reach $2 trillion in exports of goods and services by 2030. Through strategic policy reforms, infrastructural improvements, and digital integration, the governments ongoing reforms are set to transform the logistics landscape, said ADB. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has directed banks to adopt advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to safeguard customers from fraudsters. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the Secretary of DFS with representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), public sector banks, private banks, and payment banks. Advertisement Banks were directed to adopt advanced technologies, including AI/ML solutions, for real-time detection of mule accounts, training & upskilling bank staff on fraud detection & prevention, greater advocacy & awareness for common citizen for not to fall prey to the fraudsters, Department of Financial Services in a social media post said. Advertisement At the meeting, the secretary of the Department of Financial Services, emphasised the need for proactive measures to protect citizens hard-earned money, and highlighted the importance of leveraging cutting-edge tools and practices to combat these challenges effectively. The secretary also emphasised the importance of spreading awareness among customers about common fraud tactics, urging citizens to stay vigilant and not fall prey to fraudsters. Apart from this, banks were instructed to prioritise the training and upskilling of their staff in fraud detection and prevention. The banks were encouraged to explore MuleHunter.AI, an AI/ML-driven solution developed by the RBI, which offers enhanced capabilities in detecting fraudulent activities and tracking suspicious accounts. Notably, last week, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said that the RBI Innovation Hub is making progress in combating financial fraud by promoting the use of MuleHunter.AI, an advanced artificial intelligence tool. This technology specialises in detecting and flagging mule accounts, which are often exploited for money laundering activities. Foreign investors have staged a strong comeback to Indian equities with a net investment of Rs 24,454 crore in the first week of December. After heavy selling in the past two months, the comeback is amid stabilising global conditions and expectations of potential US Federal Reserve rate cuts. Advertisement With the latest inflow, FPI investments have reached Rs 9,435 crore in 2024 so far. Advertisement According to the data with the depositories, FPIs have made a net investment of Rs 24,454 crore till December 6. The foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have pulled out a net Rs 21,612 crore in November and a massive Rs 94,017 crore in October the worst monthly outflow on record. Interestingly, September had marked a nine-month high for FPI inflows, with a net investment of Rs 57,724 crore, highlighting the volatility in foreign investment trends. FPIs pulled out Rs 142 crore in the debt general limit and invested Rs 355 crore in the debt Voluntary Retention Route (VRR) during the period under review. In June, July, August, and September, they bought stocks worth Rs 26,565 crore, Rs 32,365 crore, Rs 7,320 crore, and Rs 57,724 crore, respectively. Amid the recent uptick in the IT sector performance, anticipations are high that the IT sector is poised to perform well and attract increased FII interest. Experts opined that the uncertainty over Chinese equities on the back of proposed tariffs by US and other several nations could have prompted FPIs to look back at Indian equities. Things may again become a little difficult for the people of Delhi as the citys average Air Quality Index (AQI) level has entered the very poor category on Sunday. According to the Central Pollution Control Boards (CPCB) daily AQI bulletin for the city released on Sunday evening at 4 pm, the index value was recorded at 302, based on the average of the past 24 hours. Compared to the previous day, there is an increase of 69 points in the AQI level, as the value was 233 on Saturday. Advertisement The places that recorded the highest AQI levels in the city at 4 pm include, Shadipur at 377, Anand Vihar at 374, Nehru Nagar at 371, Wazirpur at 370, and Mundka at 369, all reeling under a higher range of the very poor category. Advertisement However, according to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorologys weather and air quality bulletin for Delhi, the air quality may step back to the poor category in two days as the outlook for the subsequent six days suggests that it is likely to be in poor zone. The AQI levels in the adjoining cities to the national capital like Ghaziabad, Noida, and Gurugram, were in the poor zone, while Faridabad recorded the air pollution in the moderate zone. On December 5, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked stages III and IV of the anti-pollution Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after the directions of the Supreme Court in the wake of the improvement witnessed in the AQI levels. However, it asked the agencies to intensify the actions under stages I and II of the anti-pollution plan to prevent the pollutant levels from rising. If the AQI levels in the city go past 350, the sub-committee may invoke GRAP stage III curbs and if the index values touch 400 and beyond the stage IV curbs will be again enforced. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai has been hospitalized Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai for what his team describes as a routine check-up. According to a close source, Subhash Ghai being hospitalized is part of his annual health check-up process, which is essential due to his busy work schedule. Advertisement The source reassured fans and well-wishers, stating, Theres no cause for concern. This is something we do every year to ensure that all necessary tests are conducted properly. He is doing well. Advertisement Subhash Ghai, known for his legendary films like Taal, Ram Lakhan, and Karma, has been active in the film industry despite his age. Recently, he made an appearance at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, where his work received significant recognition. During the festival, he spoke about his docu-drama Gandhi: A Perspective, a 30-minute film that earned praise for its insightful take on Mahatma Gandhis life and legacy. The film, which Ghai described as a docu-drama, was lauded for its educational value, particularly among the youth. Ghai emphasized the films relevance, explaining that it addresses contemporary questions about Gandhis relevance in todays world. He remarked, Gandhis thoughts, values, and principles are timeless. This film should be shown in every school and college, as it helps answer questions raised by the younger generation. Apart from his recent film work, Ghai also discussed his book, Karmas Child, which chronicles his journey as a filmmaker. His legacy in Indian cinema includes iconic hits like Kalicharan, Hero, Saudagar, and Khal Nayak, making him one of the most influential directors in Bollywood history. VicePresident Jagdeep Dhankhar Sunday said that for more than a decade, India has been making history. After six decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had the privilege of becoming the charioteer of the nation. He said that India has seen unprecedented economic progress and institutional advancement in the past ten years, and now India is on the path to becoming a developed nation. Advertisement VicePresident Dhankhar, who was addressing a gathering here at Gita Gyan Sansthanam, said that a developed India is no longer a dream but a goal. To achieve this, we must adopt the concentration and determination of Arjuna, as he focused solely on his goal, just as we must focus solely on our target to succeed, he said. Advertisement The VicePresident also showered praises on Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya was also present on the occasion. Lauding the Chief Minister, he said: Shri Saini is a grounded person with impeccable character, hard-working, and a person of high thinking. I am confident that Nayab Singh Saini will undoubtedly do exceptional work. Haryana is a land of endless possibilities, a leader of the nation, and its talent is unparalleled in every field. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the talent of every Haryanvi will shine even brighter, said the VicePresident. Mr Dhankhar spoke about five important principles from the Bhagavad Gita, which he presented as Panchamrit. These principles are essential for social order, peace, development, brotherhood, progress, and happiness, he said. The VicePresident said that the first principle is Sarthak Samvad where he emphasised that discussions should not be for personal gain but for the welfare of society and the nation. The second principle is Viyaktigat Suchita, which is crucial for everyone, especially those in positions of power. The third principle is Niswarth Yagya Bhav, encouraging everyone to contribute to the collective goal of a developed India by 2047. The fourth principle is Karuna, which India has demonstrated in various forms, such as providing vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fifth principle is Praspar Bhav, where competition should exist but not lead to conflict. VicePresident Dhankhar said that the country faces certain challenges, with some forces trying to harm Indias economy and institutions. However, he urged that we must remember that we are Indians, and being an Indian is our strength. He encouraged everyone to understand the essence of the Bhagavad Gita and its message of positive thinking and harmony. Chief Minister Saini, while welcoming Mr Dhankhar, said that the visit of the VicePresident to Dharmakshetra-Kurukshetra for the International Gita Mahotsav (IGM) stands as a testament to his deep interest in spirituality, his unwavering faith in the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, and his special bond with Haryana. The Chief Minister said that the International Gita Mahotsav, which began in 2016, draws inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of bringing the divine message of the Bhagavad Gita to a global audience. It was Prime Minister Modi who, during his first visit to the United States, presented The Gita According to Gandhi to the then President of the United States, Barack Obama, inspiring us to celebrate Gita Jayanti at an international level, said Saini. Describing the Bhagavad Gita as a cornerstone of Indian philosophy and a guide for all humanity, the Chief Minister said that the Bhagavad Gita is not just a sacred text; it is a way of life and a beacon of hope for humanity. In todays world, fraught with stress and conflict, the teachings of the Gita are essential to sustain humanity and foster global harmony, added Saini. The Chief Minister also acknowledged the tireless efforts of Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj and the Gita Gyan Sansthan in spreading the sacred message of the Holy Gita globally. He said that Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj and the Gita Gyan Sansthan have played a pivotal role in the international expansion of the IGM. The Chief Minister emphasised that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita are vital in addressing the stresses and challenges of modern life. Earlier speaking on the occasion, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj said that on the sacred land of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna gave the teachings of the Gita to Arjuna as a means to guide all of humanity. The police inquest report reportedly revealed that there was a blood stain on the underwear of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu, who was found dead inside his official quarters at Pallikkunnu in Kannur. This is mentioned in the inquest report prepared by the Kannur Town Police on October 15. Advertisement However, there was no mention of blood stains or injuries in the postmortem report. The FIR also does not mention any blood stains. Advertisement With this, the concerns of the family, which saw foul play in Naveen Babus death, is getting stronger. The inquest report also mentions that no relatives were present at the location for the inquest; hence their statements could not be recorded. According to the contents of the FIR, there are no other suspicions regarding the cause of death. The details of Naveen Babus postmortem report were released the other day. The postmortem report has confirmed that his death was due to hanging, with no suspicious injuries or wounds on his body. The report states that there was no injury to the skull and no damage to the ribs. The report also points out that the upper part of the left lung was in contact with the chest wall. There were no injuries to the muscles and major blood vessels. The report also states that there were no injuries to the cartilage and vertebrae and that the esophagus was normal. The report states that the eyes were closed and the nose, mouth, and ears were not injured. The lips were blue, the teeth and gums were intact, the tongue was bitten, the fingernails were blue, the body showed no signs of decomposition, and the stomach and bladder were empty. The report also points out that the spinal cord was not injured. The postmortem report also states that the body was not kept in a cold room. Naveen Babus relatives have reportedly filed a complaint against the doctor who conducted the postmortem following the revelation in the police inquest report. One of his relatives, Anil P Nair, said the doctor who conducted the postmortem should have read the inquest report carefully. It is, therefore, clear that no scientific investigation was conducted. There is still suspicion of a conspiracy in Naveen Babus death. There was bleeding from the body. That means there was a wound somewhere on the body. It is the responsibility of the police to say what it was and the responsibility of the doctor who conducted the postmortem, he said. That is why a thorough CBI investigation is being demanded, he added. Naveen Babus family said they were informed of Naveen Babus death only after the inquest was completed. We had requested authorities to conduct the post-mortem in Kozhikode medical college instead of medical college , Naveen Babus relative Anil P Nair told a news channel. His wife has moved the Kerala High Court seeking CBI probe into her husbands death claiming that the state police investigation is not proceeding in the right direction. She alleged that the accused, former president of the Kannur District Panchayat, P P Divya, possessed significant political influence, raising concerns that the investigation might be sabotaged. When the case seeking a CBI probe into the death of former Kannur ADM came up for hearing on Friday before Justice Kauser Edappagat, the Kerala government opposed the plea. The case is posted for December 12. The Kannur ADM was found dead at his official residence in Pallikkunnu, Kannur, on the morning of October 15. He allegedly took his life after facing public humiliation and corruption accusations made by PP Divya, then the Kannur District Panchayat President, at the farewell meeting on October 14. Divya had accused him of intentionally delaying the issuance of an NOC to Prasanthan to start a petrol pump at Chengalai in Kannur. Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi reviewed the operational preparedness of the Northern Command on Saturday. He visited the Udhampur-based Northern Command, a defence spokesman said. General Dwivedi chaired discussions aimed at further enhancing joint capabilities, attended by senior officers from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and the ITBP. Advertisement The Army chief also inspected the latest state-of-the-art weapons, equipment, and other logistic assets. Advertisement He commended all ranks of the Northern Command for their professionalism and the initiatives taken to achieve synergy in operations. The Army chief also honoured Brigadier Harcharan Singh (Retd), Havildar Khajur Singh (Retd), and Naik Mohammed Aslam Bhat (Retd) with the Veterans Achievers Award during his visit to the Northern Command Headquarters. Brigadier Harcharan Singh (Retd) has dedicated his post-retirement life to making a significant impact on the lives of veterans. His notable contributions include streamlining veterans data in the Sainik Welfare Board to ensure benefits reach the deserving. He is also an integral part of Project NAMAN, which supports Veer Naris and their families. His efforts have facilitated free legal aid for Veer Naris and provided support to disabled soldiers through the NGO War Wounded Foundation. Havildar Khajur Singh (Retd) has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to afforestation and women empowerment after retirement. In 2016, he founded the Sanjeevani Jan Kalyan Seva Samiti, an NGO that has planted over 1 lakh trees in J&K and empowered school-going girls through self-defence training. His efforts have fostered positive change within the community, inspiring a brighter future. Naik Mohammed Aslam Bhat (Retd) has revolutionised agriculture in Chenani tehsil, J&K, by pioneering Kiwi cultivation post-retirement. Transforming barren land into thriving orchards, he introduced modern farming techniques and mentored fellow veterans to enhance agriculture as a post-service career. His efforts have bolstered regional economic growth and provided a sustainable income source for many veterans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in Delhi celebrates the Northeasts vibrant textile sector, tourism opportunities and traditional craftsmanship. In response to an article shared by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia, highlighting the works done the BJP-led government at the Centre for the North Eastern region, the Prime Minister in a post on X wrote, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia elaborates that Northeast India is witnessing remarkable growth through improved connectivity, digital inclusion and investment in infrastructure. Advertisement Referring to Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, he said, The Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in Delhi celebrates the Northeasts vibrant textile sector, tourism opportunities and traditional craftsmanship. Advertisement Notably, in line with his commitment to showcase the cultural vibrancy of Northeast India, Modi on Friday inaugurated the first-ever three-day Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav at the Bharat Mandapam. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said Northeast is the Ashtalakshmi of India. He said Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav is a celebration of the brighter future of the Northeast, adding that it is a festival of a new dawn of development, propelling the mission of a Viksit Bharat forward. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim Ashtalakshmi is seen in these eight states of North East, Modi said. In a post on X, the DoNER Minister while sharing his article, wrote, The Northeastern region of India that was once languished in obscurity and crippled by the incompetence of previous regimes, is today a key enabler for the Viksit Bharat mission. He said under the leadership of Modi, the government has elevated the Northeast to become the Growth Engine of India, marked by its diverse culture and economic potential. On Saturday, Scindia along with Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar walked the ramp at the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav. Sharing photographs of the fashion show at the Mahotsav, he wrote on X, Truly a celebration of culture and creativity. Had an amazing time at the fashion show showcasing the vibrant styles of Northeast India. Each state was beautifully represented by talented artists and models. Honoured to be part of the event with my colleague Sukanta Majumdar. The Congress on Sunday called for a debate on the full gamut of the India-China relationship in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. Congress general secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said, The Indian National Congress (INC) has studied the recent suo moto statement made by the External Affairs Minister (S Jaishankar) in both Houses of Parliament titled Recent Developments in Indias Relations with China. It is unfortunate, but typical of the Modi government, that MPs were not permitted to seek any clarifications. Advertisement He posed a volley of questions to the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre over the Chinese issue. Advertisement Referring to EAMs recent remarks in Parliament, Ramesh in a statement said, The statement claims that the House is well aware of the circumstances leading up to the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in June 2020. It is an unfortunate reminder that the very first official communication to the nation on this crisis came on 19th June, 2020 when the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) provided a clean chit publicly to China and falsely stated: Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai. Not only was this an insult to our fallen soldiers but it also weakened Indias position in subsequent negotiations. Whatever prompted the PM to make this assertion? he said. The Congress leader claimed on 22nd October Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi restated Indias longstanding position and said, As far as we are concerned, we want to go back to the status quo of April 2020 thereafter we will be looking at disengagement, de-escalation and normal management of the LAC. However, the Ministry of External Affairs statement following the 32nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) on 5th December stated that the two sides positively affirmed the implementation of the most recent disengagement agreement which completed the resolution of the issues that emerged in 2020. Does this not reveal a shift in our official position? he questioned. Ramesh said the EAMs statement in Parliament stated that [I]n a few other places where friction occurred in 2020, steps of a temporary and limited nature were worked out, based on local conditions, to obviate the possibility of further friction. This clearly refers to so-called buffer zones to which our troops and livestock herders are denied access that they previously had. These statements taken together suggest that the MEA is accepting a settlement that does not return the LAC to the April 2020 status quo as desired by the Army and the nation. Is it not clear now that the Modi government has agreed to a new status quo and agreed to live with the new normal after the old normal prevailing prior to April 2020 was unilaterally disturbed by China? he said. The Congress leader asked why the Chinese government is yet to corroborate any details about the disengagement in Depsang and Demchok. The INC reiterates the demand it has been making for the past few yearsthat Parliament must, to reflect a collective national resolve, be given an opportunity to debate the full gamut of the India-China relationship. This discussion should focus on both strategic and economic policy, especially since our dependence on China has increased economically, even as it unilaterally changed the status quo on our borders over four years back, he added. After a 48-hour pause, farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha resumed their Dilli Chalo march on Sunday from the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border. The protesters are demanding legal guarantees for Minimum Support Price (MSP), farm loan waivers, and other key issues. Advertisement The march was temporarily halted on Friday after several protesters were injured during a police crackdown involving tear gas shells. Advertisement In response, the Haryana government erected large barricades and deployed significant security personnel to prevent the marchers from reaching the national capital. Farmer leaders have warned of resuming intensified protests if the central government fails to engage in dialogue and address their demands. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent farmer leader, stated, We will wait until tomorrow for talks with the government. Otherwise, a group of 101 farmers will march towards Delhi on December 8 at 12 noon. Pandher also criticized the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government, accusing it of aligning with the central government and obstructing media coverage of the protests. The way the media is being stopped, the CM and Arvind Kejriwal should explain this. AAP claims to support farmers, so why is media access being curtailed? The Punjab government is trying to shield the central governments actions, Pandher said. In addition to MSP and loan waivers, the farmers demands include pensions for farmers and laborers, a halt to electricity tariff hikes, withdrawal of police cases against protesters, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. In response to the escalating protests, the Haryana government has suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in several areas, including Dangdehri, Lohgarh, Manakpur, and Saddopur villages. Delhi Police is also on high alert to handle potential disruptions. The jatha of 101 farmers, who began their foot march towards Delhi on Sunday and were stopped at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, has suspended the march for the day. Speaking to the media, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that after holding discussions, the forums decided to call the jatha back for the day after six farmers were injured. Advertisement He claimed that the farmers, who had started moving, were stopped by the police using tear gas and other means, resulting in some injuries. Advertisement The farmer leader said that their two forums will hold a meeting on Monday and decide the future course of action. Pandher added that once a decision is made after discussions by the farmer unions, they will share the development through a press conference. He alleged that the police used tear gas to disperse the farmers, and with the wind direction being on the farmers side, it made the situation more difficult for them. However, he said that the farmers are determined to address their concerns and added that the government must find a solution to the issues. Earlier in the day, some farmer leaders claimed that the police asked for their ID cards. The farmers said the police told them they did not have permission to head to Delhi. Meanwhile, at noon on Sunday, a group of 101 farmers resumed their foot march from their protest point at Shambhu. However, they were halted by the multilayered barricading put in place by security personnel. Police said that the farmers did not have permission to move forward towards Delhi. Responding to AAPs allegation that the BJP settled Rohingyas in Delhi, partys state unit chief Virendra Sachdeva said on Sunday that his party reiterates that legal refugees are entirely a different matter. But illegal infiltrators should be kept in detention camps, and not in flats. He said Arvind Kejriwals party raised the issue back in 2022 too, and the party stuck to the same position. He emphasised that a country grants asylum to legal refugees and takes steps for their protection and rehabilitation. Advertisement The Delhi BJP chief stated that ever since his party launched a campaign to disenfranchise illegally residing Rohingyas and Bangladeshis and deport them, Kejriwal and other AAP leaders have been resorting to baseless rhetoric to divert attention from the core issues affecting Delhi. Advertisement He pointed out that Kejriwal and his associates, who claim to be educated, are misleading people by citing an old tweet (X-post) from 2022 by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The tweet had mentioned the settlement of legal refugees, not illegal infiltrators. I challenge Arvind Kejriwal to an open debate on the damages caused by Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators. Let us have this public discussion at Central Park in Connaught Place, he challenged. The BJP leader said the real issue in Delhi is not the settlement of legal refugees, but the presence of millions of illegally residing Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, not only in the national capital but also in states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand. Sachdeva said illegal infiltrators are not only disturbing the social harmony in Delhi and other states but are also contributing to the crime rates in cities. Earlier, BJP leaders in Delhi had accused the AAP government of sheltering illegal immigrants including Rohingyas, and allegedly making them voters based on fake documents. A delegation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi ( MVA ) met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss granting the Leader of Opposition position to the MVA . We hope the government will consider this proposal positively, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole said in Mumbai on Sunday. Maharashtras legislative tradition suggests that the Speakers post be unopposed and the Deputy Speakers position be given to the opposition . In the Delhi Assembly, despite the BJP having only three members, the Aam Aadmi Party granted the BJP the position of Leader of the Opposition , Patole said. Patole said that the Election Commission (EC) and the Supreme Court must take note of the public demand for voting by paper ballots. Patole said there was widespread confusion among the public about the new state government, with a strong sentiment that this government does not reflect their mandate. This sentiment is not confined to Markadwadi but resonates across villages in Maharashtra. There is a growing public demand for voting through ballot papers, with village sabhas passing resolutions to this effect. Therefore the Election Commission and the Supreme Court should take cognizance of this public sentiment. Speaking to the media in the legislature premises, Congress State President Nana Patole stated, If voters have doubts about whether their vote goes to the candidate of their choice, these doubts must be resolved. The residents of Markadwadi had resolved to conduct a mock poll using ballot papers, but the government, with the help of the Election Commission and police administration, suppressed their efforts and filed charges against them. The Election Commission must answer how 7.6 million votes were added, but they are failing to provide a satisfactory explanation. Manipulating votes is akin to the daylight murder of democracy. If such dissatisfaction arises in a democracy, it must be addressed. As the opposition , we will fight for this demand both in the legislature and on the streets, Patole said. Advertisement Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Rajasthan and Haryana on Monday to attend several programmes including Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 in Jaipur, and the launch of Bima Sakhi Yojana in Panipat, Haryana. The PM will will travel to Jaipur and at around 10:30 am and inaugurate the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC).He will also address the gathering on the occasion, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said in a statement on Sunday. Advertisement The theme of the Investment Summit to be held from 9th to 11th December this year is Replete, Responsible, Ready. The Summit will host 12 sectoral thematic sessions on the themes of water security, sustainable mining, sustainable finance, inclusive tourism, agri-business innovations and women-led Startups among others. Advertisement Eight Country sessions will also be held during the Summit with participating countries on the themes like Water Management for Livable Cities, versatility of Industries- manufacturing and beyond and Trade & Tourism. Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave and MSME Conclave will also be held in three days. The Rajasthan Global Business Expo will feature thematic pavilions such as the Rajasthan Pavilion, Country Pavilions, Startups Pavilion among others. Over 32 countries, including 16 partner countries and 20 international organisations will participate in the Summit. Thereafter, Modi will travel to Panipat and at around 2 pm. He will launch LICs Bima Sakhi Yojana and lay the foundation stone of the Main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, as per the PMO. This initiative of LIC is designed to empower women aged 18-70 years, who are Class X pass. They will receive specialised training and a stipend for the first three years to promote financial literacy and insurance awareness. After training, they can serve as LIC agents and the graduate Bima Sakhis would have the opportunity to qualify for being considered for Development Officer roles in LIC. The PM will also distribute appointment Certificates to prospective Bima Sakhis. During the programme, Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the Main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal. The main campus and six regional research stations, spread over 495 acres, will be established at a cost of over Rs 700 crore. The University will have one College of Horticulture for Graduate and Post-Graduate studies and five schools covering 10 horticulture disciplines. It will work towards crop diversification and world class research for development of horticulture technologies. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that Sardar Patel had played an outstanding role in the making of India and the unification of princely states. However, Sardar did not get due justice for his role in history, the Home Minister said after unveiling a huge 11-foot statue of the countrys first Home Minister at the Circuit House here. Advertisement Shah said, Sardar did not care for name and fame and focused only on his duty towards the nation. He did not even bother about his failing health and worked tirelessly to achieve his goals. Advertisement He said Patels firm stance and dedicated work paved the way for the merger of 556 erstwhile principalities in the Union of India in the post-independence unification process. Shah said Sardar acted tactically to bring some princely states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, including Jodhpur, into Indias fold by defeating certain conspiracies against the unification process. However, history did not render justice to this Loh Purush, though he never bothered about name and fame. Earlier, the Home Minister attended the 60th Raising Day of the BSF at its headquarters here, took salute of an impressive ceremonial parade, and lauded the dedicated role of BSF soldiers in the line of duty for the nation. The Home Minister also paid tributes to the 1992 martyred BSF personnel who made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland over six decades and awarded medals to retired and serving personnel for their outstanding service. Shah lauded the Modi governments initiatives for reforms in internal security arrangements. The Home Minister made specific mention of the Vibrant Border Village scheme and the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System. He said the Vibrant Border Village scheme, which aims at providing basic amenities to the local people and is currently being implemented along the Northern border, will be extended to every last village along the entire international border. Likewise, the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System will also be made functional along the entire Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh international borders. He also expressed satisfaction over the success of another pilot project, the laser-driven anti-drone gun system, which delivered encouraging results during trials in Punjab. He said that in the near future, a full-fledged Anti-Drone unit will be formed in the BSF. Presidential pardons in the United States have often been controversial. Still, some decisions, like President Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter, have led to more criticism than others. The pardon means that Hunter will not be sentenced for his crimes and will not go to prison. The judges handling his cases will likely cancel the sentencing hearings scheduled for December 12 for the gun case and December 16 for the tax case. Constitutionally, the President can grant pardons and previous presidents have used this power. Traditionally, US presidents dole out pardons as they leave office. However, Bidens complete and unconditional pardon of his son adds a layer of complexity and public scrutiny to the issue. It is essential to understand why President Biden acted as he did. He was caught between saving his son and public criticism. Everyone knows that he is loyal to his family. He has faced significant personal challenges. His baby daughter and first wife died in a car accident, which also injured his sons, Beau and Hunter. Hunter has faced many difficulties in his life as well. Biden wanted Beau to become President, but Beau sadly died from brain cancer in 2015. This focus on the Biden familys struggles aims to create empathy from the public. Advertisement According to the American media, Bidens wife persuaded Joe to make a final decision. The public reaction to Bidens pardon is both critical and supportive. While some think it is fair, others consider it unjustified. The American media also exhibits the same kind of mixed reaction. Bidens supporters justify it, though some of his party colleagues are upset. Presidents from both parties have used their pardon power, which has raised eyebrows. George Washington used the power to pardon some people. In late 1992, President George H. W. Bush pardoned six men implicated in the Iran-contra affair, including former Defense Secretary Weinberger. Bill Clinton, despite stating he would not, pardoned his half-brother Roger for past cocaine charges. Advertisement Similarly, Donald Trump pardoned his son-in-law Jared Kushners father for tax evasion and for retaliating against a cooperating witness. Both had already served their prison sentences. During the latter part of his first term, Trump issued pardons to various individuals who had engaged in wrongdoing. President Gerald Ford announced his decision to pardon former president Richard Nixon fifty years ago. A relieved Hunter said in a statement, I have admitted and taken responsibility for my mistakes during the darkest days of my addiction mistakes that have been exploited to publicly humiliate and shame me and my family for political sport. The case against Hunter Biden has spanned several years, involving allegations of tax crimes and gun fences. He was convicted in June and pleaded guilty to tax evasion in September. Biden said Hunter was selectively and unfairly prosecuted and pointed out that the charges were politically motivated. The immediate impact of the pardon is that it makes it harder for Democrats to criticize Trump. President-elect Trump plans to pardon people charged with the January 6 events. Analysts also claim that such pardons could undermine the US democratic system, Presidents often use their pardon powers for friends and allies. A controversial case was former President Richard Nixon, who Gerald Ford pardoned on 8 September 1974. Nixon faced possible prosecution for the Watergate scandal. President Biden has pardoned 25 individuals, none directly connected to him. Typically, presidents approve several clemency requests toward the end of their terms. Still, a pardon damages the publics trust in the presidency. For instance, President Bill Clinton signed 140 pardons on 20 January 2001his final day in office. Many lawmakers are worried about the potential bad precedent for the future. One way of solving the problem could be to amend the Constitution. But this is a lengthy process, and neither party has the numbers to carry it through Congress. Recent Supreme Court rulings have made it more difficult to charge a president for actions taken while in office. They limit the avenues for holding a president accountable for any potential misuse of the pardon power. After Hunters plea deal, President Biden is considering granting broad pardons to protect his aides and officials. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that before leaving the White House, Biden plans to issue additional pardons. An official of Ghanas Electoral Commission (EC) has been detained in the Bono East Region during the ongoing general election polls in Ghana, the police announced Saturday. The EC official is said to have issued ballot papers to voters without the first presidential candidate on the ballot paper, according to a statement issued by the police, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement The suspect is under investigation for issuing about 15 ballot papers to voters that omitted the first presidential candidate at the Ampesika-Bayere polling station, it said. Advertisement Ghanaians are currently voting in a general election to elect a President and 276 parliamentarians on Saturday. The polls are expected to close at exactly 5 p.m., local time, which will be followed by vote counting and declarations at the polling station levels. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that its Air Force struck a Hezbollah militant in southern Lebanon on Saturday. According to the IDF, the militant posed a threat to the troops deployed in southern Lebanon in violation of the agreements and understandings between Israel and Lebanon, as reported by Xinhua news agency. Advertisement It added that the attack was part of IDF operations on Saturday against several terrorist activities in southern Lebanon that posed a threat to Israel. Advertisement The statement noted that the IDF maintains the ceasefire conditions, remains deployed in southern Lebanon, and will operate against any threat against Israel and its citizens. The ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, went into effect on November 27, aiming to halt nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Despite the truce, tensions remain high as both sides exchange accusations of ceasefire violations. Rebel forces in Syria claimed on Sunday that President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country, describing him as a tyrant, after they captured the capital city, Damascus. According to international media reports, Assad reportedly fled on a plane to an undisclosed location just hours before the rebel forces seized control of the city. Advertisement The rebels, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), advanced toward Damascus after capturing the city of Homs. On Saturday, they had also announced their control over the Daraa region in southern Syria. Advertisement It is the end of a dark era and the beginning of a new one, a British news channels website quoted HTS as saying on Telegram. Reports indicate that the rebels have freed a large number of inmates from Saydnaya prison. The group stated that people displaced or imprisoned during Assads regime are now free to return home. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, announced that public institutions will remain under the control of former Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali for the time being. Meanwhile, Al-Jalali issued a public statement expressing his support for the rebels. He stated that he remains in the country and is ready to assist in rebuilding Syria. He also emphasized the need for Syria to establish friendly relations with its neighbors and transition toward normalcy. The opposition in Syria is celebrating the fall of Assads regime, calling it the end of a dark era. Hadi al-Bahra, a leading opposition figure, promised respect for human rights and the dignity of all Syrians in a statement to the public. The Syrian revolution is for all Syrians. No Syrians dignity will be humiliated; no one will be oppressed, and no one will be persecuted, he declared, congratulating citizens on this historic moment. Al-Bahra also held a meeting with the European Union Charge dAffaires to Syria, Michael Ohnmacht, and his delegation to discuss the latest political and ground-level developments in the country. Every morning, I look in the mirror and begin to pull faces at myself. I screw up my mouth like a mouse about 10 times. Then I yank my cheeks up to my ear. I also take my tongue and roll it in the inside of my mouth several times. I pull up my forehead until it hurts and stretch my under-eye skin until I bruise it. This new form of self-torture is called face yoga, and frankly my dears, it feels ridiculous. But every beauty beast on Instagram swears by it. If you dont want to get Botox or fillers, dont. Heres another way of looking stupid. The means and methods to combat ageing are really where every pharmaceutical company in this world is focused. They have not found a cure for cancer, or the common cold. But they insist that every product from their stableeither an injectable, or a serum, or an ingestible tabletcan make you younger. As if. Nothing can make you younger other than eating vegetables, drinking a lot of water and having enough exercise to ensure good blood circulation. All we need is sunscreen and a daily moisturiser, everything else is an experiment. We all know this. And yet we hope against common sense to try and fix the unfixable. Theres a new amazing biological horror filmThe Substancethat chronicles the phenomenon of chasing youth medically. It stars Demi Moore as an ageing, fading celebrity who uses a banned drug to get younger to frightful effects. The film premiered at Cannes in May and has been a commercial and critical success in the US. It is a terrific movie that mirrors the bipolarity in a womans consciousness using the older Moore and her younger self as two separate entities. Moores character loses her job as a TV aerobic instructor as the producers find her too old. She gets introduced to the drug that causes her to birth a younger woman from a slit in her back. The younger woman must return to the original body within seven days or hell breaks irreversibly loose. Anyways, the two women despise each other and eventually both end up in a puddle of blood. This is the second film by French director Coralie Fargeat; her first, Revenge, was a revenge-post-rape thriller that won rave reviews. The Guardian chronicles the life of a young woman who had a nose job at 22, and started injecting fillers at 25. When she got pregnant, she realised the horror fillers had done to her; her face was swollen thanks to the hyaluronic acid. She had to have three rounds of surgery to dissolve the fillers. She was left with four centimetres of loose skin, which she had to correct with a facelift. Just one doctor agreed to do the facelift as she was just 34, and it took nine hours to pick out the green balls of fillers from under her skin. December is my birthday month. It has always been so festive and happy, with good weather and end-of-year cheer all around. This is usually when I am trawling websites to draw up a list of presents I will ask from my friends and family. But all I want from them now is a lot of lunches over several glasses of expensive wine, and a lot of movie nights. December is actually frightful, it reminds us of how little time we have. Better to make faces at oneself and have a little laugh. Thats sure to give you a glow. @namratazakaria There are certain things in politics that you demand when you are in the opposition, but give a quiet burial once you gain power. The Henderson Brooks report on the Chinese aggression is one such. The BJP had been taunting successive Congress regimes for keeping it under wraps, even hinting that the Congress had much to hide about the disastrous episode. The BJP has been in power for 10 years now, but has avoided even talking about the report. Understandable! Only when you are in power and become privy to secrets, do you realise the perils of freeing certain genii that your predecessors had kept bottled up for everybodys good. Then there are demands that are raised by many, opposed by none, yet never granted. Separate state demands are often not alwayslike that. Someone makes a demand and parties lend their voice, but quietly forget it once they are in power. Currently there are close to 50 demands ranging from Ahomland in Assam and Awadh in UP to Vidarbha in Maharashtra and Vindhya Pradesh in MP. One demand that made news last month was the one for Mithilanchal, a region partly in Bihar that claims to be the land of Sitas birth and the home of the Madhubani art, the beauty of which was discovered and told to the world by William Archer while administering earthquake relief in 1934. Incidentally, Delhi got the cradle of Indian farm science thanks to this quakethe Pusa Institute came to Delhi after its original home in Pusa, Mithila, collapsed in the quake. Lets rise from the ruins of the past to the politics of Mithilanchals present. Those demanding separation say they have a culture and language distinct from Bihars, and that the Centre and the state have neglected the region, leaving them to suffer regular droughts and floods. Their share of sugar production has fallen from 40 per cent of Indias to just four, and most of their youngsters are away as migrant workers. Leaders from virtually every party have endorsed the demand, but none has taken it up for action. Rabri Devi of the opposition RJD asked for it in Bihars upper house last month, where BJP leaders were extolling Narendra Modi for getting the Constitution rendered in Maithili language. Rabri asked them to get Modi to grant the Maithilis a separate state, but no one asked her why she hadnt taken it up when she, or her husband, was ruling the state. Indeed, a CM or a state legislature cant create a state. A bill to make a new state can be introduced only in Parliament, and only if the president asks the house. But the president should first get the concurrence of the legislature of the state whose territory is to be cut, reshaped, melded or welded. Even if the state legislature concurs, Parliament can still say no. Tough task on paper, but easy if there is political concurrence. In the case of Mithilanchal, it appears there is. Several of those in the forefront of the Mithilanchal movement have been BJP leaders. The JD(U)s CM Nitish Kumar and several of his party colleagues have indicated support; so has the RJDs Tejashwi Yadav. Only the Congress hasnt said a word yet, but they dont matter much in Bihar politics. Yet, Mithilanchal remains a mirage. For four reasons. One, no one is sure whether it has resources to sustain itself. Two, no one gives away territory willingly. Three, there is only political concurrence, not political will. Four, Bihar has already been bifurcated once in the last two decades. Trifurcation of territory ends in tragedy. Read King Lear. The Embassy of France in India hosted a ceremony today to confer the insignia of Commandeur de lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres upon Raj Rewal, one of Indias most celebrated architects. The award was presented by H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, in recognition of Mr Rewals exceptional contributions to architecture, his profound cultural influence, and his role in strengthening Indo-French ties through art and design. Born in Punjab in 1934, Raj Rewal emerged as a visionary in the second generation of Indian architects, shaping a modern, secular India after its independence. After completing his education at the Delhi School of Architecture and the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, Mr Rewals time in Paris under the mentorship of Michel Ecochard profoundly influenced his contextual and human-centric design philosophy. Honored to confer Commandeur de lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres on Raj Rewal, one of the most iconic Indian architects & a dear friend of France. His vision transcends borders, harmonizing cultural heritage with modernity, a true source of inspiration for future generations. pic.twitter.com/3wSrHkbFIp Thierry Mathou (@thierry_mathou) December 4, 2024 Mr Rewals career reflects a deep commitment to blending Indias rich cultural heritage with contemporary design principles. His projects, including for example in India, the Parliament Library Building, the Jang-e-Azadi Memorial, the Hall of Nations, and the Nehru Pavilion, have illustrated throughout the years his ability to marry tradition with innovation. The Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, highlighted Mr Rewals enduring connection with France, seen not only in his early career but also later on, during his collaboration with French architect Paul Chemetov on the premises of the Embassy of France in New Delhi. This partnership is a testament to the creative synergy between India and France. The Ambassador also honored Mr. Rewals personal ties to France through his family and the enduring cultural bridge he represents. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Mathou said: "Raj Rewals vision transcends borders, harmonizing cultural heritage with the demands of modernity. His architecture is a language of resilience, sustainability, and creativity, inspiring generations. Today, we elevate our recognition of his genius to the highest level, as he truly embodies the spirit of Indo-French collaboration in the arts." Raj Rewal had previously been named Chevalier de lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres in 2005 and received the Chevalier de la Legion dHonneur in 2016. This new honour as Commandeur underscores his continued impact on the cultural and intellectual dialogue between India and France. As certain parts of the country move into a colder winter this year on account of La Nina, provisional government data points to higher monthly coal production. Indias coal production in November 2024 rose 7.39 per cent year-on-year to 90.8 million tonnes (MT). In contrast, last November saw 84.56MT. The highest production growth was reported in the Captives/Others units, with a year-on-year jump of 39.13 per cent to 17.32MT. Year-to-date production till November stood at a total of 628.37MT, up 6.26 per cent from the same period last year. Out of the total coal produced, 85.52MT was despatched to various sectors in November. The power sector came on top, taking a major chunk of italmost 71 per cent or 70.95MT of coal. Much of it could also be attributed to a slight increase in coal-based power generation, which inched 0.57 per cent higher. Yet, it was good news for sustainable power sources, with monthly hydropower generation soaring 30.9 per cent to 9,491MW and power generated from renewable energy systems or RES (wind, solar, biomass, etc.) rose 16.3 per cent to 14,586MW for the month of November. Last week, the Coal Ministry of India put 27 coal blocks on offer across various states in the 11th round of commercial coal mine auctions, launched by the union minister for coal and mines, G Kishan Reddy. Out of the 27 on offer, 14 were fully explored and 13 were partially explored blocks. The ministry, in its statement, said that the new non-coking coal blocks were expected to generate an annual revenue of around Rs 1,446 crore at peak capacity, and lead to over 19,000 jobs. All Indian nationals in strife-torn Syria are safe, and the Indian Embassy in Damascus is in touch with them, reports said, quoting sources in the External Affairs Ministry. The sources said the embassy continues to remain operational and is available to assist the Indian nationals in Syria. According to the External Affairs Ministry sources, the Indian Embassy continues to remain operational in #Damascus, #Syria. The sources said the Embassy is in touch with all Indian nationals, and they are safe. Sources said the Embassy remains available to assist Indian All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 8, 2024 New Delhi has already issued an advisory urging its citizens not to travel to the Arabic republic as Islamist-led rebels continue to make further advances in the country. It has also urged those staying in that country to exercise "utmost precaution" and restrict their movements. The Indian Embassy has opened a helpline number, +963 993385973 and an email ID, hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in. Those who can are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights, and others are requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum, the MEA said. On Sunday, the opposition fighters entered the capital city of Damascus, completing the fall of Bashar Assad's government. According to reports, Assad took a flight from Damascus and left early Sunday, though there was no immediate official statement from the Syrian government. The ousted presidents whereabouts remain unknown. The developments have worsened the security situation in the region, with both Jordan and Lebanon closing all their land border crossings with Syria. The Islamist rebels took control of the central Syrian city of Homs on Thursday after capturing much of Aleppo, the country's largest city. Tens of thousands of people have been fleeing Homs. "We have taken note of the recent escalation in fighting in the north of Syria. We are closely following the situation. There are about 90 Indian nationals in Syria, including 14 who are working in various UN organisations," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. The BJP in Maharashtra accused the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi and NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar of double standards on Sunday as the latter conducted anti-EVM protests in Solapur, Maharashtra. Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) is conducting protesting against electronic voting machines, doubting its authenticity, at Markadwadi village in Solapur, Maharashtra. The veteran politician urged the country should revert to paper ballot system of voting in elections. The Sharad Pawar factions protest comes after the oppositions poor performance in the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly polls. The MVA prominently comprising of Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) and NCP cumulatively won less than 60 seats in the election. VIDEO | Maharashtra: NCP (SP) to hold EVM Hatao protest in Markadwadi. Party Chief Sharad Pawar is present at the protest site. #EVM___ #Markadwadi pic.twitter.com/MtPgaeTWrC Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 8, 2024 Addressing party workers, Sharad Pawar said the results of recently held Maharashtra Assembly polls have created doubts among people. Elections happen, some win some lose...but in the recently concluded election in Maharashtra, people have doubt over the election process and voters are not feeling confident, the veteran politician said. Pawar asked when many developed nations conduct polls using paper ballots, why not India. America, England and many European countries are conducting elections on ballots, not on EVM. When the whole world is holding elections on the ballot, why not us?" ANI reported quoting Pawar. Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the opposition should accept defeat and their lies have been rejected by voters. "Sharad Pawar should accept defeat. He suffered a great loss in these elections. The kind of lies they (MVA) said in the Lok Sabha elections were all rejected by the people. It doesn't behove a person of his age to lie, ANI reported quoting Bawankule. The BJP leader said Pawar did not oppose EVMs when they won during the Lok Sabha polls. Several elections have been held on EVM in Maharashtra. They did not say anything when 31 of their people were elected as MPs... Pawar Sahab is running around to save his face in the upcoming local body elections. He knows that MVA is going to lose the upcoming elections. They will lose the deposit too, the state BJP chief said. Jammu and Kashmir police recovered the bullet-ridden bodies of two personnel from a department van in Udhampur during the early hours of Sunday. Another police constable who was in the vehicle did not suffer any injuries and senior officials are inquiring. According to police, the constable-rank officers were en route to Subsidiary Training Centre, in Talwara, Reasi district from Sopore, Kashmir on Sunday morning when the incident occurred. The driver constable and a head constable died in the incident while a selection grade constable, who was also travelling in the vehicle, escaped unhurt. #WATCH | J&K: Two Police personnel died and one injured in an incident of alleged fratricide and suicide in Rehambal area of Udhampur district. One Police personnel injured. Police officials present at the spot. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/8qhHZoPZia ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2024 On information, senior police officials rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies. The bodies of the slain police personnel were shifted to the district hospital for autopsy. A senior police official said the bullet-riddled bodies of the cops were seen lying inside a police van near the Kali Mata temple in Rehembal area of Udhampur around 6.30am. The slain personnel hailed from Srinagar and Sopore in Kashmir. Udhampur SSP Amod Nagpure said, "At 6.30am, Rehambal police station received information that two police personnel onboard a police vehicle going from Sopore to Talwara have sustained bullet injuries. The vehicle had three police personnel onboard. Officers from Rehambal station and senior police officers reached the spot. In the initial investigation, it was found that it was a matter of fratricide and suicide; two police personnel died and the third is safe, ANI reported. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, fratricide is defined as the crime of murdering your brother, or killing members of your own group or country. Police said as per the preliminary probe, a service weapon was used for the murder. In the preliminary forensic examination and analysis of bodies, it was found that rounds were fired from an AK-47, which was the service weapon. Both bodies have been shifted to GMC Udhampur for postmortem, Nagpure said. The 14-year-long civil war in Syria culminated on Sunday morning with rebels taking over the Syrian capital of Damascus. While the whereabouts of President Bashar al-Assad are not known yet, speculations are rife that he fled Syria, a country his family ruled for over 50 years, to an unknown destination. But, not without some last-ditch attempt to remain in power. Assad is said to have turned to both US President-Elect Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to ensure his grip on power remains intact, according to Iran International, an Iranian website based out of London. Was waiting for a footage like this one. Syrians pull down Assads statue in Homs, chanting: Freedom, forever, whether you like it or not Assad. pic.twitter.com/VIkCSW9jnf Hussain Abdul-Hussain (@hahussain) December 7, 2024 Ali Khamenei's senior advisor Ali Larijani is said to have visited Assad on Friday in Damascus as rebels advanced towards the capital and offered Tehran's support, according to Iranian MP Yaghoub Rezazadeh and the state-run Al-Alam TV. However, there is little indication that Tehran is willing to support Assad as Iranian-backed forces and the Syrian army withdrew from several positions. Iran also evacuated its military commanders and personnel, including senior Quds Force commanders from Syria on Friday. Lebanon's Hezbollah, which once sent thousands of fighters to fight for Assad, has ditched him after suffering huge setbacks in the battle against Israel. Not just Iran, Assad reached out to the West as well. He extended indirect diplomatic overtures to the US and President-elect Donald Trump seeking help, reported Bloomberg. He reportedly told the US via the United Arab Emirates that he is ready to cut all involvement with Iran-backed militant groups if the Western powers come to his aid in fighting the rebels. Assad is also said to have as dispatched a senior Christian leader to meet Hungarian President Viktor Orban to convey the existential threat to the Syrian Christian minority if Islamist rebels prevail. "The intention was that Orban, a Trump ally, would convey this danger to the incoming US president," the Bloomberg report said, citing sources. Though Assad hoped his ally Russia would come to his aid, President Vladimir Putin was reportedly not thrilled by the way how Syrian army fled. Also, Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine. Now, Assad's men only have control of only two of 14 provincial capitals: Latakia and Tartus. After toppling the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Jolani in a statement said, "there is no turning back" now and the group is determined to continue the path they started during the Arab spring. "The future is ours," al-Jolani's statement read on Syrias state TV said. Syrians entered the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Sunday after the fall of Bashar Assads government. Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown. pic.twitter.com/mH3GYmebYS Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) December 8, 2024 The leader of Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, al-Jolani, visited Damascus's landmark Umayyad Mosque after securing victory. Amid tensions of Arab Spring reigniting, the Qatar foreign ministry said that Arab states will seek to avert the threat of another Syrian civil war by starting an open dialogue with all the forces on the ground to ensure any transition is inclusive of all Syrians regardless of ethnicity. Syrian rebels in Damascus walking around Assad's presidential palace. An outcome that would have seemed impossible 10 days ago. Dictators fall quickly and unexpectedly. pic.twitter.com/aTgstPZSpv Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) December 8, 2024 Majed al-Ansari, Qatars foreign affairs ministry spokesperson expressed relief that there was only very limited fighting involved. "It makes it easier for international actors to go in and start engaging before any fighting might erupt amongst parties on the ground." No one group, no one party or sect should feel unsafe or excluded in the future of Syria, he added. What is next for Syria? Hadi al-Bahra, president of the Syrian National Coalition, Syria's main opposition abroad said the country should draft a constitution within six months, on which first election would be a referendum. The constitution will say, are we going to have a parliamentary system, presidential system, or mixed system? And based on this, we do the election and the people choose their leader, al-Bahra said. He said that Syria should have an 18-month transition period to establish "a safe, neutral, and quiet environment" for free elections. Al-Bahra also added that he had asked the state employees to continue to report until the power transition and assured them that they would not be harmed. Prisoners walk out of jail After Bashar al-Assad's government collapsed, prisoners walked out of Syrian prisons with joy. Newly freed prisoners ran through the Damascus streets and reunited with their families. Hundreds of people were placed in detention throughout the civil war that began in 2011. Families were often told nothing of their loved ones' fate. The most notorious prisons in Damascus were finally opened in the early hours of Sunday after Syrian rebels seized the capital. Russia on Sunday said that Bashar al-Assad has left the country after giving orders there be a peaceful handover of power. Though it's unclear where he is, the Russian foreign ministry said that Moscow was not part of the talks relating to his departure. Amid tensions, Russia's military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert. Russia, a key ally of Assad, said that it was in touch with all Syrian opposition groups and urged all sides to refrain from violence. Also read | Is Bashar al-Assad DEAD? Syrian president's flight vanishes after leaving Damascus as Syrian rebels topple regime Watch: Inside the private residence of Syrian President Bashar al Assad hours after he fled the country. Live updates: https://t.co/OTbVB2OuQS Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/1IP93whGU2 Sky News (@SkyNews) December 8, 2024 While acknowledging the fall of the government, the Syrian foreign ministry issued a statement saying, a new page is being written in the history of Syria today. "To inaugurate a national covenant and charter that unites the word of the Syrians... unites them and does not divide them, in order to build one homeland in which justice and equality prevail and in which everyone enjoys all rights and duties, far from one opinion. And citizenship is the basis," read the statement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic and its diplomatic missions abroad will remain committed to serving all fellow citizens and managing their affairs, based on the trust they bear in representing the Syrian people, and that the homeland remains supreme, the statement added. A popular uprising against Assad was suppressed in 2011 when Syrians first took to the streets and demanded his exit. It paved the way for a civil war with over 3 lakh people killed in 10 years of fighting. International rights groups and prosecutors alleged widespread use of torture and extrajudicial killings in Syria's government-run detention centres. Amid questions raised on Assad's disappearance, Turkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan said that he is "probably outside of Syria." An end to decades of Alawite dynasty rule Assad came to power in 2000 after his oldest brother, Basil, who his father had been grooming as his successor, died in a car crash in Damascus. His father Hafez Assad died in 2000 and soon after the parliament lowered the presidential age requirement from 40 to 34. Bashar's elevation was sealed by a nationwide referendum, where he was the only candidate. A Soviet-style centralised economy was set up under the nearly 30 years of rule by Hafez. He pursued a secular ideology that sought to bury sectarian differences under Arab nationalism and the image of heroic resistance to Israel, reported The Associated Press. During his rule, an alliance was formed with the Shiite leadership in Iran, sealed Syrian domination over Lebanon and set up a network of Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups. While assuming charge after his father, Bashar freed political prisoners and allowed more open discourse. He was not equated to his father in the beginning. But during the Arab Spring, he had to rely on old alliances to stay in power. Throughout, Assad relied largely on the same power base at home as his father: his Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam comprising around 10% of the population. When 2011 protests erupted in Tunisia and Egypt, eventually toppling their rulers, Assad dismissed the possibility of the same occurring in his country. However, when the Arab Spring wave reached Syria, his security forces staged a brutal crackdown while Assad consistently denied he was facing a popular revolt. Syrias minority groups including Christians, Druze and Shiites as well as some Sunnis feared the prospect of rule by Sunni extremists. As the uprising spiralled into a civil war, millions of Syrians fled to Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon and on to Europe. President-elect Donald Trump greeted and met with the UKs Prince William at the British ambassadors residence in Paris, where major world leaders were present, during the grand reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral. The Notre Dame event felt like an unofficial swearing-in of US President-elect Donald Trump as French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Trump to Paris, where they both met with Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Prince of Wales greets President @realDonaldTrump at the British Ambassador's Residence pic.twitter.com/VsYvOmk8gI Margo Martin (@margomartin) December 7, 2024 Trump embraced Macron upon his arrival at the Elysee Palace, after a full diplomatic red-carpet welcome that Paris usually does for world leaders in office. Trump is set to assume office only by January 20, 2025, but European leaders are treating him as the top US representative. The official American representative was, however, US first lady Jill Biden, after sitting president Joe Biden declined the French invitation to attend the Notre Dame ceremony. Tesla CEO Elon Musk was also present at the event. Trump meets with UK's Prince William | Margo Martin (Dy Comms Director, Trump's office on X) United States, Ukraine and France. Together, on this historic day. United for Notre Dame. Lets continue to work together for peace and security, Macron posted on the social media platform, X. Trump: US should stay out of Syria conflict Earlier this weekend, US president-elect Trump voiced his opinion on the escalating conflict in Syria, stating that the American military forces need to stay out of the flight in the region. This is not our fight, he said in a social media post. With the rebel advance gaining ground against Syrias now-fleeing president Bashar Assad, current US president Joe Biden, through his national security adviser, also stressed the US administrations non-intervention in the issue. As India-Bangladesh relations sour over political turmoil, Dhaka is looking at sources other than India to import potatoes and onions in a bid to wean off its dependence on India. Dhaka sources potatoes just from India while onions come mostly from India and Myanmar, while some of it comes from Pakistan, China, and Turkey. India traditionally enjoys a strong trade surplus with its neighbour and the country is a major market for Indias textile and agricultural exports. Exports to Bangladesh rose from US$3.2 billion in 2010-11 to a peak of US$16.2 billion in 2021-22. However, after the interim government assumed power, the trade between India and Bangladesh had dipped. The current turmoil over the ISKCON monk's arrest has dried up trade via the Integrated Check Post Fulbari Indo-Bangladesh border. The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission is said to have found some potential sources and alerted the country's commerce ministry. Talks were also held with the importers, reported Prothom Alo. The plan is to replace Indian potatoes with those from Germany, Egypt, China, and Spain. Onions can be bought from China, Pakistan and Turkey. "The BTTC has identified alternative sources to keep the price and supply of potatoes and onions stable. We would urge importers to consider these alternatives," Selim Uddin, secretary to the commerce ministry, told Prothom Alo. The reasons cited by authorities for the move are "the rising prices of onions and potatoes in the Indian market" and the "various decisions taken by Indian authorities to discourage exports." Bangladeshi authorities also cited an alleged increase in price as another reason. The BTTC alleged a rise of 10.59 per cent and an annual rise of 131 per cent for onions and potatoes. India had confirmed the visit by its Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Dhaka on Monday. As Syrian rebels announced the end of the 24-year rule of the Alawite dynasty's President Bashar al-Assad, world leaders have mixed reactions to the end of his rule. United States US President Joe Biden said that his team are closely monitoring the 'extraordinary events' in Syria and is staying in constant touch with regional partners, the White House said in a statement. Also read | Is Bashar al-Assad DEAD? Syrian president's flight vanishes after leaving Damascus as Syrian rebels topple regime Overjoyed Syrian opposition supporters interrupted Al Jazeera's @ZeinakhodrAljaz with cheers of victory during her live report on the Lebanon-Syria border. pic.twitter.com/0JA3XVc9oK Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 8, 2024 While US President-elect Donald Trump said, "Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success," he added. Watch: Inside the private residence of Syrian President Bashar al Assad hours after he fled the country. Live updates: https://t.co/OTbVB2OuQS Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/1IP93whGU2 Sky News (@SkyNews) December 8, 2024 Also read | Bashar al-Assad net worth: Arms trade to money laundering, how rich is Syrian President's family? While Syrian rebels encircled Damascus on Saturday, Trump said that the US should not involve itself in the conflict. "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT," he said. Turkey Foreign minister Hakan Fidan said that Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people will shape the future of their own country, today there is hope. Fidan extended Turkey's support and said a new Syrian administration must be established inclusively, there should be no desire for revenge. "Opposition groups must be united. We will work for stability and safety in Syria," he said. The new Syria should not pose a threat to neighbours, he added. Turkey was one of the main backers of the rebels. Russia Deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament Konstantin Kosachyov said Syrians will have to cope with a full-scale civil war alone. Germany German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said that the end of Assads rule means the first big sigh of relief for Syrians. "Assad has murdered, tortured and used poison gas against his own people. He must finally be held accountable for this." The country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals - regardless of the guise. We therefore call on the parties to the conflict to live up to their responsibility for all Syrians, she added. Italy Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said, "I am following up with concern about the evolution of the situation in Syria. I am in constant contact with our embassy in Damascus and with the office of the Prime Minister. I have called an emergency meeting at 10:30 at the Foreign Ministry. France France welcomed the news of the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and called for fighting to end and a peaceful political transition in the country. "Now is the time for unity in Syria," the foreign ministry said. Spain Foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said, "The situation appears to be peaceful. Spain has always hoped for a peaceful solution for Syria. United Kingdom UKs Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said, "Dictatorship and terrorism create problems for the people of Syria who have faced so much already and also destabilise the region. That's why we have to have a political solution where the government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people. That's what we want to see." The Syrian rebel forces, an alliance led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), entered the capital Damascus on Sunday morning with little resistance from President Bashar al-Assad's troops. Special rebel operatives are inside the capital and are taking up key positions in "strategic places". "Militarily, Damascus has fallen," CNN quoted a source which added that the rebels were in Barzeh, a neighbourhood inside Damascus city. Clashes are reportedly happening in the area where rebel fighters and their vehicles were seen moving through the inner alleys of Barzeh. Footage showed residents and rebels toppling a huge statue of Assads father and former president Hafez al-Assad in the citys Jaramana suburb. There are also videos doing rounds on the internet showing Syrian army forces removing their uniforms. Many are in talks with rebel leaders to defect. While the Syrian Defense Ministry continues to claim that their forces have withdrawn from Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the army withdrew from positions in the Damascus countryside roughly 10 kilometres from the capital. The rebels are also freeing detainees from Sednaya prison, a notorious detention facility near Damascus. It is said that the Assad regime puts its opponents inside Sednaya, which many refer to as a human slaughterhouse. Hours earlier, the rebels claimed they "fully liberated" the major city of Homs, north of the capital. Rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani claimed on Saturday that their forces had begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus. The rebels had also liberated four Syrian cities, Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda and Homs, within 24 hours. Also read: Wary of resurgence of ISIS and Al Qaeda, Indian agencies keep close watch on Syrian fallout Where is President Assad? The US and the West are expecting the Assad regime to fall in days. As of Sunday morning, there is no hint of a functioning government. The spy units entered Damascus overnight searching for President Bashar al-Assad but were unable to find him. Speculations are rife that the President has fled the capital. However, Assad's Office called the rumours "false news" and said the President is still in the capital "following up on his work and national and constitutional duties". Hezbollah too is pulling its forces from Damascus and Homs, instructing its fighters to head to Latakia (in Syria) and others to the Hermel area in Lebanon. "Hezbollah fighters have also vacated their positions around Damascus," a source told AFP. As Syrian rebels break into the capital city of Damascus on Sunday morning, there are concerns about the fate of President Bashar al-Assad, who has reportedly fled the country. A US official told CNN that "by next weekend the Assad regime will have lost any semblance of power." Speculations are rife that Assad, a trained doctor who took over from his father, has fled the country with his British-born wife, Asma al-Assad and three children. However, his office rubbished the speculations that he fled Syria, stating he is still in Damascus "following up on his duties". The US and the West believe the Assad regime could collapse in days after the 14-year-long civil war. There is no formal assessment of his fate yet, there are fears that even his death couldn't be ruled out. "The emerging consensus is that is an increasingly plausible scenario," a senior US official told CNN. Syrians celebrated the fall of the 53-year Assad dynasty by performing prostrations of gratitude to God. pic.twitter.com/lxm8aujExZ Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024 Syrian rebels advanced toward Damascus as front lines collapsed across the country, posing an existential threat to President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year rule https://t.co/QeRoYnY35N pic.twitter.com/Cyvcw240cY Reuters (@Reuters) December 8, 2024 So far, there is no sight of Assad in Damascus. However, he could be in his hometown of Al-Qardaha, which is close to a Russian base, or even in Tehran. Though an ally of Russia and Iran, who kept Assad in power for the last decade, it is unlikely that they would swoop in to save him. While Russia is busy in Ukraine, Iran has suffered a series of setbacks against Israel. Charles Lister, director of the Syria program at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, said though Russian President Vladimir Putin saved Assad in 2015, he won't do so this time. However, Assad may still try to flee to Russia or Iran where he would be offered refuge. Many are keeping track of flights in and out of Damascus to work out whether he might have left. Any remaining hope for Assad is a well-organised coup and reorganisation but reports are that his troops are already in talks about defection with rebel leaders. Videos also showed Assad's troops removing their uniforms under the poster of Assad's face. The citys main police headquarters and an army checkpoint too looked deserted. His troops offered little resistance in the cities where the rebels advanced, including Aleppo, Idlib and Hama. They are unlikely to do that in Damascus as well. "Assads folks have done a good job of stifling any potential competitors," a US official told CNN. That leaves only another superpower in the equation, the US. President-Elect Donald Trump has already made his stance clear, stating his intention to stay out of conflict. "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, he wrote, urging a hands-off approach and concluding with the message: LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" The Joe Biden administration is worried about two things, the safety of Assad's stockpile of chemical weapons, thought to include both chlorine and sarin and the potential release of ISIS prisoners detained in northeast Syria. Most women wear fear as second skinnot out of choice but because of circumstances. If women had a nickel each time they faced any assault, they would give the Elon Musks a run for their money. And, each assault leaves behind a memory that scars them for life, a memory laced with fear, pain and despair. I will never forget my medical college days. Someone came to my hostel window one night and it was the scariest experience ever. I informed my superiors but the management suppressed the issue. There was no security at the gate outside the womens hostel on the college campus, recounts a doctor who did her postgraduation in Delhi and is now practising community medicine. A few months ago, she revisited her college, and found that little had changed. I am sure some junior resident may be undergoing the same trauma that I went through, she says. She wanted to remain anonymous as she didnt want her parents to know the ordeal she went through. Fear has many in a chokehold, silencing their pain and experience, no matter how rampant and universal. The gruesome rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August sent shockwaves across the nation, igniting widespread protests and bringing to light serious concerns about safety within medical institutions. But has anything changed? Ready with care: The accident and emergency team of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Most trauma centres across India are vulnerable to attacks | Amey Mansabdar One thing I can say for sure is that there might not be a single female resident who was not catcalled while on duty inside a government hospital. The situation is same with interns, says Dr Prachi Goswami, 25, a second-year resident at the University College of Medical Sciences, a government hospital in East Delhi. All of us have been cussed and verbally abused at some point or the other. And this does not happen as much with male residents. But then, we are all used to it now. The thing is, we can still bear all of that uncouth attitude, but it gets unbearable if we dont have basic facilities like clean bathrooms and a clean place to rest during 24-hour duty. Thats what wearing fear as second skin does to youyou get used to it. Goswami used to live in a hostel, but moved back in with her family in Delhi after she felt she was being stalked on her way to work from the hostel at night. The thing with fear is that it moves with you. And, it is infectious, even when not shared. Dr Sarla Shah, a family physician in Mumbais upmarket Prabhadevi, would know. She constantly worries about her granddaughter, who works in the trauma care centre of a hospital in Mumbai. This fear is real even though my granddaughter feels Im overreacting, says Shah. I know how frustrated, angry and hot-headed an accident victims family can be. They can vent it all out on the doctor, especially if it happens to be young women who have just started out. While women doctors and nurses have it worse, men, too, have had their share of attacks. In November, a frustrated family member of a cancer patient stabbed oncologist Dr Balaji Jagannath several times at Kalaignar Centenary hospital in Chennai. A study by medical researchers in Karnataka on the nature of violence against doctors in tertiary care centres reveals that over the previous decades, violence against physicians has risen. Nearly half the physicians surveyed (48.02 per cent) reported facing violence during work hours. The department of obstetrics and gynaecology recorded 43.2 per cent of such instances, while surgery, medicine and other departments reported 23.6 per cent, 22.8 per cent and 10.4 per cent, respectively. While this was specific to Karnataka, the situation is bad across the country. Maharashtra reported 12 attacks on doctors in 18 months. A 2017 study by the Indian Medical Association said over 75 per cent of doctors across India had experienced workplace violence, while nearly 63 per cent were unable to see patients without fearing violence. Up in arms: Junior doctors protest in Kolkata following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital | Salil Bera One would think ones workplace would provide a sense of security, that a place of healing would be the last place where violence would come knocking. It is no wonder then that safety tops the wish-list of most doctors, junior or senior and in both public and private sector, that THE WEEK spoke to. These issues, says Lavleena Lagey (name changed), a nurse working at the Nanded hospital where a number of children died in the neonatal intensive care unit in 2023, arent limited to doctors alone. In the NICU in our hospital, the number of babies is always 10 times more than the sanctioned bed capacity, and we have just one staff to cater to all patients, she says. Add to that, the meagre wages, no permanent jobs, and no incentive to work well either. A nurse at the civic body-run Sion hospital in Mumbai recounts how patientsrelatives come in a state of drunken stupor and we have nowhere to go except for becoming their punching bags if their patients dont do well. But because we have to continue working, we cant say anything. There is a golden hour after any accident or heart attack, but a lot of hospitals will not take such patients in because then the goons will come in and destroy the hospital and beat up the doctors Dr H. Sudarshan Ballal, chairman, Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt Ltd A safe and stress-free work environment is a fundamental requirement and also a doctors fundamental right, says Dr H. Sudarshan Ballal, chairman, Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt Ltd. He recalls an incident after his return to India from the US. The relatives of a patient with trauma beat up a lady doctor and vandalised the emergency room soon after his death. The next day, all the doctors marched to the Raj Bhavan. The governor called the police commissioner and the vandals were arrested immediately. While in the US, Ballal had seen litigation against doctors and hospitals, but never vandalism and assault. Such attacks not only create a sense of fear among doctors and nurses, but also discourage small and mid-sized hospitals from attending to sick patients. There is a golden hour after any accident or heart attack, but a lot of hospitals will not take such patients in because then the goons will come in and destroy the hospital and beat up the doctors. So this is actually counterproductive, says Ballal. And even though the government has laws against this, which I think is criminal behaviour, it is unfortunately not implemented very effectively. I have no problem with the patients and relatives thinking that the best of care was not given, but there is a civil way of dealing with that. Trust in doctors and health care professionals is at its lowest. What was once considered a pious profession is now besieged with mistrust and every opinion by the doctor is contested and countered Dr Sandeep Agarwala, senior cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, Zydus Hospitals, Ahmedabad Dr Rajesh Mistry, an oncologist from Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital in Mumbai recounts a case involving a 65-year-old man with oral cavity cancer and an extremely weak heart. His medical condition and the associated risks of surgery were thoroughly explained to both him and his family, he says. After understanding these risks, they consented to proceed. The surgery was uneventful, but tragically, the patient suffered a cardiac arrest in the ICU and could not be revived despite our best efforts. While I could understand the grief of the family, they started abusing our team, including the resident doctors. Thankfully, the situation did not escalate into violence, as we often see in similar cases. Such incidents are deeply disheartening for medical professionals who dedicate themselves to the well-being of their patients. There should be greater empathy for health care providers during difficult times. Doctors say they are aware of the frustration that stems from a patients slow (or no) recovery and from the burden of out-of-pocket expenditure and how all that frustration is eventually directed at the doctors, who are no longer trusted for their expertise. Trust in doctors and health care professionals is at its lowest, says Dr Sandeep Agarwala, senior cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, Zydus Hospitals, Ahmedabad. What was once considered a pious profession is now besieged with mistrust and every opinion by the doctor is contested. Misinformation and quick-fix treatments, the presence of social media and superficial interpretation of information available on the internet adds to more confusion rather than clarity in the mind of patients. Outcomes may be positive or negative, but they should be effectively conveyed to the relatives of patients in a language that they understand Dr Swapnil Khadake, head, critical care, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi in Navi Mumbai A research paper titled Current challenges for doctors in India, published in Sociology of Health and Illness, says that the public image of doctors in India has become negative; they are seen as greedy people who were in nexus with pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers. A few doctors make it impossible to shed this kind of an image, says Shah. In India, there are sections of the population who dismiss a doctor as someone who is self-indulgent and profiteering but those same people come to us eventually to get themselves and their loved ones treated and then suddenly we become God. Many senior doctors wish their juniors and those entering the profession are taught how to communicate effectively as part of their syllabus, so as to be adept at managing difficult relatives. Treatment wise, everyone is right in their place because everyone has to follow national, international or government guidelines to treat any disease or any particular pathological abnormality, complications or side effects, says Dr Swapnil Khadake, head, critical care, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai. Outcomes may be positive or negative, but they should be effectively conveyed to the relatives of patients in a language that they understand. Effective and long-term health insurance is another key issue for doctors, especially those working in the private sector. This issue is not very easy to address, but it has to be done, says Ballal. In the west, even when the patient in the emergency room is sick or has died, the hospital takes care of the patient and they dont have to really worry about the payment, as the insurance company takes care of it. Whereas in India, because a lot of this payment may have to be out of ones own pocket, people react violently, especially if the outcome is poor or bad, and they take it out on the doctors and the hospitals. That a patient needs to have faith in the doctors instinct and knowledge is a priority on the doctors wish-list. Many doctors say that no matter how educated the patient, they tend to trust Google more than their doctor. Dr Arun Bal, director, diabetic foot surgery, S.L. Raheja hospital, Mahim, Mumbai, once had a foreign-returned, highly educated college professor for a patient. She saw on social media that if you soak a bel leaf in water and tie it to your right toe for seven days, your diabetes will be under control, he recounts. After seven days, she reported to the hospital with fever and vomiting. We found that all her toes had become gangrenous because of infection. We had to remove all her toes and she had to undergo dialysis. So a major problem that I face in my practice is how do I educate an educated person about such problems. It is extremely challenging. My wish is that people take us doctors seriously and do not give in to quackery. Increasing awareness about various ailments among people and the willingness to abide by prescriptions tops the wish-list of Dr Akanksha Parikh, paediatric endocrinologist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital. And, that wish of hers comes from a recent heartbreaking case. She had a five-year-old patient come to her with short stature and development delays. Her parents told Parikh that she was gaining weight but her height remained the same, and that she was quiet and preferred to play on her own. On examination, it was found that the little girl had thyroid hormone deficiency since birth. Thyroid hormone is an essential hormone for brain growth in an infant, especially in the first three years of life, explains Parikh. And during this period if it is deficient, it can lead to permanent neurological delay. We started this child on levothyroxine therapy and she started gaining milestonesher height improved, her speech improved and she began to be more active and started mixing with her peers. But the truth is that there is a high possibility that she still has some residual neurological delay because we started treatment late. Had this child been diagnosed at birth using a simple newborn thyroid screening, which can be performed by either sending a cord blood sample or through the newborn blood spot test, formerly called the heel prick test, we could have started treatment on time, which is ideally in the first two weeks since birth. Parikh says that, like in the west, India, too, should make newborn thyroid screening mandatory in all hospitals. She also hopes to see a permanent cure for Type 1 diabetes, which affects about two and a half lakh children in our country. Catch em young: Dr Akanksha Parikh, paediatric endocrinologist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, wants India to make newborn thyroid screening mandatory in all hospitals For doctors practising in Delhi hospitals, pollution has become a major health concern, and so they wish for the authorities to tackle it on a priority basis. The most important issue that must be addressed at present is the level of pollution we have in Delhi, says Dr P.N. Renjen, senior consultant, neurology, Indraprastha Apollo hospitals, Delhi. We all know that there was a large study by the WHO, which stated that pollution seems to be a very important modifiable risk factor for stroke and which is an absolutely preventable factor. And that is what we are seeingthe risk of stroke is higher because of the increase in pollution levels. Most of the doctors THE WEEK spoke to also listed better working conditions and hygienic work environments like clean toilets and resting rooms as part of their wish-list. These were followed by competitive salaries and timely and regular payment of salaries and reduced workload, given that many doctors endure increasing patient load and long work hours. Many junior doctors told THE WEEK that they would want to be free from performing administrative tasks and non-clinical work and be able to concentrate on patient care. Respect and recognition for the junior staff in the department, adequate health insurance and adequate indemnity were also a significant part of their wish-list. Sounds more like an essentials list than a wish-list, doesnt it? When you are online, do look up the sixth edition of The Bethesda Handbook of Clinical Oncology by Dr Jame Abraham and Dr James L. Gulley. You are unlikely to find a review below 4.5/5. And that is from diverse platforms such as Goodreads and Amazon. Abraham is chair, department of haematology and medical oncology, Cleveland Clinic. And then you have a doctor who taught himself programming while being a specialist in internal medicine, pulmonology and critical care. At the height of the Covid pandemic, he managed the Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi. Dr Madhu Sasidhar is president and CEO of Apollo Hospitals hospital division. Abraham went from Calicut Medical College to the University of Connecticut to the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Health in the US to West Virginia University before his current role in Cleveland. Sasidhar went from JIPMER to St Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City to Yale University and then capped it all with a masters in business administration from INSEAD, France. As they were friends at Cleveland Clinic, this reporter sat down with them in Delhi for a freewheeling chat on the sidelines of THE WEEK Health Summit a few weeks ago. The engineer and the Jesuit priest While it would be an understatement to call Sasidhar and Abraham overachievers, it came as a surprise when both admitted that they initially had other professions in mind. Abraham wanted to be a Jesuit priest, and one cannot but feel that there is a bit of that vocation left in him. Sasidhar wanted to be an engineer and spent a year in engineering school before joining medical college. Again, one cannot but feel that there is an engineer in him still. Im an accidental physician, Sasidhar said. I think it all turned out well. But I had a deep interest in engineering. I used to tinker with electronics. I used to fix things even when I was 13 or 14 years old. And, famously got into trouble for it. I always put things back. But I got very lucky that I absolutely fell in love with it with a subspecialty of critical care. Abraham joined medical school at 18 and balanced the rigorous schedule there with his love for literature and commitment to social issues. A favourite aunt was only 42 when she was diagnosed with cancer, and that might have been the moment that forged this soft-spoken oncologist who specialises in breast cancer. Patient-first in Cleveland Interestingly, both were not really headed to the Cleveland Clinic when they reached there. Sasidhar and his wife, Dr Amrita Chadha, had promised themselves that they would not move to a cold and snowy place. As on December 2, 2024, 8:30am EST, the temperature in Cleveland stood at -1C and was dropping. Abrahams wifeShyla Jovitha Abraham, who writes for THE WEEK Healthtoo, wondered if it was ideal to uproot themselves from their home of 11 years in West Virginia University. But both families moved, and eventually, Abraham and Sasidhar came to like the institution in their own ways. What has impressed me the most is that the Cleveland Clinic has allowed many of us to pursue our careers in different paths, Sasidhar said. For me, initially as a clinician, then as an inventor, an educator, and as an administrator. Through the Office of Professional Staff Affairs, the clinic allowed me to grow as a clinical leader, also allowing me the time and the space to innovate within clinical IT. Both swear by the deep talent pool the institution offers and the patient-first approach that guides every clinician there. You know, you hear it everywhere, but I think at the Cleveland Clinic, all of us lived it, Sasidhar said. If there was something a patient needed, there was not a question asked, we would stay back. And I think the most difficult decisions were always answered through the prism of what is best for our patients. Abraham agreed and added: At the end of the day, Im a clinician. Im here to take care of patients. (At Cleveland Clinic) I saw a system that put patients at the centre. And then, as I said, the pool of talented people is amazing. You can just call the pulmonologist who has specific expertise in pulmonary hypertension or one specific subtype. That creates an environment for innovation, research, and education in addition to the patient-centred approach. And then, of course, it creates global leaders in health care. Both doctors agreed that another unique characteristic of Cleveland Clinic is that almost everyone there is a practising physician. An example cited was Dr Beri Ridgeway, executive vice president and enterprise chief of staff at Cleveland Clinic. She leads around 4,500 doctors, and still sees patients and operates, said Abraham. And this goes up to just below the CEO. Sources said that while the current CEO, Dr Tomislav Tom Mihaljevic, does not operate or does so sparingly, his predecessorVietnam veteran Dr Delos Toby Cosgrovewas active in the operation theatre all through his 13 years at the top. Clinicians or administrators? Another aspect that THE WEEK was curious about was how the evolution of their careers has affected their time with patients. As administrators, they have HR pressures, financial tightropes to walk and many other demands on their time. When we start our journey, most of us do three things, said Abraham. We take care of patients, we do research and we teach. And then slowly other things like administration creep up. Eventually, you start gravitating towards one. In the first decade of my career, the focus was patient care and research. In the last five years, it is administration and patient care. You must give up some things, there is no other way. Sasidhar said that even as the CEO of Apollo Hospitals he leads with his training as a clinician. He said that he still sets time aside for rounds, to look into crash carts and flowsheets. And its all about how much of an impact can you make. Jame is absolutely right. It is a progression. It feels natural. I always worried about taking off the white coat and I thought maybe Ill do it one sleeve at a time. But you will know when the time and the opportunity are right. I do miss holding a bronchoscope or intubating somebody. But the time for that, I think, is over now. AI in health care Just as AIs influence in daily life is broadening, its role in medicine is, too. Sasidhar said that he first taught himself programming and coding because he was fascinated by the computers ability to solve problems. At that stage, humans had to learn the computers language, and now computers have learned our language. And now machines have gone further and learned medical language, which was always hard to understand. In some areas like computer vision, which is radiology and things that use computer vision to solve problems, youre already seeing a lot of progress with commercial solutions in the market, Sasidhar said. And I think that will continue to come upstream and continue to help physicians solve clinical problems. I also think in the realm of public health and dealing with large data sets and understanding that AI will make a substantial difference. Similarly in drug discovery and understanding the genome. Abraham quoted Yuval Noah Harari to say that AI will actually redefine who we are. He said that it will begin at a basic social level like how patients interact with doctors and vice-versa. And then, of course, the clinical space, he said. In oncology, we use a lot of genomics information. In 2024, two Nobel Prizesphysics and chemistrywent to AI research. The physics Nobel went for developing AI algorithms. But the chemistry Nobel was for protein synthesis. Madhu just mentioned protein synthesis. That will revolutionise how we develop medicines, how we understand protein structures and how we develop new drugs for specific targets. So, from a simple doctor-patient relationship to drug development, AI will completely transform medicine. While winding up, THE WEEK could not but ask these two versatile doctors this light-hearted questionname your favourite US medical drama. After a round of chuckling and head-shaking, they said this: Abraham: I should say ER or Greys Anatomy, perhaps. Funnily enough, my sonwho is applying for his residencysaid that Scrubs inspired him to take up medicine. What a bummer, I thought he was inspired by me! So, I dont have a medical drama in mind, but there is a movie that I would recommend to all my studentsAnd the Band Played On (1993). Its about the HIV epidemic, the politics and the science behind how the virus was discovered, how it transformed advocacy, and eventually, a drug was discovered. Its a fascinating movie. It tells a lot about what happened recently with Covid, too. We talk about Covid politics; HIV politics, too, was intense. So, thats one movie I have watched multiple times. Sasidhar: Frankly, I dont watch a lot of TV series, but I have seen a few episodes of some of these shows. The one that captivated me is New Amsterdam, because it is set in one of those old New York hospitals. I did my residency in one of thoseSt. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, which was celebrating 150 years when I was finishing there. Its on Amsterdam Avenue, because New York used to be called New Amsterdam. So, a very old hospital, and some parts of it really looked like the set of New Amsterdam. I made so many memories there because it was my first experience with clinical medicine in New York City. It was the tail end of the HIV epidemic in New York City, and St. Lukes was where the first AZT (anti-HIV drug) trial was. So, a lot of history, a lot of character, a very tough clinical environment in the Upper West Side, but also where I learned a lot. So, I used to love watching New Amsterdam. But I also have a funny story about my kids. When I was at Cleveland Clinic, my daughter attended an all-girls school there. I think she was in ninth grade or so, and I suddenly got a request that many of these girls wanted to volunteer in the hospital. I was very proud that they were committed to service! So, I got them into many volunteering and research programmes. Only later did I realise that they were all watching Greys Anatomy. I guess they were all disappointed that it didnt work out the way they thought it would! VIOLENT REGIME CHANGES have left many countries a shambles, with successor puppet regimes rarely managing to bring stability. Examples include Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Ukraine. Bangladesh is the latest victim of such a regime change, as it struggles to cope with the consequences of Sheikh Hasinas ouster as prime minister. Ultimately, it was the Bangladeshi armys decision to collaborate in the regime-change operations, possibly under compulsions both external and internal, that delivered the coup de grace. The imposition of Prof Mohammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner known to be friendly with former US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, as chief adviser and head of the interim government (IG) has provided acceptability to an unconstitutional government. During his US visit, Yunus, who has never been a professional politician, introduced one of the student leaders by praising his meticulous planning of the agitation to overthrow Hasina. Both Washington and Islamabad welcomed Hasinas exit. China, too, has quickly engaged with the Yunus regime. India, adopting a low-key approach, has had limited engagement with the IG. The only high-level meeting was between Indias external affairs minister and the Bangladeshi foreign adviser on the sidelines of the UN meeting in September. Scheduling problems prevented a meeting in New York of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yunus, though Modi tweeted his greetings and appealed for the protection of Hindus facing targeted violence in Bangladesh. Later, Yunus telephoned Modi and had a conversation. The jubilation that followed Hasinas exit has been short-lived. Bangladesh has been transformed into an unstable, undemocratic and violence-prone country. The domestic situation is marked by instability and systematic reprisals against workers, minorities, mainly Hindus, and leaders of Hasinas Awami League (AL). Several thousands have been killed, maimed and their houses and businesses looted. Hindu women have been raped and forcibly converted, temples desecrated, and houses looted and burnt. Facing attacks, members of tribal communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts have taken refuge in Mizoram. AL leaders have been arrested on trumped-up charges. Hundreds of cases have been filed against Hasina and AL leaders for murder and even genocide. Journalists, cultural personalities and academicians have also not been spared by student groups and Islamist gangs. Thousands of people have been forced to resign at gunpoint. Mobs have besieged newspaper offices, attacked industries and burnt factories. High court and appellate division judges were forced to resign at gunpoint, and judges friendly to the Yunus regime have been appointed. Islamists convicted for murder have been released. Jashimuddin Rahmani, head of Ansarullah Bangla Team and convicted for murdering atheist bloggers, has called upon all Muslims to fight for the independence of Kashmir. He has appealed to the West Bengal chief minister to secede from India. Another Islamist leader has demanded that jizya (Islamic tax on non-Muslims) be implemented in Bangladesh. Yunus appears unable or unwilling to control Islamists. Hindus, with their backs to the wall, have organised themselves to protest the atrocities against them. A Hindu monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das, had led this effort. Large demonstrations have been held in parts of the country, which is unprecedented because Hindus have generally not been aggressive. When East Pakistan was created in 1947, Hindus were 23 per cent of the population; today, they are around 8 per cent. Islamists in Bangladesh want to emulate Pakistan and make it Hindu-free, either by driving them into India or converting them into Muslims. Meanwhile, social media is full of pictures showing people walking over the Indian tricolour painted at the entrance of various institutions, underlining the anti-India sentiments fanned by students and Islamists. There is backlash for it in Kolkata, with hospitals refusing to treat Bangladeshis. The Kolkata-Agartala bus was attacked and passengers threatened by Islamist mobs. In a spot: Mohammad Yunus says attacks on Hindus are not communal but politically motivated | AP Yunus has been reduced to mouthing platitudes. He has repeatedly stated that attacks on Hindus are not communal but politically motivated because Hindus are largely AL supporters. After Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested, India issued a statement, saying, We are concerned about the surge of extremist rhetoric. Increasing incidents of violence and provocation cannot be dismissed merely as media exaggerations. We call upon Bangladesh to take steps for the protection of minorities. Bangladesh has cautioned India not to interfere in the countrys internal affairs. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed concern and supported the Indian government. She has also demanded that a UN force be deployed to protect Hindus. Hasina, too, has spoken out, demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das and fair treatment of Hindus. The atrocities have grabbed global attention and demonstrations have been held in major capitals in the west. Because it had cooperated with the Hasina government, India is viewed as an accomplice to her authoritarian rule that curbed dissent and rigged elections. For IG and its supporters, India has become a punching bag. The IG has appointed 10 commissions to suggest reforms, and appointed new members to the election commission. No time frame has been projected for the polls. Any attempt to ban the AL, the largest political party, will undermine the credibility of elections. The political upheaval in Bangladesh is a setback to the wide-ranging ties developed under the Hasina government. Bangladesh became one of the fastest growing economies in Asia during Hasinas tenure as PM, and it emerged as Indias largest trading partner in the subcontinent. People-to-people ties grew, with 1.6 million Bangladeshis visiting India and topping the list of foreigners visiting India annually. Bangladeshs economy slowed down because of the pandemic and the Ukraine war. Forex reserves fell sharply, unemployment rates reached a high of 15.7 per cent, the taka depreciated, and the export of readymade garments, which make up around 80 per cent of the countrys export basket, declined. Funding from the International Monetary Fund, the US and China is shoring up forex reserves, but the economy is still not out of the woods. The Yunus regime has reached out to Pakistan to normalise ties. The high court has acquitted all those convicted in the August 2024 grenade and machine gun attack on Hasina and AL leaders. One of those was the acting chairman of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Khaleda Zia. This will facilitate his return after more legal hurdles are removed. The IG is clearly planning to prepare the ground for the BNP and the Islamists to win the next polls. The renewed outreach to Pakistan has the potential to revive the ISIs activities under a BNP-Islamist coalition government to support Indian insurgent and terror groups. India-Bangladesh bilateral ties have gone downhill, with India curtailing visa operations. Bangladesh wants Hasina to be handed over to it; there is a bilateral extradition treaty that can be invoked. But Bangladesh, which has so far hesitated to act, knows that the chances of India handing over Hasina are slim. Yunus has claimed that Bangladesh has been in talks with the Interpol and the International Criminal Court to proceed against Hasina. Yunus should also investigate human rights violations that have occurred during his stewardship of the IG, particularly around 4,000 such cases involving Hindu and tribal communities. The IG should punish those who looted and set fire to the Indian Cultural Centre and attacked Indian visa centres. Refraining from taking any action other than restricting visa operations, India prefers a wait and watch approach while permitting normal trade to restart. The Adani power project at Godda, Jharkhand, had signed a contract to provide its output to Bangladesh. It has come under the scanner because of nonpayment of dues amounting to $800 million. Part payment has come through after a disconnection notice was sent. The IG has decided to review all such projects started by the Hasina government. India refused to intervene in this dispute as it is a private contract. Bangladesh has electricity shortage and India is a major supplier. Routine export of essential food items from India is back on track. Without a roadmap to an elected government, Bangladesh faces an uncertain political future. India and Bangladesh cannot ignore each other, given geopolitical and economic realities. The incoming administration of Donald Trump in the US will add another layer of uncertainty in determining the way forward for Bangladesh. Chakravarty was high commissioner to Bangladesh. New Delhi, Dec 8 (PTI) Aligning India's auditing with global standards will help boost investors' confidence, attract more funds and ensure greater credibility to the financial data, National Financial Reporting Authority's chief Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey has said. He also asserted that the country cannot have "inferior standards" when the pursuit is to become a "Viksit Bharat". NFRA was constituted under the company's law in October 2018. The watchdog has passed more than 80 orders. In a recent interview, Pandey told PTI that there are certain gaps in existing auditing standards and that internationally, many standards were updated to address loopholes that had led to various scams. "In India, we are yet to update the standards in various areas. In the last 20 years, many of these standards are there in most parts of the world. We want to become Viksit Bharat, and our standards should also be aligned with global standards. We cannot have inferior standards," the NFRA Chairperson said. According to him, the NFRA board approved the changes to certain standards after detailed discussions with the RBI (Reserve Bank of India), Sebi (Securities and Exchange Board of India) and CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General). Chartered accountants' apex body ICAI has raised concerns about changes to some of the standards. "We reviewed the standards and there are about 40 auditing standards. We found that there are 2 or 3 standards like SA 600 and SA 299 which were completely different from the international standards. There were also other standards where there were a lot of variances. "For several months, we had detailed discussions with the RBI, Sebi and CAG as all three are represented on our board. I was very glad to see that they were firmly of the view that we must align our standards with the global standards," Pandey said. SA 600 pertains to the audit of group companies and three other auditing standards while SA 299 relates to joint liability of auditors. "If we are going global, a lot of funds have to come and being aligned with international standards will help in attracting the funds... when you align with global standards, there will be more investors' confidence and greater credibility to the financial data," Pandey said. While talking about the regulator, he said it is working on a five-pronged approach that includes developing the ecosystem comprising auditors and other stakeholders. Other elements of the approach include disciplinary orders, inspections of audit firms, aligning auditing and accounting standards with the global standards to fix the gaps, and using technology and building capabilities of the regulator. On whether NFRA needs more powers, Pandey said there should not be any regulatory overburden and that it will make the best use of the mandates already given by Parliament under the company law. "If there are some questions of some legal interpretations, those are ongoing processes and many of them come through court orders. I believe that at this point in time, I see no limitation as such and we should not be in a situation where there is a regulatory overburden. We should avoid that," he added. New Delhi, Dec 8 (PTI) Electronics component makers body Elcina has sought a Rs 72,500 crore (USD 8.57 billion) support package to boost local production of raw materials and cut reliance on imports, an industry official said. Electronic Industries Association of India (Elcina), the country's oldest industry body of the Indian electronics sector, estimates that the demand-supply deficit for inputs in the electronics segment will increase to USD 248 billion (about Rs 21 lakh crore) by 2030 to cater to projected USD 500 billion electronics production and it would be met largely by imports. The industry body expects that the government's support for non-semiconductor components can help reduce the deficit in the country by USD 146 billion (Rs 12.36 lakh crore) to USD 102 billion (Rs 8.63 lakh crore). Elcina Secretary General Rajoo Goel told PTI that unlike finished products where the factory output can go up to 16 times the investment, an electronic components factory can at the most generate an output of three times the invested capital. "People hesitate to expand their investment in electronic components due to low return, high operational cost and long gestation period. Therefore we have requested the government for USD 8.57 billion comprsing USD 2.14 billion for capex to encourage expansion of the industry and USD 6.43 billion as PLI," Goel said. The government is actively considering a comprehensive package to support the production of non-semiconductor electronic components. Elcina has included miniature electronic components, printed circuit boards, some discreet semiconductors and active components, metallic components etc in the estimates. According to the industry body, the components for which support is required account for 60 per cent of the total cost of a finished product. Goel said that out of 60 per cent, non-semiconductor components account for 40 per cent of the total product value and 20 per cent are semiconductors. The government has already put in place the India Semiconductor Program under which it has approved investments worth Rs 1.52 lakh crore to date. Goel said that support for non-semiconductor components will create 50 lakh additional jobs by 2030 as the industry is labour-intensive. "We expect that the support to non-semiconductor components segment will be able to attract additional investment of USD 36 billion by 2030," he said. According to Elcina, non-semiconductor components production in India was around USD 13 billion in 2022 which is projected to reach around USD 20.7 billion by 2026 and around USD 37 billion by 2030 if the business continues as usual thereby leading to a deficit of USD 248 billion in the segment in the next six years. Shimla, Dec 8 (PTI) Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) supported by the National Rural Employment Mission have revolutionised the rural economy in the Hill state of Himachal Pradesh with homemakers becoming entrepreneurs, an official said. About 43,000 women SHGs with 4-lakh members, spread across the state are doing good business selling their products in Saras Fairs being organised in different places in the state and other states have facilitated the SHGs in selling their products and traditional food, handicrafts and handloom and organic products are in great demand, as per the official. The women engaged in SHGs are earning about Rs 1-lakh annually and four women become "Lakhpati Didi" and these women who were earlier confined to homes and engaged in domestic chores, now exude remarkable confidence and freely converse with the customers and participate in fairs to sell their products. "The rural women are actively participating in self-employment programmes under the Mission and earning good income and four women have become 'Lakhpati Didi' and two of them were honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi", said Mohit Kanwar, Mission Executive of Himachal Rural Employment Mission on Sunday. Our endeavour is to empower the rural women and make them self reliant and the mission has been quite successful as about 4-lakh women are earning about Rs 1-lakh annually which has enthused confidence in them. "People have forgotten the traditional farm products and we are focusing on organic products as people are reverting to organic products and our products like organic turmeric, maize floor, Dalia, papaya seeds and other products are in great demand', said Lakhpati Didi Usha Dhiman from Dehra in Kangra district, who has put up her stall at the Saras Fair here. "People are consuming poison in the form of chemical fertilisers and sprays while our products are purely organic and we sold Maize at Rs 4000 per quintal besides papaya seeds at the fair," said Usha, who is running a SHG with ten women. "We are cultivating turmeric in six Kanal areas and also producing amla jam, murabba and other products," she added. Another Lakhpati Didi Geeta from Naggar in Kullu district said that their group is focusing on revival of traditional and medicinal plants which the modern generation has forgotten and getting handsome returns by selling products like walnut and apricot oil which have great nutritional value. "Our products are in demand in other states also and we are sending the products through post offices," she said and added that the group was started 4-5 years ago after she failed to get a job and now the income is about 7-8 lakh per annum. Vidya, another SHG group leader from Rampur subdivision of Shimla district said that they are producing pulses, red rice and other products and earlier their products were confined to self consumption but now it has become a source of livelihood. There are about 13-14 groups in the area and each member is earning upto Rs one lakh annually. Some other women also shared their success stories and women folk branded as home makers have been empowered and become self dependent. They said rather than asking for money from family members, now they are supporting their families. Palm Springs (California), Dec 8 (AP) Ten people were injured after a police traffic officer on a motorcycle crashed into bystanders at a holiday parade in Palm Springs, authorities said. All of the injured were taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening Saturday night, including the police officer, according to police. The name of officer wasn't immediately released, but The Palm Springs Post reported that the policeman may have suffered a traumatic injury to his wrist. The Desert Sun said witnesses told the newspaper that the officer was reportedly popping a wheelie and suddenly lost control of his motorcycle. It slid into the crowd of spectators and brought the festive event to a standstill for more than an hour. Authorities said some emergency responders participating in the parade helped the injured along with ambulances and fire trucks still adorned with holiday lights. The crash occurred around 6 pm as crowds gathered to watch the 32nd annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade that typically draws between 80,000 and 100,000 spectators. I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect, Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said on Facebook. City officials said the California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and looking for any witness videos. (AP) GSP Moscow, Dec 8 (AP) Russia's Foreign Ministry claimed Sunday that Bashar Assad had left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups, and gave instructions to transfer power peacefully. In a post on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday, the ministry said Moscow had not directly participated in these talks. It also said it has been following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern". It also said Russian troops stationed in Syria have been put on high alert and that as of early afternoon Sunday, there was no serious threat to the security of Russia's military bases there. Russia has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad's government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. While Russia now concentrates the bulk of its military resources in Ukraine, it has maintained a military foothold in Syria and keeps troops at its bases there. (AP) SCY SCY Kathmandu, Dec 8 (PTI) US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday on an official visit during which he will meet senior political leaders, officials and civil society members as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. "A warm welcome to Nepal, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu! On his diplomatic tour across South Asia, Lu is in Kathmandu to engage with Nepals senior leaders and civil society," the US Embassy in Nepal wrote on X. His visit underscores the commitment to strengthening US-Nepal ties and advancing cooperation in key areas: environmental protection, womens empowerment, cultural preservation, and sustainable development, it added. Lu arrived in Nepal following his visits to India and Sri Lanka in connection with his entourage to South Asian countries, according to Foreign Ministry sources. In Nepal, he will meet senior leaders of political parties, government officials and civil society members. He will also meet with youth leaders to gain insights into their vision for the future of US-Nepal relations, Foreign ministry sources said. "His discussions with Nepalese officials will emphasize the importance of cultural preservation, recognizing Nepals rich heritage as a cornerstone of its identity and a key driver of its tourism and economy, it said. Last week, the US Department of State said Lu's trip will strengthen cooperation with key partners in South Asia to promote regional prosperity and security, reads the note. Kathmandu, Dec 8 (PTI) Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli Sunday called for revitalizing the stalled SAARC process to promote shared interest and prosperity of the people in the region. In a message on the occasion of the 40th Charter Day of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Oli extended warm greetings and cordial felicitation to the governments and people of the member states of the SAARC. Oli also underscored SAARC's prominent role in fostering mutual trust, understanding and cooperation among member states and expressed firm commitments of Nepal - current SAARC Chair - to its Charters for building a peaceful, prosperous and integrated South Asia, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry. Highlighting persisting socioeconomic and environmental challenges, including climate change and transnational organised crimes, Prime Minister Oli called for revitalizing the SAARC process to promote shared interest and prosperity of the people in the region. SAARC has not been very effective since 2016 as its biennial summits have not taken place since the last one in Kathmandu in 2014. The 2016 SAARC summit was to be held in Islamabad. But after the terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to "prevailing circumstances". The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet. SAARC summits are usually held biennially and hosted by member states in alphabetical order. The member state hosting the summit assumes the Chair of the Association. In a separate message, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba extended best wishes to the governments and the people of SAARC countries on this special occasion. Rana acknowledged the vision of founding leaders and the importance of the SAARC Charter in promoting collective self-reliance, improving the quality of life of people and fostering regional solidarity to address multiple challenges faced by the member states. New York, Dec 8 (AP) Police don't know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 am Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company's annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson's body bore the words delay, deny and depose, mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didn't immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analysed. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn't as quick as it looks like on TV. Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson's family and coworkers and the shooter's randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman's steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a USD 50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to USD 10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven't been able to ID him using facial recognition possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask. (AP) GSP Manama, Dec 8 (AP) For Iran's theocratic government, it keeps getting worse. Its decades-long strategy of building an Axis of Resistance supporting militant groups and proxies around the region is falling apart. First came the crushing Israeli campaign in Gaza triggered by the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Iranian-backed Hamas. That war spawned another in Lebanon, where Israel has mauled Iran's most powerful ally, Hezbollah, even as Israel has launched successful airstrikes openly inside of Iran for the first time. And now Iran's longtime stalwart ally and client in Syria, President Bashar Assad, is gone. As dawn broke Sunday, rebel forces completed a lightning offensive by seizing the ancient capital of Damascus and tearing down symbols of more than 50 years of Assad's rule over the Mideast crossroads. Ali Akbar Velayati, a key adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, once called Assad and Syria the golden ring of the resistance chain in the region. Without the Syrian government, this chain will break and the resistance against Israel and its supporters will be weakened. That break in the chain is literal. Syria was an important geographical link that allowed Iran to move weapons and other supplies to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Its loss now further weakens Hezbollah, whose powerful arsenal in southern Lebanon had put Iranian influence directly on the border of its nemesis Israel. Iran's deterrence thinking is really shattered by events in Gaza, by events in Lebanon and definitely by developments in Syria, a United Arab Emirates senior diplomat Anwar Gargash said at the International Institute for Strategic Studies' Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. Iran still holds the card of its nuclear programme. Though it denies that intention, it can use the potential for building a weapons capability to cast a shadow of influence in the region. Iran remains a critical regional player, Gargash said. We should use this moment to connect and speak about what's next in my opinion. It's a dramatic reversal in Iran's regional might Only a few years ago, the Islamic Republic loomed ascendant across the wider Middle East. Its Axis of Resistance was at a zenith. Hezbollah in Lebanon stood up against Israel. Assad appeared to have weathered an Arab Spring uprising-turned-civil war. Iraqi insurgents killed US troops with Iranian-designed roadside bombs. Yemen's Houthi rebels fought a Saudi-led coalition to a stalemate. Syria, at the crossroads, played a vital role. Early in Syria's civil war, when it appeared Assad might be overthrown, Iran and its ally, Hezbollah, rushed fighters to support him in the name of defending Shiite shrines in Syria. Russia later joined with a scorched earth campaign of airstrikes. The campaign won back territory, even as Syria remained divided into zones of government and insurgent control. But the speed of Assad's collapse the past week showed just how reliant he was on support from Iran and Russia which at the crucial moment didn't come. Russia remains mired years after launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. For Iran, international sanctions over its advancing nuclear programme have ground down its economy. For Israel, breaking Iran's regional network has been a major goal, though it is wary over jihadi fighters among the insurgents who toppled Assad. Israel on Sunday moved troops into a demilitarised buffer zone with Syria by the Israel-held Golan Heights in what it called a temporary security measure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Assad's fall a historic day," saying it was the direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad's main supporters. Iran's theocratic rulers long touted their regional network to Iranians as a show of their country's strength, and its crumbling could raise repercussions at home though there is no immediate sign of their hold weakening. Anger over the tens of billions of dollars Iran is believed to have spent propping up Assad was a rallying cry in rounds of nationwide anti-government protests that have broken out over recent years, most recently in 2022. Iran could respond by revving up its nuclear programme The loss of Syria does not mean the end of Iran's ability to project power in the Mideast. The Houthi rebels continue to launch attacks on Israel and on ships moving through the Red Sea though the tempo of their attacks have again fallen without a clear explanation from their leadership. Iran also maintains its nuclear programme. While insisting it enriches uranium for peaceful purposes, Western intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency say Iran had an organised nuclear weapons programme until 2003. The head of the IAEA also warned Friday that Iran is poised to quite dramatically increase its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium as it has started cascades of advanced centrifuges. If Iran would develop nuclear weapons, that would be a great blow to the international nonproliferation regime, said Thanos Dokos. Greece's national security adviser, in Bahrain. There remains a risk of wider attacks in the region, particularly on oil infrastructure. An attack in 2019 initially claimed by the Houthis but later assessed by experts to have been carried out by Iran temporarily halved Saudi Arabia's production of oil. If, as a result of escalation, there are attacks against the energy infrastructure of Iran or Saudi Arabia, that would be bad news for the global oil supply, Dokos warned. Whatever happens next, Iran will need to make the decision weighing the problems it faces at both home and abroad. Whereas stability is a difficult commodity to export, instability can travel very fast, which is why stability in the Middle East is very important for all of us, Dokos said. (AP) GSP Mumbai, Dec 8 (PTI) Security checks at entry points, announcements in Indian languages, and a healthcare facility are among several measures being put in place for the Kumbh Mela beginning in Prayagraj next month. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak met with Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday, inviting them to the Maha Kumbh congregation. Pathak said the Maha Kumbh- a Hindu religious congregation held once in 12 years- will be organised from January 13 to February 26. "I came here to extend the Maha Kumbh invitation to the people of Maharashtra through the governor and the chief minister. Come and experience spirituality," he told reporters in Mumbai. Pathak said all arrangements for security of visitors from India and abroad are being made by the UP government. "Security checking will be conducted at the entry points to Prayagraj city and at Maha Kumbh venues. Announcements will be made in several Indian languages," he said. A 100-bed hospital has been set up near the Kumbh site, he said, adding that healthcare facilities will be made available at different places. Specialists and paramedical staff will be on standby, he said. Panaji, Dec 8 (PTI) BJP MLA from Telangana, T Raja Singh, on Sunday appealed to Christians to join hands with Hindus for the united fight against "love jihad" which is affecting both religions. Addressing a Bajrang Dal rally at Curchorem in south Goa, Singh said India won't have a Hindu prime minister in the next 20 to 30 years if the population of "jihadis" increases and the number of their legislators goes up. "Love Jihadis don't only target Hindus. I want to appeal to our Christian brothers from Goa. You should watch the Kerala Files (Story) movie even though the film doesn't tell the entire story," the BJP MLA said. Right-wing activists claim Muslim men practice "love jihad" to lure women from other religions into marriage and force them to change their faith. " "The movie shows how in the name of love jihad, Hindu and Christian girls were lured. Hindus have kept their doors open for Christian brothers to fight against love jihad. Do join hands...our strength will increase," he said. Singh said Hindus won't be able to organise processions for festivals like Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti etc in the next 10 to 20 years considering the direction of the population trend in India. "If the population of Jihadis increases and if the number of their MLAs and MPs go up, the prime minister of India won't be a Hindu but a Muslim in the next 20-25 years," the BJP leader said. He said the condition of Hindus will become like that of Hindus in Pakistan in the next 25 to 30 years if family planning continues. The MLA from Goshamahal in Hyderabad, Singh had courted controversies in the past for his communal speeches and faced cases. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, center, talks with immigrants during an encampment sweep in Denver in January. Patna, Dec 8 (PTI) The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) on Sunday reiterated that the 70th preliminary examination will be held as scheduled on December 13 and there is "no question of extending the date further." BPSC chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai told PTI, "The date of examination cannot be extended further. The 70th Preliminary Examination of the BPSC will be held on December 13 in a 'one shift, one paper' format." The BPSC also issued a statement in this connection. This comes on a day a delegation of protesting BPSC aspirants met senior officials of the commission demanding an extension of the exam date claiming that lakhs of students could not fill the forms due to server issues. However, the commission refused to accept the demand, asserting that the exam will be held on time. The combined (preliminary) competitive examination will recruit candidates for Group A and B posts. Approximately five lakh candidates are expected to appear for the exam, which will be conducted across 925 centres in the state. "It was already extended from October 18 (the original deadline) to November 4. More than 4.83 lakh aspirants have already applied for the exam. It would be unfair to those who have already applied," the chairman. "All preparations have been made for the exam. Around 30,000 CCTV cameras and jammers have already been installed at the centres," he added. The chairman said, "I must clarify that there was no technical problem with the BPSC server. When the deadline was extended from October 18 to November 4, around 1.40 lakh more students applied for the exam during the extended period. There were no server issues for them." He further said if the exam date was extended, it would likely be pushed to April-May 2025, delaying the entire process by 5-6 months. "We would not be able to secure examination centres, invigilators, or other required logistics from January 2025 to March 2025, as several other exams, including the final exams for classes 10, 11, 12, and other competitive exams, are already scheduled," he explained. Earlier in the day, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed support for the protesting BPSC aspirants and called for an extension of the exam date. "The NDA government in the state is not bothered about the issues concerning protesting BPSC aspirants. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is clueless about what is happening in the state. Lakhs of students are protesting against BPSC's indifferent attitude towards the demands of students," he said. Protests have been ongoing in Patna, with BPSC aspirants demanding that the exam be held in a "one shift, one paper" format instead of the "normalisation of marks" process, which adjusts scores for exams held in multiple shifts. The protests near the BPSC office escalated on Friday, prompting police intervention as demonstrators blocked traffic. During the protests, many aspirants were rounded up by police for staging demonstrations in prohibited areas, while social media was abuzz with rumours that two popular teachers of the aspirants, YouTuber Khan Sir and Motiur Rahman Khan (known as Guru Rahman), had been arrested. However, police denied these rumours, stating that the two teachers were not detained. BPSC has stated that no changes will be made to the examination process, and the "one shift, one paper" format will remain in place. Meanwhile, Azad Samaj Party leader Chandra Shekhar Azad, who visited Patna on Sunday, condemned the alleged "lathi-charge" by police on protesting BPSC aspirants. He said, "The way protesting BPSC aspirants were beaten by police in Patna is highly condemnable. My party is always in support of the protesting students. We will not allow BPSC and the government to crush their demands." Sambhal (UP), Dec 8 (PTI) Two men were arrested in connection with the November 24 Sambhal violence based on CCTV footage, police on Sunday said. That day, stone pelting took place in Pakka Baag Hindu Pura Kheda, a police motorcycle was burnt, and magazine and cartridges of a police pistol were looted, following which a case was registered at Nakhasa Police Station. The incident revealed the involvement of Anas and Mohammad Sufiyan, both of whom have now been arrested, police said. Sambhal remains tense since November 19, when the local Shahi Jama Masjid underwent a survey following a court orders that came on a petition that claimed that there was a Harihar temple earlier. Violence broke out on November 24 when the mosque was being surveyed again. Four people died and scores of others were injured in a clash between protesters and police. According to police, 29 police personnel were injured in the flare up. PT COR NAV VN VN Kota (Rajasthan) Dec 8 (PTI) A man suffering 70 per cent burn injuries died at a hospital here, after he set himself on fire in an inebriated state, police said on Sunday. According to police, Dinesh Meghwal (42) poured some inflammable liquid on himself at his home in Avanli Rojedi village on Saturday and set himself on fire. He suffered 70 per cent burn injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died during treatment, police said. During the investigation, the police found that Dinesh was an alcoholic. His wife and his two children had been living at their maternal home for the past eight months. He had been insisting his wife to come home. On the day of the incident, he had called her, police said. However, the reason behind the extreme step is yet to be ascertained. The body was handed over to the family after post-mortem on Sunday. Based on his brother's complaint, a case has been registered under section 194 (suicide) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Further investigation is underway, police added. Gonda (UP), Dec 8 (PTI) Police in this Uttar Pradesh district arrested a Bangladeshi national on Sunday in connection with an incident of theft and recovered Rs 20,000 in cash from his possession, a senior official said. Superintendent of Police (SP) Vineet Jaiswal said Guru Prasad Tiwari, a resident of the Awas Vikas Colony in the Kotwali Nagar police station area, got a complaint lodged at the local police station regarding unidentified people breaking into his house and making off with gold and silver jewellery and cash. During the investigation, Sub-Inspector Vipul Kumar collected evidence and arrested the accused, identified as Dalim, a resident of Chapainawabganj district in Bangladesh, from near the railway station. The accused was carrying a fake Aadhaar card with his address showing as Swarupadaha village, Hakimpur post office in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The accused got the cash that was recovered from his possession by selling the stolen goods, police said. According to the SP, during interrogation, the accused told police that he is a resident of Bangladesh and had entered India illegally from the neighbouring country on November 6. For five days, he managed to stay at the Howrah railway station, before boarding a train to Kanpur. As he could not find any work in Kanpur, the accused came to Gonda on November 25. He came to the Awas Vikas Colony straight from the railway station and while looking for work, spotted a house locked near Prerna Park. In the intervening night of November 25 and November 26, he broke open the door to enter the house, stole the jewellery and cash and left for Nepal, the SP said. The accused came back to Gonda after selling the goods in Nepal and was planning another theft, the officer added. A case has been registered against the accused under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Foreigners Act, police said. Lucknow, Dec 8 (PTI) The RSS on Sunday paid tribute to Guru Teg Bahadur, with its leader saying he worked to awaken Hindus against the policies of Aurangzeb and urging people to learn more about the life of the ninth Sikh guru. Kaushal, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) Awadh prant pracharak (province in-charge), also said Guru Teg Bahadur made the supreme sacrifice for the protection of Hinduism. Guru Teg Bahadur was executed on the orders of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. Speaking at an event organised to commemorate the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh guru at the RSS's provincial office, Kaushal said, "Guru Teg Bahadur worked to awaken the Hindus against the policies of Aurangzeb." Knowing about his life will help the Hindus understand their responsibilities when faced with oppressive rulers who are against Sanatan Dharma, he said. Prashant Bhatia of the Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Martyrdom Day Organising Committee said a recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib was held and kirtans were sung on the occasion. Students presented a cultural programme while a painting exhibition on Guru Teg Bahadur was also organised. Programme co-ordinator Nirmal Singh said Guru Teg Bahadur, revered as "Hind di Chadar (Shield of India)", did not hesitate to sacrifice his life for the protection of religion and human ideals. He showed the path to society by sacrificing his life, Singh said. New Delhi, Dec 8 (PTI) The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Sunday said Greater Noida farmers, currently jailed, have gone on a hunger strike. "Farmers from Greater Noida, currently imprisoned in the District Jail of Gautam Buddha Nagar, have gone on a hunger strike to defend their rights and interests," SKM said in a statement. They said the farmers have long-pending demands, including the implementation of a new law that ensures 10 per cent land allotment. "These farmers were forcibly detained by the administration while peacefully protesting," SKM said. The farmers have also demanded addressing the Leaseback (Adadi) settlement issue and enforcement of the 2013 Land Acquisition law. "The farmer detainees in the district jail have refused to consume food as part of their hunger strike in their fight for justice. Although their strike is peaceful, it poses a significant risk to their health, " the SKM said. They urged the district administration, state government, and central government to listen to the farmers' demands with priority. Thane, Dec 8 (PTI) The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra's Thane district has awarded Rs 46.3 lakh compensation to a man who sustained grievous injuries after being hit by a container truck. MACT member S N Shah ordered Nabool Gulamali Shaikh, owner of the motor container, and IFFCO Tokio General Insurance Co. Ltd to pay the compensation with 8 per cent interest from the date of filing the petition until its actual payment. The copy of the order passed on December 3 was made available on Sunday. Appearing for the petitioner, advocate SM Pawar told the tribunal that the accident occurred on January 5, 2018, when the petitioner, Mayur Raosaheb Kadam (24), was heading to his house in Palghar. The speeding container vehicle rammed into the two-wheeler from behind, severely injuring the rider. Kadam, who suffered partial disability in the accident, filed the petition under section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, seeking fair and just compensation. Based on the evidence presented, the tribunal awarded a total amount of Rs 46.36 lakh to the petitioner. Chennai, Dec 8 (PTI) A college student with mental illness was gang-raped here and two persons were arrested in this connection, the police said on Sunday. Police appealed to the public not to comment on this matter as it would cause mental agony to the family of the victim. Based on a complaint lodged by the victim's father, the police interrogated a mutual friend of the victim and her male friends. During the course of the investigation, it emerged that the victim was gang-raped, police said in a release. Subsequently, a case was registered against the suspected individuals under nine sections of relevant acts, it said. Two of the suspects, a 20-year-old college student Suresh, a 19-year-old Naresh, and a school student were arrested and lodged in prison, the police said. The investigating officer has been facing challenges in conducting a detailed probe as the victim suffers from mental illness. To expedite the investigation, four special teams have been formed, the police said. "Passing comments on the issue will not only hinder the ongoing investigation but also cause mental agony to the victim and her family. Therefore, it has been requested not to make any comments on this issue in public," the release urged. Bengaluru, Dec 8 (PTI) The Karnataka government on Sunday formed a four-member panel to probe the maternal deaths in Ballari hospital and elsewhere in the state. The government said the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation Managing Director M Kanagavalli, Assistant Drug Controller Venkatesh, Microbiologist in the Bangalore Medical College Dr Aseema Banu and a senior pharmacology professor nominated by the Rajiv Gandhi University Health Sciences Vice Chancellor. The terms of reference of the panel is to analyse the sequence of events beginning from the time of issue of the purchase order for the 196 batches of Intravenous Fluid Ringer Lactate till November 30, 2024 and to report any procedural lapses at the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation (KSMSCL). The verification team should also inquire into the role of all officers at KSMSCL so as to fix responsibilities for the lapses, the order said. The panel will also verify the existing procedures at KSMSCL and identify gaps in terms of the existing standard and good practices with regard to the procedure of empanelment of labs, testing of the samples, discarding of the batches or the entire supply depending on the Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) reports and report about the compliance of established or absence of standard process. The order said the panel will also compare the good practices of states like Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan pertaining to drug procurement, quality testing, reporting of adverse effects with the existing practice at KSMSCL. The Vice Chancellor of the RGUHS or representative will have to give suggestions for an effective Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place for Public Health Facilities. Tom Copeland, Ph.D., is the director of research at the Centennial Institute of Colorado Christian University. He writes regularly on public policy and the intersection of politics, culture, and religion. The views expressed by the author are his own and do not represent the views of Centennial Institute or Colorado Christian University. A gunman killed UnitedHealthcares CEO on Wednesday in a brazen, targeted attack outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be lying in wait for several minutes before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target, Tisch said, adding that the shooting does not appear to be a random act of violence. Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompsons back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. From watching the video, it does seem that hes proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Thompson was shot at least once in the back and once in the calf, Tisch said. The shooter, who wore a jacket, face mask and large backpack, fled through Midtown on foot before pedaling an electric bike into Central Park a few blocks away, police said. The assailant remained at large Wednesday afternoon, sparking a search that included police drones, helicopters and dogs. Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him, the insurers Minnetonka, Minnesota-based parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., said in a statement. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Police issued a poster showing a surveillance image of the man pointing what appeared to be a gun and another image that appeared to show the same person on a bicycle. Minutes before the shooting, he stopped at a nearby Starbucks, according to additional surveillance photos released by police on Wednesday afternoon. They offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Thompsons wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her there were some people that had been threatening him. She didnt have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Eric Werner, the police chief in the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received any reports of threats against the executive. The killing shook a part of New York City that is normally quiet at that hour, happening about four blocks from where tens of thousands of people were set to gather for Wednesday nights tree lighting. Police promised extra security for the event. The hotel is also a short walk from other tourist sites, including the Museum of Modern Art and Radio City Music Hall, and is often dense with office workers and visitors on weekday mornings. Many security cameras are nearby. Were encouraging New Yorkers to go about their daily lives and their daily business but to be alert, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled. They were also searching Thompsons hotel room, interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues and reviewing his social media, Kenny said. Police initially said the shooter rode into Central Park on a bicycle from the citys bike-share program, CitiBike. But a spokesperson for the programs operator, Lyft, said police officials informed the company Wednesday afternoon that the bike was not from the CitiBike fleet. Health care giant UnitedHealth Group was holding its annual meeting with investors to update Wall Street on the companys direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompsons death. Im afraid that we some of you may know were dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members, a company official told attendees, according to a transcript. And as a result, Im afraid were going to have to bring to a close the event today. Im sure youll understand. Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with the company since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on the social platform X that the state is sending our prayers to Brians family and the UnitedHealthcare team. This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota, the Democrat wrote. (AP) The Connecticut Appellate Court on Friday affirmed a $965 million verdict from 2022 against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, determining theres sufficient evidence to support the damages awarded to relatives of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre victims and an FBI agent. In its unanimous opinion, the court cited the traumatic threats and harassment the families endured stemming from the lies, as propagated by the defendants, that the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. Our review of the record reveals that there was sufficient evidence to support the $965,000,000 in compensatory damages awarded by the jury, according to the 62-page decision. It marks the largest jury verdict in Connecticut history. The appellate court did grant Jones a $150 million reprieve. It determined the plaintiffs failed to assert a legally viable claim under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and that $150 million in punitive damages awarded by the lower court must be vacated, noting the plaintiffs alleged injury came from false language and not from speech related to advertising, marketing or the sale of goods. Were relieved that the Court protected the press with its decision reversing the damages in the unfair trade practices claim, but we are otherwise disappointed, said Norm Pattis, Jones attorney, in a statement. He said the jury in the case was sold a bill of goods and led to believe Jones made millions spreading conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook mass shooting. He didnt. The jury was also encouraged to believe that all the sorrow that befell the plaintiffs was Mr. Joness fault. It wasnt., Pattis said. We had hoped the Appellate Court would have seen through the charade and farce that this trial became. It didnt. Jones now owes a total of roughly $1.2 billion, counting the $965 million to the Connecticut families and nearly $50 million awarded by a Texas jury to the parents of a Sandy Hook child who was killed. Jones filed for personal bankruptcy in 2022, and the sale of his Infowars platform is part of that case. A bid by The Onion satirical news outlet to buy Infowars is scheduled to return Monday to a Texas courtroom, where a judge will be deciding whether a bankruptcy auction was properly run. Jones alleges collusion and fraud. Lawyers for the Sandy Hook families hailed the Connecticut appellate courts ruling on Friday as an overall victory. Today, Alex Joness effort to overturn the jurys historic verdict against him and his corrupt business, Infowars, was unanimously rejected by the Connecticut Appellate Court. The jurys $965 million rebuke of Jones will stand, and the families who have fought valiantly for years have brought Alex Jones yet another step closer to true justice, the lawyers said in a statement. Pattis said he will ask the Connecticut Supreme Court to review the appellate court decision. Jones repeatedly told his millions of followers the 2012 massacre that killed 20 first graders and six educators was staged by crisis actors to enact more gun control. The appellate court also determined that a lower court properly exercised its discretion in finding Jones and his Infowars parent company Free Speech Systems LLC., liable for damages by default for failing to cooperate with court rules on sharing evidence. (AP) A Texas man who was the first rioter to go on trial for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was resentenced on Friday to nearly seven years in prison after he delivered an angry, profane rant to the judge who agreed to modestly reduce his original sentence. Guy Reffitt benefitted from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that led to the dismissal of his conviction on an obstruction charge. His new sentence six years and eight months is seven months lower than his original sentence. Reffitt repeatedly shook his head and appeared to be agitated as he listened to U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich and a prosecutor describe his role in a mobs attack on the Capitol. He told the judge that he was in my feelings and upset about the lies and the craziness that he perceived. I was not there to take over no government, Reffitt said. I love this country. No one has a problem with your feelings, the judge said. Its the actions you took with your feelings. Reffitt stormed the Captiol with a holstered handgun on his waist. He also was carrying zip-tie handcuffs and wearing body armor and a helmet equipped with a video camera when he advanced on police officers outside the building. He retreated after an officer pepper sprayed him in the face, but he waved on other rioters who ultimately breached the building. Prosecutors said Reffitt told fellow members of the Texas Three Percenters militia group that he planned to drag House Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of the Capitol building by her ankles, with her head hitting every step on the way down. His objective was to overtake Congress, physically and with violence, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nestler. In his own words, Nestler added, Congress was the demon and he was going to cut the head off the demon. Reffitt is one of several Jan. 6 defendants to be resentenced after a Supreme Court ruling in June limited the governments use of a federal obstruction law. The high court ruled 6-3 that a charge of obstructing an official proceeding must include proof that a defendant tried to tamper with or destroy documents a distinction that applies to few Jan. 6 criminal cases. A jury convicted Reffitt of four other counts, including a charge that he threatened his two teenage children after returning to their in home in Wylie, Texas, after the riot. Reffitts son Jackson, then 19, testified that his father told him and his younger sister, then 16, that they would be traitors if they reported him to authorities and warned them that traitors get shot. Reffitts two daughters spoke favorably of their father during his resentencing. They described him as a caring father who doesnt pose a danger to anybody. Prosecutors said Reffitts recent communications from jail indicate that he views his imprisonment as an injustice and as part of a greater cause, and that he maintains pride in actions on January 6 and his involvement in the community of those who he believes have been wrongly prosecuted for their crimes on that day. More than 1,500 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related crimes. About 1,000 of them have pleaded guilty. Roughly 250 others have been convicted by a judge or jury after a trial. (AP) The U.S. government on Friday ordered testing of the nations milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. Raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16, the Agriculture Department said. Testing will begin in six states California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. Officials said the move is aimed at containing and ultimately eliminating the virus, known as Type A H5N1, which was detected for the first time in March in U.S. dairy cows. Since then, more than 700 herds have been confirmed to be infected in 15 states. This will give farms and farmworkers better confidence in the safety of their animals and ability to protect themselves, and it will put us on a path to quickly controlling and stopping the virus spread nationwide, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. The risk to people from bird flu remains low, health officials said. Pasteurization, or heat treatment, kills the virus in milk, leaving it safe to drink. Veterinarians, farmers, scientists and academics have been calling for nationwide milk testing for months, said Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, who led the efforts. Its another step in the right direction, Poulsen said. Theyre coming around that we need a better handle on it. Dairy farmers and processors across the U.S. have been reluctant to test animals or milk for the virus, fearing economic or other repercussions. Jamie Jonker, chief science officer of the National Milk Producers Federation, said the industry supports USDA efforts to eliminate the virus. Under the federal order, dairy farmers and those who handle raw milk intended for pasteurization must provide samples of the milk on request for testing for bird flu. It requires reporting of positive tests to the USDA and it requires herd owners to provide basic information to allow tracing of the disease in cattle. The move follows an April 24 federal order that mandated testing of certain dairy cattle before they could move between states and required reporting of any positive tests. Despite that order, the virus has continued to spread, Poulsen noted. Raw milk from infected cows contains high loads of live virus, testing has shown. At least 58 people in the U.S. have been infected with bird flu, mostly farm workers who became mildly ill after close contact with infected cows, including their milk, or infected poultry. Bird flu has also been spreading among wild birds and a number of other animals. Federal officials continue to warn against drinking raw milk, which can contain a host of germs that make people sick. In California, officials quarantined a farm and halted distribution of milk after bird flu virus was detected in raw milk sold in stores. Raw Farm of Fresno issued a voluntary recall of raw milk and cream produced after Nov. 9. (AP) President Joe Biden faces a stark choice as he contemplates broad preemptive pardons to protect aides and allies from potential retribution by Donald Trump: Does he hew to the institutional norms hes spent decades defending or flex the powers of the presidency in untested ways? The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But the president has discussed the topic with senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all. Biden is taking the idea seriously and has been thinking about it for as much as six months before the presidential election but has been concerned about the precedent it would set, according to another person familiar with the presidents discussions who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes - and usually to those who have already been convicted of an offense but Bidens team is considering issuing them for some who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. The president could, if he chooses, issue blanket pardons to specific people whom Trump and his allies have threatened to punish. Or he could pardon a broad class of people not unlike pardons issued to those convicted of federal marijuana offenses or those ensnared in the dont ask, dont tell military policies. Either way, hed be using the powers of the presidency in a new way. Some worry that Trump and his allies, who have talked of enemies lists and exacting retribution, could launch investigations that would be reputationally and financially costly for targeted people even if they dont result in prosecutions. The door has already been opened, given that Biden has extended a broad pardon to his son, Hunter, who was convicted and pleaded guilty in tax and gun cases. Biden explained that decision by saying he believed the prosecution of his son had been poisoned by politics. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that Biden plans additional pardons before leaving office though she would not elaborate on the process. She repeatedly referenced changing factors that motivated the president to pardon his son despite promising he wouldnt. She said Republicans have continued to try to see Hunter Biden investigated for an array of alleged offenses, a rationale that could support additional pardons for Biden aides and allies. It was two weeks ago that one of the presidents closest allies in Congress, Rep, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, encouraged Biden to pardon his son Hunter. The morning after that conversation, Clyburn told Bidens staff that he believed the president should also pardon those being targeted by Trump. I was very forceful in my discussions with him about what I thought he ought to do regarding his son, Clyburn said Friday. But I also told them that I thought he ought to go even further, because all the noise about Jack Smith and Liz Cheney and Doctor Fauci and all of that. Special Counsel Jack Smith has been investigating Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and for accusations he hoarded classified documents at his home. Liz Cheney, a conservative Republican, was the vice chairwoman of the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection and campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris. Fauci, an infectious disease expert, was instrumental in the governments response to the coronavirus. All have raised the ire of Trump. Clyburn said he told Bidens team, only half jokingly, that because the Supreme Court has already said that the president has certain immunities, lets give that same immunity to Jack Smith for carrying out his duties and to, Doctor Fauci, Liz Cheney, they were carrying out their duties. Among those mentioned publicly for possible presidential pardons, there are different sentiments on whether pardons would even be wanted. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supported the presidents move to pardon his son, but has been silent on the speculation that Biden is considering additional pardons for her or others. A top Pelosi ally, Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democratic congressman who led Trumps first impeachment, has panned the idea of pardoning Bidens allies. He says the courts are strong enough to withstand the worst of Trumps threats. I dont think a preemptive pardon makes sense, the incoming senator told NPR recently. I would urge the president not to do that. I think it would seem defensive and unnecessary, Schiff said. Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, who was the lead manager on Trumps second impeachment, on the charge of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, said members of Congress already are protected by the speech and debate clause in the Constitution, which protects them prosecution for participating in their legislative duties. Raskin said figures like Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and John Kelly, Trumps former White House chief of staff, would similarly be protected by the First Amendment. But Raskin said the question is, Should they go through the criminal investigation and prosecution for not doing anything wrong? I think thats why this whole issue has erupted. Raksin added that with Trump promising to pardon hundreds of people who assaulted police officers on Jan. 6th, I can hardly fault President Biden for exploring the use of the pardon to protect people from a fraudulent and unjust prosecution. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said hes had no conversations with the White House regarding any preemptive pardons for current or former members of Congress. (AP) A federal judge on Friday ruled that the U.S. Naval Academy can continue considering race in its admissions process, finding that military cohesion and other national security factors mean the school should not be subjected to the same standards as civilian universities. During a two-week bench trial in September, attorneys for the academy argued that prioritizing diversity in the military makes it stronger, more effective and more widely respected. The group behind the case, Students for Fair Admissions, also brought the lawsuit challenging affirmative action that resulted in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year. The high courts conservative majority broadly prohibited the consideration of race and ethnicity in college admissions, ending a longstanding practice meant to boost opportunities for historically marginalized groups and sending shockwaves through higher education. But it carved out a potential exemption for military academies, suggesting that national security interests could affect the legal analysis. Students for Fair Admissions later sued the Annapolis-based Naval Academy challenging the exemption. But Judge Richard Bennett rejected their arguments in a lengthy opinion released Friday. A George W. Bush appointee who served for over 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Maryland National Guard, Bennett wrote that the school had established a compelling national security interest in a diverse officer corps. Specifically, the Academy has tied its use of race to the realization of an officer corps that represents the country it protects and the people it leads, he wrote. The Academy has proven that this national security interest is indeed measurable and that its admissions program is narrowly tailored to meet that interest. Bennett noted that demographics are a minor factor in Naval Academy admissions no one is admitted solely on the basis of race. He also noted that Students for Fair Admissions includes among its membership four individuals whose prior applications to the U.S. Naval Academy were denied. In a statement Friday, President Edward Blum said the group would appeal the decision. It is our hope that the U.S. military academies ultimately will be compelled to follow the Supreme Courts prohibition of race in college admissions, he said. Attorneys for the group argued during trial that prioritizing minority candidates is unfair to qualified white applicants and that cohesion should arise from other sources such as training and command structure. The group also sued West Point last year, but the Naval Academy case was the first case to go to trial. Witness testimony included accounts from current and former high-ranking military officials who expressed varying opinions on how race affects the experiences of service members and the organization as a whole. Some argued that performance standards alone should be used to evaluate candidates while others emphasized the importance of fostering diversity. The court also heard from historians who described the militarys fraught history of racial tension, which on some occasions erupted into violence and jeopardized its wartime readiness. The United States military has long made the judgment that developing and maintaining a fighting force that is qualified and demographically diverse at all levels is critical for mission effectiveness, Bennet wrote in his ruling. The Legal Defense Fund, which filed a brief in support of the Naval Academy, celebrated the outcome. The military is keenly aware that a climate of distrust caused by a lack of equal opportunity along racial lines risks mission failure and loss of life, senior counsel Michaele Turnage Young said in a statement. It is unfortunate that some are willing to undermine the safety of our sailors and risk our countrys national security by promoting exclusion. Currently, the Naval Academys admissions process considers many factors, including grades, extracurricular activities, life experience and socioeconomic status, according to court testimony. Race often plays no role in the process, but sometimes it comes under consideration in a limited fashion, attorneys for the academy wrote in court papers. (AP) So much for the rumors and speculation of a plane crash. Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russian media said Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his familys 50 years of iron rule. Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire and waved the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East, President Joe Biden said, crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syrias backers Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a fundamental act of justice but also a moment of risk and uncertainty, and said rebel groups are saying the right things now but the U.S. would assess their actions. Russia requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the U.N., in a post on Telegram. The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. A spokesman there didnt immediately respond to questions. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. The leader of Syrias biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is poised to chart the countrys future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and insists he now embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assads fall as a victory to the Islamic nation. Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he said Assad had made Syria a farm for Irans greed. The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They urged people to preserve the institutions of the free Syrian state, and announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. An online video purported to show rebels freeing dozens of women at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. At least one small child was seen among them. This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he, said one relative, Bassam Masr. I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years. Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi appeared on state TV and sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, saying: Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects. We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did, he added. Celebrations in the capital Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, God is great. People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. Soldiers and police fled their posts and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Families wandered the presidential palace, walking by damaged portraits of Assad. Other parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. Its like a dream. I need someone to wake me up, said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with love. Rebels stood guard at the Justice Ministry, where Judge Khitam Haddad said he and colleagues were protecting documents. Outside, residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels have felt the pain of the people, said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syrias historically pro-government newspaper al-Watan called it a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood. It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements ordered from above. A statement from the Alawite sect that formed the core of Assads base called on young Syrians to be calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country. The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. Calls for an orderly transition The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. The road to Damascus from the Lebanese border was littered with military uniforms and charred armored vehicles. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. The end of Assads rule was a major blow to Iran and its proxies, already weakened by conflict with Israel. Iran said Syrians should decide their future without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Hossein Akbari, Irans ambassador to Syria, said it was effectively impossible to help the Syrian government after it admitted the insurgents military superiority. Speaking on Iranian state media from an undisclosed location, he said Syrias government decided Saturday night to hand over power peacefully. When the army and the people could not resist, it was a good decision to let go to prevent bloodshed and destruction, Akbari said, adding that some of his colleagues left Syria before sunrise. Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on state TV, said there were concerns about the possibility of civil war, disintegration of Syria, total collapse and turning Syria into a shelter for terrorists. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has said the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel. The U.N.s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatars Foreign Ministry spokesman, said they agreed on the need to engage all parties on the ground, including the HTS, and that the main concern is stability and safe transition. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israels military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didnt respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the U.S., views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israels efforts to take advantage of Assads downfall to occupy more territory. (AP) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman There are tens of thousands of former talmidim of Rabbi Meir Fendel who will be mounring this remarkable man who passed away over this weekend It was 1953 and Long Island, New York had no Jewish school. It had a burgeoning Jewish community, but no Torah education whatsoever. It was something that a young Rabbi Meir Fendel wished to rectify. And with a handful of families and just 30 children, Rabbi Fendel founded HANC the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County. An old, three-story house in West Hempstead, known as the Oppenheim Collins Estate, was the chosen location to launch this ambitious educational venture. Despite the lack of funding for renovations, this 75-year-old property was transformed with unwavering determination. The living and bedrooms were converted into vibrant classrooms, and Rabbi Fendel selflessly stepped up as the Principal, forgoing any remuneration. Into this historic setting, the first teacher, Anne Abelow, arrived, bringing her passion for educating young minds. She taught 1st grade in both Hebrew and English, her commitment shining through every lesson. Alongside her, an untiring secretary named Ruth Provda managed the endless paperwork, acting as nurse, den mother, and confidant to the eager children. And so, in 1952, the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County (HANC) was born, taking root in this old haunted house, as it was once called. For four years, the fledgling institution made do with the limited space, until a new wing was built in 1956 to expand the growing school. The names of the key contributors and those present at the groundbreaking ceremony are now inscribed on a large parchment, a testament to the pioneering spirit that gave rise to this educational haven. Rabbi Fendels pivotal role in conceiving, founding, and shepherding the growth of HANC over many years has left an indelible mark. Through his dedication and that of the early pioneers, they were able to plant the seeds of a vibrant Jewish educational institution that continues to thrive and transform young lives to this day. His warm and loving smile opened up hearts and slowly but surely he built the school. He met with parents individually and they could not say no because he was so very genuine. Today, many of New Yorks orthodox doctors were educated at HANC. Indeed, Nassau Countys Department of Health is run by a HANC graduate as well. Rabbi Fendel had studied under Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg ztl in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in the 1940s. Afterward, he became involved with Torah uMesorah and was one of those remarkable individuals that lived and breathed Chinuch. In 1971, Rabbi Fendel concieved the New Opportunities Program which is still in existence 53 years later which allowed students with little or no Judaic background to attend a Jewish Day School while receiving an excellent General Studies education. Rav Gottesman ah who took over for Rabbi Fendel at HANC ,described Rabbi Fendel as the type of person who would spare no effort in ensuring that every Jewish child would receive a Torah education. Tuition was never a stumbling block to enable a child to enter HANCs doorways under his leadership. When he ultimately moved to Eretz Yisroel he brought a number of people with him on Aliyah. There are numerous people in Lakewood, who were his talmidim. Rabbi Meir Fendel, although a follower of the Mizrachi movement kept a strong shaichus with Rav Scheinberg ztl. He lived in Har Nof, Yerushalayim. The funeral will be held tomorrow (Sunday) at 12:30 at the Eretz Hachaim cemetery in Beit Shemesh. Eretz Yisroel was always on his lips and mind. He once wrote: The Torah is replete with references to Eretz Israel, so much so, that the great sage Rav Meir Simcha HaCohen, author of the Meshekh Chokhma writes: There is no Sedra in the Torah wherein there is no mention of Eretz Israel. . He further wrote that, only in the land of Israel can one achieve the lofty purity of thought and action (avira de Eretz Yisrael makhkim). To the believing Jew, this extraordinary emphasis on Eretz Israel should be a paramount reason for wanting to attach himself to the land. The Meshekh Chokhma concludes with this amazing statement: From the time that Jerusalem and Zion were chosen, David in his psalms, Isaiah in his visions, Jeremiah in his admonishments, and Yechezkel in his parables did not cease to extol the mitzvah of living and settling the land. Rabbi Meir, of blessed memory, is also the father of journalist and author Hillel Fendel, a resident of Beit El, a writer for many years for Arutz Sheva Israel National News. His other son, Rabbi David Fendel, is head of the Sderot yeshiva. Rabbi Meirs father, Rabbi Zalman Hillel Fendel was from Lithuania and married a Dershowitz. Reb Zalman Hillel worked very hard all day, when he arrived home the first thing he did was open up a Gemorah and learned for several hours. He was so exhausted that his family had to lift him up to get him to bed. This left an incredible impression on the family and both he and his brother Reb Zechariah zatzal, went into Chinuch and Kiruv and writing Seforim. Arutz Sheva reports that after Rabbi Meirs immigration to Israel, he taught at the Ora Institute and the Moriah Seminary for foreign students. Additionally, he established a summer camp for Diaspora girls, changing their lives and their attitude towards Israel and Torah. In summer, you can achieve what you learn in a whole year an educational innovation he brought here to Israel. Rabbi Meir Fendel ztl was a true hero in Klal Yisroel that created thousands of frum homes facts on the ground. He changed the face of New Yorks Jewish community. The author can be reached at [email protected] Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, infamous for deploying chemical weapons against his own population, has fled Damascus as rebels seized control of the capital. According to reports from Reuters and Syrian state television, Assad, his wife Asma al-Assad, and their three children have left the country. Their destination remains unknown. FOLLOW REAL-TIME UPDATES ON YWNS LIVE BLOG Assads departure marks the apparent end of over five decades of rule by the Assad family, beginning with his father, Hafez Assad, in 1970. The civil war that has gripped Syria since 2011, claiming over 500,000 lives, reached a turning point with the fall of Damascus and key cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs to rebel forces. The coalition of rebels includes Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization and former Al-Qaeda affiliate, which played a decisive role in Assads ouster. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who has a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head, has reportedly attempted to rebrand his group as a more moderate Islamist faction, though experts warn that HTS aims to impose a strict Islamist regime akin to the Taliban. Phillip Smyth, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told Fox News Digital that HTS is an outgrowth of Al-Qaeda and has connections to Turkey. Their endgame is to create a Talibanesque society with a few tweaks. An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported seeing groups of armed residents along the road in the outskirts of the capital and hearing sounds of gunshots. The citys main police headquarters appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside. Another AP journalist shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint where uniforms were discarded on the ground under a poster of Assads face. Residents of the capital reported hearing gunfire and explosions. Footage broadcast on opposition-linked media showed a tank in one of the capitals central squares while a small group of people gathered in celebration. Calls of God is great rang out from mosques. It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assads government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assads erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. Assads regime faced global condemnation for years for its brutal crackdown on dissent. What began in 2011 as peaceful protests during the Arab Spring escalated into a protracted civil war after Assads forces tortured and killed 15 boys in Daraa for anti-regime graffiti. The conflict saw Assad employ scorched-earth tactics, including indiscriminate bombings and chemical weapons attacks, such as the 2013 sarin gas strike that killed over 1,400 civilians. Despite international outrage, Assad remained in power thanks to support from Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia, which intervened militarily in 2015. Recent developments, including weakened Russian influence due to the war in Ukraine and increasing Israeli strikes on Iranian assets, have shifted the balance of power in the region. The fall of Assads regime has sent shockwaves through the Middle East. Both Egyptian and Jordanian officials reportedly urged Assad to form a government-in-exile, though Jordans government denied involvement. As Damascus and other key cities fall under rebel control, questions remain about the future governance of Syria. The international community has long pushed for a ceasefire and democratic elections under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, but Assads refusal to engage with the resolution leaves Syria at a crossroads. The dramatic collapse of Assads regime underscores the enduring impact of his decisions to prioritize repression over reconciliation. The boys of Daraa, whose graffiti sparked a revolution, may yet see their dream of a toppled regime realized, albeit under uncertain and precarious circumstances. (YWN/AP) Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday called the fire deliberately set by mask-wearing perpetrators at a Melbourne shul on Friday an act of terror The atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were designed to create fear in the community and therefore from my personal perspective certainly fulfill that definition of terrorism, Albanese told the press in Perth. There has been a worrying rise in antisemitism, he added. Albanese has come under fire from local and international politicians for failing to call out the increasing antisemitism in the country and even contributing to it via the Labor governments anti-Israel policies. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu slammed the Australian government following the attack, saying that its impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia, including the scandalous decision to support the UN resolution calling on Israel to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territoryand preventing a former Israeli minister from entering the country. Anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism, Netanyahu concluded. Opposition leader Peter Dutton also slammed Albanese, saying on Sunday that the prime minister believed that by not taking a strong stance in relation to antisemitism, that somehow that will deliver him political benefit domestically. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) George Brauchler is district attorney-elect for the 23rd Judicial District and former district attorney for the 18th Judicial District. He has served as an Owens Early Criminal Justice Fellow at the Common Sense Institute. Follow him on Twitter(X): @GeorgeBrauchler The IDF on Sunday morning declared certain areas near the Syrian border in Ramat HaGolan as closed military zones as part of the bolstering of its forces in the area following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. The decision was made following a situational assessment by the IDFs Northern Command. The military zones encompass agricultural areas near Buqata, Merom Golan, Ein Zivan, and Khirbat Ein Hura. Access for farmers will be limited to periods of several hours in accordance with military needs and in full coordination with the 474th battalion. The IDF emphasizes that entry into these areas is absolutely prohibited. Additionally, the IDFs Home Front Command canceled classroom studies in four Druze municipalities in northern Ramat HaGolan: Buqata, Ein Qiniyya, Masada, and Majdal Shams, with studies being held online instead. Kindergartens will operate as usual. Earlier this morning, it was reported that the IDF entered the buffer zone in the Golan following the fall of Assads regime and concerns about a rebel attempt to attack yishuvim in the area. Large infantry forces and tanks were positioned inside the demilitarized zone to prevent the entry of rebels. Simultaneously, the IDF issued warnings to the rebels not to cross the demilitarized line. The IDF deployed forces in the buffer zone due to concerns about the possibility of armed infiltration into the buffer zone. The IDF emphasized that military activities in the buffer zone are temporary, stating, We will not interfere in what happens in Syria, except to protect our citizens. Our actions are temporary until the situation stabilizes. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked targets across Syria on Sunday for the first time since the fall of Assads regime in the country, according to foreign reports. The strikes were reportedly aimed at airports in the capital city of Damascus and rural areas in southern Syria, where the IDF is likely targeting weapons and arms manufacturing plants that could threaten Israel. The IDF has reinforced its forces in Ramat HaGolan, including bolstering the 210th Bashan Division Division [the division in the IDFs Northern Command responsible for the Syrian front] with armored units, infantry, and artillery. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said earlier during a situational assessment of the region that every event here sets a standard and signifies changes ahead. Therefore, we are closely monitoring the situation with all our resources to better understand what is happening. The IDF emphasized that they must be in forward defensive positions and declared that they would attack any entity threatening Israel. The IDFs main focus is the anticipation of the exit of Iranian militias and the activities of local entities that occupy the territory. Additionally, the IDF stressed that it would not allow the transfer of weapons from Syria to Lebanon, both by the Syrian army and by Hezbollah. Additionally, defense units and emergency response teams in the communities near the border have been reactivated to ensure security and calm in light of the instability on the Syrian side. The IDF has not called up reserves but is preparing for the continued reinforcement of forces in Ramat HaGolan. On Sunday morning, the IDF declared certain areas near the Syrian border in Ramat HaGolan as closed military zones. Earlier, IDF forces entered the demilitarized area in the buffer zone along the Syrian border. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The United States has opened an investigation into whether NATO ally Spain has been denying port entry to cargo vessels reportedly transporting U.S. weapons to Israel. The Federal Maritime Commission, an independent body charged with monitoring and evaluating conditions that may affect shipping and U.S. international trade, said it had opened the probe after receiving information that Spain had refused to allow at least three cargo vessels into its ports. The commission is concerned that this apparent policy of denying entry to certain vessels will create conditions unfavorable to shipping in the foreign trade, it said Thursday in a notice published in the Federal Register. If the investigation determines that Spain has interfered with such commerce, the commission could levy millions of dollars in fines, up to $2.3 million per voyage, it said. The notice said the commission had been informed on Nov. 19 that Spain was denying port entry to ships, including those enrolled in the U.S.-run Maritime Security Program, which is supposed to afford vessels and their owners protection against restrictive and discriminatory licensing because their services are often used by the U.S. military. Two of the three incidents noted by the commission involved vessels run by the Danish shipping giant Maersk in November. The other occurred in May. Spanish authorities did not immediately comment on the November incidents. But in May, Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente said the foreign ministry had denied a request to dock by the Danish-flagged ship Marianne Danica, saying it was carrying weapons to Israel. A day later, on May 17, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told Spains state broadcaster RTVE that this was the first ship carrying arms to Israel that had been denied entry. We are not going to contribute to any more arms reaching the Middle East, he said. The Middle East needs peace. That is why that this first denial of authorization will start a policy for any boat carrying arms to Israel that wants to dock at a Spanish port. The refusal to allow the Marianne Danica to dock at the Mediterranean port of Cartegena came just days before Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, recognized a Palestinian state on May 28. Spain stopped its own defense companies from shipping arms to Israel in October 2023. (AP) Half a century of rule by the Assad family in Syria crumbled with astonishing speed after insurgents burst out of a rebel-held enclave and converged on the capital, Damascus, taking city after city in a matter of days. Opposition forces swept across the country and entered Damascus with little or no resistance as the Syrian army melted away. President Bashar Assad, Syrias ruler for 24 years succeeding his father, Hafez Assad was reported to have fled the country for an undisclosed location. Its a stunning development in Syrias devastating 13-year conflict. Anti-government protests in 2011 met with a brutal crackdown, escalating into a civil war that has killed more than half a million people and displaced half of Syrias prewar population of 23 million. Assad, backed by Iran and Russia, gradually regained control of more than two-thirds of Syria, leaving the rebels with one stronghold in the northwest of the country. And there the conflict remained, largely frozen, for years until late November. Heres a look at a seismic two weeks for the Middle East. Wednesday, Nov. 27: Rebel offensive begins Armed opposition groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces in northwestern Syria and claim to have wrested control of over 15 villages from government forces in northwestern Aleppo province. The government and its allies respond with airstrikes and shelling in an attempt to halt the insurgent advances. The offensive is led by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaida and known as the Nusra Front, HTS later distanced itself from al-Qaida, seeking to market itself as a more moderate group. It is classed as a terrorist group by the United Nations and the U.S. The attack on Aleppo follows weeks of simmering low-level violence, including government attacks on opposition-held areas. Turkey, a main backer of Syrian opposition groups, says the rebels began a limited offensive to stop the attacks, but it expanded as government forces began to retreat. Thursday, Nov. 28: The offensive expands The offensive expands to reach the countryside of Idlib province amid reports government troops are retreating. Friday, Nov. 29: Rebels enter Aleppo The insurgents enter Aleppo, Syrias largest city, for the first time since they were pushed out in 2016 after a grueling military campaign by Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran. They meet with little resistance. Saturday, Nov. 30: Aleppo falls under insurgent control The rebels say they control Aleppo, raising a flag over the citys citadel and occupying the international airport. The Syrian armed forces claim to have redeployed troops and equipment in preparation for a counterattack. By evening, the insurgents have seized at least four towns in the central Hama province and claim to have entered the provincial capital. Sunday, Dec. 1: The government fights back The Syrian military launches a counterattack with troops and airstrikes on Idlib and Aleppo. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits Damascus, telling Assad that Tehran will support the counteroffensive. But Assad receives little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular airstrikes. Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assads forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Monday, Dec. 2-Wednesday, Dec. 4: Fighting rages near Hama The insurgents push south, advancing to within 10 kilometers (6 miles) of Hama, the countrys fourth-largest city and a key crossroads in central Syria, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Damascus. State media reports fierce fighting in the province, and both state media and a U.K.-based observer group say government forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have recaptured some territory. Turkey urges Assad to hold talks with the opposition. Thursday, Dec. 5: Insurgents capture Hama After several days of fighting the rebels sweep into Hama. Dozens of jubilant fighters are seen firing into the air in celebration in Assi Square, the site of massive anti-government protests in the early days of the uprising in 2011. The Syrian army says it has redeployed to positions outside the city to protect civilians. Friday, Dec. 6: Rebels advance on Homs Rapidly advancing now, the rebels seize two towns on the outskirts of Homs, Syrias third-largest city. About 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Hama, Homs is the gateway to Damascus and the location of one of Syrias two state-owned oil refineries. Capturing it would cut the link between Damascus, Assads seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. The government denies reports that its military has withdrawn from the city. Top diplomats from countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Russia, hold talks on Syria in the Qatari capital, Doha. Saturday, Dec. 7: Homs falls and Assads grip weakens Opposition forces take Homs after government forces abandon it. The insurgents say they have encircled Damascus and are carrying out the final stage of their offensive. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition, as Syrian state media denies Assad has fled the country. Sunday, Dec. 8: Assad is toppled Syrian state television airs a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all prisoners have been set free. Russian officials and Iranian state TV say Assad has left Syria; his whereabouts are unknown. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali says the government is ready to extend its hand to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. (AP) Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader whose stunning insurgency toppled Syrias President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. In recent days, the insurgency even dropped his nom de guerre and began referring to him by his real name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test. Insurgents control capital Damascus, Assad has fled into hiding, and for the first time after 50 years of his familys iron hand, it is an open question how Syria will be governed. Syria is home to multiple ethnic and religious communities, often pitted against each other by Assads state and years of war. Many of them fear the possibility Sunni Islamist extremists will take over. The country is also fragmented among disparate armed factions, and foreign powers from Russia and Iran to the United States, Turkey and Israel all have their hands in the mix. The 42-year-old al-Golani is labeled a terrorist by the United States. He and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS many of whose fighters are jihadis stand to be a major player. For years, al-Golani worked to consolidate power, while bottled up in the province of Idlib in Syrias northwest corner as Assads Iranian- and Russian-backed rule over much of the country appeared solid. He maneuvered among extremist organizations while eliminating competitors and former allies. He sought to polish the image of his de-facto salvation government that has been running Idlib to win over international governments and reassure Syrias religious and ethnic minorities. And he built ties with various tribes and other groups. Along the way, al-Golani shed his garb as a hard-line Islamist guerrilla and put on suits for press interviews, talking of building state institutions and decentralizing power to reflect Syrias diversity. Syria deserves a governing system that is institutional, no one where a single ruler makes arbitrary decisions, he said in an interview with CNN last week, offering the possibility HTS would eventually be dissolved after Assad falls. Dont judge by words, but by actions, he said. Al-Golanis beginnings in Iraq Al-Golanis ties to al-Qaida stretch back to 2003, when he joined extremists battling U.S. troops in Iraq. The Syrian native was detained by the U.S. military but remained in Iraq. During that time, al-Qaida usurped like-minded groups and formed the extremist Islamic State of Iraq, led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In 2011, a popular uprising against Syrias Assad triggered a brutal government crackdown and led to all-out war. Al-Golanis prominence grew when al-Baghdadi sent him to Syria to establish a branch of al-Qaida called the Nusra Front. The United States labeled the new group as a terrorist organization. That designation still remains in place and the U.S. government has put a $10 million bounty on him. The Nusra Front and the Syrian conflict As Syrias civil war intensified in 2013, so did al-Golanis ambitions. He defied al-Baghdadis calls to dissolve the Nusra Front and merge it with al-Qaidas operation in Iraq, to form the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. Al-Golani nonetheless pledged his allegiance to al-Qaida, which later disassociated itself from ISIS. The Nusra Front battled ISIS and eliminated much of its competition among the Syrian armed opposition to Assad. In his first interview in 2014, al-Golani kept his face covered, telling a reporter for Qatari network Al-Jazeera that he rejected political talks in Geneva to end the conflict. He said his goal was to see Syria ruled under Islamic law and made clear that there was no room for the countrys Alawite, Shiite, Druze and Christian minorities. Consolidating power and rebranding In 2016, al-Golani revealed his face to the public for the first time in a video message that announced his group was renaming itself Jabhat Fateh al-Sham - the Syria Conquest Front and cutting its ties to al-Qaida. This new organization has no affiliation to any external entity, he said in the video, filmed wearing military garb and a turban. The move paved the way for al-Golani to assert full control over fracturing militant groups. A year later, his alliance rebranded again as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - meaning Organization for Liberating Syria as the groups merged, consolidating al-Golanis power in northwest Syrias Idlib province. HTS later clashed with independent Islamist militants who opposed the merger, further emboldening al-Golani and his group as the leading power in northwestern Syria, able to rule with an iron fist. With his power consolidated, al-Golani set in motion a transformation that few could have imagined. Replacing his military garb with shirt and trousers, he began calling for religious tolerance and pluralism. He appealed to the Druze community in Idlib, which the Nusra Front had previously targeted, and visited the families of Kurds who were killed by Turkish-backed militias. In 2021, al-Golani had his first interview with an American journalist on PBS. Wearing a blazer, with his short hair gelled back, the now more soft-spoken HTS leader said that his group posed no threat to the West and that sanctions imposed against it were unjust. Yes, we have criticized Western policies, he said. But to wage a war against the United States or Europe from Syria, thats not true. We didnt say we wanted to fight. (AP) Hamas has directed other Gaza-based terrorist organizations to prepare detailed information on the captives they are holding as part of a potential deal with Israel, according to sources cited Sunday by AFP. Members of groups including Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Popular Resistance Committees were reportedly asked to confirm the status and conditions of their hostagesspecifically, whether they remain alive. The request is seen as an indication of possible negotiations aimed at exchanging hostages for a ceasefire. A Hamas insider told AFP that contacts have intensified with Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators. The source added that the terrorist organization anticipates another round of indirect talks with Israel to begin in the coming days in Cairo. However, the source urged a halt to Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip, claiming the presence of Israeli troops on the ground complicates efforts to locate and assess the hostages. According to IDF figures, 96 of the 251 hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack remain in Gaza after 425 days. Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered Gaza nearly a decade ago, along with the remains of two IDF soldiers killed in 2014s Operation Protective Edge. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz suggested on Wednesday that Jerusalems pressure on Hamas may have opened a window for a potential hostage-for-ceasefire agreement. Talks between the two sidesconducted indirectly through American, Egyptian, Qatari, and other intermediarieshave stalled repeatedly over the past year. A Hamas official told AFP last week that the group is awaiting heightened international pressure on Israel to end the conflict and finalize a deal, similar to past arrangements. Meanwhile, an internal Hamas document, cited by Reuters, warns that if Israeli forces attempt a rescue operation, the terrorists have been instructed to kill their hostages. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) President Joe Biden said Sunday that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is a fundamental act of justice after decades of repression, but it was a moment of risk and uncertainty for the Mideast. Biden spoke at the White House hours after after rebel groups completed a takeover of the country after more than a dozen years of violent civil war and decades of leadership by Assad and his family. Biden said the United States was unsure of Assads whereabouts, but was monitoring reports he was seeking refuge in Moscow. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump were working to make sense of new threats and opportunities across the Middle East. Biden credited action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syrias backers Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said for the first time that they could no longer defend Assads grip on power. Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East, Biden said, after a meeting with his national security team at the White House. After 13 years of civil war in Syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by Bashir Assad, his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office and flee the country. Were not sure where he is but theres word that hes in Moscow. At long last, the Assad regime has fallen. This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental lack of justice. Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. Its also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next. Biden said the US would wor with its allies to help Syria in its next chapter in a post-Assad world. He also blasted Iran and Russia and credited support for Israel and Ukraine during his term for helping to end the conflict in Syria. You know, for years, the main backers of Assad have been around Hezbollah and Russia, he said. But over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them, because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office. And lets remember why. After Hamas attacked Israel on October the 7th, 2023, when much of the world responded with horror. Iran and its proxies chose to launch a multi-front war against Israel. That was a historic mistake on Irans part. Today, Irans main territorial proxy, Hezbollah, is also on its back. And only 12 days ago, I spoke from the Rose Garden about the cease-fire deal in Lebanon, a deal that was only possible because Hezbollah has been badly degraded. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. Gold has always been seen as a safe haven in times of economic uncertainty, political turmoil and international conflict. But how much reliance can anyone place on an adviser who says that putting your savings into gold is something you should do right now, because of the supposedly imminent threat of World War III, and who has been barred from the entire financial services industry? The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has just banned an advert by Solomon Global Limited, which promotes investment in the metal. The company said investors could 'earn 10 to 12 per cent per annum', adding that 'gold has averaged 11.5 per cent per annum for the last 20 years.' The ASA ruled that this claim was misleading, as it failed to illustrate the risks and did not make clear that past performance was no guarantee of future value. The watchdog ordered that the ad should not appear again. But this close look at Solomon Global has turned the spotlight on its head consultant (or top salesman). He is Clive Lindsay, though this is just one of his wide range of names, which include Clive Harris, John Harris and his original title, Clive Mongelard. Barred: Clive Lindsay, aka John Harris and Clive Mongelard A decade ago, I described him in The Mail on Sunday as 'a living, breathing example of what is wrong with investor protection in Britain'. I first warned against him in 2014. Then, he had set up TM Harris Associates, selling investments in rare earth metals. In fact, these metals are not rare. The name simply means they are not found in large quantities in one place. They are commonplace in batteries and similar products, but there is no two-way market which would have allowed Mongelard's victims to turn their investment back into cash. Mongelard falsely claimed to be one of Britain's most respected stockbrokers. True, he was on the public register of the Financial Conduct Authority, confirming that he had worked for several broking firms. But each one had collapsed in the face of complaints about the mis-selling of high-risk shares to low-risk clients. Using the name Harris, Mongelard had also been a salesman for Green Planet Investment, which scammed investors out of more than 14 million that was supposed to be used to buy land and develop a resort in Brazil. The dodgy dealer went on to sell shares in Our Price Records with false claims and no authorisation from the City regulator. This was a step too far for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In 2020, it won a High Court case against Mongelard and three others after finding that the salesmen pocketed half the money investors handed over. They were ordered to repay victims, with Mongelard himself told to hand back 1.2 million. He failed to pay a penny and was declared bankrupt in 2021. In July, the FCA finally banned Mongelard from any finance job that needs its authorisation, ruling that he was not 'a fit and proper person' and showed a 'serious lack of integrity'. Mongelard now sells gold, which is outside the FCA's jurisdiction. A significant part of his sales pitch is aimed at ethnic minorities. In a podcast he says: 'It's a great way for us particularly within the black community because we don't pass a lot of our wealth down, it has been a majority of debt to create a legacy.' He explained: 'It's as simple as this... We get your money out of the banks, which are possibly going to collapse soon, you buy gold from me, I send the gold to them, they put it under their mattress, they wait for it to go up and then they sell it.' It seems even a global disaster would have an upside. Mongelard has just reposted an article on X (formerly Twitter) announcing: 'The rising threat of World War III could see gold hit $2,800 (2,200) by Christmas.' For him, apparently, every mushroom cloud has a golden lining. Describing himself as the 'Gold Guru', Mongelard says: 'Ever since I discovered the power of precious metals, I knew that helping others achieve financial security was my calling.' I am sure this statement will comfort all those who lost their savings after trusting his earlier sales pitches. Both Clive Mongelard and Solomon Global were invited to comment. Neither did so. Clerical Medical thinks a stranger is my wife M.R. writes: My wife and I invested in a bond with Clerical Medical, and recently decided to cash it in. For a number of years, annual statements have shown my wife's name incorrectly as Mrs Bray, whereas other correspondence has shown both our names correctly. When the bond was cashed in, Clerical Medical wrote saying that 13,485 had been paid into Mrs Bray's bank account. I wrote to them about this, but received no response. Cashing out: Clerical Medical said that 13,485 had been paid into Mrs Bray's bank account Tony Hetherington replies: This has been a bizarre investigation. You and your wife have no connection to Mrs Bray, and no idea who she might be. However, Clerical Medical's letter about the payment of the bond proceeds showed Mrs Bray's address. I made enquiries, including into where she had lived earlier, and found that at her previous address she was registered under your wife's name. I can think of no obvious reason for this, or for how she ended up being regarded by Clerical Medical as your wife, even though you live hundreds of miles apart. It appears the company's client records were mixed up through human error. A spokesman told me: 'We are sorry for the poor service we provided to Mr and Mrs R. We have paid the full bond value into their account, together with a payment for the inconvenience caused and any lost interest as a result of our error.' You now have the full 13,485, plus 72 interest and an extra 500 as an apology. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Investment trust CT UK High Income is a provider of attractive income, primarily from a portfolio of high-yielding UK shares. Recent results indicate that under the command of a new manager this trust can deliver income against the backdrop of rising capital returns something the trust has struggled to achieve in recent years. Half-year results issued late last month show that in the six months to the end of September, the trust reported overall share price returns of 9.4 per cent, compared with 6.1 per cent from the FTSE All-Share Index, its benchmark. 'We are pleased to report an outperformance of the company's benchmark over this period as the UK market remained resilient to ongoing wider geopolitical instability,' said Andrew Watkins, the trust's chairman. The stock market-listed trust has been run since July last year by David Moss, a portfolio manager with Columbia Threadneedle (CT) Investments who also runs the CT Select UK Equity Income Fund. 'What we are trying to do for shareholders is deliver a high level of income and to grow it as well,' he says, 'while offering the prospect of capital growth on top.' It is certainly delivering on the income front. Shares in the trust, capitalised at 74 million, are currently providing a dividend equivalent to 6.5 per cent per year. It has also managed to grow annual dividend payments for 11 years on the trot. The missing part of the jigsaw is long-term growth in the trust's share price. Over the past five years, it is down nearly 5 per cent. Moss was brought in by the trust's board to improve total returns for shareholders. And while the half-year results indicate the performance numbers are moving in the right direction, he knows more needs to be done. 'We need to deliver more capital growth for a longer period,' he says. The trust is currently invested in 40 stocks with more than 75 per cent of its assets in FTSE100 shares. Although it holds dividend-friendly big names such as Shell, HSBC, and insurers Phoenix and Legal & General, Moss says the portfolio is more diverse than maybe meets the eyes of many investors. Some of its stocks, for example, are listed on the FTSE250 Index such as brick manufacturer Ibstock or dual listed (Irish housebuilder Cairn Homes, whose shares trade both on the UK and Irish stock markets). Both have performed strongly over the past year, with their shares rising by 44 and 64 per cent respectively. The portfolio also contains a smattering of European stocks French industrial conglomerate Schneider Electric, German software company SAP and Dutch semi-conductor specialist ASM International (not to be confused with ASML). 'We can invest up to 10 per cent of the portfolio in overseas stocks,' explains Moss, 'but currently it is limited to those three stakes. 'First, because we only invest in overseas companies if they offer something that we can't get from a UK company. Also, from an investment potential point of view, all the value is in the UK.' Moss has mixed views on the Government. Although he admits to being 'disappointed' by the National Insurance costs heaped on businesses by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, he hopes that now 'all the bad news is out there'. As an investment manager who also runs an offshore European fund for Columbia Threadneedle, Moss says the UK is a better investment proposition than Europe. The trust pays income quarterly. The stock market identification code is B1N4G29 and the ticker CHI. Overall annual charges are 1.6 per cent (source: Hargreaves Lansdown). You are the owner of this article. Three private equity firms running foster care agencies have made a combined 40 million in profit out of the plight of vulnerable children, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. They have raked in their millions amid a crisis in the sector. While the buyout barons are cashing in, many foster carers are dropping out, saying that the sums they receive for looking after children are inadequate. The number of foster carers has shrunk to its lowest in a decade, and 6,500 fostering families are desperately needed in England, according to Ofsted, which regulates education and care. The situation is so grim that some children face spending Christmas split up from their siblings or being placed with foster carers who are miles from their communities. But private equity firms are making millions of pounds in profit by running fostering agencies. Big business: The firms make money by charging councils for placing children in foster homes These started as local, small-scale operations, but in recent years agencies have been gobbled up by private equity firms and have turned the sensitive area of children's foster care into big business. The top three agencies National Fostering Group, Polaris and Compass Community are all private equity-owned. They make money by charging local councils for placing children in foster homes. Industry sources say their fees are double or triple what they would be if councils made their own placements. Profit-making agencies are contracted by the state to recruit and train foster carers. Those who pass an assessment, home visit and final checks from a fostering panel are then matched with a child based on the carer's preferences, experience and training. It is a big and growing business, with 44 per cent of all foster carers sourced through independent agencies, according to Ofsted data. This was up from 41 per cent in 2020. One of the private equity barons is flamboyant Italian financier Stefano Bonfiglio whose firm Stirling Square Capital owns National Fostering Group, which places children in foster care. Bonfiglio co-founded Stirling Square in 2002 and is an ex-boyfriend of makeover guru Trinny Woodall. The racehorse-loving multi-millionaire went on to marry ex-Goldman Sachs banker Carolina Gonzalez-Bunster in 2014. Former President Bill Clinton is a friend. National Fostering Group made a profit of 23.4 million for the year to August 2023. Former City banker Seamus FitzPatrick is another private equity player in the sector. The firm he runs, CapVest, owns Polaris Community, which is another major fostering agency. It made a 14.1 million profit in 2023, up from 13.3 million the previous year. Britain's third-largest private foster agency is also in private equity hands. Compass Community offers foster care as well as other services such as children's homes and schooling for young people with additional needs. Luxury: Stefano Bonfiglio with ex-girlfriend Trinny Woodall at the Epsom Derby In May this year, the company was sold to Cap10 Partners, a firm founded by private equity veteran Fabrice Nottin. The Frenchman previously spent nine years at US asset management firm Apollo Global and has sat on Watches Of Switzerland's board. Compass Community made a 3 million profit for the year to March 2023 on revenues of over 108 million. Foster carers get 7.50 per hour allowance The well-heeled lifestyles of the private equity tycoons are a world away from those of foster carers, who receive the equivalent of 7.50 an hour, which is less than the minimum wage, plus a basic allowance to pay for each child's clothes and food. Most are self-employed and so not entitled to workers' rights including a minimum wage, sick pay, paid leave or pensions. Many rely on benefits. One told this newspaper that foster carers 'essentially work without any rights or protections whatsoever' despite 'enormous amounts of profit' being made off their backs by private equity firms. The Fostering Network, a UK charity, said last month that the number of foster carers in England fell to a ten-year low of 42,615 for the year to March from 45,370 in 2021. 'The fewer foster carers we have, the more children who may end up in residential care, or in homes away from their families and friends,' the charity's chief executive Sarah Thomas said. About 57,000 children in England are in foster care. Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled 44 million for foster care in her Budget to increase the number of foster parents. A Stirling Square Capital spokesman said: 'We are a long-term investor in health and social care and have owned NFG for nine years. 'In this time, Stirling Square has never taken a dividend out of the business and reinvested all available profits back into NFG, which has and will always pay UK tax.' Aviva boss Amanda Blanc has more takeover targets in her sights after the insurer's swoop on its rival Direct Line last week. Blanc, 57, is eyeing up potential expansion areas in Aviva's business, such as its protection and health arm, according to a source close to the matter. It comes after Aviva clinched a deal to snap up troubled Direct Line for 3.6 billion after sweetening a 3.3 billion offer that had been rejected. The takeover, which offers Direct Line shareholders a mixture of cash and shares, will give them a 12.5 per cent stake in Aviva. Expansion plans: Aviva boss Amanda Blanc could be planning further takeovers, sources say It marks the third bid for the insurer in less than 12 months, with Direct Line having fended off a takeover attempt by Belgian rival Ageas earlier this year. The offer comes weeks after Direct Line's boss Adam Winslow, who took over at the start of March, announced the business was cutting 550 jobs as part of a 100 million cost-saving programme to revive its fortunes. Blanc's attempt to snap up Direct Line pits her against her ex-colleague. The two are said to have 'bad blood' after Winslow left Aviva for Direct Line. If the takeover goes ahead he is expected to leave when the deal is completed. A City source said: 'There's no way he's staying on.' Since she took over as Aviva boss in 2020, Blanc has revived the fortunes of the insurer by spearheading a string of deals including the sale of several of its non-core businesses overseas. In March this year, Blanc faced speculation that Aviva itself could be a takeover target, but she responded with a share buyback and a dividend rise, cheering investors. The stock has also risen by 10 per cent this year. Global banks are rethinking moves from London to mainland Europe as political chaos engulfs the Continent, The Mail on Sunday has been told. Lenders have been gradually shifting operations to cities including Paris and Frankfurt since the UK left the European Union in some cases because they are obliged to by European regulators. But with the French government collapsing and Germany in turmoil, some are pausing any non-essential moves. A senior banking source said the mood had changed since the summer, when French elections plunged the country into chaos. With France and Germany a 'mess', the UK now 'doesn't look so bad', the source told The Mail on Sunday. The French have not been shy about luring bankers and others to Paris. Adverts promoting a move across the Channel have appeared in UK newspapers saying: 'Make It Iconic. Choose France.' In 2016 France vowed to make its tax regime for expats the most attractive in Europe and then prime minister Manuel Valls said Paris would become 'the financial capital of the future'. High hopes: London is looking more attractive, after Macron has left France seeming unstable Emmanuel Macron, the president himself a former investment banker has been instrumental in the push. It has not been without results, with US bank JP Morgan opening a trading hub in Paris in 2021 in an event attended by Macron. And last year France's central bank said it beat expectations in attracting banks post-Brexit, boosting its balance of payments a measure of its overseas trade. But the exodus to EU cities, with Frankfurt and Dublin also luring Britain's bankers, has failed to materialise in the way some expected. Back in 2016, the year of the Brexit vote, the planned number of Brexit-related staff relocations to Europe totalled 12,500. But many firms have thought better and by 2022 that number had dwindled to 7,000, according to accountancy firm EY. Now, with sentiment towards France souring, the pendulum is swinging back towards Britain. Snap elections called by Macron led to sharp gains for the Left and far-Right, and no overall majority for any parliamentary bloc. Michel Barnier, the prime minister appointed by Macron to try to hold together a fragile government, faced the ultimately impossible task of trying to push through tax rises and spending cuts to repair France's debt-laden public finances. His ousting last week in a no-confidence vote was inevitable, causing some to raise questions about Macron's own future. The chaos has unnerved markets, sending French bond yields up. Germany is also in turmoil, with a shaky coalition collapsing recently and the country's once-mighty industrial base crumbling. Probably just a bit of poor phraseology that still deserves to be documented . . . Given that "blaming the victim" is a hotly contested topic in our constant American culture war. We understand support for police but there really isn't any way to talk around an infant getting shot to death. More important than any other fact regarding this story . . . There's NOTHING that baby did to cause her demise . . . And, like it or not, gunfire suffered by an infant is the main reason why reasonable people are asking LEGIT questions and RIGHTFULLY demanding accountability. To be as clear as possible . . . We don't have any probs with police showing solidarity and support for one another amid fierce criticism but, in turn, this latest oddly worded statement only strengthens JUSTIFIED demands for more investigation and answers that might help to save any future youngster in harm's way. Here's the word . . . Former Independence Police Chief Gary George spoke to approximately 20 residents offering support to the Independence Police Department . . . George told the public it must examine what caused Pike and Destinii's death. He among others, offered condolences to the grieving family. Following his condolences and acknowledgment of the incident he stated, "Sometimes the victims cause their own demise and what happened to this baby... But, please support the city, especially Chief Dustman and the Independence Police Department." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Tonight model, presenter and social media influencer hottie Demi inspires our evening peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Toy Train Road Ahead . . . Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebrates Kansas City's 1818 Main Development, The Refinery On December 2, 2024, community leaders, city officials, and project partners celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the highly anticipated the Refinery, a transformative new development located in the heart of Kansas City along the streetcar line. Local Tribute Tonight Cass County Sheriff's Office mourns sudden passing of lieutenant who served 21 years "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lieutenant Robyn Burger," the Cass County Sheriff's posted. Bad News For Ballers Chiefs' Hardman placed on IR ahead of Chargers matchup in Kansas City As the Kansas City Chiefs' Mecole Hardman is placed on the Injured/Reserve list, three other players from the practice squad have been listed as active. Cowtown Christmas Spirit 'It's providing hope and joy': Salvation Army needs your help in bringing holiday cheer this season The Salvation Army in Kansas City is calling on the community to help them reach an important fundraising goal this holiday season. Stepping Up For Playoffs Chris Jones doesn't object to his increased workload with Chiefs Kansas City's star defensive tackle is getting even more work in 2024. Social Media Sneak Peek Demi Rose Stuns In Birthday Suit While Working Out Demi Rose captivates fans by posing confidently in her birthday suit during a workout, showcasing her toned physique and bold style! White House Flack Confronts Angry Public Karine Jean-Pierre pressed on honesty after repeatedly claiming Biden would not pardon his son White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to questioning from an AP reporter after she stated multiple times that President Biden would not pardon his son. MAGA & Royalty Meetup Trump, Prince William sit down for meeting in Paris after Notre Dame ceremony President-elect Trump and Prince William shook hands at the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris on Saturday and later held a sit-down meeting at the British Embassy ahead of his inauguration. American Heroes Endure 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors are planning to return to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony. Haterz Share Life Lessons Anti-Israel Students Launch 'Columbia Intifada' Newspaper At US University Since the October 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent response by Israel, Columbia University has been the epicentre for disruptive protests. Prez Offers More War Cash Biden administration announces nearly $1 billion aid package for Ukraine as Trump meets with Zelenskyy Lloyd Austin announced the Pentagon will send nearly $1 billion to Ukraine, bringing the total the United States has committed to Ukraine to more than $62 billion. NextGen Proudly Postpones Disappointment I'm a 34-year-old virgin - this is the best thing about abstaining from sex Lauren Harkins, who hails from Portland, Maine, is still a virgin who is waiting for the perfect person, explaining that she needs a "strong emotional and spiritual connection" with a man in order to be physical - something she has yet to find. Season Of Obligations Starts Holiday traditions return to Kansas City stages: How to see 'Nutcracker,' 'Messiah' & more These Christmas productions have been going on for decades. Get details on times, tickets and parking. Grigs Shares Glorious Forecast Another nice day come Sunday Big drop in temperature beginning Tuesday And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Damascus falls, Bashar al Assad flees: Syrian Opposition The Syrian Opposition fighters early in the morning Sunday December 08, 2024 claimed they have captured the capital, Damascus, and end of Assad's brutal regime Sunday December 8, 2024 11:00 AM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies [Damascus residents chanted, Freedom, freedom as they took to the streets (Louai Beshara/AFP)] Damascus: The Syrian Opposition fighters early in the morning Sunday December 08, 2024 claimed they have captured the capital, Damascus, and end of Assad's brutal regime. The a coalition of Syrian opposition groups called the Military Operations Command led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied Turkish-backed groups in the Syrian National Army (SNA) also said Bashar al Assad fled the country. Opposition takes control of airport Moments before the opposition fighters took control of the airport, open-source flight trackers recorded a single plane in Syrias airspace, accodring to Al Jazeera. An Illyushin76 aircraft with flight number Syrian Air 9218 was the last flight to take off from Damascus. First, it flew east, then it turned north. A few minutes later, its signal disappeared as it circled over Homs. [The statue of Syrias late president Hafez al-Assad was toppled as opposition fighters arrived in Damascus on Sunday December 08, 2024.] Earlier in the night, the opposition groups had captured Homs the third largest city of Syria, in a lightning offensive. The opposition fighters had started surrounding Damascus Saturday night, announcing they were only "kilometers away from the capital". In the latest military offensive which began on November 27, 2024, the opposition fighters had captured Aleppo, Hama and Daara along with Homs on their march to capital Damascus. Bashar al Assad's wife and children had reportedly fled to Russia days after the opposition forces captured Aleppo. Assad's three brothers-in-law too fled Syria and moved to the UAE, according to The Wall Street Journal. Assad Regime in Syria - Timeline Bashar al Assad is President of Syria since 2000. He became president after the death of Hafez al Assad in June 2000. Assad family is in power in Syria since 1971. But, protests against the brutal regime started and took turn into a civil war in 2011. A ceasefire between the opposition fighters and Syrian security forces was established in February 2016 but clashes continued. On November 27, 2024, a coalition of Syrian opposition groups called the Military Operations Command led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied Turkish-backed groups in the Syrian National Army (SNA) launched an offensive against the pro-government Syrian Arab Army (SAA) forces and in lightning speed captured Aleppo, Hama, Homs and now closing in on capital Damascus. "Preparations wer on since the last five years to capture and finally declare victory over the al Assad regime", HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani, born Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, said. U.S. President elect Donald Trump commenting on the latest development in Syria said "this in not his county's war" asking the outgoing administration not to get involved in what he said "the conflict between Syria, Russia and Iran". "I am hereby demanding that the US do NOT get involved in the conflict between Syria, Russia and Iran. This is not our fight, we should not send one penny to Damascus or any other party involved. We cannot let the warmongers in the White House succeed in starting World War 3!", he wrote on social media platform X. Celebrations in Syria, abroad Meanwhile, celebrations have begun all around the fallen cities after the opposition fighters declared victory and end of over 50-years of Assad familys brutal regime. Millions of Syrians who had been forcibly displaced outside the country have taken to social media to celebrate the end of President Bashar al-Assads decades long rule over the country on 8 December, according to BBC. Oh God, I cannot stop crying. I am imagining the day I go back, Human Rights Activist Rima Flihan writes on her Facebook page. Syria has seen the worlds largest refugee crisis, according to the UNHCR. The organisation estimates that around 6.6 million Syrians were forced to flee their homes since 2011. How lonely is this feeling of happiness when we are all scattered [across the world], one user on Facebook posted. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Man of The Moment: Abu Muhammad Al-Julani Abu Muhammad al-Julani is the man of the moment. He was declared dead a week ago but emerged as victor and marched triumphant in the Syrian capital Damascus Sunday Dec 8, 2024 Monday December 9, 2024 11:23 AM , Team ummid.com with inputs from Agencies [Abu Muhammad al Julani after leading the Syrian opposition to victory on Sunday December 08, 2024.] While addressing a conference held in Tell Rifaat in May 2023, Abu Muhammad al-Julani had said they were very close to conquering Aleppo and later overthrow Bashar al Assad. One and a half year later in November 2024, al Julani entered Aleppo as victor. Within a week of conquering the second largest city of Syria, al Julani-led Syrian fighters took Hama and Homs under their control, finally conquering Damascus and ending over 50-year brutal regime of the Assad family on December 08, 2024. Abu Muhammad al-Julani is the man of the moment. He was declared dead a week ago but emerged victor and marched triumphant in the Syrian capital Damascus even as celebrations erupted in whole of Syria and abroad where Syrians were forced to live as refugees. [Abu Muhammad al-Julani at a conference held in Tell Rifaat in May 2023.] Interestingly, the same al-Julani - who had been designated as a global terrorist by the US State Department with a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture in May 2013, was seen giving interview to American broadcaster CNN on December 06, 2024. Aware of his international image, Al Julani in an interview conducted by American journalist Martin Smith in early February 2021, had asserted that Tahrir al-Sham is no threat to the United States and hence the US government should remove the group from its terrorist list. Of late, Al Julani united all Syrian factions fighting against Bashar al Assad regime and formed a coalition of the Military Operations Command led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied Turkish-backed groups in the Syrian National Army (SNA). We want to build a new Syria where everyone and people of all sects will live together in peace, Al Julani said while talking to CNN. People of different sects are living in Syria since centuries. No one has the right to kill or eliminate anyone, he said. [Abu Muhammad al-Julani in an interview with the American broadcaster CNN on December 06, 2024.] In a series of statements released after Nov 27, 2024, al Julani, who had also fought against the ISIS Chief Abu Bakr Baghdadi, asked his fighters to stay calm, treat people with kindness, and stay from any kind of violence against the civilians. He also announced amnesty to the Syrian security forces, possibly because of which a good number of "the government forces surrendered without fighting. Syrian opposition fighters conquered Damascus in lightning speed with the latest offensive starting on Nov 27 and ending on Dec 08, 2024. Abu Julani however said the preparations for the final assault o the Assad regime was on since the last 5 years. Here is a brief profile of Abu Muhammad al-Julani Abu Mohammed al-Julani, born Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa in 1982 in the Saudi Capital Riyadh. His father was petroleum engineer. The family migrated to Syria in 1989 and settled in the Golan Heights region of Syria. Al-Julani rose from the ranks of what is billed as jihadist insurgent to become one of the most significant figures in the Syrian conflict. The nickname "Al-Jolani" or "Al-Golani" is derived from the name of the Golan Heights, which the Israeli regime captured and annexed to its territory in the 1967 war. Al Julanis journey from a foot soldier in Iraq to the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a testament to his strategic maneuvering within the volatile landscape of "Middle Eastern terrorism". Abu Muhammad Al-Jolani went at the age of 16 to assist the Iraqis in booting the Americans where he was jailed and tortured by them. Early Years and Rise in Iraq Al-Julani's militant career began in Iraq, joining Al-Qaeda under Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. He is said to have been involved in some of the bloodiest attacks during the U.S. occupation in Iraq. Following Zarqawi's death, al-Julani was captured by the U.S. forces and imprisoned in Camp Bucca, often referred to as an "ISIS incubator". Here, he was in close quarters with future ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi but later fought against him. Formation of Jabhat al-Nusra With the onset of the Syrian Civil War, al-Baghdadi tasked al-Julani with establishing Al-Qaeda's presence in Syria. Thus, Jabhat al-Nusra was born, quickly becoming one of the most formidable groups opposing the Assad regime. The relationship between Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS soured when al-Baghdadi announced their merger into ISIS, a move al-Julani rejected, choosing instead to pledge allegiance directly to Al-Qaeda's global leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. "I didn't want to bring to Syria what I had seen in Iraq", al Julani told the CNN. [ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi announced bounty to kill Abu Muhammad al-Julani.] This led to what was known as the "jihadist civil war" between the two groups. The differences between the two reached at such a level that al Baghdadi ordered assassination of al Julani and announced bounty for anyone who would kill the HTS leader. Transition to HTS In 2016, al-Julani announced the rebranding of Jabhat al-Nusra to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, an attempt to distance the group from Al-Qaeda's international terrorism label, although it was seen by many as a cosmetic change to garner more support and funding. Masjid in #Syria plays Takbir after the fall of #Assad regime Sunday December 08, 2024 even as a wailing women is heard in the background. pic.twitter.com/WnWWAPZT1S ummid.com (@ummid) December 8, 2024 By 2017, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham merged into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, with al-Julani at its helm. The HTS has since controlled significant territory in Idlib, where it has tried to establish a semblance of governance, including a "Salvation Government" to manage civilian affairs. In his Idlib Islamic statelet, Julanis priorities were institution building and professionalization, clean streets, irrigation, agricultural productivity, streamlined permit approvals, and industrial development. International View and Current Status Al-Julani was designated a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" by the U.S. since 2013, with a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture. Despite these labels, the HTS, under his leadership, engaged in media efforts to reframe its image, notably through interviews with leading publications and broadcasters like PBS Frontline and CNN. Al-Julani's biography is a complex narrative of terrorism, power struggles, and attempts at legitimacy in the shadow of war-torn Syria. His actions continue to shape not only the conflict within Syria but also the broader discourse on how the international community deals with non-state actors in the Middle East. As on today, Abu Muhammad al-Julani is seen as a skilled politician and a renowned military commander who united all the Mujahideen in Syria and finally ending the brutal rule of Bashar al Assad. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore hit 6 months in space Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, known in the world as the stuck astronauts, Thursday December 05, 2024 hit the six-month mark in space Monday December 9, 2024 0:09 AM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies Cape Canaveral (Florida): Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, known in the world as the stuck astronauts, Thursday December 05, 2024 hit the six-month mark in space. The two astronauts rocketed into orbit for an 8-day mission on June 5, 2024 - the first to ride Boeings new Starliner crew capsule on what was supposed to be a weeklong test flight. They arrived at the International Space Station the next day, only after overcoming a cascade of thruster failures and helium leaks. NASA deemed the capsule too risky for a return flight, so it will be February 2025 before their long and trying mission comes to a close, according to Associated Press. "Spacewalk" Sunita Williams is a veteran of three space missions who has undertaken essential tasks including swapping a data recorder box between suits and inspecting the life support gear of her spacesuit, following resizing and configuration work completed the previous day. There are still two months left when Williams and Wilmore will return to Earth. In the meantime, Williams is preparing spacewalk. This is not the first time when the Indian-American astronaut will take a spacewalk outside the space station. She had walked out of the ISS in 2012 . Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Syrians Rejoice As Brutal Assad Regime Falls Syrians both in Syria and abroad, are celebrating the fall of more than 50-year brutal regime of the Assad family came to end Sunday December 08, 2024 Sunday December 8, 2024 11:23 PM , Team ummid.com with inputs from Agencies [Abu Muhammad Al Julani visiting the historic Citadel of Aleppo on December 04, 2024.] Damascus: Syrians both in Syria and abroad, are celebrating the fall of more than 50-year brutal regime of the Assad family came to end Sunday December 08, 2024. The Assad family was ruling Syria since 1971 with Hafez al Assad at the helm of affairs till his death in 2000. Hafez al Assads son Bashar al Assad took charge of Syria in June 2000 after his fathers death and remained in the office till today when the opposition coalition entered the capital Damascus. Bashar al Assad fled the country hours before the opposition fighters led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Chief Abu Muhammad Al-Julani entered Damascus within days after capturing Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Daraa in quick succession and with lightning speed. Syria was in turmoil since 2011 when the people rebelled against the brutal Assad regime. A ceasefire was announced in 2016, but Assad lost the total control over the country, and various factions fighting against the regime controlled different parts of Syria. Abu Muhammad Al-Julani took the initiative of uniting the rebel groups. The final assault on the Assad regime, for which preparations were on since the last five years, was launched on November 27, 2024 when Aleppo was captured . The opposition forces later captured Hama, Daraa and Homs and then finally Damascus on Sunday December 08, 2024 . Future is ours Hours after the fall of Damascus, Abu Muhammad Al-Julani appeared live on the national TV and said the future is their, news agency Reuters reported. There is no room for turning back. The future is ours, he said in his first statement published at 18:07 Sunday after overthrowing the Assad regime. People in Syria had been waiting for this moment for a long time, Abdo Ghrebi (27) who had left Syria in 2017 said. "Were peaceful people. We never liked any war or violence, we only wanted peace, unlike the regime," he said. "We lost a lot of martyrs but, thankfully, were now getting our dignity and freedom back and will have a better future. Our losses werent in vain, he added. Talking to BBC correspondent, a Syrian woman in Damascus who was in tears said most of her family were dead, killed inside prison. Thousands of Syrians who were forced to live as different parts of the world are also rejoicing. Oh God, I cannot stop crying. I am imagining the day I go back, Human Rights Activist Rima Flihan writes on her Facebook page. Syria has seen the worlds largest refugee crisis, according to the UNHCR. The organisation estimates that around 6.6 million Syrians were forced to flee their homes since 2011. How lonely is this feeling of happiness when we are all scattered [across the world], one user on Facebook posted. This is a great moment, she added. Online video footages shared on social media show people celebrating on the streets in Damascus and Aleppo, and offering prayers in the historic Umayyad Mosque and Khalid ibn Walid mosque in the city of Homs. Adhan at the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus#Syria pic.twitter.com/BwqWWMNm54 ummid.com (@ummid) December 8, 2024 World welcomes New Dawn in Syria Different world leaders have welcomed the fall of Assad regime in Syria, are cooperating with all factions to avoid chaos and make possible a smooth transition of power. "The barbaric state has fallen at last", French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media. "I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity. France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East", he added. Also Read: Washington and Moscow trying to square a circle in Syria German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Assad's fall "good news" and urged a political solution to stabilise Syria, according to AFP. "Bashar al-Assad oppressed his people brutally. He has countless lives on his conscience and has driven numerous people to flee, many of whom have arrived in Germany," Scholz said, according to the news agency. UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said if the Assad regime has fallen then the government "welcome that news", according to BBC. As for the United States, President elect Donald Trump, commenting on the latest development in Syria, said "this in not his county's war" and asked the outgoing administration not to get involved, in what he said, "the conflict between Syria, Russia and Iran". "I am hereby demanding that the US do NOT get involved in the conflict between Syria, Russia and Iran. This is not our fight, we should not send one penny to Damascus or any other party involved. We cannot let the warmongers in the White House succeed in starting World War 3!", he wrote on social media platform X. Saudi Arabia on the other hand said the Kingdom is engaging with regional actors to help prevent a chaotic outcome in Syria. "We have been in contact with all actors in the region. We are in constant communication with Turkey and every stakeholder involved," a Saudi official was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters Sunday. Jordan's King Abdullah in a statement released by the Royal Hashemite Court called for efforts to prevent conflict in Syria that could result in chaos, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the security of Syria. Egypt has also called on all parties in Syria to preserve the capabilities of the state and national institutions, the Foreign Ministry of the country said. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Dec, 2024) Renowned Pakistani-American Dr. Anosh Ahmed's acclaimed book "Leadership 101" has gained widespread recognition and popularity around the world as the book dispensed leadership principles in a simplified, innovative, and practical manner. The book emphasized the need for leaders to rethink traditional practices to foster organizational growth and employee well-being in today's rapidly changing world, said a press release issued on Sunday. The book suggested that instead of enforcing rigid work hours and micromanagement, leaders should consider the specific needs of their team members, show empathy and create an environment where employees feel trusted and valued. The book stressed the importance of leaders fostering a culture of learning from experience, including both successes and mistakes. The book also highlighted innovative ideas by creating a space where employees feel comfortable taking calculated risks and learning from them, managers can encourage innovation and creativity within the team. The book encouraged leaders to act as mentors who guide their teams through challenges rather than supervisors who punish mistakes. Moreover, several business leaders have praised Dr. Anosh Ahmed's book, calling it a valuable resource, particularly for young leaders and professionals. They believe the book guided business leaders on how to design strategies that promote organizational growth, offer equal opportunities for employee advancement and transform staff into valuable assets for their companies. Expressing his feelings on the book's success, Dr. Anosh Ahmed stated, "It is an admiration and a privilege for me to see people prioritizing learning new things in today's vibrant world, adding he said that my book taught individuals to move beyond outdated mindsets and embrace modern approaches. I aimed to simplify the complex subject of leadership so that it could benefit everyone. The book's success is a testament to how critical it is to understand and implement effective leadership in today's world." Dr. Ahmed also encouraged leaders to support their employees' professional development by offering training programs, mentorship opportunities and a path for advancement within the organization. He argued that when employees see their company investing in their future, they're more likely to remain loyal, motivated and engaged. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Dec, 2024) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the government's commitment to root out corruption at every level, urging the people to play their role in the government's quest for a corruption-free future. "On this International Anti-Corruption Day, let us stand together, united in our resolve to build a Pakistan where public resources are utilized efficiently for the welfare of our people," the prime minister said in a message. "Let us work together for a future where the rule of law prevails and where accountability is the bedrock for all", he said. He said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and other law enforcement agencies were working tirelessly to ensure that those who misuse power and rob the hard-earned public revenues face the consequences of their actions. "We recognize the hard work of our institutions and stand with them in this important task to root out corruption from society", he added. He highlighted that the 9th of December marked the International Anti-Corruption Day, a reminder of the global efforts to confront one of the greatest challenges facing our societies corruption. "This years theme Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity rightly highlights the important role that our youth can play in the fight against corruption. Our younger generation deserves a future where they can thrive free from corruption," he added. Today, he said Pakistan joined the international community to renew its commitment to transparency, integrity, and accountability for now and for future generations. He emphasized that corruption was a corrosive element that undermined economic development and destroys the social fabric of societies. "It robs nations of their potential and prevents people from enjoying the benefits of fair governance and equal opportunities. It also distorts public services, diverts resources meant for development, and perpetuates inequality that impacts the lives of ordinary citizens. Corruption is therefore a major reason for distrust between the governments and its citizens," he remarked. However, he said the government alone could not win the fight against corruption. He said that it required the collective effort of every citizen, every community and every institution. He also urged the media to play an active role in exposing malpractices. "This day demands active participation from all who believe in justice and integrity. Each one of us must take responsibility for building a transparent and accountable society," he added. MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Dec, 2024) Divisional Director Livestock Multan Dr Mehmood Ijaz Gorsi, accompanied by Additional Director Livestock Multan Dr Ghulam Nabi, conducted inspections at Alipur Sadat and Jalalpur Pirwala veterinary hospitals. During his visit to Jalalpur Pirwala, Deputy Director Livestock Dr Jamshed Akhtar briefed the officials on the department's performance and the facilities being provided to livestock farmers. Dr Gorsi emphasised the importance of preventive measures against fog fever, a potentially fatal disease that affects livestock during the winter season. He urged farmers to ensure timely vaccinations to safeguard their animals from seasonal illnesses. Vaccination is crucial for protecting livestock from various diseases caused by changing weather conditions. A little negligence could cost an animal's life, which is a valuable asset to farmers, he stated. He also stressed the importance of providing proper shelter for livestock during cold and foggy conditions. He advised farmers to keep animals in covered or enclosed spaces to shield them from the harsh weather. Avoid giving animals cold water and provide fresh, slightly warm water. Feed animals a mix of dry and green fodder exposed to sunlight, along with mineral supplements and molasses to boost immunity. Livestock is like cash in hand for farmers. It is an asset that could support them during times of need. Protecting this valuable resource is our top priority, he added. The divisional director encouraged women to engage in small-scale livestock businesses such as raising poultry and goats to supplement household income. He reiterated the Livestock departments commitment to offering free technical assistance and vaccination services to farmers and livestock traders. The director urged farmers to strictly adhere to vaccination schedules and ensure the health and productivity of their animals. "By adopting modern farming practices and raising high-yielding breeds, farmers can turn livestock rearing into a profitable venture," he concluded. Damascus, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Dec, 2024) Iran's embassy in Syria was vandalised on Sunday, an AFP photographer said, after Islamist-led rebels declared the fall of Tehran ally Bashar al-Assad following a sweeping offensive that culminated in Damascus. The AFP photographer saw ransacked offices, with shattered glass on the floor and broken furniture in the building in Damascus's upscale Mazzeh area, also home to other embassies and United Nations offices. People loaded looted items onto trucks outside, the photographer said. Filing cabinets and drawers sat open while papers, files and other contents, including Iranian and Syrian flags, were strewn around the premises. A safe sat in the middle of one room, whose tiled floor was littered with broken posters including of the Islamic republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and current supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the AFP photographer saw. Also on the ground was a destroyed picture of Lebanon's former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs in September, and of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, who died in a US drone strike in the Iraqi capital Baghdad in January 2020. "Unknown individuals have attacked the Iranian embassy, as you can see in these images shared by various networks," an Iranian state television broadcaster said, showing footage from Al Arabiya, said to be from the diplomatic compound. Iranian newspaper Tehran Times reported online that Iranian diplomats had left the embassy before it was stormed, citing foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. The report accused rebel forces of being behind the attack, a claim that could not be independently verified immediately. Later Sunday, Baqaei said in a statement that Tehran has taken the "necessary measures" to ensure the "security and safety of the employees of the embassy". He added that "the ambassador and employees are in perfect health". Online footage verified by AFP showed men outside the embassy overnight, tearing down a poster showing Nasrallah and Soleimani. On Saturday, as the rebels pressed their lightning offensive but had not yet taken Damascus, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on "the Syrian government and legitimate opposition groups" to enter negotiations. Araghchi visited Damascus on December 1, days into the rebel offensive, meeting with Assad in the Syrian leader's last public appearance alongside an Iranian official. A day later, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran's support in a telephone call with Assad. The deposed Syrian leader last visited Iran in May, shortly after the death of former president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Iran has supported Damascus during Syria's civil war, which began in 2011, sending "military advisers" at Assad's request. Numerous Iranian Revolutionary Guards commanders have been killed in Syria, in combat and in Israeli strikes. burs/jsa Majdal Shams, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) In the town of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, residents took to the streets on Sunday to celebrate the dramatic fall of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. The jubilant mood contrasted with Israeli tanks deploying along the border, which leaders said were there to protect Israel from any potential new threat. With speakers blasting patriotic Syrian songs, residents of the Druze Arab town celebrated the political change across the border, saying it would bring peace to the region, including with Israel. "We are part of the Syrian people, and we are very happy today," Mais Ibrahim, 33, told AFP. "We want to see a free Syria and a range of different people and voices there." The Druze are an ethno-religious minority living mostly in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the occupied Golan. Ibrahim said the Syrian people had "paid a high price under Assad's regime" and that she hoped the change would "end the wars and bring peace". There are around 150,000 Druze living in Israel and the occupied Golan Heights, with most holding Israeli citizenship and serving in the army. However, those living in the Israeli-controlled area of the Golan Heights -- captured from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed -- differ, with most still seeing themselves as Syrian nationals. For more than a decade, the Druze community has watched the unrest in Syria, fearing for the fate of close relatives and friends. - 'Very emotional' - Alaa Safadi, 52, a doctor whose brother-in-law was imprisoned and killed in a Syrian jail under Assad's rule, said the Druze people were "one body", whether they lived in Israel, Syria, Lebanon or Jordan. Safadi, who under a special arrangement between Israel and Syria spent seven years studying in Damascus, said he was happy to see Assad fall. He said it brought him hope that it would break the physical borders and cultural barriers that exist in this war-torn region. "In the end, I believe that within two years we will be able to go freely from here and drink coffee in the cafes of Damascus," he said. Raya Fakher Aldeen, 42, meanwhile described how she nearly wept with joy when she heard the news of Assad's fall at 6:00 am on Sunday. "I am very emotional right now, we almost don't believe this is happening or real," she said. Fakher Aldeen, who also spent years studying in Damascus, added, "we are not separated from Syria, we have relatives there." Despite uncertainty over Syria's future -- with various factions in control of different parts of the country, including Islamists -- she said she was not worried about what the future might hold for the people who live there. "What happened was not by any Islamic group," she said. "It was by the Syrian people." Nearby Yasser Khanjar, 46, said he wanted to send a message to incoming US President Donald Trump, who in 2019 formally recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, that the land still belonged to Syria. "This is why we are happy for the fall of Bashar al-Assad, he did not ask to free the Golan," Khanjar said, adding that he was now hopeful for a change. reg/dcp/jsa (@FahadShabbir) Beirut, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Dec, 2024) Syrian rebels Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied groups, on a lightning offensive through the country, said on Saturday they had started to surround the government-held capital Damascus. The HTS-led alliance's offensive since November 27 represents the most significant threat to President Bashar al-Assad's power in years. It comes after Syria's civil war -- which began with Assad's crackdown on democracy protests in 2011 -- had been mostly dormant. AFP has been unable to independently verify some of the information provided by the government and the rebels, as its journalists cannot reach the areas around Damascus where the rebels say they are present. - 'Damascus awaits' - "Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus," said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani of the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive 10 days ago. Anti-government protesters toppled a statue of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's late father Hafez in the mostly Druze and Christian Damascus suburb of Jaramana on Saturday, witnesses told AFP. "Damascus awaits you," HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said in an address to rebel fighters on Telegram, using his real name instead of his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. - Army denial - The Syrian defence ministry denied the army had abandoned positions near the capital. "There is no truth to news claiming our armed forces, present in all areas of the Damascus countryside, have withdrawn," it said. Interior Minister Mohammed al-Rahmoun said security forces had established a ring of steel around the capital. "There is a very strong security and military cordon on the far edges of Damascus and its countryside, and no one... can penetrate this defensive line," Rahmoun told state television. - 2,000 Hezbollah fighters - Lebanese militant group Hezbollah -- a longtime ally of Damascus -- has sent 2,000 fighters to a part of Syria near the border with Lebanon, a source close to the group said. "Hezbollah sent 2,000 fighters to the Qusayr area. .. to defend its positions there and has not yet participated in any battles," the source told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. - Syrian troops flee to Iraq - Security sources in neighbouring Iraq told AFP the country had allowed hundreds of troops from the Syrian army, some of them wounded, to cross the border. The soldiers from President Bashar al-Assad's forces "have fled the front lines" and entered Iraq through the Al-Qaim border crossing, said one senior security official, adding that "the wounded have been hospitalised" in the area. - Trump urges US to stay out - President-elect Donald Trump said the United States should "not get involved" in the war, noting: "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend". "THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" he posted in his trademark capital letters on his Truth Social platform. - Russia says Syria cannot fall to 'terrorists' - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Syria must not be allowed to fall into the hands of "terrorist" rebels. "It's inadmissible to allow the terrorist group to take control of territories," Lavrov said in an allusion to HTS, which despite efforts to soften its image in recent years, remains proscribed by Western governments as a "terrorist organisation". - UN envoy urges 'political talks' - United Nations special envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen called for "urgent political talks" to implement Security Council Resolution 2254 of 2015, which set out a roadmap for a negotiated settlement. - Israel says assisting - The Israeli army said its troops were assisting UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights in repelling an attack "by armed individuals", while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said "armed forces" had entered the UN-patrolled buffer zone. The minister said Israel was "troubled by violations" of the 1974 armistice with Syria. "Israel does not intervene in the internal conflict in Syria," he added. There was no immediate comment from the UN force. (@FahadShabbir) Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Dec, 2024) Newly restored Notre Dame cathedral held its first mass on Sunday, with Christians celebrating the return of the French capital's most famous place of worship after a historic re-opening ceremony. The beloved Paris monument nearly burned down in 2019, but has been fully renovated inside and fitted with a new roof and spire during a frenzied five-year refit. The inaugural mass was led by Paris archbishop Laurent Ulrich with 150 bishops and more than 100 priests from the capital in attendance, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron. The archbishop led prayers and consecrated a new altar which replaced the old one that was destroyed five years ago. "Whether you are here in person in the cathedral or in front of a screen, including perhaps under the rain, I greet you with intense emotion," Ulrich told the congregation, referring to the small rain-drenched crowds outside watching events on public screens. In a nod to France's ongoing political turmoil, he added that he "prayed also for our country that is looking to the future with worry." A second mass in the evening at 6:30 pm (1730 GMT) will be open to the public, with roughly 2,500 people who secured free tickets this week expected to attend. The cathedral will open fully to visitors on December 16 via an online reservation system. Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Dec, 2024) Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said Kyiv needed an "enduring" peace to protect it from Russia, after talks in Paris with US President-elect Donald Trump, who warned he would "probably" reduce aid to Ukraine. Trump had earlier said Zelensky was keen for a "deal" and called for negotiations to start. The pair met a day earlier with French leader Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee. Trump, in an interview aired Sunday but recorded before the Saturday meeting, said his incoming administration would reduce aid to Ukraine, which Washington has been steadfastly backing since its invasion by Russia nearly three years ago. "Possibly. Yeah, probably, sure," Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press". Trump has boasted he could end the conflict swiftly without saying how. Moscow and Kyiv are readying for his arrival in the White House, with an escalation in deadly attacks in recent weeks in the drawn-out conflict. The Ukrainian president, who had previously opposed any territorial concessions, has eased his position in recent months. His army is struggling on the front line and fears are mounting of dwindling Western aid. Zelensky has floated the idea of temporarily forgoing Russian-controlled areas -- about one fifth of Ukraine -- in exchange for NATO security guarantees and weapons deliveries from the West. "I stated that we need a just and enduring peace -- one that the Russians will not be able to destroy in a few years, as they have done repeatedly in the past," Zelensky said on social media. Almost three years of war have ravaged Ukraine, killing thousands and leading millions to flee the country. "Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else," said Zelensky. "Russia brought war to our land, and it is Russia that most seeks to disrupt the possibility of peace". He called on Western allies not to "turn a blind eye to occupation" and said Kyiv would only agree to a deal that would bring long-term peace. "War cannot be endless -- only peace must be permanent and reliable," he said. In a rare admission of numbers, Zelensky said 43,000 Ukrainian troops had been killed in combat, while some 370,000 were wounded. Russia has not put an official figure on its losses, but independent media outlet Mediazona and the Russian service of the BBC -- working from publicly available data -- have estimated they have lost more than 82,000 soldiers. Some analysts believe the true figures on both sides could be higher. - 'Key conditions' discussed - Zelensky gave no specifics on what any talks might look like, but a senior Ukrainian official said they had discussed "some key conditions" for ending the war. "We are not disclosing details, but the presidents discussed at the meeting that there should be something that would guarantee the reliability of the peace," the source added. The Kremlin, meanwhile, accused Ukraine of "refusing" to negotiate an end to the war. It said its conditions to enter peace talks -- which include Kyiv giving up four regions -- remain unchanged. "The Ukrainian side refused and is refusing negotiation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He referred to a 2022 Ukrainian decree that ruled out talks with Putin, but not other Russian officials. Trump had earlier called for an "immediate ceasefire" and called for talks to begin. "Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. Trump has said he has good relations with Putin. - 'How long can we be at war? - As leaders made statements in Kyiv, Moscow and Paris, the situation on the ground in eastern Ukraine remained dire. Moscow claimed another village in the east -- Blagodatne in the Donetsk region -- on Sunday, pressing steady gains. Russian forces are just a few kilometres away from the eastern city of Pokrovsk. Many in Ukraine have feared that Trump taking office would force it to make heart-aching concessions to Russia, while the nation is also suffering exhaustion. In the village of Osynovo in the eastern Kharkiv region, news of the meeting between Trump and Zelensky offered some hope to one of the frontline village's last remaining residents, Mykola Lytvynov. Cleaning earth from vegetables in his backyard, the 80-year-old said he hoped the meeting could help bring about a negotiated end to the conflict. "How long can we be at war? So many people have been killed, so many young people. And you see the massive level of destruction," he told AFP. He suggested Ukraine could have retained more of its territory by already entering into talks with Russia, but said he hoped for an end to the fighting for another, personal reason. "Both my sons are fighting. I just want them to survive." Ukraine also said that two civilians had been killed in the Donetsk region and a 73-year-old man in a village in the southern Kherson region. Kyiv said seven other people were wounded in attacks in other villages of the Kherson region. bur/ju/jj The fall of the Assad government in Syria is cause for cautious optimism in the case of Austin Tice, an American journalist held captive there, according to his mother Debra Tice. We hope that this is the day that we have been hoping and praying for, Debra Tice told VOA on Sunday morning. In remarks at the White House on Sunday afternoon, President Joe Biden said, We remain committed to returning him [Tice] to his family. We believe he is alive. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet, Biden later added. In response to a question about a potential rescue operation to retrieve Tice, Biden said the United States first must identify where he is located. A Texas native and former U.S. Marine, Austin Tice has been held in Syria for more than 12 years. He was detained at a checkpoint in Damascus in August 2012, and aside from a brief video after his capture, little has been heard or seen of him since. Syrian rebels, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham which means Organization for Liberating Syria declared that they had ousted President Bashar Assad after seizing control of the capital Damascus on Sunday. The move prompted Assad to flee, ending his familys decades-long autocratic rule, including more than 13 years of civil war. Over the past week, rebels took control of the major Syrian cities of Aleppo and Hama, and finally the capital. In those cities, thousands of prisoners have been released from prisons run by the now-former Assad government. Even Iran, which has long supported Assads government, started on Friday evacuating its military commanders and personnel, as well as some diplomatic staff, according to media reports. Now that Damascus has been taken by rebels, there is hope that Tice will be among those released, his mother said. Debra Tice confirmed to VOA that her son is being held in a prison in Damascus, citing a source vetted by the U.S. government. What were hoping is that as people that are coming into Damascus are opening the prisons, that, by the power of God, theyll open the one that Austins in, she said. Were already believing that the door is going to be open." The Tice family made headlines on Friday when Debra, citing the same source, confirmed that her son was alive in Syria. Austin is alive and being treated well. And I, I can tell you he is waiting to come home, Debra Tice told VOA Friday. He is so ready. And he has known from the very first day that he was detained that he was going to walk free again. The family told VOA it could not share more details because the intelligence was classified. The Syrian opposition plans to establish a commission to find Tice and others who disappeared under the Assad government, the coalition leader told NBC News. We need to investigate whether he was transferred to Iran or still in Syria because we heard some stories that at some period of time they didnt feel secure so they may have transferred him to Iran, said Hadi al-Bahra, president of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. Tice is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer who works for outlets that include The Washington Post, CBS and McClatchy. He is the longest-held American journalist abroad. Bill McCarren, director of the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club in Washington, agreed that the developments in Syria could be cause for optimism in Tices case. Were hopeful as were seeing prisons opening across Syria, McCarren told VOA on Sunday. That is heartening and full of meaning. Still, McCarren cautioned that the uncertainty and potential for unrest in Syria presents a new set of risks. In these chaotic situations, theres always a risk of danger, and thats of concern, McCarren said. The U.S. State Department did not immediately reply to VOAs request for comment for this story. Tice is one of five journalists detained in Syrian prisons, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Hours after Syrian rebel forces announced the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assads regime, Turkish-backed armed groups launched an attack Sunday on a town in northern Syria under the control of U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led forces. The Syrian National Army, or SNA, a coalition of Turkish-backed militias, announced advances in several parts of Manbij, a town in northern Syria, as intense clashes erupted with fighters from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to the Turkeys state-run Anadolu. But the Manbij Military Council, which is affiliated with the SDF, denied that large parts of the city have been controlled by Turkish-backed groups, saying in a statement Sunday that its fighters were continuing their military mission in Manbij. The SDF said that several administrative buildings in Manbij were targeted in Turkish military strikes. The Turkish military has not commented on the developments in the city. Manbij, located in Aleppo province, has been under the control of U.S.-backed SDF fighters since it was liberated from Islamic State militants in 2016. But Turkey, which views the SDF as a terrorist organization, has been supporting rebel groups in efforts to expel the Kurdish-led forces from the area. A reporter with VOAs Kurdish Service in northern Syria said that after hours of fierce fighting between the two sides, some Turkish-backed groups have retreated from Manbij while others remain positioned outside the city. He added that SNAs Sunday attack was aided by some sleeper cells inside the city. No U.S. personnel were involved in the Sunday clashes. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria that are part of a global coalition to aid SDF fighters against remnants of IS in the country. They are primarily stationed in northeast and eastern Syria and have no presence near Manbij. The 11-day rapid rebel offensive across the country, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, resulted in the capture of the capital Damascus and other strategic cities in northwest and central Syria. Simultaneously, an operation led by SNA factions aimed at dislodging Kurdish forces from parts of Aleppo province. Following the collapse of the Syrian regime in Damascus, SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi stated that the country was experiencing a historic moment. This change is an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantee the rights of all Syrians, he said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. This story originated in VOAs Kurdish Service. Richard Andre Newman thought he would live the rest of his life in his quiet, leafy neighborhood in suburban Virginia. He was born and raised in Bren Mar Park, where children ride their bikes and neighbors wave hello. But now, as he's approaching 60, he's considering selling his Fairfax County home and moving away. That's because he's getting a new neighbor: Plaza 500, a 466,000-square-foot data center and an adjacent electrical substation to be built a few hundred feet from townhomes, playgrounds and a community center. Newman feels helpless to stop it. "I planned on staying here until I died," he said, "until this came up." The sprawling, windowless warehouses that hold rows of high-speed servers powering almost everything the world does on phones and computers are increasingly becoming fixtures of the American landscape, popping up in towns, cities and suburbs across the United States. Demand for data centers ballooned in recent years due to the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and local governments are competing for lucrative deals with big tech companies. But as data centers begin to move into more densely populated areas, abutting homes and schools, parks and recreation centers, some residents are pushing back against the world's most powerful corporations over concerns about the economic, social and environmental health of their communities. Tyler Ray, a vocal critic of data centers and leader in the fight against the Virginia project, said the incentives offered are not enough to counteract the consequences of building a facility so close to homes. "All that we are asking for is, as the county is trying to bring in this data center income, that they are doing it in a way that doesn't run residents away from their homes," he said. Dotting the hills in Northern Virginia In Northern Virginia, more than 300 data centers dot the rolling hills of the area's westernmost counties. Cyclists who ride the popular Washington & Old Dominion trail are at times flanked by data centers, and the thousands of commuters who head into the nation's capital each day can see them in the distance from the Metro. Plaza 500, one of the latest proposals in the area, is encroaching on neighborhoods like never before, said Newman, who heads a homeowners association in the community. The pitch from Starwood Capital Group, the private investment firm founded by billionaire Barry Sternlicht, to Fairfax County officials promised a significant property tax boost and, in addition to permanent positions in the data center itself, hundreds of temporary construction and electrical jobs to build the facility. Tyler Ray and his husband moved to the Bren Pointe community in 2022, hoping to balance proximity to Washington with a desire for green space. But shortly after the couple moved in, Starwood Capital began scoping out a commercial property near their new home as a possible location for the Plaza 500 project. When Ray and his neighbors learned of the proposal, they held protests, attended regular county meetings and drew media attention to their concerns to try and stop the development. But their efforts were largely unsuccessful: the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in September said all newly proposed data centers must adhere to stricter zoning rules, but the Plaza 500 project would be grandfathered in under the old rules. Ray worries that more data centers in the area could compromise the already stressed power grid: Over 25% of all power produced in Virginia in 2023 went to data centers, a figure that could rise as high as 46% by 2030 if data center growth continues at its current pace. Some estimates also show a mid-sized data center commands the same water usage every day as 1,000 households, prompting concerns over the cost of water. Ray also frets over air quality, as the massive diesel generators that help power the data centers' hardware send plumes of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere. A spokesperson for the firm declined to respond to questions for this story. "I don't know how a general resident, even someone who has been engaging intently on an issue," Ray said, "has any chance to go up against the data center industry." Local leaders say data centers a financial boon For local governments, attracting data centers to their municipalities means a financial boon: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in 2024 that Virginia's existing data centers brought in $1 billion in tax revenue, more than the $750 million in tax breaks given to the tech companies that own them in 2023. For average-sized facilities, data centers offer a small number of direct jobs often fewer than 100 positions. Google announced recently that its two data centers in Loudoun County, which has about 440,000 residents, created only around 150 direct jobs. But data center advocates argue that the number of indirect jobs like construction, technology support and electrical work make the projects worthwhile. In that same announcement, Google said their investment spurred 2,730 indirect jobs. Kathy Smith, the vice chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, voted in favor of the Plaza 500 proposal because, in her estimation, data center growth is inevitable in the region, and Fairfax County should reap the benefits. "I have a responsibility to step back from what we do and look at the big picture," Smith said. "Data centers are not going away." Amazon data centers welcomed by some in Oregon On the other side of the country, in Morrow County, Oregon, Amazon Web Services has built at least five data centers surrounding the 4,200-person town of Boardman, nestled among vast stretches of farmland flecked with mint patches and wind turbines, next to the Columbia river. Last year, AWS, which is owned by Amazon, paid roughly $34 million in property taxes and fees stipulated in the agreements after receiving a $66 million tax break. The company also paid out $10 million total in two, one-time payments to a community development fund and spent another $1.7 million in charitable donations in the community in 2023. That money has been instrumental in updating infrastructure and bolstering services for the roughly 12,000-person county, going toward a new ladder fire engine, a school resource officer, police body cameras, and $5,000 grants for homebuyers among other things. Still, some residents are skeptical of the scale of tax break deals. Suspicions started years ago, when three formerly elected officials allegedly helped approve data center deals while owning a stake in a company that contracted with AWS to provide fiber optic cables for the data centers. In June, they each paid $2,000 to settle an ethics complaint against them. Those officials are no longer in office. But some remain wary of the relationships between the company and local officials, and raised eyebrows at one of the latest data center deals which gives AWS an estimated $1 billion in tax breaks spread over the 15 years to build five new data centers. Former county commissioner Jim Doherty described a meeting with AWS officials soon after he was elected to office at an upscale restaurant in Boardman, where large windows opened onto the Columbia River. The AWS representatives asked what Doherty wanted to accomplish as a commissioner. "They said, 'Tell us what your dreams are. Tell us what you need. Tell us what we can do for you,'" Doherty recalled. Other former officials have described similar interactions. Doherty said AWS didn't ask for anything in return, but the exchange left him uneasy. "We engage with stakeholders in every community where we operate around the world, and part of that outreach is to better understand a community's goals," said Kevin Miller, AWS' Vice President of global data centers. "This helps AWS be a catalyst for communities to achieve those goals, and reflects our ongoing commitment to being good neighbors." Doherty and another former county commissioner Melissa Lindsay said they pushed unsuccessfully in 2022 for AWS to pay more in taxes in new data center negotiations. They also lobbied to hire outside counsel to negotiate on their behalf, feeling outgunned by the phalanx of AWS-suited lawyers. "We didn't want to blow it up. We didn't want to run them off," said Lindsay. "But there were better deals to be made." Boardman Mayor Paul Keefer and Police Chief Rick Stokoe say their direct line to AWS allows them to get the most out of the company. "This road right here? Wouldn't happen if it wasn't for AWS," said Keefer, riding in the passenger seat of Stokoe's cruiser, pointing out the window at construction workers shifting dirt and laying pavement. Both Keefer and Stokoe have been in positions to vote on whether to authorize tax breaks for AWS. "These companies would not be here if they weren't getting some kind of incentive," Stokoe said. "There wouldn't be any money to talk about." U.S. President Joe Biden declared Sunday that the sudden demise of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad was a fundamental act of justice, but that it was a moment of uncertainty for the Mideast. Biden, speaking at the White House, said the collapse of the decades-long iron rule by the Assad family was the best opportunity in a generation for the Syrian people to forge their own destiny. Biden said that action by the U.S. and its allies over the last two years weakened Syria's backers Russia, Iran and Iran-supported Hezbollah militants in Lebanon to the extent that "for the first time" they could no longer defend the Assad government. "Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," Biden said, after a meeting with his national security advisers at the White House. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled his country, which his family had ruled for decades, because close ally Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, "was not interested in protecting him any longer." Trumps comments on his social media platform came a day after he decried the possibility that the U.S. might intervene militarily in Syria to aid the rebels as they moved to oust Assad, declaring, "THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT." The Biden administration had no intention of intervening, according to Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. The U.S has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Biden said he intends for those troops to remain, adding that U.S. forces on Sunday conducted "dozens" of what he called "precision airstrikes" on Islamic State camps and operations in Syria. Biden said the U.S. is "clear eyed" that ISIS will try to take advantage of the situation in Syria. The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The Biden administration has designated the group as a terrorist organization and says it has links to al-Qaida, although Hayat Tahrir al-Sham says it has since broken ties with al-Qaida. "We will remain vigilant," Biden said. "Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses." He added that the groups are "saying the right things now." "But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions," Biden said. Trump, who takes office January 20, linked the upheaval in Syria and Russia's war in Ukraine, noting that Assad's allies in Moscow, as well as in Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah, "are in a weakened state right now." Vice President-elect JD Vance, a veteran of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, wrote on his own social media Sunday to express skepticism about the insurgents. "Many of 'the rebels' are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they've moderated. Time will tell," he said. With the collapse of the Assad regime, the family of missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice renewed calls to find him. "To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we're waiting for Austin," Tice's mother, Debra, said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media. "We know that when he comes out, he's going to be fairly dazed & he's going to need lots of care & direction. Direct him to his family please!" Tice disappeared in 2012 outside Damascus. We've remained committed to returning him to his family," Biden told reporters. "We believe he's alive, we think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence to that yet. And Assad should be held accountable." The president added: "We have to identify where he [Tice] is." Some material in this report came from The Associated Press. Burkina Faso's junta head named former communications minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo as prime minister Saturday, according to a presidential decree, a day after dissolving the government. Ouedraogo served in the Cabinet of outgoing premier Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela, who was stripped of his functions by Captain Ibrahim Traore on Friday. No reason was given for the dismissal of Tambela, who had headed three successive military-appointed governments since Traore came to power in a 2022 coup. A close ally of Traore and a journalist by trade, Ouedraogo was formerly editor-in-chief and then director of the Sahel country's state television. After the September 2022 coup, Traore tapped Ouedraogo for the post of Minister of Communications and government spokesperson as a civilian figure in the military administration. He was subsequently reappointed to the role in three reshuffles. The west African country was plunged into instability by a January 2022 coup during which Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba seized power. Little more than eight months later, Damiba himself was overthrown by Traore, 36, who now heads the junta regime. Under Traore, the country, along with its fellow junta-led neighbors in Mali and Niger, has turned away from former imperial ruler France and pivoted toward Russia instead. The three states have banded together to form the Alliance of Sahel States and are battling jihadi violence that first erupted in northern Mali in 2012. Since it spread to Burkina Faso, that conflict has killed around 26,000 people and forced some 2 million people to flee their homes, according to monitoring group ACLED. A motorcycle loaded with explosives detonated at a police checkpoint in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, killing the driver and injuring 14 others, authorities said. Officers had been conducting inspections in the community of Las Penas in the Jamundi municipality to prevent possible violence by illegal armed groups, commander of the Cali Metropolitan Police Col. Carlos Oviedo told journalists. The driver "became scared" and detonated the explosives after being called to the checkpoint, Oviedo said, killing himself and injuring seven civilians and seven police officers. One of the officers has a "reserved prognosis," he added. Criminal groups consider Jamundi strategic because of its plantations of coca leaf, which is transformed into cocaine, and because it is connected to the port of Buenaventura. The organized crime group Jaime Martinez is active in the area. It is composed of dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish acronym FARC, that did not accept the 2016 peace deal with the state. Attacks with explosives against military and police officers, which authorities attribute to illegal armed groups, have continued despite efforts by Colombian President Gustavo Petro to negotiate peace deals with the irregular armies under a strategy known as total peace. The Ombudsmans office expressed concern over growing violence in Jamundi and urged authorities to guarantee the protection and security of citizens. Following the collapse of the Syrian government in Damascus, the Chinese government issued a statement hoping that stability in Syria will be restored as soon as possible while ensuring the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria. The statement said that the Chinese government has "actively assisted" Chinese citizens who are willing to leave Syria safely and has maintained contact with Chinese citizens who remain in Syria to "provide security guidance." See the full story here. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) congratulated all Syrians on the fall of President Bashar al-Assad as the result of the Syrian people's "unwavering commitment to freedom, dignity and equality despite years of oppression and persecution". The Kurdish-led group, which is the main U.S. ally in the fight against IS in Syria, pledged it would continue its efforts to establish a "democratic and pluralistic" government that guarantees "equality, justice and respect" for all Syrian citizens. See the full story here. Turkeys main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel said his party supports the territorial integrity, democracy, peace, and stability in Syria following the departure of President Bashir al-Assad. Meanwhile, Turkeys pro-Kurdish DEM Party called for the Syrian people to work together to create a democratic constitution to end the civil war in Syria and achieve lasting peace. See the full story here. Ghana voted in a presidential and parliamentary election Saturday amid hopes for an economic revival after the worst financial crisis in a generation that led to a major debt default in the West African nation. President Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down next month after serving the two terms allowed by the constitution in Ghana, the world's second-largest cocoa producer and a significant gold miner. Twelve candidates are vying to succeed him, but the race is seen as primarily between Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, chosen successor of Akufo-Addo's New Patriotic Party (NPP), and former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Opinion polls tipped Mahama, who served as president from 2012 to 2016, for a potential comeback. Mahama, 66, has framed Bawumia as representing a continuation of policies that led to Ghana's economic woes, and has promised to renegotiate terms of a $3 billion IMF bailout secured last year to restructure the country's debts. The crisis peaked in 2022 when Ghana turned to the International Monetary Fund. "This is the only election that we can all see the direction of the outcome before we start voting," Mahama said after casting his vote in Bole, his hometown in northern Ghana. "We are hopeful and confident that we'll win," he added. Bawumia, a 61-year-old former central banker, also expressed confidence that he would win after he voted in his Walewale constituency in northern Ghana. "By the grace of God, I'm very hopeful of winning this election. I think that we have done a lot of work. We have put our message to the people, I think the message has been well received," he said. On the campaign trail, Bawumia has highlighted Ghana's gradual recovery from the crisis, with economic growth surging by 6.9% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024, the fastest rate in five years. He told supporters he will foster policies that will strengthen Ghana's recovery. Both candidates said voting was generally calm and peaceful. Jubilant NDC supporters took to the streets of Accra's historic Jamestown, chanting, banging pans and blaring horns after results from their polling stations showed the party in a comfortable lead. The electoral commission said over 99% of polling stations opened on time with voting materials delivered to them. It said later Saturday evening that turnout was massive, but it was too early to give a specific figure. Benjamin Bano-Bio, director of electoral services, said voting was calm though there were some pockets of violence. "Our verification machines were effective, and the entire process was largely peaceful, except for a few places where violence occurred, leading to the death of one person," Bano-Bio told a news conference. After polls closed at 1700 GMT, election teams immediately began tallying ballots under the watch of agents from political parties before sending them to collation centers. Some provisional legislative results are expected late Saturday night and Sunday, while the presidential outcome is expected by Tuesday, although trends often allow an early prediction. Approximately 18.7 million of Ghana's 34 million population are registered to vote. Half a century of rule by the Assad family in Syria crumbled with astonishing speed after insurgents burst out of a rebel-held enclave and converged on the capital, Damascus, taking city after city in a matter of days. Opposition forces swept across the country and entered Damascus with little or no resistance as the Syrian army melted away. President Bashar Assad, Syrias ruler for 24 years succeeding his father, Hafez Assad fled the country. Russian state media reported that he was in Moscow. Its a stunning development in Syrias devastating 13-year conflict. Anti-government protests in 2011 met with a brutal crackdown, escalating into a civil war that has killed more than half a million people and displaced half of Syrias prewar population of 23 million. Assad, backed by Iran and Russia, gradually regained control of more than two-thirds of Syria, leaving the rebels with one stronghold in the northwest of the country. And there the conflict remained, largely frozen, for years until late November. Heres a look at a seismic two weeks for the Middle East. Wednesday, Nov. 27: Rebel offensive begins Armed opposition groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces in northwestern Syria and claim to have wrested control of over 15 villages from government forces in northwestern Aleppo province. The government and its allies respond with airstrikes and shelling in an attempt to halt the insurgent advances. The offensive is led by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaida and known as the Nusra Front, HTS later distanced itself from al-Qaida, seeking to market itself as a more moderate group. It is classed as a terrorist group by the United Nations and the U.S. The attack on Aleppo follows weeks of simmering low-level violence, including government attacks on opposition-held areas. Turkey, a main backer of Syrian opposition groups, says the rebels began a limited offensive to stop the attacks, but it expanded as government forces began to retreat. Thursday, Nov. 28: The offensive expands The offensive expands to reach the countryside of Idlib province amid reports government troops are retreating. Friday, Nov. 29: Rebels enter Aleppo The insurgents enter Aleppo, Syrias largest city, for the first time since they were pushed out in 2016 after a grueling military campaign by Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran. They meet with little resistance. Saturday, Nov. 30: Aleppo falls under insurgent control The rebels say they control Aleppo, raising a flag over the citys citadel and occupying the international airport. The Syrian armed forces claim to have redeployed troops and equipment in preparation for a counterattack. By evening, the insurgents seized at least four towns in the central Hama province and claim to have entered the provincial capital. Sunday, Dec. 1: The government fights back The Syrian military launches a counterattack with troops and airstrikes on Idlib and Aleppo. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits Damascus, telling Assad that Tehran will support the counteroffensive. But Assad receives little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular airstrikes. Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assads forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Monday, Dec. 2 - Wednesday, Dec. 4: Fighting rages near Hama The insurgents push south, advancing to within 10 kilometers (6 miles) of Hama, the countrys fourth-largest city and a key crossroads in central Syria, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Damascus. State media reports fierce fighting in the province, and both state media and a U.K.-based observer group say government forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have recaptured some territory. Turkey urges Assad to hold talks with the opposition. Thursday, Dec. 5: Insurgents capture Hama After several days of fighting the rebels swept into Hama. Dozens of jubilant fighters are seen firing weapons into the air in celebration in Assi Square, the site of massive anti-government protests in the early days of the uprising in 2011. The Syrian army says it has redeployed to positions outside the city to protect civilians. Friday, Dec. 6: Rebels advance on Homs Rapidly advancing now, the rebels seize two towns on the outskirts of Homs, Syrias third-largest city. About 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Hama, Homs is the gateway to Damascus and the location of one of Syrias two state-owned oil refineries. Capturing it would cut the link between Damascus, Assads seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. The government denies reports that its military has withdrawn from the city. Top diplomats from countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Russia, hold talks on Syria in the Qatari capital, Doha. Saturday, Dec. 7: Homs falls, Assads grip weakens Opposition forces take Homs after government forces abandon it. The insurgents say they have encircled Damascus and are carrying out the final stage of their offensive. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition, as Syrian state media denies Assad has fled the country. Sunday, Dec. 8: Assad is toppled Syrian state television airs a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown, and all prisoners have been set free. HTS commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani visits the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and calls Assads fall a victory for the Islamic nation. Russian officials and Iranian state TV say Assad has left Syria. Russian state news agencies later report he and his family are in Moscow and were granted asylum. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali says Syria's government is ready to extend its hand to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. The Syrian government fell early Sunday in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family after a sudden rebel offensive sprinted across government-held territory and entered the capital in 10 days. Syrian state television aired a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all detainees in jails have been set free. The man who read the statement said the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, an opposition group, called on all opposition fighters and citizens to preserve state institutions of "the free Syrian state." The statement emerged hours after the head of a Syrian opposition war monitor said Assad had left the country for an undisclosed location, fleeing ahead of insurgents who said they had entered Damascus following the remarkably swift advance across the country. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to "extend its hand" to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. "I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country," Jalili said in a video statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. He did not address reports that Assad had fled. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Assad took a flight Sunday from Damascus. State television in Iran, Assad's main backer in the years of war in Syria, reported that Assad had left the capital. It cited Qatar's Al Jazeera news network for the information and did not elaborate. There was no immediate statement from the Syrian government. As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the city's mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting "God is great." People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. In some areas, celebratory gunshots rang out. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense. "My feelings are indescribable," said Omar Daher, a 29-year-old lawyer. "After the fear that he [Assad] and his father made us live in for many years, and the panic and state of terror that I was living in, I can't believe it." Daher said his father was killed by security forces and his brother was in detention, his fate unknown. Assad "is a criminal, a tyrant and a dog," he said." "Damn his soul and the soul of the entire Assad family," said Ghazal al-Sharif, another reveler in central Damascus. "It is the prayer of every oppressed person and God answered it today. We thought we would never see it, but thank God, we saw it." The police headquarters in the capital appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside. An Associated Press journalist shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint where uniforms were discarded on the ground under a poster of Assad's face. Footage broadcast on opposition-linked media showed a tank in one of the capital's central squares. It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege. The pro-government Sham FM radio reported that the Damascus airport had been evacuated and all flights halted. The insurgents also announced they had entered the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital and "liberated" their prisoners there. The night before, opposition forces took the central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus the Syrian leader's base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The rebels had already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began November 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves into Damascus came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition." Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels "sorry for the Syrian people." In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Lebanese border officials closed the main Masnaa border crossing late Saturday, leaving many stuck waiting. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad's status Syria's state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he was performing his duties in Damascus. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said Sunday he does not know where Assad or the defense minister are. He told Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya early Sunday that they lost communication Saturday night. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon's Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Separately, President Joe Biden's national security adviser said the Biden administration had no intention of intervening there. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation of a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015 and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. In a statement, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis "that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians." The insurgents' march A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the "final stage" of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a "salvation government" to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group's image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began November 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's largest, and the central city of Hama, the country's fourth-largest city. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country's underlying problems. "Assad didn't seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people," he said. Lebanon's health ministry said Saturday that Israeli strikes killed six people in the country's south, 10 days into a ceasefire between the Hezbollah group and Israel. Both Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah face accusations of having breached the truce that took effect on November 27 to end a war that has killed thousands in Lebanon and sparked mass displacements on both sides. "The Israeli enemy's airstrike on the town of Beit Lif resulted in the martyrdom of five people and the injury of five others," a health ministry statement said, adding that in a separate incident a drone strike killed one person in Deir Seryan. The two locations are more than 20 kilometers apart. Earlier Saturday, the Israeli military said it struck a Hezbollah militant in southern Lebanon, one of multiple operations against "activities ... that posed a threat" to Israel. "In one case, the (military) identified a Hezbollah terrorist who posed a threat to the troops deployed in southern Lebanon in violation" of the ceasefire, the military said, adding the air force "struck the terrorist." Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that "an enemy drone targeted a motorcycle in Deir Seryan" On Monday the health ministry said Israeli strikes killed nine people in southern Lebanon after Israel said it was taking aim at dozens of Hezbollah targets in retaliation for an attack claimed by the militant group. On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the ceasefire was "holding" despite a series of incidents. A committee including France, United Nations peacekeepers, Israel, and Lebanon and chaired by the United States is tasked with maintaining communication between the various parties and ensuring violations are identified and dealt with to avoid any escalation. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on "the international community, particularly the parties sponsoring security arrangements, to work seriously and decisively to halt the ongoing violations by the enemy, ensure its withdrawal from occupied territories and actively contribute to implementing the ceasefire." Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 34 Palestinians on Saturday, health officials in the enclave said, as Qatar voiced hope of fresh momentum in efforts to reach a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The health officials said that an Israeli strike hit a house in Gaza City late Saturday, killing four women. The Israeli military did not provide an immediate comment on Saturday's strikes across Gaza. The death toll was revised upward from 30 reported earlier in the day by the Palestinian health ministry, which also said dozens were wounded. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants in the daily death tallies. Neither AFP nor Reuters could independently verify the figures. Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in their October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel that sparked the current war. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 101 hostages, including 35 the military says are dead. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed about 44,500 Palestinians, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terror groups by the United States, Britain and other Western countries. Nearly three-quarters of Gaza's 2.3 million population is displaced, and nearly the entire population is at risk of famine, according to the United Nations. Some information in this story is from Reuters. A frog holding a taro-leaf umbrella. A parade of frolicking animals. An Ukiyo-e style Mount Fuji. Giant waves. A Japanese artist who goes by the name Lito carves these delicate designs on fallen leaves, giving life back to them. The world of Lito's delicate art, which he began in 2020 and posts on social media almost daily, has won fans from around the world. The leaf art has also given him solace after earlier struggles with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and a purpose in life the joy of making people happy with his art. He enjoys working at night. From a pile of leaves treated with a wrinkle-free chemical, he picks one and places it on a cutting board. First, he outlines the design on the leaf with a pen in his right hand. Then he takes a design knife in his left hand and starts cutting the leaf carefully. Slowly, the leaf begins to take the shape of a frog carrying an umbrella a simple design he demonstrated in a recent interview with The Associated Press. More complex, highly intensive work on a single leaf can take more than eight hours to complete. His leaf-cutting works include titles such as Scrolls of Frolicking Animals, Leaf Aquarium and Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji: The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Each piece includes his own twists and often uses animals. "I would rather finish it in one go when I am focused," Lito, 38, said. He didn't want to disclose his real name for personal reasons. Since his childhood, Lito says he has had high levels of concentration and patience. But he had trouble fitting into what was considered the norm at school or at work, despite all his efforts. He struggled to interpret others' feelings and to avoid confrontations. After years of difficulty, he went to a hospital at age 30 and was told he has ADHD, a diagnosis that he felt explained why he has always done things differently. He saw no point in forcing himself to do things the same way as other people, and began to adjust his life. In early 2020, Lito came across the art of leaf cutting. He saw it as the perfect use of his patience and concentration. Word of his skills has spread across social media, and he has published books on his leaf-cutting work. He holds a near monthly solo exhibition in various places in Japan. "If I can make people happy by doing what I am doing, I want to do more. That's my driving force for what's next," Lito says. New York's mayor said Saturday "the net is tightening" on the man suspected of gunning down a top health insurance executive before fleeing the city. Mayor Eric Adams said detectives knew the name of the fresh-faced suspect, an image of whom was released by investigators Thursday and who has now been on the run for almost four days. Adams praised "the manner in which (investigators) were able to follow his footsteps to recover evidence some of it is known, some of it is unknown but the net is tightening and we're going to bring this person to justice," he said, the New York Post reported. Adams was quoted by the Post as saying the police were withholding the suspect's name for now. "We don't want to release that," the mayor said. "If you do, you are basically giving a tip to the person we are seeking, and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all. Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask." "We revealed his face," the mayor continued, referring to numerous security camera photos and video released after Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare was gunned down. And eventually, "we're going to reveal who he is and we're going to bring him to justice," Adams said. The masked assailant was caught on camera entering a bus station in a northern neighborhood of Manhattan in the wake of Wednesday's slaying, but he could not be identified exiting the facility on foot, a police spokesperson confirmed to Agence France-Presse. "They believe he's not in New York City," the spokesperson added. The image of the smiling suspect was obtained from a youth hostel where the gunman apparently stayed before the hit, detectives said, with media reporting he lowered his mask to flirt with a receptionist. The FBI, which said it was assisting the New York police, offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his capture. 'Delay' and 'deny' The gunman on Wednesday sprayed Thompson of United Healthcare one of the country's largest medical insurers with bullets in front of bystanders, in an audacious attack captured by a surveillance camera and now seen by millions. Thompson was attending an investor conference in the Midtown business district. Police have yet to suggest a motive and would not confirm media reports that the words "delay" and "deny" often used by insurance companies to reject claims were written on shell casings found at the scene. Video footage shows Thompson on the sidewalk outside the New York Hilton Midtown when a man in a hooded top, his lower face covered, approaches from behind, then fires several shots at his 50-year-old victim, who crumples to the ground. Camera footage showed the suspect fleeing on foot, before getting on a bicycle, with police revealing he headed to Central Park. Officers have confirmed that a cell phone as well as DNA from a coffee cup were recovered from near the murder scene. In the absence of an arrest, speculation has been rife that the gunman may have sought revenge for adverse medical coverage decisions made by the insurer. UnitedHealthcare is a major player in the lucrative American health care market; the parent group had revenues of $100.8 billion in the third quarter of the year. A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular "Superman challenge" on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. The Liberal-Democratic Party, which was part of the left-led coalition that ruled the country from 2016 to earlier in 2024, issued a press statement Saturday strongly condemning "the irresponsible spread of dangerous content on social media, such as the latest TikTok 'challenge' known as 'Superman,' which has injured six children across (the country) in the past 24 hours." "The lack of adequate control over the content of social media allows such 'games' to reach the most vulnerable users," the party statement said. It demanded the "immediate introduction of measures to ban content that incites violence and self-destructive behavior, increase surveillance, and sanction platforms that enable dangerous trends." North Macedonia's education minister Vesna Janevska said students should focus on education, not TikTok challenges. "The ban on mobile phones in schools will not have an effect. Phones will be available to children in their homes, neighborhoods and other environments," she said. Psychologists have warned that the desire to be "in" with the trends on social networks, combined with excessive use of mobile phones, is the main reason for the rise in risky behaviors among children. They urged parents and schools to talk with students. Syria's government appears to have fallen after opposition fighters said they entered Damascus following a stunning advance. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to "extend its hand" to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. "I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country," Jalili said in a video statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. A Syrian opposition war monitor, Rami Abdurrahman, said Assad left the country on a flight from Damascus early Sunday. Jalili did not address reports of Assad's departure. Opposition fighters entered Syria's capital in a swiftly developing crisis that has taken much of the world by surprise. Syria's army has abandoned key cities with little resistance. Who are these opposition fighters? If they take control of Damascus after seizing some of Syria's largest cities, what then? Here is a look at the stunning reversal of fortune for Assad and the government in just the past 10 days, and what might lie ahead as Syria's 13-year civil war reignites. The aim? Overthrow the government This is the first time that opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when the country's troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The approaching fighters are led by the most powerful insurgent group in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, along with an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been entrenched in the northwest. They launched the shock offensive on November 27 with gunmen capturing Aleppo, Syria's largest city, and the central city of Hama, the fourth largest. The HTS has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. But the group said in recent years it cut ties with al-Qaida, and experts say HTS has sought to remake itself in recent years by focusing on promoting civilian government in their territory as well as military action. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive is to overthrow Assad's government. Possible rifts ahead The HTS and Syrian National Army have been allies at times and rivals at times, and their aims might diverge. The Turkish-backed militias also have an interest in creating a buffer zone near the Turkish border to keep away Kurdish militants at odds with Ankara. Turkey has been a main backer of the fighters seeking to overthrow Assad but more recently has urged reconciliation, and Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive. Whether the HTS and the Syrian National Army will work together if they succeed in overthrowing Assad or turn on each other again is a major question. Others take advantage While the flash offensive against Syria's government began in the north, armed opposition groups have also mobilized elsewhere. The southern areas of Sweida and Daraa have both been taken locally. Sweida is the heartland of Syria's Druze religious minority and had been the site of regular anti-government protests even after Assad seemingly consolidated his control over the area. Daraa is a Sunni Muslim area that was widely seen as the cradle of the uprising against Assad's rule that erupted in 2011. Daraa was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018, but rebels remained in some areas. In recent years, Daraa was in a state of uneasy quiet under a Russian-mediated ceasefire deal. And much of Syria's east is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States that in the past has clashed with most other armed groups in the country. Syria's government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. What's next? A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces have started carrying out the "final stage" of their offensive by encircling Damascus. And Syrian troops withdrew Saturday from much of the central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, according to a pro-government outlet and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. If that city is captured, the link would be cut between Damascus, Assad's seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. Assad appears to be largely on his own as allies Russia and Iran are distracted by other conflicts and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been weakened by its war with Israel, now under a fragile ceasefire. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition," saying the situation is changing by the minute. He met with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. Ira "Ike" Schab, a 104-year-old Pearl Harbor attack survivor, was so determined to stand and salute during a remembrance ceremony honoring those killed in the Japanese bombing that thrust the U.S. into World War II some 83 years ago that he spent six weeks in physical therapy to build the strength to do so. On Saturday, Schab gingerly rose from his wheelchair and raised his right hand, returning a salute delivered by sailors on a destroyer and a submarine passing by in the harbor. His son and a daughter supported him from either side. "I was honored to do it. Im glad I was capable of standing up," he said afterward. "Im getting old, you know." Schab is one of only two servicemen who lived through the attack who made it to an annual observance hosted by the U.S. Navy and National Park Service on a grass field overlooking the harbor. A third survivor had been planning to join them but had to cancel because of health issues. The December 7, 1941, bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. Nearly half, or 1,177, were sailors and Marines on board the USS Arizona, which sank during the battle. The remains of more than 900 Arizona crew members are still entombed on the submerged vessel. Dozens of survivors once joined the event but their attendance has declined as survivors have aged. Today there are only 16 still living, according to a list maintained by Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Military historian J. Michael Wenger has estimated there were some 87,000 military personnel on Oahu on the day of the attack. Schab agreed when ceremony organizers asked him earlier this year to salute on behalf of all survivors and World War II veterans. "Hes been working hard, because this is his goal," said his daughter Kimberlee Heinrichs, who traveled to Hawaii with Schab from their Beaverton, Oregon, home. "He wanted to be able to stand for that." Schab was a sailor on the USS Dobbin at the time of the attack, serving as the tuba player in the ship's band. He had showered and put on a clean uniform when he heard the call for a fire rescue party. He hurried topside to see Japanese planes flying overhead and the USS Utah capsizing. He quickly went back below deck to join a daisy chain of sailors feeding shells to an anti-aircraft gun topside. Ken Stevens, 102, who served on the USS Whitney, joined Schab at the ceremony. USS Curtiss sailor Bob Fernandez, 100, was unable to come due to health issues. Attendees observed a moment of silence at 7:54 a.m., the same time the attack began eight decades ago. F-22 jets in missing man formation flew overhead shortly after. Fernandez, speaking in a phone interview from California, where he lives with his nephew in Lodi, recalled feeling shocked and surprised as the attack began. "When those things go off like that, we didnt know whats what," Fernandez said. "We didnt even know we were in a war." Fernandez was a mess cook on the Curtiss and his job that morning was to bring sailors coffee and food as he waited tables during breakfast. Then they heard an alarm sound. Through a porthole, Fernandez saw a plane with the red ball insignia painted on Japanese aircraft fly by. Fernandez rushed down three decks to a magazine room where he and other sailors waited for someone to unlock a door storing 12.7-centimeter, 38-caliber shells so they could begin passing them to the ship's guns. He has told interviewers over the years that some of his fellow sailors were praying and crying as they heard gunfire up above. "I felt kind of scared because I didnt know what the hell was going on," Fernandez said. The ship's guns hit a Japanese plane that crashed into one of its cranes. Shortly after, its guns hit a dive bomber that then slammed into the ship and exploded below deck, setting the hangar and main decks on fire, according to the Navy History and Heritage Command. Fernandez's ship, the Curtiss, lost 21 men and nearly 60 of its sailors were injured. Many laud Pearl Harbor survivors as heroes, but Fernandez doesnt view himself that way. "Im not a hero," he said. "Im just nothing but an ammunition passer." Russian news reports say that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family arrived in Moscow Sunday, after a stunning rebel advance through Syria forced him flee. The Russian media reports said the Assad family was granted asylum. Russia has been a close ally of Assad. Earlier, joyful crowds jammed into the capital citys squares, waving the three-starred Syrian revolutionary flag reminiscent of the earliest days of the Arab Spring uprising, before Assads brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Some Syrians prayed in mosques. Rebel forces opened the cell doors of the countrys prisons, freeing political prisoners and criminals Assad had jailed and tortured. Others rampaged through the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after the deposed strongman and other top officials fled the country. The downfall of Assad was stunningly quick, with the rebels capturing the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs in a matter of days as the Syrian army ended any opposition. The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. Some celebrants tore down and ripped apart Assad portraits in the palace, while others walked out carrying dinnerware, chairs, furniture and any palatial belongings they were claiming as keepsakes of the overthrow of the government. Some celebrants could be seen on video footage torching pictures of Assad plastered prominently on Damascus buildings while people in the streets nonchalantly walked across posters bearing his likeness. In the streets, people chanted "God is great and anti-Assad slogans. Some honked car horns. Teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air. Photo Gallery: In photos: Syrians celebrate Bashar Assad's fall Syrians have poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital. It put an end to the Assad familys 50 years of iron rule. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email to a Friend The last Assad years, since 2011, were marked by a bitter and bloody civil war in which more than half a million Syrians died and at least half the country's pre-war population of 22 million was displaced. Now, the immediate fate of Syria is uncertain. Assads overthrow is a major blow to Iran, a key supporter of his, and its allies in the Mideast, who have focused their attention on more than a year of conflict with Israel. Hezbollah militants only recently reaching a ceasefire with Israel in Lebanon while the war between Iran-funded Hamas and Israel rages on in Gaza. Abu Mohammed al-Golani leads HTS and could chart the country's immediate direction. He is a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. But there are bitter divides in the country. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas. A group of rebels aired a video statement on Syrian state television saying the criminal regime has fallen and that all prisoners had been freed. They called on people to preserve the institutions of "the free Syrian state." The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. One video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked and confused. At least one small child could be seen among them. Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi, who appeared on state TV later in the day, sought to reassure Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, saying: "Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects." "We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did," he added. One Syrian, Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44, who works in the electricity sector, said, "I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall. From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them [the opposition forces] a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud." Syria's Al-Watan newspaper, which was historically pro-government, wrote: "We are facing a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood. We believe and trust that Syria will be for all Syrians." The newspaper said that media workers should not be blamed for publishing government statements in the past, saying: "We only carried out the instructions and published the news they sent us." The Alawite sect to which Assad belongs, and which has formed the core of his base called on young Syrians to be "calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country." The rebels mostly are part of the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. Assad was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the countrys civil war, including a 2013 chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Damascus. There was no immediate comment from Iran, which had been Assad's staunchest supporter. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition." The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday. The participants included Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told reporters that they agreed on the need "to engage all parties on the ground," including HTS, and that the main concern is "stability and safe transition." The Israeli military said Sunday it has deployed forces in a demilitarized buffer zone along its northern frontier with Syria following the rebel offensive there. The military said the deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war and the international community, except for the United States, views it as Israeli-occupied. VOAs Edward Yeranian contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press. For the artistic and cultural elites of Senegal, the monthlong Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Arts is a celebratory moment. Every two years, hundreds of artists, curators and art lovers from across the world descend on the West African capital to attend the event, which was founded in 1989 by the Senegalese government and has over the decades become one of the most important showcases on the continent. Pop-up exhibitions are held in hundreds of venues, from stylish five-star hotels to local art galleries. Roads are even more crowded than usual, with traffic jams stretching out for miles along the Corniche, the city's picturesque seaside boulevard. Every night, there are music concerts, fashion shows, talks with artists and movie screenings held against the backdrop of palm trees and to the soundtrack of popping champagne bottles. But it wasn't until this year that the local artisans in the Soumbedioune crafts market, just off the Corniche and at the doorstep on the Medina working-class neighborhood, realized what the Biennale was. For years, "we saw the OFF signs, but we didn't know what was going on," said Ndiouga Dia, a 48-year-old leatherworker from Soumbedioune, referring to a series of events organized in parallel to the official government program, scattered all over the city. "Only the artists knew among themselves what was going on." Craftsmanship is deeply rooted in the country's culture. Senegal, like most African nations, has little capacity for industrial production, and traditionally much of its economy has relied on locally produced goods. For centuries, craftsmen played a central role in Senegalese social life, sculpting religious statues and ceremonial masks, sewing boubous (traditional colorful wide-sleeved robes), molding pottery and weaving baskets. But these days, their role is in decline. As living costs rise, many Senegalese opt for cheaper, often Chinese products. And those that can afford it buy Western clothes and furniture to mark their social status. So when two designers approached Dia, who is also the community leader of the Soumbedioune artisans, with a proposal for a joint exhibition, he didn't hesitate for a second. It felt good to be noticed and included, Dia said. Designers Kemi Bassene and Khadim Ndiaye asked five artisans a sculptor, a painter, a jeweler, a leatherworker and a upholsterer to interpret the theme of "hippo." They chose the theme because it was easily recognizable across Africa, they said, bringing together people from different nations who live next to the water. The exhibition, held in the central square of Soumbedioune, surrounded by artisanal boutiques and restaurants selling thieboudienne, the most famous Senegalese dish, has been a hit among locals. There are hippo earrings and a hippo necklace; a giant wooden sculpture of a sleeping hippo; and a hippo-shaped bag. Papise Kante, a 45-year-old sculptor who created two wooden hippo statues for the exhibition, said it allowed him to tap into a more creative part of his work, instead of just producing objects that he intended to sell. "I have been sculpting since I was a young child," said Kante, who comes from a long line of sculptors. "Every artist wants to get better." But it also gave his work recognition. "It's because of the Biennale that people know my work," he said. If you participate in the Biennale, he added, "you are proud." Bassene, the curator, grew up in Medina, next to Soumbedioune, but is now based in Paris. He said he wanted to bridge the divide between arts and crafts. "This is the first time in the history that artisans, especially those who are custodians of traditional craftsmanship, are invited to the Biennale," Bassene said. "For craftsmen in Africa, there is a natural progression towards the world of modern design." It was "normal," he said, to include artisans in the Biennale "if we wanted to try to decolonize a little." This year's Biennale is being held as Senegal is undergoing profound political change, with the newly elected authorities charting a more self-reliant and pan-African course. Last month, the governing party, PASTEF, secured a resounding victory in legislative elections. Its win granted President Bassirou Diomaye Faye a clear mandate to carry out ambitious reforms promised during the campaign to improve living conditions for ordinary Senegalese including greater economic self-reliance, revamping the fishing industry, and making maximum use of natural resources. The theme of this year's Biennale has been "The Wake," alluding to the emancipation of the African continent from its remaining dependence on former colonial powers. The new government of Senegal has "a transformational agenda," said Bassene. "I think that what we have experienced politically will impact all the social sciences and all art." In the meantime, the Soumbedioune artisans have big plans. Dia, the community leader, said that they are planning a collaboration with a local school to manufacture backpacks for students. His dream, he said, was to expand the production across the whole country so the Senegalese parents "do not have to buy Chinese products." "We have all the know-how," he said. "We can produce more." South Korean prosecutors on Sunday detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended last week's brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol, making him the first figure detained over the case. The development came a day after Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him in parliament, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent the two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The main opposition Democratic Party said it will prepare a new impeachment motion against Yoon. On Sunday, ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was taken into custody at a Seoul detention facility after undergoing an investigation by prosecutors, a law enforcement official said, requesting anonymity in line with privacy rules. The official gave no further details. But South Korean media reported that Kim voluntarily appeared at a Seoul prosecutors' office, where he had his mobile phone confiscated and was detained. The reports said police searched Kim's former office and residence on Sunday. Repeated calls to Seoul prosecutors' offices and police agency were unanswered. Senior prosecutor Park Se-hyun said in a televised statement Sunday that authorities launched a 62-member special investigation team on the marital law case. Park, who will head the team, said the probe would "leave no suspicions." Yoon accepted Kim's resignation offer on Thursday after opposition parties submitted a separate impeachment motion against him. Kim is a central figure in Yoon's martial law enforcement, which led to special forces troops encircling the National Assembly building and army helicopters hovering over it. The military withdrew after the parliament unanimously voted to overturn Yoon's decree, forcing his Cabinet to lift it before daybreak Wednesday. In Kim's impeachment motion document, the Democratic Party and other opposition parties accused him of proposing martial law to Yoon. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho told parliament that Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly. The Democratic Party called Yoon's martial law imposition "unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or a coup." It has filed complaints with police against at least nine people, including Yoon and Kim, over the alleged rebellion. In a statement Wednesday, Kim said that "all troops who performed duties related to martial law were acting on my instructions, and all responsibility lies with me." Prosecutor General Shim Woo Jung told reporters on Thursday the prosecution plans to investigate the rebellion charges against Yoon following complaints. While the president mostly has immunity from prosecution while in office, that does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason. The Defense Ministry said it has suspended three top military commanders over their alleged involvement in the martial law imposition. They were among those facing the opposition-raised rebellion allegations. On Saturday, Yoon issued an apology over the martial law decree, saying he won't shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration. He said he would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country's political turmoil, "including matters related to my term in office." Since taking office in 2022 for a single five-year term, Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife. In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a "den of criminals" bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate "shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces." The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea. The turmoil has sparked alarm among key diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan. The scrapping of Yoon's impeachment motion is expected to intensify protests calling for his ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president's impeachment. Yoon's martial law declaration drew criticism from the conservative ruling party, but it is determined to oppose Yoon's impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. Ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun said Sunday the PPP will work with the government to determine Yoon's early and orderly exit from office in a way that minimizes confusion, but he didn't say when that would happen. He also claimed Yoon will not be involved in state affairs, including foreign policy. The Democratic Party criticized Han Dong-hun's comments, saying that the exclusion of an incumbent president from state affairs isn't supported by the constitution. It said authorities should immediately arrest Yoon and all others implicated in the case. Yoon's presidential office didn't immediately respond to Han's comments. UK competition regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given the green light for the merger of mobile operators Vodafone UK and Three. The regulator has stated that the merger should be allowed to proceed if both companies sign binding commitments to invest billions to roll out a combined 5G network across the UK. Under the merger conditions, UK communications authority Ofcom and CMA would oversee commitments from Vodafone and Three to implement, in full, the merged companys network plan. The network commitment would be supported by shorter term customer protections which would require the merged company to cap certain mobile tariffs and offer preset contractual terms to MVNOs, for three years. The CMA would have responsibility for monitoring and enforcing the protections relating to consumer tariffs and wholesale terms. Stuart McIntosh, chair of the independent inquiry group leading the investigation, said its crucial the merger doesnt harm competition, which is why time was spent considering how it could impact the telecoms market. "Having carefully considered the evidence, as well as the extensive feedback we have received, we believe the merger is likely to boost competition in the UK mobile sector and should be allowed to proceed but only if Vodafone and Three agree to implement our proposed measures," said McIntosh. "Both Ofcom and the CMA would oversee the implementation of these legally binding commitments, which would help enhance the UKs 5G capability whilst preserving effective competition in the sector." Taiwan's defense ministry said on Sunday that China had nearly doubled the number of its warships operating around the island in the previous 24 hours, ahead of what security sources expect will be a new round of war games. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has been angered by visits by President Lai Ching-te to Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam as part of a Pacific tour. Lai returned from the week-long trip on Friday night. Beijing has held two rounds of war games around Taiwan this year. In its daily morning report on Chinese military activities, Taiwan's defense ministry said there were 14 Chinese warships operating nearby, up from the eight it reported the previous day. The ministry said it had detected four Chinese balloons flying over the Taiwan Strait, one of which had brushed the top of the island. The collapse of Bashar Assad's rule over Syria marks the culmination of a nearly 14-year rebellion and a key moment in a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced half the population and drew in outside powers. This is how it unfolded: 2011 - The first protests of Assad quickly spread across the country and were met by security forces with a wave of arrests and shootings. Some protesters take up guns and military units defect as the uprising becomes an armed revolt that will gain support from Western and Arab countries and Turkey. 2012 - A bombing in Damascus is the first by al-Qaida's new Syrian affiliate, the Nusra Front, which gains in power and starts crushing groups with a nationalist ideology. World powers meet in Geneva and agree on the need for a political transition, but their divisions on how to achieve it will foil years of U.N.-sponsored peace efforts. Assad turns his air force on opposition strongholds, as rebels gain ground, and the war escalates with massacres on both sides. 2013 - Lebanon's Hezbollah helps Assad to victory at Qusayr, halting rebel momentum and showing the Iran-backed group's growing role in the conflict. Washington has declared chemical weapons use a red line, but a gas attack on rebel-held eastern Ghouta near Damascus kills scores of civilians without triggering a U.S. military response. 2014 - Islamic State group suddenly seizes Raqqa in the northeast and swathes more territory in Syria and Iraq. Rebels in the Old City of Homs surrender, agreeing to move to an outer suburb their first big defeat in a major urban area and a precursor to future "evacuation" deals. Washington builds an anti-Islamic State coalition and starts airstrikes, helping Kurdish forces turn the jihadi tide but creating friction with its ally Turkey. 2015 - With better cooperation and more arms from abroad, rebel groups gain more ground and seize northwestern Idlib, but Islamist militants are taking a bigger role. Russia joins the war on Assad's side with air strikes that turn the conflict against the rebels for years to come. 2016 - Alarmed by Kurdish advances on the border, Turkey launches an incursion with allied rebels, making a new zone of Turkish control. The Syrian army and its allies defeat rebels in Aleppo, seen at the time as Assad's biggest victory of the war. The Nusra Front splits from al-Qaida and starts trying to present itself in a moderate light, adopting a series of new names and eventually settling on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). 2017 - Israel acknowledges airstrikes against Hezbollah in Syria, aiming to degrade the growing strength of Iran and its allies. U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led forces defeat Islamic State in Raqqa. That offensive, and a rival one by the Syrian army, drive the jihadi group from nearly all its land. 2018 - The Syrian army recaptures eastern Ghouta, before quickly retaking the other insurgent enclaves in central Syria, and then the rebels' southern bastion of Deraa. 2019 - Islamic State loses its last scrap of territory in Syria. The U.S. decides to keep some troops in the country to prevent attacks on its Kurdish allies. 2020 - Russia backs a government offensive that ends with a ceasefire with Turkey that freezes most front lines. Assad holds most territory and all main cities, appearing deeply entrenched. Rebels hold the northwest. A Turkey-backed force holds a border strip. Kurdish-led forces control the northeast. 2023 - The Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 triggers fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, ultimately reducing the group's presence in Syria and fatally undermining Assad. 2024 - Rebels launch a new assault on Aleppo. With Assad's allies focused elsewhere his army quickly collapses. Eight days after the fall of Aleppo the rebels have taken most major cities and entered Damascus, driving Assad from power. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced Sunday that he had chosen Alina Habba, his personal attorney, to serve as counselor to the president. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site, called Habba a tireless advocate for justice. She has been unwavering in her loyalty and unmatched in her resolve standing with me through numerous trials, battles and countless days in Court," Trump said. Few understand the Weaponization of the Injustice System better than Alina. Trump announced several other planned additions to his administration, including Christopher Landau as his choice to serve as deputy secretary of state. Landau was the U.S. ambassador to Mexico during Trumps first term. Trump also said former National Security Council spokesman Michael Anton will serve as the director of policy planning at the State Department, while Michael Needham will serve as counselor of the State Department. Earlier Sunday, Trump vowed to make swift and sweeping changes as he takes office on January 20, deporting millions of migrants in the country illegally, imposing tariffs on imported goods that could raise consumer prices for Americans and pardoning rioters who tried to upend his 2020 reelection loss. Six weeks ahead of taking office for a new four-year tenure in the White House, Trump seemed emboldened by his victory last month, making him only the second American president elected to a second, nonconsecutive term after Grover Cleveland in the 1890s. People like me now, you know? he told NBCs Meet the Press in an interview conducted Friday in New York and broadcast Sunday. Its different than the first you know, when I won the first time [in 2016], I wasnt nearly as popular as this, he said. And one thing thats very important, in terms of the election, I love that I won the popular vote, and by a lot, with about a 2.3 million-vote margin in his defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris out of the 155 million ballots that were cast. But Trump, a Republican, also lapsed into familiar grievances, refusing as he has for four years to concede he lost the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden because of unfounded claims of fraudulent balloting and vote counting. Asked by NBC anchor Kristen Welker how, in his view, Democrats were able to steal that election but not the one a month ago, Trump said, Because I think it was too big to rig. Trump blamed Biden for the nations political divide and heaped insults on his perceived foes, including the nine-member House of Representatives committee that spent more than a year examining the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters trying to block lawmakers from certifying that Biden had won the 2020 election. He called the seven Democrats and two Republicans on the investigative panel political thugs and, you know, creeps. For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail. Trump said that on his first day in office he would be acting very quickly to pardon many of the more than 1,200 people convicted of an array of offenses linked to the rioting at the Capitol. Many of them have already completed their prison sentences while others have years to go or have to be tried. He has characterized those imprisoned as hostages and called them patriots. These people are living in hell, he said. Yet Trump said he would not appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden. Im not looking to go back into the past, he said. Retribution will be through success. But he said that if the Senate confirms his choices of former Florida state attorney general, Pam Bondi, as attorney general, and loyal political supporter Kash Patel as FBI director, they would have autonomy in deciding what to investigate and prosecute. Trump described special counsel Jack Smith, who twice indicted him, as very corrupt. Trump centered much of his campaign on closing the southwestern U.S. border with Mexico and said mass deportations will begin quickly. First will be convicted criminals, he said, while other incoming Trump officials have said those with deportation orders will also be among the first to be deported. I think you have to do it, and its a hard its a very tough thing to do. Its but you have to have, you know, you have rules, regulations, laws. They came in illegally, he said. Trump made no exceptions for families with mixed immigration status, where some family members are in the U.S. legally and some illegally. I dont want to be breaking up families, so the only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back, he declared. Trump said the cost and logistical complexity of such a massive deportation plan does not faze him. You have no choice, he said. First of all, theyre costing us a fortune. But were starting with the criminals, and weve got to do it. And then were starting with the others, and were going to see how it goes. But he said he would attempt to work with Democratic lawmakers to exempt so-called dreamers from deportation, young children who were brought into the U.S. illegally by their parents and have little connection to their native countries. He also said he will attempt to end birthright citizenship in the U.S., now embedded in the countrys Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil regardless of the legality of their parents being in the U.S. Trump said he would keep a campaign promise to levy tariffs on imports from Americas biggest trading partners, including China, Mexico and Canada. He acknowledged that he could not guarantee American families wont pay more as a result of his plan. I cant guarantee anything, Trump said. I cant guarantee tomorrow. He said he is actively trying to end Russias war on Ukraine, if I can. He said Kyiv may not get as much military assistance under his administration as it has under Biden. During a political debate in September, Trump declined to say he wants Ukraine to win the war. The U.N. secretary-general called for calm and avoiding violence Sunday, in the aftermath of the sudden and stunning fall of Syrias Assad regime to rebel forces. After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future, Antonio Guterres said in a statement. The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine, and my Special Envoy will be working with them towards that end. His envoy, Geir Pedersen said that the country is in a watershed moment in its history, with immense challenges ahead, and must avoid bloodshed and preserve unity as it transitions. This dark chapter has left deep scars, but today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new time one of peace, reconciliation, dignity, and inclusion for all Syrians, U.N. Syria envoy Pedersen told reporters in Doha, Qatar where he is attending meetings about the situation. On November 27, multiple rebel groups aligned under the leadership of U.N.-designated terror group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched their biggest challenge in years to the regime of President Bashar Assad. They made stunning gains in just over one week, first sweeping into the northwest city of Aleppo, then taking towns and villages in Idlib governorate. Emboldened, they continued to the central city of Hama and then Homs, capturing them. Late Saturday, the rebels made their way to the capital, Damascus. President Assad and his family reportedly left the city ahead of their arrival to an unknown destination. The U.N. envoy said he had no information on Assads whereabouts. On their telegram channel Saturday, HTS announced Assads fall and said it is the beginning of a new era for the country, which has been torn apart by nearly 14 years of civil war. It will be a new Syria where everyone lives in peace and justice prevails, the group said. The Assad family has ruled Syria with an iron grip since 1971, first Hafez and then his son, Bashar. Let me urge all Syrians to prioritize dialogue, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights as they seek to rebuild their society, Pedersen said. Let me stress that there must be a collective effort to secure peace and dignity for all. He said he is ready to support the Syrian people in their journey toward a stable and inclusive future that they will decide and shape themselves. But to this end, let me emphasize the clear desire expressed by millions of Syrians that stable and inclusive transitional arrangements are put in place urgently, and that the Syrian institutions continue to function, and that the Syrian people are enabled to begin to chart the path to meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people and restore a unified Syria, with its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in a way that can receive the support and engagement of the entire international community, Pedersen said. Pedersen acknowledged that the fact that HTS is a designated terrorist group creates challenges. It's extremely important that we now see on the ground a development that proves that we can achieve, you know, a transition to what I hope will be a democratic future for Syria, he emphasized. The U.N. has been involved in trying to end the Syrian conflict since its start in 2011. Security Council resolution 2254 in 2015 laid out a road map for a Syrian-owned and led process with U.N. facilitation for reaching a political settlement. Mediation has been stalled for years. Pedersen is the fourth in a string of U.N. envoys who have tried to resolve the conflict, which has killed an estimated half-million Syrians and displaced more than 12 million others. The United Nations said Friday that at least 370,000 people have been displaced in northwest Syria in the latest fighting. The United States on Saturday announced a new $988 million military assistance package for Ukraine as Washington races to provide aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. It nearly halves the available $2.21 billion remaining in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) as the Biden administration works to commit to buying weapons from industry, rather than pull from U.S. weapons stocks. Trump's victory in the November election has cast doubt on the future of American aid for Ukraine, providing a limited window for billions of dollars in already authorized assistance to be provided before he is sworn in next month. The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement. The Biden administration has often used Presidential Drawdown Authority, which authorizes President Joe Biden to transfer excess articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency. The USAI funds are separate and will go to purchase new weapons from the defense industry or partners rather than drawn from American stocks, meaning it will not immediately arrive on the battlefield. It follows a $725 million package announced Monday that included a second tranche of landmines as well as anti-air and anti-armor weapons. The outgoing U.S. administration is working to get as much aid as possible to Ukraine before Trump who has repeatedly criticized U.S. assistance for Kyiv and claimed he could secure a ceasefire within hours takes over. Trump's comments have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about the future of U.S. aid, and Ukraine's ability to withstand Russian attacks in the absence of further American support. The United States has spearheaded the push for international support for Ukraine, quickly forging a coalition to back Kyiv after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and coordinating aid from dozens of countries. Ukraine's international supporters have since then provided tens of billions of dollars in weapons, ammunition, training and other security aid that has been key to helping Kyiv resist Russian forces. The Biden administration still has about $6 billion of congressionally granted presidential drawdown authority, including funds authorized in 2024 and funds discovered by the Pentagon after overestimating the value of arms shipped to Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022 the U.S. has committed more than $62 billion worth of security assistance to Ukraine. Some material in this report is from Reuters. The White House said Saturday that U.S. priorities in Syria now are to ensure the country's conflict does not encourage a resurgence of the Islamic State militant group or lead to a "humanitarian catastrophe." U.S. President Joe Biden and his team are monitoring the "extraordinary events in Syria" are in touch with regional partners, the White House said on Saturday. "President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners," the White House said in a statement. Spillover "is a concern," said national security adviser Jake Sullivan, with particular worry about the so-called Islamic State, also known as ISIS. In previous phases of Syria's long-running civil war, "at its worst, we saw the explosion of ISIS onto the scene," he said at a conference in Simi Valley, California run by the Reagan National Defense Forum. The main priority is to ensure "that the fighting in Syria not lead to a resurgence of ISIS," Sullivan said. "We are going to take steps ourselves, directly and working with the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurds, to ensure that does not happen." The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria, including U.S. forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group, according to The Associated Press. Gen. Bryan Fenton, head of U.S. Special Operations Command, told the AP he would not want to speculate on how the upheaval in Syria would affect the U.S. militarys footprint in the country. "Its still too early to tell," he said. What would not change is the focus on disrupting IS operations in Syria and protecting U.S. troops, Fenton said during a panel at the Reagan event. Rebel forces are in the midst of a lightning offensive and say they have begun to encircle Syria's capital, Damascus. Sullivan said the Biden administration is working to ensure allies Israel, Jordan, Iraq and others in the region, "who would potentially face spillover effects from Syria, are strong and secure, and we're in touch with them every day." Washington is also alert to stopping a "humanitarian catastrophe, both in terms of civilians, access to life-saving necessities, and in terms of the protection of religious and ethnic minorities in Syria," Sullivan said. "Of course, an event like this happens and ISIS immediately looks to take advantage. We have seen reports of ISIS trying ... to reconstitute to a certain extent." So the United States will seek to "contain the potential violence and instability," protect allies and ensure that ISIS not "get new oxygen out of this" that could lead them to threaten US or allies' interests, Sullivan added. Sullivan's remarks come as Washington prepares for a transition of power next month back to former president Donald Trump, who defeated Biden in November's election. Trump, who visited Paris on Saturday, warned against US involvement in Syria, saying the country is "a mess" and "not our friend." "THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. Sullivan, addressing Trump's remarks, agreed, saying "the United States is not going to... militarily dive into the middle of a Syrian civil war." Some material for this report came from The Associated Press. Following are reactions from around the world to events in Syria. Syrian rebels ousted President Bashar Assad and seized control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East. European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen "The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks. Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities." EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas "The end of Assad's dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assad's backers, Russia and Iran." "Our priority is to ensure security in the region. I will work with all the constructive partners, in Syria and in the region." European Parliament President Roberta Metsola "The dictator has fallen. It is clear that Bashar al-Assad's brutal 24-year rule of Syria is over as his regime lies in tatters. This is a critical period for the region and for the millions of Syrians who want a free, stable and secure future. What happens in the next hours and days matters." Iran Foreign Ministry The ministry said in statement Iran respects Syria's unity and national sovereignty and called for "the swift end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist actions, and the commencement of national dialog" with all sectors of Syrian society. Tehran said it would continue to support international mechanisms for pursuing the political process, adding that long-standing and friendly relations between the Iranian and Syrian nations are expected to continue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu The fall of Assad, a major link in the Iranian axis, is an historic day and a direct result of blows dealt to Hezbollah and Iran by Israel, Netanyahu said. "We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border," he added. U.S. President Joe Biden "President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners," the White House said in a statement. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump "Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success." Russian Foreign Ministry The ministry said in a statement, Syrian President Bashar Assad has left office and departed the country after giving orders for there be a peaceful handover of power. The ministry did not say where Assad was now and said Russia has not taken part in the talks around his departure. It said Russia's military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time. Moscow is in touch with all Syrian opposition groups and urges all sides to refrain from violence. Iraqi government spokesperson Iraqi government spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi said Iraq was closely following developments and reaffirmed the importance of not interfering in the internal affairs of Syria or supporting one party in favor of another. Jordan's King Abdullah King Abdullah said Jordan respected the choices of the Syrian people. He urged the avoidance of any conflict in Syria that might lead to chaos and stressed the need to protect the security of his country's northern neighbor, according to a statement published by the Royal Hashemite Court. French President Emmanuel Macron "The barbaric state has fallen. Finally. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I wish them peace, freedom and unity," Macron said in a post on X social media. "France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East." U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer "The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure." "Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored." "We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days." Qatar Foreign Ministry Qatar's foreign ministry renewed its call to end the crisis in Syria along the lines of the 2015 U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254 which laid out the steps for a ceasefire and political transition. The foreign ministry said it is following developments in Syria with interest and called for the preservation of the unity of the state. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has been communicating with all regional actors on Syria and is determined to do what is possible to avoid a chaotic outcome for the country, a Saudi official told Reuters. "We have been in contact with all actors in the region. We are in constant communication with Turkey and every stakeholder involved," the official said, adding that the kingdom was not aware of Bashar Assad's whereabouts. Foreign Ministry of Egypt Egypt has called on all parties in Syria to preserve the capabilities of the state and national institutions, the Egyptian foreign ministry said. The foreign ministry affirmed its support for the Syrian people and the country's sovereignty and unity. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people will shape the future of their own country, today there is hope, Fidan said in a news conference in Doha. The Syrian people cannot do this alone. Turkey attaches importance to Syrian territorial integrity. A new Syrian administration must be established inclusively, there should be no desire for revenge. Turkey calls on all actors to act with prudence and to be watchful. Terrorist organizations must not be allowed to take advantage of this situation. Opposition groups must be united. We will work for stability and safety in Syria. The new Syria should not pose a threat to neighbors, it should eliminate threats. Any extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) cannot be considered a legitimate counterpart in Syria. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha "Assad has fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. The main goal now is to restore security in Syria and effectively protect its people from violence." Konstantin Kosachyov, Russian Lawmaker Syrians will have to cope with a full-scale civil war alone, deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament Konstantin Kosachyov said, the Interfax news agency reported. Afghanistan Taliban Administration's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Afghanistan congratulates the leadership of the movement and the people of Syria on the recent developments, which have resulted in the removal of key factors contributing to conflict & instability." "The capital, Damascus, has come under control of Syrian people under the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and we express hope that the remaining phases of the revolution will be managed effectively to establish a peaceful, unified, & stable governance system." Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro "The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State," Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain. Shapiro called on all parties to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and respect international norms. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock "It is impossible to say exactly what is happening in Syria now. But one thing is clear: for millions of people in Syria, the end of Assad means the first big sigh of relief after an eternity of atrocities committed by the Assad regime." "Assad has murdered, tortured and used poison gas against his own people. He must finally be held accountable for this. "The country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals regardless of the guise. We therefore call on the parties to the conflict to live up to their responsibility for all Syrians. This includes the comprehensive protection of ethnic and religious minorities such as Kurds, Alawites or Christians and an inclusive political process that creates a balance between the groups." German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz "Bashar al Assad has brutally oppressed his own people, has countless lives on his conscience and has driven numerous people to flee Syria, many of whom have also come to Germany. The Syrian people have experienced appalling suffering. The end of Assad's rule over Syria is therefore good news. "What matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria. All religious communities, all minorities must enjoy protection now and in the future." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani "We are calling for a peaceful handover between the fallen regime and the new reality, so for a peaceful rather than military transition. It seems to me that at the moment things are going in this direction," Tajani said in a press conference. U.N. special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen Special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen underscores the clear desire expressed by millions of Syrians that stable and inclusive transitional arrangements are put in place, a statement said. He urged all Syrians to prioritize dialog, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights as they seek to rebuild their society, adding he stands ready to support the Syrian people in their journey toward a stable and inclusive future. "Today marks a watershed moment in Syrias history a nation that has endured nearly 14 years of relentless suffering and unspeakable loss... This dark chapter has left deep scars, but today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new one one of peace, reconciliation, dignity, and inclusion for all Syrians." U.N. Aid Chief Tom Fletcher "Events in Syria moving at remarkable pace. More than [a] decade of conflict has displaced millions. Now many more are in danger. We will respond wherever, whenever, however we can to support people in need, including reception centers food, water, fuel, tents, blankets." Russian news reports say that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family arrived in Moscow Sunday, after a stunning rebel advance through Syria forced him flee. The Russian media reports said the Assad family was granted asylum. Russia has been a close ally of Assad. Earlier, joyful crowds jammed into the capital citys squares, waving the three-starred Syrian revolutionary flag reminiscent of the earliest days of the Arab Spring uprising, before Assads brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Some Syrians prayed in mosques. Rebel forces opened the cell doors of the countrys prisons, freeing political prisoners and criminals Assad had jailed and tortured. Others rampaged through the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after the deposed strongman and other top officials fled the country. The downfall of Assad was stunningly quick, with the rebels capturing the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs in a matter of days as the Syrian army ended any opposition. The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. Some celebrants tore down and ripped apart Assad portraits in the palace, while others walked out carrying dinnerware, chairs, furniture and any palatial belongings they were claiming as keepsakes of the overthrow of the government. Some celebrants could be seen on video footage torching pictures of Assad plastered prominently on Damascus buildings while people in the streets nonchalantly walked across posters bearing his likeness. In the streets, people chanted "God is great and anti-Assad slogans. Some honked car horns. Teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air. The last Assad years, since 2011, were marked by a bitter and bloody civil war in which more than half a million Syrians died and at least half the country's pre-war population of 22 million was displaced. Now, the immediate fate of Syria is uncertain. Assads overthrow is a major blow to Iran, a key supporter of his, and its allies in the Mideast, who have focused their attention on more than a year of conflict with Israel. Hezbollah militants only recently reaching a ceasefire with Israel in Lebanon while the war between Iran-funded Hamas and Israel rages on in Gaza. Abu Mohammed al-Golani leads HTS and could chart the country's immediate direction. He is a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. But there are bitter divides in the country. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas. A group of rebels aired a video statement on Syrian state television saying the criminal regime has fallen and that all prisoners had been freed. They called on people to preserve the institutions of "the free Syrian state." The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. One video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked and confused. At least one small child could be seen among them. Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi, who appeared on state TV later in the day, sought to reassure Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, saying: "Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects." "We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did," he added. One Syrian, Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44, who works in the electricity sector, said, "I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall. From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them [the opposition forces] a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud." Syria's Al-Watan newspaper, which was historically pro-government, wrote: "We are facing a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood. We believe and trust that Syria will be for all Syrians." The newspaper said that media workers should not be blamed for publishing government statements in the past, saying: "We only carried out the instructions and published the news they sent us." The Alawite sect to which Assad belongs, and which has formed the core of his base called on young Syrians to be "calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country." The rebels mostly are part of the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. Assad was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the countrys civil war, including a 2013 chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Damascus. There was no immediate comment from Iran, which had been Assad's staunchest supporter. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition." The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday. The participants included Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told reporters that they agreed on the need "to engage all parties on the ground," including HTS, and that the main concern is "stability and safe transition." The Israeli military said Sunday it has deployed forces in a demilitarized buffer zone along its northern frontier with Syria following the rebel offensive there. The military said the deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war and the international community, except for the United States, views it as Israeli-occupied. VOAs Edward Yeranian contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. As North Korean troops bolster Russias war effort in Ukraine, the U.S. is urging China to rein in its allies provocative actions. This comes amid indications that Beijing is increasingly uneasy about the expanding partnership between Russia and North Korea. Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise , a leading provider of secure networking and communication solutions enabling organisations and industries to accelerate their operational efficiencies and competitiveness, has announced the introduction of new cybersecurity enhancements to its OmniPCX Enterprise Purple solution. The solution adheres to the Network and Information Security version 2 (NIS 2) Directive which came into force last month, aiming to establish a uniform and improved level of cybersecurity across European Union countries, requiring operators of critical infrastructure and essential services to implement the appropriate security measures, and at the same time, report any incidents to the relevant authorities. The NIS 2 Directive is applicable to both private and public organisations operating in critical sectors such as government, transport, energy, health, and banking. In addition, any company supplying goods or part of an IT supply chain is also subject to the new regulation since many businesses fall victim to cyber breaches due to security holes in their supply chain. The NIS 2 Directive represents a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for cybersecurity. While there is some overlap in reporting obligations in relation to the General Data Protection (GDPR) regulatory framework in the EU, where GDPR focuses on the protection of personal data and privacy rights of individuals, NIS 2 is primarily concerned with the security of network and information systems. Together, they create a comprehensive framework for data protection and cybersecurity in the EU. For technology providers like ALE, aligning to globally recognised cybersecurity frameworks like NIS 2 and GDPR is critical given that ALEs customers and partners in APAC may also engage with EU markets. Forrester predicts that the cost of cybercrime will reach $12 trillion by 2025. With the rise of diverse working models, employees today are accessing data and communication services from a variety of devices and sometimes from network access that are not fully controlled and protected. This presents a major security threat to the wider enterprise. We are pleased to bring to market this enhanced version of the native encryption feature with the latest OXE Purple release. It offers the highest level of protection to meet the international security agencies recommendations for an enterprise communications platform. Organisations today face a heightened threat of cyber-attack. Along with running security audits and risk analysis, securing all data flows through encryption technology has become essential, making the data impossible to decrypt even in the event of a data leak. Any organisation (not just essential or important entities) that does not protect all devices and phones carrying confidential data is in danger of becoming a weaker link thereby increasing its risk of attack. Vincent Lomba, Chief Technology Security Officer at Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise While NIS 2 is intended to cover the EU as a region, organisations in Asia Pacific (APAC) that form part of the supply chain for EU-based businesses must take proactive steps to ensure compliance with these new cybersecurity obligations, as well as to set up robust incident reporting mechanisms. ALE is committed to collaborating with our customers and partners to deliver solutions that are compliant with globally recognised cybersecurity standards, including NIS 2, and to ensure that we are fully protecting our customer data. As organisations in APAC align their practices with NIS2, they may find themselves better positioned for success in global markets, while contributing to a more secure digital environment globally. Tee Jyh Chong, Vice President, Sales and Services, APAC at Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Alcatel-Lucent Enterprises OmniPCX Enterprise Purple (OXE Purple) features built-in native encryption to ensure complete end-to-end protection for any conversations over the network (private and public Internet). This has now been strengthened and extended to ALE SIP phone protection, providing end-users with complete trust in the confidentiality of the conversation. The OXE Purple solution offers enterprises peace of mind that their communications infrastructure is secure. Regularly updated security measures delivered via OXE Purple software releases under a support contract also help to protect them from the increasingly advanced attempts of cybercriminals to steal digital assets. Key features and benefits of the solution include: Another sad hot guy is how Martin Herlihy describes Paul Mescals probable next film role in the latest Please Dont Destroy sketch. Judging by Mescals track record, it seems pretty much inevitable. From his breakout role in the Sally Rooney adaptation Normal People to his devastating, Oscar-nominated work in Aftersun, and even Gladiator II, Mescals specialty is playing smokeshows who are Going Through It. Seldom has someone who looks carved out of oak so often seemed in dire need of a medical-grade hug. Thankfully, Saturday Night Live has always offered the opportunity for dramatic actors to spread their wings and touch the sky. In his hosting debut, Mescal seemed as eager to soar as any of his typecast predecessors. And I do mean flying-on-a-broomstick-belting-out-the-Defying-Gravity-riff level soaring. During a playful monologue, Mescal brought uninitiated viewers up to speed on everything they needed to know about the rising star. Hes a sartorially adventurous Irish guy, prone to playing frequently tearful characters. (Im really not known for comedy, the host says, in perhaps the years greatest understatement.) With that intro out of the way, Mescal is freed up to show viewers a lot of stuff they havent seen him do yet. Over the course of the night, he seethes with jealousy, simmers with rage, acts a fool, and partakes in some singing and dancing. (Twice!) Some serious thespians in the past have used the SNL stage as a misguided launchpad to show off their quiet command of commedia dellarte or whatever. That isnt the case here. Though Mescal delivers whatevers asked of him at any given moment, he never seems bent on proving himself a natural sketch performer. Instead, he cedes the spotlight in several sketches and comes across as someone whose main venue for comedy is telling stories over beers at the pub. But Mescal isnt the only one who got to branch out last night. For the first time, all three of this seasons new cast members Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline were prominently featured in the same episode. Previously, SNL seemed to dole out the trio in tiny background roles, with only one getting a chance to pop per week. For whatever reason, Mescals show found all three either anchoring a sketch or at least getting a big, memorable showcase in one and they each made the most of their moment. It finally feels like were getting to know them. Here are the highlights from the episode: Church Chat 2024 Cold Open Can a single joke elevate an otherwise decent, nostalgia-fueled sketch into hilarity? Apparently so. Dana Carvey an SNL houseguest this season, thanks to his eerily accurate Joe Biden impression brought back his Church Lady character for the first time since 2016. (So long ago, Darrell Hammond was still playing Trump at the time.) Now as aged as the Church Lady was perhaps originally intended to be, Carvey hits the familiar beats of patronizing each Church Chat guest and calling things satanic until arriving at an incredible moment with Hunter Biden. (Played by David Spade in another throwback cameo.) Hunter slyly compares himself to Jesus, prompting the Church Lady to shoot back, Last time I checked, Jesus wasnt walking around in a robe with no underwear and hanging out with prostitutes. With perfect timing, Hunter reminds her this is exactly what Jesus did. The joke rightly gets an applause break from the studio audience and makes everything else about the overlong cold open worth it. Gladiator II Trailer Paul Mescal is slashin throats and hittin notes in a digital short that imagines a musical version of Gladiator II. (Did we know he can sing? I dont think we did.) Its an impressively staged and choreographed production with legit-sounding lyrics both in the usual Broadway style and full Lin-Manuel Miranda mode. (Im the mad emperor with the bad temper-er, bangin eunuchs and tunics, January to December-er.) This is the kind of sketch that makes one marvel at what the SNL team can accomplish in a single week. Italian Restaurant Commercial Even though all the new cast members get some much-needed airtime this episode, Ashley Padilla makes the biggest meal out of hers. Here, she plays a local theater actor sharing her first televised ad with Mescals seasoned commercial star. In a moment of inspiration, she throws a pasta pun into the ad for an Italian restaurant, and the director (Mikey Day) loves it. Mescal, however, does not. Several comedic games are now set in motion: Padillas goofy pasta puns, each delivered with mischievous goofball energy; Mescals rising hostility toward his costar; the difference in how his own pasta puns are received on set. (Whats happening, buddy? Is there someone we can call?) Padilla seems every bit as much at home in a lead sketch role as her character does in her commercial. Brilliant Lawyer What makes this sketch click is the supreme confidence Andrew Dismukes lends his lawyer character as he embarks upon the most idiotic gambit in legal history. Well, that and the stone faces of the 20 men he hires to wear identically ridiculous outfits in an effort to camouflage his client within the courtroom. Its a shame this episode didnt air before Halloween; otherwise, we might have seen gangs of 21 dudes in lime-green suits, Devo hats, and beards roving the streets. Spotify Wrapped Never trust anyone whos a little too excited to reveal their Spotify Wrapped. Thats one takeaway from this sketch, in which Mescal is aghast that his friends have never heard of the esoteric multimedia force who dominates his Spotify Wrapped. However, the primary reason this sketch exists is to introduce the artist Satoshi Gutman, the anti-instrumentalist sound guru of Dundalk, Maryland. Bowen Yang clearly had fun with the creation of this character, who looks like a partially cornrowed blonde Jedi whose deep-tissue massage treatment would go crazy, and addresses his fans as my bastards. Hopefully, this isnt the last weve seen of Dundalks finest. Cut for Time If it seemed like an odd note during the Church Lady sketch when Carvey told Spades Hunter Biden, unprompted, At least you havent been doing a podcast, it should. That shoehorned line was a nod to the SNL-themed podcast the pair do together. The out-of-date slang in the Earring sketch Lets go to a rave, pimp was pitch perfect, even if the sketch as a whole felt like it could have been more cohesive. The paternal way Mescal falls in love with the Please Dont Destroy boys is a fresh twist on the way crushes in these sketches have gone in the past. And the award for Most Fun Had During a Weekend Update Joke This Season goes to both Colin Jost and Michael Che for the squirting cucumber joke. Marcello Hernandez comes extremely close to cracking up during his shared desk piece with Heidi Gardner when Gardner says of musical guest Shaboozey, Im gonna show him my Shapoozey. James Austin Johnson does an incredible Bob Dylan in the movie premiere sketch, and Mescal sounds exactly like Bono, but it also must be said that Jess, Logan, Dean is indeed the proper ranking of Rorys boyfriends on Gilmore Girls. VULTURE NEWSLETTER Keep up with all the drama of your favorite shows! Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. Transport minister could intervene to limit Friday strike. A 24-hour general strike scheduled in Italy on Friday 13 December will involve the public and private sector and is set to cause significant travel disruption. The nationwide strike, called by the USB trade union, will affect trains, metro, buses, taxis and ferries across Italy but will exclude the airline sector which faces strikes two days later, on Sunday 15 December.* Trains Friday's industrial action, in protest against the "dramatic worsening of working conditions, will see trains stop from 21.00 on Thursday until the same time on Friday evening. Trenitalia said the strike could result in "cancellations and changes" to its rail services, publishing a list of guaranteed trains and information on how to gain refunds on its website. Local public transport The strike will also impact the local public transport sector, affecting subway, bus and tram services in cities across Italy. The strike timetable will vary from city to city: in Rome local public transport services will be at risk from 08.30 to 17.00 and from 20.00 until end of sevice, according to the ATAC website. Ferry services are also at risk for 24 hours on Friday, as are taxis, however it is not clear yet to what extent taxi drivers will adhere to the strike action. Reasons for the strike The USB trade union said the strike was called in protest over job security and safety in the workplace, and against "wages below the cost of living for 30 years, gruelling work shifts, and a dramatic worsening of working conditions". Tensions between unions and government There is a high possibility that Italy's transport minister and deputy premier Matteo Salvini will follow through on his recent threat to take executive action to limit Friday's strike. Salvini issued an injunction to curb a general strike on 29 November, cutting it from eight hours to four hours in relation to public transport services, amid increasing tensions between trade unions and the right-wing government of premier Giorgia Meloni. Unions challenged Salvini's injunction in the courts, however the regional administrative court of Lazio rejected their appeal, to the "great satisfaction" of Salvini. Separately, railway workers in the northern Emilia-Romagna region will stage an eight-hour strike on Monday 9 December to demand greater security following a spate of violent attacks on train staff in Italy. *On Sunday 15 December, Italys airports will be impacted by a 24-hour strike called by TechnoSky air navigation staff, a four-hour strike by airport workers from 13.00-17.00, and a separate four-hour strike (also 13.00-17.00) by air traffic controllers in Malpensa and Linate airports in Milan and Catania in Sicily. Photo: Antonello Marangi / Shutterstock.com. Independent investment company Breakthrough Victoria is investing $2 million in Umps Health, a Victorian company developing sensors and AI to enable proactive aged care at home. The Umps Link, a smart home platform, is the product of six years of research and development, and since launching the platform in 2023, the company has grown to support thousands of households across Australia. The technology is easily installed in the homes of older adults and uses data collected from proprietary wearables, sensors and AI to generate real-time insights about declines in health and wellbeing - and if required, the Umps Link connects users directly to a 24/7 emergency response centre or family caregivers, providing earlier and proactive support at home. According to Breakthrough Victoria, by 2030, there is predicted to be a shortage of more than 100,000 aged care workers in Australia** and Umps Link aims to alleviate this shortage in the face of increased demand for care by augmenting existing aged care workers with technology. Designed in collaboration with Victorias largest aged care providers, Umps products are already offered across Australia under the Home Care Package Program, Commonwealth Home Support Program and NDIS programs that support more than 1.5 million Australians. Breakthrough Victoria says it has invested alongside Intervalley Ventures, with strong follow-on support from shareholders including existing investors Sprint Ventures, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, the 5Point Foundation and Agnes Health. Breakthrough Victorias investment in Umps will accelerate ongoing research, development and commercialisation of the technology, creating up to 40 jobs over the next two years. **Based on a report by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA). The health benefits that Umps innovative technology generates are multifold across families, society, the aged care sector and to the wider economy. Every person gets another option at ageing with dignity; this is why Breakthrough Victoria is investing in Umps Health, says Breakthrough Victoria Acting-CEO, Lauren Morrey. By supporting startups to develop, trial and manufacture medical technology in Victoria, we can ensure these life-saving technologies benefit and prioritise local patients, increase jobs and investments in the state. Victoria is the best place in the country to start and grow a business and we are backing innovative companies like Umps to create good local services, good jobs and to grow our economy in the long term, said acting Minister for Economic Growth, Danny Pearson. This investment will provide more options to maintain healthy independent lifestyles for older Victorians and help reduce the physical workload of our brilliant care workers, Our team is driven by one goal: enabling more proactive care at home. Our underpinning belief is that enabling more timely, person-centred care at home is the biggest opportunity we have to reduce demand on an already stretched care system and enable better health outcomes for older adults, said Umps Health CEO, Adam Jahnke Every year, there are more than 500,000 hospitalisations that could have been prevented if older adults received care earlier. These health incidents are often a catalyst for a loss of independence. AI has the potential to address this by enabling proactive care at scaling, alleviating pressure on an already stretched system while improving the health and wellbeing of older adult. Were pleased to welcome both Breakthrough Victoria and InterValley Ventures as shareholders of Umps. The capital raised will allow us to accelerate our market reach within Australia and scale Umps technology to support tens of thousands of Australians Sean McCarthaigh Medical researchers have called on legislators to reconsider introducing mandatory helmet wearing for users of e-scooters after a new study found fewer than one in 10 individuals who attended hospital following a fall or collision involving the devices was wearing protective headgear. Research by doctors at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in Dublin claims injuries from e-scooters are a key and growing contributor to the number of patients attending its emergency department. The study revealed that there has been almost a fourfold increase in the number of people attending the hospital with e-scooter-related injuries since 2020. It found 22 individuals who had suffered trauma from an incident with an e-scooter had attended CHBs emergency department between June 2019 and July 2020. However, the numbers attending the hospital for the same type of injury over a similar 13-month period ending in July 2024 had climbed to 76. The latest figures show just eight per cent of patients with an injury involving an e-scooter were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident down from 40 per cent in the previous study. They also showed that 24 per cent of patients required admission to the hospital with an average length of stay of 4.2 days, with 17 per cent requiring some form of surgery. The survey revealed that 45 per cent of all those with e-scooter-related injuries suffered a fracture or dislocation the majority of which related to bones in the upper limb followed by the lower limb, head and neck. It found 40 per cent of fractures had a comminuted pattern which meant the bone was broken in two or more places or had shattered. Such injuries have long-term consequences for patients in terms of fracture healing, post-traumatic arthritis and functional impairment. One person sustained a subdural haemorrhage around the brain which required admission for observation, while another injured party required three separate surgical procedures. Overall, 44 per cent of those with injuries required referral to orthopaedic services while only 25 per cent were discharged home directly from CHBs emergency department. According to the latest figures, three-quarters of all those attending CHB with injuries from falls or collisions with e-scooters were males. The average age of patients was 31 years, with two-thirds in the 18-35 age group. More than four in 10 of those with e-scooter-related injuries were non-Irish nationals. The study, whose results are published in the Irish Journal of Medical Research, observed that e-scooters were relatively new to Ireland when it carried out its first survey on related injuries in 2021. However, it said the use of the devices had increased significantly in recent years due to their accessibility and affordability, while the number of injuries from falls and collisions had increased exponentially. Researchers noted that the use of e-scooters in the Republic was legalised in May 2024 with use of the devices restricted to those aged 16 and over and to speed limits of 20km/h. The study noted that five patients were travelling over 30km/h at the time of receiving their injury. One of the studys main authors, Aoife OHalloran, said e-scooters were becoming a primary source of transport for many as Ireland was growing in multi-cultural diversity and the cost of owning and running a car was increasing exponentially. Dr OHalloran an orthopaedic surgery registrar at CHB observed that such a trend was reflected in the high proportion of patients who were non-Irish nationals. Unfortunately, as e-scooter use continues to surge, so does the resulting trauma, she added. Dr OHalloran noted that 78 per cent of patients needed some other form of radiographic imaging with 40% having three or more body regions imaged, while 29 per cent needed further investigation with a CT scan. This not only increases radiation exposure for patients, but has large cost effects on the health service, she remarked. The registrar said the findings in relation to hospital admissions and length of stay also had huge cost consequences for the healthcare system. Commenting on the sharp decrease in the use of protective helmets by usersof e-scooters, Dr OHalloran said the uptake was poor with the wearing of helmets left to the discretion of the rider. While the majority of injuries from using e-scooters involve the upper limb, she said 13 per cent of injuries were still to the head and face. Legislation must consider including mandatory helmet use amongst all e-scooter users, said Dr OHalloran. The study observed that Irelands first shared e-scooter scheme was launched in Wexford in August at a time when many cities including Paris, Melbourne and Madrid were now banning or suspending e-scooter rental schemes as their dangers and associated accidents were becoming apparent. Addressing safety concerns regarding e-scooters and the ability to rent the vehicles should be reviewed before resulting morbidity and mortality continue to rise, said Dr OHalloran. A victim of assault has chosen to give compensation money to charity. The man suffered a minor brain bleed and concussion in 2021 due to the assault. David Roche (35) of Ferndale, Ashley Court, pleaded guilty to assaulting the man on May 2, 2021 in Waterford. The two men were at a party in the suburbs of Waterford City, when the victim asked to use his phone. Roche became frustrated and struck him, causing the victim to fall back and hit his head on a wooden surface. The victim had to spend five days in hospital for his injuries. In the aftermath of the assault, he experienced harassment from hostile parties. Along with the injuries, the victim also sustained a loss of earnings calculated at 7,000. On Thursday, December 4, Roche received a three year suspended sentence from Judge Eugene O'Kelly. At the sentencing hearing, defence Counsel Sarah Jane Comerford BL outlined how her client had stayed out of trouble with the law over the past three years, and had raised 6,000 in compensation for the victim. The Court heard from state solicitor Frank Hutchinson that the victim did not want to accept the money and directed that the money be paid anonymously to two local charities. OSullivan denied internal candidates had been overlooked because of the corporate governance issues engulfing the bank, instead likening Matos to a star football player for a top team in the AFL who was available on the transfer market. He said ANZ decided to move quickly and effectively after Matos quit HSBC in August. However, he stressed Matos appointment did not signal a departure from Elliotts strategy. The new chief was unable to speak to the media due to his contract terms with HSBC, but in an interview with ANZs communications team, he said ANZ had the correct strategy and was headed in the right direction. We have to make sure that we double down in our strengths the two scale markets [Australia and New Zealand] and our leading institutional franchise, Matos said. It will be a positive agenda. It will be to build on top of it, to evolve, to move forwards, to really be focused on our customers, on a strategy which is quite clear. Matos will be responsible for resetting ANZs culture, which is under heightened scrutiny by financial and corporate regulators. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is investigating allegations traders manipulated the bond rate, forcing up the federal governments cost during a $14 billion debt sale last year. ASIC is set to finalise the probe by April and is likely to commence proceedings against ANZ, indicating investigators have uncovered evidence supporting the allegations, a source not authorised to speak publicly said. External lawyers are now assessing ASICs brief of evidence, and the regulator is likely honing in on the most egregious examples for its case. ANZ has engaged Herbert Smith Freehills and the bank has maintained that its probe has found no evidence of wrongdoing. Separately, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority in August hit the bank with a $250 million capital add-on charge after ANZ admitted its markets unit inflated its bond trading figures to the federal government portraying itself as more experienced than it was and a workplace complaints investigation found traders in the Sydney dealing room were inebriated during working hours. Nuno Matos has held a number of high-profile roles at HSBC. Credit: Bloomberg OSullivan said ANZs board would reflect on the findings of an internal investigation into workplace culture led by Oliver Wyman. However, he declined to comment further on the internal investigation led by Herbert Smith Freehills into the bonds trading saga. The ANZ board this year slashed Elliotts short-term bonus by almost half to $1.3 million, while Whelans was cut by 60 per cent to $565,000, and chief risk officer Kevin Corbally lost 40 per cent to take home $624,000 amid the scandals. Matos remuneration will be set at $2.5 million per annum, with short- and long-term bonuses. Elliott will remain with the bank until September 30, 2025, to provide handover support to his replacement. Elliott was appointed chief executive in 2016 after four years as chief financial officer and head of institutional. He has simplified the banks Asia strategy, invested in new technology, such as ANZ Plus, and this year acquired Suncorps banking division. The market did not receive Matos appointment warmly, with ANZs shares falling 3.6 per cent to $30.03. One analyst, speaking confidentially, said it was disappointing that Whelan had missed out on the top job and that he would have made an ideal chief executive. They were also worried Matos would focus on re-growing its international arm after Elliott reversed his predecessor Mike Smiths strategy of expanding the Asia business. MST analyst Brian Johnson said OSullivans comment the strategy would remain the same was a missed opportunity by the bank to move forward. You need to think, Is their strategy absolutely right? You can see them writing home loans below the cost of capital, and then if you have a look at Suncorp, thats not without risk, and then you have this ANZ Plus [digital banking] platform, which is also not without risk, Johnson said. We have a bond manipulation case that will probably be resolved one way or another in the new year, but the chair says, really, nothing is changing, and to some extent, thats disappointing. Loading In a note, JP Morgan analysts Andrew Triggs and Kelsey Bentley said the timing was right for chief executive renewal. We had been increasingly of the view that an external hire would be likely given there appeared to be no obvious internal candidate, Triggs and Bentley said. ANZ has been the weakest share price performer of the major banks this year; however, our near-term revenue forecasts are below consensus given our more pessimistic assumption on [net interest margin] pressures. Meanwhile, UBS John Storey told clients Matos appointment brought a fresh perspective and a clean slate to make the necessary changes. The most pressing challenges for Mr Matos, in our view, are likely to centre around (amongst others): 1) getting familiar with the Australian and New Zealand banking landscape, 2) establishing his executive team, 3) taking a decision on the current organisational and operating structure and 4) tackling the strategic priorities of ANZ Plus and Suncorp bank integration. OSullivan paid tribute to Elliott, pointing out that he took over the top job at ANZ when the banks Asia expansion strategy was not working, the institutional business was not returning the cost of capital, and a number of businesses were not core to the bank. Fast forward to 2024, and youve got a bank that has put in a very strong financial performance, OSullivan said. Our institutional bank has had its best every year and is now returning a return on equity above the cost of capital; in New Zealand, the merger has been a very strong success and very importantly, we released a lot of capital. But can it really be branded scandalous and extreme, given 157 nations voted in favour of the motion, with just eight abstaining and seven voting against? Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, France and Germany all voted in favour of the resolution. Some self-reflection would not go astray from Israels leaders and advocates about why the nation has become so isolated on the international stage. The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas monstrous massacres on October 7, 2023, has stretched on for more than a year with no end in sight and tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians dead. Loading The two-state solution is going nowhere under Netanyahus government, the most far-right in Israeli history. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir recently called for Palestinians to be encouraged to migrate from Gaza so that Israeli settlers can move in, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is preparing plans to annex the Palestinian-dominated West Bank. Netanyahu, the great survivor of Israeli politics, is a divisive leader who has been ordered to take the stand on corruption charges and has been accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court. Which is not to say the Albanese government has masterfully handled its relationship with Israel. It clearly has not, given that Australia is being singled out for such vituperative attacks. Relations got off to a rocky start in 2022 when the government caught Israel off guard with the timing of its decision to no longer recognise West Jerusalem as Israels capital. Many Israelis were offended that Foreign Minister Penny Wong did not visit a kibbutz massacre site when she visited Israel in January, unlike some other foreign dignitaries. Australian Jewish community leaders are fuming over what they describe as a lack of government consultation and declining access to key decision-makers. They say relations between Labor and the Jewish community have never been worse. () Onsen in Japan, as hot springs are known, are a highly popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Their relaxing hot waters are steeped in tradition, and onsen are considered a must-do when visiting the Land of the Rising Sun. But how exactly to take an onsen in Japan? What are some of the best areas for onsen in Japan? What are some tips for enjoying them? Join us as we enter the world of relaxing, soothing waters! What is an onsen? What is the difference between 'onsen' and 'sento'? Literally, onsen means hot spring. In fact, these are natural hot water baths rich in beneficial minerals. Onsen come in many types, two popular ones being roten-buro, outdoor baths, and noten-buro, indoor baths. Meanwhile, a sento is a public hot bath, but not attached to a natural spring. Among sento, there are also the so called super sento that tend to be more elegant and offer a variety of saunas, baths, and other services. How to spot an onsen Onsen are not hard to see, once you know what to look for. They often have long drapes (noren) at the entrance and are marked by a hot bath symbol - or the character /. Sento also look similar at glance, but an onsen would usually be in more rural areas, as they are always close to a source of naturally hot water. While its not impossible to find an onsen in large metropolitan areas, if you see the hot bath symbol in a city, its likely marking a sento, as opposed to an onsen. How to Onsen: Before entering the facility "Onsen" can refer both to the hot spring itself and the surrounding facilities - often part of a hotel or resort. If you are making a day trip of things and have not made a reservation, you can usually pick up a ticket either from a vending machine or a person right near the building's entrance. Note that some facilities will ask you to remove your street shoes at the entrance and will have a locker or shelf available for them. For other facilities, you might remove your shoes right before getting into the bathing area itself. The rule of thumb here is to see what others are doing and ask the staff when in doubt. Also, if you have luggage with you, you may ask the staff whether they can store the bags temporarily at the desk. Generally, it is advisable not to bring many bags unless you will be staying overnight. Prepare for your onsen: The changing room Watch your feet - Upon entering most onsen, youll need to take off your shoes. Occasionally that is not the case, but youll always need to do so before entering the changing rooms. Dont linger by the entrance Especially if its the first time for you to see an onsen, the scene can be quite cool. Make sure, though, that you dont linger by the entrance. Other people might be needing to get in or out. In Japan, physical contact is usually avoided among strangers, and when people stand by the entrance of the bath area, it feels almost like a violation of other patrons personal space (all of this while everybody is wearing only their birth clothes). Prepare to get naked Clothes, swimming suits, or large towels of any kind are not allowed in the bath area. Dont fret! No one will notice, and youll blend right in! You can leave all your belongings in the lockers in the changing room. Make sure you bring a small towel with you but dont worry if you cant. Onsen usually allow you to use their clean towels - but it may be a paid service. Check at the entrance to the facility. You can take the small towel with you in the bath area, but note you cant enter the water with it. Before entering the onsen bath itself Wash yourself off while you will notice that some people rinse themselves before entering a bath (and shower afterward), its customary (and polite) to thoroughly wash oneself before entering the bath. If you used your own soaps, make sure you leave them tucked neatly by the shower so as not to bother other patrons. Onsen etiquette & tips: Before and after your Japanese-style bath Along with all the above, some unwritten rules can often evade those who dont go to an onsen (or sento) frequently. Lets nobody splash When you enter the bath, dont jump, dive, or splash in it. Just sit and enjoy it (you definitely will). Dont use your phone in the changing room avoiding taking pictures and videos is pretty common sense, but also the use of your phone within the changing room (and of course the bath area) is forbidden or, best case scenario, heavily frowned upon. If you must use your mobile device, extend your arms all the way within your locker and use it like that. Tie hair in a nice, neat, knot If you have long hair, make sure you tie it carefully after you shower. Mind your surroundings showers in onsen are usually quite close to one another. For this reason, its important to be careful not to splash other people with water or soap. Youll be glad others will do the same! More rinsing some onsen will have, by the entrance, a large tub of hot water. You can use it to rinse yourself before or after entering a bath (or anytime you want to) by scooping up water with a bucket. Keep that water flowing while in the bath area, rinse yourself every time you move from one bath to another. Some places also have saunas. If you use the sauna, also rinse yourself before entering a bath. Avoid grooming Some locals might shave their beard in the bath area while showering, but generally, its customary to avoid any kind of grooming. Hey, Im up here In order to maintain an atmosphere that is comfortable and enjoyable for everyone, patrons tend to avoid looking (however briefly) at other patrons. Its hard sometimes to maintain a mile-long stare in front of you when you are in a particularly beautiful place, but make sure you avoid looking (or worse yet staring) at anyone. Keep the chatting low Onsen are social environments, but they are also a place where people go relax and soothe themselves in healthy waters and quietness. Its definitely ok to chat with your friends and family while enjoying your bath, but make sure to do so at a low volume. Onsen how to and etiquette after the bath Dry yourself - When youre done with the bath area, you should not enter the changing room dripping wet. It can sound tricky (and it is), since the only towel youre allowed in the bath is a very small one, but try to dry yourself best you can with it. Clean up if you used buckets to wash yourself, and stools to sit on, make sure you also wash those before leaving. Can I sit here? if there are chairs of benches in the changing area, you can use them only after youve put some clothes on. Onsen Etiquette FAQ Can I drink alcohol in the bath area? You are not allowed to drink alcohol in the bath area. You can in the lobby, but for several reasons (including health risks), its prohibited to do so while bathing. You should, though, hydrate after youre done with some beverages Japanese people traditionally drink after a hot bath, such as coffee and milk or fruits au lait. What if I have tattoos? Its technically prohibited to use onsen (or sento) if you have tattoos, but you will find that if you inform the staff beforehand that you have tattoos, they will likely let you use the facilities. Most public places such as gyms, swimming pools, and saunas dont allow tattoos, but things in Japan are changing, and theres a lot of pressure on the government by establishment owners and from the ministry of tourism to change the law. Most onsen are ahead of the government in this matter and dont mind tattooed patrons. Id like to go to an onsen but its that time of the month... Women are advised against using an onsen while indisposed. Are there different kinds of onsen? There are! It all depends on the water source that the onsen is attached to. There are waters with different minerals and properties, all with different beneficial effects. Also, there are baths with very hot water (which most people prefer to the regular ones, albeit for a very short time). On average, onsen water is between 38 and 43 degrees Celsius (98-100 Fahrenheit), but you can find onsen that have baths with temperatures well over 48-50 degrees Celsius. What kinds of areas can be found at an onsen? At an onsen, you will typically find an indoor bath tub, a big open-air bath tub (called a rotenburo), and a place for washing, with soap and shampoo products that guests can use for free. Some onsen may additionally have facilities like a a cool-water bath or a sauna. What areas of Japan are most famous for onsen? Kusatsu Gunma: This is arguably one of the most famous onsen towns in Japan. Not too far from Tokyo, this area is an onsen resort with tens of baths, some of which are even free (and managed by the city or the community). Hakone Kanagawa: Hakone is the most famous onsen resort among those around Tokyo. You will be able to enjoy soothing baths and the boiling sulphur springs of Owakudani Valley. And dont miss the beautiful Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and one of the most iconic views of Mount Fuji as well as many shrines and a boat tour on Lake Ashi. Kurokawa Oita: Kurokawa is a beautiful small town to journey on foot. With nature all around, and with beautiful wooden buildings, it transpires culture and history. Many of its baths are open-air, making it a very sought after location for onsen. Some of its smaller ones are also the most historically important, located by the Kumamoto Castle, and dating back to the feudal era when many lords used to enjoy them. Noboribetsu Hokkaido: Noboribetsu is known for its Hell Valley (Jigokudani), a characteristic volcano crater which gives onsen waters unique characteristics. Sitting in a setting straight from a fantasy book, demon statues decorate the city center and rural paths take you through the Noboribetsu Primeval Forest and to amazing views of Lake Kuttara. Via Live Japan Attacks on Australias Jewish community could turn deadly, a former Labor frontbencher has warned as he backed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus claim that the Albanese governments actions had fuelled a surge in antisemitism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday he personally believed Fridays firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue was a terrorist attack, as he hit back at claims he had failed to tackle antisemitism and announced new funding for Jewish community groups to combat a rise in security threats. However, one of the nations peak pro-Israel groups, the Zionist Federation of Australia, essentially endorsed Netanyahus attack by declaring Labors policy shifts had undoubtedly contributed to a significant rise in Jew-hate in Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would provide an extra $32.5 million to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry over the next 18 months to increase security for Jewish communities. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett will meet in Melbourne on Tuesday with her Victoria Police counterparts to discuss whether to designate the arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea as terrorism. Law enforcement sources said they expected authorities to classify it as an act of terrorism, but it would ultimately be a decision for Victoria Police. Protests outside places of worship could be outlawed in NSW after Premier Chris Minns ordered an examination into strengthening protections of religious institutions, saying holding the line is inadequate after a spate of antisemitic incidents across the nation. With the nation reeling from the pre-dawn firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on Friday morning, Minns said he had instructed Attorney-General Michael Daley and the Cabinet Office to explore reform options to prevent intimidation of worshippers practising their faith. A protest across the road from the Great Synagogue in Sydney. Credit: Twitter About 70 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Sydneys Great Synagogue on Wednesday evening, rallying against an event held by Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology, and calling for sanctions against the Jewish state. Congregants inside were reportedly unable to leave. That incident occurred soon after two masked men vandalised cars with anti-Israel messages and set others alight in Woollahra, in Sydneys eastern suburbs. Minns deplored the incident as an antisemitic attack and un-Australian. The chief executive of healthcare technology firm Harrison.ai has moved to dismiss privacy concerns about his start-up, describing them as a misunderstanding as it plots an expansion into the lucrative US market. Harrison.ai gives radiologists and pathologists access to AI technology so they can more efficiently and accurately scan X-rays for cancers and illnesses. The Sydney start-up has already raised more than $150 million to pursue its stated goal of helping one million people a day by 2025. Dimitry (left) and Aengus Tran. Credit: Louie Douvis An investigation by online publication Crikey has alleged that Harrison.ai trained its flagship product, Annalise.ai, using scans of potentially hundreds of thousands of Australians obtained by radiology provider I-MED seemingly without express consent from patients. Speaking in an interview with this masthead, Aengus Tran, who founded the company in 2018 with his brother Dimitry, said those concerns were a misunderstanding and that his start-up anonymises patient data to the extent it cannot be re-identified. Cities & Towns Telangana Hyderabad Destination Fairs, Festivals and Events Lumbini Festival Lumbini Festival Lumbini Festival which highlights the Buddhist heritage of Andhra Pradesh is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar in Hyderabad. The festival, organised by the Department of Tourism of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, commences on the second Friday of December and lasts for three days. Named after the birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini festival provides an insight to relive the 2000 year old past of Andhra Pradesh when Buddhism was a prevalent religion. Picture Gallery Motor Distributors Limited (MDL) has announced the appointment of prominent motor retailer Cunningham Autopoint as the main dealers in Galway for the BYD range of passenger cars. Expanding the BYD network to seven outlets overall, with further appointments yet to follow, Cunningham Autopoint will market itself as BYD Galway. Welcoming their appointment, MDL sales director Ciaran Allen said: It is an honour for BYD and the entire BYD team in Ireland to welcome Cunningham Autopoint to the BYD network. We look forward to working with them and creating a strong presence for BYD in this region and we are confident the highly specified and competitively-priced BYD models will have an attractive customer appeal. A leading name for motoring in County Galway for more than 30 years, Cunningham Autopoint operates from a high-profile premises, located just off exit 19 of the M6 motorway at Carnmore West, north of Oranmore, on the eastern approach to Galway city. Currently four models make up the BYD range to be sold by Cunningham Autopoint. The first to arrive in Ireland some 18 months ago was the BYD ATTO 3 SUV. Since then, three additional models have been added: the BYD DOLPHIN compact C-segment hatchback, the strikingly sporty 4-door D-segment sedan, BYD SEAL and the BYD SEAL U Super Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid SUV launched just weeks ago. Five additional models are expected to be introduced in Ireland in 2025. Niall Cunningham, managing director at Cunningham Autopoint, said: We are thrilled with our appointment and the opportunity it brings to offer customers a new and exciting product range and the chance to share in the value and enjoyment that BYD has brought to Ireland with their award-winning ATTO 3, compact DOLPHIN, stunning SEAL, and all-new SEAL U Super Hybrid, all of which will be available to view in our showrooms. Our experienced and professional team look forward to representing the BYD brand in Galway." Approaching 30 years in business, BYD has its manufacturing base in China and has announced plans to construct a European plant in Hungary. Since its arrival, BYD has been warmly welcomed by motor industry commentators and by its growing community of owners - a fact recognised by its success as one of Irelands top-selling EV model ranges, and by the achievement of BYD ATTO 3 in winning the coveted Continental Irish Small Compact SUV 2024 award and the success of the BYD SEAL winning the Continental Irish Large Car of the Year 2025 award, presented by members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland only last month. Hallmarks of BYD models are its wide range of all-inclusive standard features, highly competitive price offering and the appeal its range has for eco-friendly Irish motorists keen to embrace lower cost motoring. In addition, all components are manufactured by BYD in-house, including its unique cobalt-free Blade Battery, ePlatform 3.0 and intelligent Super DM (Dual Mode) technology. Come along to Westport Civic Trusts Christmas Miscellany in the Sean Staunton Room, Westport Townhall at 8pm on this evening, Tuesday, December 10th. Ger Reidy will introduce poems from his latest collection, Clay, with musical accompaniment by Diarmaid Moynahan. As one who grew up in the Mayo countryside, Ger writes with a sensitive eye on nature and landscape and the people within it. And with the eye of a civil engineer, as in his poem Disorder: Beyond the manicured lawns the barbarians are waiting, plotting the infiltration like that ash seed growing in the path. Soon it will burst the hearth with roots, inviting the forests to reclaim/ the houses, the roads, the cities. He uses language to listen to the falling leaf, the feeble sun, the stillborn lamb, the rusty gate. He has published several award-winning collections and his poems have been published in The Irish Times, and spot them inscribed on rocks in Rosmoney and benches in Westport! Much of his poetry is a celebration of living in Mayo. Diarmaid Moynihan is widely acknowledged as one of Irelands foremost uilleann pipers. His music has featured on TG4, BBC, RTE and Lyric FM. He is a highly respected teacher with masterclasses in Italy, the USA, Germany, Finland and Australia and has taught at University College Cork, University of Limerick and The Cork School of Music. Ger and Diarmaid will present a seamless blend of music and poetry to cheer us up for the Christmas season. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Mainly cloudy, mild, and mainly dry after some morning fog and drizzle taper off. . Tonight Mostly cloudy, a bit breezy, and mild; perhaps a spotty shower. Xac minh 'than y' chua ung thu bang phuong phap 'truyen nang luong' "Than y" Nguyen Van Kien (trai) lam viec voi co quan chuc nang - Anh: Cong an cung cap Ngay 28-2, ong Nguyen Tuong Duy - chu tich UBND xa Hai Yang (huyen ak oa, Gia Lai) - cho hay ang phoi hop cac co quan chuc nang xac minh truong hop nguoi xung... An Giang lien tiep xuat hien mua trai mua Mua bat chot giua cao iem ma kh khien nguoi dn bat ngo. Theo ng Luu Van Ninh, Gim oc i Kh tuong Thuy van tinh An Giang, nguyn nhn cua hien tuong ny l do nhieu ong nhiet oi trn cao trong ieu kien La Nina ket hop cua ra pha Nam khoi khng kh lanh... Weather Alert THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 36 IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM CDT /4 AM EDT/ SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 19 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS EDWARDS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ALEXANDER FRANKLIN GALLATIN HAMILTON HARDIN JACKSON JEFFERSON JOHNSON MASSAC PERRY POPE PULASKI SALINE UNION WABASH WAYNE WHITE WILLIAMSON IN INDIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 6 COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST INDIANA POSEY IN SOUTHWEST INDIANA GIBSON PIKE SPENCER VANDERBURGH WARRICK IN KENTUCKY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 22 COUNTIES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY BALLARD CALDWELL CALLOWAY CARLISLE CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN DAVIESS FULTON GRAVES HENDERSON HICKMAN HOPKINS LIVINGSTON LYON MARSHALL MCCRACKEN MCLEAN MUHLENBERG TODD TRIGG UNION WEBSTER IN MISSOURI THIS WATCH INCLUDES 11 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI BOLLINGER BUTLER CAPE GIRARDEAU CARTER MISSISSIPPI NEW MADRID PERRY RIPLEY SCOTT STODDARD WAYNE THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALBION, BARDWELL, BENTON, BLOOMFIELD, BOONVILLE, CADIZ, CAIRO, CALHOUN, CAPE GIRARDEAU, CARBONDALE, CARMI, CHARLESTON, CLINTON, DIXON, DONIPHAN, EDDYVILLE, ELIZABETHTOWN, ELKTON, EVANSVILLE, FAIRFIELD, FORT BRANCH, GOLCONDA, GRAYVILLE, GREENVILLE, HARRISBURG, HENDERSON, HERRIN, HICKMAN, HOPKINSVILLE, JACKSON, JONESBORO, MADISONVILLE, MARBLE HILL, MARION, MAYFIELD, MCLEANSBORO, METROPOLIS, MORGANFIELD, MOUND CITY, MOUNT CARMEL, MOUNT VERNON, MURPHYSBORO, MURRAY, NEW MADRID, OWENSBORO, PADUCAH, PERRYVILLE, PETERSBURG, PIEDMONT, PINCKNEYVILLE, POPLAR BLUFF, POSEYVILLE, PRINCETON, ROCKPORT, SHAWNEETOWN, SIKESTON, SMITHLAND, VAN BUREN, VIENNA, WEST FRANKFORT, WEST SALEM, AND WICKLIFFE. ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM CDT /5 AM EDT/ SATURDAY... * WHAT...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 4 AM CDT /5 AM EDT/ Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. && Kate Mara had her nearest and dearest by her side as she celebrated a cause close to her heart. The actress was joined by husband Jamie Bell and sister Rooney Mara as they stepped out to attend the Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection (LCRP) reception in West Hollywood, California, on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The organization oversees the care of rescue chimps who were previously used as lab animals or were the victims of the illegal bushmeat and pet trades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kate, 41, and Bell coordinated in dark-colored attired, with the Chappaquiddick actress in a black blazer-style jacket and her Rocketman actor husband, 38, in a black suit jacket over a dark T-shirt. Rooney, 39, was similarly dressed, smiling in a shot with her sister in a dark blazer over a white shirt as the two embraced for the camera. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. Michael Kovac/Getty Rooney and Kate Mara at the Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection Reception in West Hollywood, California, on Dec. 4, 2024 Rooney and Kate Mara at the Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection Reception in West Hollywood, California, on Dec. 4, 2024 Related: Rooney and Kate Mara Fighting to Save Forgotten Lab Chimps Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to LCRP's official website, the organization "is the first and only chimpanzee sanctuary and conservation center in Liberia rescuing chimpanzees who are victims of the illegal bushmeat and pet trades." "With over 100 orphaned chimpanzees, most still babies or children, are currently under the care of LCRP," they add. "Each month, more captive chimpanzees are confiscated, allowing for the enforcement of Liberia's wildlife laws. Without the ability to confiscate wildlife, authorities cannot protect and preserve chimpanzees." Kate and Rooney are longtime advocates with the group, having traveled to Liberia in 2018 to learn more about the work of Jim and Jenny Desmond, the founders of LCRP in West Africa. "Once we had the opportunity to be face-to-face with these incredible animals, there was just no turning back," Kate told PEOPLE in December 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Related: All About Kate Mara and Jamie Bells Relationship: From Meeting on Set to Their Private Family Life Kate who welcomed a daughter in May 2019 and a son in November 2022, with husband Bell distinctly remembered her first encounter with the chimps. "They're very similar to human babies. At first, we made sure to really give them their space and let them come to us until they were ready to explore," she told PEOPLE in December 2020. "But what was really spectacular was when we went back two years later, they immediately remembered us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Which is outrageous. That would never happen with a human baby. It just goes to show how spectacular these animals are," Kate continued. The actress added of BBC Americas Baby Chimp Rescue, which features LCRP's team caring for 38 baby chimps in its third episode, "Hopefully, when people see these chimps, it will inspire and teach them about these animals ... and then it opens their eyes to all animals in need." Read the original article on People BELMONT, the Bronx (PIX11) Christmas is such a beautiful time to celebrate the communities we live in. There was a moving tree-lighting celebration that highlighted the generosity of neighbors helping neighbors in Bronx Little Italy on Saturday. More Local News The minute Santa arrived there were squeals of delight from the more than 1,000 children and adults waiting on line for the toy giveaway and the free Italian cookies and hot chocolate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its amazing, all that is being done for the community, said Zoraida Irizarry, who was attending the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It was the 10th annual tree lighting in Ciccarone Park sponsored by the Belmont Business Improvement District. There was so much joy as the countdown to the tree lighting began. We are celebrating the Christmas season here on Arthur Avenue, said Alyssa Tucker, the executive director of the Belmont Business Improvement District. We really telling people to enjoy our exquisite eateries. More than 2,000 toys were collected by the Childrens Cancer Society with help from local businesses and the FDNY. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We going to go to he doing what we are doing to work with local businesses to collect toys, said Maria Villa lobos, a toy drive organizer for the Childrens Cancer Society. A mother with a young child, Miguelina Perez, said, Especially in these difficult times, this means a lot. Her daughter liked the Barbie she received. The message from the tree lighting is to come to support the restaurants and stores on Arthur Avenue this holiday season. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Potatoes are to Idaho what lobsters are to Maine or croissants are to France. But how did the root vegetable become synonymous with the state? It turns out, it was a combination of good growing conditions and entrepreneurship. The vegetable was first domesticated in Peru and Bolivia at least 7,000 years ago, and slowly made its way up the continent until it reached the southern part of what is now the United States. But to get to Idaho, it would first have to arrive to Europe, where the Spanish brought it as they colonized the Americas. From there, European settlers brought it back to the continent, and spread it to parts where it hadn't been grown yet, including the Gem State. The Idaho territory received its first potato crops from missionaries in the mid-19th century. Not long after, pioneers from Utah also started growing the crop to feed themselves. They quickly discovered that the land, particularly that surrounding the Snake River Plain, was ideal for growing the vegetable. Volcanic soil was rich in nutrients, and the river provided a source for water irrigation. Additionally, the area's warm days and cool nights helped crops flourish so rapidly that farmers began selling surpluses and making money off of this delicious food. Read more: The History Of Corn Flakes Is Even Worse Than You Knew The History Surrounding Idaho Potatoes Is All About Technology And Entrepreneurship Plan ting potatoes in Idaho farm - B Brown/Shutterstock As the Industrial Revolution spread through the country, technology helped potato planting boom in production and, consequently, profitability. By the early 20th century, people like J.R. Simplot experimented with things like chemical fertilizers, and dehydrating and freezing techniques, further cementing Idaho as the king of the American potato. Today, the crop brings in about $1.34 billion to the state economy and there is even a state agency, the Idaho Potato Commission, that is tasked with research to guarantee this product continues to thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state's most famous potato variety is the russet, which Luther Burbank created in 1872. Since Idaho was officially welcomed to the Union in 1890, we can say that this potato is older than the state itself! It's also happens to be the best type of potato to make homemade French fries. Other delicious varieties grown in Idaho include the cal red, the purple passion, and the Yukon gold (which Anthony Bourdain used to make his famous mashed potatoes recipe). So the next time you're enjoying potatoes whether they're smashed, hashed, boiled, or baked remember you can probably thank Idaho for your delicious meal. If you want to read and learn more about spuds, then be sure to check our tips on the best ways to make mashed potatoes, and why restaurant baked potatoes seem to always taste better. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. Sometimes, no matter how smart, connected, and well-resourced you are, you simply need an expertand not just any expert, but the rarefied insider who other specialists call when they need help. Luckily, Robb Report has a roster of such world-class pros on speed dial. (Weve even begun rolling out our own highly curated directory of heavy hitters across categories, the Masters of Luxury; more to come in that space soon.) So we figured: Why not help answer some burning questionson travel, fashion, real estate, and morebefore they even arise? More from Robb Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that spirit, welcome to our new column, the Download, for which we enlist an in-demand authorityfirst up, Jules Maury, head of elite travel firm Scott Dunn Privateto impart as much high-level knowledge as quickly as possible, from tips and trends to untangling the thorniest problems. Have a conundrum youd like to see solved? Email askrobb@robbreport.com. The Expert Name: Jules Maury Occupation: Head of Scott Dunn Private HQ: London Specialty: Access to the impossible The Big Question Im a C-suiter and an avid adventure traveler who keeps hitting issues with my insurance: The small print stops my travel specialist from booking certain planes and helicopters. But I fly my own helicopter to the beach all the time. Whats the problemand whats the fix? Maury says the most commonplace hiccup involves single-engine helicopters, like the Robinson R44, versus a twin-engine alternative such as the Airbus-built Eurocopter AS350. Many resorts are equipped with the former, but the latter category is a rarity, largely due to cost; while you can pick up an R44 for about $400,000, a sturdier dual-engine rival will run you around eight times as much. Even the worlds most lavish resorts will struggle to bear that cost, which puts them off-limits to folks whose insurance requires them to fly in only twin-engines or planes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, many corporations have ironclad caveats regarding how an exec can flyeven off duty. We had one client who wasnt prepared to fly anywhere without two pilots, in case something happened to one, Maury says. Indeed, that client had to forgo a trip to Miavana in Madagascar for that reason, as only single-engine helicopters were available in-country. (Good news: That has since changed.) Which means youll likely need to plan your vacations around countries with ample supplies of twin-engine choppers. New Zealand and northern Kenya are two excellent options. If youre keen to fly yourself, Maury says, stick to South Africa. The scenery is varied, permission to land is much looser than in many other destinations, and twin controls are readily available, so a professional pilot can shadow you and take over as needed. Speed Round Where is no one booking next summer that they should be? Fiji. Its not on peoples radars yet, but its unspoiled, with lovely weather in the summer, and its not a brutal journey from the States. Hotel where nothing goes wrong? Eden Rock St Barths, with GM Fabrice Moizanhe lives and breathes everything thats important to you from the moment you wake up until the moment your head hits the pillow. Question every client should ask a travel specialist but never does? Am I going to enjoy this, or am I just doing it because the world thinks I should? Most exciting upcoming hotel opening? Cheval Blanc Seychelles, because of Oliver Jean Marinhes a legend. If hes opening a hotel, it will be amazing. Best buyout? Galapagos for a multigenerational trip, but make sure to book the Aqua Mare or the new AndBeyond ship, Explorerthey have cabins of different sizes. Better for families than friends, whod all be fighting over who gets the better room. Either | Or First class* | Charter For long-haul, first class. Even in a Falcon or Gulfstream, charters are extremely uncomfortable after a certain number of hours. I knowIve done it. Courchevel | Aspen* Courchevel is a little tired. Space flight | Expedition cruise* No-bloody-brainer: Why would you want to be in the dark? Go somewhere no man has gone before, but on Earth. Penthouse suite* | Private villa People want to be on their own but also want the vibe of going down to the bar. And if youre in a villa, you need a car, and no one wants to drive. Capri | Cote dAzur* Fewer peopleyou cant even get up from lunch in Capri without bumping into someone trying to take a photo. Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. With Christmas quickly approaching, Gaston County residents and organizations are mobilizing to collect toys for children in need. Programs like Gaston College's 'Stuff-A-Bus' toy drive and the Gaston County Library's toy collection have already come and passed, but others are still looking for donations for kids impacted by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina and children in need in Gaston County. Maelle Keener places new toys in the Toys for Tots box outside the Citizen's Resource Center in Dallas Thursday morning as part of the Gaston College toy drive campaign. Here's a list of places to donate or look for assistance. Where to look The ninth annual Riley Ann Bradley Toy Drive is taking place now through Dec. 13. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Bradley-Griffin Insurance, 1203 Jackson Road in Gastonia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gastonia Chevrolet Buick GMC is hosting a toy drive now through Dec. 11. Toys can be dropped off at 831 S. Main St. in Lowell during business hours. All Gaston County Family YMCA locations are accepting toy donations to benefit children impacted by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. Creative Music Management will host its third annual Rockin' Christmas at The Rooster on Saturday, Dec. 14. The event will include live music, an ugly sweater contest, and a toy drive to benefit Hope United Survivor's Network. Tickets are $10 ahead of time and $15 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. at 334 W. Main Ave. in Gastonia. Dallas High Shoals Christian Ministry is still looking for donors to sponsor one of more than 50 children in need this Christmas. Additional drop-off sites Longhorn of Gastonia is accepting new non-wrapped toys for Toys for Tots now through Dec. 8 at 405 Cox Road. This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Toy drives and sponsorship opportunities in Gaston County 2024 WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Two apartment buildings caught fire in West Haven Saturday night, leaving one injured and others without a home. The first fire was called in at 7:22 p.m. when fire crews responded to a kitchen fire on the second floor of a 4 story apartment building on Coleman Street. Due to the size of the apartment, number of occupants, and weather conditions, within minutes of arriving, firefighters called for a third alarm and all West Haven fire districts responded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No residents of the building were injured but they were displaced from the apartment and are being assisted by the Red Cross. Two cats were rescued from the fire. Shortly after, at 8:14 p.m., another apartment building located at 200 Oak Street called in a fire. The fire began in the kitchen of a 12th floor apartment. It took firefighters 30 minutes to knock it down. One resident of the apartment was in a wheelchair and had to be assisted by fire crews out of the building. The resident was taken to Yale New Haven Health for non-life-threatening injuries. Both fires remain under investigation by the fire marshals office. Anyone who would like to support the family displaced in the fire on Coleman Street can visit their GoFundMe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. A man was killed in Kindiika, Kherson Oblast, as a result of a Russian drone dropping explosives. Four people were wounded there and two more were injured in Kherson itself. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Telegram Quote: "Unfortunately, today the Russian military took the life of another person in Kherson Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of explosives being dropped from a drone, a resident of Kindiika was killed. A man, 73, was fatally wounded." Details: The authority reported that a man, 42, a man, 59, a woman aged 40 and another woman, 79, were also injured in Kindiika on Sunday. In addition, in Kherson, men aged 56 and 62 were injured due to a Russian drone attack. Background: According to the Financial Times, Russia has been terrorising the civilian population of Ukrainian cities to improve the effectiveness of its kamikaze drone attacks and drone operator skills. Western media assume that by doing so, the Russian forces are "experimenting" on people. Support UP or become our patron! PALM SPRINGS, Cali. (KTLA) A crash involving a motorcycle officer left at least 10 people hospitalized during a holiday parade in Palm Springs, California, Saturday night. The crash happened around 6 p.m. near Palm Canyon Drive and Amado Road as crowds gathered to watch the 32nd annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade. The officer, who was reportedly performing a wheelie trick, suddenly lost control of his bike and fell off, witnesses told the Desert Sun. However, a public information officer for the police department called the reported wheelie trick a rumor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motorcycle then continued moving down the street before slamming into the crowd, according to the Palm Springs Post. Family seeks answers after dog run over by FedEx truck The motor officers hand was reportedly severed during the incident. Their injuries are non-life threatening, Palm Springs Police said. Nine spectators were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, Palm Springs police confirmed. Among those injured was a child who suffered minor to moderate injuries, police spokesperson Gustavo Araiza told the Desert Sun. Cell phone videos from witnesses captured a chaotic scene as attendees appeared to rush to help the injured bystanders. The motor officers bike could be seen lying on the ground near the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parade, which typically draws between 80,000 and 100,000 spectators annually, was paused following the crash but later resumed. We appreciate the communitys support. Our thoughts are with the officer, his family and all of those injured today, said Palm Springs police. In a statement late Saturday night, Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said, I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect. I am deeply concerned and hope for a thorough recovery. [California Highway Patrol] has been asked to conduct a complete traffic investigation and we will conduct an administrative investigation. As Chief of Police, I am responsible for this department and the men and women who serve, he continued. After we conduct our investigations I will report back to the community. Again, I am truly sorry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Anyone with video or images of the crash is asked to email the footage to the Palm Springs City Government, PSCityGovernmentMedia@palmspringsca.gov. As Mayor, I take this very seriously, Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein wrote on Facebook. As more facts are known, the Palm Springs City Government will keep our residents informed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Ten people were injured Saturday night when a motorcycle officer crashed a bike into a crowd of revelers gathered for an annual holiday parade in Palm Springs, according to the city. The crash happened just after 6 p.m. along the Festival of Lights Parade route at Palm Canyon Drive and Amado Road, officials said. The officer, who was later identified as Kenney Merenda, and nine others suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were being treated at local hospitals, officials said. Lt. Gustavo Araiza, a public information officer for the Palm Springs Police Department, said he did not have additional details about the incident, beyond that the officer "ended up losing control" and went into the crowd. The California Highway Patrol is investigating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Officers on scene got different statements from different people, so they'll be following up to determine what caused him to lose control," Araiza said of the motorcycle officer. Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said in a statement posted on Facebook that he feels "terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect. I am deeply concerned and hope for a thorough recovery." Mills said his department would conduct "an administrative investigation" into the incident and report back to the community. "As Chief of Police, I am responsible for this department and the men and women who serve. ... Again, I am truly sorry," Mills said in his statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an updated statement, Mills said he and Mayor Jeffery Bernstein had visited Merenda in the hospital and that "he was alert and conversant" but noted an injury to one of the officer's hands. "I am happy to report he will likely recover mobility in his hand," Mills said. "Kenny expressed deep concern for all of those injured and wishes them a full and speedy recovery. Of the 11 others transported for care, two were kept by the hospital for further treatment." A witness told The Times that the officer had lost control of the motorcycle while popping a wheelie and had careened into the crowd, injuring attendees. Brenda Taylor, a Palm Desert resident whose daughter was performing in the parade, said she and her son were a few people down from those who were injured. The motorcycle officer was speeding up the street so fast that "it did not seem safe ... before anything even happened," Taylor said. No one was containing the crowds, she said, and there was no barrier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was a disaster," she said. Among those injured was a young boy who appeared to be passing out. People were trying to keep him conscious, Taylor said. She said the motorcycle officer injured his hand so badly that it appeared to be severed. A video taken moments before the crash showed motorcycle officers riding along the parade route. One appears to accelerate along the route before crashing near a crowd of people, the video shows. Authorities are asking that anyone with videos or photos of the crash send them to PSCityGovernmentMedia@palmspringsca.gov. The Festival of Lights Parade is estimated by organizers to bring roughly 100,000 people annually to Palm Springs. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) Ten people were injured after a police traffic officer on a motorcycle crashed into bystanders at a weekend holiday parade in Palm Springs, California, authorities said. All of the injured were taken to hospitals Saturday night for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening, including the officer, according to police. Witnesses told The Desert Sun newspaper that the officer was popping a wheelie and suddenly lost control of the motorcycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bike slid into the crowd of spectators and brought the festive event to a standstill for more than an hour. Authorities said some emergency responders participating in the parade helped the injured, including crews on ambulances and fire trucks still adorned with holiday lights. The crash occurred around 6 p.m. as crowds gathered to watch the 32nd annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade that typically draws between 80,000 and 100,000 spectators. I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect, Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said on Facebook. City officials said the California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and looking for any witness videos. WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) Eleven people were taken to the hospital on Saturday afternoon after a significant amount of carbon monoxide was detected at a meat-packing plant in West Jordan. According to officials with the West Jordan Fire Department, an initial call came in just before 2:50 p.m. on Saturday about a potential leak and an unconscious woman. The entire facility was evacuated soon after officials arrived at the scene. How cold was the coldest day on record in Utah? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Crews] found that there were high CO levels more than 800 parts per million and they quickly extricated the female patient and evacuated the entire building so that they could identify who was truly sick, Chris Trevino, a deputy fire chief for the City of West Jordan, told ABC4.com. Trevino said 11 people were taken to local hospitals in various conditions. All 11 patients were able to talk and answer questions from paramedics, and some were taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. Other employees had carbon monoxide in their system, but chose to not be taken to the hospital. Trevino said crews are working with the company to get a more accurate number of how many people were at the facility on Saturday and to keep track of how the people may have been affected. Trevino said the high level of carbon monoxide that was detected (more than 800 parts per million) was surprising. The policy for fire crews with West Jordan is to use protective equipment for anything over 35 parts per million, according to Trevino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why we want to ensure that all in the building, not just in the manufacturing area theyre OK, Trevino said. And if they need evaluation, then well provide that or well get the most appropriate resources to them. Employees will be able to return to work once the building has been cleared, but no one will be able to enter until then, Trevino said. West Jordan Fire said the situation is under investigation. Ambulances from Unified Fire, South Jordan, West Valley City, and West Jordan responded to the scene, Trevino said. More information on carbon monoxide The problem with CO, or carbon monoxide, is it attaches to the hemoglobin and displaces the oxygen in the blood, rendering if the person is left in that environment thats full of CO will render them unconscious, Trevino said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, carbon monoxide is a deadly, poisonous gas that has no color or odor. Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed, the CPSC explains. Initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath. High levels of CO poisoning can lead to severe symptoms including vomiting, mental confusion, loss of consciousness, loss of muscular coordination, and untimely death, according to the CPSC. As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms become more noticeable and can include headache, fatigue and nausea, the CPSC said. At sustained CO concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carbon monoxide alarms can be installed in homes to alert people before life-threatening levels of CO are present in an area. The CPSC recommends installing an alarm that meets the current UL 2034 safety standard. For more information on preventing and protecting against CO poisoning, visit the CPSC website. Matthew Drachman contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Eleven members of the Tennessee Air National Guards 134th Air Refueling Wing were awarded one of the U.S. militarys most prestigious honors, the Distinguished Flying Cross, on Saturday for the extraordinary heroism and aerial achievement demonstrated during an April mission. According to the 134th Air Refueling Wing, the ceremony at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base highlighted the critical role played by these Airmen during a coordinated defense effort in response to one of the largest missile and drone attacks in history. Nashville Army Corps of Engineers releases PSA in Spanish about lake safety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Operation True Promise on April 13, officials said Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel involving more than 300 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial systems in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike earlier that month. This assault required immediate action by the U.S. and allied forces, so the 134th aircrews which were deployed to the 350th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar reportedly provided essential aerial refueling support to U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles, ensuring their continued ability to intercept and neutralize the threat. The military said the tanker crews carried out their refueling duties while in the direct line of fire, in contested airspace, without onboard defensive systems or advanced situational awareness tools. The crews professionalism, composure, and skill under such conditions were critical to the missions success. Over the course of the operation, the crews from the 134th offloaded hundreds of thousands of pounds of fuel, extending the fighters on-station time and allowing them to intercept 99% of the missiles and drones launched by Iran, according to officials. Riverdale High School softball coaches team up to save construction worker who collapsed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Lee Hartley, Tennessee Assistant Adjutant General, Air, emphasized the significance of their actions, saying, These Airmen faced extraordinary danger with unwavering courage and professionalism. Their dedication not only safeguarded lives but also upheld the values and commitments of the United States to its allies. Eleven Airmen from the 134th Air Refueling Wing stand before receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville on Dec. 7, 2024. (Courtesy: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ben Cash released by 1st Lt. Taylor Jones, 134th Air Refueling Wing, via DVIDS) Eleven Distinguished Flying Cross medals lay on a table before a ceremony at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville on Dec. 7, 2024. (Courtesy: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ben Cash released by 1st Lt. Taylor Jones, 134th Air Refueling Wing, via DVIDS) Airmen from the 134th Air Refueling Wing and other state officials stand to recognize 11 Distinguished Flying Cross recipients at a ceremony at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville on Dec. 7, 2024. (Courtesy: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ben Cash released by 1st Lt. Taylor Jones, 134th Air Refueling Wing, via DVIDS) Eleven Airmen from the 134th Air Refueling Wing receive the Distinguished Flying Cross on Dec. 7, 2024, at a ceremony at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville. (Courtesy: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ben Cash released by 1st Lt. Taylor Jones, 134th Air Refueling Wing, via DVIDS) U.S. Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Warner Ross III, Tennessee National Guard Adjutant General, left, congratulates recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville on Dec. 7, 2024. (Courtesy: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ben Cash released by 1st Lt. Taylor Jones, 134th Air Refueling Wing, via DVIDS) Eleven Airmen from the 134th Air Refueling Wing receive the Distinguished Flying Cross on Dec. 7, 2024, at a ceremony at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville. (Courtesy: U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ben Cash released by 1st Lt. Taylor Jones, 134th Air Refueling Wing, via DVIDS) The 134th Air Refueling Wing provided the following list of award recipients from Saturday, Dec. 7: Lt. Col. Willis Parker Maj. Lance Welch Maj. Stacy Sells Maj. Cody Gaby Capt. Andrew Weber Capt. James Spearman Capt. Joshua Johnson Tech. Sgt. Hunter Ricks Tech. Sgt. Gage Seymour Tech. Sgt. Joshua Osborne Senior Airman Jonah Parham Read todays top stories on wkrn.com This mission required precision, adaptability, and unparalleled resolve, stated U.S. Air National Guard Col. Ronald Selvidge, commander of the 134th Air Refueling Wing. The actions of these Airmen ensured the protection of countless lives and demonstrated the critical importance of aerial refueling to mission success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military said the recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross are now part of an elite group of aviators whose exceptional heroism and aerial flight skills have made significant contributions to mission success and global stability Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. In a recent discovery, archaeologists have uncovered a 2,000-year-old grave from the time of Roman settlement in Heerlen, a municipality in the Netherlands. While the remains were unearthed late last month, latest analysis has shown that it belonged to a Roman solider named 'Flaccus'. The tomb also contained a fragment of a La Tene bracelet, pottery, shards and three complete Roman plates of Terra Sigillata, according to a statement released by the municipality. The discovery is being touted as the "most unique evidence of Roman habitation at this location," as this is the first time a Roman grave has been found from 0 AD with a name pointing to its occupant. Oldest Roman tomb in Heerlen Experts deduced the name 'Flaccus' from the abbreviation FLAC, which was carved into a bowl discovered in the grave, as per the media statement. "In addition to the bowl, the researchers also found a bronze skin scraper and four different plates. The pottery, which comes from Italy, confirms that Flaccus was a Roman soldier. It is a unique find because it is not only the oldest Roman grave in Heerlen, but also because no name was known there before," the statement noted. Artifacts, including the personalized bowl, discovered at the site. Source: Municipality of Heerlen The discovery took place during digs at the Raadhuisplein (town hall square), located near the historical roads Via Belgica and Via Traiana in the municipality. The square used to serve as an important location at the center of the Roman settlement Coriovallum, the Heerlen of that time. The excavations are set to continue well into December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archaeologists from ADC ArcheoProjecten first identified the grave in November while working on a project. Jordy Clemens, Heerlens council member for culture and heritage, said: "Today, evidence was found of Roman habitation in the time of Emperor Augustus. A unique discovery that not only teaches us more about our past but also shows how unique the story of Roman Heerlen is for the Netherlands." Previous finds in the region, which included pottery fragments, were insufficient to prove settlement as they could have been discarded during travel, according to a report in history website Archaeology News. Experts believe the uncovering of Flaccus' grave provides indisputable evidence of Roman presence. Roman grave discoveries across Europe The discovery of Roman graves and cemeteries is not a novelty in Europe. In January, an ancient Roman burial ground filled with treasures was found in central Italy. Researchers uncovered nearly 70 skeletons in carefully constructed graves. Along precious jewelry, leather goods, pottery, and coins. The cemetery was unearthed during a pre-construction dig for a solar energy plant, located north of Rome. The site close to the ancient city of Tarquinia, known for its Etruscan stone cemeteries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, in March last year, the skeletal remains of a high-status Roman woman, encased in a lead coffin, were discovered at a 1,600-year-old hidden cemetery in Garforth, Leeds, England. Called a "once-in-a-lifetime find," the woman's remains were uncovered alongside 60 other bodies. The burial site is believed to contain late Roman and early Saxon men, women, and children. This discovery is thought to be the first Anglo-Saxon cemetery found in West Yorkshire. Two people were convicted for their involvement in a series of violent armed robberies targeting pharmacies across Southern California. On Dec. 6, Diavion Deshawna Mouton, 23, of Carson, and Rodney Darrin Maxwell Evans, 23, of Vermont Square, were found guilty by a jury following a four-day trial, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Moutan and Evans were allegedly joined by at least five other suspects in the string of robberies including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Makai Yusef Sanders, 23, of Hathorne Kenyatta Kamar Jones, 23, of Hawthorne Adrian Timothy Bedran, 24, of Rosemead DeAngel Daryl Alvarez, 24, a.k.a. Macc, of the Athens area of South L.A. Kevin Antwon Gadley, 20, a.k.a. One Shot, of San Fernando The robberies took place over a six-week span in 2023 between Aug. 9 and Sept. 19 and targeted numerous Rite Aid and Walgreens stores including in Long Beach, Bellflower, South Los Angeles, Pasadena, Whittier, Lakewood, Monterey Park, Burbank and Glendale. Mouton served as the driver while Sanders and Jones robbed the stores, court documents said. During two robberies that took place on Aug. 14, 2023 at Rite Aid stores in Bellflower and Vermont Square, officials said multiple firearms were brandished and store employees were forced to open the stores safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, Evans and his accomplices that day Sanders and Jones escaped with a total of $12,410. On Sept. 19, 2023, Mouton was involved in two armed robberies at a Walgreens store in Glendale and a Wingstop restaurant in Lynwood, court documents said. She served as the getaway driver for both robberies, in which Sanders and Jones brandished firearms and stole around $1,776 from the businesses. During the Walgreens incident, Sanders and Jones robbed a customer who was paying at a register. They held them at gunpoint and stole their iPhone. They threatened a store clerk at gunpoint and forced her to lead them to the stores safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southern California man arrested in 41-year-old cold case murder Along with the cash, the suspects also stole four iPhones from nearby customers before fleeing the store. Days later on Sept. 26, 2023, detectives tracked down and arrested Sanders, Jones and Mouton. Evidence was found during the arrest that tied them to the robberies, officials said. Evans and Mouton were each found guilty of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. They will face anywhere from 14 years to life in prison at a sentencing hearing on March 31, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders and Jones pleaded guilty on Nov. 26 to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. In their plea agreements, both admitted to committing 12 armed robberies of local businesses. They face anywhere between seven years to life in prison at their sentencing hearings scheduled on March 17, 2025. A fourth suspect, Adrian Timothy Bedran, 24, pleaded guilty on Sept. 9 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery. He remains free on a $50,000 bond and awaits sentencing on Jan. 13, 2025. The fifth suspect, DeAngel Daryl Alvarez, 24, a.k.a. Macc, is believed to be a fugitive, and the sixth suspect, Kevin Antwon Gadley, 20, remains in state custody on unrelated charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violent gun crime leaves emotional scars that last for years, said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. Through the Operation Safe Cities initiative, my office is partnering with local law enforcement to prosecute more and more cases that hold accountable those who choose to harm our communities. Multiple agencies were involved in the investigation including the FBI, the Glendale Police Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, the Inglewood Police Department, the Long Beach Police Department, the Pasadena Police Department, the Monterey Park Police Department. the Whittier Police Department and the Burbank Police Department. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Two Hillsborough County deputies shot and killed an armed suspect after he pointed a firearm at them on Saturday night, according to the sheriffs office. Around 11:15 p.m., officials responded to a home at the 10000 block of Courtney Palm Boulevard in Tampa, after a concerned family member said they thought their loved one took their own life when they heard gunfire from the bathroom. Brooksville couple discovers they are barred by law from building home on new property Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anthony Dadante, 67, was found in the bathtub by Deputy Jose Rodriguez and Deputy Jenna Roberts. According to HCSO, Deputy Rodriguez pulled the shower curtain back to find Dadante holding a firearm and his chest covered in blood. Both deputies told Dadante to drop the gun several times. Thats when Dadante pointed the firearm at Deputy Rodriguez, leading both deputies to shoot the suspect, who died from his injuries. HCSO said both deputies have no prior use of force. Roberts has been with the sheriffs office since September 2017, and Rodriguez since March 2022. Tyler Perrys Studio President killed in Homosassa plane crash: report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What began as a response to a potential suicide changed into a life-threatening confrontation that no deputy ever wants to face, Sheriff Chad Chronister said. Our deputies had to make a tough decision in an instant, and it was the right one. If you or someone you love are in need of help, you can call the 24/7 Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 211. The holidays can be a difficult time for many, Sheriff Chronister added. If youre struggling and feeling overwhelmed, know youre not alone. Dont hesitate to reach out to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Two men were arrested for possession of fentanyl and tampering with evidence on Thursday, Dec. 5 in Westway, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPCSO). On Dec. 5, deputies conducted a traffic stop along the 600 block of Westway Boulevard. Before the vehicle came to a stop, the deputies saw items being thrown out of the window, EPCSO said. EPCSO said deputies then detained Joseph Lunares and Edgar Martinez. Edgar Martinez (left) Joseph Lunares (right). Photo courtesy to EPCSO. During an investigation, the deputies found and seized a large number of pills that tested positive for fentanyl, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said. The Sheriffs Office did not give an exact number of how many pills were seized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EPCSO said the items thrown out the window were recovered and also tested positive for fentanyl. Lunares and Martinez were arrested and charged with tampering with physical evidence and possession of a controlled substance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Two injured men showed up at a Smyrna hospital, sparking an investigation into an early morning shooting in Nashville. Metro Nashville dispatch said the shooting was reported just after 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the intersection of Harding Place and Interstate 24 East in the Bakertown area. Man airlifted to Nashville hospital after shooting in Hopkinsville According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, two men showed up at TriStar Stonecrest Medical Center in Smyrna with non-critical wounds, saying they were the victims of gunfire while at a red light at Harding Place and I-24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through an interpreter, the victims reportedly said the incident happened after they left 404 Bar & Grill in the 400 block of Elysian Fields Road. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Metro police said they were notified by Smyrna officials, adding that detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division are handling the case. No additional details have been released about this investigation. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The state Supreme Court handed down two decisions Thursday that dealt blows to two men on Mississippi's death row. Richard Jordan, who has been on death row in Mississippi since 1977 for the 1976 kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter, the wife of a Gulfport bank executive, learned the court denied a motion for rehearing in his pursuit of post-conviction relief. Jordan, at 78, is the oldest prisoner on death row and has been there the longest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Lynn Fitch asked for a date to be set for Jordan's execution on Oct. 1. Since the court denied Jordan's latest motion, it is possible the state could soon rule on the execution date request. Mississippi's death row: A closer look as AG Fitch seeks execution dates for prisoners In court documents, Krissy Nobile, director of the Mississippi Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel, has long held the attorney general's office is determined to keep death row prisoners on death row even when the CPCC has shown there is reason to believe some of the convictions may be wrong or the sentences are inappropriate. Instead, Nobile said, Fitch has responded to the motions with swift responses that suggest the prisoners are only attempting to delay the inevitable and have no business doing so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "By filing this fifth and frivolous PCR petition, Jordan has proven the States prediction correct if left unchecked, death row petitioners like Jordan will continue filing baseless PCRs in perpetuity to avoid the execution of their lawful death sentences," the attorney general's office wrote in its response to Jordan's latest motion for relief. Nobile responded quickly, saying the prisoners have every right to be heard and Fitch's office should provide answers that explain their take on the law. "Instead of filing a responsive pleading with substantive legal argument, the State weaponized Mississippis rules of ethics and interferes with counsels duty to advocate on behalf of their client," Nobile wrote in a motion to strike Fitch's response to Jordan's motion for a rehearing. "The States bullying tactics have no place in litigation let alone death penalty litigation." Reasonable doubt? Was bad evidence in play for man on Mississippi's death row? Maybe. It wouldn't be a first Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caleb Corrothers was sentenced to death in 2011 for the 2009 murders of a Lafayette County man and his son, Frank and Taylor Clark. Corrothers shot a third person Tonya Clark Frank Clark's wife and Taylor Clark's mother in their home. Tonya Clark survived her injuries. Corrothers' case did not go in his favor either. The court sided with the trial court in Corrothers' quest for post-conviction relief in which he claimed juror bias. His mother and cousin testified that an unnamed female juror allegedly mouthed "We got it" to Tonya Clark after returning to the courtroom to announce Corrothers' sentence. The trial court found Corrothers' witnesses were not credible, according to court records. In an appeal of that decision, the Supreme Court agreed with the trial court. "In post-conviction proceedings like this one, it is the trial judge who determines witness credibility," Justice James Maxwell wrote on behalf of the court. "And this Court must give deference to his credibility decisions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why they want to help: Innocence Project, ACLU step in to help MS man on death row. Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi death row: Court denies motions in two cases MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Nikki Stratton deliveres the keynote speech during the 83rd commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Saturday. She is a granddaughter of USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton. who died in 2020. 1 /3 MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Nikki Stratton deliveres the keynote speech during the 83rd commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Saturday. She is a granddaughter of USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton. who died in 2020. MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Ira Ike Schab, 104, salutes the USS Arizona during the 83rd commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial today. Schab was one of two survivors of the attack to attend the 83rd anniversary commemoration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 /3 MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Ira Ike Schab, 104, salutes the USS Arizona during the 83rd commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial today. Schab was one of two survivors of the attack to attend the 83rd anniversary commemoration. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Shanna Kahookele Tachera shows her granddaughter Jariah, 6, the plaque at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial that honors civilians who died on Dec. 7, 2024 during the 83rd Anniversary on Saturday. Kahookele Tachera is the grand niece of David Kahookele, who along with three of his relatives were killed by friendly fire as they drove to Pearl Harbor, where they worked as civilian dock workers. 3 /3 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Shanna Kahookele Tachera shows her granddaughter Jariah, 6, the plaque at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial that honors civilians who died on Dec. 7, 2024 during the 83rd Anniversary on Saturday. Kahookele Tachera is the grand niece of David Kahookele, who along with three of his relatives were killed by friendly fire as they drove to Pearl Harbor, where they worked as civilian dock workers. MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Nikki Stratton deliveres the keynote speech during the 83rd commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Saturday. She is a granddaughter of USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton. who died in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Ira Ike Schab, 104, salutes the USS Arizona during the 83rd commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial today. Schab was one of two survivors of the attack to attend the 83rd anniversary commemoration. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Shanna Kahookele Tachera shows her granddaughter Jariah, 6, the plaque at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial that honors civilians who died on Dec. 7, 2024 during the 83rd Anniversary on Saturday. Kahookele Tachera is the grand niece of David Kahookele, who along with three of his relatives were killed by friendly fire as they drove to Pearl Harbor, where they worked as civilian dock workers. Two survivors of the Dec. 7, 1941, surprise attack on Pearl Harbor attended this years anniversary ceremony. Ira Ike Schab, who is 104-years-old, stood up from his wheelchair with the help of his son and daughter to salute during the remembrance ceremony at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial honoring those killed in the Japanese bombing that brought the U.S. into World War II 83 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ken Stevens, 102, who served on the USS Whitney, joined Schab at the ceremony. USS Curtiss crew member Bob Fernandez, 100, was also scheduled to participate but was ultimately unable make the trip due to health issues. The attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy, which targeted Pearl Harbor and other military sites across Oahu, killed more than 2, 300 U.S. servicemen. Of those 1, 177 were sailors and Marines on board the USS Arizona, which sank during the battle. Today the remains of more than 900 Arizona crew members rest in the rusted remains of the battleship in the harbor. Sterling Cale, the last known service member living in Hawaii to survive the attack, died this year. The last survivor of the USS Arizona, Lou Conter, died at age 102 soon after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Today only 16 known service members who survived the attack remain, according to a list maintained by Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. During todays remembrance ceremony superintendent of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Tom Leatherman reflected on their passing, telling attendees, Im sure Lou and many of the other survivors would have said we have to forge ahead and continue to ensure we continue to remember Pearl Harbor, we need to be even more diligent to make sure that the stories, legacy and diverse history of Pearl Harbor will be shared at this site and beyond for all time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the official remembrance ceremony, a family from Maui held a smaller ceremony to remember four members of their family who died during the attackDavid Kahookele, Joseph McCabe, John Adams and his father, Joseph Adams. All four were civilian dock workers employed at Pearl Harbor killed by friendly firea dud anti-aircraft round that landed on and struck their car as they were making their way to the base. In total, 49 civilians were killed and 35 were wounded during the attack on Oahu. A small number of people were killed in targeted attacks by Japanese forces, but more were killed by errant American munitions fired at Japanese forces. Shanna Kahookele Tachera, the grand niece of David Kahookele, was among those in attendance. She said that despite living in Hawaii all her life and knowing the story of how her relatives died, she had never set foot in Pearl Harbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very healing, she said. 1 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . Two suspects were arrested on grand theft charges following a pursuit in Irvine. The suspects were identified as Christian Margel, 22, of Anaheim, and Teresa Margel, 20, of Fullerton, according to the Irvine Police Department. Authorities had been investigating a complex transnational fraud scheme where criminals steal Electronic Benefit Transfers (EBT) funds shortly after they are deposited into victims accounts, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 2, detectives were checking local banks when they spotted suspicious subjects possibly involved in fraudulent activity at a bank near Culver and Irvine Center Drives. The suspects drove away and when police attempted to pull them over, they refused to yield, leading officers on a pursuit. After a short chase, they eventually stopped the car near Culver Drive and Irvine Boulevard where a female suspect was immediately detained by officers. The male suspect jumped out of the car and fled the scene, police said. 4 suspects wanted for stealing over $316,000 in check fraud scheme: police Christian Margel, 22, of Anaheim was arrested after police found him hiding in a dumpster following a pursuit in Irvine on Dec. 2, 2024. (Irvine Police Department) Teresa Margel, 20, of Fullerton, was arrested following a pursuit in Irvine on Dec. 2, 2024. (Irvine Police Department) Two suspects, Christian Margel, 22, of Anaheim, and Teresa Margel, 20, of Fullerton, were arrested following a pursuit in Irvine on Dec. 2, 2024. (Irvine Police Department) While searching nearby, officers eventually located the man hiding inside a dumpster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair was arrested on charges of grand theft, felony evasion, and resisting arrest and were booked at the Orange County Jail. Detectives did not release further details on whether the duo was connected to a transnational fraud ring. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The Ukrainian military shot down 28 Russian drones but lost track of another 46 during a nighttime attack by Russian forces, the Air Force reported on Dec. 8. The drones targeted multiple oblasts, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Russia launched a total of 74 drones at Ukraine, with the military successfully downing 28, the Air Force said in a Telegram post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forty-six unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) went off the radar, and their exact trajectories remain unknown. Authorities reported damage to residential buildings caused by falling debris from downed Shahed drones during the overnight attack. The attack follows a steady increase in Russia's use of Shahed-type kamikaze drones, marking the third consecutive month of intensified drone attacks on Ukraine. Data from the Air Force shows a sharp rise in Russian drone activity, with 2,576 drones deployed in November, compared to 2,023 in October. The Kremlin shows no signs of relenting in these nightly attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Ukraine is also bolstering its drone capabilities. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Dec. 5 that over 30,000 DeepStrike attack drones will be delivered to the military in 2025. These next-generation drones are designed for autonomous long-distance operations and precision targeting, marking a significant advancement in Ukraine's defensive and offensive capabilities. Read also: Russian drone strikes against Ukraine are surging to record levels how bad can it get? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Three family members have been found dead in a suspected murder-suicide in Texas, according to police. The victims, which include a 15-year-old boy, were discovered by police at a residence in Frisco at around 4:13 p.m. local time on Friday, Dec. 6, the Frisco Police Department said in a news release. Authorities had been called about a welfare concern at the home after a coworker had not shown up to work and could not be reached by phone, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On their way to the residence, police said officers were told a family member had called 911 after arriving at the location "and finding two deceased subjects in the entryway." A third person was later found by police in the garage of the residence. Related: Husband Fatally Shot Multiple Times in Luxury Oceanfront Fla. Condo By Wife in Murder-Suicide: Police The identities of the three people were confirmed to be 54-year-old Ronald Morris, 53-year-old Stacy White and 15-year-old Gavin Morris. Following preliminary information gathered at the scene, police believe the tragic incident was the result of a double murder-suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Frisco Detectives continue to investigate all aspects of this case, and a final determination may not be made for some time, police said, per the release. It has not been publicly shared which of the three individuals died by suicide. The investigation is ongoing. Frisco Police Department/Facebook Frisco Texas Police Department Frisco Texas Police Department Related: Texas Mom Was Killed in Murder-Suicide Shielding Her 10-Year-Old Daughter, Who Faces Long Road to Recovery According to a neighbor who lived next door to the residence, per CBS News, Ronald had been dating White for two years and had moved into the residence. Eulanda Reddick, who was Whites neighbor for 20 years, told the outlet, "She stays to herself, has a really meek spirit. For the most part, she didn't bother anybody, so for something like this to happen, it's mind-blowing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She seemed really happy, and you know the few times that I saw them, they looked like the perfect balance, so to experience this, it's like, What happened? Reddick added. Gavin was a freshman student at Memorial High School, Fox 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth reported. The school will address Gavins death to students on Monday, Dec. 9, according to the outlet. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Frisco Police Department at 972-292-6010. Read the original article on People KANSAS CITY, Mo. Democrats lost the U.S. Senate, the White House, and will continue to be the minority in the U.S. House of Representatives come January of 2025. What went wrong for the party? Former Jackson County, Missouri, Democratic Committee Chair Phil LeVota joined us to share his thoughts. Kansas City could change Downtown Airport name LeVota said one of the reasons Vice President Kamala Harris lost was because she had a short campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She just didnt get to get in front of the people as much as she wanted to, LeVota said. She was the Vice President, but she was essentially unknown, and Donald Trump was well known, and Kamala Harris does not have and did not have that charismatic following that really resonated with the voters like a Barack Obama or a Bill Clinton did, so that was one of the reasons. LeVota added three other reasons for Harris defeat. First, fewer people voted in 2024 than they did in 2020. He also added that people werent all listening to the same media, with various forms of it growing. Finally, he said many Americans arent ready for an African American female President. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In our next segment, a local veteran is helping men and women that have been in similar positions get back to civilian life when they come home from war. Whiteman Air Force Base fighter wing targeting a New Mission Accomplished Therapist Adam Magers has come out with a new book called, Odysseus and The Oar: Healing after War & Military Service. The title of the book comes from the Trojan War hero Odysseus, who goes from one trial to another in life after combat, told in the poem The Odyssey. Magers says the imagery in that ancient myth and the imagery in modern veterans dreams is nearly identical, so there are inner challenges that veterans face when they come home from war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magers, a clinical manager with the non-profit The Battle Within, says the general focus on helping veterans has fallen short, and a hyper-focus on the trauma that theyve faced is good, but it isnt enough. Magers added that when a person goes to war, they experience fundamental changes in their personality. That you are changed form the inside out as a person, and so a lot of the work that we do at The Battle Within and what Ive written about in my book is the way that veterans personalities are changed and that after war, we have to help these individuals to become whole people again, Magers said. If you know of a veteran or first responder that could use help from The Battle Within, click this link for its website. If youre interested in buying Magers book, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Dec. 7NEW LONDON Two major housing developments, including one slated to rise up from a church collapse property, will move forward after securing approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The commission late Thursday unanimously approved a $30 million plan by the Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities (ECHO) group to construct a five-story, 46-unit apartment building at 66 Union St., where the First Congregational Church once towered above downtown streets. The church's steeple collapsed in January, prompting an emergency demolition of the 173-year-old church. ECHO purchased the property in July from Engaging Heaven Ministries for $125,000 and began clearing the rubble in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frank Vacca, a civil engineer representing ECHO's site development, special permit and coastal site plan applications, told commission members the property where the "catastrophic failure" occurred consists of a .65-acre parcel fronting State and Union streets. Plans call for building a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, ranging in size from 946 to 1,465 square feet. The apartments will sit above 3,487 square feet of street-level office space. The longest portion of the building will face Union Street with a narrow section on the south-facing State Street side. The building's highest point is marked by an elevator tower capped by a pyramid-shaped slate roof. Some of the granite blocks that once made up the historic church will be re-used as a "grand entrance" leading to the commercial space and as a base wrapping around the structure. The stone will also be used to create arched openings on three sides leading to parking areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A project timeline states the wood-frame complex will be built over an 18-to-24-month period with construction anticipated to begin in the fall of 2025. Gordon Court demo and rebuild approved The commission on Thursday also approved the New London Housing Authority's plans to demolish the nine antiquated elderly and disabled housing units that make up the Gordon Court neighborhood and replace them with a multi-story complex on the property. The $30 million plan is part of a larger project that calls for redeveloping all three of the state-overseen facilities managed by the housing authority: Gordon Court, at 11 Gordon Court off Williams Street; the George Washington Carver Apartments on Colman Street; and Riozzi Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the 60-year-old complexes are open to tenants ages 62 or older or who are 100% disabled. The federally subsidized Williams Park Apartments on Hempstead Street, a high-rise-style building with 99 units, are not included in the demo and rebuild master project. The Gordon Court project would replace 38 existing units, most divided into four-apartment buildings. The proposed stand-alone complex would contain 81 one-bedroom and five two-bedroom apartments, Housing authority Executive Director Norbert Deslauriers told the commission the older units are plagued with plumbing, ventilation and other infrastructure issues. He said rehabbing the residences would require a major investment and "taking the buildings down to the studs." Deslauriers said the demo and new build option would provide larger living spaces for residences and more of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going from 38 to 86 units," Deslauriers said, adding the authority will submit a funding request to the Connecticut Housing Authority by Jan. 15, 2025, for federal tax credits that, in conjunction with anticipated state grants, would fund the work. Current Gordon Court residents would be re-located to other housing authority residences for the duration of demolition and construction work, which is expected to take up to two years to complete. j.penney@theday.com Five people have been killed in a murder-suicide in Atlanta, according to multiple reports. Three adults and two young children including a five-year-old girl and a one-year-old baby boy were found shot to death by police in an apartment complex in DeKalb County at around 7:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 7, per Fox 5 Atlanta, Atlanta News First and NBC affiliate news outlet 11 Alive. Police went to check on the apartment building after being called about a welfare check, Atlanta News First reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The adult victims were identified as a 43-year-old woman, a 32-year-old ma and a 26-year-old woman, the outlets said. Their names have not yet been released. Related: Mother of 4 Found Dead 2 Years After 13-Year-Old Son and Brother Are Murdered in Unsolved Cases Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Police are investigating the incident as a domestic-related murder-suicide, per Fox 5 Atlanta, Atlanta News First and 11 Alive. This investigation is still developing and is ongoing at this time. The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Read the original article on People Six inmates escaped Saturday evening from the White Mountain Apache Detention Center in Whiteriver, Arizona. According to authorities, all but one have been located as of Sunday afternoon. Just after 6 p.m. on Dec. 7, the White Mountain Apache Police Department announced on Facebook they were searching for escaped inmates Julian S. Thomas, Isaiah B. Kindelay, Tyrien W. Thompson, Shaquille Ivins, Brandon Sanchez and Rio Joplin. Three inmates were captured and taken back into custody at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, then authorities found another at 12 a.m. on Sunday. According to White Mountain Apache police, the fifth inmate was located later Sunday morning at 8a .m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still at-large on Sunday afternoon was escaped inmate Brandon Sanchez. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact White Mountain Apache police at 928-338-4942. As of 0800 hrs today Rio Joplin has been captured and is in custody Brandon Sanchez is the remaining EscapeeAgain if... Posted by White Mountain Apache Police Department on Sunday, December 8, 2024 White Mountain Apache police said the inmate could be with other people who are possibly harboring or assisting him. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Whiteriver inmates escaped: 5 found, 1 still at-large What do cucumbers, chicken nuggets, and mortadella have in common? Theyre all delicious additions to your refrigerator or freezermost of the time. But this is your warning to check your items to make sure that theyre not part of the most recent round of recalls so far in December. These are the food recalls to know this week. List of Ongoing Recalls for the First Week of December Vegetable Medleys and Carrots A voluntary recall has been initiated by 4Earth Farms connected to the previously reported issues with Grimmway Farms carrots. The carrots may be contaminated with Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli bacteria. Because 4Earth Farms includes potentially affected carrots in its vegetable medleys, which were distributed by stores including Walmart, Alberts Organics, Sprouts Farmers Market, and others, it has alerted customers to check their freezers for both whole carrots and vegetable medleys with best-by dates ranging from Sept. 7, 2024, to Nov. 2, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have purchased any of the below products, dispose of them and wash and sanitize the surfaces that they touched. Shoppers with questions regarding the recall should contact 4Earth Farms at 855-918-1706, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT. SunFed Produce Cucumbers As of Nov. 26, 68 people had been infected and 18 have been hospitalized due to cases of salmonellosis contracted from eating cucumbers from SunFed Produce. On Nov. 27, the company announced a recall on every size of whole, fresh American cucumbers that it sold between Oct. 12, 2024, and Nov. 26, 2024. On Nov. 29, that FDA recall expanded to include cucumbers from Baloian Farms of Arizona Co., Inc. On Dec. 5, the FDA added five more products to the recall, all related to the original outbreak investigation: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russ Davis Recall: Multiple products (labels here) distributed to food service and retail customers in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Walmart Recall: Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices distributed to retail customers in Texas. JFE Recall (Snowfox and Snowfruit brands): Cucumber products distributed to Kroger retail stores in Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Texas, and Wyoming. Supreme Produce Recall: Cucumber products distributed to Kroger and King Soopers retail stores in Colorado and Texas. Yummi Sushi Recall: Cucumber products distributed to Kroger retail stores in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cucumbers are labeled with the SunFed brand label, the Pamela brand label, or in a generic white box or black plastic crate with a sticker that provides the name of the grower, Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. Baloian's notice also lists clear PamPak branded bags of six cucumbers with the UPC 8 2540107010 6. The individually sold cucumbers at retailers should have a UPC sticker that says SunFed, the place of origin listed as Mexico/Mexique, and the PLU #4062. After you throw away potentially affected products and sanitize surfaces they have touched, questions can be directed to SunFeds recall hotline, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST at 888-542-5849. Yummy Dino Buddies Holiday Nuggets Costco shoppers who recently purchased chicken nuggets should check their freezers. On Dec. 4, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), issued a public health alert that Dino Buddies Holiday Nuggets did not receive reinspection when imported to the U.S. from Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The frozen nuggets came in 5-pound boxes labeled yummy Dino Buddies Holiday NUGGETS Breaded nugget-shaped white meat chicken patties with a Best if Used by Date of 11/06/26 and Lot #241556. They have the Canadian establishment seal 348. Though no illnesses have been connected to the nuggets, out of an abundance of caution, the FSIS recommends consumers to either return them to the place of purchase for a refund or to throw them away. Ecuadorian Mortadella The FSIS issued a public health alert on Dec. 2 for frozen, ready-to-eat pork products labeled Mortadela ESPECIAL BOLOGNIA. The 1-pound vacuum-sealed packages come from Ecuador, which is not eligible to export meat and poultry products to the United States. Because they came to the country illegally, the packages do not have a USDA mark of inspection. The mortadella was shipped to retail and distributor locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though no illnesses connected to consuming the meat have been reported, the FSIS urges people not to eat the Ecuadorian mortadella. Instead, it recommends either throwing them away or returning them to their place of purchase for a full refund. If you have questions about the public health alert, the FSIS says to contact Veronica Vasquez, firm President, Ecuatorianita Imports & Exports, LLC, at 732-309-0183 or ecuaimports1@hotmail.com. Baker Farms Curly Mustard A Georgia-based company, Baker Farms, is recalling its curly mustard greens. Late last month, the company was notified by the Texas Department of State Health Services that its product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Though no illnesses have yet been reported, consumers should make sure that they dont have mustard greens packaged on Nov. 4 and distributed between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9 in their freezers. The best by date of the 16-ounce bags is Nov. 21. The product was packaged in clear plastic bags and sold to distribution centers located in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consumers should dispose of or return their mustard greens to the stores where they purchased them for a full refund. If you have questions, please contact Baker Farms at 844-761-2244, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES Five people are dead in what police are calling a domestic-related murder-suicide in DeKalb County. The shooting happened just before 7:30 p.m. along the 2100 block of Vineyard Walk inside an apartment. When officers arrived at the home, they found a 43-year-old female, a 32-year-old male, a 26-year-old female, a 5-year-old female, and a 1-year-old male dead from gunshot wounds. Its unclear who was the shooter in the murder-suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say they are working to notify next of kin and at this time cannot release the names of the victims. TRENDING STORIES: Six people, including two children, are dead after a person driving a pickup truck the wrong way on a Mississippi highway collided with a car. Just before 3 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was headed south in the northbound lane of Interstate 55 in Jackson when the crash occurred, police told the Associated Press, the Mississippi Clarion Ledger and local CBS affiliate WJTV. The truck, which was carrying only the driver, collided with a Hyundai Sonata headed north near Daniel Lake Boulevard. The Hyundai was carrying one driver and four passengers, all of whom died in the collision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson police detective Tommie Brown told WJTV and NBC affiliate WLBT that the Hyundai was carrying a man, a woman, a teenager and two children, all from Copiah County, located south of Jackson. The driver of the Chevrolet was a 23-year-old man from Scott County, east of Jackson. The victims have yet to be named. Jackson police, the American Medical Response and the Hinds County Coroner's Officer were all dispatched to the scene, but both drivers and all four of the passengers in the Hyundai were pronounced dead at the scene. In a release obtained by ABC affiliate WAPT, Jackson police officials said of the crash: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims of this tragic accident." Getty A police vehicle (stock image) A police vehicle (stock image) Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Mississippi Highway Patrol officer Darnika Mayfield urged drivers to obey the state's left lane passing law to avoid wrong-way collisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A lot of the time, somebody might [have] some kind of medical condition or they may be impaired, and they're thinking they're traveling on the right side on the opposite lane," she told WJTV. "So that's why we stress that when you're traveling, stay in that right lane. ... The purpose of a left lane is only for passing. Once you pass, you must get back over." Jackson police told several of the outlets that they are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. Jackson police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Read the original article on People Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who served on the House's Jan. 6 committee, said Sunday that he is not worried about President-elect Donald Trumps threat to throw members of the committee in jail. No, I have absolutely no worries about this, Kinzinger (R-Ill.) told CNNs Inside Politics host Manu Raju on Sunday. Trump made the threat in an interview with Meet the Press host Kristen Welker on NBC. He said that members of the Jan. 6 committee should go to jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First off, the executive branch can't go after the legislative branch because we embarrassed him. That's not a sin. That's not against the law. Ultimately, when we talked about him throwing his ketchup and hamburger against the wall, there's nothing illegal about that, Kinzinger continued, referring to an alleged incident from Cassidy Hutchinsons testimony in which Trump once became so angry that he threw his plate of food at the wall and smeared it with ketchup. He added that most of the people that testified were actually his Republicans, you know, fellow Republicans that went up and spoke [against] him. Some Republicans who testified during the hearings included former Attorney General William Barr; former Justice Department official Richard Donoghue; Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger; and Ivanka Trump, the president-elect's daughter. So look, he's all butt hurt, right now because he was embarrassed, Kinzinger added. He's not going to come after us and I'm not worried about it at all in the least. Kinzinger was one of two Republicans who served on the select committee, along with former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), the panel's vice chair. Others included Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the panel's chair; Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.); and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who was elected to the Senate in November. Hunters headed to the forest on Saturday, Nov. 30, for what most hunters view as the most important hunting day of the year. It is also the day that draws the highest number of hunters afield about a half million. Most Centre County hunters had snow-free landscapes to seek their quarry. However, those hunting in the higher elevations enjoyed the added benefit of snow cover. The first week proved to be cold and windy. Wednesday nights snowfall made the remainder of the county white, but with the snow came high wind that made it feel like single-digit temperatures. Firearms deer season continues through Dec. 14. Those hunters with an antlerless deer permit for Wildlife Management Unit 4D, which includes Centre County south of I-80, will have a second chance this year. The extended season will run Jan. 2-20. In 2019, the Pennsylvania Game Commission moved the opening day of firearms deer season to the Saturday after Thanksgiving, 48 hours earlier from its long-standing position of the Monday after Thanksgiving . This move created controversy that continues to this day. Older hunters, hunters with camps, and business owners in the heart of deer country favor a return to the Monday opener, while a majority of younger hunters favor the Saturday opener. A bill before the state legislature even adds language to return to Monday, but that bill died when the legislative session ended late last month. Bear season Snow greeted much of the state for the opening day of firearms bear season, Nov. 23. The northcentral region had a dusting to several inches in the higher elevations, while some counties in the northeast and southwest mountains received a foot or more of snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with the excellent tracking snow, bears were slow to come to the Quehanna (northern Clearfield County) check station on the opening Saturday. Although the check station opened at 10 a.m., the first bear did not arrive until early afternoon. Biologists manning the station were surprised by the low count. In fact, early day check station activity was slow across Pennsylvania, with only 28 bears checked by 12:30 p.m. in the entire state, and only 71 by 2:30 p.m. A large bear is weighed at Quehanna bear check station. Preliminary figures show that 490 bears were harvested statewide on the opening day. This compares with 696 harvested during last years opener. Hunters shot 175 bears on day two (last year 223), and only 152 additional bears were checked during the final two days. The extended season (Nov. 30 to Dec. 14 in four WMUs, mainly in the southeast) and (Nov. 30 to Dec. 7 in seven WMUs, mainly in the northeast) is continuing as this is being written. In 2023, the Pennsylvania Game Commission lessened the number of WMUs open for the extended season, and hunters harvested 591 bears. The number of open WMUs stayed the same this year as last. During recent previous years, the number of bears shot during the extended season ranged widely from over 1,000 to as few as 432 in 2020. This years extended season kill was expected to be close to last years harvest, but only 325 bears have been checked as of Dec. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far this season, Clinton County has produced the most bears 156. Four additional northcentral counties and four northeastern counties fill out the top 10, except for number 10, which is Venango County with 74 bears. Venango County was ranked No. 22 last year with 64 bears. Centre County often shows up in the top 10 (No. 5 in 2022), but this year its 64 bears rank it at No. 14, with the possibility another county might pass it before the end of the extended season. Clearfield County is also often in the top 10, but this year it is ranked No. 13. 2024 top bear harvest counties thus far: 1. Clinton: 156 2. Tioga: 150 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3. Lycoming: 140 4. Bradford: 121 5. Potter: 106 6. Luzerne: 89 7. Monroe: 84 8. Pike: 84 9. McKean: 78 10. Venango: 74 Heavy bears Only six bears topped the 600-pound mark in last years harvest. The top bear came from Pike County the boar had an estimated live weight of 691 pounds. So far this year, at least 12 bears have topped the 600-pound mark, including three with estimated live weights of 700 or more pounds. The heaviest bear was a 774-pound male that was taken in Monroe County. Lower population Pennsylvanias estimated bear population has decreased drastically during the past five years, but rebounded a little in 2024. This year, the Commission kept archery bear season the same, but shortened muzzleloader season from seven days to just three in an effort to lower the early season harvest. The October-to-early November seasons occur prior to denning by pregnant female bears. Even with the reduced muzzleloader season, preliminary results show that 1,379 bears were taken during the combined archery, muzzleloader and special firearms seasons. This is 143 bears higher than the 1,236 shot in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The extended season is winding down, and it looks like another low harvest. At the current pace, 2024 is likely to enter the record books with another total bear harvest of under 3,000, likely to be considerably lower than last years 2,920. Last year was the first harvest under 3,000 bears in over 15 years. Pa.s top bear harvests: 1. 2019: 4,653 2. 2011: 4,350 3. 2005: 4,164 4. 2015: 3,748 5. 2012: 3,632 Mark Nale, who lives in the Bald Eagle Valley, is a member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and can be reached at MarkAngler@aol.com . Joe Biden, making the first trip by an American president to Angola, delivered a speech at the nations slavery museum where he had some wise words about history. I have learned that while history can be hidden, it cannot and should not be erased, Biden said. Its our duty to face our history: the good, the bad, and the ugly the whole truth. Thats what great nations do. But thats not what he did in his speech. He rightly painted a picture with words of the horrific nature of slavery, We hear them in the wind and the waves. Young women, young men born free in the highlands of Angola, only to be captured, bound, and forced on a death march along this very coast to this spot by slave traders in the year 1619. In the building next to us, they were baptized into a foreign faith against their will Then they were condemned to a slave ship bound for the Middle Passage, packed together in hundreds by hundreds. A third of those souls did not survive the journey. It was the beginning of slavery in the United States. Cruel. Brutal. Dehumanizing. Our nations original sin one that haunted America and casts a long shadow ever since. Our people lie at the heart of a deep and profound connection that forever binds Africa and the United States together, Biden said. We remember the stolen men and women and children who were brought to our shores in chains and subjected to unimaginable cruelty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he did not say a word about how slavery came about in Angola and how Portuguese traders came upon the hundreds of slaves they put on their ship. The story of Angola and the United States holds a lesson for the world, Biden continued. Two nations with a shared history, an evil of human bondage. Two nations on the opposite sides of the Cold War, the defining struggle of the late part of the 20th century. And now, two nations standing shoulder to shoulder working together every day, he said. Its a reminder that no nation need be permanently the adversary of another. Notice how he doesnt exactly say that Angola and America were on opposite sides of slavery, but only implies it. That vagueness is a missed opportunity to address the whole, complex truth of slavery. When Bidens defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, traveled to the same site in the same nation to give a speech last year, he was a little more blunt in the picture he painted. We all know that the United States and Angola were first connected by the slave trade, Austin said. And four centuries ago, slavers from far away put the men, and women, and children of this country into shackles people who looked just like you and me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But thats missing some important facts about who first put people into shackles. The slavers who did the capturing and kidnapping in Angola were primarily native Africans the ancestors of many of the Angolans at the slavery museum to hear Bidens speech. The slavery that came to American shores was the product of powerful institutions both Black and white British, Portuguese and Angolan. Slavery had been an institution in the land that is now Angola at least since the 1300s before the first Europeans showed up on their shores. The same was true throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa. Foreigners from far away did play a role as a market for slaves, but those foreigners were Arabs fresh from the Muslim conquest of North Africa who created trade routes deep into the rest of the continent trading their sophisticated goods for human flesh and ivory. While the Atlantic slave trade focused on men to work sugar plantations primarily in South America and the Caribbean (less than 5% of enslaved Africans were sent to North America focused on tobacco and cotton), the Arab slave trade focused its evil on women who after suffering horrific conditions in trafficking were destined for sexual exploitation. Back in the United States there is a conflict between those who want to remember slavery as Americas defining sin and those who want to whitewash the despicable, racist abuse of millions of human beings by our countrymen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has to be a middle ground that puts Americas sins in the context of the global practice of slavery that stains the ancestry of almost everyone and does not yield one inch to those who would downplay its evil and impact here in the United States. American racism and slavery are part of our national story that needs to be told with brutal honesty, but our public reckoning shouldnt be an easy morality tale that leaves out complexities that paint the tale in shades of gray. When Biden delivered a speech without that gray, he failed to deliver the whole truth that he said he wanted us to hear. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) is putting a new tool online that will allow residents to view crime data around the city on a map. According to APD, the department lost access to a similar mapping function when it transitioned to a newer records system. They said city employees created the new mapping system, which can search incidents around Albuquerque by defined dates and types of crime. The data, which is available on APDs crime statistics webpage, includes a 10-year history of violent and property crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. SIMI VALLEY, California Sen. Joni Ernst, a pivotal swing vote on Pete Hegseths embattled nomination for defense secretary, said shes not ready to support him, speaking out publicly as a sexual assault survivor and advocate for others. Amid mounting questions over Hegseths chances of being confirmed in the Senate, the comments were the Iowa Republicans most public and detailed expression yet of her reservations about supporting him, amid allegations of misconduct and excessive drinking. Hegseth has also questioned the role of women in combat. Ernst spoke during a panel at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, citing her advocacy on the Senate Armed Services Committee for survivors of military sexual trauma and, frankly, her personal experience. Ernst, a retired Iowa National Guard lieutenant colonel, is the Senate's first female combat veteran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am a survivor of sexual assault so I have worked very heavily on sexual assault measures within the military, so Id like to hear a little more about that, and Id like to hear about the role of women in our great United States military, Ernst said on stage. Ernst said she wanted Hegseth to have a fair and thorough vetting process with a public hearing, calling that incredibly important. I am excited to sit down with him again, but there will be a very thorough vetting before he moves forward. So [I] look forward to seeing him in front of the committee as well and I know that hell be there and have to answer some very tough questions. Hegseth was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017 and later reached a legal settlement with her an incident in which he denies wrongdoing and was never charged. Hegseth is a former Army National Guard officer and veterans advocate known for co-hosting "Fox & Friends Weekend" and serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if Hegseths accuser needs to come forward, Ernst said, "I think there are ways that the FBI will vet this and present it to the committee. So I trust in that process and I look forward to that opportunity. At the Saturday panel discussion of Middle East security, Rep. Patrick Ryan (D-N.Y.) argued that Hegseths controversial views on Islam would make him an ineffective defense secretary. Hegseth reportedly chanted anti-Muslim slurs during a 2015 bar incident, has promoted militant Christianity and has tattoos with Crusades-era symbolism. In a non-partisan way Ive tried to talk about the seriousness of this moment that we are in and the unseriousness of Mr. Hegseth for this job, Ryan said. Were now going to sit with the Saudis and the [future] secretary of defense has insulted their whole way of life and their faith? That would be devastating, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth plans to spend next week blitzing Capitol Hill, trying to win the support of Republican senators, according to a Hegseth aide granted anonymity to share future plans. Hegseths 21 meetings planned this week include two senators who are considered potential swing votes against him Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) as well as Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). Trump reaffirmed his support for Hegseth this week, calling him a WINNER with strong and deep backing. Hegseth has been meeting with GOP senators to solidify support while Trump weighs alternative candidates, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Asked whether all Republican women might vote against Hegseth amid the sexual assault allegation, Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate GOP leadership, said no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were non-monolithic on a variety of issues, she said. Fischer said she did not anticipate Hegseth would drop out or that Trump would ask him to. I think if that's the case, I think it's important to have a public hearing, she said. I think it's important for the American people to watch us on the committee and see how we ask questions and what we focus on, and then to watch him and see how he answers them, and then take a public vote in the committee. And then well see. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) and a senior Senate Armed Services member, said he is worried about the political pressure on his Republican colleagues who care deeply about national defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre in a very tough place, King said. Heres what concerns me: I saw a story where someone in the president-elects circle said, essentially, any Republican who bucks us is going to be primaried and Elon Musk will fund the primary. Hegseths political stock with fellow Republicans appears to rise and fall from day to day. More allegations could surface over the four and a half weeks until Trump takes office, but the FBIs investigation into Hegseth, especially if it substantiates or expands upon the allegations against him is expected to be definitive. It seems like there's something new every two or three days, King said. Im very concerned about what Ive seen, and I dont want somebody who could be compromised in terms of his ability to do the job, or could be compromised by actions that he'd taken in the past that would lead to somebody having a hold over him. 36,718 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 36,718 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? American Airlines is no longer resuming its daily service out of Miami into Port-au-Princes Toussaint Louverture International Airport as of early February. A spokesperson for the U.S.-based carrier told the Miami Herald that it will evaluate a possible resumption in late 2025 of the only daily service out of Miami International Airport into Haiti by a major U.S. airline. American has made the difficult decision to suspend daily service between Miami (MIA) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP), the spokesperson said. We are proud of our more than 50-year-commitment to Haiti and we will continue to monitor the situation, assessing safety, security, and customer demand, in evaluating a return of service. We will proactively reach out to impacted customers to offer a full refund of their travel itinerary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision comes amid deepening political turmoil in Haiti, which last month saw the installation of its third prime minister, businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime, in a year after the ruling nine-member Presidential Transitional Council fired Prime Minister Garry Conille after less than six months. The presidential council and Conille, a longtime civil servant previously with the United Nations, had been at loggerheads over a cabinet reshuffle that council President Leslie Voltaire had demanded, and the removal of three council members named in a bank bribery scandal. The council members are accused of demanding $758,000 in bribes from the director of a government bank to keep his job. They have refused to step down, insisting on their innocence, and have been summoned to go before a judge this week to answer questions. The turmoil has been accompanied by fresh waves of gang attacks, leading to the recent displacement of an additional 50,000-plus Haitians in two weeks, and increased bloodshed. On Sunday, police and human rights advocates were investigating reports that a gang leader had massacred dozens of people the day before in Cite Soleils Wharf Jeremie neighborhood of the capital. The National Human Rights Defense Network, based in Port-au-Prince, later said it had confirmed that at least 110 elderly residents in the slum had been killed by gang leader Micanor Altes who goes by the names Wa Mikano, and Monel Felix between Friday and Saturday. The massacre was triggered by the illness and later death of Altes child based on advice he received from a Vodou priest. Altes is part of the powerful Viv Ansanm gang alliance that has been leading coordinated attacks across the capital since late February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines all announced a suspension of their daily flights into Haiti after confirming they had an aircraft hit by gang gunfire on Nov. 11 over Port-au-Princes airspace. No passengers were injured, however, a flight attendant onboard Spirit Airlines Flight 951 did receive minor injuries when the aircraft was hit with multiple bullets as the pilot attempted to land at Toussaint Louverture International Airport. In response, the Fort Lauderdale-based carrier announced it was suspending service not just between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Port-au-Prince but also into Cap-Haitien in the north. On Sunday, a spokesperson for Spirit Airlines said flights to both Haiti airports remain suspended until further notice. It remains unclear if and when JetBlue Airways will resume flights to Haiti where some observers believe a dramatic change is needed in the security landscape to boost both airlines and passenger confidence. JetBlue Airways operates flights both out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport into Port-au-Prince. We will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate a return of service for late 2025, the American Airlines spokesperson told the Herald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the attack, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a 30-day ban prohibiting all U.S. licensed and U.S. carriers from traveling to Haiti. The ban is supposed to be in place until this Thursday, though it is unclear if it will be extended. In response to the gang attack, the Haitian government had closed both the international and domestic airports in Port-au-Prince prior to the FAAs ban. They remain closed though sources say the government is working toward a possible reopening as early as this week. American Airlines decision will contribute to Haitis further isolation and will keep many Haitians, both in and out of the country, further stranded. The ban on U.S. commercial and cargo flights has created a huge headache for Haitians. The roads in and out of the capital are controlled by armed gangs, and days of torrential rain last week also buried two major roads connecting Cap-Haitien and the capital under mudslides. Those making it out of the capital have either had to beg for a ride on a government leased helicopter meant for the purpose of moving security forces to hot zones, or pay $2,500 for a ride on a privately leased helicopter with a 20 lb backpack limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After initially placing all of Haitis airports under the ban, the FAA later amended its decision to exclude airports outside of the capital. This included the only other airport that can receive commercial international flights, Hugo Chavez International Airport in the northern city of Cap-Haitien. Today, the small airport serves as the only air bridge in and out of country, with the airspace between the the country and Dominican Republic still closed and The Bahamas suspending its flight service into the country. The only direct service to the U.S. currently is via Haiti-owned Sunrise Airways while the Turks and Caicos also has two local carriers connecting the British territory to the country with service between Providenciales and Cap-Haitien. Despite that, it has not stopped the United States from deporting Haitians back to the country. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security flew 70 deportees into Cap-Haitien despite days of heavy rains that had left the city flooded and all access out of the city to other parts of Haiti blocked. This is the second instance this year in which armed gang violence has forced the closure of Haitis main international airport. In early March, after gangs led coordinated attacks in an attempt to bring down the government, the airport and seaport were closed for two months. The airport was eventually reopened with the assistance of the U.S. government, which assisted efforts to bulldoze homes on the airports perimeter and also flew in material for the construction of a base to house the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission to restore airlines and passengers confidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time, the shutdown and attacks occurred while foreign troops were present in the country. Over the years, Haitis armed gang violence has led to a reduction of commercial carriers flying to the country, as well as daily service. American used to offer several daily flights out of Miami, as well as service from Fort Lauderdale and New York. It also flew into Cap-Haitien before reducing its service to just one flight a day using a 737 Max. MIAMI American Airlines is no longer resuming its daily service out of Miami into Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Our news partners at The Miami Herald were the first to report the news. American had initially suspended flights through February 12. The suspension is now indefinite. A spokesperson for the U.S.-based carrier said that it will evaluate a possible resumption in late 2025 of the only daily service out of Miami International Airport into Haiti by a major U.S. airline. This comes after The Federal Aviation Administration prohibited U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot three planes. Further, the United Nations temporarily suspended flights to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, limiting humanitarian aid coming into the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Airlines statement read in part: "American has made the difficult decision to suspend daily service between Miami (MIA) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP)," the spokesperson said. "We are proud of our more than 50-year-commitment to Haiti and we will continue to monitor the situation, assessing safety, security, and customer demand, in evaluating a return of service. We will proactively reach out to impacted customers to offer a full refund of their travel itinerary." Multiple airlines avoiding potential violence Last month, several air carriers including American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced the suspension of daily flights into Haiti after confirmation their planes were hit by gunfire while in Haitian airspace in early November. Neither Spirit nor JetBlue has said if and when they will resume Haiti flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JetBlue Airways operates flights both out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport into Port-au-Prince. Spirit Airlines, which was approaching Toussaint Louverture International Airport with passengers when the bullets struck, also suspended its service between Fort Lauderdale and Cap-Haitien in the north of the country. No passengers were injured. What does this mean for Haitians in the U.S. and Haiti? The ban on commercial and cargo flights has created severe problems for Haitians. The roads in and out of the capital are controlled by armed gangs, and mudslides last week buried two major roads connecting Cap-Haitien and the capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those making it out of the capital have either had to beg for a ride on a government-leased helicopter meant for the purpose of moving security forces to hot zones or pay $2,500 for a ride on a privately leased helicopter with a 20-pound weight limit. The FAA initially placed all of Haiti under the flight ban. It later amended its decision to exclude airports outside of the capital. The only other airport that can receive commercial international flights, Hugo Chavez International Airport, is in the northern city of Cap-Haitien. Today, the small airport serves as the only air bridge in and out of the country. The airspace between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is still closed. The Bahamas suspended flights into the country. The only direct service to the U.S. currently is via Haiti-owned Sunrise Airways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite that, it has not stopped the United States from deporting Haitians back to the country. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security flew 70 deportees into Cap-Haitien despite days of heavy rains that had left the city flooded and all access out of the city to other parts of Haiti blocked. Crypto cash flooded the election. Here's why and the impact it may have | 60 Minutes The rebirth of Notre Dame Cathedral Why ASMR is making a lot of noise SHINNSTON, W.Va. (WBOY) A veterans benefits class was held at the Shinnston American Legion Post 31, focusing on the subjects of Vietnam Veterans, Agent Orange conditions and spousal benefits. Tucker Disability Law does outreach in local communities to educate veterans and their families relating to their disability compensation claims with Veterans Affairs. Daniel Clarke, an attorney with Tucker Disability Law and speaker at the class, says that many veterans are unfortunately preyed upon by bad actors who take advantage of veterans and their families. I think the number one question I probably get from veterans is what they need to file a claim or how, or how they can file certain claims, thats probably the biggest field of questions. And all you need is the right form and a pen and its, its hidden, unfortunately, behind a wall of sort of know-how and acknowledge and thats what were here for is to bridge that gap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clarke says the biggest question he gets individually one-on-one with a veteran is, what are disability compensation benefits? He stated that a lot of veterans dont know that the benefits exist and that the life-changing injuries that theyve incurred because of their service can be compensated for to include monthly financial compensation and free coverage of healthcare through the VA. Marion County Christmas Toy Shop provides gifts for kids I think its terrible that veterans need attorneys to help them get their benefits because our bureaucracy, in a lot of elements of the government, is just so large and obtuse that they need an attorney to help them navigate it. You should not need seven years of formal education to file for veterans benefits, but unfortunately, they do, Clarke said. So, being able to bridge that gap started because I had friends that I served with who got really bad treatment at VA and I was fortunate enough to use the G.I. bill to go to law school and now Im using that education to try to help my fellow veterans get the benefits are entitled to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clarke said the most important thing for veterans to know is that it is illegal for anyone to charge them for initial claims and that there are a lot of scam companies sharing veterans for their initial applications. The scam includes charging them monthly percentages of monthly checks and ask the veteran for a lot of necessary information for filing claims. He states that veterans should look on the office of general counsel to see if someone is accredited. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. This week, a health insurance company CEO was shot dead on the streets of Manhattan, and it sparked a lot of conversation about the problems with American health insurance. United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot on December 4 by an unidentified assailant. The shooter's motive has yet to be officially confirmed, but after learning that bullet casings found at the scene were inscribed "deny," "defend," and "depose," there is much speculation that he was motivated by anger at the American health insurance system. Alex Kent / Getty Images For some people who are lucky enough not to have had run-ins with health insurance companies, it may be hard to understand why so many Americans hate them so much. So, if you have a health insurance horror story, we want to hear from you. Maybe you, like me, got a serious medical diagnosis and had to fight your health insurance every step of the way to get them to cover basic, standard care that they're supposed to honor under your plan. It just doesn't seem right that dealing with your insurance was one of the worst things about your illness. Tom Werner / Getty Images Or perhaps your health insurance suddenly decided that they didn't want to cover your medication anymore, and they forced you to switch to something worse. As a result, a health condition that was once totally under control has gotten much worse, and you're angry every day that it had to be this way. Pocketlight / Getty Images Or maybe you're a healthcare provider, and you've seen health insurance deny care for reasons that you'll never ever understand. From patients being denied pain medication after major, very painful surgeries to being told that a lifesaving procedure wasn't "medically necessary," you have too many awful stories to even pick the worst one. Bymuratdeniz / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Share your health insurance nightmares in the comments or via this anonymous form, and you could be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Amnesty International became the first major human rights organization last week to officially accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza. Its 296-page report presents evidence that includes accounts of mass civilian killings and dire living conditions in the densely populated and blockaded Gaza Strip, which, Amnesty argues, are calculated to bring about the destruction of Palestinian life. As the report put it, Israel committed and is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has strongly denied the accusations, saying they are based on lies and accusing the report of ignoring Hamas violations of international law. With other groups, including the United Nations and Human Rights Watch, raising alarms about Israels military actions, and the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for Israels prime minister, the report arrives at a moment of heightened international debate over the legal and ethical dimensions of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To explain the findings and implications of the report, I spoke with Nadia Daar, chief strategy and impact officer at Amnesty International USA, who oversees U.S.based advocacy and communications for the group. In our conversation, she detailed how the investigation was conducted and responded to the denunciations in Israel, including a disavowal from some in Amnestys own Israel-based outfit. Slate: Can you walk me through your approach to creating this report? Nadia Daar: This is an incredibly in-depth investigation. It is the latest of over a dozen reports from Amnesty since October 2023, and the evidence for this report has partially come from that work. In addition, we have done over 200 interviews, used satellite imagery, verification using geolocating, and consolidated data collected from U.N. agencies and other humanitarian organizations operating on the ground. We then examined all of our evidence against the international crime of genocide, established in the Genocide Convention, a legal standard established in 1948. And we have concluded that the Israeli government has committed and is continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. And this must urgently be put to a stop. What specific cases most contributed to your conclusions? We have documented in detail 15 airstrikes that took place between Oct. 7, 2023 and April 20, 2024. Across them, at least 334 civilians were killed, including 141 children and hundreds of others wounded. We uncovered evidence of weapons of U.S. origin used in some of those attacks. In one illustrative case, in April, an Israeli airstrike destroyed a family house in the Al-Janina neighborhood in eastern Rafah, killing three generations of Palestinians, including 16 children while they were sleeping. Over 42,000 Palestinians were killed since October, over 13,000 of them children, the highest number of journalists and U.N. workers killed in any modern conflict. And what we have described in our investigations of indiscriminate attacks is just a fraction of the destruction. Especially with so many journalists and workers killed, what logistical challenges did you face in reaching people, verifying their stories, and deciding what evidence could be included in the report? We have a field-worker in Gaza who has been an incredible asset in enabling us to do that level of reliable research in Gaza. We also have a crisis-evidence lab and have conducted over 200 interviews. But the obstruction of the freedom of the press, not allowing media organizations in the Gaza Strip, and the devastating number of U.N. workers, humanitarian workers, and local journalists who have also been killed in Gaza have made this work extremely dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Producing this report has been complex and challenging, but it has not been impossible for us to develop this research. And we feel very strongly about the findings. And we hope that people and policymakers in particular will take these findings seriously. The report cites statements from 22 senior Israeli officials as evidence of genocidal intent. But Israel argues that these statements arent directly tied to policies. We have established through our investigation the intent to destroy, a key threshold for the genocide standard, by looking not only at genocidal statements. We analyzed over 100 statements by Israeli government and military officialsnot just the phrases shared widely in social mediawho have authority to make decisions on the conduct of the military, and then looked at how those statements have been repeated and interpreted by Israeli soldiers on the ground in Gaza, identifying how those statements translated onto the battlefield, which is vital. But statements are not the only way in which we established Israels specific intent to physically destroy the Palestinians in Gaza. Prohibited acts under the convention fall into five categories, and we found that the Israeli government is incriminated in three of them: killing members of the group, causing them serious mental and bodily harm, and deliberately inflicting on the group conditions that are calculated to bring about their destruction in whole or in part. But the point that I really want to highlight is the denial and obstruction of the delivery of aid and essential services into Gaza, which has created a deadly mixture of malnutrition, hunger, and disease. Palestinians are living in terror, not only for the threat of a bomb dropping on them every night but also for lack of medical treatment, food, and water. Its the pattern of conduct which is critical for us to establish Israels intent here: repeated indiscriminate attacks, repeated displacement to unsafe and unsanitary conditions, repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure, and repeated denial and blockage of critical aid. How do you differentiate between reckless disregard for civilian life and an intent to destroy civilian life, especially in a legal context? We are not disregarding the fact that the Israeli government has stated military objectives in Gaza: to destroy Hamas and the safe return of hostages. Those are military objectives and military intent. But the intent to commit genocide can be demonstrated either as a means to achieve that military objective or as a stand-alone objective. In the legal standard for genocide, there can be dual intent, or it can be a means for the intended military objective. With the Trump administration taking office soon, do you think this political shift will affect how this report is received or understood by the international community? This is an international report, not a U.S.specific report. Indeed, weve been pushing the Biden administration for the last 14 months to take the human rights violations much more seriously and to immediately stop the transfer of weapons to the Israeli government. What we hope this report will do is raise the level of urgency globally and urge the Biden administration and also the incoming Trump administration to not allow for this to continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are operating in different legal contexts in every country were operating in. Were the largest and oldest human rights organization. By virtue of the kind of work we do, we put out reports that are uncomfortable for many political leaders. The U.S. and Israel have ratified the Genocide Convention. The U.S. is obligated under international law to prevent and to punish for the crime of genocide. We continue to be extremely concerned to see the transfer of weapons, and, frankly, the U.S. is risking complicity in genocide by continuing to do so. Theres an ongoing ICJ case that was initiated by South Africa over Israels alleged breach of its obligations under the Genocide Convention. Genocide is not included in the crimes that Israel is being charged with right now. The office of the prosecutor of the ICC must urgently consider adding genocide to its ongoing investigation of alleged crimes committed by Israeli officials, and states must do everything in their power to respect the ICC arrest warrants, including the United States. Israeli officials have already alleged bias in this report by saying that it ignores Hamas violations of international law. They also challenged Amnesty to address Hamas actions, including the treatment of hostages. Will there be a report on those issues? How do you respond to that? As an international human rights organization, its critical that we look at all parties when there are potential risks of violations of human rights standards. Amnesty has unequivocally condemned the violations and atrocities that were perpetrated by Hamas and other armed groups in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and we continue to analyze the actions of Palestinian armed groups under international humanitarian law and international criminal law. Weve condemned the taking of civilian hostages, which is a war crime. Weve put out a report in the press soon after Oct. 7 that demonstrated our own assessment, and have concluded that war crimes have been committed by Hamas and other Palestinian groups. But our organizations wider investigation into the Oct. 7 attacks and its aftermath is ongoing, and that report will come out with the findings and legal analysis in the coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Too often, we face If youre lifting up this groups human rights, then you must not be lifting up these human rights. Human rights are not zero-sum. Human rights are for everyone. They are universal, and we need to hold that universal standard. And that is actually the basis for Amnestys work. Israels branch of Amnesty International responded to the report like this: While the Israeli section of Amnesty International does not accept the accusation that Israel is committing genocide, based on the information available to us, we are concerned that serious crimes are being committed in Gaza, that must be investigated. How do you respond to that? Its deeply disappointing that some members of Amnesty Israel have chosen to distance themselves from this report and from its conclusion. Its evidence-based, impartial, ethical research. Thats at the heart of everything that Amnesty International does. Thats something that we take extremely seriously and that we pride ourselves on. This particular investigation went through extensive legal analysis and research, extensive internal review at the highest levels, and also external and international legal experts. Our organization stands by this report, this research, and its conclusion. 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe The stunning overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad by Islamist rebels half a century after his family took power raises an old question when it comes to regime change in the Middle East: Will the new governing forces behave any better than those that have been deposed? "The Assad regime has fallen," President Biden declared Sunday from the White House. "It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria." "It's also a moment of risk and uncertainty, as we all turn to the question of what comes next," Biden said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a matter of weeks, the rebels achieved what the United Nations, the U.S. and other Western powers long tried but failed to do. The Russian government announced late Sunday local time that Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were being given asylum, Russian state news agencies reported. Read more: Rebels seize Damascus; Assad reported to have fled Syria for Moscow Decades of brutal rule by Assad has left Syria fragmented ethnically, religiously and politically. The victorious insurgency is also divided. The leading group, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, known as HTS, traces its roots to the terror organizations Islamic State and Al Qaeda but claims to have reformed. Long concerned about HTS taking power, Washington continues to designate it a terrorist group, which will complicate any dealings with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebel victory also scrambles regional relations. It deals a major setback to Assad's allies Iran and Russia while boosting Turkey, which backed the HTS and will probably be Washington's main conduit to Syria's new leaders. The U.S. backed a different rebel group, the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, a Kurdish militia that helped defeat Islamic State but that Turkey considers a terrorist group. Clashes between the SDF and Turkish-backed factions were already being reported on Sunday. Israel, meanwhile, is glad to see the departures of an Iran-backed Assad but not exactly thrilled at having Islamist leaders next door. The country was already bolstering a buffer zone along the border between the Israel-controlled Golan Heights and Syria and joined in the bombing of a small number of sites inside Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: A much-changed Middle East prepares for Trump 2.0 By any measure, the immediate future of Syria will be an unstable and potentially violent melange of competing groups, intense jockeying for power and settling of scores. Among worst-case scenarios are a deepening civil war or the conversion of the once-wealthy and now devastated country into a haven for militants such as the Islamic State. After 24 hours monitoring what the White House called the "extraordinary" developments in Syria, Biden convened his National Security Council Sunday for updates and planning before speaking to the American public. "We will remain vigilant," Biden said, pledging to keep militants at bay and "do whatever we can to support" the Syrian people "to help restore Syria after more than a decade of war and a generation of brutality from the Assad family." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, Donald Trump, who becomes president in about six weeks, said on his social media platform that the U.S. should "stay out of it." "This is not our fight," he said. Similarly, as president in 2019, he declared that "someone else should fight" in Syria and in a much-criticized move ordered the withdrawal of most U.S. troops posted there, clearing the way for Turkey to move in and attack the United States' Kurdish allies. Several hundred U.S. troops remain in Syria, officially to counter any resurgence by Islamic State. There are other looming issues, however, that might demand a U.S. role, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria will need huge amounts of humanitarian aid, especially if some of the millions of citizens who fled as refugees during the last decade of war begin to return to the ruins of their former homes. Also, critically, U.S. officials expressed concern about Assad's large stockpiles of armament, including missiles and chemical weapons, that could end up in the hands of the rebels. Assad notoriously used chemical weapons on his own people to put down rebellion and dissent. Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, voiced support for Assad after a 2017 visit to Syria. She said she doubted U.S. intelligence reports that he had used chemical weapons inside his country. For many ordinary Syrians, however, the principal concern is how minorities will be treated. Some, like the Alawite Shiite Muslim faction to which Assad's family belonged, as well as some Kurds and Christians, are seen as having colluded with the regime. Most of the rebels are Sunni Muslims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first government to congratulate the opposition victory in Syria was Afghanistan's radically conservative and repressive Islamic Taliban. Ahmed Sharaa, the bearded commander of HTS, has sought to portray the group as a reformed and more moderate faction than its past associations suggest. He has preached tolerance and pluralism, although his rule over Syria's Idlib province where HTS has held sway only displayed the most minimal version of such policies. Christians, for example, have been allowed to attend church. "These sects have co-existed in the region for hundreds of years," he told CNN in an interview last week as the rebels were advancing toward Damascus. "No one has the right to erase another group." He promised a "transition to a state of governance and institutions" and even suggested HTS could disband having achieved its military victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would be a very unusual transition in the Middle East, where players who gain power tend to hold on to it. Read more: In Syria, a long-dormant civil war reignites The Assad regime began in 1970 with Bashar's father Hafez. With an insidious intelligence service, routine imprisonment and torture of dissidents and iron-fist control of media and public speech, the Assads maintained a ferocious and violent control of the Syrian population. The Arab Spring protests of 2011 led to a brutal crackdown and eventually a civil war that killed an estimated 500,000 people. Assad remained in power with military help from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed political and military faction based in Lebanon. Over the last year or so, those three allies all lost their ability to defend him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia is overextended in its nearly three years of war in Ukraine. Iran has been battered by Israel from outside and dissent and economic turmoil on the inside. And Hezbollah has been vastly weakened by Israeli assassinations and bombardments. It is expected that Syria's new leaders will close the Russian air base and port on the Mediterranean coast. Iran has lost a large portion if not all of its land and air routes to Lebanon and Hezbollah, its proxy there. In his speech Sunday, Biden claimed some credit for the recent turn of events in Syria, as uncertain as its future may be. "Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East through this combination of support for our partners, sanctions, diplomacy and targeted military force when necessary," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) For Irans theocratic government, it keeps getting worse. Its decadeslong strategy of building an Axis of Resistance supporting militant groups and proxies around the region is falling apart. First came the crushing Israeli campaign in Gaza triggered by the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Iranian-backed Hamas. That war spawned another in Lebanon, where Israel has mauled Irans most powerful ally, Hezbollah, even as Israel has launched successful airstrikes openly inside of Iran for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And now Irans longtime stalwart ally and client in Syria, President Bashar Assad, is gone. As dawn broke Sunday, rebel forces completed a lightning offensive by seizing the ancient capital of Damascus and tearing down symbols of more than 50 years of Assad's rule over the Mideast crossroads. Ali Akbar Velayati, a key adviser to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, once called Assad and Syria the golden ring of the resistance chain in the region. Without the Syrian government, this chain will break and the resistance against Israel and its supporters will be weakened. That break in the chain is literal. Syria was an important geographical link that allowed Iran to move weapons and other supplies to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Its loss now further weakens Hezbollah, whose powerful arsenal in southern Lebanon had put Iranian influence directly on the border of its nemesis Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irans deterrence thinking is really shattered by events in Gaza, by events in Lebanon and definitely by developments in Syria, a senior diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, Anwar Gargash, said at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. Iran still holds the card of its nuclear program. Though it denies that intention, it can use the potential for building a weapons capability to cast a shadow of influence in the region. Iran remains a critical regional player, Gargash said. We should use this moment to connect and speak about whats next in my opinion. Its a dramatic reversal in Irans regional might Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only a few years ago, the Islamic Republic loomed ascendant across the wider Middle East. Its Axis of Resistance was at a zenith. Hezbollah in Lebanon stood up against Israel. Assad appeared to have weathered an Arab Spring uprising-turned-civil war. Iraqi insurgents killed U.S. troops with Iranian-designed roadside bombs. Yemens Houthi rebels fought a Saudi-led coalition to a stalemate. Syria, at the crossroads, played a vital role. Early in Syrias civil war, when it appeared Assad might be overthrown, Iran and its ally, Hezbollah, rushed fighters to support him in the name of defending Shiite shrines in Syria. Russia later joined with a scorched earth campaign of airstrikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign won back territory, even as Syria remained divided into zones of government and insurgent control. But the speed of Assads collapse the past week showed just how reliant he was on support from Iran and Russia which at the crucial moment didnt come. What was surprising was the Syrians armys failure to counter the offensive, and also the speed of the developments," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television late Sunday night. "That was unexpected. Russia remains mired in Ukraine years after launching a full-scale invasion there in 2022. For Iran, international sanctions over its advancing nuclear program have ground down its economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Israel, breaking Irans regional network has been a major goal, though it is wary over jihadi fighters among the insurgents who toppled Assad. Israel on Sunday moved troops into a demilitarized buffer zone with Syria by the Israel-held Golan Heights in what it called a temporary security measure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Assad's fall a historic day," saying it was the direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assads main supporters. Irans theocratic rulers long touted their regional network to Iranians as a show of their countrys strength, and its crumbling could raise repercussions at home though there is no immediate sign of their hold weakening. Anger over the tens of billions of dollars Iran is believed to have spent propping up Assad was a rallying cry in rounds of nationwide anti-government protests that have broken out over recent years, most recently in 2022. Iran could respond by revving up its nuclear program Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loss of Syria does not mean the end of Irans ability to project power in the Mideast. The Houthi rebels continue to launch attacks on Israel and on ships moving through the Red Sea though the tempo of their attacks has again fallen without a clear explanation from their leadership. Iran also maintains its nuclear program. While insisting it enriches uranium for peaceful purposes, Western intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency say Iran had an organized nuclear weapons program until 2003. The head of the IAEA also warned Friday that Iran is poised to quite dramatically increase its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium as it has started cascades of advanced centrifuges. If Iran would develop nuclear weapons, that would be a great blow to the international nonproliferation regime, said Thanos Dokos, Greeces national security adviser, in Bahrain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There remains a risk of wider attacks in the region, particularly on oil infrastructure. An attack in 2019 initially claimed by the Houthis but later assessed by experts to have been carried out by Iran temporarily halved Saudi Arabias production of oil. If, as a result of escalation, there are attacks against the energy infrastructure of Iran or Saudi Arabia, that would be bad news for the global oil supply, Dokos warned. Whatever happens next, Iran will need to make the decision weighing the problems it faces at both home and abroad. Whereas stability is a difficult commodity to export, instability can travel very fast, which is why stability in the Middle East is very important for all of us, Dokos said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ EDITORS NOTE Jon Gambrell, the news director for the Gulf and Iran for The Associated Press, has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the Mideast and wider world since joining the AP in 2006. ___ The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/ For more than 60 years Cuba has buckled under US economic sanctions and its own governments missteps. Life on the communist-run island could soon become even more grueling. One of the Cuban governments most formidable adversaries, Sen. Marco Rubio is set to become secretary of state under Donald Trump, something that does not bode well for the already flatlining Cuban economy. The son of Cuban exiles, Rubio has long made it his mission to ramp up the US trade embargo on Cuba. If confirmed, as is widely expected, Rubio will be perfectly situated to further tighten the screws on Cuba perhaps to the islands breaking point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has reached the pinnacle of power and position in the US government that he has never held before and he is going to be putting it to Cuba to prove his reputation as an extremist hardliner on Cuba, said Peter Kornbluh, co-author of Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Secret Negotiations Between Washington and Havana. It could really be the final nail in what is already a very deep grave for Cuba, Kornbluh told CNN. If confirmed, Secretary of State Rubio will face far more pressing issues like Russias war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and countering growing Chinese influence in the world, particularly in Latin America. But Cuba has been central to Rubios long climb from city commissioner in West Miami to state representative to US senator to Republican presidential candidate to now being selected for secretary of state. The second paragraph of Rubios Senate bio says he first entered government in large part because of his grandfather who saw his homeland destroyed by communism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decades-old joke in Rubios hometown of Miami, a refuge for exiles who fled socialist regimes in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, is that it is the only city in the United States with its own foreign policy. That quip no longer seems so facetious as a son of exiles who fled their homeland prepares to become Americas top diplomat. As secretary of state, Rubio could run point on devising additional economic sanctions on Cuba, increasing funding for dissidents and pro-democracy programs that Havana considers tantamount to regime change, and further restricting US travel to Cuba. A man sits on a sidewalk in the Cuban capital, Havana, as the island suffered power problems in October. - Norlys Perez/Reuters Under the Biden administration, the US again expanded flights to destinations across the island, opened up online payment systems to Cuban entrepreneurs and relaxed restrictions on US citizens traveling to the island. Rubio though has been a fierce critic of Americans visiting Cuba, saying in 2013, Cuba is not a zoo where you pay an admission ticket and you go in and you get to watch people living in cages to see how they are suffering Youve left thousands of dollars in the hands of a government that uses that money to control these people that you feel sorry for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two organizers of so-called people-to-people trips that organize trips for US citizens to Cuba declined to comment to CNN about what Rubio as secretary of state could mean for their businesses, they said, because of the potential repercussions. Raising the issue of Cuba Those who have studied his career say there is no more personal issue for Rubio than ending what he sees as a tyrannical dictatorship 90 miles from US shores. He is formed by having grown up in the town of Miami, surrounded by people who had incredibly strong feelings about Cuba, and hes really defined himself as the son of Cuban immigrants, Manuel Roig-Franzia, the author of The Rise of Marco Rubio, told CNN. It would be shocking to me if he doesnt find a way to raise the profile of Cuba in American foreign policy. Rubio has done it before. During the first Trump administration, Rubio called the shots on Cuba, a US diplomat who did want to be quoted by name told CNN. We were told whatever he wants, he gets. Just keep him happy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As secretary of state, Rubio would be able to apply pressure on the islands communist leadership and their allies much more directly. It would be hard for a country as tied to the US as economically as, say, Mexico, which has in recent months sent Cuba hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil and paid the island to supply them with doctors, to ignore requests from a US secretary of state to cut support to Havana. And while Trump has hobnobbed with authoritarian heads of state like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, he has not shown any willingness to do so with socialist leaders in Cuba or Venezuela, which could hurt his growing support with the Latino community in the US. Further sanctioning the already ailing Cuban economy could backfire though. There are no plans that Im aware of for what to do with a failed state 90 miles off US shores, says Ricardo Herrero, executive director of the Cuba Study Group that promotes dialogue between the two governments. Which is what Cuba appears to be approaching or at least seems to be much closer to becoming a failed state than a Jeffersonian democracy. Rubio, a Trump critic turned supporter, speaks at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. - Will Lanzoni/CNN Cuban officials, who until recently often derided the Florida senator as Narco Rubio, a reference to his brother-in-laws cocaine smuggling conviction in the 1980s, have shrugged off the threat of further Trump sanctions but said they are open to negotiating directly with any US official, even Rubio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Cubas leadership has made it clear that no amount of US pressure will force them to hold multi-party elections or release political prisoners, as US administrations going back to Eisenhower have demanded. The results of these elections are nothing new for us, Cubas President Miguel Diaz-Canel told state-run media in November following Trumps election. The country is ready. We will continue on, without fear, trusting that with our own effort, with our own talent, we can get ahead. But the worsening economic reality on the ground stands in stark contrast to that bravado. On Wednesday, a month before Trump is set to take office, once again the lights flickered off in all of Cuba. The latest blackout, caused by a power failure at an aging, Soviet-era plant, was the third island-wide outage in as many months. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Several Arab countries have expressed support for Syria's unity and territorial integrity after rebels ended president Bashar al-Assad's rule of more than two decades. Jordan said it is very keen on neighbouring Syria's security, territorial integrity and sovereignty. "Jordan will offer all possible support for the brotherly Syrian people in their efforts for rebuilding their country, institutions and political system," Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called in a statement for protecting Syria from "sliding towards chaos". Similarly, Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country, said it sides with Syria and supports its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Egypt "calls on all Syrian sides of all leanings to preserve the state resources and national institutions and give precedence to the country's supreme interests," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Qatar, who was long an outspoken critic of al-Assad, said it is necessary to preserve Syria's national institutions and unity of the state to prevent it from "descending into chaos". MCKINLEY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) An Arizona man is in custody after being accused of killing his father in McKinley County. Earlier this week deputies were called out to a convenience store on I-40 near the Continental Divide to reports of shots being fired. Deputies contacted a man later identified as Trenton Bailey and took him into custody. According to the criminal complaint, deputies found another male, believed to be Baileys father, shot to death and lying on the bathroom floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New virtual film studio opens in northern Albuquerque Witnesses told deputies they saw Bailey enter the bathroom after his father and heard several gunshots. They also said Bailey then came out and asked employees to clean up. Bailey was arrested and is facing a murder charge. Prosecutors have asked for him to remain in custody through his trial. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. CHICAGO An investigation is underway after an armed robber was shot and killed by his own gun in Back of the Yards Saturday afternoon. Chicago police said shortly before 3 p.m., a 43-year-old man was outside working in the 1500 block of West Garfield Boulevard when the suspect approached him, pulled out a gun and demanded property. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines A struggle over the gun then ensued, resulting in the suspect being shot in the torso, according to investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. He later died from his injuries. No arrests have been made and Area One Detectives are investigating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Russia has claimed that 46 Ukrainian drones attacked its territory on the night of 7-8 December. Source: Russia's Defence Ministry Details: As usual, the Russians claimed that all UAVs had been shot down. Reports indicate that 17 UAVs were spotted over the territory of Belgorod Oblast, 12 over Kursk Oblast, 6 over Voronezh Oblast, 7 over Rostov Oblast, and 4 over Astrakhan Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Russian state-owned news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti have reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family are in Moscow and Russia has granted them asylum. Source: TASS and RIA Novosti, citing a Kremlin source Quote: "Assad has arrived in Moscow together with members of his family. Guided by humanitarian considerations, Russia has granted them asylum." Update: A similar report citing a source in the Kremlin was later disseminated by RIA Novosti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Kremlin source also informed TASS that Syrian opposition leaders have guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria. At the same time, there are reports that the flag has been removed from the Syrian embassy in Russia, as has the sign bearing the name of the diplomatic mission. Background: On the morning of 8 December, Syrian insurgents declared the liberation of Damascus. Assad fled the country. Reuters reported that there was a "very high probability" that Assad may have been killed in a plane crash on 8 December. Meanwhile, Russia claimed that following negotiations with the rebels, Bashar al-Assad had decided to step down from the presidency and leave the country, ordering a peaceful transfer of power. Defence Intelligence of Ukraine described reports that the ousted Syrian president was killed in a plane crash as disinformation. Support UP or become our patron! Follow todays live coverage of the conflict in Syria. Bashar al-Assad, the butcher of Damascus, fled to Moscow and was granted asylum on humanitarian grounds after rebels took control of the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive. Russian state media said Assad and his family had arrived in the capital on Sunday night after his palace was looted and thousands of his prisoners liberated in a swift end to his familys decades of rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Assads wake, Israel seized territory on the border and bombed military targets amid fears over the growing power of the Islamist rebels now controlling large parts of Syria. Damascus, the Syrian capital, fell to an alliance led by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the early hours of Sunday morning, ending a 13-year civil war that has killed more than half a million people. Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, said he would work with Assads former prime minister to ensure an orderly transition of power, before proclaiming victory in a speech at the citys ancient mosque. World leaders welcomed the fall of Assad but expressed caution about HTS. Assad has not been seen since, but Russian agencies reported that Moscows special forces had evacuated him on a military aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad and members of his family have arrived in Moscow, a source told the Tass news agency. Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds. Joe Biden, the US president, confirmed he had heard that Assad was in Moscow and said he should be held accountable. The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Monday regarding the situation. Sir Keir Starmer said it was early days when asked whether his Government would engage with HTS, which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation in Britain. We do need a political solution, and thats what we are talking to regional allies about, he said. It is a good thing that Assad has gone, a very good thing for the Syrian people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we must also ensure is the rejection of terrorism and violence, and that civilians are protected, minorities are protected, and that can only be through a political process. The Prime Minster made the comments as he arrived in the Gulf for trade and defence talks with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The talks are likely to be dominated by Syria. Mr Biden said Assads fall marked a fundamental act of justice, adding that the US would work with all Syrian groups ... to establish a transition away from the Assad regime. He said: Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses. Weve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days, and theyre saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Biden said the US had carried out precision air strikes against Isis targets in Syria amid concerns that the terror group will regroup in the vacuum created by the fall of Assad. He added that Washington would keep around 900 troops in north-eastern Syria, where they have been operating with Kurdish-led Syrian defence forces to prevent a resurgence of Isis. The air strikes were conducted by B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 aircraft and hit Isis leaders, operatives and camps, CNN reported. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said the overthrow of Assad was a historic day in the... Middle East and a blow to Iran, warning that it offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers. Air strikes hit a military airport near Damascus, appearing to target a warehouse, shortly after the city fell. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes were carried out by Israeli jets and intended to prevent regime weapons from falling into rebel hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came on a dramatic day less than two weeks after a rebel alliance led by HTS launched a surprise attack on regime forces in the north-west of Syria. The rebels seized the Sednaya prison, north of the capital, after midnight and began releasing prisoners. Teams equipped with digging tools continued to tunnel through concrete to free prisoners in top-security basement cells on Sunday evening. The prison is known as the human slaughter house because of the number of regime opponents tortured and murdered there. The capital itself fell at around 9am local time, with men, women and children breaking into Assads presidential palace and luxurious private residence. Rebels and civilians broke into security service archives, and the Iranian embassy was ransacked. Mohammed al-Jalali, the prime minister, acknowledged the fall of the regime and said he was ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the afternoon, Jolani appeared at the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascuss old city. Surrounded by hundreds of cheering supporters, he said Assad had made Syria a farm for Irans greed and a base for the illegal amphetamine captagon, which brought cash to Assads circles. Liberation has occurred despite the nose of that tyrant, he said. The future is ours. Jolani, whose real name is Ahmed al-Sharaa, was once a member of al-Qaeda, but he and HTS split with the international terror group in 2016. Since then, he has sought to present himself as a moderate pragmatist, publicly ordering fighters to protect minority ethnic and religious groups, including Christians, after his forces captured Aleppo last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millions of Syrian refugees are expected to return home over the coming months, with Hasan Abdul Ghani, a rebel leader writing on social media: To the displaced all over the world, free Syria awaits you. Crowds began to form at the Turkish and Lebanese borders with Syria on Sunday as refugees displaced by the civil war vowed to return home. Refugees mounted spontaneous celebrations in Istanbul, while in London, crowds of Syrians gathered in Trafalgar Square. Muhamad Khatib, who owned a car rental office near El-Hamidiyah, Syria, said he had come to celebrate getting rid of a dictator who oppressed our country for 50 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Assad family had ruled Syria since Hafez Assad, Bashars father, seized power in a coup in 1971. The collapse of the regime is a major blow to Russia and Iran, traditional allies who spent millions of dollars and sent troops and aircraft to save it in 2015. A Kremlin source claimed the rebel leaders had guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions inside Syria, despite reports that Russia had been forced to abandon its Tartus naval base. Iran, which ordered its diplomatic and military personnel to quit Syria on Saturday, said it expected friendly ties to continue despite vandalism to its embassy. Opposition supporters raised the rebels green, white, and black flag over Syrian embassies in several countries including Greece, Spain, Serbia and Sweden. The Syrian embassy in Moscow took down the Assad regimes flag on Sunday evening. 07:21 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage as Damascus fell to rebel forces and Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will be back soon with more updates and analysis from the fast-moving events in Syria. 07:19 PM GMT How the rebel army swept across Syria in maps: 07:19 PM GMT Analysis: Rebels success in Syria is a humiliation for Putin Russian fighter jets were quickly deployed to launch airstrikes against the rebel groups who rose up from north-west Syria a little more than a week ago. But as the rebels swept into Damascus on Sunday morning, the skies across Syria were clear but for a private jet thought to be carrying the president. The Kremlin, it appears, had no plan to save Bashar al-Assad once his soldiers melted away. Instead, it has been quietly withdrawing its own forces from Syria. Read the full analysis here. 07:10 PM GMT In pictures: Military equipment abandoned after collapse of Syrian army An anti-aircraft missile unit at abandoned military barracks after the withdrawal and desertion of the Syrian army forces - Shutterstock A military radar system left behind when the regime army collapsed - Shutterstock A helicopter and missiles abandoned at Mezzeh Air Base on the outskirts of Damascus - Getty Images Europe 07:06 PM GMT Analysis: Biden takes credit for toppling Assad Joe Biden was keen to tie the clear, principled foreign policy of his administration to the fall of Assad in his statement on Sunday afternoon, pledging the US would continue to be involved in the transition to a new government after Bashar al-Assad. His critics will say that is a bold claim to make, given that the loose rebel coalition that toppled the Syrian president was not formed by the US, and took the Biden administration somewhat by surprise in storming Damascus successfully. There is some merit to his argument that the US has helped to destabilise Mr Assads principle backers, Russia and Iran, by giving military support to Ukraine and Israel. He could also have mentioned that the US has spent years training the Free Syrian Army rebels at its al-Tanf base near the Iraqi and Jordanian borders. Those fighters were among those who brought Assad down on Saturday night. The elephant in the room during Mr Bidens statement, which he did not address, was the 180-degree turn in US-Syria policy coming next month when Donald Trump takes office. Mr Trump has already indicated he will take the opposite approach to Mr Biden, keeping the US out of the conflict and leaving the formation of government to the rebel leaders. How long can the current administrations strategy of shepherding Syria towards democracy really last? 07:03 PM GMT Pictured: Assads palace on fire A fire burns in a room of Assads residential palace in the Muhajirin area of Damascus - AFP 06:57 PM GMT Biden: Rebels have grim record of terrorism Joe Biden concluded his remarks by pledging that the US will stay vigilant to threats from the next government, which will be formed by rebel leaders. Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses, he said. Weve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days, and theyre saying the right things now, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions. It would be a waste of this historic opportunity if one tyrant were toppled...only to see a new one rise up in his place, he said. He said that although the situation brings considerable risk and uncertainty to Syria, it is also the best opportunity in generations for Syrians to forge their own future free of oppression. 06:54 PM GMT US carried out air strikes in Syria Joe Biden said the US had carried out air strikes in Syria on Sunday against IS targets, as he warned against the terror group filling a vacuum created by the fall of Assad. Were clear eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to re-establish its capabilities to create a safe haven, he said. We will not let that happen. In fact, just today, US forces conducted a dozen precision strikes, air strikes within Syria targeting ISIS camps and ISIS operatives. He added that he would send members of his administration to Syria, and work with Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel, should any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition. 06:49 PM GMT Biden: US will engage with rebel groups Joe Biden has said that Washington will engage with all Syrian groups in order to help with the transition of power and manage the risk. He called the fall of the Assad regime a historic opportunity for Syrian people, while calling on Islamist-led opposition forces to reject violence and protect religious and ethnic minorities in the country. 06:43 PM GMT Assad fall is fundamental act of justice, says Biden President Joe Biden said that at long last the Assad regime has fallen following the rebel takeover in Syria. Speaking from the White House, he called the events a fundamental act of justice but also warned that it was a moment of risk and uncertainty. 06:35 PM GMT Starmer: Rebel leaders must reject terror and violence Keir Starmer has said that Syrias rebel leaders must ensure the rejection of terrorism and violence and the protection of civilians. Asked whether he would deal with the leading rebel group, which has been proscribed by the UK as a terrorist organisation, Sir Keir told broadcasters in Abu Dhabi: Its very early days at the moment. We do need a political solution. He described the ousting of Assad as a very good thing and an opportunity for Syrian people. He added: What we must also ensure is the rejection of terrorism and violence, and that civilians are protected, minorities are protected and that can only be through a political process. Keir Starmer in Abu Dhabi on Sunday 06:27 PM GMT Hamas commanders freed from Syrian prisons While prisoners were being released across Syria, among those believed to have been freed was Hamas commander Abu Judat al Jaloudi, along with dozens of Hamass Al Qassem Brigades fighters. Over 630 Palestinians including 67 members of Al Qassam Brigades were freed from the Saydnaya prison known as the countrys human slaughterhouse, according to Dua Muslims. Hamas spokesman Basem Naim told The Telegraph he could not verify the truth of the news. I have no idea, he said on Sunday. 06:25 PM GMT Analysis: No surprise Assad turned up in Moscow Bashar al-Assad has turned up in Moscow after fleeing Damascus. Reports throughout the day had suggested that while his family may have flown to Moscow, the Syrian dictator had died in a plane crash in Syria. Instead, it now appears that Assads plane switched off its tracking devices and headed to the Russian capital after an asylum deal was agreed with Vladimir Putin. It shouldnt come as a surprise that Putin has allowed Assad to flee to Russia for humanitarian reasons. He is loyal to his allied junior partners and has proved a good friend to fleeing dictators before. Analysts have said that although Putin doesnt regard Assad as a friend, he has respected him. That respect may have vanished with the collapse of Assads army in the face of marauding rebel forces but Putin has still offered him a safe harbour. Just dont expect Putin to invite Assad for dinner at the Kremlin. 06:09 PM GMT Russia abandons Syria naval base after rebel victory Russia has been forced to abandon a major naval base in Syria following the rebel victory over the Assad regime, according to Ukrainian intelligence. After the fall of Damascus on Sunday, Moscow withdrew the last of its warships from its Tartus base, Ukraines military intelligence service said. Three Russian missile frigates, an attack submarine and two lightly-armed support ships were believed to have been stationed at the port before the rebel offensive. Syrian government forces are now believed to control just two out of 14 provincial capitals, Latakia, Syrias main port, and Tartus. However, videos appeared to show rebel forces inside Latakia on Sunday morning and by the afternoon, unconfirmed reports said the opposition forces had entered Tartus. Ukraine also said Russia was transferring weapons and other military equipment from its Khmeimim Air Base, south-east of Latakia. 06:01 PM GMT Biden speaks from White House 05:44 PM GMT 910 killed, including 138 civilians, since rebel offensive More than 900 people have been killed since Syrian rebels launched a major offensive 11 days ago, a war monitor said on Sunday. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the death toll of 910, includes 138 civilians, 380 Syrian troops and allied fighters, and 392 rebels. 05:39 PM GMT I dont agree with the rebels, but they are delivering on promises Muhamad Mowakket, a humanitarian worker forced to leave Aleppo with his wife in 2014, cant wait to return home, writes Janet Eastham. Pushing a pram and with his little daughter on his arm, Mr Mowakket told The Telegraph: No one wants to be a refugee. No one chooses to be a refugee. No one likes it. We had a wonderful country. But for what happened, we wouldnt leave... My fiance, now my wife, said, lets go to Turkey! I said no way! Four days later, the intelligence services were searching for me. I was a humanitarian activist. They were searching for me by name. I had to leave. You wouldnt leave your country unless you had to. Mr Mowakket said that ideologically he doesnt agree with the rebel forces, who he described as extremist but he said that they have delivered on guarantees such as allowing the country to keep its identity. Explaining how the rebels have liberated the political prisoners and detaineesthousands of people in just one prison, its like a dungeonhe breaks down, wiping away a tear, and says, so far, they are delivering. 05:32 PM GMT Pictured: Russias Tartus naval base on Dec 3 Russias Tartus naval base along Syrias Mediterranean coast on December 3 - AFP 05:26 PM GMT Israel seizes Syria border zone as rebels tighten grip on Damascus Israeli forces have seized a UN-patrolled buffer zone in south-west Syria, hours after Syrian rebel forces toppled the Assad regime. Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had ordered the Israeli military to take the demilitarised zone that borders Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, saying a 1974 disengagement with Syria had collapsed. We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border, the Israeli prime minister said after referring to the ousting of Iran-allied Bashar al-Assad as a historic day. Suspected Israeli fighter jets struck weapons and ammunition depots in Damascus and in the south of Syria in what analysts say is an attempt to stop military assets falling into rebel hands. Earlier on Sunday, rebel forces declared victory against the Assad regime, ending his 24-year rule following a flash offensive that saw the insurgents seize Aleppo, Hama and Homs in quick succession before entering the capital. 05:13 PM GMT Has rebel leader Jolani turned his back on jihad? In 2004, a newly ascended Bashar al-Assad, eager to shield his regime from the blowback of the American invasion of Iraq, encouraged young Syrians and Muslims to cross into Iraq to resist the US occupation, writes Hassan Hassan. Among those who heeded the call was a soft-spoken 22-year-old named Ahmed al-Sharaa, a media student with middling grades and a quiet disposition. I was another student at Damascus that year, and the regimes mobilisation at the university and elsewhere was not so subtle. I remember being shocked when, during university break, a cab driver on my way to my village in Albu Kamal, near the Iraqi border, openly spoke about ferrying fighters to Anbar. Two decades later, al-Sharaa played a pivotal role in toppling the regime that once urged him to jihad. His journey from a Damascus schoolboy to a rebel commander at the helm of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) reveals not only the complex intersections of Syrias fractured history but also the evolution of global jihadist movements. Read more here: I went to university with rebel leader Jolani I wonder if he has really turned his back on jihad 05:06 PM GMT Watch: Rebels in prison control room free inmates 04:48 PM GMT Our victory is a victory for whole nation Abu Mohammed al-Jolani who led the rebel offensive across Syria said their victory against the Assad regime was a victory for the whole nation. Speaking at the Umayyad mosque in Damascus, he accused Bashar al Assad of using Syria as a farm for Irans greed. Liberation has occurred despite the nose of that tyrant, he said, adding that Syria would fully recover. The future is ours, he told crowds of his supporters. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses the crowd in Damascus - AFP The crowd chanted Allahu akbar (God is greatest) as the rebel chief greeted supporters - AFP 04:38 PM GMT Rebel takeover mapped: 04:31 PM GMT Biden to meet with security advisers on Syria Joe Biden, the outgoing US president, will meet with his national security advisors over Syria. The President will meet with his national security team this morning to receive an update on the situation in Syria, Sean Savett, spokesman for the national security council, said. 04:25 PM GMT Its a dream: Syrians in London desperate to return home Ibrahim Tolaymat, who brought his teenage children to Trafalgar Square to celebrate, said he was over the moon at the fall of Assad, describing the news as a miracle, writes Janet Eastham. Im from Homs in Syria, I left Syria 11 years ago. It was very bad when I left. He told The Telegraph that he was of course looking forward to returning home to Homs, where many members of his extended family still live. My children were really tiny when we left so they are really looking forward to just seeing what Syria looks like. He paid tribute to the freedom fighters who had sacrificed everything to overthrow this regime. Aisha Ekrayem came to Trafalgar Square with her husband and their two young children. Its a dream! We cant believe it. We can all go back now. Many people have not been back for 40 years or more, she told The Telegraph. Syrian people living in London gather at the Trafalgar Square to celebrate the collapse of the Assad regime - Anadolu Syrians told The Telegraph they were looking forward to returning to their homeland - Reuters 04:18 PM GMT Syrian rebel supporters hoist flags at embassies abroad Supporters of the Syrian rebels have entered some Syrian embassies abroad to hoist their flag. In Spain, over a hundred people cheered and shouted Freedom! as a man at the Syrian embassy in Madrid threw the Assad governments flag to the ground and hoisted the black, green and white flag with three stars used by the rebels. In Athens, other rebel supporters entered the Syrian embassy in Athens and hoisted their flag from the rooftop. Police entered and detained four people, but left the flag flying. Several supporters of the Syrian opposition laughed and hugged each other in front of the embassy in the capital Belgrade and raised the rebel flag on a pole in the courtyard. At the Syrian embassy in Stockholm, the three-starred Syrian revolution flag was raised. A man climbs up a flag pool to hoist up a Syrian opposition flag outside an embassy in Belgrade, Serbia - Shutterstock Greek policemen stand guard outside the Syrian embassy where a Syrian opposition flag has been placed in Athens - AP 04:02 PM GMT Israeli strikes on Damascus targeted government buildings A monitor of Syrias war said Israeli strikes targeted government security buildings in Damascus on Sunday. Israeli strikes targeted a security complex in Damascus near the former regimes buildings including intelligence, customs and a military headquarters, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Buildings were seen ablaze in the security complex, which includes military intelligence. Smoke rises in the aftermath of suspected IDF strikes near Mezzeh Air Base near Damascus - Getty Images Europe A fire burns following explosions at a security compound that houses the Syrian military intelligence division on December 8 - Getty Images Europe 03:57 PM GMT Syrians celebrate in Trafalgar square Syrian refugees and activists are gathering in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assads tyrannical regime, writes Janet Eastham. Waving flags, whistling, handing out sweet biscuits and setting off fireworks, the crowd jubilantly celebrates the removal of the dictator Bashar al-Assad. Malath Alzoubi, a Syrian journalist, had just one word to describe how he felt about the liberation of his homeland: Happy! Im happy! I know as a journalist you need more than that. But we are so happy! he told The Telegraph. Mr Alzoubi said that of course he wanted to go home, but said today was a day for celebration. Tomorrow, well think about the future, he said. Muhamad Khatib, who owned a car rental office near El-Hamidiyah, Syria, said he had come to Trafalgar Square with his son to celebrate getting rid of a dictator who oppressed our country for 50 years. He stole Syria, brought poverty to Syria, he killed Syrians, he imprisoned Syrians illegally. He was, I think, the worst dictator in the world. Mr Khatibs son was born on March 1, 2011, the day the revolution started. I would love to go back and live there in a big democracy. On that day, the first protests started. It was so scary. I saw the protests online, and I rushed out of my office to join them. By the time I got there there were a thousand security officers there and they arrested all of them. 03:52 PM GMT I came for revenge: Selfies in Assads homes Hundreds of Syrians have explored, looted and damaged Bashar al-Assads former palace and his private residence in Damascus following the fall of the capital to rebel forces. I came for revenge; they oppressed us in incredible ways, Abu Omar, 44, told AFP in Assads luxury home that comprises of three six-storey buildings. I am taking pictures because I am so happy to be here in the middle of his house, he added, showing off photos on his mobile phone. A group of people take a selfie while sitting on a couch in a hall of Assads presidential palace in Damascus - AP A man holds an AK-47 and flashes the victory sign as he poses for a photo in Assads former hall - AP A Syrian man sits on a chair in the hall of the luxury home - AP A man carrying away a picture from Assads private residence 03:32 PM GMT Israel captures Mount Hermon in Syrian buffer zone Israeli forces appear to have captured the highest peak on Mount Hermon, a mountain cluster in a UN-controlled buffer zone in south-west Syria. Sources told Israeli outlet Ynet that air force commandos had taken the strategic summit in order to bolster Israels military control in the area. Earlier on Sunday, Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the Israeli military to take the demilitarised zone that abuts Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israeli soldiers raise their countrys flag on Mount Hermon 03:06 PM GMT Watch: Rebels find Assads luxury car collection Syrians who stormed Bashar al-Assads abandoned presidential palace in Damascus uncovered his large collection of luxury cars. The footage shows a large hangar filled with millions of pounds worth of cars including Ferraris, Aston Martins, Rolls-Royces, BMWs, Mercedes and what appeared to be a Bugatti Veyron. Read the full story here. 02:58 PM GMT Starmer welcomes end of barbaric regime Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of President Assads barbaric regime in Syria as he flew to the region on Sunday. The Prime Minister called for the restoration of peace and stability in the country as he was due to arrive in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday for trade talks before flying on to Saudi Arabia for his first visit to the oil-rich state. With rumours that President Assad may have used UAE as a staging post after fleeing Syria, Sir Keir will also discuss with the two countries leaders how stability and security can be maintained in the region. Sir Keir said: The developments in Syria in recent hours and days are unprecedented, and we are speaking to our partners in the region and monitoring the situation closely. The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure. Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored. We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days. 02:56 PM GMT Pictured: Rebel leader Jolani celebrates in Damascus Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who is the commander of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), is pictured celebrating in front of crowds at the Umayyad mosque in Damascus 02:46 PM GMT Analysis: Aftershocks of Assads fall will unfold in ripples and waves There are no easy or immediate answers to what kind of Syria will emerge in the post-Assad future, said Dr Burcu Ozcelik, senior research fellow in middle east security at RUSI. The challenges, she said, will arise as the coalition of rebel groups tries to transform from rebellion to governing, providing security and services to a vast, diverse and fragile country. The HTS-umbrella movement is not homogenous, Dr Ozcelik explained, and there are risks that internal fractures will arise in the weeks and months to come that may lead to discord and threaten Syrian stability. In terms of Russia, which has a major air base and naval base in the country, it has no good options in a now radically transformed Syria. Its ability to project power in and through Syria is now severely debilitated, she added. There is also no doubt that Assads fall is a highly consequential defeat for Iran, the implications of which will unfold in ripples and waves, Dr Ozcelik said. Syria was the conduit for Irans systematic support for Hezbollah in Lebanon, this supply chain has now been cut off. 02:33 PM GMT In pictures: Israeli tanks and forces next to Syrian border Israeli armoured vehicles along the Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria - AP Israeli tanks parked close to the Syrian border as Israeli said it had deployed forces to the demilitarised buffer zone - AFP Israeli politician Benny Gantz walks on a viewpoint near the Alpha Line - AP 02:28 PM GMT UN investigators: Syrias new leaders must ensure atrocities never repeated UN war crimes investigators described Bashar al-Assads fall from power as a historic new beginning for Syrians, urging those taking charge to ensure the atrocities committed under his regime are not repeated. Today marks a historic new beginning for the Syrian people who have suffered unspeakable violence and atrocities over the past 14 years, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said in a statement. It is incumbent on those now in charge to ensure that such atrocities are never again repeated within the walls of Sednaya (prison) or any other detention centre in Syria. 02:25 PM GMT Future is ours: Rebel leader tells Syria after fall of Assad The rebel leader who led the sweeping advance on Damascus has declared the future is ours in a victory speech to the Syrian people. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who is the commander of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), said there is no room for turning back in a statement read out on Syrian TV, hours after his insurgent forces entered the capital. The militant chief said HTS, which is defined as a terrorist group by the UN and US but has become more moderate, was determined to continue on the path it started in 2011 when the country was plunged into a brutal civil war. Abu Mohamed al-Jolani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - AFP 02:21 PM GMT Syrian opposition coalition working to establish transition government The Syrian opposition coalition on Sunday said it is working towards forming a transitional governing body with full executive powers. It added in a statement that it aspires to build strategic partnerships within the region and the world. 01:58 PM GMT Watch: Iranian embassy stormed in Damascus Irans embassy in the Syrian capital was stormed by rebels on Sunday following their capture of Damascus and the fall of Iran-allied Bashar al-Assad, Iranian state TV reported. It is said that the Iranian embassy was stormed alongside nearby stores by an armed group different from the group now controlling [most of] Syria, Iranian state TV said, referring to the rebel forces. Footage from inside the embassys premises showed rebels and civilians had damaged windows and furniture, while documents were strewn all over. 01:29 PM GMT Iran expects friendly ties with Syria to continue Iran said on Sunday that it expects the friendly relations with Syria to continue after the fall of Tehrans staunch ally Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. The relations between the two nations of Iran and Syria have a long history and have always been friendly, and it is expected that these relations will continue, a foreign ministry statement said. 01:28 PM GMT Pictured: Syrian government forces surrendering in Homs Syrian regime soldiers are led by rebel soldiers in Homs, Syria - Shutterstock A Syrian anti-government fighter stands guard over detain Syrian pro-government soldiers outside Homs Government soldiers being taken into custody by opposition fighters - AP 01:10 PM GMT Analysis: Complacent Assad had no allies as rebel offensive began Professor Christopher Phillips, an associate fellow at Chatham House, said the writing was on the wall for the collapse of the Assad regime. The prompt for President Bashar al-Assads fall was clearly Hayat Tahrir al-Shams assault on Aleppo last weekend. The speed of that attack set a template for what would follow the next week: sudden unexpected rebel advance followed by a swift retreat by Assads demoralised forces, he said. He added: Clearly HTSs military and political skills, honed over four years in rebel-held Idlib since the last ceasefire, have been a major factor in their successes. But the weakness of Assads forces has been the other side of the story, he said, adding that they had been strongly weakened by a lack of former allies. Hezbollah have been decimated by the war with Israel, Iran is much weaker too as a result, while Russia has removed many of its forces to Ukraine, he said. But complacent Assad was also struggling with a host of domestic woes, Prof Phillips said, including demoralised military, regime corruption, international sanctions. In retrospect it is unsurprising then that, after HTS advances in the north, former rebellious parts of Homs, the Houran and Damascus rejoined the rebel cause this week, ultimately hastening the regimes collapse. 12:51 PM GMT Suspected Israeli strikes hit weapons depots near Damascus Israel struck Syrian army weapons depots on Sunday near the Mazzeh military airport, on the outskirts of Damascus, a war monitor told AFP. Israeli strikes targeted positions of the Fourth Division of the Syrian army near the Mazzeh military airport, said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, adding that the targets included weapons depots. 12:40 PM GMT Watch: Syrians celebrate on streets of Damascus X / @danny_makki 12:27 PM GMT Macron hails end of barbaric Assad regime Emmanuel Macron on Sunday welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assads barbaric state in Syria, and sent wishes of peace to the war-torn nations people. The barbaric state has fallen. At last, the french president wrote on X. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity. 12:10 PM GMT Turkey tells displaced Syrians to return home Syrians displaced by years of civil war can now return home, Hakan Fidan, Turkeys foreign minister said on Sunday. Millions of Syrians who were forced to leave their homes can return to their land, Mr Fidan said at the Doha Forum in Qatar, adding that it was time to unite and reconstruct the country. 12:01 PM GMT Syrian rebels announce new curfew in Damascus Syrian rebels announced on Sunday a curfew in Damascus starting 4pm local time until 5am. 11:51 AM GMT Russia confirms Assad resigned and left Syria Russias foreign ministry has confirmed that Bashar al-Assad had left office and departed the country after giving orders there be a peaceful handover of power. The ministry did not say where Assad was now, despite reports he had fled to Russia. As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. Russia did not participate in these negotiations, the ministry said. 11:41 AM GMT Watch: Rebels celebrate in Damascus 11:32 AM GMT Suspected Israeli strikes hit Damascus Israeli air strikes are believed to have hit the Syrian capital of Damascus, according to Lebanese and Syrian security sources. Explosions were heard in the Mazzeh district in the south-west outskirts of the city Sunday morning, hours after the rebel forces entered the city and claimed victory over Bashar al-Assads regime. The area is home to a Syrian air base and other military structures belonging to the regime. Separately, sources told Reuters that Israeli jets targeted another military air base in the south of the country. Analysts believe Israel may be seizing the moment to destroy weapons and ammunition depots belonging to Assads army to avoid them falling into the hands of the rebel forces. 11:20 AM GMT In pictures: Inside Damascus Opposition fighters celebrate as they burn down a military court in Damascus, Syria - AP Smoke billows above central Damascus as residents and opposition fighters celebrate - AP Syrian rebels ride on the back of a vehicle after Syrian rebels captured Damascus - Shutterstock More people celebrate the rebel takeover of the capital city - Shutterstock 11:09 AM GMT UN says rebel takeover is watershed moment The UN envoy for Syria called the rebel takeover a watershed moment for the country marred by nearly 14 years of civil war. Today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new [chapter] - one of peace, reconciliation, dignity and inclusion for all Syrians, Geir Pedersen, UN special envoy for Syria, said. 11:01 AM GMT Israel sends forces to Syria buffer zone The Israeli military said it had deployed forces to a demilitarised buffer zone in southwest Syria abutting the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights after Damascus fell to rebel forces. Israel had already said the day before that its soldiers had entered the UN-patrolled buffer zone to assist peacekeepers in repelling an attack. On Sunday, the army announced a troop deployment there, citing it as necessary to Israels defence due to the the possible entry of armed individuals into the buffer zone. 10:56 AM GMT Rebels close to defeating Kurdish forces in north Syria Turkish-backed Syrian forces have taken control of some 80 per cent of northern Syrias Manbij area and are close to victory against Kurdish forces there, a Turkish security source said. The fight against the Kurdish militia referred to as YPG/PKK, which has long been in control of Manjib, is very close to victory. Both air and land interventions are ongoing to take Manbij from the hands of the YPG/PKK, the source said. 10:42 AM GMT Turkey says control of Syria changing hands Hakan Fidan, Turkeys foreign minister, said on Sunday that Syrias government had collapsed, after Islamist-led rebels declared they had taken Damascus, sending Bashar al-Assad fleeing after five decades of Baath party rule. The Assad regime collapsed and control of the country is changing hands, Mr Fidan said a the Doha Forum in Qatar, adding that this didnt happen overnight. For the last 13 years, the country has been in turmoil since civil war began with Assads repression of democracy protests in 2011. Mr Fidan added that Assad was probably outside Syria after reports early on Sunday morning that had fled Damascus on a plane to an unknown destination. 10:36 AM GMT Watch: Assad statue torn down and dragged through Latakia 10:31 AM GMT Ex-MI6 chief: Assads fall will surprise UK intelligence services Sir John Sawers, the former head of MI6, has said the fall of the Assad regime in Syria will be a surprise to UK intelligence services. He told Sky News: I think it was a surprise to everyone, it probably came as a surprise to Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which have been the main rebel group involved in this march on Damascus, I dont think they expected to go so far so fast. I think were all surprised at how the regime forces have just completely collapsed, even those most loyal to the regime and closest to the regime... Its not a failure of intelligence, its a surprise to everyone. He also added that it would be rather ridiculous if the UK was unable to engage with HTS, which is proscribed as a terror group by Washington. 10:26 AM GMT China hopes Syria returns to stability as soon as possible Chinas foreign ministry said it hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible. Beijing is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible, the ministry said on Sunday. We urge the relevant Syrian parties to take practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria, it added. 10:23 AM GMT Pictured: Inside Assads palaces A photo of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a tiny swimsuit was allegedly found inside his palace in Aleppo A man tries to take a chandelier as civilians ransack a private residence of Bashar al-Assad in Damascus - AP Screen grabs from a video appearing to show the inside of Assads master bedroom in his presidential palace in Damascus A picture purporting to show Assads jacuzzi as rebel forces loot his palace in Damascus 10:13 AM GMT Who are the rebels who toppled Assad? The rebel forces which have swept across Syria are mostly led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been dominant in the north-west and launched a lightning offensive on Nov 27, capturing Aleppo, Syrias largest city, and then Hama and Homs in just eight days. The opposition forces have now entered Damascus and claimed victory over the Assad regime. HTS is the main active rebel group in the country, said to have around 30,000 troops. Before the offensive, it had controlled an enclave of around half of Idlib province and parts of neighbouring Aleppo, Latakia and Hama. HTS has its roots in al-Qaeda, though it acrimoniously split with them in 2016 and has spent years trying to appear moderate. HTS is proscribed as a terrorist group by the United States. 09:53 AM GMT Why Putins failure in Syria risks a new refugee crisis in Europe Hadi was among the first to pay attention when opposition rebels moved into Syrias second-largest city, Aleppo. He checked his phone anxiously and repeatedly in the next days for updates from his wife and sisters in the war-ravaged city, as President Bashar al-Assads forces crumbled and fled. Seeing what happened was a shock, a complete shock. You feel like you are lost. Your life is on hold, but the rest of the world is continuing, Hadi says. The 27-year-old, who came to the UK legally as a refugee, is one of seven million Syrians who have fled Assads murderous regime during 14 years of civil war. The rebel insurgence of the past week has already led to more than 300,000 people fleeing their homes to other parts of Syria. Read the full story here. 09:44 AM GMT Watch: Syrians storm Assads presidential palace 09:40 AM GMT US to maintain its presence in eastern Syria The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State, said Daniel Shapiro, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East. Speaking in Bahrain hours after Syrian rebels announced they had toppled Assads regime, Mr Shapiro called on all parties to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and respect international norms. 09:31 AM GMT In pictures: Rebels pose for photos inside presidential palace A Syrian rebel fighter sits inside an office in the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday - AP Syrian opposition fighters take a selfie inside the palace halls - AP Opposition leaders have warned Syrians not to deface public property - AP 09:23 AM GMT Trump: Putin lost all interest in Syria Donald Trump has said that the final blow to the Assad regime was delivered by Vladimir Putin who lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine. The president-elect said on Sunday: Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. He added on Truth Social: There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever. 09:05 AM GMT Rayner welcomes fall of Assad regime Angela Rayner has welcomed the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and called for a political resolution. The Deputy Prime Minister told Sky News: The situation looks very serious and if (the) Assad regime has fallen, then I welcome that news, but what we need to see is a political resolution in line with the UN resolutions. We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected, far too many people have lost their lives, we need stability in that region. She continued: Weve had a plan to ensure that [UK civilians] were evacuated ahead of whats happened over the weekend and we continue to support our UK nationals. Ms Rayner later said Bashar al-Assad wasnt exactly good to the Syrian people as she urged for a political solution where the government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people. 08:43 AM GMT Israeli military will not intervene Israel said its military would not intervene in the events taking place in Syria. However, Israeli forces have been deployed to the UN-monitored buffer zone with Syria and a number of other locations necessary for defence. 08:17 AM GMT How Oct 7 led to the fall of Syria - and the retreat of Iran The consequences of the atrocity on Oct 7 last year has reverberated well beyond the slaughter grounds of the kibbutzim on Gazas borders. Each wave has weakened Iran, hurting its regional ambitions of dominance, diminishing its stature and prising loose its network of proxies and clients across the Middle East. The latest, of greater magnitude than most expected, is washing over Syria so fast that it has triggered headlong panic in Tehran. An enfeebled Tehran will now either have to open talks with the West or go nuclear. Read the full story. 08:05 AM GMT Latest pictures from Damascus People celebrate at Umayyad Square - AFP/AFP Anti-government fighters arrive at Umayyad Square - AFP/AFP Celebrations in Damascus - AFP/AFP 07:54 AM GMT Commander hails historic fall of Assad Syrians step on a picture of Bashar al-Assad - AP The commander of Syrias US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which controls swathes of the countrys north-east, hailed the fall of the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad on Sunday. In Syria, we are living through historic moments as we witness the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus, Mazloum Abdi said on Telegram, adding that this change presents an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantees the rights of all Syrians. 07:39 AM GMT Syrian PM calls for free elections Syria should hold free elections to allow its people to decide their leadership, Mohammed Jalali, the Syrian Prime Minister, said. In an interview with Al-Arabiya, Jalali also said he had been in contact with rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani to discuss managing the current transitional period, marking a notable development in efforts to shape Syrias political future. 07:19 AM GMT Watch: Syrians tear down posters in Damascus Free Syrian people tear down Soleimani and Nasrallah poster outside Iran's embassy in Damascus. pic.twitter.com/1AfAFq5mAm Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024 06:59 AM GMT PM: Assads whereabouts unknown Syrias Prime Minister said the whereabouts of Assad and the countrys defence minister has been unknown since last night. 06:54 AM GMT Watch: Syrians sing and celebrate in Damascus People in Damascus have taken to the streets to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime. pic.twitter.com/yKT5ORlv7x Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) December 8, 2024 06:48 AM GMT Syrian army says operations ongoing against terrorist groups Syrias army said early on Sunday that its forces were pressing ahead with military operations against terrorist groups in the countryside of Hama, Homs and Deraa areas - despite rebel forces announcing the Assad regime had fallen. The army said there was a need for awareness of what it described as a large-scale plot targeting the country, urging citizens to remain vigilant in defending Syrias stability and sovereignty. 06:17 AM GMT Syrian state TV says Assad has been overthrown Syrian state television aired a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad had been overthrown and all detainees in jails set free. The man who read the statement said the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, an opposition group, is calling on all opposition fighters and citizens to preserve state institutions of the free Syrian state. Long live the free Syrian state that is to all Syrians in all their sects and ethnic groups, the men said. 05:56 AM GMT Celebrations take over Damascus As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the citys mosques and to celebrate the regimes end in the squares, chanting God is great. People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. In some areas, celebratory gunshots rang out. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense. Crowds gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus - AFP My feelings are indescribable, said Omar Daher, a 29-year-old lawyer. After the fear that he (Assad) and his father made us live in for many years, and the panic and state of terror that I was living in, I cant believe it. Daher said his father was killed by security forces and his brother was in detention, his fate unknown. Assad is a criminal, a tyrant and a dog, he said. Rebel forces shoot in the air as they celebrate in the central Syrian city of Homs - AFP Damn his soul and the soul of the entire Assad family, said Ghazal al-Sharif, another reveller in Damascus. It is the prayer of every oppressed person and God answered it today. We thought we would never see it, but thank God, we saw it. 05:29 AM GMT Pictured: Statue of Assads father pulled down in Homs People cheer as the statue of former President of Syria Hafez al-Assad is toppled in Homs 05:21 AM GMT In pictures: Syrians celebrate collapse of regime Syrians celebrate in Damascus, Syria Syrians celebrate in Damascus, Syria 05:17 AM GMT Where did Assad go? A Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels, according to data from the Flightradar website. The aircraft initially flew towards Syrias coastal region, a stronghold of Assads Alawite sect, but then made an abrupt U-turn and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map. Reports indicate that Assad was onboard, but this has not been confirmed. However, senior army officers did confirm that Assad left on a plane to an unknown destination. 04:42 AM GMT Opposition will meet with global leaders The head of Syrias main opposition group abroad, Hadi al-Bahra, told Al Jazeera Mubasher TV on Sunday that they would meet with Arab and European countries and the United Nations to agree on the next stage for the country. Residents celebrate in Damascus - AFP 04:41 AM GMT Biden monitoring extraordinary situation The White House has released a statement following the extraordinary developments: President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners. 04:07 AM GMT PM will tend to government institutions until handover Public institutions will remain under the supervision of the prime minister until the official handover takes place, Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said. Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani also echoed those sentiments: To all military forces in the city of Damascus, it is strictly forbidden to approach public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until they are officially handed over. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali remains in his home and said he is ready to support the continuity of governance. I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country, Jalili said in a statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. An empty square in Damascus is seen in the early hours of Sunday. Syrian rebels have called on citizens abroad to return - AFP 04:02 AM GMT Syrian PM ready to cooperate with any leadership Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said on Sunday he was ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people in a peaceful handover process. This country can be a normal country that builds good relations with its neighbours and the world... but this issue is up to any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. We are ready to cooperate with it (that leadership) and offer all possible facilities, Jalali said in a speech broadcast on his Facebook account. 03:23 AM GMT Syria now without Assad, opposition says The head of Syrias main opposition group abroad, Hadi al-Bahra, has said that Damascus is now without Bashar al-Assad. The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled, the group said. We declare Damascus free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad. 03:02 AM GMT Celebration on streets of Damascus Thousands of Syrians in cars and on foot have congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting freedom. Local residents cheer as the gather on a street in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana - AFP 02:53 AM GMT Analysis: Where is Assads army? In the civil war of 2011 to 2016, the Assad regime turned the tide against opposition forces with the aid of Russian airstrikes and Hezbollah troops. But both Moscow and Iran, Hezbollahs key sponsor, have their attention on conflicts elsewhere. It has left the Syrian army without much support in the face of the lightning rebel offensive led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) group. Analysts told The Telegraph that low pay and morale as well as little experience were hampering the effectiveness of the army. Read more: Why Syrias army has collapsed so suddenly 02:38 AM GMT Thousands of prisoners freed from regime jail Rebels have broken into a notorious Damascus jail, announcing on Telegram an end of the era of tyranny in the prison of Sednaya. We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison, the rebels said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the doors of the infamous Sednaya prison, known as the human slaughterhouse, have been opened for thousands of detainees who were imprisoned by the security apparatus throughout the regimes rule. 02:31 AM GMT Assad left on a plane President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane and left to an unknown destination, two senior army officers have told Reuters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also says a private plane has left Damascus airport that was likely carrying the Syrian president. Assads regime is on the brink - GETTY IMAGES 02:28 AM GMT Syrian rebels: we are entering Damascus Syrian rebels said on Sunday they have begun entering the capital Damascus without any sign of army deployments. We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison, they added. Follow the latest developments here. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The extraordinary events in Syria and the swift collapse of the Assad regime after decades in power have echoes of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the removal of tyrants like Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania. Bashar al-Assad does not seem to have suffered the same fate, as far as we know, having fled Damascus, probably for Russia. But those holding out hopes of a similarly benign outcome in Syria, with its transformation into a democracy, are likely to be deeply disappointed. The so-called Arab Spring which began in 2010 was seen as a harbinger of more Western-style governance in the region but that failed to materialise and very little has improved for ordinary people in most of the Arab nations where the governments were overthrown. Indeed, Syrias descent into civil war began with an attempt by anti-Assad forces to capture the spirit of that period, only for the regime to fight for its survival in the most brutal way possible. The consequences were the balkanisation of the country into a patchwork of different power bases ruled by factions varying from Kurdish separatists to the most extreme Islamists. Assad retained control of much of the country with support from Iran and Russia, each of which had different reasons for bolstering his position. Russia, in particular, delivered a savage campaign of aerial bombardment that flattened urban areas held by opposition fighters, killing civilians and destroying infrastructure in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fighting triggered one of the greatest refugee crises in history, with an estimated six million Syrians displaced. But the new preoccupations of Assads allies with Ukraine and Israel left the dictator vulnerable in recent years, as Russian troops and jets were needed elsewhere and Hezbollah was decapitated by Israel. Even so, few analysts foresaw such a rapid change of fortunes. The rebel groups have now seized control of the country and Western observers and politicians are hailing Assads departure, not least because so much discourse is factored through the prism of what it means to Moscow or Tehran. But just because it is bad for them does not make it good for the West. The leading rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is a hardline Islamist movement that sprang out of al-Qaeda. The reason Putin backed Assad was partly to gain access to a Mediterranean port, but also to counter the threat of Islamism on Russias southern borders. HTS are now assessed by many analysts as no longer being the hardline Islamists they started out as, but there are still many groups in the Syrian opposition that no sensible Western leader would want to see as part of a national government. Nor is it clear that the various groups will be capable of coming together in anything really resembling such a government: warfare and balkanisation may well continue as they settle their differences in the months and years to come. Turkeys hand can be seen in the events of the past few days with President Erdogan encouraging the rebellion publicly. However, his motives are more to do with keeping down the Kurds, who are considered terrorists by Ankara. Turkey also wants the millions of refugees it currently harbours to return home, though, so it genuinely needs stability in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The removal of Assad is something to be celebrated, but the future for Syria and the wider region is more uncertain, with malign forces ready to exploit the situation to the full. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Religious freedom and human rights have not improved in hardly any region of the world in the past decade, with numbers of persecuted Christians steadily increasing, former World Evangelical Alliance Sec. Gen. and President of the International Institute for Religious Freedom, Archbishop and Professor Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher said on Thursday (Dec. 5). Speaking at the launch of the Religious Freedom 2024 and Persecution and Discrimination of Christians 2024 yearbooks in Berlin, Germany, Schirrmacher said awareness of rights violations has grown with heightened research. We know much more today than we did 10 years ago and can record and neutrally analyze fates and facts worldwide, Schirrmacher said. The yearbooks and the new Violent Incidents Database of the International Institute for Religious Freedom document this in an up-to-date and diverse way. Politicians and the media can draw on this information. Also President of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), Schirrmacher is co-founder and co-editor of the yearbooks. Human rights experts at the event voiced concern about conflicts in the Middle East affecting Europe, especially Germany and Turkey; other hotspots cited were Africa, India and China. Concerns about China repressing Christians, blasphemy laws in India and Islamic states, anti-conversion laws, and religious freedom issues in Russia were all becoming major threats to human freedoms, rights advocates said. Dictators learn from other dictators they are afraid of religious freedom and human rights and are updating their methods to intimidate critics or cover up human rights violations, said Martin Lessenthin, human rights expert and co-editor of the yearbooks. Dossiers and blacklists on politicians and human rights defenders that publicize the fate of victims and other persecuted people seem to have become standard practice. Threats, criminalization and abuse of Interpol searches as well as entry bans are also part of the repertoire. Felix Bollmann, director of European advocacy at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, said many governments failed to uphold international laws guaranteeing religious freedom. In India, Pakistan and many South East Asian countries, draconian anti-conversion laws are routinely abused to target Christians, Bollmann said. Attacks and violence are often the result whether by the state or by violent mobs. In Europe, hate speech laws are increasingly leading to restrictions on the expression of faith, according to Bollmann. Their deterrent effect favors self-censorship and silences people, with serious consequences for the social climate, religious communities and personal beliefs, he said. Christians are the most persecuted faith community in the world. ADF International advocates for justice for those who suffer persecution. At the same time, it is crucial that the international community does not accept violations of religious freedom, no matter where they occur. Kurdish Christians in Afrin, in northern Syria, have felt abandoned by the rest of the world, including states such as Germany that claim Judeo-Christian heritage, said Dr. Kamal Sido, Middle East consultant at the Society for Threatened Peoples. Around 1,200 of them still live in tents and celebrate their church services in a shack in no mans land in northwest Syria, not far from Aleppo, Sido said. In 2018, they were forced to flee from the Turkish army and its Islamist mercenaries. Even in their tents, they are attacked almost daily by Turkey, including with combat drones. In Egypt, the situation for Christians remains dire, according to Lizzie Francis, legal counsel at ADF International, despite some unstated positive developments. She listed severe restrictions on freedom of speech, religious conversion and family life for religious minorities. The many attacks on Christian communities by Islamist extremists are not adequately responded to by law enforcement, Francis said. Egypt is thus becoming an increasingly hostile country for Christians who want to pass on their faith, or for Christian families who want to protect their daughters from forced marriages to older Muslim men. Everyone should have the right to live out their religious beliefs in freedom, without fear of reprisals from the state or exploitation by others in their communities, she said. Coptic human rights activist and lawyer Tamer Hannah reinforced the point that conversion to Islam only takes a few hours in Egypt, signing a document and enjoying the protection of police and unspecified Islamic groups. In contrast, converting from Islam to Christianity is almost impossible, Hannah said. Even converted Muslims who want to return to Christianity face severe repercussions under Islamic law, including the threat of death as prescribed in their interpretation of the Koran. Frank Heinrich, chairman of the German Evangelical Alliance, said religion had been misused for political and geostrategic goals. Violence and hate crimes against Jews and Muslims are being more publicly recognized, said Heinrich. But there is also a growing number of hate crimes against Christians in Europe. Both yearbooks are published by the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF) and religious freedom working groups of the three German-speaking alliances: the German Evangelical Alliance, the Swiss Evangelical Alliance and the Austrian Evangelical Alliance. Religious Freedom 2024 can be downloaded https://iirf.global/u/5441, and Persecution and Discrimination of Christians 2024 at https://iirf.global/u/5450. The brutal 54-year reign of the Assad family in Syria looks to be over. In a matter of days, opposition forces took the major city of Aleppo before advancing southward into other government-controlled areas of Hama, Homs and finally, on Dec 7, 2024, the capital, Damascus. The offensive was all the more astonishing given that the 13-year civil war had largely been in a stalemate since a 2020 ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports suggest President Bashar al-Assad has resigned and left the country. But what has he left behind and what happens next? As an expert on Middle East security, I believe the opposition forces ability to maintain unity will be critical in the transition to a post-Assad Syria. Since the civil war started in 2011, the many opposition factions in Syria have been fractured by ideological differences and the interests of external backers and that remains true despite their current victory. Meanwhile, the rapid change of fortunes in Syrias civil war poses serious questions for those countries that have backed one side or the other in the conflict. For Iran and Russia, the fall of their ally Assad will damage regional aspirations. For the backers of elements of the opposition notably Turkey but also the U.S., both of which maintain a military presence in Syria there will be challenges, too. Fears of a catastrophic success Iran, the U.S., Russia and Turkey have been crucial players throughout Syrias civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent opposition offensive came as Assads three key allies Russia, Iran and Lebanons Hezbollah were stretched thin. Russias focus on Ukraine and Irans setbacks from Israeli strikes have limited their ability to provide Assad robust support, while Hezbollah appeared hesitant to commit additional fighters, as it had done previously. Then, on Dec. 2, as opposition forces were on the move, Russia began withdrawing naval assets from its strategic Mediterranean base at Tartus, Syria. This erosion of external backing substantially undermined Assads capacity to regroup and mount an effective counteroffensive. Syrians celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assads government in the town of Bar Elias, Lebanon, near the border with Syria, on Dec. 8, 2024. AP Photo/Hassan Ammar The U.S. will no doubt welcome this diminished Russian and Iranian influence in Syria. But concern in Washington has already been aired over a scenario of catastrophic success in which Assad is replaced by an Islamist group that many in the West see as terrorists. It was members of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham that spearheaded much of the opposition gains in Syria, fighting alongside the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has not directly targeted the U.S. troops stationed in the northeast which is under the control of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces instability and the potential for clashes between opposition factions and U.S. allies could increase the risks for the 900 Syria-based American personnel. A fragmented landscape The fact that different opposition groups have taken control of various once-government-held areas points to a crucial fact: Syria is de facto partitioned. The northwest is controlled by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. The northeast is under the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by the United States. Despite a shared goal of ousting Assad and the joint offensive on Aleppo, conflicts between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian National Army are frequent. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Abu Mohammad al-Golani aims to assert control over opposition-held areas, including those currently managed by the Syrian National Army. And the Syrian National Army and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham maintain complex, often conflicting relationships with the Syrian Democratic Forces, shaped by ideological, territorial and strategic differences. The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army frequently engages in direct clashes with the Syrian Defense Forces, which Turkey views as a terrorist organization and an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party it has been fighting in southern Turkey for more than four decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The oppositions internal fragmentation may weaken its ability to bring stability to Syria in the long run. Adjustment problems Assads fall will have major implications for those countries that have a stake in the region. Irans grand strategy of preserving the Shia Crescent connecting Tehran to Beirut through Baghdad and Damascus and in the process countering Sunni Islamist factions has failed. For Washington, Assads departure doesnt necessarily fit any hoped-for outcome. The U.S. has prioritized balancing, containing and potentially diminishing Russian and Iranian influence in Syria. But until recently that did not mean the removal of Assad. The Biden administration had even hinted in early December that it would be prepared to lift sanctions on Syria if Assad severed ties with Iran and Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was also talk of Assads government allying with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. But as city after city fell to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, it became increasingly unlikely that the Kurdish group would align with the weakening Assad forces especially as Kurdish forces themselves made significant territorial gains. Syrian Democratic Forces will need to adapt in response to the fall of Assad. This will be doubly true if, as many anticipate and President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at, the U.S. withdraws from Syria. Currently, the 900 U.S. troops are in eastern Syria, alongside a military base in Al-Tanf, located near the Iraqi and Jordanian borders. Should American forces withdraw, the Syrian Democratic Forces and the autonomous region it administers known as the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria would need to negotiate their autonomy with both different factions of the opposition and Syrian neighbor Turkey. A Kurdish and Islamist alliance? The precarious role of Syrian Democratic Forces in the transition to the post-Assad era could make for a significant foreign policy headache for the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given Turkeys history of military incursions and campaigns against the Syrian Democratic Forces in northern cities like Afrin and Kobani, the Kurdish group may need to align with some factions of the opposition, likely Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, should the U.S. eventually withdraw. Of late, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has largely avoided antagonizing the Syrian Democratic Forces. Indeed, Hayat Tahrir al-Shams efforts to rebrand and moderate itself are notable, especially given its origins as a Salafist group with ties to al-Qaida. By adopting a range of policies like issuing an amnesty for Syrian army personnel, facilitating evacuation agreements and using the language of building an ethnically and religiously diverse governance structure, the Islamist group has attempted to soften its hard-line image and gain favor or at least neutrality from international stakeholders, like the U.S. Yet skepticism about Hayat Tahrir al-Shams ultimate objectives persists. Strategic calculations for Turkey Turkeys position on Syria now is equally complex. Turkey is home to 3.6 million Syrian refugees the largest refugee-hosting country globally. A prolonged economic downturn and rising anti-refugee sentiment had pressured Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to signal a willingness to engage with Assad prior to the opposition offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkeys hope was that normalized relations with Syria would help facilitate refugee return and address concerns about a potential Kurdish state in northeastern Syria. But Assad dismissed such overtures, and he intensified airstrikes on Idlib triggering new waves of displacement near the Turkish border. Turkeys Syria policy is also closely linked to its renewed peace process with the Kurdistan Workers Party. These talks reportedly include discussions about the potential release of imprisoned Kurdistan Workers Party leader Abdullah Ocalan whose influence runs deep in Kurdish-led regions in northern Syria. The chance for a new Syria The apparent end of the Assad familys rule after half a century of brutal oppression signifies a pivotal moment for Syria offering an opportunity to rebuild the nation on foundations of inclusivity, pluralism and stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Achieving this vision depends on the opposition factions ability to navigate the immense challenges of transition. This includes fostering unity among diverse groups, addressing grievances from years of conflict and establishing governance structures that reflect Syrias ethnic, religious and political diversity. That will be no easy task. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Sefa Secen, Nazareth University Read more: Sefa Secen does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad regime underscores the fragility of his allies Russia and Iran, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stated on Dec. 8 on X. Syrian rebels announced on Dec. 8 that they had ousted Assad from the capital city of Damascus. In her post on X, Kallas described Assads fall as a positive and long-awaited development," saying that the collapse "shows the weakness of Assads backers, Russia and Iran." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also stressed the necessity of global cooperation to stabilize Syria and ensure broader regional security. The Assad regime's apparent stability unraveled in late November, when a rapid rebel offensive dismantled Assads hold on power within just two weeks. Russia, a long-standing supporter of Assad, maintained substantial military infrastructure in Syria, including the Tartus Naval Base and the Khmeimim Air Base. The rebellions rapid advance marks a pivotal shift in Russias regional influence. Moscow reportedly began withdrawing its military presence from Syria, Ukraine's military intelligence agency said on Dec. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President-elect Donald Trump remarked earlier the same day that Assads fall highlights Russias strained foreign policy, as it struggles to manage its involvement in Syria while remaining committed to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Read also: Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russias Middle East clout, may indirectly strengthen Ukraines hand Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane to leave the country on Saturday, according to several media reports. His exit comes 12 days after a surprise uprising made a lightning dash to the capital of Damascus, capturing several major cities along the way. Meanwhile, there are claims that the jet carrying Assad either was shot down or had mechanical problems and crashed over Northwestern Syria. Assad left the country for an undisclosed location, fleeing ahead of insurgents who said they had entered Damascus after a stunning advance across the country, The Associated Press reported, citing an interview with Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Abdurrahman told the AP that Assad took a flight Sunday from Damascus. Bashar Assad leaves for Russia with his family, and is expected to deliver his resignation speech in the coming hours, the Step News Agency reported on Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement # # .#_ # Step News Agency (@Step_Agency) December 8, 2024 We must stress that the situation is very fluid and Assads fate remains questionable at this time. New information could significantly change the prevailing narrative circulating in the media at this time. Assads reported flight came as the HTS-led rebels stormed into Damascus, The New York Times reported. The Syrian factions announced, at dawn on Sunday, that President Bashar al-Assad had left Damascus, calling on the displaced abroad to return to Free Syria after declaring Damascus free, while the commander of the Military Operations Administration issued a directive to his forces in Damascus to stay away from public institutions, Al Hadath TV channel reported. The factions said in messages published via the Telegram that Bashar al-Assad had fled and we declare the city of Damascus free adding after 50 years of oppression under the rule of the Baath, and 13 years of tyranny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official Iranian Press TV also confirmed the end of the Assad regime. President Assads rule ended: Syrian army command tells officers, Press TV reported on Telegram. The Syrian army command has notified officers that President Bashar al-Assads rule has ended as militants enter the capital Damascus, an officer says. There are unconfirmed reports that the Il-76 Ilyushin transport jet that was supposedly carrying him was either shot down or suffered a mechanical problem. Based on its location, it may have been trying to reach Russias airbase in Latakia, Syria. This has long been seen as among the safest place for the Syrian strongman. Unconfirmed information is being circulated about the sudden descent of the plane that was reportedly carrying Assad after it disappeared from radar and dropped suddenly from an altitude of over 3,650 meters to 1,070 meters in a few minutes, just outside Lebanese airspace north of Akkar, Egyptian journalist Khaled Mahmoued posited on Twitter. 3D flight radar data of the plane suspected of carrying Bashar al-Assad indicates that it crashed. The Syrian Air IL-76 aircrafts altitude dropped suddenly, and it seems it was shot down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opposition fighters in Syria, in an unprecedented move, have totally taken over numerous cities, in a highly coordinated offensive, and are now on the outskirts of Damascus, obviously preparing to make a very big move toward taking out Assad. Russia, because they are so tied up Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2024 Developing: A Syrian IL-76T coming from Damascus lost fast altitude near Homs and possibly crashed west of that city. There are rumors that it was Assads plane. pic.twitter.com/K6IvQILlsw (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) December 8, 2024 3D flight data from FlightRadar24 indicates the jet crashed. The 3D @flightradar24 data of the jet widely suspected of carrying a fleeing Bashar al-Assad (via @ShabanianAram), if this isn't an entirely spoofed route, it looks VERY bad (for him), rapid decent after passing over Opposition held-territory near Homs. pic.twitter.com/szV4OBy5X0 Nathan Ruser (@Nrg8000) December 8, 2024 3D flight data on the plane widely suspected of carrying Bashar al-Assad on the run suggests it has crashed (if the data is correct). Suicide and sabotage are being considered. Ateo Breaking pic.twitter.com/Yi1AWhJmzt Jason Jay Smart (@officejjsmart) December 8, 2024 According to unverified information, the plane that might have been carrying Assad out of Damascus had gone into sharp descent and disappeared from the radars. There has been no official information. pic.twitter.com/ZMyCYZ34Xk Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) December 8, 2024 Celebrations in the middle of the Umayyad Square in Damascus, a historic day in the truest sense of the word pic.twitter.com/0byi4mG98t Debora (@GDLOVEISRAEL) December 8, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have nothing to provide regarding the recent events in Syria, a U.S. defense official told The War Zone in response to our questions about Assad fleeing and the status of the aircraft. Even though we are monitoring the situation closely, the US mission in Syria remains unchanged. For more information, we refer you to the White House. Umayyad Square in the heart of Damascus was the scene of celebrations as people rejoiced over the fall of Assad. Celebrations in the middle of the Umayyad Square in Damascus, a historic day in the truest sense of the word pic.twitter.com/0byi4mG98t Debora (@GDLOVEISRAEL) December 8, 2024 Aljazeera right now: people celebrating on top of tanks at Ummayad Square. pic.twitter.com/XkzVzzVa6F Aron Lund (@aronlund) December 8, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army made it to the heart of Damascus and was seen occupying Umayyad Square. WOWWOWIWOWOWOWWO A historic moment from Omayyad Square, the Free Syrian Army in the heart of Damascus. pic.twitter.com/MlNyZfDVqn Nedal Al-Amari (@nedalalamari) December 8, 2024 The streets of Damascus were littered with Syrian Arab Army uniforms discarded by troops once loyal to Assad. Absolutely symbolic picture: SAA uniforms thrown onto the Umayyad Square in Damascus. Source: @MuradSyr pic.twitter.com/ZBoSVWfVNA (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) December 8, 2024 Earlier in the day, tanks were reportedly seen heading to Umayyad Square which leads to several strategic locations, including the presidential palace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tanks in the streets of #Damascus now. They re heading to the Omayyad Square which leads to several strategic locations, including the presidential palace Rim Turkmani (@Rim_Turkmani) December 8, 2024 Some of Assads troops reportedly fled east across the border into Iraq. Soldiers of the Bashar Assad regime who crossed the Iraqi border and sought refuge in Iraq. pic.twitter.com/6owX0ZYMQR Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024 In the hours before Assad reportedly left, TWZ posted imagery showing signs of a possible evacuation at Russias Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Multiple airlifters arrived at the base, including IL-76s and one AN-124. The An-72 is usually forward-based there. There also appears to be a Su-24 on the runway. This was a major uptick in airlifted presence at the base compared to days past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs of possible evacuation at Russia's Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Multiple airlifters have arrived at the base. 3 IL-76s and 1 AN-124. The An-72 is usually forward based there. There also appears to be a Su-24 on the runway. Major uptick in airlifted presence. Expect more. pic.twitter.com/uFpCLGpJ4g The War Zone (@thewarzonewire) December 7, 2024 The developments today culminate an uprising that saw anti-regime forces quickly sack Aleppo, then Hama and Homs in the central part of the country, while U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Defense Forces captured towns in the north and east of Syria and Druze militias took over former regime territory in the south. The status of the Alawite enclave on the Mediterranean Sea coast, where Syrias port facilities and Russias bases are located, remains unclear. Assad is an Alawite and he enjoys very strong support from the ethnic group within Syrias power architecture. The official Syrian SAMA-TV news channel claimed on Telegram that forces loyal to Assad had not withdrawn. There is no truth to the news circulated by terrorist media platforms about the withdrawal of the armed forces from the northern Latakia countryside, and the General Command confirms that all this news is false, SAMA-TV claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners, according to the White House press pool. President-elect Donald Trump hinted at what his foreign policy agenda might look like in regard to Syria, saying the U.S., which has about 900 troops in Syria, should not be involved in that country. There was never much of a benefit in Syria for Russia, other than to make Obama look really stupid, Trump said on social media. In any event, Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! Israel, meanwhile, said it had reinforced the occupied Golan Heights border with Syria. Jerusalem is eyeing these events warily, wondering what stance HTS and other rebel groups will take toward Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chief of the General Staff emphasized the high level of offensive and defensive readiness, the reinforcement of troops along the border, and the continued monitoring of developments, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Telegram. He also stressed that, alongside these efforts, we are not intervening in events in Syria, are working to thwart and prevent threats in the area, and are preparing plans for various options. Due to developments, the IDF has reinforced its deployment along the border, including intelligence and reconnaissance units. Ground and aerial forces have been bolstered along the border, and sector readiness has been heightened. There are unconfirmed reports that the Israeli forces have also advanced into Syria, to create a buffer zone as a precaution. The IDF has not commented on this yet. After the collapse of the Assad regime overnight, Syrian reports claim that Israeli tanks crossed the border in the Golan Heights. The unconfirmed reports say that Israeli forces pushed into the buffer zone in the Quneitra area, and launched artillery shelling in the area. The Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) December 8, 2024 BREAKING: Israel Invasion of Syria has Begun!!! Israeli tanks are reportedly entering Al-Hamdiyah in Qunaitra, Syria from the Golan heights. pic.twitter.com/asEgHyLCtr Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) December 8, 2024 #UPDATE: Reports Israeli tanks and troops crossed the Syrian border at the Golan Heights and took new positions near the Syrian town of al-Qunaitra ELINT News (@ELINTNews) December 8, 2024 BREAKING IDF MOVES INTO SYRIAN BUFFER ZONE: The IDF has launched a limited ground operation in the Quneitra buffer zone area of Syria in order to strengthen the defense of the border. Furthermore, in accordance with the assessment of the situation in the Northern Command and Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) December 8, 2024 The IDF Northern Command activated a contingency plan to bolster defenses along the Israel-Syria border to thwart any potential incursions into Israel from Syrian territory, Israels Ynet news outlet reported. Israeli forces reportedly crossed the 1974 ceasefire line on the Golan Heights to establish defensive positions in the demilitarized zone, the publication reported. Artillery fire was used to deter hostile forces, and airstrikes targeted Syrian arms depots to prevent them from falling into rebel hands. Israeli tanks and infantry units were mobilized to the Alpha Line on the Golan Heights as part of the new deployment, Ynet stated, citing foreign media. Next, Israel may consider taking over some areas inside Syria as a buffer zone to counter emerging threats, journalist Nadav Eyal wrote. Alternatively, Israel could declare a demilitarized zone on the Syrian side of the border and enforce it through artillery and airstrikes. Israel activates emergency plan to bolster defenses on Syria border, @ynetalerts says; tanks & infantry forces mobilized to Alpha Line on Golan Heights; IDF may declare & enforce demilitarized zone in Syrian territory. Heres the full report https://t.co/oYCOjUbamk Israel Radar (@IsraelRadar_com) December 8, 2024 Todays developments are nothing less than stunning. After 24 years of often brutal rule (and more than 50 years under his father), including a civil war that began in 2011 and displaced millions and killed well over 300,000 civilians, Assads reign is over, although his status remains unclear at the moment. What comes next is a major question, including what stance the anti-Assad forces, some of which have concerning ties, will take now that they have gone from a rebel force to a ruling one. This is a rapidly developing story and we will update it as more information comes in. UPDATE: 1:15AM EST The possible downing of the Il-76 is worth discussing further. While little is known about the circumstances at this time, there is a precedent for friendly fire incidents over Syria. Syrian air defenders shot down Russias Il-20 Coot surveillance aircraft in 2018, killing all onboard. The timing of that friendly fire incident was during a moment when Israel was supposedly operating in or near Syrian airspace. While that may have been a complex situation, the state of confusion over the last 24 hours is truly unprecedented, with both Russian and Syrian air defense units operating under deteriorating conditions with broken or non-existent air defense networks, making the risk of such mistakes extreme. Even under far more favorable conditions, friendly fire shoot downs have occurred in recent years, including multiple ones over Russia near the Ukrainian border and the shoot down of an airliner by Iran shortly after their ballistic missile strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq. There is also the stark reality that anti-Assad forces have captured many anti-aircraft systems, including multiple types of SAM systems. Capturing them and operating them are two different things, but if they were able to operate them, doing so would create extreme risk to anything flying in the airspace. This is especially true due the lack of a greater air defense network and the situational awareness that provides, as well as the possibility of poorly trained operators or those under duress. The IL-76 went down over/near rebel held territory in the same general region as Russias bases and an area (the coastal region) that had not been sacked by anti-Assad forces. Its also worth noting that there have been reports of Iranian aircraft being denied access to western Syria by the Israeli Air Force under the threat of being shot down as they flew toward their destination. According to the New York Times; Two Flights by an Iranian Private Airline from Tehran to Damascus were turned away last week, after Israel had threatened to Shoot Down the Aircraft if they entered Syrian Airspace, fearing that they contained Iranian Troops or Weapons. pic.twitter.com/yPBq0Vx7Xe OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 7, 2024 Once again, this is simply some added context. Its possible the aircraft went down for other reasons and its fate remains unclear. We should find out more what happened to the aircraft, and possibly Assad in the process, in the coming hours. Meanwhile, scenes from Damascus are historic. Statues are being toppled and regime installations are being explored by rebel forces: It's over for Bashar. Syrian state TV airs video announcing Bashar al-Assads fall. pic.twitter.com/zJtx2kPI1X Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024 A Banner showing the Late Commander of the IRGCs Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani alongside the Late Supreme-Leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah was torn down last night by Syrian Residents, at the Iranian Embassy Compound in Damascus. pic.twitter.com/0cLotzxuJQ OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 8, 2024 HISTORIC: Assads statue toppled in Damascus. pic.twitter.com/il0QpETWET Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024 More footage of anti-Assad forces inside #Syrias presidential palace. pic.twitter.com/fB78J1dlvG Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) December 8, 2024 Celebratory Gunfire heard across the Syrian Capital of Damascus, as Residents wake up to the News that the Assad Regime has Collapsed and that the Rebels have captured the City. pic.twitter.com/CEhHeQ5SP7 OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 8, 2024 Numerous livestreams now emerging from the Presidential Palace in Damacus https://t.co/UHQIdp0Kcv Evan Hill (@evanhill) December 8, 2024 Former Syrian PM Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali leaving his home to hand over power to Syrian Military Operations Command. pic.twitter.com/jmf6NWQmTU Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024 Free Syrian fighters inside Mazzeh Military Airport, Damascus. pic.twitter.com/uVlPsZy50E Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024 Israel confirms its buffer zone operation into Syria: In accordance with the situational assessment following the recent events in #Syria, including the entry of armed personnel into the buffer zone, the IDF has deployed forces in the buffer zone and in several other places necessary for its defense, to ensure the safety of the pic.twitter.com/Nsno9GBWB4 Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 8, 2024 UPDATE: 4:30 AM EST Reuters is reporting that its sources say there was a high probability that Assad crashed on the IL-76, stating: A Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels, according to data from the Flightradar website. The aircraft initially flew towards Syrias coastal region, a stronghold of Assads Alawite sect, but then made an abrupt U-turn and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map. Reuters could not immediately ascertain who was on board. Two Syrian sources said there was a very high probability that Assad may have been killed in a plane crash as it was a mystery why the plane took a surprise U turn and disappeared off the map according to data from the Flightradar website. As daylight set across Syria more celebratory gatherings and statue topplings occurred: The Residents of Arwad Island, off the Coast of Tartus, celebrate the Collapse of the Assad Regime by toppling a Statue of Former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. pic.twitter.com/Q1BuuIk4Js OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 8, 2024 People of Hama are celebrating the fall of Assad regime. Thousands of people were killed by the Assad regime in Hama in 1982. pic.twitter.com/5VyP8wCsm2 Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024 Kurds destroy Assad statue in Qamishlo pic.twitter.com/6XidxQWbyo Wladimir van Wilgenburg (@vvanwilgenburg) December 8, 2024 IDF struck what it says was a chemical weapons facility to keep whatever was there out of the hands of Syrias new rulers: The IDF struck a chemical weapons factory tied to former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's regime to prevent rebel seizure, The Jerusalem Post confirmed.@jeremybob1 reports. https://t.co/BRVsMrBSUC The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) December 8, 2024 The U.S. says it is maintaining its troop presence in Syria: The United States said it will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State.https://t.co/YHQ2eEe0C8 The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) December 8, 2024 The Assad regimes political prisons near Damascus were notorious. Now fighters are going through them and releasing prisoners: #Syria: those are the first moments after Rebels reached the infamous Saydnaya prison N. of #Damascus and started to liberate prisoners. pic.twitter.com/OprYkMN8r2 Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) December 8, 2024 A glimpse of a Syrian checkpoint: Syria Lebanon border pic.twitter.com/7vErV7mLP7 Zeina Khodr (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) December 8, 2024 Messaging shift from Iranian state media regarding the status of their biggest client state prize: Post Unavailable Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Syrians were seen celebrating throughout the city of Damascus on Saturday as news spread that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the country. Rebel forces had captured Damascus on Saturday as the culmination of a rapid-fire campaign that wrested control from Assad throughout the country. Various groups have been fighting the Assad regime in a protracted civil war for more than a decade. The Assad family ruled Syria for more than 50 years. Hafez al-Assad took control of the country in 1971 after staging a coup within his Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. Bashar al-Assad took the reins upon his father's death in 2000. His whereabouts are unknown, but Russia is a likely candidate. The Assad regime had strong ties with the country, and it was the Russian foreign ministry that announced that Bashar al-Assad had fled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos from Damascus on social media appear to show Syrian military members putting up minimal resistance and discarding their uniforms as rebel forces approached the city. The rebels interrupted a state TV broadcast to declare victory for the great Syrian revolution and the overthrow of the criminal Assad regime, according to CNN. The rebel forces were led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. While HTS is a Sunni movement, a commander in the rebel forces shared that other religious groups would be safe in Syria. We address all the sects of Syria: Syria is for everyone, without exception Syria is for the Sunni, the Druze, the Alawite. We dont deal with people like the Assad (regime) did, he said on a state TV broadcast, per CNN. Widely shared videos from Damascus showed the celebration of residents as well as the looting of al-Assad's residence. Live:People are literally looting the presidential Residence. pic.twitter.com/F0jbzIEkFI Danny Makki (@danny_makki) December 8, 2024 President-elect Donald Trump reacted to the news on his Truth Social platform, using the news as a platform for his ongoing push to end the war in Ukraine. "Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer... They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever," he wrote. "Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse." Syrian rebels on Saturday battled government forces in an effort to take control of the crucial city of Homs as they advanced toward the countrys capital, Damascus moves that catapulted President Bashar al-Assads nearly 30 years of power into peril, Reuters reported. The insurgents appearance on the outskirts of Damascus was the first since 2018, when Syrian forces recaptured the area after several years of siege, the Associated Press reported. The U.S. Embassy in Syria issued an urgent warning on Saturday encouraging citizens to evacuate amid escalating conflict in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a breakdown of the rapidly evolving conflict. Why has the war in Syria re-escalated? Syrias civil war began during the 2011 Arab Spring when the regime attempted to prevent a pro-democracy uprising against al-Assad. The rebel group Free Syrian Army emerged against government forces. But about 70 percent of the country has remained in al-Assads power. The 13-year conflict has killed an estimated half-million people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The UN Refugee Agency estimates that 14 million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes. Recently, rebel forces saw an opportunity to renew its fight as al-Assads main backers Iran, Russia and Hezbollah are currently occupied with other conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebels advances toward the capital city followed a withdrawal from the Syrian army from most of the southern part of Syria, which left more areas under opposition fighter control, according to an opposition war monitor and rebel commander, as reported by AP. Reuters said that rebels came within 20 miles of the capital city. The AP described the incursions in the last week as among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, which have origins in al-Qaida and have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The moves come in the wake of incursions by various rebel factions, including the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), toward one of the largest cities in the country, Aleppo, last week the first since 2016. What does the war in Syria look like on the ground? AP said that thousands of people sought to leave Syria amid the violence. Some stockpiled supplies as many shops were shuttered, AP was told by a resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters reported that protestors have toppled a statue of al-Assads father in Damascus, and electricity has been cut off in the capital city, as well. Posters of al-Assad and his father were torn down by protestors, unchallenged by the army or police, Reuters reported. AP said that the countrys state media has denied rumors circulating on social media that al-Assad has left the country and is in Damascus. The shock offensive by insurgents, which began on Nov. 26, reawakened a conflict that has been largely dormant since March 2020 when Russia and Turkey mediated a ceasefire in northern Syria, CNN reported. Much of the towns and villages in Aleppos northern province, which were impacted by the advances, were controlled by al-Assads government, backed by both Iran and Russia since 2016, Reuters said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The advances last week mostly affected Syrias northwestern countryside as residents fled neighborhoods and dozens of fighters from both sides were killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, as reported by AP. Who is fighting? Al-Assads Syrian government has been instrumental in the civil war that began in 2011. He took control of the country is 2000, though his family has been in power since 1970. The peaceful protests of the Arab Spring in 2011 were met with harsh responses by al-Assads government, inciting an uprising across the country. Throughout the years of war, the government has reclaimed a lot of its territory from Syrian rebels, The New York Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HTS, which originally had origins to the Islamic state and later al-Qaida, is one of the opposition factions that formed at the beginning of the civil war to fight al-Assads government, The Times said. Al-Assad also has foreign allies, including Russia, Iran and Lebanons Hezbollah. Some of the opposition factions, like the Syrian National Army, however, have support from Turkey. Turkey effectively has power over an area of Syrias northern border and has launched military mostly against Syrian Kurdish-led forces since the beginning of the civil war, The Times said. According to The Times, Syrias Kurdish ethnic minority became of main local partner under the Syrian Democratic Forces fighting the Islamic State in Syria, an extremist group that was mostly defeated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Bashar al-Assad has fled the country after giving orders that there be a peaceful handover of power, Russia said on Sunday. US officials believe Assad left on a flight to seek refuge in Moscow as Damascus fell. Russia, which has propped up Syrias regime for years, did not say where Assad was now and claimed that Russia had not taken part in the talks around his departure. As a result of negotiations between B Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia did not participate in these negotiations, the ministry said. The statement added that Russias military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time. Russian soldiers have been forced to flee a number of their bases, and questions remain over their airbase and naval assets. Conflicting reports There were conflicting reports on Sunday as to how Assad fled Syria and where he was now. One plane took off towards a Russian base in Syria at midnight, with US officials saying they believed the Syrian president was heading for Moscow. However, another private jet was heading to the UAE on Sunday morning, with no official confirmation of Assads whereabouts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters reported that a Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels. Data from the Flightradar website initially flew towards Syrias coastal region, a stronghold of Assads Alawite sect, but then made an abrupt U-turn and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map. The Telegraph could not immediately ascertain who was on board. Where is Assad now? Two Syrian sources told Reuters there was a very high probability that Assad may have been killed in a plane crash as it was a mystery why the plane took a surprise U turn and disappeared off the map according to data from the Flightradar website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It disappeared off the radar, possibly the transponder was switched off, but I believe the bigger probability is that the aircraft was taken down..., said one Syrian source without elaborating. Flight tracking data also showed a private jet leaving the Latakia region of Syria on Sunday morning, where Russia has an airbase, this morning and heading to Abu Dhabi. Ronen Solomon, an Israeli intelligence analyst, said the C5-SKY plane was flying on an unusual route from Assads last safe haven. It did it one day before the collapse and on Saturday, he told The Telegraph. This is the only jet thats been flying. A senior United Arab Emirates official refused to confirm or deny speculation he would take shelter in the UAE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people ask, where is Bashar al-Assad going to?, this is really at the end of the day a footnote in history, presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said. I dont think its important. As I said, ultimately this is a footnote really to bigger events, the Emirati official added when pressed on the question by journalists. Chris Doyle, a Syria expert and Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, said there are limited places for Mr Assad to hide. There are clear reasons to suspect Moscow and Id probably put my money on that, he told The Telegraph. He has to go somewhere that feels safe and where he wont be handed over to an international criminal court, a place that will protect him. In my mind, Moscow will be the one. Bashar al-Assad is said to have fled his country - ATPImages/Getty Images Europe According to the UN, over the past ten years, an average of 84 civilians have been killed every day in direct connection to the war in Syria, by 2022, totalling an estimated 306,887 civilians. The US State Department estimates that 1,400 people were killed in 2013 when the Assad regime launched rockets carrying the deadly nerve agent sarin into the Ghouta district of Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Russia a key ally, along with Iran, in the civil war, Assad has deep ties with Moscow. He had a few choices, Iran would be another, and others have talked about Dubai, but Im not convinced by that, said Mr Doyle, who says that it would only have been in the final hours of the takeover that the decades-long leader would have believed that his reign was over. Dubai reinstated relations with Syria, hosting Assad in 2022, his first visit to an Arab country since the start of the war, and before the Arab League reinstated Syrias membership. Through backdoor diplomacy, the UAE has long hoped to distance Assad from Iran through building business ties with Syria, although US sanctions have hampered those efforts. On Saturday, Bloomberg reported that Assad had been in last-minute talks with the UAE to cut a deal to save him if he agreed to cut ties with Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has long stood by Assad in the face of the civil war since 2011, and on Sunday morning, its embassy in Egypt released a statement slamming the rebels, blaming the takeover on its arch enemy, the US. According to information from Syria, the capital of this Arab country has been captured by terrorists, who are backed by external forces led by the United States. They stubbornly want to destroy the Syrian state and destabilise the entire Middle East, bringing more suffering to the Arabs, the statement said. US President Joe Biden and his team were monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and were in touch with regional partners, the White House said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. It took just 11 days to end the 13-year rebellion against Bashar al-Assad, an offensive so rapid that what unfolds next in Syria itself is, to an extent, anyones guess. What is clear is that the dial of history is shifting again in the Middle East, not for the first time in the tumultuous 14 months since Hamas carried out its massacre in Israel on Oct 7 last year. Over the coming days and weeks, the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East will be redrawn further as power in Syria shifts from Assads Alawite minority, a Shia offshoot, to the countrys Sunni Arab majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Shia Iran and Russia will lose their most important Arab client. Russia, whose ruthless aerial bombardment helped Assad to recapture rebel-held cities, looks set to lose its naval base at Tartus and air base at Hmeimim to the north, depriving Vladimir Putin of a foothold on the eastern Mediterranean. But Putin has other options in the region, most notably in Libya, where Russia supports Khalifa Haftar, the warlord who controls most of the country. Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Assad government collapses in Damascus - Omar Sanadiki Iran, on the other hand, is far more weakened. Israeli military action has hollowed out its most important non-state allies, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. The fall of the Assad regime, which Iran could do little to prevent, leaves Tehran shorn of its most important client state, one which acted as a vital landbridge between Iran and Lebanon through which it could rearm and resupply Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The magnitude of the calamity is very apparent in Iran. Assads fall was one of the most significant events in the history of the Middle East, Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a former vice president, said. Irans network of proxies across the Middle East would be left without support, he added, warning that Israel would become the dominant force. With the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Vladimir Putin has lost a foothold on the eastern Mediterranean - VALERY SHARIFULIN Israel is certainly likely to emerge stronger if a Sunni regime in Syria seals the main land corridor along which Iranian weapons to Hezbollah flows. It will also welcome the further weakening of Iran. However, there will also be concern about what emerges in Assads place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist rebel faction that mounted the offensive which led to Assads downfall and which is now likely to play a very influential role in shaping Syrias future is very much an unknown quantity. It was an affiliate of al-Qaeda until severing ties in 2017, a move that did not convince the United States to lift its terrorist designation of the group. Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, served five years in various US detention facilities in Iraq, including at Abu Ghraib, and had ties to both al-Qaeda and ISIS. The United States still has a $10 million (7.8 million) bounty on his head. He has, however, moderated his tone, softened his image and preached a message of inclusivity that has been sufficient to convince, at least partially, some Western policymakers that he has genuinely mellowed. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani in Aleppo on Dec 4 As his forces swept southwards from the patch of territory HTS held in Idlib Province near the Turkish border, Jolani reached out to Iran and Israel as well as to Syrias nervous Alawite and Christian minorities to assure them that the transition of power would be orderly and that no ethnic reprisals would be taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His officials have also worked cordially with members of the Assad regime, including Mr Assads prime minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, to ensure an orderly handover of power. The bloodbath some feared as the rebels entered Damascus has not so far materialised. Beyond HTS, however, there are numerous other rebel factions, from Turkish-backed factions to Kurdish dominated groups, not to mention Isis, heavily weakened but still in control of a sliver of Syrian territory and still able to launch localised attacks. For the moment, there is great optimism in Syria that a new democratic era is dawning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement X / @danny_makki We are living through historic moments as we witness the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus, said Mazloum Abdi, the commander of Syrian Democratic Forces, a US-backed, Kurdish-led armed group. This change presents an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantees the rights of all Syrians. Such optimism may prove well-founded. Yet it is also a reminder that the countrys factions will look to secure a place in the new Syria and that they still have their guns if they do not get what they want. Given that there is unlikely to be much of a restraining hand from the incoming Trump administration, disgruntled armed groups may be even more emboldened to act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commenting on the events in Syria this weekend, Donald Trump made it clear that he wishes to remain well clear of the fray when he takes power in January, saying that this is not our fight. Let it play out. Do not get involved. In other words, the 13-year rebellion against Bashar al-Assad may be over. Syrias civil war may not be. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Reuters) - The sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad's rule over Syria marks the culmination of a nearly 14-year rebellion and a key moment in a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced half the population and drew in outside powers. This is how it unfolded: * 2011 - The first protests against Assad quickly spread across the country, and are met by security forces with a wave of arrests and shootings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some protesters take up guns and military units defect as the uprising becomes an armed revolt that will gain support from Western and Arab countries and Turkey. * 2012 - A bombing in Damascus is the first by al Qaeda's new Syrian affiliate, the Nusra Front, which gains in power and starts crushing groups with a nationalist ideology. World powers meet in Geneva and agree on the need for a political transition, but their divisions on how to achieve it will foil years of U.N.-sponsored peace efforts. Assad turns his air force on opposition strongholds, as rebels gain ground and the war escalates with massacres on both sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * 2013 - Lebanon's Hezbollah helps Assad to victory at Qusayr, halting rebel momentum and showing the Iran-backed group's growing role in the conflict. Washington has declared chemical weapons use a red line, but a gas attack on rebel-held eastern Ghouta near Damascus kills scores of civilians without triggering a U.S. military response. * 2014 - Islamic State group suddenly seizes Raqqa in the northeast and swathes more territory in Syria and Iraq. Rebels in the Old City of Homs surrender, agreeing to move to an outer suburb - their first big defeat in a major urban area and a precursor to future "evacuation" deals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington builds an anti-Islamic State coalition and starts air strikes, helping Kurdish forces turn the jihadist tide but creating friction with its ally Turkey. * 2015 - With better cooperation and more arms from abroad, rebel groups gain more ground and seize northwestern Idlib, but Islamist militants are taking a bigger role. Russia joins the war on Assad's side with air strikes that turn the conflict against the rebels for years to come. * 2016 - Alarmed by Kurdish advances on the border, Turkey launches an incursion with allied rebels, making a new zone of Turkish control. The Syrian army and its allies defeat rebels in Aleppo, seen at the time as Assad's biggest victory of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nusra Front splits from al Qaeda and starts trying to present itself in a moderate light, adopting a series of new names and eventually settling on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). * 2017 - Israel acknowledges air strikes against Hezbollah in Syria, aiming to degrade the growing strength of Iran and its allies. U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led forces defeat Islamic State in Raqqa. That offensive, and a rival one by the Syrian army, drive the jihadist group from nearly all its land. * 2018 - The Syrian army recaptures eastern Ghouta, before quickly retaking the other insurgent enclaves in central Syria, and then the rebels' southern bastion of Deraa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * 2019 - Islamic State loses its last scrap of territory in Syria. The U.S. decides to keep some troops in the country to prevent attacks on its Kurdish allies. * 2020 - Russia backs a government offensive that ends with a ceasefire with Turkey that freezes most front lines. Assad holds most territory and all main cities, appearing deeply entrenched. Rebels hold the northwest. A Turkey-backed force holds a border strip. Kurdish-led forces control the northeast. * 2023 - The Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 triggers fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, ultimately reducing the group's presence in Syria and fatally undermining Assad. * 2024 - Rebels launch a new assault on Aleppo. With Assad's allies focused elsewhere his army quickly collapses. Eight days after the fall of Aleppo the rebels have taken most major cities and enter Damascus, driving Assad from power. (Compiled by Angus McDowall) Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) on Sunday pushed back on the suggestion that President Biden should preemptively pardon individuals who have publicly criticized President-elect Trump, saying that those individuals did nothing wrong. I think preemptive pardons seem to imply guilt, Auchincloss said in an interview on NewsNations The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt when asked about the idea of preemptive pardoning. And the people that are being considered for preemptive pardons are not just not guilty, he continued. Theyre some of the most capable public servants of the last several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Auchincloss pointed to former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who was the third highest ranking Republican in the House at the time of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and has since become one of Trumps fiercest opponents. I think of someone like Liz Cheney, who, at a time when so many of her House Republican colleagues were supplicating themselves and putting Trump ahead of the Constitution or the country, she had the courage to stand up to her own party and say what was right for America. So I dont think she needs, or probably wants, a pardon, Auchincloss said. I think she should be celebrated. The White House is reportedly considering whether President Biden should preemptively protect those who have been critical of Trump and has spoken about preemptive pardons with members of his senior team. Senior officials, including in the White House counsels office, are having formal deliberations, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden last week issued a full and unconditional pardon for his son, Hunter Biden. The president said he was issuing the pardon because Hunter Biden had been subject to a political prosecution. The White House later said the pardon was issued because President Biden believed Trump and the GOP would not let the issue of his son go. Auchincloss was critical of Bidens pardon of his son and said the American people should elect Democrats in the 2026 midterms if they determine they do not like his style of governance. The founders foresaw this type of development, which is why we have an independent judiciary, and why, perhaps even more importantly, we have elections, Auchincloss said. If the American people dont like the thuggery of the justice system under Donald Trump for the next two years, they should take note and in 2026, they should send Democrats back in control of Congress. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) said on Sunday that the collapse of the Syrian government is a potential win for the U.S. but noted the dynamic is more complicated since the rebel forces are still some pretty bad guys. Overall, this is a potential win for the United States and its allies, but its not an uncomplicated win, Auchincloss, who served in the region as a U.S. Marine, said on NewsNations The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt. Because that old saying that the enemy of your enemy is your friend just is not true here, Auchincloss continued. The enemy of our enemy, this Syrian rebel force, are some pretty bad guys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, they are an offshoot of al Qaeda, and they are Sunni Islamists, who could mean harm to Israel and to the United States, he added. The Syrian government fell early Sunday after rebels entered the capital of Damascus, ending the Assad familys 50-year rule in the war-torn country. The rebels victory concluded a 10-day offensive in which fighters sprinted across the country and seized much of what had been government-held land, including the cities of Aleppo and Hama, and the night before, the central city of Homs. President Bashar Assad was overthrown, according to a statement read by a group of men on Syrian state television, and all people detained in jails were freed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Auchincloss noted the broader implications of the political unrest, saying it serves a blow to Russia and Iran, who have used the Syrian civil war as a proxy war and as their playgrounds of geopolitics. Russia practiced its tactics that its using in Ukraine first in Syria, and Iran trained Hezbollah in Syria, before then unleashing it on Israel, Auchincloss said. So what happens in Syria matters to the wider world, and its a fulcrum for this axis of authoritarianism between Russia, China, North Korea and Iran as they seek to compete against and undermine the United States and its allies. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. SIMI VALLEY, California Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin unveiled a new $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine on Saturday in one of his last major speeches before leaving office next month. The package wont arrive in Ukraine immediately but will consist of contracts with U.S. defense companies to build new drones and air defense munitions. This administration has made its choice. So has a bipartisan coalition in Congress, said Austin. The next administration must make its own choice. The announcement will leave about $1 billion more in authority for more contracts, and over $6 billion in authorities to pull other equipment from U.S. military stocks for immediate delivery to Kyiv. The money is all that remains from the $61 billion military supplemental passed by Congress in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear what plans the next administration has for Ukraine aid, but President-elect Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Saturday at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. That meeting came just days after Zelenskyys top aide, Andriy Yermak, met with Vice President-elect JD Vance, Trumps incoming national security adviser Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), and his White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. A person familiar with the talks said that the Ukrainian side was heartened by the positive tone from the Trump team at those meetings, though talks will continue about what the new administration's plans for Ukraine are. As soon as his speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library ended, he left for Japan on his 13th trip to the Indo-Pacific region, which will likely be his last visit to allies there before handing over to the Trump administration on Jan. 20. Austins speech was a recounting of the Biden administrations work over the past four years, in which he defended its record at home and abroad. The Constitution charges us to provide for the common Defence, he said. That means holding true to what makes America exceptional. It means keeping faith with our friends. It means standing up to our foes. And it means knowing the difference between the two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin also ran through the deepening alliances with countries in the Indo-Pacific, which will likely be a focus of the next administrations foreign policy. He underlined the Biden administrations progress on increasing the role of women in combat roles, something Trumps embattled pick to replace Austin, Pete Hegseth, has flatly rejected, opening the door for a major revamp of the role of women in the armed forces. We are stronger when we welcome every qualified patriot eager to serve, Austin said. Thats not just a matter of national principle. Its a matter of national security. SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that suspected arson at a Melbourne synagogue appeared to be an act of terror, a day after his Israeli counterpart said the Labor government had motivated the crime with anti-Israel policies. "The atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were designed to create fear in the community and therefore from my personal perspective certainly fulfil that definition of terrorism," Albanese said at a press conference in Perth. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that the Adass Israel synagogue blaze, which broke out early on Friday, could not be separated from the "anti-Israel spirit" of Albanese's centre-left government whose policies include support of a recent U.N. motion backing a Palestinian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia's government defended its record on antisemitism, saying on Saturday that since Albanese took office in May 2022 the government has provided A$25 million to upgrade security at Jewish sites including schools, banned the Nazi salute and taken action against hate speech. Laws passed last year also banned public displays of terror group symbols. Police are still looking for two people suspected of deliberately starting the fire that injured one and caused widespread damage. Australia has experienced a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023. Some Jewish groups have said the government has not done enough in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of pro-Palestine protests over the past year have been largely peaceful. However, the government has expressed concern that protests could inflame community tension and disrupt social harmony. (Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry and Christopher Cushing) Authorities hunting for the suspect who executed UnitedHealthcares CEO have recovered Monopoly money from a backpack believed to belong to himas they released the clearest photos yet of the alleged assassin. The New York Police Department on Saturday published a photo of a backpack recovered the previous day in Central Park that they believe to be the suspects. Inside the Peak Design backpack was a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and a swath of Monopoly money, according to CNNthough no weapon. Police are still searching for the electric bicycle the gunman used to flee the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NYPD also released two new photos of its person of interest in the case, providing some of the clearest, if partially covered, photos of the person responsible for the manhunt. One photo showed the man wearing a medical face mask in what appeared to be the back of a cab, while another showed the person outside the car wearing the mask and a dark puffer jacket. Police said they still havent identified the suspect. UPDATE: Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide on Dec. 4. The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public's helpif you have any information about this case, call the https://t.co/U4wlUquumf pic.twitter.com/243V0tBZOr NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 8, 2024 The investigation has stretched into its fifth day after the suspect fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson multiple times outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel just before 7 a.m. on Wednesday. The 9mm bullet casings left at the scene included the words deny, defend, and depose, echoing the title of a 2010 book that detailed why insurance companies denied insurance claims. Since then, police have been able to track some of the suspects movements, pinning him to an uptown bus terminal from where they believe he fled New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve also amassed some evidence they believe may help narrow down the suspects identity, according to CNN. Some of them include photos released on Thursday that showed the suspect with his mask down and smiling; a burner cell phone; a partial fingerprint from a Starbucks water bottle; and video footage of his escape route. Let him continue to believe he can hide behind a mask, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on Saturday. Were going to reveal who he is, and were going to bring him to justice. Kemi Badenoch has had dinner with vice president-elect JD Vance, as the pair renewed their friendship ahead of Donald Trumps return to the White House. The Tory leader and Mr Trumps running mate have regularly exchanged messages over the last year, and Mr Vance shared a picture of the pair together on Saturday night. Mr Vance tweeted a picture of himself with his arm around the Tory leader, both smiling, and wrote: Great to see the leader of the UK Conservatives (Mrs Badenoch) during her trip to the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We discussed many topics, but I was unable to persuade her that coffee is much better than tea. Cheers, Kemi! A new generation An ally of Mrs Badenoch said: The dinner renewed their friendship, and Kemi and JD will continue to stay in touch as the Trump administration gets up and running. JD sees Kemi as one of those on the global Right doing the deep thinking about how we reform the state. He and Kemi are of a new generation of centre-Right politicians like Pierre Poilievre, who she met in Toronto on Friday; and Ron DeSantis, who endorsed her leadership campaign who are using strong conservative principles to enthuse younger voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the second time that the two politicians have met, having previously seen each other when Mr Vance was a senator and Mrs Badenoch was business secretary. Sir Keir Starmer and his top team have also made overtures to Mr Vance in recent months, with David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, claiming that he and the US vice president-elect could find common ground. But past comments made by Mr Lammy about the incoming president, including calling him a neo-Nazi sociopath when he was last in office, have raised questions about relations. Terrifying but brilliant Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who has been appointed by Mr Trump to head up the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has also used his social media platform, X, to regularly criticise Sir Keir and his Government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At an event last week Mrs Badenoch used a speech at the International Democracy Union Forum last week to heap praise on Mr Musk and his drive for government efficiency. She said: The more state power grows, the more we curtail what people can and should do for themselves. Worse, we reduce peoples ability to think for themselves. This is why I am excited about DOGE and what president-elect Trump and Elon Musk will do on government efficiency. It is terrifying people around the world, but I think it will be absolutely brilliant. It comes amid speculation that Mr Musk could donate $100 million (79 million) to Nigel Farages Reform UK. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Ministers have been urged to ban the pills by post at-home abortions scheme after a man used the medication to spike the drink of a woman and cause a miscarriage. Stuart Worby was jailed on Friday for 12 years for assaulting the woman when he administered the abortion pills in a glass of orange juice after obtaining them online. The pills by post scheme was introduced during the Covid pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus and enable women to obtain the medication online without having an in-person consultation with a medical professional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the scheme remains in place despite calls for in-person consultations to be reinstated. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was blindfolded under the guise of what they said was kinky sex. She suffered a miscarriage in hospital within hours of the assault. Betrayal and pain Worby, of Malthouse Court in Dereham, Norfolk, was convicted of two counts of assault against the woman and administering a poison or using an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage. You must have known this was dangerous for the victim, said Judge Joel Brennathan, speaking at Norwich Crown Court. She spoke of the betrayal and pain and the strong possibility that you have stolen the one possibility she had to be a mother. You are a selfish man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a victim impact statement, the woman said that since the ordeal she had met a new partner but had been unable to conceive. The only baby that I could have had was the one I lost, she said. The case has prompted demands for an immediate ban on the pills by post at-home abortion scheme and for in-person consultations to be reinstated. Earlier this year more than 50 MPs across political parties sought to amend the law to reinstate the in-person consultations. They included former deputy prime ministers Therese Coffey and Damian Green and Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader. Flick Drummond, the Tory MP who tabled the amendment, said: This tragic case is an example of the risks that the abortion pills by post scheme continues to present to women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restoring in-person consultations before abortion pills can be prescribed would prevent such cases as doctors would be able to verify if a woman seeking to obtain pills really is pregnant herself. In-person consultations also enable doctors to check for signs of coercion or potential health risks for the woman and confirm that her gestational age is within the limit where at-home abortions are safe and legal. Vulnerable women at risk Miriam Cates, a former Tory MP, said: Many of us warned about exactly these kinds of dangers when the pills by post scheme was introduced. This need not be an ideological issue whatever ones views on abortion, permitting abortion pills to be sent in the post without a doctor seeing a woman in person to assess potential health risks or possible misuse of the pills puts vulnerable women at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others have been in favour of the change since the scheme was made permanent in March 2022, including Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former Cabinet minister, Labour MP Rachael Maskell and Maggie Throup, a former health minister. In February 2022, the government announced the pills by post scheme without consultation would end but a Lords amendment retaining it was passed by 27 votes in March 2022. The British Pregnancy Advisory Service has argued that women should not have to visit a clinic to take abortion pills. They argue that medical research has shown it to be safe and vulnerable women in abusive relationships find it far easier to talk honestly to clinicians over the phone rather than face to face. Catherine Robinson, spokeswoman for Right to Life, said: We are calling for the Government to immediately end the pills by post at-home abortion scheme. Had at-home abortions not been introduced, Stuart Worby would not have been able to obtain these pills from this abortion provider, and this tragic case would not have happened. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Syrias iron-fisted leader Bashar al-Assad is the second generation of an autocratic family dynasty that held power for more than five decades and his disappearance amid a lightning rebel advance signals an astonishing reordering of power in a strategically vital Middle Eastern nation. Assad is known for a brutal rule over Syria, which since 2011 has been devastated by a civil war that ravaged the country and turned it into a breeding ground for extremist group ISIS, while sparking an international proxy war and refugee crisis that saw millions displaced from their homes. War began after Assads regime refused to bow to mass pro-democracy protests that year during the Arab Spring, instead mounting a brutal crackdown on the peaceful movement killing and jailing thousands in the first few months alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assads forces have since been accused of severe human rights violations and brutal assaults against civilians throughout the 13-year war, including the use of chemical weapons against their own people. The United States, Jordan, Turkey and the European Union at the wars start all called for Assad to step down. But the heavily Western-sanctioned and internationally isolated regime has clung to power until now thanks to the backing of powerful allies Russia and Iran, and a merciless campaign against opposition. Testament to the horror of that regime were scenes of jubilant celebration as rebel forces took control of Syrian cities. In Homs, videos geolocated by CNN showed residents tearing apart posters of Assad and his father in scenes that recalled symbolic images from 2011. Bashar al-Assad, center, is seen during the closing session of the ruling Baath party congress in Damascus, Syria, on June 20, 2000. - SANA/AP/File Assad comes to power Assad took power in an unopposed election in 2000 following the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, who rose from poverty to lead the Baath Party and seized power in 1970, becoming the countrys president the following year. The younger Assad grew up in the shadow of his father, a Soviet ally who ruled Syria for three decades and helped propel a minority Alawite population to key political, social and military posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like the son who succeeded him, Hafez al-Assad tolerated little dissent with oppression widespread and periodic bouts of extreme state violence. In 1982 in the city of Hama which rebels seized earlier this week Hafez al-Assad had his army and intelligence services slaughter thousands of his opponents, ending an uprising led by the Muslim Brotherhood. As a second son not poised to take up his fathers mantle, Assad studied ophthalmology in London until his older brother Bassel, who had been groomed to succeed Hafez, died in a car crash in 1994. Bashar al-Assad was then thrust into the national spotlight and studied military science, later becoming a colonel in the Syrian army. After his fathers death in June 2000, it took just hours for the Syrian parliament to change the constitution to lower the presidential age of eligibility from 40 to Assads age at the time of 34, a move that allowed him to succeed his father after opposition-less elections the following month. Many observers in Europe and the United States seemed heartened by the incoming president, who presented himself as a fresh, youthful leader who might usher in a more progressive, moderate regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assads wife, Asma al-Assad, whom he married in 2000, a former investment banker of Syrian descent who grew up in London, helped burnish that view. But Western hopes of a more moderate Syria sank when the new leader promptly maintained his countrys traditional ties with militant groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah. They then turned to outright condemnation of the regime after he met the 2011 pro-democracy groundswell with brutal force. In May 2011, then US President Barack Obama said Assads regime had chosen the path of murder and the mass arrests of its citizens and called on him to lead a democratic transition or get out of the way. Assad has been re-elected by sweeping majorities every seven years, most recently in 2021 in what the US, UK, France, Germany and Italy deemed a fraudulent election. An opposition fighter steps on a torn-up portrait of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Hama, a day after rebels captured the city on December 6, 2024. - Mohammed al-Rifai/AFP/Getty Images Civil war Assads forces were known for brutal tactics during the civil war that ensued after the crackdown on 2011 pro-democracy protests, when an armed opposition made up of small organic militias and some defectors from the Syrian military formed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On 2013, UN weapons inspectors returned overwhelming and indisputable evidence of the use of nerve gas in Syria. Then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the August 21 attack described in the report, which took place in the Damascus suburbs, the worst use of weapons of mass destruction in the 21st century. The United States said that attack may have killed more than 1,400, including hundreds of civilians. Syrian officials have repeatedly denied allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The attack and others galvanized world powers to work to dismantle the regimes chemical arsenal and pushed the US in 2013 to up its support for Syrian opposition forces, following what Washington said was the crossing of a red line. Assad warned Western nations against supporting rebel groups battling his armed forces, predicting the militants would one day strike against the US and others. Later, in 2015 the leader said Syria wouldnt join a US-led coalition focused on destroying terror group ISIS, which took control of parts of the war-torn country during the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conflict is now a cornerstone of Assads brutal legacy, leaving hundreds of thousands of dead, and what the United Nations earlier this year said was more than 7 million internally displaced and over 6 million international refugees. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com John Simpson has been criticised after describing Bashar al-Assad as weak rather than wicked after the fall of his regime in Syria. On Sunday, Simpson, the BBCs world affairs editor, said he had found Assad meek and the reverse of the traditional dictator in person. He wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday: Bashar al-Asad has done many evil things, but hes weak rather than wicked. His family members, Iran and especially Russia told him what to do, and he feebly did it. In person, I found him meek and anxious to please the reverse of the traditional dictator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Robert Halfon, a former Tory skills minister, said: This is a disgraceful tweet Assad is the dictator who imprisoned thousands and massacred many many more of his own people using chemical weapons. Piers Morgan, the broadcaster, also condemned the remarks, adding: Try telling the people he tortured, murdered and unleashed chemical weapons on, that he isnt wicked An hour after he posted the remarks on X, Mr Simpson added: Im not defending Assad, Im trying to explain the precise nature of his crimes. It comes as politicians who previously warned against the UK taking action against Assad remained silent in the aftermath of the regimes toppling on Saturday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Thornberry, the head of the foreign affairs select committee, described Assad as a murderous tyrant, despite having said in 2018 that his popularity in Syria had been underestimated. Ms Thornberry said on Sunday: We can only celebrate the end of the reign of a murderous tyrant who prosecuted the most brutal of wars upon his own people. The question we have to ask, even in these moments of celebration, is what happens next? In 2018, she had told Prospect magazine that I think there has been a depth and a breadth of support for Assad that has been underestimated ... there is an argument that if he had been as overwhelmingly unpopular as the rebels told the West at the outset, then he wouldnt be there. At the time she and Jeremy Corbyn, the then Labour leader and now-independent MP, were criticised for their response to a 2018 chemical attack on Douma, which the US, France and Britain concluded was conducted by the Assad regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Mr Corbyn said: The horrific deaths and injuries in Douma point to a chemical attack, which must be fully investigated by the UN and those responsible held to account. The need to restart real negotiations for peace and a political settlement in Syria could not be more urgent. Meanwhile, George Galloway, the former Workers Party of Britain MP, said on Sunday that the toppling of the Assad regime meant the last castle of Arab dignity has fallen. He had called the former president a breath of fresh air in 2005. On Sunday, Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of President Assads barbaric regime as he flew to the region, echoing the words of Angela Rayner, who said that the former leader wasnt exactly good for the Syrian people. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SPRINGFIELDWhats up Bear Nation?! Its been a little more than two weeks since Great Southern Bank Arena hosted a Missouri State mens game. Last time we saw the boys in maroon and white at home, they finished off a three game sweep, before jetting off to the Cayman Islands. So, would Cuonzo Martins team still be on island time or game ready for their Missouri Valley Conference opener against hated rival, Indiana State?! Dez White brought his A-game. The Austin Peay transfer lit up the Sycamores defense for 15 points in the first half, on his way to a game and career-high 30. But the Hoosier State boys rallied with an 11-4 run to start the second half and jump in front 47-44. And they didnt take their foot off the gas, outscoring the Show Me state squad 44-37 to spoil MSUs conference opener. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. A Belleville man was arrested and charged Friday in the shooting death of a 16-year-old in East St. Louis in October. John Mosley, 37, faces three felony counts, including first-degree murder, according to St. Clair County Circuit Court records.. He also was charge with aggravated discharge of a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm. According to Illinois State Police, East St. Louis police responded to the 3000 block of Converse Ave. on Oct. 30. Officers there found a 16-year-old who had been wounded by gunfire. The 16-year-old, whose name has not been released, was taken to an area hospital and later declared dead. State Police did not say how Mosley was identified as a suspect in the shooting. U.S. Marshals Friday took him into custody Friday. He has been ordered held in the St. Clair County Jail until trial. His next appearance in court is scheduled for Dec. 27. Ive heard this question asked in interviews, and Ive been asked it myself. Over the past year and a half, Ive become involved with several organizations that are working hard and taking positive action in this regard. Im a proud ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, Im on the traction team for Medicine Forward (MF), and Im a strong collaborator and supporter of the Health Care Reinvention Collaborative (HRC). As were preparing to head into the new year, I asked Dr. Dawn Ellison and Denise Wiseman, core team members of both MF and HRC, to speak to the mission of these organizations, spread a message of hope, and encourage everyone to take action; its going to require all of us to join in advocating for the changes in health care that are so desperately needed. Why Medicine Forward was founded Medicine Forward (MF) began because doctors saw something crucial was missing in health care. Many were tired of a system that seemed to prioritize profit over patients, drowning doctors in paperwork and regulations. The founders of MF had personally experienced the emotional toll this system can take; they experienced burnout and moral injury. They realized these feelings reflected a deeper, system-wide problem. In response, these physicians created MF, a nonprofit dedicated to putting the patient-physician relationship back at the heart of health care. MF is about more than one organizations mission; its a community of doctors, patients, and advocates working together to support caregivers, promote equity, and make real changes. There are many others like us. Medicine Forward is only one part of a much larger picture. Across health care, thousands of individuals, small groups, and organizations are working to turn the tide against the harm our current system is causing. The Health Care Reinvention Collaborative (HRC) was born out of this collective desire for change. In July 2023, the catalysts for HRC brought together doctors, nurses, pharmacists, patients, and advocates to share their experiences and ideas for solutions. These conversations sparked an idea to build a network of networks where individuals and organizations can come together, share resources, and work collaboratively to build a better future for health care. HRC: Connecting the change makers While MF focuses on restoring the patient-doctor relationship, HRC is about connecting changemakers (those they lovingly refer to as ruckus makers). HRC isnt here to reinvent health care itselfits here to connect and convene the people and groups who will. By creating a network of networks, HRC aims to bridge gaps, connect ideas, and serve as a platform where changemakers can collaborate and grow. To guide this work, HRC uses the impact network model, a framework that builds trust and fosters meaningful relationships. In HRCs network, connections turn into partnerships, and ideas become collective solutions that tackle health cares toughest issues. This approach is rooted in the belief that networks grow at the speed of trust, and HRCs role is to nurture that trust, creating a place where people can connect and collaborate on a deeper level. HRCs mission is to identify, connect, support, and shine a light on every health care changemaker. If you see the need to challenge and reinvent our system of care, you are a health care changemaker. HRC also draws from the two loops model of system change, which recognizes that meaningful transformation often begins with small, grassroots efforts that eventually connect and build a broader movement. With this model, HRC works to support and amplify groups like Medicine Forward, helping them reach more people and become part of a growing network thats changing health care for good. The root of the problem: Why we need this network Both MF and HRC understand that while health care has many challenges, they often share the same root causes. Complicated insurance and payment systems make it hard for doctors to put patients first, and government regulationsmeant to improve careoften end up bogging doctors down with paperwork. These barriers pull doctors away from what matters most: helping people get better. Rather than just putting out fires, HRC wants to help those connected within the network to get to the heart of these issues. By identifying and addressing these root causes, they aim to support their members and connected networks to create solutions that make a lasting difference for everyone in the systempatients, doctors, nurses, and more. A vision for the future Despite the many obstacles, we believe theres reason for hope. Every day, were seeing small but important changes: doctors reconnecting with their passion, patients feeling more respected, and health care workers finding support through these growing networks. This is the future were working towarda health care system where caregivers can do what theyre trained to do, and where patients are treated as partners in their care. Beyond this, we envision a system not just built to address or provide sick care, but that proactively works to uplift the health and well-being of all. Imagine a network of changemakersdoctors, advocates, patients, and morelifting each other up and pushing health care forward. This is the vision HRC is striving for, along with MF and so many others. Join the movement Both MF and HRC invite you to be part of this growing movement. This isnt about traditional membershipits about finding people who share our passion for change. MF offers a space where doctors, patients, and advocates can work together to restore trust and compassion in health care. HRC is building a community of people and organizations ready to collaborate, share ideas, and tackle the root issues together. We invite you to stand with us in this movement to bring humanity back to health care. Whether youre a health care professional, a patient, or simply someone who believes we can do better, you have a role to play. Together, we can build the change that doctors and patients are craving. Join us. Be part of the solution our health care system needs. Kim Downey is a physician advocate and physical therapist. Dawn Ellison is an emergency physician. Denise Wiseman is a health care executive. Dec. 8She and her little terrier Louie have spent the last year living atop a hill backing right up to Interstate 40. She likes her spot: it's not far from the storage unit she rents. "It's beautiful, huh?" she says. Griego, 64, is plagued by health issues: she's diagnosed bipolar with depression and mild dementia and wonders if she's also schizophrenic. She's incontinent and was diagnosed with cancer in March. The mother of three is running out of money and coming up on almost a year since being evicted from government-subsidized housing. Valley Apartments, the complex from which she was evicted, declined to comment. Still, she believes she is not sick enough, old enough, poor enough or addicted enough to get assistance from the city. Griego is one of 5,000 residents that the city estimates doesn't have shelter as housing costs locally and nationally soar and the availability of affordable housing is strained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She's making the best of her situation while waiting for assistance and helping those around her when she can. "Before I became homeless, I'd give them $2 here and there and I would bring them food," Griego says as tears trickle down her cheeks, glowing in the sunset with the city's stocky skyline as a backdrop. "I hurt for them. I cry because I want better for them." She doesn't have much, but she uses what she does have to help those around her when possible and also to spoil 2-year-old Louie. All of her children are grown: her eldest son is in prison, her daughter is in Oklahoma, and she doesn't say where her youngest son is. As she begins her nightly routine, Griego wheels Louie down the hill in a stroller: the best $15 she ever spent as it keeps goatheads off his paws. Louie's a good guard dog, considering his size no more than 20 pounds and less than a foot tall and he's as loyal as can be, barking ferociously the moment someone is in the vicinity of his owner's campsite. His fur is shaggy but not matted. He's patient, too, a trait he likely learned from Griego. Griego has been applying for housing vouchers, which the city provides to people through eight nonprofits: the Barrett Foundation, Catholic Charities, HopeWorks, Therapeutic Living Services, Serenity Mesa, Heading Home, New Day Youth and Family Services and Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless. Some $300,000 in city funding annually goes to these organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griego is hoping to join the ranks of the 1,322 souls from 730 households that have received permanent housing in Albuquerque, according to Connor Woods, a spokesperson for the city's Health, Housing and Homelessness department. But to qualify for a permanent voucher, an individual has to meet criteria from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). "Based on HUD's definition, an individual must have a disability and have experienced homelessness for a year or more, or four episodes of homelessness in the past three years," Woods says. He adds that the permanent vouchers are prioritized by acuity, and sharpness of thought is a struggle for Griego and many suffering from mental illness on the streets of Albuquerque. The city confirmed Griego visited the Health, Housing and Homelessness office just a few weeks ago and said they connected her to services such as the Albuquerque Community Safety Department and Social Service Centers. She will hit an entire year without housing on Dec. 12. The sun has set and Griego's journey to a warm meal continues, now that she and Louie are down the hill, onto the frontage road, making a stop at her storage unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, everything she owns not in her tent is packed: clean blankets, cash, dog beds, a coat for herself and some sweaters for Louie. She also has some rocks and pebbles there that she believes are gold "dust" that she's collected from the area around her campsite. She's worried because she can't renew her lease there because she's homeless and has been told to move all of her things out by Monday. She fetches money for her meal, a coat and a couple of extra blankets for the cold night ahead. As she approaches a busy intersection under the highway, she visits with her friend Sarah Cordova. Cordova has been living on the streets for seven years and knew Griego when she had an apartment where Cordova says she'd let her shower and would provide her with a warm meal. Griego's empathy, Cordova says, hasn't dissipated despite becoming homeless herself. "She's very kind," Cordova says. "If she can help you, she will." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cordova is helping Griego this time, giving her a box of adult diapers she purchased for her. Griego thanks her as she continues to make her way down the frontage road. Both on her way down the road and back to her campsite cars fly off the exit ramp, rarely slowing or watching for people crossing the streets: this is not meant to be a pedestrian zone. Albuquerque has one of the highest rates of pedestrian vehicular deaths in the country and had a record-setting 56 fatalities in 2023. Griego makes her way safely to Dollar General to purchase ingredients for her meal: a challenge as the store is closing soon and their selection is increasingly Soviet. She takes her time selecting the items and even asks for Louie's input on what kind of noodles to get, waving them in front of his face. His tail wags the most for spaghetti. She's thrilled with the bargain she gets: a flashlight, noodles, pasta sauce, beef and chips for just a little over $10. She makes her way back down the frontage road to Love's Travel Stop, where the employees let her prepare her meals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She uses hot water from the coffee maker while breaking the spaghetti into thirds into a bowl and putting it in the microwave. "You have to be creative, food's expensive," Griego says. As she cooks, Louie lays at her feet waiting patiently. She packs up the stroller, loading the warm bowls of food on the sides, setting down a blanket in front and putting Louie in the middle. She hopes it will keep him warm. Around the corner, behind the gas station, is Adrian McKellar, who has lived without shelter in Albuquerque for the last eight years. McKellar and Griego met on the streets and became friends while his wife camped with her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKellar has spent over 20 years most of his adult life bouncing around Texas prisons. McKellar says he was told after his release by officials in Longview, Texas, to leave the town and that they paid for his Greyhound ticket to New Mexico. Now, just like Griego, he just wants some stable housing and a second shot at life. "I just really wish that somebody would see me as a human being again. I really wish I could be human again and just be treated that way," McKellar says. Griego gets back to her tent and she and Louie enjoy their meal before snuggling in for the night. Little did either realize this would be their last night in that tent: the next day someone stole it. That was her fourth tent of the year. If she actually were to get housing after her first full year on the streets, this wouldn't be a problem, but no one, especially Griego, knows what will happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editor's note: As much as possible, the Journal will be following Griego in her quest to secure housing. This is intended as the first in a series of stories. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the correct number and names of nonprofits that provide Permanent Supportive Housing vouchers. By Adam Makary, Deniz and Uyar (Reuters) -Bewildered and elated prisoners poured out of Syrian jails on Sunday, shouting with joy as they emerged from one of the world's most notorious detention systems and walked to freedom following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government. All across Syria, families wept as they were reunited with children, siblings, spouses and parents who vanished years ago into the impregnable gulag of the Assad dynasty's five-decade rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video verified by Reuters showed newly freed prisoners ran through the Damascus streets, holding up the fingers of both hands to show how many years they had been in prison, asking passers-by what had happened, not immediately understanding that Assad had fallen. "We toppled the regime!" a voice shouted and a prisoner yelled and skipped with delight in the same video. A man watching the prisoners rush through the dawn streets put his hands to head, exclaiming with wonder: "Oh my god, the prisoners!" Throughout the civil war that began in 2011, security forces held hundreds of thousands of people seized into detention camps where international human rights organisations say torture was universal practice. Families were often told nothing of the fate of their loved ones. As insurgents seized one city after another in a dizzying eight-day campaign, prisons were often among their first objectives. The most notorious prisons in and around Damascus itself were finally opened on the uprising's final night and the early hours of Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they reached Sednaya prison, rebels shot the lock off the gate, a video showed, using more gunfire to open closed doors leading to cells. Men poured out into corridors and a courtyard, cheering and helping them open more cells. In a video uploaded by Step News Agency, a grey-haired man leapt into the arms of relatives in a sudden, disbelieving hug, the three men clasping each other and sobbing with joy before one fell to his knees, still clutching the freed man's legs. The pan-Arab Arabiya news channel showed a family arriving in Damascus by car from Jordan to meet their newly released son, the elderly mother's voice breaking with emotion as she told the interviewer he had been freed after 14 years. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the locations of some of the videos, though no one disputed that prisons were opened across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELIEF AND TERROR In what was purported to be the women's block at Sednaya prison on the Damascus outskirts, perhaps the most notorious in the country, a rebel recorded the moment he reached cells and pulled open the doors for prisoners who seemed to have had little idea they were about to be freed. "May God honour you!" a woman shouted to the men freeing her. As they left their cells a toddler could be seen walking the corridor, having apparently been held in the prison along with his mother. "He (Assad) has fallen. Don't be scared," a voice shouts, trying to reassure the prisoners that they faced no more danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another video, a deafening roar erupted as rebels marched down a corridor, said to be in the prison at Mezzeh air base southwest of the old centre of Damascus. Prisoners leaned through the bars at the top of doors and banged on the sides of their cells as shouts of joy echoed all around. One video showed a shaven-headed man squatting on his heels, trembling and barely able to answer the rebels asking his name and where he was from. Over the years, thousands of Syrians were brusquely informed by authorities that their relatives had been executed, sometimes years earlier. The United States said in 2017 it had evidence of a new crematorium built at Sednaya especially to dispose of bodies of thousands of inmates hanged during the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the most disturbing information about Assad's prison system came with thousands of photographs smuggled out of Syria by a military photographer codenamed Caesar who defected to the West in 2013. His photographs of thousands of killed detainees showed clear marks of torture and starvation and for many families provided the first evidence that imprisoned relatives were dead. A few miles from Sednaya early on Sunday, a stream of freed prisoners was recorded walking towards Damascus, many lugging sacks of belongings on their backs, and chanting "God is great!" (Reporting by Adam Makary in Cairo, Deniz Uyar in Gdansk, Vinaka K in BangaloreWriting by Angus McDowallEditing by Peter Graff and Frances Kerry) Lawmakers see a slim chance of passing President Bidens request for $24 billion in funding related to Ukraine, as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has called for any new funding to be pushed back until President-elect Trump takes office. Pro-Ukraine lawmakers are counting on strong bipartisan support in Congress to help push through the request alongside a stop-gap government funding bill because even some Trump allies are looking to leverage American assistance to Ukraine to force talks with Russia to negotiate an end to the war. Speaker Johnson doesnt know what hes doing, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the incoming ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said when asked about the Republican leaders opposition to Bidens $24 billion Ukraine aid request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres still strong bipartisan support for it, she added, noting that Former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) all are in favor of it. Johnson on Wednesday rejected Bidens request, saying we have a newly elected president, and were going to wait and take the new commander in chiefs direction on all that, so I dont expect any Ukraine funding to come up now. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the outgoing chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, said more funding related to Ukraine is not likely in this Congress. I strongly support whatever we can do to help Ukraine. So I would certainly be supportive of an effort to provide predictable funding in [fiscal 2025], so Im fine with that, I would just I dont think its likely, he told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Likewise, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Trumps nominee for Secretary of State, spoke to the increasing opposition among Trumps Republican allies in Congress toward committing more U.S. money towards Ukraine. Theres growing skepticism about it from a dollar standpoint, he told The Hill. So, it was close the last time. Itll be, probably, even harder this time. But I cant predict what a vote would be. I dont know. In April, Rubio was one of 18 Senators to vote no on a $95 billion supplemental aid package that included aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan saying he wanted Biden to address his demands that the president secure our border. The supplemental passed Congress, but the majority of House Republicans voted against a stand-alone bill on aid for Ukraine. The White House said the April vote addressed critical security assistance through 2024, and the latest request is meant to address funds needed through 2025, with the majority of funding expected to be spent on manufacturing in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes $16 billion to replenish U.S. weapons stockpiles that were sent to Ukraine and $8 billion toward new U.S. military production contracts for future weapons shipments to Ukraine. This not only supports Ukraine and degrades Russian military capability but also strengthens our own military and improves our own military readiness through direct investments in the U.S. defense industrial base and modernizing our weapons, a U.S. official told The Hill. It also supports the American economy and creates American jobs. And top military officials are warning that more needs to be done to refill U.S. stockpiles drawn down over support for Ukraine, while also provided to Israel in its more than yearlong war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon and defense against Iran and other Iranian-backed groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of all U.S. Naval Forces in the Indo-Pacific, said last month that U.S. delivery of Patriot air defense interceptors and air-to-air missiles to Ukraine and Israel have started eating into stocks. We should replenish those stocks and then some, he said on a panel at the Brookings Institution. I was already dissatisfied with the magazine depth. Im a little more dissatisfied with the magazine depth. Its a time for straight talk. But Trump is outspoken in his criticisms of U.S. money spent on helping Ukraine and promised while campaigning to end Russias war in Ukraine before, or shortly after taking office. Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trumps pick to lead negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, has said the U.S. could hold back military assistance for Kyiv to force Ukraines participation in any peace talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most likely path for more Ukraine aid is to be attached to a continuing resolution that Congress needs to pass by Dec. 20 to avoid a government shutdown. Lawmakers on both sides are confident about Congresss chances of averting a funding lapse, but negotiators say another Biden request, funding to support nationwide disaster relief efforts, is taking center stage in spending discussions. As for the administrations ask for Ukraine funding, House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) withheld comment in remarks earlier this week. I have not seen that proposal yet, he told The Hill on Tuesday, though he added hes always been supportive of Ukraine. But he also said Congress is not going to do something like that without talking to the incoming administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. has provided about $100 billion in aid for Ukraine over the course of nearly three years of war, alongside European support of about $150 billion. Asian allies, like Japan and South Korea, have also contributed aid for Ukraine, and Taiwan has provided humanitarian assistance. But American provisions of military support to Kyiv are viewed as indispensable in supplying Ukraines armed forces with the material needed to stand up against Russias power. The most critical present need is air defense to block Russian attacks against Ukraines electrical grid, aimed at beating down Ukrainian resolve heading into winter. Ukrainians are facing a very cold and likely dark winter, said Doug Klain, non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Eurasia Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration is winding down about $6 billion in funding from the April supplemental that allows for the U.S. to draw directly from American weapons stockpiles to give to the Ukrainians. But the Pentagon is cautious on sending over supplies without the guarantee that they can be backfilled in the near future, raising the likelihood that Trump will inherit billions of direct assistance to Ukraine that he can hold up. Ukraine needs way more air defense. This has been a consistent need for the last three years but especially going into this winter, Klain said. The Russians, by many reports, have been stockpiling missiles and drones to try and conduct even more of these nationwide air assaults attacking and battering Ukraines energy infrastructure and other critical infrastructure. Klain was critical of the Biden administrations messaging about the $24 billion package, saying it did not do enough to explain that the funding replenishes U.S. stocks and invests in American manufacturing and jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the way that this supplemental request was messaged, really from the beginning, has been quite misleading and made it even less likely that it would pass, he said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden said that Syria and the broader Middle East faced a historic opportunity for peace and the establishment of a new Syrian state with the fall of Bashar Al-Assads government on Sunday. The US president spoke from the White House and called the moment a positive development while warning that it was important to ensure that an independent Syrian government that served all Syrians. After 13 years of civil war in Syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by Bashar al-Assad and his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office, flee the country, the president said in his address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At long last, the Assad regime has fallen, said Biden on Sunday. Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. Joe Biden addressed the fall of the Syrian government led by Bashar Al-Assad at the White House on Sunday. (The Independent) He added that while it is not clear where Bashar Al-Assad and the dictators closest advisors were exactly at this hour, it appeared that they had fled to Moscow. Russian state media, according to Reuters, was making similar claims, indicating that the ousted Syrian leader had been granted political asylum. The US president said he also remained aware of Americans in Syria some residing there, others held captive like journalist Austin Tice. Biden promised to bring Tice home during his remarks. We believe he's alive, Biden told reporters as he departed the lectern. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a call with reporters after the president concluded his remarks, a senior US official added that the stockpile of chemical weapons known to be in the Assad regimes possession before its downfall was being monitored closely. We do have good fidelity on this type of thing, they said. I'll just want to just assure you that we're doing everything we can to prudently ensure that those materials are either not available to anyone or are cared for. Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, seen here before his governments collapse, is thought to have been granted political asylum in Russia. (AP2000) The White House official concluded that the US would be looking for further signs of positive leadership from the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as well as a coalition of Turkish-backed groups known as the Syrian National Army which now hold claim over large parts of the country. Parts of HTS itself were once officially affiliated with Al Qaeda, the terrorist group behind the 9/11 terror attacks, though its leader now claims his ideologies have evolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fall of Syrias government this week was sudden, and came in the face of a widespread rebel offensive that overtook the cities of Homs and Aleppo in the days immediately leading up to the fall. Its an end to the decade-long Syrian Civil War, which began during the regionwide Arab Spring phenomenon during the Obama administration and quickly became a shockingly brutal and bloody conflict as Bashar al-Assad, backed by Iranian-supported militias including Hezbollah as well as Russia, pounded rebel forces and occupied areas, pushing them away from the capital. US officials had publicly called for Assad to step down for years, though those calls dwindled after Obama left office. President Joe Biden addressed the nation Sunday after meeting with his national security team, calling the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's "abhorrent" regime a "historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria." "At long last, the Assad regime has fallen," Biden said. "This regime brutalized, tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians." At the same time, it's "also a moment of risk and uncertainty," Biden added, saying that the U.S. would "support Syria's neighbors, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel, should any threat arise." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Syria live updates He also said the U.S. is "mindful" of the security of Americans in Syria, including American freelance journalist and Marine Corps veteran Austin Tice, who was kidnapped while reporting in Syria in 2012. Biden said it will "remain committed to returning [Tice] to his family." PHOTO: Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (Omar Sanadiki/AP) "This is a moment of considerable risk and uncertainty," Biden said. "But I also believe this is the best opportunity in generations for Syrians to forge their own future free of opposition." President-elect Donald Trump had earlier called the situation in Syria a "mess" and urged against the U.S. getting involved in the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In any event, Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" Trump wrote in a post on X. On Saturday, White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said the U.S. "has nothing to do with this offensive, which is led by Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS), a designated terrorist organization," and said that the U.S. would work together with its allies and partners to urge deescalation and to protect U.S. personnel and military positions. MORE: Syria's Assad resigns and leaves the country after stunning rebel blitz, Russia says Speaking at a defense conference Saturday, before rebels advanced into Damascus, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the speed and scale of the rebels' rapid advance came, in part, because Assad's chief backers -- Iran, Russia and Hezbollah -- had all been "weakened and distracted," in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That has left Assad "basically naked," Sullivan said. "His forces are hollowed out." Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Sunday evening that the fall of Assad's regime means "the Syrian people finally have reason for hope." "The United States strongly supports a peaceful transition of power to an accountable Syrian government through an inclusive Syrian-led process," Blinken said. "During this transitional period, the Syrian people have every right to demand the preservation of state institutions, the resumption of key services, and the protection of vulnerable communities." MORE: Syria live updates: Syrian rebels claim Assad has fled Damascus Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early Sunday, the rebel military operations command for the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, claimed the president was no longer in the capital, writing: "We declare the city of Damascus free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad." The Russian Foreign Ministry said Sunday morning that Assad "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." Russia and Iran were the two most important foreign backers of Assad's government. MORE: Syrian army withdraws from key city of Hama amid rebel surge, state news reports Trump said Russia, which has long supported Assad's regime, is "tied up in Ukraine" and apparently unable to intervene in Syria, and said Assad being forced out "may actually be the best thing that can happen" to the Russian government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse," Trump said. In an interview with ABC News, retired Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, who led U.S. Central Command during Trump's first term, agreed with the president-elect's assessment that the situation could spell chaos. "Im not sure it's ultimately going to be good news for the people of Syria," McKenzie told "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz. "You know, we could have an Islamic State arise there which will have profound negative implications across the region. That is possible. There are other possibilities as well. And I think in the next 48, 72, 96 hours, we -- this will begin to become clearer to us." "It's a significant moment in Syrian history," McKenzie added. "I wish I could be more hopeful that it will mean good news for the Syrian people. I think that's very unclear right now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the safety of the 900 U.S. military members stationed in eastern Syria to contain ISIS, McKenzie said Assad's fall could put them in a better place. "Actually, there's probably less danger right now than there was before, because what you see are the Iranians, Lebanese Hezbollah and, in fact, the Russians are all on their back heels now as a result of what has just happened in Syria," he said. The regime's collapse marks an end to a 24-year reign, Assad having succeeded his father Hafez al-Assad in 2000. The Assad family had ruled Syria since 1971. Assad oversaw Syria's slide into brutal civil war in 2011. His security forces sought to crush a mass protest movement demanding democratic reforms as the Arab Spring buffeted the region. The standoff devolved into a bloody civil war that split the nation on political, ethnic and religious lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chaos allowed ISIS to rise in the Iraq-Syria border region and seize swaths of territory in the Levant region. The conflict also became a proxy battleground drawing in major world powers including the U.S., Russia, Iran, Israel and the Gulf states. The United Nations estimated some 307,000 civilian dead in Syria by the end of 2022, with 12 million people -- more than half of the country's 2011 population of around 22 million -- forced from their homes, approximately 5.4 million of whom were still living as of late 2022. Biden says fall of Assad regime in Syria is a 'historic opportunity' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com US President Joe Biden has announced that the United States has carried out airstrikes in Syria to prevent the Islamic State from regaining power following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Source: The New York Times; AP, based on Biden's Sunday evening address; US Central Command Details: Speaking from the White House, Biden described Assad's downfall as a "fundamental act of justice" and expressed hope that, after decades of repressive rule, the Syrian people could build a freer society. However, he cautioned that this was also a "moment of risk and uncertainty" and his administration would work to prevent terrorists from regaining strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Were cleareyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capability... We will not let that happen. Just today, US forces conducted a dozen precision strikes, airstrikes, within Syria targeting ISIS camps and ISIS operatives." Details: AP reported that Biden stated that the United States is unsure of Assad's whereabouts but is monitoring reports that he is seeking refuge in Moscow. Biden highlighted US and allied efforts that have weakened Syria's supporters Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He remarked that "for the first time," they can no longer protect Assad's regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," Biden said. He also emphasised that the US would "remain vigilant" regarding Syrian rebel groups. Quote: "Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions." Updated: Later, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that on 8 December, its forces conducted dozens of airstrikes on Islamic State targets in central Syria. Quote from CENTCOM: "The operation struck over 75 targets using multiple U.S. Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Battle damage assessments are underway, and there are no indications of civilian casualties. CENTCOM, together with allies and partners in the region, will continue to carry out operations to degrade ISIS operational capabilities even during this dynamic period in Syria." Background: On the morning of 8 December, Syrian insurgents declared the liberation of Damascus. Assad fled the country. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the regime change in Syria "good news", while French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the fall of a "barbaric state." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer celebrated the downfall of Assad's "barbaric regime". In the evening, Russian state-owned news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family are in Moscow and Russia has granted them asylum. Support UP or become our patron! As a pain management specialist, I have often found that the course of treatment for a patient requires a careful balance of many factors before making a recommendation. But sometimes, the best course seems obvious. That was the case with Mr. Bautista (name replaced to protect identity). He was an older gentleman, and his imaging scans showed spinal stenosis that was likely to lead to nerve pain. And what was his chief complaint on that day? Excruciating pain in his lower back, of course. It would have been easy to prescribe him a standard battery of physical therapy or pain medication. However, the actual cause of Mr. Bautistas back pain was not as straightforward as it seemed. His pain did not stem from his spinal stenosis or any musculoskeletal issue. It was only through a thorough physical exam, with particular attention to the lower back, that I discovered the presence of an easily recognizable rash. My patient had shingles, which would have gone undetected if not for having opted to do a thorough examination beyond the apparent obvious. This example underscores the critical role of the physical exam in accurate diagnosis and effective patient care, enlightening us about its importance. In medical school, Hoppenfelds book on physical examination was our Bible. We learned that the patients history and physical examination were the two most essential steps before ordering imaging or lab work. How could we even know what to test for if we had not physically examined the patient to determine if there were any signs of injury, infection, or dysfunction evident in their bodies? Surprisingly, in recent years, there has been a significant lack of training in conducting formal physical examinations among medical students and graduates. Many do not consider this a fundamental and essential thing to do. Often, those asked report that they would proceed with the diagnosis and treatment of a patient without relying on the physical examination. This is not only ill-advised but also counterintuitive. It could be said that modern imaging and laboratory tests have become so good that they have made physical exam results for diagnostic purposes unnecessary. But this hypothesis has proven to be baseless. As a senior doctor, I know from experience that patients imaging results often only loosely correlate to their symptoms and that fatal illnesses can be missed, even with the best imaging scans. I have found support for this view in the medical literature. For instance, in a 2021 article published by the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Drs. Rachna and Yogesh Jain examined why many of their rural medical patients report never having received a physical exam from previous doctors. They were trying to determine whether there is any basis for the idea that physical exams are less valuable today than thirty years ago. This decline in physical exams in recent years could be traced back to an unexpected source: the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, doctors were encouraged to socially distance themselves from non-critical patients, leading to a shift in care habits towards using mechanical means of diagnosis that could be performed without close physical contact with potential COVID carriers. This two-year social distancing has led to a permanent cultural shift, at least as I observe in my area of practice, where newer doctors do not view physical exams as a routine part of patient care. However, as we move past the pandemic, it is crucial to re-emphasize the value of physical exams in patient care and ensure that this essential practice is not overlooked in the future. Drs. Rachna and Jain asked the same question I did. Namely, is there any reason to think physical exams are less necessary now than thirty years ago? I believe that the answer should be a resounding no. Research indicates that insufficient physical examination is the number one most common cause of diagnostic and treatment errors. This finding should instill a sense of hope and optimism in the medical community, as it underscores the potential of physical exams to significantly reduce medical errors, giving us hope for a more accurate and effective health care system. Drs. Rachna and Jain cite a 2015 study by Ioannidis et al. that studied the causes of 208 adverse events, including missed or delayed diagnosis, unnecessary exposure to imaging radiation, incorrect patient treatment, and other adverse outcomes. In their work, Ioannidis and their co-authors found that 63 percent of the errors in their data set were caused by doctors failing to examine the patient physically. Still, diagnostic or treatment errors did occur in another 25 percent of cases where a physical exam was performed. However, many involved physicians need to execute proper specific examination maneuvers or simply misinterpret their exam results. This suggests that the lack of any physical exam, sufficient skill, and thoroughness during physical examinations played a role in 88 percent of medical errors studied. These errors can lead to adverse patient outcomes, unnecessary costs for the health care system, and a loss of trust in the medical profession. Given rising health care costs and the significant operational challenges they pose to health care systems, there is a strong case for a return to more routine physical examinations and the development of required skills. This could be one of the most promising interventions to cut costs while improving patient outcomes. Further, this should be a powerful motivator for all medical professionals to commit to thorough physical examinations, instilling a sense of commitment and motivation in our practice. In spite of these strong indicators of potential benefits, many patients report not receiving a physical exam from a doctor in recent years, and many doctors report that physical exams are not a routine part of their patient evaluation practice. I am reminded of a senior surgeon I knew in the 1990s. Even then, he had developed a somewhat arrogant attitude. He would review a patients X-rays before agreeing to see them and refuse to treat patients if their X-rays did not suggest that they warranted his attention. It seems that even thirty years ago, doctors were tempted to think that the results of imaging or lab tests were more objective than patient reports of symptoms or that these technology aids could give more valuable information about patients health states than our own eyes and hands. However, research shows that this is a false premise. Attempts to substitute imaging and lab tests for physical exams only result in medical errors and rising cost burdens for our health systems. Fortunately, there are signs of change. Some health systems have recognized the problem and are taking steps to improve physical exam education for doctors and medical students. A study by Ogino et al. is a testament to this. Introducing physical exam training as one of the first topics in the medical school curriculum and testing students physical exam proficiency using an escape room model significantly enhanced students motivation and confidence in performing physical exams. This shows we can improve physical exam education in medical training with the right approach. After receiving physical exam training throughout each year of medical school and graduating from escape room trials, virtually all students reported enhanced motivation to learn and conduct physical exams, and 89 percent completed the escape room tests successfully. Medical students average confidence in performing physical exams rose from 49 out of 100 before introducing escape room scenarios to 73 out of 100 after completing the escape room course. This is one arena where we must return to basics as a medical community. A high percentage of medical errors are preventable with adequate physical examination, and physical exams also hold tremendous potential for cost-cutting and reducing financial burdens on health care systems. This understanding should empower every medical professional to take responsibility for their practice and commit to thorough physical examinations. While my teachers taught me to approach the art of the physical exam as a care-based and humanizing interaction, methods such as introducing physical exam education earlier and using gamification methods to motivate medical students and improve their confidence also hold promise for addressing a possible rise in the loss of physical exam adequacy in medical culture around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Francisco M. Torres is an interventional physiatrist specializing in diagnosing and treating patients with spine-related pain syndromes. He is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board of Pain Medicine and can be reached at Florida Spine Institute and Wellness. President Joe Biden said US soldiers will remain in Syria for the foreseeable future following the sudden overthrow of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad by Islamist rebels. "After 13 years of civil war in Syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by Bashar al-Assad and his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office, flee the country," Biden in remarks at the White House on Sunday. "At long last, the Assad regime has fallen," Biden said. "This regime brutalized, tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called the fall of the regime "a fundamental act of justice." Biden, who leaves office on January 20, said that the United States would not allow the Islamic State terrorist group, which still has a presence in Syria, to exploit the power vacuum to regain its influence in Syria. There are around 900 US soldiers stationed in Syria tasked with combating the Islamic State. Biden said that in the past few hours US forces carried out "precision airstrikes" on Islamic State targets in Syria. "We will remain vigilant," he assured. This vigilance, he said, also applies to the rebel groups that had toppled al-Assad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses." The US government will also support Syria's neighbouring countries including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel should a threat emanate from Syria, Biden said, calling it "a moment of risk and uncertainty" for the Middle East. Dec. 7When Christ Church Santa Fe, at 1213 Don Gaspar Ave., needed someone to lead its youth programs, Joni Brenneisen applied for this high-energy, full-time role. It mattered little to Joni that she had zero seminary training. And with all due respect to Mark Twain's mind over matter musings, let's just say that Joni, a retiree, didn't fit the target audience demographic. The pastors at Christ Church gently said no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It might be the only time that Joni has been denied. Instead, they released Joni into the Santa Fe community. They gave her the title of faithful presence coordinator. The job description probably is one sentence and reads: GO BE JONI. There are many go-getters in our community. But you'll find few as positively pushy and relentlessly resourceful as Joni. More importantly, she teaches everyone to get involved proactively with community challenges that may never go away. Backpacks in bright colors smothered the floor. Gallon-sized, plastic food bags formed a makeshift mound on a tiny table. In another corner were shoe boxes, neatly stacked on metal shelves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Take a shoe box. Take two," she says. I didn't respond, instead pivoting to the question of why we were standing in a small, stuff-filled fire station no longer in use. "So, what do you need? Why are we here?" I recall asking. Joni wore a vintage Mickey Mouse cap. One of the backpacks filled with kid goodies featured a smiling Minnie Mouse. But this wasn't a Disney moment. My questions perplexed Joni in the way anyone gets when searching for the right words. The Santa Fe New Mexican wrote about Joni nearly two years ago in a story titled "Faithful presence coordinator's tireless cheer and work brighten days for some in Santa Fe." Former reporter Michael Tashji's opening paragraphs explain how a retired business owner who sold Hallmark cards became the caretaker of a nondescript, one-garage fire station: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Then-Santa Fe Fire Department Chief Paul Babcock walked into Christ Church Santa Fe one day (in the summer of 2021), rattled a set of keys and told Joni Brenneisen she could have them. 'He gave me Fire Station No. 6,' said Brenneisen, who organizes community aid programs from the decommissioned station including food and clothes for the needy, sleeping bags for the homeless, running shoes to Native American children and backpacks full of school supplies to students." Such a smart move by city leaders. From this neighborhood bureau affectionately known as Joni's Fire Station No. 6, first responders and community connectors drop by to pick up food or other items for those who can't get immediate help anywhere else. Clothes and shoes for women hang out in one room, suits for men in another, and backpacks and toys for children spread everywhere. The walls are plastered with photos dominated by smiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And there are those shoe boxes. This column isn't necessarily about Joni, although she makes a compelling storyline. So many good folks step up daily to help neighbors in need. Spend time with The New Mexican's 10 Who Make a Difference section and be humbled by the extraordinary volunteerism in our communities. Or perhaps you witnessed the community bonds Saturday when La Fonda Foundation held a family resource summit for hospitality workers in need, offering food, immunizations, connections to assistance programs, and a visit from Santa Claus. Or notice how the Empty Stocking Fund grows daily with contributions meant to help individuals living within 50 miles of Santa Fe with rent payments, bills and other vital needs. (The New Mexican has been a longtime supporter of the Empty Stocking Fund and publishes a list of donors throughout December.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joni asked again. Would I take a shoe box? That's when I realized the problem wasn't Joni's persistence. Writing a check? Yeah, that's easy. Reaching out to someone needing help? That takes a personal decision to get involved. I took a shoe box. Inside was a large jar of soup, a package of cooked rice and other personal items. On the short drive from Fire Station No. 6 to the office, my strategically spinning mind wondered what to do next. Within minutes of parking, the shoe box found a home. There was no ceremony. No staff photographer or even a selfie to capture my sudden burst of humanity. From discomfort came joy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe the lesson here is we all can GO BE JONI. Maybe Joni's well-worn cap is a motif and message. How, by reaching out to others in need, we can make it a small world after all. Bill Church is executive editor at The New Mexican. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. For the Clinton Presidential Centers 20th anniversary, former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton joined a lecture along with a panel of guests on Saturday. For two decades, the Clinton Center has aimed to advance opportunity for everyone. We have to recreate a sense of possibility, Hillary said. Some of the special guests in attendance being the stars of the fictional T.V. show about American politics called the West Wing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President Bill Clinton to speak about new book at Clinton Presidential Center Many people in the audience said it was inspiring to hear from the Clintons. Today was exciting, it was inspiring, it was encouraging, and it was hopeful, Lottie Shackelford said. Weve had people from all over the United States that have come in this weekend who want to continue to see all those good works, Paula Thomasson said. So, it was just really, really inspiring and great energy. Clinton Presidential Center celebrates 20th anniversary President Clinton explained to the audience why he chose to put the Clinton Center in Arkansas those 20 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First I felt like I owed the people of my native state, Bill said, Second, I thought there ought to be one of these presidential libraries in the heartland. And finally, I wanted an excuse to keep coming home. The Clinton Presidential Center is located near the River Market and open every day for all to enjoy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA (WJET/WFXP) Catch up on the latest Black and Gold fan segment ahead of the Steelers match-up against the Browns on Dec. 8. Fan Sound Off: We asked Steeler fans what players on other teams they love to root against. Tailgate of the Week: This weeks Tailgate of the Week goes out to Italian Stallions Tailgate. If you would like to see your tailgate highlighted on the show, make sure to give us a shout-out on our Black & Gold Today Facebook page! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And dont forget to compare your picks for this week with our crew! Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. KNOXVILLE, Iowa The body of a Des Moines man who was reported missing Saturday while he was duck hunting, has been recovered. According to authorities, around 7:06 p.m. on Saturday the Polk County Sheriffs Office contacted the Marion County Sheriffs Office to assist in locating a missing person. The 37-year-old Des Moines man was reported missing to the Des Moines Police Department earlier that day by a friend. The reporting party says the man was duck hunting when his boat began to take on water, but that they didnt know what body of water he was hunting on, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body found along Des Moines River, police investigate Marion County Deputies used a license plate reader in Marion County and were able to locate his vehicle at a boat ramp in Marion County. Authorities began the search for the man and additional resources were requested. Iowa DNR, the Sheriffs Office, and Knoxville Fire and Rescue launched boats to look for the male. The water search was suspended shortly after midnight and resumed at daylight on Sunday. According to the Marion County Sheriffs Office, the body of the 37-year-old man was located at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 8th. The body was found in Lake Red Rock by Marion County Sheriff Sandholdt and a Deputy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mans name is being withheld pending notification of the family. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. DES MOINES, Iowa The Des Moines Police Department is investigating after a body was found deceased along the Des Moines River. According to police, around 2:19 p.m. officers responded to the west banks of the Des Moines River, north of Interstate 235, on reports of a deceased person near the water. Officers arrived on scene and confirmed the discovery of a deceased person, who officers believe to be an adult male. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight animals perish in early morning house fire in Des Moines According to police there are no obvious indications of criminal action that contributed to the death or danger to the neighborhood. Police advise people to expect an increased first responder presence in the area as the investigation progresses. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. The body of the Shelby County, Illinois coroner was found Friday after an apparent hunting accident. According to a release from the central Illinois countys sheriffs department, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a body floating in Lake Mattoon near waterfowl decoys in front of blind on the shoreline. The caller was the hunting partner of Coroner Brad Phegley, 67, who had apparently fallen into the lake by accident, the release stated. Phegley, a resident of Windsor, was first elected county coroner in 2020 after serving eight years as chief deputy coroner, according to a campaign page on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelby County Deputies and Neoga Ambulance responded to the scene where the Phegley was pronounced dead. Agents from both the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Police and Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigations Division are investigating. An autopsy was scheduled in Bloomington Saturday. Members of Phegleys office were assisted by Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed, the release stated. According to the campaign Facebook page, Phegley was a U.S. Army Veteran, a past sheriffs deputy and was retired after 28 years with the state police. Syrian rebels announced on Dec. 8 that they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad from the capital city of Damascus. "The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled. We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad," rebel leaders said in a statement. Eyewitnesses told Reuters that thousands of Damascus residents had gathered in the city center, chanting "Freedom." "(W)e declare today, December 8, 2024, the end of that dark era and the start of a new era for Syria," the rebels said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian military command told officers that Assad's 24-year rule had ended, according to an officer who spoke to Reuters. Rebel forces reportedly entered Damascus in the early hours of Dec. 8, taking over the state TV and radio headquarters to broadcast the end of Assad's regime. Two senior army officials told Reuters that Assad had fled Damascus via plane, bound for an unknown destination. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said in a video statement on Dec. 8 that the government was ready to cooperate with new leadership. "We are ready to cooperate with any leadership the people choose, offering all possible support to ensure a smooth and systematic transition of government functions, preserving state facilities," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Joe Biden is "closely monitoring" the situation, National Security Council Spokesperson Sean Savett said on X. "President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners," he wrote. A coalition of anti-government forces launched a surprise offensive in late November, after nearly a decade of frozen conflict. Rebel groups seized major cities across the country, including Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, before sweeping into Damascus. Russia has been a primary backer of the Assad regime for years. Military aid from Moscow played a key role in Assad's ability to push back opposition forces in 2016. Human rights groups have documented numerous war crimes committed by Russian forces in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speed of the rebel advance may be related to diminishing Russian aid, as Russia focuses on its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The fall of Assad represents a major blow to Russian influence in the Middle East. Read also: Rebels enter Damascus, Assad reportedly flees capital Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. NICOSIA (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Cyprus on Tuesday as part of a regional tour, the island's presidency said on Sunday. The working visit "underscores excellent relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom", President Nikos Christodoulides's office said in a statement. The two countries will discuss their strategic partnership, Cyprus's long-running division, British-European Union relations as well as regional issues, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the first visit of a British prime minister to the island since Edward Heath in 1971. Former Prime Minister John Major visited the island as part of the Commonwealth head of state meeting in 1993. Britain administered Cyprus between 1878 and 1960, first as a British protectorate, then as a crown colony from 1925. It has two sprawling military bases on the island. The facilities have been used in the past in operations against Houthi forces in Yemen in retaliation for attacks on Red Sea shipping that the Iran-backed group says is a response to the war in Gaza, as well as Islamic state targets in Syria. (Reporting by Michele Kambas) EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn (PIX11) The New Lots branch of the Brooklyn Public Library is set to get a major overhaul with a goal of addressing outdated infrastructure and supporting the needs of the community. Open for nearly 70 years, the library has only seen minor upgrades until now. More Local News Well have separate spaces for children, for adults, and teens will also have their own space, said Fritzi Bodenheimer, spokesperson for the Brooklyn Public Library. Were going to have areas for music, for art exhibitions, and theres going to be some beautiful outdoor plazas where people can enjoy reading and programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The renovation carries a deep cultural and historical significance. In recent years, library officials discovered that the branch partially sits on burial ground, dating back to the Revolutionary War, and containing the remains of free and enslaved African people. The redesign will incorporate and honor the African Burial Ground, making it a cornerstone of the new librarys identity. Librarygoer Amelia Thompson hopes the new space will uncover untold history. It gives us knowledge, Thompson said. Things that we never knew in schools. It was never taught to us. This has been ignored for quite some years, said New York State Assembly member Nikki Lucas. So really to make sure that this community is kind of made whole by recognizing the pain and the suffering and the acknowledgment that this was existing on these grounds is really huge and it sends a message to the community that were finally being heard. Longtime East New York residents are looking forward to having a future state-of-the-art library in their own backyard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The design is beautiful and there are spaces where you can get more information, Thompson said. We dont have to go to the big [Grand Army Plaza] library. Construction on the new library is set to begin by fall of 2025 with a goal of completing the space by 2028. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Donald Trumps reelection promises to reveal and change as much about Europe as the United States. There are many Europes in one: Different attitudes and approaches to themselves and to their most important political, military and economic partner in the United States. All are in varying states of concern over the return of a president who can sound ambivalent toward traditional alliances and has threatened to shutter NATO and launch a trade war. To get a better sense of what kind of Europe will greet Trump next year, I took a post-election trip through three of its most important capitals. I started with the administrative center in Brussels, went to Berlin and spent the better part of a week in the frontline outpost of Poland, the EU country that borders both Russia and Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Berlin, as much as I did in Paris earlier this autumn, I saw a European giant entangled in its own domestic troubles, unable to rise to this occasion at least not soon. I found in Warsaw and to my slight surprise in Brussels a focused and sober conversation about the consequences of the changes in the U.S. for the European bloc as one. Those capitals seem to be aware of the large stakes in a wider world, but also of their own limitations. In Brussels: A Union at the Crossroads Belgians, countrymen of Magritte, have a quirky sense of humor. On the Rue de la Loi that runs from the heart of the citys EU quarter to the royal palace, in front of an empty plot that has sat abandoned since a hotel there was demolished in the previous decade, a large mural in a faded kind of psychedelic aqua from around the time of ABBA proclaims, in English, The Future Is Europe. The future sure isnt Europe. Unless that future is malaise. Even that mural may have no future. Days after I walked past, it was removed to make way for a new office building. Arriving on the Continent from Washington, I assumed Trumps election would add a fresh coat of anxiety to that mood of recent years. I found the anxiety, and for sure the malaise. I found, too, a new Id say energizing sense of realism and urgency from the senior EU and NATO officials I spoke to in Brussels. Trumps return is a fork in the long story of this relationship. Down one way is what Fabrice Pothier, the former head of policy planning at NATO who runs a geopolitical consultancy, calls without endorsing this outcome the great undocking. Europe and America move further apart. Europe was put off by Americas cultural and national fervors. And it will be put off by what may follow: The isolationism that calls into question Americas commitment to defend Europe and the protectionism that could rupture the worlds closest commercial relationship. For its part, America looks at Europes slow growth, political dysfunctions and lack of innovation and turns its attentions elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At even the lowest points, like the fight over the Iraq war in 2003, weve never come close to a great undocking since the end of World War II. It helps to see the future clearly if one wants to avert it. Across the board in Europe, to most of the political fringes, people do want to avert it. That includes the traditionally anti-American French. That doesnt mean more of the same. The relationship has to change. Europe has to change. Done right, it will make equally clear to America why its in its interests to stay in Europe. There are reasons to believe this scenario can be realized. The two most important leaders in Brussels bring a pragmatic approach to the new Trump era. Ursula von der Leyen, the German who heads the European Commission, doesnt do preachiness as past European leaders have with American presidents, including Trump. Shes businesslike. Over at NATO, the former Dutch Prime Minister and new alliance chief Mark Rutte has brought fresh energy to that building and has a preexisting and allegedly decent relationship with Trump. The tests will come immediately. On the war in Ukraine, Trump has, even before taking office, created a new consensus across Europe and in Kyiv that they must seriously look for a way to end it in early 2025. The worst-case scenario here and in Ukraine is a Trump peace plan that looks like a Vladimir Putin plan. Anything that fails to secure a sovereign Ukraine, with the door open to NATO, will be that. A decent-case scenario would establish a DMZ-like frontline, leave the question of future control over Ukrainian lands now in Russian hands unresolved and provide a hard security umbrella for Kyiv with future membership in the alliance on the table and possibly with troops from NATO countries involved in enforcing the peace. Biden was so frustrating, one senior NATO official told me. I believe Trump can be better. It cannot go on like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was rarely stated openly before the election. In public, the Ukrainians and the Europeans in NATO were grateful to President Joe Biden for bringing them together and arming the Ukrainians to stop the Russian onslaught. The frustration? Washington didnt commit to help the Ukrainians win. The delaying and hawing on which weapons might be provided and how to use them condemned the Ukrainians to a war of attrition thats bleeding them down. Intended to avoid provoking Putin, the approach encouraged him to think that time was on his side. The fork in the road might seem especially sharp for NATO. Trump has in the past threatened to quit the alliance or kill it by refusing to stand by the Article 5 pledge to defend any ally against attack the glue, mental as much as military, that holds the place together. But theres less existential dread at NATO than I remember in 2017, when Trump made those threats. The previous Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who stepped down over the summer, worked that relationship. He seems to have convinced Trump, the senior NATO official said, of NATOs usefulness to America. As Sen. Marco Rubio, the presumptive secretary of state, sponsored the legislation to prohibit any president from pulling out of NATO without Senate approval. Actually my greatest worry is an ineffective administration in Washington, said another senior NATO official. That they go this way or that. The Democrats were like that they couldnt make a decision. The immediate concern is what kind of deal they force the Ukrainians to make, this official continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An ambitious but realistic approach would reinforce the military and political support for Ukraine to show Putin that he has more to lose than gain by continuing the war. France and Britain, which are nuclear powers, are privately talking about extending Ukraine security guarantees under any peace scenario, officials said. They want to make sure America stands behind them. They are worried Trumps America might not. The memories of the Suez crisis when Paris and London went out on a limb in 1956 to hold on to their imperial prize in Egypt, before Dwight Eisenhower abandoned them are, no joke, still fresh. Across town from NATO at the EU, the anxieties are over trade. As a bloc, the EU is Americas biggest trading partner. Even if the Trump administration moves first and hardest against China with tariffs, and forgoes Europe for now as some here hope, Europe would still feel the hit when Chinese exporters shift their output to their markets. The people that I spoke to in positions of power have experience of Trump from his first term. Some sound like him. One incoming European Commissioner outlined a possible deal with Washington. The EU could offer to buy U.S. military hardware and import its liquefied natural gas. In exchange, the U.S. could go easy on trade. We need to think, what goodies do we offer the U.S.? this official said. For better or worse, Brussels has begun to internalize Trumpism and the art of the deal, even if theyve not read his first book. It is in neither European nor American interests to undock, said the second NATO senior official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The realistic case for a strong transatlantic relationship can and probably has to be made in Trumpian terms. The U.S. military needs European bases and allies to project force into the Middle East and further into Asia. American military manufacturers value the European market. There will be over 600 F-35s flown by European air forces by the end of the decade. Those planes will need to be serviced and one day replaced. The Continent must sober up as well. Europe took a post-Cold War break from history, funneling savings from defense cuts into welfare. They did assume the U.S. would cover them. Its not as if the Europeans dont know their history. The Flanders Fields of World War I are an hours drive from Brussels. The second world war, of course, began in Poland before engulfing the west of the Continent. This holiday is over. The Ukraine war should have brought that home. It did for the eastern half of Europe, which has amped up its militaries and has economies that are more competitive and successful. The west of the Continent stayed largely in denial of this reality. Thats harder to do with Trump there. In Berlin: A Crisis of Leadership The ultimate question for a Europe adrift is: Does it have leaders to forge a new kind of transatlantic relationship with Trump and reestablish itself on the world stage? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The place to look first would be Berlin. The place not to look is Berlin, too. Not before next year. This is a problem for Germany and Europe and potentially the U.S. The day after Trumps election Germanys so-called traffic light coalition red (socialist), yellow (free market liberals) and green (the environmentalists) collapsed. It barely functioned for months, betraying the hopes that rose high at the start of the Ukraine war that Germany would make a Zeitenwende, the turning point proclaimed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, to become a serious defense and diplomatic player in the world. It started with promise, then bureaucracy and weak political will cut away at it. On Ukraine, Scholz was Europes leader of the status quo caucus: While Germanys government didnt want Ukraine to lose, it didnt want to destabilize Russia itself. Since theres a phrase in German for everything, the doctrine of Putinversteher we have to understand and empathize with Putin came back in fashion in Berlin. Abroad, Scholz is seen as indecisive and weak at a moment when Europe craves strong leadership on Ukraine. Also, to quote liberally from diplomats I spoke to, "a disaster," "hopeless," and "terrible." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scholzs bigger problem is at home. Germanys economic model of export-driven manufacturing, humming for a good part of this century, is broken. You cant make the stuff cheaply anymore with higher energy prices and send it to China. An aging population and lack of technological innovation are a drag. Theres a recession. Mentally, it feels like depression. Berlin reflects this glum national mood. Before the pandemic, the German capital was, in my view, the most exciting city in Europe. It came closest to the social and cultural (not business) energy of New York. It never became a commercial center for Germany, but it was the place where you met tech startup founders, interesting artists and politicians from across the world. London had lost a lot after Brexit in 2016. Ive been here several times this autumn, and with each visit the mood seemed darker. Scholz has hovered over this era of collapse with charmless stolidity. Germanys left behinds, many in the poorer east, used to vote for the former communists and now embrace the far-right AfD (Alternative for Germany) party. This story does feel familiar. Germany was Europes sick man over two decades ago as well. A left-wing chancellor, Gerhard Schroder, pushed through unpopular changes to rigid labor laws and paved the way for a rebound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wholl do something similar now? Waiting for Merz is a phrase you hear in Berlin, Warsaw and Brussels. Friedrich Merz is the leader of the center-right Christian Democrats. Over 20 years ago, when Merz was in his late 40s, he lost a power struggle to Angela Merkel and sat on the sidelines. Hes back now, the favorite to take over. The East Europeans think hell be better on Ukraine. Brussels, knowing that Von der Leyen hails from the same party, hopes hell bring some mojo back to Germany and restore Berlins traditional and since-missing sway in the EU capital. The Merz projection tells you how desperate Europe is for leadership. France and its lame duck President Emmanuel Macron are wobbling along until the next presidential election in 2027. Britains outside the EU, and effectively outside Europe, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer looks wobbly too. The most stable governments in the big European states are in Poland and Italy, which enjoy their new status but remain on Europes periphery. Berlin and Europe will be waiting for Merz, or really anyone, a while longer. German elections wont take place before Trump takes office and a new government will follow weeks, possibly months, after. In Warsaw: Fear of Putin, Receptiveness for Trump When you travel east from Berlin to Warsaw these days, it feels like you have gone West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The energy missing in Berlin? Here. The youth culture? Entrepreneurial culture? In spades. Political stability? A sense of national mission? Sense of urgency? A little more mixed on these counts, but better than most places in Europe. You want to know how the ugly, gray Warsaw of Communist days has changed? The Polish capital has 278 vegan restaurants, #11 on a world ranking, ahead of Tokyo or San Francisco. Decades of uninterrupted growth, the longest streak in Europe since 1990, expanded the economy ten-fold. This kind of prosperity changes a country and its people. The Poles of the recent past were rural, Catholic and had a romantic heroic streak as well as a historic chip on their shoulders. The Poles of today are confident and modern, big on tech and looking to the future. This isnt the main reason why Poland is the most important country in Trump-era Europe. That is because it sits on Europes frontline with Russia. It's as a share of GDP its biggest defense spender devoting almost 5 percent to the military. It wants Europe and America to face up to Putin. Its also the best answer you have to the Trump charge that Europeans are free riders who dont take their defense seriously. As much as the core of Europe looks frail, Poland is one of several eastern-flank states that Trump likes and they like back. Finland, the most recent addition to NATO, views Russia with dread going back to the past centurys Winter War that Finland prevailed in and acts accordingly to support a strong military. The same goes for the three Baltic states in between them and Poland. Now Poland, the largest country in Europes east, has a unique opportunity next year to rise to the occasion of a turning point year for the Continent. Paris and Berlin are unlikely to. Poland has two leaders with a lot of experience on the international stage Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski. Warsaw will hold the rotating presidency of the EU, which gives it more than symbolic authority. Trumps most adulatory visit to Europe in his first term was to Warsaw in 2017, and those good feelings run both ways. From the outside, Polands potential seems clear. To the Poles themselves, doubts creep in. Were still one of the poorer countries in Europe seventh from the bottom in per capita terms and sometimes think like one, said Andrzej Olechowski, who was Polands finance and foreign ministers in the mid-1990s. Its hard for mid-sized countries like Poland to play the key role in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, said Pawel Kowal, a Polish parliamentarian and the governments envoy for Ukraine. In so far as Poland has changed as a society because of its strong economy, Polish politics are insular and ugly more than most. Tusk surprised last year by winning back his old job and pushing out a Trump-style political party called Law and Justice, which had ruled for almost a decade. But next spring, Poles will choose a new president, who has less day-to-day power than the premier. Tusks favored candidate will face off against Law and Justice. A defeat would set up Tusks worst fear that hes just another Biden, a liberal parenthesis between the populist menace. Spending time in Warsaw makes one wish for its politics to be more like everything else here, even gastronomy. Thinking big, creatively and keeping its sights on what matters the unique historic opportunity for Poland and for Europe in 2025. That is to secure its eastern flank by saving Ukraine and defeating Putin. It is also a historic challenge, an existential one. Both the Polish and Ukrainian national anthems begin with the line that their country isnt dead yet. OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) Burkina Fasos ruling military junta appointed a new prime minister, a day after dissolving the government without providing any reason. Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, until now communications minister and spokesperson of the government, will be the West African country's new prime minister, junta leader Ibrahim Traore said in a presidential decree read on state television Saturday. Traore had issued a decree Friday dismissing Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela and announcing the dissolution of the national government. No reason was given for the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The junta in Burkina Faso seized power in September 2022 by ousting the military rule of Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba about eight months after it staged a coup to remove democratically elected President Roch Marc Kabore. The country is one of several West African nations where the military has recently taken over, capitalizing on popular discontent with previous democratically elected governments over security issues. However, since its inception, the junta has struggled to end Burkina Fasos security challenges the very reason that it claimed had prompted it to take power. Growing attacks by extremists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group have devastated Burkina Faso, where thousands have been killed in recent years and more than 2 million people have been displaced, half of them children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around half of Burkina Fasos territory remains outside of government control, analysts say. The countrys transitional government has been running under a constitution approved by a national assembly that included army officers, civil society groups and traditional and religious leaders. Under pressure from West Africas regional bloc, ECOWAS, the junta had set a goal to conduct an election in July 2024 to return the country to democratic rule. However, in May it extended its transition term for five more years, the duration of one presidential term. Alongside the coup-hit nations of Niger and Mali, Burkina Faso has severed ties with longstanding Western and regional partners, including former colonial ruler France and ECOWAS, which they all quit early this year. Organization raises $15k for families A total of 100 families battling food insecurity will get a boost this holiday season thanks to nearly $15,000 donated by the Friends of St. Clare, according to a release. The organization raised the funds through donations from local business leaders to provide 100 $150 Strack & Van Til gift cards to individuals served by the Franciscan Health Fresh Start Market and Prenatal Assistance Program at 1121 S. Indiana Ave., Crown Point. The Friends of St. Clare is a group of five anonymous organizers, who have worked together to support the Franciscan Health Foundations Food Insecurity Program, the release said. The effort began in 2009 with one individual donating six frozen turkeys. Now, a group of five works to solicit local business leaders to support their efforts at the holidays, increasing their donation by the thousands year after year, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information about the Fresh Start Market and other food insecurity programs, including information on receiving assistance, contact the Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement office at 219-407-6948. Porter County announces open 2025 board slots The Porter County Council has a number of opportunities for county residents to get involved, according to a release. Various county commission openings include: Porter County Redevelopment Commission, 1-year term; Alcoholic Beverage Commission,1-year term; Board of Zoning Appeals, 4-year term; Porter County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals (PTABOA), 1-year term; Chesterton EDC, 1-year term; Portage EDC, 4-year term; Porter EDC, 1-year term; Valparaiso EDC, 1-year term; and Town of Hebron EDC, 1-year term. Individuals interested in being considered for a board position should visit the Porter County Council office, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 207, Valparaiso, to obtain an application or the website at www.porterco.org under the County Council tab. Application deadline is Dec. 31 and the final decision will be made in January, the release said. Physician joins Franciscan in Dyer Dr. Jasmine Vayalil is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Dyer, according to a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vayalil attended medical school at Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois, and completed her residency in family medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine at IU Health Arnett in Lafayette. She is accepting both virtual and in-person visits at Franciscan Physician Network in Dyer, 919 Main St. Call 219-934-2492. Franciscan pediatrician relocating to Crown Point Dr. Radhika Chillarige, a pediatrician, is now seeing patients in Crown Point. Chillarige relocated Dec. 2 to Franciscan Physician Network Crown Point Pediatric Health Center, 1141 S. Indiana Ave. from her previous office location in St. John, according to a release. Existing appointments will automatically be moved to the new location to ensure a seamless transition and continuous care for patients, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chillarige received her training from Kaktiya Medical College in Warangal, India. She completed her residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, and completed her fellowship training in neonatology at University of Connecticut in Farmington, Connecticut. Call 219-662-0700. Concession stand opportunities announced at Indiana Dunes The application period for two snack bar services has been announced for Indiana Dunes National Park, according to a release. The concession stands are positioned at two of the parks most frequented locations, West Beach and Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. The Park is seeking applications to compete for food, beverage, and retail sales CUAs at either one or both the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion and West Beach Bath House. Separate applications must be submitted for each location. There is a $350 nonrefundable fee to process the application(s) and a secondary fee of $400 paid by check made payable to the National Park Service and included in the narrative portion of the application package, a release said. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 9. The first part of the Competitive CUA Application Package must be completed online in the CUA Portal at http://cua.nps.gov. The narrative portion of the application and the $400 check, made payable to the National Park Service, should be sent to: National Park Service, Interior Regions 3,4, 5 Office, Attn: Kelly Kager, Commercial Services Management Specialist, 601 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, N.E. 68102. Send questions by Dec. 27 to kelly_kager@nps.gov Andovers Heritage development is taking a big step forward with new businesses and a buyer for about three acres where a senior independent living facility is going to open. Were just getting started even though weve been working on it for quite a while, said developer Jerry Jones. First came the groundwork, literally and figuratively, for the 110-acre development. Then, construction started on the mixed-use development just northeast of Andover Road and Kellogg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are already two housing developments built along with Heritage Square, the citys first 5-story building that includes apartments, public parking and commercial spaces and one office building under construction just north of it. Heritage Plaza, a kind of a Main Street gathering spot, has been built and eventually will have restaurants and retail around it for a type of town square thats meant to be Andovers first downtown. The pool at the SkyLofts at The Heritage apartments. The apartments, SkyLofts at The Heritage, are about a third occupied. Jones said construction of Heritage Square was behind for a number of reasons weather, the supply chain, complexities of the project and building the infrastructure but now that its complete, leasing is on target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With one tenant open and two more scheduled for next year, the commercial property on the first floor under the apartments is about 50% leased with a booth-rental nail salon and aesthetic business, a dentistry office and a restaurant. Theres an optometry practice under construction to the north of Heritage Square, an area that Jones called ideal for more professional offices. I feel great about it, he said of progress. Even though hes confident, Jones acknowledged it still takes guts to be among the first tenants at a new development. Theyve the bravest, he said. However, Jones added, Along with being the first . . . is the excitement from the community to have new businesses opening. Independent and affordable Salina housing developer Overland Property Group, which has affordable and market-rate family and senior developments across the middle part of the country, is getting close to the permitting stage for the Residence at Heritage West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first phase calls for 60 units of independent senior living. Its progressing pretty rapidly, said Austin Kack, director of development. Construction likely will start in March, but that could get moved up if winter weather is mild. Of the initial 60 units, 18 will be market rate and 42 will have an affordability requirement for people with 30% to 60% of the areas median income. So its truly a wide slate of offering to . . . every single income, Kack said. He said every senior in Andover could have the chance to live there. Prices havent been set yet. The company also is working with the city of Andover on a second phase for about 45 units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve done some larger master-planned community developments, Kack said of other places. The Heritages overall plan was a really big driver in attracting the company, he said. At a holistic level, Kack said, the company likes thinking about how people live, work and play, which is the same concept as the Heritages overall development. It fit really well with our business model. Look for units to begin opening in early 2026. Another challenge Though Urban Nails owner Na Atkinson admits shes a bit scared to be an early tenant at the Heritage, she has faced potentially difficult situations previously. She opened her nail salon by Il Vicino in Wichitas Crown Heights neighborhood right before the pandemic hit in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she was forced to close for a couple of months, Atkinson said, Im like, oh, no, what am I going to do next? Then she reopened, and, We got really busy. From the beginning, Atkinson knew that she wanted to have more than one salon. I want to grow. I dont want to stand still. Its just how I am. She worked with Street Commercial broker Stephanie Wise, and they looked at the area, deciding there was a need for both the nail salon and booth rentals. Also, Atkinson said she likes the idea of a downtown for Andover. Shell rent to people who offer services such as massage and lash work. There will be seven rooms available to lease when she opens, which Atkinson hopes will be around July, and the other half of the space will be the nail salon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though she hasnt finalized a name for the new business, Atkinson said it likely will be a play on Urban Nails. Right now, Im still . . . brainstorming Opportunity to improve Since he opened Flint Hills Dental Group in 1995, dentist Aaron Huslig has been at 105 S. Andover Road. When he learned about the Heritage, he said, I saw an opportunity to improve my business. With 4,000 square feet, Huslig said hell have expanded space and room for more services. He and dentist Kelsie Diskin are hoping to add a third dentist as well. Huslig said there also will be more foot traffic than the practice has now. Like Atkinson, his soon-to-be next-door neighbor, Huslig said he, too, likes the idea of being a part of a downtown for Andover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Flint Hills opens in early March, expanded services will include facial aesthetics such as Botox and dermal fillers as well as other treatments to reduce the signs of aging. Huslig said those kinds of services make sense with a dentistry business. He said the first thing people notice on others is their smiles, quickly followed by their eyes. Its just kind of a natural fit for us. Walkability Optometrist Matt Boswell once was a patient of Andover Family Optometry when Bill Holman started it in 2002. Cory Lindenman joined in 2004, and then Holman retired in 2020. Boswell joined shortly after. He and Lindenman have two practices. One is at 215 S. Andover Road in Andover, and the other is Winfield Family Optometry in Winfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre moving their Andover office, which theyve outgrown, to their own building just north of Heritage Square. Cory Lindenman, left and Matt Boswell, right, are moving their Andover Family Optometry to the Heritage development in Andover. Boswell said its a more visible spot, and he said they like the walkability aspect of the development. Were excited about the other people coming in, he said of nearby businesses. He said he also likes the idea of being just kind of intertwined with Andover in the long run. The optometrists treat all ages for glasses and contacts, but Boswell said they also do a lot of managed medical care with treatments for macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and care before and after LASIK surgery. Theres also a dry eye clinic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had a lot of great support, Boswell said of Andover and east Wichita patients. We just are looking forward to our future in our new spot. The new space should be ready in May, he said. Definitely, thats a great place to be. A little more whole Of all the business owners moving to the Heritage either excitedly or with some trepidation youd probably have to call Melissa Livingston Atkinson sister-in-law to Na Atkinson the gutsiest. She opened her Livingstons Cafe in early October the lone commercial tenant open at Heritage Square so far. Ive known there is a need for a breakfast place in Andover for a long time, Livingston Atkinson said. She was trying to find the perfect spot, she said, when she learned of what she called the exciting plans for the overall Heritage development. I know how much Andover is growing. As the tallest building in Andover, Heritage Square is prominent. Still, Livingston Atkinson said, her restaurant is kind of tucked back there, so people have to kind of, like, find you. Andover Mayor Ronnie Price said customers have been finding the cafe, which he said is more of a gathering place than a typical restaurant. Its just what I dreamed of, he said. A cafe where you see your neighbors. . . . To see people sitting at the counter talking, its quite a deal. Post-lunch diners remain at Livingstons Cafe, which opened at Andovers 110-acre Heritage development in October. The restaurant was the first tenant in Heritage Squares ground-floor commercial area. Livingston Atkinson also owns the Livingstons Cafe at Douglas and Oliver. She said shes still working out some kinks in Andover and appreciates how welcoming and patient diners have been. Though she could have opened a patio from the first day, Livingston Atkinson said she purposely has waited to get everything running smoothly first. It should be coming this spring. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Like her customers, Livingston Atkinson said shes also being patient waiting on other businesses to open at the Heritage. I know it will eventually happen, she said. Im just excited to be in that area. Price said that it makes the town feel a little more whole. Jones, the developer, said hes working on other restaurants as well, including ones that would be open for dinner. Were working on a deal right now that I hope well be able to announce sometime soon. Whats next? There are about eight sites left, depending on how theyre divided, along the highway within the Heritage development. Dutch Bros Coffee already is open along Kellogg east of Heritage Square and across from the YMCA., and QuikTrip has purchased a lot there as well. Theres no set opening for QuikTrip. The Tulsa company is juggling options for stores along Kellogg. That includes the eventual closure of the QuikTrip at Kellogg and 143rd Street, where road construction is planned. Heritage Square, shown on its west side where Livingstons Cafe already is open, is getting new tenants this spring and summer. Heritage Plaza, a sort of downtown Andover gathering spot, is shown in the foreground. The project has been pushed back, and so has the stores closure. It likely will remain open until at least February. Plans there, and possibly further west of there along Kellogg, are affecting what happens in Andover. Along with highway outparcels, theres also a potential hotel site at the Heritage, though theres no deal yet. There also are spots for more restaurants and retail around Heritage Plaza. Wise, the broker who handed the Urban Nails deal, also worked on the transactions for Livingstons and the senior center and now is working on other potential deals at the development. Though theres much left to go, its still relatively early, as Jones said. Im very optimistic about the prospects for Andover, he said. I just think the community is really ready to grow. Shaanth Nanguneri CalMatters For nearly a century, California and other states forced Native American youth into boarding schools, aiming to erase their cultural practices while separating children from parents, placing them in a foster system that often left them without any ties to their communities. It was only in the late 1970s that the federal government passed a law to protect families from separation, ensuring that child welfare agencies inquire about Native ancestry and work to keep tribes, relatives and communities together. Decades later, contested cases continue to appear regularly before California courts, where state protections are stronger than federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The California Supreme Court in August reinforced those rules in a new decision, stressing that child welfare agencies must investigate whether children have Native American ancestry before placing them in foster care. Its a decision that could strengthen tribes hand in disputes over separating families by compelling social workers to go a step further before removing a child. Incidentally, the case turned on parents who do not claim to have any tribal affiliations or Native ancestry. The Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services in 2019 accused two childrens parents of substance abuse and domestic violence, eventually getting their custody terminated in court. Their mother, Angelica A., has not indicated in court documents that she is Native American, but she appealed the decision on the grounds that officials did not complete a proper inquiry into her childrens heritage. Her last name is not listed in the ruling. By a 5-2 majority, the justices agreed with the mother, calling into question not just this familys case, but nearly two dozen other cases involving child custody and California courts. They gave little weight to concerns over whether an additional review would make a difference in the actual placement of the children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The departments inquiry extended no further than mother and father, both of whom have long standing issues with substance use disorder, even though their parents, siblings, and fathers cousin were readily available and had been interviewed by the department, wrote Justice Kelli Evans in the majority opinion. The justices reversed a juvenile courts decision to terminate the parents rights on the condition that the agency conduct an adequate inquiry, supported by record documentation. Shiara Davila-Morales, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, said the department was unable to comment in time for publication. Indian Child Welfare Act recently upheld The issue of child custody and Native Americans has long been a point of painful history in the United States. In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act, which regulates the removal and out-of-home placement of Native children. A July 2024 report from the U.S. Department of the Interior found that over 900 children died nationwide in forced boarding schools from 1819 to 1969. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In California, over half of Native American youth in Californias foster care system end up in non-relative and non-Native households, a number that has remained relatively steady in the past decade, according to state data analyzed by researchers at UC Berkeley. Tribes have long argued they have a necessary stake in ensuring the wellbeing of Native youth, and that social workers must make good-faith attempts to inquire about ancestry. Ironically, such (an) inquiry could take only a few days to complete which is significantly faster than the nearly two years that this appeal was litigated, wrote Michelle Castagne, executive director of the California Tribal Families Coalition, in a statement. The courts decision recognizes the vital role that tribes have in the lives of tribal children and families. Dissent emphasizes childrens instability The two dissenting justices blasted the majority for taking a formulaic approach that needlessly condemns these children and others like them to more uncertainty, more instability and more trauma. The two children were taken into the care of their paternal grandparents, according to the ruling, who are ready to formally adopt them. They wrote that the children would have been better off by resolving the case quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, because the department failed to ask additional family members about the childrens ancestry, my colleagues invoke a rule of automatic conditional reversal that is wholly inconsistent with the way in which California courts have assessed state law error for almost seven decades, wrote Justice Joshua Groban in the dissent. John L. Dodd, an attorney representing the mother, said those concerns are overblown. For far too long, he said social workers have been making inadequate inquiries about Native ancestry. Its an often unintentional omission, he says, because investigators are juggling delicate family dynamics involving substance abuse or mental health. Though the family he represented did not indicate having any Native ancestry, he said the case matters because it sends a message to child welfare agencies that they cant ignore state and federal regulations. All the social worker has to do is ask three or four questions when the social worker is doing a report, he told CalMatters. So the parade of horribles that the dissent is concerned about is not going to occur, because now everybody knows that you cant just risk it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The children at the center of the case are now 8 and 6 years old, according to the decision, and for the four years it has lasted they have been in their grandparents custody. California is home to around 350,000 Native American youth under 18, according to the First 5 Center for Childrens policy. This story was first published in CalMatters The Overfield Tavern Museum, the oldest building in Troy and the oldest log tavern in the state went up in flames Saturday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As reported on News Center 7 at 11, the Overfield Tavern Museum was built in 1808, and many of the things inside were irreplaceable. >> PHOTOS: Historical Overfield Tavern Museum destroyed in fire TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building was home to a pretty special collection of early Miami County material, much of which was unfortunately lost in the fire, The Museums Board President Ben Sutherly said. They were set to hold their annual Yuletide Dinners Fundraiser, where they cook food from scratch inspired by what was popular in the 1800s. The event was held across the street at the St. Patricks Soup Kitchen, according to a post on their Facebook. I got a call a little after 5 this morning and learned from our executive director that smoke was pouring out of the building, Sutherly said. And we got here and our worst fears unfortunately were realized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troy Fire Crews were called to the museum around 5 a.m. Saturday. A Troy Police Sergeant told News Center 7 that no one was inside when the fire started and no one was hurt. Were mourning the loss of a lot of irreplaceable items inside that museum and obviously the significant damage thats happened to the structure, Sutherly said. Hours after the fire, cleanup crews showed up. The Owner of Complete Detail Cleaning and Restoration, Holdon Lingrell, said there would be a lot of experts looking at the future of the museum. Theres definitely some safety hazards that would be involved, especially on an older building like this, Lingrell said. Therell be a lot of different experts to come in to take a look at this, different types of consultants and building developers and things like that to make sure that the structure is safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tonya Hittner, the Membership and Social Chair for the Historical Society of Vandalia-Butler told News Center7 that when she heard about what happened, she couldnt believe it. A building can be rebuilt- but the loss of artifacts and the history that theyve gathered and all the furniture, probably the specific things that belong to the Overfield, you cannot replace that, Hittner said. While the investigation and assessments of the buildings structural integrity are still in the early stages, museum officials have hope that the building can be restored, according to a post on Facebook. Not all of the contents of the museum were lost, as many things from the kitchen will be saved, according to the post. Still, the damage was greater in other parts of the building and many contents were lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troy Fire crews are still working to figure out what started the fire. Sutherly told News Center 7 that he will be meeting with the rest of the Board members to figure out where the museum goes from here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Dec. 7Vina Mikkelsen's son took the white and pink lei his 93-year-old mother wore around her neck and hung it on a wreath that had a black band around it with gold words: "NEVER FORGET." About 30 other attendees followed suit on a cold, rainy Saturday outside the Arena, laying colorful leis on the green wreath to honor and remember the 2,403 Americans who lost their lives 83 years ago in a Japanese surprise attack at Pearl Harbor that launched the U.S. into World War II. The Pearl Harbor ceremony is nothing new for Mikkelsen, a Spokane resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She helped organize the gathering in past years to remember the attack and the people like her late husband, who witnessed the Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. "It's very important to me," Mikkelsen said. Mikkelsen's husband, Denis Mikkelsen, was a Navy radioman on the USS West Virginia. On Dec. 7, the 19-year-old Mikkelsen awoke to shouts and sirens aboard his battleship, which later sank from torpedo damage. He tried to seal portholes in the ship, but with water rising deeper, he was ordered to abandon ship and swam to shore. He and other sailors were then ordered back to try to save the West Virginia by putting out fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There was smoke everywhere," he told The Spokesman-Review in 2007. "We didn't have the proper gear. They gave gas masks instead of breathing apparatus." Mikkelsen was a member of Spokane's Pearl Harbor Survivors Association before he died in 2013 at the age of 90. "He passed away a decade ago, but his ship's heroism is textbook of why America came back from that surprise attack," said Brian Newberry, former commander at Fairchild Air Force Base and CEO of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Newberry told the small crowd Saturday that as the West Virginia started to capsize, the crew "counterflooded" the other side of the ship, allowing it to rest upright on the seafloor. The sailors' actions saved lives while also leading to a large salvage operation that allowed the ship to participate in the Pacific theater of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Vina, Denis' ship represented the true grit of America that took a punch, but came back to stand tall," Newberry told Vina Mikkelsen and attendees. Newberry read the names of the members of the Spokane chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, all of whom have died, including most recently Ray Garland, a Marine, who died in 2019 at age 96. "Today, the Pearl Harbor attack is distant to most Americans," Newberry said. "In fact, only 16 survivors that we know of are still alive in America today." Newberry said most of the survivors are older than 100 , and two of them attended ceremonies Saturday morning in Oahu, Hawaii. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attendees, several with umbrellas over their heads, held a moment of silence at the Pearl Harbor memorial outside the Arena. The Fairchild honor guard held the colors and a bugler played "Taps" before Vina Mikkelsen started the lei hanging on the wreath. Vina Mikkelsen wore a red coat which had a "Remember Pearl Harbor" pin on it. The word, "Pearl," was replaced by an actual pearl jewel. Bob Snider, who also routinely attends the Pearl Harbor ceremonies, witnessed the attack as an 8-year-old boy. Snider, 91, chuckled when asked why he attended Saturday's ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If you experience that day, you would come out," he said. Snider said he recalled black smoke filling the skies the morning of Dec. 7. "You can't imagine how scary those times were," he said. His father, Stanley Snider, worked as a mechanic at Hickam Field, an army airfield and bomber base which the Japanese also bombed to prevent a counterattack. Bob Snider previously told The Spokesman-Review his father barely missed the attack as he rushed to work that morning. His father told him and his mother to hide under piled up mattresses in the family home, and not to come out until it was quiet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Saturday that he and his mother tried to eat lunch after the attack, but they couldn't. "While we were hugging each other, we were both wondering what's happening to father," Bob Snider said. In a 1946 letter, Col. Leland Hurd, commanding officer of the Hawaiian Air Depot at the time of the attack, recognized Stanley Snider for his services to the depot and the war effort that were "far beyond the call of duty." The U.S. Army Air Forces awarded Snider with the "Commendation for Meritorious Civilian Service" for his "outstanding services" in Hawaii and Spokane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He displayed exceptional courage on 7 December during the bombing of Hickam Field; he fought the fires, aided the injured and moved valuable equipment thereby saving aircraft and accessories which would otherwise have been lost to the Government at a time when it was so urgently needed," Hurd wrote. Because of Stanley Snider's "ability and courage" during the bombing at Hickam Field, Hurd wrote that he requested Snider's transfer from Hawaii to the Spokane Army Air Depot, now called Fairchild Air Force Base, to help Hurd in establishing that organization when Hurd was transferred to Spokane. Dr. Betsy Wickstrom, a high-risk obstetrician who works in the Kansas City metro, is a lifelong Republican who was outspoken in her support for Missouris Amendment 3, which lifted the states near-total abortion ban. (Photo by Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent) Dr. Betsy Wickstrom understands where some of the voices opposed to abortion are coming from. She used to be one of them. The Kansas City OB-GYN specializing in high-risk pregnancies is a Republican and a Christian, but her more than three decades in maternal-fetal medicine have moved her away from the pro-life movement and into abortion advocacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The past two-and-a-half years practicing under an abortion ban in Missouri have strengthened her resolve. Wickstroms job has always been one of joy-filled highs and heart-breaking lows for families navigating complicated diagnoses. But the experience of walking an expectant mother through a nonviable pregnancy diagnosis now includes new hoops to jump through that can delay care. Sometimes, shes not even able to be with her patients when their pregnancy ultimately ends, forced to send them to Kansas where a ban was never implemented and hospitals are more willing to perform second-trimester abortions. Its why Wickstrom knocked doors in support of Missouris abortion-rights amendment and celebrated last month when a majority of voters chose to unravel the states near-total ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The best possible outcome is that we will once again be able to care for people in the most compassionate way, she said. But her excitement over the amendment wanes when she talks about what the future may hold. State lawmakers are vowing to overturn some of Amendment 3s protections, and the threat of a national abortion ban after Republicans take over Congress and the White House looms. As Wickstrom waits to hear how Missouri hospitals will advise doctors like herself to proceed once Amendment 3 goes into effect after Dec. 5, she continues to hold her breath. Missourians want choice. They want personal freedoms, and they dont want their civil rights restricted, and that gives me hope for the future, Wickstrom said. But I know were not even close to done yet. A Republican in the abortion-rights movement Wickstrom wasnt liberalized while attending the University of Nebraska Omaha. When she started her medical residency in Missouri, Wickstrom said she believed the only God-honoring and American patriotic thing to think is that you have to save this fetus and this embryo at all costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While she did vote for President Barack Obama because she supported the Affordable Care Act after seeing patients without insurance struggle to access prenatal care, Wickstrom remains what she calls an Eisenhower Republican, seeking a balance between fiscal responsibility and a basic safety net. But when it comes to abortion, she sees no option other than choice. Shortly after graduating from her fellowship and going into the medical practice in the early 1990s, Wickstrom had to perform an abortion for a woman who came into the hospital with a partial molar pregnancy, which is both nonviable and can be life-threatening to the mother. The patient was 15 weeks pregnant and had such high blood pressure that she was delirious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While abortion was legal and Wickstrom would typically refer patients to abortion clinics in such cases, this was the middle of the night, and the patient was dying. Wickstrom performed a dilation and evacuation procedure, a type of surgical abortion done in the second trimester, and saved the womans life. More than three decades into her practice as an obstetrician, the nuance of the patient stories she watches unfold every day have carved out a new perspective. She had a patient diagnosed with brain cancer 14 weeks into pregnancy who chose to terminate the pregnancy rather than wait for the fetus to die inside her during treatment. She had a patient whose fetuss brain didnt develop properly who chose to continue the pregnancy so she could meet her child before they died shortly after birth. Both outcomes were different ways of honoring life, Wickstrom said. What matters most, she added, was that the families got to choose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That choice became murkier on June 24, 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion and Missouri became the first state to enact a trigger law banning the procedure except in cases of medical emergencies. Care delayed and care denied Wickstrom had just taken a new position at a Kansas City area hospital when the Supreme Courts decision was announced. As of 4 p.m. on June 24 of 2022, Wickstrom said. We were receiving emails from our hospital attorneys saying: You cannot offer abortion. You cannot refer for abortion out of our hospital, because were not going to take on that liability and that responsibility. Instead, Wickstrom said she was advised to email the hospitals legal team if she had any concerns that a pregnancy could not continue. If the situation was dire, she was given a legal hotline to call, staffed 24/7, for advice on how to proceed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ever since the ruling, when she enters an ectopic pregnancy diagnosis into the electronic medical record, a large red banner pops up asking if shes sure the diagnosis is accurate. If the embryo or fetus has a heartbeat, she has to consult an attorney. In the case that the mother is already starting to bleed, Wickstrom said, time is life. Sometimes, she has to refer the patient to a provider in Kansas. This is one example of care delayed and care denied that Wickstrom said shes experienced since abortion became illegal in Missouri. Some physicians across the state have said the abortion ban hasnt affected their protocol for treating nonviable pregnancies or miscarriages. Wickstrom said thats likely because most obstetricians can perform a dilation and curettage procedure to remove any fetal remains in the first trimester once a heartbeat is no longer detected. But the more complex cases that occur later in pregnancy that require abortions are usually referred out to specialists like her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, she said, shes not allowed to treat most of those cases anymore. Now, when women come in with ruptured membranes in the second trimester of pregnancy months sooner than their water should be breaking she has to send them to Kansas for care. Bleeding, infection, labor, all of those things can happen with or without that heartbeat stopping inside the womb, Wickstrom said. The answer is, youve got to stop the pregnancy and empty the uterus. You have to take care of this woman, or she potentially dies not being able to raise her other kids, potentially loses her uterus. Shes still allowed to talk about evidence-based care with patients, she said, but as soon as the words you may want to consider termination leave her lips, shes required to hand the patient Missouris 23-page informed consent booklet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the pamphlet begins with the phrase The life of each human being begins at conception, which is not medically true, Wickstrom said. Instead, she keeps a water bottle on her desk. On it, above a sticker of Taylor Swift, is an adhesive with a list of national abortion hotlines. Its her way of showing the words she doesnt always feel she can speak aloud. A few weeks ago, Wickstrom had three other words tattooed into her forearm that shes been speaking aloud for the better part of a decade. The words remained her mantra as she watched maternal mortality and morbidity rates rise, as she heard stories of women who said their pain was ignored or downplayed, and as she watched abortion access fade for huge swaths of the population across the country, including her own backyard. They remain at the heart of her work today: Listen to women. The Cass County Sheriffs Office announced Saturday the sudden death of a lieutenant who served the community for 21 years. Robyn Burger died off-duty at her home Dec. 6 after a medical emergency, the sheriffs office said in a statement. No other details about her death were immediately available. Burger joined the department in 2003. She went on to hold leadership roles in several divisions of the sheriffs office before earning a promotion to lieutenant in 2020, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Cass County Sheriffs Lieutenant Robyn Burger... the Sheriffs Office said on social media Saturday. Please keep the burger family in your prayers. As of early Saturday afternoon, nearly 100 people have commented on the Sheriffs Office Facebook post about Burgers death. Some recounted stories of interactions with the lieutenant on and off-duty. Pat Setser commented, saying Burger always had time to say hello and had a great sense of humor. This is a great loss for her family, the sheriffs office and our community, Setser said. Malinda Geiger said on Facebook that she remembered Burger for her kindness. Robyn was one of the kindest, sweetest souls ever, Geiger commented. Im so grateful to have had the honor to work with her. Many prayers to all her loved ones and our (law enforcement officer) family. She was one of the really great ones. Residents have taken to the streets of the Syrian capital Damascus following reports President Bashar al-Assad has fled the capital Damascus to an unknown destination. Videos circulating on social media show people singing and dancing and eyewitnesses said celebratory gunfire could be heard. Residents living in Damascus told dpa that many Syrian soldiers had left their military positions. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, citing Syrian army officers, said that al-Assad had left Damascus after the advance of rebels into Damascus early on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebel forces' official channel confirmed the advance, stating, "Our forces started to enter the capital, Damascus." The Syrian civil war, ongoing since 2011, flared up in late November when a rebel alliance led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria. In a swift advance, the rebels seized control of several cities, including Aleppo and Hama. A group held a spontaneous demonstration in celebration of the change of power in Syria in the Neukolln district of Berlin waving flags inscribed with the legend "Free Syria" on Sunday. Police described the gathering as a "relatively small group" and said no noteworthy incidents had occurred. The demonstration was preceded on Saturday evening by a motorcade through Neukolln on Saturday evening. Police reported a gathering of Syrians "who demonstrated against the caliphate" numbering in the hundreds. No noteworthy incidents were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neukolln in the south-east of the German capital is home to a large number of immigrants. Over the recent past it has seen violent pro-Palestinian demonstrations voicing anger at Israeli conduct in the war in the Gaza Strip. Stained glass decoration enhances windows of the author's home, at it appeared in December 2024. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector) When we began to make the house on Constitution Street a home that is to say, about 16 years ago Kim and I threw ourselves into painting and remodeling the interior. We were carried along by the excitement of beginning a new life in a house that, if not historic, was at least old. It had seen some things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That included the Spanish-American War, the 1918 pandemic, the Great Depression, two world wars, Korea, Vietnam, Sept. 11. When the house was built, there was no commercial radio, no television and no motion picture theaters as we know them. The mass mediums were all print books, magazines and newspapers. That is fitting, because we have filled the house with books and magazines, old and new. The latest addition is a June 1970 copy of Rolling Stone #60, purchased for research, with a shockingly complete account of the events leading up to the Kent State massacre. That event is now 54 years in the past, reminding me of how relentless is the passage of time. I sometimes think of the house as a ship plying the decades, with us along for at least part of the voyage. Home is one of the most powerful words in this or any other language. The Odyssey is the story of a man attempting to return home after a 10-year war, across a disorienting wine-dark ocean, and it was written nearly 2,800 years ago. A similar theme drives The Wizard of Oz, the 1939 film in which Dorothy Gale longs to return to Kansas only to wake up and find shes never actually left. My childhood home in Baxter Springs was small and uncomfortable, and while I dont long for a return, it still occupies a lot of territory in my dreams. For most of my adult life I felt most at home behind the wheel of a car, a means to embrace adventure or to escape domesticity, like both Odysseus and Dorothy. But for the past decade this house on Constitution Street has become home. We have made it so, through intention and effort. Living in such an old house appeals to the romantic in me, but it presents certain practical challenges. Because it was built in a century that did not anticipate modern conveniences, the bathrooms are cramped and occupy spaces that must have once been closets. In summer, the central air keeps the downstairs comfortable enough, but the upstairs fairly bakes. In winter, the house is drafty and when it gets down to 16 degrees F for more than a day or so, the pipes in the crawlspace beneath the kitchen are prone to freezing. For the first few years of ownership I spent many uncomfortable hours on my back in the cold dirt doing my best as an amateur plumber. This was always accompanied by elaborate cursing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was joy in other acts of stewardship. I remember Kim sitting high on a yellow scaffold, her hair in a bandana, brushing paint on the wall just below the 9-foot ceiling in the dining room. We had cleared all of the furniture out of the eight rooms downstairs for a summer and lived in the single bedroom and bath upstairs, cooking hot dogs on a propane grill on the back deck and keeping our milk and beer in a mini fridge. We ate from paper plates and used plastic spoons and worked eight hours a day and went to bed happy. By the time of our marriage, in 2011, the downstairs was presentable enough, with cream-colored walls, white woodwork, and newly polished oak floors, but the exterior was still the rambling wreck it had been when I purchased it in 2008. Time, the enemy of innocence and architecture, has continued its onslaught. I dont know the exact year the house was built, although its unmistakable outline shows up in the 1899 Sanborn fire protection map for Emporia. Built in what I reckon is a Princess Anne style, it has a broad porch that wraps from the front door around the southwest corner to a side door off the driveway. That porch and the unique asymmetrical footprint of the house show up clearly on the map. Such novelty would be unthinkable today, but antiquated architecture has its charms. In the first days of December, we have our own version of Newgrange barrow. A shaft of light from the setting sun comes in through the narrow panes of that side door, crosses the walls of the living and dining rooms, and passes out through a window in the northeastern corner of the kitchen. The moving finger of light, seeking that kitchen window, has become for me a signal that winter is finally upon us. It is beautiful to watch, and sobering to reflect on the individuals who have also watched the sweep of the winter light in the past 130 years, give or take a few. The authors Emporia home was captured in a 2005 photo from a previous owner. (Courtesy Max McCoy) Two of those individuals were William L. Holtz, a Latin professor at the Kansas State Normal School, and his wife, Maude, who owned the house from the 1910s to the late 1930s. They appear often in the news columns of the towns newspapers. Maude was especially noted for hosting the Research Club, and in 1934 the club met at the home to discuss Merchants of Death, a book about an investigation into the influence of arms dealers in urging America to enter World War I. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Professor Holtz was one of Mary Whites teachers and a pallbearer at her 1921 funeral. Sixteen-year-old Mary died after a fall from a horse and was eulogized in a column by her famous father, newspaper editor William Allen White, who cited Holtz as one of her best friends. In a 2021 column, I pondered if Mary had visited Bill Holtz at home and whether she would recognize any of the interior of the house now. She might have noted the stained glass above the large square windows in the front rooms, an art nouveau design of torches and fleur-de-lis. The flower design continues in other touches throughout the house, from a grate that once led to a coal-fired furnace to some doorhandle backplates. The furnace is long gone, but the coal chute through the foundation remains. The newspaper clippings Ive collected over the years include another melancholy event. In 1902, the funeral of 5-year-old Geneva Evans, who had died of paralysis of the bowels, according to the Emporia Daily Republican, was held in the home. At the time, it was owned by relative R.B. Evans. It was normal for funerals to be held at home then, and I sometimes wonder as I pass through the parlor where Genevas coffin was and whether it could be seen from the large front window. If the house is haunted, the benign ghosts of William and Maude Holtz are the primary suspects, although I present no evidence and am not sure I really believe in lingering spirits. But there is the odd shadow that crosses the dining room in the small hours of the morning, the figures that seem to cling to the shadows, the inexplicable sounds that seem like nothing so much as footsteps. But then again, it may all be in my imagination. Kim tells me that in etymological terms, home and haunt are related. She always has Eric Partridges dictionary of word origins close at hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As our ship of time speeds toward 2025, meaning and history take on added weight. Was it the same for those who lived here in 1925 or 1941 or 1970? How many earnest conversations have taken place over the decades at the dining room table during troubled times? Did Bill and Maude Holtz talk about their hopes and fears in the kitchen or dining rooms? Did others make contingency plans for uncertain futures? In years hence, will somebody ponder what we talked about over meals? For those unknown future residents, let me share the topics of our conversation. Were alarmed by the direction the country has taken. Were grateful to have a house when so many do not. But we worry that the house is an unwanted anchor because its all but paid for and to find another place elsewhere would be prohibitively expensive. We think about leaving and starting over someplace else, someplace closer to either coast, but Kim worries that I would be unhappy outside my home state and far from my friends. I fret that Kim is unhappy so far from the Ozarks of her birth. Over lunches and dinners we talk also talk art and literature and the state of the world. We worry about global warming. We decry the move away from expertise and the embrace of authoritarianism. Increasingly, we fear the world is slouching inexorably toward more wars, great and small. I especially worry about the growing threat of nuclear war, which has gone from the horrific in public opinion to something that just doesnt cross the minds of most people. More and more, we feel alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing exists forever. Not this house, not me, and not Kim. To type that last has an unexpected sting to it, even though with luck that truth is many years distant and Im statistically likely to be gone before her. It is not wood or brick that make a home, but the hopes and fears of those who live there. While the house has seen its share of tragedy and death, it has also been host to joy. People have died here, but certainly others were conceived. There were wedding celebrations (our reception was here in 2011) and birthday celebrations and the thousand happy but ordinary moments that give life meaning: a loving glance, a whispered kindness, a gentle touch. The house itself may be in some disrepair, but the home remains intact. If you havent gotten it already, the house is a metaphor for the country. Its worth saving. Some parts may look like a wreck, but it continues to shelter and sustain. Now should be a time of regeneration. The fight ahead will come soon enough. It has been a good day in December, this. The sun came out in the afternoon, and Kims cats basked on the wide front porch. For dinner we had baked potatoes and some sides. We talked about the brief imposition of martial law that plunged South Korea into chaos. We discussed what implications the closing of the Tyson plant, and the loss of 809 jobs, would have on the community. We talked about whether we should find a copy of Rolling Stone #61 on eBay because 1970 and the legacy of Nixon seems always be with us. We talked about money. We agreed, for another year, to a modest Christmas. Yet we know others have it far worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is our home, and it is enough for now. In this season of self-reflection, the interstitial between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the winter solstice approaches to remind us of the clockwork nature of the Newtonian universe and the transcendent power of the human imagination. We mark the passage from one year to the next to remind ourselves the barren landscape and bone-numbing cold will eventually yield to spring. Fan the embers of hope with talk of renewal. Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. San Luis Obispo County released its final ballot count Tuesday nearly a month after Election Day. It was a long time to wait, especially for candidates in tight races. While it was frustrating, spinning this into another conspiracy theory is beyond absurd yet thats exactly what government watchdog Darcia Stebbens has done. She went on local talk radio and, among other wild allegations, accused County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano of deliberately delaying the tabulation of ballots cast in person at local precincts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason? Stebbens claimed that Cano wanted liberal candidates to take an early lead and since in-person votes tend to skew conservative, she delayed counting them. Say what? What possible good would that have done? The winner with the most votes would have come out on top in the end. Its not like polls were still open and voters could respond to trends in the count. If anything, it would be more demoralizing for liberals to be in the lead, only to ultimately lose. To set the record straight, Cano did not cherry pick some ballots to distort the early returns. Furthermore, our county was not an outlier when it came to tabulating votes. Other jurisdictions in the state also were still counting up until early December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, the last congressional race of 2024 was just called on Tuesday; Democrat Adam Gray defeated incumbent John Duarte in Californias 13th District, located in the Central Valley. The reason it takes California counties so long was well articulated by The New York Times: California notably takes longer to tabulate votes because elections officials are flooded with mail-in ballots that must be inspected and verified, the newspaper wrote. The state gives county offices weeks to complete their tallies and reach out to voters whose ballots lack a proper signature. California proud It should make us proud that California has policies and procedures in place to ensure all ballots that are cast are actually counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, it gives voters an opportunity to cure signatures that may not match what the office has on file. It also counts mail-in ballots received up to seven days after the election, as long as they are postmarked on Election Day. Compare that to how many other state operate. Several require mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day, rather than just postmarked. Louisiana requires that mail-in ballots be received by 4:30 p.m. the day before the election, though voters who are in the military, overseas, hospitalized, or serving on a sequestered jury have until 8 p.m. on Election Day. How very generous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many states still require that residents have a reason to vote by mail. In Texas, for example, mail-in voting is limited to those who are 65 or older; sick or disabled; expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day; traveling outside of their home county; civilly committed; or in jail, but still eligible to vote. That does not encourage voter participation, and it does not make it easier for everyone to cast a ballot. Bogus warnings about vote-by-mail California, on the other hand, makes it simple. Every registered voter receives a mail-in ballot no excuse required. Thats proven to be a highly popular way to vote. In San Luis Obispo County, more than 92% of voters used mail-in ballots in the recent election, which means the county staffed 67 polling places with a combined total of more than 100 precincts for just 8% of voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high vote-by-mail turnout indicates a high rate of confidence, yet were still hearing bogus warnings about the process, based mostly on rumor and speculation. Theres no way to have a chain of custody with a vote-by-mail ballot so that you know which person sent in that ballot, signed that signature, and that its a valid, legal, registered voter, Stebbens said during her interview on the KPRL radio show Sound Off. She also objected to the way in-person voting was conducted on Nov. 5, claiming that the county disenfranchised voters by changing locations of a few polling places. Heres her logic: Voters who went to their old polling places would have been issued provisional ballots that may not have included all the local races they were eligible to vote in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Some advice for those voters: If you insist on voting in person, go to the right polling place, or vote early at the County Elections Office, where you will be issued the correct ballot.) Look, the county Elections Office has gone to great lengths to serve an ever-dwindling number of in-person voters who have been brainwashed into believing there is something crooked about mail-in voting. If anything, its time to phase out more neighborhood polling places and switch to regional voting centers that would be far better equipped to serve voters. That was considered in 2021 but rejected by the conservative majority that controlled the Board of Supervisors. Results speak for themselves We believe and we fervently hope we are right that the vast majority of San Luis Obispo County voters trust the system of casting and tabulating votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet a small number cannot resist spreading lies and rumors, even when election results are in their favor. In SLO County, conservative candidates did well in several local races, especially in school board elections. In the Lucia Mar Unified School District, for example, conservative candidate Mike Fuller managed to oust longtime incumbent Vicki Meagher. And in Atascadero, two well-qualified, liberal-leaning candidates lost, even though one of the three winners, Jodi Taylor, had been all but invisible during the campaign. In national races, both Donald Trump and Republican Senate candidate Steve Garvey did well in San Luis Obispo County; Trump finished with 43% of the vote and Garvey did even better, with nearly 47%. Compare that to statewide returns of 38% for Trump and 41% for Garvey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why, then, are some local Republican Party leaders still tearing down a system that delivered positive results for them when its obvious that California is not going back to the old system of heavy in-person voting? Instead of attacking what we have now, we should ensure that the county elections office has all the resources it needs to make the system operate as efficiently as possible. In the meantime, recognize these conspiracy theories for what they are: falsehoods peddled by a small-but-noisy minority. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) East Providence businesses affected by the Washington Bridge closure will be getting financial assistance later this month. READ MORE: I-195 Bridge Closure The aid comes in the form of $1.2 million in grant funding allocated to the city. Eligible businesses that applied for help will be able to get up to $10,000 from each. We have 111 eligible and qualified businesses, Mayor Bob DaSilva told 12 News on Saturday. We sent out 92 letters just this week to let them know that theyre getting their money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: RI starts cutting checks for small businesses harmed by Washington Bridge closure DaSilva added that those businesses now just need to fill out some paperwork, including filling out a W-9. He said on Dec. 23, the businesses can then come and pick up the money. The mayor said the city got a total of over 260 applications, but some of those were detected to be fraudulent. And thats why were going to make them come in in-person, so that we could get their ID, have them fill out paperwork and then well give them their check, DaSilva explained. The amount each business will received depended on how much the reported losses they listed in their application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DaSilva said hes planning to have a second round of applications for businesses who didnt apply this time if there is left over money. NEXT: Appeals court upholds RI truck tolls but throws out caps for local trips Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. A chemical fire at the Anheuser-Busch facility in Van Nuys forced evacuations on Saturday, authorities confirmed. The fire was initially reported by employees of the facility, located at 8250 N Woodley Avenue, around noon, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The first crews to arrive noticed a partially extinguished blaze involving what the department described as a large container housing an unknown chemical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the fire was completely put out, crews discovered that the chemical was about 10 gallons of Hydrogen Peroxide. Hazmat squads were then sent to the location to assess the spill and monitor the air quality. As a precaution, the area was evacuated. As of 2 p.m., theres no word whether the area was cleared. No injuries were reported. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A child was hit by a vehicle in Donora. Washington County dispatchers said emergency crews were called to the 400 block of Allen Avenue at 4:00 p.m. for reports of a vehicle vs pedestrian crash. Investigators said a nine-year-old was flown to a hospital in Pittsburgh from the scene. Channel 11 has reached out to the Donora Fire Company for more information and is waiting to hear back. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW For many service workers and restaurant employees, access to reliable and affordable childcare continues to be a major struggle within the industry. Its no secret that the United States has a childcare crisis thats only worsened in recent years. As of 2021, roughly half of Americans live in so-called child care deserts, areas where theres only one daycare spot for every three kids, according to the Department of the Treasury. An astounding 74% of mothers and 66% of fathers have been forced to leave work early, arrive to work late or skip it entirely due to last-minute childcare disruptions, per the Independent Restaurant Coalition. To make matters worse, childcare workers make an average of $30,370 a year, placing them in the bottom 2% of occupations. Restaurant workers face a unique set of challenges when it comes to securing childcare. Unlike a standard 9-to-5 job, which now offers some flexibility with remote working, restaurant shifts are exclusively in-person and often early in the morning or late at night times when childcare facilities are often unavailable. A disproportionate number of restaurant employees are also single mothers. Nearly 3.5 million parents work in the food industry and more than one million of those employees are single mothers, a 2016 report by the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC) found. Forty percent of the one million single mothers live in poverty, the report added. While larger paychecks, improved scheduling, and comprehensive healthcare are all pieces of the puzzle for solving the labor crisis, childcare is the issue business owners are not talking about or addressing enough, not only within the restaurant industry but across many business sectors, Joanna Fantozzi wrote back in February for Nations Restaurant News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The childcare crisis has only been exacerbated by the pandemic, which resulted in widespread dining room and daycare closures. In an effort to make childcare more accessible, the Texas Restaurant Association launched its Employers for Childcare Task Force (E4C), which works with employers, companies, lawmakers and administrators to address the key issues of affordability and access. In November, the task force drafted a plan for reducing the cost and expanding the availability of childcare, Restaurant Business reported. The blueprint pulls inspiration from state-based childcare initiatives, like Kentuckys Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership Program (ECCAP), along with their strongest, most efficient policies. As explained by Restaurant Business Peter Romeo, the draft plan includes everything from creating an information resource center to launching a grant program whereby [childcare] providers would vie for funding to expand their services into market areas where the need for more care facilities is particularly acute. Want more great food writing and recipes? Subscribe to Salon Food's newsletter, The Bite. The plan also pushes for the use of tax credits to split the cost of childcare between employers and employees. The Independent Restaurant Coalition has advocated for similar improvements to current federal tax provisions. They include calling for the expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) to help cover the high costs of childcare, raising the $5,000 benefit limit set in the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) and providing more resources to restaurants to allow for the implementation of the Employer-Provided Child Care Credit (45F). Additionally, the coalition is urging Congress to prioritize several bills that prioritize affordable childcare solutions for restaurant employees. Theres the Child Care Investment Act of 2023, which would enhance the three existing tax credits (CDCTC, DCAP, and 45F); the Affordable Childcare Act, which doubles all three tax credits; and the Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone (PACE) Act, which modifies the CDCTC to increase the rate for the tax credit and make the credit refundable. Nationwide efforts are attempting to bolster childcare and make it a viable resource for service industry workers. As written by Fantozzi, Childcare is the complex issue the restaurant industry is not talking about enough. Its about time that childcare is taken seriously. (COLORADO SPRINGS) A Childrens Hospital Colorado patient ambassador got a special holiday surprise on Friday, Dec. 6, when 5-year-old Beckett arrived home to find his house in Colorado Springs decorated in a wonderful light display. Sturgeon Electric Company helped put it all together to make Becketts and his familys holiday season a little brighter. His parents say Beckett weighed just two pounds when he was born at 33 weeks, and visits to Childrens Hospital Colorado became routine as doctors tried to work through Becketts health challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During those long stays, It seems like there is no light at the end, but there is, said Tasha Evans, Becketts mom. And regardless of the outcome, I know that if you have a great care team, especially if youre at Childrens, youll have a great group of people on your team taking care of you and supporting you in many different ways. Even with Becketts regular visits to the hospital, his positive attitude and determination have never wavered. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. A new iron making technology developed in China is set to significantly impact the global steel industry. Developed after more than 10 years of research, this method injects finely ground iron ore powder into a very hot furnace, causing an "explosive chemical reaction", according to the engineers. The result is a continuous flow of high-purity iron that forms as bright red, glowing liquid droplets that accumulate at the base of the furnace, ready for direct casting or one-step steel-making. Process takes just three to six seconds The flash iron making method, as detailed by Professor Zhang Wenhai and his team in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Nonferrous Metals last month, can complete the iron making process in just three to six seconds, compared to the five to six hours required by traditional blast furnaces. This represents a 3,600-fold or more increase in speed. The new method also performs exceptionally well with low or medium-yield ores, which are plentiful in China, according to the researchers, the South China Morning Post reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China currently relies on high-yield ores and spends a substantial amount importing them from Australia, Brazil, and Africa. According to Zhang and his colleagues, the new technology could improve energy use efficiency in Chinas steel industry by over one-third. Additionally, by eliminating the need for coal entirely, it would help the steel industry achieve the goal of near-zero carbon dioxide emissions. Blast furnace reliance hampers targets Chinas steel production capacity already exceeds the combined output of the rest of the world, providing it with a significant advantage in key industries like high-speed rail, shipbuilding, and car manufacturing. However, its reliance on blast furnace smelting processes, which consume large quantities of coke derived from coal, poses a significant challenge to achieving Chinas ambitious carbon reduction goals. One of the major technical hurdles for flash iron making is the ore-spraying lance, which must effectively disperse iron ore in a high-temperature, highly reducible tower space with a large specific surface area to initiate the necessary chemical reaction. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/L9j79oOKiFs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zhangs team has developed a vortex lance that can inject 450 tonnes of iron ore particles per hour. A reactor equipped with three such lances produces 7.11 million tonnes of iron annually. As per the paper, the lance "has already entered commercial production." Although the concept of applying this process to iron making originated in the US, it was Zhangs team that developed a flash smelting technology capable of directly producing liquid iron. They obtained a patent in 2013 and spent the next decade refining the method. "The laboratory and pilot tests have confirmed the feasibility of this process," Zhang noted. Government statistics reveal that the success rate for new technologies that undergo pilot testing in China exceeds 80%. DES MOINES, Iowa Sunday is the final day of the Christkindlmarket in Des Moines, and itll go from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. This year, the market was moved to the North parking lot in Principal Park. In previous years, the market was located in the West lot. Organizers said the move allowed them to utilize more space, but the market still has the same cozy feel Iowans have grown to know and love. The Christkindlmarket is a German Christmas market where European cultures are being showcased through performance, drinks, foods, and crafts. Many of the vendors sell German products, but several are highlighting other European cultures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers said the warm weather on Saturday and Sunday has brought an increase in attendees this year. One of the vendors is Kartoffelsack, a food truck distributing various different German foods. Owner, Denice Enamorado, is originally from Germany and she loves that she can share her culture with people in Des Moines. This is also her first year as a vendor for the market, but that hasnt stopped the community from showing support for her. She said she sold out of food each day of the market because of the high interest. For attendees who are eating German food for the first time, Enamorado recommends people try the schnitzel and fries, which is a thin slice of meat with fries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sweet treats are also a must-try for many people who are attending the Christkindlmarket. One of the vendors providing the sugar fix is Sweetplums Cakes and Confections. Julie Cullinan is the owner. She and her husband lived in Germany for a while, and thats where she was exposed to German baked goods. For the past eight years, Cullinan has sold traditional German cookies at the Christkindlmarket, and each year, she gets bigger and bigger. Her best seller is the Lebkuchen, a traditional German cookie that takes a month to bake! Cullinan said she made 500 of this cookie alone for this market because they usually sell out fast. Because of her increased inventory, this is the first year she still has Lebkuchen on the last day of the market. Aside from the Lebkuchen, there are plenty other treats at the market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While German culture is at the forefront of the Christkindlmarket, many other European cultures are also on display. Maren Skates is the owner of Rosemaled Creations by Maren, and this is her first time at this event. Despite being a new vendor, she said the market has so far been a massive success. She does a Norwegian folk art on ceramics. The folk art is called rosemaled, its traditionally done on wooden objects, but she decorates her ceramic pottery pieces with the traditional designs. According to Skates, there are 20 different regional types of rosemaling in Norway. Her artwork is considered telemark rosemaling, which starts at a root and then branches out. It is known for its asymmetry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her best sellers are her mugs. The Christkindlmarket is also a platform for several small businesses based out of Iowa. One of them is the Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill. Ellen Hartsack and Savannah Scheufler are based out of Perry and own the business. They work with small farms all across the country take their raw fiber and transform it into yarn. Their top sellers include hand-dyed yarn, felted soap (an ancient practice used to make soap last longer), and alpaca dryer balls. The Christkindlmarket kicked off its last day on Sunday at 11 a.m. and will go through 5 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. On the morning of 8 December, Tbilisi City Hall began setting up a Christmas tree on Rustaveli Avenue, the site of daily protests since late November, where demonstrators have been advocating for Georgias movement towards the EU. Source: Georgian news outlet News Georgia; European Pravda Details: The TbilService Group company, which started the installation of the Christmas tree, said that "in every civilised country, a Christmas tree is installed and stands". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You must appreciate a tidy city and the setup of the frames [for the Christmas tree]. I think there is nothing wrong with that," a company representative said, as quoted by Georgian news outlet SOVA. Notably, the mayor of Tbilisi is Kakha Kaladze, an influential politician from the ruling Georgian Dream party. A protest is scheduled to gather on Sunday at 15:00 on Republic Square, at the western end of Rustaveli Avenue. On Rustaveli Avenue, in front of the Parliamentwhere large-scale anti-Russian protests are held daily and the government brutally assaults citizensTbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze is setting up a Christmas tree. pic.twitter.com/SqV6oVPzsT PUBLIKA (@Publika_ge) December 8, 2024 Background: During the 2014 Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine, authorities began setting up a Christmas tree on Independence Square, where protesters had gathered. However, the installation had to be halted due to the unfolding events of Euromaidan. The unfinished tree frame remained standing until August 2014, becoming a symbol of the protests. It was referred to as the "yolka" after a slip of the tongue by then-President Viktor Yanukovych. ["yolka" means "Christmas tree" in Russian ed.] Last night's protests in Tbilisi ended without any crackdowns but were followed by attacks on protesters by government-hired thugs. Several dozen men dressed in black and wearing masks assaulted people near Rustaveli Avenue. Opponents of the government said that the ruling Georgian Dream party was behind the mobilisation of the thugs and that special forces in civilian clothes were deployed to carry out the crackdown. However, Georgian Dream has categorically denied these accusations. Protests in Georgia have been going on since 28 November, triggered by the government's decision to pause the issue of opening negotiations on EU membership until 2029. Support UP or become our patron! (This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.) The clemency hearing for admitted child killer Kevin Ray Underwood was called off again. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay Sunday, blocking the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board from going forward with its special meeting. The board was to have met at 9 a.m. Monday in Oklahoma City. The appeals court acted hours after a federal judge allowed the hearing to take place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underwood, 44, is complaining he is entitled to a fair and impartial hearing before a full board of five members. The board currently has four members. Underwood is set to be executed by lethal injection Dec. 19 at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester for the murder of a 10-year-old girl. The execution cannot go forward unless he has a clemency hearing. Attorney General Gentner Drummond was working Monday to have the stay lifted. "The stay is frustrating but we are proceeding with all legal avenues to allow the hearing to take place this week and to keep the execution on schedule," his press secretary, Leslie Berger, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underwood suffocated Jamie Rose Bolin on April 12, 2006, in his Purcell apartment. He confessed he had planned for months to murder someone to act upon his sexual and cannibalistic fantasies. He described Jamie, a neighbor, as a "convenient" victim. The FBI found the girl's nearly decapitated body in a plastic tub in his bedroom closet two days after she went missing. He had either raped her as she was dying or had tried to have sex with the corpse, according to evidence presented at his 2008 trial. He had not consumed any of the body. More: Convicted murderer of Jamie Rose Bolin seeks mercy as execution looms He was 26 at the time. His attorneys contend he deserves mercy because he is mentally ill. An expert on autism spectrum disorder was going to speak on his behalf Monday by video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underwood complained in Oklahoma City federal court last week after a shake-up at the board left it with only three members. He asked U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin to stay both the clemency hearing and his execution. His attorneys argued the Oklahoma Constitution requires five members hear his clemency request. They also claimed his due process rights under the U.S. Constitution were being violated. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Tulsa lawyer Susan H. Stava to the board Thursday. She was going to participate in the hearing. Goodwin denied the stay request in a 13-page order Sunday morning. The judge pointed out the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1998 rejected an Oklahoma death row inmate's due process challenge to a 2-2 deadlock at a clemency hearing. The judge wrote the appeals court "held that the Oklahoma Constitution 'clearly contemplates' such a tie vote." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clemency hearing was called off the first time when the acting chairman, H. Calvin Prince III, resigned Nov. 29 after coming under criminal investigation. The board's chairman, Ed Konieczny, stepped down Nov. 6. The clemency hearing was rescheduled from Wednesday to Monday morning after Drummond complained about the cancelation. The board can only recommend clemency. Stitt will make the final decision if it does. The governor cannot act if the board votes against Underwood. Several members of the victim's family were going to be at the hearing Monday. The victim's father, Curtis Bolin, had planned to attend virtually because of medical issues. The victim's mother, Jennifer Fox, died last year in a car accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every single one of us will suffer from another emotional roller coaster if this clemency hearing is rescheduled again," the victim's aunt, Jessica Stegner, wrote in a court declaration Friday. "We need a final resolution to this case, so that we can remember Jamie without the shadow of another confrontation with Kevin Underwood following us everywhere we turn." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OK Pardon and Parole Board blocked from having clemency hearing Monday The 11-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, established in 2005, is the countrys first regional cap-and-invest system for reducing carbon emissions from power generation. (Photo by Scott Olson/ Getty Images) A trailblazing regional greenhouse gas partnership on the East Coast is considering possible changes or expansion that would allow it to keep building on its success and the stakes grew higher last month with the reelection of Donald Trump. The 11-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, established in 2005, is the countrys first regional cap-and-invest system for reducing carbon emissions from power generation. Since 2021, administrators have been conducting a program review, analyzing its performance since the last review in 2017 and weighing potential adjustments to make sure it continues to deliver benefits to member states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The role of such programs is more crucial as Trumps pledges to roll back federal climate action leaves it up to cities, states, and the private sector to maintain the countrys momentum on clean energy over the next four years. In RGGI, as the regional initiative is known, states have a potential model for scaling their impact through collaboration. RGGI has not only been an effective climate policy, its been an extraordinary example of how states can work together on common goals, said Daniel Sosland, president of climate and energy nonprofit Acadia Center. It is a major vehicle for climate policy now in the states, more than it might have seemed before the election. How RGGI works RGGI sets a cap for total power plant carbon emissions among member states. Individual generators must then buy allowances from the state, up to the total cap, for each ton of carbon dioxide they produce in a year. The cap lowers over time, forcing power plants to either reduce emissions or pay more to buy allowances from a shrinking pool. States then reinvest the proceeds from these auctions into programs that further reduce emissions and help energy customers, including energy efficiency initiatives, direct bill assistance, and renewable energy projects. Since 2008, RGGI has generated $8.3 billion for participating states, and carbon dioxide emissions from power generation in the nine states that have consistently participated fell by about half between 2008 and 2021, a considerably faster rate than the rest of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has really thrived and been really effective across multiple administrations, said Jackson Morris, state power sector director with the Natural Resources Defense Council. RGGI is a winning model. Its not theoretical weve got numbers. Currently, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont are part of the program. Virginia joined RGGI in 2021, but in 2023 Gov. Glenn Youngkin repealed the states participation, a move immediately challenged in court; a judge ruled last month that the governor lacked the authority to withdraw the state from initiative, though a spokesman for the governor has declared the states intention to appeal. There is widespread agreement that RGGI will endure despite likely federal hostility to climate measures. There was no attempt to take direct action against it during Trumps first term, nor has there been any concerted industry opposition, said Conservation Law Foundation president Bradley Campbell, who was involved in the founding of RGGI when he was commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Supporters also note that the program has historically had broad bipartisan support: Participating states have been led through the years by both Republican and Democratic governors and legislatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politics has had some influence over the years, though only at the margins. New Jersey, a founding member of RGGI, left in 2011 when Chris Christie was governor, but returned in 2020 following an executive order from his successor. Pennsylvania joined in 2022 through an executive order from the governor, but its participation is now being challenged in court. Still, RGGIs foundations are solid and will remain so, experts said. The basic infrastructure has weathered the political winds over the decades, Campbell said. Looking forward Nonetheless, RGGI will need to make some carefully thought-out program design decisions during its current review to make an impact in the face of falling federal support for decarbonization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One question under consideration is whether to maintain the existing trajectory for the overall emissions cap for the program a reduction of 30 percent between 2020 and 2030, then holding steady thereafter or to continue lowering the limit after 2030. The RGGI states are also contemplating a possible change to the compliance schedule that would require power generators to acquire allowances worth 100 percent of their carbon emissions each year, and certify compliance annually. The current system calls for certification every three years, and only mandates allowances equivalent to half of carbon emissions for the first two years of each period. The program is looking for ways to appeal to potential new participant states that have less aggressive decarbonization goals than current member states without watering down the programs overall impact on decarbonization, said Acadia Center policy analyst Paola Tamayo. Acadia suggested possible program mechanisms such as giving proportionately more allowances to states with more stringent emissions targets to incentivize tighter limits. At this point it is critical for states to maintain a high level of ambition when it comes to programs like RGGI, Tamayo said. There are different mechanisms that they can implement to accommodate other states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program review is expected to yield a model rule some time over the winter, though updates may be made into the spring as the RGGI states receive and consider feedback on how to accommodate potential new participants. States will also need to maintain and strengthen their own climate policies to magnify the impact of RGGI, Campbell said. He pointed to Massachusetts, where Gov. Maura Healey needs to show bolder leadership, he said, and Maine and Vermont, where the Conservation Law Foundation has filed lawsuits in an attempt to compel the states to meet their own carbon reduction deadlines. Its especially important that the states that have strong emissions reduction mandates speed up the implementation of their climate laws, he said. State leadership on these issues is going to be more important than ever. This article first appeared on Energy News Network and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. OFALLON, Ill. Officers are having some fun with their police report after a close call this morning. Did Santa and a reindeer hit the officers vehicle today? Check out this police report titled Deer wanted for hit and hoofed.' The collision happened eastbound on Frank Scott Parkway near Hartman Lane at around 8 a.m. today. The animal hit the drivers side door, shattered the window, and caused the airbags to deploy. The officer was unharmed. Heres how the police departments Facebook post describes the suspect and his accomplice: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer and witnesses described the suspect as standing approximately 5 2 tall, having brown hair, and dark eyes. After the collision, the suspect immediately fled on hoof. A foot pursuit was not initiated. Additionally, we received unconfirmed reports that the suspect was in the company of an older man, heavy build, white hair and beard, wearing a red jacket and pants. Although we do not consider this subject a suspect, they are a person of interest. Anyone having information about this incident is asked to report it immediately. Our officer was unharmed, the suspect appeared no worse for wear, but our sleigh is going to need a little work Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. In an effort to coordinate drawbridge operations with adjacent bridges while the U.S. Coast Guard enforces a security zone around President-elect Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club, the agency has temporarily modified the operating schedule for the three bridges that connect West Palm Beach to Palm Beach. The Coast Guard announced the step Nov. 27. The agency has been working with town officials to alleviate traffic congestion from a U.S. Secret Service-ordered road closure near Trump's estate. Those efforts have included reducing the number of openings at the Flagler Memorial, Royal Park and Southern Boulevard bridges. Limiting the number of bridge openings during peak hours would improve traffic flow, especially on the Royal Park Bridge, which has absorbed much of the traffic rerouted from the Southern Boulevard Bridge, town officials told the Daily News in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is the updated schedule that took effect Sunday, Dec. 1: Flagler Memorial Bridge schedule The "north" bridge will open on the quarter hour and three-quarter hour except for peak rush-hour travel times. During those times, the bridges will open Monday through Friday, with the exception of federal holidays, on the quarter hour from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. When the security zone is enforced, the bridge will open Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) as follows: On the quarter hour, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. On the quarter hour and three-quarter hour, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. On the quarter hour, from 2:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the quarter hour and three-quarter hour, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. On Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays, the bridge will open on the quarter hour and three-quarter hour. Royal Park Bridge schedule The "middle" bridge will open on the hour and half-hour except for peak rush-hour travel times. During those times, the bridges will open Monday through Friday, with the exception of federal holidays, on the half-hour from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. When the security zone is enforced, the bridge will open Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) as follows: On the half-hour, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the hour and half-hour, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. On the half-hour, from 2:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. On the hour and half-hour, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. On Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays, the bridge will open on the hour and half-hour. Southern Boulevard Bridge schedule The "south" bridge will open on the quarter hour and three-quarter hour except for peak rush-hour travel times. During those times, the bridges will open Monday through Friday, with the exception of federal holidays, on the quarter hour from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. When the security zone is enforced, the bridge may be closed without advance notice to permit uninterrupted transit of dignitaries across the bridge. At all other times, the bridge will open on the quarter and three-quarter hour, or as directed by the on-scene designated representative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The temporary operating schedule will remain in place through March 31, 2025. The Coast Guard is seeking public input regarding the bridge schedule. The comment period ends Friday. Comments identified by docket number USCG-2023-0601 can be submitted using the Federal Decision Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Coast Guard Trump security updates West Palm Beach bridge schedules COLLINSVILLE, Ill. A home invasion led to a bi-state police chase Friday night. The incident began after 9:30 p.m. when an armed man broke into a home in the 8900 block of Rene Avenue in unincorporated Collinsville. He fired at least one shot. A Madison County Sheriffs Deputy first spotted the suspect fleeing in a gray Toyota pickup truck on Illinois Route 111 near Horseshoe Lake Road. What started as a local response quickly escalated into an interstate pursuit, with law enforcement agencies from Madison County, Pontoon Beach, and multiple Missouri jurisdictions, including the St. Louis City Police Department, joining the chase. The chase went onto I-55/70 in St. Louis and ended in Missouri. During the pursuit, the suspect reportedly fired shots at officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say that the suspect and victims know each other, and it was not a random attack. Police are still looking for the suspect. No injuries were reported during the entire incident. Madison County Sheriffs Detectives are continuing to investigate and are following up on leads to locate the man. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact police. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Police continue to investigate a reported drive-by shooting that occurred four years ago on the Northeast Side. According to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, officers responded to shots being fired Dec. 13, 2020, in the 1800 block of Republic Avenue, in East Linden. Police found Jasmine Johnson, 28, suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead that night. Witnesses told police an unknown person drove by the residence and began firing several shots, striking Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the person(s) responsible for this crime. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Commonwealth Healths hospitals and other health care facilities will remain on the tax rolls and continue generating revenue for local governments and school districts after a nonprofits attempt to acquire the health system collapsed late last month. Its something of a silver lining for taxing bodies that stood to lose considerable revenue annually if the nonprofit WoodBridge Healthcare was able to complete its planned $120 million acquisition of Commonwealths Regional Hospital of Scranton, nearby Moses Taylor Hospital in the city and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital in Luzerne County, along with other health care assets. The deal that many saw as a potential lifeline for the financially struggling hospitals recently fell apart when WoodBridge was unable to secure the necessary bond financing to complete the transaction. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Wilkes-Barre board OKs up to $180M in bonds for WoodBridge hospital buys\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 * \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Q&A with Don Steigman, president of Commonwealth Health buyer WoodBridge Healthcare\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 * \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Heres how Jefferson Health is creating cohesion with LVHN\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 * \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009LVHN and Jefferson merger is official as health networks sign definitive agreement to combine\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News of the sales collapse disappointed local officials who had been cautiously optimistic about WoodBridges planned investments in the health care facilities and the prospect of nonprofit ownership more broadly. Several said last week they hope another buyer emerges, and potentially another nonprofit buyer, arguing the long-term availability of accessible health care in the region outweighs any potential property tax loss. Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on River Street in Wilkes-Barre. (FILE PHOTO) Figures provided this past summer suggested taxing bodies in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties including the counties themselves, the cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre and the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Area school districts collectively stood to lose more than $5.4 million in annual real estate tax revenue if the Commonwealth properties became tax-exempt. Those taxing bodies should now see at least some of that money next year, and possibly all of it absent a mid-year acquisition by a nonprofit entity. In Wilkes-Barre, Mayor George Brown acknowledged the city could see about $774,000 in unexpected property tax revenue next year with Wilkes-Barre General remaining taxable. City council there approved late last month Browns 2025 budget proposal that doesnt hike taxes or fees for residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what I really am concerned about also though is some of the loss in services that Commonwealth Health has taken out of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for our residents, Brown said, listing obstetrics and childbirth services as a specific example. This is really my main concern, and making sure that theres adequate facilities to take the residents of Wilkes-Barre or visitors in Wilkes-Barre so they can get quality care. And one of the reasons that we were hoping that this sale would go through is that we were promised by WoodBridge that they would be bringing back the services that were taken away. Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti also called health care availability, not tax revenue, her most pressing concern and said her administration will continue pushing for a sale. Scranton officials arent banking on the more than $800,000 in 2025 tax revenue Commonwealth properties would otherwise generate for the city coming through in full next year, she said. Were going to continue on with our budget as is and push for a sale, Cognetti said. The priority is always the access to health care and that has to be what we continue to push for. Ultimately I believe that nonprofit health care is a better public service to us. Weve seen the for-profit health care not work out well here or in most places in America. Commonwealth closed some health care facilities and reduced services at others in recent years. In 2022, for example, it shuttered the ER at the former Tyler Memorial Hospital near Tunkhannock and closed First Hospital in Kingston, a private psychiatric facility. The for-profit health system also closed Moses Taylors ER last year, consolidating operations at Regional, and ended the inpatient childbirth services at Wilkes-Barre General that Brown referenced when reached last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The late July announcement that WoodBridge planned to purchase Commonwealth from subsidiaries of Tennessee-based Community Health Systems Inc. (CHS) came after all three local Commonwealth hospitals Regional, Moses Taylor and Wilkes-Barre General lost money in Fiscal Year 2023. They all reported negative total margins for the fiscal year, meaning the money each hospital spent exceeded revenues from patient care and other sources, an annual financial analysis report released in June by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council showed. Days prior to the sale announcement, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey sent a letter to CHS CEO Tim Hingtgen expressing concern over the companys business practices. The July 25 letter revealed that CHS executives had shared plans to close one or both Scranton hospitals if unable to find a buyer. When Lackawanna County granted in October the final governmental approval necessary for WoodBridge to proceed with the bond financing plan that ultimately failed, Commissioner Bill Gaughan said the prospect of Regional or Moses Taylor closing was more painful than the revenue hit the county expected to take if they became tax-exempt. He largely reiterated that view when reached last week while acknowledging tax revenue generated by Commonwealth properties will provide a cushion for the county in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That revenue could exceed $800,000 but is not reflected in the 2025 budget Gaughan and fellow majority Commissioner Matt McGloin adopted last month over minority Commissioner Chris Chermaks objections. The adopted spending plan includes a 33% property tax hike meant to help eliminate a structural budget deficit otherwise projected to reach about $29 million next year. Gaughan said the county isnt including the potential revenue in next years budget because, should the Commonwealth properties ultimately sell to a nonprofit, we dont want to budget for something thats not there. But it will provide us some cushion for next year, which is great, because last year the county ended the year on fumes and weve been having some cash-flow problems, he said. If everything stays the same, (the revenue) will provide us much-needed relief. Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo also said the unexpected revenue will help next year. Figures provided in the summer suggested Luzerne County stood to lose close to $400,000 in would-be revenue if Commonwealth properties became tax-exempt, though Crocamo said last week the actual figure is closer to $1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats always positive for the county when youre not losing tax revenue, she said. Tax money notwithstanding, what the future holds for Commonwealth, its hospitals and Northeast Pennsylvanias broader health care landscape remains to be seen. In a press release announcing the collapse of the WoodBridge transaction, CHS said it will evaluate future options for the local health system. LARGO, Md. (DC News Now) Candles burned bright in a Staples parking lot in Largo on Saturday night, a tribute to a life whose light burned out way too soon. We gotta show more love than hate, said Rico Scott, recalling his cousin, Cornelius McDonald, better known to those as Neal. McDonald, 33, died on Nov. 30 after Terrelle Bailey, 35, shot him outside of Jaspers Restaurant, according to Prince Georges County police. Detectives said McDonald and Bailey had gotten into an argument before the shooting and did not know each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonalds family said he had tried to break up a fight between Bailey and another man. We gotta stop all the senseless violence, Scott said. It has to stop; I dont want to do any more of these in 2025. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man charged in connection to shooting death of DMV activist Cornelius McDonald McDonald helped start Stay Solid, a nonprofit organization that advocates against gun violence. He loved his community. He loved his family. He loved his friends, said Maria Butler, McDonalds mother. Shes grieving McDonalds death five years after gun violence took the life of another son, Devin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My strength comes from you guys, Butler told the crowd, who gathered for the candlelight vigil. From all of the wonderful things, to know that my son touched each and every one of you in his own way, Its very strengthening for me. So this is where I get my strength from. As McDonalds family prepares for another funeral, a plea from his cousin to stop the gun violence. Do not make him (McDonald) a liar for what he believed in, Scott said. McDonalds funeral will be held on Dec. 17 at Landovers Jericho City of Praise Family Ministries. Bailey remains held without bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Family and friends gathered Saturday night near the parking lot of Walnut Hills High School to remember and honor a 20-year-old mother who was shot and killed in Mount Airy earlier that day. Cincinnati police say Lanyah Dawson was shot and killed in the 4900 block of Trail Ridge Road. Lanyah meant a lot to us. She was my baby but she also was everybodys baby too. She was the life of the party. She was very fun, outgoing. You could always call her and she would be there for you, her mother, Nyresha Dawson, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nyresha says Lanyah was also the mother of a 1-year-old daughter. Friends and family arranged candles to spell out Lanyahs initials and offered prayers that the person responsible for her death would be found. They also released balloons to remember Lanyah. At this point, right now, we just need prayers, we need answers, we need everything that we need in order to move forward and have peace in our heart because I just dont think she deserved nothing that has happened to her, Nyresha said. Officers say she suffered a gunshot wound, and when an EMS crew arrived, they determined that she had died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The section of Trail Ridge Road in Mount Airy Forest is in a secluded area that is closed to vehicle traffic. However, pedestrians can access the street. According to Nyresha, she and her daughter texted each other just hours before she found out about what had happened. Thats whats so weird to be because its like dang, if I knew that her life was in danger in any type of way, she already knows that she can call on any of us, and wed all be there for her, Nyresha said. Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040. Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Vigil held for Lanyah Dawson, woman shot dead in Mount Airy Forest Confederate monuments burst into public consciousness in 2015 when a shooting at a historically Black church in Charleston, South Carolina, instigated the first broad calls for their removal. The shooter intended to start a race war and had posed with Confederate imagery in photos posted online. Monument removal efforts grew in 2017 after a counterprotester was killed at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where white supremacist groups defended the preservation of Confederate monuments. Removal movements saw widespread success in 2020 following George Floyds death at the hands of the police. These events linked Confederate monuments to modern racist beliefs and acts. But whether monuments carry inherent racism or are merely misinterpreted requires further exploration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research by economist Jhacova A. Williams has shown that Black Americans who live in areas that have a relatively higher number of streets named after prominent Confederate generals are less likely to be employed, are more likely to be employed in low-status occupations, and have lower wages compared to Whites. I study economic and political history and have researched the effects of Confederate monuments in the post-Civil War South. I found that these symbols helped solidify the Jim Crow era, which established segregation across the South and lasted from the 1880s until the 1960s. These symbols were accompanied by increases in the vote share of the Democratic Party the racist party that had supported slavery and, after the Civil War, supported segregation for another century. The building of these monuments was also accompanied by reductions in voter turnout. Further research I conducted shows that these political effects disproportionately occurred in areas with a larger share of Black residents. In other words, as these monuments were erected, the vote increased for members of the then-racist Democratic Party, and people turned out to vote in lower numbers in predominantly Black areas. These findings demonstrate that a connection existed between racism and these monuments from their inception and provide context for modern monument debates. Richmond, Va., city workers prepare to drape a tarp over a statue of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson in 2017. AP Photo/Steve Helber Monumental history The South saw almost no monument dedications during the Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. Monuments first appeared during the Reconstruction era 1865 to 1877 when Southern states were occupied by the North and integrated back into the Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reconstruction-era monuments in general did not glorify the Confederacy. These monuments largely honored the dead and were placed in cemeteries and spaces distant from daily life. They compartmentalized the trauma of the war, commemorating lives but not placing the Confederacy at the center of Southern identity. As Reconstruction neared its end in 1875, a Stonewall Jackson monument erected in Richmond, Virginia, foreshadowed the different monuments to come. The monuments dedication drew 50,000 spectators and included a military-style parade. The potential presence of a local all-Black militia proved to be controversial. To avoid accusations of race mixing, organizers planned to place the militia and any other Black participants in the back of the parade. The militia did not attend, likely in anticipation of the controversy, and the only Black Southerners present in the parade were formerly enslaved people who had served in the Confederacys Stonewall Brigade. This stark picture of Southern race relations served as a preview of political developments to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This trend continued after Reconstruction, which ended with the Compromise of 1877. This compromise settled the disputed 1876 presidential election, giving Republicans the presidency and Democrats, then a pro-segregation party, full political control of the South. Democrats subsequently established what would become known as Jim Crow laws across the South, an array of restrictive and discriminatory laws that disenfranchised Black Southerners and made them second-class citizens. Monuments played a cultural role in establishing the Jim Crow South. Unlike Reconstruction monuments, post-Reconstruction monuments were erected in prominent public spaces, and their focus shifted toward the portrayal and glorification of famous Confederates. Monument dedication ceremonies were particularly popular around the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, peaking in 1911. Additional Confederate monuments have been dedicated since that period, but those numbers pale in comparison to the monument-building spree of 1878 to 1912. The Mississippi state and U.S. flags fly near the Rankin County Confederate Monument in the downtown square of Brandon, Miss., on March 3, 2023. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File Monumental effects My research investigates the political effects of Confederate monuments in the Reconstruction and early post-Reconstruction 1877-1912 eras, namely their effects on Democratic Party vote share and voter turnout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I expected monuments potential effects to be directly related to their centrality to everyday life and glorification of the Confederacy. This is the primary difference between soldier-memorializing Reconstruction and Confederate-glorifying post-Reconstruction monuments. I expected to find little political effect from soldier-memorializing Reconstruction monuments, but some pro-Jim Crow effects from Confederate-glorifying post-Reconstruction monuments. As monuments moved from cemeteries into central public spaces such as parks and squares, I expected them to affect voters decisions. That is precisely what I found. During Reconstruction, counties that dedicated Confederate monuments saw no change in voter turnout or Democratic Party vote share in biennial congressional elections. These symbols were soldier-memorializing and physically separate from public life and did not influence voter decision-making. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, when monuments began to glorify the Confederacy and shifted into public life, political effects emerged. Counties that dedicated monuments in the early post-Reconstruction period saw, on average, a 5.5 percentage point increase in Democratic Party vote share and a 2.2 percentage point decrease in voter turnout compared with other counties. As monuments changed, so did their effect on the public. Glorifying public monuments communicated to the public that the Confederacy was worth preserving, thus strengthening Democratic majorities and lowering participation in the political process. Larger Democratic majorities alongside lower voter turnout already suggests Black Southerners, who almost exclusively voted for Republicans at that time, were voting less in areas with monuments. I conducted further exploration and found that these political effects disproportionately occurred in counties with larger Black populations. This suggests that Black voters were more responsive to Confederate monuments, which suppressed their political activity by signaling they were not accepted by the local community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effects of post-Reconstruction monuments suggest that they played a role in continued racism throughout the South into the early 20th century. Their controversy today demonstrates the values still conveyed by their presence in society. Recent research has demonstrated the long-run effects of the spread of Southern white culture and prejudices across the United States post-Civil War, connecting it to higher levels of modern-day Republican Party voting and conservative values. It is thus no wonder Confederate monuments, as prominent symbols of pro-Confederate, Southern white culture, continue to be and are likely to remain cultural flashpoints. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Alexander N. Taylor, George Mason University Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Alexander N. Taylor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Junior enlisted troops will see a 14.5% pay raise in 2025 under a deal negotiated by House and Senate leaders in this years defense authorization bill, a move that adds between $3,000 and $6,000 to younger service members basic pay next year. The plan also includes a 4.5% pay raise for other troops, more than $2 billion in funding for new barracks and family housing, expanded bonuses and hiring incentives to boost the number of medical personnel in military health care facilities, and hikes child care workers salaries to improve availability at military bases. The quality of life moves most of which were introduced by House lawmakers earlier this year are designed to counter recruiting and retention problems in the ranks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The larger authorization bill still must be approved by the whole of Congress before the pay raise and other provisions can become law. And lawmakers will have to agree upon a new package to fund the larger paychecks before the end of the year. Higher enlisted pay, full housing stipends included in new House plan But chamber leaders expressed optimism that the work can be finished in the next few weeks. The authorization bill is considered must-pass legislation each year because it contains a host of routine stipends and spending authorities, and lawmakers are expected to spend the final few days of session this month finalizing the measure. The junior enlisted pay raise proposal is slightly less generous than what House lawmakers approved earlier this summer, but would still represent a significant financial boost for tens of thousands of young troops whose annual base pay can be less than $30,000 a year. With the 14.5% boost, all but the most junior enlisted service members would earn approximately that $30,000 annual mark, before factoring in housing stipends and other pay incentives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troops ranked E-2 with two years service would see their base salary rise from about $27,000 now to $31,000 in 2025. Troops ranked E-4 with three years in the ranks would see their pay rise from $35,000 a year to more than $40,000 next year. Enlisted troops ranked E-5 and above would not be eligible for the junior enlisted pay boosts, but would receive the 4.5% pay boost, ensuring that their salaries dont drop below their subordinates. The extra 10% pay boosts for junior enlisted would go into effect in April, while the 4.5% raise for all troops would go into effect in January. The 4.5% raise represents the third consecutive year of across-the-board paycheck boosts of more than 4%. For an E-7 with 10 years military experience, or an O-2 with two years experience, the 4.5% raise means about $200 more each month and roughly $2,600 a year in extra salary. For an O-4 with 12 years in service, the 4.5% raise would mean about $400 more each month and nearly $5,000 more per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authorization bill also calls for Congress to fund $954 million in new housing maintenance accounts, $569 million for new construction of new family housing units and $1.2 billion for construction of new barracks. It requires the Defense Department to designate officials responsible for oversight of unaccompanied housing and increase the frequency of inspections. The moves follow years of criticism from military advocates about substandard housing and insufficient response to family complaints. Reforms to medical care and child care systems follow similar criticism. Lawmakers also included language to make it easier for military spouses to transfer professional licenses between states and mandate improved reading and literacy rates for Defense Department schools, also aimed at improving quality of life for military families. House lawmakers are expected to vote on the authorization bill next week. Both the House and Senate are scheduled to wrap up their work for the year by Dec. 20, although that could be extended if a budget deal for the entire federal government is not reached before then. When our newly elected members of Congress take office in January, theyll confront long lists of competing priorities. Some may find it difficult to know where to start. But voters wishes are clear on at least one subject. According to a new poll, Americans overwhelmingly support policies that help patients with Alzheimers disease. Our survey of 1,400 voters, conducted this fall, shows that Americans have deeply personal connections to the disease and want politicians to ensure equal access to treatments. A whopping 92% agreed that Medicare should cover Food and Drug Administration-approved Alzheimers drugs for all patients, just as it does for other approved medicines. And 89% believe that Medicare should do so immediately. Alzheimers is the most common form of neurodegenerative disease. It causes a progressive loss of brain function, a drawn-out tragedy for patients and their loved ones. No one recovers. More than seven in ten Americans agree that its a serious disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, a new class of medicines that slow the progress of the disease has come on the market a potential godsend for patients and families who want more time together. Yet Medicare restricts coverage of the novel treatments to only a select group. To qualify, patients must enroll in approved clinical trials. Plus, doctors and patients must meet strict eligibility requirements, and agree to submit patient data to a registry. Medicare says it needs that data to assess whether the new Alzheimers treatments meaningfully improve health outcomes, even though the FDA has already judged them to be safe and effective. This marks an unprecedented approach to an approved drug. Its already hard for some patients to find clinicians who will prescribe Alzheimers treatments, and the Medicare requirements add another barrier. Many healthcare providers dont have the resources to run a trial or submit clinical data, and of those that do, many are located in cities. Patients in rural or underserved areas simply dont have access. Americans oppose Medicare placing restrictions on patients access. According to our poll, the consensus that Medicare should cover Alzheimers treatments holds across voters of all ages, genders, ethnicities, economic levels, and political parties. In short, their views are more widely shared than on almost any other issue. Even the percentages of Americans who say they love pizza or ice cream come in lower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters near-unanimous agreement also held no matter how we worded the question. It never dipped below 88% across six different variations of the statement Medicare should provide all Medicare recipients access to Alzheimers medications the same way they do for FDA-approved medications for all other diseases. These views appear to be rooted in everyday experience. More than six in 10 voters surveyed said that they, a family member, or a close friend have had Alzheimers disease or other dementias. About a third said they have cared for or are currently caring for someone with Alzheimers disease or other dementias. Voters want politicians to take the problem seriously. Nearly three out of five said theyd be more likely to vote for leaders who support requiring Medicare to cover FDA-approved Alzheimers drugs that can slow the progression of early Alzheimers disease. Three quarters agreed specifically that if Medicare does not act, Congress and the President should step in to make this happen. Its a clear message to the new administration and lawmakers. And in fact, our current leaders can still make a difference during their remaining time in office. There are few better ways to cement a legacy than acting on one of the publics most important health policy priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of a long election season, Americans are used to hearing about conflicting values and unclear poll results. But on treatment for Alzheimers disease, theyre plainly aligned. Kansas City native Neil Newhouse is a partner and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies. He co-authored this with Sue Peschin, president and CEO of the Alliance for Aging Research and Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Janelle Bynum made history in the November election, defeating Republican incumbent Rep. Lori Chavez-Deremer in Oregons 5th Congressional district. It was one of the most hotly contested congressional races in the country. With her victory, the businesswoman and former state representative becomes the first African- American member of the Oregon congressional delegation. However, despite her win, Republicans took both chambers of Congress and the White House with the election Donald Trump. Nonetheless, Bynum is determined to navigate it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive always run working across the aisle, making sure that I worked with Republicans even when I didnt have to. I represent a purple district. Always have, probably always will, she noted. And so I think its in contrast to what happens in Washington, D.C, where people kind of go into their little silos. Im always the one thats reaching across the aisle making sure that I represent everyone in the district. Bynum was instrumental in passing the states $210 million CHIPS Act. Last year, the federal CHIPS Act just awarded Intel, one of Oregons largest private employers, $7.8 billion to advance its semiconductor manufacturing. Now that she will be in Congress, Bynum hopes to make sure the stability of Oregons economy translates to the economic stability of the county. For me, its about jobs and where Oregon has a competitive advantage, she said. We have Intel here, we have Nike here, we have Providence here. These large organizations have to be stable, and they translate to jobs. If were not talking about how those industries translate to jobs, were not having a real conversation. Regarding Elon Musks involvement in the upcoming administration in his new Department of Government Efficiency, Bynum believes Trump has basically invited his friends to have a party at the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am not sure what kind of good outcomes theyll be able to generate, she continued. Its billionaires helping billionaires. I dont necessarily see those actions helping the average American, the working family that really needs help right now. Bynum also unseated Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer for this congressional seat. However, Bynum had a strong reaction to news of her nomination for U.S. Secretary of Labor by Trump. President-elect Trump nominated a liar and a loser? Ive beaten her three times, she said. I dont think she served Oregon well, but it remains to be seen what she could pull off nationally. I think shes in a bind, because she supported the PRO Act, which many Republicans especially in the southern states do not support. Now, shell have problems nationally defending her position. I think we should always be in support of the working family in this country, and well see how she does. Reproductive rights and gender-affirming care were big issues for Democrats during this election. As she steps into the role of congresswoman, Bynums priorities have not changed in that regard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those are issues that Im going to continue to carry the banner on, she emphasized, I dont understand why providing someone health care is a political issue, and I dont understand why people are attacking vulnerable people. Thats as far as I can go with that. I dont agree with politicizing peoples health care period. Since Bynum has a business degree, she put her name in for serving on the Congressional Financial Services Committee. However, she noted the recent shooting of a UnitedHealthcare CEO on his way to a conference also added to the incentive. It seems all arrows are pointing to the financial incentives of insurance companies, the financial incentives that right now are harming working families and people are outraged about it, Bynum SAID. We dont know why exactly he was killed, but I can tell you that there was something very cold about the whole experience. He was killed around 7 a.m. and yet at 8 a.m. they continued on with the conference. She continued, There is something very cold about our form of capitalism right now. I believe in our system making sure that it works for everyone. But ultimately, when we follow the money and we follow how its being made and who gets the distribution and how we make sure that working families end up with a fair deal. Thats really important to me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the full interview in the video above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Immigrant rights organizations in the Valley are in a mad dash to alert immigrant families of their constitutional rights as President-elect Donald Trump promises to carry out the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history. Trump pledged during his presidential campaign that he would pursue mass deportations of immigrants. Hes also threatened to eliminate legal pathways to citizenship and end programs like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and DACA. In wake of the election, local immigrant rights groups and community organizers and advocates have vowed to protect immigrant families in the Valley from Trumps anti-immigrant policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One way they say theyre doing that is by distributing thousands of small red cards that detail for immigrant families their constitutional rights in the event they encounter immigration agents. The red cards include reminders that constitutional rights apply to everyone, regardless of someones immigration status. The red cards are an important resource around know your rights and the constitutional rights of everyone, regardless of immigration status, said Allison Davenport of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). The ILRCs Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home. What the red cards say Red cards can be obtained for free from immigrant rights organizations, such as Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC). People have constitutional rights regardless of a persons immigration status simply by being on American soil, Davenport said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those rights include: The right to remain silent if a person has contact with a law enforcement official. The right to not open the door to their homes to a law enforcement official. The right to due process. The right to have a day in court and to be represented by an attorney. Davenport said immigrant rights organizations will do their part to make sure every community member across the valley, in our most rural and isolated communities are armed with this information and prepare to protect themselves and their families. The Red Cards help people assert their rights in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home, according to the ILRC, and are available in 13 languages including Hmong, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog and English. Allison Davenport from Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) talks about how the red cards are an important resource around Know Your Rights and the constitutional rights of everyone, regardless of immigration status in downtown Fresno on Nov. 8, 2024, California prepares for Trump Davenport said the first Trump administration imposed a harsh public charge rule (a ground of inadmissibility to deny a green card, visa, or admission into the United States to a person), attempted to terminate DACA and pursued hostile policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She expects there will likely be executive orders and policies that create fear and barriers to legal status once Trump takes office. But one thing immigrant families can rely on is that California has greater protections for the undocumented than other states, Davenport said. Some of those include offering AB60 licenses and IDs for people who cant provide proof of legal residence in the country, as well as the California Values Act that limits the cooperation of local law enforcement agencies with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Gov. Gavin Newsom also has called a special session for this month focused on bolstering California legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether Trump follows through on his promise for mass deportations once he takes office Jan. 20 remains to be seen. A large-scale deportation effort by Trump would cost hundreds of billions of dollars, according to some experts. Sukaina Hussain, deputy director of strategic initiatives at the California Immigrant Policy Center, said the elections results caused a wide array of emotions among vulnerable communities, including pain, grief, and anger from immigrant families in the Central Valley. Trumps previous administration has taught us that he intends to keep his racist, harmful promises and do much, much worse, said Hussain, who is an immigrant and a Muslim. The red, white, green and black Free Syrian Army flag flew over Damascus on Sunday as thousands of residents lined the main square in bursts of defiant jubilation after President Bashar al-Assad relinquished his grip on power. Over the past 11 days, a rebel alliance charged through Syria in the boldest challenge to the Assad rule in years following decades of brutal reign by the Assad dynasty marked by fighting, bloodshed and an oppressive political crackdown. This is a momentous moment, not just for the Syrian people, but for the people of the Middle East, Lebanese, Palestinians, Syrians or otherwise, Firas Maksad, a senior fellow at the Washington, DC-based Middle East Institute, told CNN on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a regime that, for over 50 years, under the mantra of freedom, unity and socialism, oppressed, tortured and disappeared many millions in Syria. Now, as the anti-regime coalition starts to disband Assads military, and lays out its vision for a post-Assad Syria, experts wonder if the next phase will be a new dawn for a people strangled by a brutal autocracy or whether sectarianism will bring a different type of authoritarian rule. Extremely challenging transition of power Syrias armed opposition ultimately plans to form a government defined by institutions and a council chosen by the people, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the militant figure driving the latest rebel swing, told CNN. He heads the dominant group in the coalition, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a former Al Qaeda affiliate. Jolani declared victory for the entire Islamic nation on Sunday, in his first public remarks since the rebel-led coup, which he said marks a new chapter in the history of the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria is being purified by the grace of God Almighty and through the efforts of the heroic Mujahideen, Jolani told a crowd at the majestic Umayyad Mosque, in Damascus. He denounced Iranian ambitions in Syria, where Tehran and its proxy Hezbollah were core backers of Assads government. My heart longed for this moment, added Jolani. There is not a single household in Syria that the war has not touched. Before armed fighters set off a stunning offensive last month, Assads chokehold had split Syrian territory among regime and rebel forces some of which are backed by international powers, including the US and Turkey. What emerged on November 27 was the Militant Operations Command, a spectrum of militias welded together by one shared cause to liberate government-held areas and depose the president. Jolani had told CNN that if opposition forces succeed in ousting Assad, they will form a state of governance, institutions and so on. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the chief of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), addresses a crowd at the Umayyad Mosque, in Damascus, on December 8. He signaled "a new chapter in the history of the region." - Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP/Getty Images Soon after the fall of Damascus to southern rebels, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali pledged to cooperate with the rebels and endorse a smooth and systematic transition of government functions and preserve state facilities, in a recorded message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jolani echoed a similar memo, saying that all public institutions would remain under the prime ministers jurisdiction until they are officially handed over. Syrian rebels also claimed that senior regime officials were preparing to defect to them in Damascus. But delegating a new governing system will be extremely challenging for a diverse coalition of armed fighters, according to Jerome Drevon, a senior analyst at the Brussels-based think tank International Crisis Group. Some groups are more structured, more organized, including (HTS) and some of its allies, he told CNN on Sunday, whereas others are more local entities. Human rights concerns As the rebels pressed on, so did Jolanis charm offensive. The militant leader, who emerged as a young fighter for al-Qaeda against the US in Iraq, has sought to diminish the shadow of his extremist roots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States designated HTS a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2018 and placed a $10 million bounty on Jolani. Millions of Syrians, including those from minority Christian and other religious communities, are haunted by a legacy of persecution suffered at the hands of extremist groups like al Qaeda and ISIS. Human rights advocates have accused HTS and other anti-regime groups of cracking down on residents in areas under their control including in the northwestern Idlib, western Homs, and Aleppo governorates and tortured and abused dissidents. Jolani told CNN that abuse in prisons were not done under our orders or directions and HTS had already penalized the perpetrators. Anti-government armed groups have promised restraint and to uphold humanitarian norms, but they will ultimately be judged by their conduct not their words, Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement on December 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a state TV address on Sunday, a Syrian rebel commander insisted that all sects would be protected, adding: Syria is for everyone, without exception Syria is for the Sunni, the Druze, the Alawite. Maksad, the senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, warned the fall of the Assad regime could be a moment of potential peril for minority communities in the country, including religious groups like Alawites, Ismailis, Druze and Christians. There are concerns about the more Islamist jihadi elements of this rebel force, he said, particularly when it comes to Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), the main group driving the countrys armed opposition, which has been designated a terrorist group by the US and many other countries, said Maksad. Heroic lions who made us proud But on the streets of Syria, such concerns were eclipsed by scenes of excitement and mass celebration. Thousands of people assembled at the foot of the main square in Damascus, where rebels ransacked Assads residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the fear that he (Assad) and his father made us live in for many years, and the panic and state of terror that I was living in, I cant believe it, Omar Daher, a 29-year-old lawyer, told the Associated Press. Another Damascus resident, Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44, said: From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them (the opposition forces) a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud. A woman cries out from a car in Homs, in western Syria, on Sunday, after residents across the country celebrated the fall of the Assad regime to rebel forces. - Muhammad Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty Images And further afield, Syrian refugees forced to flee the war shared their hopes of returning to a peaceful country. We thank our people in Syria and the free ones, for saving us from the injustice, Wissam Ahmed, a displaced Syrian in Lebanon, told Reuters on Sunday. Were going to Syria, God willing, to rebuild our future and our homes. The feeling is really great, we cannot describe it more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Jomana Karadsheh, Eyad Kourdi, Raja Razek, Mostafa Salem, Lucas Lilieholm, Becky Anderson, Catherine Nicholls and Lauren Kent contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (Editors note: A statement from the Rhode Island Trucking Association has been added to the original article as well as a statement from ATA). Rhode Islands truck tolling system, which has been on the shelf following a lower court ruling in 2022, has new life following a Court of Appeals decision handed down Friday. The decision by the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is a blow to the American Trucking Associations, which has led the legal fight against the tolling plan known as RhodeWorks, but does not give a full green light to all the provisions of the Rhode Island law. In that sense, the decision is a partial victory for the ATA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the latest finding, the court found that applying the tolls on bridges only to tractor trailers was not a violation of the dormant Commerce Clause of the Constitution. An earlier plan to have the tolls apply to Class 6, 7 and 8 vehicles ultimately was revised to include only Class 8 vehicles. However, the court did find that the capping of tolls by which a truck can be assessed only a certain number of tolls in a day for various activities did violate the dormant Commerce Clause. But the court also found that the capping provision could be severed from the law, so that the ruling against the caps does not lead to the entire law being invalidated. The states truck toll was applied only to intrastate bridges, so no bridges crossing into another state were affected. The number of bridges that fell under the law: 13. ATA and several companies filed the original lawsuit in 2018. One of the initial plaintiffs was less-than-truckload carrier New England Motor Freight; it went out of business in 2019. Among the other plaintiffs is Cumberland Farms, a major New England convenience store chain, and M&M Transport, a dedicated carrier that last year was acquired by Schneider National (NYSE: SNDR). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 1st Circuits decision handed down in early December comes more than 14 months after oral arguments in the case. Rhode Islands request to have the case dismissed was backed in a lower federal court in 2019, but a 2022 decision saw the ATA prevail in its fight against the law, which was blocked by Judge William Smith in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. At issue is the relationship between the law and the dormant Commerce Clause. In the 2022 decision, the District Court said a toll system can be set up to comply with the clause. But it also said at the time that RhodeWorks, the name of the tolling system that was designed to raise funds for bridge repair and maintenance, fails to fairly apportion its tolls among bridge users based on a fair approximation of their use of the bridges, was enacted with a discriminatory purpose and is discriminatory in effect. The statutes tolling regime is unconstitutional under the dormant Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was that finding that was reversed Friday. Citing legal precedent, the Court of Appeals said a tolling system can be justified under the dormant Commerce Clause if it is based on some fair approximation of the tolled facility, is not excessive in relation to the government benefits conferred, and does not discriminate against interstate commerce. There are numerous definitions of the dormant Commerce Clause. The Constitutional Law Reporter website said that the clause, which is not explicit in the Constitution, automatically invalidates a protectionist state law, whether or not the federal government has legislated on the issue. Our analysis of RhodeWorks revolves around two questions, the court wrote. First, does the statue discriminate against interstate commerce? And second, is the burden imposed by the tolls based on some fair approximation of use of Rhode Island bridges? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charge of discrimination was rooted in the fact that RhodeWorks only applies to Class 8 vehicles. After discussion of some theoretical comparisons in other fields, the court comes back to the question of how similar Class 8 vehicles are to the other universe of trucks that wouldnt come under RhodeWorks. The conclusion was succinct. Citing language in the prior decisions, the Court of Appeals said, there is simply no concrete evidence demonstrating an increase in Rhode Island-based companies use of un-tolled trucks, changes in vehicles fleets, diversion or any other data demonstrating that smaller trucks compete in the same market as tractor trailers. ATA, the court said, offers no actual evidence that tractor-trailers compete with single-unit trucks in Rhode Island, let alone that out-of-state tractor-trailers compete with in-state single-unit trucks in Rhode Island. Challenging a neutral status under the dormant Commerce Clause, the Court of Appeals said, must have a substantial competitive interest on nonstate interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The record provides insufficient support for ATAs contention that exempting all single-unit trucks from RhodeWorks tolling structure transgresses the dormant Commerce Clause, the court said. The caps in RhodeWorks are three-pronged. A truck only gets billed for one way on a bridge; a ride between Connecticut and Massachusetts with the Ocean State in-between will not cost more than $20 (though a lower court said at current rates, racking up that much was mathematically impossible); and total payments per day max out at $40. The way the caps are structured, the Court of Appeals found, would mean that local companies would disproportionately benefit from the caps compared to out-of-state trucks. It cited ATA submissions that in a certain observed period, 39.9% of the reduction in tolls brought on by the caps was accrued by Rhode Island trucks, even though they only accounted for 18.6% of the toll transactions. Given this disparate impact on similarly situated tractor-trailers, the caps are discriminatory, the court wrote, citing precedents in other cases. No basis exists for treating this discrimination as permissible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another issue tackled by the Court of Appeals was that of fair approximation. It deals with the question of whether the tolls are correlated with the Class 8 vehicles use and impact on the 13 bridges. Citing a precedent involving airport user fees, the Court of Appeals said Rhode Island may collect a fee from the most intensive users without having to also collect a fee from lesser users. Rhode Island can reasonably point to a benefit from deciding to apply its toll to only tractor-trailers rather than to all the varied and much more numerous vehicles that cross its bridges. On Page 28 of the 52-page decision, the court then tackles the issue of whether rendering the caps in violation of the dormant Commerce Clause invalidates the entire law. The finding: It doesnt. Invalidating RhodeWorks based on nothing more than the unconstitutionality of the caps would cut against the legislatures resolve to raise funds for its bridges, the court wrote. It does not eliminate the states stated preference to be able to excise defective provisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision remands the case back to the lower court. Richard Pianka, ATA Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, issued a statement that was mostly positive. Were pleased that the Court of Appeals agreed with us and the trial court that the RhodeWorks tolls unconstitutionally discriminated against interstate commerce, and are reviewing the decision and considering next steps, he said. In a prepared statement, Chris Maxwell, CEO of the Rhode Island Trucking Association, was mostly positive about the decision also. The First Circuit confirmed that the RhodeWorks caps spared the Rhode Island trucking industry, and the Rhode Island residents they serve, from the full burden of the tolls, Maxwell said. Suppose Gov. McKee and the General Assembly are considering reactivating the tolls without those protective caps. In that case, they first need to consider whether they are willing to break the promise that was made to the local business community as a condition of passage of the legislation, and be candid with Rhode Island residents that these increased costs will be reflected in the price of goods, nearly all of which reach them by truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An email sent to the ATA had not been responded to by publication time. The organizations website had not posted a reaction to the decision as of early Sunday. In a prepared statement, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said his office [had] been confident that this will be the eventual outcome, and we are grateful for the First Circuits well-reasoned decision in this case. More articles by John Kingston TriumphPays LoadPay a new tool in fierce battle to get drivers paid faster Werner case at Texas Supreme Court: Did driver fail to perform a legal duty? Credit position of BMOs transportation clients worsens in the fourth quarter The post Court decision opens the door for reimplementing Rhode Island truck toll appeared first on FreightWaves. While the promises of billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to cut government spending down to the bone sound a lot like previous failed attempts to root out supposed government waste, their plan promises to test the limits of presidential power and the power of private individuals to steer government. Among the various purported goals of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency which will not be an official government department Musk has promised to cut some $2 trillion from the federal budget and Ramaswamy has promised to fire more than 75% of the federal workforce. According to the ambitious billionaire duo, the Department of Education, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission may all be on the chopping block. While Musk and Ramaswamy have been talking a big game in promising to usher in a new era of austerity in America, theres a major constitutional issue standing in their way at least for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the clear language of the Constitution, Congress, not the president, has final say over the federal budget. No matter which party is in charge, Congress has historically been averse to deep budget cuts. Mike Lofgren, a former Republican congressional aide (and frequent Salon contributor) who worked on various budget committees, said he's seen this before: This stuff has been going on forever. In order to cut the budget significantly, he added, Congress will either need to slash benefits in popular programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, or reduce military spending. Neither of those is realistic. "It's become a kind of received wisdom among the vox populi that there's all sorts of bureaucratic waste in the government, and there really isnt," Lofgren said. "I say that as a former Republican who worked on the budget committees. What are you going to cut out? The FDAs food safety inspections? Well, Im sure some of the big meat packers would like that, but youd get a situation like Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle.'" Ronald Sanders, who has held various senior positions in the federal government and is now a senior fellow at George Washington University, explained that cutting staff at federal agencies has also historically failed, because members of Congress are understandably reluctant to sign off on large-scale layoffs in their districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidently aware of this problem, Ramaswamy has promised to take measures that will encourage government employees to quit voluntarily, either by relocating their workplaces away from Washington or restricting remote work opportunities. It's not clear that the latter move would affect many government employees, since the Office of Management and Budget reports that 80% of all federal work hours are already done in person. Sanders adds that encouraging federal workers to leave is likely to make the government less efficient. People who can get other jobs, he said, "will leave most often" through voluntary attrition. "It will result in severe imbalances the wrong people will leave." For these and other reasons, its not hard to understand why dramatic budget cuts might struggle to pass the House of Representatives, where Republicans will only hold a 217-215 majority, at least until they can fill seats left by the three Republicans who left Congress to join the Trump administration. That means even a single Republican defection in the House would be enough to sink a bill. Musk and Ramaswamy, however, say they have a plan to get around Congress. In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, the duo write that they intend to challenge a 1974 law that controls a president's power of a president to refuse to spend money that has been approved by Congress. That refusal is known as "impoundment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Rudalevige, a professor of government at Bowdoin College, told Salon that attempting to make budget cuts without congressional approval quickly gets us to this question of impoundment, a question the Supreme Court has taken up before. In the 1975 case Train v. City of New York, the high court considered whether the Nixon administration could legally refuse to spend money allocated to New York City. President Richard Nixon had also sought to withhold funds from other projects, such as the Office of Economic Opportunity and water pollution control projects. Nixon's lawyers went "to the mat," Rudalevige said, "arguing that the presidents constitutional power to impound is clear." But New York City ultimately won the case, with the Supreme Court ruling that impoundment cannot be used without the approval of Congress, which could, for example, write appropriations bills that allowed the president to spend less on certain projects than the total they appropriated. The president may also rescind or defer spending but, again, only with congressional approval. Rudalevige explained that even though the Supreme Court has generally been friendly to Trump during his previous administration, he sees no signs in recent court opinions that the justices intend to disempower Congress to the degree that Musk and Ramaswamy want. He added, however, that given the court's strong conservative leanings, he's unwilling to predict how it might rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Absent a ruling from the Supreme Court, Lofgren said that the fate of Musk and Ramaswamy's endeavor will depend on how sycophantic the Republican Congress is willing to be. He also noted that DOGE is technically a private entity, an advisory board with no congressional charter and no official government status. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. If something's not a part of the government itself, that speaks to a sort of parallel government, like the Communist Party in the Soviet Union, Lofgren said. DOGE isnt the first private budget commission. After Ronald Reagan's 1980 election, he established the Private Sector Survey on Cost Control, commonly called the Grace Commission, in an early effort to drain the swamp. That commission, however, was largely seen as a failure. According to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, most of its recommendations were simply ignored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lofgren concluded, however, that it will be worth watching how much influence DOGE can exert within the Trump administration. "This becomes the thin end of the wedge in creating a parallel state," he said. "We could see a situation where billionaires basically usurp the functions of government and end up running it as a sort of private corporation." Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) suggested that the incoming Trump administration will meet antisemitism on college campus in the U.S. with federal investigations and prosecutions from the Justice Department, attorney general and FBI. Ill tell you something that youre going to see in New York next year with a new Department of Justice, a new attorney general, and a new Director of the FBI, youre going to see the federal government going after antisemitism on college campuses. Youre going to see federal investigations. Youre going to see federal prosecutions, Cruz told John Catsimatidis on his radio show Cats Roundtable. Cruzs comments come in the wake of an October report from House Republicans on the Education Committee regarding antisemitism on college campuses after a nearly yearlong investigation that played a part in at least two university presidents resigning from their roles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, whether its Columbia University or NYU or universities across the country in blue states that have tolerated and encouraged antisemitism, youre going to suddenly see what it means to have a Department of Justice enforcing the civil rights laws and protecting Jewish students on campus, Cruz added. The congressional probe, which collected more than 400,000 documents from 11 schools across the country in the wake of Hamass Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, marked the first time in the committees history that lawmakers would subpoena the leadership of universities. The investigation had four main findings: the concessions universities were willing to make to protesters were astounding; the schools chose to withhold support from Jewish students; university leadership failed to discipline students who engaged in antisemitic activities; and universities were themselves hostile to the Houses investigation. Leaders at various universities including Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Pennsylvania were called to a House hearing last year after weeks of backlash over their schools responses to campus protests against the war. The hearing was titled Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump himself faced scrutiny on the campaign trail for his remarks at an event raising awareness for combating antisemitism in which the GOP nominee suggested Jewish people would partly shoulder the blame if he lost in November. Supporters of Vice President Harris and leaders in the Jewish community were quick to sound the alarm over his remarks. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Dec. 8It was only a matter of time before someone died. That was the warning of a veteran investigator in the state Children, Youth and Families Department who contends in a newly filed whistleblower lawsuit that she was overruled by a supervisor who insisted on sending five abused and neglected siblings back to a mother who was unable to care for them. Within a month of their return, the eldest youth was fatally shot in the head on the streets of Hobbs by an unknown assailant, according to a lawsuit filed last month by Elizabeth Parrish against CYFD in state district court in Santa Fe. And after 20 years in the agency, with a stellar record, Parrish alleges she became the target of harassment, criticism and bullying by her superior and others in the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) takes all claims and allegations seriously," said Andrew Skobinsky, an agency spokesman, in an email. "It would be premature to comment at this time as this case is currently pending litigation. Once CYFD has had an opportunity to review the claims, we will respond appropriately through the legal process." It is the second time in four years that CYFD supervisor Patricia Garza who declined to comment for this story has been accused of misconduct in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by CYFD investigators in southeastern New Mexico. Two years ago, the state paid out $340,000 to two CYFD investigators who alleged their supervisors ignored "red flag after red flag" regarding the safety of two children in state custody. The children were sent home on a trial visit in 2020 and were kidnapped by their parents, who fled the state. One of the children, a toddler, ended up blind as a result of subsequent physical abuse. CYFD admitted no wrongdoing in settling that case. The Parrish lawsuit contends that CYFD had custody of the five siblings in mid-2023, but the oldest child was an "at risk youth who had become involved with street gangs. No one in the (boy's) biological family was able to care for him, provide him with a safe environment, or divert him from the influence of his dangerous associates." Their grandmother had previously cared for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2023, CYFD decided to place them with their mother on a trial home visit, the lawsuit alleges. "Garza was wholly uninterested in (the 17-year-old's) wellbeing," the lawsuit states. "Instead she was motivated by the desire to rid her office of a difficult, resource-intensive case." By September, the Hobbs CYFD office had received multiple abuse and neglect referrals related to the siblings, including allegations that the 17-year-old had been involved in multiple altercations where firearms were drawn or discharged. Parrish substantiated the allegations, as the investigator on the case. And recommended the children be immediately transferred to "an appropriate foster home." The children's mother even told Parrish and others in the CYFD office that she could not care for the children herself and needed assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit states that Garza disregarded those pleas, and allegedly ordered Parrish not to add her factual findings or professional opinions to CYFD's database, and to unsubstantiate the allegations. But Parrish "disobeyed Garza's improper orders. She entered the notes into the database and substantiated the abuse and neglect." Garza, however, "kept the existence of the abuse and neglect allegations hidden from the Children's Court judge in the case. Instead, as far as the court knew, everything was fine," the lawsuit alleges. As a result, the judge dismissed the case in January, and granted permanent custody of the children to the mother. On Feb. 6, the 17-year-old was shot in the head by an unknown assailant and died two days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parrish "refused to go along with Garza's unethical, dangerous scheme," the lawsuit states. "From that point onwards, however, she has been the target of continuous harassment, criticism and bullying from Garza and her cronies." Over the past year, Parrish, a child protective services investigations supervisor with 20 years at the agency, "has been reprimanded, had her reputation smeared, and been subjected to nonstop abuse." The lawsuit alleges that Parrish has learned that Garza's plan is to "find or fabricate a pretexual reason to terminate or make workplace conditions so intolerable that she quits." "The basic MO is the same: paint a rosier picture, maybe leave some information out, to make it seem like the kids are fine and that it's OK to dismiss the case," said Benjamin Gubernick, a Houston attorney who filed both cases. "The goal is to do as little as possible and keep the caseloads down." One of the biggest existential mysteries and the most difficult to answer is whether Earth is all alone in this Universe in bearing a solitary candle of intelligent life in the darkness. Based on what we have observed, it seems like we're unique. But there are a number of possible reasons why we haven't detected the light of alien civilization elsewhere in the Milky Way, and a number of factors that could be influencing whether or not it emerges. A little over half a century ago, these variables were assembled into a tool known as the Drake Equation, allowing scientists to fiddle and ponder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But one variable has been missing from the Drake Equation, which a team led by physicist Daniele Sorini of Durham University in the UK has included as the basis of a new calculation: the effect of dark energy on the rate of star formation in the Universe. "Understanding dark energy and the impact on our Universe is one of the biggest challenges in cosmology and fundamental physics," Sorini explains. "The parameters that govern our Universe, including the density of dark energy, could explain our own existence." Dark energy is an unidentified force that causes the expansion of the Universe to accelerate. Although we don't know what it is made of, we are able to tell how much of it there is: roughly 71.4 percent of the matter-energy content of the Universe is dark energy. Another 24 percent is dark matter; only the remaining 4.6 percent is normal baryonic matter, the stuff from which all stars, planets, black holes, dust, humans, and everything else we can theoretically see and touch is made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of our assumptions about life is that it requires a star. It may not, but possibility of life emerging on a body far from a blazing source of energy is so remote as to be unhelpful in the case of the Drake Equation. So, assuming that a star is required for life, knowing the rate of star formation in a universe like ours could tell us something about the chances of finding life within it. Stars form from clouds of dust and gas that collapse into dense clumps, which in turn accumulate so much mass the density and heat in their cores kickstarts nuclear fusion. The outward pull of dark energy plays a role in the rate at which it can occur. It counters the inward pull of gravity that may otherwise see all the matter in the Universe condense in clumps too dense for star formation. The researchers calculated this matter conversion rate for different dark energy densities in a model Universe to determine the most efficient rate at which stars can form. And they found that the most efficient rate is when 27 percent of the matter in the Universe is being converted into stars. How the same region of space would look with different dark energy densities. Clockwise from top left: no dark energy, the same amount of dark energy as in our Universe, 30 times and 10 times the dark energy in our Universe. ( Oscar Veenema What makes this interesting is that this is not the Universe we live in. Our Universe has a conversion rate of 23 percent. It's not the first time we've found evidence that humanity did not emerge in the most optimum conditions for life, which potentially raises the chances that intelligent life could have emerged elsewhere in the Universe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Surprisingly," Sorini says, "we found that even a significantly higher dark energy density would still be compatible with life, suggesting we may not live in the most likely of universes." There are many other factors that may influence the chances of intelligent life emerging. The rate of star formation is just one. Others include the number of those stars that have planets; and the number of those planets that have habitable conditions. Then there are the variables we don't know, like how the building blocks of life are delivered and come together into an evolving system. But each piece of research contributes insights that may, one day, allow us to see a bigger picture than the one we see now. This, in turn, will help us narrow down how and where to look for other civilizations that may be scattered throughout our galaxy. "It will be exciting," says theoretical physicist Lucas Lombriser of the University of Geneva in Switzerland, "to employ the model to explore the emergence of life across different universes and see whether some fundamental questions we ask ourselves about our own Universe must be reinterpreted." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The research has been published in The Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Related News Dec. 8 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1886, delegates from 25 unions founded the American Federation of Labor, forerunner of the modern AFL-CIO, in Columbus, Ohio. In 1941, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare that "a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire" as a result of Japan's "unprovoked and dastardly attack." In 1949, the Chinese Nationalist government, defeated by the Communists, retreated from the mainland to the island of Taiwan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1980, former Beatle John Lennon was shot to death outside his apartment building in New York City. He was 40. John Lennon and Yoko Ono listen in on the Watergate hearings on Capitol Hill in 1973. On December 8, 1980, Lennon was shot to death outside his apartment building in New York City. He was 40. UPI File Photo File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI In 1987, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed the first treaty between the two superpowers to reduce their massive nuclear arsenals. President Ronald Reagan (R) and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev applaud after signing the historic arms control agreement banning intermediate-range nuclear missiles in the East Room of the White House on December 8, 1987. UPI File Photo In 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist when the republics of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine signed an agreement creating the Commonwealth of Independent States. In 1993, U.S. President Bill Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement, stating that free trade would lead to worldwide growth, equality, preservation of the environment and peace. The United States, Mexico and Canada agreed to replace NAFTA with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2020, an initiative by President Donald Trump. Five massive vehicle-borne bombs went off in Baghdad on December 8, 2009, killing 127 people, including women and students, and injuring hundreds in the third coordinated attack to devastate the city since August. File Photo by Ali Jasim/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1997, Jenny Shipley was sworn in as the first woman prime minister of New Zealand. In 2004, the International Business Machines Corp., IBM, reported it was selling its personal computer business to Chinese rival Lenovo Group for $1.25 billion in cash and stock. A prisoner signals "thumbs-up" after a fire spread through the San Miguel prison killing more than 80 people south of Santiago, Chile, on December 8, 2010. File Photo by Sebastian Padilla/UPI In 2005, a Southwest Airlines jetliner overshot a runway at Chicago's Midway International Airport in a snowstorm, crashing through a fence into a city street. A 6-year-old boy in a car hit by the plane was killed and at least 11 people were hurt. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI In 2008, the suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and four co-defendants told a military judge at Guantanamo Bay that they wanted to confess to all charges of murder and war crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2009, in what Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called "cowardly terrorist attacks, a series of apparently coordinated car bombings in Baghdad killed 127 people, injured more than 450 and destroyed some government buildings. In 2010, a prison fire south of Santiago, Chile, that apparently broke out after a fight between inmates killed at least 80 people and injured a dozen others. In 2020, Britain's National Health Service inoculated its first citizens against COVID-19 as it began its largest vaccine campaign in history. In 2022, President Joe Biden announced that Russian authorities released WNBA star and Olympian Brittney Griner from prison after about 10 months of detainment. She had been sentenced to nine years in prison for smuggling cannabis oil. He was the Great War ace who came face to face with Hitler and acted as a formidable double agent ahead of the Second World War. Squadron Commander Christopher Draper, also known as the Mad Major due to his penchant for flying under bridges, was the only person to have led a squadron as commanding officer during both the first and second world wars. On Wednesday his medal collection, including a prestigious Distinguished Service Cross, was auctioned with the London-based house Morton & Eden and sold for 7,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drapers medals are the vestiges of an extraordinary life spanning nearly 90 years. By the time Draper died in 1979, he had shot down nine German aircraft and balloons, clocked up 17,000 flying hours on 73 types of aircraft and flown under 15 bridges along the Thames in publicity stunts to protest for veterans rights. Born in 1892, in Bebington on the Wirral, Draper was 22 when the First World War broke out. He fought in the Royal Naval Air Service for most of the war, but when the Royal Air Force was formed in April 1918, he stubbornly refused to wear the new uniform. It seemed impossible to suddenly switch from the naval ranks, ratings and routine we knew so well, to those of the Army, adopted by the RAF, which were completely foreign, he wrote in his autobiography, The Mad Major, published in 1962. Major Draper was the only person to command a squadron in both the First and Second World Wars - BNPS After the war, Draper was unemployed, a common situation for many war veterans. He advertised this, in September 1931, by attempting to fly an aircraft under the Thames bridges, but managed only two, due to bad weather. He achieved the full stunt many years later, in 1952, but it was his flight in 1931 that resulted in him being known as The Mad Major. However, perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Drapers life was his work as a double agent before the dawn of the Second World War. In 1932, Draper travelled to Germany with a group of flying aces from the First World War, to meet their German counterparts. There he was introduced to Adolf Hitler, then quickly growing in popularity, a year before he came to power, and was subsequently approached by the Nazis to see if he would spy on Britain. Instead, he informed the British secret service, which suggested he spy on the enemy instead, and he worked as a double agent for four years, feeding a stream of false information to the Germans. The medal set awarded to Major Christopher Draper includes the Distinguished Service Cross, and sold for 7,000 at auction house Morton & Eden - BNPS Ahead of meeting Hitler in Munich in 1932, there was much excitement at the airport, Draper wrote in his autobiography. Hundreds of Nazis and SS men appeared from nowhere together with dozens of photographers and newsreel cameramen. But Hitler himself made me feel I was wasting his time, Draper said, adding, I felt very small in the presence of this corporal. The meeting, which lasted for around half an hour, was a perplexing one. Most of Hitlers replies appeared to be a shrug of the shoulders, given with an air of absolute boredom, though he did brighten up considerably when told that I was in complete sympathy with him and his movement, and I had a very big influence in high circles in London!!! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drapers encounter with Hitler led to his recruitment into the Nazi spy system. Having met the future fuhrer, Draper was asked to give a series of lectures in London on behalf of the Nazi party. For each lecture he was paid three guineas plus travelling expenses. I do not think I gave more than half a dozen lectures in all, he explained in his book. They were neither pleasant nor easy, for although Hitler and the Nazis were not yet in power, their violent anti-Semitism was becoming infamous... Had it not been for the three guinea fees, I would have abandoned the whole thing sooner than I did. The lectures were a testing period for the Nazis to assess his worth, after which he was asked to become an agent and spy for Germany. As a preface to this, he was invited to lunch at a German doctors house in Wimbledon. By about 4pm, Draper began to suspect something was afoot, and asked the doctor if he wanted a Nazi spy. Adter being approached by German intelligence, Major Draper immediately informed MI6 and began spying for the British - Smith Archive / Alamy Stock Photo He replied very calmly and quietly that that was exactly what he had in mind but had feared to put it so bluntly. The moment was extremely tense, and neither of us spoke for nearly 10 minutes, Draper recounted in his book. For some time we had been sitting in easy chairs, each with a glass of this most delectable Rhine wine. At last he broke the silence by getting up, putting his glass on the mantelshelf and saying: I am sorry, Major Draper, I fear I have make zee big mistake. I told him to sit down, that there was no mistake, that I was still a free man and game for anything. Draper left the doctors house and immediately informed MI5. He was then invited to meet the head of the service, Sir Percy Sillitoe. It was all very friendly and informal, Draper said, they told me to do whatever [the doctor] requested and keep them informed of everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few weeks later, Draper was on his way to Germany, for an official meeting in Hamburg. Greeted on arrival by a young German student, Draper said: I was guided to the farthest corner of a deserted cafe, and there introduced to a man who was sitting with the light behind him and wearing dark smoked glasses, with a soft hat pulled low over his forehead. It was everyones idea of a first meeting with a super spy. Draper was asked to feed back information about British aeroplanes and engines, the output of aircraft factories and the composition and size of RAF squadrons. Returning to London, he acted on instructions from British Intelligence, and sent fake documents with an attached letter. Though he never saw the documents, he was able to read the cover letters, which he included in his book. Addressed to a Mr Saunders, the letters were written in code about stamp collecting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November 1937, British Intelligence decided to pull another stunt by pretending Draper had such important documents that it was too risky to send them, arranging to drop the documents in Brussels instead. A bodyguard was provided and we travelled together; but throughout the journey we did not speak or recognise each other, Draper said. In Brussels, he handed a parcel into the German Embassy before returning to the Gare du Nord to meet his bodyguard. Without speaking or stopping, but to let him know all was well, I gave a pre-arranged signal, he said. He disappeared, and I had a wonderful week-end before returning to London. A few months later, in 1938, a story broke in New York that Draper was part of a Nazi spy conspiracy. Guenther Rumrich, a Nazi spy living in America, had been found guilty of espionage and was linked to Draper. For a few days, Draper was believed to be an agent of The Third Reich. Instead of making a statement, MI5 advised him to leave London, which he did disguised in a cap, muffler and dirty old raincoat. The Air Ministry later released a statement: The loyalty and integrity of Major Christopher Draper is not in any way called into question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Draper sent one last letter to the Nazis, saying he wished he could explode a bloody bomb in your blasted camp. He never heard from them again. It seems obvious that the official statement by the Air Ministry confirmed any German suspicions that I was a deep-dyed double-crosser, he said. Draper returned to the RAF in the Second World War and, although, at the age of 47, not young enough to be a pilot, he became a flight sub-lieutenant in the 777 Fleet Air Arm Squadron. But after the war he was without a job again, and upset at the governments treatment of veterans. In 1952, he decided to re-attempt flying under the bridges along the Thames. This time, he flew under 15, missing out three due to the leisurely speed of the pleasure boats, which were deemed to be obstructions. Major Drapers penchant for flying under bridges earned him the nickname The Mad Major - Mirrorpix Later, in 1959, Draper was asked by an advertising agency to circle the Eros statue at Piccadilly Circus 100 times in a three-wheeler bubble car. The idea being to test it for petrol consumption in what is supposed to be one of the worst traffic spots in London, he wrote. He managed 43 full revolutions before being arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Thames flight was, I suppose, the most spectacular event of my life, he reflected in his autobiography. Everything else since has seemed a bit of an anticlimax. His pilots licence was withdrawn for medical reasons in 1965 and he died in Camden, north London, aged 86 in 1979. [He] always seemed like a lark climbing into the sky with full throated song, wrote his friend, Air Vice-Marshall Sir Geoffrey Bromet. But perhaps Draper himself put it best in the closing words of his autobiography: I have been wedded to the Skies. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In one of Aesops fables, a deer fleeing hunters takes refuge in a cave, only to fall prey to a lion into whose den he had stumbled. The moral: Sometimes safety is an illusion hiding greater dangers. Let me offer an updated version: The deer flees to the cave knowing the lion was there, hoping to hire the lion to take out the hunter. The lion takes payment, roars at the hunter, and eats the deer. Who got the better deal? The deer is conservative Christians fleeing the hunters of the progressive left. The danger is real, and it is rational to flee and look for safety. But in their panic, some stumbled into the cave with the MAGA movementor knowingly sought it out. As they did in 2016, so again in 2024 evangelicals sought safety in Donald Trumps Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deer had a terrible decision to makebut, with hindsight, its clear that the lion is not only as dangerous as the hunter, but perhaps even more so because the hunter never tried to hide who he was. The lion matched malice with deception. So much of our political stance comes from our perception of relative threat. Each tribe is defined mostly by what it thinks is more dangerous. Tell me what you fear most and Ill tell you what party you belong to. Many Christians fear the hunter (the left) more than the lion (the MAGA movement). Faced with the reality of right-wing extremism and even political violence, they reflexively cite left-wing extremism, illiberalism, and violence. But citing left-wing extremism as a response to its right-wing counterpart is to argue either that left-wing extremism justifies right-wing extremism, or that left-wing extremism is a bigger or more urgent problem. The first argument is so obviously wrong that even my kids grasp that two wrongs dont make a right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the second argument, I think its wrong, but even if it werenteven if left-wing extremism were a bigger problemright-wing extremism would still be real, still be bad, and still be worth warning against. Citing left-wing extremism does not actually respond to the existence of right-wing extremism at all. Knee-jerk whataboutismciting left-wing extremism to brush away concerns of right-wing extremismis a way of saying, effectively, I dont actually care about right-wing extremism. Left-wing extremism is so overwhelmingly bad its okay to turn a blind eye to the conspiracy theorists, thugs, and terrorists on my side. That amounts, at least, to an abdication of responsibility and, at most, to an outright endorsement of extremism and violence, so long as its done in service to the right cause. Ive observed elsewhere that the current political right, made up of old-fashioned conservatives, nationalists, and libertarians, seems united only in its common anti-progressivism. Anti-progressivism has become the newest religious crusade by Americas evangelical community, much like anti-communism before it. Im tempted to suggest that the progressive leftriven by race, class, and genderis united only by a common antipathy to conventional authority and tradition. In their extremism, each side becomes the very danger the other side warns against. And so, to switch ancient metaphors, we are on Odysseus ship sailing between Scylla and Charybdis. Steer too far to port, and the six-headed beast eats us; too far to starboard, and the sea serpent drowns us. Each of us is trying to gauge which danger is closer so we can steer in the opposite directionbut, when we look only in one direction, we have no way to compare and thus no basis to judge relative distance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But thats not quite the right analogy because it assumes we all recognize that Scylla is, in fact, quite terrible, and that all rational observers know that we should not swan dive into Charybdis maw. Our situation is worse than that. Scylla and Charybdis have placed hired partisans to lobby for the ship to steer their way. No matter how bad death by sea serpent may be, Charybdis & Partners LLC, claims, nothing could be worse than death by six-headed monster. Everyone is grabbing at the rudder while the wind and waves threaten to swamp the boat, the partisans are trying to mount a mutiny, the ship threatens to split in two, all while external forcesthe Trojan navy (in our case, Russia and China)ready their armada. If possible, we should hire steersmen who look for danger in both directions, to the right and to the left, so as to better gauge relative distance. If you only have eyes for the evils of the other sideif all you can see is how awful the progressive left isyou are actively helping to scuttle the ship. You are deepening the polarization of American political life, making democratic compromise harder, straining our institutions, fueling the extremism of your side. We need steersmen, if such existed, who have loyalty to neither side and who understand the need sometimes to tack rightward, sometimes leftward, depending on the tides and eddies of the current. We need public servants who can critique both sidesnot from a mushy, non-committal moderate middle, but from a place of deep conviction about the underpinnings of democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of us arent that steersman. Most of us have our partisan loyalties and blinders. Thats finebut at the very least, may I suggest that we are, none of us, best positioned to gauge the threat emanating from our side? We are cognitively, psychologically incapable of offering an objective, dispassionate critique of our tribe. If you are dispositionally rightward, if you have a conservative instinct and are temperamentally Republican, recognize that you are singularly unqualified to judge how bad the threat from right-wing extremism may be. (And same for those on the left). It may be tempting to take comfort in the lions den now that Trump won the election. Actually, this is the time of greatest danger from the lion, because your guard is down and the hunter is cowed. Your loyalties are also blinders, because motivated reasoning is part of our fallen natures. If you can see that, then try, next time someone raises the flag about your tribes extremism, to resist the knee-jerk whataboutism. Try, for just a moment, asking if there is any merit to what they say. Try turning your attention to the other direction. You might be surprised by what you see. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. BEVERLY HILLS, California Still reeling from the partys electoral losses last month, the countrys Democratic governors descended on a plush Beverly Hills hotel on Friday and Saturday for a series of closed-door meetings with donors, interest groups and advocacy organizations. Officially, the event was a time to chart a path forward under a Trump administration. Unofficially, it also served as a preview of the next Democratic primary. You're witnessing the kickoff to the 2028 presidential primary, live and in-person, said one adviser to major Democratic Party donors, granted anonymity to speak candidly. He added: This is the audition for the next president to a room full of donors, operatives, reporters, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, emphasized that the meeting was focused on the near term: keeping New Jersey and flipping Virginia in 2025, and on the huge contingent of governors races in 26. Trust me, we're not thinking beyond 26 at this point, she said. But it was hard to ignore the weekends guest list stacked with potential 2028 contenders, including Govs. Gavin Newsom of California, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Tim Walz of Minnesota, JB Pritzker of Illinois and Roy Cooper of North Carolina. And for two days here, in this state that has long served as a bastion of Democratic politics, the Beverly Hilton was teeming with donors, strategists and lobbyists eager to land meetings with the rising stars. Asked about the jockeying for 2028, Cooper told POLITICO: I'll just say that there are a lot of great governors across this country who will make great leaders in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic governors are preparing to thread a fine line between standing up to President-elect Donald Trumps Republican trifecta in Washington and collaborating with the incoming administration. Immediately following the election, some Democratic governors launched plans to Trump-proof their states, and in a memo released this week, Meghan Meehan-Draper, DGAs executive director, wrote that Democratic governors would be the Last Line of Defense against the incoming GOP trifecta in the federal government. Blue-state governors have been explicit that they intend to try to block some Trump policies efforts that will also likely raise their own profiles. Pritzker and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis are leading an organization to back against increasing threats of autocracy and fortifying the institutions of democracy that our country and our states depend upon and although the privately-funded group is non-partisan, the implications are clear. You come for my people, you come through me, Pritzker told reporters last month in a warning to the incoming administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In deep-blue New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James created an initiative to address any policy and regulatory threats that may emerge from a Trump Administration. In California, Newsom called a special session of the legislature to lay the legal groundwork for the state to lead its second Trump resistance. And Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said, We've already taken from the last rodeo considerable efforts that have been considerably successful to prevent him from abusing our state financially and taking away our resources [and] targeting us. You cant say were Trump-proofed, because he still has some levers to pull, but weve already done that considerably, Inslee added. But with the election loss still smarting, the event implicitly raised the question of who might have the right formula for the next one. Inslee said the governors are focused on the election cycle for governors right now. Still, he acknowledged that the day after every election is the beginning of the next one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the positioning for governors in 2017 was more stridently opposing Trump, this time around they seem to be hedging their bets. Newsom has promised he would offer an open hand, not a closed fist, to the incoming administration and other governors signaled a willingness to work alongside Trump on some issues. Whitmer, who said her state "played a role in supporting president Trump" also said she hoped she would find ways to work with the president-elect. She emphasized I wont abandon my values, but Im going to work hard to find common ground everywhere I can. I've got two more years, and my goal is do everything I can for the state, Whitmer added. Cooper who will be replaced as North Carolina governor in January by Democrat Josh Stein said it would be really important for his successor to work with the federal government to help the state recover from Hurricane Helene. And many acknowledged that the demands of their job required them to pick up the phone when the Trump administration calls. We will continue to do what we do, which is work with whoever we need to work with to get what we need for our states, Kelly said. House Democrats say theyll skip the election protests theyve staged on Jan. 6 in past presidential cycles, four years after supporters of President-elect Trump stormed the Capitol in an attempt to interrupt the certification of the 2020 election results. Democrats typically have used the formal certification of GOP presidential wins to air objections to how certain states carried out their elections. But theyre treading much more carefully this year after four years in which theyve accused Trump of directing his supporters to the Capitol for the explicit purpose of overturning President Bidens victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Jan. 6 nears, and Republicans prepare to certify Trumps win over Vice President Harris, the last thing Democrats want to do is open themselves to charges of hypocrisy on what they see as a fundamental rite of preserving democracy. I dont know of anybody that wants to do anything thats going to make it look like were somehow questioning the election, Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) said. Democrats have protested election results in every cycle for at least two decades when a Republican won the White House, so the lack of protests will be a real change. These past objections have always been symbolic, designed to highlight restrictive election laws or alleged violations of the Electoral College process in specific states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have come after the Democratic presidential candidate had already conceded defeat, with no chance and no intent of overturning the election results. For those reasons, the Democrats fundamentally reject the comparison between their own objections and what happened on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters, summoned to Washington by the then-president and egged on by his false claims of a stolen election, attacked law enforcement officers while storming the Capitol. Later that night, a majority of House Republicans 139 lawmakers voted to overturn Trumps defeat in Arizona, Pennsylvania or both. Trump after his inauguration on Jan. 20 may pardon some or many of those convicted of facing crimes from Jan. 6, 2021 something Democrats say would be a gross miscarriage of justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But after spending four years accusing Trump of being directly responsible for the violence, Democrats acknowledge the optics of even symbolic protests might be politically toxic. Many lawmakers said they dont want to stage any public objections to the Electoral College results that could create even the slightest appearance and spark GOP accusations that Democrats were seeking to invalidate Trumps victory. I dont want us to do anything to compare to Jan. 6, because nothing will ever compare to what happened on that day, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) said. Jan. 6 was so surreal and painful and scary, that I dont think theres anything that we would do that would want to make us be like them. Its not that Democrats think there were no partisan hijinks that affected election outcomes this cycle. The party is up in arms, for instance, over a new map in North Carolina, drawn by statehouse Republicans, that shifted power heavily in favor of the GOP. As a result, the 14-member House delegation currently split evenly, at seven seats for each party will feature 10 Republicans and only four Democrats in the next Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beatty, a former head of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), said Democrats will continue to protest such partisan gerrymandering, to include speeches on the House floor. But no one, she said, is going to challenge the outcome of the presidential contest on Jan. 6, particularly because Harris who quickly conceded to Trump after her defeat last month will be presiding over the election certification that day. Knowing shes going to be in the chair, knowing shes conceded, I wouldnt go to the floor and say, We didnt lose the presidential election. I mean, duh, Beatty said. They may have done that before. But what you would hear would not be a protest against the election results, as they did, you would hear a protest against processes [and] violations of law. So now that may very well happen, but it would not be a denial of the election. The caution comes after a number of election cycles when Democrats made a public display of protesting various election procedures in a number of states by challenging the Electoral College results on Jan. 6. In 2001, for instance, members of the Congressional Black Caucus challenged Floridas electoral votes to protest the Supreme Courts decision to halt the recount there a ruling they said disenfranchised minority voters in the Sunshine State. Then-Vice President Al Gore, who lost that election to George W. Bush, was presiding over the process and gaveled each objection down, one by one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2005, the CBC again led the charge against the electoral count in Ohio, where liberals objected to voting rules they said suppressed the minority vote. That challenge, led by then-Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio), was endorsed by then-Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), delaying the process while each chamber debated Ohios election laws. Boxer, at the time, emphasized she was not trying to overturn Bushs victory over then-Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), but she simply wanted to put a spotlight on voting practices she deemed unjust. Her support for the objection forced a vote on the floor of each chamber. In the House, 31 Democrats voted to block the counting of Ohios 17 electoral votes. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who led the select House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 rampage and Trumps role in it, was among those 31 lawmakers. This time around, he says he has no plans to protest a recognition of the violence of 2021. I think Democrats recognize, when you lose an election you can either stand on the loss or you can be a bad sport, Thompson said. In this instance, I think Democrats want to be the adults in the room and say, Now, Republicans, when this comes around again, look at how we did it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most recently, a number of Democrats stood to challenge the electoral count in 2017, following Trumps first victory. That list included Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), who objected to Alabamas electoral count citing Russian interference in the election and alleged violations of the Voting Rights Act. This time, hes not planning a similar protest. I dont plan to do anything, he said. I dont question the results of this election. Im heartbroken by the results, but I dont question them. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a former law professor, had challenged Floridas tally in 2017 because, he argued, almost a third of Floridas 29 electoral votes were cast by electors not lawfully certified because they violated Floridas prohibition against dual office holding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His vote and all of the Democratic objections over the years have led Republicans to argue that their efforts to keep Trump in office after his 2020 loss were simply taking a page from the Democratic playbook. Democrats have rejected those claims outright. And Raskin, like other Democrats, is quick to argue the difference between point-of-order objections like his, and the effort by Republicans to deny an election outcome that Trump still denies even four years later. Republicans and Democrats for a long time have used that process to point out flaws in the casting of particular electoral college votes, he said. But that is galaxies away from actually trying to overthrow the election with fraud and violence. And they know the difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A 20-year-old man wound up in jail after deputies said he was going more than 100 miles per hour on a Georgia highway. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Just before 12:30 p.m., on Dec. 1, Floyd County deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near State Route 1 Loop near mile marker nine. This led to the arrest of Harley Richardson, 20. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to deputies, Richardson was caught going 115 mph in a 60 mph zone. Authorities said Richardson also failed to stop for a patrol vehicle when deputies attempted a traffic stop. The Governors Highway Safety Association states that Georgias Super Speeder Law adds $200 in state fees for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 MPH or higher on any two-lane roads or 85 MPH or higher on multiple-lane roads anywhere in the state. Richardson was arrested and charged with speeding 55 over the law and fleeing. He was booked into the Floyd County Jail. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Dee Miller has to make an awful decision. The Lawrence residents disabled husband of 57 years needs more intensive care than an in-home service is able to provide. But profit-driven assisted living facilities in the area will only accept him if he can pay an estimated $11,000 per month out of pocket for two years, Miller said. As a Medicaid patient, the facilities would place him on an indefinite waiting list. She would have to sell their home to cover the cost and find a place for herself to live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is an average person supposed to do? Miller asked last month at a forum hosted by Kansas Advocates for Better Care. In an interview, Miller said her husband is paraplegic and suffers severe neurological pain. The couple are 78 and 79 years old. Many people all over this area that you know are going to be running into the same thing, she said. She added: Its just a really bad situation. Millers situation is emblematic of broader concerns outlined by panelists during the forum. They described a long-term care industry geared toward maximizing profits without regard for human suffering, and a Republican-controlled Legislature unwilling to interfere with free market greed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Janis DeBoer, a former deputy secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, joined Camille Russell, a former Kansas long-term care ombudswoman, and Kansas Rep. Susan Concannon, a Beloit Republican who declined to seek reelection this year after serving six terms. DeBoer, whose career in long-term care spanned three decades, said it has always been a challenge to find quality care in nursing homes in Kansas. Staffing levels have always been difficult. Pay has been too low. The competition sometimes has been too great, DeBoer said. The fact that nobody wants your business, period. I mean, nobody really wants to go to a nursing facility, and yet you offer it because you can make money at it. Lets just be frank. You can make plenty of money in the nursing facility business as a general rule. Russell pointed to a report on federal ratings that showed 80 out of 300 nursing homes in Kansas are considered problem facilities. That number was generous, she said, meaning there are problems with many more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you looked at customer satisfaction, Russell said, few would say their nursing home was good. She said an estimated 13,000 early deaths per year could be attributed to inadequate staffing in nursing homes nationwide. A new rule from President Joe Bidens administration would impose higher staffing requirements within three years. That means nearly 40,000 people could die before the requirement is in place, she said. And many more will suffer. What about the multitude of people who are living in misery, with abuse and neglect of not having adequate staffing? Russell said. These people are making money. This is a profit center, and they are making profits while their customers are in misery, being abused, neglected and dying. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined 19 other states in a lawsuit challenging the new rule. The lawsuit claims new staffing requirements pose an existential threat to the nursing home industry as many nursing homes that are already struggling will have no choice but to go out of business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russell said the same companies that claim they cant find or afford more staff seem to have no trouble finding staff when they open new facilities. Providers arent interested in increasing the workforce, she said, because staffing is their biggest expense: They wont make as much money. Gov. Laura Kelly moved to replace Russell as the long-term care ombudswoman earlier this year with Haely Ordoyne. Dan Goodman, executive director of Kansas Advocates for Better Care, said in an interview that the appointment raises concerns about conflicts of interest. Ordoyne owned a Washington, Kansas, nursing home from 2009 to December 2023, led an industry lobbying group and continues to work as a consultant for senior care businesses. You start to wonder, whos with us here on protecting older Kansans? Goodman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodman said the Legislature could address some of the concerns outlined during the forum by taking action to increase staffing at long-term care facilities; limit the use of anti-psychotic medication, which facilities use despite health concerns to subdue patients so less attention is required; and make it easier to coordinate in-home services and avoid premature institutionalization. During the forum, Concannon said she had tried and failed to pass regulations during her 12 years in office. When House Speaker Dan Hawkins eliminated the senior care committee she chaired, he didnt even tell her until the day it was announced, she said. Theres just not a lot of appetite in our Republican-controlled Legislature to do anything that would be restrictive and what they would call not the free market, Concannon said. And Im back here screaming, This is not a free market system! Theres no free market really in health care. This story first appeared on Kansas Reflector, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization covering state government, politics and policy. Tracy Whitney was last seen leaving a Burger King after an argument with her ex-boyfriend in August 1988. Less than 24 hours later, fishermen found her body in a river near Sumner, Washington, about 12 miles east of Tacoma. She was 18 years old. An autopsy revealed Tracy had been sexually assaulted and died of strangulation, according to a statement from the Pierce County Sheriffs Office. Her death was ruled a homicide. Detectives collected DNA samples from her body that presumably belonged to the killer, interviewed people of interest and administered polygraph tests. No suspect was identified, and the case grew cold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tracys sister, Robin Whitney, was 11 years old when the murder took place. Following the loss of her protector, Robin vowed to avoid talking about Tracy not to her friends, her father or eventually to her daughters. I didnt want to think about what had happened to her, and what her last moments were like and how scared she mustve been, Robin told CNN. Id also have to think about everything we missed out on as sisters, how unfair that was. She believed the case would likely never be solved, and thinking of all the what ifs only brought fresh waves of grief and frustration. But roughly 10 years ago, Robins father, who had avoided speaking of Tracy for decades, told her the police had recovered a DNA sample from the crime scene in 1988. The news gave Robin hope. And she slowly began sharing stories of her sister with her daughters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robin also learned her father had visited the sheriffs office several times since the murder, hoping to revive the investigation. In 2005, the sheriffs office renewed efforts to solve the crime by uploading the DNA sample to the FBIs national genetic database, CODIS. They decided to resubmit Tracys DNA swabs after new technology became available, the sheriffs office said, but the effort yielded no results. The first breakthrough came in 2022, after the sheriffs office received a grant from the state attorney generals office. With this funding, they sent the DNA sample to Parabons NanoLab in Virginia for genetic genealogy testing. Thirty-six years after Tracys death, the sheriffs office used lab data to identify John Guillot Jr. as her killer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriffs, however, could not make an arrest. Guillot Jr. died eight months before authorities could connect him to the killing, Pierce County Det. Sgt. Lindsay Kirkegaard said in a video released Sunday. How genetic genealogy cracked the case Genetic genealogy, a combination of DNA analysis and family tree research, finally led detectives to Guillot Jr. A relatively new field of study, genetic genealogy gained prominence as hobbyists began looking into their family history. It has since expanded into a forensic method used by law enforcement to crack cold cases. In 2018, it led to the arrest of the Golden State Killer, and it has recently helped solve several other cold cases, including a 1974 murder in Wisconsin and a 1988 murder in Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parabon NanoLabs tested the DNA sample and traced the suspects family lines to the 1700s. The results pointed to Guillot Jr. as the main suspect, according to the sheriffs office. To confirm Guillot Jr. was the killer, detectives had to compare his DNA to the sample they had collected from the crime scene in 1988. That wasnt possible because Guillot Jr.s remains had been cremated. However, the genealogy lab findings led investigators to Guillot Jr.s biological son, John Guillot III. The son had also recently died, but the medical examiners office had his DNA on file. After further genetic testing, detectives confirmed his father was a match for the suspects genetic profile, according to the sheriffs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives believe Guillot Jr. and Tracy did not know each other prior to the killing. Since Guillot died before he was identified as the perpetrator, his profile could not be uploaded to CODIS to see if he was responsible for any other crimes. 36 years of locked up emotions Robin had been waiting almost (her) entire life to learn the killers identity. But the discovery surprised Robin in other ways. The overwhelming support that weve gotten from the community that we grew up in, and the general public interest and attention that shes getting feels like justice in a way, she said. People are talking about her, and they remember her, and they miss her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, Robin added, he didnt face the criminal process, so he got away with it. Tracy, left, and Robin. - Robin Whitney More than three decades later, Robin has the closure she has been longing for. Since getting the news that Tracys case has been solved, 36 years of locked-up emotions came out all at once. I grieved her as a child, and now Im grieving her as an adult, Robin said. Im allowing myself to feel all of it, though. Its uncomfortable and Im sad, but its an emotional relief that I needed. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Democratic National Committee (DNC) financial committee member Lindy Li seemingly backed President-elect Trumps Defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, a sharp shift away from recent scrutiny the former Fox News host has come under as he awaits Senate confirmation for the top post at the Pentagon. Maybe youre looking for someone to oppose the nomination, but I actually have personal interactions because Ive been on Fox and Friends, Ive met Pete, hes my fellow Princetonian. I actually think hes a pretty good guy, Li said on NewsNations Morning in America. Im just here to present the facts as I know it, Li added after receiving a somewhat surprised reaction from host Markie Martin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth has come under fire related to allegations of sexual assault connected to an encounter he says was consensual, as well as previous comments hes made about not allowing women to be in combat roles in the military. Hes also faced allegations of excessive drinking. The New Yorker reported Sunday that Hegseth was forced to step down by two nonprofit advocacy groups he ran due to mismanagement of funds, sexual impropriety and excessive drinking, and NBC News reported Tuesday that Hegseths drinking worried colleagues at Fox News, where he was a weekend host until earlier this month. A New York Times story also reported that Hegseths mother sent him an email in 2018 accusing him of routinely mistreating women for years and displaying a lack of character. His mother, Penelope Hegseth, backtracked on those statements in a follow-up message, however, apologizing for her original email, claiming she sent the email in anger, with emotion when her son and his wife were going through a divorce. Despite the backlash, Hegseth has vowed not to back down despite facing an uphill battle in the Senate. GOP members in the upper chamber seemed discouraged at Hegseths confirmation chances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth met Thursday with Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) along with Sen.-elect Jim Banks (R-Ind.) to rally support within the GOP conference. But Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who some believe is one of the GOP members withholding support for Hegseth, declined to express support for him when asked during an interview on Fox Newss Americas Newsroom. However, the Iowa senator did say she would be meeting with Hegseth next weektheir second meetingas he continues to make his pitch to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar, which also owns The Hill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Democratic National Committee member shocked NewsNation host Markie Martin when she complimented Department of Defense pick Pete Hegseth. Lindy Li, who is a member of the partys finance committee, hailed him as a fellow Princeton alumnus and joked that producers had made a mistake in booking her for the Friday appearance to oppose his selection. Hegseth, a former Fox News host and army officer, has been mired in scandal in recent days over claims of having a drinking problem, financial mismanagement and other allegations involving treatment of women. He has denied the claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin asked Li whether she believed Hegseth would be approved, but Li decided to answer the question on her own terms. DNC Official Lindy Li: "I've met @PeteHegseth and he's my fellow Princetonian and I actually think he's been a pretty good guy." pic.twitter.com/uJtAU3uJy7 Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 8, 2024 Actually, I think maybe youre looking for someone to oppose this nomination, but I actually have personal interactions because I did on Fox and Friends. I met Pete, and hes my fellow Princetonian, and I actually think hes a pretty good guy, the Democrat strategist said. Martin replied in astonishment: Wow. I was not expecting this from you, Lindy. I know, but fair is fair, right? Im here. Im not here to gaslight anybody, she replied. Im just here to present the facts as I know it. And I will say, a lot of people are saying his nomination is in trouble because, see, he is definitely a fighter. As he told Meghan Kelly, he said Trump asked him to be tough as blank. And hes certainly that way. And well just see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday said he believes his selection for the Defense Department will go through, despite rumors that Florida governor Ron DeSantis would replace him. His first pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, fell apart after controversies around an unreleased ethics committee report on sex trafficking forced him to withdraw from consideration for the role. The mass deportation plan that Donald Trump intends to put into effect within his first 100 days in office is becoming clearer. The president-elect sat for an exclusive interview with NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker, which aired on Saturday (Dec. 7) evening, where he discussed the nations controversial immigration issue. Trending Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican politician has long stated that removing illegal citizens from the country is a top priority when he assumes office on Jan. 20 for a second term. During his reelection campaign trail, he courted supporters fears of undocumented persons being responsible for Americans losing jobs and that many were perpetrators of crime. When Trump spoke with Welker, he said that not even birthright citizenship, which is protected by the Constitutions 14th Amendment which states, All people born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States and the state they live in would stand in his way. Were gonna have to get it changed. Well maybe have to go back to the people, but we have to end it. Were the only country that has it, he said. America is one of more than two dozen countries that grant citizenship to individuals born to illegal immigrants. He also stated, Do you know if somebody sets a foot, just a foot one foot, you dont need two on our land, Congratulations, you are now a citizen of the United States of America. Yes, were gonna end that because its ridiculous. If we can, through executive action. During his first tenure in the White House, Trump was heavily scrutinized for ICE raids and detention centers where children were separated from their loved ones as they awaited deportation. This time around, he suggests the removal process may look different. He claimed, I dont want to be breaking up families, so the only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together, and you have to send them all back, meaning that legal citizens will have a choice between remaining in the country legally or being returned to their familys home country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to have rules and regulations, said Trump. You can always find something out like, you know, This doesn't work. That doesn't work. I'll tell you what's going to be horrible, when we take a wonderful young woman who's with a criminal. And they show the woman, and she could stay by the law, but they show the woman being taken out. Or they want her out and your cameras are focused on her as she's crying as she's being taken out of our country. And then the public turns against us. But we have to do our job. In November, Trump nominated former ICE director Thomas Homan as his border czar. You Might Also Like On Sunday, Russias Foreign Ministry announced that President Bashar al-Assad had resigned and left Syria, marking a shocking downfall for the longtime ruler who had relied on support from Moscow and Tehran to resist rebel forces for years, according to reporting by the New York Times and other media. Mr. al-Assads departure followed a swift offensive by rebels opposed to his rule, marking a seismic moment in Syrias history. His family had governed the country with a tight grip since the early 1970s. This development represented a significant breakthrough for rebel factions that have spent over a decade trying to oust him, much of it during a devastating civil war. For many Syrians, Mr. al-Assads exit symbolized hope, freeing them from a regime that had used brutal methods to suppress freedoms. However, it also ushered in a period of uncertainty regarding Syrias future leadership and raised fears of a potential power vacuum, given the fragmented factions vying for territorial control. The Russian Foreign Ministry provided no details about Mr. al-Assads whereabouts, stating only that he had engaged in discussions with several parties of the armed conflict. The Syrian presidency did not comment on his resignation. Earlier on Sunday, the primary rebel coalition, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, announced via its Telegram channel that it had taken control of Damascus, prompting the withdrawal of Syrian forces. State television initially praised Mr. al-Assads defenses but later aired an announcement from nine rebels. The city of Damascus has been liberated, the tyrant Bashar al-Assad has been toppled, one rebel declared, adding, Long live a free and independent Syria for all Syrians of all sects. These developments culminated in a dramatic two-week period during which a coalition of rebel groups, previously confined to a small region in Syrias northwest, advanced through major cities, breaking a long-standing stalemate in Syrias 13-year civil war. Irans foreign ministry emphasized in a statement that determining Syrias future is solely the responsibility of the Syrian people. The ministry advocated for a national dialogue involving all sectors of Syrian society to establish a new government. Iran has been a major supporter of the Assad regime. However, concerns about the rebel takeover have emerged, particularly among Christians. The Christian Post reported earlier this month that militants had begun removing Christmas decorations and had beheaded captured soldiers. The Iraqi Christian Foundation urged prayers for Christians and other minorities in Aleppo. Christian Solidarity International, a human rights organization based in Switzerland, expressed alarm over Hayat Tahrir al-Shams control of Aleppo, likening it to the Islamic States 2014 seizure of Mosul. The group highlighted HTS history of enforcing a strict Sunni supremacist ideology, which has instilled fear among Aleppos diverse religious communities, including Christians, Alawites, Shiites, and non-observant Sunnis. The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria has documented HTS harsh governance, which includes executions, torture, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and the desecration of religious sites. These practices echo the severe rule experienced during their earlier control from 2012 to 2016. Christian Daily International has seen many prayer requests sent from Christians in the country, some also acknowledging that the situation changes from moment to moment, making it difficult to understand what will happen next. Echoing what will likely be the hope of many Christians in Syria, one Christian leader said: We are praying for God's protection so that His perfect good will be done in Syria. May Lord rule over our nations by His love, justice, mercy, and sovereignty. No more blood, no more revenge, no more casualties. Donald Trump discussed his fond memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II when he sat down with the UKs Prince William on Saturday in Paris. The president-elect remarked about William, Hes a big man, this one. Hes doing a fantastic job, when they met at the unveiling of the restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sun newspaper reports that, following the service, the pair had a 40-minute sit-down meeting, reported as being warm and friendly, where they discussed the importance of the UK/U.S. special relationship, and Trump shared his memories of Williams grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth. Trump also met French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while William also spoke with U.S. First Lady Jill Biden. Other public figures at the ceremony in Paris included Elon Musk. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Two people are dead and a third is in custody in an incident Blackman-Leoni Township Public Safety is calling a double homicide. Officials from the department say officers were dispatched to a residence in the 6900 block of Welch Lake Rd. Saturday shortly before 2 p.m. on December 7, 2024, on a welfare check. On arrival, officers found a person in the driveway. Officials reported in a news release he was dead. A subsequent search of the property led officers to discover a second person dead on the property, officials announced in a news release. (File/WLNS) Officials say the deceased are a 57-year-old male, along with a 70-year-old female. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, officers determined the second victims vehicle was missing from the scene. Shortly after putting out information on the missing vehicle, a license plate reader located the car in the village of Brooklyn and traveling into Columbia Township. Columbia Township police located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the driver, identified as a 40-year-old male, fled from the stop. He stopped shortly after the chase began and was taken into custody. The 40-year-old man has been lodged in the Jackson County Jail, and police in Blackman Leoni Township Public Safety are submitted reports and information to the Jackson County prosecutor for charging decisions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Dec. 7Douglas (Doug) Linwood McVicker Douglas (Doug) L. McVicker passed away on November 23, 2024 with his beloved family nearby. Doug was born on September 23, 1932, to Woodrow D. McVicker and Naomi Haller McVicker in Clemtown, West Virginia. Doug's great-great Grandfather, John I. McVicker, emigrated from Ireland during the potato famine and found his way to Clemtown, West Virginia. John established a thriving farm, raising sheep and harvesting vegetables, fruit, and nuts from the many trees on his homestead. Soon, the village grew to include two grocery stores, a school, and a church before the advent of paved highways in West Virginia. Years later, Doug spent many happy years growing up in the still thriving village, attending his first year of school in the two-room schoolhouse. Doug graduated from Philippi High School, Philippi, West Virginia, in 1950. He graduated with a BS at Fairmont State College in 1954, focusing on Industrial Arts and Social Studies. He entered the Air Force and was selected to take the testing for Air Cadet Training. He made one of the highest scores recorded at the time on that test. Unfortunately, it was discovered that Doug's eyesight in one eye was not 20/20, and this prevented his participation in the Air Cadet Training. He was then trained in gas generating and selected for a highly classified research balloon project. He served in this capacity at Holloman AFB in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas. Doug married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Scott, on June 30, 1956, at the historic Crim Memorial Methodist Church in Philippi, West Virginia. The couple left West Virginia and traveled west to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where Doug was stationed at Holloman AFB with the classified high-altitude Balloon Research Unit. After his Air Force service ended in 1958, Doug and Kathleen moved to Albuquerque, NM, where he enrolled in the Education Administration Program in the College of Education at the University of New Mexico. He completed this training in 1959 and began his educational career at Albuquerque High School, teaching Industrial Arts and Drafting. Doug continued his studies at UNM in Counseling and was selected as a school counselor at Harrison Junior High School. In 1969, Doug was chosen as the Vice Principal at Van Buren Junior High School. In 1970, he was named the principal at Jefferson Junior High School. During his tenure at Jefferson, all Junior High Schools became Middle Schools. He served at Jefferson until 1980 when he was chosen to be the principal at Kennedy Middle School. Doug felt his years as a teacher, counselor, Vice Principal, and Principal were rewarding and gave him many pleasant memories and long-standing friendships. Doug retired from Albuquerque Public Schools in 1988 and soon became a candidate for the APS School Board. His fellow board members elected him and soon voted for him as President. While a member of the board, Doug worked tirelessly to improve teacher pay and innovative programs and curriculum to enhance the student learning experience. Doug is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and son, Keith of Albuquerque, NM, and his daughter, Melissa, and grandson, Timothy Hai of Mountain View, CA. Please feel free to sign our online guest book for the family at the French Funerals website. No services are planned at this time. In place of flowers, please give in Doug's name to the University of New Mexico Presidential Scholarship Fund, any UNM College of Education scholarship to support aspiring teachers, or to the charity of your choice. In a stunning turn of events, state Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock claimed Saturday evening that he had the necessary votes to become the next speaker of the Texas House. The speakers race is over, he said in a news conference that lasted less than two minutes. I have secured enough to be speaker of the House for the next session. Burrows released a list of 76 supporters 38 Republicans and 38 Democrats. However, three members say they should not be on the list, debasing Burrows claim to have the necessary votes to be elected speaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burrows announcement came just minutes after Rep. David Cook of Mansfield, Burrows main rival for the speakers gavel, had been declared the endorsed candidate by the House GOP Caucus by a vote of 48-14 after a contingent of Burrows supporters dramatically left the meeting after the two rivals had stalemated in the first two rounds. All 88 GOP caucus members are tied by the groups rules to vote for the endorsed candidate, which would help Cook surpass the 76-vote threshold at the beginning of the legislative session in January to be elected speaker. But Burrows made his announcement surrounded by fellow Republican supporters indicating that those lawmakers were willing to go against the rules to back Burrows. After the caucus meeting, Cook thanked the 62 members who remained committed to the process and stayed until the caucus chose a candidate. Additionally, he committed to unifying the caucus by working with those who walked. This is still a race, Cook told reporters. That was something obviously we were hoping for today. We were hopeful that the 88 Republicans in the Texas House Republican Caucus would come together and make a decision, to a unified decision, that unifies all Texas House Republicans so that the Texas House can move forward. So, no, its not over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, asked by the Tribune for his plan if Burrows puts out a list of 76 supporters, Cook said he would continue working with members to earn the majority. After Burrows published his list, Cook published a list of 56 Republican supporters. The two lists contained several duplicated names, including Don McLaughlin, Charles Cunningham, Janie Lopez, Mano DeAyala, Jeff Barry and Paul Dyson. McLaughlin said that he did not give permission to be on Burrows list and remained committed to Cook. I stand firm with my conservative colleagues my vote for speaker is with David Cook, McLaughlin said in a statement. Any claim that I support Dustin Burrows is pure deception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another newly elected lawmaker on both lists, Paul Dyson, said in a statement that he would support Cook for speaker. During the campaign, I pledged to support the caucus nominee, and I applaud David and the other speaker candidates for spending countless hours sharing their vision for a united Republican House caucus, he said. I look forward to working with you, David, to deliver conservative results for Texas. A GOP lawmaker familiar with the matter said they were aware of at least two other Republican members who were asking for their names to be removed from Burrows list. Later in the evening, Democratic Rep. Josey Garcia, whom Burrows had included on his list, said she had not endorsed him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have not endorsed a candidate for speaker of the House at this time, the San Antonio lawmaker said in a statement. Like all of my colleagues, I take great responsibility in electing our next speaker, and I look forward to casting my vote soon. After the GOP caucus meeting, Cook said that the race was not over and that he wanted to work with the 26 Republican caucus members who left to win over their support. Cook also said he was willing to talk to Democrats to earn their support. The dueling claims of victory are a sign that the intraparty Republican war could continue into the next legislative session. On Saturday night, the Texas GOP put out a statement urging House Republicans to unite behind Cook and calling on other speaker candidates to drop out of the race. House GOP Caucus Chairman Tom Oliverson, who withdrew his bid for speaker to support Cook, said he expected the groups members to abide by its rules and vote for Cook. He said he agreed that the race was over but that it was Cook who was victorious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Burrows] knows how that process works because he helped write that process as former caucus chair, Oliverson said. What has happened outside of the caucus meeting is very much what Joe Straus used to do and that is the reason why the rules were put in place. The speaker is elected by winning a simple majority 76 of the chambers 150 members. But given Saturdays contentious proceedings, Burrows supporters appear dug in to defy the caucus rules. That group must now rely on building a coalition with Democrats to put their own candidate in the speakers seat. Such a move would meet stark opposition from GOP activists who pressured the incumbent speaker, Dade Phelan, into leaving the race by emphasizing his bipartisan work with Democrats. Cooks supporters, who come from the party's rightmost flank and call themselves reformers, say any new speaker candidate must commit to ending the appointment of Democratic chairs, among other conservative priorities. Rep.-elect Mitch Little of Lewisville, who supports Cook, said that a minority of the caucus was undertaking a brazen attempt to circumvent the will of the voters, and I dont think the people of Texas are going to be very happy about it. I wouldnt want to be one of the minority Republicans on Dustin Burrows list going home for the holidays to explain what I just did here today, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burrows launched an eleventh-hour bid for the speakers gavel late Thursday night after Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who is a Burrows ally, told lawmakers he would withdraw from the race. Phelan had been maligned by critics for overseeing the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, a conservative darling, and for not doing enough to ensure the passage of Gov. Greg Abbott's priority school voucher legislation. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who first called for Phelans ouster over a year ago, congratulated Cook for his victory in the caucus vote over social media. Cook and his supporters did this the right way, Patrick wrote. His vote count continues to climb. Before the GOP caucus meeting, grassroots activists waited outside the Capitol room where the meeting was happening and waved posters that said Reform! and donned shirts that said Ban Dem Chairs and Parents Matter. They cheered as lawmakers who had committed to supporting Cook entered the room and yelled, Were counting on you! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturdays vote was conducted by secure secret ballot, according to caucus rules. At the endorsement meeting, candidates are allowed to have other members make nominating speeches for them. Reps. Matt Shaheen of Plano and James Frank of Wichita Falls spoke on behalf of Cook. Burrows gave his own nomination speech. Neither candidate reached the required two-thirds threshold of support to win the endorsement in the first two rounds of voting. The threshold dropped to three-fifths in the third round, per caucus rules. Burrows camp then requested a break to discuss their strategy before the third round. They said they were denied and abruptly left the meeting, throwing the proceedings into a scramble. However, Cooks side said Burrows group left before the caucus had finished deciding whether to pause the action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The caucus took a break until 3:45 p.m. Saturday before conducting the third round. When the remaining members reconvened, they voted to endorse Cook and then held a celebratory news conference. Meanwhile, House Democrats had also been meeting throughout the day trying to line up support for Burrows, who had made overtures to them. But the House Democratic Caucus could not get full agreement on backing Burrows. Instead, it released a statement saying its members were free to vote for anyone for speaker, except for Cook. Gene Wu, the Houston Democrat who this week was elected chair of the caucus, posted on social media that Burrows had not agreed to appoint Democrats as committee chairs. Some Democrats remain staunchly opposed to Burrows. On Thursday, Rep. Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos a Richardson Democrat who chairs the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus and is running a long-shot bid for speaker herself blasted Burrows on social media for attacking local control with his anti-worker, billionaire-backed bill last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramos said it was unfortunate to see Democrats supporting Burrows who had "targeted Texas families and communities. Supporting a speaker who is not backed by his own party's majority and and who seeks to appeal to Democrats by defending indefensible policies- policies that have allowed children to be slaughtered in schools, women to die without access to healthcare and public schools to close repeats 25 years of submission to a leadership that has completely failed Texas families, Ramos told The Texas Tribune. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The Ector County Independent School District is seeking the communitys input as it continues its search for the districts next superintendent, following Dr. Scott Muris retirement. ECISD votes to approve Dr. Muri retirement agreement, interim superintendent The school district said it will be hosting three town hall meetings on Monday and Tuesday, allowing residents to voice their opinions and concerns about the future of ECISD. The town hall meetings will be held at the following locations: Monday December 9 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Lawndale Community Center, located at 9201 Rainbow Drive 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the South Ector Community Center, located at 4455 West Apple Street Tuesday, December 10 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Kellus Turner Community Center, located at 2261 West Sycamore Drive Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. An honest and caring politician John Hidahl, El Dorado County Supervisor, dies in home, (sacbee.com, Nov. 5) John Hidahl was a very special person. I have met very few men that I gained such respect for in such a short period of time. John was by far the worst politician I ever met: He was too honest, too caring and had great integrity. He will be missed by many. Dennis Byrne El Dorado Hills Opinion Protect student funding Can Trump shut down the Department of Education? (sacbee.com, Nov. 26) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students like me who rely on federal funding for higher education may face challenges due to President-elect Donald Trumps proposal to eliminate the Department of Education. This department is one of several vital initiatives aimed at alleviating the financial struggles of students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds by providing financial aid, Pell Grants and federal student loans. Many of us, myself included, would face enormous obstacles to attend college without these services, particularly in states with inadequate funding. Ending this agency would result in a majority of state-run systems, which would increase educational disparities. Trump advocates cutting back on government power, but this would probably mean fewer students and less control over vital programs. We cannot afford to lose these important chances. A government that prioritizes education is vital for guaranteeing that all students have equal access to opportunities for higher education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin A. Kumar Stockton Local program is worthwhile Placer volunteers need funds to help young readers with those simple but hard English words, (sacbee.com, Nov. 29) As a volunteer with Sight Word Busters, I can vouch for all the benefits I see when I work one-on-one with children. This headline implies that it is strictly a Placer County program. Although the program started in Placer County and serves many schools there, the program has expanded widely to Sacramento, Yolo and Yuba Counties. If anyone is interested in volunteering, no teaching experience is necessary. The organization has a great training program (they even train 5th graders to do it!). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gail Moretti Lincoln Defense of Bidens pardon Hunter Bidens pardon is a political gift for Donald Trump and the Jan. 6 rioters | Opinion, (sacbee.com, Dec. 3) President Joe Biden said he wasnt going to step down as a candidate but changed his mind almost at the last moment for the good of the country. He said he wasnt going to pardon his son but changed his mind hopefully preventing President-elect Donald Trump from exacting revenge on Hunter Biden (who is most likely one of his planned targets for the next four years). This pardon will keep Hunter out of the news as a constant distraction from the real problems Americans will be facing in a Trump presidency. If only Biden could pre-emptively pardon all of Trumps political enemies... Paula A Lomazzi Sacramento Election results are available here. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) In the hotly contested East Baton Rouge Parish mayoral runoff, Emile Sid Edwards, Republican, has won the mayoralty presidency, defeating Sharon Weston-Broome. This election marked a pivotal moment for the parish and the city, and reflected the electorates priorities and vision for the future. The initial field from Novembers open primary was diverse, leading to this critical runoff between incumbent Democrat Sharon Weston Broome and her Republican challenger, Emile Sid Edwards. In the weeks leading up to the election, the campaign atmosphere intensified with Mayor-President Broome releasing a controversial attack ad against Democrat Ted James, which was met with significant backlash and legal threats from the James campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After finishing third in the primary, James, endorsed Broome, emphasizing her experience and commitment to Baton Rouge. Former Governor John Bel Edwards also supported Broome, praising her resilience and commitment to public safety. John Fleming challenges Bill Cassidy for 2026 US Senate seat, claims Cassidy has failed Louisiana Other primary candidates included Republicans Tambra Tammy Cook, Nathaniel Hearn, and Steve Myers, along with Independents Ryan Badd Biddness Carter and William Champagne Roundtree. Statewide, voters addressed four proposed constitutional amendments and various other municipal elections. Early voting showed significant participation, running from Nov. 22 to Nov. 30, as per the Louisiana Secretary of States office, with polls opening from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Dec. 7. Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish Sharon Weston-Broome (Democrat): 48,587 votes, 46% Emile Sid Edwards (Republican): 57,308 votes, 54% Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both candidates campaigned vigorously, highlighting their visions for Baton Rouges future. Edwards now faces the challenge of fulfilling campaign promises and uniting a divided electorate. Edwards reassured the East Baton Rouge residents of his promise to make a change in Baton Rouge. When you consider the numbers, how many people are ready for change and all of you in here, with myself weve said it the entire time, we are the change agent. Were not saying that everything has been bad in Baton Rouge, we never said that but there are some things that need to change and is my promise to you as the next mayor-president, its going to happen, said Edwards. This election cycle has demonstrated the dynamic political environment in Baton Rouge and underscored the critical role of leadership in navigating the city towards a prosperous and inclusive future. December 2024 Election | Featured Coverage Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. Legal experts say it is obvious that Elon Musk's DOGE falls under a federal transparency law. The Federal Advisory Committee Act was created to bring order to outside forces weighing in on policy. The law would require DOGE to hold public meetings and balance its membership. Disrupting the federal government might be harder than Elon Musk thought. President-elect Donald Trump appointed Musk and former 2024 challenger Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the sweeping "Department of Government Efficiency," which aims to cut $2 trillion out of the federal budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to legal experts, Musk and Ramaswamy's work may be complicated by a decades-old government transparency law the exact type of bureaucracy the world's richest man has chafed against when his companies have tangled with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the FAA. Congress wrote the Federal Advisory Committee Act in 1972 to rein in the larger number of outside advisors who weighed in on policy matters either at the president's or a specific Cabinet agency's behest. It is designed for panels like DOGE, which are led by people outside the federal government. Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that they would not officially join the Trump administration. "Though not much information has come out yet about DOGE, it certainly looks like it is not going to be a department or government agency, it will be an advisory commission, and for that reason, it will fall under FACA's purview," Jason Arnold, an associate professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, told Business Insider. Musk wrote on X last month that DOGE would post its "all actions" publicly online, but it's unclear if that means the billionaires will fully comply with the law. The law says Musk and Ramaswamy need to appoint a Democrat. The advisory act would affect DOGE's operations almost immediately. The law requires that panels that fall under its definition be comprised of a balanced membership in terms of "the points of view represented." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump formally authorizes DOGE after he is sworn in next month, his initial order would need to take this into account. For example, when President Obama created the Bowles-Simpson commission in 2010, his executive order required the 18-member panel to include Republicans and Democrats. The commission, tasked with getting the nation's finances in order, was also co-chaired by a Democrat, former White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles, and a Republican, former Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming. So far, Trump has named William Joseph McGinley, a long-time attorney for Republican causes, to be DOGE's general counsel. Musk has already said that DOGE is looking for staffers willing to work 80-plus hours a week for no money. "Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lots of enemies & compensation is zero. What a great deal!" Musk wrote on X. Posting DOGE's activities online might not be enough. If DOGE complies with the act, it would also have to try to hold public meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, Bowles-Simpson's actual name, held six public hearings and culminated its work with a final report that caused a political uproar over its recommendations to raise the Social Security retirement age, increase the federal gas tax, and cut Pentagon spending. The act requires at least 15 days of formal notice before a meeting and for explanations to be provided if the panel moves to conduct a private session. It's not hard to see how the public disclosure requirements could become a political headache for Trump's White House, especially if DOGE considers changes to Social Security and Medicare. Unlike most traditional Republicans, Trump has shied away from embracing major reforms to the popular programs. Ramaswamy told Axios that DOGE would look elsewhere for cuts. Trump and his two advisors have already sparked the ire of some Republicans on Capitol Hill by promising they may try to unilaterally cancel spending, a process known as impoundment that Congress made mostly illegal in 1974. Musk and Trump could still try to ignore the law. Just because DOGE looks to fit the definition of the advisory act, doesn't mean the law's application is a simple business. In describing the law, the Congressional Research Service, lawmakers' nonpartisan research arm, concluded that it may ultimately fall to the courts to determine if FACA applies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arnold said if Trump and Musk go this route, it may take years to resolve the dispute. This, along with some of the act's vagueness in areas like what constitutes balanced membership, leaves some loopholes. "There are a lot of flaws with the law, one of them is that there are no penalties for violations," said Arnold, who researched FACA for his book "Secrecy in the Sunshine Era." "It's almost up to the goodwill or the legal concerns of the administration to follow through." The Trump transition team and McGinley did not respond to Business Insider's requests for comment. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy, told USA Today everyone around DOGE "is committed to making sure all DOGE activities are conducted properly and in full compliance with ethical and legal requirements." Past White Houses have tried to argue they could do business behind closed doors. President Clinton fought off attempts to argue that then-first lady Hillary Clinton's participation in closed-door discussions over the administration's healthcare plan ran afoul of the act. President George W. Bush's White House engaged in a years-long legal fight over whether it needed to disclose details from his energy task force which Vice President Dick Cheney chaired. It was later revealed that then-Enron CEO Ken Lay was among a host of fossil fuel executives who met with the secretive panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Obama formed the Bowles-Simpson commission, then-House Minority Leader John Boehner called on the White House to make sure the panel didn't try to do its work behind closed doors. "If it is your intent to have all proceedings of the Commission adhere to FACA, will the Commission notice all meetings in the Federal Register 15 days in advance, open all meetings to the public, and make all meeting minutes available for public inspection?" Boehner wrote to Simpson and Bowles in 2010. Musk is already getting to work on DOGE. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa are expected to lead their respective chambers' work with the panel. Musk was on Capitol Hill this week to discuss what his department will do those talks were behind closed doors. "There won't be a lot of detail for the press today, and that's by design," House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters. "This is a brainstorming session." Read the original article on Business Insider Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Sunday that he believes President-elect Trump will not intervene in Syria. Donald Trump is always consistent; if theres one thing that he did not wanna get involved in, [its] war. So, I think we should take him at his word on that, Esper told anchor Jake Tapper on CNNs State of the Union. Early Sunday, the Syrian government fell following the entrance of rebels into the capital of Damascus. The fall of the government marked the end of a 50-year rule of the Assad family in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Assad regimes end came after a 10-day offensive by rebels during which fighters made their way quickly across Syria and took large portions of what had been government-held land. On Saturday, Trump weighed in on what was happening in Syria, saying the country is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! Trump also criticized Syrian rebels for their action to take over the countrys capital on Saturday, saying that Russia, because they are so tied up in Ukraine, and with the loss there of over 600,000 soldiers, seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria, a country they have protected for years. That said, we do have a lot of interests in the region, in Syria, Esper said. I mentioned earlier, you know what will this mean for Russia and its foothold in the Middle East? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What about Iran? he added. We, of course, have our NATO ally, Turkey, in the north. We have our partners, the Kurds, who will be, who will be continued friction with the Turks. We have Arab partners, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, that border Syria. Theres a lot of U.S. interest here. The Hill has reached out to the Trump transition team for comment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has welcomed the toppling of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. "The end of Assad's dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assad's backers, Russia and Iran," Kallas posted on X. "Our priority is to ensure security in the region. I will work with all the constructive partners, in Syria and in the region," she added. When Lindsey and Chris Elmer were young, maybe 5 or 6 years old, their mom sat them down and explained that not all children were lucky enough to get toys at Christmas. How to help You can donate to Empty Stocking Club at emptystockingclub.com. Then she took them out to go about changing that. Lindsey, Chris and their mom, Sue Elmer, a longtime Wisconsin State Journal employee, would work at the Empty Stocking Clubs Toy Depot, where parents shop for free toys. The children would be toy runners, bringing presents out for the parents. There are parents that hug you and cry because theyre so grateful, said Lindsey, now 31. It makes you come back every year. And 25 years later, the Elmer family still comes each year to volunteer, working as shoppers, greeters and whatever else is needed. Theyll be there to help this week, too. Since 1918, the Empty Stocking Club has provided toys to children for the holidays. The charitable arm of the State Journal relies on donations from readers and other community members to buy toys and run the annual Toy Depot. You can donate at emptystockingclub.com or give by returning the envelop in Sundays paper. Ive written over the past few weeks about how the program helps families. It gives every child the chance to experience the joy of a gift. It gives parents one less worry. Each child also gets a book thanks to the Madison Reading Project, which enhances their education and can take them somewhere new. But the effort has touched the many people at the State Journal who have helped with the Empty Stocking Club too. Since the editor first asked readers in 1918 to donate toys, food, clothes and coal for families in need, generations of newspaper employees have been part of the initiative. Executive Director Lynn Wood does the hard work of running the Empty Stocking Club. Newspaper staff have volunteered at the Toy Depot, served on the board and helped to raise money and spread the word about Empty Stocking. I asked former newspaper leaders and current staff to reflect on their work with the Empty Stocking Club. Phil Blake, publisher from 1993 to 2000, shepherded the Empty Stocking Club and continues to support the program. I ran into Phil in recent years unpacking toys and setting them up at the Toy Depot. When volunteering to help families select gifts you are drawn to put yourself in the parents shoes, he said. Blake credited the dedication of many over the years, like longtime publisher Martin Wolman, who was instrumental in transforming the Empty Stocking Club. He was so dedicated to the charity that he would go to the office on Christmas Day in case there was a call about a child who didnt get a toy. John Smalley helped plan the Toy Depot during his nearly 12-year role leading the State Journal as editor and has volunteered frequently at the event. He continues to serve on the board. What sticks with him is the paradox of the chaotic event and the personal act of choosing a gift. The Toy Depot involves sorting, stacking and then giving away thousands of toys and books. Hundreds of volunteers rush around stacks of toys and books, and thousands of families file through in just two days. It can be overwhelming, Smalley said. And then juxtaposed against that controlled chaos is the real intimacy and solitary nature of the individual Toy Depot experience as each shopper works with a helper to pick out toys for their children, he said. And somewhere in those quiet, one-on-one moments we discover what the holiday is really all about. What sticks with former editor Ellen Foley is the relief felt by parents when they pick out toys, and how the communitys generosity inspired the staff, something that continues today. Reporter Gayle Worland brought the Girl Scout troop she led for 12 years to the Toy Depot to help. Decked out in Santa hats and Girl Scout sashes, they enjoyed helping parents shop and running to find the perfect toy. But along with the fun, I think volunteering at Empty Stocking was an eye-opening reminder for them a reminder of the amount of need in our community and the fact that any one of us might need a helping hand now and then. Its a reminder, every year, that were all in this together. For me, watching families joyously pick out toys reminds me of the newspapers ability and responsibility to connect people who need help to those who can help them. And I am in awe of the generosity of community members who continue to give unsparingly to help support this mission. Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has reacted to the toppling of Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime, saying it represented Russia and Iran's weaknesses. Source: Kallas on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Kallas described the fall of the Assad tyranny as "positive and long-awaited development." "It also shows the weakness of Assad's backers, Russia and Iran," she remarked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kallas emphasised that the EU's top goal was regional security. To this purpose, she said, it would collaborate with all constructive partners, both in Syria and throughout the region. "I am in close contact with Ministers from the region. The process of rebuilding Syria will be long and complicated and all parties must be ready to engage constructively," Kallas emphasised. Background: On the morning of 8 December, the Syrian rebels announced that they had captured the Syrian capital, Damascus. They said state institutions would remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until the formal transfer of power was complete. On Sunday afternoon, the Russian Foreign Ministry, which is associated with the Syrian dictatorship, published a statement claiming that Assad had left his position and fled the country. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasised that Syria should not fall into the hands of other radicals following Assad's departure. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that "the barbaric state has fallen," and that France will stay dedicated to the security of everyone in the Middle East. Support UP or become our patron! (Reuters) - Syrian rebels who have ousted Bashar al-Assad and seized the capital Damascus include fighters from different factions, while other groups also hold territory elsewhere. These are some of the main ones: HAYAT TAHRIR AL-SHAM The most powerful group in Syria that spearheaded the rebels' advance is the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. It started out as the official al Qaeda affiliate in Syria under the name Nusra Front, staging attacks in Damascus from early in the uprising against Assad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who for years used the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, decided to split first from the nascent Islamic State group, and then in 2016 from the global al Qaeda organisation. It went through several name changes, eventually rebranding as HTS, as it became the strongest group in the main rebel enclave around Idlib province in the northwest. HTS and its leader have been designated terrorists by the United States, Turkey and others, but continued to fight alongside mainstream rebel groups and backed an administration in Idlib that they called the Salvation Government. Sharaa has presented a more moderate image during the lightning campaign that brought down Assad, but some Syrians will probably remain fearful about his ultimate intentions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OTHER REBEL GROUPS Syria's uprising was deeply fractured, with a confusing mosaic of local groups espousing a range of Islamist and nationalist ideologies. Over the years some of these splintered further or merged with other groups. Coalitions, such as the Free Syrian Army and the Islamic Front, held influence at different periods of the conflict. Their relative power was also shaped by whether they were based in regions captured by Assad or remained out of his hands. In northwestern Idlib, which until last week's stunning advance was the main rebel stronghold in Syria, a range of groups fought alongside HTS in a unified military operations command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other groups had dominated in the south. A string of Assad victories in 2018 forced them to accept his rule but without turning over all their arms or coming back under full Damascus control. Last week they rose up again, taking southwestern Syria. SYRIAN NATIONAL ARMY Turkey sent troops into Syria from 2016 to push Kurdish groups and Islamic State away from its borders. A key supporter of the rebels, it eventually formed some of the groups into the Syrian National Army which, backed by direct Turkish military power, held a stretch of territory along the Syrian-Turkish border. As HTS and allied groups from the northwest advanced on Assad last week, the SNA also joined them, fighting government forces and Kurdish-led forces in the northeast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SYRIAN DEMOCRATIC FORCES The Kurdish-led Peoples Protection Units (YPG) took control of large areas of northeast Syria in 2012 as government forces pulled out to fight rebels in the west. Turkey sees the YPG as inseparable from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency inside Turkey, and which the U.S. regards as a terrorist group. As Islamic State advanced in Syria in 2014, the YPG joined other groups to hold them back, supported by the U.S. They formed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias, backed by the U.S. and its allies. The SDF now controls most of the quarter of Syria that lies east of the Euphrates, including the former Islamic State capital of Raqqa and some of the country's biggest oil fields, as well as some territory to the west of the river. Its forces have been fighting the Turkey-backed SNA around the city of Manbij. (Compiled by Angus McDowall; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) -Supporters of rebels who ousted President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday have entered some Syrian embassies abroad to hoist their flag, while insurgents also entered the Italian envoy's residence in Damascus. Following are incidents at several embassies: RUSSIA The Syrian flag was removed on Sunday from a pole outside the country's embassy in Moscow, Russian news agencies reported. TASS also quoted embassy staff as saying the embassy would operate as normal on Monday. It said the embassy provided no explanation for the absence of the flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SPAIN About 150 people cheered and shouted "Freedom!" as a man at the Syrian embassy in Madrid threw the Assad government's flag to the ground and hoisted the black, green and white flag with three stars used by the rebels. "This is a memorable day for the whole Syrian people. The 8th of December 2024. We are going to create a free country for all the Syrian people," Bilal Kutaini, 32, a dentist, said outside the embassy. GREECE Supporters of the rebels entered the Syrian embassy in Athens and hoisted their flag from the rooftop. Police entered and detained four people, but left the flag flying. "Our joy is indescribable, 55 years of horrible dictatorship has finally ended," said Alompeint Marouf, 59, among people celebrating outside. Protesters also tore down Assads portrait in the embassy, Greek media said. ITALY Rebels entered the residence of Italy's ambassador in Damascus to search for pro-Assad troops or relevant documents and fired a few shots against a wall, but did not harm him or security staff, Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said. "They took away only three cars and that was it," he said. SERBIA Several supporters of the Syrian opposition laughed and hugged each other in front of the embassy in the capital Belgrade and raised the rebel flag on a pole in the courtyard. SWEDEN At the Syrian embassy in Stockholm, the three-starred "Syrian revolution flag" was raised, broadcaster TV4 said. SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY Syria's Foreign Ministry said its diplomatic missions abroad will serve all citizens in a "new page" of national history that would unite people without one opinion dominating. INDONESIA The Indonesian embassy in Damascus said it had taken steps to ensure the safety of its citizens, including preparing for potential evacuation. HUNGARY Hungary's embassy in Damascus is temporarily closed with citizens being attended by its mission in Beirut, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Compiled by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Jane Merriman and Lisa Shumaker) Supporters of rebels who ousted President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday have entered some Syrian embassies abroad to hoist their flag, while insurgents also entered the Italian envoy's residence in Damascus. Following are incidents at several embassies: SPAIN About 150 people cheered and shouted "Freedom!" as a man at the Syrian embassy in Madrid threw the Assad government's flag to the ground and hoisted the black, green and white flag with three stars used by the rebels. "This is a memorable day for the whole Syrian people. The 8th of December 2024. We are going to create a free country for all the Syrian people," Bilal Kutaini, 32, a dentist, said outside the embassy. GREECE Supporters of the rebels entered the Syrian embassy in Athens and hoisted their flag from the rooftop. Police entered and detained four people, but left the flag flying. "Our joy is indescribable, 55 years of horrible dictatorship has finally ended," said Alompeint Marouf, 59, among people celebrating outside. Protesters also tore down Assads portrait in the embassy, Greek media said. ITALY Rebels entered the residence of Italy's ambassador in Damascus to search for pro-Assad troops or relevant documents and fired a few shots against a wall, but did not harm him or security staff, Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said. "They took away only three cars and that was it," he said. SERBIA Several supporters of the Syrian opposition laughed and hugged each other in front of the embassy in the capital Belgrade and raised the rebel flag on a pole in the courtyard. SWEDEN At the Syrian embassy in Stockholm, the three-starred "Syrian revolution flag" was raised, broadcaster TV4 said. RUSSIA The Syrian flag was removed from the embassy in Moscow without explanation, Russian news agencies reported BRITAIN People waving the Syrian opposition flag gathered outside the Syrian embassy in London. SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY Syria's Foreign Ministry said its diplomatic missions abroad will serve all citizens in a "new page" of national history that would unite people without one opinion dominating. INDONESIA The Indonesian embassy in Damascus said it had taken steps to ensure the safety of its citizens, including preparing for potential evacuation. HUNGARY Hungary's embassy in Damascus is temporarily closed with citizens being attended by its mission in Beirut, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Compiled by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Jane Merriman) The claim: Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush pardoned relatives A Monday Threads post claims to identify two other presidents who gave pardons to family members before President Joe Biden issued one to his son Hunter. Jimmy Carter pardoned his brother Billy Carter who took over $200,000 from Libya as its foreign agent, the posts text says in part. George H.W. Bush pardoned his son Neil Bush for his role in the S&L scandals of the 1980s. Nobody thinks those pardons defined either presidency. The Threads post was reposted more than 400 times in three days. The claim was also shared widely by other Threads users. A version posted to X by the executive editor of the liberal group Occupy Democrats was reposted thousands of times before he shared a correction. Advertisement Advertisement More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False Neither president pardoned the relatives referenced in the post, according to the U.S. pardon attorneys office. No pardons for Billy Carter, Neil Bush Biden announced a pardon for Hunter Biden on Dec. 1, sparing him a potential prison sentence after his conviction on three federal gun felonies and federal tax charges. While the move drew widespread criticism, the Threads post points to two other presidents and falsely claims they extended the same benefit to their family members. Fact check: Hunter Biden has been charged with federal crimes, not sentenced Advertisement Advertisement Neither William Alton Carter III nor Neil Mallon Bush appears on the official list of pardons issued by their presidential relatives, according to a list maintained by the office of the pardon attorney, a division of the Department of Justice. The president has the power to grant clemency only for federal offenses, not state or local ones, and may pardon someone convicted in a U.S. District Court, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia or a military court-martial. A president may also issue a preemptive pardon before a person committing a federal offense is prosecuted for it, with examples including President Gerald Fords Watergate-era pardon of predecessor Richard Nixon and Carters pardon of Vietnam War draft evaders. But none of those things happened with either Billy Carter, the brother of President Jimmy Carter, or Neil Bush, the son of President George H.W. Bush. In 1980, the Senate investigated Billy Carters business dealings with Libya when the Justice Department disclosed he registered as a foreign agent representing that nation after receiving $220,000 from the Libyan government. A Senate committee later found no evidence that he influenced U.S. policy. Advertisement Advertisement Neil Bush was a director of Denver-based Silverado Savings and Loan from 1985 to 1988 and was investigated by the U.S. Office of Thrift Supervision for the business's $1 billion failure in 1988. Three years later, while his father was president, he received a formal reprimand from the Office of Thrift Supervision, a punishment described by consultant Bert Ely as a slap on the wrist. He also paid $50,000 to settle a 1990 lawsuit brought by federal regulators related to his role in the $1 billion failure. Some presidents have pardoned relatives but not the two identified in the post. Hunter Biden and President Joe Biden, holding the hand of grandson Beau Biden Jr., walk off Marine One in 2023. The president pardoned his son this week. Bill Clinton pardoned half brother Roger Clinton in January 2001 after he pleaded guilty to federal drug charges. And President-elect Donald Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of son-in-law Jared Kushner, in December 2020. The elder Kushner was convicted of preparing false tax returns, retaliating against a cooperating witness and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission in 2005. Trump has nominated Charles Kushner to serve as U.S. ambassador to France during his second presidential term. In a response to USA TODAY, Grant Stern, the executive editor of Occupy Democrats, provided several news articles about Billy Carter and Neil Bush. None contained any mention of pardons. USA TODAY previously debunked an implied claim that Biden can pardon Trump after his conviction in his New York hush money case and a false claim that Trump pardoned Tiger King star Joe Exotic. Advertisement Advertisement USA TODAY reached out to several social media users who shared the claim but did not immediately receive any responses. Lead Stories also debunked the claim. Our fact-check sources Office of the Pardon Attorney, accessed Dec. 4, Pardons Granted by President Jimmy Carter (1977 - 1981) Office of the Pardon Attorney, accessed Dec. 4, Pardons Granted by President George H. W. Bush (1989-1993) Office of the Pardon Attorney, accessed Dec. 4, Help Me Choose Office of the Pardon Attorney, accessed Dec. 4, Pardon After Completion of Sentence The Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy, July 2020, Guiding Presidential Clemency Decision Making Brookings, Jan. 17, 2021, Presidential pardons: Settled Law, unsettled issues, and a downside for Trump CBS News, Dec. 2, What is a presidential pardon, and how have Biden, Trump and other leaders used the power? NPR, July 24, 2009, On This Day In 1980: Senate Votes To Investigate Billy Carter The New York Times, Sept. 26, 1988, Billy Carter Dies of Cancer at 51; Troubled Brother of a President USA TODAY, June 21, 2023, Hunter Biden isn\'t the first relative of a president to be investigated. Remember these others? The Washington Post, April 18, 1991, Neil Bush Reprimanded for Conflicts of Interest The Associated Press (The New York Times), March 28, 1992, Suit Is Settled by Neil Bush Brittanica, accessed Dec. 4, Billy Carter The Washington Post, Dec. 27, 2003, The Relatively Charmed Life Of Neil Bush Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. Advertisement Advertisement USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Which U.S. presidents have pardoned relatives in the past? The family of a teenage boy who was fatally shot by police in Ohio on Thanksgiving is speaking out after bodycam footage of the shooting has been released. Im just really devastated, Ashley Greene, the mother of 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker who died on Nov. 28 said, per WOIO-TV and New 5 Cleveland. Jazmir was a great kid, very humorous. I just dont know what to say. Another one of the teenagers family members, identified as Miss Cotton, said that Tucker was always laughing. She added, Everybody loved Jaz and Jaz loved everyone else." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He loved to do yard work. Our family is just devastated. Were just hoping for, looking for prayers," she continued. The Akron Police Department in Ohio claim, per WOIO-TV, New 5 Cleveland and the Associated Press, that Tucker had been armed with a loaded gun when he was shot on Thanksgiving night. Police said, per the outlets, that two of the department's officers heard gunshots go off just after 11 p.m. local time, which prompted them to investigate. After encountering Tucker, the officers ran after him, and one of the officers fired their weapon at the teen, who was then given first aid and transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several days after the incident, the Akron Police Department released bodycam footage taken from the officers point of view. The footage, obtained by WJW-TV, shows one of the officers firing a rifle at the teenager. The officers can then be seen continuing to give verbal commands to Tucker, including put your hands up," before the officer who shot the teen could also be heard on video saying that they fired because they saw the teen reaching with his right hand. The teen was then handcuffed and searched, and officers discovered a gun with an extended clip in the pocket of his jacket. Additional officers who responded to the scene then appeared to provide first aid to Tucker about seven minutes after he was shot, before EMS arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Akron Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on Saturday, Dec. 7 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Akron Mayor Shammas Malik released a statement saying he was left with many serious questions after watching the bodycam video, including why the officer did not activate their body cameras upon exiting their vehicle and why the officers used rifles instead of handguns. In hindsight, the amount of time that expired between the shooting and the initiation of physical aid to Jazmir is deeply troubling to me, Malik continued. I want to be clear that any unreasonable delay in the rendering of aid by police officers is unacceptable and has no place in Akron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police Chief Brian Harding also shared in a statement that he wanted to share his condolences with the family and friends of Jazmir Tucker. An incident like this is tragic for our officers, for our community, but most especially for the loved ones who lost someone. I know that no officer ever wants to use their weapon in the line of duty, he said. It is the most serious decision any officer can make and when that decision results in loss of life, its an outcome none of us wish to see. Harding added that an independent investigation is being conducted surrounding the incident. Read the original article on People The family of a 2-year-old girl killed by her mothers boyfriend in 2022 has sued the state and a South Hill day care, alleging that the two systems meant to protect the toddler failed. A social worker found the girls body in the hallway of the Parkland apartment where she lived on March 11, 2022. She died from blunt-force trauma to her head, The News Tribune reported, and medical examiners found she had too many injuries to record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The familys lawsuit is against the state Department of Children, Youth and Families and against the Love and Laughter Learning Center. The News Tribune asked the day care and a DCYF spokesperson for comment. The day care did not respond. The DCYF spokesperson did not comment on the lawsuit, but did provide updates about recommended changes the agency considered following a review of the girls death. Attorney Raymond J. Dearie, Jr., with the Dearie Law Group, is one of the lawyers representing the family. They dont want this to happen to another little girl, another little child, he said. And they want some justice for Sarai. The girls grandmother, Danielle Benson, is suing as the personal representative of the toddlers estate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a complete system breakdown, Dearie said. Theyre hoping that, in Sarais name, we can do better as a society, as a community. The lawsuit, filed Dec. 3 in Pierce County Superior Court, seeks unspecified damages. It gives this account of what happened: Hospital workers found injuries such as scars, burns and bite marks on Sarai in 2021. DCYF found that Sarais mother was letting the man she was in a relationship with, Augustino Seu Maile, abuse the girl. They removed the child and put her in the care of her aunt and uncle. Later that year, DCYF returned the girl to her mother, with supervision, and with the requirement that they not have contact with Maile, among other stipulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mother continued contact with Maile, and he kept abusing the child. We believe any basic, competent investigation would have revealed that he was still abusing Sarai, Dearie said. ... Fundamentally, how on Earth did you miss something that seemed to be so obvious? Sarai started going to the Love & Laughter Learning Center & School Kids Clubhouse in January 2022. Workers at the day care were worried about Sarai when she showed up with injuries, including black eyes, the lawsuit says. They allegedly did not report the injuries to police or to DCYF, as required by state law. Directors of the facility allegedly told employees they would take care of the concerns but also did not report the injuries to police or DCYF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no communication, and in this case the evidence shows that the day care facility, through its employees and its managers, failed to carry out one of its most fundamental responsibilities in protecting kids, and thats functioning as a mandatory reporter, Dearie told The News Tribune. Manslaughter sentencing A judge sentenced Maile to more than 16 years in prison earlier this year. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and three counts of second-degree assault of a child, The News Tribune reported. The assault charges were for hurting Sarais brothers. He told the court at sentencing that Sarais death was an accident. Sentencing Judge Angelica Williams disputed that and said that Sarai and her siblings had suffered 15 months of torture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge sentenced the girls mother, Jharmaine Baker, to six years in prison in June 2023 after she pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mistreatment and two counts of second-degree assault of a child. Benson, Sarais grandmother, told the court at Mailes sentencing that Sarai was a fierce little girl, who had been excited for her birthday. They were going to go shopping and get manicures and pedicures to celebrate Sarai turning 3. Maile killed the girl a month before her birthday. Complete system overwhelm The state publishes reports, called child fatality reviews, when a child under state supervision dies. Among other things, the committee that reviewed Sarais death discussed what they perceived to be a complete system overwhelm for DCYF and agency partners, such as law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencys field staff did what they could with the available resources, the report says. The review committee also discussed the loss of collective knowledge and expertise within DCYF due to recent staff turnover and vacancy rates. The committee found that turnover in this office led to multiple case transfers and oversight by different supervisors during the course of the CFWS (Child Family Welfare Services) case and identified the importance of new field staff having the opportunity to learn through the transfer of knowledge from veteran field staff and supervisors. The report said that DCYFs domestic-violence training is good, but that no current services are explicitly offered for physical abuse cases or cases involving a parental failure to protect from physical abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group also wondered if historical racism impacted the mothers willingness to engage with a government agency and discussed the importance of DCYF building connections with culturally relevant communities and service providers as a mechanism to reduce barriers for parents accessing services. Among other things, they recommended that DCYF hire a domestic-violence expert to work with caseworkers. Asked about the status of the recommendations in the report, DCYF spokesperson Nancy Gutierrez gave various updates in an email Monday, including that: A domestic violence program manager position was created. This position was posted for hire. News Tribune archives contributed to this report. Editors note: This article has been updated with information from a DCYF spokesperson. JOHANNESBURG (AP) At the Westonaria agricultural park near Bekkersdal, east of Johannesburg, farm workers are busy tilling the soil and planting tomatoes and lettuce. Despite the hive of activity, there is silence around the park. Most people here are deaf and communicate using sign language. They are members of the Voiceout Deaf farming collective, started by entrepreneur Matebogo Victoria, to create a platform where deaf people can develop their skills in agriculture and find sustainable work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victoria, who has a hearing disability herself, understood perfectly the challenges faced by deaf people when competing for opportunities with their counterparts who do not face the same challenge. While studying at the Tshwane University of Technology in the country's capital, Pretoria, Victoria had to attend classes with a hearing partner, as the university could not make the lectures accessible for her. It is an all-too-common challenge for deaf people, according to Victoria. The government does not have facilities for communication (for deaf people). A lot of deaf people did not finish school. They cannot afford to travel far to reach schools, so normally they decide to leave school early, said Victoria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across South Africa, there are 44 schools for the deaf, offering sign language as a subject and using it as a medium of instruction. Most are based far from where the students live, which sometimes leads to them dropping out of school as families struggle to afford the transportation costs. Victoria, who used to work for Standard Bank, decided to leave her corporate job and start Voiceout as a way of allowing deaf people to gain agricultural skills. I make things simple for them, it is like a family when they are here. They become very much happy when they are here but when they go outside of this space, it becomes difficult for them, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Sibongile Maake, the opportunity to learn agriculture in a space where co-workers can easily communicate with her in sign language was transformational. It has also afforded her an opportunity to earn a living and rely less on the welfare disability grants that are paid out by the government. Im happy working here, its (a) pleasure working here in the farm. Im working slowly but surely and I am learning while also getting a salary. I can do things for myself, I can afford myself, said Maake. Another worker, who said in sign language his name was John, said the challenges of communication reduced his chances of getting a job but the Voiceout Deaf project became a lifeline for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Communication is always a barrier, so coming here at the farm is very much better because they are able to communicate in my own language so it makes life much easier for me, said John. He and other workers are responsible for various activities at the farm including cleaning, ploughing, planting and harvesting the produce. The demand for their vegetables was so great that Voiceout Deaf has taken on two other farms, where John and his colleagues also work. The project is breaking even: the farms currently supply some of the local supermarkets and chain stores with fresh produce. In other South African provinces like Limpopo and North West, provincial governments are looking at farming as a source of training and employment for disabled people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The farming sector is emerging as a solace for those with disabilities who also face the dire levels of unemployment in Africas most developed economy. As she goes around giving instructions monitoring activities on the farm, which consists of 10 greenhouses, Victoria laments how difficult it often is for people using sign language to understand the jargon of developed industries. The Pan South African Language Board is responsible for setting the country's standards for sign language. A constitutionally mandated body responsible for promoting the development and use of South African languages, it recently scored a victory by having Parliament approve sign language as South Africas 12th official language. However, the board sometimes struggles to keep up with fast-evolving business language, Victoria says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The difficulty is that sign language has not developed to an extent that it covers technical jargon used in various sectors. It is the same in agriculture. There are certain technical words used that are there in spoken language but not in sign language," she explains. But beyond changing official attitudes, Victoria wants to inspire change in the farmers themselves. We need them (the deaf farmers) to think out of the box about agriculture. They need to be empowered to understand that agriculture is involved in the production of other products like toothpastes, perfumes, medicines. This is where we have to improvise and find ways to communicate with them in the simplest way possible, said Victoria. ___ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more news on Africa: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Mohamed Al Fayed feigned dementia in order to avoid being prosecuted for multiple sex offences, his youngest son has claimed. The Egyptian-born tycoon, who died last year aged 94, is suspected of raping and sexually assaulting more than 100 women dating back to the 1970s. But despite more than 20 victims making complaints to the police during his lifetime, the former Harrods owner was never brought to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scotland Yard is now conducting an urgent review to establish if there were any missed opportunities to charge Al Fayed with sex offences while he was alive. Omar Fayed, his youngest son, 37, has claimed he successfully dodged prosecution after falsely claiming to be suffering from dementia. He told the Mail on Sunday: He got off the hook on the grounds he was mentally incapacitated. Afterwards it was back to business, he was as sharp as a tack. Omar Fayed, Mohamed Al Fayeds youngest son, claims his father dodged prosecution by falsely claiming to be suffering from dementia - Dave M. Bennett/Getty Images Europe One woman, who gave a statement to police in 2018, after making allegations against Al Fayed, claims she was told he was too old and not in the right state of mind to be charged because of his dementia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2017 lawyers acting for the billionaire unsuccessfully tried to get a Channel 4 expose about Al Fayed dropped, arguing that he was mentally incapacitated. But when Al Fayed passed away in August last year, the cause of death was given as old age with no mention of dementia. Suggestions Al Fayed was able to evade justice by feigning ill health will further enrage his dozens of alleged victims who have accused the police and prosecutors of letting them down. Following a recent documentary about Al Fayeds abuse more than 90 new complainants have come forward to allege the former Harrods owner attacked them. No charges brought Scotland Yard has confirmed that Al Fayeds alleged offending spanned more than 30 years with the first offence reported to have taken place in 1977 and the most recent in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The youngest victim who has come forward was just 15, but there have been reports that the billionaire even sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl at his Harrods store. The majority of the crimes are understood to have taken place in London, but there have also been reports of offending in Surrey, where he lived, and France, where he also owned homes. In 2008 and 2015 files of evidence were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) but on both occasions it was deemed they did not pass the legal threshold and no charges were brought. In 2018, 2021 and 2023, Scotland Yard asked prosecutors for early advice but on all three occasions the investigations were dropped. What could have been done While Al Fayed died before he could ever be charged, police are investigating at least five of his associates amid allegations they may have enabled or facilitated the abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police refused to comment on the speculation that Al Fayeds mental state may have played a part in the decision not to charge him. But in a statement the Met said: No criminal charges were brought against Al Fayed while he was alive and we recognise the impact this has had on many victims. From the review so far it is apparent that past investigations were extensive and conducted by specialist teams who sought charging decisions from the CPS on two occasions. However we know that contact with and support for some victims at the time could have been improved. Only after completing this comprehensive review will we fully understand what could have been done differently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Crown Prosecution Service has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. While data released by the Maryland State Department of Education this week shows slight improvement of English language proficiency scores across Frederick County Public Schools, some groups of students saw a decline in proficient English scores. MSDE collects data from state assessments and other factors into a Maryland School Report Card, which indicates how well a district and individual schools are performing overall in the state. Each school is rated out of five stars using a 100-point system based on different indicators. Although English proficiency overall across Frederick County Public Schools increased by 0.3 percentage points between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, 10th grade English language proficiency in particular dropped by more than 10 percentage points between those years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Academic performance on state assessments is described at four levels of learners "beginning," which is at the low end, followed by "developing," "proficient" and "distinguished." The third level is the minimum to be considered proficient in a subject. FCPS had 71.4% of 10th graders across the district score at least proficient on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, a state assessment, for English language arts and literacy in the 2022-23 school year. Last school year, 60.6% of 10th graders scored at least proficient on the English language MCAP. Frederick County Board of Education President Karen Yoho said on Friday that because this is the third full year the assessment has been administered, students may need time to adjust to new testing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She noted that the English 10 proficiency scores for the school district are above the state's average, which was 55.3% for the 2023-24 school year. "You always see test results go up after a few years," Yoho said. "You want all of your students to do well, but youre looking at all of the comparisons and seeing, Well, where are we still in the scheme of things? We feel good about what were doing, and well continue to learn and take that data." Board member Jaime Kiersten Brennan said she has not had a chance to look closely at the data, but a 10 percentage point difference in English 10 proficiency is "extremely concerning." "As a whole, I think that it mirrors what parents feel, and parents feel that their kids are falling behind," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disaggregating the data by gender shows that 10th grade female students outscored 10th grade male students on the English language assessment. In the 2023-24 school year, 78.8% of female students were considered proficient on the assessment compared to 64.5% of male students. Frank Vetter, the director of assessment, data reporting and strategic improvement at FCPS, said on Tuesday that executive function, which is the ability to organize information and stay committed to a task, develops differently in boys and girls. "I think that there are going to be some young people who need to work harder to be engaged," he said. "If we can show them the reason or the purpose, the more likely they are to be engaged." Yoho said the gap could be reflecting national trends, such as female students graduating from college at higher rates than male students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think it goes along with a lot of other things that we're seeing in society," she said. "It's something we're definitely aware of and looking at." Board member Colt Morningstar Black said on Friday that he would need to look beyond the assessment scores and get more information on what is happening in the classrooms to be able to address the decline. "I don't always look at tests, standardized tests by any state organization or county, as always a metric of success or failure," he said. Vetter said on Friday that the MCAP assessments for math and English language arts and literacy do not count toward a student's final grade in the class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board member Dean Rose said on Friday that "we see drop-offs when they get to the middle school level" in terms of motivation to perform well on these kinds of assessments. "Motivating them to do their absolute best is as much a factor as measuring where they really are," he said. English language arts proficiency for FCPS third grade students decreased 1.7 percentage points between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. MSDE recently adopted a new statewide pre-K through third grade literacy policy that includes guidelines for reading curricula and introducing scientifically based techniques to help students read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MSDE plans to implement the policy over the course of a couple of years. Vetter said he feels like the school system has been ahead of the curve in terms of adopting a "science of reading" approach, which teaches reading by correlating sounds with groups of letters, also known as phonics. "Weve been talking about that for many years now," he said. "So, with the literacy policy, the work that were doing here nicely aligns." Brennan said that even if the curriculum changes, FCPS would need to make a significant investment to prepare staff members to teach the science of reading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's nothing more important than literacy. It really sets the stage for everything else," she said. Rose said that the slight increase of English language proficiency overall shows that the early work on a science of reading curriculum is already making an impact. "I think as we continue to progress, we're just going to see upticks as we move forward," he said. "So, I'm excited." The report did not include data for Middletown Primary School, Thurmont Primary School, Heather Ridge School, Rock Creek School, the FCPS Career and Technology Center and the FCPS Virtual School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Middletown and Thurmont primary schools do not have data because the schools enroll students in pre-K through second grade, and students begin taking state assessments in third grade. Other schools, like Heather Ridge, an alternative emotional and behavioral school, will send the state assessment scores back to a student's home school. The federal government will foot more of the bill as Western North Carolina continues to recover from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which devastated much of the region this fall. Democratic President Joe Biden on Friday approved the states request that the federal government pay for 90% of the costs for some projects and services aiming to help North Carolinians recover from the storm, after an initial period in which the federal government is paying for 100% of the costs. Biden approved the federal governments 100% cost-share for the recovery efforts in early October. Before Biden amended the declaration again on Friday, the federal share was set to drop to 75% in late March, or 180 days after Sept. 25. That date marked the start of the incident period for Helene under Biden and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)s major disaster declaration for the storm, issued Sept. 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are three types of projects and support eligible for the increased funding from the federal government: Public assistance, which reimburses state and local governments and some nonprofit and private groups for efforts such as removing debris and repairing roads, bridges, public buildings and other infrastructure. Hazard mitigation, which provides funding for projects during communities recovery and rebuilding processes that seek to reduce or eliminate future damages from disasters. Assistance for other needs, including medical care, funeral costs, the replacement of personal property, costs and other expenses approved by FEMA. The increased cost-share Biden approved Friday will see the federal government pay a larger portion of the costs of FEMA-approved projects long-term. That will decrease the costs of the eligible projects to the state, according to a Saturday news release from Gov. Roy Coopers office. As we continue into the recovery phase of this disaster, there will be a significant cost to rebuilding Western North Carolina communities and to assist survivors with recovering from Helene, state Emergency Management Director Will Ray said in the release. The increased federal cost share provided will allow for state dollars to go further, which will expedite many recovery and hazard mitigation projects as we go into 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cooper, a Democrat, said in the release that a complete recovery from Helenes devastation will require an investment of billions of dollars. Cooper said Biden approving the increased cost-share from the federal government is a tremendous boost to our efforts. We will continue working to get more funding into Western North Carolina so we can rebuild our communities in stronger and more resilient ways, Cooper said. Fridays announcement from Biden comes as homeowners and renters in the Western North Carolina counties designated in FEMAs disaster declaration for Helene have one month left to apply for federal assistance from the agency, with the Jan. 7, 2025, deadline approaching. Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina are also eligible. Financial assistance from FEMA is available to cover the costs of displacement, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses. The quickest way to apply for assistance is at DisasterAssistance.gov. The application is also available using the FEMA App on mobile devices or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Two people are recovering after an early morning fire placed them in a hospital Sunday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 5 a.m., the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department responded to a house fire on Cindy Drive. Officials said it was reports of multiple entrapments. Firefighters said when they arrived, smoke filled the home and flames were confined to a bedroom. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a Channel 2 Action News crew arrived just before 6 a.m., firefighters already had the flames out. Officials said they rescued two unconscious victims. They were taken to the hospital and expected to make a full recovery. Investigators are working to determine what caused the fire. The survivors ages and identities were not released. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] DELTONA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida deputy is recovering after she accidentally shot herself in the leg at a Walmart on Saturday afternoon, the Volusia Sheriffs Office said. The incident happened around 1 p.m. at the Walmart, located at 101 Howland Boulevard in Deltona. 2 Hillsborough deputies shoot, kill armed suspect in bathtub: HCSO Officials said the female deputy got injured after the accidental self-inflicted gunshot. Deputies on the scene were able to provide aid until EMS took her to a nearby hospital for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said she is doing OK and is expected to recover from her injuries. No further details on the incident were released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. CHULUOTA, Fla. (WFLA) A man who was on the run for stabbing his estranged girlfriend up to 70 times, died in a crash while fleeing authorities, the Seminole County Sheriffs Office said. Around 12:45 a.m. on Friday, deputies responded to a home in the 2600 block of Hibbard Trail in Chuluota after receiving a call that two people were stabbed. 2 Hillsborough deputies shoot, kill armed suspect in bathtub: HCSO Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman, identified as 40-year-old Kristin Stevens, was found dead with multiple stab wounds. Stevens was stabbed 20, 30 up to 70 times with an apparent kitchen knife, according to Sheriff Dennis Lemma. The second victim, an unidentified man, told officials that the suspect, 42-year-old James Christopher Lindsey, used a hammer to smash the glass and break into the home. He awoke to Lindsey on top of the woman, appearing to stab her with a knife. The man tried to kick Lindsey off of Stevens but was stabbed in the upper leg. He fled to a neighbors house to call 911. Their 16-year-old son was also in the home and was not injured. Lindsey fled before authorities arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 5 a.m., Lindsey was found dead after crashing in the Orange County area of Fort Christmas Road. Deputies said he lost control of his vehicle while traveling at speeds over 100 mph and was ejected from the car. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating this crash. Florida deputy accidentally shoots herself in leg at Walmart, officials say Lindsey and Stevens were reportedly in a domestic partnership with a history of domestic violence incidents involving law enforcement, dating back to 2014. On Nov. 6, Lindsey was charged with domestic violence battery against Stevens and was requested to be placed on Domestic Violence GPS monitoring and to have his bond increased. This is a heartbreaking and traumatic incident that will have a lasting impact on families and a community, Sheriff Lemma said. I am proud of our deputies quick response to the scene and our detectives who have been working around the clock to put these cases together. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Our team will continue to work diligently to uncover the full details surrounding this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has raised a lot of questions about the politicians controversial views on healthcare. That includes one aspect hes been very vocal about lately: fluoride in public drinking water. Kennedy wrote on X in early November that the Trump administration will recommend that U.S. water systems remove fluoride from public water once the president-elect takes office. Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease, Kennedy wrote in his post. Floridas surgeon general Joseph Ladapo also recommended in late November that local governments stop adding fluoride to their community water supplies, calling it a public health malpractice. The Florida Department of Health followed that up with new guidance that recommended against adding fluoride to public water supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: EPA Finds the Drinking Water for 193 Million People in the U.S. Is Vulnerable to Cyberattacks But the American Dental Association (ADA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to back adding fluoride to tap water, raising a lot of questions about why this is done in the first place. Heres what you need to know. What is fluoride? Fluoride is a mineral and an element thats naturally found in rivers, lakes, and oceans, along with some foods and drinks, according to the ADA. Fluoride helps to strengthen teeth, with the ADA referring to it as natures cavity fighter. Fluoride is often added to toothpaste and other dental products to help lower the risk of developing cavities. How did fluoride end up in tap water? Municipalities in the United States began adding fluoride to drinking water in 1945 in an attempt to support good tooth health in children, according to the CDC. Since then, research has found that adding fluoride to water lowers the amount of tooth decay in young kids by 35%. Because of this, the CDC calls fluoridation one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important to point this out: The decision to add fluoride to public drinking water is made on a regional not federal level, with municipalities determining whether or not to do this. What does fluoride in your water do and is it safe? Water fluoridation, which is the act of adding fluoride to drinking water to reach a recommended level, is designed to help prevent cavities, the ADA explains. The ADA refers to this as a cost-effective public health method to prevent cavities. The ADA, the American Medical Association (AMA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and many other public health organizations support fluoridation of community water supplies. Public water fluoridation is seen as one of the leading public health measures, saving millions of dollars in dental care and decay and pain in people of all ages, says Mark S. Wolff, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. There is a lot of data to support the safety of adding fluoride to water and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a robust breakdown of it online. Gerald Kauffman Jr., director and associate professor at the University of Delaware Water Resources Center, stresses that the practice of adding fluoride to water is really safe, adding, Im 100% for fluoridation. Why do some people criticize fluoride in water? The topic of adding fluoride to water has been criticized in the past, with some people calling the element poisonous. It is possible to overdose on fluoride, but this is incredibly rare. In fact, the ADA points out that people would need to drink five liters of water for every kilogram of body weight at once to overdose on fluoride. That amount of water is toxic, the ADA notes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the conversation around fluoride in water heated up again this summer when a government report determined that fluoride in drinking water at twice the recommended limit is linked with lower IQ in children. Again, thats twice the recommended limit. The report found with moderate confidence that there is a link between high levels of fluoride and lower IQs in children. Research has determined that fluoride is a neurotoxin at high levels. That encouraged federal health officials in 2015 to make recommendations to lower the amount of fluoride in drinking water supplies from 1.2 milligrams per liter. Currently, federal health officials recommend a fluoridation level of 0.7 milligrams per liter of water. Its not clear what level of fluoride may impact IQ in children, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says online that its highly unlikely that children who drink tap water are getting too much fluoride. Kauffman stresses that too much of anything can be harmful and that water systems are required to inform you if the levels of fluoride in your water are too high. Water fluoridation has to be below the established limits, he says. But its done a lot for the health of the U.S. public. How to find a community's fluoride information To learn more about the fluoride in your communitys water, its best to consult your water supplier for details. However, the CDC has a map online that shows states that add fluoride to their water supplies, as well as those that dont. And, if youre particularly concerned about fluoride in your water, Kauffman points out that you can always use a special water filter to remove it. Read the original article on Food & Wine (NewsNation) Its 4 a.m. in Maine, and just like his father and grandfather before him on this land, dairy farmer Fred Stone makes the frigid journey through the snow to milk the cows. It was always known as cows first, people second, and thats the way its always been, Stone told NewsNations Natasha Zouves. I wish that snow wasnt cold, and I wish rain wasnt wet, and I wish I still didnt love my cows. But the more people I meet, the more I love my cows. Stone has chosen each of their names and knows them by heart. In the warm barn, he greets Moon Beam, Blue and Storm Chaser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no phoniness about the, you know exactly where you stand, and theyre all different, said Stone. Their personalities are all completely different. This is my Chernobyl: Texas ranchers watch cows die because of PFAS His whole life he says his care for his cows has been rewarded with what he calls liquid gold. His family has owned this farm since 1914, and for more than a century, their high-quality milk and cream have gone to market. Now, he milks them only to pour every drop down the drain. You either laugh or cry, and I ran out of tears a long time ago, said Stone. Fred Stones milk is contaminated, heavily tainted with PFAS, or forever chemicals, linked with cancer and other serious health issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has broken our hearts and crushed our spirit, and I dont know if well ever get that back, said Freds wife, Laura Stone. In 2016, an innocuous, routine water test on their property revealed high levels of PFAS human-made chemicals the Stones had never heard of before. They volunteered to test their soil, cows and milk. All came back high. Fred Stone said their milk inspector informed him that the USDA was considering the possible extermination of his cows. I said, Thats a hell of an idea. Ill tell you what, Ill take the cows down to the extermination site and Ill stand there and Ill take the first bullet, and you can kill the rest of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fred Stone had to euthanize 80% of his cows. For a long while, we were, I guess you would call it dead, said Laura Stone. Fred installed a $23,000 water filtration system, but the contamination returned. He says he went $1.5 million in debt trying to save his farm, all the while dumping thousands of gallons of precious milk. The Stones have been dropped by their milk distributor. Fred Stone told NewsNation there is one thought in particular that haunts him now: At some point in time, hopefully not tomorrow, Im going to have to tell my father and grandfather what happened to the dairy farm they entrusted me with. And thats what keeps me up at night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fred Stones family has set up a GoFundMe, you can find it here. Organic farmers make a terrible discovery About 120 miles north of Fred Stones farm, a young couple pooled all of their money and put it into a dream. Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis brought their fiddle and banjo and put down roots, closing on a farm where they could settle down, grow organic produce, have a family and build a whole life. And when it came to naming it, the choice was easy for these two musicians: Songbird Organic Farm. We imagined that we would be here forever. We imagined that we would build a business that would support our family through our career and into our retirement, so we thought we were settling down for the long haul, said Nordell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea of preventing development and preserving this farmland was also a mans dying wish. The couple found the farm through a service that connects retiring farmers with the next generation. The original owner had developed pancreatic cancer. A terminal cancer diagnosis, said Nordell, so he needed to move quickly to find the next farmers to take over management of this land. Here are the billionaires stocking Trumps next administration Under Nordell and Davis care, the land and business flourished, and they raised their little boy. As news of the contamination on Fred Stones land spread, a customer asked Nordell and Davis if theyd heard of PFAS. They voluntarily tested their land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results were high. Our drinking water tested about 400 times the states drinking water threshold, said Nordell. Maines PFAS threshold for drinking water is 20 parts per trillion. Nordell says their soil also tested high. He recalls the terror of that time: We were in free fall, do we have a business? Do we have a home here? Then they had their blood tested for forever chemicals. Nordell says his and his wifes blood levels are higher than chemical manufacturer employees who worked in PFAS factories. My blood levels after living for seven years on a farm that was spread with sludge four times, are higher than those workers in Decatur, Alabama, said Nordell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple shut down operations, recalled their products, alerted customers and shuttered their organic farm. Davis described a gut-wrenching conversation with her little boy: He said, Is there PFAS, is it in my body and is that bad? And I dont even know what I said, I couldnt answer. Thats not something that I want to have to talk to my kid about when hes 5 years old. The family hasnt picked up an instrument in a long time now, they say the music just isnt in them anymore. Health is a constant worry. And there are questions that defy answers. What does a farmer do with a farm that can grow nothing? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its weird, I get angry at the place. I get angry at the land. As if the ground underneath us has betrayed us, said Nordell. But of course, this place is a victim too, this farm is a victim. How forever chemicals became a part of American life When the contamination was discovered on Fred Stones land, he says he was considered an anomaly. Now, in the course of this two-year NewsNation investigation, a growing list of farmers are coming forward, saying they are grappling with the same discovery on their land. Advocates like Erin Brockovich are sounding the alarm. She says when it comes to forever chemicals, the storm is here. And its not just in Maine, its in every single state. EPA, FDA, political leaders, where have you been? How did you miss this? Now we have an entire country, an entire country that is potentially in peril from this forever chemical that has destroyed our land, destroyed our farming, destroyed water and destroyed public health and welfare. Wow, kudos, good job, Brockovich said to NewsNation in an exclusive interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PFAS are colloquially called forever chemicals because they are nearly impossible to destroy. The class of chemicals, technically called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, were created from the top-secret WWII nuclear bomb Manhattan Project. Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here. After the war, 3M bought the patent to develop these newly-discovered chemicals, finding they did a remarkable job in resisting water, oil and stains. 3M created a blockbuster product: Scotch Guard. Beyond a range of industrial applications, PFAS made their way into almost every American home, in carpet and couches, dental floss and rain jackets, pizza boxes and shampoo. Under the company DuPont, forever chemicals entered our kitchens, in our non-stick Teflon cookware. Its in firefighter gear, or its in flame retardant clothing we put babies in, its in the furniture that we spray with Scotch Guard, so we dont stain something. Its in our makeup. Its everywhere. Its in our coffee cups, said Brockovich. Its everything. Its pretty catastrophic, that a chemical like this has gotten into every aspect of our life. Forever chemicals have become so ubiquitous that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 97% of Americans now have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood. The USGS says at least 45% of our drinking water has one or more type of PFAS. But how did forever chemicals end up on valuable American farmland? The answer lies in a type of fertilizer, made from treated human sewage, called biosolids, or more colloquially, sludge, and a system that spreads it directly on their land. Spreading fertilizer sludge on prime American cropland We have this bright idea that were going to take all this sewer sludge, and were going to spread it on the land as fertilizer, said Brockovich. Epidemiologist Patrick MacRoy explained how this sludge is produced. He says the process starts with the manufacturing of PFAS. 3M and others actually manufacture these chemicals, said MacRoy, and these manufacturing plants discharge waste to a sewer system, which goes to a wastewater treatment facility. Simultaneously, there are the PFAS found in our homes, from the clothing that is stain resistant to cleaning products and sofas and carpets. MacRoy says when we clean an item in the washing machine, or dump a bucket down the drain, that PFAS-contaminated waste also goes to a wastewater treatment facility. They have to do something with all of those solids that settle out, and thats what we call sludge, said MacRoy. Particularly in the 1970s, we start taking that sludge and applying it to farmland as fertilizer. You have this contaminated sludge that then goes to a local farm where its spread out. If you look at the PFAS thats on the farmland, it goes into crops (that humans eat) or goes into crops that are eaten by animals, that we then eat. That PFAS, is eaten by us, said MacRoy. MacRoy points out that at no point in this process does the EPA require sludge to be tested for PFAS before being spread on farmland: EPA requires the sewer districts to test for a handful of heavy metals, but they never test for PFAS. Its just not tested, no one knows. MacRoy says all 50 states are impacted by sludging. Forty-eight states still spread biosolids today, the only exceptions being Maine and Connecticut. The Environmental Working Group claims as much as 20 million acres of American farmland could be contaminated by forever chemicals. You have almost like a cycle that you take the hazardous waste, apply the sludge on the land, you now contaminate the land that contaminates the water, thats contaminated the food chain. Were into a real serious problem here with this forever chemical, said Brockovich. Fred Stone kept the 1986 letter from Maines Department of Environmental Protection, which he says told him the sludge was safe to spread on his farm. They said it was a safe, safe material to use on our fields. And again, we were we were doing our civic duty by using it and keeping the material off from landfills and what have you. So yeah, it was great. It was a win-win situation for everybody involved, said Stone. Stone ultimately ended up sludging his land every year from 1983 to 2004. When Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis purchased their farm, they didnt know the land had been sludged four times by a farmer in the early 1990s. They were told it was their civic duty to help with the societal problem of municipal sludge. So they got a bad deal. We got a bad deal. That was not a good idea, said Nordell. Fred Stone says that without a federal safety net, he understands why other American farmers wouldnt be jumping to test their land. Youre out there asking someone to shoot you and youre giving them the gun and the bullets to do it with. And you know damn well that youre committing financial suicide. Thats what we did, said Stone. The paper trail: What did chemical companies know? NewsNation poured over court documents that show what Erin Brockovich calls the shell game. Its moving stuff around for you know, for the end result that makes them more money, and leaves destruction in its path, said Brockovich. Epidemiologist Patrick MacRoy reviewed the documents with NewsNation. We have in front of us here a large stack of documents that come from the chemical companies themselves, documenting what they knew about PFAS chemicals, their harm to people and harm to the environment. Most of this was secret, just kept in chemical industry files, right until various lawsuits forced them to disclose it, said MacRoy. He says the documents start with animal studies in the 1950s and 1960s, that showed impacts to the liver, kidneys and spleen, and acute oral toxicity. Donald Trumps new admin.: Who has he chosen so far? Going all the way back to 1963, 3M knew there were risks with these chemicals. They put it in their own manual, that theyre toxic, and they need precautions, said MacRoy. In 1970, a test on firefighting foam had to be abandoned when the substance left all the fish dead. Then, in 1973, a DuPont study showed PFAS in food packaging impacts the livers of dogs. And in 1975, the first indication that PFAS already flowed in the blood of Americans. This was just unrelated to PFAS research just scientists looking at chemicals in human blood, said MacRoy. The average person already has PFAS in their blood by 1975. Court filings show that 3M soon replicates this in their own studies. A 1979 letter from their lawyers appears to advise the company to conceal that the chemical found in human blood was a type of PFAS. A year later, in 1978, DuPont warned 3M about the toxic effects of PFAS in our food packaging. And by the late 1970s to early 1980s, documents suggest 3M and DuPont were becoming aware that their own employees were getting sick. In 1981, 3M was concerned enough about the potential for birth defects as a result of these chemicals, that they actually reassigned all the female workers in the plant to jobs that didnt involve exposure, said MacRoy. 1981_Dupont-3M-ConversationDownload By 1984, PFAS starts to appear in water. Specifically, DuPont detects forever chemicals in Little Hocking, Ohio. They do not tell the water utility. The levels they found back then, would be considered very high today, said MacRoy. And through the late 1980s through early 1990s, workers keep getting sick from 3M finding elevating cancer rates among their workers, their male workers more likely to die from prostate cancer, to DuPont finding higher cancer rates in their Parkersburg plant workers. More than two decades after scientists told 3M the blood of Americans contained PFAS, in 1998, 3M finally alerted the EPA that the type of PFAS in their Scotch Guard builds up in the blood. USDA and EPA, how in the hell did this get by you? It didnt. You knew something for the sake of money for lobbying power, you turned a blind eye, said Brockovich. In 1999, a whistleblower came forward; a scientist at 3M by the name of Dr. Richard Purdy stepped down and sent a copy of his resignation letter to the EPA. 1999_PurdyResignationDownload This letter basically says, you have asked me to try to help identify where the problems with the substance are. Weve identified a huge list of concerns. We need to do more research, the management is shutting me down. And I feel ethically like I cannot work at 3M anymore, because they are ignoring the science they are ignoring our request to do more study, said MacRoy. By 2000, 3M agrees to phase out some PFAS in the course of an EPA investigation. According to the 2010 Minnesota Attorney General Congressional Testimony, at this time, 3M publicly suggests it recently learned PFAS are in human blood, when they had known since 1975. In 2005 and 2006, the EPA fined DuPont $10.25 million and 3M $1.5 million respectively. A major headline came in 2023, with a multi-billion dollar federal settlement over PFAS contamination in our nations tap water, forever chemicals making their way into many U.S. public drinking water systems. Theres a reason why theyre settling these lawsuits now for water contamination, because the more we study it, the more we find problems, the larger the problem is going to be. Theyre rushing now to try to settle things before the full scope of the problem is even understood, said MacRoy. Social Security beneficiaries risk delays over GOP funding fight NewsNation reached out to both 3M and DuPont. Statement from 3M: As the science and technology of PFAS, societal and regulatory expectations, and our expectations of ourselves have evolved, so has how we manage PFAS. 3M announced in 2000 the phase out of manufacturing of PFOA and PFOS worldwide. In December 2022, 3M announced we will exit all PFAS manufacturing and work to discontinue the use of PFAS across our product portfolio by the end of 2025. 3M is committed to providing accurate information about PFAS with appropriate context. We have shared significant information about PFAS over the decades, including the results of studies 3M conducted on PFOS. 3M also published many of its findings regarding PFAS in publicly available scientific journals dating back to the early 1980s. Those journals were and remain available to the scientific community and the public. Statement from DuPont: In June 2019, DuPont de Nemours was established as a new multi-industrial specialty products company. DuPont de Nemours has never manufactured or sold PFOA, PFOS or firefighting foam. While DuPont is not a PFAS commodity chemical manufacturer, it does use select PFAS compounds within industrial processes pursuant to relevant environmental, health and safety rules and standards. Such uses are necessary to impart specific product performance criteria and only in products that are essential to safety and the critical functioning of society. Our use of PFAS is limited and is managed as a Substance of Concern (SoC) consistent with the companys Chemical Management Policy Substance of Concern. We are currently pursuing alternatives to PFAS where possible. Additionally, we have rigorous systems, processes, and protocols in place to ensure that PFAS are used safely, are controlled to the highest standards, and are minimized in our operations. We support science-based efforts to develop guidelines for PFAS and commit to meeting these requirements in our global operations. We will continue to ensure our products and processes are fully compliant with laws and regulations on PFAS. Safety, health and protecting the planet are core values at DuPont. We are committed to continuous improvement of our chemical stewardship process and to upholding the highest standards for the safe operation of facilities and the protection of our environment, our employees, our customers, and the people of the communities in which we do business. The role of the EPA The chemical industries hid the full extent of the problem from the EPA until the late 1990s. But starting in the late 1990s, EPA had all the information, and theyve done very little, said MacRoy. MacRoy says The single biggest thing I think EPA could do today would be to require testing for PFAS before putting sludge on farmland. In June of 2023, NewsNation went to D.C. for an interview with Radhika Fox, then-assistant administrator for water at EPA. When asked why decisive action wasnt taken by the EPA in the late 1990s, Fox replied: The important thing is were taking action now. Were taking swift action under the Presidents leadership. NewsNation asked why biosolid sludge application was still continuing if the EPA could not guarantee its safety. Fox replied that land application of biosolids is one of the critical uses of biosolids from the treatment plants that are treating our wastewater. And in many instances, its perfectly safe. She advised: One of the best things that someone can do is really educate themselves about whats going on in their local community. I suggest talking to your local water system to see what theyre doing, are they testing for PFAS, are they treating for it? We are working very diligently to get this national drinking water standard in place. At the end of the day, it is a partnership with our states and with local communities to together protect the American people. In April of 2024, the Biden-Harris administration issued the first-ever national drinking water standard, they say it will protect 100 million people from PFAS pollution. The EPA still allows sludging to take place in all 50 states without testing requirements. Ohio bill would require high-demand liquor bottles to be opened when sold A group of Texas farmers are currently suing the EPA. The lawsuit contends that in failing to regulate PFAS in biosolid sludge, the agency violated the Clean Water Act and Administrative Procedures Act. The EPA is currently trying to get this lawsuit dismissed. The relief they seek an order directing EPA to identify PFAS in its next biennial report, and to regulate PFAS thereafter is simply not available, the EPA wrote in a September 2024 court filing. A celebration at Misty Brook Farm After 11 long months of contamination, the sound of milk being poured into glass bottles instead of down the drain is music to Brendan and Katia Holmes ears. They proudly peel and stick a bright yellow PFAS tested sticker on each bottle, carton and jug going to market. They dont have to, but they want the public to ask questions. They say honesty and trust are what made them choose this land to begin with from the moment they asked the previous owner how to get in and see the place. I said, Hey, is there a key to the house? He said, Key to the house?! I havent locked it since I built it. Im like, alright, thats the place I want to live, said Brendan Holmes. When we moved up here it was do or die, we were either going to go bankrupt or make it work. In year one, Misty Brook Farm grossed about $15,000. By 2021, it grossed $2 million and employed 13 people. Its a good feeling. Its a milestone. My goal in life is to leave the piece of land that Im farming in better shape than I got it. If I wanted to make money, I wouldnt have gotten into dairy farming. Maybe Id have gotten work for DuPont. But money I dont care about money. I care about quality and integrity, said Holmes. Which is why when a customer asked them if theyd ever tested their milk for forever chemicals, they immediately put up thousands of dollars of their own money for testing. And when the results came back high, they say there wasnt hesitation. People have fight flight or freeze. I go straight to fight. And to me, Im like, ok Im not the only one that this has happened to. And my fight is, Im going to make this public, said Holmes. They told the public and broke the news to their boys. Katia recalls the familys conversation: Johnny was like, When do we have to stop selling the milk? And Brendan said, Now. Johnnys like, What are we going to do daddy? And Brendan said, Well, I dont know but well figure it out. The first days, weeks, months, we call it firefighting, we were definitely in survival mode, said Katia. Brendan Holmes had choice words for the chemical companies that profited off of PFAS products and did not disclose what they knew for years. When they had the choice of do we go public with this or do we sweep this under the rug, they chose the rug, said Holmes. He described the gravity farmers across the country are facing with forever chemical contamination, and the lack of a safety net or recourse when contamination is found. Suicide among dairy farmers and farmers in general is incredibly high because a lot of these farms are third fourth and fifth generation and you are going to be the person to lose it, your great great great grandfather cleared the land, and youre the person whose going to have a bankruptcy auction because you cant hold onto the land. They dumped 26,000 gallons of milk. We pride ourselves on producing milk that mothers can feed their children, and then to have them call us up and be like, Is my kid going to be ok because I drank your milk? And it wasnt anything we knowingly did, said Holmes. Testing revealed their cows had become contaminated from someone elses sludged farm. The tainted feed for their cows in Maine was grown in Kentucky. We are not responsible necessarily for how it happened, how the sludge was spread 20 or 30 years ago that the contaminated soils were where the feed came from. But we are responsible for how we move forward, said Katia. Their own familys bloodwork also tested high for forever chemicals. The Holmes found themselves putting it all on the line, again. We borrowed the money and we bought 50 cows that were uncontaminated. $73,000 we borrowed for a new herd, said Brendan. Scumbag Florida realtor had client taken off life support, stole assets: Sheriff After 11 months, thousands in loans and testing, making sure every ounce of feed and water was untainted, enough time passed that all of their cows came back clean. Their milk is now at non-detect levels of PFAS, and sales have resumed. Since the contamination primarily came from outside the borders of their land, they found themselves in a more tenable situation than farmers like Fred Stone. But Holmes says he knows PFAS contamination has a way of coming back. He worries another farms contaminated feed could taint his herd all over again. The thing that keeps me up at night in 2016, we had a severe drought, and I had to buy five tractor-trailer loads of feed from Pennsylvania. I cant verify what soil that feed from Pennsylvania came from. And (with another drought) I will be rolling the dice, said Holmes. Update on farmers surviving PFAS contamination NewsNation is updating these farmers stories after our two-year investigation. Brendan and Katia Holmes are still selling milk at Misty Brook Farms, praying no contamination comes back. Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis successfully sold their farm to the Maine Farmland Trust, it will be used as a research site to understand how PFAS moves through food and water. They have dedicated themselves to advocacy. Fred and Laura Stone received new test results: All of their cows are contaminated with PFAS About 90% of their usable farmland is also contaminated Fred says the farm is currently more than $450,000 in debt Freds family has set up a GoFundMe to help with costs Maine has successfully made bipartisan change, becoming: The first state to ban sludging The first state to ban the sale of products containing PFAS The first state to create a PFAS fund to help farmers Forty-eight states, however, continue to sludge. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (KHON2) Clear skies greeted guests and dignitaries at the 83rd commemoration of the Pearl Harbor attacks on Saturday, Dec. 7. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The ceremony in 2024 brought reflection and hope by honoring the past while looking toward the future. There was a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in the chaos 83 years ago to kick off the ceremony as the sun rose over the Arizona Memorial on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newly released WWII documents reveal state efforts to honor Pearl Harbors fallen The survivors here today lived all of that. They will never forget it and neither must we, said U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Steve Koehler. More than 2,400 Americans were killed that day and over 1,100 of them perished on the USS Arizona. The Memorial crossed a solemn milestone in April 2024 with the passing of Lou Conter, the Arizonas last living survivor. When the Arizona sank, he came back on a boat to rescue his shipmates. Later in the war, when his plane was shot down over the Pacific, Adm. Koehler said, he told his aircrew, Get ready to swim and if a shark comes up to you, punch it in the nose!' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, what do we do now? How do we move forward? Well, Im sure Lou and many of the other survivors would have said we have to forge ahead and continue to ensure we continue to remember Pearl Harbor, said National Park Service Pearl Harbor National Memorial superintendent Tom Leatherman. While December 7, 1941 is a day that lives in infamy, Saturdays celebration also focused on the days and weeks that followed filled with grit, resilience and the determination to forge ahead. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a moment of profound tragedy, but also a turning point in history. In the days that followed, Americans faced a stark choice: succumb to despair or rise to the challenge, said granddaughter of USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton, Nikki Stratton. By finding joy in our lives, we honor their sacrifice and ensure their efforts are not in vain. As we reflect on Pearl Harbor, let us remember that joy comes not from ignoring hardship, but from celebrating the triumphs borne from it. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two Pearl Harbor survivors were able to attend the ceremony on Saturday; 104-year-old Ira Ike Schab and 102-year-old Kenneth Stevens. A new U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine will be commissioned as the USS Arizona (SSN 803) in 2027 or 2028 and will become the first vessel to bear that name since 1941. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Coast Guard exec says sending gray ships a policy option The deployment of the Philippine warships to the West Philippine Sea amid Chinas continued harassment is up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine Coast Guard said yesterday. PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said Mr. Marcos may consider sending naval ships into the countrys territorial waters as a policy option. - Advertisement - Tarriela said while the Philippine Navy is monitoring the situation in the WPS, it does not interfere with the harassment of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese maritime militia against Filipino fishermen, the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. It is up to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to carry out a policy recommendation to the President and the Commander-in-Chief, the President himself, has the full authority to decide on this, Tarriela said. This is not a recommendation. All Im saying is that in terms of reciprocity, that can be a policy option that can be carried out, he added. Tarriela said in the history of incursions of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the WPS, said it was the first time Chinese warships interfered and participated in the harassment of a PCG vessel. He was referring to the Chinese vessels aggressive actions on Dec. 4 at the Bajo de Masinloc where PLAN vessels with bow numbers 500 and 571 also took part by tailing the PCGs BRP Teresa Magbanua at the very close distance of 300 yards. On the same day, the CCG also harassed the BRP Melchora Aquino, BRP Cape Engano and the BFAR vessels that were deployed at Escoda Shoal. Tarriela said Mr. Marcos has the sole authority to decide whether there is a need to modify the Philippines response to the WPS. For the past three administrations, the Philippine Coast Guard has been chosen to be deployed to the West Philippine Sea because, for the past administrations, they believed it is de-escalatory, non-provocative, Tarriela said. (But) the Philippine Coast Guard, we can never replace the Philippine Navy with the issue of territorial defense. And it is very alarming in a way that (PLAN) warships are encroaching on our own exclusive economic zone, he added. National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya earlier said the Philippines reserves the right to deploy its naval vessels in the wake of Chinas latest hostile act in the WPS. As you very well know, in the past, PLAN ships were in the area but they were just (on) the horizon. They would not do dangerous maneuvers against our Philippine vessels, Malaya said. We do not want to be sending signals to China that they can do what they want simply because we do not want to escalate. Now, it is they that first deployed the PLAN ship. Therefore, it is now, it is also within the rights of the Philippines and we reserve that right to deploy our PN ships in the future, he added. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it will continue to conduct regular maritime patrols through the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force to assert the countrys sovereignty, sovereign rights and protect its territorial waters. We are actively monitoring these developments to ensure a vigilant presence in the area. The AFP remains committed to safeguarding national interests and maintaining stability in our maritime zones, it added. For a previous report on this story view the video player above. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A former childrens hospital nurse who was found guilty of possessing child pornography will serve over 17 years in prison. According to the U.S. District Attorneys Office Southern District of Ohio, 38-year-old Ryan Ramos, who pleaded guilty to one count each of distributing and receiving child pornography and possession of child pornography, was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramos, of Columbus, was a nurse at Nationwide Childrens Hospital from 2018 to 2020 and at Ohio State Universitys Wexner Medical Center in the ICU burn trauma ward until 2023. An FBI investigation beginning in 2020 led agents to discover Ramoss participation in a Signal app group dedicated to the exchange of child sexual material. He shared hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse, including the abuse of young boys and infants. In total, Ramos possessed more than 42,000 images and approximately 8,500 videos depicting child sexual abuse. As part of his case, more than 700 victims were identified. Additionally, the investigation of Ramos revealed that in 2018, he had paid a sexual offender in New York more than $500 via PayPal and received child pornography created by the offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramoss phone also contained more than 346,000 Signal, Telegram and other online chat messages, most of which Ramos was distributing, seeking, receiving or discussing child pornography. A guilty plea was submitted in May with Ramos facing up to 20 years in prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A Bibb County sheriffs deputy is off the job after the district attorney in that area told the sheriffs office that the deputy lied about a jailer committing a crime. Former Bibb Deputy Nicholas Denny was a former Deputy of the Year and Investigator of the Year. Denny was fired this week as Kendrell Daniely, the man Denny testified against, sues the sheriff and Denny in federal court for violating his civil rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denny swore out warrants and testified that Daniely, a jailer for the Bibb County Sheriffs Office, had given a rifle to an inmate who was his brother. Denny said both brothers were members of an offshoot of the Crips street gang. Daniely was arrested for violating his oath of office and criminal street gang activity in April 2023. District Attorney Anita Howard dropped the charges against Daniely in October 2023 after concluding that Denny had lied. She says she will no longer prosecute cases that rely solely on Dennys testimony because he is not credible. Lawyers who are defending Denny in the civil case did not respond to emails Saturday seeking comment. Denny has denied wrongdoing in court filings. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Dennys termination letter, Davis writes that his grand jury testimony doesnt match recorded interviews with Daniely. These discrepancies illustrate either a willful or negligent misstatement of facts, the letter reads. Daniely says Denny had him arrested while he was undergoing training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth to become a Henry County police officer. Henry County fired Daniely shortly thereafter. The fact that you put forth the effort to arrange for Mr. Danielys arrest at a location that would cause embarrassment and cause disruption to a law enforcement training class demonstrates a degree of malice not appropriate to law enforcement, Davis wrote in Dennys termination letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Howard told WMAZ-TV she is not sure why Davis waited a year to fire Denny. Sheriff Davis and his team had access to sufficient information immediately upon notification of our concerns to make an informed disciplinary decision regarding Mr. Denny, Howard wrote. The sheriff did not need to wait for my investigation or for any of my documentation. Davis, though, said he didnt seriously consider firing Denny until August 2024 after receiving transcripts and a letter detailing Howards investigation. He said he and Howard then called in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. It takes time to get all of the things together that we need to make an informed decision, Davis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis said Denny served in a modified role over the past year and could not act as a lead investigator on any criminal case. He said the GBI is still considering criminal charges against Denny. Howard said she also reported Denny to the state agency that certifies law enforcement officers. The Associated Press contributed to this article. South Korean police arrested the country's former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun amid an investigation into alleged treason, news agency Yonhap reported on Sunday. The 65-year-old, who resigned on Wednesday and was replaced the following day, had been a vocal supporter of President Yoon Suk Yeol's now-reversed decision to declare martial law. On Tuesday, Yoon called for the imposition of martial law, accusing the opposition of sympathizing with North Korea. He said the move was aimed at "eradicating pro-North Korean forces and protecting the constitutional order of freedom." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marked the first time since South Korea's transition to democracy in the late 1980s that the country's head of state imposed martial law. A few days later, Yoon accepted Kim's resignation, with the former defence minister reportedly playing a role in proposing the martial law plans. On Saturday, a parliamentary motion to impeach Yoon failed after almost all members of the president's ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote. Only 195 of the 300 members of parliament cast their vote, meaning the motion fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority by five votes. Yoon nonetheless faces intense pressure to resign, with more than 100,000 demonstrators gathering outside the parliament building to demand the president's impeachment on Saturday evening, according to Yonhap. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Darrell V. McGraw Jr., a former longtime West Virginia attorney general and state Supreme Court justice who fought back against the state's drug overdose crisis, died Saturday. He was 88. Jared Hunt, a spokesman for the state Supreme Court, said in an email that McGraw died of a heart attack. The West Virginia Democratic Party called McGraw a tireless advocate for justice, fairness, and the people of our great state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His legacy of service and commitment to our state will never be forgotten, it said in a statement. Darrells work made a lasting impact on our state, and his spirit of public service will continue to inspire generations to come. A Democrat, McGraw won a 12-year term on the Supreme Court in 1976. He was elected attorney general in 1992 and re-elected four times before losing to Republican Patrick Morrisey in 2012. McGraw lost a bid to return to the Supreme Court in 2016. My prayers and sympathies go out to the family and friends of Darrell McGraw for their loss, Morrisey said in a statement on the social platform X. In 2001, McGraw accused Purdue Pharma in a lawsuit of dishonestly marketing the painkiller OxyContin in West Virginia. The company agreed to a $10 million settlement in 2004. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGraw later filed a lawsuit over excessive amounts of prescription painkillers that were flooding southern West Virginia pharmacies. After McGraw left office, the state announced settlements of $20 million with distributor Cardinal Health Inc. and $16 million with AmerisourceBergen Drug Co. In addition, a Georgia company that McGraw accused of supplying ingredients used to make drugs known as bath salts and synthetic marijuana agreed not to sell or advertise in the state. The drug overdose epidemic has killed more than 1 million people in the United States since 1999. West Virginia for years has had by far the nations highest overdose death rate. McGraw also focused on consumer protection and antitrust laws, suing direct mail marketers, credit card companies, alternative lenders and other businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1998 his office was part of a national settlement against major U.S. cigarette manufacturers. West Virginia currently has the highest rate of adult smokers. Born Nov. 8, 1936, in Wyoming County, McGraw enlisted in the Army as a teenager. Attending West Virginia University, he was elected student body president and earned bachelors and law degrees. He later became counsel to the state legislature and to Gov. Hulett Smith before being elected to the Supreme Court. McGraws wife, Jorea Marple, is a former state schools superintendent. His brother, former state Supreme Court Justice Warren McGraw, died last year. McGraw is survived by his wife and four children, Hunt said. The M-85/Fort Street bridge over the Rouge River in southwest Detroit will be closed for repairs two days this week, Michigan Department of Transportation announced Saturday. The route will be closed from Miller Road to Denmark Street as officials work on the bridge. It will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. More: Wrong-way driver dies after head-on crash with DDOT bus on Lodge Freeway in Detroit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MDOT offered three possible detours for travelers to take. Drivers can use Dix Road, Interstate 75 or West Jefferson Avenue as detour routes. More construction locations and updates are available on Michigan.gov/drive. Breaking News Reporter Liam Rappleye can be reached at LRappleye@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fort Street bridge in southwest Detroit closing Tuesday and Wednesday Fort Worth fire crews responded to separate incidents at a motel and a dialysis facility early Saturday morning, according to a post on the Fort Worth Fire Departments X page. Crews were dispatched around 4 a.m. Dec. 7 to the Landmark Lodge motel at 7501 Camp Bowie West Boulevard, where they saw fire coming from the roof, the post reads. Fort Worth firefighters were dispatched around 4 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, to the Landmark Lodge motel at 7501 Camp Bowie W. Blvd., where they saw fire coming from the roof. The fire started in and was contained to the laundry room, according to the Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries were reported and guests were allowed to return to their rooms, but the building had no power, officials said. Given cold and wet weather conditions, volunteers with the Red Cross of North Texas assisted with relocating displaced residents, according to the post. Crews responded to the second incident at the dialysis facility at 4804 Bryant Irvin Road around the same time, officials said. Upon arrival, crews found that a car had crashed into the building, according to the post. No one was inside the dialysis facility at the time of the crash, and the driver of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital, officials said. Crews removed the car and secured the building. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Four people connected to a November firearms theft at a Marion farm supply store have been arrested, including one in Columbus. The Marion Metro Drug Enforcement Unit investigated a firearms theft at a Rural King store on Nov. 22 and worked with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office to arrest the first suspect. 23-year-old Daquail Rogers was located in Columbus by deputies and was arrested without incident. A search warrant was also obtained where law enforcement found evidence from the Rural King theft. Three other suspects were arrested on Friday in Marion with 25-year-old Todd Coleman Jr. being arrested after a traffic stop. A search warrant in Coleman Jr.s house revealed more evidence to his alleged connection to the theft. Two 17-year-old suspects were also arrested Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four suspects have been charged with two counts of theft of a firearm and breaking and entering. The Marion County Prosecutors Office could add additional charges as they take over the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. France has welcomed the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule in Syria. After 13 years of extremely violent oppression of his own people, he is leaving behind a country that is largely emptied of its population either because they have gone into exile, or were massacred, tortured, and bombarded with chemical weapons by the regime and its allies, the Foreign Ministry said in Paris on Sunday. The Syrians have suffered too much, the statement continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, the ministry called for a peaceful political transition that respects the preservation of state institutions, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as the diversity of the Syrian people. Furthermore, France urges all Syrians towards unity, reconciliation and the rejection of all forms of extremism, the ministry continued. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the courage and patience of the Syrian people in a post on X. "In this moment of uncertainty, I wish them peace, freedom and unity," he wrote. The barbarity is over, he added. France will continue to work for the safety of all in the Middle East, Macron wrote. Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. FRANKLINTON, La. (WGNO) A Franklinton man was arrested on Saturday, Dec. 7 after a person was found dead due to a combined drug toxicity overdose on Friday. Officials with the Louisiana State Police say that, on Dec. 6, the Franklinton Police Department requested assistance from the LSPs Criminal Investigations Division in investigating the homicide of 67-year-old Frankie Crosby, of Franklinton, who was found dead in his vehicle near the 1400 block of Parker Street earlier in the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was determined by the Washington Parish Coroner that Crosbys death was the result of combined drug toxicity, with both cocaine and fentanyl being identified in his system. Three teens arrested in Raceland shooting, attempted armed robbery On Dec. 7, following a combined investigation that included the efforts of the LSP, the FPD, the 22nd Judicial District Attorneys Office and the Washington Parish Sheriffs Office, 50-year-old Dayon Dyson, of Franklinton, was identified as the alleged source of the drugs that contributed to Crosbys death, and he was arrested around 10:30 a.m. He was booked into the Washington Parish Jail on charges of distribution of fentanyl and second-degree murder, with more charges expected to come as the investigation continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information was provided. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. Dec. 7Fred McDowell Fred W. McDowell died on November 21st, 2024, in Albuquerque, NM. He was born in 1939 in Abington, PA. He was educated at Lafayette College and Columbia University. While at Columbia, Fred met and married Karin Bartelsen, and they began a family that eventually included three children. After a two and one-half year stay in Zurich, Switzerland, the family moved to Austin, Texas in 1969. Fred was a research scientist in the Geological Sciences Department of the University of Texas at Austin for 37 years, during which he managed a research lab. He mentored numerous graduate students and with them conducted a long-term study of volcanic rocks in northwestern Mexico that has results in several publications. He continued to compile and publish his research after retiring in 2005. Fred is survived by Karin, his wife of 60 years; son, Andrew and wife Natalie and their children Erica and Elena; daughter, Jennifer and her husband Morgan and their children Zoe and Cameron; and son, Timothy and his wife Elsa. His sister Sue also survives him. Contributions may be made to the National Parks Foundation or Nature Conservancy. A man thats been on the run from police since 2021 has been captured, arrested, and arraigned on several counts of violent offenses including rape. Werlen Luiz, 48, was arraigned on Friday, December 6, and pleaded not guilty to all charges, including two counts of Aggravated Rape of a Child with Force, and one count each of Assault and Battery, and Strangulation or Suffocation. The incidents occurred from September 2019 to June 2021 throughout multiple locations in Plymouth County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luiz, who immigrated from Brazil, was originally believed to have fled the U.S. after the victim told the police, but it was later found that he was still in the country, staying in Statesville, North Carolina. U.S. Marshalls successfully apprehended Luiz on November 15 and was then later transported to Plymouth County. Luiz is currently being held without bail and is awaiting a dangerous hearing scheduled for December 12. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER World War II veteran Al Chatwin meets Gov. Josh Green Saturday during the 83rd commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. 1 /5 MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER World War II veteran Al Chatwin meets Gov. Josh Green Saturday during the 83rd commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Ira Ike Schab, 104, salutes the USS Arizona Saturday during the 83rd commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 /5 MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Ira Ike Schab, 104, salutes the USS Arizona Saturday during the 83rd commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Shanna Kaho okele Tachera showed granddaughter Jariah, 6, the plaque at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial that honors civilians who died in the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. Kaho okele Tachera is the grandniece of David Kaho okele, who along with three of his relatives was killed by friendly fire from a dud anti-aircraft round as they drove to Pearl Harbor, where they worked as civilian dock workers. 3 /5 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Shanna Kaho okele Tachera showed granddaughter Jariah, 6, the plaque at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial that honors civilians who died in the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. Kaho okele Tachera is the grandniece of David Kaho okele, who along with three of his relatives was killed by friendly fire from a dud anti-aircraft round as they drove to Pearl Harbor, where they worked as civilian dock workers. MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER World War II veteran, Don Graves attends the 83rd commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbo Saturday at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4 /5 MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER World War II veteran, Don Graves attends the 83rd commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbo Saturday at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Pearl Harbor National Memorial Rear Admiral Stephen Barnett salutes during the 83rd commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor Saturday at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. 5 /5 Pearl Harbor National Memorial Rear Admiral Stephen Barnett salutes during the 83rd commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor Saturday at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER World War II veteran Al Chatwin meets Gov. Josh Green Saturday during the 83rd commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Ira Ike Schab, 104, salutes the USS Arizona Saturday during the 83rd commemoration of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Shanna Kaho okele Tachera showed granddaughter Jariah, 6, the plaque at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial that honors civilians who died in the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. Kaho okele Tachera is the grandniece of David Kaho okele, who along with three of his relatives was killed by friendly fire from a dud anti-aircraft round as they drove to Pearl Harbor, where they worked as civilian dock workers. MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER World War II veteran, Don Graves attends the 83rd commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbo Saturday at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Pearl Harbor National Memorial Rear Admiral Stephen Barnett salutes during the 83rd commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor Saturday at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, the anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor was as much a time for reflection on how people remember the event as it was to honor the event itself, as the day that will live in infamy gradually fades from living memory. Just two veterans who survived the attack were able to make it to Saturdays remembrance ceremony at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial honoring those killed in the surprise Japanese bombing that brought the U.S. into World War II. But even as the number of survivors dwindles, the consequences of the attack are still felt by many across the islands to this day. Ira Ike Schab, who is 104 years old, stood up from his wheelchair with the help of his son and daughter to salute during the ceremony. During the attack 83 years ago, Schab was a Navy musician assigned to the USS Dobbin. As Japanese planes swooped in, he ferried ammunition to his comrades and witnessed the moment the USS Arizona exploded into flames. Ken Stevens, 102, who served on the USS Whitney, joined Schab at the ceremony. Although Japanese forces mostly bypassed his ship, he remembers watching the battle and the carnage in its aftermath. USS Curtiss crew member Bob Fernandez, 100, was also scheduled to participate but was ultimately unable make the trip due to health issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED STORY : The attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy, which targeted Pearl Harbor and other military sites across Oahu, killed 2, 390 U.S. servicemen. Of those, 1, 177 were sailors and Marines on board the USS Arizona, which sank during the battle. Today the remains of more than 900 Arizona crew members rest in the rusted remains of the battleship in the harbor. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the war, the survivors lived very different lives. Stevens, who hails from the Oregon Coast, returned home to work in the logging industry. Schab went into aerospace engineering and worked on NASAs Apollo program. Many found it difficult for years after to talk about their experiences. Schab had refused to return to Hawaii until his family persuaded him to attend the 75th anniversary commemoration. Everyone who experienced the Dec. 7 attack has a different story. But every year there are fewer of them able to tell those stories. About 30 attended the 80th anniversary commemoration in 2021. This year alone, 18 known Pearl Harbor survivors died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sterling Cale, the last known survivor living in Hawaii, died in January at age 102 and was buried at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. Lou Conter, the last surviving crew member of the USS Arizona, also died at age 102 at his home in California in April. In a keynote address, Nikki Stratton, granddaughter of USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton, who died in 2020 at age 97, said he faced unimaginable adversity aboard the Arizona. His survival was a testament to the grit, compassion and loyalty of those who fought beside him and risked everything to save others. Only 16 known service members who survived the attack remain, according to a list maintained by Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Eight other World War II veterans who werent present for the attack attended Saturdays ceremony. Its estimated that next year there will be fewer than 1, 000 living American World War II veterans. Pearl Harbor National Memorial Superintendent Tom Leatherman reflected on their waning numbers. Im sure Lou and many of the other survivors would have said we have to forge ahead and continue to ensure we continue to remember Pearl Harbor, he said. We need to be even more diligent to make sure that the stories, legacy and diverse history of Pearl Harbor will be shared at this site and beyond for all time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Service members werent the only ones who lost their lives during the attacks. On Oahu, 49 civilians died and 35 were wounded in the crossfire. Several civilian homes and properties also were damaged by stray munitions fired by both Japanese and American forces. After the Pearl Harbor assault, the U.S. government put Hawaii under martial law. Throughout the war, isle residents lived under strict curfews and rationing. Some were forced out of their homes so the military could use their land as training grounds and live-fire ranges. Many young men from the islands also fought in the war, both as volunteers and draftees. After Saturdays official remembrance event concluded, a Maui family held a smaller traditional Hawaiian ceremony of their own on the memorial grounds to remember four members of their family who died during the Dec. 7 attack : David Kaho okele, Joseph McCabe, John Adams and his father, Joseph Adams. All four were civilian dockworkers employed at Pearl Harbor who were killed by friendly firean apparent dud anti-aircraft round that landed on their car as they were making their way to the base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shanna Kaho okele Tachera, the grandniece of David Kaho okele, said that despite living in Hawaii all her life and knowing the story of how her relatives died, she had never actually set foot at Pearl Harbor. She said that family matriarch Dorothy Kamalu Kaho okele had worked to preserve their ohanas history, collecting newspaper clippings and photos, which they brought and displayed next to the plaque honoring the civilian dead. Our auntie has cried every year on this day ; she tells us about it, Kaho okele Tachera explained. The family had intended to bring Dorothy Kaho okele to Pearl Harbor for the ceremony, but she was hospitalized on Maui last week. For me, this brings healing, Kaho okele Tachera said. It brings healing to kupuna that have already gone, those that are still alive to see this happen and to pave the way for our keiki to see where they come from. Thats a legacy. Another, more intimate ceremony hosted by Japans Honolulu Consulate staff was held later Saturday on Ford Island overlooking the Arizona memorial, bringing together officials and members of Hawaiis Japanese American community. We remain committed to strengthening our partnership for the sake of the citizens of our respective nations and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Consul General Yoshinori Kodama said. In this way, at Pearl Harbor we honor those we lost and we give thanks for all that our two nations have built together as friends after the war. Daniel Martinez, former chief historian for the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, gave an address at the Ford Island ceremony. Earlier this year, he received Japans Order of the Rising Sun for working to promote reconciliation and an objective understanding of history. He told attendees, As all of us gather here and look upon the USS Arizona Memorial, let us all hope and pray that the world will find peace. DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza killed at least 14 people including children Sunday, Palestinian health officials said, while the bombing of a hospital in northern Gaza wounded a half-dozen patients. Israels military continues its latest offensive against Hamas militants in northern Gaza, whose remaining Palestinians have been almost completely cut off from the rest of the territory amid a growing humanitarian crisis. One airstrike flattened a residential building in the urban Bureij refugee camp Sunday afternoon, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least nine people were killed including six children and a woman. An Associated Press journalist saw the bodies at the hospitals morgue. Earlier on Sunday, another Israeli strike hit a tent in the Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least five people including two parents and their two children, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said. In northern Gaza, the Health Ministry said a bombing targeted the Indonesian Hospital wounding six patients, one of them seriously. It is the largest hospital north of Gaza City. We demand international protection for hospitals, patients and medical staff, the ministry said in a statement that also urged safe passage to and from hospitals, more medical supplies and fuel and safe evacuation of the wounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military Sunday evening said it was unaware of any attack on the Indonesian Hospital in the last three to four hours. Meanwhile, the military said it briefly closed the key Kerem Shalom crossing after fighters launched mortar shells several meters (feet) from the nearby humanitarian corridor toward its troops. It said Gaza's main cargo crossing was reopened after those who fired were eliminated, though it added that the arrival and distribution of humanitarian aid was delayed. Kerem Shalom is the only crossing between Israel and Gaza that is designed for cargo shipments and has been the main artery for aid since the Rafah crossing with Egypt was shut in May. Last month, nearly two-thirds of aid entering Gaza came through Kerem Shalom. A second cold, rainy winter is beginning in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in squalid tent camps and reliant on international aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 45,600 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war By Felix Light TBILISI (Reuters) - Georgia's President Salome Zourabichvili said she talked with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron about the parliamentary election last month in her country that she and the opposition say was rigged. "In depth discussion with Presidents Trump & Macron," Zourabichvili, who was in Paris for the reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral, said on X late on Saturday, underneath a photo showing her, Trump and Macron talking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Exposed the stolen election and extremely alarming repression against the people of Georgia." Zourabichvili became the voice of the now weeks-long protest movement following the October vote that gave the ruling Georgian Dream party a win and its subsequent announcement that it was suspending efforts to join the European Union. The leader of Georgia's main opposition party and several other members have been detained during the protests and on Saturday the opposition said one of its politicians was beaten during a police raid on its offices. Georgian media also reported that a camera crew from pro-opposition Pirveli TV was attacked by masked men while broadcasting from near the protest site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Russian regime is back at work tonight in Tbilisi - chasing civilians through the streets as they flee terror, targeting politicians, media, artists," Zourabichvili said in a separate post on X on Saturday, posting a video showing a group of hooded men with batons beating up several men in a building. Zourabichvili, who has a largely ceremonial role as president, and the opposition have been accusing Georgian Dream of pursuing increasingly authoritarian, anti-Western and pro-Russian policies in the nation of 3.7 million people. The Kremlin has denied that Russia is interfering in the situation in Georgia, which Moscow compared to the 2014 "Maidan" revolution in Ukraine that overthrew a pro-Russian president. (Reporting by Felix Light in Tbilisi and Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Writing by Lidia Kelly; Editing by Paul Simao) German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on the conflicting parties in Syria to protect religious and ethnic minorities following the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule. "The country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals - no matter in what guise," the Green politician said on Sunday. This includes comprehensive protection for Kurds, Alawites, Christians and other minorities, Baerbock said. A political process "that creates a balance between the groups" is necessary, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The al-Assad family, which has dictated the affairs of the Arab country since the 1970s, belongs to the Alawite minority. The international community is now also required to help Syria escape the cycle of war and violence, Baerbock said. The German government is in intensive coordination with the United Nations, its EU partners, as well as regional actors and neighbouring states of Syria, she said. "The end of Assad means for millions of people in Syria a first major relief after an eternity of atrocities by the Assad regime," she said. Several hundred thousand Syrians have been killed since 2011, and millions have been displaced. Al-Assad has murdered, tortured and used chemical weapons against his own population, Baerbock asserted. Fighters from the Islamist militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have reported the capture of the Syrian capital, Damascus. Previously, various rebel groups had taken control in other provinces. In many places, government forces withdrew without a fight. ACCRA, Ghana (AP) Ghanas former President John Dramani Mahama is set to return to office in the West African nations presidential election after the ruling party candidate, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, on Sunday conceded defeat and voters vented anger at the governments handling of the economy. Ahead of the official announcement, Bawumia told reporters that he respects the decision of Ghanaians to vote for change. Ive just called His Excellency John Mahama to congratulate him as president-elect of the Republic of Ghana, he said at his residence in the capital, Accra. Previously president of Ghana between July 2012 and January 2017, Mahama, 65, acknowledged the call from the ruling party candidate in a post on the X platform, describing his victory as emphatic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had promised to reset the country on various fronts during a campaign that prioritized the economy and largely appealed to young Ghanaians who saw the vote as a way out of the countrys economic crisis. Celebrations broke out among the supporters of the opposition candidate in parts of the country, including the capital city. Wearing the opposition party's white, green, red and black colors, women and young people danced to music and trumpet blasts on the streets and at the party's national headquarters The election for both the president and members of parliament was held against the backdrop of the countrys worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation and was seen as a litmus test for democracy in a region shaken by extremist violence and coups. West Africa's regional bloc of ECOWAS said the election was generally peaceful, a continuing trend in Ghana. Bawumia was running as the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party, or NPP, which has struggled to resolve the economic crisis under outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo. Mahama's National Democratic Congress also won the majority in parliament, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mahama's win is viewed as following the latest trend of elections around the world, favoring opposition parties against incumbents, from the United States to European countries such as Britain and France as well as South Africa. The former president is the only person who can fix the ailing economy in Ghana, one of West Africa's economic powerhouses, said Jude Agbemava, a policy analyst who voted for him. Like in most other elections in countries where the incumbent lost, the vote in Ghana was about the people making their disaffection known against a government that has lost goodwill, said Seidu Alidu, head of the department of political science at Ghana's University of Legon. I think it has to do with the economy, which is largely a bread and butter issue for every Ghanaian, said Alidu. When the people elect you, they require you to do certain things for them. But it was also about the style of governance (because) even in other countries facing economic challenges, governments were being honest with the people, telling them what the reality is, and the steps they have taken to manage it, he added. Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria. After four years of relative stasis, the Syrian civil war was reignited this week by a sudden rebel offensive on Aleppo. In order to answer the questions this raises from a Marxist perspective, we are republishing this reading guide. Since these articles were written, the conditions of the masses have only worsened. The basis of the Syrian regime has been even further undermined. This, along with Hezbollah, Iran and Russia being distracted elsewhere, is what has led to the dramatic reversals over the past few days, as we have explained in this article. What the Assad regime was and what it has become by Fred Weston - - An analysis of the development of modern Syria from the 60's until the revolution. This article also sheds light on the reasons why the Syrian revolution did not develop in the same direction as the Egyptian and Tunisian ones. Syria: Reaction on both sides of the divide! by Mousa Ladqani - August 2012 - The Syrian revolution was hijacked by reactionary Islamist forces during 2012. In this article we analyse how this happened and why. Syria: Why is Assad Advancing? by Mousa Ladqani - July 2014 - The effect of the political turn of events on the direction of the civil war. The Syrian Tragedy and the Imperialist Farce by Francesco Merli and John Peterson - September 2013 - An analysis of the crisis of US imperialism after Barack Obama had to shelve plans of bombing Syria. NATO, Russia and the Syrian inferno: The impotence of imperialism by Alan Woods - October 2015 - Alan Woods analyses the Russian intervention in Syria, what it means and what it will lead to. The Turkish provocation: Will it lead to War? by Alan Woods - November 2015 - Alan Woods weighs up the balance of forces in Syria after Turkey shot down a Russian Jet in 2015. Syria: at which stage is the war? by Hamid Alizadeh - February 2016 - An overview of the development of the civil war and the effects of Russian intervention. The Ceasefire in Syria: what does it mean? - by Hamid Alizadeh - September 2016 - Why did the US reluctantly accept a ceasefire in September 2016. BOUSE In 2018, this tiny town in Arizona's western desert was struggling to rebuild its aging water system when the water districts sole administrative worker disappeared in the middle of the night, leaving the districts files on a board member's porch. The district found a new administrator that year, but she only stayed on for six months before family issues forced her to move out of state. Then the district hired Ginger Martin. Last month, the district celebrated the completion of its total rebuild. Many Bouse residents could finally drink their tap water, which had previously contained excessive levels of arsenic. Gathered over hot dogs and burgers, dozens of Bouse residents thanked the contractors, district board members, and staff who made their new water system possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After four years, Martin was still among that group. A district board member presented Martin with a bouquet of roses, and the board president called her the heart and soul of the water district. After the event, Martins brother and Bouse resident Jerry Black laughed when asked about his sisters job at the district. She came here to retire, and we put her to work, Black said. But seriously, I don't think we could have done it without her. Ginger Martin and other water district staff and board members receive flowers during a celebration on Nov. 15. Trying to work through a crisis When Martin arrived in Bouse in 2019, the town was facing a small crisis. Roughly 145 water users in the towns core relied on a small co-op for their drinking water. The co-op gets all its water from a single well, which pulls from an arsenic-contaminated aquifer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, the federal government imposed new drinking water standards, pushing the districts water above legal arsenic limits. Meanwhile, the well and the districts pipe network were reaching the end of their 50-year design lives. The few, mostly retired residents of Bouse realized they would need to replace their entire system. The project would ultimately cost almost $7 million, more than 100 times the co-ops annual revenue. When the district hired Martin, the co-ops members had already raised the money for the project. They changed the co-ops legal designation to a domestic water improvement district capable of receiving federal grants and then won $6.6 million in federal funds to overhaul their water system. Martins job was to implement the funds. For four years, the 71-year-old former bookkeeper facilitated contracts with construction and engineering companies, maintained relations with state and federal regulators, and dealt with the years of paperwork necessary surrounding the districts federal grants. Martin said the job was supposed to take 40 hours per month, but it typically takes 80. Construction costs forced the district to sacrifice its plans for a small office, so Martin works at her own home and at the Bouse Public Library, where she is the part-time assistant librarian. 'Ready to leave the winters' Ginger Martin grew up in a mill town in eastern Oregon. She moved to Michigan when she was 45, following a Michigander husband. She stayed there 20 years, and then her husband died of lung cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The winters in Michigan were hard. Martin cleaned out gutters and shoveled snow by herself. When he passed away, I was ready to leave the winters, Martin said. In 2019, Martin said goodbye to dear friends, including her former husband's family, and left to join her brother in a sunny, remote huddle of mobile homes in Arizona called Bouse. She bought a little lot and a mobile home for herself. After decades of renting in Michigan, she was eager to have a place of her own. Bouse is a tiny settlement along State Route 72, north of Interstate 10 and a little ways east of the Arizona-California state line. In the late 19th century, it was a railroad town, shipping ore from mines in the desert mountains. Now, the town is an affordable retirement community and a mecca for off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bouse Public Library is one of the towns few permanent structures. It has one main room and a small side office. Martin usually arrives at the library around 8 a.m. On a recent Monday morning, she had already been working on water district tasks for over three hours at home before coming to the library. The librarians and computers at the library serve as a portal to the sprawling bureaucracies that regulate retirement in America. Martin said she has helped some visitors sign up for Social Security benefits, including widows signing up to receive their deceased spouses payments. Some of these visitors dont have email addresses, so she uses the water district email to get them started. Martin is also a notary. Some library patrons call Martin Aunt Ginger, though many are older than she is. Yvonne Barron, a library volunteer, helps Martin on Mondays, and Martin can retreat periodically to the librarys small office to work on water district affairs. In one week in mid-November, Martin still needed to prepare for a financial audit from the Department of Agriculture, correct dozens of mistaken addresses in the online billing system and talk with a customer about his expensive water use. Martin has completed 44 of the 46 conditions for the federal grants that made the district upgrade possible tasks like seeking county approvals, construction permits, and insurance coverage. She has been working through them for four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A laptop, a binder, a receipt book, a transaction register, and a stack of documents on the library office desk contain all the workings of the water district. She brings the whole operation from her home in the mornings, carrying it in a reusable shopping bag. Everything always goes back in that bag, she said. Keeping records 'old school' For roughly four years, Martin has handled all the billing processes by hand. She documents payment records in the transaction register, a white paper booklet with designs like blue tree limbs running across its top half. She opens the register to reveal pages of hand-written records. Corresponding receipts for each payment are in the receipt book, also written in Martins textbook-perfect cursive. The process is similar to how she kept books at a carpet company in Oregon during her first years out of community college. Martin could have used the districts old computer to keep records long before the new laptop arrived, but she preferred putting pen to paper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just did it this way because Im old school, she said. I know all the records are right. Martins sister-in-law, Joann Black, holds that the water districts lone administrator is a bookkeeper by heart. Its right in line with her character, Joann said. Shes meticulous. According to her older brother, Jerry Black, Martin always had good grades, and their parents favored her when they were young. The siblings father died when Martin was seven, and then they moved to Washington with their mother. When their mother married a man who had five teenage sons, Martin went to live in a foster home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin said the siblings stuck together through a turbulent time. In their early adulthoods, she loaned both brothers money for car purchases. She said Black paid her back, but her other brother didnt. She was a loan shark, Black joked. She's been married four times, but neither the swerving love life nor the rigid attention to detail are the highlights of Shane Blacks childhood memories of his aunt. She was our favorite aunt as a kid, Shane said. She didnt have children of her own, so we would go spend time at her house in the summer. We got spoiled there when we went to Aunt Gingers, we got to have our favorite box of cereal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin is part of a support structure at the library that guides elderly patrons through processes related to their Social Security, Medicare and other important services. On a recent Monday, she went to the side office to work on water district issues. She said she likes all the work. If anything, she tries to keep herself busy. Living in a town where most residents relax and retire, Martin has made Bouse a place for meaningful work. When asked in an October interview if she planned to stop working and truly retire, she said no. I enjoy doing it,' she said, "and Ill do it until the day I die if Im able to. Austin Corona covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to austin.corona@arizonarepublic.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Sign up for AZ Climate, our weekly environment newsletter, and follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Ginger Martin holds up Bouse's water district in retirement He may be the worlds most forgiving billionaire. One-time WABC radio host Maria Ryan, a long-rumored paramour of Rudy Giuliani, is suing radio boss John Catsimatidis, claiming his station fired her and the former mayor for standing up against gender discrimination. Maria denied a romantic relationship with Giuliani. Dennis A. Clark But the supermarket mogul still considers Giuliani, a fellow heavywieght in NYCs GOP, his friend. I have always admired Rudy Giuliani, said Catsimatidis, who called him one of Americas greatest mayors ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryan filed a lawsuit Saturday against WABC and Catsimatidis, even as the businessman is negotiating a new deal with Giulianis son Andrew, also a WABC host. Catsimatidis said he and Giuliani still talk, despite the conflict at WABC. I have nothing against him, he told The Post. We fight every 30 years. Ryan, a former hospital CEO who worked at the station from 2021 until she was fired in May, said she repeatedly went to WABC President Chad Lopez with her discrimination concerns, only to have him blame Catsimatidis. Ryan, 60, said she initially worked without pay and then was given a paltry $200 a show for Uncovering the Truth, which she and Giuliani hosted on Sundays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pay rate was below male counterparts, she said in the Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit. The certified nurse practitioner was also forced to provide all four of her degrees to Lopez to validate her credentials as a real medical provider, an experience that was both humiliating and demoralizing, she said in the legal papers. She was also falsely accused of playing unauthorized music on the show and claims bosses threatened to remove her because she mentioned Newsmax on the air breaking an unwritten rule, according to the Manhattan Supreme Court filing. I went to Chad Lopez and said, I feel like this is a hostile work environment. My opinion isnt valued,' she told The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is suing Catsimatidis, Lopez and the station for gender discrimination and unspecified damages. Catsimatidis rejected the claims outright. Rudy Giuliani, one of Americas greatest mayors ever, asked WABC to hire Dr. Maria Ryan to assist Rudy with his weekly radio show, and WABC agreed. Maria was not treated differently than any other WABC employee, he told The Post. WABC radio show paid Maria appropriately, and she never complained to WABC that she was not paid properly because she was a woman. WABC has a proud history of incredible on-air talent, both men and women. Any allegation that women at WABC on-air talent or otherwise are treated differently than men is false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catsimatidis added that Giuliani was suspended from the air on a Friday for disregarding WABC instructions about what was appropriate to discuss on the air. WABC asked Rudy to come to a meeting the following Monday to discuss the matter. He never came to meet. As a result, we ended Marias contract with WABC per the agreement. The radio hosts said she initially worked without pay. X @MariaRyanNH It was an unfortunate end to their time at WABC, and certainly not how we hoped Rudys time at WABC would end. We continue to think very highly of Rudy, the statement said. WABC denies all the allegations of wrongdoing alleged in this court complaint. We look forward to defending ourselves and for the public to learn the truth about what actually happened. Ryan, who came to prominence speaking out against the Centers for Disease Controls handling of the pandemic, said she stuck with the station without voicing her concerns for as long as she could. It was hard for me to even reach out to a lawyer because I was embarrassed, because I took it for so long, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would never tell my granddaughters to do that. I would never tell my employees that. Here I am the one experiencing this and I dont even know how to handle it. She rejected rumors she and Giuliani were romantically involved. The nurse practitioner says her boss forced her to provide her medical credentials. Stefano Giovannini Its very insulting and it feeds into their narrative, said Ryan, a mother of three and grandmother of five who has been married for 43 years. Were not only in a professional relationship, now were family friends. Rudy just spent Thanksgiving at my house in New Hampshire. The only reason we got fired was because Rudy came forward and said, This is a hostile work environment and shes being treated differently because shes a woman.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bankrupt, twice-indicted Giuliani was suspended after ranting on his namesake WABC show about the stolen 2020 presidential election then failed to show up to a subsequent meeting, Catsimatidis said. Giuliani is also expected to sue the station for wrongful termination, said attorney Matthew Blit, who reps both the former mayor and Ryan. The only thing that changed since the day that they were on the air was that Dr. Ryan made a complaint of gender discrimination, and like on Sept. 11, Mayor Rudy courageously stood up for her, causing both to be unlawfully retaliated against, Blit said. Across the Middle East and beyond, the fall of Syrias authoritarian government at the hands of jihadi militants set off waves of jubilation, trepidation and alarm. Expatriate Syrians and many residents across the Middle East exulted at the overthrow of a leader who led his country through 14 years of civil strife that left half a million Syrians dead and displaced millions to countries around the world. Others worried about still more instability rocking a region in turmoil. Governments whether allies or opponents of Assad scrambled to absorb the sudden, stunning development and assess the implications for the Middle East and the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mixed emotions in the Middle East In Lebanon, thousands of Syrians headed for the Masnaa border crossing to return to their home country, despite the uncertainty. Anything is better than Bashar, said Sami Abdel-Latif, a refugee from Hama who was heading back to join his wife and four children. This is a feeling weve been waiting 14 years for, said Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to the capital Damascus. Now, he said, Syrians have to create a state that is well organized and take care of their country. Many citizens in Syria's neighboring countries reacted with joy to news Assad was gone. In Jordans capital, Amman, resident Muhab al-Majali said his fall marked the end of unjust and tyrannical rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians, he said. Others were not so sure, in a region that saw the energy of the 2011 Arab Spring democracy movement collapse into conflict and authoritarian rule. Saeed Sawy, an engineer in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, predicted that Syrias rebel groups would descend into infighting over the countrys future. We saw this happen before, he said. We saw this in Libya, in Tunisia, in Yemen and Sudan. People rejoice over the fall of tyrants, then they disagree and fight, and a civil war starts. Syrias neighbors stepped up security along their borders. Lebanon said it was closing all but one of its land border crossings with Syria. Jordan also closed a border crossing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had temporarily, he said seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement, after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Airstrikes were reported on a military airport near Damascus, which has previously been targeted by Israel, and on other Syrian military sites. Iran, a key ally of Assad, said the Syrian people should decide their countrys future without destructive, coercive foreign intervention. The Foreign Ministry in Tehran said Iran supports Syrias unity and national sovereignty, and hopes to see the end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist activities and the start of a national dialogue with the participation of all groups. The Iraqi government, which is close to Iran, said it supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue for Syria. Egypts foreign ministry urged a comprehensive political process to establish a new era of peace in the war-torn county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of Yemens internationally recognized government welcomed the fall of Assad as a historic moment. Yemens government is at war with the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran. Turkey has backed anti-Assad militant groups in Syria, and could play a key role in what happens next. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the fall of Assad brought hope. He called on the world to help unite and reconstruct Syria. Fidan, who met in Qatar on Saturday with diplomats from Russia and Iran, the main backers of the Assad regime, said regional and global powers should try to act with prudence and calm. Europe urges calm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war sent millions of Syrians fleeing to Europe and expatriates took to the streets in celebration in cities including Paris, London, Stockholm, Helsinki and Athens. Many European governments welcomed Assads departure while urging a rapid return to stability. The end of Assads dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development, said Kaja Kallas, the European Unions newly appointed foreign policy chief, in a post on X. Our priority is to ensure security in the region. I will work with all the constructive partners, in Syria and the region. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement that the end of Assads rule was good news, adding that what matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria. Frances foreign ministry welcomed the fall of Assad, saying the Syrian people have suffered too much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also welcomed the end of Assads "barbaric regime. We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days, he said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for calm and urged work to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions. Russia, which backed Assad with troops and warplanes, said it has been following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, wrote on X that the ousted Syrian leader had suffered the fate of all dictators who bet on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. assesses events In Washington, President Joe Biden was meeting with his national security team Sunday for an update on the situation in Syria. President-elect Donald Trump said in a social media post Saturday, before Assads fall was confirmed: Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria, including U.S. forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. In January 1981, Marta Falcon, mother of Cocaine Cowboy Willy Falcon, was kidnapped with a $500,000 ransom demanded for her release, as T.J. English explains in The Last Kilo: Willy Falcon and the Cocaine Empire That Seduced America (William Morrow, out now). For Falcon, the head of Miamis Los Muchachos drug traffickers, the money was irrelevant. In the larger scheme of cocaine profits, it was chump change, he writes. But something else was at work, something ominous and diabolical. A new book details the Cuban-American narco kings who ran one of the most lucrative illegal drug rackets in US history. Miamis Los Muchachos gang, who experts suggest took in as much as $50 billion during their 80s-era heyday. Falcon Collection He had reason to worry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A month earlier, an associate of Falcons was kidnapped by the same people, and when the ransom didnt materialize, they murdered the kidnap victim, cut his testicles off, and stuffed them into his mouth, English writes. While Marta Falcon was released unharmed, it was a stark reminder of the risks involved in the drug trade even though Falcons operation never used violence, preferring corruption to preserve their place in the narcosphere. Dirty cops, lawyers, judges, and politicians feeding off the profits of the narcosphere is what made the world go round, writes English. This existed at every level of the business, in every country, state, and city where kilos of coke passed through grubby hands on its way to and up the nostrils of the consumer. Over the course of the 1970s and 1980s, Falcon and Salvador Sal Magluta, perfected cocaine trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they were apprehended in 1991, prosecutors estimated Los Muchachos had imported seventy-five tons of pure cocaine into America, although Falcon believed it was nearer 700, with a street value of $50 billion. The range of Los Muchachos influence extended to Colombia and its partnership with Pablo Escobar. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images It made them the preeminent cocaine smugglers during a period when the product if it was a legal commodity, would have dominated the New York Stock Exchange, says English. The Last Kilo is based on interviews English conducted with Augusto Guillermo Willy Falcon following his release from prison in 2017 after a 27-year sentence. Magluta was not available. He was incarcerated, serving a 195-year sentence on cocaine trafficking, obstruction of justice, and money-laundering charges the same charges that ensnared Falcon, writes English. Anti-narcotics policemen stand guard in front of packages of cocaine that were confiscated during an operation in the port of Tumaco, in southwestern Colombia, 20 April, 2002. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1967, the Falcon family fled Cuba during the revolution when Willy was just eleven, settling in Little Havana in Miami. Within a few years, he would be hustling when the emerging cocaine market caught his eye. His first deal in 1976 netted him and then partner, Tony Bemba, a profit of $700,000. When he teamed up with fellow Miami Senior HS dropout Magluta their business went stratospheric. By the time they offloaded their fourth shipment in 1977, they cleared $2.5 million from that single deal alone. A trove of contraband seized by New York City officials reflects the extent to which the illegal drug market has overtaken the US. New York AG By 1983, demand for cocaine was insatiable. It wasnt just high rollers indulging, it was lawyers, real estate agents, politicians, and police officers and Falcon was making $100 million a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cocaine broke down inhibitions and made revelers get it on, English explains. For a time, Falcon and those like him became stars in their own right. They were the deliverers of good times. Los Muchachos bought airplanes, built landing strips in rural Florida, and developed their own impregnable short-wave radio communication system. The Los Muchachos crowd out and about during the 1980s. John R. Lawrence Later, they worked the West Coast, driving 100 kilo loads from Florida to Los Angeles and San Francisco. They even dealt with notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, who called Falcon The Doctor because he cured his distribution problems. In the mid-1980s Falcon moved to New York where a new drug crack threatened the profitability and, ironically, the reputation of his operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was no longer about speedboats, women in bikinis and disco balls, says English. The good times had taken a dark turn. The long-running War on Drugs launched by President Nixon in 1971 compounded matters. Having spent $47 billion, Congress allocated an additional $11 billion to it. The War on Drugs entered a new phase; it was an orchestrated propaganda war, says English. Cocaine traffickers were more likely viewed as merchants of death and destruction and un-American. The Last Kilo was written by T.J. English. After years of investigation, writes Author T.J. English, they finally had the tiger by the tail. Sam Henriques Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time, the pair discussed getting out of cocaine. But the business had become a commercial juggernaut with thousands in South America and the US dependent on it. The spigot could not simply be shut off without immediate and dire consequences, says English. Awash with cash, they plowed money into more legitimate concerns. They launched construction firms and bought a ranch and a farm, with its own private airstrip. And they indulged themselves with powerboats, winning multiple races with their team Seahawk. Magluta was even on the commission overseeing the American Power Boat Association. They were the kings of their domain, adds English. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in October 1991, they were finally caught. Magluta was first to be apprehended when a 25-man team from the U.S. The Marshals Service stormed his palatial La Gorce Island home. Five hours later, Falcons Fort Lauderdale mansion was raided and as he was arrested, Falcon shouted: Fk you all bitches! As well as a million dollars in cash and gold bullion, the raids netted fake drivers licenses and passports, unlicensed firearms, and, critically, ledgers detailing financial transactions. It was game over for Los Muchachos. After years of investigation, writes English, they finally had the tiger by the tail. Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin offered up an unusual defense for Donald Trumps defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth amid claims he has a drinking problem, arguing theres a lot of alcohol that flows through Washington. This week, NBC News reported that Hegseths drinking habits worried a number of his former colleagues at Fox News, who claimed that he often smelled of alcohol before going on air. Hegseth would complain about being hungover and acted like the rules didnt apply to him, according to ten current and former Fox News employees who spoke to the outlet. Hegseth left Fox News after President-elect Trump selected him to lead the Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mullin, in conversation with CNNs Jake Tapper on Sunday, defended Hegseth against these claims. Tapper played the Oklahoma senator two clips. The first showed Hegseth on a recent episode of The Megyn Kelly Show claiming he never had a drinking problem, and the second featured Hegseth on The Will Cain Show describing how he would want a drink at 10 a.m. and self-medicate using alcohol after returning from serving in Iraq. Mullin went on to claim Hegseth never said he had a drinking problem in the second clip. Jake, that wasnt him saying he had an alcohol problem, Mullin said. That was him being honest. Unfortunately, a lot of our combat vets have come back and face the same thing. Pete Hegseth faced questions about a possible drinking problem following a report that his Fox News colleagues were concerned about his level of alcohol consumption (Getty Images) Theyve had a lot of experience that the regular population doesnt, he continued. They have these memories, these thoughts, these sounds, the smells that are still coming back to them and they turn to drinking with their buddies. That doesnt mean that they had a drinking problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tapper responded by noting that needing an alcoholic drink at 10 a.m. is a drinking problem. Well, then theres a lot of politicians that have a drinking problem, Mullin shot back. Theres probably a lot of media that has a drinking problem too. Theres a lot of alcohol that flows through Washington, D.C. on a regular basis, and I wouldnt say that people are alcoholics or they have a drinking problem because of that, he added. Many of Hegseths former colleagues at Fox News have also defended him from these claims. Fox & Friends Weekend host Will Cain called the claims 100 percent bulls*** and horses***. Rachel Campos-Duffy, who co-hosted the morning show with Cain and Hegseth until Hegseths recent departure, agreed with Cain and said NBC didnt reach out to her for their report. Sen. Markwayne Mullin defended defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth to CNNs Jake Tapper Sunday (CNN) The losers at NBC News never reached out to me either. Will Cain is right your story IS horse****. You now have 2 people who sat next to him 8+ hours a week on the record. Will you retract or correct your story? Campos-Duffy posted on X. Worth repeating, NBC News used anonymous sources & unconfirmed stories to smear Pete Hegseth as a drunk on the job & never once asked his FOX & Friends coworkers who sit right next to him??? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Trump campaign spokesperson also said that claims Hegseth has a drinking problem are untrue. These disgusting allegations are completely unfounded and false, and anyone peddling these defamatory lies to score political cheap shots is sickening, the spokesperson told NBC News. As a decorated combat veteran, Pete has never done anything to jeopardize that, and he is treating his nomination as the most important deployment of his life. Hegseth is also facing sexual assault allegations by a woman who alleges he trapped her in a hotel room in 2017. The veteran reached a financial settlement with the woman after authorities didnt charge him. Hegseth has denied all wrongdoing, claiming the encounter was consensual. Each Christmas for almost 40 years the Lacey family, which hails from the western North Carolina mountain town of Newland, sets up shop on a small lot in the Lowcountry city of Beaufort where they sell sweet smelling Fraser firs whose triangular shape is perfect for Christmas trees. Over the years, the lot, located on a busy stretch of palm tree-lined Sea Island Parkway on Ladys Island, has become a fixture during the holidays because of the 42-foot-tall inflatable snowman that marks its location and the family from the North Carolina mountains thats returned each year to run it ever since Ronald Reagan was in the White House. The ravages of Helene Just three months ago, Lacey and her family were among dozens of Christmas tree farmers in western North Carolina who were hard hit by Hurricane Helene, and she wondered whether they would return to Beaufort this year. North Carolina is second in the nation in Christmas trees harvested, in large part due to the dark blue-green Fraser fir that grows in the shallow rocky soils of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were just country folks who work hard, Debbie Lacey said Friday, as she walked between rows of 10-foot tall Fraser firs, one of the nations top selling Christmas trees, as she explained the annual holiday journey of her family to the Lowcountry and the trees they grow and market here. Lacey still gets emotional as she ticks off storm statistics like it was yesterday 1,800 mudslides, more than 100 dead and some 450 people still missing. The basement of her own mothers house was covered by 7 feet of water. When it receded, 3 feet of mud remained. Our area, says Lacey, pausing to collect herself as her eyes quickly welled up with tears, was absolutely devastated. We had a family member who was killed in a mudslide. Mom Debbie and daughter Jennifer are part of the Lacey family, which sells Christmas trees along Sea Island Parkway on Ladys Island. The North Carolina crew has been selling trees in Beaufort since 1988. Lacey doesnt think she will see the full recovery of her beloved mountains in her lifetime. One Christmas tree farming family, Lacey noted, lost 60,000 trees. Laceys grandchildren are selling hot chocolate at the Christmas tree lot in Beaufort to raise money for that family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lacey familys initial fears centered on being able to access the waterlogged fields with heavy trucks and the devastation to the regions transportation infrastructure. The storm hit Sept. 27. It took until the end of October before the highways and local roads began to reopen. The family, she says, was lucky compared to many. Her mood improves as she recalls the help that came pouring in following the hurricane. Some of that help, she points out, came call the way from Beaufort. We feel blessed we were still able to be here, Lacey says. Since the Christmas tree lot opened last month, says Lacey, some Beaufort residents have stopped by just to pray for the family and their neighbors back in North Carolina. One person gave the Laceys a $4,000 check to be delivered to families in need during Christmas. Thats how much trust the locals place in the owners of the family-owned Christmas tree lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just about everybody in town I know comes here, said Robby Gwinn, a resident whos been buying his trees at the Mountain Beech Farm for years. The Laceys, he adds, take good care of their trees and keep them in water so the needles survive longer. Between 750-800 trees are sold each during a season, ranging in size from 5 to 12 feet tall. The cost per tree is $75 to $290. Increased transportation and land costs due to the hurricane have caused minor increases in tree prices this year, Lacey said. A tree that would have cost $95 now costs $100. The family also had fewer 5-6-foot-tall trees as a result of the storm. Instead, the family cut 6-7-foot-tall trees down to 5-6-feet tall, but kept the price the same. Weve eaten that cost, Lacey says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, an 18 foot Fraser Fir from the Cartner Family of Cartners Christmas Tree Farm in North Carolina was chosen to adorn the White House, a tribute to the resilience of North Carolina communities affected by Hurricane Helene. In 1990, the Laceys of Beech Mountain Farms received that same honor when a tree from their land was picked for display inside the White House. Despite the hurricane, the quality of Beech Mountain Farms trees remains strong and sales have been brisk in Beaufort with the trees on the front lot now all that remain, Lacey said. They hold their Christmas tree shape really well, Laceys daughter, Jennifer, says of the Fraser fir, citing one of the qualities that make it popular. Another factor is the trees woody aroma. Fraser firs are sold at the a tree lot on Ladys Island. Immediately following the storm, Lacey initially had doubts about making the annual pilgrimage to Beaufort to sell Christmas trees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 1988, the family has trucked trees from their home in Newland in Avery County to the Ladys Island location but its more than a business. Children have celebrated countless Christmases on the tree lot. Long-time Beaufort customers have embraced their Tar Heel neighbors like theyre Lowcountry kin, routinely dropping off locally caught shrimp and even dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Ill tell you what, says Jennifer, They take care of us. Locals like Beaufort firefighter Devin Mitchell, who enjoys the camaraderie of the job and the happy atmosphere on the tree lot, work for the Laceys year after year. Each year, Devin Mitchell, a Beaufort firefighter, helps out at the Beech Mountain Farms Christmas tree lot on Ladys Island. The camaraderie, he says, when asked why. The happiness of the people. The North Carolina family has been coming to Beaufort for so long that Laceys children are now selling Christmas trees, sometimes to customers who were kids themselves when they first ran through the rows of Fraser firs smelling the piney air. Besides daughter Jennifer, son Stephen also is part of the crew, and Laceys husband Bruce operates a second tree lot with a partner on Hilton Head Island. Even first cousin Jim Pritchard of Bluffton helps out. The support that South Carolinians have shown the North Carolina Christmas tree farmers following the Hurricane Helene is heartwarming to Lacey, especially at a time when people claim theres so much wrong with the world. Its not about politics, Lacey says. Its about loving and caring for people. Along a highway just south of Fox, Ore., ranch owners post their support for the movement to join Idaho. If Eastern Oregon succeeds in joining Idaho, it could breathe life into similar secessionist movements nationwide. (Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline) The leaders of the Greater Idaho movement have asked President-elect Donald Trump to support their efforts to have counties in eastern Oregon join Idaho a state they say is more in tune with them politically, economically and culturally. Unlike typical politicians, you have a unique ability as a practical problem-solver to get things done, and your support can bring a peaceful resolution to Oregons long-standing east-west divide, the three leaders said in a Dec. 4 letter to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt McCaw, the executive director of Citizens for Greater Idaho, said Thursday morning that the group has not yet received a response from Trump. It takes time for these things to filter through, but we are hopeful that somebody from the administration will reach out to us and pick this up, McCaw said. This is an idea whose time has come. The letter also was signed by Mike McCarter, president of Citizens for Greater Idaho, and Sandie Gilson, the vice president. Trumps background in business and not politics is an advantage, McCaw said: Hes a businessperson, hes a problem-solver. Hes shown that hes been open to outside-the-box thinking. And we think that this is a perfect fit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the last four years, voters in 13 eastern Oregon counties have passed initiatives requiring county commissioners to meet regularly to discuss the merits of moving the Oregon-Idaho border so that the counties are part of Idaho. McCaw said a meeting with Trump or a surrogate would allow the Greater Idaho officials to bring the administration up to speed on the movement. And after that, he said, what we would hope is that the administration could help get the state of Oregon to the negotiating table. The people of eastern Oregon want this to happen, McCaw said. The people of Idaho want this to happen. However, the letter to Trump said, Oregons Legislature and governor remain sullen, preferring to ignore the results of these citizens initiatives while continuing to march the state ever more left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter added that eastern Oregon residents recognize that representative government will never come from Oregon because we are outvoted on every issue the progressives put forth, leaving us completely disenfranchised. While Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris easily won in Oregon, outpolling Trump by more than 320,000 votes, it was a different story in the 13 eastern Oregon counties in the Greater Idaho effort: Trump beat Harris by more than 50,000 votes in the region. One of the proposed Greater Idaho maps, which calls for several Eastern Oregon counties to secede and join Idaho. (Courtesy of greateridaho.org) Legislative approval needed for Greater Idaho proposal The border change would require the approval of the Oregon and Idaho legislatures and, eventually, the U.S. Congress. A measure urging leaders of the two states to discuss the change passed the Idaho House of Representatives in 2023 but languished in the state Senate. A similar measure was introduced in the 2023 Oregon Legislature but went nowhere. McCaw said he expects Greater Idaho measures will be introduced again in the Oregon and Idaho legislatures in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, Greater Idaho leaders sent a letter to Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek asking for a meeting. Kotek has not responded, McCaw said, but the offer stands: We would love to sit down with the governor and start that conversation and advocate for the people of eastern Oregon and see where it would go from there. In a September conversation with eastern Oregon journalists, Kotek said she had received the invitation but had not yet decided how to respond. Im still considering whether that makes sense to go, she said at the time. I very much respect all the Oregonians who made their voices heard and said were frustrated when they voted for the measures in their counties. . I think what Im trying to figure out is, whats the best way to continue that conversation with Oregonians? The Oregon governors office did not immediately respond to an Oregon Capital Chronicle request for comment on Thursday. This article was first published by The Oregon Capital Chronicle, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X. The Greater Idaho movement calls for several eastern Oregon counties to secede and join Idaho. (Courtesy of GreaterIdaho.org) The leaders of the Greater Idaho movement have asked President-elect Donald Trump to support their efforts to have counties in eastern Oregon join Idaho a state they say is more in tune with them politically, economically and culturally. Unlike typical politicians, you have a unique ability as a practical problem-solver to get things done, and your support can bring a peaceful resolution to Oregons long-standing east-west divide, the three leaders said in a Dec. 4 letter to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt McCaw, the executive director of Citizens for Greater Idaho, said Thursday morning that the group has not yet received a response from Trump. It takes time for these things to filter through, but we are hopeful that somebody from the administration will reach out to us and pick this up, McCaw said. This is an idea whose time has come. The letter also was signed by Mike McCarter, president of Citizens for Greater Idaho, and Sandie Gilson, the vice president. Trumps background in business and not politics is an advantage, McCaw said: Hes a businessperson, hes a problem-solver. Hes shown that hes been open to outside-the-box thinking. And we think that this is a perfect fit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the last four years, voters in 13 eastern Oregon counties have passed initiatives requiring county commissioners to meet regularly to discuss the merits of moving the Oregon-Idaho border so that the counties are part of Idaho. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX McCaw said a meeting with Trump or a surrogate would allow the Greater Idaho officials to bring the administration up to speed on the movement. And after that, he said, what we would hope is that the administration could help get the state of Oregon to the negotiating table. The people of eastern Oregon want this to happen, McCaw said. The people of Idaho want this to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the letter to Trump said, Oregons Legislature and governor remain sullen, preferring to ignore the results of these citizens initiatives while continuing to march the state ever more left. The letter added that eastern Oregon residents recognize that representative government will never come from Oregon because we are outvoted on every issue the progressives put forth, leaving us completely disenfranchised. While Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris easily won in Oregon, outpolling Trump by more than 320,000 votes, it was a different story in the 13 eastern Oregon counties in the Greater Idaho effort: Trump beat Harris by more than 50,000 votes in the region. Legislative approval needed The border change would require the approval of the Oregon and Idaho legislatures and, eventually, the U.S. Congress. A measure urging leaders of the two states to discuss the change passed the Idaho House of Representatives in 2023 but languished in the state Senate. A similar measure was introduced in the 2023 Oregon Legislature but went nowhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCaw said he expects Greater Idaho measures will be introduced again in the Oregon and Idaho legislatures in 2025. In July, Greater Idaho leaders sent a letter to Gov. Tina Kotek asking for a meeting. Kotek has not responded, McCaw said, but the offer stands: We would love to sit down with the governor and start that conversation and advocate for the people of eastern Oregon and see where it would go from there. In a September conversation with eastern Oregon journalists, Kotek said she had received the invitation but had not yet decided how to respond. Im still considering whether that makes sense to go, she said at the time. I very much respect all the Oregonians who made their voices heard and said were frustrated when they voted for the measures in their counties. . I think what Im trying to figure out is, whats the best way to continue that conversation with Oregonians? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors office did not immediately respond to a Capital Chronicle request for comment on Thursday. Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Flags were flying freely outside the Hard Rock Casino Rockford in remembrance of Pearl Harbor on Saturday. 99-year-old James Castellano was one of 83 World War II veterans from Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana being celebrated at the casino on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Its beyond our belief that were still remembered after so many years that were being honored so beautifully, said Castellano. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Beloit nonprofit VetsRoll organized the event. Organizers said it was the largest Peral Harbor Remembrance Day gathering of World War II veterans nationwide in the last 20 years. It is a historic event for Rockford, Illinois. I dont know any other event that has that will have this many people of this generation in 2024 together again, said Vets Roll volunteer Carl Nuccio. This is the greatest generation the worlds ever seen. And these are just absolutely amazing people. And their stories are just incredible. And its so important to let them know that what they did for our country is not forgotten. 83 years later. And we want them to walk out of here today knowing how important they are to us and to the world. The vets were treated to lunch, music and brief speeches from community and military leaders. Each vet also heard their name called in honor of their service. When Castellano was asked what he wanted the next generation to remember from the greatest generation, he said to remember to be patriotic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That they live in the greatest country in the world, and that they should be appreciative, said the World War II vet. Theres no better place in the world than the United States, and Im proud that Ive served one. Im looking forward to what the Lord is going to serve after this. And it cant be much better. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) Police did not find a gun in the backpack belonging to the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson that was discovered in Central Park in New York City Friday, sources said. The manhunt continued on Saturday for the gunman who killed the 50-year-old UnitedHealthcare CEO outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan Wednesday morning. More Local News Thompson was walking to the hotel where he was to speak at an investor conference when the gunman approached him from behind and fatally shot him, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Wednesday. At this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack. The words delay, deny and depose were scrawled on the ammunition, one word on each of three bullets, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. The messages mirror the phrase delay, deny, defend, which is commonly used by lawyers and critics about insurers that delay payments, deny claims and defend their actions. Video of the gunman fleeing Wednesdays shooting showed him riding a bicycle into Central Park and later taking a taxi to a bus terminal that offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C, according to the police chief. Police have video of the man entering the bus station but no video of him exiting, leading them to believe he left the city, Kenny said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, police searched the pond near Bethesda Fountain in Central Park looking for additional evidence in the case. The manner in which they were able to follow his footsteps to recover evidence some of it is known, some of it is unknown the net is tightening, and were going to bring this person to justice, Mayor Eric Adams said about the investigation Saturday. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A wanted man is in custody after an over ten-mile-long chase, deputies say. On Dec. 6, deputies with the Caldwell County Sheriffs Office observed a burgundy Toyota Highlander that was known to be registered to 38-year-old Brian Keith Greene of Lenoir. Officials say Greene was wanted by the North Carolina Probation and Parole for a probation violation as well as several additional warrants for his arrest. He was also suspected of fleeing officers from another agency in the same vehicle on Nov. 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies watched the Toyota on Piedmont Drive before attempting a traffic stop on the vehicle. Deputies say Greene fled, initiating a pursuit through Lenoir. The Lenoir Police Department and Caldwell County Emergency Management assisted in the pursuit. The chase ended on Overlook Drive after Greene struck several mailboxes and exited the roadway, immobilizing the vehicle. Greene proceeded to flee on foot but was later located via drone about 25 yards from the vehicle. Greene was arrested and was searched by deputies, who found methamphetamine and fentanyl wrapped in money. Greene was charged and given a secured bond of $150,000 by the Caldwell County Sheriffs Office for the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Felony Flee to Elude Arrest with a Motor Vehicle Possession of Methamphetamine Possession of Schedule 1 Controlled Substance Maintaining a Vehicle for the Use of Controlled Substance He was also served with outstanding warrants and given an additional secured bond of $75,000 for: Fleeing to Elude Arrest Driving while License Revoked Reckless Driving Speeding Failure to Wear Seat Belt Driving Left of Center Lastly, he was served with an outstanding warrant from NC Probation and Parole for Interfering with an Electronic Monitoring Device and Damage to Property. His bond was set at $25,000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Social media was flooded with jokes on Saturday afternoon after President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged one of their memorably long, white-knuckled handshakes while meeting in France. Ahead of the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Trump and Macron greeted each other with a 10-second long embrace in which Trump assertively grabbed the French presidents hand and shook it with gusto. Macron and Trump maintained their handshake for a few seconds while posing for photos (REUTERS) At one point, when Macron seemingly tried to pull away Trump tightened his grip and brought Macron closer for a photo-op. After posing for photos, Macron maintained a firm grip and shook the presidents arm, ushering him into the Elysee Palace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a familiar greeting that some may recall was a staple of their relationship while Trump was president from 2017 to 2020. Ive missed the Trump-Macron arm-wrestles, television personality Piers Morgan wrote on X. While meeting in early 2017, Trump and Macron exchanged an equally awkward handshake in front of the press where Trump attempted to pull away only for the French president to tighten his grip. 7 years later and the handshake battle continues between Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron. pic.twitter.com/hV0uKKan8b Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 7, 2024 Later that same year, the two maintained a handshake for a whopping 29 seconds with both men refusing to break away easily. In 2018, Macron left a visible imprint on the then-U.S. presidents hand after a handshake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welcome to the latest round of the Trump/Macron handshake power struggle saga one person wrote on X in response to Saturdays variation of the handshake. Theres that handshake again, another person commented. The handshake!! I will admit I missed *this* part of the circus, another X user said. Looks like my uncle trying to dap me https://t.co/eFuOOVeXwT Jack Brewster (@jbruce218) December 7, 2024 Trump is known for his firm handshakes, which some have perceived as a method to establish dominance over the other person. But Macron and Trumps greeting is particularly of note because the French president told a newspaper in 2017 that the handshake was not innocent and represented a moment of truth. As the search for Hannah Kobayashi continues, and after she was determined to be a "voluntary missing person" for crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, officials and expats in Tijuana say they believe little has been done to spread the word locally about her disappearance. Guillermo Manjarrez, commander of the State Police, Binational Unit, Unidad de Enlace Internacional, tells PEOPLE that speaking with a reporter marked "the first I've heard about" Hannah's case. Manjarrez, who acts as a liaison between the U.S. and Mexico, has previously worked with the Los Angeles Police Department, FBI and other U.S. police departments to help locate missing persons and says that the LAPD had not contacted him about Hannah's disappearance and that "no one is looking for her here." "If she doesn't have a warrant, I cannot bring her back to the U.S.," he says. "I can find her to let her family know that she's safe, but I cannot bring her back." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: After 'Voluntary' Disappearance, Hannah Kobayashi's Family Plans to Search for Her in Mexico: 'They Deserve Closure' Courtesy of Larie Pidgeon Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi Others in Tijuana tell PEOPLE they have not heard about Hannah's case either. PEOPLE spoke with multiple expats at cafes, bars, hostels and other locations where they frequent in Ensenada, Rosarito Beach and Tijuana with few claiming they were familiar with Hannah's disappearance. As previously reported, the 30-year-old Hawaii woman has been the subject of a search in Los Angeles for multiple weeks after she did not board her connecting flight to New York City on Nov. 9 and sent what were described as "alarming" text messages to her family. Authorities in Los Angeles have since determined her to be a "voluntary missing person" after discovering she crossed the U.S.-Mexico border on foot on Nov. 12, just after noon local time. Her aunt has since told PEOPLE that the search for Hannah is "not over" and that the latest insight into her potential international whereabouts "does not provide the answers I need, nor does it ease the heartbreak I feel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Courtesy of Larie Pidgeon Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi "It's pretty sad," says Denis Forchette, an 82-year-old Canadian expat in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. "I have no idea what she's up to. Mexico is a big place." "No one has talked about it," he adds. "I feel bad for her." Joshua Mohr, a San Diego business owner who has lived in Tijuana for nine years, adds that the area "can be dangerous" with missing person posters "everywhere." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Here, they find a body and they report it," Mohr notes. "There hasn't been anything reported about Hannah. It seems like they could be doing more to find her." Related: Hannah Kobayashi's Family Is 'Actively Investigating' Claim She Was Secretly Married Before She Went Off the Grid Attorney Sara Azari, who is working with Hannahs mother, Brandi Yee, and sister, Sydni Kobayashi, told PEOPLE on Wednesday, Dec. 4, that "the search is not over" for their relative after Los Angeles police reviewed video showing Hannah walking into Tijuana. They have to take matters in their own hands, which is why I stepped in, Azari said, adding that the family won't be waiting to hear from Hannah. The family's attorney said the first step is to get Mexican media involved to raise public awareness about Hannah's disappearance. "I plan on getting people involved both through the State Department and in Mexico, Azari said. This, obviously, has to be escalated, because the last thing we know according to LAPD is that she was in Tijuana and Baja [California, a Mexican state]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement God knows if she's still there, if she's still safe, because a lot of time has passed, Azari added. But at least we need to start there unless and until we get leads that she might be somewhere else. After Los Angeles magazine published a report this week alleging that before her case unfolded, Hannah may have engaged in a secret marriage for money" (citing anonymous sources), Azari said that the family has not "confirmed the accuracy of the information provided about a possible secret marriage" and are "actively investigating." Lt. Doug Oldfield, one of the investigators in Hannah's case, told PEOPLE that they are not examining the report, as it's "the point of rumor and that we can't confirm if it's correct." It is especially important not to perpetuate speculation that anyone is involved in a scam, Azari told PEOPLE, as this only hinders our efforts to find Hannah and bring clarity and closure to the nightmare we are living because of her disappearance. Read the original article on People Hannah Kobayashi, a Hawaii woman police believe voluntarily went missing while traveling to New York, met a man shortly after landing in Los Angeles and then spent the day with him before crossing into Mexico, according to authorities. Kobayashi departed from her native Maui on Friday, Nov. 8., and was scheduled to catch a connecting flight from Los Angeles International Airport later that night. Instead she left the airport and connected with a stranger days later, spending nine hours exploring downtown L.A. with him as they made their way toward Union Station. We have this gentleman, we have them walking [on surveillance video], Lt. Doug Oldfield told People, adding they spent days reviewing the footage to ensure nothing bad happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were looking hey, does this person seem like shes in distress, what does she look like? We see a lot of smiling, he continued. Police said they managed to track the man down just days after Kobayashi was first reported missing on Nov. 13. He told authorities they met at LAXs train stop around 9 p.m. on Nov. 11 and struck up a conversation. He said Kobayashi did not appear in distress and mentioned wanting to see the Redwoods as well as her travel plans to New York. We havent spoken to her, Oldfield said, but from what we gather is that she was looking to understand how to get to Union Station and that he was going to assist in getting her there. When they arrived at the station, the pair spent several more hours together and ate dinner before going to sleep in a waiting area. Kobayashi later gathered her belongings and walked off on her own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oldfield said police have been able corroborate the mans version of events, primarily via surveillance video, which shows Kobayashi buying a bus ticket shortly after 6 a.m. on Nov. 12. She arrived at the Mexico border roughly four hours later and walked into Tijuana around noon. Police emphasized the unidentified man committed no crime and that Kobayashi is not suspected to be the victim of foul play. Earlier this week, law enforcement declared Kobayashi willfully crossed into Mexico and had been reclassified as a voluntary missing person. The decision sparked backlash from her loved ones, who believe something more nefarious occurred. In the January 2025 issue of Reason, we're giving performance reviews of Joe Biden's presidency. Click here to read the other entries. To win the Democratic primaries four years ago, Joe Biden had to take a left turn on criminal justice, offering voters a smorgasbord of reforms to a carceral system he had helped build over his decades as a tough-on-crime senator. As Biden's presidency sputters to an end, the White House has made strides on some of those goals but failed to deliver on many others. Biden's voluminous 2020 criminal justice platform (now scrubbed from his website) advocated eliminating mandatory minimum sentences, cash bail, and the federal death penalty. It called for ending the "school-to-prison pipeline" and heavily investing in mental health counselors at schools and in juvenile justice programs that provide alternatives to incarceration. Biden also promised to use the Justice Department to investigate systemic misconduct by police departments, and he vowed to use his clemency powers to free "individuals facing unduly long sentences for certain non-violent and drug crimes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden's platform was still moderated by his old drug-warrior tendencies. For instance, it called only for decriminalizing marijuana rather than legalizing it, and it insisted on diverting individuals to drug courts and involuntary treatment. Still, The Marshall Project, a criminal justice news outlet, called it "the most progressive criminal justice platform of any major party candidate in generations." Criminal justice advocates were dismayed, then, when Biden's belated moves on marijuana failed to fundamentally alter the drug's illegal status or the lingering injustices of drug convictions, such as barriers to employment, housing, and civil rights. Biden's son Hunter fell awry of those very laws when he was convicted in June of lying on a federal gun-purchase form by claiming he was not addicted to or using illegal drugs. The Biden administration has in fact defended the federal ban on gun ownership by illegal drug users against legal challenges from medical marijuana advocates. Some of the Biden campaign's most ambitious proposals, such as repealing mandatory minimums, would have required new laws to be passed, which is not the White House's joband apparently not Congress' anymore either. But on other pledges, the Biden administration has unilaterally reversed course. Despite Biden's pledge to end the federal death penalty, Justice Department attorneys have sought the death penalty in the cases of defendants accused of mass shootings in Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration has followed through on some of its promises, though. The Justice Department has once again, after a four-year lull during the Trump administration, revived investigations into systemic constitutional abuses by rotten police departments, exposing illegal tactics in Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Louisville. Biden also appointed a reform-minded director to the Bureau of Prisons, which has been racked by sexual assault scandals and widespread corruption. Biden did not deliver on his loftiest promises, and what he did accomplish could be easily reversed by the next occupant of the Oval Office. Many of his goals at the beginning of the term were commendable, but he lacked initiative, was easily sidetracked, and failed to work up to his potential. Criminal justice policy performance review: incomplete assignments and missing homework The post What Happened to Biden's Ambitious Criminal Justice Reform Plans? appeared first on Reason.com. LONDON (AP) Half a century of rule by the Assad family in Syria crumbled with astonishing speed after insurgents burst out of a rebel-held enclave and converged on the capital, Damascus, taking city after city in a matter of days. Opposition forces swept across the country and entered Damascus with little or no resistance as the Syrian army melted away. President Bashar Assad, Syrias ruler for 24 years succeeding his father, Hafez Assad fled the country. Russian state media reported that he was in Moscow. Its a stunning development in Syrias devastating 13-year conflict. Anti-government protests in 2011 met with a brutal crackdown, escalating into a civil war that has killed more than half a million people and displaced half of Syrias prewar population of 23 million. Assad, backed by Iran and Russia, gradually regained control of more than two-thirds of Syria, leaving the rebels with one stronghold in the northwest of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And there the conflict remained, largely frozen, for years until late November. Heres a look at a seismic two weeks for the Middle East. Wednesday, Nov. 27: Rebel offensive begins Armed opposition groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces in northwestern Syria and claim to have wrested control of over 15 villages from government forces in northwestern Aleppo province. The government and its allies respond with airstrikes and shelling in an attempt to halt the insurgent advances. The offensive is led by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaida and known as the Nusra Front, HTS later distanced itself from al-Qaida, seeking to market itself as a more moderate group. It is classed as a terrorist group by the United Nations and the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack on Aleppo follows weeks of simmering low-level violence, including government attacks on opposition-held areas. Turkey, a main backer of Syrian opposition groups, says the rebels began a limited offensive to stop the attacks, but it expanded as government forces began to retreat. Thursday, Nov. 28: The offensive expands The offensive expands to reach the countryside of Idlib province amid reports government troops are retreating. Friday, Nov. 29: Rebels enter Aleppo The insurgents enter Aleppo, Syrias largest city, for the first time since they were pushed out in 2016 after a grueling military campaign by Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran. They meet with little resistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturday, Nov. 30: Aleppo falls under insurgent control The rebels say they control Aleppo, raising a flag over the citys citadel and occupying the international airport. The Syrian armed forces claim to have redeployed troops and equipment in preparation for a counterattack. By evening, the insurgents have seized at least four towns in the central Hama province and claim to have entered the provincial capital. Sunday, Dec. 1: The government fights back The Syrian military launches a counterattack with troops and airstrikes on Idlib and Aleppo. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits Damascus, telling Assad that Tehran will support the counteroffensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Assad receives little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular airstrikes. Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assads forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Monday, Dec. 2-Wednesday, Dec. 4: Fighting rages near Hama The insurgents push south, advancing to within 10 kilometers (6 miles) of Hama, the countrys fourth-largest city and a key crossroads in central Syria, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Damascus. State media reports fierce fighting in the province, and both state media and a U.K.-based observer group say government forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have recaptured some territory. Turkey urges Assad to hold talks with the opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, Dec. 5: Insurgents capture Hama After several days of fighting the rebels sweep into Hama. Dozens of jubilant fighters are seen firing into the air in celebration in Assi Square, the site of massive anti-government protests in the early days of the uprising in 2011. The Syrian army says it has redeployed to positions outside the city to protect civilians. Friday, Dec. 6: Rebels advance on Homs Rapidly advancing now, the rebels seize two towns on the outskirts of Homs, Syrias third-largest city. About 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Hama, Homs is the gateway to Damascus and the location of one of Syrias two state-owned oil refineries. Capturing it would cut the link between Damascus, Assads seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government denies reports that its military has withdrawn from the city. Top diplomats from countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Russia, hold talks on Syria in the Qatari capital, Doha. Saturday, Dec. 7: Homs falls and Assads grip weakens Opposition forces take Homs after government forces abandon it. The insurgents say they have encircled Damascus and are carrying out the final stage of their offensive. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition, as Syrian state media denies Assad has fled the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday, Dec. 8: Assad is toppled Syrian state television airs a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all prisoners have been set free. HTS commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani visits the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and calls Assads fall a victory for the Islamic nation. Russian officials and Iranian state TV say Assad has left Syria. Russian state news agencies later report he and his family are in Moscow and were granted asylum. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali says Syria's government is ready to extend its hand to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. The Harvard University Police Department are issuing warnings of phishing scams against the community, targeting the university affiliates. According to police, the scams seem to come from falsified school email accounts that appear to offer the recipients of the email free musical instruments in exchange for payment of delivery costs. Other emails that people have received seem to come from alleged students seemingly looking to either purchase gift cards, or professors looking for job opportunities or to send job applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scammers will ask the recipients to text them, and ask for payment by an online money transfer, typically from PayPal, CashApp, or Venmo. In addition to these phishing scams, police have also received numerous reports of spoofing emails and cyberbullying incidents. If you or someone you know has been scammed, there are ways that you can report it: Local Police Departments Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov/ If the scammers obtained your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov (https://www.identitytheft.gov/), to see what steps to take including how to monitor your credit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Twelve of the 15 Salisbury University students accused of attacking and beating a man in Maryland because of his sexual orientation had their hate crime and first-degree assault charges dismissed, court records show. All 15 students were arrested last month for allegedly punching, kicking, spitting on and calling a man derogatory names after luring him into an off-campus apartment on Oct. 15 under false pretenses, according to Salisbury police. The students, ages 18 to 21, originally faced several charges including first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment and associated hate crime charges, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Sunday, court records show that 12 of the accused students are only facing a charge of false imprisonment and had their felony first-degree assault charge downgraded to a misdemeanor second-degree assault. They are: Riley Brister, 20; Bennan Aird, 18; Ryder Baker, 20; Cruz Cespedes, 19; Dylan Earp, 20; Cameron Guy, 18; Jacob Howard, 19; Eric Sinclair, 21; Patrick Gutierrez, 19; Dylan Pietuszka, 20; Sean Antone, 19; and Benjamin Brandenburg, 18. The remaining charges accusing them of reckless endangerment and committing hate crimes were dropped following preliminary hearings last week. We have charged as appropriate based on reviews of the evidence gathered so far during the course of the investigation, the Wicomico County States Attorneys Office in Maryland said in a statement Sunday. As this is a pending criminal prosecution, we are unable to comment further at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve Rakow, an attorney for Brister, one of the students, said in an email, While still serious charges, this never was a hate crime and certainly was never a felony first-degree assault. Rakow continued: As of now, my client maintains his innocence. Should the state make a plea offer in this case, well evaluate that and make a decision on whether to accept the plea or go to trial. A trial for Brister and nine of the other students was scheduled for Jan. 29 at the Wicomico County District Court. Trials for Antone and Pietuszka were set for Jan. 23 and 24, respectively, in the same court. Attorneys for Aird and Earp declined to comment. NBC News has called and emailed the attorneys of the remaining nine students whose hate crime and felony assault charges were dismissed but did not receive immediate responses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other students had their cases moved to the Wicomico County Circuit Court. These are Zachary Leinemann, 18, and Elijah Johnson, 19. While both of them had their reckless endangerment charges dropped and their assault charge downgraded, they continue to face false imprisonment and hate crime charges, court records show. Both Leinemann and Johnson have their initial court appearances scheduled for Jan. 3. Logan Clark, 19, is still facing two counts of first-degree assault and another count of second-degree assault, as well as charges of reckless endangerment, false imprisonment and hate crime, according to court records. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Court records did not list attorneys for Leinemann, Johnson and Clark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, the students facing charges in the alleged incident remain on interim suspension, a spokesperson for Salisbury University said in a statement Sunday. Salisbury University continues to monitor these cases as the due process of the law takes its course, the statement continues. We remain committed to maintaining safe and welcoming spaces for our students, our employees and the greater community. Salisbury police said last month they were contacted by the universitys campus police on Oct. 31 about an alleged assault at an off-campus apartment complex for college-age students. Detectives who met with witnesses saw cellphone footage that allegedly showed an adult male victim being assaulted by several college-aged men, police said in a Nov. 7 news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives also met with the victim and learned that on Oct. 15 a group of men used a social media account to invite the victim to a residence under false pretenses, the release stated. When the victim showed up, numerous college-aged men surrounded the victim and forced him to sit in a chair isolated in the middle of the living room, according to police. The victim was forcefully seated, he was allegedly kicked, punched and spit on while the men called the victim derogatory names, police said. The victim told detectives that he tried to leave multiple times but the group threw him to the floor. Police said the assault lasted for several minutes before he was allowed to leave. The victim said he sought medical attention and had bruises as well as a broken rib. Investigators have said they believe the man was targeted over his sexual orientation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com During Reason's annual Webathon, in which we ask our most loyal customers to consider making a tax-deductible donation to the 501(c)3 nonprofit that makes our print and pixels and audio and visuals possible, it has become a tradition to showcase a category of our work that, perhaps counter-intuitively for the purposes of fundraising, has the very worst effects on end-user blood pressure. I am talking, of course, about those many, many, MANY cases of undeserving individuals tasting the crushing boot of an unforgiving state. Pop your favorite beta blocker, keep your tranquilizers, and prepare to emit steam. BUT FIRST! Thanks to a generous challenge grant from Reason Torchbearer Daniel Shuchman, every $1 you donate turns into $2 until the little orange-box thingie gets to $439,000. Won't you please donate to Reason right the hell now? "This is your chance," Reason Senior Editor Jacob Sullum tweeted Friday, near the bottom of an infuriating thread, "to take a stand against vengeful officials who abuse the law to punish people for constitutionally protected speech." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullum was referencing a piece that Reason began covering way back in 2017, continuing all the way to last month: A citizen-journalist in Laredo, Texas, named Priscilla Villarreal, was arrested and charged with two felony counts of "misuse of official information" for the journalistically (and constitutionally) basic act of asking cops for factual details about some deadly incidents. Villarreal's case, in which the rights-offending officers have been protected by the odious legal doctrine of Qualified Immunity, has gone all the way up to the Supreme Court (Sullum joined a court brief in her support). Watch Billy Binion's video report about Villarreal's case, and note that, as Sullum says, "Given the tendency of cops and prosecutors to abuse the law in service of grudges against people who annoy them, there are bound to be more cases like these, and you can be confident that Reason will be there to explain the stakes." Please donate to Reason for more coverage like this! "During the height of the pandemic summer of 2020," Eric Boehm wrote in our March 2024 issue, "the proprietors of the Burning Bridge Tavern worked with local officials in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, to host a series of outdoor gatherings for the community." You'll never guess what happened next! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burning Bridge got slapped with a bunch of citations by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), of course, but the real gut-punch came during liquor-license renewal time: Turns out, over the past two years the PLCB has pushed dozens of Pennsylvania establishments that racked up pandemic-related citations to sign "conditional licensing agreements" to renew their liquor permits. In some cases, those agreements have forced the sale of licensesbut in most cases, as with Burning Bridge, they've added additional conditions to the license that could prevent a future renewal from being approved. Those renewal-conditions can have knock-on effects such as making insurance ruinously expensive. All for the sin of providing some much-needed community during a time of social isolation and government overreach. Boehm's article, you'll be happy to know, was read into the record at a hearing of the Pennsylvania Senate. Please donate to Reason for more crtiques of the moralistic licensing state! Reason's Christian Britschgi likes to defend the little guy while filling the rest of us with white-hot rage. How about the Ohio pastor who was (once again!) criminally charged for sheltering homeless people in his church? Or the California couple whose 22-foot-tall mobile home was deemed by the California Coastal Commission as being six feet too high for optimum nearby beach-viewing, so had to be torn down? Or the winery in otherwise homelessness-pocked Santa Clara County that was fined $120,000 for allowing the vineyard manager and family live in a trailer on the property? Please donate to Reason to help Christian Britschgi uncover zoning horrors like this! Billy Binion is a one-man heart attack-enabler. There's the family that was wrong-house flashbang-grenaded by the FBI yet could not sue for damages; the man who served two years on bogus charges allegedly cooked up by a corrupt prosecutor who ordered incriminating evidence be destroyed and yet was granted immunity from suit. The small nonprofit that, because it owned $2,543 in back property taxes, had its property seized by the city and sold to a private investor. The woman who owed $3,863 in property taxes, then had the county seize her home, sell it, and pocket a profit of $102,636. The list goes on, and on, and on. Please donate to Reason to keep Billy Binion hot on the trail of governmental misconduct! C.J. Ciaramella specializes in criminal injustice cases, such as cops beating up a deaf guy, an officer shooting a blind and deaf dog, a couple having $8,000 and their firearms seized over a misdemeanor drug possession raid, and government being gratuitously cruel to families whose loved ones die behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last but not at all least, Lenore Skenazy is the single greatest source for AYFKM stories springing from that gruesome intersection between helicopter parenting and the carceral state. Three choice headlines from the last 12 months: "Mom Jailed for Letting 10-Year-Old Walk Alone to Town," "Cops Called on 8-Year-Old Child for Being Outside," and "Parents Investigated for Letting 7-Year-Old Get a Cookie From the Store." Donate to Reason so Lenore Skenazy can fight for free-range parenting! There is no journalistic enterprise in the United States that does more to highlight individual cases of injustice at the hand of an overweening state. Heartbreaking/infuriating as these stories are, they also occasionally lead to actual justice for the victims, and even changes in law; all while creating more new libertarians who can't believe we live in a country like this. Help us create a world where peaceable people can live free without fear of having their person or property aggressed by the deadly-force monopolist. PLEASE DONATE TO REASON RIGHT THE HELL TODAY! The post Help Reason Help Individuals Crushed by the State appeared first on Reason.com. Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who killed a pedestrian in Canoga Park. On Dec. 6, the victim, identified only as a man in his early 40s, was crossing westbound on De Soto Avenue, just north of Gresham Street at around 5:15 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The suspect, driving a grey/silver vehicle, was heading southbound on De Soto Avenue when they struck the pedestrian. The suspect continued driving away and did not stop to help the injured victim, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was eventually located by paramedics and pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the L.A. County Coroners Office. Detectives said there was a lot of traffic at the time and likely many witnesses with information that could help track down the suspect. Burglars dressed as gardeners targeting Inland Empire homes Motorists are reminded that if they become involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves, LAPD said. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Investigator Olson at 818-644-8022 or Detective Martinez at 818-644-8033. The public can also call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. HODGENVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) Police in Hodgenville began a mission on Friday afternoon after receiving an unexpected gift from an anonymous family with specific instructions. Leaders in Wolfe County city respond to water discoloration Just before 3 p.m. on Friday, the Hodgenville Police Department (HPD) posted on Facebook that officers had a family visit that donated $500 in 50-dollar bills. The family reportedly told authorities to distribute the ten bills to a different officer, with the responsibility to give the money to a community member they saw in need of a little extra during the holiday season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that being said, if an HPD officer offers you $50, its not a joke or some type of trap, the police department wrote. Its simply a local family giving back to their community in a way that we can share in! LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The HPD said it is blessed to be a part of a community with many generous families both in Hodgenville and Larue County. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) With the Christmas season in full-swing, its important to not forget about the pets in your home. Dr. Steve Marks, founding dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Clemson University, said its important to keep your pet in mind when inviting over guests. The best thing you can do to keep them safe is to try and change as little in the environment as you can, meaning that they feel comfortable in their environment, Marks said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marks recommends knowing your pets comfort level around familiar company and strangers. If theyre not used to that, then I would secure them in a room away from that general crowd thats at your house and somewhere else quiet and that they can stay calm, Marks said. Another risk to pets is having people go in and out of your home. Marks said to make sure you know where your pet is at all times. The biggest risk for me is a dog or a cat running out through a door when a visitor comes because hit by car injuries can often be fatal, Marks said. When its time to sit down for dinner, its not recommended to feed your pet off your plate because most pets arent used to eating table food. Some foods may also be toxic to animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garlic, onion, grapes, chocolate, they tend to be around the table at the holiday season, Marks said. Holiday decorations can also be harmful. Be aware of decorations or wires your pets could chew on or break, and keep them away from open flames, like a fireplace. I would take the same precautions with a pet that you would with a child, Marks said. Especially around the holidays, Marks recommends knowing where your closest emergency vet is. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) The 83rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor was commemorated Saturday with a ceremony at the National Memorial in Hawaii. The annual event honors the lives lost and reflects on the enduring impact of what President Franklin D. Roosevelt called a date which will live in infamy. On Dec. 7, 1941, 350 Japanese aircraft launched a surprise aerial assault on the U.S. naval base in Oahu, killing more than 2,400 Americans and crippling a portion of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The attack launched the United States into World War II. Each year, thousands gather on the shores of Pearl Harbor to pay tribute. This year, only two survivors of the attack were in attendance, according to Pacific Historic Parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The theme of this years commemoration is Forging Ahead. Organizers emphasized the role of younger Americans in keeping the memory of the attack alive while honoring the service and legacy of those who witnessed it firsthand. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Government around the world have reacted to the abrupt fall of the al-Assad family's five-decade rule over Syria with a mixture of hope and trepidation, as the balance of power in the Middle East shifts. Several Arab countries expressed support for Syria's unity and territorial integrity after Islamist rebels declared president Bashar al-Assad's ouster and seized control of Damascus early on Sunday. Turkey, Iran, Russia and the United States all deployed forces in Syria after protests against al-Assad's regime erupted into a multi-sided civil war in 2011. Various non-state factions continue to control different parts of the fragmented country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country, said it stands with Syria and supports its sovereignty. Egypt "calls on all Syrian sides of all leanings to preserve the state resources and national institutions and give precedence to the country's supreme interests," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said. In Jordan, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Syria must be protected from sliding towards chaos." "Jordan will offer all possible support for the brotherly Syrian people in their efforts for rebuilding their country, institutions and political system," he said. The Foreign Ministry of Qatar, a country that has long been an outspoken critic of al-Assad, also said it is necessary to preserve Syria's national institutions and unity of the state to prevent it from "descending into chaos." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But all eyes were firmly on the governments of Iran and Russia, which were staunch backers of al-Assad. With his downfall, their influence in Syria and the wider Middle East could be weakened. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said it hopes to maintain good relations with Syria despite the change in power. "Bilateral relations with Syria have a long history and we hope that this will continue with wisdom and foresight," the Foreign Ministry in Tehran said in a statement, adding that Iran would respect the Syrian people's decision on their political future. Above all, Tehran hopes for a quick end to the military tensions and an early dialogue between all political factions in the country, the Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to unconfirmed reports, Tehran is already in contact with the Islamist alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in order to facilitate a peaceful withdrawal of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards from Syria. Whether the HTS will comply with this demand is questionable. On Sunday, rebel fighters stormed the Iranian embassy in Damascus and, according to Iranian media reports, vandalized it. However, all Iranian diplomats and their staff had already left the embassy before the attack, according to the Foreign Ministry in Tehran. For Tehran, al-Assad was a strategically important ally within a self-declared front of resistance against arch-enemy Israel. Syria also served as a corridor for the supply of Iranian weapons to Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, who in turn would attack Israel. This is why Iran has also generously supported al-Assad financially and militarily in recent years - and labelled the Syrian HTS as terrorists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian Foreign Ministry issued an appeal for all parties to refrain from the use of force. Al-Assad had abandoned his post and left Syria, the ministry said, without providing any information on the location of its former ally. Russia was in contact with groups in Syria, it said. Moscow had provided critical military support to al-Assad's regime since 2015. Russia maintains an airbase in Syria and a strategic naval base at Tartus, which provides access to the Mediterranean Sea. The ministry said the Russian military bases were not under threat but were in a state of heightened alert. The ministry claimed that al-Assad had ordered a peaceful transfer of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Russia has not participated in these negotiations. At the same time we appeal to all those involved to refrain from the use of force and to resolve all questions relating to state leadership by political means," it said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the seismic change in Syria presented an "opportunity." Israel has frequently hit Iranian-linked military targets in Syria in order to prevent arch-enemy Iran from expanding its influence. Netanyahu said Israel is interested in "neighbourly relations" with Syria, but also in making sure "that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a visit to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu said this "historic day" for the Middle East was a "direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran. This had triggered a "chain reaction" in the Middle East, Netanyahu said. In Europe, the French and German governments welcomed al-Assad's overthrow. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called it "good news" - but that order needed to be restored and the rights of minorities respected. Government around the world have reacted to the abrupt fall of the al-Assad family's five-decade rule over Syria with a mixture of hope and trepidation, as the balance of power in the Middle East shifts. Several Arab countries expressed support for Syria's unity and territorial integrity after Islamist rebels declared president Bashar al-Assad's ouster and seized control of Damascus early on Sunday. Turkey, Iran, Russia and the United States all deployed forces in Syria after protests against al-Assad's regime erupted into a multi-sided civil war in 2011. Various non-state factions continue to control different parts of the fragmented country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country, said it stands with Syria and supports its sovereignty. Egypt "calls on all Syrian sides of all leanings to preserve the state resources and national institutions and give precedence to the country's supreme interests," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said. In Jordan, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Syria must be protected from sliding towards chaos." "Jordan will offer all possible support for the brotherly Syrian people in their efforts for rebuilding their country, institutions and political system," he said. The Foreign Ministry of Qatar, a country that has long been an outspoken critic of al-Assad, also said it is necessary to preserve Syria's national institutions and unity of the state to prevent it from "descending into chaos." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The state of Palestine and its people stand by the side of the brotherly Syrian people," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said. But all eyes were firmly on the governments of Iran and Russia, which were staunch backers of al-Assad. With his downfall, their influence in Syria and the wider Middle East could be weakened. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said it hopes to maintain good relations with Syria despite the change in power. "Bilateral relations with Syria have a long history and we hope that this will continue with wisdom and foresight," the Foreign Ministry in Tehran said in a statement, adding that Iran would respect the Syrian people's decision on their political future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Above all, Tehran hopes for a quick end to the military tensions and an early dialogue between all political factions in the country, the Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency. According to unconfirmed reports, Tehran is already in contact with the Islamist alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in order to facilitate a peaceful withdrawal of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards from Syria. Whether the HTS will comply with this demand is questionable. On Sunday, rebel fighters stormed the Iranian embassy in Damascus and, according to Iranian media reports, vandalized it. However, all Iranian diplomats and their staff had already left the embassy before the attack, according to the Foreign Ministry in Tehran. For Tehran, al-Assad was a strategically important ally within a self-declared front of resistance against arch-enemy Israel. Syria also served as a corridor for the supply of Iranian weapons to Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, who in turn would attack Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The change of power in Syria could affect the further course of the resistance front against the Zionist regime in the short term, but definitely not stop it," said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi. The resistance against Israel is "an ideological mission and not a classic war" and will therefore continue, said the top diplomat in an interview with the state broadcaster IRIB late Sunday. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued an appeal for all parties to refrain from the use of force. Al-Assad had abandoned his post and left Syria, the ministry said, without providing any information on the location of its former ally. Russia was in contact with groups in Syria, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow had provided critical military support to al-Assad's regime since 2015. Russia maintains an airbase in Syria and a strategic naval base at Tartus, which provides access to the Mediterranean Sea. The ministry said the Russian military bases were not under threat but were in a state of heightened alert. The ministry claimed that al-Assad had ordered a peaceful transfer of power. "Russia has not participated in these negotiations. At the same time we appeal to all those involved to refrain from the use of force and to resolve all questions relating to state leadership by political means," it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the seismic change in Syria presented an "opportunity." Israel has frequently hit Iranian-linked military targets in Syria in order to prevent arch-enemy Iran from expanding its influence. Netanyahu said Israel is interested in "neighbourly relations" with Syria, but also in making sure "that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel." During a visit to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu said this "historic day" for the Middle East was a "direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This had triggered a "chain reaction" in the Middle East, Netanyahu said. In Europe, the French and German governments welcomed al-Assad's overthrow. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called it "good news" - but that order needed to be restored and the rights of minorities respected. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he believed there was now a "historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future" for Syria. The recent cold snap is about to change, bringing a warming trend that is likely to melt away any hopes of snow on the ground for Christmas. Cody Braud, a Fox Weather meteorologist, said that while it may still be too early to gauge whether or not well see snow in the New York City area come Dec. 25, the chances are not good. Its probably more than unlikely, at this point, Braud said Saturday. Ice skaters having fun in New York Central Park during the fall. Stuart Monk stock.adobe.com The pattern we are looking at for the next two weeks, through Christmas, its looking like it will be on the warmer side, not just for New York City but probably for the bulk of the country as it stands now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things could change this coming week, he explained. But in his expert opinion, this will be a flake-free holiday. We wont have many shots at cold air coming into the lower 48 after we get through this week, Braud said. There will be no flakes this Christmas, according to current weather models. Luciano Mortula-LGM stock.adobe.com Braud said the jet stream looks as though it wont dip too far from Canada, keeping the cold temperatures well north. That limits the chance of seeing snow with a system, he added, noting there will likely be a dome of high pressure across the middle of the country on Christmas Day. Ken Elliott, a meteorologist at New Jerseys WeatherWorks, also told the Asbury Park Press snow on Dec. 25 would be a Christmas miracle. At least you wont have to do any shoveling. Mlle Sonyah stock.adobe.com I think Christmas is gonna be like a transitionary period, Elliot said, adding temps will remain above normal during Christmas before dropping at the end of the month. Were going to be in a warm spell, at least a mild spell, starting next week into about Christmas, Elliot said, and its just gonna be hard to overcome that. House Republican leaders will choose new chairs for a number of influential committees this week, people who will have the power to help deliver on President-elect Trumps priorities in the GOP trifecta over the next two years. While most of the committee chair positions are uncontested, several panels have leaders who are departing Congress or are term limited according to internal House GOP rules. Unless granted a waiver, House GOP chairs may not serve more than three consecutive terms atop a committee, in a contrast from the House Democratic Caucus, where some senior leaders have led committees for a decade or more. The departing chairs have sparked competitive races for important panels, like the Energy and Commerce Committee and Financial Services Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new chairs will be chosen by members of the House GOP Steering Committee, a panel of more than 30 elected Republican leaders and regional representatives that recommends the chairs to the full House GOP conference for formal approval. The Steering Committee is hearing presentations from the contenders on Monday and Thursday and is expected to make its selections by the end of Thursday. The full GOP conference will likely rubber-stamp the picks the following week. Here are the competitive House GOP chair races for the 119th Congress. Energy and Commerce Committee Outgoing Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-Wash.) declined to seek reelection, setting up a race for the influential panel between Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Energy and Commerce panel has jurisdiction over a broad range of policy issues and federal departments, including health care, the Department of Energy, the Food and Drug Administration, and more. Latta is set to be the most senior Republican on the committee and has experience on all six of its subcommittees, including stints chairing two subcommittees, on communications and technology and on digital commerce and consumer protection. The 33 bills he has signed into law include measures that aim to expand nuclear fuel programs and boost 5G coverage. Guthrie, meanwhile, has sat on five of the panels six subcommittees, and is chair of its health subcommittee. His top priorities for the next Congress include permitting reform for energy production, and the race to 6G ensuring the U.S. beats China to the development of the technology. The West Point graduate is also pitching his friendly personality. Financial Services Committee With Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) on his way out of Congress, the top job on the House Financial Services Committee is up for grabs and a quartet of contenders are vying for the gavel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reps. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), French Hill (R-Ark.), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) have all jumped into the race to succeed McHenry who was term-limited looking to lead the panel that has jurisdiction over Wall Street, the Federal Reserve, federal regulators and cryptocurrency, areas that are sure to be prominent in the second Trump administration. Barr, the chair of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy, has touted a free-market capitalism philosophy, arguing that he is someone who can build a bridge between those traditional Chamber of Commerce, Wall Street Republicans, and the America First populists who elected Donald Trump. He is also close with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who has influence on the Steering Committee. Hill, meanwhile, is the vice chair of the House Financial Services Committee and the chair of its subcommittee on digital assets, financial technology and inclusion. In that role, the Arkansas Republican has become known as a knowledgeable source on cryptocurrency, and he has a bill that would regulate the digital asset. Lucas, a three-decade veteran of the House, prides himself on being the longest-serving Republican on the Financial Services Committee. In an April statement announcing his bid, the Oklahoman wrote I am well positioned and well equipped to lead the Committee, citing his vast experience on Capitol Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huizenga, the chair of the oversight and investigations subcommittee, has said he wants to put the economy back on its feet and put regulations in place properly rather than the willy-nilly that weve seen, arguing that the chair will have to be someone whos going to be able to work with our colleagues in the Senate, before emphasizing his relationship with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who is expected to lead the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Foreign Affairs Committee Outgoing House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) declined to seek a waiver to continue leading the committee, Axios first reported, setting up a four-way race between Reps. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.). Wagner, the vice chair of the committee, has touted her experience in the foreign affairs sector, including serving as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg during former President George W. Bushs administration and co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, which was created to focus on supporting the Trump-era agreement normalizing relations between Israel and Arab States. If given the gavel, Wagner is vowing to crack down on China and Iran, secure the border and work to contain Russias recklessly dangerous expansion, her spokesperson told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Issa, meanwhile, is positioning himself as one of the most prepared of the candidates to take the gavel of the Foreign Affairs panel, having visited more than 100 countries. He has also crafted personal relationships with world leaders in allied countries and in those that have a more difficult relationship with the U.S. Issas experience chairing the House Oversight and Accountability Committee is also a selling point. He helped put the panel on the map through investigations like Fast and Furious, and he helped empower future GOP stars and leaders through the panels work. Wilson is pitching himself as an elder statesman in the race. He has led more than 70 congressional delegation trips to more than 80 countries during his time in Congress. And as he campaigns for the committee chair, he has been giving steering committee members pieces from the Berlin wall that he had brought back from Germany in 1990. One of Wilsons top priorities is to work with President-elect Trump to codify Iran sanctions. He previously helped introduce the Maximum Pressure Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mast, meanwhile, came to Congress in 2017 after serving in the U.S. Army for more than 12 years, where he earned a Purple Heart, among other honors. The Florida Republican drew headlines last year after, in a show of support for Israel, he wore to the Capitol his uniform for the Israeli military, which he volunteered to serve alongside after his time in the Army. Education and Workforce Committee Outgoing Education and Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) had gotten a waiver to remain in one extra term beyond the term limit in this Congress but is not seeking to stay again. That has opened up a race between Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), who ran against Foxx for the post nearly two years ago, and Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah). Walbergs case is that he is one of the most senior members of the committee. In the new Congress, his top priorities would include supporting parents rights, combating antisemitism and anti-Americanism on campus, and updating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee will play a role in the House GOPs partisan reconciliation bills they hope to push through Congress to Trumps desk, due to plans to address student loan issues. Owens, meanwhile, is running on a platform that includes school choice, combating campus antisemitism and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the classroom, and promoting hiring practices that emphasize capabilities, with an eye towards the skills-based economy. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Current Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) is in his third term in the top GOP spot on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but he received a waiver from the steering committee this week to seek a fourth term coming after President-elect Trump opted to pick former congressman and former Fox News host Sean Duffy to be Transportation Secretary rather than Graves. But Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) is also seeking the gavel for the powerful panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graves is pitching himself as an experienced legislator, touting his experience ushering through the five-year Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that was signed into law earlier this year. And looking to next Congress, Graves hopes to use a five-year highway reauthorization bill as a vehicle to help Trump push his transportation priorities. Crawford, meanwhile, has a policy blueprint materials that focus on investments in the most-used methods of transportation. He argues that investments in highways, railways, ports, and airways cannot be subsumed by investments in nice to have or soft infrastructure projects like bike lanes, civilian traffic enforcement, wildlife crossings, or other initiatives. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A house on Ringle Street was struck by multiple shots of gunfire while two people, including a 13-year-old girl, were inside, Police confirm. According to RPD, officers responded to an area Chili Avenue near Post Avenue around 7:26 p.m. for a ShotSpotter activation. Police say evidence of shots fired was found on Ringle Street, and a house had been structured by multiple shots of gunfire. Police say one woman, age 42, and a 13-year-old girl were inside of the house but were not injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This investigation is ongoing. Police have not made any arrests related to this incident. Anyone with information is asked to call 911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Parents in Huber Heights are urging the city to take further action to support local youth after a violent incident earlier this week. On Saturday evening, members of the Huber Heights community gathered at Herbert C. Huber Community Park for a prayer vigil, to pray for the recovery of a young girl who was stabbed multiple times by another minor on Wednesday. Juvenile girl in critical condition, another in custody after Huber Heights stabbing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its heartbreaking, just to know these young girls, life will forever be changed in their families, said Shannon Teague, parent and resident. Teague has a daughter who is classmates with the girl who was stabbed Wednesday. She says this incident is a difficult one for her daughter to process. She was shocked for sure, said Teague. She said this young girl that she knew was very shy, very kind and she just couldnt believe it had happened to her. After being sent to the hospital in critical condition on Wednesday, the girl is now said to be stable and recovering. While showing support for the recovering teen, parents and residents are also asking for more youth activities and resources in Huber Heights, hoping to prevent incidents like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need more mental health resources. We need coping skills. We need community members to come out and support our youth, to mentor our youth, to be there, to help, said Yolanda Stephens, parent and resident. We need our schools to allow peers in to help get involved. You know, more parent advisory boards. Local leaders say they are working to prevent incidents like this from happening in their city. All year long, you know, we tried to do more events that bring the families together, bring the kids together, you know, because a strong family helps a situation like this, said Scott Davidson, city council member. Davidson says they will address this incident further and explore ways to better support schools and youth in Huber Heights at Mondays City Council meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. CHICAGO, Ill. (WCIA) On Thursday, Governor JB Pritzker announced that Illinois has been awarded a $2 million in federal grant funding for the Smart Manufacturing Lighthouse Program (SMLP). The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined Pritzker for the announcement. This funding will be provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, through the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) State Manufacturing Leadership Program. Manufacturing is at the heart of our states economic strength, and this new federal funding will help us take it to the next level, Pritzker said. By equipping small and medium-sized manufacturers with smart manufacturing technologies, were accelerating innovation and driving progress toward a clean energy economy while ensuring no community is left behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through the program, IMEC and DCEO will work collaboratively with local labor and community groups to provide resources, outreach, technical assistance, financial assistance, or workforce and training support to small and medium sized manufacturers (SMMs). IL EPA announces $1 million grant opportunity through program The SMLP will help advance the goals of the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) by providing support around technology adoption and reducing energy burdens to SMMs and workforce development partners in underserved communities across the state. This funding is essential to building upon the success of Illinois world-class manufacturing industry, said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. DCEO is dedicated to working collaboratively to ensure programs like IMECs Smart Manufacturing Lighthouse are supported and create training opportunities for the states talented workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal of the program is to accelerate the adoption of smart manufacturing technologies among MMs in the state, focusing on enhancing economic competitiveness, efficiency and energy productivity. The program will provide a range of services, including training, workforce development, technology showcases and direct implementation to drive smart manufacturing across Illinois. We aim to equip Illinois manufacturers with the tools they need to enhance efficiency, adopt cutting-edge technologies, and remain competitive in an evolving world, said David Boulay, Ph.D., President of IMEC. We are privileged to work closely with the state of Illinois, leveraging the expertise of the IMEC team to drive smart manufacturing practices across the state. IL OSFM announces fire station construction, rehabilitation grant Through this funding, 30 manufacturers will have the opportunity to demonstrate the applications of smart technology and showcase best practices for other manufacturers. The possibilities of high-performance computing in SMMs will be explored through a pilot program in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By investing in our manufacturing capabilities, were securing our economic future and ensuring that the United States remains a formidable force on the global stage, said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Todays announced funding through the Department of Energy for the Smart Manufacturing Lighthouse Program will accelerate Illinois adoption of smart manufacturing technology, provide skills training to 200 individuals, and fortify our manufacturing sector. The program is expected to provide training to 200 individuals in smart technologies and provide them with new in-demand skills and pilot a smart manufacturing intern corp. On top of that, at least 40% of the benefits of SMLP will directly support the underrepresented and underserved communtieis. From creating good-paying, local jobs to increasing sustainability and strengthening our supply chainsinvesting in clean, smart manufacturing has a positive ripple effect for hardworking Illinois families and our nation, said U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. Im proud to see that, with this federal investment, the Smart Manufacturing Lighthouse Program will now be able to provide workforce development training, technical support and financial assistance to local manufacturers across our state. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Frustrations with backyard astronomy with this time of year where its darker out sooner in the evening. It's so sad that in our neck of the woods that light pollution has increased so much over the decades that I cant even see the constellation of Cancer any more. And only about half of what I could see back in the 1970s is visible at night now. My daughter, River Amelia, has grown into the hobby of astronomy, with 2 telescopes now. We literally have to drive 30-40 minutes expressway from home to an area into northern Macomb or St. Clair counties, where its possible to see the Milky Way. Then the new issue: satellite pollution. The constant flow of satellites across the skies. One after another. I miss the days of astrophotography without the constant flow of satellites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to this growing light and satellite pollution, it really bothers me that my daughter cant experience the beauty of astronomy the way that I did. I have to make that extra effort as her father to drive with her someplace to enjoy the wonders of astronomy, and our father-daughter time. Joseph A. Backus St. Clair Shores The death of truth in sentencing In 1998, the Michigan Legislature, with only one dissenting vote, passed a law creating Truth in Sentencing. Its purpose was to bring certainty and transparency to the criminal justice system, by requiring a defendant, sentenced to prison, to serve at least his minimum sentence. Prior to this law, assorted credits were granted to inmates during their prison term, rendering a minimum sentence" meaningless. Victims were confused as to how long their assailants were going to remain behind bars, when a five-year minimum sentence could mean four years, or three years. A guess and a working calculator were needed after a judge pronounced sentence. As a prosecutor of 30 years, before Truth in Sentencing, this guessing game was a miserable exercise and extremely distressing to victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After its passage, Truth in Sentencing brought honesty to the criminal justice system. It brought clarity and relief to victims. It has remained that way for 26 years. But now, the Michigan Legislature is poised to destroy Truth in Sentencing by reintroducing credits back into the system under the guise of prisoner productivity. That is, prisoners would receive time off their minimum sentence for engaging in various programs available in prison. This is despite the fact that Michigans prison population has fallen 40% since 2007; that only one in 10 felons are initially sentenced to prison; that almost 80% of inmates currently in prison are there for violent felonies, and, heres the kicker, the vast majority of inmates currently engage in prison programming. So why are these pending bills (SB 861-864) in search of a problem that does not exist? Honestly, I have no idea. I have read and listened to the arguments of the proponents, but it always seems to circle back to just letting violent criminals out sooner. Letting a faceless bureaucrat in the Michigan Department of Corrections determine an inmates minimum sentence, rather than a locally elected judge, who heard all the facts of the crime. Admittedly, I have my bias of 30 years talking to crime victims, some of whom have suffered unimaginably. The possible death of Truth in Sentencing is greatly saddening. Larry J. Burdick Mount Pleasant Pardon Biden for pardoning his son President Joe Biden is well within his presidential privilege to grant his son a pardon. All this breast-beating about how wrong this is, its over the top. The pardon doesnt change the price of eggs. The President changed his mind, its his prerogative to do so. Did he do it because he feels let down by the Democrats, because he understands the words, President vows vengeance? We may never know. President Gerald Ford pardoned President Richard Nixon. President Bill Clinton pardoned his brother. Trump pardoned former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Family and allies often make the list. Our Michigan representatives to Congress find this so offensive; I look forward to their bills reining in presidential privilege and ridding the Constitution of any scent of monarchy. Kathryn Nelson Berkley, Michigan Biden should not have pardoned his son My take on the Hunter Biden situation: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is guilty. His prosecution was politically motivated in a case that wouldn't even have gone to court for anyone else, the Justice Department went to extremes to show that they weren't giving him a break just because he was the President's son. With Trump winning, and openly vindictive toward Biden, Biden needed to act before Trump was in a position to make things worse for Hunter. 4) Biden should only have commuted any forthcoming sentence, but not pardoned his son. (See No. 1). Mark Lavetter Southfield Pass e-bike legislation in lame duck Michigans Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes $2.95 million for e-bike purchase incentives. However, that funding is contingent upon the passage of Rep. Julie Rogers House Bill 4491, which would establish an incentives program. Unfortunately, that bill awaits a final vote in the House and still must get through the Senate. We strongly encourage our state legislators to pass HB 4491 during this lame duck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 4491 would provide up to $300 e-bike purchase incentive for Michigan residents and $600 for income-qualified residents (e.g. those receiving state assistance.) At least half of the incentives would be set aside for the latter. Why should Michigan be interested in getting more residents riding? Its the economy. E-bikes are a cost-effective mode for getting people to jobs and school, especially for those who cant afford a car. Michigan, but especially Detroit, has some of the countrys highest auto insurance rates, which many cannot afford. Driving is not an option for everyone. About 8% of Michigan households and 23% of Detroit households do not have access to a motor vehicle. E-bikes, along with good public transit, can help people get to where they need to go. We know e-bikes are a viable option. Our organizations Bikes 4 Employees program was able to give away a limited number of e-bikes to Detroiters without reliable vehicles. We found they primarily replaced costly Uber and Lyft trips, helped recipients get to work and school more reliably, and overwhelmingly improved their health. Their employers saw the benefits and were very supportive as well. HB 4491 is an opportunity to scale these successes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, these incentives will benefit local bike shops and Michigan-based e-bike manufacturing startups like Bloom and Civilized Cycle. Michigan has the opportunity to solidify its growing dominance in U.S. e-bike manufacturing. Its the environment. E-bikes are a proven, low-cost carbon reduction strategy. Studies have found that the increased use of e-bikes is a necessity for reaching carbon reduction goals. E-bikes generate one-fifth the per-passenger-mile lifetime carbon emissions of EVs. Increased e-bike usage is fundamental for reaching carbon neutrality. Its the equity. Many Michigan residents are unable to benefit from existing electric vehicle incentives given the high cost of motor vehicle ownership and operation. E-bike incentives are an affordable alternative. Unlike electric cars, e-bikes do not require a costly home charger investment, do not require auto insurance, and cost 1/20th that of an entry-level EV. Getting more residents on e-bikes gets more people involved in climate action. HB 4491 is more than just an incentive program. It is an investment in Michigans future. By making e-bikes more accessible, we can create jobs, reduce emissions, improve public health and make our cities more livable. As Michigan continues to pivot toward sustainability and innovation especially as a means for attracting and retaining young talent passing this bill will be a vital step toward building a more resilient, economically prosperous, and environmentally responsible state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan would be following other states that have successfully launched similar programs. For example, Minnesota has already committed $4 million in e-bike purchase incentives. The program was so popular that it crashed the government website when it launched. Its time for Michigan to embrace the future of transportation by passing HB 4491 and making our state one of the leaders in clean, green mobility. Todd Scott is the Executive Director of the Detroit Greenways Coalition Detroit Ditch the two-party system in Michigan Mayor Mike Duggan's announcement that he will run for Governor as an independent should have been thrilling news. As a lifelong Metro Detroiter, I have admired Mayor Duggan for years and have long hoped he would bring his transformative leadership from Detroit to the state level. However, instead of excitement, I am now filled with apprehension. It feels as though he has squandered a vital opportunity, leaving us at risk of electing a less-qualified, party-loyal zealot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why do we have to think this way? As Michiganders, we dislike the two major political parties just as much as the rest of the country does, yet we continue to allow ourselves to be beholden to Democratic and Republican party bosses, despite our hatred for them growing with each passing election. Is this an exaggeration? I dont believe so. In Michigan, even the act of voting in a primary comes with strings attached. To participate, you must declare affiliation with one party or the other, a designation that becomes public information and can be exploited for campaign purposes. Worse, for statewide offices, the only candidate we, the voters, select in a primary is the governor. Every other statewide office is decided behind closed doors by party bosses via party delegates at party conventions. From top to bottom, Michigans political system is effectively governed at the whim of the Michigan Democratic and Republican parties. More: Mike Duggan's independent run for Michigan governor is a risky gamble | Opinion If we truly want to move beyond our politics being decided by political parties behind closed convention hall doors, we need to strip the power from the parties of doing the nominating and gate-keeping, and free ourselves from having to associate with these parties to choose the best candidates for the job of running our state. For this I believe the best option is Californias nonpartisan primary model, where every candidate, outside of presidential and certain local races, regardless of party, is listed on one primary ballot, and the top two vote-getters move on to the General Election. With this model, you do not have to pick a Republican or Democrat ballot for the primary, you can vote for a candidate from any party, and the General Election is not limited to one Republican and one Democrat, but whoever gets the two highest vote totals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While in California, this model has often produced results such as two-democrats in the General Election, we in Michigan are very different in that we are vote splitters. We elected Republican Donald Trump for president and Democrat Elissa Slotkin for senator on the same ballot, we sent two liberals to the state supreme court, and then elected one Republican and one Democrat each to the Michigan State University and University of Michigan governing boards. For decades, we have elected Republican state officials alongside Democrat federal officials. We, as Michiganders, have never wanted to be put into this two-party box, and yet the parties have the power and the authority to force us to pick a box, and we have not once put forth a ballot measure to change that. Mayor Duggans announcement to run as an independent was jarring to us because we are chained in Michigan to our party labels through a corrupt party system that forces us to negotiate with them for our own leaders. Mayor Duggans desire to represent all Michiganders as an independent, to refuse to be put into an ideological box that fits one party of the other, is not and should not be the problem. The problem is, and I believe we can all agree on this, that we live in a state where an independent cannot win, with a system that does not allow it, in a culture where every leader we elect does not do so by appealing to the will of the people, but rather, by kissing the ring of our political parties. Jordan Zammit Brownstown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Submit a letter to the editor atfreep.com/letters and we may publish it online and in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: My daughter can't enjoy starry nights the same way I did | Letters INDIANAPOLIS Indiana State Police Trooper Ryan Parent graduated from the Indiana State Police K-9 Training School and was joined by his new K-9 partner, Bandit, at a ceremony held Tuesday at the Indiana State Police Museum in Indianapolis. Bandit and Parent are assigned to the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post and will patrol primarily in LaGrange and Steuben counties, a release from Indiana State Police said. The Indiana State Police K-9 School is an annual 12-week school with over 480 hours of instruction to include obedience, tracking, locating articles of evidence, apprehension of fighting or fleeing suspects, building searches, narcotics detection, and handler protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K-9 handlers also receive training in K-9 legal concepts and classes on odor detection theory and tracking situations. Teams train at night and in varying conditions with scenario-based training and problem-solving situations for eight to 10 hours a day. Indiana State Police K-9 breeds include German shepherds, Belgian malinois and Dutch shepherds, all imported from Europe. The K-9s are certified through Dogs for Law Enforcement Organization. Bandit is a German shepard that is a year and a half old. Parent is a four-year veteran of the Indiana State Police. Asayoung Cree child, I remember hearing all sorts of atrocities spewed against my people: Natives are dirty, Youre all alcoholics, or All you do is collect checks from the government. It was hard not to internalize the colonialrhetoric placed on me especially when it so starkly contrasts the pride that I was taught to foster around my identity. And the insults were specific. They indicated inferiority. They were better, and I was lesser than. There was a time when I wanted to hide who I was because I was scared of what people would say to me even though when I went home I was proudly smudging and listeningto powwow music. During my freshman year of college, we discussed Joseph Conrads Heart ofDarknessand how literature was (and still is) often a means of perpetuating Eurocentric, hegemonic rhetoric.When I confronted all the ways that a white man visiting the Congo had asserted his ownviewpoint on a culture so vastly different from his own and deemed it inferior and savage, it rangpainfully familiar. This narrative that land should be scrutinized, abused and stolen because it belongs to people of color has always been so pervasive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its part of how colonialism is perpetuated. Today, so much of my work are attempts at decolonization what happens when you attempt to loosen the white supremacist grip on a community. Many Nations across Turtle Island have been contemplating how to do this, and one area that is gaining more traction is Indigenous-centered tourism: embracing a decolonial way of experiencing new places sustainably. Inthe U.S. and Canada (and many other countries globally), colonization involved European settlersnot only violently seizing lands and resources, but also many forms of ethnic cleansing in an attempt to eradicate the native population. This erased whole communities, languages and cultures.All because these Europeans viewed the Indigenous peoples and ways of life as inferior to theirown. I experienced this firsthand for years my people had been practicing our culture in secret as it was outlawed fordecades for us to engage inpotlatches, perform ceremonies, or speak our languages. And so, we continue to galvanize for justice and change. In 2007, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was launched and supported by Canadas government; it aims to takeaccountability and mitigate the harm enacted upon Indigenous peoples from these laws and theResidential School System and Sixties Scoops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Undoing colonial infrastructure within our Tribes and communities means, among other things, puttingenergy and resources toward Indigenous resurgence. And its working: Indigenous communities are beginning to thrivewhen it comes to languagerevitalization, obtaining self-governance, and repairing oral generational teaching traditionsthatwere severed when Indigenous peoples were ripped away from their familiesand communities. The refusal to be silenced is a testament to the strength in culture and community.But what does it look like to have Indigenous communities who are inherently decolonial, and exist on acontinent that is now colonial in its construct and infrastructure? The reality is that we live ina predominantly capitalistic society and that isnt changing anytime soon. Each community needscapital in order to provide for its members. Disrupting the system looks different for each tribe because of the resources available within our land. But when it comes to reclaiming the narrative of the land, offering non-Natives a chance to learn our history is crucial. The Hualapai Tribe, for example,operates and owns a section of the Grand Canyon National Park called Grand Canyon West. It exists independently so tourists canexperience the Grand Canyon in a way that is uniquely infused with Indigenousknowledge and histories of the area. Among these experiences is aColorado where you can traverse the rapids with Indigenous waterexperts, learning about historical landmarks of Hualapai history along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These types of excursions are the intersection of where decolonial histories and peoples meet with the colonial world in order to protect, preserve and provide for their Tribe. Italso provides a space for more ethical tourism. There is no better way to experience a place thanthrough the original inhabitants of that land, and then by supporting their offerings, you supportthe local communities, which they are then able to reinvest in language revitalization programs,youth programming and their sovereign governments, thus contributing to continueddecolonization. Another example of this intersection can be found in Indigenous art exhibits. The Catawba Nationin South Carolinahas had long traditional practices of creating art from the clay that they dig from the samemud hole they have been tending to for generations. At the Catawba Cultural Center, you canshop for these traditional art pieces investing in their art not only supports artists but alsoallows for the cultural center to offer cultural classesfor youth or any community members tolearn these traditional art techniques. Maintaining these significant cultural traditions is essential when thinking about preserving decolonial practices within different tribes. Will it ever be possible for Tribal Nations to be completely severed from colonialism ifcapitalism is the backbone for currency? Probably not. So it might be time to shift capitalistic practices to actually help Indigenous communities preserve traditional, decolonialized ways of life. UPDATE: 12/7/24, 5:20 p.m. ET We are devastated by the passing of Dominique Brown, a beloved member of the BoxLunch Collective, who suffered a medical emergency at an event hosted by BoxLunch Thursday in Los Angeles," BoxLunch told Us Weekly in a statement. "Our hearts go out to her family and friends, and we will do everything we can to support them and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and our team during this painful time. A source tells Us that 911 was called immediately and the company had previously communicated allergies of guests to the venue. BoxLunch is offering grief counseling for both staffers and the BoxLunch Collective (the group of influencers they work with regularly, of which Brown was a member). The company is conducting an independent investigation into the incident. Original story: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Influencer Dominique Brown died on Thursday, December 5 at an industry event due to a severe allergic reaction. She was 34. News of Brown's death spread after a BoxLunch event where attendees say she reportedly died after unknowingly consuming food to which she was allergic. The event was hosted by BoxLunch, and multiple social media influencers stated via X that event hosts were informed of Brown's allergy. Us Weekly has reached out to BoxLunch for comment. Brown, a California resident, was a Disney-inspired influencer under the screen name HellooDomo. She cocreated BlackGirlDisney in 2018 with Mia Von after noticing a lack of representation in the Disney influencer space, creating a welcoming community for women of color who love the brand's films and theme parks. Her brother took to the comments of her final Instagram post to thank her fans. "Hi everyone, this is @pramos313 - Dominiques brother," he wrote on Friday, December 6. "I wanted to take a a moment to say thank you to her social media fam for showing her so much love and light. Disney did bring her joy, but it was unparalleled that she found a community who loved her and Disney as much as she did. I will miss my sister and best friend and that infectious smile she always had. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart. ." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Disney influencers mourned Brown in the replies to her last video with many praising her warm, friendly nature and her efforts to create a safe and supportive community. Most Shocking TikTok Star Deaths: Taylor Rousseau Grigg, Kyle Marisa Roth and More "The kindest most genuine person in this community we will miss you Domo," Tatiana Kelley, who posts as Dapper on the Daily, wrote. "Thank you for touching our lives with your joy & wit & for being so incredibly welcoming to us all." Katy Lane, A.K.A. Main St Muse, commented, "Im so happy I got to hug you last week. Your positivity and passion for life will always inspire me you were and will continue to be the good in the world Dom." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrea Pugh Kelley shared several tributes via Instagram Story, writing, in part, "My girl built this community and inspired so many others. And I will never let anyone forget that." "Kicks at the Castle," a Disney sneaker podcast, shared a tribute as well, saying it was Brown's "warmth and joy that truly stole the show." "Our hearts go out to her family and especially to our brother Zay," the tribute read. "The love and joy the two of you shared was nothing short of a Disney fairytalea story of style, happiness, and inspiration for all who knew you." Isaiah Campbell, who is a member of Kicks at the Castle, replied, " I love you all so much thank you for all the kind words and support this is gonna be such a tuff road for me but Im happy I have a community to back me every step of the way we love you Dominique ." On his Instagram story, he showed several photos of himself and Brown in each other's arms with the caption, "I will always love you Dominique Brown. Thank you for the time I got to spend with you and the joy you gave me and others." NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred overnight in Midtown following an alleged vehicle burglary. The Metro Nashville Police Department responded to the scene just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 1500 block of Demonbreun Street. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts According to officials, the woman told officers she approached her vehicle in a parking lot and found a person going through her belongings. While confronting the individual, she was reportedly shot in the hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metro dispatch told News 2 that the victim drove to a nearby hospital for treatment. No additional information on the victims condition or a potential suspect was available as the investigation remains ongoing. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. This investment company's greenwashing case may set an unfortunate precedent. What's happening? Invesco Advisers, an investment management firm, has settled its greenwashing case a loss for holding companies responsible for misleading consumers. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission found that while Invesco claimed that over 70% of its investments were "ESG integrated," or that stock decisions were made based on environmental, social, and governance factors, this was untrue. Rather than supporting companies that are good for the environment, treat employees well, and have ethical leadership, Invesco was simply following market performance. Why is this case important? When investing or donating your money, you usually want to support a company that aligns with your values. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to consumers Simon-Kucher's 2024 Global Sustainability Study found that "64% of consumers rank sustainability as a top 3 value driver in at least one category, which means it is an important purchase criteria." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Companies know this, and they've begun to use sustainability as a marketing tactic. Some companies truly are dedicated to changing their practices to be better for the planet, while some intentionally mislead customers into thinking they're being eco-friendly. This practice is called greenwashing. Invesco and the SEC agreed to settle the case, and Invesco will pay $17.5 million in penalties. This isn't necessarily a win, as Invesco was not held fully responsible for its greenwashing, and it may set a precedent for future greenwashing cases. What's being done about greenwashing? "Saying it doesn't make it so," Sanjay Wadhwa, who works for the SEC, told Investment Executive. "Companies should be straightforward with their clients and investors rather than seeking to capitalize on investing trends and buzzwords." New laws are emerging that hope to do just that: ensure companies are honest about their sustainability claims. The European Union may soon vet "eco-friendly" products to guarantee companies are being honest, and India is tightening its guidelines, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must continue to hold companies accountable for greenwashing. Greenwashing can be hard to spot, but you can educate yourself about the practice to better support companies that mean what they say. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. GOSHEN A Goshen construction company has been fined for unsafe working conditions following the death of a road worker. Rieth-Riley Construction Co. Inc. faces a $7,000 proposed penalty following an investigation into a road workers death at a Lafayette job site in May. Fifty-three-year-old Dale Thomas, of West Lafayette, died after he was hospitalized for multiple blunt injuries sustained when he was struck by a dump truck. Thomas was working at a construction site at U.S. 231 South and East 800 South in Tippecanoe County when he was struck by the reversing truck. His death was ruled accidental by the Tippecanoe County Coroners Office, which conducted an autopsy three days after the May 31 accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Indiana Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, investigated the accident and issued a notice on Nov. 26. Rieth-Riley is cited for one serious violation in the notification of penalty, for failing to provide a workplace free of dangerous or even deadly hazards. The notice states that employees were put at risk of being struck by vehicles while placing road plates for sampling asphalt behind the dump truck. It recommends improving safety by creating a work rule and training employees to place road plates between the conveyor on the buggy and the paver. The notice gives the company until Jan. 10 to abate the violation. DUBAI (Reuters) -Syria's fate is the sole responsibility of the Syrian people and should be pursued without foreign imposition or intervention, Iran's foreign ministry said on Sunday, after Tehran's ally Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebels. Iran spent billions of dollars propping up Assad during the Syrian civil war that erupted in 2011 and deployed its Revolutionary Guards to Syria to keep its ally in power so as to maintain Tehran's "Axis of Resistance" to Israel and U.S. influence in the Middle East. Following Assad's fall from power, Iran's foreign ministry called for a national dialogue to form an inclusive government representing all segments of Syrian society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will spare no effort to help establish security and stability in Syria, and to this end, we will continue consultations with all influential parties, especially in the region," the foreign ministry added. The foreign ministry said it expected ties between Tehran and Damascus to continue based on the two countries' "far-sighted and wise approach." Tehran's ties to Damascus had allowed Iran to spread its influence through a land corridor from its western border via Iraq all the way to Lebanon to bring supplies to Hezbollah. Iran's arch-rival in the region, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, said Assad's ousting was a "historic day" and a direct result of blows dealt by Israel to Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah, which had been Assad's staunchest allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday morning, assailants rummaged through furniture and documents at the Iranian embassy in Damascus, according to footage shared by Saudi Arabia's al-Arabiya channel. Reuters could not verify the videos. Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, said embassy staff had vacated the building prior to any assault and all diplomats were in good health. "The Islamic Republic, in contact with the parties responsible for recent developments in Syria, has warned about this issue [the storming of the embassy] and called for the prevention of the recurrence of such attacks," Baghaei said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iranian state TV reported that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria, had guaranteed that the sanctity of Shi'ite shrines in Syria would be preserved. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Sunday that all Iranian servants of the Sayeda Zeinab shrine returned to Iran prior to the capture of Damascus by rebels. Sayeda Zeinab - the granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammad - is venerated by Shi'ites and her shrine is a site of mass pilgrimage for Shi'ites from across the world. It has also been a magnet for Shi'ite militiamen backed by Iran in Syria. HTS was formerly an al Qaeda affiliate known as the Nusra Front until its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016. (Reporting by Dubai NewsroomEditing by Elaine Hardcastle and Christina Fincher) (Reuters) - Syria's Bashar al-Assad used Russian and Iranian firepower to beat back rebel forces during years of civil war but never defeated them, leaving him vulnerable to their breathtaking advance when his allies were distracted by wars elsewhere. President for 24 years, Assad flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination early on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters. Rebels declared the city "free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad". A half-century of Assad family rule was over, army command told officers, according to a Syrian officer. Statues of Assad's father and brother were toppled in cities taken by the rebels, while pictures of him on billboards and government offices were torn down, stamped on, burned or riddled with bullets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad became president in 2000 after his father Hafez died, preserving the family's iron-fisted rule and the dominance of their Alawite sect in the Sunni Muslim-majority country and Syria's status as an Iranian ally hostile to Israel and the U.S. Shaped in its early years by the Iraq war and crisis in Lebanon, Assad's rule was defined by civil war, which spiralled out of the 2011 Arab Spring, when Syrians demanding democracy took to the streets, to be met with deadly force. Branded an "animal" in 2018 by U.S. President Donald Trump for using chemical weapons - an accusation he denied - Assad outlasted many of the foreign leaders who believed his demise was imminent in the early days of the conflict, when he lost swathes of Syria to rebels. Helped by Russian air strikes and Iranian-backed militias, he clawed back much of the lost territory during years of military offensives, including siege warfare condemned as "medieval" by U.N. investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With his opponents largely confined to a corner of northwestern Syria, he presided over several years of relative calm, though large parts of the country remained out of his grasp and the economy was shackled by international sanctions. Assad re-established ties with Arab states that once shunned him but remained a pariah to much of the world and never managed to revive the shattered Syrian state, whose armed forces swiftly retreated in the face of rebel advances. He has not delivered any public remarks since insurgents took Aleppo a week ago but said in a call with Iran's president that the escalation sought to redraw the region for Western interests, echoing his view of the revolt as a foreign-backed conspiracy. Justifying his response to the insurgency in its early stages, Assad compared himself to a surgeon. "Do we say to him: 'Your hands are covered in blood?' Or do we thank him for saving the patient?" he said in 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early in the conflict, as rebels seized town after town, Assad oozed confidence. "We will hit them with an iron fist and Syria will return to how it was," he told soldiers after taking back the town of Maaloula in 2014. He delivered on the first pledge, but not the second. Years later, large parts of Syria remained outside state control, cities were flattened, the death toll topped 350,000 and more than a quarter of the population had fled abroad. RED LINES Assad was backed by those Syrians who believed he was saving them from hardline Sunni Islamists. As al Qaeda-inspired insurgent groups gained prominence, this fear resonated among minorities. Rebel forces sought to assure Christians, Alawites and other minorities they would be protected as they advanced this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad clung to the idea of Syria as a bastion of secular Arab nationalism even as the conflict appeared ever more sectarian. Speaking to Foreign Affairs in 2015, he said Syria's army was "made up of every colour of Syrian society". But to his opponents, he was fuelling sectarianism. The conflict's sectarian edge was hardened by the arrival of Iranian-backed Shi'ite fighters from across the Middle East to support Assad, and as Sunni Muslim-led states including Turkey and Qatar backed the rebels. Assad's value to Iran was underscored by a senior Iranian official who declared in 2015 that his fate was a "red line" for Tehran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Iran stood by Assad, the United States failed to enforce its own "red line" - set by President Barack Obama in 2012 against the use of chemical weapons. U.N.-backed investigations have concluded Damascus used chemical weapons. A sarin gas attack on the rebel-held Ghouta in 2013 killed hundreds, but Moscow brokered a deal for Syria's chemical weapons to be destroyed, averting a U.S. response. Still, poison gas continued to hit rebel areas, with a 2017 sarin attack prompting Trump to order a cruise missile response. Assad has denied accusations the state was to blame. He similarly denied the army had dropped barrel bombs packed with explosives that caused indiscriminate destruction. He appeared to make light of the accusation in a BBC interview in 2015, saying: "I haven't heard of the army using barrels, or maybe, cooking pots." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also dismissed tens of thousands of photos showing torture of people in government custody as being part of a Qatar-funded plot. As fighting died down, Assad accused Syria's enemies of economic warfare. But while he remained a pariah to the West, some Arab states that once backed his opponents began opening doors to him. A beaming Assad was greeted by leaders of the United Arab Emirates during a visit there in 2022. EYE DOCTOR Assad often presented himself as a humble man of the people, appearing in films driving a modest family car and in photographs with his wife visiting war veterans in their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He took office in 2000 after his father's death, but had not always been destined for the presidency. Hafez had groomed another son, Bassel, to succeed him. But when Bassel died in a 1994 car crash, Bashar was transformed from an eye doctor in London - where he studied as a postgraduate - to heir apparent. Upon becoming president, Assad seemed to adopt liberal reforms, painted optimistically as "the Damascus spring". He released hundreds of political prisoners, made overtures to the West and opened the economy to private companies. His marriage to British-born former investment banker Asma Akhras - with whom he had three children - helped foster hopes he could take Syria down a more reformist path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High points of his early dalliance with Western leaders included attending a Paris summit where he was a guest of honour at the annual Bastille Day military parade. But with the political system he inherited left intact, signs of change quickly dried up. Dissidents were jailed and economic reforms contributed to what U.S. diplomats described, in a 2008 embassy cable released by WikiLeaks, as "parasitic" nepotism and corruption. While the elite did well, drought drove the poor from rural areas to slums where the revolt would blaze. Tensions built with the West after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 turned the Middle Eastern power balance on its head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assassination of Lebanon's Rafik al-Hariri in Beirut in 2005 prompted Western pressure that forced Syria's withdrawal from its neighbour. An initial international probe implicated senior Syrian and Lebanese figures in the killing. While Syria denied involvement, former Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam said Assad had threatened Hariri months earlier - an accusation Assad also denied. Fifteen years later, a U.N.-backed court found a member of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah guilty of conspiring to kill Hariri. Hezbollah, an Assad ally, denied any role. (Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by William Maclean, Giles Elgood and William Mallard) Israeli troops are now engaged on "four fronts" as a result of new operations on the border of Syria and the Golan Heights, Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halevi said on Sunday. Halevi's comments to newly enlisted recruits came after Israel deployed soldiers into a demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, after the toppling of Bashar al-Assad's regime by Islamist rebels. Israeli forces on Sunday also took over the Syrian side of Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel seized the area from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. The capture was never internationally recognized, apart from the United States. "Ground troops are engaged in combat on four fronts: against terrorism in Judea and Samaria, in Gaza, in Lebanon, and last night we deployed troops into Syrian territory," Halevi said. Judea and Samaria are the Israeli names for the occupied West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier that troops were ordered to be positioned "in the buffer zone and several other places necessary for defence." "We will not allow any hostile force to position itself on our border," he said. At the same time, he reiterated that Israel was interested in having "good neighbourly relations" with Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it has frequently in recent months, Israel mounted a series of airstrikes in Syria on Sunday, including the capital Damascus, a monitoring group reported. Israeli warplanes targeted military depots in the vicinity of a scientific centre near Damascus and an army outpost in the countryside of the capital, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Israeli Air Force had earlier attacked a chemical weapons factory in Syria according to media reports. The Jerusalem Post reported that the attack was motivated by concerns that weapons developed during the reign of al-Assad could fall into the hands of rebels. The Israeli TV channel N12 had also reported on the strike earlier. An Israeli army spokesman declined to comment on the reports. An aerial view shows an immigrant group trying to cross the Texan border in February despite heightened security measures in Eagle Pass. In 2006, Texas studied the economic effect of its more than 1 million undocumented residents and found their contribution outweighs costs. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images In 2006, Texas State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn set out to assess the effect undocumented Texans have on the state economy and found that they contributed more to Texas than they cost the state. This is the first time any state has done a comprehensive financial analysis of the impact of undocumented immigrants on a states budget and economy, Strayhorn, a Republican, wrote at the beginning of the report. It was also the last time Texas did such a study. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The state has not updated Strayhorns analysis or conducted a similar review since it was issued 18 years ago. But a series of reports released by nonprofits and universities have confirmed what Strayhorns office found. Those findings contradict notions that undocumented immigrants strain state resources a common argument made by some state Republican leaders in interviews and lawsuits challenging the federal governments immigration policies. Texans are hardworking and generous people, but the cost of illegal immigration is an unconscionable burden on the taxpayers of our great state, Attorney General Ken Paxton said in January 2021. Texas will always welcome those who legally immigrate, but we cannot continue forcing taxpayers to foot the bill for individuals who skirt the law and skip the line. Construction crews install panels of the border wall in La Casita-Garciasville. The 1,402-acre ranch was recently offered to the Trump administration to build facilities to coordinate mass deportations. A Texas comptrollers study estimated that the absence of 1.4 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas in 2005 would have cost the state about $17.7 billion in gross domestic product. Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images Shown is the site of ongoing state-sponsored border wall construction in La Casita-Garciasville. The 1,402-acre ranch was recently offered to the Trump administration to build facilities to coordinate mass deportations. A 2006 report by the Texas comptroller found that undocumented Texans at the time produced about $1.6 billion in state revenues collected from taxes and other sources exceeding the roughly $1.2 billion in state services, like public education and hospital care, they received. Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images Community members and activists rally in April to demand the city of Houston develop a comprehensive plan to protect community members from anti-immigrant legislation like Texas Senate Bill 4. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Cost of deportation The studies also offer hints of the cost that Texans could pay if the incoming Trump administration follows through on its promise to conduct mass deportations of undocumented immigrants across the country. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Strayhorns analysis estimated that the absence of 1.4 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas in 2005 would have cost the state about $17.7 billion in gross domestic product, which is a measure of the value of goods and services produced in Texas. Blanket mass deportations would be devastating not only for Texas economy, but for Texas families, said Juan Carlos Cerda, Texas state director for the American Business Immigration Coalition, a pro-immigrant group of business leaders. Were talking about industries like construction, agriculture, health care, manufacturing that are growing but depend heavily on immigrant labor and many of these workers have been in the state for decades. As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to office, Texas state leaders have been eager to help him carry out his pledged immigration crackdown. A major pillar of Trumps first campaign that lifted him to office in 2016 was a promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. This time he vowed mass deportations. Since his victory, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has offered the incoming administration 1,400 acres in the Rio Grande Valley that could be used as a staging area for deportations. A section of the border wall is being constructed Nov. 23 along farmland adjacent to road FM 1430 in La Casita-Garciasville. The 1,402.4-acre piece of land once owned by a family has been acquired by the Texas General Land Office and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. The land is being offered to President-elect Donald Trump in accordance with his plan for mass deportations. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Texas is home to about 11% of immigrants in the United States and an estimated 1.6 million undocumented persons the second-most in the country after California. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Economic effects When Strayhorns office studied their effect on the states economy, it found that undocumented Texans at the time produced about $1.6 billion in state revenues collected from taxes and other sources exceeding the roughly $1.2 billion in state services, like public education and hospital care, they received. The study also found that local governments bore the burden of $1.4 billion in health care and law enforcement costs that were not compensated by the state. Since then, there have been a handful of studies that reached similar conclusions. A woman in shackles is patted down in Harlingen before boarding the first deportation flight of undocumented Venezuelans after a U.S.-Venezuelan agreement in this October 2023 photo. A Texas comptrollers study estimated that the absence of 1.4 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas in 2005 would have cost the state about $17.7 billion in gross domestic product. Veronica G. Cardenas/AFP/Getty Images/TNS Beneath all of the sound and fury, however, is one incontrovertible fact: TEXAS NEEDS THE WORKERS!! stated a 2016 paper published by the Perryman Group, a Waco-based economic and financial analysis firm. The groups review estimated that undocumented Texans contributed $11.8 billion to the state after subtracting the $3.1 billion Texas spent on them for health care, education and other public services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The paper added: While there are many considerations, the fact is that undocumented workers in Texas generate millions of jobs and billions in tax revenue. Restrictive immigration policy will cause substantial economic and fiscal losses, and optimal policy would be crafted to minimize these dislocations. Jose Ivan Rodriguez-Sanchez is a research scholar for the Baker Institute Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston. In 2018, he replicated Strayhorns analysis and also found the economic benefits of undocumented Texans outweigh the costs to the state. These papers tell us the importance of these people for the U.S., Rodriguez-Sanchez said. They are also not only good workers, but also they are paying taxes, buying houses or buying goods and commodities. Immigrant supporters marches with others during a protest outside the Grayson County courthouse in downtown Sherman in this 2017 photo. In an action called A Day Without Immigrants, immigrants across the country stayed home from school, work and close businesses to show how critical they are to the U.S. economy and way of life. LM Otero/AP Should be studied State Sen. Cesar Blanco, an El Paso Democrat, tried to require the state comptrollers office to update the study regularly in a 2015 bill that he sponsored when he served in the Texas House. But the bill did not advance far. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In an interview, Blanco pointed to the reviews done by non-state agencies and said the information can instruct lawmakers. Its important to realize that immigrants are part of the backbone of Texas economy, Blanco said. Each state should study it. Comptroller Glenn Hegar in 2013 said his office would update Strayhorns study or conduct a similar one. It is obvious that Texans deserve to know what illegal immigration costs the taxpayers each year, he said in a statement at the time. In order for Texas to truly understand the costs of illegal immigration to our state, we do need updated numbers. Whether it is updating that specific study or conducting a similar one, (it) is something my administration will do. But that has not happened. His office did not respond to a request for comment. Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Israeli forces on Sunday seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria, whose rule by President Bashar Assad ended with takeover by rebels. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday said the agreement had collapsed as Syrian troops had abandoned their positions. The prime minister, at the Israeli-Syrian border, shared a video on X and wrote: "This is a historic day in the history of the Middle East. We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border." This is a historic day for the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers. We send a hand of peace to all those beyond our border in Syria: to the Druze, to the Kurds, to the... pic.twitter.com/yJZE3AZZJn Benjamin Netanyahu - (@netanyahu) December 8, 2024 In the 1967 Yom Kippur Mideast war, Israel captured the Golan Heights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The international community, except for the United States, views this area as occupied Syrian territory. "The IDF has deployed troops in the buffer zone and in a number of areas that are necessary to defend, in order to ensure the security of the communities in the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel," Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. "We emphasize that the IDF is not interfering with the internal events in Syria. The IDF will continue to operate as long as necessary in order to preserve the buffer zone and defend Israel and its civilians." IDF troops also said: "In accordance with the understanding between Israel and Lebanon, IDF troops currently operating in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from deploying and to remove threats. Storage facilities with hundreds of anti-tank rockets, mortars, grenades, and a vehicle equipped with a rocket launcher were located and dismantled as well as several underground tunnel shafts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lebanese army has deployed reinforcement troops along its eastern and northern borders with Syria, according to an army statement released on Sunday. "The units tasked with monitoring and controlling the northern and eastern borders have been reinforced, in conjunction with tightening monitoring procedures. Units deployed throughout Lebanon are also implementing exceptional measures to maintain security and protect civil peace," the army said. The Israeli military carried out the deployment to the buffer zone in coordination with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, which controls the area. UNDOF members remained in their positions. Israel had warned rebel forces in southern Syria not to approach the buffer zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nation launched airstrikes in Syria, hitting weapons factories, including chemical weapons sites near Damascus. This was an effort to prevent them from falling into the hands of rebel groups, according to Syrian media reports. Also, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes in central Syria on Sunday, which targeted "ISIS leaders, operatives and camps" using multiple Air Force assets - including B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 aircraft - an American official said. "CENTCOM, together with allies and partners in the region, will continue to carry out operations to degrade ISIS operational capabilities even during this dynamic period in central Syria," the official said in a report by CNN. The IDF's 98th Division with the Paratroopers and Commando brigades was dispatched to the Golan Heights on Sunday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military's Arabic spokesperson issued an "urgent warning" to residents in southern Syria after Israel sized the buffer zone. In a post on X, Avichay Adraee issued warnings for five areas. Adraee said that "fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to take action, and we do not intend to harm you." He added: "For your safety, please remain in your homes and do not go outside until further notice." There were no changes to guidelines for residents of the Golan Heights despite IDF's increasing presence in the areas and forces were on high alert. Agricultural areas near Merom Golan, Ein Zivan, Buq'ata and Khirbet Ein Hura are off-limits for civilians until the end of the month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools in the four Druze communities in the northern Golan Heights - Buq'ata, Ein Qiniye, Mas'ade and Majdal Shams - would carry out studies online on Sunday. Day cares would still operate there. Dspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, a member of the ruling Likud party, wants further action against Syria Sunday, writing on X that Israel should completely take over the buffer zone. "The events in Syria are far from being a reason for celebration," Chikli said. "The bottom line is that most of Syria is now controlled by subsidiaries of al-Qaeda and ISIS." Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said it is "more important than ever to create a strong regional coalition, with Saudi Arabia and the Abraham Accords countries, to deal together with the regional instability." Israel has seized land along its border with Syria and carried out air strikes on Damascus. Benjamin Netanyahu said IDF troops had captured a buffer zone in the Golan Heights on the same day a lightning rebel offensive toppled the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad. Mr Netanyahu said the move was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions, and after rebel fighters infiltrated the UN monitored area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came as Israeli fighter jets began a bombardment of weapons sites in Damascus, as the Jewish state took preventive measures to quash weapons leftover from the Assad regime getting into the hands of extremists. Smoke rises after suspected IDF strikes near Mezzeh Air Base Damascus, Syria - Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty The alleged Israeli airstrikes hit the Mazzeh district of Damascus on Sunday, according to one Lebanese and one Syrian security source speaking to Reuters. Additionally, jets believed to be Israeli bombed the Khalkhala air base in southern Syria that was evacuated by the Syrian army overnight. According to Reuters, at least six strikes hit the main air base in the north of the city of Suwayda that has a large stockpile of rockets and missiles left by Syrian troops. Among the stockpiles are long-range rockets, surface-to-surface missiles and chemical weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More strikes targeted a security complex and a government research centre which it has said in the past was used by Iran to develop missiles, two regional security sources told Reuters. Israeli fighter jets bombarded weapons sites in Damascus - OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images They caused extensive damage to the main customs headquarters and buildings adjoining the military intelligence offices within the security complex, which is located in the Kafr Sousa district of Damascus. The research facility was also damaged, the sources said, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity. One of the sources said the strikes had hit infrastructure used to store sensitive military data, equipment and guided missiles parts. Israeli soldiers walk near armoured vehicles along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria - Matias Delacroix/AP Photo Israel has watched the rapid overthrow of Assads government with a mixture of hope and concern as officials weigh the consequences of one of the most significant strategic shifts in the Middle East in years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad was supported during the countrys long civil war by Iran and Russia. Israeli officials have expressed concern that chemical weapons and other prohibited munitions and missiles that Syria had kept for decades could now fall into the hands of the Islamist-led rebels who stormed into Damascus on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Islamist leader of the group leading the Syrian rebellion, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, head of Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) and a former al-Qaeda fighter, has long been vocal in his opposition to Israel. Growing up in Saudi Arabia until the age of seven, he then moved to Damascus where his grandfather had been displaced following the 1967 Six-Day War in which Israel took control of the Golan Heights. He says he was radicalised by the second intifada in 2000, one of the most bloody times of the Israel-Palestine conflict. In 2021, he told PBS Frontline: I was 17 or 18 years old at the time, and I started thinking about how I could fulfil my duties, defending a people who are oppressed by occupiers and invaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Ehud Yaari, an Israeli Lafer international fellow of the Washington Institute said: The concerns about chemical weapons and heavy missiles falling into the hands of the rebels are certainly justified, but let us remember that there is a huge distance between seizing chemical materials and the ability and, of course, the desire to use them. The Israeli military did not comment on the reported strikes when approached by The Telegraph. We have to take action against possible threats, Mr Netanyahu said Sunday. One of them is the collapse of the Separation of Forces Agreement from 1974 between Israel and Syria. This agreement held for 50 years. Last night, it collapsed, he added, after militia fighters entered the 50 mile long buffer zone and tried to take over a UN outpost and the Syrian army abandoned its position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We gave the Israeli army the order to take over these positions to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel. This is a temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found, Mr Netanyahu said. Following Mr Netanyahus instructions to seize control of the buffer zone, Herzi Halevi, Israels Chief of Staff, confirmed that on Saturday night, forces had begun ground operations. Ground troops are engaged in combat on four fronts: against terrorism in Judea and Samaria, in Gaza, in Lebanon, and last night we deployed troops into Syrian territory, he said on Sunday. We have excellent ground troops working together, infantry, armour, engineering, and artillery, and they are co-operating with other branches of the IDF: air, sea, and intelligence, Mr Halevi said as the country braces for any possible onslaught of Islamic extremists on its Syrian border. X / @danny_makki Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israels efforts to take advantage of Assads downfall to occupy more territory. Israel is on high alert after last years Oct 7 atrocities in which thousands of Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel, killing over 1,100 mostly civilians and taking over 250 more hostage. Hezbollah in Lebanon, on Israels northern border, was also planning an Oct 7-style attack which has seen Israel blitz the terror groups infrastructure and leadership in recent months. Mr Netanyahu said that the collapse of the Syrian regime was the direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assads main supporters, referring to two direct hits on Iran as the two countries shadow war came out into the open with two direct attacks from each side this year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli shelling hit a hospital in northern Gaza, wounding several people, damaging equipment and disrupting surgeries, Palestinian health officials said on Sunday, but Israel's military denied carrying out strikes in the area. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya - one of only three barely operational on the northern edge of the enclave - said the facility was struck by about 100 tank shells and bombs late on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The situation is extremely dangerous. We have patients in the intensive care unit and others awaiting surgeries. Access to the operating rooms is only possible after restoring electricity and oxygen supply," Abu Safiya said in a statement. The hospital is currently treating 112 wounded people, including six in the intensive care unit, he said. Israel's military said it had conducted a review and found that its forces had not struck in the vicinity of the hospital or damaged any of its essential equipment. "The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is in continuous coordination with hospital officials to provide humanitarian assistance to the hospital and maintain a consistent liaison," the military said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The health ministry of Hamas-run Gaza said a doctor was killed with his family in an Israeli airstrike near the hospital on Saturday night. Residents said the military blew up clusters of houses on Sunday in the northern Gaza areas of Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, where Israeli forces have operated since October. Later in the day, an Israeli airstrike killed five Palestinians in the heart of Gaza City, taking the number of people killed in separate military strikes across the enclave to 11, medics said. Palestinians say Israel's operations on the northern edge of the enclave are part of a plan to clear people out through forced evacuations and bombardments to create a buffer zone. The Israeli military denies this, saying it is fighting Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war in Gaza has been raging for over 14 months, with much of the enclave laid to waste and more than 44,000 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza health authorities, as Israeli forces continue their drive to wipe out Hamas and rescue hostages taken by the militant group. The deadliest Israeli-Palestinian violence in decades began when Hamas stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages back to Gaza. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by William Mallard, Kirsten Donovan and Helen Popper) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday declared the 1974 separation of forces agreement between Israel and Syria effectively terminated as he visited the Golan Heights in the company of Defence Minister Israel Katz. Referring to the agreement, Netanyahu said: "Last night it collapsed. The Syrian army abandoned its positions. We gave the Israeli army the order to take over these positions to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel." He added that the situation was temporary "until a suitable arrangement is found," but added that Israel would do whatever it takes to defend its borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement following the 1973 Yom Kippur War created a buffer zone along the border monitored by a UN peacekeeping mission, Israel seized the Goals Heights in the 1967 Six Day War and annexed the region in 1981 in a move that has not been recognized under international law. The area is significant both militarily and for its water sources. By Emily Rose and James Mackenzie JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has watched the rapid overthrow of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with a mixture of hope and concern as officials weigh the consequences of one of the most significant strategic shifts in the Middle East in years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the ousting of Assad as an "historic day" that followed the blows delivered by Israel against Assad's supporters Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon that had created a chain reaction throughout the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This of course creates new, very important opportunities for the State of Israel. But it is also not without risks," he said on a visit to the border area on Sunday. Israel has pushed tanks over the border into the buffer zone with Syria to prevent a spillover from the turmoil there, but has declared its intention of staying out of the conflict engulfing its neighbour. Netanyahu said Israel was working on a policy of "good neighbourliness" and would "extend a hand of peace" to Druze, Kurds, Christians and Muslims. "We will closely follow developments. We will do what is necessary to protect our border and protect our security," he said in a filmed statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lightning advance of Syrian rebel forces since their seizure of Aleppo last week has thrown further turmoil into a region already reeling from the shocks of the war in Gaza and Israel's subsequent campaign against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. "At the moment, if we aren't attacked we will just retain the current situation," Israel's Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis told Reuters. "Nobody should think that this threat of the Shiite-Iranian axis of evil has been eliminated entirely, there are changes but we need everyone... to be even more vigilant about this," said Akunis. Overnight, the Israeli military said it was not interfering with internal events in Syria but would "operate as long as necessary in order to preserve the buffer zone and defend Israel and its civilians." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rapid collapse of the Syrian government has presented Israel with a mix of problems and opportunity, said Dina Lisnyansky, a specialist in regional politics at Tel Aviv University. Iran's inability to protect its long-time ally Assad has underlined the weakness laid bare by Israel's devastating campaign against Hezbollah, which left the long-time Iranian proxy reeling, its long-feared missile arsenal largely destroyed and most of its top leadership dead. But the advance of a disparate group of rebel forces with roots in the Islamist ideology of Al Qaeda risks re-igniting chaos in Syria and creating a new security threat on Israel's borders. "It really depends on what happens next in Syria," Lisnyansky said. "We need to know if it goes to the peaceful side of events or perhaps whether a new civil war could occur in Syria, which would of course endanger our borders," she said. (Reporting by Emily Rose and James Mackenzie; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle, Alexandra Hudson) By Suleiman Al-Khalidi (Reuters) - Israel conducted three airstrikes in the Syrian capital on Sunday against a security complex and a government research centre which it has said in the past was used by Iran to develop missiles, two regional security sources told Reuters on Sunday. Sunday's strikes, on the day rebels overthrew the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, caused extensive damage to the main customs headquarters and buildings adjoining the military intelligence offices within the security complex, which is located in the Kafr Sousa district of Damascus, the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The research facility was also damaged, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity. One of the sources said the strikes had hit infrastructure used to store sensitive military data, equipment and guided missiles parts. Israel has watched the rapid overthrow of Assad's government with a mixture of hope and concern as officials weigh the consequences of one of the most significant strategic shifts in the Middle East in years. Assad was supported during the country's long civil war by Iran and Russia. Israeli officials have expressed concern that chemical weapons and other prohibited munitions and missiles that Syria had kept for decades could now fall into the hands of the Islamist-led rebels who stormed into Damascus on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Sunday, Israel struck at least seven targets in southwest Syria that included the Khalkhala air base north of Sweida city that Syrian army troops withdrew from last night, the sources said. They said the army left behind large stockpile of missiles, air defence batteries and munitions that were hit on Sunday. Strikes near Mezzah military airport southwest of the capital hit other ammunition depots, the sources said. Israel has been carrying out strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since last year's Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Israeli territory that sparked the Gaza war. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Helen Popper) A man who ran for the congressional seat previously held by former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) taunted a federal judges decision to immediately send him to prison for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Philip Sean Grillo, who was sentenced Friday to 12 months in prison, let it be known in court that President-elect Trump would likely pardon him. Trumps gonna pardon me anyways, Grillo, a New York district leader from Queens, said as U.S. Marshals took him into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Grillo was found guilty of the felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, along with a series of misdemeanors. After the Supreme Court narrowed the governments use of obstruction law this summer, Grillo filed a motion for acquittal on that count. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who presided over the case, sentenced Grillo on Friday for the remaining misdemeanor counts. I will do my job as Im bound by oath to do, and the president will do his. Its as simple as that, the judge said. Grillo declared candidacy for Santos seat in 2023. However, despite an interest in politics, Lamberth argued that, for now, defendants should be prosecuted without regard to their political affiliation or any other attribute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having read dozens of indictments related to Jan. 6, I can say confidently: Nobody has been prosecuted for protected First Amendment activity. Nobody is being held hostage. Nobody has been made a prisoner of conscience. Every rioter is in the situation he or she is in because he or she broke the law, and for no other reason, Lamberth stated. More than 1,500 rioters have been charged in connection with the Capitol attack. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria is down to Hamas. The terrorist groups invasion of Israel on October 7 last year triggered a chain of events that severely weakened Iran and consequently left its Syrian client exposed. Alongside Russia, Tehran had been propping up Assad since the rebellion against his rule that began in 2011. During its defensive war following the October 7 massacres, however, Israel inflicted huge damage on Irans two most important proxies, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. In addition Iran itself was revealed to be a paper tiger during the damaging counter-strikes that followed Tehrans largely ineffective missile barrages against Israel. Spotting the opportunity, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with an eye both on the destruction of Kurdish forces in northern Syria and his broader expansionary Islamist agenda, gave the green light to his terrorist proxies in Syria to move. Speaking to the media, he all but admitted that his intention was to bring down Assad. Most strikingly, in a lightning offensive Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) burst out from Idlib, leading a collection of other armed groups in seizing the major cities of Aleppo, Hama, Homs and now Damascus. Given the Assad regimes monstrosities, many in the West have been enthusiastic about its fall, with some even hailing HTS as the good guys, led on by the apparently reasonable rhetoric of their leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not so fast. We can see many echoes of Afghanistan in whats been happening in Syria. A similar power vacuum emerged there after Joe Biden pulled US forces out in 2021, leading to an astonishingly rapid Taliban advance. As in Afghanistan, demoralised Syrian government forces collapsed in the face of the jihadist march, with many melting away and some switching sides. In some places political accommodation has also been achieved by local leaders who preferred not to fight. But remember also how in 2021 the Taliban tried to convince the world that they had changed from the group that inflicted such brutality on the country before being ejected 20 years earlier. Their spokesman said they would not seek revenge on those who had collaborated with Coalition forces and the US-backed government, and would even respect womens rights and press freedom. We know how that worked out. Well, HTS is trying the same trick now. Jolani has even gone so far as to declare that diversity is a strength. He has suggested that the people of Syria have nothing to fear and that his intent is to decentralise governance in the country, with the various ethnic and religious groups being freed to rule their own areas. No doubt this was an effort to diminish resistance as HTS advanced and also to gain some kind of acceptance among gullible Westerners. But we should not forget that HTS is a jihadist group with origins in Al Qaeda, including the remnants of the group led by Abu Musab al Zarqawi, a Palestinian Jordanian known as the sheikh of the slaughterers. Wherever they have had authority, they have inflicted abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So if HTS does emerge out of the fall of Assad as the countrys new rulers, we should be under no illusion that what will follow will be any more palatable. If anything the situation is likely to be even worse, and not just for human rights in Syria. Assad is a life-long enemy of Israel, and allowed Iran to use the country both as a transit route for munitions for Hezbollah in Lebanon and to build a base of attack against the Jewish state. But direct Syrian aggression against Israel has been limited by Russian influence as well as Assads desire for greater acceptance across the Arab world. No such restraint is likely to apply under HTS rule. The HTS jihadists have been seizing weapons wherever they have found them. Now there is every likelihood that vast stockpiles of munitions, including chemical weapons, armoured fighting vehicles, combat planes and missiles will fall under their control. To mitigate that nightmare scenario, the Israeli Air Force appears to have been striking critical weapons depots. That might turn out to be not just a service to their own country but to other nations and forces in the region as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the time being, HTS have their sights set on control within Syria. But it is not credible that they will not turn their attention beyond the borders in time. And that may not be limited to aggression against Israel: there is every likelihood that Syria is once again about to become a major exporter of jihadist terrorism. Before welcoming the rise of HTS, we should bear in mind that the enemy of my enemy can still be my enemy. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Pilots arriving at Palm Beach International Airport now have an updated way to pay homage to a son of a son of a sailor who had an outsized presence and effect on Palm Beach and the Sunshine State. The Federal Aviation Administration on Oct. 31 published an updated arrival procedure called JESTR ONE, named for Jimmy Buffett, the original Parrothead, who frequently likened his work to that of a court jester. Buffett lived for decades in Palm Beach, until his death on Sept. 1, 2023, at age 76. In FAA terms, a procedure is a set of points followed to land at or take off from an airport. Because there is no physical signage to indicate an arrival procedure, those travelers arriving to grab a cheeseburger in paradise could pass through this tribute to Buffett without ever being the wiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Jimmy Buffett Day is Aug. 30: 7 of the Parrothead's ties to Palm Beach The FAA on Oct. 31 also released an updated departure procedure from Key West International Airport to honor Buffett: BUFTT ONE. For pilots, these nods to the man behind the hit song "Margaritaville" feel a little familiar. The Federal Aviation Administration in 2009 first dedicated a departure procedure and waypoints BUFIT ONE in PBIA's airspace to Buffett. The procedure was canceled in 2021, an FAA spokesperson told the Daily News in August. A pilot himself, Buffett kept his planes at PBIA. James "Jimmy" William Buffett first moved to Palm Beach in 1993. He had an outsized presence in Florida, which honored him this year by declaring Aug. 30 Jimmy Buffett Day, renaming State Road A1A the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway and approving a new license plate. Buffett named one of his albums "A1A," which was released in 1974. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The highway renaming applies to all portions of A1A, which runs along the state's east coast. In Palm Beach, A1A follows South Ocean Boulevard north to South County Road, then west along Royal Poinciana Way to cross the Flagler Memorial Bridge into West Palm Beach, where it turns north on North Dixie Highway. Jon Bon Jovi (left) and Jimmy Buffett perform during the Everglades Foundation's ForEverglades dinner dance at The Breakers on Feb. 16, 2019, in Palm Beach. The license plate will have Florida at the top and Margaritaville at the bottom. The fees from the sale of the plate will be distributed to the SFC Charitable Foundation Inc., also known as Singing for Change, which was founded by Buffett in 1995. Buffett owned several properties in Palm Beach County, including three homes on Palm Beach's Root Trail. Those went on the market July 12. A Canadian buyer this month closed on Buffett's former home at 138 Root Trail for a recorded $6.11 million. Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jimmy Buffett: FAA honors Parrothead at two Florida airports PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) Panama City residents continued to welcome the holiday season on Saturday. Thousands of people gathered downtown to watch the annual Christmas parade. The parade was canceled last year due to bad weather, so everyone seemed extra excited about the event this year. Bay Arts Alliance held its 7th Annual Holiday Bazaar The parade kicked off at 6 pm. The route down Harrison Avenue began at 13th Street and ended at 6th Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several local organizations such as Dance Kraze, the Equestrian Club, and Bay High Schools JROTC participated in the parade. Bay and Rutherford High School bands also performed as they marched the route. And you cant have a Christmas parade without the man in the big red suit. Santa Claus also made an appearance, spreading Christmas joy and making sure no Panama City residents were being naughty. City officials say there were about 80 floats featured in the parade this year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. Syrian exiles in Germany expressed euphoria on Sunday at the toppling of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad as they followed news of the rapid developments in their home country. "Let us reconstruct our Syria together," human rights lawyer Michal Shammas wrote on his Facebook page. Hassan al-Aswad of the Syrian Democratic Alliance called on Syrians to forgive those who had been part of the old system but who had not committed serious crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawyer from the south-western Syrian city of Daraa, who lives in exile in Hanover, published a video in which he praised the fact that the rebels had not destroyed state infrastructure during their advance on Damascus. "I forgive the person who has occupied my house since 2012." He added: "May God forgive you. I don't want anything from you." Syrians were facing a major test, al-Aswad said. "War is not easy, but peace is more difficult," he said. Those guilty of crimes should face a fair trial something Syrians had not experienced in the past, he added. Since Saturday, Syrian opponents of the toppled regime have been publishing videos showing the liberation of prisoners. They are reported to include political prisoners detained under the rule of Bashar's father Hafez al-Assad, who died in 2000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile in Berlin, a group held a spontaneous demonstration in celebration of the change of power in Syria in the city's Neukolln district waving flags inscribed with the legend "Free Syria" on Sunday. Police described the gathering as a "relatively small group" and said no noteworthy incidents had occurred. The demonstration was preceded on Saturday evening by a motorcade through Neukolln on Saturday evening. Police reported a gathering of Syrians "who demonstrated against the caliphate" numbering in the hundreds. No noteworthy incidents were reported. Neukolln in the south-east of the German capital is home to a large number of immigrants. Over the recent past it has seen violent pro-Palestinian demonstrations voicing anger at Israeli conduct in the war in the Gaza Strip. Extraordinary footage has emerged on social media of jubilant and outraged Syrians looting deposed President Bashar al-Assads palace, carting off Louis Vuitton-branded boxes and other luxury goods after the regimes stunning collapse. The shocking scenes come hours after rebel forces Saturday reached Damascus, declaring the capital city liberated as Assad fled the country. Footage posted online, which appeared to have been taken inside the palace, showed looters rifling through bed linens, clothes and kitchen items, with one person carrying a distinctive orange Louis Vuitton-branded box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assads wife, the British-born Asma al-Assad, was long known for her love of expensive possessions. Citizens are looting the palace of President Assad. SHOUFFF LOUIS VUITTON pic.twitter.com/s1jQh1Gxn8 MagicFlower (@MagicFLower22) December 8, 2024 In 2012, emails obtained from private accounts revealed Asma to be a voracious internet shopper, who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury products ranging from jewelry and fondue sets to art, furniture and other luxury items. There have been reports of looters breaching the reserves of Syrias Central Bank and walking out with bags full of cash. Another video circulating online, the authenticity of which could not be verified, purports to show a garage stuffed with a secret collection of luxury cars including Porsche, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Mercedes vehicles. Statues of Assad were torn down and rode like sleds through the streets. Syrians ride on a toppled statue of Assad in the city of Latakia. pic.twitter.com/NZlwGpGsLY OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) December 8, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad has ruled since July 2000, when he inherited the presidency from his father Hafez al-Assad, who took control of Syria in November 1970, after leading a coup against then-President Nureddin al-Atassi. He has conducted a brutal civil war since a rebel uprising in 2011. Damascus is now under the control of the rebel force, HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham), a radical Islamist group whose leader, Saudi-born Abu Mohammed al-Julani, is a former al-Qaeda fighter who was arrested by US forces in Iraq in 2006 and held for five years. On Sunday it was reported that Israeli air strikes hit Syrian air bases and other military structures, suggesting Israel was seizing the moment to destroy weapons and ammunition widely believed to have been supplied to Assad by Iran. Assad is believed to have headed to Russia, a key ally. Russias foreign ministry confirmed that Assad had decided to resign from the presidency. AKRON, Ohio (WJW) The grandfather of 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker, Gary Green, and a few dozen protesters chanted justice for Jazmir and no justice, no peace for several hours on Saturday night. They were in downtown Akron protesting the shooting of Tucker by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving night. He is the best kid youd ever want to be around. I just want justice for Jazmir Tucker, Green said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers didnt render aid to dying teen for 10 minutes: Attorney Tucker was shot when officers were investigating the sound of gunfire on East Avenue. Officers located and confronted Tucker. Police-worn body camera footage shows officers telling Tucker to hold his arms out to the side. After an officer shot at him, he told another officer Tucker was reaching for something on his right side. According to police, a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine was found in Tuckers jacket pocket, but the pocket was zipped closed. In a press conference on Friday, Akrons mayor questioned why the officer who shot Tucker was using a rifle and the amount of time it took to render aid to him after hed been shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police union president Brian Lucey called out the mayor and said the FOP is standing behind its officers. I want to be loud and clear: The FOP stands by and supports our officers and when all the facts are released surrounding this incident, we believe that they will be justified, Lucey said. Police: Fight inside Akron home led to fatal shooting Still, protesters believe changes need to be made. Fox 8 spoke to one protester named Tara who didnt wish to share her last name. Theres no way you can tell me you knew this child had a loaded gun because you dont have X-ray vision. So, that couldve been my son with a cell phone in his pocket, and you shoot first and ask questions later and Im tired. Im tired of worrying about my son when he walks out the door, she said. The whole system needs to change from within. Its not going to change with just this officer being reprimanded. Its not going to change with that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting is now being investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The findings will be submitted to the state attorney generals office and then presented to a grand jury, which will decide if charges should be filed or not. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A 49-year-old Kansas man died Friday after his pickup truck collided with a semi-truck in south-central Kansas. The man was identified as Joseph Bailey of Kingman, a Kansas Highway Patrol crash log entry shows. The crash occurred at about 10:28 a.m. along U.S. Highway 160 in Harper County. Bailey was westbound on U.S. 160 in a 2005 Ford F-150 when for unknown reasons it went left of the center line, sideswiping a light pole and barrier, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The truck continued west on U.S. 160 for about a block and then struck a semi that was heading east on U.S. 160. The truck bounced off the semis trailer and hit the front of a 2004 Chevy Silverado. Bailey was taken to Patterson Hospital where he died from his injuries, the KHP said. The driver of the semi, a 59-year-old Missouri man, was not injured in the crash, neither was the 66-year-old Kansas man in the Silverado. Roger Golubskis criminal trial could have been an important moment of closure and justice for his victims. While Golbulskis death deprived the brave women he harmed of this moment, it is not the end of the story or their fight for justice. That is because a single officer is not capable of wreaking the harm Golubski inflicted on the people of Kansas City, Kansas, without the protection and tacit support of his department. The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department maintained systems and a culture that enabled and protected Golubski for decades. The KCKPDs internal affairs department ignored reports of misconduct about Golubski and prevented civilians from filing complaints. Additionally, KCKPD officers repeatedly failed to intervene when they witnessed Golubski sexually assaulting women at police headquarters. Even though Golubskis crimes and abusive conduct toward informants was well known, he was never disciplined, instead receiving promotions throughout his career. KCKPDs insular and secretive culture ensured that Golubski could commit his crimes without external detection or consequences. Golubski may be gone, but the police agency that empowered and enabled his violence is still here. The question becomes what steps has the KCKPD taken to change? Sadly, if you look at the departments actions over the last several years, it seems that many of the same issues that plagued the department during Golubskis tenure have persisted. The KCKPD is still allegedly interfering with civilian complaints through the use of intimidation tactics. Officers still allegedly fail to intervene when they witness their colleagues using violent and excessive force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps most concerning is the departments continued culture of secrecy, which all but ensures its patterns of violence and corruption persist shielded from public knowledge. In a time when police should be prioritizing transparency to rebuild community trust, they are working overtime to shield their actions from public scrutiny and interfere with external oversight. For instance, in 2018, when District Attorney Mark Dupree created a conviction integrity unit, the KCKPD tried to enlist the state attorney general to block his efforts. In 2022, Police Chief Karl Oakman advocated for the department to handle the review of Golbulskis old cases internally, opposing community demands to enlist an independent agency with no conflict of interest. More recently, the department has rejected the publics efforts to gain information about the deaths of people shot by its officers, going as far as to sue the Kansas City, Missouri, police department to hide their officers body-worn camera footage from the public. The harms we see the department engaging in today reveal that Golubskis actions were only a small piece of the departments continuing pattern of misconduct. Whatever the outcome of Golubskis criminal trial, it was never going to represent true accountability. The KCKPD must acknowledge the role it played in the harm Golubski perpetrated and undertake significant reforms to prevent its officers from engaging in future violence. At a minimum, the department should settle the civil case that Michelle Houcks and her co-plaintiffs filed against the city for the assaults and abuses they suffered from Golubski. If the department truly wishes to disavow Golubskis conduct, it should provide the women he harmed with financial compensation and adopt the reforms their suit is seeking to impose rather than trying to get their case thrown out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department should also stop operating in secrecy and adopt policies that maximize transparency. Under the Kansas Open Records Act, the department has broad discretion as to what information it releases to the public. There is no reason police cannot adopt a policy of releasing information to the public so long as it will not compromise an ongoing investigation. Unfortunately, we know that we cannot count on the department to reform or police itself. The Legislature has a role to play, too. Kansas should reform its open records policy so that the KCKPD and other police agencies no longer have the option to hide records of problematic officers from the public, including body-worn camera footage of potential police misconduct. The state can also empower its own agencies to exercise more oversight over misconduct in local police departments as it did with the state racial profiling statute in 2012. While the women harmed by Golubski may not see him face consequences in criminal court, we still have an opportunity to hold Kansas City, Kansas, police accountable. If the department is unwilling to take steps toward reconciliation and reform on its own, the state must do its part to support community demands for transparency and oversight. Lauren Bonds is executive director of the National Police Accountability Project , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ending law enforcement abuse of power through education and legal action. Prior to joining NPAP, Lauren was the legal director of the ACLU Kansas. She is based in Kansas City, Kansas. Police have arrested a Kentucky teacher on a charge of first-degree sexual abuse involving a child under age 12. Richard Marzec, 41, is employed as a teacher in the Nelson County school system, but the alleged abuse happened in Boyle County, where Marzec is charged. The website of the Boyle County Jail says Marzec was arrested and booked into the jail Friday, with the Danville Police Department as the arresting agency. The jail site lists the charge against Marzec, but provides no details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The detectives on the case were not available for comment Saturday morning, and the citation in the case has not been logged into the court system website. However, Danville police Sgt. Brandon Record said Saturday that to his knowledge, the charge involves a victim who was not a student at school where Marzec was employed. That is not to say the investigation could not turn up additional information. Timothy Crawford, attorney for the Nelson County Board of Education, confirmed Marzecs employment in the district. Crawford said the school system took action as soon as it learned of the charge Friday evening, suspending Marzec from work and barring him from being on school property. A Facebook page with Marzecs name and photo lists him as a social studies teacher at Old Kentucky Home Middle School in Bardstown. The jail site did not list a defense attorney for Marzec. President Joe Biden gave a promising update on journalist and Marine Corps veteran Austin Tice who was kidnapped while reporting in Syria in 2012. We believe hes alive, the president told reporters on Sunday. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet, he continued. President Biden on Austin Tice: "We believe he's alive. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet." pic.twitter.com/jSbzxuxhsg CSPAN (@cspan) December 8, 2024 The presidents comments come on the heels of an effort by opposition forces in Syria that ousted the nations President Bashar al-Assad. Assad has since fled the country for Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of prisoners have poured out onto the streets of Syria once rebels took control, having been emancipated from the nations vast and lucrative detention system. Many of these political prisoners are now being reunited with their families. The United States has long said it believed Tice was being held captive by Assads regime, an accusation the Syrian government repeatedly denied. Still, the Biden administration, sources told the New York Times, has engaged extensively to try and bring Tice home by directly contacting Syrian officials and working through third parties. Despite having vanished 12 years ago, both the U.S. government and the American journalists family believe he is alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, the Tice family met with national security adviser Jake Sullivan, after which they announced a a significant source had told them Austin Tice is alive, Austin Tice is treated well. We are confident in that this information is fresh, Tices father added. It indicates as late as earlier this year that Austin is alive and being cared for. Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared in Syria more than a decade ago, believes her son is still alive. While the journalists whereabouts remain unknown, Biden reiterated that he and his administration remain committed to returning him to his family. The FBI has since offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Tices safe location, recovery, and return. The mention of the British royal family immediately conjures up images of luxurious palaces, televised weddings, sparkling crowns, and maybe some family drama. What doesn't come to mind, surely, is Starbucks. And yet, if you ever find yourself in the Banbury Gateway Shopping Park in Oxfordshire and visit its Starbucks, you'll be drinking your coffee on an estate that technically belongs to the current reigning monarch, King Charles III. Much like the fast food restaurant Queen Elizabeth II sort of owned, the entire Banbury Gateway is owned by the Crown Estate. It was King George III who, in 1760, made an agreement with the government that still stands today: In an exchange for an annual income, the King gives up the revenue from the Crown Estate. Instead, the profits from the Estate go to the Treasury (the economic and finance ministry), and from there, a portion is allocated to the Sovereign Grant which is the yearly income given to the Monarch for the operations of the entire royal household. In the last decade, the Crown Estate has put more than four billion British pounds into the Treasury and is worth 15.5 billion pounds as of 2024. Outside of London, the Crown Estate is a landlord to four Starbucks coffee shops alongside several McDonald's restaurants and other popular eateries, fashion stores, and even tech shops. Read more: 26 Coffee Hacks You Need To Know For A Better Cup How Much Power Does King Charles Have Over Banbury's Starbucks? Starbucks cup on a table - Cloudy Design/Shutterstock Although the lands under Crown Estate do belong to King Charles as the current Sovereign (as they did to Queen Elizabeth before him), he is not allowed to sell them, directly profit from them, or interfere with their management. These lands are not His Majesty's private property, and so he doesn't really have any say over what happens at Banbury's Starbucks or any other store inside the shopping park, for that matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This arrangement may seem a bit strange to those of us living outside a monarchy, but the concept of the Crown is not actually synonymous with the Monarch the Crown is, first and foremost, an institution. And Crown Estate is an independent for-profit business that's separate from King Charles as a person but is connected to the institution of the Crown. That said, if you're picking up one of Starbucks' top drinks or prefer venturing into Costa Coffee (which is also located inside the park) for your morning cup of caffeine at Banbury Gateway Shopping Park, you're partially contributing to the Sovereign Grant when all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Bashar Assad's government in Syria collapsed on Sunday, ending his 24 years in power. Rebel forces led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham swept through Syria, seizing Damascus. Here's what we know about HTS. Bashar Assad's 24-year rule came to an end on Sunday as rebels swept into Damascus, the Syrian capital. Shortly after insurgents declared the city "free," Russia's foreign ministry announced Assad had resigned his position and left the country. Russian state news later reported that Assad had arrived in Moscow, where he was granted asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collapse of Assad's government came after a coalition of opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a surprise offensive, seizing control of major cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs in a matter of days. Syrians around the world celebrated the end of Assad's rule, which was marked by brutal suppression. His violent crackdown on peaceful anti-government protests in 2011, part of the Arab Spring uprisings, sparked a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions, straining neighboring countries like Turkey and Lebanon. World leaders conveyed cautious optimism after news of Assad's ouster, but uncertainty remains around what kind of government and leader will replace him. One major player will almost certainly be HTS, which is led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, a Syrian who fought against US occupation in Iraq alongside a branch of Al Qaeda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jolani later returned to Syria, his homeland, where he fought with Jabhat Al-Nusra an Al Qaeda offshoot formed in 2012 and other rebel groups against Assad's forces. Jolani severed his ties with Al Qaeda in 2016 and formed a new group, which eventually became HTS in 2017. Since then, Jolani has portrayed himself as a more moderate leader to gain international legitimacy. Both the United States and the United Nations still list HTS as a terrorist organization. In one 2021 interview with PBS Frontline, Jolani called the group's terrorist designation a "political label that carries no truth or credibility." "Through our 10-year journey in this revolution, we haven't posed any threat to Western or European society: no security threat, no economic threat, nothing. That's why this designation is politicized," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, HTS has controlled Syria's northwestern Idlib Province, where analysts say it worked to consolidate power and transform its image while pursuing its ultimate goal of toppling Assad. In Idlib, Jolani established the so-called Syrian Salvation Government, which has acted as a showcase for what his leadership could bring to a wider area. Speaking about the Salvation Government in the PBS interview, Jolani said that while the situation in Idlib was not ideal, there was "a self-asserting model that was capable of running the affairs of a whole country under an Islamic rule." While some have remained doubtful that the group has fully cut its links with Al Qaeda, it has put forth a message of inclusiveness and unity in recent days, calling for a peaceful transition of power and reassuring religious and ethnic minorities in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the future Syria diversity is our strength, not a weakness," the group said in a statement to the Kurdish minority in Aleppo. Aron Lund, a fellow at Century International and a Middle East analyst at the Swedish Defense Research Agency, told Sky News that while Jolani and his group had changed, they remained "pretty hardline." "It's PR, but the fact they are engaging in this effort at all shows they are no longer as rigid as they once were," he said, referencing video footage showing Jolani forbidding fighters from entering homes and telling them to protect citizens. "Old-school Al Qaeda or the Islamic State would never have done that." HTS is only one part of an ideologically diverse opposition, and it remains to be seen if the coalition can peacefully share power and extend unified control over the whole country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If not, intra-Syrian territorial fragmentation, and the potential emergence of regional warlords and fiefdoms, will quickly grow," Jonathan Panikoff, the director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East Program, told Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider On the campaign trail, President-elect Trump pledged to crack down on immigration, repeating at his rallies the line: On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history. Trump has said that the plan will target those in the country illegally and particularly those with criminal records, and that he will rely on local police departments for assistance, though the operation will require extensive coordination with federal agencies and would likely face resistance from some local jurisdictions. Trump, whos set to return to the White House in just over a month, has already tapped several allies for key roles related to immigration in his second administration, indicating that he is looking to take a hard line on border policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes already nominated former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director Tom Homan to serve as border czar and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who, if confirmed, would work closely with Stephen Miller, whom Trump chose as his deputy chief of staff for policy. Miller was instrumental in shaping many of Trumps toughest immigration policies in his first term. Trump, on Thursday, named three people to key roles related to border security and immigration: Caleb Vitello as acting director of ICE, Rodney Scott as commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)and Anthony Salisbury as the deputy Homeland Security adviser on the White House Homeland Security Council. Vitello, Trumps pick for ICE director, already has 23 years of experience at the agency. He previously served as the Director of Interior Enforcement on the White House National Security Council, where he led a child and welfare safety effort, as well as other programs, his ICE biography showed. Currently, Vitello is the assistant director for the Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs at ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps pick as commissioner of CBP, Rodney Scott, already has several decades of experience as he began his service in border patrol in the 1990s. He worked in both Trumps and Bidens administrations as the head of the border patrol. Trump appointed him in February 2020, where he oversaw more than 21,000 personnel and backed some of Trumps border policies, like the president-elects Remain in Mexico program, a controversial initiative which forced non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. court dates. He also helped with Title 42, another controversial COVID-era policy that allowed for the rapid expulsion of asylum seekers throughout the pandemic. Scott resigned a highly anticipated move in June 2021 and retired in August 2021. Salisbury, Trumps choice for deputy Homeland Security adviser on the White House Homeland Security Council, is currently a special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Miami, where his office investigates crimes related to smuggling, financial fraud and human trafficking, the Miami Herald reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salisbury has worked up the ranks of HSI as he previously served as the acting deputy executive associate director of the office and supervised the activities of HSI offices throughout the Republic of Mexico as the deputy attache, NBCUs Florida affiliate, NBC6, reported. In the role, Salisbury will work closely with Miller. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Knox County man has been sentenced to more than 20 years behind bars for distributing and possessing child porn after being previously convicted of similar crimes. Lee Allen Goudy of Howard, Ohio, was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court. The FBI received multiple tips in August 2023 that Goudy, 30, was believed to have uploaded child porn online, FBI agents said. Authorities said an investigation showed Goudy, a registered Tier II sex offender from a previous similar crime, had approximately 650 videos and 100 images of child sex abuse on his iPhone. Authorities said the videos and images included those of infants and toddlers, along with the sexual torture of babies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second cell phone showed searches for content related to violence, rape and sex acts against infants and toddlers, and contained 150 images of child sex abuse that Goudy had traded on Discord, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio. Authorities said Goudy also distributed child porn from a Reddit account via Kik messenger and on X. The investigation also determined that Goudy performed searches on his iPhone for supervised release monitoring iPhone and does federal monitoring work on iPhone, officials said. Goudy was arrested in September 2023 for violating his federal supervised release warrant and pleaded guilty in April 2024 to the child pornography crimes, according to authorities. He previously served time for the prior similar crime, and was on supervised release at the time of his most recent arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. (Bloomberg) -- South Koreas political crisis intensified after President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment vote on Saturday, with the prosecutors office reported to have opened an investigation into his role in last weeks brief imposition of martial law and arrested the former defense minister in connection with the declaration. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Park Se-hyun, chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors Office, opened the probe into Yoon after receiving several complaints, according to Yonhap News. The report followed the arrest hours earlier of ex-defense minister Kim Yong-hyun. Yoons office could not immediately comment on the report, while the prosecutors office was not available for comment. The investigation marks a dramatic turn of events for Yoon, a former prosecutor who made his name pursuing an influence-peddling case that involved former president Park Geun-hye who was ultimately impeached and jailed. The effects of the martial law declaration were still being felt Sunday, with Interior Minister Lee Sang-min quitting because of the turmoil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People Power Party Han Dong-hoon leader tried to reassure South Koreans by announcing that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will manage the nations affairs as the party prepares an orderly exit plan for Yoon. The president will not be involved in any state affairs including diplomacy before his exit, party leader said. The martial law imposition late Tuesday night caught some of South Koreas closest allies by surprise, and Han said his government would do its best to regain the trust of the international community. It is very important that we keep strong ties with the US and Japan in terms of national security, while maintaining the US-Korea alliance firm, Han said. Most importantly, the approval of the government budget plan and accompanying bills is key to the countrys normal operation, Han said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parliament speaker Woo Won-shik denounced the ruling partys move for the prime minister to assume presidential powers as unconstitutional. Woo proposed a meeting between the rival parties to immediately suspend the president from his duties. The prime minister and the ruling party saying they would jointly exercise the presidential power that nobody gave them is a clear violation of the Constitution, Woo said. The people and the world are asking who is in charge of South Korea right now. I myself, the national assembly speaker, cannot answer who that is. Yoons declaration was condemned by the opposition, which controls a majority in the legislative body. Prime Minister Han assuming Yoons role is unconstitutional and anarchic, it said. The leader of the main opposition Democratic Party said Saturday it would push quickly for another impeachment vote. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok assured the country that the government would deploy all available measures and take bold and swift steps to contain the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Yoon revoked his martial law imposition within hours of announcing it after parliament unanimously rejected the declaration. Yoon managed to survive the impeachment motion because the ruling party lawmakers boycotted the vote. --With assistance from Jaehyun Eom, Soo-Hyang Choi and Maggie Otte. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has stated that for negotiations with the Russian Federation to begin, President Volodomyr Zelenskyy should lift his prohibition on negotiations with Moscow and return to the Istanbul agreements "taking into account the realities." Source: TASS; Astra Quote: "It is vital to remember that Ukraine opposed negotiations and continues to refuse. Furthermore, Zelenskyy's own decree prohibits him and his administration from having any interaction with the Russian authorities. Their stance does not change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, to resume the peaceful path, Zelenskyy only needs to rescind this decision and issue an instruction to resume talks based on the Istanbul agreements and taking into consideration the reality on the ground." Details: Peskov confirmed that "Russia is open to negotiations on Ukraine" (as soon as Ukrainian soldiers withdraw from four illegally-annexed regions) and emphasised the "catastrophic situation for the Ukrainian army." Background: US President-elect Donald Trump said that Ukraine and Russia need to hold an immediate ceasefire and start negotiations, and Zelenskyy wished to "make a deal and stop the madness." Support UP or become our patron! Earlier this year, as Republicans sought to ban books with Black history and LGBTQ+ themes from schools across the country, the nations first openly gay Black senator stepped onto the Senate floor and read aloud from some of them. Perhaps for some of you here today, I am the face of one of your fears, Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler said in February, quoting 20th century poet Audre Lorde. Because I am a Black woman, because I am a lesbian, because I am myself a Black woman warrior poet doing work who has come to ask you, are you doing yours? At the time, Butler was just a few months into her tenure as Californias junior senator, a 14-month stretch that began when she was appointed shortly after Sen. Dianne Feinstein died in 2023, and that ends Monday when Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) is sworn in to take her place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Laphonza Butler reflects on her brief Senate career, the presidential race and her future The reading was part of Butlers broader effort to put into the public record literature thats becoming harder to access in conservative states. But it was also an expression of the identity that helped catapult her into the Senate after Gov. Gavin Newsom said in 2021 that he would appoint a Black woman to Feinsteins seat should it ever become vacant. As Butler the third Black woman to serve in the Senate leaves public office, the identity politics that were central to her rise are now under scrutiny by Democrats, who are working to understand their devastating losses in this years election. After a campaign in which Republicans ridiculed Vice President Kamala Harris as a DEI hire a reference to diversity, equity and inclusion that suggested she was on the Democratic ticket due to her race and gender, former President Trump won in part because he gained support among Black and Latino voters. Thats the one thing she cant choose, is that she is a Black woman, Butler said, reflecting on Harris loss in an interview with The Times. She said chalking up the loss to only race and gender would be intellectually dishonest, but maintained that those barriers, those challenges, those stereotypes and mindsets they still persist, as much as we hope they dont. Butler's wife, Neneki Lee, holds the Bible as Vice President Kamala Harris swears in California's junior U.S. senator in October 2023. (Stephanie Scarbrough / Associated Press) Butler began her time as a senator focused on youth development, voting rights and reproductive health, and spent the last few months trying to help Harris win the presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bond between the two dates back nearly 15 years, to when Harris was running for California attorney general and sought support from Butler, then the leader of Los Angeles service workers' union. When Harris entered the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race, Butler became a top policy advisor to her campaign. And when Harris stepped up as the Democratic presidential nominee this year, Butler again joined the team that was hoping to see her succeed. In numerous TV appearances, Butler defended Harris when pressed about her changing positions on issues such as unauthorized border crossings, when asked to comment on Trumps personal attacks on Harris appearance, and when prompted for reasons to support the vice presidents bid for the White House. Butler also spoke at the Democratic National Convention, telling the crowd that when her daughter heard that their friend Kamala was running for president, she asked whether she could be vice president. We both graduated from historically Black colleges. ... We were both raised by mothers who worked fiercely to provide for us, and we both believe that every single one of us has the power to change the world when we choose to do it together, Butler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Interview: California's newest senator, Laphonza Butler, on Trump, Gaza and her future Before joining the Senate, Butler was a political operative known for her effective behind-the-scenes organizing. She served as president of EMILYs List, an organization that works to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights; was a partner at the powerful political consulting firm that has represented Harris and Newsom; and spent years as the head of Service Employees International Union Local 15, which represents caregivers and others in the service industry in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom, with Butler at an L.A. school event after her swearing-in, stirred controversy when he appointed her to the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein's seat in 2023. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) While historic, her appointment also drew some criticism. Republicans took issue with Newsom choosing someone who wasnt living in California Butler is a longtime California homeowner but had moved with her wife and daughter to Maryland while running EMILYs List. Some Democrats were dismayed that Newsom did not choose Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who was actively running for Senate at the time Feinstein died. Lees supporters saw her as the most-qualified candidate due to her decades of experience in Congress. In a letter urging Newsom to pick Lee, the Congressional Black Caucus said that she is the only person with the courage, the vision, and the record to eradicate poverty, face down the fossil fuel industry, defend our democracy, and tirelessly advance the progressive agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom said he didnt want to tip the scales in the competitive primary for Feinsteins seat. But James Taylor, a professor of political science and African American studies at the University of San Francisco, said Newsoms choice may have been driven by conflict among California Democrats over voters seeing them as too liberal. Lee has been outspoken in condemning Israel for the war in the Gaza Strip, for example. Butler allowed herself to be used, Taylor said. If Gavin Newsom wanted to honor Black California women, he shouldve appointed Lee or [Los Angeles Rep. Maxine] Waters. He went out of his way to not give Lee that honor. Butler speaks with mentor Alex Padilla, California's senior U.S. senator, during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) Congress, and particularly the Senate, is known to move slowly. Partisanship can take over and compromise can require repeated conversations to reach. Its especially hard for a short-timer with no seniority. Butler focused her time on building relationships with colleagues and uplifting the causes she has championed throughout her career. She formed a youth advisory council, held field hearings on voting rights and worked to secure confirmation of federal judges in California. She introduced 33 bills, including legislation to address the behavioral health needs of adolescents, secure federal voting rights for people released from prison and limit the separation of migrant families detained near the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Alex Padilla, Butlers closest colleague as Californias senior senator, said he expects that they will continue to collaborate no matter what she does next. While the two California senators mostly agreed, they split on at least one high-profile issue: a bipartisan border security bill that failed early this year at Trumps urging. Read more: California's incoming senator, Laphonza Butler, describes her whirlwind trip into history Most Democrats, including Butler, initially voted in favor of the bill, which included significant provisions to tighten border security but no pathway to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally. Padilla urged his fellow senators to vote against it because it failed to provide solutions for undocumented immigrants. One of their final acts as colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee was securing the confirmation of Judge Anne Hwang to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California making her the first Korean American to serve as a federal judge in that district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Padilla recalled calling or texting Butler daily when she first joined the Senate. She made me laugh a couple months in when I stopped checking in as frequently, he said. She asked me, What happened to my morning texts? I said, Youre doing more than fine. The training wheels have come off. Its time for you to ride. Butler said being a senator felt much like being an organizer it was about forming tactical and strategic relationships, and finding common ground. She took her activist roots, where her job was to push and challenge and make something happen, to a body that she said does today exactly what it was designed to do 248 years ago nothing fast. She said she focused on working with colleagues across the aisle for legislative victories despite her personal opposition to their political perspectives. Butler with state party Chair Rusty Hicks during a gathering of California's delegation to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this summer. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not there to get married. Were not even dating, Butler said. This is a transaction, and no one should think anything different than that. She said she secured the vote of Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) for one of the judges she wanted to see confirmed. She and Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced legislation aimed at preventing youth opioid use and overdoses. And she introduced a bill with Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) to fund maternal mortality research, money she hoped to secure this month through the National Defense Authorization Act. That kind of approach to problem-solving is something that we could all learn from, Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said Thursday on the Senate floor. Ive watched you in the short time that youve been in the Senate only 14 months which, in the life of many senators, is barely a blink of an eye, Smith said in comments directed at Butler. And Ive watched you figure out how to organize in this chamber for the good of the people that you represent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For her part, Butler has shot down any notion of further public office. She said she didnt fall in love with the process of being a legislator or the trappings of believing she was some kind of celebrity. Even so, she she beamed with pride as she took to the Senate floor on Thursday, not to read a banned book but to bid farewell with a speech that invoked the first and second Black female senators who preceded her in office. Its been a remarkable honor a completely unimagined adventure to follow in the footsteps of Dianne Feinstein, who so ably served in this chamber for more than 30 years, and to be blessed to walk the same hallways as Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and share the same office space as Vice President Kamala Harris, Butler said in her final remarks from the floor. I can only hope that for the people of California ... I was able to do half as well as those who came before me. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Donald Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara Trump has insisted its her resume that qualifies her for the Florida Senate seat that will be vacated by Secretary of State pick Marco Rubio not her last name. In an interview with Howard Kurtz on Fox News, the Republican National Committee co-chair said she would be honored to take a seat in the US Capitols Senate chamber. Certainly, weve all had the opportunity over the past nine years to fully involve ourselves in politics, to understand the American people, what they want, and weve all been residents of the state of Florida now for over three years, she said. If thats something thats put in front of me, it would be a true honor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lara Trump, who is married to the president-elects son Eric, dismissed the idea that her last name will get her the job. Well, some may say its an asset, some may say its not an asset. I think it depends how you look at it, she said. Look, I think probably my last name does heighten my political profile a little bit, but Ive got a proven track record. Kurtz: DeSantis is going to appoint a senator to fill the vacancy in Florida left my Marco Rubio. Youve made clear youre interested. Is it an asset being a Trump? Lara Trump: Some may say its an asset, some may say its not an asset. pic.twitter.com/9YUkAOmhpv Acyn (@Acyn) December 8, 2024 She then referenced her media appearances during Trumps campaign trail and experience within the Republican party. Ive been co-chair of the RNC during the most consequential election of our lifetime. We were so proud of what we did at the RNC making sure that there was election integrity, making sure we got the early vote on, making sure we turned out low propensity voters and raising huge amounts of money. So I would say that my track record speaks for itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe having the last name Trump is just a little bit extra. Im always happy to have it, she added. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has said that he will choose Rubios replacement by the end of January. Donald Trumps family members are known to have had an outsized role in influencing policy and government decisions, with the president-elects daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared, taking on positions in his first administration. Barron, the youngest of his children, was also credited for attracting Generation Z voters to back his 78-year-old father. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Parents, students, staff and the community are asked to provide feedback for the Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) budget priorities through the districts annual survey. The survey opened on Dec. 1 and will close on Jan. 31. English and Spanish versions are available here. According to the LCPS, the Budget Survey Committee, a group of teachers, parents, district administrators and community members, was tasked with finalizing gathered public input on spending priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the Fiscal Year 2024, the LCPS budget source totaled roughly $689 million, LCPS said. Additional public meetings will be available to review the data and recommendations collected from the survey to complete the final LCPS budget. The final budget will be presented to the districts Board of Education for approval at 5:30 p.m. on March 26 and May 7 in the board room at the Dr. Karen M. Trujillo Administration Complex, located at 505 S. Main St. People who cannot attend the Board of Education meetings in person can watch the livestream here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Las Vegas police arrested a man on Saturday in connection with the death of Reba, an English Bulldog discovered in a sealed plastic tub in 110-degree heat in July. On Saturday Metro police arrested 32-year-old Issac Laushaul Jr. on a felony charge of willful/malicious torture/maiming/killing of a dog, cat or animal, records showed. On July 26 at around 1 a.m., officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue. There, Paws Patrol LV found Reba inside a plastic tote that was taped shut in 110-degree heat. She was in critical condition and suffering from heat stroke. Photos show the plastic tote Reba the dog was found taped up inside during 110 degree weather in Las Vegas. (Vegas Pet Rescue Project) Reba passed away two days later. Officials said she went into sudden cardiac arrest due to blood clotting caused by the severe heat stroke and shock. Photo shows Reba, the English Bulldog found inside a sealed plastic tub in 110-degree heat. (KLAS) Reba the dog receiving treatment after she was found inside a taped up plastic tote during 110 degree weather in Las Vegas. (Vegas Pet Rescue Project) Reba the dog receiving treatment after she was found inside a taped up plastic tote during 110 degree weather in Las Vegas. (Vegas Pet Rescue Project) In October after exhausting all leads related to Rebas death, police asked for the publics help in finding the suspect in the case. Police are searching for persons of interests connected to the death of Reba, the English Bulldog found inside a sealed plastic tub in 110-degree heat in July. (LVMPD) Investigators released surveillance footage of the incident that showed a man and a woman driving a white four-door sedan and parking in the area where the black tote with Reba was found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lindsey Pinapfel of Vegas Pet Rescue Project, the rescue that cared for Reba reflected on the Justice for Reba movement. We put blood, sweat and tears into this, Pinapfel said. And I would do it all over again for any other animal. A reward for information leading to an arrest in the case grew to $50,000. Billboards were put up and countless events were held to spread the word. We have kept it out there for this very reason, Pinapfel said of the arrest. For this day. She told 8 News Now she hopes Rebas story continues to make change so no other animal has to suffer the same fate. If this movement makes a difference in one person not hurting an animal, Pinapfel said. Then we are doing something. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records showed that Laushaul refused to show up to his 9 a.m. court hearing on Sunday and remained in custody without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday. Another person in connection with the case, Markeisha Foster, was also arrested as a co-defendant. According to records, she faces charges of willful/malicious torture/maiming/killing of a dog, cat or animal. Foster is scheduled to appear in court on Sunday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Rajasthan and Haryana on Monday. As per a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi will first travel to Jaipur first where he will inaugurate the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC). The theme of the Investment Summit to be held during December 9-10 is "Replete, Responsible, Ready". The Summit will host 12 sectoral thematic sessions on the themes of water security, sustainable mining, sustainable finance, inclusive tourism, agri-business innovations and women-led Startups among others. Eight country sessions will also be held during the Summit with participating countries on the themes like 'Water Management for Livable Cities', 'versatility of Industries- manufacturing and beyond' and 'Trade and Tourism.' Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave and MSME Conclave will also be held in three days. The Rajasthan Global Business Expo will feature thematic pavilions such as the Rajasthan Pavilion, Country Pavilions, Startups Pavilion among others. Over 32 countries, including 16 partner countries and 20 international organizations will participate in the Summit. Thereafter, Prime Minister will travel to Panipat in Haryana, where he will launch LIC's Bima Sakhi Yojana and lay the foundation stone of the Main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University. In line with his commitment to women empowerment and financial inclusion, Prime Minister will launch 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' in Panipat. . This initiative of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is designed to empower women aged 18-70 years, who are Class X pass. They will receive specialized training and a stipend for the first three years to promote financial literacy and insurance awareness. After training, they can serve as LIC agents and the graduate Bima Sakhis would have the opportunity to qualify for being considered for Development Officer roles in LIC. Prime Minister will also distribute appointment Certificates to prospective Bima Sakhis. During the programme, Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the Main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal. The main campus and six regional research stations, spread over 495 acres, will be established at a cost of over Rs 700 crore. The University will have one College of Horticulture for Graduate and Post-Graduate studies and five schools covering 10 horticulture disciplines. It will work towards crop diversification and world class research for development of horticulture technologies. (ANI) To the editor: I applaud columnist Jackie Calmes for pointing out that President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter was meant to shield him from the threat of malicious prosecution by the incoming Trump administration. ("The backlash on the backlash against the Hunter Biden pardon," Opinion, Dec. 6) However, Calmes writes that the president lied when he said he would not pardon his son. I take issue with that. I believe Biden was telling the truth at the time because he expected Vice President Kamala Harris to win. He had every right to change his mind when President-elect Donald Trump won. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The moralists who rush to judgment seem to see everything in black and white. They seem oblivious to the distinction here. Richard McCurdy, Burbank .. To the editor: Hunter Biden was convicted of violating a federal law that makes it a felony for "an unlawful user of a controlled substance" to possess a gun. Cannabis is a Schedule I controlled substance whose use is federally unlawful. Thus, this law automatically strips 2nd Amendment rights from anyone who has ever simply ingested a cannabis gummy to help with their sleep. And that person is subject to 10 years of federal imprisonment if they possess a gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poorly conceived or outdated laws like this one should be quickly reconsidered so that they cannot be weaponized by bad actors who would use those laws in harmful ways. Brian Roberts, Covina .. To the editor: I'm sorry that Calmes feels Biden lied to all of us when he said originally that he and his son would accept the outcome of his son's trials, and then months later he issued a pardon. This fall, circumstances changed drastically. A man who has been elected to be our next president has said he would seek revenge against a number of people, most likely including Hunter Biden. Do you think that there are circumstances that can cause a person to change his mind? If so, would you label that person a liar? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you think that following through on a statement of revenge will make Trump an honest man? If pardoning the Jan. 6 rioters is part of that revenge, then we have a sad situation. I do agree with Calmes that it is time to limit presidential powers and bring them into balance with other branches of government. Deborah Regan, Palos Verdes Peninsula This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Lewisville police officer has resigned and been charged with official oppression and sexual assault following an incident Thanksgiving week, according to a statement from the Lewisville Police Department. The officer, identified by the department as Filemon Perez, allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a citizen while on duty, according to the statement. Perez resigned from the department on Tuesday, Dec 3. after learning he would be terminated, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge issued a warrant for Perez arrest on Wednesday, Dec. 4., according to the statement. The charges against Perez come weeks after several Lewisville Police officers were disciplined for misconduct surrounding prostitution investigations. Those investigations resulted in 23 criminal charges against 28 suspects, but none of the cases could be prosecuted due to the misconduct by the officers, according to CBS Texas. Perez was not one of the officers involved in that misconduct case, Lewisville Police Chief Brook Rollins said. Our response to situations like these demonstrates our unwavering resolve to address misconduct promptly and appropriately, Rollins said in a statement. Dec. 7Lloyd Gibson Deveneau Lloyd Gibson Deveneau, longtime Albuquerque resident, teacher and Navy veteran died September 29, 2024, one week shy of his 71st birthday. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut and he moved to Albuquerque with his family when he was young. He volunteered to be enlisted in the United States Navy in 1973 and spent over two years on board, including helping with the exodus from Vietnam in 1975. After his service in the Navy, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Speech Communications from the University of New Mexico in 1979. He worked for the State of New Mexico for a number of years before ultimately deciding to pursue a career in Education. He taught in Santa Fe and Albuquerque as well as teaching for a year in Taiwan and working as a guide at Valley Forge. His main interests were spiritual living, world music and dance, African drumming and Zumba. He believed in trying to make a better world. He bravely and stoically faced his Parkinson's diagnosis and vowed to not let it stop him from enjoying his interests. He is survived by his sister, brother and sister-in-law, cousins, nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews. A celebration service will be held on Saturday January 11, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the First Unitarian Church, 3701 Carlisle Blvd NE Albuquerque in the Memorial Hall. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A Panama City woman is making sure local caregivers get the care and appreciation they deserve. Event organizer Stephanie Grady Cole hosted the 4th annual Caregiver Appreciation Day luncheon on Saturday. The event was held at Oakland Terrace Recreation Center from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Caregivers were invited to listen to special guest speakers, enjoy a catered meal, and shop for some swag at the gift table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panama City hosts annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony They were also provided with a variety of financial and mental health resources. Cole says people dont understand how challenging it is to be a caregiver, and they deserve some time to unwind and do something fun for themselves. Its to ease their minds, give them 4 hours to come in and engage with other people that do what they do and understand the challenges and the victories that they go through on a daily basis, and just have fun and just be by themselves. We share resources, share information, cry, laugh, whatever. Just have fun, Caregiver Appreciation Day organizer Stephanie Grady Cole said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event was held in honor of Coles mother Mildred Grady. Cole was her caregiver for several years before she passed away in 2017. Cole also provides care to her disabled brother. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. NORTH LIMA, Ohio (WKBN) A local family is celebrating its 17th year of spreading joy and holiday cheer by delivering poinsettias and cards to people in assisted living and nursing homes. Jaxson and Carter Severn are 7 and 9-year-old brothers. Along with a team of 20 volunteers, they passed out cheery Christmas poinsettias at the Inn at Glenellen in North Lima on Saturday. Were really excited, Carter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We just want to spread joy, Jaxson said. They took over the project with the help of their dad, Matthew Severn, who started doing it 17 years ago after bringing a plant to his grandmother around the holidays. When I went there to see her, she was very sick. When I went in there, everybody was asking me if I was their grandkid, if I was there for them, and it kind of broke my heart, Matthew said. Now, the Severns make sure no one feels forgotten during the holidays. They make time to talk to each resident. It just lightens my heart when I see the kids. The young man, when we came up and gave me the flower and presented it very great, said Glenellen resident Dean Hahn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They love just getting someone to talk to for the day and let people know what theyre thinking about for the holidays, Matthew said. Jaxson and Carters mother, Brianne Severn, is proud her kids want to continue their fathers legacy. I think kindness and generosity has really been instilled in them, and the gift of giving at Christmas time instead of receiving, Brianne said. The poinsettias were donated by Home Depot in Austintown, and Boardman school students created cards for each resident. The project is a real example of what the holidays are all about generosity and a community coming together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I love it. I used to be a preschool teacher at the Poland Presbyterian Church, and so I just have a real fondness for little kids, said Glenellen resident Virginia Malloy. After he lost his parents to cancer several years ago, Matthew has always taken a solo trip to a hospice center to deliver flowers after their nursing home visits. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Lowell, Arizona, was once a prospering copper mining town located southeast of Bisbee. Today, it's famous for its historic charm and vintage cars that line the main thoroughfare. People from around the world visit Erie Street to take pictures next to the vintage vehicles and historic building facades, according to 12News. But that may soon change. Freeport-McMoRan, which owns the nearby mine and many of the buildings in Lowell, is refusing to renew the lease for Bisbee Breakfast Club, the only restaurant on Erie Street. "It's going to be really heartbreaking to me," Mitzi Satterfield, general manager of the Bisbee Breakfast Club, told the local broadcaster. "I have put everything into this restaurant, and it's my heart and soul." Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locals have been rallying around the eatery in an attempt to protect the town. Residents fight for the business Lowell resident Jay Allen, who owns many of the vintage cars on Erie Street, is concerned about the town's future. "I watched it die the slowest death you can imagine, back when the mines pulled out around '74, this was nothing," he told 12News. "At some point, people came to Bisbee and said this place has promise but, trust me, it was a beat-up old shoe." After helping revive the town after the mining companies left, Allen is ready to fight on behalf of the Bisbee Breakfast Club. And he's not alone. Businesses are banding together to protect it, per 12News, hoping to either convince Freeport-McMoRan to maintain the lease or sell the building to the Bisbee Breakfast Club. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broadcaster contacted Freeport-McMoRan for a statement. "Freeport owns about 20 parcels or buildings within the Lowell District. The lease of one tenant is scheduled to expire in late 2025. That tenant has been made aware we will not be renewing the lease because of the aging condition of the building. We have been supporting the tenant in relocating, a representative said. We anticipate that the structure will eventually be torn down, leaving the facade intact." Allen says hes working to gather signatures from Cochise County officials and plans to send a letter to the CEO of Freeport-McMoRan. He believes the loss of the restaurant would turn Lowell into a ghost town once again. Read more: Cost-of-living in America is still out of control use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today Protecting the future Lowell is celebrated for its historic charm, however, relying solely on tourism can be a risky proposition for a small town. If the Bisbee Breakfast club meets its demise, local residents may want to look at alternative ways to generate income and rebuild infrastructure in the historic city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mining towns can be challenging to remediate due to the environmental effects of the previous work on the surrounding landscape. However, there are examples that show it can be done. In Australia, a selection of coal mines have been transformed into lakes where people can swim, boat and camp. The Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park allows visitors to explore relics amidst its abandoned gold mines and settlements while out for a bushwalk or family picnic. Establishing a neighborhood as a historic site can offer legal protections and open up funding opportunities for preservation. Jerome, Arizona, also a former copper mining town, became a National Historic Landmark in 1967 and today thrives on recreation and tourism. Lowell's story is one of resilience, but its future may require bold action to preserve its heritage and ensure that Erie Street remains a vibrant symbol of its ingenuity. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. President Joe Biden addressed the coup in Syria from the White House on Sunday, calling the removal of President Bashar al-Assad a "fundamental act of justice" and a "moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria." "After 13 years of civil war in Syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by Bashar al-Assad and his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office, flee the country," he said. "At long last the Assad regime has fallen." Syrian rebels, led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, took the Syrian capital of Damascus late on Saturday. Biden said that the overthrow of Assad created a "moment of risk and uncertainty" in the region and shared that he planned to support Syria's neighbors to mitigate some risks of destabilization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To that end, Biden said the U.S. conducted dozens of precision air strikes on camps run by the Islamic State group, in the hopes of preventing the group from taking advantage of the power vacuum in Syria. "ISIS will try and take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its credibility, and create a safe haven," Biden said. "We will not let that happen." Biden said he's watching the moves of HTS closely as they begin the process of establishing a new government in Syria. Members of the group have promised safety for minorities within the country, but Biden said his administration will keep a "vigilant" eye on the group that's been deemed a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. "Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses," he said. As they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his speech, Biden also boasted his ongoing support of Israel in that country's multi-front war against forces in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. Israel captured the demilitarized territory along the border between the two countries shortly after Assad fled, claiming that the agreement between the two countries was nullified by the coup. Watch Biden's speech below: In 2018, Lori Trahan became a member of one of the most exclusive clubs in the country, after winning election to the U.S. House. Saturday morning, the 3rd District Democrat reluctantly joined another group: One of seven members of Congress from the Northeast recently facing a bomb threat. Police responded to Trahans Westford home but, unsurprisingly, found no bomb. Which is usually the way it goes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The one thing thats pretty consistent is that if someone is intent on using explosives, since the mid-seventies, late seventies, no one has called to let you know, said Boston 25 Security Analyst Dan Linskey. That is reflected in the most recent Explosives Incident Report, assembled by the Department of Homeland Security. It shows the number of bomb threats increasing dramatically over the last three years -- rising nearly four-fold to 3,203 threats last year. Yet, the number of actual explosions has remained relatively stable during the same period, averaging 200 - 300 per year. Despite these statistics, law enforcement has no choice but to respond to bomb threats -- especially given instructions for making homemade bombs can easily be found online, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont want to get a dozen of these fake calls that are coming in and we start to be complacent about it and then the thirteenth one is legitimate, Linskey said. What kind of person would target elected officials? Linskey said it could be someone upset about loss of a federal benefit or a piece of legislation or a vote. But it could also simply be somebody who is mentally ill. And this is their way through social media and the deep and dark web for them to reach out and feel theyre relevant, he said. by targeting and threatening people they might disagree with. After police cleared Trahans Westford home of explosives, the Congresswoman took to X to express her thanks to law enforcement. Then, she added, Its a good time to state the obvious, that threats of violence and intimidation have no place in our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, however, it seems they have found a place. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW LOUISIANA (KTAL/KMSS) On the December 7 Louisiana General Election, voters voted yes or no on four proposed constitutional amendments. More election news The issues involve coastal restoration financing, the passage of budget bills, judicial misconduct investigations, and property tax. Northwestern Louisianas parishes proposition results below: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Voters leave the Bricolage Academy gym after casting their ballots in New Orleans, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator) Voters in Louisiana were asked to consider four amendments to the state constitution Saturday and gave their nod to all of them. With votes from all precincts in the state counted, these were the results: Amendment 1: Judicial discipline YES 53% The amendment will give the governor and lawmakers influence over how judges are disciplined. Plus, the Louisiana Supreme Court also will be able to punish judges without any outside input. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tough-on-crime proponents pushed this proposal as a way to hold accountable judges deemed too lenient with criminal sentencing. It will also put more power over the judiciary in the hands of the executive and legislative branches, to the objection of those who believe the process should be free from political influence. Currently, the nine-member Louisiana Judiciary Commission handles allegations of judicial misconduct. It reviews complaints and investigates claims of inappropriate behavior then makes discipline recommendations for judges to the Louisiana Supreme Court when needed. The commissions present lineup consists of three judges the Louisiana Supreme Court picks, three attorneys chosen by state appellate judges and three other members district judges select who are not judges, attorneys or elected officials. The amendment adds five more seats to the commission. The governor gets to make one selection, and the Louisiana House speaker and Senate president each have two appointees. Unlike the judiciarys choices, there are no professional requirements for the appointments the legislative leaders and the governor make. This change to the constitution also allows the Louisiana Supreme Court to discipline judges without a recommendation from the judicial commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Amendment 2: Budget wait time YES 66% In their 2023 session, legislators took until the final day to hammer out details for the state budget, giving most members less than 30 minutes to review the $52 billion spending plan before its approval. Several mistakes were left in the legislation, and many lawmakers said they had little idea of what they were voting on. Amendment 2 requires the Legislature wait 48 hours when changes are made to the proposed state budget before they can take final votes. There are already legislative procedural rules in place that call for a two-day waiting period, but lawmakers can waive them with a two-thirds vote in each chamber. Now that the built-in delay is in the constitution, it cannot be bypassed. In addition, lawmakers must now receive a summary report that explains changes made to a budget bill at least 48 hours ahead of a vote. Amendment 3: State budget extension YES 58% This companion measure to Amendment 2 allows the Legislature to extend a lawmaking session up to six days, but only if the additional time is needed to approve the state budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until now, lawmakers had to adjourn by their pre-determined deadline even if they hadnt passed a budget. Then a special session would have to be called just to approve the spending plan, which had to repeat the entire legislative process including public hearings and committee votes. Amendment 4: Local property tax debt YES 55% Local governments have been able to seize and auction property when its owner is past due on their taxes, but the owner could reclaim their holdings if they made good on their delinquent bills and any associated interest and penalties. This process has been in place for ages, but it could clash with a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year involving a similar tax sale system in Minnesota. Supporters of the amendment wanted to pull the applicable section out of the Louisiana Constitution and give property owners more time to avoid seizures and tax sales. There were opponents of this change, who believe it might discourage investors who buy properties through tax sales. Also, theyve noted there have been no court challenges to Louisianas existing law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The approval of Amendment 4 puts in place a new tax sale process, which the Legislature has already approved. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, and lawmakers can make changes in future sessions now that the statute is no longer in the constitution. Voters statewide have backed all five amendments to the Louisiana Constitution put before them this year. On the Nov. 5 ballot, they supported the dedication of offshore wind energy revenue for the state toward coastal restoration projects. The next set of proposed constitutional changes will appear on a March 29 special election ballot. The seven proposals stem from last months special legislative session on tax policy and other matters. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE M Rajeshwar Rao, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Sunday highlighted the transformative journey of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) since 2016, emphasising its critical role in improving bank asset quality and facilitating substantial pre-admission settlements of underlying debts of over Rs 10 lakh crore. While acknowledging the substantial progress made in cleaning up banks' balance sheets, the Deputy Governor also underscored potential areas of improvement. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs added in a release added that Deputy Governor stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders, with a focus on restructuring and revival, and suggested that detailed studies of IBC cases could provide valuable insights for future lending strategies. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) in association with INSOL India organized an International Conclave focusing on "Insolvency Resolution: Evolution & Global Perspective". The event brought together distinguished experts and practitioners from across jurisdictions to share insights and experiences in insolvency resolution. Ravi Mital, Chairperson, IBBI in his special address highlighted the versatility and transformative potential of the Code, underscoring its role in dismantling the "defaulters' paradise" through significant behavioural changes in the debtor-creditor ecosystem. He noted the remarkable settlement of over 28,000 cases before admission, while also addressing challenges such as time-sensitive nature of value preservation. Emphasizing IBBI's proactive approach, he outlined key regulatory reforms aimed at reducing delays and maximizing asset value. He also mentioned about consideration of innovative approaches like mediation, creditor-led resolution processes, and group insolvency mechanisms. Rajnish Kumar, Ex Chairman, State Bank of India delivered the special address. Drawing from his firsthand experience as SBI Chairman during the initial stages of the IBC, he characterized the IBC as one of the most significant economic reforms, highlighting its transformative impact on the banking ecosystem. He emphasised that the true success of IBC should not be measured solely by the recovery rate, but by its broader achievements in reshaping the debtor-creditor relationship and enhancing the overall health of the banking sector. He underscored the importance of the Committee of Creditors (CoC) pursuing the larger objective of value maximization. Dr Sonali Abeyratne, Technical Director of INSOL International, also delivered the special address. In her address she outlined the organization's core functions and recent initiatives. She specifically discussed INSOL International's engagement with INSOL India and emphasized the importance of international collaboration and sharing global best practices in insolvency resolution. Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Managing Director, SBI delivered a keynote address. He provided lenders' perspective on the Code, highlighting its phenomenal evolution and significant contribution. Drawing from his international experience in insolvency frameworks, Mr. Singh lauded the IBC's transformative impact on bank profits and asset quality. He emphasized the critical need for maintaining bank health as a cornerstone of achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat, and offered constructive suggestions for further improvement. (ANI) NEW YORK (PIX11) The Long Island community gathered to honor Omer Neutra, a local hero and Israeli soldier who lost his life during the October 7th Hamas attacks. Hundreds participated in the Run for Their Lives walk, not only to remember Neutra but also to call for the release of hostages still held in Gaza. More Local News Rabbi Michael Stanger, who joined the event, highlighted the personal connection many in the community had with Neutra. We are out here because many of us knew Omer Neutra. He was a real person to us. He wasnt just a face on the news. He was a soldier. He was also a Plainview resident. He was a friend to some, he was a family member, Stanger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rabbi also revealed the heartbreaking truth that had been hidden from Neutras family. The family never knew, Hamas still has his body. They kept that information hidden this entire time and the family lived with such uncertainty, said Stanger. Neutra, once believed to be among the hostages taken by Hamas, was confirmed killed on Oct. 7th, 2023, as his family learned from the Israeli government just recently. Participants held signs reading Bring Them Home Now as they walked to the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center. An outdoor ceremony featured speeches from community leaders and Neutras friend, Hayden Roth, who remembered him fondly: He was always smiling, always laughing, when he walked in a room he had a big personality. He walked in and everybody just gravitated towards him. Rick Lewis, CEO of Mid Island Y Jewish Community Center, spoke about the communitys suffering: The community is suffering, the community has a gigantic loss because when something like this happens you just dont know what to do. And part of our role here is to help guide people and some of that right now is to help remind them that this fight is not over Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the ceremony, community members wrote heartfelt messages on cards to be placed in front of the Mid Island Y JCC. Eric Post, a community member, shared his message: It says Israel and Jewish people are resilient and will prevail9 Rabbi Stanger emphasized the ongoing mission to free the remaining hostages: Yes, the war should end, but those hostages should be freed in order for that to happen Organizers of Run for Their Lives have pledged to continue their efforts until all hostages are released, with another walk scheduled for the following Sunday at 10 a.m. For more information visit https://run4lives.org/. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Drivers got quite a scare while commuting along a Pennsylvania highway. Dashcam footage captured by Derek Gooderham showed the aftermath after a tractor-trailer carrying lumber overturned on an overpass in Harrisburg, Penn. and sent lumber cascading down onto a highway below on Tuesday, Dec. 3, according to WHP-TV, WGAL-TV and USA Today. In a Storyful video shared by CBS News, a few cars could be seen driving under an overpass before dozens of lumber pieces began rolling down a hill and hit a white car on the far right lane. The car could be seen trying to break to avoid the debris to no avail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The force of the lumber appeared to push the white car to the far left, off the highway and into a tree. A pickup truck sped up to avoid the debris and was able to drive safely away. CBS News noted that no one was injured in the incident. Related: The Mini Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Rolls Over During Highway Car Crash The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on the incident. The department told WHP-TV that the truck overturned on a ramp from Interstate-81 south, which sent construction material rolling onto the I-83 north around 5 p.m. Following the crash, the ramp from I-83 north to I-81 south was closed for around five hours as crews removed the debris. The highway reopened around 10:30 p.m. Getty A truck transporting wood on a highway (stock image) A truck transporting wood on a highway (stock image) Related: Bystanders Rescue Man Trapped in Burning Car After Minnesota Highway Crash: 'Glad He Got Out in Time' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gooderham told Storyful, per USA Today, that he believed it was an avalanche of 2x4s and 2x12s or building materials that covered the highway. He also noted to WGAL-TV that the incident will probably be the scariest thing that I have seen so far in my life." "I hope there's nothing that tops that, but it was pretty scary, Gooderham recalled. It was highway speeds that these chunks of woods were flying at. And honestly, I've never been put in a life-or-death situation like that. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. So yeah, I'm still kind of going on about what to think about it and everything like that, he added. So I'm really still in shock about it because it really was pretty much life or death." CBS News noted that no one was injured in the incident. Read the original article on People French President Emmanuel Macron has been working in recent days to convince US President-elect Donald Trump, as part of a visit to Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, to hold a joint meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Source: Axios, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to one of Axios sources, Trump initially declined to attend the meeting but then changed his mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another individual involved with the meeting stated that it lasted 45 minutes and was "good and fruitful". According to the source, the final decision to convene a trilateral meeting was taken soon beforehand. Zelenskyy described the meeting as "good and productive", noting that they discussed the frontline situation and a "just peace", and promised to continue working together and staying in touch. The meeting was held six weeks prior to Trump taking office and launching a diplomatic effort to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Background: Trump, after meeting with Zelenskyy in Paris and amid the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, revealed Kyiv's desire to reach an agreement to end the war. On Sunday, President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine required a just and steady peace that the Russians would not destroy in a few years, as they have previously done. Support UP or become our patron! As you might have heard, were handing out some awards this week! Four different groups have made their picks for the standout films of the year, three of them based in New York dont worry, Los Angeles, youll reclaim your spot at the center of awards season soon enough and all of them with quirks that often make their choices very different from the Oscars. Yet, as we always do, my fellow pundits and I have found a lot of tea leaves to read this week, from emerging critical darlings to the acting races that are still very wide open. Later in this edition, Ill have a look ahead at one of the last campaign stops of the year, all the way up in San Francisco, where some final pushes of momentum can take place before the holiday break. But first, an attempt to make sense of what happened this week at the Gotham Awards, the New York Film Critics Circle, the Independent Spirit Awards nominations, and the picks from the National Board of Review. Lets go! Related: Ariana Grande & Denzel Washingtons Kenergy The Sing Sing Surge Please allow me the indulgence of starting by saying: I told you so! Ever since I first saw Sing Sing back at the Toronto Film Festival in 2023, when it was a tiny indie with no distributor, Ive been a big believer in the emotional, prison-set dramas potential to win over audiences. Though its theatrical release over the summer from A24 was fairly quiet, its been screening ever since for Academy and guild audiences, with reports of rapturous responses basically every time. If were looking for a CODA in this years awards season a seemingly small and forgotten film that surges back into the race Sing Sing is absolutely it. Winning two acting awards at the Gothams, for star Colman Domingo and star and co-writer Clarence Maclin, was a sign that it can do exactly that. An even bigger sign was the huge response in the room to both Domingo and Maclins wins, not unlike the warm reception I witnessed for Domingo when he delivered the opening remarks at the Governors Awards a few weeks ago. Following up those Gotham wins with Independent Spirit Award nominations for best film as well as for Domingo and Maclin, plus a mention on the National Board of Reviews top 10 of the year, confirms that Sing Sing is very much among the top tier of indies in the race this year. But it may not get quite the critical boost as some of the other indies that have been shining this week. Related: Inside Los Angeles Magazine's Leading Man Party The Most Darling of the Critical Darlings At the risk of reading too much into the results of one critics group vote, the New York Film Critics Circle picks on Tuesday confirmed the three titles I had suspected would emerge as the years major critical favorites. Giving best picture to The Brutalist, best director to RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys, and best screenplay to Sean Baker for Anora, the group effectively gave an award apiece to the three most critically acclaimed films of the year. The Brutalist and Nickel Boys both picked up an additional NYFCC prize: The Brutalist for Adrien Brodys lead performance, Nickel Boys for Jomo Frays stunning cinematography. But each had a more limited presence at the Indie Spirit Awards. There, Anora tied with I Saw the TV Glow, another excellent indie Ive been rooting hard for, with six nominations apiece. Then The Brutalist and Nickel Boys were shut out entirely by the NBR, while Anora had to settle for just a top 10 mention and a breakthrough acting prize for Mikey Madison. If these results sound all over the place, well, thats the kind of season its been. But I would expect more good news for at least one of these films if not all of them when the Los Angeles critics vote on Sunday and as even more critics groups weigh in throughout December. Wicked Momentum Continues Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Board of Review, a New York-based group of 130 self-described film enthusiasts, filmmakers, professionals, academics and students, are always a fascinating X factor at this point in awards season. Theyre possibly even more mysterious than the Golden Globes, but because they dont have a lucrative TV contract or a mercurial owner, they dont attract the same level of attention. But like the Golden Globes they sure are capable of surprise, as they did by not only naming Wicked as their best picture, but Jon M. Chu as best director and bestowing a special spotlight award on The Creative Collaboration of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. (One awards publicist cracked to me that the award meant that some voters grandchildren really, really wanted to meet Grande at the NBR awards dinner in January.) Related: 8 Ways the Election Changes the Oscar Race The NBRs best picture winner doesnt often become the Oscar champ last year, it picked Killers of the Flower Moon as just one example but it does have a knack for identifying populist picks that will factor heavily into the best picture race. Two years ago, the group picked Top Gun: Maverick back when most of us were wondering just how big of a contender it would be. In 2018, it gave best film to Green Book. Wicked was never going to factor into the Indie Spirits nominations or most critics groups, but the NBR win will almost certainly lead to big nomination tallies from the Golden Globes watch out, musical/comedy categories and Critics Choice next week. What I still dont know, and nobody else does either, is how strong Wicked will be against those critical darlings mentioned above, once actual Oscar voters get a ballot in their hands. But theres one category where Wicked is stronger than all the others . . . Supporting Actress Mysteries! Carol Kanes win with the NYFCC for supporting actress was a classic example of that small group going its own way. Though its entirely possible shell build some genuine Oscar buzz for her role in Between the Temples, I would bet this is the beginning and end of Kanes awards season run. (Her acceptance speech at the NYFCC dinner in January, however, may turn out to be the best moment of the entire season, if her Kimmy Schmidt performance is any indication). Then theres Elle Fanning, the National Board of Reviews best supporting actress pick, who is part of the very buzzy A Complete Unknown but had been overshadowed in the early chatter by Monica Barbaro, who plays Joan Baez. Related: 'Gladiator II' and 'Wicked' Battle for Perfect Timing Neither of them made the Indie Spirits list, and its entirely possible theyll be left out of the Golden Globes and Critics Choice nominations next week and well be even more puzzled than we are now about whos actually ahead in this most wide-open acting race. The biggest wild card in the category remains Grande, who could be the best chance for Wicked to take home a major award. Shes nearly certain to be nominated by the Globes and Critics Choice, but only if she wins at either of those awards shows in early January will she actually be cemented as the categorys frontrunner and weve got a month of speculation to go from there. Awards Night in San Francisco LAST STOP This time last year, from left: SFFILM director of programming Jessie Fairbanks, Ryan Gosling, Greta Gerwig, and SFFILM executive director Anne Lai at the 2023 SFFILM Awards Night.Steve Jennings/Getty Images There are clearly some films that will head into the holiday break with wind behind their back thanks to all this critical attention. If you didnt have Sing Sing or Between the Temples on your screener priority list, you probably do now. But there are still some in-person opportunities to get your film out there, no matter what the flacks dodging your calls might say. On Monday, a contingent of awards contenders will head to San Francisco for SFFILMs annual Awards Night, both a gala tribute to some of the years best films and a major fundraiser for the nonprofit. Its an evening to bring folks together who believe in film, who believe in the power of cinema to transform and to connect, who want to see people at the peak of their craft and their career, and to believe in supporting a good cause, says Jessie Fairbanks, a film festival veteran whos been SFFILMs director of programming since 2021. So all of those things really help one another, and there's a really lovely symbiosis between the different elements. Related: Director Malcolm Washington's 'Lesson': 'America Cant Exist Without Black People' SFFILM hosts its annual film festival in the spring and also supports a variety of education programs and filmmaker grants year-round. Awards Night is a standalone event timed to the peak of awards season, honoring hopefuls not just for their most recent acclaimed work, but for everything that led to this point. This years honorees Dune Part Two director Denis Villeneuve, The Piano Lesson director Malcolm Washington, Saturday Night director Jason Reitman and The Substance star Demi Moore have all been celebrated for their work throughout awards season. But Fairbanks seeks to have Awards Night stand out, from actually allowing the honorees to spend time together to speeches that bring the focus back to arts organizations (like SFFILM) that can make some of these film careers possible. They stand in the room and they talk about their careers and how they got started, and they talk about how arts organizations that provide mentorship and festivals that put their first film on screen are so meaningful to their careers, Fairbanks recalls about some previous honorees. Like many of the other places that host film festivals throughout the fall, San Francisco has a high quantity of Oscar voters, many of whom will be in the audience during the Awards Night gala. Fairbanks, who moved from New York to San Francisco during COVID lockdowns, says shes consistently amazed at not just how many successful filmmakers dont just come from the Bay Area but stay, creating their own outpost of Hollywood. When people continue to succeed and join a guild as a voter, they don't leave, she says. They stay because their community is here. The entire ecosystem of our industry is here. DEEP RUN, N.C. (WNCT) A man was arrested by deputies with the Lenoir County Sheriffs Office Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, on gun and drug charges in Deep Run. Mark Whitley, 43, had his vehicle searched and was charged after law enforcement found marijuana consistent with street-level sales. Whitley was charged with: Felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon Felony possession with the intent to sell or deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitley was jailed in the Lenoir County Jail under a $42,500 secured bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. A Boston man has been arrested after a road rage incident led to gunfire in Bostons South End. According to police, around 10:37 p.m. on Friday, December 6 officers responded to the area of 145 East Berkeley Street for a report of shots fired. Officers were told that a road rage incident had occurred prior to the shots being fired. Upon arrival, officers observed two vehicles stopped at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and East Berkeley Street. Officers made contact with the operator, Jair Furtado, 40, of Boston and arrested him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers immediately observed a firearm inside the vehicle and requested detectives to respond to the scene. The firearm was later determined to be a Springfield Hellcat with one round in the chamber and eight rounds in the magazine. Officers also located a box of ammunition and a holster inside the vehicle. Police say they were told that the incident started at Albany Street and East Berkeley Street. Officers were told that an argument ensued following a road rage incident, and Furtado shot at the victims vehicle. Furtado is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling. He expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A metro Atlanta sheriffs office says its committed to safeguarding the citizens of Georgia and thats by getting illegal drugs out of its communities. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Gwinnett County Sheriffs Office conducted a search warrant at a home on Purcell Road in Lawrenceville. During the search, authorities said they discovered a methamphetamine laboratory a large amount of fentanyl, heroin, multiple guns, and a huge amount of cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gwinnett County officials seized the following: Four illegal guns Nearly 72 kilograms of methamphetamine Nearly two kilograms of heroin 256 grams of fentanyl More than $61,000 in cash The dedication of our Special Investigations Section aims to preserve a sense of safety, security and human dignity in the community we serve, Chief Cleophas Atwater of the Gwinnett County Sheriffs Office said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This led to the arrest of Martin Guzman-Beltran. Guzman-Beltran is currently being held at the Gwinnett County Detention Center, and charged with the following: Trafficking methamphetamine Four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony Manufacturing methamphetamine Possession of a knife during the commission of a felony Trafficking heroin Possession of drug-related objects Our goal is to keep cartels out of Gwinnett County, thereby protecting our community from the danger of illegal drugs, said Major Darryl Nelson, GCSO Commander over the Special Investigations Section. To submit a tip, contact the GCSOs tip line at 770-619-6655. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra is marking his 89th birthday today, and fans, colleagues, and well-wishers around the world are celebrating the iconic star who has captured hearts for decades. From heartfelt online wishes to cake-cutting celebrations, the day is a testament to the actor's enduring legacy in Indian cinema. On this special occasion, 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya' director Amit Joshi, who worked with Dharmendra in the actor's most recent project, shared his insights into the experience of collaborating with the veteran actor. Released on February 9, 2024, 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya' is a romantic robotic comedy-drama, where Dharmendra starred alongside Dimple Kapadia, Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. Speaking to ANI, director Amit Joshi praised Dharmendra's professionalism, dedication, and infectious energy. Recalling his time working with the 'Sholay' star on set, Joshi said, "Dharam ji is a legend. I learnt a lot from him, he is so dedicated. He always used to come on the set early. He has a childish-like behaviour in him, that everyone on the set becomes his friend when he is around." Joshi further highlighted Dharmendra's remarkable work ethic, saying, "In this age, even after achieving so much in his life, he is so dedicated that he even writes his scenes before performing them. When you get to direct him, he comes so prepared that he completes his scene in a single take." The director also spoke about Dharmendra's approachability, noting, "He is such a great artist. He gave so much respect to the first-time director. Sometimes he even used to improvise the scenes and consulted me if we could go with that. I was in awe of his persona - someone with so much experience in this industry asking me for feedback. All I know is he lives acting, and I hope he continues to inspire us like this." During the film's promotional events, Kriti Sanon shared her own experience of working with Dharmendra. Speaking fondly of the actor, she described him as "too loving" and "so warm," adding, "The way he meets you, he places his hand on your head. If someday he feels good in his costume, he takes pictures and sends them to his sons (Bobby and Sunny Deol), and then his sons send him voice notes telling, 'Papa, you're looking good.'" Kriti further praised Dharmendra's presence on set, saying, "He's got so much warmth and zest for life. When he is acting, he is really sharp, and he is just superb. He makes us laugh so much, and his improvisation is always bang on! Sometimes, we forget our lines, and we are like, 'Oh no, we can't make him do another take.' He is lovely, and it's a pleasure to work with him." Amit Joshi also shared a special behind-the-scenes video on X, showcasing some fun-filled moments of Dharmendra on set, where the actor's charisma and positive energy shone through. He wrote, "This is how Dharam ji, our very own lucky charm, did all the jaadu tona with his acting brilliance on the sets of TBMAUJ and showered everyone with love!" https://x.com/itsmeamitjoshi/status/1761707724533084238? 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya', a film directed by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah, is a unique romantic comedy about a man (Shahid Kapoor) who falls in love with and plans to marry a robot named Sifra (Kriti Sanon). Produced by Maddock Films, the movie blends humor, romance, and futuristic concepts, while also offering a heartfelt tribute to the acting legacy of Dharmendra, whose career spans over six decades. (ANI) SULPHUR, La. (KLFY) A teen and a 20-year old Sulphur man are in custody after a shooting on Friday. Gavin Demeritt, 22, Sulphur, died in the shooting. Authorities say during the investigation detectives learned four individuals were gathered in the room during the incident. After speaking with witnesses, it was discovered Demeritt had been handling a revolver in a joking manner, manipulating the firearm carelessly. Authorities say the firearm was then given to a 16-year-old juvenile, who reportedly continued to handle the gun in a similar manner. Officials say the juvenile, who was likely under the impression the firearm was unloaded, began pulling the trigger, discharging the firearm and striking Demeritt. Following the shooting officials say a resident of the home, Gage McMichael, 20, Sulphur, removed two firearms, one of which was the one involved in the shooting, and hid them in an outdoor shed. Authorities say McMichael also removed a casing from the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier today the juvenile and McMichael were both arrested. The juvenile was booked into the Juvenile Detention Center and charged with negligent homicide; and possession of a firearm by a juvenile. McMichael was booked into the Calcasieu Correction Center and charged with obstruction of justice. His bond is still pending. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. A 44-year-old man is dead after a single-vehicle crash in Kuna on Saturday, according to Ada County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Lauren Montague. Kuna police responded around 12:30 a.m. to a report of a crash near N. Ash Avenue and W. 4th Street, Montague said in an email. Preliminary information indicated the vehicle was traveling westbound on W. 4th St. prior to leaving the roadway and striking a tree, Montague said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no one else in the car. The crash is under investigation, according to Montague. Kuna contracts with Ada County for police services, according to previous Statesman reporting. Crashing into a tree was the second most harmful event in number among single-vehicle fatal crashes in 2023, according to Idaho Transportation Department statistics. CHICAGO Chicago police are investigating after a man was found shot to death in Chatham Saturday afternoon. Police said just before 12:30 p.m., a 24-year-old man was found unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds in the 700 block of East 80th Street. The victim was shot once in the head, twice in the back and once in the arm, according to investigators. Police warn Humboldt Park residents of scooter-riding robbery suspect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition and later died from his injuries. No arrests have been made and Area Two Detectives are investigating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. KEARNY, N.J. (PIX11) A man and a woman were killed in a fire at a home in New Jersey early Friday, authorities said. The fire happened at 56 Hamilton Ave. in Kearny just after midnight, according to the Hudson County Prosecutors Office. More Local News Martin Wilson, 61, and Beth Guenther, 58, were both killed in the fire, authorities said. The fire is believed to have started in the basement of the home. Authorities said the cause of the fire hasnt been determined, but foul play isnt suspected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Mark Esper, former secretary of Defense during Donald Trumps first administration, called the collapse of the Syrian regime historic on Sunday, comparing it to the fall of other Middle Eastern governments, including Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and Saddam Hussein in Iraq. This is significant, he told CNNs State of the Nation host Jake Tapper. I think importantly for us right now, at a strategic perspective, what you see is Russia no longer we hope has a foothold in the Middle East. The collapse took place early Sunday morning when Syrian rebels entered Damascus, the Syrian capital, and declared victory over the Assad familys 50-year reign. Syrian President Bashar Assad, who succeeded his father in 2000, is reported to have fled the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though all fighting may not be over yet, the seizure of Damascus was a breakthrough after a decade-plus of civil war in which over half a million people died; Assad deployed chemical weapons during the war. There are a number of immediate concerns we have to address, Esper said. There's going to be the humanitarian aid concern, which I think we and other countries in the U.N. will have to address. The European Union already declared that the rebel win is a defeat for Russia and Iran, and the British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called for a political resolution in line with the U.N. resolutions. Esper also addressed the importance of the chemical weapons and other military capabilities. We do not want those to get into the wrong hands, so there needs to be an effort to secure them or get some assurance from a responsible player that those will be secured and ultimately destroyed, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since leaving the Trump administration, Esper has broken ties with his former boss, speaking out against Trumps actions during the first administration. However, he agreed with Trump on Sunday in the idea that there is no need to send more U.S. troops to Syria. We do still have troops in southeast Syria at Al-Tanf. It's about 900 troops there, principally to continue the counter ISIS operations to make sure that the caliphate doesn't rise up. But secondly, to watch Iran's movement through the region, Esper said. So I think that's important, that will stay. He continued: There's a lot of U.S. interests here and it's in our strategic interest to make sure that whatever comes to power, whoever comes to power is going to be not a caliphate, not a theocracy, but something that more in tune with what we and, I should importantly say, what Israel can live with going forward. MARYLAND (DC News Now) Authorities identified the man who was shot and killed by police in Atlanta after he allegedly stabbed another passenger on a Greyhound bus as a 39-year-old Maryland man. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), on Dec. 5, just after 1 a.m., Robert McVay, 39, of Maryland, was traveling south on Interstate 75 in a Greyhound bus when he stabbed another passenger, leaving them with non-life-threatening injuries. The bus then pulled over on the shoulder of the interstate, where McVay got off and began acting erratically. Officers from the Atlanta Police Department approached him as he began to walk away from the bus, and he reportedly started running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 men shot, killed in shooting in Prince Georges County Officers began chasing McVay, who they said did not comply with their commands. After officers tried to tase him, he allegedly climbed over a divider wall onto the exit to Cleveland Avenue and continued to ignore officers commands as they approached him. Authorities said that is when McVay rapidly approached officers with a knife in his hand, and they shot him. Medics gave McVay medical aid and took him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Stephen Miller, an influential adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, has revealed that the incoming administration will close the border down and begin mass deportations of illegal immigrants on the first day in office. In an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News on Sunday, the immigration hardliner, who is Trumps pick for his deputy chief of staff for policy, said there will be unprecedented investment into stopping immigration. He described how Republicans in Congress such as Lindsey Graham were preparing a full funding package that would be the most significant border security investment in American history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would mean a historic increase in border agents, a pay raise for both full funding for military operations, full funding for ice beds, full funding for air marine operations, full funding for all of the barriers and technology that you need to ensure theres never another got away entering this country, he said. Now, President Trump, regardless on day one, is going to issue a series of executive orders that seal the border shut and begin the largest deportation operation in American history. Some of the Republicans have been talking about it for decades. But with Donald Trump, this is something that is going to happen. Itll be the most important and significant, as I said, domestic policy achievement in half a century. Then the plan, as Senator Thune has laid out as incoming majority leader... would be to move immediately at that point. Stephen Miller (@StephenM) explains Trump will do two things at the same time, seal the border and begin mass deportation with a series of executive actions on day one. pic.twitter.com/p9jL0dd65l Simon Ateba (@simonateba) December 8, 2024 Miller also said the incoming administration had plans to make sweeping reforms to tax, trade and manufacturing. He was light on details on what those policies would involve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the two or three seat majority in the House, obviously thats going to take some time, he admitted. Nobody, I repeat, nobody, is even talking about or considering delaying tax [reform]. What the Senate has talked about doing is giving the President within a week or two of taking the oath of office the most significant domestic policy achievement in at least 50 years, our border patrol, our ICE officers, and every element of our domestic security operation will be fully funded to take down the cartels and eradicate the criminal gang threat in this country, once and for all. SOMERSET, Mass. (WPRI) The Massachusetts State Police are investigating a two vehicle crash that happened late Saturday night in Somerset. Investigators said around 11:30 p.m., troopers from the State Police Dartmouth barracks were called to a crash involving two cars on I-195 East near the Braga Bridge. The drivers of both vehicles, who are not being identified, were taken to area hospitals to be treated for their injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the Fall River Fire and Rescue were also called to the scene to assist with the accident. No other information is available on the crash at this time. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect that the warehouse is not an Amazon facility. A large warehouse fire that erupted early Sunday morning in South El Monte took firefighters hours to get under control. Preliminary information indicates that the fire was first reported around 4:20 a.m. at the corner of Central and Santa Anita avenues, right across from South El Monte City Hall. Raging flames were seen lighting up the night sky as fire crews arrived on scene within minutes of the fire being reported. A large fire tore through a warehouse in South El Monte early Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (OnSceneTV) A large fire tore through a warehouse in South El Monte early Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (OnSceneTV) A large fire tore through a warehouse in South El Monte early Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (OnSceneTV) A large fire tore through a warehouse in South El Monte early Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (OnSceneTV) A large fire tore through a warehouse in South El Monte early Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (KTLA) A large fire tore through a warehouse in South El Monte early Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (KTLA) KTLA 5s Omar Lewis spoke with Los Angeles County Fire Department Public Information Officer Cpt. Sheila Kelliher Berkoh just after 7 a.m. Sunday; she confirmed that the roof of the building had collapsed and that firefighters were working to contain the two-alarm fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warehouse itself contained Amazon return packages, Cpt. Kelliher stated, adding to the heavy fire load crews were dealing with. There are a lot of lithium-ion batteries and small electronics, so they had a pretty big firefight, she elaborated. The roof collapsed, so they went into a defensive mode pretty quickly. In an email to KTLA, a spokesperson for Amazon stated the warehouse is not affiliated with the company and that Amazon does not operate any return centers in South El Monte. The exact nature of the facility and who owns it is currently unknown. 10 hospitalized after motor officer crashes into crowd during Palm Springs holiday parade Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also not immediately known if there were any people inside the warehouse when the fire broke out, but no injuries were reported right away. As of 6:30 a.m., crews were still battling the flames but by 7 a.m., they appeared to be extinguished. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Veteran actor Dharmendra is celebrating his 89th birthday today along with his sons and actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. Fans celebrated Dharmendra's birthday with posters of his iconic films and photographs around his building, calling him the "God of Bollywood." Celebrating the occasion, the legendary actor performed the cake-cutting ceremony with his sons and posed with the fans. During the cake-cutting ceremony, Dharmendra looked stylish in a brown shirt, black leather jacket, and black hat, while Sunny and Bobby chose a more casual look. Smiles lit up the event as Dharmendra cut the cake, with fans happily feeding him a slice. It was a heartwarming family moment for Deols as the 'Apne' trio posed for the snaps while holding each other's hand. The fans expressed their happiness for the occasion by dancing to the evergreen songs of Dharmendra's blockbuster movies. One of the fans paid tribute to the 'Yaandon Ki Baarat' actor by dancing to the songs of the 'Dharam Veer' film. Before the cake ceremony, the 'Gadar' actor took to Instagram to wish his father Dharmendra 'Happy Birthday.' Sunny shared a touching video collage featuring some of their best moments together, showcasing their deep bond. The video features a series of throwback photos, displaying moments where the two are seen hugging, spending quality time together in the mountains, and enjoying each other's company. The post marks a heartfelt tribute to their special relationship, capturing both sentimental and personal memories that resonate with their fans. Expressing his love for his dad Dharmendra, Sunny wrote, "Happy Birthday Papa. I love you the most!" https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDTLZhjzwqN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading Dharmendra's youngest son, Bobby Deol too shared a slew of pictures and captioned, "Papa love you the most, happy birthday" wrote Bobby Deol. https://www.instagram.com/p/DDTssDeCUa4/?img_index=1 Daughter Esha Deol shared a sweet video of her praising the poster of Dharmendra outside the home on the occasion of her father's birthday. She wrote, " Happy birthday papa, we love you, always be happy & healthy." https://www.instagram.com/p/DDTeao_NqfB/ Dharmendra is considered to be one of the best action heroes of Indian cinema and is also known as the He-Man of Bollywood. He has delivered remarkable performances in films like 'Sholay', 'Pratiggya', 'The Burning Train' and many more. (ANI) In 1940 George Orwell mocked those people in Britain who would rather be caught stealing from a poor-box than standing up for God Save the King. In those heady and dangerous days, they were only a minority of bourgeois intellectuals who, Orwell added, copied their politics from Moscow and their cuisine from Paris. Today, their descendants seem to have multiplied and colonised our institutions. The former government offered a photographic portrait of the King in naval uniform to schools, hospitals, universities, churches, government departments and local authorities. We learned recently that, taken as a whole, only a third of institutions in England accepted a portrait, and far less in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of this is surely down to the indolence and incompetence we have become grumpily used to applying for and displaying a portrait would require a modicum of effort and decision. But that would not wholly explain the low take up or the regional and institutional disparities. Most government departments responded even so, only three quarters. But only around a third of schools and local councils did so, and hardly any universities or hospitals. Remarkably, only a quarter of Anglican churches did so, although of course the King is the head of the Church. What a contrast with France, where photographs of the President are displayed in public buildings, often along with a bust of Marianne, symbol of the Republic. President Emmanuel Macron is not there as a party politician, but as Head of State, resplendent in the sash, collar and star of Grand Master of the Legion of Honour. Despite being personally unpopular, he is the first magistrate of the Republic and symbol of the nation-state. Like most people in Britain, I think that a monarch is a better symbol of the unity of the nation and the neutrality of the state. Some in France agree: a distinguished political historian recently wrote that elected heads of state were either nonentities or divisive, whereas a monarch provides a link between a people and their history indispensable to the proper working of democracy. So why are many public institutions seemingly reluctant to make even this small gesture of solidarity and loyalty? Doubtless some would say they dont want to offend anybody. Yet in Katharine Birbalsinghs outstandingly successful multi-ethnic school in London, pupils of many races enthusiastically sing God Save the King every morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The King symbolises our national identity, created not only by geography but also by a unique history. Fortunately for us, British identity can embrace not just those of Anglo-Saxon or Celtic stock, but all who want Britain (as Kemi Badenoch has put it) not to be just a hotel but to be their home: a special place different from all other places. It worries me that refusal to display the Kings portrait, however petty a gesture, is refusal to acknowledge this contract between the living, the dead and the yet unborn. Do those running universities, hospitals, regions and even churches think they are just free-floating institutions that happen by chance to be in the British Isles? Do they think that being financially supported by the British people is a right that entails no particular sentiment or responsibility towards Britain as a nation? They may one day have a rude awakening. Robert Tombs is Professor Emeritus of French History at the University of Cambridge, and the author of The English and their History Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (The Hill) New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the net is tightening on the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect as the manhunt for the executives assassin entered its fourth day. The net is tightening, Adams told reporters on Saturday, according to WNBCs video. Were going to bring this person to justice. I dont want to do anything thats going to impede on that investigation. When asked by a reporter if police had the suspects name, Adams said, We dont want to release that now. If you do, youre basically giving a tip to the person we are fine with seeking, and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all. Let him continue to believe he can hide behind a mask. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When reached for comment by The Hill, a New York Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson said, We dont have an ID that we are confirming. Adams remarks come as the search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson continues. The FBI announced late Friday that it has joined the NYPD in the search for the suspect who assassinated Thompson Wednesday morning in Manhattan right before the healthcare executive was set to address investors. The FBI is offering $50,000 for information leading to the shooters arrest and conviction. Adams said the shooting was an intentional act based on the preliminary investigation. Law enforcement officials have released the photos of the suspect. They have been collecting and testing DNA evidence near the scene, including a protein bar wrapper and a discarded water bottle. A cellphone and fake ID have been discovered, which authorities believe was owned by the shooter. The suspect has likely fled New York City on a bus, according to law enforcement officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have video of him entering the Port Authority bus terminal. We dont have any video of him exiting, so we believe he may have gotten on a bus, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said earlier. The suspects path to Hilton Hotel Midtown, a spot where the assassination took place, is also being analyzed. The bullet shells found at the scene had the words deny, defend and depose written on them. Its a horrific incident in our city, and we want to make sure this person is removed off the streets of America, not only off the streets of New York, Adams said on Saturday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. HONOLULU (KHON2) With 2025 less than a month away, nows the time to get ahead and prepare for the upcoming tax season. AARP is gearing up, looking for Hawaii volunteers to join the Tax-Aide team. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news In 2024s tax season alone, the nations tax assistance and preparation program helped serve more than 1.7 million taxpayers with nearly 28,000 volunteers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawaii volunteers helped complete more than 10,500 state and federal tax returns, helping Tax-Aide participants save more than $3 million in refunds. A guide to what Hawaiis food banks need this season Volunteers will help assist with tech support, organize tax sites, translate and more. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program and AARP Hawai`i are proud to continue our work to provide Hawai`i residents with free tax assistance next year. Even modest refunds can impact the lives of older adults, and our Tax-Aide volunteers help make sure they dont miss out on the credits and deductions they have earned and need. Terry Higashi, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide spokesperson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each volunteer will be trained and IRS-certified to keep up with the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers have made it possible to help more than 80 million taxpayers file their returns for free, explained AARP Foundation President Clair Casey. The first training class for aspiring Tax-Aide volunteers will be held in January. Check out more news from around Hawaii Visit AARPs website for more information on the program or to become a Tax-Aide volunteer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) The nuclear submarine USS Arkansas was christened Saturday, almost a decade in the making since the U.S. Navy announced that a Virginia-class submarine would bear the state's name. Carlotta Walls LaNier, one the nine Black students who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, launched a bottle of sparkling wine into the hull of the Virginia-class submarine at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. In 2018, then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus named the six women of the Little Rock Nine as sponsors of the ship. Besides LaNier, Elizabeth Eckford and Gloria Ray Karlmark also attended the ceremony. All the sponsors had their initials welded into steel plates when the submarine's keel was laid in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement History is full of groups of collective people who come together to make something happen, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that LaNier said in a speech before the crowd at the shipyard. Many people are behind the submarine that we christened today. Its similar to the quote on our currency, E pluribus unum Out of many, one. We have SSN 800, but many participated in the reality of it being here today. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro called the ship the very best of our submarine force capabilities. She will always be propelled by the proud legacy of her namesake, represented here today by three of her courageous sponsors, who overcame tremendous adversity as members of the Little Rock Nine, Del Toro said. A number of speakers also noted the 83rd anniversary of Japan's attack in Pearl Harbor, the event that launched the United States into World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The submarine is the fifth naval ship named for Arkansas, including a battleship. The most recent was a guided missile cruiser that was decommissioned in 1988. The Arkansas is the 27th in a series of Virginia-class submarines and the 13th built at Newport News, a massive shipyard owned by Huntington Ingalls Industries. The other submarines are built at General Dynamics Corp.'s Electric Boat shipyard in Connecticut. The Arkansas is expected to launch in 2025. Dec. 7With $143 million from the federal government, the Bureau of Reclamation will realign 15 miles of the Rio Grande in the Middle Rio Grande Valley to help more water travel downriver. The Biden-Harris administration announced almost $850 million for water infrastructure and drought resilience on Tuesday, including more than $180 million for six projects in New Mexico. The $143 million Lower San Acacia Reach improvement project in Socorro County is the most expensive to get funded in New Mexico. "It was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get the level of funding needed to do a major project like this," said Sharon Wirth, assistant area manager with the Albuquerque Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The $143 million will fund about half the project, Wirth said. The agency is planning and doing an environmental assessment, which should be completed by mid-2025. Construction will likely begin near the end of 2025 or early 2026, according to Wirth. Before the levee and dam systems were built in the 1900s to manage the Rio Grande, the river meandered broadly, naturally shifting its path year to year. The realignment will mimic that natural process by giving the river more space to "better choose its own course and to move as much as it can," Wirth said. The Rio Grande is a sediment-heavy river, and big rains bring in more sediment. Over time, that sediment builds up, and the river becomes less efficient at moving water. "The large sediment loads can create plugs in the river that can completely prevent water from moving, and it can create flooding as the water tries to find its way around these sediment plugs," Wirth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rio Grande is sitting high in the Lower San Acacia Reach, so Reclamation wants to move the river to the lowest part of the valley. That would enable the water to move more efficiently, getting more water to Elephant Butte and beyond to Texas, which could help New Mexico meet its legal obligations under the Rio Grande Compact to deliver water to Texas. When the river floods in its current channel, water sometimes gets stranded beyond the river. If the river floods when it is at the lowest point in the valley, the water will more easily be able to return. Because the river is at such a high location in this area, water seeping into the ground is unable to enter the water table, according to a project overview. Realigning the river should also fix that problem. "We're also dealing with a situation in that area of the river where, because of the way that it's confined, the water only makes it to one small part of that whole flood plain," Wirth said. That means there is less habitat for wildlife like migratory birds such as sandhill cranes that visit the Middle Rio Grande Valley en masse in fall and winter. The realignment should reduce drying, which is good for the local wildlife. The endangered silvery minnow and imperiled birds like the willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo benefit when there is some water in the river all year. The Lower San Acacia Reach project will be on federally owned land and thus should not affect private landowners. A similar project in the upper San Acacia Reach that received $10 million in federal funding in May is bounded by some private land, and Reclamation is working with the landowners, Wirth said. SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) A New Mexico man is taking a plea deal related to a deadly shooting in San Miguel County last year. In December 2023, State Police alleged Gary Hicks and a friend were returning home in Villanueva when they saw a car parked outside. Police said a man in the car had a restraining order against the homeowner, who was not with Hicks. An argument started, and officials claimed Hicks shot the man in the car. The man was killed. Solar and battery storage project opens in Bernalillo County for PNM customers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show Hicks has agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder. He is now facing up to 13 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set. **Editors Note: This story had the incorrect year in the headline originally. This has been corrected.** Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Rebel forces in Syria captured the capital Damascus and toppled the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country. As Assad resigned and fled Syria, rebel forces moved into Damascus as citizens celebrated there and in the streets of Aleppo, where the rebel offensive began 11 days ago. Meanwhile, the ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israel Defense Forces continued its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza, particularly in the north of the devastated Palestinian territory. Tensions also remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. Latest Developments Dec 9, 4:34 AM Israel bombed Syrian chemical weapons sites, foreign minister says Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters on Monday that Israeli forces "attacked strategic weapons arrays, residual chemical weapons capabilities, missiles and long-range rockets" inside Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of "extremist elements." Israeli forces have been striking inside Syria and occupying positions on Syrian territory in recent days, as rebel forces -- some with roots in jihadist organizations -- surged into major Syrian cities and precipitated the collapse of President Bashar Assad's regime in Damascus. The Israel Defense Forces announced on Sunday it had taken up positions in the demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria established by a bilateral 1974 agreement. Saar said the presence of "armed men" in the zone and their alleged attacks on United Nations positions there prompted the Israeli decision to cross the border. Saar said Israeli deployments into the buffer zone are "targeted and temporary" and intended to prevent an "Oct. 7 scenario from Syria," referring to last year's devastating Hamas infiltration attack into southern Israel. -ABC News' Jordana Miller and Dana Savir Dec 9, 4:34 AM Israeli forces cross into buffer zone separating occupied Golan Heights from Syria Israel Defense Forces tanks and armored vehicles have entered the buffer zone that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria on Sunday night. The move puts IDF troops in operations on four fronts in the Middle East, Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halevi said on Sunday, according to the Associated Press. The advancement into Syria comes after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime to Islamist rebels. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision was made to "protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions," according to AP. The IDF has reportedly warned Syrian residents in five southern communities to stay home for their safety. Israeli forces on Sunday also took over the Syrian side of Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, according to AP. Dec 8, 7:21 PM Syrian Civil Defence searches for 'secret cellars' holding detainees at Sednaya prison The Syrian Civil Defence, known as the White Helmets, said on Sunday that it sent five specialized emergency teams to Sednaya prison to search for secret cellars inside the prison where detainees are expected to be present, in a post on X. "The teams include a search and rescue team, a team to dig through walls, a team to open iron doors, a team of trained dogs, and an ambulance team," the post said. Sednaya prison, operated by ousted president Bashar al-Assads government, is known colloquially as the human slaughterhouse. It is located near Damascus. -ABC News' Ellie Kaufman Dec 9, 4:35 AM Iranian foreign minister says he fears 'renewed civil war' in Syria Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi commented on the fall of Syria's government during an interview on Iranian state TV on Sunday. He said Syria's ousted president, Bashar al-Assad, was surprised and complained about the way his own army was performing. Araghchi also said Iran was fully aware of the situation in Syria through the intelligence and security system of our country. Iran is monitoring the developments in Syria and is concerned about the possibility of a renewed civil war or a sectarian war between different sects or the division of Syria and the collapse of Syria and its transformation into a haven for terrorists, Araghchi said. -ABC News' Hami Hamedi and Ellie Kaufman Dec 9, 4:35 AM US strikes 75 ISIS targets in Syria The United States launched dozens of against ISIS targets in central Syria on Sunday in an attempt to "disrupt, degrade and defeat" the terrorist group, according to the head of the U.S. Central Command. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said in a statement that 75 ISIS targets were hit in precision airstrikes Sunday in Syria. He said the mission was carried out by U.S. Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s and A-10s. "There should be no doubt -- we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria. All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way," Kurilla said. Kurilla said the strikes hit known ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria. PHOTO: President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the political upheaval in Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (ABC News) During a speech at the White House on Sunday, President Joe Biden mentioned the U.S. strikes on ISIS targets in Syria. He said U.S. forces are also bolstering security at detention facilities in Syria where ISIS fighters are being held. "We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capability and to create a safe haven," Biden said. "We will not let that happen." -ABC News' Cindy Smith Dec 9, 5:59 PM Airstrikes hit Damascus Airstrikes have hit numerous government and military facilities in Damascus in the last few hours, after IDF officials earlier in the morning had claimed similar strikes. The IDF is not commenting on these most recent strikes. PHOTO: Smoke rises in the aftermath of suspected IDF strikes near Mezzeh Air Base in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images) Earlier Sunday, IDF issued warnings to residents of five Syrian villages along the border with Israel, saying it is taking control of the buffer zone between the two countries. During a visit on Sunday to a Syria observation post in the Golan Heights, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF seized the buffer zone due to Syrian troops abandoning their positions there. "We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border," Netanyahu said. Dec 8, 1:53 PM Biden: 'At long last the Assad regime has fallen' President Biden gave remarks Sunday on the situation in Syria, saying from the White House that "at long last, the Assad regime has fallen." Biden called it a "fundamental act of justice" and a "historic opportunity," acknowledging there is also "risk and uncertainty." Read more here. PHOTO: President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the political upheaval in Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (ABC News) Dec 8, 1:01 PM Assad is in Moscow: Russian state media Bashar al-Assad and his family are now in Moscow, Russian state-owned news agency TASS is reporting, citing a source in the Kremlin. PHOTO: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attends the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 11, 2024. (SPA via Xinhua/Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement -ABC News' Tanya Stukalova Dec 8, 12:49 PM Biden to give remarks on Syria President Biden is expected to deliver remarks on Syria at 1 p.m. ET in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. -ABC News' MaryAlice Parks, Cheyenne Haslett and Lauren Peller Dec 8, 11:23 AM Iran Foreign Ministry: Future of Syria 'will only be decided by the people' The Iranian Foreign Ministry released a statement Sunday saying it continues to monitor the situation in Syria and that "the future of Syria will only be decided by the people." PHOTO: Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (Omar Sanadiki/AP) "It is expected that the relations between Iranian and Syrian nations continue with a long-term and wise approach, based on common interests and benefits," the statement read, in part. -ABC News' Somayeh Malekian Click here to read the rest of the blog. The optics, I realize, may be a little perplexing, even problematic. In the last several months, I, a 77-year-old white male, have stood multiple times in front of Black or racially mixed audiences in traditionally Black venues telling the story of Black Milwaukee with the aid of historic photographs of Black Milwaukeeans. Ive presented at the Wisconsin Black Historical Museum (invited by my friend and fellow historian Clayborn Benson), Americas Black Holocaust Museum, public high school classrooms, and Milwaukee Public Library branches in predominantly Black neighborhoods, where Ive shared the podium with Clayborn. So whats an old white guy doing up there talking about Black Milwaukee? Thats the elephant in the room, and Ive addressed the question at the beginning of every talk. The answer is pretty simple. Ive been studying Milwaukees history for more than five decades and talking about it for almost that long. At my pre-pandemic peak, I was giving more than fifty talks and tours a year about one a week and my audiences were always overwhelmingly, often exclusively, white. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: County Executive David Crowley quietly returned to UWM. Now, he's graduating. Theres something profoundly wrong with that picture. Not only does it demonstrate the level of segregation in our community, but that monochrome reception also rubs against my fervently held belief that history belongs to everyone every person of every ancestry in every neighborhood. For all of us, history is the story of how we got to be who we are and how we got to be where we are, and that story is far too important to be the property of any single group. In a city whose population is 40 percent Black, the lack of knowledge about our African-American heritage is particularly glaring, and that deficit applies across the board. Talks about Black Milwaukee history born out of frustration My talks, therefore, were born of frustration and fed by a desire to broaden our shared understanding of Milwaukees history. I developed the programs in full knowledge of the hazards involved. Cultural trespassing is a risk I take seriously, but I also challenge the notion that members of a specific group are the only ones qualified or entitled to tell its story. John Gurda talks about Black Milwaukee history in MJ Thalman's ethnic studies class at Riverside University High School. Ive had the advantage of studying Milwaukee as my career all neighborhoods, all ancestries and Ive written extensively about Germans, Irish, Italians, Poles (my own heritage), Greeks, Jews, and Mexicans as well as African Americans. Outsiders looking in obviously cant hope to communicate the lived experience of any group thats not their own, but insiders reaching out might have comparable difficulty placing their groups story in its larger context. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has been the audience response? Overwhelmingly positive, Im relieved to report. Milwaukee Public Library staff collected written evaluations at every branch program, and more than 95 percent of the participants rated the program a perfect 5.0. There have been some lovely individual moments. A sweet woman named Wanda, who is Pawnee as well as African by ancestry, surprised me at the Washington Park library with a Black cowboy T-shirt and a gift pouch of tobacco. A senior at Riverside University High School said, I loved the program. It was like it gave me a voice. Opinion: History shows us it can work. Milwaukee needs vision for transforming lakefront. Every presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session. The one at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, a program held in conjunction with the museums Climates of Inequality exhibit, went on for a wonderfully spirited forty-five minutes, moving quickly from Q&A to audience story-telling. There were also some challenging encounters. In a private moment after my talk at the Black Historical Museum, I asked one woman how weird it felt to hear her story from an old white guy. She paused thoughtfully and then replied, The sad thing is well listen to you more than we will to somebody Black. Generations of cultural indoctrination have taken their toll. Talks showed level of anger, suspicion in Black community More broadly, its clear that there are a lot of angry African Americans out there, and understandably so. Most Black residents live in neighborhoods with more crime, shabbier houses, fewer trees, dirtier air, and fewer jobs than youll find in our citys white communities. They dont need to hear the numbers or read the reports; the evidence of Milwaukees rampant inequities is all around them, 24 hours a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why should this be true, in a city doing well in many other respects? The answer is racism, and its vehicle is time. No group has a genetic predisposition to hardship. Over the centuries, however, consciously applied policies and unconsciously applied attitudes have forced African Americans to swim against the current for their entire tenure in this country. In the Q&A sessions, a high level of suspicion was evident among some of the Black participants. Opinion: Wisconsin hospital safety net in danger. Two have already closed for good. Why have so many African Americans settled on the citys Northwest Side? I contend that theyre following the same outward migration path that took German families in the same direction more than a century ago. Not so, said one local resident; the real reason is that city and suburban authorities conspired to keep Blacks within narrow bounds from the very beginning. I also met a woman whos convinced that Milwaukee has lost so many factories because their owners chose to shut down rather than create jobs that would attract more Black workers. What suffers in this bleak assessment of our citys history is citizenship. How can you feel a sense of ownership in a community that has only grudgingly accepted your presence and still withholds complete inclusion? Until the needle on Milwaukees scale of social indicators shows real movement, expecting broad buy-in would be pure folly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not the whole story from our Q&A sessions, Im glad to say. A woman at the Washington Park library had nothing but praise for the countys bus system. Another at the Center Street branch loved the festivals that fill Milwaukees summer months. And the written evaluations made it clear that a passion for local history knows no color line. Great program, responded one participant. Thank Yahweh for history. Another made a simple request: More history, please. The gulf in Milwaukee neighborhoods was hard to overlook And what have I learned from these forays outside my comfort zone? Plenty. Ive gained a deeper appreciation for one of my citys most important cultural groups and a more informed understanding of where were headed as a community. Our future will be radically more diverse than our past. I have no illusions about the depth of my encounters or their ultimate impact. Every time I left a venue on North Avenue or Center Street for my safe home in Bay View, I was acutely aware of the gulf between where I had spoken and where I would sleep that night. That gulf is likely to persist, but Im convinced that carrying the story of Black Milwaukee to the people of Black Milwaukee has been well worth both the effort and the risks. John Gurda poses with students in MJ Thalman's ethnic studies class at Riverside University High School. The story isnt easy to tell. One of the major threads in Black history, here and elsewhere, is an experience of continuing trauma. But pride and resilience are major themes as well. Telling the story in all its dimensions, even (or perhaps especially) when the teller is an old white guy, can be wonderfully permission-giving. Doors of dialogue open when honesty knocks; difficult but necessary discussions broaden the knowledge of everyone in the room. And why does that matter? Because knowledge is the prerequisite to understanding, and understanding is the necessary prelude to action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What comes next? A series of one-off lectures seems insufficient for the importance of the story, and at every program, including the high school classes, I heard a desire for the narrative to take permanent form. With some trepidation, Im responding. Working with Black talent and with Claudia Looze, my collaborator on the Making of Milwaukee series, I plan to create the most comprehensive video chronicle of our citys African-American roots ever produced. Opinion: Neglect must end. I didn't fully appreciate Milwaukee parks until I moved away. Our one-hour public television documentary, projected to air next September, will tell the story of Black Milwaukee from the time of Joe Oliver, the African-American cook who worked for fur trader Solomon Juneau, to the Black Lives Matter movement of today. Its a story every Milwaukeean should know. Please bear with us as the work proceeds, and get ready for what is sure to be an eye-opening experience next fall. Reach Milwaukee writer and historian John Gurda at mail@johngurda.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's Black history has long been neglected | Opinion TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Tampa officials began searching for a missing 15-year-old inmate Sunday morning after he reportedly escaped from a juvenile detention center. Jahmir Moore was being held at the Hillsborough Regional Juvenile Detention Center following his Dec. 4 arrest in connection with the death of 14-year-old Jevario Buie, according to the Tampa Police Department. I just need to know why: 15-year-old charged in Tampa teens murder, police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a search that lasted multiple hours, police confirmed that Moore had been located and taken back into custody around 9:15 p.m. near West Keyes Avenue. The police department said Moore was captured with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Task Force but did not provide any further details on how he was located. Tonight, the family of Jevario Buie and our community can rest knowing a dangerous individual is back in custody, said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. I am incredibly appreciative of the officers who worked tirelessly since this morning when they were alerted of Moores escape. Let this be a reminder to those who think they can evade Tampa Police, they cannot, and they will be held accountable. Deputy Chief Ruth Kate said officers realized Moore was missing around 10:33 a.m. when he didnt show up for a head count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are very concerned that he is not in custody, Kate told reporters during a press conference Sunday afternoon. He is here on a very serious charge Suspect Jahmir Moore (Photo provided by the Tampa Police Department) For Buies family, the news reopened the wound they were just beginning to heal. We are concerned. I am concerned about my familys safety, the community safety, the victims grandfather Michael Baldwin told News Channel 8 before his capture. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Moore running west from the facility around 10:45 a.m. Police believe Moore may have been outside when he escaped but are investigating further to determine exactly how he got out of the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, he was wearing a dark green t-shirt over a blue issued shirt, blue slacks and white shoes. Officers spent nearly all-day Sunday searching for Moore, conducting perimeter searches, deploying a bloodhound, as well as other K-9 teams, and pulling all video from nearby businesses. As the search was underway, the nearby Raymond James Stadium was filled with fans attending the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday game against the Raiders. According to Major Pat Messmer, the police department, along with the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office and Florida Highway Patrol, regularly has officers stationed outside of the stadium and is more than equipped to deal with any kind of threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement officers reportedly searched the stadium but did not find any signs of Moore. During Sundays press conference, police asked anyone who spotted Moore to call 911 immediately and not engage with him. Kate told reporters that Moore is considered to be a very dangerous individual. Moore was arrested for the April murder of 14-year-old Jevario Buie after surveillance video caught the two boys together just before the deadly shooting. Tampa detectives had found records of Moore communicating with Buie before the murder, as well as social media messages, notes, and search history, all implicating his involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was charged with first-degree murder, carrying a concealed firearm, tampering with physical evidence, and minor in possession of a firearm. While the search continued for Moore, Buies family said they couldnt help but hope he would be found soon. Jevario will never get a chance to have children, never get a chance to experience what high school was like, Baldwin said. Messmer said Sunday that the attorneys office has indicated they plan to charge Moore as an adult for the homicide and may consider upgrading his charges related to the escape as well. The Department of Juvenile Justice will also be launching a separate investigation related to the escape, with officials already interviewing people at the detention facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Messmer also noted that, Anybody who aids him, who helps him, theyre going to be arrested, too, for harboring a fugitive. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Selena Gomez has spoken out in defence of her performance in Emilia Perez after receiving criticism from actor Eugenio Derbez. In a recent episode of the Hablando de Cine podcast, Derbez described Gomez's portrayal of Jessi del Monte in the musical crime comedy as "indefensible," particularly pointing to her struggle with speaking Spanish for the role, as per Deadline. In Emilia Perez, Gomez plays the role of Jessi, a character in a bilingual film that alternates between Spanish and English. Although Gomez is not fluent in Spanish, she took on the challenge of speaking the language in the film, a decision that did not sit well with Derbez. He shared his thoughts on the podcast, explaining his dissatisfaction with Gomez's performance. "Selena is indefensible," Derbez said, adding, "I watched the film with people, and every time she had a scene, we looked at each other to say to each other, 'Wow, what is this?'" The podcast host, Gaby Meza, acknowledged Gomez's acting talent, citing her nominations for 'Only Murders in the Building'. However, she argued that because Spanish is not Gomez's first language, the nuances of her performance were lost. "If she doesn't know what she's saying, she can't give her acting any nuance," Meza explained. Derbez supported this view, saying, "I'm glad you're saying it because I said, 'Why is no one talking about that?'" Derbez, who starred in the Oscar-winning film 'CODA', expressed his confusion about why Gomez's performance has gone unchallenged, especially considering her recognition in award circuits. He speculated that audiences might overlook the acting's flatness due to their reliance on subtitles rather than understanding the original language. "I feel like they don't speak Spanish," Derbez remarked, adding, "If you watch a Russian film or a German film, that is subtitled to Spanish and you see someone [speaking in the original language], you say, 'Oh, look. OK! Interesting,'" as per Deadline. Derbez also pointed out that the director of Emilia Perez, Jacques Audiard, does not speak Spanish or English, which he believed could have contributed to the film's disconnection from its Mexican setting and culture. "How funny that a director... I liked the film, aside from the Selena [scenes] that jump at you, because it has salvageable things," he said. He compared the situation to making a film in Russian without understanding the culture or language while speaking in French. After a clip from the podcast was shared on TikTok, Gomez responded directly to the criticism. As per Deadline, in the post, she wrote, "I understand where you are coming from. I'm sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesn't take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie." 'Emilia Perez' is a musical crime drama written and directed by Jacques Audiard, with a cast that includes Zoe Saldana, Adriana Paz, Mark Ivanir, and Edgar Ramirez. The plot revolves around a cartel leader who enlists a lawyer to help her disappear and transition into a woman. (ANI) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A man died after being shot while riding a miniature motorbike in the Napier area overnight, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. Officers were first called to the scene near the intersection of Fairfield Avenue and Fain Street just after 11:30 p.m. Saturday after gunshots were reportedly heard in the area. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MNPD said officers found a man later identified as 39-year-old Lajames Devon Shannon on the right side of Fain Street next to the motorbike with multiple gunshot wounds to the back. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with critical injuries and was later pronounced dead, according to authorities. Investigation underway after woman shot in Midtown Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. UPDATE 10:30 AM: The interstate has reopened. Mobile Police sent this update: On Sunday, December 8, 2024, at approximately 1:15 a.m., officers responded to a local hospital in reference to a gunshot victim who arrived by personal vehicle with severe injuries. A short time later, the male victim was pronounced deceased. Upon further investigation, officers discovered a shooting occurred while traveling on SB I-65 near Airport Boulevard. It was discovered the victim was the passenger in the vehicle, when another vehicle approached and opened fire, striking the vehicle several times. A portion of the interstate was shut down during the initial investigation. This remains an active investigation and no further information is available at this time. ORIGINAL STORY: MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Mobile Police are investigating an incident on I-65 southbound that closed a portion of the interstate before dawn Sunday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police blocked off access to I-65 southbound, south of Airport Boulevard starting at about 3:15 Sunday morning. Several police vehicles blocked the interstate near Southeastern Salvage. There were more than a dozen evidence markers scattered along the interstate. Investigators examined each one and measured the distance between them. Its not clear what happened in this incident. We didnt see any civilian vehicles at the scene from our vantage point that may have been involved in whatever happened. Weve reached out to Mobile Police for more information and are waiting to hear back. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. David Richards, the chairman of Motorsport UK, has expressed concern about proposed changes to the FIAs statutes, which he believes will make the governing body less transparent and accountable. The list of revisions to the statutes will be voted on by FIA member clubs at next weeks annual general meeting. The proposed changes would ensure that any ethics complaints were overseen by the FIA president and president of its senate, who is one of his close allies, rather than the senate itself. And they would remove the power of the audit committee to investigate financial issues independently. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been at the centre of multiple controversies this year, with the audit and ethics committees both investigating allegations about the Emirati. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Telegraph Sport understands the changes had to be proposed by, among others, the World Motor Sport Council, of which Richards is a member. This was done by e-vote. But there is now unrest over how the revisions were presented. Most of them had been through a statutes commission, but it later emerged that a few, which were added on the end and concerned the audit and ethics committees, had not. Telegraph Sport was told that various members are now up in arms about this, as the clear inference was that all the proposed revisions had been through the statutes commission. The FIA declined to comment. Richards, who is in the paddock in Abu Dhabi ahead of Sundays season finale and has been pictured in discussion with Ben Sulayem, told Telegraph Sport that he too was concerned by the proposals, saying it was not the right direction to take. He added it was of paramount importance that the FIA reflected the highest standards of corporate governance. Mmm. Wonder what they're talking about? pic.twitter.com/vSDPtd3MJ9 Andrew Benson (@andrewbensonf1) December 8, 2024 Some organisations affiliated to the FIA, for instance in the United States, would in theory not be able to work with us if we do not conform to those high standards, he said. Formula Ones owner, Liberty Media, is an American corporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richards added to The Race website: Hopefully people will realise that this is not the right direction to take, and that we need to make sure that the FIA upholds the very best of sporting governance in the world. Im hopeful that that will be the case. Im hopeful that its just an oversight, and people have not fully understood the consequences of this, and we can correct it before it changes. Ben Sulayem was cleared of two separate allegations that he interfered in the operations of grands prix in 2023. There have also been questions about the finances of Ben Sulayems private office and a $1.5 million (1.18 million) presidents fund to pay member clubs, which vote for the FIA president. Neither went anywhere. Ben Sulayem, who has overseen a spate of sackings in recent months, has dismissed the controversies as British media bias. Richards said: The audit committee, in my view, should be completely independent and be able to investigate any issue it wishes within the FIA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statute change thats being proposed will stop that, and thats not good governance. Hopefully people will realise that this is not the right direction to take, and that we need to make sure that the FIA upholds the very best of sporting governance in the world. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Some 910 people have been killed since the start of the major rebel offensive in Syria, which resulted in the toppling of Bashar al-Assad's regime on Sunday, a war monitor said on Sunday. Among them are 138 civilians, including several children, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Also among the dead are 380 Syrian soldiers and members of allied forces, as well as 392 fighters from the rebel alliance. A woman mourns in front of the bodies of her relatives, killed in a Syrian regime airstrike on a camp for displaced people in the town of Harbanoush. At least 11 people, including five children, were killed when Syrian and Russian warplanes launched a series of air strikes on rebel-held areas in north-western Syria on Monday, activists and a monitor group said. Anas Alkharboutli/dpa Israel mounted a series of airstrikes in Syria on Sunday, including the capital Damascus, the first since rebels ended Bashar al-Assad's rule and forced him to flee, a monitoring group reported. Israeli warplanes targeted military depots in the vicinity of a scientific centre near Damascus and an army outpost in the countryside of the capital, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Earlier on Sunday, Israeli aerial bombardment targeted the area of the Mezzeh military airport in Damascus and an unspecified target near the city, said the UK-based monitor that relies on a network of sources inside Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli warplanes also targeted several sites in the Daraa and Quneitra provinces in southern Syria, according to the observatory. No casualties were reported. The Israeli Air Force had earlier attacked a chemical weapons factory in Syria according to media reports. The Jerusalem Post reported that the attack was motivated by concerns that weapons developed during the reign of al-Assad could fall into the hands of rebels. The Israeli TV channel N12 had also reported on the strike earlier. An Israeli army spokesman declined to comment on the reports. Turkish-allied Syrian rebels have taken control of large areas in the Kurdish-held northern city of Manbij, after clashes killed at least 26 people, a war monitor said on Sunday. Fierce fighting was still ongoing in the central part of Manbij, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Clashes killed nine Turkish-allied rebels and 17 members of the Manbij military forces, which is affiliated with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Britain-based group said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents began fleeing Manbij and its surroundings towards other areas in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, it added. Turkey has always regarded the Syrian Kurdish militia as part of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The Kurds control areas in northern and eastern Syria. Earlier on Sunday, the SDF said their forces continue to fight "Turkey's mercenaries" attacking Manbij. Syrians living in Istanbul gathered in Fatih district after insurgents took the Syrian capital Damascus, ending the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Tolga Ildun/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) Guyana is revisiting a dark history nearly half a century after U.S. Rev. Jim Jones and more than 900 of his followers died in the rural interior of the South American country. It was the largest suicide-murder in recent history, and a government-backed tour operator wants to open the former commune now shrouded by lush vegetation to visitors, a proposal that is reopening old wounds, with critics saying it would disrespect victims and dig up a sordid past. Jordan Vilchez, who grew up in California and was moved into the Peoples Temple commune at age 14, told The Associated Press in a phone interview from the U.S. that she has mixed feelings about the tour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was in Guyanas capital the day Jones ordered hundreds of his followers to drink a poisoned grape-flavored drink that was given to children first. Her two sisters and two nephews were among the victims. I just missed dying by one day, she recalled. Vilchez, 67, said Guyana has every right to profit from any plans related to Jonestown. Then on the other hand, I just feel like any situation where people were manipulated into their deaths should be treated with respect, she said. Vilchez added that she hopes the tour operator would provide context and explain why so many people went to Guyana trusting they would find a better life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tour would ferry visitors to the far-flung village of Port Kaituma nestled in the lush jungles of northern Guyana. Its a trip available only by boat, helicopter or plane; rivers instead of roads connect Guyanas interior. Once there, its another six miles via a rough and overgrown dirt trail to the abandoned commune and former agricultural settlement. Neville Bissember, a law professor at the University of Guyana, questioned the proposed tour, calling it a ghoulish and bizarre idea in a recently published letter. What part of Guyanas nature and culture is represented in a place where death by mass suicide and other atrocities and human rights violations were perpetuated against a submissive group of American citizens, which had nothing to do with Guyana nor Guyanese? he wrote. Despite ongoing criticism, the tour has strong support from the government's Tourism Authority and Guyanas Tourism and Hospitality Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond told the AP the government is backing the effort at Jonestown but is aware of some level of push back from certain sectors of society. She said the government already has helped clear the area to ensure a better product can be marketed, adding that the tour might need Cabinet approval. It certainly has my support, she said. It is possible. After all, we have seen what Rwanda has done with that awful tragedy as an example. Rose Sewcharran, director of Wonderlust Adventures, the private tour operator who plans to take visitors to Jonestown, said she was buoyed by the support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We think it is about time, she said. This happens all over the world. We have multiple examples of dark, morbid tourism around the world, including Auschwitz and the Holocaust museum. Luring tourists The November 1978 mass suicide-murder was synonymous with Guyana for decades until huge amounts of oil and gas were discovered off the countrys coast nearly a decade ago, making it one of the worlds largest offshore oil producers. New roads, schools and hotels are being built across the capital, Georgetown, and beyond, and a country that rarely saw tourists is now hoping to attract more of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An obvious attraction is Jonestown, argued Astill Paul, the co-pilot of a twin-engine plane that flew U.S. Rep. Leo J. Ryan of California and a U.S. news crew to a village near the commune a day before hundreds died on Nov. 18, 1978. He witnessed gunmen fatally shoot Ryan and four others as they tried to board the plane on Nov. 18 and fly back to the capital. Paul told the AP he believes the former commune should be developed as a heritage site. I sat on the tourism board years ago and did suggest we do this, but the minister at the time lashed the idea down because the government wanted nothing to do with morbid tourism, he recalled. Until recently, successive governments shunned Jonestown, arguing that the countrys image was badly damaged by the mass murder-suicide, even though only a handful of Indigenous people died. The overwhelming majority of victims were Americans like Vilchez who flew to Guyana to follow Jones. Many endured beatings, forced labor, imprisonment and rehearsals for a mass suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those in favor of a tour include Gerry Gouveia, a pilot who also flew when Jonestown was active. The area should be reconstructed purely for tourists to get a first-hand understanding of its layout and what had happened," he said. We should reconstruct the home of Jim Jones, the main pavilion and other buildings that were there. Today, all that is left is bits of a cassava mill, pieces of the main pavilion and a rusted tractor that once hauled a flatbed trailer to take temple members to the Port Kaituma airfield. An offering to the land Until now, most visitors to Jonestown have been reporters and family members of those who died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizing an expedition on ones own is daunting: the area is far from the capital and hard to access, and some consider the closest populated settlement dangerous. Its still a very, very, very rough area, said Fielding McGehee, co-director of The Jonestown Institute, a nonprofit group. I dont see how this is going to be an economically feasible kind of project because of the vast amounts of money it would take to turn it into a viable place to visit. McGehee warned about relying on supposed witnesses who will be part of the tour. He said the memories and stories that have trickled down through generations might not be accurate. Its almost like a game of telephone, he said. It does not help anyone understand what happened in Jonestown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He recalled how one survivor had proposed a personal project to develop the abandoned site, but those from the temple community said, Why do you want to do that? McGehee noted that dark tourism is popular, and that going to Jonestown means tourists could say they visited a place where more than 900 people died on the same day. Its the prurient interest in tragedy, he said. If the tour eventually starts operating, not everything will be visible to tourists. When Vilchez returned to Guyana in 2018 for the first time since the mass suicide-murder, she made an offering to the land when she arrived in Jonestown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the things she buried in the abandoned commune where her sisters and nephews died were snippets of hair from her mother and father, who did not go to Jonestown. It just felt like a gesture that honored the people that died, she said. ___ Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america The Russian Foreign Ministry issued an appeal on Sunday for all parties involved in the toppling of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to refrain from the use of force. Al-Assad had abandoned his post and left Syria, the ministry said, without providing any information on the location of its former ally. Russia was in contact with groups in Syria, it said. Moscow had provided military support to al-Assad's regime since 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry said Assad had ordered a peaceful transfer of power. "Russia has not participated in these negotiations. At the same time we appeal to all those involved to refrain from the use of force and to resolve all questions relating to state leadership by political means," it said. Moscow could no longer support Syria in the current circumstances, said Konstantin Kosachev, a former diplomat and deputy head of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament. Moscow would offer assistance if the Syrian people asked for it, Kosachev said. He added that the war was not over, as there were many opposing groups, among them terrorist organizations. Syria's territorial integrity had to be maintained, he said. Russia maintains an airbase in Syria and a naval base at Tartus, which provides access to the Mediterranean sea. The ministry said the Russian military bases were not under threat but were in a state of heightened alert. Andrey Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliament's defence committee, said consideration now had to be given to the forces stationed in Syria, based on experience from previous withdrawals. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Syrians will have to cope with a full-scale civil war alone, Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament said on Sunday, while suggesting that Moscow was ready to support the Syrian people in certain circumstances. Syrian rebels announced on Sunday that they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad, after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, ending his family's iron-fisted rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East. Russia, a staunch Assad ally, intervened decisively in 2015 to prop him up during Syria's civil war. But with its military resources mostly tied down in Ukraine, Russia's ability to influence the situation on the ground was far more limited this time round - despite maintaining two military facilities in Syria - and it did not mobilise the same level of resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian war bloggers have raised fears about the fate of the two Russian military facilities under the rebels but they so far appear to be still functioning while the Russian Embassy in Damascus has said its staff are "fine." Kosachyov, a veteran Russian expert in international affairs, predicted that the civil war in Syria would not end with Assad's departure and that tough times were ahead. "Syria is a very difficult story, for everyone without exception. One way or another, the civil war will not end today, there are too many opposing interests and too many opposing forces. Including outright terrorist groups. And that is why the hardest part is ahead again," Kosachyov wrote on his official Telegram channel. "It's a tragedy, I repeat, for everyone. And for us Russians, our primary task is to ensure the safety of our compatriots and civilians, including of our diplomats and their families, and, of course, of the military personnel who are there for the sake of Syria, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If the people of Syria continue to need our support, it will be provided. But hardly in the context of a full-scale civil war. The Syrians will have to deal with that themselves," he said. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn and Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Andrew Osborn) As we approach peak tamale-making season, it's a treat to look back into the newspaper's archives for guidance on how and why they are made, as well as where to purchase them. "We've been making, eating and sharing tamales for centuries," American-Statesman reporter Natalia Contreras wrote in a helpful 2021 article. "There's evidence of tamales originating in what is now central Mexico as early as 8,000 B.C.," Marco Iniguez-Alba, senior lecturer of Spanish at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, told Contreras. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tamales were made as gifts for the Aztec gods, such as Cinteotl, the god of maize, Iniguez-Alba said. "A tamal became like an ofrenda, an offering to the gods. It was made and wrapped, kind of like a gift to the god," Iniguez-Alba said. "And so that becomes a practice of people gifting each other food." In Texas, the tradition grew popular outside the Tejano community during the late 19th century, when the "Chili Queens" sold their wares at booths set up in San Antonio's plazas. "Some families say tamales became a Christmas tradition because they were a reminder of the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes," Contreras wrote. "But making tamales is hard work. And it takes more than one person to get the job done. That's why it's so popular to make them with family and friends around the holidays and during special occasions that call for a large gathering." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It allows for a practice also of communalism," Iniguez-Alba said. "The only way to make tamales is in an assembly line. It allows for information exchange. You're narrating stories, regaining lost time, you're catching up, you're laughing, you're crying." This exchange of information in the process of making tamales, he said, "of spreading the masa on the husk, preparing the filling the night before, all of this is key to the longevity of family." When this photo was taken in 2002, Amelia Vallejo Perez had been making tamales every Christmas since she was 6 years old, when she started learning from her two grandmothers. What makes tamales good? "That depends on your preference," Contreras wrote. "For some, it's the masa. For others, it's the filling, or whether or not they were made by the loving hands of their abuelita. Some longtime Texas tamaleros told the American-Statesman that good tamales easily slide right off the husk." "You have to get the masa right," said Carmen Valera, who is one of the owners of Tamale House in Austin. Valera's family has been making tamales in the Texas capital since 1958. "The masa has to be silky and smooth. It has to be soft but not crumbly. When you open the tamale, it glistens." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More on Tex-Mex food: Texans ask: What makes chili chili? Why does everyone else do it wrong by adding beans? Contreras went on to describe some regional differences among Texas tamales. "In Central Texas, some of the tamales are 'Texas-sized,' which means you'll be good ordering one for a meal," Contreras wrote. "And the tamaleros here are going beyond the traditional pork, chicken and beef fillings. You'll also find some that are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. "Austin's tamales staple, Tamale House, has been using the same delicious recipe since 1958. These tamales will take you back to your abuelita's kitchen: They are handcrafted and filled with braised pork or chicken. At the restaurant (1707 E. Sixth St.), the tamales are served with a side of refried beans and rice and one will be enough to fill you up. Each individual tamale at the Tamale House weighs nearly a pound. Those who like tamales de rajas can find those here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In South Texas, you'll find more traditional, smaller tamales. "They are wrapped in corn husks and the masa is just as flavorful, colorful and savory as the favorite pork filling," Contreras wrote. "You'll still find some that are lard-free if you prefer your tamales a bit healthier. "I could never get away with making a tamale list without mentioning Delia's, a favorite of the Rio Grande Valley," Contreras wrote. "Delia's has been feeding us tamales since the late 1990s and it now has locations all over the RGV and in San Antonio. Oh, and if you have the misfortune of living outside of Texas, Delia's ships their extensive traditional South Texas tamales menu nationwide." In 2004, this family gathered at a table to share gossip about relatives and to continue a generations-long holiday tradition of making tamales. In West Texas, the tamales can also be big, and residents of the area enjoy a kick of spice in their green chile tamales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People in El Paso flock to Pepe's Tamales at 9530 Viscount Blvd. for a tamale that will take up their whole hand. Each tamale is chunky and packed with plenty of pork or chicken. At this shop, you'll also find sweet tamales with raisins. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: A history of the tamale and where to find good ones in Texas Actress and film producer Jessica Chastain talked about breaking generational cycles to achieve success and become something more than society expected, reported People. Chastain shared that her great-grandmother, grandmother, aunt, and mother all had children before the age of 17, and they "had to drop out of school and take on low-paying jobs to support their families." However, the actress said that she was "determined" to break this family cycle at the 38th Annual American Cinematheque Awards. "Theater became my lifeline," she shared. "It was a way to feel seen, to use my voice and to break free from the expectations that had bound my family for generations. And I became determined to escape the cycle." "I was the first in my family to not get pregnant as a teenager, the first to finish high school and the first to attend college," she said, adding, "And attending the Juilliard School didn't just change my life. It showed my family that a different path was possible." "Chastain stated that since then, she has "worked to dismantle the restrictive roles society imposes on women" through her job, breaking the"archetypes" that women are valued solely for their "sexual desirability" or their "function as mothers," reported People. She highlighted that she accomplished this by getting two top-grossing pictures early in her career, 'Mama' and 'Zero Dark Thirty'. "It's an honour to portray women who are capable, who are intelligent and independent," said the actress, adding, "I want kids to see. I want little girls and I want boys to see that her true value isn't in her beauty or her role as someone's partner, but in her intellect, her resilience and her strength." "Stories matter because they shape culture. Stories inspire change and stories empower future generations," she said. Chastain has paid tribute to her grandmother and mother on social media for the past several years. She wished her mom a "Happy Mother's Day" on Instagram in 2020, noting that she was "grateful" to her mom and grandmother for giving "so much for their children." In October, Chastain shared that her grandmother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. "This week, I flew to meet with her amazing doctors and surgeons who are providing her the best possible care," the actress wrote on Instagram at the time. "I'm beyond grateful to the incredible hospital staff." She added, "She's a total badass, and I know she'll get through this," reported People. (ANI) Longtime Bridgeview resident Itedal Shalabi typically votes Democratic but when the time came to pick a candidate for U.S. president this year, she took a pass. Shalabi saw both major party choices on the Nov. 5 ballot Republican Donald Trump and his history of Islamophobic rhetoric and Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris and her ties to a Biden administration many Muslims lost faith in because of its unwavering support of Israel in the war in Gaza as seriously flawed, and said she couldnt bring herself to support either of them. Theres no way in all good conscience, I could have put my head down on a pillow and slept that night if I had voted for Kamala Harris, Shalabi said. They let us down the whole system let us down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Bridgeview a southwest suburban community called Little Palestine because so many Muslims and Palestinians live there Shalabi reflected a growing trend of Muslim voters who in the 2024 election either didnt cast a vote for president, wrote in a third-party candidate as a protest vote or reversed course as a majority backed Trump after Joe Biden carried the suburb in 2020. What happened with Muslim voters in Illinois didnt affect the overall presidential race as Harris won the state, although by a smaller margin than when Biden or Hillary Clinton defeated Trump in Illinois. But the trends seen here do echo much of what was seen nationally as many Muslims once aghast at Trumps comments and policies critical of their religion and culture said they supported him this time because they were fed up with Bidens support of Israel amid the war in Gaza and Harris willingness to keep those policies going. Since winning, however, Trump has proposed adding several individuals to his administration who have spurred a new wave of anxiety and uncertainty about what political choices Muslims have going forward. Among Trumps selections are U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who once said on X that Israel has no choice but to seek the complete eradication of Hamas in Gaza, as his secretary of state; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who in 2008 while running for president said there was no such thing as a Palestinian, as the next ambassador to Israel; and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who called the United Nations a cesspool of antisemitism for its condemnation of deaths in Gaza, to serve as U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its like a pressure cooker situation that ultimately results in something bad, said Haris Siddiqui, a resident of Naperville who wrote-in Green Party candidate Jill Stein for president. If you thought as a Muslim, you were going to send a message to the Democrats, well, now you have to deal with the likes of Mike Huckabee. You have to deal with the likes of individuals that are no longer mincing their words people who are openly Zionist. The unease about who Trump is empowering to enact his agenda is just the latest among a slew of political worries held by Illinois Muslims. Many say they dont feel heard by either political party and have become especially frustrated with Democrats who they think have taken their vote for granted. The results from November bear out some of that thinking. More than 8% of voters in precincts in and around Bridgeview didnt vote for any of the three presidential candidates on the ballot Trump, Harris or Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was on the ballot despite dropping his bid and supporting Trump, according to data from the Cook County clerks office. Thats compared to a little more than 2% across Cook County who either wrote in a candidate or abstained from voting for president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some, such as Shalabi, skipped the race altogether, others, such as Siddiqui, wrote in third-party candidates as a protest vote. Stein was the most popular as she gained support nationally among pro-Palestinian voters and those opposed to U.S. military aid to Israel. At 57%, the Bridgeview area saw a lower voter turnout than the roughly 67% across Cook County. For those in the suburb who did cast ballots, the majority backed Trump. In those same Bridgeview-area precincts, which include a tapestry of Muslim and blue-collar individuals and families, Trump defeated Harris 52%-38%, vote totals show. For many Muslim voters, as well as those in the anti-war movement, the situation in Gaza was the deciding factor. More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 14 months since Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023. Siddiqui said he wrote in for Stein not because I think shes a great alternative at all, but because it was a way for us to reject the two-party system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were so many different messages within the community a certain side said were just not going to partake at all and didnt vote, the other side was adamant that we need to go vote for Jill Stein and punish the Democrats, then the third side was like I think were actually going to go and support Trump because business is better and yada yada, plus itll punish the Democrats, he said. Some of what Siddiqui described was also seen in the majority-Arab community of Dearborn, Michigan, just outside Detroit, in which the effort to vote third party was more organized and where the uncommitted movement first took off during the presidential primaries earlier this year. In Februarys Democratic primary in Michigan, Biden collected more than 625,000 votes but more than 100,000 cast ballots for uncommitted, which is allowed in Michigan. Muslim voters were further disenchanted with the party in August after Biden dropped out of the race and Harris took over the nomination but failed to include a Palestinian speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. More than 30 uncommitted delegates invited to the DNC held regular sit-ins and protests over the U.S. policy. The dissatisfaction in Dearborn continued Election Day as Trump won Dearborn with 42% of the vote to Harris 36%, a massive drop-off from the nearly 69% Biden received over Trump in 2020. Stein received more than 18% of the vote in Dearborn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout much of the campaign, Trumps strategy with the community wasnt necessarily to win Muslim votes but to tamp down support for Harris. I dont actually blame anyone from our community (for Harris loss) I blame 100% the Democratic Party that was completely deaf and blind to their constituents, said Dilara Sayeed, president of the Muslim Civic Coalition. They really didnt get it. Trumps support in the Arab community may seem shocking given his comments and policies, including a travel ban of people from six Muslim-majority nations and calling for extreme vetting for travelers from Muslim-majority countries. But Shalabi said many Muslims simply gravitated toward Trumps promises to improve the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of our community members (in Bridgeview) are entrepreneurs who came with no language, no understanding of the system, and yet are very successful businessmen and women, said Shalabi, who runs a social service organization. So (its) that mentality of Im going to give you a better economy, better this, better that. Others, she said, simply wanted to stick it to the Democrats for being too pro-Israel. A lot of the young people in our community really felt like, Oh, to piss the Democrats off, Im not even going to vote for Jill Stein. Im just going to vote for Trump, Shalabi said. Democratic state Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, who represents parts of Bridgeview, said the Democratic Party has a lot of work to do to regain the trust of Americans and said many voters who opposed the U.S. backing Israel felt their concerns were ignored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millions of Americans, including many in Bridgeview, who were looking for a change in direction from President Bidens disastrous support for Israels genocide were routinely dismissed, said Rashid, the first Palestinian American to serve in the Illinois General Assembly. Even outside Bridgeview, some of that dissatisfaction was clear from the election results. West suburban Glendale Heights also has a sizable Muslim population, particularly in neighborhoods surrounding the local mosque, Muslim Society Inc. on Bloomingdale Road. Out of 538 voters who cast ballots in the precinct that includes the mosque, 47% supported Harris, 35% backed Trump and more than 12% voted for Stein, according to vote totals from the DuPage County clerk. In 2020, election results show, Biden won the neighborhood with more than 54% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Glendale Heights neighborhood that boasts a predominantly Muslim population generated about 48% of votes for Harris, 39% for Trump, and nearly 15% for Stein. In 2020, Biden won the area, which includes a quiet subdivision off North Avenue between Bloomingdale Road and Main Street, with more than 67% of the vote. Nada Jazeh, who lives in the neighborhood and voted for Stein, said she noticed an awakening within the community after the Biden administration kept American weapons flowing to Israel as the death toll mounted in Gaza. From what I see right now, both parties are really not serving an ethical outlook of what my beliefs hold, which is justice and humanity actually focusing on the people in need and listening to our needs, Jazeh said. If I can help bring out a third party instead of a two-party system, and be part of that progressive change, then why not do that? Jazeh, who identifies as politically independent and recently filed paperwork to run for village clerk in Glendale Heights, said people in government need to represent the constituency they serve, especially those running for president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like this election wasnt the end of it, like a vote for Stein and then were done, Jazeh said. We are actually waking up as a Muslim community, finally, and were saying, Hey look at us, were here, we vote and were not going to go anywhere. Patrick Kennelly, director of Marquette Universitys Center for Peacemaking, said the ethos of the anti-war movement is also the essence of why the Democratic Party lost so much support from Muslim voters and other anti-war activists. You had a lot of people who really opposed any sort of excessive U.S. militarism with Biden and Harris allowing the flow of arms. And they voted on a belief that more weapons leads to more violence, Kennelly said. And within the peace movement, there were a lot of individuals who saw the billions being spent on these various conflicts overseas that could be used to meet domestic needs. Although a growing number of Americans want the United States to play a role in diplomatically resolving the war, the U.S. has so far vetoed four United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in the region. Disenchanted with the current administration and tired of American foreign policy, Kennelly said voters rejected the status quo. Omer Mohammed, a Michigan resident who previously lived in Illinois, said he voted for Stein this year in what he viewed as a morally confusing election. A couple months before the election, my plan was to reluctantly vote for Harris, but I couldnt take it anymore. I wanted her to say that she is for an arms embargo on Israel, at the very least, Mohammed said. If she would have clearly articulated that, or if she would have pushed for that while as a vice president and said shell take on that policy when she assumed the presidency, then I would have voted for her. Another Stein voter, recent University of Illinois Chicago graduate Jenin Alharithi, said she spent countless hours during her senior year organizing protests, rallies and small-scale seminars about the crisis in Gaza much like the wave of pro-Palestinian campus events across the country. But Alharithi said all that messaging was lost on the Democratic Party. The rhetoric that was going around was condescending, and it was also very criminalizing of the Palestinian community and the Arab community in general, Alharithi said. It came off as you guys dont matter, your movement does not matter.' Alharithi said the past year unearthed some hard truths, especially young, progressive-minded voters pushing for tangible change. There was a realization that maybe both parties are bad; they contribute to a larger system of American imperialism that will ultimately always be very harmful to our community in the Middle East and for communities here as well, she added. Voting third party isnt going to solve our problems, but at least there was an organized effort to show that were not going to engage in the two-party system anymore. Were not going to vote blue or vote for the lesser of two evils anymore. We want our voices to be heard. Siddiqui said in the weeks leading up to the election there were efforts by some in the Muslim community to remind others of the horrors of Trumps America, but those individuals were sometimes criticized for, by default, backing Harris despite her stance on Gaza only to avoid another four years of Trump. Siddiqui said the strategy to vote for Stein over Harris was to show the power of the Muslim vote, which helped Biden significantly in 2020. If the Democrats notice the drop-off, it could matter in future elections, he said. Sayeed, who as president of the Muslim Civic Coalition works with various faith-based non-profits nationwide to gauge the cultural and political climate of those it represents, said it was a tough year for those organizations to issue recommended voting strategies. We have a very diverse community and it is very hard to bring diverse voices to agree on one thing, and thats OK, Sayeed said. The consensus among the Muslim Civic Coalition and its partners was ultimately for voters to write in Stein. But Sayeed said her preferred messaging would have been for people to vote with their conscience, knowing there wasnt a single ideal option. Deanna Othman, an educator and journalist who lives in Bridgeview, said Democrats have repressed those sounding the alarm on Gaza and, like Shalabi, she chose not to vote for anyone for president this year. She said she was sad going to the polls, something she had never felt before. Nearly everyone voting in my polling place was a minority older Palestinian men, Polish women, Hispanic men, a few Black women, she said. I felt sad for many of these people who were divorced from their homelands for a better life only to be pushed into making a choice within a sham of a democracy. Kennelly, a Chicago native, said the shift seen in places such as Dearborn and Bridgeview could be viewed as the long game. At the very least, he said, it proves that votes in a democratic system are earned not given. Our votes are not to be taken for granted, added Othman, who like many Americans views the war in Gaza as a genocide. It is not one issue among many it is the issue. zsyed@chicagotribune.com Mykolaiv marines continue to successfully repel attacks by Russian paratroopers in the vicinity of Novoivanovka and Zelyonyi Shlyakh, Kursk Oblast. Source: video of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Bilynsky, Ukrainska Pravdas source in the brigade Details: According to the video, the brigade destroyed an off-road vehicle with Russian troops inside. The brigade's drones continued their attack against scattered Russian assault groups. In addition, FPV drones destroyed abandoned Russian equipment and a shelter with Russian soldiers. According to the source, 13 Russian soldiers were killed and 31 others were wounded during the three days of battles, and 4 Russian vehicles were destroyed. Support UP or become our patron! NEW YORK Shortly before sunrise on Wednesday, a shadowy figure shrouded in black stood quietly under the marquee of the historic Ziegfeld Theater in Midtown Manhattan, poised to raise the curtain on one of the citys most sensational tales of cold-blooded murder, a murky motive and a frenzied manhunt for a mysterious killer. The masked murderer, who had been lying in wait on that cold, dark morning, finally spotted his quarry. He crept up behind UnitedHeathcare CEO Brian Thompson as he walked down W. 54th St. toward the Hilton hotel, and aimed a powerful pistol equipped with a silencer at the back of the unsuspecting insurance executive. The first bullet sent Thompson, 50, crumpling to the sidewalk. The gunman coolly cleared a jam in his pistol as he walked past his victim and fired two more times, leaving Thompson lying facedown on the grimy pavement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson died at 7:12 a.m. after being rushed to Mount Sinai West Hospital. Within a matter of minutes, through a combination of careful planning and sheer luck, his killer walked into a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, preparing to board a bus heading out of the city. We dont know what bus he took and were working through the video with the Port Authority Police Department, New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Friday. A whirlwind investigation of the seemingly ideologically motivated murder a blood-soaked criticism of the cutthroat medical insurance industry followed, slowly uncovering clues to the identity of the gunman and revealing a possible motive. But much remains a mystery. Our thought is it could possibly be a disgruntled employee or a client, Kenny said about the murder of Thompson, who was in town for a company-sponsored investors conference and was set to give a speech at the Hilton Hotel a couple of hours before he was slain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four days after the murder, hundreds of NYPD detectives have recovered a tantalizing amount of information from witnesses and surveillance footage about the suspects actions leading up to Wednesdays shooting, but so far his final destination is still unknown. The gunman arrived in New York City at Midtowns Port Authority Bus Terminal on the night of Nov. 24. He immediately went to the Hilton the scene of his future crime before going to a HI New York City hostel on Amsterdam Ave. at 104th St. on the Upper West Side. On the morning of the killing, he left the hostel at 5:30 a.m. and rode a bike to W. 54th St. and Sixth Ave., where he was seen walking back and forth near the Hilton entrance. While hes walking around, hes passing numerous New Yorkers going about their business, Kenny said, bolstering the theory that the gunman was focused on one person: Thompson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the caught-on-camera shooting, the gunman fled and was later seen on surveillance video riding a bicycle north on Sixth Ave. to Central Park. Its believed he left the Big Apple behind him hours before cops released the first images of the masked shooter. At the scene, cops found three 9mm shell casings as well as a few live rounds that had been expelled from the pistol as the suspect freed a jam. The words Delay, Deny, and Depose a supposed insurance industry mantra for delaying claims and maximizing profits had been written on the ammunition with a Sharpie, police said. Were still in shock, Thompsons mother-in-law, Paulette Reveiz, told The New York Daily News hours after the health insurance CEO was killed. The only thing I can say is hes a good man. I cant say anything else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that the CEO had received threats before his trip to New York. There had been some threats, she told the TV station. Basically, I dont know, a lack of coverage? I dont know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him. A cellphone was found near the scene and a bottle of water and a Kind bar wrapper handled by the gunman were found at a nearby Starbucks the gunman had visited shortly before the killing, and were taken in for DNA testing. But the fingerprints had no value and couldnt be used to find an ID, Kenny said. During his 10 days in the city, the suspect never removed his black surgical mask, even when he ate in front of his roommates at the hostel, cops said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest break the police got was on the night he arrived in the city where a flirtation with an employee at the hostel prompted the suspect to remove his mask and smile at the worker, providing police with a clear photo of the suspect. The image has been run through the NYPDs facial recognition system, but has so far revealed no hits, Kenny said. Thompson, a father of two and valedictorian of his 1997 class at the University of Iowa, lived in Maple Grove, Minnesota, near the Minnetonka headquarters of UnitedHealth Group. Thompson began at the company in 2004, working on mergers and acquisitions. He steadily climbed through the ranks at the insurance giant, acting as chief financial officer for one division and chief executive officer of another before being named CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Thompsons total compensation was $10.2 million, including base pay, stock awards and cash incentives, according to a statement of executive pay from the company. His murder triggered a torrent of rage-filled reactions on social media, most of them expressing contempt and dissatisfaction with the health insurance industry he represented. When you shoot one man in the street its murder, one person wrote on X. When you kill thousands of people in hospitals by taking away their ability to get treatment youre an entrepreneur. On Thursday night, UnitedHealth Group issued an updated statement on Thompsons murder, thanking the caring people who have offered their condolences and asking for privacy for Thompsons family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place. Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brians family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice. The FBI, which has been helping the NYPD in their investigation from the beginning late Friday, posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the gunmans capture a gunman who, by now, could be anywhere. As the manhunt went national, detectives will be looking into every nugget of information that comes their way on this case, Kenny said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have teams specifically assigned to vet and investigate, as weird as some of them are, as detailed as some of them are, he said. We will vet and investigate every tip. (Rocco Parascandola contributed to this report.) MCCOLL, S.C. (WBTW) A controversial Texas-based nonprofit promising to set up citizen patrols in McColl is now asking Gov. Henry McMasters office to step in amid the towns continued turmoil. The One in Five Foundation For Kids is hereby requesting your office to launch a formal investigation and intervention into the increasingly daunting events, affecting public safety as unfolding in McColl, South Carolina, founder and director Daniel Chapin said. McMaster declined to comment last week when News13 asked him about the ongoing situation in McColl which is currently without a police force and coping with the death of Mayor George Garner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chapins organization launched in May 2022 after the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas announced Monday its plans to bring a STOPNOW volunteer group to McColl as a safety asset for students in the Marlboro County town of 2,000. He made it unbearable: Ex-McColl town leaders shed light on police force resignations Officials including Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon and state Sen. JD Chaplin both raised concerns about STOPNOWs legality and authority. Chaplin said on Thursday he was seeking an opinion by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson about the groups role. All this is hogwash. This is America. They can come here. But they have no authorization for police arrests or any authorization for anything police-related, Lemon told News13. Its a sad day in America. I have been in law enforcement for 37 years. We have been at the schools for two weeks and have had no problems. Then the mayor dies, and all this craziness comes out. They can come here. They can walk our streets. But they have no authority to arrest anyone or any other authorized police work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McColls five-person police department all stepped down on Nov. 21. Garner was killed in a head-on crash in Darlington County on Nov. 26. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. WASHINGTON In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently. White House Tribal Nations Summit to be Held on Monday, Dec. 9 As Native News Online previously reported, the White House Tribal Nations Summit will take place on Monday, Dec. 9, in Washington, D.C. The White House announced on Wednesday that President Joe Biden will address the summit. Last year, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the assembled tribal leaders. There has been no official announcement regarding whether or not she will speak this year. Native News Online will attend the summit. Funding Opportunity: USFS Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance (WPIA) Grant Program The USDA Forest Service is announcing the availability of up to $20 million of financial assistance to facilities that purchase and process byproducts from ecosystem restoration projects in areas at risk of unnaturally severe wildfire or insect or disease infestation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance provides funding may be used to provide support for facilities that purchase and process byproducts of ecosystem restoration projects. This includes applications to establish, reopen, retrofit, expand, or improve a sawmill or other wood-processing facility in close proximity to federal or Indian lands that need ecosystem restoration and will generate byproducts. The emphasis is on areas of unnaturally severe high fire or insect or disease infestation with high or very high priority for ecological restoration. This program is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The deadline to apply for financial assistance is 5:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Contact Adam Smith adam.smith5@usda.gov for more information. Click on the below links to learn more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net The front-page newspaper photograph was striking on the morning of April 6, 1967 a dramatic image showing the U.S.S. Canberra firing at Communist targets from the warships position in the Gulf of Tonkin. Little did those readers know his shipmates certainly didnt that one of the Canberras most junior sailors was struggling through those very same waters that day. South Dakotan Douglas Brent Hegdahl, whod never seen the ocean before joining the Navy in the midst of the Vietnam War, had somehow fallen from the ship. Just 20 years old, he survived hours in the Gulf before North Vietnamese fishermen plucked him to safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then he was turned over to the North Vietnamese and so began his incredible journey as the youngest and lowest-ranking POW at the infamous Hanoi Hilton, where Hegdahl pretended to be stupid to his captors as he secretly collected information, displaying an ingenious aptitude for memorization, observation and subterfuge. Hegdahl memorized the names of 254 POWs, helping to reclassify 63 service members from MIA to POW not only bringing solace to dozens of wives and families but also providing the military with key intelligence, such as the exact address of the feared prison itself. No one knows what theyre going to do under circumstances like that and Doug, who was from a tiny town in eastern South Dakota, barely got through high school, but he was a smart guy, and he figured it out, says Marc Leepson, whose new book, the first biography of Hegdahl, The Unlikely War Hero: A Vietnam War POWs Story of Courage and Resilience in the Hanoi Hilton, is out this month. Doug Hegdahl was just 20 and serving with the Navy when he fell overboard from the USS Canberra. Its primary mission during the Vietnam War was using its powerful 5- and 8-inch guns to bombard enemy logistical and military targets in both South and North Vietnam (National Archives) He somehow figured out the way to survive and did it against all odds and succeeded against anybodys wildest expectations, Leepson, 79 and also a Vietnam veteran, tells The Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Memorizing names changed lives. I mean, 63 names were changed from missing in action, which usually means you didnt survive, to prisoner of war, which means you did survive, he says, adding that Hegdahl was an enlisted man amongst fellow prisoners who were Naval Academy graduates, guys who are pilots of giant jet planes that flew off of decks of aircraft carriers and were air aces in the sky. And this 20-year-old kid who was in the deck crew does this amazingly, he says. I think it was one of the most heroic acts not in combat during the Vietnam War. And I think thats something that people should know. Funnily enough, while Hegdahls heroism originated in a brutal prison ironically nicknamed for a famous hotel chain, his early life played out in a different place also locally nicknamed Hilton. Hegdahl and his two brothers grew up living in and working in a hotel his parents purchased in downtown Clark, South Dakota which the locals nicknamed the Hegdahl Hilton, an ironic nod to the fact that it was far from fancy, Leepson writes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both his parents were Lutherans hailing from Norwegian immigrant families, and Hegdahl enjoyed something of an all-American midwestern childhood, swimming in the local pool and Boy Scouts when he wasnt working on farms or at the family business. He was known as a playful, well-liked practical joker but didnt apply himself at school, taking more than four years to finish high school and graduating at age 19 and a half. He was also a prime candidate for the draft as America continued its highly controversial war effort in Vietnam; his mother convinced him to join the Navy before he could be conscripted, reasoning that it would be safer than in-country combat. Doug Hegdahl in captivity around Christmastime in 1968. He had been held in the Hanoi Hilton since early April 1967 and had lost about sixty pounds after going on a hunger strike in September 1968 to protest being held in solitary (US Information Agency) After training in San Diego, Hegdahl got sent to the Canberra in February 1967 and two months later found himself overboard. No one, including Hegdahl, has ever been able to explain how he ended up in the water. The 6-foot, 225-pound apprentice seaman remembered getting up from his bunk and leaving behind his thick eyeglasses, before going up to the deck to watch the guns firing in the dark. I cant tell you how I fell from my ship, Doug said after his release. All I know is, I walked up on the deck. It was dark and they were firing, and the next thing I recall I was in the water. Luckily, the former high school athlete was a strong swimmer. He treaded water for hours before fishermen spotted and rescued him, then turned him over to the North Vietnamese. Two days later, he found himself at Hoa Lo, better known as the Hanoi Hilton where US prisoners including future presidential candidate John McCain were brutally tortured during years of captivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, the North Vietnamese interrogators figured Doug Hegdahl for a spy who concocted a dubious tale of falling off a ship in the Tonkin Gulf, Leepson writes. But he soon convinced them that he was anything but a CIA spy; that he was, in fact, a lowly enlisted man who had no knowledge about any Navy operational information that could be useful to them; and that he really was blown off the deck of his ship. But he also conned the North Vietnamese into believing that he was a bumbling fool by playing it dumb when they interrogated him so much so that the guards started referring to him as The Incredibly Stupid One. Hegdahls ploy and the sense of humor he managed to cling to helped him glean information and work against the enemy as he dutifully memorized names provided by other prisoners. I had probably the most embarrassing capture in the entire Vietnam War, Hegdahl said in a 1997 interview Leepson quotes in the book. I found that my defense posture was just to play dumb. Lets face it, when you fall off your boat, you have a lot to work with. Doug Hegdahl (right) with US Navy Lieutenant Commander Richard Stratton and his wife, Alice Stratton, at their California home in 1973 not long after Dick Strattons release from the Hanoi Hilton. Stratton and Doug became close friends and allies during the six weeks they shared a cell together in 1967 and renewed their friendship after Stratton was released (Stratton Family Photo) Leepsons book outlines how, while sweeping the yard, Hegdahl was also sabotaging North Vietnamese vehicles by surreptitiously pouring sand and gravel into gas tanks. On more than one occasion, he was taken away from the prison to support various North Vietnamese propaganda efforts, allowing him to pinpoint and memorize Hanoi Hiltons exact location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was given a little bit of freedom compared to most of the guys, and he was able to scout around and look and report back on torture, and he found out the address of the Hanoi Hilton, Leepson tells The Independent. Hegdahl and his imbecile routine consistently thwarted propaganda projects by the North Vietnamese, including an attempt to re-enact his watery capture on film. Leepson laughs about the way he outfoxed them. Directed by a propaganda filmmaker and surrounded by villagers serving as extras, Hegdahl repeatedly pretended not to understand instructions, instead playing up and acting out during what should have been scenes. He got the villagers, who were supposed to be like extras in the movie all on his side, and they were laughing and joking, and he was able to frustrate the director to the point that it never got made, Leepson tells The Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He quotes a 1972 interview given by Hegdahl who sought to escape the spotlight as time went on after his release in which he says: I was so mad about their propaganda that it became a personal war to think how I could mess it up. Hegdahl and Alice Stratton in Washington, D.C., in 1988; following his release, Hegdahl began working as an instructor in the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school in San Diego Bay, where he was especially adept at giving advice on how to survive in a POW camp, writes Marc Leepson in his new book (Stratton Family Photo) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegdahls savviness and knack for memorization caught the attention and respect of superior officers in the POW camp who ordered him to accept early release, which US military prisoners are forbidden from doing according to the established code of conduct. Hegdahl refused a direct order the first time but eventually relented, and he went home in 1967 with vital information. He helped with the intel and, in addition to the names [Hegdahls work] was part of the reason that, in the fall of 1969, the North Vietnamese, and I write about it in the book, changed the treatment of prisoners for the better, Leepson says. Torture didnt stop, but it did lessen significantly, and some of their strictures were taken away for instance, communication. Roger Shields, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for POW/MIA Affairs from 1971 to 1977, explains in the book that, after Hegdahl provided names to the Pentagon, we told the North Vietnamese, You are responsible for the salvation and the survival of these particular men, thereby putting the onus on the North Vietnamese in a way that had never been done before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the same day that Hegdahl participated in his first post-release press conference, speaking from Bethesda, Maryland, Ho Chi Minh died prompting a change of leadership that also coincided with more pressure on the Communists from the Nixon Administration regarding treatment of POWs. (The final prisoners would eventually be released in 1973.) Hegdahl joyously reunited with his family upon his return, and his parents had ensured his military paychecks were invested during his time as a POW allowing him to buy a home near the beach in San Diego, where he decided to build his life. The veteran began working as an instructor in the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) school in San Diego Bay, where he was especially adept at giving advice on how to survive in a POW camp, Leepson writes. Author Marc Leepson, 79, is a fellow Vietnam Veteran who says Hegdahl figured out the way to survive and did it against all odds and succeeded against anybodys wildest expectations' (Krysta Norman) Among his students was William J. Dougherty, a CIA officer who was held captive with 51 others at the US Embassy in Tehran during the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979. I will never, ever forget Doug Hegdahl, Dougherty wrote in a 2001 book about his ordeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could recall Hegdahls lectures with almost crystalline clarity, he continued. His comments, advice, examples and stories more than anything else saw me through severe interrogations and helped me keep my sanity, dignity, and secrets intact. Thanks to Doug [and my service in] the Marine Corps, I was well prepared for the Iranians. Doug retired from SERE in 2001, continuing to revel in his privacy and comfort in his adopted seaside city more than three decades after his savvy POW tricks made invaluable contributions to the war effort. On a macro point of view, that is also really significant, besides this individual story of courage not under fire, courage in these horrible conditions where he could have been tortured to within an inch of his life or worse, Leepson tells The Independent. He wasnt but it was a gutsy thing to do. Welcome to the governor-elect edition of our Under the Dome politics newsletter. Im Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observers Capitol bureau chief. Were learning some details about the inauguration weekend for Gov.-elect Josh Stein. Stein, a Democrat, is attorney general through the end of the month, and follows his longtime friend and mentor, outgoing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, into office. The Junior League of Raleigh is sponsoring three days of events, Jan. 9-11, for Steins inauguration. The main event is on Saturday night, Jan. 11, which will be the Inaugural Ball. It will be held in downtown Raleigh. You can find out more details and buy tickets online. Tickets for the ball, held from 9 p.m. to midnight at Marbles Kids Museum, go for $250 each, or $350 if you want to enter early for the Council of States gala presentation ahead of the ball, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Friday afternoon, Steins transition team had yet to announce details of the inauguration ceremony itself. Attorney General Josh Stein speaks during the Council of State meeting in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Robinson bids farewell in Senate speech Stein defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the governors race. Robinson presided over the Senate on Monday, when the Republican supermajority in that chamber voted to overturn Coopers veto of Senate Bill 382 The bill adds some Helene relief funding and shifts powers in the executive branch away from incoming Democrats who were just elected, including Stein. The House is expected to hold its override veto this week. At the end of the Senate session, senators who are not returning in 2025 bid adieu, as did Robinson. He began by saying it had been the privilege of a lifetime to serve, and to make history. Robinson is North Carolinas first Black lieutenant governor. He went on to say that the Senate was much more professional that I was led to believe it would be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, there are some of you that Ive become great friends with, and Im sure that at some point in the future that I will see you. There are some of you that I may never see again, but like Shakespeare once wrote, If we meet again, then well smile. If not, then we know that this parting was well made. Thank you. The quote is from Shakespeares Julius Caesar. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks during the Council of State meeting in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Stein and Robinsons Council of State goodbyes Robinson echoed those comments at the end of this past weeks Council of State meeting, including the Shakespeare quote and his comment that he never would have believed in a million years, when I was working on the factory floor back in 2018, that in just a couple of years, that I would be the first Black lieutenant governor of North Carolina. Robinson addressed Stein, offering him congratulations on his win. He said that, I dont know you personally, and I disagree with you vehemently politically, but my disagreement with you politically does not override my love for the state. And as such, I pray that you do a great job for the people of this state, and I certainly hope that you do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also at the meeting, Stein acknowledged serving with everyone on the Council of State, and those hell continue to serve with when hes governor in 2025: Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, right, greets Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey before the Council of State meeting in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Stein also thanked Cooper for his eight years as governor, and for hiring him 24 years ago when Cooper was attorney general. Cooper said to Stein that he would give you a gavel if I had one. Police chief on Stein transition team retires Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson announced her upcoming retirement after three years with the City of Oaks, The News & Observer reported this past week. Patterson is also on Steins transition team, so given the timing, it wouldnt be surprising if she ends up getting a job in his upcoming administration. Senate race Speaking of future jobs, for months now, every reporter in North Carolina has been asking Cooper if hell run for Senate in 2026. He has not made an announcement as of Friday afternoon. He plans to look at the Senate race as one of many potentials that I could do, he told The News & Observers newsgathering partner, ABC11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinsons future, too, is uncertain, and his social media posts this week could mean he wants to challenge U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis. The two Republicans are highly critical of each other. Robinson posted a poll on X, asking: Should Thom Tillis be the 2026 nominee for US Senate in North Carolina? Then a few days later, he quote-tweeted his post with Thom is toast, followed by a gravestone emoji. Stay informed about #ncpol Listen to our Under the Dome podcast to stay up to date. On our new episode posting Monday, I talk with Kyle Ingram and Korie Dean about the Senate override of SB 382, the upcoming House vote, how Auditor Dave Boliek factors into that, and the latest on the N.C. Supreme Court race. You can sign up to receive the Under the Dome newsletter at newsobserver.com/newsletters. Want your friends to get our email, too? Forward them this newsletter so they can sign up. You can also email me questions you may have about incoming Gov.-elect Josh Stein at dvaughan@newsobserver.com. Kyle Ingram contributed to this newsletter. Each holiday season, Jacksonvilles Blackhawk Bluff neighborhood turns into an epicenter of holiday cheer, with a lights display folks come from all across the city to see. Now, discounted tickets are being sold for the drive-through light show on Groupon. However, the only problem is: the drive-through show is completely free of charge and always has been. Our neighborhood is absolutely free. You dont pay for anything, reassured Blackhawk Bluffs neighbor Doug Hicks. Matter of fact, you can come through and most people are willing to hand you something like candy or hot chocolate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hicks has been at the center of the neighborhoods yearly holiday tradition helping decorate for many of his older neighbors displays. His cousin down the road is the one who found the Groupon add, selling bogus tickets for $16 a car. In fact, the Groupon website shows two people actually bought the fraudulent tickets. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Well, thats upsetting. Im sure they came out looking for a place to refund their tickets, didnt find it, and knew they were scammed, Hicks said Sunday morning. Now, Hicks and his neighbors just hope the police find this holiday Grinch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hear that theyve turned it into Jacksonvilles police department and theyre investigating it, Hicks told Action News Jax. So well see what happens. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office sent Action News Jax the following statement: This is a long-standing event, and typically, due to its popularity and the sheer number of visitors it has drawn, the neighborhoods have hired JSO officers through our Secondary Employment Unit. We were made aware of this last night, and the information has been forwarded to the appropriate unit for follow-up. I can tell you the association has advised us they had been made aware of the Groupon and they were unsure of the source, and it would appear to be a scam. They re-iterated they have not, and do not plan to charge any monies to those visiting the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have not been made aware of any victims at this time, If you are aware of specific individuals that have been victimized as a result of the Groupon, we would ask that they call the non-emergency number to report the incident. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. American dancer and choreographer Derek Hough's wife Hayley Erbert returned to the stage where she almost lost her life, reported E! News. For over a month, the member of the 'Dancing With the Stars' troupe has been travelling with her husband on the 'Dance for the Holidays' Tour. Recently, he and the series judge returned to perform at the MGM National Harbour in Oxon Hill, Maryland, where she had to have emergency skull surgery after suffering a cranial haematoma during a 2023 performance. "Obviously, tonight, it's a very, very special night, to be back here on this stage, one year later," Derek said, standing beside Hayley and several more dancers, as seen in a video shared on the couple's Instagram pages. "To change the story of this room, of this stage, to something beautiful." On December 6, 2023, Hayley was performing with Derek at the same location as part of his Symphony of Dance tour when she became disoriented. She was rushed to a hospital and diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel. "She underwent an emergency craniectomy, in which part of her skull was removed to ease pressure on her brain, and later had an implant installed in another operation. At the Nov. 24 performance, Derek invited to the stage the doctor who performed the surgeries, Washington, D.C.-based Dr. Jeffrey Mai, who then walked up and shared a hug with Hayley, as per E! News. "This was the man that was there at 3 in the morning that saved Hayley's life," said Derek, adding, "He was there. He gave us comfort. He gave us love. And I just cannot be more thankful to have you here, so much. I mean, ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Dr. Mai, please."In the video's caption, Derek and Hayley reflected further on her medical emergency. "It's been exactly one year since Hayley almost lost her life," they wrote. "We returned to the very same stage, the same room where we once felt so much fear and uncertainty. A place where I stood frozen, terrified, praying for a miracle. But tonight, we changed the story of that room." They continued, "We transformed it, from fear to beauty, from uncertainty to faith, and from despair to triumph. And having Dr. Mai, the man who saved her life, standing on that stage with us made it all the more powerful. We got to share a moment on stage thanking him for the gift of more time, more memories, and more love." As part of the Symphony of Dance tour, which was partially cancelled due to Hayley's medical issue, she made her formal dance comeback in April when she joined Derek onstage in Melbourne, Florida. She made a triumphant comeback to Dancing with the Stars in October, performing alongside her spouse to Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things." "I'm so grateful to Hayley," Derek wrote in the post. "She has blown me away with her resilience, strength courage and pure elegance in how she has moved through this experience. I am in awe everyday." The couple added, "One year later, standing on that same stage, we know this: life is fragile, love is everything, and we are stronger than ever," reported People. (ANI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule in Syria means important "opportunity" as well as risks for Israel. Netanyahu said Israel is interested in "neighbourly relations" with Syria, but also in making sure "that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel." During a visit to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu said this "historic day" for the Middle East was a "direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran." This had triggered a "chain reaction" in the Middle East, Netanyahu said. He recalled the treatment of numerous Syrian war casualties in Israeli hospitals. He said that Israel was offering its hand to all those who were interested in peace with Israel. CHICAGO A holiday fundraiser was held Saturday evening in honor of slain Chicago Police Officer Ella French. The event, held at the CineCity Studios, celebrated Ella by showcasing her favorite things, the holiday season and her second family, the Chicago Police Department. The city lost a great hero: Slain CPD officer Enrique Martinez laid to rest Light the Line, a nonprofit, was established a year and a half ago by Ellas mother Elizabeth French following the tragic murder of her daughter in the line of duty in 2021. Saturdays event also served as an opportunity to showcase the accomplishments of the nonprofit in Ellas name and the plans they have for the upcoming year that will support officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through [Ella], Ive become part of the family and family take care of each other, and thats what Light The Line is all about, Elizabeth said. Elizabeth runs the nonprofit alongside three other officers, including Ellas police partner Carlos Yanez Jr., who was seriously wounded in the same incident that took Ellas life. The initiative provides emotional support and resources for officers born out of the inspiration and need created by that horrific night. Deeply concerned: Mayors budget risks compliance with CPD consent decree The other officers on the scene were kind of forgotten, Yanez said. Those officers, they worked with us personally and theyre still going through trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They will be able to offer services through the First Mobile Support Unit created specifically for law enforcement officers. The unit made its debut during the Democratic National Convention over the summer, but the goal is to visit various CPD Districts to provide innovative support to those who serve and protect. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Elizabeth sad helping the well being of officers is the most meaningful way to honor and keep Ellas legacy alive. One size doesnt fit all, so maybe talking to somebody would be what they need, Elizabeth said. I know Light The Line would be Ella approved, no doubt. In my mind, anything that supports her sisters and brothers in blue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. The House Republican Caucus has named Rep. David Cook, a Mansfield Republican, as its pick for House speaker, but his opponent, fellow-Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows, says he has the votes to ultimately win the race when the next legislative session begins. Theres still more than a month before the official speaker vote, with the legislative session starting Jan. 14. A speaker candidate needs 76 votes a simple majority of the 150 representatives to win. Though there was still some confusion Saturday evening over which candidate individual Republicans are backing and whether the candidates have enough votes to win their bids for speaker, a caucus meeting and endorsement vote offered the clearest picture yet were of where support lies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook won the House Republican Caucus endorsement 48 to 14 after multiple rounds of voting, but only 62 of the 88 current and incoming House Republicans were there for the Saturday, Dec. 7 vote. Cook said 26 members chose to leave the meeting, which was held behind closed doors at the Texas Capitol. We will continue working with each and every member of the Texas House Republican Caucus, and I too look forward to having conversations with the Democrats with regard to any issues as a minority party, Cook told reporters after the vote. In another part of the Capitol, Burrows briefly addressed reporters in a news conference where he said hed secured enough votes to win the official vote in January. Burrows said he has bipartisan support for the leadership role. I think its customary to announce the speakers race is over, Burrows said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The candidates later released dueling lists of supporters. Cooks list includes himself and 55 other Republican members and incoming members. He noted earlier that hes asked those who do not want their names on his list to let him know so their names can be removed. Burrows list includes himself and 75 current and incoming members the number needed to win the January vote. Burrows list is made up of both Republicans and Democrats. However, there are names of six Republicans that appear on both lists, creating confusion over the exact tally of votes each member has. At least one of the incoming members, Rep. Don McLaughlin, the former Uvlade mayor, has reportedly asked to be removed from Burrows list. Rep.-elect Paul Dyson, who will soon represent the College Station area, was also among those on both lists and said in a statement on social media that hes supporting Cook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarrant County members were not among those appearing on both lists. Cooks list of supporters included Rep. Nate Schatzline, a Fort Worth Republican, Rep. Tony Tinderholt, an Arlington Republican, and incoming Rep. David Lowe, a Republican filling the Fort Worth-area seat previously held by Rep. Stephanie Klick. All three confirmed their support for Cook in interviews with the Star-Telegram. Burrows list included Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, a Southlake Republican, Rep. Charlie Geren, a Fort Worth Republican, and incoming Rep. John McQueeny, a Republican who will serve in the Fort Worth-area seat previously held by Rep. Craig Goldman. They did not immediately return requests for comment on Saturday. Burrows list also included two of Tarrant Countys four Democratic House representatives: Rep. Salman Bhojani of Euless and Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie. Turner confirmed in a text that hes supporting Burrows. Bhojani did not immediately return a text seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speaker race developments are the latest in a heated contest that took a big turn the day prior when the current House speaker, Rep. Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, announced he was exiting the race on Friday. Around the same time, Burrows entered it. I love this institution, Burrows said to reporters on Saturday. I love the House. It has given me many, many opportunities and chances to do great things, and this House has done great, great things together. Current House speaker, Rep. Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, has faced criticism from some within his own party for his House leadership, particularly over his appointment of Democratic committee chairs (something thats been done historically in the House) and the Houses impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was later acquitted in a Senate trial. By stepping aside, I believe we create the best opportunity for our members to rally around a new candidate who will uphold the principles that make our House one of the most exceptional, deliberative legislative bodies in the country a place where honor, integrity, and the right of every member to vote their district takes utmost precedent, Phelan said in a statement Friday announcing he was leaving the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook has positioned himself as the reform candidate, calling for a shift to a Republican committee chair model and leadership that better reflects the will of the majority party. Members could be seen entering and exiting the room where the caucus was deliberating on who to support at points throughout the Saturday meeting. House Republican Caucus Chair Tom Oliverson, a Cypress Republican, previously told the Star-Telegram that caucus bylaws call on members to support the caucus-endorsed nominee during the House floor vote . So, thats the rules, he said at the time. Well see, right? But that is what the bylaws say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats could have significant sway in who wins the leadership role if the Republican caucus is fractured during the official speaker election vote in January. In a statement late Friday, the Democratic Caucus announced it is opposing Cooks bid. Two Democrats Rep. Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos (Richardson) and Rep. .John Bryant (Dallas) have filed paperwork with the Texas Ethics Commission saying their seeking the speakership. A few hours into the Saturday Republican Caucus meeting, the Democratic caucus said it had been in talks with Burrows and Democratic members were free to support the speaker candidate of their choosing. Texas House Democrats have remained united throughout the Speakers race. Because of our unity, Democrats will help govern in a bipartisan Texas House that recognizes traditional institutional norms, the statement reads. After extensive discussions with Chairman Burrows, Democratic members have been released to support the Speaker candidate of their choice, except for David Cook. Democrats have been assured that the bipartisan traditions of the Texas House will continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook served as Mansfield mayor from 2008 to 2021. He joined the House in 2021. His district includes a small part of Fort Worth and parts of Arlington, Burleson and Mansfield. Cook reiterated his commitment to not allowing Democratic chairs when addressing reporters on Dec. 7. I think this is still a race, Cook said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. (FOX40.COM) Several law enforcement agencies in Northern California are encouraging residents to use exchange zones for private party transactions, meetups, and safe custody exchanges amid the holiday season. The zones are designated safe spaces on law enforcement property with 24-hour surveillance. Agencies throughout the region have set them up amid an uptick in transactions during the holidays. Crews prepare historic hotel in Northern California Modesto The Modesto Police Department said it offers a safe exchange zone for convenience and safety. It is located on the G Street side of the police station at 600 10th Street. This designated area is marked with a white curb and Safe Exchange Zone signs, according to MPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We encourage you to use our Safe Exchange Zone to help ensure a secure transaction, MPD said. If you choose another location, always select a well-lit, populated area for your exchanges. Stockton The Modesto Police Department partnered with an online and local selling site, OfferUp, to designate an exchange zone for residents. It is located in the front parking lot of the SPD operation building at 22 E. Market Street. This location is under 24/7 video surveillance and will allow people a safe location to conclude exchanges, SPD said. (It) is made up of two clearly marked, green-colored parking spaces outside of the Police Department building. Roseville The Roseville Police Department exchange zone is located in front of the Roseville Police Department building at 1051 Junction Boulevard. Its marked by law enforcement signage that informs visitors of video surveillance recordings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre looking to make an exchange and are in need of a place to meet, we got your back, RPD said. RPD also offered tips for buyers and sellers to stay safe. Only conduct transactions with local buyers/sellers. Insist on meeting in a public place. Do not invite strangers into your home, and do not go to theirs. Take your cell phone with you. If you are selling a large piece of furniture, move the piece to an open garage or front porch. Tell a friend or family member about your intentions. Tell them when, where, and with whom you are meeting if possible, bring them with you. Complete transactions during daylight hours. Be extra cautious in buying/selling valuable items. Only use cash or money orders. Trust your instincts and be cautious of scams. Remember, its okay to say no. Sacramento The Sacramento Police Department first introduced an exchange zone in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have you ever bought or sold anything on the internet but were apprehensive to meet the person for the transaction? SPD asked on social media. Rest assured, we are here to remind you of our Online Exchange Zone just outside of our police station in South Sacramento. SPDs exchange zone is located at the Joseph E. Rooney Police Facility, 5303 Franklin Boulevard. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. While navigating the countrys worst political crisis since the 1960s, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and hosted a three-way closed-door meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the backdrop of the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday. The outing marks Trumps first international visit since his Nov. 5 election win, and although he has not yet begun his term, he was given a full guard of honor at the Elysee Palace. The U.S. President-Elect was greeted warmly by Macron upon arriving at the Palace before the pair posed together for pictures several times. Macron, who was the first world leader to congratulate Trump for his victory in the U.S. presidential election, told journalists that welcoming Trump for the reopening of Notre-Dame was a great honor because Trump was serving his first term when the iconic Cathedral was mostly destroyed in a massive blaze in April 2019. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I remember the solidarity and your immediate reaction, said Macron. So welcome back again. We are very happy to have you here. Reacting to Macrons praise, Trump said, Its been a great honor. We have a great relationship, as everyone knows. Weve accomplished a lot together, Trump said, adding that the people of France are spectacular. Its an honor to be here. We had a good time together and we had a lot of success, really great success working together on defense and offense, too, Trump said, before adding, It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now. And well be talking about that. Macron and Trump then got together with Zelensky for a meeting that lasted under an hour. While Macron has been slammed by the French press for prompting a political crisis at home, his manoeuvre to get Trump to sit with Zelensky to discuss the ongoing invasion of Russia has been described as a diplomatic coup in the French press. Trumps position on Ukraine has been a source of concern across Europe after he vowed to settle the war in Ukraine in one day, and suggested he could withdraw US military support to Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the encounter, Zelensky posted on X, saying he had a good, productive meeting with Trump and Macron. President Trump, as always, is determined. Thank you for that. I also thank President Macron for organizing this meeting in Paris. We talked about our people, we talked about our people, the situation on the battlefield and a just peace for Ukraine. We all want to end this war as soon as possible and fairly, Zelensky wrote on social media. Macron, meanwhile, wrote on X following the meeting that United States, Ukraine and France. Together on this historic day. United for Notre-Dame. Lets continue to work together for peace and security. Trump, who posted on the platform Truth Social, didnt react to the meeting specifically but alluded to it in a post about the collapse of the Syrian government and fall of Bashar al-Assad, saying, He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever. Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following their meeting, Macron, Trump and Zelensky attended the reopening ceremony for Notre-Dame, alongside Elon Musk, Britains Prince William, the First Lady Jill Biden, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, among others. Kering boss Francois-Henri Pinault and LVMH Group CEO Bernard Arnault, who pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to help rebuild the historic landmark, where also in attendance. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This isnt one for the history books. An educational nonprofit organizing events around the 400th anniversary of New York Citys founding is ripping City Halls preparation for the monumental milestone. Plans were underway for Quadricentennial events to unfold throughout 2025 with a launch event at Gracie Mansion set for Jan.1, a City Hall source told The Post Henry Hudson explored the river that bears his name, carving the way for future colonization. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images These celebrations, including free concerts, street fairs, and museum events, would represent our very rich history and highlight the citys different landmarks, the source said in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his State of the City address in January, Adams said 2025 will be a year to look back on how far we have come in four centuries and celebrate the enduring spirit of our city. Most historians agree that 1624 is the citys actual 400th, despite a 1974 decision by the then-city council But since then, Hizzoners team has gone mum. Theyre not really organized, for whatever reasons, said retired Army Col. Adrian T. Bogart, III, a direct descendant of the original Dutch settlers, and director of the New York Quadricentennial Commission, which has been preparing for the anniversary since 2022 and trying to coordinate the effort with City Hall. Peter Minuit, director of the Dutch colony of New Netherland (standing at center right), offered a group of Native Americans various goods from a chest in exchange for Manhattan Island on May 24, 1626. Getty Images Weve been in touch with [Adams] office, to see if we could merge efforts, and we are not getting anything back, he said. I think it was a missed opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Commission held its first 400th-birthday event this year, on Sept. 14, to commemorate the Dutch settling on what is now Governors Island in 1624 what many historians considered the real founding. Another depiction of Minuit and Manhattans first real estate deal. Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York Citys founding date has been debated over the decades. Until the 1970s, the citys flag displayed 1664 as the year of its founding. Thats the year New Amsterdam was renamed New York City. But in 1974, City Council President Paul ODwyer proposed changing the founding year to 1625, when New Amsterdam was designated the seat of government for the New Netherlands province. A depiction of New Amsterdam as it was in 1626. Bridgeman via Getty Images Historians have said Dutch settlers arrived on Governors Island perhaps as early as 1623 and didnt purchase Manhattan from the Native Americans until 1626. A city hall spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment Friday. The New York Police Department confirmed to Channel 2 Action News on Saturday that it has a team on the ground here in Atlanta as the department continues to search for the man who shot and killed the CEO of UnitedHealthcare earlier this week in Midtown Manhattan. Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still did not know the gunmans name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. Investigators were looking at whether the shooter may have been a disgruntled employee or client of the insurer, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the gunman fleeing Wednesdays shooting showed him riding a bicycle into Central Park and later taking a taxi to a bus terminal that offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, D.C, according to Kenny. The FBI announced Friday night it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. On Thursday, ABC News confirmed that the bus the gunman rode to get to New York City several days before the shooting, originated in Atlanta. Police did not say where the gunman got on the bus. On Friday the Atlanta Police Department confirmed that it was assisting NYPD with the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gunman arrived in New York City on Nov. 24 and shot Thompson 10 days later outside his companys annual investor conference at a hotel just blocks from Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. RELATED STORIES: The gunman got off a bus and made several stops along the way, Kenny said. Police have not determined where he got on the bus. Investigators have a list of passengers, but none of them would have had to provide an ID when they climbed aboard, Kenny said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos of the suspected shooter that were taken in the lobby of a hostel on Manhattans Upper West Side appear to be from the only time he removed his mask, Kenny said. The images, show a man smiling in the lobby of the HI New York City hostel. They are among a collection of photos and video circulated since the shooting including footage of the attack, as well as images of the suspected gunman at a Starbucks beforehand. From every indication we have from witnesses, from the Starbucks, from the hostel, he kept his mask on at all times except for the one instance where we have him photographed with the mask off, Kenny said. His roommates at the hostel also said he didnt speak to them. Nothing of investigative value was found in a search of the suspected shooters hotel room. Asked how close he felt police were to making an arrest, Kenny said, This isnt Blue Bloods. Were not going to solve this in 60 minutes. Were painstakingly going through every bit of evidence that we can come across. Eventually, when an apprehension is made, we will have to present all of these facts to a judge and jury, so were taking our time, doing it right and making sure were going to get justice for this victim and closure for his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security video of the shooting shows the killer approaching Thompson from behind, firing several shots with a gun equipped with a silencer, barely pausing to clear a jam while the executive fell to the sidewalk. Police were looking into the possibility that the weapon was a veterinary pistol, which is a weapon commonly used on farms and ranches if an animal has to be euthanized quietly, Kenny said though he stressed that hadnt been confirmed. The words delay, deny and depose were scrawled on the ammunition, one word on each of three bullets, Kenny said. A law enforcement official previously told The Associated Press the words were deny, defend and depose. The messages mirror the phrase delay, deny, defend, which is commonly used by lawyers and critics about insurers that delay payments, deny claims and defend their actions. Thompson, a father of two sons who lived in a Minneapolis suburb, had been with Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insurers parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual meeting in New York for investors. The company abruptly ended the conference after Thompsons death. UnitedHealth Group said it was focused on supporting Thompsons family, ensuring the safety of employees and assisting investigators. While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring, the company said. UnitedHealthcare provides coverage for more than 49 million Americans. It manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs. In October, UnitedHealthcare was named along with Humana and CVS in a Senate report detailing how its denial rate for prior authorizations for some Medicare Advantage patients has surged in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting has rocked the health insurance industry in particular, causing companies to reevaluate security plans and delete photos of executives from their websites. A different Minnesota-based healthcare company said Friday it was temporarily closing its offices out of an abundance of caution, telling employees to work from home. The Associated Press contributed to this article. MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) Officials said significant progress has been made in the effort to contained a wildfire which sparked in western North Carolina on Thursday. On Sunday, the U.S. Forest Service said the Buck Creek wildfire is now 50% contained and has burned 520 acres. The fire was one of two which started Thursday after heavy winds knocked over power lines near Highway 80 in the Lake Tahoma area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fire which sparked in the Newberry Creek area was fully contained as of Saturday morning. According to the U.S. Forest Service, fire crews focused Saturday on building fire lines and protecting property threatened by the fire. Once the firelines were complete, firefighters worked into the evening on burnout operations, setting controlled fires between the edge of the fire and the established firelines. Firefighters worked through the night to monitor the fire following successful burnout operations. On Sunday firefighters will be working to improve firelines. Less fire activity is expected today, both due to the successful burnout operations and the more favorable weather conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forest service said rainfall is predicted over the next several days, providing a much-needed source of moisture to the fire area. Fire managers are monitoring incoming weather for potential wind gusts this afternoon ahead of the rain front. Smoke from the Buck Creek Fire has noticeably improved this morning. The public should still expect to see smoke today, particularly in Marion along the Highway 221 corridor. The fire is burning primarily on U.S. Forest Service lands in the Grandfather Ranger District, part of the Pisgah National Forest. Four houses remain at risk within the Buck Creek fire area. Hodde, U.S. Forest Service. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Two Texas ranchers say their animals are dying due to "forever chemicals" in fertilizer. In June, they sued the EPA for allegedly failing to regulate PFAS. In this 2023 file photo, grass-fed cattle graze outside Canyon Lake. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Cows, horses and fish keep dying on Tony and Karen Coleman's ranch in Johnson County, and they blame "forever chemicals." PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are known to contaminate water, air, fish and soil across the world. It's estimated that PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals," are present in most humans' blood because of repeated exposure. The Colemans allege such chemicals are in fertilizer that has contaminated their animals, according to a lawsuit the couple filed in June along with three other Texas ranchers against the Environmental Protection Agency. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The North Texas ranchers say 39 of their animals have died since the start of 2023, according to a report by NewsNation. They watched their cows stagger, writhe on the ground and make loud panicked sounds before dying, the report says. Its like a nightmare you cant wake up from, Tony Coleman told the cable news network. You go home at night and you dont really sleep well, because you know the next day is coming, and you know what its going to bring. I dont think theres enough words. Its like ripping your heart out. The Colemans say the PFAS originated on their neighbor's farmland, and was in fertilizer made from treated human sewage called biosolids that was spread on that property and made its way to the Colemans' ranch, according to the report. Their suit against the EPA says the agency violated the Clean Water Act and Administrative Procedures Act by failing to regulate PFAS in the biosolids. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The EPA denied the allegations in September, saying the plaintiffs' order to identify and regulate PFAS was not available, NewsNation reported. San Antonio is one of several Texas cities that have contracts with fertilizer companies to take their biosolids, according to a report by the Texas Tribune. The report says if the EPA starts regulating PFAS in biosolids, water utilities are concerned the responsibility would fall to them to remove the chemicals from wastewater. If we are required to treat a particular chemical that is not covered in the way you already treat, you have to design a whole new system, Ed Guzman, the senior vice president and chief legal and ethics officer at the San Antonio Water System, told the Texas Tribune. You have to put it in place and that all takes time. It takes money. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Colemans say the financial toll of the livestock deaths is devastating. They could sell the contaminated meat, they said, but they would feel guilty for supplying more PFAS into the food system. Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore is celebrating her birthday today. Her granddaughter Sara Ali Khan has extended warm birthday wishes to her. Sara shared a series of pictures from the celebration on Instagram. The post began with sweet photos of Sara and her grandmother, followed by a happy family photo. In the third photo, Sara, Tagore, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Taimur, Jeh, Kunal Kemmu, Inaaya, and others can be seen enjoying a meal together. The post continued with a cake-cutting video, with Soha Ali Khan, Kunal, Bebo, Saif, Soha, and others around Tagore singing a birthday song for her, followed by a few more adorable photos. The caption read, "Happy Birthday Dadi Jaan..Humari family ki Aan Aur Shaan" https://www.instagram.com/p/DDUOZ5sSmaW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Earlier, Kareena Kapoor Khan shared a heartfelt and sweet tribute for her mother-in-law, National -award winning actor Sharmila Tagore, calling her 'the coolest gangsta ever.' Taking to Instagram, Kareena shared three adorable pictures to celebrate Sharmila's birthday. The first photo features her with the birthday girl, both in their beautiful night suits, flashing their vibrant smiles. Sharmila was seen sitting with a roller in her hair. The second photo is a solo shot of the veteran actor looking effortlessly cool in the same outfit paired with black sunglasses. The third snap captured Sharmila sharing a sweet moment as she planted a kiss on her adorable grandson, Jeh Ali Khan.Along with the pictures, the 'Crew' actress wrote, "Who's the coolest Gangsta ever? Do I need to say? Happy birthday to my mother-in-law. Just the Best..." https://www.instagram.com/p/DDTk3BeSImU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Soha Ali Khan also wished her mother on her Instagram handle. She shared a series of pictures from the birthday celebration. "Full stomachs and even fuller hearts," she wrote in her special birthday wish. https://www.instagram.com/p/DDUODeJu9eo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Talking about Sharmila Tagore's work front, she started her acting career at 14 with Satyajit Ray's acclaimed Bengali drama 'The World of Apu'. She not only established herself in Bengali cinema but also became a prominent star of Bollywood. She worked in movies such as 'Kashmir Ki Kali', 'Safar', 'Amar Prem', 'Aradhana', 'Daag' and others. From legendary actor Dilip Kumar to Bollywood stars like Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and Sanjeev Kumar, she acted opposite all these big names in the industry. She made her acting comeback with the 2023 family drama 'Gulmohar', which also starred Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role. (ANI) (WSPA) One of two wildfires sparked on Thursday morning has been contained, though the second continues to expand. According to McDowell County Emergency Services, local officials were told by the U.S. Forest Service the Newberry Creek fire had been 100% contained and has burned a total of fire acres. Meanwhile the Buck Creek area wildfire has grown to 120 acres in size and is 20% contained. Emergency services remain on the scene of the fire and are working to protect four structures on the east side of N.C. 80 near Sugar Cove Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are currently no plans to evacuate residents in the area. Smoke from the fire will continue to affect the surrounding area and drift across other parts of MccDowell County during the day. Officials ask people avoid N.C. 80 north of Lake Tahoma as there is still a large amount of traffic on the highway due to flood recovery efforts and firefighting activities. According to fire officials, both fires were sparked Thursday morning after high winds downed power lines across McDowell County. Both fires burned part of the forest services Grandfather Ranger District, part of Pisgah National Forest. In addition to ground crews working to contain the fires, helicopter crews have also been called in to drop water on the fire. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Impressive strides have been made in wildlife conservation worldwide, as demonstrated by an 86% reduction in rhino poaching in India, according to Good News Network. The country's new policies have generated a five-fold population boost for the species. In fact, zero rhinos were killed at the hands of poachers in 2022 the first time since 1977. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam highlighted rhinos' cultural and spiritual identity to the country. "They are our pride and the crown jewel of our biodiversity," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Ending poaching is critical for several reasons, including species survival, avoiding disruption of ecological systems, and impeding the illegal animal trade. In Uganda's Murchison Falls National Park, park rangers collected over 51 tons of traps and snares to protect animals like elephants, hippos and lions. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Indonesia is also cracking down on poachers, with one group charged with serious crimes after killing 26 Javan rhinos from 2018 to now. Experts believe only 50 remain in the wild. In 2023, Indonesia sentenced one leader to 12 years in prison with a 100 million rupiah fine, or $6,102. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protecting rhinos from poaching also has several environmental and socio-economic advantages. According to the International Rhino Foundation, the species creates balance within its ecosystem by consuming vegetation and spreading seeds in its feces, enhancing local flora. Of course, rhino conservation benefits the economy through tourism, job creation, and revenue within the different regions. On a social level, communities grow empowered to become stewards of the surrounding area and make others aware of the ongoing rhino poaching crisis. India's Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has praised Assam's achievements in tackling poaching and raising the rhino population in Kaziranga National Park. "Kaziranga is not only a conservation success story but also a prime destination for eco-tourism. Revenue from tourism is reinvested in conservation, ensuring the long-term protection of rhinos and other wildlife," it said as part of its World Rhino Day content. Another government statement also attributed the success of Kaziranga's rhino conservation to "relentless efforts by the forest department and local communities." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Dec. 7In September, President Joe Biden touted his record on clean energy and announced federal approval of the nation's 10th offshore wind project. Collectively, the projects will have enough wind power to light up 5.25 million homes. In contrast, President-elect Donald Trump during his campaign said he planned to use an executive order and scrap offshore wind "on day one." Whether Trump's administration plans to stymie growth of the nascent industry in the U.S. has some clean-energy proponents worried and offshore wind skeptics excited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immediately after Trump's victory was announced, shares in European renewable energy companies dropped sharply, including for Danish offshore wind giant rsted. In New London, the massive components of rsted 's Revolution Wind project sit lined up on State Pier in preparation for shipment to Revolution Wind, the offshore wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island. State Pier was rehabbed to the tune of more than $300 million primarily to accommodate the offshore wind industry's needs. Connecticut Port Authority Board Chairman Paul Whitescarver said he still expects activity at the pier at least through rsted 's 10-year lease, which ends in 2033, and likely longer despite anti-wind rhetoric from Trump. Whitescarver said he thinks there is too much momentum, too many jobs at stake and a real need for alternative energy sources in the U.S. for Trump to completely shut down offshore wind. State Pier, he said, will be busy until at least 2028 because of both Revolution Wind and rsted 's next project, Sunrise Wind. Revolution Wind is under construction, and Sunrise Wind is federally permitted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With the amount of energy you need in this country, offshore wind has got to be part of the portfolio going forward," Whitescarver said. "With that said, I think that smart people will come into the administration and have that as part of the portfolio and not say "We're just not doing this anymore." A spokesman for rsted did not comment directly on Trump's election or the future of the industry in the U.S. but said work continues on Revolution Wind, the first offshore wind farm to produce power for Connecticut, and work has already started in Sunrise Wind. Whitescarver said it's hard to predict with Trump, but perhaps approvals for new offshore wind farms might come at a slower rate and maybe there will be fewer subsidies for offshore wind. "There is a sense out there that offshore wind is not something that Trump will promote. But I don't think he's going to blow it out of the water." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crucial cabinet picks Trump has picked Chris Wright, the CEO of Denver-based fracking company Liberty Energy, to be the next Secretary of Energy. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is Trump's pick for Secretary of the Interior the agency responsible for approving new offshore wind farms and to lead a new Council of National Energy. The Department of Energy oversees the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which plays a critical role in approving leases for offshore wind farms. Whitescarver said Burgum has championed renewable energy in his state. "I don't think he's anti-wind," Whitescarver said of Burgum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gordon Videll, the CEO of New London-based Sea Services North America, said his newly formed company has been contemplating the impact a Trump administration might have on his company. Sea Services trains and outfits commercial fishermen a group historically in opposition to offshore wind to provide security and safety work in conjunction with the offshore wind projects. The company to date has secured $15 million in supplemental income for the fishermen, Videll said. "We've been thinking about it's going to affect us. The (offshore wind) projects currently funded and approved seem to be going forward. We will be busy for some period of time," Videll said. "Any reprioritization of wind may delay things, especially in the mid-Atlantic." Videll said there has been a lot of money committed and "I don't see that it's going to stop. We're working on bids for the next couple of years." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Trump leans heavily against offshore wind, Videll said Trump's time in the White House is limited. Between the survey and development phases, along with permitting and construction, "four years is not a huge amount of time in the cycle of offshore wind development." Videll and Whitescarver are both members of the board of directors of the Connecticut Wind Collaborative, a group formed to gather resources to "support the growth, attract investment and talent, and foster innovation across Connecticut and throughout New England." The Connecticut Wind Collaborative is partially funded by rsted and Eversource, who contributed $577,500 from rsted and Eversource, who contributed money to fund workforce and supply chain development related to Revolution Wind. Connecticut Wind Collaborative Executive Director Kristin Urbach, in a detailed written response to a list of questions, said there are 41 offshore wind projects now operating with financial mechanisms secured, leased or proposed on the East, West and Gulf coasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We recognize that administrations can influence the number of lease sales, streamline the permitting process and can make additional federal lands open for exploration of development," Urbach said. "A vocal anti-wind agenda could create uncertainties in the regulatory environment, especially if it leads to delays in approvals or creates friction within local communities," she said. "However, the broad support for green energy, job creation, and the environmental benefit of offshore wind remains a strong counterforce to this opposition." Urbach said the state remains committed to expanding its offshore wind power capacity and continues to work with developers. Julia Bergman, a spokesman for Gov. Ned Lamont, said Lamont believes offshore wind remains a key part of Connecticut's clean energy future and is an economic driver that creates jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "State Pier is key to Connecticut's offshore wind future, and its ability to accommodate a wide variety of cargoes in the future when not being used by the offshore wind industry will help support the state's maritime economy and ensure its long-term growth and prosperity," Bergman said. Offshore wind opponents optimistic There are still plenty of groups fighting the establishment of offshore wind farms who are looking for support from the incoming Trump administration. "We're very cautiously optimistic. Regardless of how any of us feel about Trump, his victory gave us a boost and some hope that the government might stop some of these projects," said Bill Thompson, co-founder of Green Oceans, the Rhode Island-based nonprofit that has filed suit against the Department of the Interior in an attempt to stop construction of rsted Revolution Wind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson, who refers to offshore wind farms as an industrialization of the oceans, said anyone who thinks that permitted projects cannot be stopped need only look at Biden's shutdown of the Keystone Pipeline the center of a prolonged environmental battle on his first day in office in 2021. In a recent op-ed in the Providence Journal, Thompson and fellow Green Oceans co-founder Elizabeth Quattrocki Knight argued offshore wind has been sold under false pretenses with exaggerated claims. "Every day they pile-drive more massive foundations, run more diesel-fueled vessels, and create more deafening acoustic disturbances is another day they pollute our waters, contaminate our seafood, harm the fragile ocean ecosystem, and threaten the survival of more whales, dolphins an sea turtles," the column reads. Thompson said federal agencies "have been rolling out the red carpet" for offshore wind companies and foreign wind companies have been spreading money around to sway public opinion. The Trump administration, Thompson said, might decide to not only take a harder look at the permitting process but also could opt to rescind tax credits that have helped save some of the recent projects in jeopardy because of rising costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of these projects are on shaky ground. They were not in a really strong position even when Biden was in office. That could deal them a serious blow," Thompson said. "For sure it's an uphill battle, and we're definitely the underdog in this fight, but we've seen a sea change in terms of public opinion," Thompson said. Part of what gave the public pause was a broken blade in July from one of the turbines at Vineyard Wind, which spread floating debris and closed nearby beaches because of concerns of fiberglass shards. Vineyard Wind, which is still under construction, is a 63-turbine wind farm 15 miles south of Nantucket. "People are seeing the reality and the transformation of our coastal waters. It's more offensive than people imagined," Thompson said. Last month, following Trump's win, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey spoke at an offshore wind forum at IBEW Local 223's training facility in Taunton, Mass., where she vowed to push forward with offshore wind initiatives. Paul Diego Craney, a spokesperson for the Mass. Fiscal Alliance, said in a statement, that "stopping the offshore wind projects is a good development for ratepayers, and those of us who care about the environment." "Offshore is among the most expensive electricity generation in the world, and if the New England energy grid becomes dependent on offshore wind, it will result in extremely high prices and rolling blackouts," he said. "Offshore wind comes at a very significant environmental cost, as we've seen with the turbine failure that happened off the shores of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod. The residents and the environment are still finding turbine material on a daily basis and its now making its way into our food supply." g.smith@theday.com COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Ohio State University Ted Carter has been sued by two former students who were arrested in the universitys spring protests over the war in Gaza. Two lawsuits were filed in the U.S. Southern District Court against Carter and an Ohio State University Police Department (OSUPD) detective. Sumaya Hamadmad, a research scientist who has worked at OSU for seven years, and Curtis Peace, a graduate student, filed the lawsuits respectively alleging their rights were violated when they were arrested. On April 25, OSUPD arrested three dozen protestors in connection with a pro-Palestine encampment, with most arrests taking place that night. Protests began around 4 a.m. that day with an organized protest on the South Oval promoted as an encampment online, according to Carter. Per OSU space rules, encampments are not permitted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Live updates: College football championship Saturday and how it affects Ohio State According to a message from Ohio State at the time, three protesters were arrested by 11:30 that morning after multiple warnings. Peace and Hamadmad are two of those detainees, and both said the arrests were their first time getting in trouble with the law. Hamadmad alleges she was not involved in the protests at all, but rather was watching nearby with two others, including Peace. She was wearing a headscarf at the time, and said one of her companions wore a keffiyeh, a headdress that has become associated with Palestinians. Hamadmad claims she was approached by an OSUPD officer, who then returned with several fellow officers and told their group to leave the area. She alleges there were other groups nearby walking or sitting who were not approached, and said after a roughly 10-minute conversation where she and Peace asked repeatedly why they had to leave, they were arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some people were sitting and they were not bothered by the police officer, Hamadmad told NBC4. So Im not sure why we were. The people targeted me because the way I look, I wear a hijab and this is part of me since I was 12-years-old. She spent most of the day in a Franklin County correctional facility, during which she said her headscarf was removed and she was strip searched with an open door and male officers nearby, she claims. She also said her mugshot was taken without her headscarf. Hamadmad said she did not expect to be treated the way she alleges, adding that she requested her hijab many times, telling authorities that is was her religious right to keep it on. Hamadmad says authorities denied her religious right. OSU basketball beats Rutgers 80-66 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peace claims he joined the protests shortly before 10 a.m., when other protesters were already tearing down tents. He said within 10 minutes of his arrival, the group of protesters he was with was told to leave the area because they were a continuation of the encampment protest that violated campus rules. Peace said he walked a short distance away, and Hamadmad said Peace joined him. Peace said he observed a group of police officers, who he began filming. He also filmed the interaction where he was first told to leave, and alleges he was arrested while filming at 10:15 a.m., alongside Hamadmad. Hamadmad said it will be a challenging process, ahead especially because she sits on the advisory board to the school president but that has not changed her perspective. I did not really imagine that they would take me to Jackson Pike and treat me in that humiliating way, Hamadmad said. But do I regret what I have done? I do not really have any regrets. I do not really have any intention other than standing up for justice and against discrimination, for based on the way you look or for what you believe or for whatever reason youre discriminated against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Peace and Hamadmad were charged with criminal trespassing, but both charges were later dismissed unconditionally, the lawsuits said. Peace said as a result of the arrest, he lost his job. Both are suing on four counts: false arrest, malicious prosecution, retaliatory arrest and prosecution, and First Amendment violations. Ohio State spokesperson said the university does not comment on pending litigation, but pointed to remarks from Carter at the time addressing the arrests. At the time, Carter and OSU officials said the arrests took place after multiple warnings and were associated with the encampments. Peace and Hamadmad assert they were not part of the encampments. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Our state is having a canary in the coal mine moment. The indications are clear that in 10 short years, we will be faced with a variety of infrastructure and social service issues due to dramatic shifts anticipated in our population. By 2034, we are estimated to have more Oklahomans over 65 than children under 18 in the state. With this shift comes changes in the issues our communities and neighbors will face, and Oklahoma Human Services is working now to address these through its Aging Our Way Oklahoma plan. For many aging adults, the lack of reliable transportation is a significant barrier. From grocery shopping to medical appointments, social gatherings and religious services, many people struggle to safely get from one place to the next, leading to negative impacts on their physical and mental well-being. Our first step is to optimize coordination of existing transportation services. In partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, we are evaluating how to expand the reach of mobility managers. These managers are experts in local transportation options and play a critical role in coordinating rides for older adults to medical appointments or social gatherings. By expanding these programs throughout Oklahoma, the state can actively ensure transportation access seamlessly and efficiently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also are working with Oklahoma Statewide Mobility Network to improve access to transportation. This includes addressing the unique needs of older adults who often require assistance entering and exiting vehicles. Currently, state and regional transportation task forces bring agencies together, but they lack partnerships with health care providers, senior centers and other critical organizations who can connect aging Oklahomans to these services. By broadening the plan and including these partners, transportation solutions can be comprehensive and aging adult centered. In major cities like Chicago or New York City, public transportation is deeply ingrained in daily life. As a result, there are not only more transportation options but also a broader understanding of how to navigate these systems and access additional services that contribute to a positive rider experience. These services go beyond simply providing a ride they encompass thoughtful interactions between drivers and riders, assistance entering destinations when needed, and seamless support throughout the journey. More: Medicare Advantage doesn't offer all it advertises | Opinion Here in Oklahoma, we are prioritizing initiatives to enhance the rider experience by focusing on reliability, accessibility, and respectful, supportive customer service tailored to the needs and preferences of aging adults. By addressing these factors, we aim to encourage greater use of transportation services while building the comfort and confidence of caregivers and families who rely on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest challenges in providing comprehensive transportation is the shortage of drivers. The state is tackling this issue head-on by leveraging workforce development programs, including CareerTech and Oklahoma Human Services Work Ready Oklahoma. These programs aim to recruit and train drivers, addressing shortages that hinder the ability to serve Oklahomas aging population effectively through public transportation. The Aging Our Way Oklahoma plan is a significant step forward in ensuring our state isnt caught unprepared for the impending demographic shift. By investing in initiatives like public transportation, Oklahoma is demonstrating a strong commitment to helping aging adults live life on their terms wherever that may take them. Jeromy Buchanan Jeromy Buchanan is the director of Community Living, Aging and Protective Services for Oklahoma Human Services. Learn more about the Aging Our Way plan at Oklahoma.gov/Aging. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma addressing mobility concerns for aging population | Opinion YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) One person was arrested on Youngstowns east side after police chased a stolen car Saturday afternoon, according to Youngstown police. Police said they were in pursuit of the car before it went over an embankment around 4 p.m. on the corner of Ives Avenue and Dean Avenue. A crime lab was called to the scene. First News will continue to update this story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) One person was hospitalized in critical condition after a shooting in west Columbus, police said. Police responded to a call at 8:28 to reports of shots fired at the 300 block of W. Park Ave. in Franklinton. Police said one person was transferred to a nearby hospital in critical condition. As of 10:24 p.m., the victim was still in critical condition at the hospital. Police dispatchers said shell casings were recovered from the scene, but noted at least one officer said it may have been either a stabbing or a shooting. Police have spoken with witnesses, but did not have any information on suspects as of 11:20 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) A motorcyclist was killed Friday afternoon after troopers said he was involved in a crash with a semi-truck. The crash happened around 2:45 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at the intersection of 49th Street North and 58th Avenue North in St. Petersburg, according to a report by the Florida Highway Patrol. Wrong-way driver causes deadly head-on crash in Tampa: FHP The 21-year-old Seminole man was reportedly traveling south on 49th Street North on a Suzuki motorcycle when a semi-truck turned in front of him, causing him to crash into the truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the semi-truck, a 39-year-old Mulberry man, was not injured, according to the FHP. The motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital, where officials said he later died from his injuries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) One person was injured and another has been detained as detectives investigate a Sunday morning in a shooting in Greenville County. According to Greenville County Sheriffs Office, at around 9:30 a.m,. Greenville County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting on Furman Hall Road. At the scene, deputies reportedly found one person with at least one gunshot wound. The victim is reportedly in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A person of interest has been detained and the investigation into the shooting is ongoing. We will update this story as more details become available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Fueled by the Supreme Courts June 2023 ruling that bans affirmative action in higher education, conservative lawmakers across the country have advanced their own state bans on diversity initiatives, especially those that might make students feel shame or guilt for past harms against people of color. This effort encompasses medical schools. Despite clear and persistent gaps between white and Black doctors and recent efforts to reckon with racial disparities within the medical profession lawmakers have tried to advance policies to prohibit diversity initiatives in medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolina Congressman Greg Murphy introduced one such bill to restrict diversity initiatives. American medical schools are no place for discrimination, said Murphy, a Republican, in March 2024. Diversity strengthens medicine, but not if its achieved through exclusionary practices of prejudice and divisive ideology. But the gaps in racial representation in medicine go beyond a professional numbers game. Modern research shows that the lack of Black doctors helps explain why about 70% of Black people dont trust their doctors, and why Black people tend to die younger than their white peers. The evidence is clear: America needs more Black doctors. According to a 2022 survey of 950,000 doctors by the Association of American Medical Colleges, 63.9% reported their ethnicity as white, and just 5.7% Black or African American. But according to 2023 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, Black people comprised 13.6% of the population, while white people represent 58.9%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These modern inequalities in medicine have deep roots. As a community health professor, I am always curious how todays racial health disparities formed in the first place. One window into this history is through the official physician directories published by the American Medical Association, or AMA. A limited landscape Starting in 1906, the AMA has published directories of all qualified physicians in the U.S. These directories were created to be comprehensive records that excluded quack physicians and unqualified graduates of fraudulent medical schools. Each physicians record included a variety of details, including their place of practice and when and where they completed medical training. Between 1906 and 1940, the AMA also insisted on publishing the race of Black doctors. Beside each entry appeared the label col. for colored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on this information, I created a digitized dataset of the 1906 directory and detailed geographic and demographic patterns associated with where Black doctors trained and practiced. Of the 41,828 physicians listed in the 1906 directory, only 746 were Black or 1.8%. Dr. R.F. Boyd was a professor at Meharry Medical College in 1902. Heritage Art/ Getty Images Most Black doctors in the South were trained by a handful of Southern medical schools established to educate African Americans. Over half 57% of Southern Black physicians attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, or Howard University Medical School in Washington, D.C. schools that are still in existence. But nearly a third 29% of Southern Black physicians attended schools that would be closed a few years after the 1906 directorys release. In 1910, at the behest of the AMA, educator Abraham Flexner released a report after studying the standards of medical schools in the U.S. and Canada. The results of the Flexner report was devastating to the number of Black doctors. Citing low admissions standards and poor quality of education, Flexner recommended closing five of the seven historically Black medical schools that trained the vast majority of Black doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 1912, three Black medical schools were shut down. By 1924, only two remained in operation Meharry and Howard. The consequences of this extremely limited educational landscape for aspiring Black physicians are reflected in the data. In most Southern states, the distance between medical school and practice locations was significantly greater, even before the closings, for Black doctors compared with their white counterparts. The deep roots of inequalities To help interpret where Black doctors established practices in the South, I also linked directory data to other historical sources, including the U.S. Census. What I found was that places with larger Black populations were more likely to have a Black doctor, as were places that were closer to a Black medical school. Medical student John Muthama gets his white coat during a ceremony at the University of Minnesota Medical School in August 2022. Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via Getty Images Many contemporary scholars and activists are looking to the past in order to increase the publics understanding of how race has played a historical role in the health outcomes of Black Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, Dr. Uche Blackstock, a Black physician, illustrates many instances of medical racism throughout American history in her most recent book, Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, and shows their lasting impacts on how Black patients are treated and the quality of health care they receive. She was one of the first, for example, to warn health officials about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. As she wrote in 2020: Black Americans were more vulnerable during the pandemic because of several manifestations of structural racism, including lack of access to testing, a higher chronic disease burden and racial bias within health care institutions. Without an accounting of how racial disparities in medicine were formed, its much more difficult to determine which kinds of progressive measures are needed to provide redress. Future analyses will help unpack these racial disparities in greater detail. But for now, both academic researchers and the public can use our data to explore the importance of historically Black medical schools and the lives of Black physicians during the Jim Crow era. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its my belief that their legacies deserve to be a better-known part of the history of American medicine. The headline on this article was updated to correct a typo. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Benjamin Chrisinger, Tufts University Read more: Benjamin Chrisinger received funding from the John Fell Oxford University Press Research Fund and Department of Social Policy and Intervention at the University of Oxford. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attended the musical show 'Rajadhiraaj: Love. Life. Leela' in Delhi on Sunday. Conceptualized by visionary creator Dhanraj Nathwani, the show is dedicated to the life and leelas of Shri Krishna, Rajadhiraaj: Love. Life. Leela offered a soul-stirring portrayal of Shri Krishna's magnanimity, grace, and timeless teachings. Executive Producer Bhoomi Nathwani presented the musical masterpiece. The timeless leelas of Krishna's journey have been peened down by renowned screenwriter Prasoon Joshi and directed by seasoned musical theatre expert Shruti Sharma. The show is creatively produced by Parthiv Gohil and Viral Rachh, both seasoned veterans in music and theatre, while National Award-winning writer Raam Mori has meticulously contributed to the project's in-depth story research. Celebrated costume designer Neeta Lulla, known for her work in iconic Indian films, has designed over 1,800 bespoke custom-made costumes to bring mythical characters to life. From Vrindavan to Mathura and Vraj to Dwarka, over 180 artists have brought this musical to life with their electrifying performances. The 20 original soundtracks by Sachin-Jigar, blending Western symphonic elements from Budapest with Indian classical music, enhance the production's allure. The grand musical theatrical that arrived in Delhi, after a stellar run at Mumbai's Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre's (NMACC) Grand Theatre, will continue to enthral the audience in the national capital until December 8. Earlier, Shahid Kapoor to Bhumi Pednekar, several well-known faces arrived to witness the musical on Lord Krishna's journey. Actor Shahid Kapoor shared his experience and said earlier, "It's a great opportunity to watch it in Delhi. Everything about Him motivates us as those are the idols we grew up and all the qualities are special. He is also a little naughty, that's a good quality. You should always keep the child and there are other things as well. We are nobody to talk about it but feelings that matter. The show was done spectacularly.." (ANI) Montana Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy and former President Donald Trump at a rally in Bozeman on Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) Dear Sen.-elect Sheehy: Congratulations on your successful campaign for the U.S. Senate! With nearly 77 % of eligible Montanans casting ballots, your achievement capturing 53% of the votes over incumbent Jon Testers 45% was remarkable. Now comes the responsibility of representing more than 1.1 million Montanans in the Senate. In addition to sharing legislative powers with the House, the Senate has responsibilities of confirming certain presidential appointees, approving treaties and trying impeachment cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You wont have full knowledge of all domestic and international issues that will come your way, so we hope you will surround yourself with staff and advisors who have the best interests of our country as their North Star, putting country over politics as surely you will. As the 42nd U.S. senator to represent our state you have the responsibility to represent all of us. Within your constituency are 319,682 persons who voted Republican and 276,305 who voted Democrat and a sizeable chunk who didnt cast a ballot. You will represent Montanans from a variety of organized religions, but only a minority of the states population was identified by the 2020 religion census as equivalent to 35% of the states population 1,766 distinct Montana congregations with an estimated 378,000 adherents. In short, you will represent many who are unchurched, agnostic, atheist or with no preference. You will represent men and women in traditional marriage, same-sex marriage, some who consider themselves committed partners, others who are simply living together, and many single people by preference or circumstance. Remember the widows and widowers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the census data shows most Montanans are straight in sexual orientation, you will also represent about 3% of the states population identifying otherwise, including as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual. Each person is a Montanan and your constituent. Finally, with less than a month before you take your oath of office, it is time to communicate with us. Your campaign made the purposeful choice to limit your public appearances to only selected audiences and friendly radio hosts or with MAGA-conservative national media. During the campaign you made a point to tell event attendees that you purposely avoided newspaper and television questions and interviews, and they should ignore news reports and instead listen to you and your surrogates. Your campaign spokespeople were largely un-responsive to requests for one-on-ones, comment or information. Hard-fought political campaigns require controlling the message but serving as our representative does not you now have an obligation to openly communicate with us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id like to offer some suggestions: In the time between now and Jan. 3, prepare for and schedule an open press conference to be led with a topic of your choosing. Allow for questions. Introduce the public to the principal staff members you have selected. Direct your press liaisons to get out and personally meet with reporters who will be covering your Senate tenure. Until your official Senate website is available for constituents to visit, utilize a social media platform to give us insights and updates on how you are preparing yourself and your office. Finally, as you emerge from campaign mode, understand that your actions will be reported by various news organizations. Merging honesty and directness is the best way to manage how your constituency will perceive and evaluate you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maximum disclosure with minimum delay is an excellent motto. You wont be expected to know everything. If you dont know, then say so; if you cant disclose, say so, but whenever possible give a time when you will be able to do so if at all. And please keep in mind that reporters and editors are nowhere as fearsome as the Taliban. Dinesh DSouza, the right-wing author and filmmaker, admitted last week that one of the key pieces of evidence in his film 2000 Mules, a 2022 documentary alleging a vast conspiracy involving thousands of mules placing fraudulent ballots for Joe Biden into drop boxes, was based on inaccurate information. Just as the films distributor, Salem Media, did back in May when it pulled it from its platforms, DSouza apologized to a man who sued both him and Salem for defamation, after the man was falsely accused in the film of being one of the fictitious mules. But, DSouza still insisted, there was systematic election fraud sufficient to call the outcome into question and the films basic message remains accurate. (According to The New York Times, the suit against Salem was dismissed shortly after the company apologized. But the falsely accused mans lawsuit against DSouza and the organization that partnered with him on the film, True the Vote, is ongoing and motions for summary judgment are expected to be filed this month.) This aptly summarizes our current political moment. Trumps big lie that the 2020 election was stolen has been debunked for years in court and by Republican and Democratic election officials. It was also roundly rejected by the 6-3 conservative-leaning Supreme Court and several members of the first Trump administration including Trumps daughter Ivanka and his attorney general Bill Barr. But the basic message of that lie will never die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, you could say the big lie won the 2024 election. On Election Day 2024, Trump baselessly warned that there was already massive cheating by Democrats going on. The next day, DSouza posted to X: Kamala got 60 million votes in 2024. Does anyone really believe Biden got 80 million in 2020? Where did those 20 million Democratic voters go? The truth is, they never existed. I think we can put the lie about Bidens 80 million votes to rest once and for all. As my colleague Hayes Brown noted last week, 87% of Trump voters polled by Politico and Morning Consult believed voter fraud would seriously affect the 2024 election. After Trump won, that number dropped to 24%. But it didnt change their minds about 2020 they still think that one was stolen. The plainly evident contradictions dont matter. The thoroughly adjudicated facts dont matter. The plea deals and convictions of some of Trumps co-conspirators dont matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Far be it from putting a decisive end to the 2020 election fraud lies, the 2024 election result effectively ends any attempt to hold the main perpetrators responsible or to heal the countrys now-permanent psychic wounds inflicted by a president who couldnt accept he lost. There was no meaningful voter fraud in the 2020 election, and theres no reason to believe there was in 2024. But there was an attempt to illegally overturn (or steal) the 2020 election. Trump tried to bully Georgia election officials into finding enough votes for him to win. Theres a recording of it. There is no doubt he said it. And he was going to go on trial in the Peach State over his alleged criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn the states election results. But Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis decision to have a romantic partner lead the prosecution caused enough tumult and delays that the trial couldnt happen before the election. Now its doubtful it will ever happen. Likewise, Trumps election led special counsel Jack Smith to drop his cases on Trumps hoarding of classified documents after he left office and refusal of repeated requests to return them to the federal government, and also for trying to overturn the 2020 election. Trump was indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. Though theres always a chance the cases could be reopened once Trump leaves office, dont hold your breath waiting for those wheels of justice to ever move again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has promised to pardon people convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol the same people Trump summoned to D.C. on that day and then beckoned to march to the Capitol and fight like hell. The once and future president refers to these folks a number of them documented members of far-right, racist, violent militant groups as the Jan. 6 hostages. And despite numerous members of Trumps first administration saying hes unfit for office or as retired four-star U.S. Marine Corps general, Gold Star parent and former Trump White House chief of staff John Kelly described him, a fascist enough Americans voted for Trump and enough Democratic-leaning voters stayed at home to give Trump a previously unthinkable comeback win. Many elected Republicans and conservative commentators who said Trump should be barred from office for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election have since fallen in line. Theyve apparently both forgiven and forgotten Trumps self-coup attempt. And now that hes headed back into the most powerful position in the world, Trump is unlikely to ever face any political consequences or criminal penalties. And while former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani has been ordered to pay $146 million for defaming two Georgia election workers, the big lies main propagator is headed back to the White House. And hell have the support of a GOP congressional caucus that has largely endorsed his lie including House Speaker Mike Johnson, as well as MAGAs heir apparent, Vice President-elect JD Vance. And the legacy of 2000 Mules includes armed right-wing militias patrolling voter drop boxes in Arizona this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite DSouzas and Salem Medias under-duress mea culpas, youd be hard-pressed to find any of the right-wing commentators who endorsed or platformed DSouza during his 2000 Mules promotional blitz walking back their support or apologizing for their credulity. As The Bulwark put it back in June: In a less rotten information ecosystem, telling easily debunkable lies might result in some social consequences: The liars audience, trust broken, steamed at having been played for fools, recalibrates and tries to find more accurate information elsewhere. In the world we actually live in, it seems like the only real accountability we ever see these days is legal: Someone harmed by the laws takes the liar to court, proves the lie, and twists their arm into finally admitting the truth. That remedy might have worked on DSouza and his ridiculous documentary, but it sure didnt work on Trump who endorsed the film and even attended its 2022 premiere. The 2024 election essentially codified Trumps big lie. It didnt put an end to the false notion that the 2020 election was stolen, but it did make it politically irrelevant and therefore permanent. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com North Koreas contribution of combat troops to aid Russia in Ukraine has drawn global attention and headlines, but is only one component of ongoing ominous moves. At the start of this year, Pyongyang fired artillery barrages near a maritime buffer zone. On the west coast, Pyongyang wants to move the maritime border south. Roads and railroads linking North and South have been shut down. The North is jamming GPS signals in the South. South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law, but Parliament unanimously rejected this. Yoon has backed down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Context becomes especially important. In January 2022, the regime conducted four ballistic tests. Other tests have followed. North Korea has possessed at least rudimentary nuclear weapons since 2006. Pyongyang threatens to use them against South Korea, Japan and even the United States. In September 2021, Pyongyang announced the successful launch of a cruise missile, an insidious weapon, flying low and difficult to detect with radar. An early version, the V-1 rocket of Nazi Germany, killed many people, overwhelmingly civilians, in Britain during World War II. President Donald Trump gave priority to trying to improve relations and had several meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but they failed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, South Korea continues on a positive course of exceptional economic growth and development, combined with now firmly established representative democracy. As recently as the early 1960s, South Korea was one of the poorest economies in the world. Still a peasant society, the entire Korean peninsula was devastated by the Korean War of 1950-53. Yet today, the Republic of Korea ranks among the strongest economies in the world, holding leadership roles in the automobile, advanced electronics, shipbuilding and other industries. Rapid industrialization and economic modernization have been complemented by striking transition from dictatorship to democracy. President and General Park Chung-hee stifled incipient democracy and imposed extremely harsh military authoritarianism for nearly two decades. Park was assassinated in 1979 by the head of the KCIA, the national intelligence agency. In Korean memory, he remains a respected symbol of strength and effectiveness for many. General Park was succeeded by two more generals, Chun Doo Hwan and Roe Tae Woo, but growing pressure for true democratic representation proved insurmountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Capping the democratic transition was the election of Kim Dae-jung as president in 1998. He completed his five-year term without interruption, and in 2000 received the Nobel Peace Prize. A public symbol of opposition to Park dictatorship, he was imprisoned for several years. On another occasion, KCIA agents kidnapped him. Only the intervention of senior U.S. CIA official Don Gregg saved his life. South Koreas remarkable domestic accomplishments have unfolded while the country becomes increasingly influential in global arenas. In 2012, the Obama administration shrewdly nominated President Jim Yong Kim of Dartmouth College, who was born in Seoul Korea, as President of the World Bank. The vision of the United Nations combines favoring very powerful nations and inclusive global representation. Kim and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon personify South Koreas significant role as a bridge between developed and developing nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, President Biden met at Camp David with the leaders of Japan and South Korea to expand trilateral cooperation. Market economies and representative governments now characterize a steadily increasing share of the worlds developing nations. In short, South Korea is positioned to lead developing nations toward prosperity. Scare stories about the actions of the North overshadow the good news regarding the South. This is most unfortunate. For more than 35 years, I had the great opportunity to work for Sen. Orrin Hatch, culminating in serving as his state director. Throughout my time with Sen. Hatch, I witnessed how he used his position to empower others, especially women, encouraging them to lead and thrive. As a Hatch staffer, I had the unique opportunity to participate with the commission that designed and created the Martha Hughes Cannon statue initially placed on the Utah State Capitol grounds. Now, years later, with the unveiling of the Cannon statue at the United States Capitol, I cant help but reflect on my career and how important this moment is for the millions of women who continue to follow the trail she blazed for all of us. On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Cannon will be honored for her groundbreaking achievements, including becoming the first woman elected to a state senate in American history. She broke barriers, defied expectations and led with strength and conviction. Cannons story is remarkable. On November 3, 1896, she was elected to the Utah State Senate with 10,288 votes, beating her husband in the race. The couple joked that their marriage thrived despite the unusual dynamic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After her election, Cannon used her position in the Utah Senate to advocate for public health reforms. As a trained physician, she brought a unique perspective to policymaking, focusing on issues directly impacting women and families. Beyond healthcare, she was a vocal supporter of suffrage and equal rights, working tirelessly to ensure women had a seat at the table and a voice in shaping their communities. Cannons legacy reminds us that when women lead, families, communities and nations flourish. U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah speaks during the Utah Republican election night party at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. | Ravell Call During his decades in public service, Sen. Hatch understood and championed that truth. One of the hallmarks of his tenure was his annual Womens Conference, which brought together extraordinary leaders such as Condoleezza Rice, Laura Bush and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor, to name just a few. These events were about helping women see themselves as leaders capable of achieving greatness. Sen. Hatchs advocacy for women also affected the legislation he introduced. He partnered with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to create a groundbreaking bipartisan initiative to create widespread awareness and meaningful change for the millions of women living with endometriosis. His approach was grounded in the belief that often-overlooked but life-altering issues deserved the Senates attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But perhaps what set Sen. Hatch apart most was his personal mentorship. Dana Perino, who worked as White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush, shared a memory at a recent symposium hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation that captured the senators unique ability to inspire. Early in her tenure, she felt unsure of her role. She recounted Sen. Hatch approaching her and saying: Youre here for a reason. You earned this spot. They want to cheer for you. So when your name is called, stand up and wave. That encouragement was quintessential Orrin Hatch: always believing in others and ensuring they believed in themselves. For me, his belief in womens potential shaped my own life and career. Sen. Hatch opened doors for me and so many others, creating opportunities and equipping us with the confidence to take them on. Working for him was a masterclass in how to lead with conviction and compassion. As we honor Martha Hughes Cannon, Im reminded of her words: You give me a woman who thinks about something besides cook stoves and wash tubs and baby flannels, and Ill show you, nine times out of ten, a successful mother. As women, we owe part of our success to that belief in the transformative power of women. The unveiling of Cannons statue celebrates her remarkable legacy and invites reflection on the leaders who have carried her vision forward. For me, Senator Orrin Hatch stands out as one of those leaders. His belief in womens leadership and contributions shaped countless lives, including mine, and his legacy continues to inspire. President-elect Trump and Treasury Secretary-Designate Scott Bessent have drawn a difficult hand. We all know about the countrys bloated national debt, the continuous erosion of the purchasing power of many Americans, and the many other well-chronicled economic challenges the country faces. But it is the threats we dont see or hear about that often pose the most immediate and significant peril. Principal among these is the countrys antiquated and ineffective financial regulatory system. Its increasing inability to anticipate or avert market anomalies is a direct bridge to the next American financial panic. Created in the 1930s, the network of regulatory watchdogs today includes nearly a dozen federal regulators, as well as attorneys general and banking, securities and consumer protection regulators in 50 states and 16 U.S. territories. But in cyberspace, where products are available online and borders mean very little, these nearly 200 overseers are constantly bumping into each other, regulating the same things at the same time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countrys bank regulatory infrastructure was built in the wake of the Great Depression, largely to discourage bank runs and protect depositors. As a result, it relies in large part on broad ratios and rules, presuming that if every bank adheres to them, they and the system will be healthy. But as one financial disaster after another has proven, nothing could be further from the truth. As the financial landscape has become populated with unsupervised funds, fintechs, crypto companies and a wide range of nonbank intermediaries, high-risk financial activities have naturally gravitated to companies that are beyond the purview of bank regulators. Consider the financial calamities involving FTX, Binance, Synapse and a growing number of other new economy companies that happily flew around regulatory radar and far too close to the Sun. As a result, dedicating most of the countrys regulatory resources to ensuring that every bank satisfies applicable capital and liquidity ratios no longer means that the broader financial system will be safe or that banks will not fail when the risk created or assumed by nonregulated companies causes the economy to fall into crisis, as it did in 2008. We need to build a smarter regulatory mousetrap that relates to the economy that exists to prevent the next financial crisis. To do so, Donald Trump and Bessent, along with the Congress, should launch four important efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Companies celebrate when their competitors are regulated, and new economy companies are partying hard these days. While banks have become a minority in the new financial services business, they are still the only companies subject to unparalleled cradle-to-grave oversight whose activities, capital, liquidity and leverage are dictated by federal and state law. In contrast, the new majority of financial services companies are free to overleverage themselves and stockpile risk without any governmental oversight. Such regulatory imbalances led to financial panics in 1907, 1929, the 1980s and 2008. The handwriting is on the wall. An effective system of oversight requires that any company bank or nonbank that invests the publics funds and whose health may affect financial stability must be regulated. The new digital economy is creating challenges for federal deposit insurance and its goal of making depositors feel secure. The rapid demise of Silicon Valley Bank underscored how social media can erode confidence in financial institutions instantaneously. And with more than 40 percent of bank deposits uninsured, financial markets have become more volatile, particularly given the increasing uncertainty as to which depositors and companies get bailed out when a financial crisis damages the stability of the system. We need to rethink how much of whose funds held by what kind of fiduciary should be insured in a fast-moving digital economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the velocity of this economy, any system of financial oversight that is not real-time-based and intelligently predictive is doomed to ineffectiveness. The current system of regulation, which measures where banks have been, has served us well enough in slower moving economic eras. But today, an effective system of regulation must be able to measure real-time risk, predict alternative future scenarios, and model a range of corrective measures for regulators to consider. The increasing use of AI technologies by financial companies can only be effectively monitored if regulators have similar technological tools and capacities. They do not. The best way for that to happen is for the regulatory model to be modernized from an adversarial to cooperative-based format where the public and private sectors contribute what they know and do best to the oversight process. The cryptocurrency business is a counter-culture darling long past the point where it should have been regulated. Crypto coins and crypto-based derivatives and ETFs, including the leverage created when they are purchased, are approaching $10 trillion. That is approximately 85 percent of the size of the direct U.S. mortgage market represented by random algorithms with no underlying value. Crypto can now affect the stability of the U.S. economy, and it should be regulated as such. People should have the right to lose their money on speculative ventures like cryptocurrencies. But once an investment doubles as money, it steps into a different world, where confidence and stability are critical. Floating rate cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value and can be issued, sponsored or moderated by people we may not even be able to find. Even when we know who they are, they are not required, as are others in the financial services business, to demonstrate any expertise, experience or integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost every time in history that a new speculative instrument has experienced an irrational run-up in value, it has been followed by an economic collapse. And cryptos run-up has been as irrational as it gets. Cryptocurrencies have become a principle means of financing criminal enterprises, hackers, drug dealers, terrorists, human traffickers, purveyors of child sexual abuse material, and illegal weapons distributors. To make matters worse, hacking cryptocurrencies has now become a principal way that North Korea funds its nuclear program. There are many hard economic choices ahead for the president- and secretary-elect. Knowing that they dont want a financial crisis to occur on their watch, they should appoint people who want to do more than act as stewards for a failing system, and marshal the resources to modernize the countrys outdated system of regulation so it can address the risks of 21st century markets. Thomas P. Vartanian has been a bank regulatory official at three different agencies and a practicing financial services lawyer. Currently the executive director of the Financial Technology and Cybersecurity Center, he is the author of 200 Years of American Financial Panics and The Unhackable Internet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) As the weather gets colder, those affected by Hurricane Helene look to find the things they need to stay warm this winter. This need led two organizations to join hands and serve their community through a distribution hub established at Fenders Farm. Members of the Duck Duck Jeep Club in Kentucky and the local organization Helping Neighbors at Disaster Sites from Tennessee (H.N.D.S & FT) were both searching for a way to serve those in need following the devastating flooding. Sherry Redmon, a Duck Duck Jeep Club member, was introduced to the regions needs through her son-in-law. From there, she had an idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were getting ready to leave [a meeting] and all of a sudden I just said, Well, we need to go to Erwin and try to help those people,' said Redmon. Theyre still in a lot of need and everybody was in total agreeance. From there, Redmon was connected with Kenneth and Sheree Perciful, whose organization H.N.D.S & FT looks to serve those impacted by the flood. Then within two weeks you know, just a lot of things have come together, said Perciful. And its just easy to see the fingerprint of God of just how things have happened throughout this. Together, the organizations worked to decide the best thing to provide the region. The holiday season helped solidify the need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Kenneth] was just quick to say what was needed, said Redmon. The number one was coats. And then we got into the toys because were concerned about Christmas morning. On Saturday, the groups met at Fenders Farm and invited the community to gather the things needed. For Sheree, the simple act of neighbors helping neighbors made the event so special. A woman came out, shes elderly probably in her sixties, and she had her neighbor and theyre scared to drink their water because the river came up to their home, said Sheree. So being able to provide six cases of water, something so simple, but we need thats been super impactful. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Dec. 7The Republican Party of New Mexico chose its vice chair to take over the lead role during the party's convention Saturday in Truth or Consequences. RPNM Vice Chair Amy Barela, an Otero County commissioner, was named state GOP chair after receiving almost three times as many votes, 157 to 58, from the State Central Committee as her closest challenger, John Brenna, the current Valencia County GOP chairman. Members of the central committee voted by paper ballots, which were counted on-site at the Civic Center in Truth or Consequences. The central committee also voted to choose the state vice chairs, secretary, treasurer and vice chairs for the three congressional districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barela told the Journal she is "honored to be able to serve all of our New Mexicans in this position." She said she is planning structural changes within the party "so we have full transparency and participation" with members of the State Central Committee. Barela also said she wants to "build unity" within the party and increase its visibility. "We're going to go into areas of the state that we have never been," she said. "My motto is 'be where you're not,' and people are going to see RPNM where they have never seen it before." Barela has been an Otero County commissioner since 2022, when she filled the seat left by Couy Griffin, who was banished from public office by state courts after being convicted on a federal charge of aiding in the insurrection at the nation's Capitol. Barela successfully ran for RPNM vice chair a year into her time as commissioner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barela will take over the top spot from Steve Pearce, who was first elected state chair in 2018. Pearce, 77, a former congressman and state representative who was raised in Hobbs, announced earlier he was stepping down. Pearce, in a statement, said serving as chairman for three terms was "both a privilege and an honor." He congratulated Barela, the new vice chairs and other RPNM officers elected Saturday. "The future of the Republican Party of New Mexico is bright, and I eagerly anticipate the results of their efforts as we look towards 2026 and beyond," Pearce said. "I dearly loved the opportunity to serve and fight for the people of New Mexico. ... I will continue to stay involved and offer my assistance to the new leadership in any way I can." Aside from Barela and Brenna, four others had been in the running to replace Pearce: Robert Kwasny, who lost a bid for Bernalillo County clerk in the Republican primary; former Army officer Mark Murton; and Mick Rich, who made an unsuccessful bid for Senate in 2018. State Sen. Joshua Sanchez of Bosque withdrew his candidacy for the position last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, members of the central committee also elected Hessel Yntema as 1st vice chair, Mike Nelson as 2nd vice chair, and Sharon Clahchischilliage as vice chair of Congressional District 3. Running unopposed, Kathleen Apodaca was elected RPNM secretary, Joshua Neal as vice chair of Congressional District 1, and Julianne Stroup as vice chair of Congressional District 2. Barela told the Journal she had just finished her first meeting as state chair with the newly elected officers early Saturday evening. "We're going to build a great team and we're going to have an action plan by January and we're just going to start turning the state red," Barela said. The possible whereabouts of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began to emerge Sunday after he abruptly resigned and fled Damascus as rebel forces stormed the capital and declared victory over the man they described as a "tyrant." The 59-year-old Assad boarded a plane in Damascus on Sunday morning and flew to an unknown destination as the rebels overthrew the government and seized power, ending Assad's iron-fisted 24-year reign. Russian state media reported Sunday that Assad and his family are now in Moscow, but there has been no official confirmation from the Kremlin that it had reportedly offered Assad refuge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Assad and his family members arrived in Moscow," Russia's TASS news agency reported, citing an unnamed Kremlin source who told TASS the Kremlin has provided Assad and his family asylum. In a speech from the White House on Sunday afternoon, President Joe Biden said, "Rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office and flee the country." "We're not sure where he is, but there's word he's in Moscow," Biden said. When answering a reporter's question about what should happen to Assad, Biden paused before leaving the Roosevelt Room, responding, "Assad should be held accountable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Who are the Syrian rebels that have toppled Assad and taken Damascus? In his address, Biden said the Assad regime had "brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians" during the country's 13-year civil war. Assad's hasty departure from Damascus caught his close advisers off guard. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said during an interview with a Saudi news channel on Sunday that while he has spoken with Assad since Saturday, he claimed he did not know his location. PHOTO: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attends the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 11, 2024. (SPA via Xinhua/Getty Images) The prime minister said he would work with the rebel leaders on a smooth transition to power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebels, which operate under the military command of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS), moved into the capital and occupied the presidential palace. "We declare the city of Damascus free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad," HTS said in a statement. A Syrian opposition fighter was photographed Sunday sitting inside an office at the Presidential Palace after the Syrian government collapsed. PHOTO: APTOPIX Syria (Omar Sanadiki/AP) HTS also said that all "unjustly detained persons from the regime's prisons have been released." Video emerging from Syria showed civilians pouring into the streets of Damascus and Aleppo, where the rebel uprising began last week, celebrating and shooting off fireworks as word that the Assad regime had been toppled spread across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a Sunday morning statement that Assad "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." PHOTO: In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad meets with Russian president at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 24, 2024. (Valery Sharifulin/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Assad agreed to give up power as the result of negotiations between him and the rebels, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, which added that Russia did not participate in the negotiations. MORE: Syria live updates: Syrian rebels claim Assad has fled Damascus Russian officials have declined to say whether the Kremlin has offered Assad a refuge in Russia. In its first official reaction, Iran's Foreign Ministry said, "The future of Syria is only decided by the people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The relations between the two nations of Iran and Syria have a long history and have always been friendly, and it is expected that these relations will continue with the wise and far-sighted approach of the two countries based on common interests and benefits and compliance with international legal obligations," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in its statement. "The Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing Syria's position as an important and influential country in the West Asian region, will spare no effort to help establish security and stability in Syria, and to this end, it will continue its consultations with all influential parties, especially in the region." PHOTO: In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 24, 2024. (Valery Sharifulin/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking at a defense conference earlier in the day, before rebels advanced into Damascus, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the speed and scale of the rebels' rapid advance came, in part, because Iran, Russia and Hezbollah had all been "weakened and distracted" in recent months. That had left Assad "basically naked," Sullivan said at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. "His forces are hollowed out." Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad flees to parts unknown as rebels declare country is 'free of the tyrant' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Dec. 7AUBURN Police peacefully ended a standoff Friday night with a local man on Snow Avenue, according to an Auburn Police Department Facebook post. Jacob Pendexter, 44, was arrested on outstanding warrants, charges of violating conditions of release, and creating a police standoff. He was taken to Androscoggin County Jail, where he is being held without bail. Police were notified around 5:25 p.m. Friday about Pendexter's presence at 35 Snow Ave. and contact with a victim a violation of conditions of release. His conditions were for domestic violence charges. He had multiple felony warrants, which included domestic violence and kidnapping charges, the post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When police arrived, they spoke with a female who denied Pendexter was in the home and turned them away. Shortly after, a Pendexter family member told police the man was in the home hiding in the basement. Police created a perimeter around the home and shut down nearby roads as they tried unsuccessfully to establish contact with the female in the home and with Pendexter. A Maine State Police tactical team was dispatched to assist. The female exited the home unharmed around 2 a.m. Saturday. Pendexter followed around 3:38 a.m. and was arrested without incident. Copy the Story Link Oxford County arrest log: Dec. 6, 2024 Lewiston man arrested after a driver and dog fled Saturday morning crash After the fall of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for Syria's territorial unity to be upheld. "We reaffirm the need to respect the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic," reads a statement from his office in Ramallah in the West Bank, distributed by the official news agency Wafa. "The state of Palestine and its people stand by the side of the brotherly Syrian people," Abbas' statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al-Assad's government had been largely hostile to Palestinian factions, especially the Islamists. Hundreds of Palestinians were imprisoned in Syria under Assad's rule. Abbas said that it is now important that all political forces focus on the interests of the Syrian people in order to restore Syria's crucial regional role. This would also benefit the "interests of the Palestinian people and their just quest for freedom and independence," Abbas said. In a joint operation, Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police recovered Rs 1.24 crore from an individual identified as a Myanmarese national. He was apprehended in connection with the seized currency notes in denominations of Rs 500, Rs 200, and Rs 100. "Assam Rifles along with Mizoram Police recovered Rs1,24,89,900 Crore of Illegal Indian Currency (Rupees One Crore Twenty-four Lakhs Eighty-Nine Thousand Nine Hundred) and apprehended one individual (Myanmarese) in general Area Ngur, Champhai District, Mizoram on 04 Dec 2024," The Assam Rifles posted on X. Earlier on Wednesday, the Assam Rifles recovered 152.24 grams of heroin worth over Rs1 crore in Mizoram's Champhai district, according to a release. "In yet another success in its crusade against smuggling activities, Assam Rifles recovered 152.24 grams of Heroin No. 4 worth Rs1.06 crore in the general area of Zote, Champhai district, on December 3," the release said. The operation was conducted on Tuesday based on specific intelligence and carried out by a joint team of the Assam Rifles and the Excise and Narcotics Department, Champhai. "The contraband was concealed inside a bag. The entire consignment has been handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department, Champhai, for further legal proceedings," the release added."Ongoing smuggling of contraband items is a major cause of concern for the state of Mizoram and India," it stated. (ANI) A passenger on a domestic flight in Mexico attempted to divert the plane into the United States before he was stopped by the crew, the airline said on social media on Sunday. Law enforcement said late Sunday night that the man claimed to have been under threat by criminals who had kidnapped one of his relatives. Volaris said in a statement that the incident took place on flight 3041 from El Bajio in Guanajuato state near the border city of Tijuana on Sunday. The crew on board the flight managed to detain the passenger before the plane was diverted to Guadalajara in central Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos posted on social media appeared to show the man lunging toward one of the doors on the plane before other passengers wrestled him. Once the plane arrived in Guadalajara, the passenger was handed over to authorities. Volaris airline Airbus A320-233 plane at Cancun airport, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. / Credit: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images "Airline personnel said the aggressor said a close relative of his had been kidnapped, and at the moment the flight lifted off from Leon, he had received a death threat if he traveled to Tijuana," Mexico's Public Safety Department said in a statement. The rest of the passengers and crew later continued to their destination in Tijuana on the border with the U.S. "Volaris regrets the inconvenience that this situation caused," the airline said in the statement on X. "For Volaris, the safety of our passengers and crews is the highest priority." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities only identified the man by his first name Mario and age, 31. They said he was traveling with his wife and two children. The airline said it has become a plaintiff to ensure that the passenger faces the full weight of the law. Attempts to divert or hijack planes have been extremely rare in Mexico, the Associated Press reported. In 2009, a Bolivian religious fanatic briefly hijacked a jetliner from the beach resort of Cancun as it landed in Mexico City. All passengers and the crew were released unharmed. Crypto cash flooded the election. Here's why and the impact it may have | 60 Minutes The rebirth of Notre Dame Cathedral Why ASMR is making a lot of noise OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) At the Elks Lodge in Oshkosh, veterans gathered on the 83rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor to remember those who lost their lives and honor the survivors still with us. Among those remembered was 102-year-old Rolland Briar, who was aboard the USS Whitney when over 180 Japanese airplanes attacked Ford Island. Briar, now living in Oshkosh, reflected on the traumatic events he witnessed that day. Briars daughter, Bette, recalled how her father rarely spoke about the attack for years. He wouldnt talk much for years and years and years, Bette said, noting that many Pearl Harbor survivors are reluctant to share their memories. It wasnt until the 1970s that Briar began to open up about his experiences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hometown Heroes: Pulaski native Eugene Kraszewski reflects on 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge When he first shared his story, Bette was shocked by the horrors he described. It was just horrible. It was all bloody and noisy, like he said, Bette recalled. She added, When he told me about it, I literally couldnt believe he lived through it. One aspect of the attack that always stands out to Briar is the overwhelming noise. The hardest part for him was the noise, Bette explained. Thats what he always said, The noise, the noise, the noiseall you heard was noise. And fear, because they didnt know what was going on. After the attack, Rolland struggled with his transition back to civilian life. He worked for Green Bay Packaging for 43 years, but adapting to life outside of the military wasnt easy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His transition was a little hard, Bette said, explaining that it was difficult for her father to balance his time in the reserves and his new life as a civilian. Hometown Heroes: Volunteer Greeters at Green Bay VA Outpatient Center At the Elks Lodge, veterans expressed their deep gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who served, including Briar. Supporting veterans groups, thats our job to make sure people dont forget, one veteran said. We dont want to forget anyone who died for our country. Rolland Briars story is one of many that highlight the bravery of those who endured the horrors of World War II. As fewer survivors remain, events like the one at the Elks Lodge ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. OFALLON, Mo. Communities across the nation honored the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, reflecting on the event that changed the course of history. In OFallon, Missouri, World War II veterans, civilians, and military families gathered at the Mid America Veterans Museum for a solemn Pearl Harbor Day Memorial. The day began with a flagpole ceremony, followed by a moving indoor tribute where the names of all 2,403 Americans killed on December 7, 1941, were reada process that took nearly four hours. Two World War II veterans who were stationed at Pearl Harbor after the attacks were in attendance, adding poignancy to the commemoration. Attendees also viewed a relic from the superstructure of the USS Arizona, a vessel that bore the brunt of the attack, losing nearly half of the days casualties aboard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event, presented by the Emerson Marshall Sherwood American Legion Post 213 and co-sponsored with the Mid America Veterans Museum, paid tribute to those lost, including 32 individuals from the greater St. Louis area and 140 from Missouri. Flags across the nation were flown at half-staff to mark this day of remembrance, a reflection of the enduring legacy of a date which will live in infamy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Two brothers are facing charges after getting into a fight that involved their exotic pets, according to Alaska State Troopers. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Two brothers, ages 33 and 30, were taken into custody and are facing animal cruelty and assault charges, according to a trooper report. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers said after a fight between the brothers, the 33-year-old suspect threw his brothers pet alligator into the snow. The 30-year-old suspect then did the same with his brothers pet crocodile. Troopers located and rescued the alligator but were unable to find the crocodile and suspect it died from the cold exposure. CBS affiliate KTUU said the argument between the brothers was over anime. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A well-known animal-rights organization has sued an ostrich farm in Kuna over allegations that the business is abusing its birds. American Ostrich Farms, located outside the city off South Pleasant Valley Road, is one of a couple of hundred farms in the U.S. that breeds ostriches and raises the chicks, selling the meat, feathers, egg shells, oil and other byproducts after slaughter. The farm was accused by a handful of former employees earlier this year of having poor conditions that caused ostriches to die in huge numbers, the Idaho Statesman reported in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the employees shared photos with the Statesman, including of an ostrich whose foot had split open, revealing the bone, from frostbite it got after snow and freezing water pooled in its enclosure during the winter. Other photos showed maggots and mold growing inside a barn used to raise chicks. A breeding enclosure at American Ostrich Farms filled with water and snow after a cold snap in January. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, lodged a complaint with the Idaho Department of Agriculture in March based on the testimony of multiple workers, including the farms former animal husbandry manager, as well as photos of injured birds and unclean or inadequate shelter. A senior investigator with the department conducted two inspections after the allegations surfaced and in May found no deficiencies in the facility or animal care at this time. The case was closed. But PETA wasnt convinced. Dan Paden, vice president of legal advocacy at PETA, told the Statesman then that the nonprofit had spoken with six former employees of the farm who corroborated the allegations. Paden also said that several of the specific accusations mirror a complaint PETA received about the farm about two years ago, which it wasnt able to verify at the time because the complainant became unresponsive. PETA said the existence of the previous allegations lended credence to the new ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were certainly convinced that these people are speaking the truth, Paden said. Obviously, we object to raising any animals for flesh, but even putting that aside, these animals deserve protection under state law, and were not convinced that theyre getting it. Meanwhile, the farm and its owner, Alex McCoy, who left a career in finance to start the business in 2014, denied most of the allegations and offered explanations for others in interviews with the Statesman. Hundreds of ostriches live in pens at American Ostrich Farms in Kuna. McCoy said the farm has a robust humane handling program at its on-site slaughterhouse, where a USDA inspector is present at all times. Its just not credible, McCoy said at the time. One of the worst things that you could ever do is hurt a harmless animal. Why would we do that? It doesnt make any sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Dec. 2, PETA sued the farm in Washington, D.C., where PETA is has an office, demanding a jury trial and asking the District of Columbia Court to halt the companys messaging on its packaging, website, social media and the online retailer Amazon. It said the false advertising could lead reasonable consumers, who pay a premium for the farms ostrich meat and other ostrich-derived products, to believe that the birds are raised humanely, ethically and with the highest standards of care and respect, in violation of the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act. PETA cited several reasons in its lawsuit for suing in the District of Columbia. They include that American Ostrich Farms relies on online sales placed via its website and Amazon, which is accessible to D.C. residents; the farms ships products to customers across the country, including in D.C.; and because the farms internet advertising is accessible in D.C. The lawsuit alleged that it is common for ostriches at the farm to freeze to the ground during winter and languish in muddy, flooded enclosures without the ability to dry off or seek shelter from rain, snow or wind. Defendants CEO and staff have been aware of this issue but have refused to shelter all ostriches in available greenhouses in order to save on propane costs, the lawsuit said. The predictable result is dead birds starved, frozen or both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for American Ostrich Farms said Friday that they were unaware of the lawsuit. Ex-workers say ostriches die in huge numbers at farm south of Boise. What the owner says This Boise aquarium chain faced allegations of animal abuse. It just filed for bankruptcy Boise Airport unveils new food and drink vendors: Flying M Coffee, The STIL, Waffle Me Up It was PayPal cofounder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel who introduced his mentee, JD Vance, to President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in 2021. Three years laterwith Trump and Vance just weeks from the White Houseits Thiel who is sitting pretty as many people within his network head for official or advisory positions in the next administration. David Sackswho worked with Thiel at PayPal and wrote for the Stanford Review, the student newspaper Thiel founded as an undergraduate at Stanford University in 1987was named as the White Houses incoming AI and crypto czar on Wednesday. Jim ONeill, former CEO of Thiels personal foundation, has been picked as deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Elon Musk, whose financial and vocal support helped elect Trump, will be running the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Musk had worked closely with Thiel at PayPal; and Thiels venture fund, Founders Fund, was an early investor in several of Musks companies, including space cargo business SpaceX, tunneling firm the Boring Company, and brain-chip startup Neuralink. Trae Stephens, a general partner at Founders Fund, is reportedly being considered for deputy secretary of defense, according to the Wall Street Journal. And Michael Kratsios, Thiel Capitals former chief of staff and a director at Founders Fundbacked Scale AI, is reportedly handling tech policy during the Trump transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, of course, there is Vance, who worked for Thiel at one of his funds, Mithril Capital, then launched a venture fund that Thiel backed. Founders Fund still lists Vances venture firm, Narya Capital, as an affiliate on regulatory filings. All of these individuals, including the vice presidentelect, sit within powerful Silicon Valley networks with one man at their center: Thiel. Theres the PayPal Mafia, the group of early employees of the digital payments company that includes Thiel and Musk. Theres the conservative student paper, the Stanford Review. Theres Founders Fund, the $12 billion venture capital firm that has invested in the major startups working most closely with the U.S. Department of DefenseSpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril. And then theres also Thiels personal endeavors, like his family office, foundation, or other funds. Trump pulled people from these same networks during his first presidency, when Thiel was the sole voice of Trump support in Silicon Valleydonating more than $1 million and speaking at the Republican National Convention in 2016. During that first administration, Trump selected Ken Howery, a Stanford Review and PayPal alum, as the U.S. ambassador to Sweden (Howery was also reportedly at Mar-a-Lago during the 2024 election night). Trump also appointed Kratsios, Thiel Capitals former chief of staff, as the White Houses deputy chief technology officer. And Mark Woolway, who was an early employee at PayPal and now works at Sacks Craft Ventures, was on Trumps transition team for the Treasury Department in 2016. While Thiel still describes himself as pro-Trump, hes taken a step back compared with previous election cycles. By the time of the 2024 election, Thiel had made a decision not to donate to any campaign, which he told Fortune was because he was no longer convinced money mattered at the federal level and hadnt been persuaded that this election would focus on ending our decades-long technological and economic stagnation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while Thiel is no longer a financial supporter, his closeness to those who will soon wield power and influence, including the vice president, is notableand his longtime investments in companies that work closely with the U.S. government are likely to benefit. Thiels politics are complicated and have evolvedand its difficult to place him in a particular bucket, though hes been described as a conservative libertarian, and is also known for having nationalist tendencies. He is a backer of crypto and crypto companies and has warned against government regulation, particularly in the field of AI. Thiel seems to already be thinking ahead. In an interview with The Free Press founder Bari Weiss shortly after the election, Thiel gave advice about what Vice Presidentelect Vance could do to be elected president in 2028, after Trumps term ends. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com MANHATTAN, N.Y. (WPIX) New York Police released new photos Saturday night of the suspect wanted in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The photos appear to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. One of the photos shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. The other photo shows him outside the vehicle. In both photos, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask. The NYPD released additional photos of the suspect wanted in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Courtesy of NYPD) The manhunt continued on Saturday for the gunman who killed the 50-year-old UnitedHealthcare CEO outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson was walking to the hotel where he was to speak at an investor conference when the gunman approached him from behind and fatally shot him, police said. Gun not found in backpack of UnitedHealthcare CEOs killer: sources It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Wednesday. At this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack. The NYPD released additional photos of the suspect wanted in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Courtesy of NYPD) The words delay, deny and depose were scrawled on the ammunition, one word on each of three bullets, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. The messages mirror the phrase delay, deny, defend, which is commonly used by lawyers and critics about insurers that delay payments, deny claims, and defend their actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the gunman fleeing Wednesdays shooting showed him riding a bicycle into Central Park and later taking a taxi to a bus terminal that offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, D.C, according to the police chief. Police think suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing left NYC Police have video of the man entering the bus station but no video of him exiting, leading them to believe he left the city, Kenny said. On Saturday, police searched the pond near Bethesda Fountain in Central Park looking for additional evidence the shooter may have left behind. A backpack believed to belong to the shooter was found in Central Park on Friday, but the gun was not inside, according to sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The manner in which they were able to follow his footsteps to recover evidence some of it is known, some of it is unknown the net is tightening, and were going to bring this person to justice, Mayor Eric Adams said about the investigation Saturday. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting used fake ID at hostel: sources Police provided no updates on the hunt Saturday, but investigators are urging patience even with a killer on the loose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt Blue Bloods. Were not going to solve this in 60 minutes, Kenny told reporters Friday. Were painstakingly going through every bit of evidence that we can come across. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. BBC News Russian has reported that a plane that may have taken ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and his family to Moscow took off from the city of Latakia in Syrias northwest a few hours ago. Source: BBC News Russian Quote: "A Russian plane departed from Latakia a few hours ago [the report was published around 20:00 ed.]. The transponder was then turned off and the plane headed towards Russia. The flight may have taken off from the Russian military base in Khmeimim or Latakia airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This information can be found on the Flightradar website, which monitors air traffic. The plane's transponder was briefly switched on near Moscow before being turned off again prior to landing." Background: On the morning of 8 December, Syrian rebels declared the liberation of Damascus. Assad fled the country. Reuters reported that there was a "very high probability" that Assad may have been killed in a plane crash on 8 December. Meanwhile, Russia claimed that following negotiations with the rebels, Bashar al-Assad had decided to step down from the presidency and leave the country, ordering a peaceful transfer of power. Defence Intelligence of Ukraine described reports that the ousted Syrian president was killed in a plane crash as disinformation. This evening, the Russian state news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported that Assad and his family are in Moscow and that Russia has granted them asylum. Support UP or become our patron! Cincinnati police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday in Avondale. Around 9:30 a.m., officers responded to the 3600 block of Alaska Avenue for a report of a body behind a vacant apartment building, according to a news release. A man was found suffering from a gunshot wound and first responders pronounced him dead at the scene, the release said. Authorities identified the victim as 28-year-old Darius Fletcher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call homicide investigators at 513-352-3542. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Darius Fletcher shot, killed behind vacant Avondale apartment building Police divers were seen searching a lake inside Central Park close to where the New York assassins backpack was found. Two specialists plunged into the water just after 2pm on Saturday as detectives focused their investigation on a specific area of the citys famous park. An NYPD officer told The Telegraph the backpack was found between the Bethesda Fountain and where the killer entered the park, on 6th Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer could not confirm whether or not the murder weapon was retrieved with the backpack, but said the dive was in relation to the investigation. The fountain, which is at the bottom end of the parks Mall, is cordoned off. Police have been unable to locate the assassin, who gunned down the UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson on Wednesday morning. The fountain has been cordoned off by police - GARETH DAVIES FOR THE TELEGRAPH Officers have recovered a backpack and shell casings etched with the words delay, deny and depose, and released images of a man with a broad grin on his face. The CCTV image, taken from a nearby hostel, shows the man wearing a dark hoodie and jacket with a facemask around his neck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe he escaped from the city on a bus, after fleeing the scene of Mr Thompsons murder on an electric bike into Central Park. The suspect is believed to have escaped into the park shortly after the shooting on Wednesday - GARETH DAVIES FOR THE TELEGRAPH His backpack was later recovered there, and the park appears to remain a key focus of the NYPDs enquiries. Investigators are already examining a discarded water bottle and protein bar, and a mobile phone that was discarded near the scene. After leaving the park, the killer is thought to have taken a taxi to one of the citys bus terminals, which has connections to New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington. CCTV images show him entering the bus terminal, but not leaving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect is also thought to have arrived in New York by bus, three days before the assassination took place. Police have determined that he arrived from Atlanta, and made several stops on the way. Once in New York, he was pictured in several locations where he paid with cash. He used a fake ID card to check into a hostel, police said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on Saturday reaffirmed India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, saying that it was not just a dream but a goal. He said the current per capita income needs to increase eightfold for a developed India. "A developed India by 2047 is not just a dream; it is our goal. However, achieving this goal will require great sacrifices and contributions from everyone. Consider this: for a developed India, the current per capita income needs to increase eightfold," Vice President Dhankar said while addressing students at the 2nd Convocation of Mahatma Gandhi Central University in Bihar's Motihari. The Vice President noted the transformative impact of technology on service delivery across the country, saying that it was a "major revolution". "The world is amazed that in a country of 140 crore people, technology is reaching the farthest corners. Service delivery is being facilitated through technology. The elderly here know how things used to be - standing in lines for electricity bills, standing in lines for any administrative service, not even knowing how to obtain a delivery ticket or a passport. But today, all of this has come into the palm of our hands. It is happening effortlessly. This is a major revolution," Vice President Dhankar said in a press release issued by the Vice President's Secretariat. The Vice President reflected on the transformation in Bihar, "This land has started to shine again. Nalanda had disappeared, but now Nalanda is visible once more. I visited Nalanda. There is now creation happening here, and development taking place. A new dimension has been added to law and order--this is no small feat; it is a significant achievement. That is why my request to you is: You can take a big leap." Sharing a meaningful example, the Vice President recounted the Prime Minister's initiative: saying when I came to this campus, I remembered a call made by the Prime Minister--'One tree in the name of your mother.' I planted one. This is an individual act, but imagine if 140 crore people did the same! You could even plant a tree in the name of your child, saying, 'I plant this tree in your mother's name; you plant one when you grow up.' What a massive revolution this could bring, he said. The Vice President underscored the importance of reducing dependence on imports. "When we import goods that are already manufactured in our country, it results in three major drawbacks. First, unnecessary foreign exchange flows out of our reserves. Second, we import various items from abroad--paint, shirts, furniture, kites, lamps, candles, curtains, and so much more--for marginal economic benefits. But if these were manufactured domestically, imagine how many people would get employment. By importing, we are taking away jobs from our own people. Third, such practices hinder the growth of domestic entrepreneurs. The essence of this is that even today, an ordinary citizen can do a lot to address this issue," Dhankar said in a press release. Concluding his address, he urged students to think innovatively and explore opportunities. "Tell students through workshops about the infinite possibilities available to them. Government policies are so supportive, and accessing funds has become much easier. Whenever you come up with an idea, you will find policies supporting you at every step in turning that idea into reality. Boys and Girls think out of the box," he remarked. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Bihar, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Member of Parliament, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Prof. Sanjay Srivastava, Vice Chancellor and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. (ANI) [Watch in the player above: Homicide vs. murder vs. manslaughter] AKRON, Ohio (WJW) Akron police are investigating a fatal shooting early Saturday. Officers just after 3 a.m. responded to a shooting reported in the 500 block of Carpenter Street, according to a Saturday news release. Why flags are flying at half-staff in Ohio There, they found a 36-year-old man with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene soon after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Summit County Medical Examiner identified him as Mashoure Snyder, 36, of Akron. A preliminary investigation suggests there was an altercation involving the victim and two other people, according to the release. The altercation spilled outside, where the victim and another man began fighting. The other man reportedly drew a handgun and shot the victim. Police officers on the scene detained a 49-year-old man for questioning. Officers interviewed then released the man without filing charges. Ohio bill would require high-demand liquor bottles to be opened when sold Anyone who can offer information on the investigation is urged to call Akron detectives at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP (330-375-2847). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous tips can also be provided by: Calling Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS (330-434-2677) Texting TIPSCO with your tip to 274637 Downloading the Akron Police Department app and texting Tips411 or visiting the police departments website Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Update: The coroners office identified the man who died as 36-year-old Paul Burkhart. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A married couples argument turned deadly on Saturday in central Las Vegas valley when another person in the residence opened fire, killing one and injuring the other, police said. At approximately 1 p.m., the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to reports of a shooting near Alexander Avenue and D Street, close to west Lake Mead Boulevard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said preliminary details indicate that a married couple was involved in a verbal argument that escalated into a physical altercation. During the fight, another individual in the home intervened, firing shots in the direction of the couple and striking both of them. LVMPD officers said they found the man and the woman both suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were taken to a nearby hospital, and the condition of the woman is currently non-threatening however, the man was pronounced dead police said. The shooter then left the scene, leaving in a four-door black car last seen heading southbound on D Street, police said. Police have stated that they believe this to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. STARR, SC (WSPA) A car was reported to have fallen on and killed a man off Stevenson Road in Starr. The man was identified as 50-year-old Shawn Vincent Petty. The death was ruled as accidental. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. He may also need a get out of jail free card. Police discovered monopoly money in a backpack they believe belonged to the masked assassin who gunned down UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown, law enforcement sources told the Post. The colorful play money was found by NYPD detectives inside of a gray backpack hidden in the brush in Central Park on Friday that may be the one the gunman ditched after the shooting, sources said. Police tracked the shooters path into Central Park, where they conducted a search for his backpack Wednesday. New York Post A backpack possibly belonging to the shooter was recovered by police investigators inside Central Park on Friday night. Obtained by NY Post The backpack, similar to the one the shooter wore in the caught-on-camera killing, was recovered south of the carousel near Heckscher playground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the board game cash, a jacket was also found inside, sources said. An undated photo of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. UnitedHealth Group Surveillance images show the suspect where he was staying before the shooting at the HI Hostel on the Upper West Side. DCPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities believe the suspect escaped through Central Park on a bike and proceeded to leave on a city bus headed for Atlanta, Georgia. Google Maps A photo obtained by The Post shows the backpack in seemingly good condition after police fetched it from the wooded area. The bag was sent straight to a lab for forensic testing, according to police sources. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny described the backpack as very distinctive. Peak Design founder and CEO Paul Dering said he believes that the backpack may be one of his companys designs. Thompson, 50, was gunned down outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown just before dawn on Wednesday as he walked to an investor event without any security detail. The assassin quickly fled after the caught-on-camera killing, sped through Central Park on a bike and at some point left the city on a Greyhound bus for Atlanta, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NYPD deployed more than 100 officers and a fleet of drones to Central Park Friday to scour for clues as investigators have been following the gunmans escape route. Before the shooting, the still-unidentified suspect stayed at a hostel in the Upper West Side but kept his mask up even in his room, according to the alleged shooters roommates. [The roommates] said he didnt speak. He kept his mask on even when he was eating. He would pull the mask down to take a bite, Kenny said. He did reveal his face for a quick second while flirting with the woman working at the front desk. NYPD has widely circulated a photo of that moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooter has evaded law enforcement for four days as the FBI has joined in the massive manhunt. New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Saturday declined to say if authorities have identified the suspected murderer. The net is tightening, Hizzoner said. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has released two new photos of the suspected gunman involved in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In the early hours of Sunday, Dec. 8, the NYPD shared the images of the suspect on X (formerly Twitter). In one photo, the man believed to be connected to the killing of the 50-year-old CEO in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 4 can be seen in what appears to be the backseat of a taxi cab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another shows the individual outside of the vehicle. New York Police Department/Facebook Photo of suspect wanted in connection to fatal Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson Photo of suspect wanted in connection to fatal Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson Related: Monopoly Money Found in Backpack Believed to Belong to UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting Suspect: Reports "UPDATE: Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide on Dec. 4," the NYPD's news account wrote alongside the images on X. "The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public's helpif you have any information about this case, call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Additionally, you can DM @NYPDTips on X or on Instagram. There is a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction," the organization continued. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. New York Police Department/Facebook Photo of suspect wanted in connection to fatal Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson Photo of suspect wanted in connection to fatal Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson Related: UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson Was Killed in 'Brazen, Targeted' Attack by Masked Gunman 'Lying in Wait': Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release of new photos comes four days after a gunman pointed a 9mm handgun at Thompson and fired at least three shots from behind, before fleeing the scene on a bicycle heading into Central Park. Police say the man was wearing a "very distinctive gray backpack" at the time of the shooting and authorities have since reportedly discovered the item containing Monopoly money and a jacket in Central Park, according to NBC News, ABC News, The New York Post and other outlets, which cited police sources. The NYPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Dec. 8 regarding the reported backpack discovery. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch previously told CNN that investigators had "reason to believe" the suspected shooter is no longer in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny added to the outlet that the suspect was seen walking near 86th Street and Columbus Avenue more than 30 blocks north of the crime scene after departing Central Park. He was then reportedly brought via a cab to a bus center, featuring "interstate buses," on 178th Street and Broadway. As CNN reported, the suspect is believed to have arrived in New York via a bus that originally departed from Atlanta over a week before Thompson's fatal shooting. ABC News has reported, citing police, that the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were found on shell casings at the crime scene. Read the original article on People DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Two UD students reported an assault early Sunday morning. According to the University of Dayton Department of Public Safety, an aggravated assault occurred in the area of Caldwell and Brown streets around 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 8. Crash crashes on Far Hills after fleeing traffic stop A UD police officer was flagged down by two male students who told the officer they were walking down the sidewalk when two unknown males pulled up in a car, got out and punched each of the them in the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two suspects reportedly fled the scene when they saw the police vehicle approaching. UD Public Safety is currently investigating the incident. If you have additional information regarding this incident, or are aware of similar incidents, please contact the Department of Public Safety dispatcher at 937-229-2121. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. SHELBY, Ohio (WJW) A man is dead and a police sergeant is recovering after an officer-involved shooting at an Arbys in Shelby Saturday night. Akron house fire kills 1, injures 3 including firefighters According to a press release from police, Shelby Police Departments Sergeant Noah Kocher and Officer Dominic Ewing went to the Arbys restaurant at 234 Mansfield Avenue just after 11:15 p.m. to serve a warrant on Tyler Jacobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Sgt. Kocher made contact with Jacobs, Jacobs stabbed Sgt. Kocher in the neck with a knife, according to the release. Sgt. Kocher was able to get away from Jacobs, but Jacobs ran toward Sgt. Kocher with the knife still in his hand. At that point, Sgt. Kocher drew his weapon and fired at Jacobs, according to the release. Officer Ewing, who had been covering the back door, headed inside and provided aid to Sgt. Kocher and Jacobs. Both were taken to a hospital where Jacobs died from his wounds. Sgt. Kocher is in stable condition, the release said. Where the winning Powerball ticket was sold Ohio BCI was requested to investigate the officer involved shooting and to process the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. CHICAGO Chicago police are warning Humboldt Park residents about a series of armed robberies committed by a suspect riding a scooter. Police said the incidents happened at the following times and locations: 500 block of N. St. Louis Ave on October 31, 2024 at 9:10 p.m. 3300 block of W. Chicago Ave on November 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. 3400 block of W. Augusta Blvd on November 10, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. 800 block of N. Kedzie Ave on December 5, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In each incident, the suspect approached the victims while riding a motorized scooter and either brandished a gun or implied that he was armed and demanded the victims belongings. In three of the incidents, the victims saw the suspect following them before the robbery, according to investigators. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Police described the suspect as a male teen between the ages of 15 and 19. He is 57 to 59 in heights and weighs about 140-160 pounds. He also wore dark clothing and a ski mask during the robberies. Anyone with information is asked to call Area Four Detectives at 312-746-8253 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference #24-4-045. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional tips from CPD: Remember any unique physical characteristics of the offender (scars, limp, acne, teeth, etc.) Never resist during a robbery, or pursue a fleeing assailant If approached by a witness to the incident, request contact information, and provide to the police. Dial 9-1-1 immediately and remain on scene when possible, and dont touch any evidence Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. South Korean police have arrested the country's former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun amid an investigation into alleged treason, news agency Yonhap reported on Sunday. Media reports said that Interior Minister Lee Sang Min, a close ally of President Yoon Suk Yeol, had resigned amid a growing political crisis. "I deeply recognize my responsibility and extend my sincere apologies to the nation," Lee said, according to a report in the Chosun Ilbo newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee is currently under investigation for his role in the crisis. Kim, 65, who resigned on Wednesday and was replaced the following day, had been a vocal supporter of Yoon's now-reversed decision to declare martial law. On Tuesday, Yoon called for the imposition of martial law, accusing the opposition of sympathizing with North Korea. He said the move was aimed at "eradicating pro-North Korean forces and protecting the constitutional order of freedom." This marked the first time since South Korea's transition to democracy in the late 1980s that the country's head of state imposed martial law. Yoon was forced by a parliamentary vote just hours later to reverse the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few days later, Yoon accepted Kim's resignation, with the former defence minister reportedly playing a role in proposing the martial law plans. On Saturday, a parliamentary motion to impeach Yoon failed after almost all members of the president's ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote. Only 195 of the 300 members of parliament cast their vote, meaning the motion fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority by five votes. Yoon nonetheless faces intense pressure to resign, with more than 100,000 demonstrators gathering outside the parliament building to demand the president's impeachment on Saturday evening, according to Yonhap. Amid the ongoing tensions in Bangladesh concerning minorities, the Hindu outfits on Saturday protested against the atrocities being committed against minorities in the neighbouring country. The protestors raised slogans "Hosh main aao, hosh main aao" and their banner read, "Save Bangladeshi Hindus" and "Stop Atrocities on Hindus". A protestor expressed his concern over the ongoing violence in Bangladesh against minorities, saying that Hindus were being killed and the temples were being attacked. He appealed to the Indian government along with the United Nations to intervene. "The whole world is watching the atrocities on the Hindus in Bangladesh. Hindus are being killed, raped and our temples are being attacked...We demand the UN, Indian government and Human Rights organisations to intervene in this matter..." the protestor told ANI. Meanwhile, Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) President Mahant Ravindra Puri expressed discontent over the atrocities on minority Hindus in Bangladesh and urged the Indian government to immediately intervene in the matter and take action. "When we see the scenario of Bangladesh, we feel sad. Two days ago several saints came to me and said that we should take out a procession, but I said that this is not possible right now. So soon we will organise a meeting and will request the Home Minister to interfere in the matter of Bangladesh and take some action as soon as possible. The law and order there is in a worse condition. The Indian government should immediately intervene in the matter and take some action," Mahant Ravindra Puri said. He further said that the members of the Akhada Parishad were very distressed after getting news of minority women being sexually assaulted. Earlier on Thursday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray said that the central government should do something about the atrocities being committed against the Hindus in the neighbouring country. Speaking to the media, Thackeray said, "What is the central government doing? They are trying to induce riots here, but are not doing anything about the situation in Bangladesh. Indira Gandhi did something and now the central government should do something about the atrocities being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh." Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on December 9 and meet his counterpart there, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. Misri will lead the Foreign Office Consultations with Bangladesh and attend several other meetings during his visit. This comes amid strained relations between New Delhi and Dhaka following reports of multiple attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, under the current interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. (ANI) Domestic lime fruit production in the U.S. isn't what it used to be, to say the least. Total growing acreage has shrunken down from its peak of around 7,300 acres in 1983 to virtually nothing today. The story of what happened to America's lime farms is steeped in disaster, both natural and manmade. And while there is some hype around a potential resurgence, the future of American limes is fraught with challenges. Most types of limes typically have trouble growing in the more temperate climates of the continental U.S. However, Florida's unique geography provides favorable tropical climates for growing both key limes and Persian limes (which are seedless). This enabled domestic farmers to dominate the U.S. lime market throughout the mid-late 20th century. However, as the 20th century ended, several factors converged to nearly wipe out the American lime fruit industry. This is not to say there is no one in America growing limes; backyard farmers and even small-scale organic farms can and do produce the fruit. However, the official tally of USDA-recognized lime farmers whose primary source of income comes through commercial production of lime fruit is vanishingly small. In other words, quantities produced by American farmers are so statistically insignificant next to the overwhelming dominance of imported limes that they don't even factor into industrial estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: US Foods You Surprisingly Can't Find In Canada What Happened To The US Lime Industry? Lime infected by citrus canker disease - onstockphoto/Shutterstock The devastation wrought by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 was the first major blow to Florida's lime production. After Andrew, just 1,900 lime-growing acres were left, putting American farmers in a tough position to weather the economic storm brewing on the horizon. In 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed into law, which removed tariffs on imported Mexican limes. The lower costs of Mexican limes made Florida-grown limes uncompetitive to the point where by the year 2000, domestic production accounted for just 12% of the total demand for limes in the U.S. The final nail in the coffin was the outbreak of citrus canker disease in 1995. This bacterial infection negatively impacted overall fruit production and the marketability of surviving fruit. The Citrus Canker Eradication Program (CCEP) was instituted to contain the spread, but the effort was shut down in 2006 after meeting with public backlash and failing to eradicate citrus canker. Are American Limes Making A Comeback? Hands holding American-grown limes from Hawaii - Littlecitylifestylephotography/Getty Images The demand for limes in the U.S. has surged over 338% between 2000 and 2022, begging the question of whether the opportunity outweighs the risks for prospective lime farmers in the U.S. As of 2021, 97% of total demand was satisfied through imports from Mexico, so the answer seems to be a resounding "no." However, extreme heat and excessive rainfall truncated Mexican lime production in 2024, leading the U.S. market to shop around for alternatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While major lime retailers are still looking toward imports, there is potential hope for lime growers in Florida, Texas, and California. For one, citrus canker now has effective though costly management strategies. Additionally, the citrus greening epidemic destroying Florida's oranges and limes has led fruit farmers to seek out resistant strains. The Australian round lime is resistant to the virus, and future hybrids may provide an opportunity for American lime farmers to break into the market. After all, according to a 2024 report by Fortune Business Insights, demand is projected to continue growing well into the late 2020s. Read the original article on Mashed. In 2004, a newly ascended Bashar al-Assad, eager to shield his regime from the blowback of the American invasion of Iraq, encouraged young Syrians and Muslims to cross into Iraq to resist the US occupation. Among those who heeded the call was a soft-spoken 22 year-old named Ahmed al-Sharaa, a media student with middling grades and a quiet disposition. I was another student at Damascus that year, and the regimes mobilisation at the university and elsewhere was not so subtle. I remember being shocked when, during university break, a cab driver on my way to my village in Albu Kamal, near the Iraqi border, openly spoke about ferrying fighters to Anbar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two decades later, al-Sharaa played a pivotal role in toppling the regime that once urged him to jihad. His journey from a Damascus schoolboy to a rebel commander at the helm of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) reveals not only the complex intersections of Syrias fractured history but also the evolution of global jihadist movements. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani is welcomed before his address at the capitals landmark Umayyad Mosque on Dec 8 - AREF TAMMAWI Born in 1982 to a displaced family from the occupied Golan Heights, al-Sharaas early life was emblematic of the aspirations of the Arab middle class. His father, a prominent economist, and his mother, a conservative geography teacher, moved the family to Saudi Arabia before returning to Syria in 1989. According to Hussam Jazmati, a Syrian researcher who produced al-Sharaas most definitive biography, the parents home in the affluent Mazzeh Eastern Villas neighborhood symbolised their modest success, though young Ahmed remained introspective, his classmates recalling a studious but unremarkable boy who wore thick glasses and shied away from the limelight. Militant ideology As a teenager, he became increasingly political, his world view shaped by two pivotal events: the Palestinian Intifada in 2000 and the Sept 11 attacks in 2001. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incidentally, one of al-Sharaas comrades who would later co-found their Syrian group, and whom I interviewed extensively in the past decade, had a similar Intifada conversion story. The events of 2000 and 2001 radicalised the young man, steering him away from secular education towards religious devotion and militant ideology. By 2003, when the US invaded Iraq, al-Sharaa had abandoned his university studies, grown a beard and traded his student attire for the austere robes of a devout Salafi. A young Jolani was radicalised by the terror attacks of Sept 11, 2001 - Seth McAllister/AFP In March 2003, Ahmed al-Sharaa volunteered to fight against the American occupation in Iraq. Arriving in Baghdad weeks before its fall, according to Jazmati, he soon found himself in the turbulent Sunni stronghold of Ramadi. This formative period exposed him to the chaos of war and introduced him to the burgeoning networks of jihadist fighters. It also set the stage for his later transformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although unaligned with any major Iraqi factions at the time, he would cross the border back to Syria deeply influenced by the Salafi-jihadist ideology that would define his career. Abu Ghraib prison Following a brief interlude in Syria, where he narrowly avoided imprisonment during a crackdown on fledgling jihadist cells, al-Sharaa returned to Iraq in 2005. This time, he joined a small insurgent group aligned with al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). Captured in 2006 while planting a roadside bomb, he spent five years in U.S. military prisons, including Abu Ghraib and Camp Bucca. These years were transformative. Al-Sharaa honed his strategic thinking and built alliances with future leaders of the Islamic State, including Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time he was released in 2011, Ahmed al-Sharaa had become Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a battle-hardened operative with a vision. Shortly afterwards, and in the wake of Syrias burgeoning uprising, he reconnected with Abu Muslim al-Turkmani, a prominent figure he had befriended during their time in U.S. detention. Turkmani, who had since become the governor of Nineveh under the Islamic State, was one of the few who knew Jolanis Syrian roots. Together, they revisited discussions from prison about the potential for jihad in Syria. Based on these conversations, Jolani drafted a comprehensive proposal for expanding the Islamic States influence into Syria. Turkmani personally submitted the plan to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the emir of the Islamic State. Baghdadi not only approved it but met with Jolani to outline the operational framework. Sophisticated propaganda machine By August 2011, Jolani had crossed into Syria with six trusted fighters, laying the groundwork for what would become Jabhat al-Nusra, a secret Syrian affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq. Al-Baghdadi, according to his groups own account years later, split their resources between the two groups equally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Jolanis leadership, Jabhat al-Nusra rapidly gained prominence, combining military prowess with a sophisticated propaganda machine. According to Jolanis account to Al Jazeera, his group focused on projecting power by hitting high-profile targets, such as key security and military facilities or government officials, in different parts of the country. His early strategy, emphasising alliances with local rebel factions and avoiding the brutal excesses of Isis, earned the group both territory and recruits. By 2013, he formally pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda, after the Iraqi group unilaterally announced a merger between the two groups under Baghdadis sole rule. To avoid the technicality of abandoning a pledge of allegiance (bayat) to Baghdadi, Jolani argued his ultimate oath was owed to al-Qaedas overall leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and before him, Osama bin Laden. By 2013, Jolani had formally pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden - Mazhar Ali Khan/AP As the Syrian conflict dragged on, Jolanis ambitions began to diverge from al-Qaedas global agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, he formally severed ties with the organisation, rebranding his group as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and later merging it into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While critics saw the rebranding as cosmetic, it allowed Jolani to present HTS as a Syrian-focused organisation, distancing it from the transnational jihadist label. By 2017, Jolani had consolidated power within HTS, emerging as its undisputed leader. Under his command, the grouping adopted a more pragmatic approach, engaging in local governance and seeking to legitimize itself as a political actor. This shift alienated hardline jihadists but won him cautious support from some elements of the Syrian opposition and even tacit acknowledgment from international actors wary of ISIS resurgence. Late last month, a coalition of rebel forces, spearheaded by HTS and bolstered by tacit Turkish support, launched a surprise offensive that rapidly altered the Syrian conflicts trajectory. The operation, codenamed Deterrence of Aggression, began on Nov 27 and swiftly overwhelmed regime defences in key cities, first in Aleppo and Hama. The regimes collapse was hastened by a breakdown in command and control, leading to minimal resistance as rebels advanced toward Homs and Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Dec 8, Bashar al-Assads regime had crumbled, with reports indicating that the president had fled the country. The collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime came on Sunday, less than two weeks after Jolanis forces launched their rebellion - Tolga Bozoglu/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Sunday, Syrias new de-facto ruler remains a polarising figure but mostly outside Syria. To his supporters, Jolani is a shrewd tactician who helped liberate the country from dictatorship. To his detractors, he is a ruthless opportunist whose past affiliations and ideological shifts make him ill-suited to lead a country with cosmopolitan cities and diverse religious minorities. Inside Syria, however, peoples mindsets appear to be elsewhere. For them, the overriding priority is to turn the page on the civil war and focus on rebuilding lives and communities. The victory for Jolani-led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham reveals evolution of global jihadist movements - Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP After years of devastation, many Syrians view the unseating of Assad as a critical first step toward normalcy, and Jolanis leadership so far has been marked by a surprising level of pragmatism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The orderly rebel takeover, free of the chaos, vengeance, and infighting that have marred other conflicts in the region, has given some hope for a more stable future. For now, Syrians seem cautiously optimistic, hoping that Jolanis evolution from militant insurgent to pragmatic leader continues. The challenge ahead is enormous: to govern a fractured nation, maintain peace among competing factions and reconcile the scars of a decade-long civil war. Whether Jolani can rise to meet these challenges will ultimately determine whether his transformation is genuine. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Churches around the world and in West Michigan are celebrating Frances Notre Dame Cathedral. The iconic French cathedral had been closed since 2019, when a devastating fire broke out. But on Saturday, Notre Dame opened its doors once again. Notre Dame reopens its doors to Macron and other world leaders in a rare symbol of unity Thousands of miles away, the Basilica of Saint Adalbert in Grand Rapids rang its bells at exactly 2 p.m. to line up with the formal reopening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt Batchelder, a lifelong parishioner whose grandparents immigrated from Poland and were part of the parish, said it was a special moment. Its a special honor to be selected to ring the bells to commemorate the reopening of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, he said. Our church is significant in Grand Rapids, just like that church is significant in France and throughout the world. He remembers the day when the French cathedral went up in flames. I remember being at work and watching that on TV, and just the horror of knowing that you could be losing something special like that, Batchelder recounted. And so, you know, thinking about our church here, over 100 years old and what would that mean if we were to lose something like that here in Grand Rapids? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Notre Dame took more than 150 years to build, it was restored in just five years. Rev. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, the cathedrals rector, termed it a magnificent symbol of unity and a sign of hope, according to a report from the Associated Press. In that spirit, communities around the world joined the celebration Saturday. It was a prayerful moment, Batchelder said of Saturdays bell ringing. I felt gratitude, both for the Cathedral of Notre Dame and also for the church that we have here. And not just the church building but the Catholic Church, our faith. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Dec. 8STERLING After 15 years of climbing up in the food service industry, Edgar Xique has finally realized his dream of owning a family-run restaurant. Primo's Bar & Grill opened Friday in the former Wagon Wheel restaurant at 1711 W. Fourth St. The restaurant serves old-fashioned American cuisine, including omelets, pancakes, breakfast skillets, as well as dinner platters and sandwiches. Xique started his food service career as a dishwasher but was always hungry to learn more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In most kitchens, everyone typically starts out as a dishwasher," Xique said. "As time goes by, you learn and move on to become the prep guy and then the cook. But after 15 years in the restaurant business, I decided it was time I opened my own." Xique also works as a department manager at Buffalo Wild Wings in Sterling. He said he started looking for a location for his restaurant a few years ago but had trouble finding the right place until last summer. "Either the rent would be too high or the location was too far away from town," Xique said. "There's not a lot of places to eat on this side of Sterling, and this place gives people another option without having to drive across town." Although Xique knew how to run a restaurant, starting and operating a business was new. That is where the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Dixon's Sauk Valley Community College stepped in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center is part of a statewide network of small-business development centers receiving grant funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration. It provides no-cost business consulting, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. SBDC Director Justin Bergman said the center serves businesses across northwest Illinois, including Lee, Whiteside, Ogle, Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties. He said that over the past year, the center has helped 20 new businesses and advised more than 200 clients while helping them secure over $2 million in funding. "We help anyone with a business idea in all phases of development," Bergman said. "We can be a sounding board, help with a feasibility study, conduct market research and more. In Edgar's case, we helped get his LLC started and helped map out all of the requirements for starting the restaurant and obtaining financing." Bergman said aspiring entrepreneurs can visit the SBDC website at sauksbdc.com to request a consultation for services. Primo's Bar & Grill will hold a ribbon-cutting at noon Monday, Dec. 16. The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, and Xique said the bar will open soon, operating from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Prince William rubbed elbows with Donald Trump on Saturday at the long-awaited reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, more than five years after a massive fire left the 12th-century landmark closed to the public. The 42-year-old royal chatted with Trump at the Paris ceremony, attended by world leaders, dignitaries and donors who contributed to the restoration. The Prince of Wales and the president-elect appeared to be on good terms when they shook hands and exchanged a few words, with Trump giving William a pat on the shoulder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Kensington Palace, the leaders were scheduled to follow the ceremony with another meeting at the U.K. Ambassadors Residence in Paris, where they intended to discuss the relationship between the U.S. and Britain. William attended the ceremony on behalf of his father, King Charles, whos been undergoing cancer treatment since earlier this year. Saturdays visit came the day after William and Kate Middleton, who recently completed chemotherapy for her own cancer, attended a Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Trump announced earlier this week that he would attend the Notre Dame celebration, marking his first international trip since winning his bid for reelection last month. Other world leaders attending the event included French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Dr. Jill Biden, who attended on behalf of President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elon Musk who Trump has tapped to head the newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency also made an appearance, as did actress Salma Hayek, whose billionaire French husband donated 200 million euros to the restoration, according to the BBC. The ceremony marked the first time that anyone not involved in the reconstruction had been permitted to enter the cathedral in the years since the blaze destroyed its spire and roof, and left the monument covered in toxic dust and charred debris. Notre Dame has now been rebuilt to its former Gothic glory, with soaring ceilings, shiny stonework and murals restored to their original colors. Prince William is spreading holiday cheer while doing good. The Prince of Wales, 42, served up lunch for the homeless while visiting The Passage charity in London on Thursday, Dec. 5. William, who sported an apron and engaged in conversations with others, previously served lunch to those at The Passage last year as well. His time with the charity comes at the end of an important year and amid his mission to make homelessness "brief, rare and unrepeated." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement William's campaign Homewards, which sees six pilot areas around the U.K. trying different, locally-specific initiatives to counter homelessness, passed its first-year mark in June. Later in October, William launched a two-part documentary on Disney+ about the organization, titled Prince William: We Can End Homelessness. Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Prince William serving up lunch at The Passage in central London on Dec. 5, 2024 Prince William serving up lunch at The Passage in central London on Dec. 5, 2024 Related: Prince William Evokes Mom Princess Diana's Memory in Rare Emotional Moment: See the Photo In a video shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales' official Instagram account, William can be seen greeting The Passage's head chef Claudette Hawkins and celebrating her birthday. "I won't ask you what birthday it is," the royal teased in the clip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A sincere thank you to all the @passagecharity volunteers working tirelessly to support those experiencing homelessness, especially during the festive season," the post's caption read. "Acts of kindness, like serving Christmas lunches, brings hope and fosters a sense of community for those who need it most," the captioned continued. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! The Passage is one of two charities, alongside Centrepoint, of which William is patron. He followed in the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana, in taking on the cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, the royal recognized how he was inspired by his mom and recalled Princess Diana taking him and his younger brother, Prince Harry, to The Passage when they were young boys. Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Prince William in an apron and ready to serve lunch at The Passage in London on Dec. 5, 2024 Prince William in an apron and ready to serve lunch at The Passage in London on Dec. 5, 2024 I must have been about 11, I think probably at the time. Maybe 10, William said. Id never been to anything like that before. And I was a bit anxious as to what to expect. My mother went about her usual part of making everyone feel relaxed and having a laugh and joking with everyone. I remember at the time kind of thinking, Well, if everyones not got a home, theyre all going to be really sad. But it was incredible how happy an environment it was," he added. Read the original article on People All eyes were on Queen Camilla at the state banquet after the royal missed a few events due to an illness. In fact, I was so enamored by the royals striking portrait that I almost overlooked Princess Annes near-mishap. Jordan Pettitt - WPA Pool / Getty Images Earlier this week, the Princess Royal, 74, attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in honor of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (the Amir of the State of Qatar) and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the dinner, King Charles gave a heartfelt toast to welcome the Amir and his wife to the U.K. After his speech concluded, the guests toasted to the couple before enjoying their drink. Princess Anne was sitting next to the Amir, and she almost forgot to clink glasses with him before drinking her Champagne. Princess Anne Sky News pic.twitter.com/3nBZSHs4nI ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) December 3, 2024 In the video, Princess Anne raises her glass in the air and brings the rim to her lips. She stops when she notices the Amir turning toward her to clink her glass and corrects her faux pas before it ever happens. (#Phew) The state banquet marked day one of the Amirs two-day visit to the U.K. Many were surprised by Queen Camillas attendance at the lunch and banquet because she was still recovering from her illness. According to Hello! magazine, the royal revealed that her chest infection was a form of pneumonia, and she was experiencing extreme fatigue. That was a close one. Stay up-to-date on every breaking royal family story by subscribing here. I Was So Distracted by Kate Middletons Appearance Yesterday that I Almost Missed This Royal Standing 2 Feet Away The federal prison where reality TV star Todd Chrisley is being housed is set close. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Federal Bureau of Prisons announced that FPC Pensacola is among several federal facilities to close that are in significant disrepair, according to the WSB-TV and the AP. The prison will be demolished after about 500 prisoners and 100 staff members are relocated to other facilities. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todd, and wife Julie, were charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and tax fraud. Julie Chrisley was also charged with wire fraud and obstruction of justice. The Chrisleys were initially indicted in August 2019. Prosecutors said the couple submitted fake documents to banks when applying for loans. Todd and Julie have been in the process of appealing their convictions. In June, a federal appeals court upheld Todds conviction and he continues to serve his 12-year sentence. The same court vacated Julies sentence and ordered the lower District Court to resentence her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, the lower court resentenced Julie Chrisley to serve the same sentence of seven years. Court documents obtained by WSB-TV showed that by 2018, the Chrisleys owed the state nearly $800,000 in liens. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] An employee of Prolec GE Waukesha died in what investigators described as an industrial accident Saturday afternoon, according to the Waukesha Police Department. The Waukesha Police and Fire Departments were called around 2:30 p.m. to the Prolec facility, at 400 S. Prairie Ave., where first responders found an unresponsive employee on top of a transformer "multiple feet in the air," according to a press release from the police department. The employee, who was not identified in the release, was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe electricity contributed to the death and do not suspect foul play. "We are profoundly saddened by this event and extend our deepest sympathies to the employee's family," said a statement issued by Prolec on Saturday night. "We have opened a direct line of communication with them to offer our full support during this difficult time." Prolec GE Waukesha makes power transformers. The facility in Waukesha is more than 500,000 square feet. An investigation is underway into the cause and origin of the incident, the press release said. Prolec GE is working with authorities in the investigation, the company said in its statement. This story was updated to add new information and a video. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Prolec GE Waukesha employee dies in suspected industrial accident Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Protesters are demanding "justice" for Honey, a black bear who was euthanized at a New York state-licensed animal refuge after enduring what they called inhumane conditions. About 30 members of the group Humane Long Island gathered late Friday to protest conditions at the Holtsville, N.Y., Ecology Center, calling for the closure of the refuge and sanctuary for Honey's surviving friends, the New York Post reported. "Three more animals have been killed at Holtsville just since our meeting last month, but not one more needs to die," the group posted on Facebook earlier this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Humane Long Island has placement for every animal to go to their dream sanctuary home," they said while organizing the protest to encourage their relocation. Honey was 27 and afflicted with recurring urinary tract infections and rotted and broken teeth that her caregivers allegedly ignored while she was kept at the refuge, according to Humane Long Island. The bear suffered a stroke on Nov. 22, which caused her to lose control of the lower portion of her body and was euthanized, refuge officials told the Post while vehemently denying the allegations of abuse. The refuge is run by the Town of Brookhaven, N.Y., and its highway department. Highways Superintendent Dan Losquadro told the Sahem, N.Y., Patch that Honey was "well past the life expectancy for a bear," adding that the species does not live long whether in the wild or in captivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She unfortunately, at a very old age, developed some very severe health problems," he said. "There's really nothing more I can say about Honey. We are certainly saddened that she's no longer with us in the facility, and that people won't continue to get to see her and learn." The facility recently passed a surprise Department of Agriculture inspection, Losquadro said. The Post reported wild animal exhibitor Larry Wallach donated Honey and her brother named Pooh to the facility after the New York Supreme Court ordered his animal exhibition business to close following reports of animals being abused. Critics contend the highway department isn't qualified or equipped to care for the animals at the 3.5-acre animal refuge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The highway department has no place running a zoo," Humane Long Island President John Di Leonardo said in an online post. "These animals are taken from one bad situation to another." He said the animals are not rescued and instead were often are put in a worse situation when sent to the animal refuge, which is home to more than 100 injured or sick animals that cannot survive in the wild. Former refuge workers Kathleen Connely and Cayleigh Kunnmann told the Post the facility mostly is staffed by workers who are not qualified to provide animals with veterinary care, while some workers raised concerns about the conditions in which Honey and Pooh were kept, including being housed in a small concrete enclosure. The protesters clamed facility staff allegedly ignored evidence of the bears' broken and rotted teeth and other health problems. To commemorate the 103rd birth anniversary of Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj and celebrate 50 years of service by BAPS volunteers, the Karyakar Suvarna Mahotsav was held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The event witnessed the participation of over one lakh volunteers from across the globe. Addressing the event virtually, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj on his 103rd birth anniversary, honouring his enduring legacy. The Prime Minister stated that the teachings and resolve of Bhagwan Swaminarayan are being fulfilled through the dedicated efforts of Mahant Swami Maharaj. Applauding the organization of the Karyakar Suvarna Mahotsav, the Prime Minister acknowledged the remarkable presence of one lakh volunteers at the event. He also praised the vibrant energy of the cultural program, where youth and children conveyed the values of seeds, trees, and fruits in a truly unique way. The Prime Minister congratulated Mahant Swami Maharaj and the saints for this grand event. The Prime Minister further remarked that this celebration marks a significant milestone in BAPS's 50-year journey of service. He noted that fifty years ago, BAPS began registering volunteers and connecting them with meaningful service activities. Reflecting on the faith and dedication of BAPS and its volunteers, the Prime Minister shared how they have consistently served with compassion and a familial spirit, whether in the aftermath of the Bhuj earthquake, the reconstruction of Narnarayan Nagar, the floods in Kerala, the landslides in Uttarakhand, the COVID-19 pandemic, or in providing immediate assistance during the Ukraine war. The Prime Minister applauded the efforts of BAPS volunteers, highlighting their role in strengthening India's presence globally and lauded the organization's remarkable contributions to humanity worldwide. He shared heartfelt memories of his time with Pramukh Swami Maharaj, reflecting on the spiritual guidance and affection he received. Encouraging those present, the Prime Minister urged them to contribute to the progress of society and the nation. The PM called on them to set a new resolution that would benefit both, and dedicate themselves to its achievement. Additionally, the Prime Minister invited the volunteers to join the Viksit Bharat Young Leader Program, highlighting their crucial role in realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. On the occasion, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said that a 'Mani Kanchan' had been created in the world's largest Narendra Modi Stadium. He stated that this was the first program of its kind at the stadium, where there was no competition but a collective victory for all. He praised the organization behind the event as unique and capable of achieving great goals. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, all Indians have committed to building Viksit Bharat, he added. Reflecting on his memories with Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Amit Shah shared that he had received persistent guidance from Pramukh Swami Maharaj during many critical moments in his life. He expressed that the blessings he received filled him with renewed strength and praised Pramukh Swami Maharaj for his qualities of sacrifice, service, and dedication, referring to him as the rightful successor of Adi Shankaracharyaji, who brought transformative change to the saintly community. The Union Home Minister further stated that while Bhagwan Swaminarayan and all subsequent Gurus extended the sect, the spiritual revolution initiated by BAPS through its temples, educational institutions, addiction recovery programs, the teaching of virtues, and Ghar Sabha is unique. This revolution has had a profound impact on the lives of lakhs of people. Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the volunteers have carried forward the torch of social service, institutionalizing these efforts. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, India has entered a new era of cultural revival. He emphasized that India is advancing on the path of development with the mantra of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi.' In conclusion, the Chief Minister acknowledged BAPS's unique contribution to promoting the principles of Lord Swaminarayan, elevating the pride and dignity of Hinduism not just in Gujarat and India, but around the world. Maharaj, head of the BAPS organization, blessed the volunteers during the event. The Karyakar Suvarna Mahotsav showcased a vibrant cultural program, featuring inspirational speeches by senior Sadguru saints of BAPS, a first-ever multimedia projection on the ground, LED wristbands, and captivating dance performances. Guests, including members of the state government's cabinet, local MPs, MLAs, and volunteers from India and abroad, were present at the event. (ANI) MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa The Historical Society of Marshall County (HSMC) is preparing to host its upcoming Holiday Dinner. The public is encouraged to attend. The event will take place on Tuesday., December 10 at Marshalltowns historic Binford House located at 110 North Second Avenue, and will include a social gathering, live music by the Mens Chorus Quartet, and a meal. Tickets are $55 per person. As we enter the holiday season, we extend our gratitude to all who continue to support us through donations artifacts, financial donations, and volunteer efforts, said HSMC president Dan Brandt. The historical society is more than 115 years old. It was formed in 1908 by a group of women who wanted to preserve the countys history while educating the public. It is a certified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and does not receive city, county, or federal funding. It relies on a small endowment, grants, donations and memberships to continue operations, according to the board of directors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The social half-hour begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by the dinner at 6 p.m. Reservations for the holiday dinner are required and must be made in advance. For more information, call HSMC at 641-7752-6664, or email info@hsmcia.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Police were searching for two men after a shooting in Flagstaff that left one man injured on Friday afternoon. About 4 p.m., the Flagstaff Police Department responded to reports of a shooting near Blackbird Roost and State Route 66. Officers found a 32-year-old man with a gunshot wound, according to Sgt. Jerry Rintala. The victim was taken to the hospital in stable condition, according to Rintala. The man was reportedly shot during an altercation with two suspects, identified as Destry Sahneyah, 20, and Reily Z. Sahneyah, 19, according to Rintala. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrest warrants were issued for both men, who were considered armed and dangerous. The two suspects were described as Native American men from Peach Springs, Arizona, according to Rintala. "The Flagstaff Police Department believes this to be an isolated incident. We strongly urge anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Reily Sahneyah and Destry Sahneyah to contact the Flagstaff Police Department at (928) 774-1414 or Silent Witness at (928) 774-1414. Information can be provided anonymously," Rintala wrote in an email. Detectives spoke with eyewitnesses and used security camera footage to identify the two suspects, according to Rintala. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Authorities search for suspects accused of shooting man in Flagstaff In 1920, Danish physicist Niels Bohr proposed that although light (photons) has a dual nature, behaving as both particle and wave, its impossible to observe this duality at the same time. This is called the complementarity principle. In 2014, scientists in Singapore showed that this duality is tied to entropic uncertainty, which means some information about the photonlike whether its a wave or a particlewill always remain unknown, with at least one bit of information being fundamentally immeasurable. Entropic uncertainty links the complementarity principle with the degree of unknown information in a quantum system. The degree of unknown information here refers to the inherent limit on how much we can know about a quantum system at a given time. It suggests that quantum systems always retain some level of unpredictability or mystery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, until now, it was all a theory. Researchers from Sweden-based Linkoping University have experimentally confirmed that photon duality is indeed governed by entropic uncertainty. Photons wont reveal everything at once In their new study, the researchers suggest that photons in circular motion are more likely to reveal information compared to those following an up-and-down oscillating movement. So, during their experiment, they shot photons moving in a circular motion into an interferometer. The interferometer is a device that splits a beam of light into two paths, makes them travel different routes, and then brings them back together. It is like two cars going through different routes to meet at the same spot. Inside the interferometer, the photons first passed through a crystal, which acted as the first beam splitter, dividing the path of photons into two separate directions. These two paths are reflected and made to cross each other at another beam splitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depending on how this second beam splitter is configured, the photons are measured as either waves or particles. However, the study authors did a clever thing to their set-up and attempted to measure the dual nature of photons. One of the things that makes this experiment set-up special is that the second beam splitter can be partially inserted by the researchers into the path of the light. This makes it possible to measure light as waves, or particles, or a combination of them in the same set-up, the study authors note. However, photons turned out to be much more clever than them. The partial insertion lets them see both wave and particle behaviors at the same time, but only partially. The more clearly they tried to measure one (the wave), the less clear the other (the particle) became. This experiment shows that no matter how much you try, you can never fully observe the dual nature of a photon in a quantum system. Some information always remains uncertain, which is also the core idea of entropic uncertainty. Uncertainty opens new possibilities for the quantum world The wave nature of light was first experimentally demonstrated by British polymath Thomas Young through his famous double-slit experiment in 1801. A century later, in 1905, Albert Einstein proposed the photoelectric effect, which confirmed that light is made of tiny particles called photons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, numerous studies and experiments have been conducted to understand this duality and its various aspects. However, the current study is quite different as it not only demonstrates a connection between the complementarity principle and degree of unknown information but also bridges quantum theory with information theory. It explains the behavior of energy (photons) at a quantum scale, and the researchers suggest that using the insights from their study, one might develop better ways to store, manipulate, and transfer information, with applications in quantum computing, cryptography, and communication. For instance, In our next experiment, we want to observe the behavior of the photon if we change the setting of the second crystal right before the photon reaches it," Daniel Spegel-Lexne, first author and a PhD student at Linkoping University, said "It would show that we can use this experimental set-up in communication to securely distribute encryption keys, which is very exciting. The study is published in the journal Science Advances. (Bloomberg) -- Quebec Premier Francois Legault discussed border control and tariffs with President-elect Donald Trump while in Paris on Saturday for the reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legault, premier of the second-most populous province in Canada, briefly described the meeting in a post on X. He also met with Elon Musk, who accompanied Trump in Paris, and said in a separate X post that they discussed international trade and electric vehicles. Last month Trump threatened to impose an additional 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods, calling on the two countries to stem the flow of migrants and fentanyl across the US border. Legault had previously called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to improve border control to avoid the risk of tariffs. We need to secure the borders to remove this argument from Mr. Trump, Legault said in November. While Trudeau did not attend the Notre-Dame reopening, he met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November to discuss these issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Mounting fears that Russia could sabotage Britains gas supply and trigger blackouts have prompted security officials to step up monitoring around vital pipelines to Norway. Surveillance and monitoring by aerial reconnaissance aircraft of the seas between Norway and the UK have been stepped up in recent weeks, Whitehall sources confirmed. The RAFs squadron of Poseidon P-8 marine surveillance and anti-submarine aircraft at Lossiemouth now numbers nine aircraft and a US squadron has also been coming up to strength there, adding another nine Poseidon P-8s that have an anti-submarine capability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move represents the first time since the Cold War that American planes have had a presence in Scotland. German Poseidon P-8s have also recently been operating out of Lossiemouth. The aircraft are used for a range of surveillance purposes, including monitoring all kinds of ships as well as submarines and radio traffic. UK government security experts have also attended industry summits where officials briefed energy executives on emerging threats. The moves follow a series of incidents in which ships controlled by Russia or its allies have been linked with damage to subsea infrastructure or suspected of spying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security officials are concerned that Moscow could seek to target pipelines that transport about 42pc of Britains entire gas supply. The impact of any successful attack would be potentially devastating. Vital subsea infrastructure is increasingly being targeted amid rising tensions between the East and West. Last month a Chinese ship severed internet cables in the Baltic and, in a separate incident, Russian and Chinese vessels were found patrolling close to a key pipeline. Two Baltic pipelines have been severed by explosions, one in 2022 and another last year. Such incidents have raised concerns about similar risks in the North Sea. Gassco, the Norwegian state-owned company that owns the pipelines running to Britain, has warned: Incidents such as the explosions in Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 in 2022 and the Baltic Connector incident in 2023 are not linked to Norwegian gas infrastructure, but nevertheless resulted in a need for increased vigilance. Further measures have therefore been implemented to protect Norwegian infrastructure. Gassco has worked closely with relevant authorities to manage this situation. The UK is highly reliant on energy pipelines running from Norway. The most important is the 1,116km Langeled pipeline, which runs from the Nyhamna gas processing plant on the Norwegian island of Gossa to the Easington gas terminal in East Yorkshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pipeline, one of the worlds longest, carries up to 26bn cubic metres of gas to the UK each year more than a third of what the country consumes annually. It measures just 44 inches in diameter and operates at pressures of 250 atmospheres, meaning any rupture would be likely to cause devastating damage. Energy crisis risk The UK has only limited amounts of gas storage so if Langeled was put out of action the country would become reliant on shipments of liquefied natural gas and on imports via other pipelines from Europe. None operate on the scale of Langeled so an attack would most likely trigger an energy crisis. Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, has ordered that Easington and the UKs other key gas terminals be policed by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the UKs only armed police force, from next April. It is another sign of the growing concerns about the vulnerability of Britains energy infrastructure. Armed police will guard Easington and other gas terminals from next April - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images A spokesman for National Gas, which oversees the high pressure gas network and overall supplies, said it was preparing for all such incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said: The UK gas system is designed for flexibility and resilience, with a diverse range of supply sources, including UKCS, Norway, LNG, and the interconnectors. We prepare for a range of scenarios and potential causes of disruption to any of these sources, ensuring mitigations can be put in place should any issues occur. Mark Wilson, operations at OEUK, the trade body for the UKs offshore oil and gas operators, said the industry had stepped up security preparations. He said: We operate the OEUK Security Committee at which relevant government bodies provide briefings. The physical security of offshore and onshore energy infrastructure is part of these engagements. Last week the UK, US and Norway staged a joint aerial training exercise around Norways high Arctic, including deployment of an American U2 spy plane, a Norwegian Poseidon surveillance aircraft and fighter jets from all three countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exercise was designed to detect, track and weaken an enemy target on allied territory. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Ruth Bader Ginsburg's daughter and granddaughter had just settled into their seats Thursday evening for a revival performance of "Gypsy," the still popular 65-year-old musical about a strong matriarch and her daughters, when they heard the news. Elon Musk, as part of his quarter-billion dollar acquisition of Donald Trump's presidency, had carved out $20.5 million to fund a last-minute super PAC's advertising campaign with a message so farcical it landed like a sick joke. RBG PAC, using the iconic initials of the late U.S. Supreme Court justice who died in 2020, spent Musk's money on digital ads, mailers and text messages telling voters that Ginsburg would have agreed with Trump about abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, the former and future president, appointed three conservative Supreme Court justices who in 2022 helped abolish the constitutional protections for that medical procedure. Ginsburg, who derided Trump as "a faker" during his first campaign for president in 2016, remains a beloved figure of jurisprudence but is not here to dispute Musk's shady attempt to misuse her legacy. That's her granddaughter's job now. Opinion: RBG would never agree with Trump on abortion. Just ask her granddaughter. If Musk is so proud of Trump, why hide behind a PAC? RBG PAC launched, collected and spent Musk's money on a timeline that assured that his role as the only donor would not be disclosed until Thursday's deadline for a federal campaign finance report, 30 days after last month's election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing screams courage and integrity like camouflaging how $20.5 million will be spent in a presidential election until a month after it's over. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, nominated by President Bill Clinton, took her seat in 1993. She served until she passed away at age 87 on Sept. 18, 2020. Clara Spera, Ginsburg's granddaughter, said she and her mother had the same reaction "Oh, that makes sense." when they heard Musk had covertly bankrolled the dishonest political ads. They both also wondered if it would have made any difference if Musk's role had been disclosed from the start. I asked Spera what she would say to Musk about all this. This is what she told me: "If you believe so strongly in Donald Trump, why do you have to mislead and lie to people to get them to vote for him?" she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Biden's pardon sparked a crisis. Democrats say this is his chance to do better. May Mailman, RBG PAC's treasurer and a former Trump White House staffer, wouldn't talk to me about the ad campaign in late October when it launched and did not respond to my requests for comment Friday. When you play shady, you stay in the dark. Musk's PAC funding shows GOP's fear of abortion rights popularity Musk's motivation here is clear. Trump bragged about appointing the justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. But his thinking shifted as abortion became a volatile issue in the election. Trump being Trump, he rewrote his warped version of reality to claim that sending the issue of abortion back to state legislatures to decide on was widely popular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not. But RBG PAC's efforts were all about muddying the message, obscuring the truth. The PAC played on Ginsburg's long-known position that Roe would have been better decided in 1973 using the Constitution's 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause rather than that amendment's implied right to privacy. That didn't change Ginsburg's long and vocal support for abortion access as a constitutionally protected right. Spera said Musk "deceiving people" about her grandmother's position on abortion showed how seriously he and the Trump campaign took the issue. Clara Spera, granddaughter of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is senior counsel at the National Womens Law Center, where she helps lead the Abortion Access Legal Defense Fund. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School. "He's not particularly outspoken about abortion or reproductive rights, generally," said Spera, a Harvard Law School lecturer who also helps lead the Abortion Access Legal Defense Fund. "So it's interesting that this was where he chose to put so much money, demonstrating that he recognized how important reproductive rights were to this election." Musk's shady campaign finance stunts show he can't be trusted on anything RBG PAC is not the only shady service Musk provided for Trump in this election. His political action committee, America PAC, ran what appeared to be a voter registration lottery (with winners who were not chosen at random). He used his purchase of the social media website formerly known as Twitter to convert it into a fever swamp of election misinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another PAC he funded painted Vice President Kamala Harris in social media ads in Michigan as being too close with Israel, but in other ads in Pennsylvania cast her as too sympathetic to Palestinians. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Of course, that's all done now. If you're a voter who got conned by Musk and his shady proxies, there's nothing you can do about it. But you can keep that in mind every single time you hear Musk say anything about any subject anywhere at any time. Trump last month named Musk as co-head of the new "Department of Government Efficiency." So when you hear Musk rant and brag about how much government waste he plans to cut, remember how enthusiastically he spent millions of dollars to mislead you about Ginsburg and Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thinking about buying a Tesla? Why would you believe anything Musk says about his electric car company? He's striving for a driverless car. You'd be wise to keep your hands on the wheel. You might have heard Musk pontificating about populating Mars with his company SpaceX, which has been far more successful at landing fat federal contracts than boldly going where no one has gone before. You can count on Musk misleading you, and using proxies to hide his actions until he can feel free of any consequences. Only a fool would trust anything he says now. Follow USA TODAY elections columnist Chris Brennan on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ByChrisBrennan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Musk secretly funded RBG PAC to lie about abortion for Trump | Opinion Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane out of Damascus on Dec. 8 as rebel forces swept into the capital, two senior army officers told Reuters. The Syrian government has not officially confirmed the claims. Assad's destination is unknown, the officials told Reuters. Rebel forces reportedly entered Damascus in the early hours of Dec. 8, taking over the state TV and radio headquarters to broadcast the end of Assad's regime. Opposition fighters also said they had freed all prisoners at the nearby Sednaya Prison near the capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scenes of chaos unfolded at Damascus Airport as residents attempted to flee the rebel advance. Assad's fall comes less than two weeks after a coalition of rebel forces launched a surprise offensive in late November, seizing major cities across the country. Before the sudden advance, the civil war in Syria had been largely dormant for almost a decade. Opposition forces reportedly encircled Damascus throughout the day on Dec. 7, pushing through the southern communities of Maadamiyah, Jaramana, and Daraya. Rebels on Dec. 7 also captured the strategic city of Homs, cutting Assad off from the Mediterranean coast and key Russian military bases. Assad's office said on Dec. 7 that the president had not fled Damascus, and had ordered the army to reinforce the capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As rebel forces blazed through the country, Russia, one of Assad's key allies, promised to continue aiding the Syrian government. Moscow is doing everything in its power "not to allow terrorists to prevail," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed on Dec. 7. Despite these assurances, Lavrov said he was "not in the business of guessing what is going to happen" in Syria. Russia has targeted Syrian cities with multiple airstrikes in the last week in an effort to push back rebel forces, but more aggressive military support for Assad may be limited by Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Dec. 7 that the speed and scope of the rebel offensive was a result of the current weakness of Assad's allies. Russia is unable to deliver military aid to the Syrian government while its forces stage their own grinding advance in eastern Ukraine, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Satellite imagery suggests that Russia has already withdrawn all vessels from the Tartus Naval Base, Moscow's only naval base in the Mediterranean. Russia has provided military aid to Syria since 2015, committing warplanes, tanks, artillery, and ground troops in an effort to prop up Assad's regime. This military intervention was a major reason Assad was able to capture Aleppo, the nation's second-largest city, in 2016 after hears of fighting. Human rights groups have documented numerous war crimes committed by Russian forces in Syria. Read also: Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russias Middle East clout, may indirectly strengthen Ukraines hand Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian fighter jets were quickly deployed to launch airstrikes against the rebel groups who rose up from northwest Syria a little more than a week ago. But as the rebels swept into Damascus on Sunday morning, the skies across Syria were clear but for a private jet thought to be carrying the president. The Kremlin, it appears, had no plan to save Bashar al-Assad once his soldiers melted away. Instead, it has been quietly withdrawing its own forces from Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, its three frigates, a corvette, a submarine and an auxiliary ship were withdrawn from its port at Tartus under the cover of a naval exercise. Now, Russian military bloggers are reporting that Russias warplanes based 75 miles north at the Khmeimim air base are also being withdrawn. Were leaving, said Fighterbomber, a Russian military blogger with close connections to Russias Air Force. The upper headquarters have effectively stopped military operations and are negotiating corridors. Hanna Notte, senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, called it an embarrassing failure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, Russia has always blamed blunders and embarrassments on Ukraine and its Western supporters, she said. It can try to do the same with Assads fall but the rhetorical gymnastics wont work. It cannot distract from this being a defeat. Putin, alongside Iran, had been Assads biggest backer, effectively turning Syria into a Russian vassal state. Only in July, Putin had welcomed Assad to the Kremlin saying that he was delighted to host his guest, considered a global pariah for slaughtering thousands of men, women and children. The two men shook hands and smiled warmly at each other with Putin clearly enjoying Assad acting as the servile regional leader who had come to pay his respects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin came to Assads rescue in 2015, first launching massive air strikes against rebels, then sending Wagner mercenaries to back up Assads military and finally ordering regular Russian soldiers to deploy to Syria. Syrians out on the streets of Damascus as the Assad regime falls - Mohammed Nammoor/Anadolu via Getty Images But with the rebels lightning-fast capture of Aleppo, Hama, Homs and now Damascus in the past couple of weeks and the collapse of Assads army, the Kremlin appears to have decided that it had seen enough. Various think tanks have estimated that Putin has been spending 2 million every day keeping his military in Syria. Several hundred Russian mercenaries and soldiers have also been killed in Syria but the war in Ukraine is now Putins priority and he may have ordered that not a single missile or warplane could be spared to defend Assad. Donald Trump, the in-coming US president, appeared to catch the sentiment of the Kremlins shifting strategy towards Syria when he wrote in a Tweet that Assads protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin propagandists have appeared stunned but determined to shape the narrative around the collapse of Assads regime. Head of a statue of Hafez al-Assad, father of Bashar al-Assad, gets a shoeing - Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images Russian news bulletins have blamed the collapse on a wider Western plot to undermine Russia. They have also stopped describing Syrian rebels as terrorists, instead calling them armed formations a sign that the Kremlin has accepted their victory and is preparing to negotiate. Vladimir Solovyov, the face of a major daily Kremlin propaganda news show, blamed chaotic Anglo-Saxon policies for Assads collapse but the usually unflappable Margarita Simonyan, head of a swathe of Kremlin media groups, appeared shocked. Militants in Damascus. TV centre captured. Criminals released from prison. Airport not working. What a gloomy morning, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Kremlin and its propagandists spin the collapse of Assads regime, it will have major implications for the Kremlins strategies in the Middle East and also in Africa. The Russian air base at Khmeimim was both a prestige piece of military real estate for the Kremlin in the Middle East and an important force projection point that housed sophisticated Russian fighter jets. The Russian air base at Khmeimim, southeast of the city of Latakia - Planet Labs/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the Tartus naval base, the Kremlin has understood its strategic importance since 1971 when it was originally built by the Soviet Union. Putin ordered it to be strengthened in 2012 and again after his 2015 intervention in Syria. It became Russias only reliable naval repair and replenishment centre on the Mediterranean Sea, vital for the Kremlin to operate at long range. And this was critical for Putins plans in Africa. From Tartus, he could supply his forces in Libya and West Africa, where Russia has been challenging the West, with weapons and other kit. Mark Galeotti, an honorary professor of Russian studies at UCL, said on his weekly podcast In Moscows Shadows that abandoning the Tartus naval base would have serious knock-on effects for Russias operations in Africa. And the collapse of the Assad regime may also have deeper implications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prof Galeotti said that the Russian system was far more inflexible now than it was before Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more vulnerable to hard-to-predict black swan events. What we are seeing in Syria is absolutely the flapping of the black swans wings, he said. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham called for orderly transition - AREF TAMMAWI/AFP via Getty Images This is a sentiment already being picked up by Ukrainian commentators. They used the collapse of the Assad regime to mock Putin. Kira Rudik, a Ukrainian MP, said: First, regimes fall very slowly, and nobody believes they are collapsing. And then, regimes fall fast. But analysts also warned that the shock of the rapid collapse of Assads regime may also impact the prospects for peace in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Encouraged by Mr Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky has said that a negotiated deal with Russia may be the best way to end the war, but the collapse of Assads regime may harden Putins still-uncompromising position. Tatiana Stanovaya, a Russia analyst, said that Putin had been shaken by the collapse of Assad and would now be less inclined to demonstrate flexibility in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has, to some extent, cost him Syria, she said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday attended the first-ever reunion seminar of the chiefs of Assam Police at the Director General of Police (DGP) Office at Ulubari. It may be noted that the reunion seminar of IPS officers of Assam segment is an opportunity for police officers who have worked as DGP Assam, DGP Meghalaya, head of CAPFs. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma said that the first-ever reunion seminar of Assam Police Chiefs is a unique opportunity for serving police personnel to learn from the invaluable experiences of those who served and built a world-class police force for a secured Assam. CM Sarma said that the seminar is not just a formal gathering; it is a profound tribute to the invaluable contributions, which have not only shaped the identity and achievements of the Assam Police but also contributed immensely to the security and unity of India. Chief Minister Sarma said that the seminar is an extraordinary platform where serving officers, currently carrying the mantle of law enforcement, can engage with and learn from the vanguards, who have walked this challenging path before them. He said that the former chiefs faced immense odds, dealt with multifaceted crises, and upheld the dignity of their profession with unmatched integrity and grit. "As we stand together today, we celebrate not only the illustrious legacy of the former chiefs but also their continuing influence on the law enforcement and security fabric of our state and country. This gathering is a timely moment to reflect on our past achievements, draw lessons from the experiences of our stalwarts, and collectively chart a roadmap for the future," CM Sarma said. "This platform is an opportunity to renew our commitment to uphold the rule of law, protect our borders, and secure a brighter and safer tomorrow for generations to come," the Assam Chief Minister Sarma said. Appreciating the role of the former DGPs, Chief Minister Sarma said that the DGPs, who led the force during some of the most turbulent periods in history, cannot be overstated. "Their vision, leadership, and resilience have been instrumental in guiding the Assam Police through times of uncertainty and crisis. The former chiefs of Assam Police laid the foundation for a robust law enforcement apparatus that could withstand and overcome the adversities it faced," Chief Minister Sarma added. "The impact of militancy have left a deep imprint on the brave police personnel who also bore the brunt, often facing life-threatening situations while striving to restore peace and order. Despite these adversities, the Assam Police displayed unparalleled resilience and unwavering commitment to their duties. They remained steadfast against anti-social elements, safeguarding the state from all crisis," Chief Minister Sarma said. CM Sarma also observed that the conferment of the prestigious President's Medal on the Assam Police in 2022 is a testament to the force's excellence in crime control, counterterrorism, and maintaining public order. "This honour underscores the unwavering dedication and professional acumen of the Assam Police, whose efforts have instilled confidence among the people and set new benchmarks for law enforcement agencies across the country," CM Sarma said. "Assam today is fast moving on a golden path of peace and development, and to a great extent, it is to the courage, innovation, and perseverance of the police force. The DGPs who have served in Assam, Meghalaya, and at the helm of national-level organizations like the Intelligence Bureau, Cabinet Secretariat, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, NSG, and SVP National Police Academy have left an indelible mark on the law enforcement landscape," CM Sarma said. "The seminar has provided a rare and invaluable opportunity for serving officers to learn directly from these stalwarts. Their experiences, insights, and strategic acumen are a treasure trove of knowledge that can guide the Assam Police as it navigates the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century," CM Sarma said. Chief Minister Sarma said that the State government has taken a series of steps to technologically empower Assam police to enable them to deal with the new age crimes and their manifestations. He said that the Assam police personnel are being given training in forensic science to deal with complicated cases. DGP Assam GP Singh, Special DGP Harmeet Singh and a host of other senior officers were present on the occasion. (ANI) Dutch rescue workers continued on Sunday to search for victims from a blast in an apartment block in The Hague that has claimed at least five lives. Work to pump out the three-storey block's basement began early on Sunday. The fire services said that work had gone on through the night following the pre-dawn blast on Saturday. Authorities could not say whether more victims were likely to be found in the rubble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither police nor the fire services were able to provide information on the cause of the blast. The main explosion is reported to have been preceded by a smaller blast. The building burst into flames and five apartments were destroyed. Four injured people were rescued shortly after the blast, and over the course of Saturday, five bodies and one survivor were found. Police in The Hague said they were looking for information on a car that left the scene at speed immediately after the explosion. Explosions have occurred repeatedly in the Netherlands over recent years, with the blasts attributed to conflict in the criminal underworld. Homes, businesses and cars have been the target, with explosives placed in entrances or in front of buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blasts tend to cause material damage, while injuries are rare. Police have also repeatedly found illegal fireworks stored in people's homes. Increasing restrictions in the Netherlands have led to the purchase of fireworks in countries where the laws are less strict. Lighting fireworks over New Year remains popular. An explosion in a Rotterdam residential complex at the beginning of the year claimed three lives. The blast was linked to an illegal drugs laboratory. SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) We begin with keeping the memory of local heroes alive. Friday marks 83 years since Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The deadly attack prompted the U.S. To enter World War II. A plaque stands in Scrantons Courthouse Square. It was mounted and unveiled for the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. What we did not anticipate was the vast number of people that we would uncover that actually served in the military, at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, said Charlie Spano chairman of the 9/11 Memorial Committee of Lackawanna County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stuff the Bus for kids in need More than 150 names have been added to the plaque. It is why the 9/11 Memorial Committee of Lackawanna County hosts their annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony every year. What they did, their contributions to this country after the war are what made the country grow and become great. We are the beneficiaries of the sacrifice of their life. We must never ever forget that, stated Spano. This year over a dozen came out to attend. One of those people is Maria Szymanski. Her late father John Greco of Old Forge is honored on the plaque. She says as the years go by, remembering the day becomes that much more important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its important for future generations to realize the importance of the impact it has on us today, added Szymanski. A date that will live on in infamy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Donald Trump is back on the world stage as global crises, including the upheaval in Syria, unfold. Rep. Eric Swalwell joins The Weekend to share why he fears the president-elect will lose focus on the needs of the American people. CHICAGO Mayor Brandon Johnson is now trying to help balance the City of Chicago budget by installing more speed cameras throughout the city, according to a Chicago Tribune report. That was one of several ideas the mayor pitched to the City Council on Friday in an effort to reach a compromise on the city budget for 2025 by the end of this month. The City Council has until the end of the year to approve a budget for next year. READ MORE: Mayors latest budget package includes $68M property tax increase Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing alders familiar with Johnsons latest budget proposal, the Tribune reports that the new speed cameras would ticket Chicago drivers to raise about $11 million next year in order to pay for Chicago Police Department positions. According to the report, the city must cover the cost of restoring 162 CPD vacancies, which is necessary to comply with federal consent decree. That adds $11.65 million to the budget deficit, the report says. The Johnson administration is thus proposing to install $2.64 million worth of new speed cameras, which it estimates will generate $11.43 million toward covering the cost of restoring those CPD vacancies, according to the report. READ MORE: Deeply concerned: Mayors budget risks compliance with CPD consent decree Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another $2.86 million would be generated via accounting in the police budget, the report says. According to the report, the City of Chicago currently has more than 100 speed cameras, which issue tickets to cars driving 6 miles per hour or more over the speed limit. Johnson and his administration are trying to find ways to shore up a $340 million budget shortfall for 2025. Last month, the citys 50 alders unanimously rejected the $300 million property tax increase the mayor had proposed when he unveiled his $17.3 billion city budget proposal in October. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Multiple media outlets reported Saturday night, early Sunday local time, that rebels took control of Damascus in Syria, apparently toppling the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Rebel groups declared they captured the capital of Syria after taking control of Homs and other parts of Western Syria on Saturday, according to The New York Times. The White House released a statement late Saturday that said, President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he would hand power over, as al-Assads whereabouts were unknown, The Wall Street Journal reported. We are ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people, he said in a recorded speech distributed to the media. I hope all Syrians think rationally about the interests of their country, al-Jalali said in a video, according to WSJ. A civil war has raged in Syria for more than 13 years, starting in March 2011. It was put down by al-Assad, at times brutally, as he relied on allies Russia and Iran for help and support. But The Wall Street Journal reported both Russia and Iran signaled to al-Assad in recent days that they wont intervene in the most recent fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are several rebel groups fighting the al-Assad regime in Syria. The group that led the capture of Damascus was the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and other countries, according to the BBC. Other rebel groups, according to CNN, include the Syrian National Army, the National Liberation Front, the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, and the Syrian Democratic Forces, which reportedly has ties to Kurdish groups. U.S. President Joe Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan was in California on Saturday at the Reagan National Defense Forum. He told the audience, The United States is not going to ... militarily dive into the middle of a Syrian civil war, according to CBS News. What we are going to do is focus on the American national security priorities and interests. Included in that is monitoring the actions of the Islamic State in Syria, he said. President-elect Donald Trump put a statement on Truth Social about Syria on Saturday, saying: ... Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! The Lawrence Energy Center in Kansas burns coal for electric power. A federal lawsuit filed by 11 Republican attorneys general claims institutional investors BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street committed antitrust violations to lower supply and increase the cost of coal. (Jill Hummels/Kansas Reflector) Major institutional investors have artificially lowered coal production and raised energy costs for consumers in an effort to lower global carbon emissions, a federal lawsuit claims. Republican attorneys general in 11 states filed a joint lawsuit last month against BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street, claiming the organizations efforts to pressure coal companies to lower carbon emissions and respond to climate change amount to anti-competitive business practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All three companies, the lawsuit says, have acquired significant shares in the largest publicly-traded coal companies to coerce their management. For the past four years, Americas coal producers have been responding not to the price signals of the free market, but to the commands of Larry Fink, BlackRocks chairman and CEO, and his fellow asset managers, the lawsuit says. BlackRock is the worlds largest financial asset manager. The case was in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on behalf of the states of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia and Wyoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case asks the court to find that the companies have violated federal antitrust laws and prohibit them from using their stock holdings in coal companies to limit output. In a statement, State Street called the lawsuit baseless. State Street acts in the long-term financial interests of investors with a focus on enhancing shareholder value, the company said. As long-term capital providers, we have a mutual interest in the long-term success of our portfolio companies. BlackRock, too, called the lawsuit baseless and said it defies common sense. On behalf of our clients, we have billions invested in the energy sector, partnering with states to attract investment into energy infrastructure and helping millions of Americans retire with dignity, the company said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, Fink wrote in a letter to CEOs that climate risk is investment risk and announced efforts to place sustainability at the center of our investment approach. He said companies and investors had a meaningful role to play in the transition from fossil fuels and coal to clean energy. The following year, BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard joined the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, acknowledging an urgent need to accelerate the transition towards global net zero emissions and committing to work to reduce carbon emissions. Black Rock and State Street also signed onto Climate Action 100+, a similar initiative where investors work with companies on improving climate change governance, cutting emissions and strengthening climate-related financial disclosures. Burning coal produces carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas and a significant drive of climate change, scientists say. It also produces sulfur dioxide, particulates and other emissions that can be harmful to human health. Coal made up 19% of energy-related carbon emissions in 2022 and more than half of emissions from electric power companies, according to the Energy Information Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press release, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers office accused the three companies of weaponizing their shares of the coal market. Whether it comes from state or federal governments or the private sector, Hilgers said, the radical climate agenda harms Nebraskans. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey vowed to not stand idly by while these companies hamper energy production and raise prices for Missouri consumers. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokitas office said in a press release that he was taking further action to stop work corporatists and their left-leaning allies in government from driving up energy costs for hardworking Hoosiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coal has been the backbone of Indianas economic success for decades, Rokita said. The demand for electricity has gone up and these (environmental, social and governance) titans are reaping the benefits of these skyrocketed prices by keeping their thumb on production. And Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said she would keep fighting until we take down every cog of the woke machine and protect hardworking families and farmers. While Woke Wall Street lines its own pockets, Bird said, families and farmers are forced to pay the price. This article was first published by the Kansas Reflector, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions: info@kansasreflector.com. Follow Kansas Reflector on Facebook and X. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) Emergency services on Sunday searched for a second day through the debris of an apartment block that was destroyed by an explosion and fire, killing at least five people, but held out little hope of finding any more survivors. The cause of the Saturday morning disaster was unclear. Mayor Jan van Zanen said investigators were looking into all possibilities. Police said they are looking for a car seen leaving the scene in case that helps with the investigation. The fire service said five bodies were found, and five injured people were rescued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, given that the slim chance of survival under whats left of the apartments. However, one person was rescued alive many hours after the explosion. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. One woman told local media that she thought an earthquake had happened. Dutch authorities deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to the scene, with four dogs trained to find victims. The team was previously used during the devastating earthquake in Turkey in 2023. Soon after the explosion, a line of ambulances could be seen waiting nearby in anticipation of more victims. The spokesperson for the local hospital said that they were on standby to deal with injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor called it an extremely heavy day. I had expected a different Saturday, van Zanen told a news conference. Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a statement he was shocked by the images of the disaster. My thoughts go out to the victims, all other people involved and the emergency services who are now working on the scene, he said. The Dutch royal family expressed similar sentiments. Our thoughts are with those affected in The Hague after the explosion and fire this morning, including those who are afraid of the fate of their loved ones, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said in a statement. ___ Associated Press journalists Aleksandar Furtula and Ahmad Seir contributed to this report. KANSAS CITY, Mo. It has been almost a week since more than 20 people were displaced in an apartment fire in Kansas City, Mo. Many of those people lost everything and are rebuilding with only weeks until Christmas. Its right before Christmas, and you dont expect these things to happen, but thats just life; you have to be ready for the unexpected and unpredictable, said Marie Doyle. Its not just me. Its everybody who was in these units. They are all going through the same thing right now. Its really devastating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 8 a.m. on Sunday, December 1, a fire broke out in a building at the Orchard Apartment Complex. No one was injured, but more than 20 people are now left without a home. Splash of Life owner says fire seems suspicious, investigation follows Marie Doyle left her apartment to pick up breakfast. When she returned, she saw flames and started screaming to wake her neighbors. I called 911, and as I saw the fire growing, I was thinking I know someone who lives in that unit right there, and I know she has kids, so Im trying to wake everybody up, and Im screaming going crazy, just hoping someone hears me and she did, and Im glad she did, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KCFD responded to the apartment fire. Firefighters had to rescue multiple people who were trapped inside their units, including Doyles nieces and nephews. I was already outside, but my nieces and nephews were trapped. So my heart was beating outside my chest, Doyle explained. KCFD says that the official cause of the fire has been classified as undetermined. While investigators were able to identify the area of origin, a first-floor balcony, the damage was too significant to identify the exact cause of the fire. The Red Cross was called to assist people impacted. Honestly, I havent really heard much from the apartment complex. The most Ive heard was on Friday, and thats when I was told that everything was deemed as a total loss, Doyle said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victim, suspect identified in shooting, 19-hour standoff south of Eudora Doyle is thankful that she and her family members are safe but says the loss is still devastating. So even if things werent damaged, we wont be able to get back into the building at all. So everythings gone. This is my first apartment. I moved from my moms house straight into it here. Im thankful for life and safety, and thats all that matters, but it still hurts, Doyle said. Just knowing everything is gone and things that my dad and mom gave me, just some things that cant be replaced. Doyles sister set up a GoFundMe to help Marie rebuild after the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra and state LoP Tika Ram Jully welcomed him upon his arrival at Jaipur airport. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to attend the Netrutva Sangam Leadership Training Camp of the party in Jaipur. The camp will be held at Khedapati Balaji Ashram in Jaipur today. Speaking to reporters, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said regular training camps are organised to inform the new generation about Gandhi, the freedom movement, and the Congress party's ideology, principles, and programs. These camps aim to equip the coming generations to do politics ideologically, not personally, he said. "Regular training camps are organised at Sevagram Ashram in Wardha. Camps are also held in different states. Informing the new generation about Gandhi or the freedom movement and training them. As Rahul Gandhi says, our fight in politics is not personal but ideological. So, training camps are being held as per that so that the coming generations can do politics by knowing our party's ideology, principles, programs," Gehlot said. Gehlot added that the Netrutva Sangam Leadership Training Camp of the party, in Jaipur is a revolutionary event and is very much needed in the country. "So, I consider this a revolutionary event. Unfortunately, the democratic values are ending. I think people are scared of the kind of atmosphere that has formed. So, I think such programs are very much needed in the country," Gehlot added. (ANI) AVON LAKE, Ohio (WJW) The final controlled demolition of the old Avon Lake Power Plant is expected to happen in the coming weeks, the city announced Saturday night. Back in July, a scheduled implosion caught by FOX 8 cameras brought down two boilers in one of the buildings at the nearly 100-year-old power plant. The Avon Lake Environmental Redevelopment Group, or ALERG, has set the imposion for the week of Dec. 16 to Dec. 20, according to a news release. The exact date and time have yet to be determined, and will depend on weather conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the implosion, five structures on the former power plant property will be taken down, the release said. Is air quality a concern? According to the release, ALERG has taken steps to protect air quality, as it did during the first implosion. All hazardous materials, including asbestos, have already been removed from the site. Dust suppression measures will be in place and air quality monitoring will be conducted before, during, and after the event. During the July implosion, an environmental study conducted by independent consultant Verdantas found that air quality in the surrounding area remained well within safety standards, according to the release, and showed no significant levels of pollutants, including metals, asbestos fibers, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The full air quality reports can be found on the Citys website. What residents should do ALERG advises city residents to stay indoors during the implosion, close their windows and doors and operate their HVAC systems normally. That will help minimize any possible dust exposure. Road closures Lake Road between Miller Road and Moore Road will be closed for approximately one hour during the implosion, the release said. Further, a 1,700-foot exclusion zone will be established around the site for additional safety building owners, businesses, and residents within the exclusion zone will be notified directly. Communication According to Avon Lake Mayor Mark Spaetzel, residents will be notified the day before the implosion. Additionally, an alert will be sent 30 minutes before the scheduled event through the citys emergency notification system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents are encouraged to sign up for alerts at www.AvonLake.org/Alert, or by calling City Hall at 440-933-6141. Paper forms are also available at Avon Lake City Hall and Avon Lake Public Library. ALERG has established a toll-free hotline for residents with questions or concerns about the demolition: 1-844-822-8385. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Donald Trump has suggested he will not use his second administration to seek revenge against his political enemies, as he declared that retribution will be through success. In his first interview since winning the presidency last month, Mr Trump suggested he would focus on migration and energy policy over lawfare, and said he would call for unity in his inauguration address. The president-elect, 78, has avoided media interviews for the last month and focused on appointments to his second administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But speaking to NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, he said he would not direct the federal government to target congressmen that served on a committee investigating the Jan 6 riots, as many had expected. He described members of the committee, including the former Republican representative Liz Cheney, as political thugs who should go to jail, but said he would instead focus on energy policy. Asked whether the FBI would prosecute Ms Cheney, he replied: No, not at all. I think that theyll have to look at that, but Im not going to. Im going to focus on drill, baby, drill. In a riposte to critics who said he would run a revenge presidency, he said: Im not looking to go back into the past. Retribution will be through success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump will take office on Jan 20, four years after he last occupied the White House, and will become only the second president in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms. On Sunday he said his inauguration speech would offer an optimistic vision for the future and he would not focus on scenes of American carnage, as he did after his first victory in 2016. He said: Were going to have a message that will make you happy unity. Its going to be a message of unity. Basically, its going to be about bringing our country together. Mr Trump said he would call for unity in his inauguration address on Jan 20, in contrast to 2017, when he referred to American carnage - Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA Some of Mr Trumps nominations, which must be confirmed by the Senate, have proved controversial in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt Gaetz, the firebrand Republican representative selected to lead the Department of Justice, withdrew his nomination after opposition from GOP senators on Capitol Hill. Pete Hegseth, Mr Trumps pick to run the Pentagon, is under pressure to drop out after claims of drunkenness while working at Fox News and at least one allegation of sexual misconduct. He denies the claims. During the interview, Mr Trump repeated his threat to leave the Nato alliance if other members did not increase defence spending. He has proposed a spending target of three per cent of GDP an increase of 50 per cent from the current level. His allies have accused some members, including France and Germany, of free-riding on the strength of the US military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think if theyre treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely, Id stay with NATO, he said, adding that he would leave if other members did not pay their bills. The interview was recorded on Friday, prior to a trilateral meeting between Mr Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, in the margins of a ceremony to celebrate the reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris. He said during the interview that Ukraine should probably expect less military support from the US under his second administration, and blamed Joe Biden for Russias invasion in February 2022. Jill Biden and Mr Trump at the Notre-Dame reopening ceremony, where the president-elect held talks with Volodymyr Zelensky - Ludovic Marin/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Mr Trump also called for the ridiculous practice of birthright citizenship to end, in a move that could create tension between his White House and the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birthright citizenship, which grants any person born in the US automatic citizenship rights, is enshrined in the constitution but has become controversial in recent years because of high levels of illegal migration. Mr Trump suggested he could hold an unprecedented vote to remove the 14th amendment and abolish that rule. Maybe we have to go back to the people, but we have to end it, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. At a time when Democratic leaders say President-elect Donald Trump and his MAGA movement threaten democracy, there seems surprisingly little interest in using a hallmark of democracy the right to assemble and protest to defend it. Despite this quiet but tense national lull of protest, the Rev. William Barber II seeks to revive political outrage in North Carolina. Barber, who led a wave of Moral Monday protests against the Republican-controlled General Assembly starting in 2013, says its time to march again. He has called for a mass protest at the State Legislative Building starting at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time, Barber is protesting Senate Bill 382, which seeks to strip powers from Democrats just elected to the posts of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and superintendent of public instruction. Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill, but the state Senate after removing a group of protesters from the gallery overrode the veto. The House appears likely to follow suit. This amounts to a political coup against duly elected government officials. It is an attempt by a supermajority to use that majority to thwart the will of the voters, Barber said. Every North Carolinian that believes in justice and believes in democracy, its time to show up. If Barber hopes to lead a revival of street-level activism among progressives, he will first have to clear the fog of resignation or at least reluctance clouding their ranks. When I asked the North Carolina NAACP what it thought about Barbers call to action, the group said it would have no comment. The North Carolina Association of Educators, which helped organize marches on the State Legislative Building for higher teacher pay in 2018 and 2019, said it did not know enough about Barbers plans to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview on Friday, Barber said reviving Moral Mondays wont be affected by Trumps election and the protest will involve more than progressives. He said, This is about our North Carolina legislature. He said the states high voter turnout, the election of Democrats statewide and the breaking of the Republicans legislative supermajority reflect broad opposition to the legislatures actions. When the voters speak and (Republican lawmakers) dont like it, they try to undo it and that motivates people, Barber said. Noting that Republicans used a hurricane relief bill to strip Democrats of power while shortchanging Hurricane Helene victims in western North Carolina, he said, People are just sick of this foolishness. The turnout for this Moral Monday protest wont matter as much as the message, he said. Were committed to alerting the state that (the legislature) will not do this in the dark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barber, a former pastor in Goldsboro and former head of the North Carolina NAACP, now teaches at Yale Divinity School and serves as co-chair of the Poor Peoples Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival. His rhetorical power and national reputation are stronger than ever, but that may not be enough to stir the kind of protests that drew national attention to North Carolinas reactionary legislature during the Moral Monday protests. In those days, Moral Monday protesters demands included calls for Medicaid expansion, more support for public schools, and an end to gerrymandering and laws aimed at voter suppression. Over time, nearly 1,000 protesters, including Barber, were arrested at the Legislative Building on trespassing and other charges. Some hope that Barber can again bring change by rallying a wide range of people angry about the legislatures latest high-handed and anti-democratic actions. This time it could be even more effective, said Douglas Wilson, a Democratic strategist based in Charlotte. This is not about tax cuts. This is about stripping powers. The Moral Monday protests will highlight those things and I think voters will say, Wait a minute, this isnt what we voted for. Associate opinion editor Ned Barnett can be reached at 919-404-7583, or nbarnett@ newsobserver.com DENVER (KDVR) A reverse 911, or CodeRED alert, was sent out to people in an area of Commerce City Saturday afternoon as authorities worked to apprehend a suspect. The Commerce City Police Department said a SWAT operation is underway near the 7300 block of Oneida Drive. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox We are working to apprehend a suspect involved in a violent felony last night, CCPD said in a post on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police did not specify the crime that the suspect was allegedly involved in. Police ask people in the area to give them some space while the operation is underway. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Major-General Richard Secord, who has died aged 92, was a highly decorated US Air Force bomber pilot who worked with the CIA organising covert operations, directing the only successful rescue of prisoners during the war in Indo-China. He achieved notoriety a decade later when, having left the military, he was exposed as the logistical middleman in the Iran-Contra scandal that tarnished Ronald Reagans administration. Secord had worked with his friend Lt Col Oliver North, deputy military affairs director for Reagans National Security Council, to sell arms illegally to Iran and use the profits to arm rebels (or Contras) fighting Nicaraguas Leftist government. After journalists and federal investigators uncovered threads of the operation, Congress held hearings in 1987 that exposed a clandestine foreign policy pursued by Reagan appointees including Vice Adml John Poindexter, the presidents national security adviser, and the CIA director William Casey. Over several years, $47 million was raised from the sales to Iran, with some of it used, contravening a congressional directive, to send arms, medicine and other goods to the Contras. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iran-Contra independent counsel Lawrence Walsh concluded that Secord had received at least $2 million from his involvement, and had lied about it to Congress. Prosecutors also reckoned him to be a silent partner of Edwin Wilson, a renegade CIA operative jailed for selling tons of plastic explosive to Libyas Col Gaddafi. Secord testified over four days that, on Norths orders, he had arranged the shipments to Iran and deliveries to the Nicaraguan rebels. The Enterprise had secret Swiss bank accounts and its own aircraft, pilots, airfields, communications and a ship. Only $3.5 million of the estimated $12 million in profits from the Iran arms sales went to the Contras, Secord said; $3 million paid for the deliveries to Iran while $1 million purchased the ship. Millions were earmarked for commissions though he denied having received any himself. Millions more were unaccounted for. Secord being advised by his attorney in front of the joint Congressional investigation, 1987 - Bettmann Secord had been Americas highest-ranking officer in Iran, in support of the Shah, but was ready to arm the ayatollahs who had overthrown him. He had obtained supplies for the Contras with help from the CIA and the State Department; he had met the CIA director Casey several times; and he understood that Reagan and Vice-President George Bush both knew that proceeds from the Iranian sales were being diverted to the Nicaraguan rebels. He insisted he had been doing the Reagan administrations bidding, acting as a patriot in what he believed to be a righteous cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North, who had been dismissed from the NSC, testified that he did not know if Reagan knew of the transactions, but said that Casey, who had recently died, had approved them. Reagan and Bush denied any knowledge of the affair, but some mud stuck. Poindexter, North, Secord and Hakim were indicted on charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States. Secord was charged with 12 felonies, but in 1989 agreed to plead guilty to one count of lying to Congress about illegal gifts he had provided to North. He was placed on probation for two years, and later his guilty plea was overturned. Nobody went to jail. Reviewing Secords memoir Honored and Betrayed (1992), Joel Brinkley wrote in The New York Times: The lesson he has taken from the entire experience seems to be No good deed goes unpunished. Richard Vernon Secord was born at LaRue, Ohio, on July 6 1932, the eldest son of Lowell Secord, a welder, and his wife Wahnetta. He joined the USAF, earning his wings in 1956, and served as a flight instructor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 1962 to 1965, Secord flew 285 combat missions in Vietnam. Graduating from Staff College in 1966 and transferred to Thailand, he was detailed to the CIAs Secret War in Laos. On January 7 1967, he directed the wars only successful PoW rescue, the Ban Naden raid. A team of the CIAs hill-tribe mercenaries took the guards by surprise, killing about 40. Nine Air America helicopters landed on the Ho Chi Minh Trail and rescued 53 prisoners all Asian, mainly Laotian, and twice the number expected. Secord also organised the defence of Lima Site 85, an installation close to Laoss border with North Vietnam whose radar beam American aircraft could follow to Hanoi and drop their bombs regardless of the weather. It was surrounded by North Vietnamese forces, so he requested a deployment of Green Berets, or personal weapons for its technicians. Ambassador William Sullivan, who supervised the war in Laos, overruled Secord, so he insubordinately issued them with small arms. When the site was overrun, he had to be talked out of resigning his commission. Secord speaking to the press in 1990 after he was sentenced to two years probation - Bettmann In 1969 he took command of a squadron adapting aircraft for counter-insurgency, then spent a year at the Naval War College. Next he became the Pentagons desk officer for Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. He worked up plans for the Christmas 1972 bombing campaign that the Nixon administration would argue had forced North Vietnam back to the negotiating table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secord had his first experiences of Iran between 1963 and 1965, as an adviser to the Imperial Iranian Air Force. He returned in 1975 a brigadier-general, heading Americas Military Assistance Advisory Group and being chief advisor to the head of the Iranian Air Force. After Sullivan was appointed ambassador in Tehran, Secord clashed with him, and returned to Washington in 1978 to be the USAFs director of international programmes. His official biography says he was the ranking USAF officer for the failed attempt in April 1980 to extract the US diplomats held hostage by the Islamic revolution. Secord denied this, but confirmed his involvement with a planned second rescue obviated by the hostages release. From 1981 to 1983, he was Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. He retired from the Air Force in 1983 after allegations of improper dealings with Edwin Wilson. He faced no charges, and was bitter that the Reagan administration let him run up legal bills of $22,000 despite his having given evidence against the rogue CIA operative. As a civilian, Secord went into business with Hakim. After being sentenced over The Enterprise, he launched a libel suit against the authors and publisher of Out of Control: The story of the Reagan administrations secret war in Nicaragua, the illegal pipeline, and the Contra drug connection (1987). The court dismissed the case, saying he had not shown they had malicious intent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1992, Secord and another retired general visited the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, offering to train its special forces. In 1996 he joined a company making diagnostic medical equipment; becoming its president and chief operating officer in 2002, he stood down in 2005. Richard Secord married Jo Ann Gibson in 1961; she died last January. He is survived by their three children. Richard Secord, born July 6 1932, died October 15 2024 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. RIVIERA BEACH A candidate for mayor of Riviera Beach says Councilman Tradrick McCoy assaulted him Friday morning at a barbershop. Kendrick Wyly told The Palm Beach Post that McCoy angrily approached him and pulled him up from his seat in the barber's chair as he was getting a haircut. Wyly said he called Riviera Beach Police and wants McCoy, who has served on the Riviera Beach City Council since 2019, to be charged with assault. Multiple sources have told The Post that there was some type of altercation involving McCoy at the barbershop. The councilman did not respond to an email seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokeswoman for the Palm Beach County's Sheriff's Office, whom Wyly said the Riviera Beach Police Department asked to investigate because the incident involved two political figures in the city, said she would search for any reports connected to it. Riviera Beach Police Chief Michael Coleman confirmed that the sheriff's office took a complaint on the incident. "My rule of thumb is whenever a politician is involved in an incident, I have PBSO take the complaint," Coleman said. A manager at the barbershop, Imperial Cuts 2 Barbershop at 2725 Broadway in Riviera Beach, said he heard that there was an incident at the shop. But because he was not there at the time, he said he could not comment on what took place. McCoy, Riviera Beach Mayor Ronnie Felder and a City Council candidate have filed suit against Riviera Beach and Palm Beach County Elections Supervisor Wendy Sartory Link, alleging that Wyly and several candidates for City Council improperly paid their campaign filing fee with a campaign debit card instead of with a campaign bank check. The suit, filed in November in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, is scheduled to be heard Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the suit is successful, those who paid the filing fee with a debit card could be disqualified and barred from seeking office in March. Wyly said he was seated in the barber's chair Friday morning around 9 a.m. when McCoy walked into the shop. "I said, 'How ya doing, McCoy?'" Wyly said. "You're killing me with all of this stuff," Wyly said he added, referring to the suit. McCoy immediately became angry, Wyly said. "He just went off," Wyly said. "I thought he was playing at first until he grabbed me and pulled me out of the chair. He just went off and just grabbed me for no reason." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that point, Wyly said, a barber intervened and asked McCoy to leave out of the back of the shop. "He said, 'No, I'm going to leave through the front door,'" Wyly said. Wyly said he told the barber he was calling the police. "He grabbed me, touched me," he said he told the barber. "I'm calling the police." Riviera Beach police arrived, and Wyly said he conveyed what happened. "I told them I wanted to press charges because he assaulted me," Wyly said. Because the incident involves two political figures, Wyly said police told him they were referring it to the sheriff's office. "I'm waiting for them to get back to me on their investigation," Wyly said. Riviera Beach mayoral candidate Kendrick Wyly During McCoy's five years on the City Council, he has been involved in numerous incidents that have raised questions about his temperament and temper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, McCoy and a former city employee engaged in a heated, profane argument that was captured by police body camera footage. The edited body camera footage showed McCoy relaying to police what he said he told Ricky Sapp, the former employee. In angry and profane terms, McCoy told a police officer his $19,000-per-year pay as a councilman isn't enough to prevent him from responding to the former employee, who was hired after he had served 15 years in prison for second-degree murder. "I said, 'Man, who the f- do you think you're talking to?'" McCoy says on the footage. "That's exactly what I did. This is a $19,000-a-year job, man. I don't f-ing play, man. I said, 'Let me go into the building right now.'" In January, McCoy and a fellow councilman, Douglas Lawson, had a physical altercation after a contentious meeting. Coleman referred the incident to the sheriff's office, which investigated and found probable cause to charge both men with simple battery, a misdemeanor. The sheriff's office gave the councilmen the option of both facing the battery charge or having the case dropped. They opted to have the case dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following month, McCoy's colleagues voted to ask Gov. Ron DeSantis to suspend or remove McCoy, citing what they described as the councilman's increasingly angry and potentially dangerous behavior. "Something has to be done, and it has to be done tonight," Councilwoman Shirley Lanier said. Lanier described numerous instances of being verbally assaulted by McCoy, including a 2021 closed meeting where she said her colleague told her to "shut the f- up." "In November of 2021, during a meeting with other council members, Councilman McCoy began verbally attacking me, telling me to "shut the f- up," Lanier said as she read from a prepared statement. "According to the police reports that I filed, Lanier describes McCoy as being loud and aggressive. McCoy continued saying 'shut the f- up. Do not say one more word.' When she continued to tell McCoy, 'You're not talking to me that way,' he stated, 'What the f- are you going to do? What are you going to do? Shut up.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilwoman KaShamba Miller-Anderson said she and former Councilwoman Julia Botel witnessed McCoy berating Lanier. "I have never had a negative personal experience with Mr. McCoy, but I have certainly witnessed some," she said. "The incident that occurred during our closed executive session with Mr. McCoy and Ms. Lanier, Dr. Botel and I had to step in between the two. Everything (Lanier) just said is exactly how it went. I've never experienced that at a professional location." Miller-Anderson added: "When the situation occurred ..., it just appears that it is escalating. I don't like the way it's moving in a very dangerous direction. We cannot just sit here and act like nothing has happened. (McCoy) is a smart guy. He's a funny guy. But that does not excuse the behavior." DeSantis did not suspend McCoy, and no charges have been filed against him. Wyly said that may be why the councilman continues to behave in a way that is unbecoming of an elected official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's doing all of this stuff and getting away with it," Wyly said. "For him to be one of the faces of the city and to be acting this way, it's not right. This has to stop. It's not right." Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Riviera mayoral candidate alleges assault by Councilman McCoy A man was killed Saturday afternoon during a struggle over his gun after he tried to rob someone in the New City neighborhood on the South Side, according to Chicago police. A 43-year-old man was outside working in the 1500 block of West Garfield Boulevard just before 3 p.m. when a man approached him and pulled out a gun, demanding his property, police said. There was then a struggle over the gun, and the alleged armed robber sustained a gunshot wound to his torso. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition but later died. His identity hasnt yet been released. Police said no one is in custody and that they were investigating the shooting. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Winnebago County Sheriffs Deputies arrested Casey King, 22, for allegedly having a handgun in her purse without a FOID among other charges. On December 5, around 8 p.m., deputies saw a Silver Honda with windows tinted above the legal limit, according to court documents. Officials pulled the driver over near Broadway and 17th Street. When authorities approached the vehicle, they could smell raw cannabis from the vehicle, reports said. King told officials she had a handgun in her purse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials searched the purse and found a Glock 45 with a full magazine and a flashlight attached, according to police. When authorities asked why she had the firearm if she did not have a FOID or concealed carry license, King told them it was because she was in Rockford with her child, according to court records. King is charged with having windows tinted above the legal limit and aggravated unlawful use of a loaded firearm while in a vehicle. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has been awarded a $590 million follow-on production contract from the U.S. Navy for the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system. NGJ-MB is a cooperative development and production program with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The contract includes delivery of shipsets, support equipment, spares and non-recurring engineering support. NGJ-MB is a revolutionary offensive electronic attack system for the joint force that puts a critical combat capability in the hands of our Navy warfighters, said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. Were working with the U.S. Navy to ensure NGJ-MB provides the advanced electronic warfare solution needed as quickly as possible. About NGJ (according to the NAVAIR website) Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) is the next step in Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA). It needed to meet advanced and emerging electronic warfare (EW) threats and provide continuous expansion of the AEA mission area. NGJ is an evolutionary acquisition program providing capability in three increments: Mid-Band, Low Band, and High Band frequencies. Using the latest digital software and Active Electronically Scanned Array technologies, NGJ provides enhanced AEA capabilities to disrupt, deny, and degrade enemy air defense and ground communication systems. It brings increased power and jamming capability at longer ranges. Additionally, the system allows for rapid hardware and software updates to counter improving and evolving threat capabilities. NGJ will augment, and ultimately replace, the legacy ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System that is currently used on the EA-18G Growler aircraft. NGJ will be a game-changer for the warfighter and EW community. AN/ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB): As an external carriage AEA capability for the EA-18G Growler, NGJ-MB focuses on the middle frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. The system comprises two pods per shipset, as well as small hardware and software modifications to the EA-18G Growler aircraft to enable carriage, communication, and employment. NGJ-MB achieved Milestone C in 2021, allowing the program to enter the Production and Deployment acquisition phase. The Low Rate Initial Production III contract was awarded in March 2023, and the first production pods were delivered to the fleet in July 2023. NGJ-MB program is a joint cooperative program between the U.S. Department of Defense and the Australian Department of Defence. Next Generation Jammer Low Band (NGJ-LB): As an external carriage AEA capability for the EA-18G Growler, NGJ-LB will use the latest digital and software-based technologies that address advanced and emerging threats in the lower frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. NGJ-LB is currently in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development acquisition phase and is a joint cooperative program between the U.S. Department of Defense and the Australian Department of Defence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Navy and RAAF will employ NGJ-MB on the EA-18G GROWLER to target advanced radar threats, communications, data links and non-traditional radio frequency threats. The system reduces adversary targeting ranges, disrupts adversary kill chains and supports kinetic weapons to target. NGJ-MB allows naval crews to operate effectively at extended ranges and attack multiple targets simultaneously with advanced techniques. Work under this contract will take place in McKinney, Texas; Forest, Mississippi; El Segundo, California; and Fort Wayne, Indiana through 2028. About Raytheon Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading provider of defense solutions to help the U.S. government, our allies and partners defend their national sovereignty and ensure their security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics and missile defense across land, air, sea and space. About RTX With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Taking on X social media, Scindia lauded the talented artists and models from the North-east. He also commended the fashion show that showcased the vibrant styles of Northeast India. "Truly a celebration of culture and creativity! Had an amazing time at the fashion show showcasing the vibrant styles of Northeast India! Each state was beautifully represented by talented artists and models. Honoured to be part of the event with my colleague @DrSukantaBJP," he posted on X. The first-ever Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav aims to offer a dynamic stage for showcasing Northeast India's vibrant textile sector, tourism opportunities, traditional craftsmanship, and distinctive Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products. It will serve as a celebration of the region's cultural wealth while focusing on its strategic importance in India's future development. The festival has been conceptualized as an annual event that will continue to honour the diversity and cultural richness of Northeast India, propelling the region towards further economic advancement. To promote economic opportunities in areas such as traditional handicrafts, handlooms, agricultural products, and tourism, the Mahotsav will feature a variety of events. The festival will have artisan exhibitions, Grameen haats, state-specific pavilions and technical sessions on key areas crucial to the development of the northeastern region. The festival has artisan exhibitions, 'Grameen haats', state-specific pavilions, and technical sessions on key areas crucial to the development of the Northeastern region. Highlighting the region's rich cultural heritage, the festival will also showcase vibrant musical performances and indigenous cuisines of Northeast India. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day 'Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav' at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. The event, being organized from December 6 to 8, celebrates Northeast India's vibrant culture. It aims to offer a dynamic stage for showcasing the region's textile sector, traditional craftsmanship, tourism potential, and unique Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products. (ANI) An earthquake has hit a tremor-prone area of South Carolina once again, the second this week. A 2.09 magnitude earthquake was recorded Saturday morning around 5:30 a.m. in Charleston County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was about 11 kilometers from the town of Centerville, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said. No injuries or damage have been reported. The tremors marked the twenty-ninth confirmed earthquake in South Carolina so far this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The past three confirmed earthquakes in South Carolina have happened in the Lowcountry. Another small quake was recorded in the Centerville area as recent as Nov. 20. At least 28 quakes were recorded in South Carolina in 2023, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. The state previously averaged about six to 10 annually, according to the S.C. Geological Survey. Earthquakes under a 2.5 magnitude often go unnoticed. But anyone who felt shaking or heard rumbling can report it to the USGS. Though the frequency of these minor earthquakes may alarm some, we do not expect a significantly damaging earthquake in South Carolina at this time, even though we know our state had them decades ago, South Carolina EMD Director Kim Stenson previously said in a news release. By Andrew Osborn and Maxim Rodionov (Reuters) -Syria's former President Bashar al-Assad is in Moscow with his family after Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies on Sunday, and a deal has been done to ensure the safety of Russian military bases. Russia's Foreign Ministry said earlier that Assad had left Syria and given orders for a peaceful transfer of power, after rebel fighters raced into Damascus unopposed on Sunday, ending nearly six decades of his family's iron-fisted rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Syrian President Assad of Syria and members of his family have arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds," the privately-owned Interfax news agency and state media quoted the unnamed Kremlin source as saying. Interfax cited the same Kremlin source as saying Russia favoured a political solution to the crisis in Syria, where Moscow supported Assad during the long civil war. The source said negotiations should be resumed under the auspices of the United Nations. Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's ambassador to international organisations in Vienna, said on his Telegram messaging channel: "Breaking news! Bashar al-Assad and his family in Moscow. Russia does not betray friends in difficult situations." Syrian opposition leaders had agreed to guarantee the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria, the source told news agencies. But some Russian war bloggers said the situation around the bases was extremely tense and the source did not say how long the security guarantee lasted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow, a staunch backer of Assad whom it intervened to help in 2015 in its biggest Middle East foray since the Soviet collapse, is scrambling to salvage its position. Its geopolitical clout in the wider region and two strategically-important military bases in Syria are on the line. A deal to secure Russia's Hmeimim air base in Syria's Latakia province and its naval facility at Tartous on the coast would come as a relief to Moscow. The Tartous facility is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa. Losing Tartous would be a serious blow to Russia's ability to project power in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa, say Western military analysts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MILITARY PRESENCE IN DOUBT Influential Russian war blogger "Rybar", who is close to the Russian Defence Ministry and has over 1.3 million followers on his Telegram channel, said the situation around the bases was a serious cause for concern whatever Moscow's official line. "Russia's military presence in the Middle East region hangs by a thread," Rybar said. "What anyone decided in high offices is absolutely irrelevant on the ground," he added, suggesting Russian forces at the bases had not taken the initiative to defend their positions in the absence of orders from Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian warships had left Tartous and taken up position off the coast for security reasons, the Hmeimim airbase had effectively been cut off after rebels took control of a nearby town, Kurdish forces had started to block Russian facilities beyond the Euphrates, and Russian positions at an oil facility in Homs had been blocked, Rybar said. Reuters could not independently confirm Rybar's assertions. Earlier on Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two military facilities had been put on a state of high alert, but played down any immediate risk. "There is currently no serious threat to their security," the ministry said as it announced Assad's departure from office and from Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power," it added, saying Russia did not participate in those negotiations. The Foreign Ministry said Moscow was alarmed by events in Syria. "We urge all parties involved to refrain from the use of violence and to resolve all issues of governance through political means," its statement said. "In that regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition." (Reporting by Andrew Osborn, Maxim Rodionov, Felix Light, Ron Popeski and Lidia Kelly;Editing by Helen Popper and Diane Craft) The Russians are withdrawing ships from the Tartus port in Syria and transferring weaponry from the Khmeimim Air Base by air. Source: Ukraines Defence Intelligence on Telegram Quote: "After losing control of Damascus in the face of the continuation of the opposition forces' offensive operation in the provinces of Latakia, Hama, and Tartus, the Russian army withdrew its warships from the naval base in Tartus, which Assad [the deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ed.] had previously given to Moscow as payment for security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On 8 December 2024, the Admiral Grigorovich frigate of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Inzhener Trubin cargo ship of the Russian Northern Fleet departed from Tartus and headed to the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, the Russians are transferring remnants of their weapons and military equipment from Syria's Khmeimim airfield." Details: As noted by Ukraines Defence Intelligence, after the capture of Damascus, the forces opposed to Assad are moving to the coast. "Russia's likely loss of military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim finalizes the Kremlin's defeat in the Middle East," the report said. Background: On the morning of 8 December, the Syrian insurgents announced that they had captured the Syrian capital, Damascus. The country's President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have fled. There is a "very high probability" that Assad could have been killed in a plane crash on the same day, the media reported. Russia claims that, supposedly as a result of conversations with the rebels, Bashar al-Assad chose to step down as president and leave the country, issuing instructions to transfer authority peacefully. Support UP or become our patron! Russia has begun withdrawing its naval and military assets from Syria amid the collapse of Syria President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) said in a post on Telegram on Dec. 8. The withdrawal comes as rebels advancing from Damascus push toward Syria's coastal provinces, including Latakia, Hama and Tartus, where Russian military bases are located, HUR wrote in its post. HUR said the Russian army withdrew two ships, the frigate "Admiral Grygorovych" and the cargo ship "Inzhenier Trubin," from the Tartus Naval Base, which was under Russian control as part of a security arrangement with the Assad regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Russian military planes are transferring weapons and equipment from the Khmeimim Air Base, according to HUR. The agency claimed that losing the Tartus and Khmeimim bases would mark a significant blow to Russia's presence in the Middle East and solidify its defeat in the region. The Kremlin has long been a key supporter of the Assad regime, maintaining a substantial military presence in Syria through facilities such as the Tartus Naval Base, the Khmeimim Air Base, and other strategic sites across the country. Russia's military intervention played a pivotal role in Assad's 2016 capture of Aleppo, solidifying the regime's grip on power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, this fragile stability was upended by a lightening offensive in late November that saw the Assad regime fall to the rebels within just a couple of weeks. Read also: Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russias Middle East clout, may indirectly strengthen Ukraines hand Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggest that the Kremlin is likely to pursue its attempts to capture the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, despite significant human and materiel losses. Source: ISW Details: The analysts suggest that the Kremlin is unlikely to relinquish its ambitions to capture Pokrovsk as part of its broader objective of seizing control of Donetsk Oblast. Despite record losses, Russian forces may persist with active hostilities in the region well beyond the winter of 2024-2025, according to ISW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russia suffered record losses in November 2024, with an average of 1,523 daily casualties, totalling more than 45,000 troops per month. Intensive offensive operations, especially in western Donetsk Oblast, are exerting significant pressure on Russia's military and economic systems, the analysts report. Under these conditions, the Kremlin may be compelled to implement partial forced mobilisation, a move likely to exacerbate the nation's social and economic challenges. The analysts suggest that the continuation of large-scale offensive operations, combined with record losses, is compelling the Russian command to weigh its pursuit of tactical objectives against the unavoidable rise in social tensions within the country. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 7 December: Russian forces have resumed their offensive operations directly aimed at seizing Pokrovsk through a turning manoeuvre from the south after successfully widening their salient south and southeast of the town. The Russian military command likely assesses that they have allocated sufficient manpower and materiel to the efforts to seize Kurakhove and seize or bypass Velyka Novosilka and level the frontline in western Donetsk Oblast in the coming weeks. Russian forces are likely attempting to flank Pokrovsk from the west and force Ukrainian forces to withdraw from Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in order to minimise Russia's need to conduct frontal assaults on the towns eastern and southern approaches. The Russian military command will likely continue to trade Russian materiel and manpower for tactical territorial gains at an unsustainable rate during their offensive operations to seize Pokrovsk into 2025. Ukrainian forces continue to use drone strikes to contest Russia's presence in the northwestern Black Sea, including near gas extraction platforms. Ukrainian forces will reportedly receive increased access to Starshield, a more secure satellite network for Starlink terminals, which may give Ukrainian forces an advantage in the technological innovation arms race in which Ukrainian and Russian forces are currently engaged. Russian federal censor Roskomnadzor appears to be testing the Russian sovereign internet in Russian regions populated by ethnic minorities. Roskomnadzor indicated that it may intend to force Russians to migrate their websites from Western hosting providers to Russian hosting providers likely to better enforce Russian censorship laws. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and reportedly advanced near Velyka Novosilka while Russian forces advanced near Kupiansk, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk. Russian authorities continue efforts to forcibly impress migrants into signing military service contracts with the Ministry of Defense (MoD) as part of ongoing cryptomobilisation efforts. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces bombarded Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones and heavy artillery on the night of 7-8 December. One person has been injured and significant damage to infrastructure has been reported. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Details: A woman, 64, was injured in a Russian drone attack on the Kamianske district. : The aftermath of the Russian attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration Quote: "Windows were smashed in five apartment blocks. The premises of a utility company, a college [building], two cars and a power line were damaged." Details: In addition, before midnight, Russian troops strafed Nikopol with heavy artillery. Early reports indicate no casualties, but the extent of the damage is being investigated. Support UP or become our patron! A man was killed and several others injured in Kherson Oblast on Dec. 8 following Russian drone attacks, local authorities reported. A 73-year-old man in a town of Kindiika close to Kherson died after explosives were dropped from the drone, while four others, including a 40-year-old woman, a 79-year-old woman, and two men aged 42 and 59, were wounded. In Kherson city, three men, aged 55, 56, 62, and were also injured in the attack. Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin confirmed the fatalities on Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kherson Oblast is a frequent target of Russian attacks aimed to to terrorize civilian populations, with experts suggesting these strikes may serve as experiments for refining drone tactics and operator skills. On Dec. 1, Russian strikes killed three people and injured eight. A few days after, on Dec. 4, another attack killed two people and injured five. These attacks follow recent developments at the Ukrainian front line, where military forces are locked in a battle over small islands in the Dnipro River. Control of the islands would allow Moscow to intensify attacks on the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 4, Prokudin suggested that Russia was preparing for another offensive toward Kherson, hinting that that front may be about to heat up. Read also: On a forgotten part of Ukraines front line, Russian forces mass for assault on Dnipro islands Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Contributor / Getty Images After Ukraine fired British-made Storm Shadow missiles at military targets inside Russia last month, President Putin asserted his "right" to attack the UK and its Western allies in response. But the truth, said Simon Tisdall in The Observer, is that "Britain and its allies have been under constant Russian attack" for years. Using "sabotage, arson, deniable cyberattacks", disinformation and influence operations, Putin has menaced the West for its support of Ukraine. His "shadow war" on Nato members may be becoming more intensive and more dangerous, but it is long established. Putin's aim is to sow chaos, spread fear and division, and to disrupt military production. Russia's "grey zone" warfare continues every day, said Edward Lucas in The Times. Last month, unidentified drones "buzzed" four US air force bases in Britain; another shadowed HMS Queen Elizabeth while it approached Hamburg. In the Baltic Sea fast becoming a geopolitical hotspot two vital data cables were severed last month, apparently by a Chinese-flagged merchant vessel with a Russian crew member. Closer to home, British intelligence suspects that Russia was behind recent bomb scares in London, said Guy Kelly in The Daily Telegraph. The same goes for an explosion at a weapons factory in Wales in April, and a spate of arson attacks across Europe. A young man from Croydon recently pleaded guilty to attacking a Ukrainian-linked business in east London in March in return for Russian money. "Little by little, day by day, Russia is testing the West's patience. The question now is whether we're going to do anything about it." In recent days, UK officials have been sounding the alarm. The Labour minister Pat McFadden warned that Russia could "turn the lights off for millions of people" with a cyberattack. However, Russia's campaign seems carefully calibrated not to trigger a collective response from Nato, said Mark Galeotti in The Spectator. Rather, the Kremlin is slowly ratcheting up the pressure to see what it can get away with. The thing to remember is that Putin genuinely believes an "implacably Russophobic" West wants to dismember Russia, and is using Ukraine as a weapon in that fight. And it is certainly suffering as a result of the war and Western sanctions. As one hawkish Russian put it: "You try to crash our economy and then whine if you get hacked?" So what should we do? An official from one of the Baltic states told me: "We know the Russians. They will keep up the pressure so long as they think it's working." In other words: "keep calm and carry on". The United States will not get involved in the conflict in Syria between President Bashar al-Assad's regime and advancing rebel forces, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at the Reagan National Defense Forum on Dec. 7. Sullivan's comments came as a coalition of anti-government forces across Syria captured multiple cities in a single day and continued to push toward Damascus. The rebel advance has been aided by the weaknesses of Assad's allies, including Russia, Sullivan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Assad's backers Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah have all been weakened and distracted," he said. Russia is "ground down in a war of attrition" in Ukraine, Sullivan said, preventing it from lending greater military aid to Assad and contributing to the speed and scale of the current rebel offensive. Sullivan said he was in "vigorous agreement" with earlier comments by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who said on X that the situation in Syria occurred because Russia is "so tied up in Ukraine" and has sustained heavy losses. Trump also urged Russia and the U.S. to stay out of the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Sullivan, the U.S. will not be directly involved in the fighting in Syria. "The United States is not going to dive militarily into the middle of a Syrian civil war," he said. Anti-government fighters launched a surprise offensive in late November, gaining control of major cities like Aleppo and Hama after laying dormant for nearly a decade. U.S. officials told CNN on Dec. 7 that Assad's regime could collapse "by next weekend." If Assad falls, the U.S. will take steps to prevent the resurgence of ISIS in the region, Sullivan said. Read also: Syrian government forces withdraw from Homs, cutting Assad off from key Russian military base Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Salt Typhoon hack is one of the largest attacks on US telecommunications ever, officials say. The yearslong attack originated in China and targeted major telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon. The NSA says it believes Chinese hackers were targeting senior US political figures. US security officials have warned that millions of people's personal information could be at risk after a yearslong hacking campaign originating in China. The US government started investigating the hack in the summer after Microsoft which named the hack the Salt Typhoon sounded alarms about anomalies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to reporters on Saturday, White House Deputy national security advisor Anne Neuberger said that while data belonging to millions of Americans was likely compromised, the hack targeted senior US officials. "We believe the calls they recorded and took was really more focused on very senior political individuals," she said. A report from the Congressional Research Office said Chinese hackers may have sought access to presidential candidates' communications. "With that access, they could potentially retrieve unencrypted communication (e.g., voice calls and text messages)," the report says. A senior NSA official said in October that hackers from China accessed information from AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies, according to NBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner told The Washington Post that the hack is the "worst telecom hack in our nation's history by far." "This is an ongoing effort by China to infiltrate telecom systems around the world, to exfiltrate huge amounts of data," Warner told the outlet. The New York Times reported that hackers from China went undetected inside American telecommunications companies for over a year and obtained a nearly complete list of phone numbers that the Justice Department monitors in its "lawful intercept" system. The lawful intercept system is what allows law enforcement, through a court order, to wiretap or "bug" phone calls. The FBI warned that all US citizens should use a cellphone that automatically updates its operating system and use encryption and multifactor authentication for email and social media accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neuberger said in an earlier press call on Wednesday that the government does not believe any of the targeted telecom companies have "fully removed" the Chinese hackers from their networks, and communications are still at risk. Senior White House officials on the call said the hack has been ongoing for "likely one to two years." "President Biden has been briefed multiple times on this compromise," Neuberger told reporters. She added that the White House "has made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom of this." Neuberger said that White House leaders are meeting three times a week to discuss the hack. The Senate Commerce Subcommittee will hold a hearing on December 11 to discuss security threats to communications networks and review best practices for providers to mitigate consumer risks. The committee will focus on the Salt Typhoon attacks in the hearing. Read the original article on Business Insider Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel met and interacted with women artisans and students at a school in Anjar town of Kutch on Saturday. In a post on X, CM Patel said, "I interacted with the students of the education sponsorship scheme run in collaboration with Welspun Company and got information about the educational and financial assistance they are getting. I interacted with the sisters of the Sakhimandal of the Spun Center operating at the village level with the help of the company." "I got information about how these sisters are getting employment by making the best products from waste through their art. I appreciate the cooperation of Welspun Company in reaching the remotest people of Kutch under the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he added. https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/1865426614022230139 Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel earlier emphasised that India is advancing on the path of development with the mantra of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi.' Speaking at a separate event on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, India has entered a new era of cultural revival. He Addressing the gathering, he urged the need to draw inspiration from our heritage to build a Viksit Bharat, continuing the legacy of saints and gurus who have worked selflessly for the upliftment of Sanatan Dharma, culture, and society. The Chief Minister described the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Karyakar Suvarna Mahotsav as an inspiring celebration of building a new India, calling it the golden festival of dedicated volunteers. What began with just 11 volunteers has now grown to one lakh volunteers, dedicatedly contributing to social initiatives under the guidance of Pujya Mahant Swami. He noted the global reach of BAPS, with Akshardham temples in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Robbinsville, along with the Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in the UAE, standing as a testament to its devotion and influence. In conclusion, the Chief Minister acknowledged BAPS's unique contribution to promoting the principles of Lord Swaminarayan, elevating the pride and dignity of Hinduism not just in Gujarat and India, but around the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually attended the 'Karyakar Suvarna Mahotsav' organised at Narendra Modi stadium in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, where he addressed nearly one lakh BAPS volunteers. The BAPS Karyakar Suvarna Mahotsav, also attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, was organised to commemorate the 103rd birth anniversary of Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj and celebrate 50 years of selfless service by BAPS volunteers. (ANI) An elementary school in Ohio will reportedly begin offering religious programming from The Satanic Temple. Parents at Edgewood Elementary School in Marysville requested the new program, which will be completely optional, in direct response to an optional Christian program that already exists at the school. The current Christian instructional time is part of the states religious release time, which allows students to take a break from their regularly scheduled classes to attend faith-based teachings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until now, the only religious program offered at the school has been through the evangelical LifeWise program, which removes children from class for 55 minutes each week for Bible study and field trips to churches. June Everett, an ordained minister for The Satanic Temple and the temples After School Satan Club campaign director, told Fox affiliate WCMH she believes people have misconceptions about her church. We arent worshipping the devil and sacrificing babies and using blood. Its actually the opposite, she said, sharing that the church is based on tenets like acting with compassion and empathy, respecting others freedoms and aligning belief with scientific fact. JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Statue in the Satanic Temple in Salem, Mass. Related: Penn. School District Must Allow Club Run by The Satanic Temple to Operate, Federal Judge Rules Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Guardian, parents requested a program from The Satanic Temple which is a non-theistic, federally recognized church with the mission of promoting empathy and religious tolerance in order to offer an alternative to a singular Christian option and to prevent non-Christian children from feeling ostracized. The Satanic Temples programming includes self-directed learning, good works in the community, compassion and empathy, problem-solving skills, creative expression, critical thinking, inspirational guest speakers and tons of fun! per a statement shared to the temples Facebook page. The temple also shared that the program will remove participating students from their regularly scheduled classes once a month. JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty The Satanic Temple in Salem, Mass. Related: The Satanic Temple Threatens Legal Action Against Netflix's 'The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We arent trying to shut the LifeWise Academy down, Everett told WCMH. "But I do think a lot of school districts dont realize when they open the door for one religion, they open it for all of them." Joel Penton, Lifewise CEO and founder, told the outlet that Lifewise isnt fearful of other organizations offering [religious instruction], adding, We believe all families should have the opportunity to choose religious study during school hours and we trust parents to make the best choice for their children. Penton, however, is in support of Ohio House Bill 445, which if passed would require school districts to pre-authorize which religious release programs are permitted. Read the original article on People DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has been communicating with all regional actors on Syria and is determined to do what is possible to avoid chaos following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, a Saudi official said on Sunday. "We are in constant communication with Turkey and every stakeholder involved," the official told Reuters, adding that the kingdom was not aware of Assad's whereabouts. His failure to re-engage several regional actors and the opposition was to blame for his downfall, the official said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Turkish government attempted to engage and coordinate with the Syrian government, but these overtures were met with refusal," he said. "The current situation is a direct consequence of the Syrian government's lack of engagement in the political process. This outcome reflects the inevitable result of such intransigence. Assad went to Saudi Arabia in 2023 to attend an Arab League summit, after a 12-year suspension, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "The hope was that this move would influence the Syrian government to engage more constructively with the opposition and the various stakeholders within Syria and in the region, rather than allowing the existing stalemate and fragile peace to be taken for granted," the official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We emphasized that the situation should not be underestimated, as it remained precarious. Unfortunately, this message did not result in any meaningful action from the Syrian side." The official said events in Syria showed some positive aspects that he hoped would continue. "Notably, the transition has occurred without bloodshed, which is encouraging. Additionally, we appreciate the statements from various stakeholders emphasizing the importance of protecting state institutions, the sovereignty of Syria, and the rights of minority groups," he said. "We hope to see these positive trends continue and are committed to doing everything we can to maintain this momentum." (Reporting by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) A man has been arrested for the death of his infant daughter, a South Carolina sheriff announced. Timothy Jerome Staggers Jr., 21, was charged with homicide by child abuse by the Kershaw County Sheriffs Office. On July 25, Staggers brought his unresponsive, two-month-old daughter to the Kershaw Health emergency room in Camden. She later died from her injuries. The sheriffs office, the Kershaw County coroner and the child fatality unit of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division were called to investigate, officials said. An autopsy was performed the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A final report from the autopsy was completed Nov. 25, and all evidence was discussed with the Fifth Circuit Solicitors Office, the sheriffs office said. An arrest warrant was obtained on Monday, and Staggers was arrested Wednesday. Kershaw County mourns the loss of a sweet innocent baby girl. She did not live long enough to say her first word, Sheriff Lee Boan said in a news release. Her autopsy is the only way she can speak to us now. We are listening and responding the best way we can by seeking justice for her. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor achieved as nearly complete a surprise on an opponent as any in military history. Ever since the first bombs fell along Battleship Row on Dec. 7, 1941, historians have pondered how that could be. Explanations have run the gamut from the incompetence of the U.S. military commanders in Honolulu to racial hubris and on up to conspiracy among the Roosevelt administrations innermost circle. The real answer, however, is far more reasonable. Simply put, Admiral Husband Kimmel was caught with his pants down that day, not only because of shortcomings in U.S. radio intelligence, but also because an elaborate scheme of radio denial and deception developed by the Imperial Japanese Navys general staff and its Combined Fleet blinded Washington to Tokyos intentions to precipitate conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a great deal of foresight and planning, the imperial navys leadership had enacted a synchronized strategy for the attack on Pearl Harbor that combined radio silence, active radio deception and its own effective radio intelligence to be assured that the Americans remained in the dark throughout the final moments of peace. Could a young Army pilot have prevented the Pearl Harbor attack? For two decades before 1941, the bulk of Japans navy typically took a defensive posture in any fleet exercises simulating a conflict with the United States and its Pacific Fleet, while allowing other smaller naval forces to attack targets elsewhere in the Pacificusually to the south. During the 1930s, as the navy expanded and modernized its aircraft carrier arm, its major exercises continued to feature that defensive doctrine while its commanders visualized a decisive battle against the Americans occurring farther east, near the Mariana Islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. naval intelligence was aware of Japans defensive outlook and had come to accept it as absolute. The Americans believed wholeheartedly that in any future conflict the majority of Emperor Hirohitos naval forces would choose to remain in home waters rather than run the risk of leaving Japan undefended. In January 1941, however, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto proposed that the decades-old strategy be scrapped in favor of one calling for a first strike on the U.S. Pacific Fleet. It was not a completely new idea, having been considered with some regularity by the popular press and war college students. What made it different was that this time the idea was coming from a senior member of the naval establishment. Someone of Yamamotos stature could not be ignored. Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, commander in chief of the Japanese combined fleet and the mastermind of the attack on Pearl Harbor. (AP) Initially Yamamoto was rebuffed, but by the late summer of 1941 he was able to bring the navys general staff around to his way of thinking. Among the changes resulting from this new direction was the organization of Japans carriers into a single unit. For more than a decade, the carriers had been arranged into divisions comprising two flattops and their escorts. In maneuvers, those divisions were parceled out to the various fleets to serve as escorts or scouts. Under Yamamotos direction, however, in April 1941 all eight of the emperors carriers would serve together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This gave the Combined Fleet a permanent mobile air force of nearly 500 planes. The 1st Air Fleet was a radical departure from naval practice at that time, and was well beyond anything being considered by either the American or Royal navies. As radical a change as it was, however, U.S. naval intelligence failed to notice. It intercepted a reference to the 1st AF in November 1941 but was unable to discern what that meant. All intelligence officers could conclude was that the 1st AF seemed to be in a high position in the Japanese naval aviation hierarchy. Yamamoto was too experienced to believe that such oversight would last for long and, as part of his new strategy, pushed for a denial-and-deception effort that would keep the change shrouded in mystery. Communications security had been a major concern of the imperial navy as far back as the Russo-Japanese War, and it held the American and British radio intelligence offices in particularly high regard. It was for this reason that communication security was a feature of every navy exercise throughout the interwar period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By late 1941, however, American and British radio intelligence had mixed capabilities. The countries code-breakers had been able to recover only about 10 percent of the code groups of the latest version of the main Japanese naval operational code, and intercepted messages often could not be understood in full. That meant the majority of American efforts were focused on direction finding (D/F) and traffic analysis i.e., the scrutiny of Japanese naval communications, less the messages. American ability in this area was good but subject to limitations. While one monitoring station in Cavite, Philippines, known as Cast, could take single-line bearings on Japanese ships and stations, the rest of the direction-finding effort was not, according to Navy cryptologist Lt. Cmdr. Joseph John Rochefort, as efficient or productive of results as it might have been. The stations lacked men and equipment, and the long distances involved (more than 2,000 miles) rendered most results difficult to act upon. U.S. traffic analysis was totally dependent on the level of Tokyos communications. Even then, Rocheforts fleet communications unit in Hawaii, called Hypo, sometimes differed with Cavites analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both radio intelligence units reported their findings on a nearly daily basis Casts reports were known as TESTM, while Hypo produced what was called H Chronology. The often-conflicting reports were routinely sent to Kimmel in Pearl Harbor as well as to the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, D.C. To further muddy the waters, Kimmels fleet intelligence officer, Commander Edwin Layton, would compose his own daily Communications Intelligence (COMINT) summary, which was largely a synthesis of the Cast and Hypo reports. A complete lack of human intelligence sources meant that the Americans had no way to supplement, replace or verify the conflicting reports. The almost total reliance on intercepted radio traffic meant that all the Japanese had to do to give the Americans the slip was add new levels of security to their naval communications system. The USS Arizona Memorial is seen during a ceremony to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 2023. (Mengshin Lin/AP) The first step was to initiate the new fleet signal system HY009 (kana-kanak-number), which was put into effect on Nov. 1, 1941. More important, five days later the imperial navy changed the way it addressed radio traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, messages were addressed openly to the recipient, usually with the latters call sign in the message transmission. The new system, however, replaced those calls with single general or collective call signs that equated to groupings such as all ships and stations or all fleet elements. The specific addresses themselves were buried in the encrypted part of the message. This simple change nearly crippled American analysis of Japanese naval messages. The Japanese Strike Force also received supplementary instructions for its communications. Representatives from the naval general staff, 1st AF, Combined Fleet, 11th Air Fleet and other high-ranking officials were probably briefed at a conference on fleet communications in Tokyo on Oct. 27, 1941. Although records of the conference are mostly missing, we can reconstruct the major elements of the deception plan that was discussed. The first part of the plan was to forbid communication from the Strike Forces ships. Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, commander of the Hawaiian Operation (as the Pearl Harbor attack was named), controlled his communications within the stipulations of Yamamotos Secret Order Number One, which took effect for the Strike Force on November 5. Nagumo emphasized to the ships captains that all transmissions [among Strike Force vessels] are strictly forbidden, and to ensure that his orders were followed, he had transmitters on all of his ships disabled, secured or removed entirely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the ships were silent, however, it was still necessary to supply them with up-to-date intelligence, weather and orders. The naval general staff accomplished this by setting up a radio broadcast system that stressed redundant transmission schedules and multiple frequencies. The broadcast was a one-way method of transmitting messages. The recipient in this case, the Strike Force did not acknowledge receipt of the messages, which were simply repeated to ensure that they were received. To further assure reception of all necessary traffic, Nagumo required every ship to monitor the broadcast. Certain vessels, such as the battleships Hiei and Kirishima, were tasked with copying every message. These were then relayed to the other ships by either semaphore flags or narrow-beam signal lamps. The Japanese knew, however, that if the ships assigned to the Strike Force suddenly went silent it could alert the Americans. Some sort of radio traffic had to be maintained. Their solution to this problem was simple but effective. During a Tokyo-directed communications drill that ran from Nov. 8 to 13, Hiei, the carrier Akagi and the destroyers of the 24th Division were instructed to contact Tokyo three times a day on set frequencies. Two days later, new pages of drill call signs were issued to the entire fleet except for the stations and operators imitating the ships of the Strike Force, which continued to use the old signs. An A6M2 Zero fighter pictured on the flight deck of the Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier Akagi around the time of the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941. (Naval History and Heritage Command) To ensure the authenticity of the old signs, the radio operators from the capital ships of the Strike Force were sent to shore at the Kure, Sasebo and Yokosuka naval bases to deliver this traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These operators, whose familiar fists were easily identified by the Americans, were critical to the deception. The Americans would connect the known fists of the operators with direction finding on the call signs of ships such as Akagi and believe that the carriers and other ships were still in Japanese waters. In addition, as the carriers departed the Inland Sea, aircraft from the 12th Combined Air Group arrived at the newly vacated bases. Their role in the deception was to keep up air activity and associated radio traffic with the carriers and bases as though they were just continuing the earlier training. The final part of the plan was a radio-monitoring effort to ensure that the Americans remained unaware of the approaching threat. Tokyo tasked its radio-monitoring units with listening to American communications being sent from Pearl Harbor to confirm that their ploy was working. The main station responsible for that was the 6th Communications Unit at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The unit copied communications from the U.S. command and ships at Pearl Harbor, paying special attention to the communications of Navy and Army patrol flights taking off from the base. Through analysis of this intercepted traffic, the Japanese were able to confirm that most of those flights were staying to the south of the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the two weeks preceding its redeployment to the Kuriles, the ships and planes of the Strike Force were busy with last-minute training, supply and planning for the attack. The misleading shore-based radio traffic began on Nov. 8 and continued through the 13th. All the while, ships of the force began to rendezvous at Saeki Wan in the Oita Prefecture on northeast Kyushu. The Americans, who were monitoring the drill, correctly reported Akagi at Sasebo in the Nov. 10 Pacific Fleet Communications Summary. Two days later, the site at Cavite reported a D/F bearing that placed Yamamotos flagship, the battleship Nagato, near Kure, which was very close to its actual location. On Nov. 14, Cavite located Akagi near Sasebo. The carrier, however, had left the previous day for Kagoshima, more than 300 miles to the southeast. Meanwhile, the Pacific Fleet Communications Intelligence Summary stated that the carriers were relatively inactive and in home waters from Nov. 13 to 15, which was true. For the next two days, all of the ships of the Strike Force assembled at Saeki Wan (Bay) or at the port of Beppu on the northeast shore of Kyushu. Only Hiei was absent. It was steaming to Yokosuka to pick up an officer from the naval general staff with detailed intelligence on Pearl Harbor. The Pacific Fleet summaries noted that the carriers were either in Kure or Sasebo, or in the area of Kyushu. In the late afternoon of Nov. 17, after Admiral Yamamotos final conference with the commanders and staff of the Strike Force, the carriers Hiryu and Soryu, along with their escorts, slipped out of Saeki Wan, headed southeast out of the Bungo Strait past Okino Shima Island and then turned northeast toward Hitokappu Wan in the Kuriles. The rest of the force followed in groups of two or four ships. View from the Soryu during the ship's speed trials in November 1937. (Naval History and Heritage Command) For the next few days, U.S. naval radio intelligence seemed uncertain about the activity of the carriers and their escorts. The Nov. 16 Pacific Fleet COMINT summary placed unspecified carrier divisions in the Mandates (Marshall Islands) with the 1st Destroyer Division. The summary of Nov. 18 put other carrier divisions with the 3rd Battleship Division and the 2nd Destroyer Squadron. The same summary indicated, with reservations, that the 4th Carrier Division Shokaku (call sign SITI4) and Zuikaku was near Jaluit Island in the Marshalls. Cavite disagreed with this analysis. After the Strike Force left, the imperial navy sent out orders for another communications drill to begin on Nov. 22, while an air defense drill involving the Sasebo-based 11th Air Fleet started as well. Three days earlier the carriers, battleships and destroyers of the force were ordered to maintain radio watch on high and low frequencies for specific types of battle and alert messages. By this time, it was becoming clear to the Japanese that their deception efforts had borne fruit. The Nov. 19 COMINT summary noted that Hiei appears today at Sasebo. In reality, the ship was in Yokosuka on the east coast of Honshu, some several hundred miles to the northeast of Sasebo. From Nov. 20 to 23, Nagumos ships rendezvoused in the Kuriles anchorage. There they received the detailed intelligence from Tokyo, and Commander Minoru Genda put the aerial squadrons through flight and tactical training sessions. On Nov. 22, Cavite took a D/F bearing on Akagi of 28 degrees, which placed it in Sasebo. The station also took a bearing on the fleet call sign of the 1st Air Fleet commander in chief placing him in Yokosuka. The next day, Cavite reported a bearing of 30 degrees on Zuikaku, which put it in Kure. According to that days COMINT summary, the carriers were relatively quiet. On the 24th, Cavite took another D/F bearing of 28 degrees on Akagi and now asserted that it was in Kure this despite the fact that the station had placed the same carrier in Sasebo two days earlier. Nevertheless, it was still in Empire waters, which seemed to be good enough for the Americans. The intelligence summary went so far as to establish that it had minimal information on the carriers whereabouts. For some reason, the summary went on to indicate that one or more carrier divisions were in the Mandates. The next day, the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence released its weekly intelligence summary that placed all Japanese carriers in either Sasebo or Kure. On that day, Tokyo broadcast Yamamotos Combined Fleet Operational Order No. 5 instructing the Strike Force to depart with the utmost secrecy on the following day and advance to its standby point northwest of Hawaii by the evening of Dec. 3. At 0600 hours the next day, the Strike Force raised anchors and sailed into the northern Pacific. An undamaged light cruiser steams out past the burning USS Arizona and takes to sea with the rest of the fleet during the Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941 during World War II. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy) U.S. radio intelligence reports illustrate the continued effectiveness of the Japanese deception measures. The commander of the 16th Naval District (Philippine Islands) noted on Nov. 25 that he could not support Hawaiis belief that Japanese carriers were in the Mandates. His message added, however, that our best indications are that all known 1st and 2nd Fleet carriers are still in the Kure-Sasebo area. Meanwhile, Rocheforts Fleet Intelligence Unit in Hawaii reported that Kirishima was in Yokosuka and that several carriers, including those of Division 4, were near Sasebo. The unit added that Japanese carriers had been heard on a tactical frequency using their drill call signs, which indicated they were still in home waters. Perhaps the most critical deceptive transmissions were reported on the last day of the month. Cavite heard Akagi and an unidentified Maru on a bearing of 27 degrees, seemingly putting the carrier near Sasebo. Those calls had been received from the same tactical frequency five days earlier. To Rochefort, it confirmed that some sort of exercises or maneuvers were underway. On Dec. 1, the imperial navy changed its service (or fleet) call-sign system, leading both Rochefort and Layton to conclude that Tokyo was preparing for active operations on a large scale. However, no one could find any evidence of a Japanese move against Hawaii, only signs of naval movement to the south. Layton, in his report for the day placed four carriers near Formosa and one in the Mandates. When pressed by Kimmel about the others, he said he believed they were in the Kure area refitting from previous deployments. For the next six days, the U.S. Pacific Fleet command and the respective radio intelligence centers continued to maintain that the principal Japanese flattops were in home waters near Sasebo, Kure or in the Kyushu area and that a few light or auxiliary carriers had deployed to Formosa or the Mandates. They continued to believe this right up to the last moment. In fact, just as the first wave of Japanese aircraft appeared over Oahu, Cavite reported that Akagi was in the Nansei Islands, south of Kyushu. The surprise was complete, the destruction almost total. This story was originally published in the December 2006 issue of World War II magazine and first appeared online on HistoryNet.com. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has welcomed the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule in Syria. Scholz said on Sunday that al-Assad had brutally oppressed his people and had countless deaths on his conscience. He stated that al-Assad had driven many people to flee Syria, with many of them arriving in Germany. "The Syrian people have suffered terrible hardships. The end of Assad's rule over Syria is therefore good news." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now it is important for law and order to be swiftly restored in Syria, he said. Scholz emphasized that all minorities must now and in the future enjoy protection. A political solution to the conflict in Syria is still possible, he asserted. The German government will measure the future rulers by "whether they enable all Syrians to live in dignity and self-determination, defend Syria's sovereignty against malicious interference from third parties, and live in peace with their neighbours." Fighters from the Islamist militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have reported the capture of the Syrian capital, Damascus. Previously, various rebel groups had taken control in other provinces. In many areas, government forces withdrew without a fight. According to Russia, the Syrian ruler has fled abroad. ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida realtor was accused of exploiting a hospitalized couple and taking control of their assets. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced the arrest of Jason Valiant, calling him a scumbag of the holiday season. The couple initially hired Valiant to sell their property, but according to Chitwood, they chose a wolf in sheeps clothing who saw an opportunity to make himself rich. Valiant is accused of creating fake documents declaring himself their health care surrogate and power of attorney when they were hospitalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WATCH: Doorbell camera captures Illinois garbage truck explosion Valiant even went so far as to sign a do not resuscitate order for one of the victims, who was taken off of life support, Chitwood said. He proceeded to drain money from their bank accounts, willed their home and two other properties to himself, and even took their Dodge Ram pickup for his own use across Central Florida, Chitwood wrote in a social media post. In addition to the thousands he stole via checks, Valiant used his victims credit card for things like attorneys fees, a teeth whitening procedure, auto detailing, dinner and drinks, and gas. (Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood) The three properties acquired after the victims death were worth $1.6 million. Valiant and another realtor, Constance Kellner, planned to develop two oceanfront properties into a large condo complex or hotel, Chitwood said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kellner, also known as Coastal Connie Kellner, was charged with two counts of being an accessory after the fact. Valiant was charged with organized scheme to defraud, exploitation of an elderly or disabled adult, grand theft over $100,000, grand theft of a vehicle, criminal use of personal ID information, and illegal use of credit cards. Chitwood added: His bond is $375,000 and my hope is he spends the holidays in a cell for what he did to two people at their most vulnerable. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Guest Opinion. Each holiday season as Cherokees gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other observances, there is one enduring theme: Cherokees giving generously to others. This season, consider supporting the Cherokee Nation At-Large Mutual Assistance Inc (CNALMA) by sending a donation. CNALMA is an independent non-profit that has a vital mission of service that is aligned with Cherokee Nation. CNALMAs work, completely dependent on donations and volunteers, focuses on the needs of at-large citizens who have nowhere else to turn. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their recent At-Large Chat, Cherokee Nation At-Large Councilors Johnny Jack Kidwell and Julia Coates described three important truths. First, Cherokee Nation provides more assistance to at-large citizens today than ever. Second, federal rules almost always prohibit Cherokee Nation from spending federal funds beyond our border, so we expand at-large services as our business profits increase. Third, when it comes to serving at-large citizens, there is more work to do and more opportunities to seize. Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. That third point is exactly why CNALMAs success is so important to me as Principal Chief. As with any effort in support of the Cherokee people, the work involved can often be done by any of us, or at least those among us who are able to give in some way to the cause. CNALMAs mission is ambitious. Over 320,000 Cherokee Nation citizens live at-large and in all 50 states. It would be easy to look at that population and geography and simply say, That is impossible. What I admire about the CNALMAs leadership is that even as they understand the impossibility of immediately serving every at-large citizen in need across the country, they had the courage to get started and take it a step at a time. That is a very Cherokee way of thinking. The assistance provided by CNALMA, via an online application, is broad. As noted on its website, CNALMA services cover emergency expenses for unanticipated events. There are limits to how often assistance is available, as well as categories of need that cannot ordinarily be covered. CNALMA provides help in certain areas that, for low-income citizens living within the reservation, are often covered by our Human Services department which cannot service citizens outside our border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNALMA was founded just over a year ago, born of grassroots organizing in the Tulsa area and the advocacy of Councilor Kidwell. He made the case to Councilor Coates, Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and me that if at-large Cherokees were willing to organize to fill gaps in services to at-large citizens, that effort should have our support. Councilor Kidwell made wisdom of supporting the effort obvious to each of us. CNALMA is governed by an all-volunteer and all-Cherokee Nation citizen board of directors. Board members Deborah Scott, Garry Martin and Brandon Scott have the full support and confidence of the at-large Councilors, Deputy Chief Warner and me. On any given day they take time from their busy schedules to keep the organization on track to help their fellow Cherokee in the spirit of Gadugi, the Cherokee word for working together. On that basis, Cherokee Nation is providing crucial early support. To date, we have provided almost $75,000 in financial assistance as well as valuable in-kind help. Cherokee Nations new Gadugi Corps program provides a paid National Service Participant who serves as CNALMAs sole staff member. We are exploring ways to provide more ongoing support. That is where you come in. If you feel moved to help and you have the means to do so, I ask you to give. First Lady January and I are including CNALMA on our list of charities to support. If you can donate, in any amount, your support will help an organization that is lean and focused on helping those in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can donate online today at CNALMA.org or mail a check to CNALMA, PO Box 883, Broken Arrow, OK 74013. If you need more information, explore CNALMAs website, check them out on social media, call them at 918-605-6651 or email them at cnalma.info@gmail.com. In the future, there will be more ways to help CNALMA, including through volunteerism. For example, I see a day in which Gadugi Corps dispatches members of its volunteer network to help with CNALMA on great projects. Last April CNALMA hosted a community event in the Tulsa metro area. I anticipate this will be an annual event and, if you are able, attending that event can be your way to show support and even get involved. This season, in the spirit of Gadugi, give what you can to Cherokee Nation At-Large Mutual Assistance Inc. Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Investigators have made a second arrest in connection to a Georgia funeral home where 18 decomposing bodies were found earlier this year. On Oct. 26, Coffee County deputies went to serve an eviction notice at the Johnson Funeral Home and found the bodies in various stages of decomposition. Deputies and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested and charged Chris Johnson, the funeral homes owner. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Sunday, the GBI announced that a second man now faces charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire has charged James Sirmans, 52, with two counts of insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. These charges stem from a 2023 investigation into an attempt by Sirmans to fraudulently obtain additional life insurance proceeds by altering the cause of death on a death certificate in 2022, officials said. Sirmans was booked into the Coffee County Jail and released on bond. Johnson also faces new charges from the insurance commissioners office: Theft by deception Forgery Submitting fraudulent vital records Conspiracy to commit insurance fraud Two counts of insurance fraud Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GBI added charges of theft by taking and six counts of violation of vital records registration. Those charges stem from the investigation into his business practices. The GBI previously charged Johnson with 17 counts of abuse of dead body. Johnson remains in the Coffee County Jail. Since the bodies were discovered, the GBI has been working to identify all 18 bodies. They have identified 16 and expect to identify the last two set of remains soon. RELATED STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A second recount of votes in the North Carolina Supreme Court election is expected to be completed early this week, according to the State Board of Elections. By late Friday, 98 of the states 100 counties had completed their hand-to-eye recounts, the elections board said Saturday. Two counties, Brunswick and Currituck, are expected to complete the recounts by Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Some election board members in those counties were unavailable to complete the recounts by Friday. In the ongoing hand-to-eye recounts, election officials physically examine a sample of ballots, rather than running them through a tabulating machine like they did in the first recount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin requested the second recount after the initial recount showed Democrat Allison Riggs maintaining her lead by 734 votes. Each candidate lost 110 votes after the machine recount, potentially due to partial or stray marks being counted differently in their second run through the machines. But the margin between the candidates remained the same. Griffin initially led Riggs by about 10,000 votes after Election Night, but the race flipped after outstanding absentee and provisional ballots were counted. The State Board of Elections will release the results of the second recount when all counties complete the task, the board said in a press release Saturday. The board would order a full hand-to-eye recount, in which all ballots cast across the state would be physically examined by election workers, if discrepancies between the machine recount and the hand recount could be extrapolated to reverse the current results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results of the second recount will come ahead of the state board hearing election protests and other motions from Griffins campaign, in which he is challenging the validity of more than 60,000 ballots cast across the state. The State Board of Elections announced Sunday that it will meet Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. to consider Griffins protests. On Friday, the North Carolina Democratic Party filed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate Griffins challenge of the 60,000-plus ballots. We are prepared to take on Republicans, NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton said in a news release announcing the lawsuit. They cant stop the results of an election just because they dont like the fact that we won. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections, thanked election workers for their efforts throughout the recounts and asked for patience as the process continues. We applaud the county boards of elections and all of the workers who are assisting them in completing these recounts, hearing the protests from the Griffin campaign, and otherwise conducting post-election tasks, Brinson Bell said in a written statement. All of this additional work comes on the heels of an incredibly grueling few months before the presidential election, which was compounded in a quarter of the state due to Hurricane Helene, she continued. We respectfully ask for patience as the State Board and the county boards work through this process, ensuring accuracy and compliance with the law at every step. Reporter Kyle Ingram contributed. Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net. A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended an invitation to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday to attend the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. CM Majhi was presented with a Shubh Kalash filled with sacred Gangajal and the event's logo. Odisha Minister of Culture, Suryabanshi Suraj was also present at this moment. Uttar Pradesh Ministers Anil Rajbhar and Satish Chandra Sharma visited CM Majhi to extend him on behalf of CM Yogi Earlier on December 3, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said that the preparations for Maha Kumbh 2025 are almost complete and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the inaugural program. "All preparations for Kumbh are almost complete. Before Kumbh, PM Narendra Modi will address the inaugural program and the whole world will witness the Maha Kumbh which is going to be organized. We will go to Mumbai and Jaipur and invite the public representatives and people there for Maha Kumbh.," he said. On December 2, the Uttar Pradesh government declared the Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as a new district. The decision, which led to the formation of the new Maha Kumbh Mela district, was made to streamline the management and administration of the upcoming Kumbh Mela, ensuring smooth operations for the grand religious event scheduled for January 2025. In a bid to ensure the safety and convenience of an estimated 45 crore devotees, the Yogi Adityanath government is revolutionizing preparations for the upcoming Maha Kumbh. For the first time, the grand event is being digitized on such a large scale, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media platforms to enhance management and security. Security arrangements are being made across land, water, and air. In a first, to prevent any untoward incidents during the bathing rituals, the water police are being equipped with high-tech jet skis, often referred to as "mini ships." Al-powered cameras are being installed throughout the Kumbh site to monitor the massive crowd and ensure 24/7 surveillance. These state-of- the-art cameras will not only bolster security but also assist in reuniting individuals who may get separated during the event. In addition, popular social media platforms like Facebook and X will provide immediate assistance in locating lost relatives, streamlining the process of reuniting families amidst the sea of pilgrims. Mahakumbh starts with Paush Purnima Snan, which is on 13 January 2025. The Kumbh festival will conclude with the last bath on 26 February 2025, the day of Mahashivratri. (ANI) Gov. Andy Beshear joins Democratic candidate for governor Joyce Craig in New Hampshire at the Manchester Education Associations office on Oct. 17. Beshear urged local teachers to help Craig become governor so she could fight for public education, reports Ink Link News of Manchester. Republican Kelly Ayotte was elected. (Photo/Andrew Sylvia, manchester.inklink.news) FRANKFORT Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear created a political committee in New Hampshire this fall funded with $255,000 to support Democrat Joyce Craig in her run for governor of a state thats known for its prominent role in nominating candidates for U.S. president. Beshear also traveled to New Hampshire in mid-October to campaign for Craig, who lost to Republican Kelly Ayotte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after his reelection last year, Beshear established a political action committee (PAC) called In This Together that he said would raise money to support Democratic candidates in Kentucky and across the country. Beshears PAC transferred $255,000 to a new PAC called In This Together New Hampshire in late October, according to the New Hampshire Online Campaign Finance System. Beshears In This Together New Hampshire spent the money for online advertising supporting Craig and opposing Ayotte, New Hampshire records show. A post-election report filed by In This Together with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday shows that in late October it donated $150,000 to In This Together New Hampshire. Eric Hyers, who managed Beshears two campaigns for governor and is the top strategist for In This Together, said Friday that In This Together gave a total of $255,000 to In This Together New Hampshire. Hyers said the additional $105,000 was not required to be reported to the FEC in the recent report, but will be disclosed in future reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ayotte won the governors race in November, capturing 54% of the vote to 44% for Craig, according to the Associated Press. Hyers said the purpose of creating In This Together New Hampshire was to support Craig. Now that Craig has lost, he said, We will be closing it down. Nonetheless, Beshears stumping for the Democrat in New Hampshire, the creation of the New Hampshire committee and the big donation from Beshears PAC will be seen as indicators the governor is exploring a possible run for president in 2028. New Hampshire holds one the first presidential primaries and history has shown that it is important for presidential candidates to do well there. It looks like Gov. Beshear is making a strategic investment in a state that could be pivotal in the Democratic nominating process, said Al Cross, a former political reporter for The Courier Journal and professor emeritus of journalism at the University of Kentucky. Its a clear sign of interest in the presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen Voss, associate professor of political science at the University of Kentucky, said that Craigs loss in the November election doesnt mean the Beshear super PACs donation was a waste. Not at all. It would have been better for him if she (Craig) had won, but a candidate for president needs to have strong ties to leading members of their party in a state like New Hampshire. This is one way to build those ties, Voss said. A prominent New Hampshire Democrat Kathleen Sullivan served as treasurer of Beshears New Hampshire PAC, according to campaign finance records. Sullivan, the former chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, said in a phone interview Friday she was contacted during the fall by a Beshear intermediary who said that Beshears PAC wanted to contribute to help Craig but needed someone from New Hampshire to sign on as treasurer before the new committee could be registered. She said she was happy to sign on as treasurer because she wanted to do all she could to help Craigs campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan said she met Beshear only once and was favorably impressed. He seems pretty smart, pleasant. And he knows how to win elections. But Sullivan said, Its way too early, and, repeating herself for emphasis, way too early for her to make any endorsement in the 2028 Democratic primary for president. Beshear has been in the national spotlight this year as one of the possible running mates considered by Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris who chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Beshear also spoke at the Democratic National Convention. In This Togethers report filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Thursday shows that it has raised $1,237,000 since Beshear created it in January. In late October, it reported donating $687,000 to candidates and committees that Beshear supports. Besides the contribution to In This Together New Hampshire, the largest contributions went to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentuckians for Good Judges, $335,000. This committee is chaired by Hyers and through mid-October did not report any spending to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.Democrat Jennifer McCormicks unsuccessful campaign for governor of Indiana.The Democratic Governors Association, $50,000.Working Hard for Kentucky PAC, $25,000. This committee is also chaired by Hyers and it also did not report any spending through mid-October. The largest donations to In This Together since mid-October according to the recent FEC filing came from: Distilling giant Beam Suntory, of New York, $50,000.Lexington Trots Breeders Association, owner of Lexingtons Red Mile gambling complex, $25,000Mary Fisher, Los Angeles, $20,000.Gregory May, Pikeville, and two companies May manages, Utility Management Group and GCC Investments, combined to give $23,000.James Worley, Lexington, owner of WG&T Builders, and an appointee of Beshear to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, $10,500. Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com. Follow Kentucky Lantern on Facebook and X. Wichita police are asking the public for help in finding a man impersonating a COX employee who stole from the homes of area residents. The man says he is a COX employee, according to police. This allowed him to enter the home of a 89-year-old woman in the 1400 block of North Brunswick in northwest Wichita, WPD spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said Saturday. While inside the womans home, he stole her purse and made several unauthorized purchases at the Lowes on Maple and Ridge, according to Rebolledo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say he may be driving a silver SUV with the tag 519SDF, which is expired and belongs to another vehicle. This individual is also a suspect in a similar case being investigated by Goddard Police, where he used the same tactic to gain access to another home and steal a purse, according to a WPD news release. Anyone who recognizes the suspect or have information about his whereabouts are encouraged to call WPD detective Daniels or sergeant Mar at the Wichita Police Department at 316-928-4407. Police provided these photos of the suspect and vehicle. . . SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) Republican Sen. Joni Ernst made her most expansive comments yet on Pete Hegseth, telling a largely GOP audience at a California security conference Saturday that she needs to hear more from President-elect Donald Trumps embattled defense secretary pick on key issues before she decides whether to support him. I am a survivor of sexual assault," said Ernst of Iowa, a military veteran who has spent much of her time as a lawmaker working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. I've worked very heavily on sexual assault measures within the military. So I'd like to hear a lot more about that. Ernst is one of several Senate Republicans who control the fate of Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former Fox & Friends weekend host who spent the past week on Capitol Hill trying to win the support of Republican senators who would need to confirm him to lead the Pentagon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth has been fighting for his nomination amid allegations of excessive drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance and others have defended him in recent days. Trump told NBCs Meet the Press in an interview recorded Friday that he believes Hegseth will be confirmed and that senators have called him to tell him that Hegseth is fantastic. Pete is doing well now, the president-elect said in an excerpt of the interview set to air Sunday. I mean, people were a little bit concerned. Hes a young guy with a tremendous track record. Ernst has faced pressure from Trump supporters to back Hegseth. Unlike most of her Republican Senate peers, Ernst is not only a sexual assault survivor but also served in combat as an Army National Guard lieutenant colonel work that Hegseth has railed against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said as recently as last month that women straight up should not serve in combat roles. I'd like to hear about the role of women in combat in our great United States military, Ernst said Saturday at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. She also wanted to see how Hegseth who has no Pentagon leadership experience would handle financial issues at the Defense Department. Balancing the books and managing and providing oversight for a $877 billion industry is extremely important, Ernst said. A day earlier, Hegseth posted on social media that he had another substantive conversation with Senator Ernst, I appreciate her sincere commitment to defense policy, and I look forward to meeting with her again next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ernst said she looks forward to seeing him in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee as well as part of a confirmation process where hell have to answer some very tough questions. There will be a very thorough vetting before he moves forward, Ernst said, adding that she wants to ensure it's a fair process. In meeting with Ernst, Hegseth will likely need to further explain a 2017 California police report after a woman accused Hegseth of sexually assaulting her after he took her phone, blocked the door to a hotel room and refused to let her leave after the two had met at a Republican conference. Asked in an interview Wednesday for Megyn Kellys SiriusXM satellite radio show if he sexually assaulted the woman, Hegseth said absolutely not. He called it a really unfortunate situation and said he paid her a settlement because he had to, contending that her lawyers said they would out him. Hegseth said the payment was to keep the matter quiet because he was afraid it would affect his Fox News job. His 2017 accuser has remained anonymous, and on Saturday, Ernst said she would trust the FBI to vet this and present it to the committee. Donald Trump's planned first-day crackdown on illegal immigration would undoubtedly snare U.S. citizens, and that's just fine by Trump. In a chat with NBC's "Meet the Press," the president-elect saw no reason why something like citizenship should get in the way of his mass deportation scheme. When interviewer Kristen Welker asked the president how he planned to deal with families with mixed immigration statuses, Trump said that he would "keep them together," provided they all chose to leave the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I dont want to be breaking up families, so the only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back," he said. Trump also refused to acknowledge that forced deportation of legal residents of the U.S. could be horrible on its face. He said that any outrage around the program would be the result of media manipulation and ginned-up controversy. "Ill tell you whats going to be horrible, when we take a wonderful young woman whos with a criminal. And they show the woman, and she could stay by the law, but they show the woman being taken out," he said. "Your cameras are focused on her as shes crying as shes being taken out of our country. And then the public turns against us. But we have to do our job." Trump also said he's looking to end birthright citizenship, as it complicates his deportation schemes for people who immigrated illegally and then had children. We have to end it, he said of the right protected under the 14th Amendment. Watch the entire interview below: Two teenagers accused of taking part in the killing of two men at a South Carolina apartment complex are now in custody, the Kershaw County Sheriffs Office announced, after several days at large. Multiple Two people were shot and died at the Lexington Grande Apartments in Lugoff on Monday around 5:30 p.m., police said. The Kershaw County Coroners Office identified the victims as 40-year-old Kevin Sutton and 22-year-old Tasheed Sutton. The sheriffs office said that all parties involved knew each other and this was not a random act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first suspect, 19-year-old Bobby Stucky III, turned himself in. The second, 18-year-old Jamiyan Blair, was arrested by the Henderson County Sheriffs Office in North Carolina. They were taken into custody late Thursday night. Solving this case was possible because our citizens trusted us enough to provide crucial information to identify both suspects, Sheriff Lee Boan said in a news release. The Kershaw County Sheriffs Office thanked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Divisions fugitive team and the Henderson County Sheriffs Office for their help in making the arrests. (KRON) A San Francisco resident was arrested for grand theft at a Novato Target on Friday, said the Novato Police Department. The theft occurred at around 8:19 p.m. on Friday. Novato police were notified that a man who employees say is a known thief was stealing items. Novato PD said officers responded quickly to the scene and detained the suspect. Man driving Go-Kart killed in solo crash The suspect was identified as 27-year-old San Francisco resident Jared Benson. Police later learned that Benson was a suspect in four other active burglary investigations at the same Target store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers also discovered Benson had stolen over $2,000 worth of merchandise in the Friday theft. Additionally, Benson had an outstanding $10,000 felony warrant for his arrest from the Morgan Hill Police Department for grand theft. Benson was arrested and booked into the Marin County Jail for five separate counts of burglary, including the outstanding warrant. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. DeepState, a group of military analysts, reports that the situation around the settlement of Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk Oblast continues to escalate. Source: DeepState Details: The analysts report intense fighting on the southern outskirts of Velyka Novosilka, particularly in the areas between the settlements of Rivnopil and Makarivka. Russian forces are deploying infantry units, in particular motorcycle-mounted assault groups, alongside armoured vehicles. Despite their efforts, frontal assaults have failed, prompting Russian troops to explore diversionary routes through Blahodatne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The first attempts to storm Novyi Komar, the last logistical link to Velyka Novosilka, were initially successful, but the [Ukrainian] defence forces quickly cleared the village and drove the Russians out. The assaults continue, with small infantry groups attempting to approach the village." Details: The analysts note that in the occupied areas adjacent to Velyka Novosilka, Russian forces are constructing advanced engineering and fortification structures to strengthen their defences. These positions are being heavily reinforced with infantry, which relentlessly assaults Ukrainian defensive lines. Background: UK Defence Intelligence believes that Velyka Novosilka has become vulnerable to Russian attacks due to the loss of Vuhledar, 30 km to the east, in early October 2024. Support UP or become our patron! UPDATE: The plane was removed from State Route 157 around 3:30 p.m., according to RTC Southern Nevada. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A small plane made an emergency landing Saturday morning northwest of Las Vegas. The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol responded to reports of the aircraft landing on State Route 157 north of the US-95 near Kyle Canyon at approximately 11 a.m. NSP said two people were piloting a small, four-seat Cessna 172 plane. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane had to make an emergency landing after the pilot reported a loss of engine power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plane had originally departed from North Las Vegas Airport, the FAA said. RTC Southern Nevada said the small plane landed safely. Small plane makes emergency landing. (KLAS) Small plane makes emergency landing. (RTC) The NSP reported that the landing caused no injuries or damage to the roadway. Police said that the FAA has approved on-site repairs for the plane, and it will take off from the same location. The exact timing for the repairs remains unknown. Before the takeoff, NHP will temporarily close State Route 157 for about 15 minutes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A search operation was launched in the Hiranagar town area of Kathua district following suspicious movement of three persons on Sunday, officials said. Speaking to reporters, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua Shobhit Saxena said that since Sunday night, a joint operation has been carried out to search the area in collaboration with the Army, Special Operations Group (SOG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other agencies. Aerial surveillance is also being done, SSP Kathua Shobhit Saxena added. "There was some suspected movement. So, we responded within one hour. Since last night, together with Army, SOG, CRPF and others, we searched the entire area. Aerial surveillance is also being done. So, let's see what happens. We had reports about the presence of 3-4 people. We are corroborating this, people are being questioned. Search continues," SSP Kathua said. In a separate incident, two police personnel were found dead with bullet injuries inside a police vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur on Sunday morning, police said. According to Udhampur police, an AK-47 rifle was used in the incident. Speaking to ANI, SSP Udhampur Amod Ashok Nagpure said that the personnel were on their way to the Talwara training centre from Sopore. "The incident happened at 6.30 am. They were going from Sopore towards the training centre in Talwara. Police officers have reached the spot. As per the initial investigation, it has been proven that an AK-47 rifle was used in the incident. Two Police personnel have died. A third Police personnel is safe. They will be taken to GMC Udhampur for postmortem and other procedures," the Udhampur SSP said. On December 3, one terrorist was killed during an encounter with security forces in Srinagar's Dachigam forest. The encounter started on December 2, based on specific intelligence input, a joint operation was launched by Indian Army and J-K Police at Harwan, Srinagar. During the search initial contact was established. Further information is awaited. (ANI) Credit: NBC/SNL Saturday Night Lives Weekend Update addressed the murder of the United Healthcare CEO in New York City this week, as well as all the controversy surrounding president-elect Donald Trumps pick for Secretary of Defense, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth. The assassin of Brian Thompson hasnt been caught, with law enforcement believing the suspect was able to flee the crime scene on a bike, and then the city via bus. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York City officials sent a tough message on crime, co-host Colin Jost began. You shoot somebody in the middle of the street, you better get on your bike, hop on a bus, and get the heck out of here, mister. Jost then referenced how Thompsons death has spurred many to call out unfair health insurance industry practicesand to comment on the looks of the killer. It really says something about America that a guy was murdered in cold blood and the two main reactions were, Yeah, well health care stinks, and also, Girl, that shooter hot.' Its also so crazy that the shooting happened three blocks from here in broad daylight, and the guy just bicycles away, probably because they have every cop in the city guarding our Christmas tree, Jost continued, referencing the tree recently put up in Rockefeller Center. NYPD now believes the suspect left the city on a bus from Port Authority. Thanks, Jost joked, but a Port Authority passenger who looks like a murderer actually widens the search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Hegseth, whose nomination has been rocky ever since day one, co-anchor Michael Che mentioned how his mother once scolded him for how he belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego. Che added: To which Pete Hegseth responded, Bitch, shut up!' Hegseth, who has been accused of excessive drinking at work, said that if he is confirmed as defense secretary, he wont drink. But if he isnt confirmed, Che joked, look out! Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) A social media serial killer warning that authorities say is a hoax has now spread to another North Carolina county. Last week, deputies in Edgecombe County revealed a false social media post showing a mans mugshot along with a message warning county residents to be alert and vigilant of the serial killer. You best believe if I think we have a serial killer in our county, were going to be out front, said Edgecombe County Sheriff Cleveland Atkinson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the fake serial killer message has popped up in Warren County, officials said Friday. The warning, which features a bald man with a beard, says that he goes around knocking on peoples door claiming to be homeless, seeking help and he attacks you. RELATED: Totally false: Edgecombe County sheriff says no serial killer on the loose It is being shared around our community, the Warren County Sheriffs Office said, adding there seems to be no news, or evidence to support the claims in the social media post. Warren County deputies said the current post appears to also reference Warrenton, Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The safety and security of our communities are very important to us, and we can assure you that if this person was in our midst, we would alert the public, deputies in Warren County said. CBS 17 actually tracked down the man in the photo. He is from Louisiana and the mugshot is from a case in 2018 when he was arrested for a number of charges, but none of them were homicide or murder. His name is also different than the suspect name given in the false social media post. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. He lied Well, its now a fact: President Biden is truly a liar. Fathers gift On President Biden pardoning his son Hunter: President Biden rightly wanted to prevent him from falling into the slimy clutches of President Trumps promised retribution schemes. All things considered, what caring father would not do the same? It was planned I dont for one minute believe that President Biden suddenly, over Thanksgiving dinner, came to the conclusion his son was unfairly targeted because of his last name and treated more harshly than others. These ideas were there for months, maybe years, and it seems there is at least some validity to this argument. Of course Donald Trump must put his two cents in, because he must always be the biggest victim of all, but I notice he isnt bragging about his pardons, especially of the disgraced, disbarred criminal Charles Kushner, which you wont hear about on FOX News. Hunters new job? Hunter Biden is a twice-convicted felon, led a chaotic and dubious past, and has been pardoned, but thats not enough qualifications to join Donald Trumps new Cabinet. Time to work Give me a break on all the DEI, immigrants taking your jobs, and we shall not be replaced. You have no excuse now so get a skill, or a degree, and quit whining. Make the military great again For several years, I have been ashamed of our military leadership. Shame on all those high ranking, political woke military leaders who traded time-tested military tradition and training, and a warrior fight-and-win ethos for such a weak and politically-correct military environment. Big change Does anyone remember George H.W. Bush, the last respectable Republican, save Liz Cheney, calling for a kinder and gentler America? It was only 30 years ago and just look how morals have evaporated since then. Bullying My daughter has also endured bullying since the 5th grade. I reported it many times always being told that it wont be tolerated and then nothing is done. Bullying policy I guess the schools zero-tolerance bullying policy means if theyre notified about bullying, they will do zero about it. Trade war brewing? The headline says, Chinas new playbook to Trump: supply chain warfare. Did Donald Trump actually think that China would just lie down and die? Maybe he really is that stupid. The myth of DEI Having retired from the federal government, I can testify that promotions are given to career employees and those who choose to get a degree or skill. Applicants are vetted by HR after being submitted by managers, etc. Even if a department wanted to hire non-whites to flavor up the place, itll be one or maybe two. I know because Ive been the only Black face in most of my jobs, because, I had the degree and the experience. We must be over-qualified to get jobs that Whites hold with only a high school diploma and bare minimum experience. Rant on Someone who embraces the undisputed champ of maniacal rants wrote in with a maniacal rant accusing Democrats of maniacally ranting. Thank you, Sound Off, for being here for all of us to express ourselves with our rants, maniacal and otherwise. Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com. The News South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol survived opposition lawmakers bid to impeach him Saturday following his brief declaration of martial law. Yoons ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote, a move the countrys assembly speaker said meant the ballot effectively didnt occur, prompting mass protests. Its unclear what Yoons partys next move may be. South Korean newspaper The Korea Herald reported that some lawmakers could now negotiate the presidents orderly resignation to stem any further electoral fallout. Meanwhile, opposition parties are considering a second impeachment attempt as soon as Wednesday next week. Speaking before the vote, the Bank of Koreas governor Rhee Chang-yong told the Financial Times the crisis would delay critical structural reforms to the countrys stagnant economy. However, the central bank chief argued the financial impact would ultimately prove short-lived and relatively muted, citing South Koreas weathering of past political crises. Instead, he argued that intensifying Chinese competition and the threat of hiked import duties by the US, which have already dampened growth forecasts, pose much greater threats. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) In an era of rising authoritarianism, at the heels of a six-hour martial law decree that unfolded while many South Koreans slept, something noteworthy happened: Democracy held. The past week in Seoul, officials and academics warn, is what a threat to democracy looks like in 2024. It's a democratically elected president declaring martial law over the nation he leads, asserting sweeping powers to prevent opposition demonstrations, ban political parties and control the media. It's members of the military attempting to block lawmakers from exercising their power to vote on cancelling the power grab. And here's what it took to defeat President Yoon Suk Yeol 's lurch toward government by force: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unified popular support for democracy. Legislators storming the National Assembly past midnight, live-streaming themselves climbing over fences. A politician grabbing at a soldier's rifle and yelling Aren't you ashamed? until he retreated. And finally, decisively, Parliament assembling a quorum and voting unanimously to cancel martial law. It was a victory for a hard-won democracy and for the idea that checks and balances among branches of government must work to counteract each other's ambitions, as the American founders wrote in the Federalist Papers in 1788. But as the drama played out in Seoul, the scaffolding of democracy rattled around the world. It said something about the rule of law Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other countries, the grab for power might have worked. Other would-be authoritarians might have been better prepared than Yoon. In deeply polarized societies the United States, for example, where Republicans are staunchly loyal to president-elect Donald Trump there might not have been decisive support from the public or the opposition. The military might have used force. And the members of the legislature might not have voted as one to snuff out the attempted takeover. President Yoon's attempt to declare martial law reveals the fragility of the rule of law in divided societies, especially those with governments in which the chief executive cannot be easily dismissed by the legislature," said Tom Pepinsky, a government professor at Cornell University who studies backsliding among democracies in Southeast Asia. Notably, he said in an email, No members of President Yoons own party were willing to defend his actions in public." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, Yoons surprise attempt to impose martial law revealed both the fragility and resilience of the countrys democratic system. Within three hours of his stunning announcement to impose military rule claiming the opposition was paralyzing state affairs 190 lawmakers voted to cancel his actions. In so doing, they demonstrated the strength of the countrys democratic checks and balances. Yoons authoritarian push, carried out by hundreds of heavily armed troops with Blackhawk helicopters and armored vehicles sent to the National Assembly, harked back to an era of dictatorial presidents. The countrys democratic transition in the late 1980s came after years of massive protests by millions that eventually overcame violent suppressions by military rulers. Civilian presence was again crucial in shaping the events following Yoons late night television announcement on Tuesday. Thousands of people flocked to the National Assembly, shouting slogans for martial law to be lifted and Yoon to step down from power. There were no reports of violent clashes with troops and police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We restored democracy without having a single casualty this time, said Seol Dong-hoon, a sociology professor at South Koreas Jeonbuk National University. It's not that easy to become a dictator Its virtually impossible for any leader of a democracy to pull off a transition toward martial law without a public willing to support it, or at least tolerate it. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, attracted millions of views as he began live-streaming his journey to the National Assembly, pleading for people to converge on the parliament to help lawmakers get inside. The shaky footage later shows him exiting his car climbing over a fence to get onto the grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vote at the National Assembly was also broadcast live on the YouTube channel of Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik, who also had to scale a fence to get in. Yoons sense of crisis clearly wasnt shared by the public, whose opinions, Seol said, were shaped predominantly by the shocking videos broadcast to their devices. Ultimately, democracy is all about moving public opinion, he said. What was most crucial in this case was that everything was broadcast live on smartphones, YouTube and countless other media. Opposition lawmakers are now pushing to impeach Yoon, saying he failed to meet the constitutional requirement that martial law should only be considered in wartime or a comparable severe crisis and that he unlawfully deployed troops to the National Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, an opposition-led impeachment motion failed after most lawmakers from Yoons party boycotted the vote. Yet the presidents troubles persist: The votes defeat is expected to intensify nationwide protests and deepen South Koreas political turmoil, with opposition parties preparing to introduce another impeachment motion when parliament reconvenes on Wednesday. Han Sang-hie, a law professor at Seouls Konkuk University, said the martial law debacle highlights what he sees as the most crucial flaw of South Koreas democracy: that it places too much power in the hands of the president, which is easily abused and often goes unchecked. It's called a self-coup Political scientists call what happened in South Korea an autogolpe a self-coup defined as one led by incumbent leaders themselves, in which an executive takes or sponsors illegal actions against others in the government. Yoon qualifies because he used troops to try to shut down South Korea's legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Self-coups are increasing, with a third of the 46 since 1945 occurring in the past decade, according to a study by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Penn State University. About 80% of self-coups succeed, they reported. In 2021, a power grab by Tunisian President Kais Saied raised similar concerns around the world after the country designed a democracy from scratch and won a Nobel Peace Prize after a largely bloodless revolution. In the United States, some have expresed worry about similar situations arising during the second administration of Donald Trump. He has vowed, after all, to shake some of democracy's pillars. He's mused that he would be justified if he decided to pursue the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution. Thats in contrast to the oath of office he took in 2017, and will again next year, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution as best he can. Nearly half of voters in the Nov. 5 election, which Trump won, said they were very concerned that another Trump presidency would bring the U.S. closer to authoritarianism, according to AP Votecast survey data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked before a live audience on Fox News Channel in 2023 to assure Americans that he would not abuse power or use the presidency to seek retribution against anyone, Trump replied, except for day one," when he'll close the border and drill, drill, drill. After that, Trump said, "I'm not a dictator. ___ Kellman reported from London. Syrians have stormed Bashar al-Assads abandoned presidential palace in Damascus, looting the dictators belongings, posing behind his desk and uncovering his large collection of luxury cars. Assad is believed to have fled the country to an undisclosed location on Sunday as his regime was brought down by a rebel uprising. His whereabouts remains unclear and his army appears to have dissolved, offering limited resistance in face of the rebel advance, and allowing rebel fighters and civilians to enter his presidential palace unchallenged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As rebel groups took control of the Syrian capital, videos emerged showing fighters and civilians entering the sprawling New Shaab Palace and combing through its rooms and grounds. A ransacked room inside the palace - Hussein Malla/AP A rebel fighter sits in an office at the presidential palace - Omar Sanadiki/AP Men, women and children can be seen touring the palace and its large garden, with rooms completely empty, save some furniture and a portrait of Assad thrown on the floor. One clip shows looters exhibiting Assads collection of luxury vehicles. The video gives a tour of a large hangar filled with millions of pounds worth of cars including Ferraris, Aston Martins, Rolls-Royces, BMWs, Mercedes and what appears to be a Bugatti Veyron. In another video, two rebel fighters can be seen firing automatic rifles into the sky as they enter the New Shaab Palace, which sits on a hill overlooking the west of Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another clip shows five fighters scouting through the marble-floored building, which covers 510,000 square meters and comprises three six-storey buildings. Expensive paintings and wooden furniture can be seen decorating its halls. As fighters walk into one of the en-suite bathrooms, the video shows a jacuzzi. A large bathtub inside the presidential palace In the supposed master bedroom, the telephone remained functioning and the fighters also discovered a list of phone numbers, seemingly left behind by the fleeing dictator. The master bedroom In addition to scouting the interior of the palace, one video on X, formerly Twitter, also shows fighters smashing Assads family portraits, while another shows a person carrying an orange Louis Vuitton box as they walk up a flight of stairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At another of Assads palaces in Aleppo, rebel fighters found a picture of the Syrian leader as a young man, wearing nothing but a pair of speedos. In the night-time photo, Assad can be seen posing on the side of a boat with another man and two women, who were also wearing swimsuits. Their identities are unclear. In response to the picture, one Syrian woman wrote on X: May Allah forgive you, you ruined our morning with this sight. A photo of Bashar al-Assad (far left) in a small swimsuit - X Back in Damascus, some people were seen taking photos of their children inside the palace, seemingly unfazed by the armed fighters roaming the halls. I came for revenge; they oppressed us in incredible ways, Abu Omar, 44, told Frances AFP news agency. I am taking pictures because I am so happy to be here in the middle of his house. Until Assads government fell, his residence and the presidential palace had been strictly off limits - Hussein Malla/AP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The looting of Assads palace in Damascus comes after rebel groups launched a lightning offensive last week and quickly took control of the countrys largest cities, ending the Assad familys decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East. Until Assads government fell, his residence and the presidential palace had been strictly off limits to ordinary citizens. As he moved from room to room, Abu Omar said he felt overjoyed. I no longer feel afraid, he added. My only concern is that we unite [as Syrians] and build this country together. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PARIS (AP) Notre Dame Cathedral, its air thick with the smell of incense, hosted its first Mass on Sunday since the catastrophic fire of 2019, a moment that transcended religious significance to become a powerful symbol of Paris resilience. Beneath the glow of traditional chandeliers and modern spotlights, which illuminated its intricately carved stonework, the cathedral emerged reborn, its grandeur restored after five years of reconstruction. For Catholics, it marks the revival of the citys spiritual heart, a place where faith has been nurtured for centuries. For the world, it signals the rebirth of one of global heritage's most famous landmarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event was both solemn and historic. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich presided over the morning Mass, including the consecration of a new bronze altar. The liturgy was attended by 2,500 people, including French President Emmanuel Macron enjoying a brief respite from France's political tumult and economic troubles clergy, dignitaries and a few lucky members of the general public who stood in long lines to enter. Nearly 170 bishops from France and around the world took part, along with one priest from each of the 113 parishes in the Paris diocese, accompanied by worshippers from these communities. Macron, in line with Frances strict division of state and church, did not take communion. Notre Dames journey from ruin to resurrection was defined by extraordinary craftsmanship, nearly $1 billion in global donations and a collective, unyielding determination to rebuild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Mass, faithful attendees, priests, nuns, and other guests lingered in the cathedral, their awe evident. Many took pictures and selfies in front of the altar, the baptistery, and vibrant rose windows, their joy mingling with reverence. Others knelt to pray at chapels dedicated to saints, savoring a spiritual intimacy many had not experienced since the fire. Later Sunday, the cathedral opened its doors to members of the public who secured reservations last week for the first fully public Mass. The Associated Press learned that tickets for this service were claimed within 25 minutes, underscoring Notre Dames enduring appeal. Whats more extraordinary is that this is taking place in a country with a strong emphasis on secularism and a low rate of church attendance. The public watches on from a distance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public viewing areas along the Seine on Sunday morning drew hundreds of people who wished to witness the historic moment from afar, although their numbers were likely subdued by rainy and miserably cold weather conditions. Retired engineer Claude Lancrenon, watching from a viewing area, expressed both awe and disappointment. There is so much security, he said, gesturing toward the barriers. Yesterday, that seemed appropriate. But today, I had hoped it would be more open so we could approach the cathedral. I still hope well be able to get closer. Tight security akin to that of the Paris Olympic Games reflected the importance of the occasion, ensuring the safety of dignitaries and the public alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nathalie Martino, a retired event organizer visiting Paris, recalled the anguish of watching the cathedral burn. I cried so much that day, she said. And now, here I am. I had to come. It was something I needed to do. A sacred space reborn Sundays Masses follow Saturday evenings ceremonies in which Ulrich symbolically reopened the cathedrals massive wooden doors by striking them three times with a crosier crafted from charred beams salvaged from the fire. As the doors swung open, choirs filled the air with song and the cathedrals great organ silent since the fire resounded with majestic melodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside, the restoration reveals a cathedral transformed with now-gleaming limestone walls cleaned of centuries of grime. The restored stained-glass windows project dazzling patterns of color across the nave. No one alive has seen the cathedral like this, said the Rev. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, Notre Dames rector. "It is more than restored it is reborn. The consecration of the new altar was a pivotal moment in Notre Dames return to full liturgical life. The altar houses relics of five saints tied to Paris, including St. Catherine Laboure and St. Charles de Foucauld, continuing a centuries-old tradition of embedding sacred artifacts at the heart of worship spaces. The consecration, involving holy water, chrism oil, incense and prayer, transforms the altar into a sacred centerpiece of the cathedral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was the most moving moment of the day for Marie Capucine, 37, a consecrated virgin representing her Parisian parish of Saint Germain des Pres at the reopening. She recalled the day the fire raged, and the communion in prayer all over the world'' for the cathedral to be saved. That shows that the Church gathers, no matter whether people are believers or not, it says something to the world, something beautiful, she concluded. A moment of unity The reopening of Notre Dame is also a moment of cultural and national unity. Macron, who vowed to restore the cathedral within five years after the fire, called the project a jolt of hope for France, a nation often divided by political crises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sunday Masses underscore Notre Dames dual role as a place of worship and a symbol of communal resilience. They also ensure that members of the broader Catholic community can partake in the cathedrals spiritual revival. Challenges overcome The path to restoration was fraught with challenges. Lead contamination forced work to pause, and the COVID-19 pandemic added delays. Yet the project, overseen by architect Philippe Villeneuve, has been hailed as a triumph of human ingenuity and collective resolve. Cutting-edge fire prevention systems, including thermal cameras and a misting system, have been installed to safeguard the cathedrals future. Villeneuve described the effort as restoring not just a building but the soul of a nation, emphasizing the personal and national significance of the work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A sacred future and an octave With its spire once again piercing the Parisian sky, Notre Dame is poised to reclaim its role as a global beacon of faith and art. The cathedral, which previously welcomed 12 million annual visitors, is expected to draw 15 million in its new chapter. This monumental revival is not confined to a single day. Ulrich has announced an octave of celebrations eight days of special religious services, each with its own theme, running through Dec. 15. These daily liturgies, open to diverse groups from local parishioners to international pilgrims, emphasize Notre Dames role as a unifying spiritual hub. ___ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Leicester, Yesica Brumec and Bela Szandelszky in Paris contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Dec. 7St. John's College has taken another step toward making the state's only private liberal arts campus more affordable, with a focus on attracting more New Mexico residents. The Annapolis- and Santa Fe-based college announced last month it would guarantee at least free academic tuition for domestic students from families making less than $75,000 annually, through a combination of federal and institutional grants. While the guarantee doesn't necessarily include housing and food, students are able to stack other financial aid offers be it merit-based scholarships or need-based aid to cover such costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's designed to make it very clear so that when people are applying to college, they'll know what to expect when they get their financial aid package," said Benjamin Baum, vice president of enrollment of St. John's, "and it's also us using the $326 million that we've raised over the last number of years as a part of this campaign to increasingly make the college more affordable to a larger range of families." That campaign, which exceeded its initial goal of raising $300 million, was called "Freeing Minds: A Campaign for St. John's College," and was launched in 2018 as a way to shift the college from a tuition- to a philanthropy-based model. Following the announcement of the campaign came multiple affordability pushes: * In 2019, the college said it would be cutting tuition by 33% from $55,000 to $35,000 reversing a decade of price increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * In 2020, it announced a pledge to match the funding students receive from federal Pell Grants. And for New Mexico residents, it guaranteed a special grant bringing tuition to a flat rate not exceeding $25,000 annually. New Mexico students are a central focus of the new initiative, which Baum said is a "new reframing of the way we provide aid to our students most in need." "We are a college that appeals to people from all over the country and around the world," he said, noting the school also cares about those in its "hometowns" in New Mexico and Maryland. That's the idea, he said, behind initiatives like the $25,000 flat-rate tuition for New Mexicans and recruitment efforts in high schools across the state that try to get students interested in St. John's unique approach to education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's no giant lecture hall at St. John's. ... Every single class is going to be this engaging experience between roughly 16 students around a table with one or two of our faculty members," he said. Baum mentioned three cornerstones to St. John's academic identity. * Focus on the small classroom discussion. * The Great Books curriculum, bringing students together to discuss authors of literary classics from Jane Austen and W.E.B. Du Bois to Plato and Aristotle. * The interdisciplinary nature of a liberal arts education, which sees students seeking out the connections between disciplines instead of being forced into one field of study. "That's something that I think that many New Mexico students really want," Baum said, "and it's our job to get out there and make sure they know about this opportunity, know that it's both something that they might want to be doing, but also something that's affordable for them." The accident occurred on Saturday the Addanki-Narkatpalli highway when the vehicle carrying passengers was returning from Kondagattu Anjaneyaswamy Temple in Telangana, where the passengers had gone to perform a puja for their new car, police said. "The accident took place while the group was returning to their native village, Siripuram, after offering prayers at the Kondagattu Anjaneyaswamy temple," Piduguralla Rural station Sub inspector Mohan said. The injured are in critical condition and have been shifted to the hospital. Preliminary investigations indicate speeding as the cause of the accident, police said. Further information is awaited. (ANI) STANTON, Neb. (KCAU) The Stanton County Sheriff states that two men are lucky to be alive after a crash about four miles south of Stanton on Highway 57. According to a release, the crash occurred at 7:27 a.m. on Sunday when Alejandro Reyes, 27, of Stanton, was traveling north, crossed the center line through the southbound lane, and struck a bridge guardrail head-on. 1 arrested in Empire Mall shooting incident in Sioux Falls Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The passenger, Jose Mandujano-Ceja, 30, of Stanton, was trapped in the wreckage and had to be extracted using the Jaws of Life. The release states that he would then be transferred by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. The impact of the crash totaled the car and caused major damage to the railing. Additionally, due to debris that was spread over a 30-yard area, the highway was closed for nearly two hours, according to the release. Reyes was arrested for DWI-2nd offense, careless driving, and an open alcoholic liquor container. The release noted that he was also transported to a local hospital following his arrest. Mandujano-Ceja was also cited for an open alcoholic liquor container. Stanton Fire and Rescue, Pilger Fire and Rescue, and Leigh Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. The release noted that a LifeNet helicopter was en route until canceled. The Stanton County Emergency Management assisted in the scene investigation. Nebraska DOT was noted to have still been on the scene at 11 a.m. working on the damaged bridge approach. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Keir Starmer is making a historic trip to Cyprus next week at a time when concerns are being raised over the future of the two crucial UK bases on the Mediterranean island in the wake of the deal to hand over Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The trip by Sir Keir on his way back from a brief tour of Arab Gulf states will be the first time a UK prime minister has visited for a one-to-one bilateral meeting with the president of Cyprus for 53 years since Ted Heath visited the island in 1971. Since then only John Major visited in his role as prime minister for a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government in 1993. Starmers previous meeting with the Republic of Cyprus president Nikos Christodoulides (Dan Kitwood/PA Wire) The trip is part of the post-Brexit reset to help build relations with EU leaders. However, Sir Keir arrives amid growing demands in Cyprus for the UK to hand back its two crucial bases on the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demands have been fuelled by his controversial deal to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius involving the status of the Diego Garcia base. This has come at a time when protests over the UK bases in Cyprus have started up again. While Downing Street sources have indicated that the future of the bases will not be up for discussion, the Tories are seeking public reassurances. Tory shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois said: Given the ongoing instability in the Middle East, the strategic importance of our sovereign base facilities in Cyprus is plainly obvious. Having already attempted to surrender one vital British military installation - in the Chagos Islands - lets hope our prime minister is not about to commence the surrender of those in Cyprus now too. Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel added: The threats to Britain are only growing and evolving. Having a strong international presence is becoming increasingly important, so we welcome strengthening partnerships with international allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "However, the prime minister must be clear that he has no intention to hand over another strategically important military base. This must not be another fiasco like the international embarrassment of the Chagos deal. TRNC president Ersin Tatar with the president of the Republic of Cyprus (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The importance of the UK bases and their listening posts for the Middle East has been underlined in the last week over the latest outbreak of civil war in Syria. The government has previously said that the bases in Cyprus are not affected by the Chagos deal and are secure. Added to that, The Independent has learnt that the president of the breakaway and unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been left surprised after claiming Sir Keir had not informed him of his visit. The office of the TRNCs president Ersin Tatar is requesting a meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement released exclusively to The Independent, the office said: As one of the guarantor powers, the UK has an obligation to treat the two sides on an equal footing, notwithstanding the fact that the visit is being staged at a time when the UN Secretary-General will be hosting a broader informal meeting on the Cyprus issue, to which the UK will also be represented. There are two sides in Cyprus and any settlement to be reached requires dialogue, cooperation and understanding between the sides. Simply ignoring the existence of Turkish Cypriot people and speaking to only one side of the conflicting parties will only undermine efforts to build trust and ways to paving the way for meaningful cooperation across different areas between the sides. We expect for common sense and reason to prevail, and for the UK prime minister to accept meeting with President Ersin Tatar during his visit to the Island. The visit is taking place in the year where both sides of the island have marked the partition following the outbreak of civil war and intervention by Turkey in 1974. Turkey has remained in bases there since in what the TRNC regards as a protective force and the Republic of Cyprus and United Nations describe as illegal occupation. Tory shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois says Sir Keir mustnt surrender bases in Cyprus (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Archive) This year Labours former foreign secretary Jack Straw, who was part of the Annan Plan to reunite the island, which failed in 2004 when Cyprus vetoed it, added his support for a two-state solution to recognise both halves of the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prime minister arrives on Monday night and will meet President Nikos Christodoulides in the capital Nicosia on Tuesday, before travelling to meet British troops deployed over Christmas. Downing Street said that the prime minister and president are expected to discuss how to deepen cooperation on shared security challenges in the region, including Russian illicit finance and tackling serious organised crime. Cyprus deputy high commissioner to the UK Spyros Miltiades said: This is a historic visit by a British PM to the Republic of Cyprus. The two principals will discuss the reinforced bilateral UK - Cyprus ties, including defence and security, trade, education, investments, as well as the role of Cyprus in the region. They will also discuss the Cyprus issue and the process to restart negotiations. The trip follows follows visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keir will hold a bilateral in the UAE with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday morning, before flying to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud later that day. The prime minister is set to pursue closer ties with United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, some of the UKs most vital modern-day partners, to increase investment, deepen defence and security ties, and drive growth and new opportunities to deliver change that is felt by working people. Ahead of the trip he said: Driving long term growth at home requires us to strengthen partnerships abroad. That is why I am travelling to the Gulf this week, to build a network of partners for the UK that is focused on driving high quality growth, boosting opportunities, and delivering for the people at home. There is huge untapped potential in this region, which is why, while here, I will be making the case to accelerate progress on the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, deepen our research and development collaboration and partner on projects of the future, whether that be in Artificial Intelligence or in defence and security programmes. By doing so, hardworking British people will reap the rewards for generation to come. CUMBOLA State police are investigating animal cruelty at a house fire at 169 Market St. where several dogs were rescued, and some died. On Saturday, a 37-year-old woman from Cumbola agreed to surrender the surviving dogs to Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA in Pine Grove, according to a release from the Frackville unit of the Pennsylvania State Police. The dogs owner, whose name was not released, is being investigated for animal cruelty, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alessandra Dejoseph, who lives next door to the house that burned, was taking care of three of the dogs that survived the fire. Late Friday, the owner of the home, Roberto Herrera, and a woman arrived at Dejosephs home to retrieve the dogs. The woman told her she was breeding the dogs, Dejoseph said. Out of 13 dogs believed to be in the house, three of the survivors are being treated at a veterinary hospital, she said. Yet another dog is being cared for by a neighbor. Desjoseph said she was told there were four dogs dead inside the building in addition to the two outside under a blanket Friday. Firefighters responded to the home around 1:10 p.m. after a passerby alerted the Schuylkill County Communications Center to report smoke coming from the house, and dogs visible in a window. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one was home at the time. Firefighters rescued several of the dogs, and neighbors rescued two more confined to crates and visible from a front window. Concerned residents provided food and water to the pets. A firefighter provided blankets to warm up the dogs. Blythe Twp. Fire Marshal Bill Buckingham said the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Were pretty sure it (started) in the rear of the house (on) the first floor, he said Friday. State police Fire Marshal Joseph Hall, who was on scene Friday, was unavailable for comment Saturday. Port Carbon Fire Chief Joseph Welsh said he could not confirm the number of animals in the house. State Rep.-elect Nate Davidson (D-Dauphin) (Contributed photo) After five years as a legislative staff member, Harrisburgs Nate Davidson will join the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a lawmaker next year. Davidson prevailed in a five-way Democratic primary for Rep. Patty Kims seat in the 103rd Legislative District. He defeated his Republican opponent, East Pennsboro Area School board member Cynthia Ward, in the general election last month. Kim was elected to the Dauphin County state Senate seat left open by Republican Sen. John DiSantos retirement As a House staffer, Davidson worked as floor manager of the Democratic Caucus and senior advisor to the Democratic chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Before joining the legislative staff, Davidson ran the House Democratic Campaign Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He received endorsements for a diverse group of supporters including Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams and other Dauphin and Cumberland county officials, the Pennsylvania State Education Association and eight other unions and advocacy groups including Planned Parenthood PA and Conservation Voters of PA. I was working with the senior leadership staff and the leaders on a day-to-day basis, so I have some of that institutional knowledge baked in from the past decade, Davidson said. That experience factor was one of the reasons a lot of the various groups, organizations or individuals came to support me in the campaign. The 103rd District includes part of the city of Harrisburg and part of Cumberland County including Camp Hill, Lemoyne, Wormleysburg and East Pennsboro Township. Capital-Star: What would you say is most unique about your district? Davidson: For the first time we have a state House seat that crosses the Susquehanna River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Generally the east shore, west shore divide is well known in these parts. I view it as a real opportunity. I was born and raised in Dauphin County then I went to college in Cumberland County, and every day in my community, people get in their cars or get on the bus and they cross the bridge. Too often in the past, theres been that parochial view that the west shore takes care of itself, and the east shore, they take care of themselves, and they fight about this and that. But I really do think were one of the fastest growing areas in the commonwealth right now. We really need to be working together to capture that energy and harness the opportunities that present themselves. Historically, rewind 50 or 60 years, much of Cumberland County hadnt been developed. It was not a suburban community. It was farms for the most part. So I think as population growth has changed the communities, there was a population shift out of the city into bedroom communities. These communities are all connected, whether you live in a bedroom community or you live in the city, or live on the west shore, work on the east shore, were all tied together. C-S: What do you think are the most pressing issues in the 103rd district? Davidson: One of the challenges that my district faces is the scale of needs in various parts of the district. You know, the city has some real needs and unique challenges because of our taxing situation. About half the property of the city is non taxable because its commonwealth owned or nonprofit. And thats unlike any other municipality in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are more things that bind us together than separate us. Everybody wants healthy and safe communities, right? That starts with good schools, regardless of where you live. That starts with safe streets. That starts with safe communities and access to health care. Some of the more acute things that will be impacting this region is were about to repair two bridges that cross the Susquehanna in the coming years, the Interstate 83 south bridge and the Market Street Bridge. Its tough to see into the future on the calendar for when theyre scheduled to be replaced exactly, but theyre probably going to happen very close together in time, which is just going to create a whole host of other challenges for the region. We also have to pay for those projects. And transportation funding is a major issue right now in the commonwealth. C-S: Is there a piece of legislation that you have in your back pocket that you plan to introduce on day one? Davidson: I plan on introducing former House Speaker Mark Rozzis bills for sexual abuse survivors in the new session. Obviously were disappointed that the legislature did not act in the past session to get that across the finish line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (C-S note: Rozzi, who did not run for reelection, introduced legislation to create an exception to the civil statute of limitations to allow adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse to sue those who abused them and their enablers. Although the proposal to amend the state constitution to create a two-year window to seek legal compensation passed with bipartisan support, it never went to voters for approval due to a procedural error. Attempts to pass the legislation again in the past session were unsuccessful after the state Senate amended it to include a voter ID requirement) Ive spoken with Rozzi, but also a number of the other members of our caucus who have been passionate on this issue, some of whom have shared their own survival stories publicly. Others have not, but Ive spoken with them as well. Its disappointing that there are those who made a choice to interject something like that into an issue that really is just common sense and obvious. Im doing my best not to point fingers and insert partisanship here, because I think if were ever going to get this across the finish line, its important to take a step back from those partisan lines, and remember that like this is a proposal that will serve the best interest of Pennsylvanians. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Dec. 7STERLING The Sterling Public Library will host a job search workshop from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. Admission to the workshop is free. Attendees can receive information and resources from Business Employment Skills Team Inc. and the Illinois Department of Employment Security representatives. Brenda Helms of Sauk Valley Community College will be the guest speaker and provide Sauk Valley Community College program information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BEST Inc. is a nonprofit that administers federally funded programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in Bureau, Carroll, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, Putnam and Whiteside counties. The Sterling Public Library is located at 102 W. Third St. in Sterling. For information, call 815-631-2146 or visit best-inc.org. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has issued a boil order for the town of Stratford in Garvin County. DEQ officials issued the order after E. coli was found in the drinking water. The order asks people in the area to use water that has been brought to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute, bottled water or water from another acceptable source for consumption, use in food preparation, dishwashing and brushing teeth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Lawmakers dig into Norman, Oklahoma drinking water quality DEQ officials said users will be notified when the water is considered safe for human consumption. Federal law requires consumers be notified when a public water supply exceeds certain maximum contaminant levels and might be harmful to the health of consumers, officials said. This is a developing story on Oklahoman.com. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: DEQ officials issue boil order in Stratford following E. coli discovery During a time of declining public confidence in higher education, University of Utah President Taylor Randall shares the importance of use-inspired research to improve the campus experience for incoming students. We have seen of any American institution, a greater loss of confidence in higher education than any other, whether it be the military or police or Supreme Court. And so I always talk about us needing to pivot, somewhat. And I always say instead of teaching, we now have to inspire people. In this Deseret News video, titled We have to inspire, Randall says universities have to show a path into careers and life that will lead to happiness and hope. Randall said his role as university president has also given him extraordinary hope for the future of humankind. When I see both the inventions that are occurring on my campus, but also the energy and the vibrancy of the next generation. I sleep easy at night, he says. DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) Thousands of members of three youth and student bodies belonging to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party marched toward the Indian High Commission in the country's capital on Sunday to denounce attacks on a diplomatic mission and alleged desecration of Bangladeshi flags in India. The protests came a day before Indias foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, is due to visit Dhaka amid growing tension between the two neighbors in recent months. It will be the first high-profile diplomatic visit by an Indian official since the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is in exile in India, in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bangladesh, which is predominantly Muslim, has accused the majority Hindus in India of attacking the Assistant High Commissioners office at Agartala in the Indian state of Tripura and desecrating Bangladeshi flags in Kolkata in West Bengal state. India said it regretted the attacks and pledged to take action against those responsible. Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned the Indian High Commissioner and protested formally. On Sunday, thousands of supporters of the BNP, which is headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, marched toward the Indian High Commission, but police stopped them by setting up barbed wire fences. They later allowed a team of six leaders of the three associate bodies of the party to hand in a letter to the High Commission. The BNP last ruled Bangladesh in 2001-2006 in partnership with the Jamaat-e-Islami party. In the absence of Hasina, Zia's party is the main force and it is expected to win the next election if it happens sometime soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hasina, whose party is seen as more secular than the BNP, is highly regarded by India as a trusted friend. Most Hindus in Bangladesh are considered to be supporters of Hasina's Awami League party. The BNP supporters chanted slogans such as Delhi or Dhaka? Dhaka, Dhaka! and Agents of India, be careful, be careful! They also carried banners reading We have friends overseas, but not masters. The protesters said India has been trying to instigate communal riots in Bangladesh to achieve political mileage since the ouster of Hasina, who fled to India following a mass uprising that ended her 15-year rule. Hasinas party is struggling to get back on the streets while Hasina herself is facing arrest warrants on charges of crimes against humanity involving the deaths of hundreds of protesters during the uprising in July and August. Over the past few weeks, some smaller Islamist groups and the BNP have protested against India over the attacks in Tripura and urged the interim government, led by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, to officially raise concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation started becoming tense after authorities in Bangladesh last month arrested a prominent Bangladeshi Hindu leader and jailed him, pending further legal procedures. India had earlier officially raised concern over allegations of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh after the fall of Hasina. Yunus and his close aides said the reports were exaggerated. Bangladesh has been navigating crucial challenges since August amid mob violence, rising commodity prices, street protests and an unstable economy. The presence of Islamist groups has been visible more than ever in recent months. The police are demoralized because many of their colleagues were killed in the protests and law and order remains a major concern, with rights groups also calling for ensuring press freedom. About 700 inmates including many criminals and radical Islamists still remain at large after jailbreaks during the political chaos in August. Yunus has been urging people to stay calm, promising improvement. Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024, stating that only 10 per cent to 12 per cent of proposed investments materialize after various memorandum of understandings are signed. Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 is scheduled to be held in Jaipur in December. Speaking to reporters, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said, "Our best wishes. Every government makes an effort to bring in investment from across the country as well as outside - they sign Memorandum of understanding (MoUs) and bring in investment. But after the MoU, a mere 10-12 per cent investment comes in. Attending the program is one thing but actual investment is a different thing." Gehlot said that the Congress government had sanctioned a Rs 40,000 crore project aimed at increasing employment opportunities; however, it was delayed for nearly five years due to a change in government. The project resumed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, Gehlot added. "Refinery is very important for us. When Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi was the chairperson, we approved this Rs 40,000 crores project. A fantastic project with a modern petrochemicals complex was coming up. Unfortunately, there was a change in government and the work was stopped for almost five years. Later, PM Modi returned to lay the foundation stone once again. Then the project started. After that, our Govt came to power. We monitored it. Jobs would be generated through the petrochemicals complex," Gehlot said. The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit is being organised on December 9, 10 and 11in the state capital, Jaipur. The summit will be held in Jaipur Exhibition Convention Centre (JECC), Sitapura. The three-day Summit will string together state's opportunity showcase, strategic thematic sessions, country sessions, one-on-one business meetings and much more. These will also include an MSME Conclave and a Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave. (ANI) A man remains at large after an alleged home invasion near Collinsville and police chase into St. Louis Friday night. Sheriffs deputies were dispatched to a reported home invasion in the 8900 block of Rene Ave. in State Park Place at about 9:43 p.m., Madison County Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido said in an email. The suspect forced his way into the residence armed with a gun. At least one shot was fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This investigation revealed that the suspect and victims were generally familiar with each other and this was not a random act of violence, Pulido said. The suspect fled the scene in a gray Toyota pickup truck and was later spotted on Illinois 111 near Horseshoe Lake Road and led a pursuit on Interstate 55-70 by several police agencies including Madison County Sheriffs Department and Pontoon Beach Police. Once the crossed into Missouri, St. Louis City Police picked up the pursuit. Pulido said the suspect fired gun shots at the pursuing officers and the chase was terminated. Thankfully, there were no injuries sustained during the entire incident, Pulido said. For now, the suspect has temporarily avoided apprehension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are thankful to all the law enforcement agencies that assisted and please know that our detectives will work tirelessly until the suspect is located. Anyone with information is asked to call the Madison County Sheriffs Department at 618-692-0871. The suspect in a stabbing that took place in Cincinnati was found in Logan County, [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The man is accused of a stabbing that took place just before 10:30 a.m. Nov. 29 in the 300 block of Baum Street in Cincinnati, our news partners at WCPO-9 TV reported. The victim suffered what police described as critical injuries. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect has since been identified as 31-year-old Michael Bowlin. Bowlin was last known to be in Madison County, Kentucky. He was found Saturday evening in Logan County, roughly two hours northeast of Cincinnati. Police did not specify exactly where or how he was located. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images The investigation into the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO took another bizarre twist Saturday as it was reported that a backpack linked to the alleged killer contained only two items: A jacket and Monopoly money. The suspects backpack was found in Central Park on Friday two days after the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a New York City hotel and while police havent revealed what was found, ABC News reports that a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and play money from the board game Monopoly but not the firearm used in the killing were inside of it. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Police Department also released a new image of the hooded suspect with his mouth covered by a face mask that was taken inside a taxi. While the NYPD has not yet identified the suspect, authorities believe they are making good progress, sources close to the investigation told ABC News. Authorities previously called the murder Thompson a pre-planned, targeted attack. With a search still underway for the unidentified gunman who fled the scene after firing multiple bullets into Thompson in the early hours of Wednesday, Dec. 4, additional details continue to emerge from investigations into the incident. Thompson, 50, joined UnitedHealth Group in 2004 and cycled through a number of roles before being named UnitedHealthcare CEO in April 2021. He was struck in the back and leg while walking outside of a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan at around 6:45 a.m. Video footage of the attack shows the shooter approaching Thompson from behind after lying in wait for several minutes, according to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Thompson was pronounced dead at a nearby Mount Sinai hospital. At the scene of the shooting, law enforcement officials recovered multiple shell casings that were printed with the words deny, defend, and depose. A number of social media users connected the words to Jay M. Feinmans Delay, Deny, Defend. The book, published in 2010, explores how and why insurance companies delay payment of justified claims, deny payment altogether, and defend their actions by forcing claimants to enter litigation, according to a synopsis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the aftermath of Thompsons killing, certain pockets of social media met his death with little sympathy, while others thirsted over the alleged suspect and the one photo of him maskless and smiling. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In 2013, I met a 12-year-old Syrian girl who had been shot in the back by a government sniper near Aleppo. Her name was Maysaa, and she was paralyzed from the waist down. Am I a terrorist? Are all of the children they kill terrorists? she asked, recuperating in an improvised medical facility on her way to a Turkish hospital. Despite her pain, she was overcome with anger, and she cursed the man responsible. Children are being torn to pieces. May God tear Bashar al-Assad and his children to pieces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curses like Maysaas are seeds that took root in Syrias blood-soaked soil and have stubbornly grown. Now, more than a decade later, they are bearing fruit. The murderous tyrant who presided over the collapse of Syria, amid a brutal civil war, has finally fallen. Assads regime, responsible for more than 617,000 deaths, has evaporated in the face of an onslaught that began with a ferocious offensive by rebels in the northwest, and which was soon joined by anti-government fighters from every corner of the country. The end came quickly, in little more than 10 days. But the revolution in Syria against a regime that kidnapped, tortured, and murdered tens of thousands of its own citizens has been raging for nearly 14 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The paroxysms of pain caused by the war in Syria have wracked the globe. It became an epicenter of chaos that tore apart the Middle East and changed the face of Europe. Millions fled into exile, abandoning their homes in a quest for safety for themselves and their children. The conflict unleashed ghastly atrocities, from nerve-agent attacks carried out by Assads forces that killed hundreds; to the routine bombing of hospitals by Russian and Syrian aircraft; to the spread of the Islamic State, which exported its own brand of terror around the world. Through it all, Bashar al-Assad ruled, stubbornly clinging to power through brute force no matter the cost to his people. He remains wanted for war crimes. Assad was nearly toppled, until he was shored up by a foreign intervention in 2015 that came in the form of Russian bomber aircraft and Iranian mercenaries. Those who took up arms to defy him have carried on the struggle through long years of despair, dissension, and indifference. When he became president in 2000, the son of Syrian despot Hafez al-Assad was praised as a potential reformer of the totalitarian state he inherited. His father had built a potent machine of oppression, using the Baath Party an anti-imperialist pan-Arab nationalist movement that seized power in 1963 as a vehicle to ascend to power over the military and intelligence services, which he used to neutralize dissent and cement his rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Hafez al-Assad died, Bashar became president. Hopes were high that change would come to Syria with a leader from a new generation. A brief period of liberalization, which came to be known as the Damascus Spring, encouraged many Syrians as some political prisoners were freed and a crackdown on government corruption began. But any hope that Assad, who had trained as a medical doctor and had lived in London for years working as an ophthalmologist, would usher in a new Syria was swiftly dashed. The regimes feared internal security and intelligence agency, the Mukhabarat, reasserted the grip of the authoritarian inner circle, rounding up intellectuals and dissidents. Damascus Spring turned into Syrias winter, until 2011. Widespread civil unrest erupting across the region from a confluence of economic, ideological and social factors were soon dubbed the Arab Spring; Syria was not immune. A steady drumbeat of isolated protests became a movement in March, as Syrians took to the streets demanding democratic reform and the release of political prisoners. Mass protests and uprisings spread, starting a cycle of protest-and-crackdown that led to ever-increasing numbers of slain protesters. Assad made no meaningful effort to address the widespread discontent that had started the uprising, choosing instead to blame foreign powers for fomenting unrest, and unleashing the security forces and military against his people. The country exploded into violence. By the summer, the protest movement had become an insurgency. Large numbers of soldiers were defecting and joining the protesters, and then organizing into armed militias. Protest became revolution, and descended into civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands were killed in fighting and indiscriminate shelling, while efforts to round up dissidents and critics of the regime went into hyperdrive. Hundreds of Syrians had long disappeared into the regimes prisons, where they were raped, abused, tortured, and murdered. Now they did so in the thousands. The worst crimes and abuses committed by the regime have been documented in voluminous detail by human rights groups and international prosecutors. The broken bodies of the slain were thrown into mass graves, while many families were left without any clue as to the fate of their loved ones. Under Assad, people simply disappeared. The fractious rebel alliance formed the Free Syrian Army in July 2011, but the reality was that most of the anti-regime units could do little more than conduct insurgency operations, or hold defensive positions. Many were katiba an Arabic word approximating battalion relatively small groups of defectors and amateur soldiers organized around charismatic leaders or local strongmen. Coordinating their activities was challenging. Assads forces recognized no rules of war as they tried to crush the rebels, targeting noncombatants and even children with high explosives, sniper rifles, and machine guns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, they started using chemical weapons. A government unit in Damascus fired artillery rockets containing the nerve agent sarin against a neighborhood in the hands of the rebels. Estimates of the number killed range from 500 to more than 1,700. The scenes of men, women, and children choking to death of entire families turned into piles of corpses as they huddled in the corners of basements to escape the shelling shocked the world. Then-President Barack Obama declared that the Assad regimes use of chemical weapons had crossed a red line, and vowed to take action. In reality, Obamas response was tepid. The U.S. fired long-range cruise missiles against a handful of military targets, while the White House secured a promise from Assad not to do it again. Damascus agreed to let an international organization oversee the destruction of chemical weapons stock and dismantle production facilities. But the U.S. and the West had shown their impotence, lacking the will to meaningfully support the Syrian rebels amid accusations of warmongering that grew in the shadow of the WMD lies that had led to the disastrous invasion of Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The West wrung its hands over what to do, going back-and-forth for years over whether to support the revolution, and who to train and arm if it did so. Secular rebels the moderate opposition preferred by Western leaders who parachuted in and toured refugee camps along the Turkish border, or met with opposition leaders with little real influence struggled to assemble an effective fighting force amid vague visions of a democratic Syria and sporadic supplies of weaponry from abroad. But conflicts inevitably create power vacuums, and something always fills a vacuum. Insurgents and jihadis who had fought against American occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan flooded into Syria, sensing opportunity. The jihadis had a clear idea of what they wanted and how to achieve it. Armed with Gulf Arab cash and Salafi extremism, the worst of the lot swept aside its opponents and flooded across the country. They declared the establishment of the Islamic State in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same year, Russia convinced by Western weakness, alarmed by Ukraines lurch toward Europe annexed Crimea and sent its proxies into Donbas. The next year, it sent its forces to Syria to prop up Assad, joining the Iranians, who needed Syria as a bridge to funnel arms, training, and equipment to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Syria became a cauldron of violence. American warplanes were bombing the Islamic State in the east. Russian warplanes were bombing the Islamic State and rebels in the northwest. The Turks were bombing the Kurds in the north. Iranian proxies fought the Islamic State and rebels in the east, occupying key towns along the Euphrates River corridor. Millions fled renewed fighting. On Sept. 2, 2015, the body of 2-year-old Alan Shemu widely named as Aylan Kurdi in initial news reports washed ashore in Bodrum, Turkey. His family paid human traffickers nearly $6,000 to board a rubber dinghy to escape to Greece, and the overloaded boat capsized at sea. Photos of the lifeless toddler spread across the world, a heartbreaking exclamation point reminding the civilized world it had failed the people of Syria. The millions of people making their way out of Syria joined throngs of refugees from other conflicts and economic migrants trying to get into Europe, and the political consequences were seismic. Amid fear of terror attacks from the Islamic State and nativist fear-mongering about alien hordes, there came a surge of anti-Muslim bigotry as far-right, anti-immigrant political movements grew in popularity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 23, 2016, standing outside the Houses of Parliament in London, I watched as the Brexit referendum results came in, affirming that the U.K. would leave the European Union. Many Brits felt they were losing their country, and they wanted to do something about it. I wondered the degree to which fears about migrants and terrorism created by the war in Syria had played a role. Less than a month later, the morning after Bastille Day, July 14, I stood on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, looking at a still-wet bloodstain on the asphalt, that marked where a child had died one among 86 people who had been run down by a madman in a truck, inspired by the Islamic State. I thought again of Syria. I had been in Brussels in March earlier in the year, when the airport was bombed; I had been in Paris the November before that when people were gunned down drinking at cafes or listening to a heavy metal concert in the Bataclan. Both attacks had been the Islamic State. It all went back to Syria. Around the same time as the attack in Nice in July 2016, rebel forces in Aleppo Syrias second largest city had been cut off by Assads forces. The Russian air force was pounding the rebels. I spoke to people in the besieged city regularly rebel fighters, aid workers, and doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, I spoke with a nurse who went by Umm Mohammed, an honorific pseudonym, while investigating the use of cluster munitions by the Russians. The maternity ward she worked in had just been bombed. I didnt know what to do with the children in the incubators, she said, so she grabbed them two by two, using a small penlight to navigate the rubble and carry them to safety with the help of another nurse. These kids are innocent, and they came into this world under very difficult circumstances. They came into this world during a war. Few choose to live amid war. But when it comes, it is always the innocent who suffer the most. By December 2016, Aleppo had fallen to Assads regime. More than 30,000 people died before it was taken, two-thirds of them civilians. As war raged across Syria, the Kurds sought to forge their own enclave, along the lines of Kurdistan in Iraq. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were instrumental in defeating the Islamic State; now the SDF provided the firepower to maintain a multi-ethnic autonomous region home to Kurds, Syrian Arabs, Turkmen, Circassians, and Yazidis, among other ethnic groups, free from Assads rule. The success of the revolutionary Kurdish project in Syria, known as Rojava, drew the ire of the Turks, long wary of Turkeys own Kurdish independence movement. Turkey, with its well-equipped military, had taken to intervening in the north of Syria with regular incursions when it felt its interests demanded action. In 2019, Turkey secured a promise from President Donald Trump to withdraw support for the SDF while Turkish-backed militias created a buffer zone separating the Kurds in Syria from those in Turkey. In Mardin, overlooking the Tigris and Upper Mesopotamia, I listened to Kurdish refugees sing songs of freedom and loss as their misty dreams of a transnational homeland were dispelled in the thunder and fire of Turkish artillery, and they were cut off from their homes in Syria. In 2022, when war came to Ukraine, I was there, too. I went to the front with elite Ukrainian Marines and airborne infantry, and with civilians who knew nothing of soldiering but volunteered to bear the burden of arms to defend their homes. I saw Russian fighter-bomber aircraft, and knew many of them were being piloted by the same men who had bombed hospitals in Aleppo. Little did anyone know at the outset of that invasion, Ukraines dogged resistance would sap the strength of Russias military machine. When Syrian rebels made their move starting last week, Moscow lacked the resources to send an expeditionary force to rescue Assad. Tehran, too, had seen its fortunes shift: its main proxy supporting the regime in Syria, Hezbollah, was decapitated by Israel after throwing in its lot with Hamas, after the surprise attack on Israel of Oct. 7, 2023. When contemplating current events, it can never be quite correct to say: It all started here. Everything that happens is a knot of the overlapping skeins that weave the pattern of history, and each individual thread can be traced back for generations, until were all sitting around arguing about the choices made by people who went to dust 1,000 years ago. We live in the now, and Syria is a nexus for our times. Syrias civil war is an intricate web of violence, inhumanity, and unfulfilled dreams whose pattern became the shape of modernity. Bashar al-Assad and the decisions he made have been at the center of that web, and it has touched the lives of millions. A Syrian friend who has been living in London returned to Damascus a few weeks ago, on her first visit to family in years. She was there when the offensive led by the militant Islamist group Hayat Tahrir ash-Sham (HTS) began. She changed her flight to leave earlier than originally planned, and tried to get out on Friday, but it was too late. Shes stuck there now, hoping for the best. There have been millions of Syrian stories like hers over the long years of war of people compelled to make compromises; of being forced to abandon families and possessions; of getting trapped as a cyclone of violence descends. My colleague Anthony Shadid was a correspondent for The New York Times who died covering the war in Syria in 2012. The last time I saw him in person was as he visited the newsroom in New York with his son in his arms. He wrote once: Cultures that may seem as durable as stone can break like glass, leaving all the things that held them together unattended. I believe that the craftsman, the artist, the cook, and the silversmith are peacemakers. They instill grace; they lull the world to calm. No one can say what the future holds for Syria. Russia, the U.S., Turkey, and Iran all have a presence there. Every one of Syrias neighbors will try to shape its future to their liking; every outside power will say it knows best what Syrians should do as they untangle 50 years of dictatorship. The myriad rebel groups that overthrew Assad represent a dizzying array of ideologies, religious sects, and ethnicities Sunni Islamists, Kurdish separatists, Druze militias, Shia defectors. The group that led the charge which finally brought the dictator down, HTS, has a vision for Syria under sharia law. Its leader presents himself as a reformed jihadist, willing to accommodate Syrias polyethnic, multi-religious reality. The dissident writer Yassin al-Haj Saleh hated by the regime and jihadis alike writes that the groups worldview is hostile to modernity and its values. But he isnt giving up. As thousands of prisoners are freed from Syrias prisons, some for the first time in decades, and statues and photos of the dictator are torn down, there is cause for celebration, and hope. Jihadists cant be countered with despair, liberal critique, or secular sloganeering. We need a strong social and political coalition mobilizing across society, al-Haj Saleh says. Millions of politically active Syrians are the best safeguard against any extremist hijacking of the revolution. Syria will need its peacemakers now. It will need those who instill grace and lull the world to calm. The only thing uniting Syrias opposition forces over the past 10 days as they have taken the country has been hatred of Assad and his vile regime. And now hes gone. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Syrians woke up to a new political reality on Sunday after insurgents took the capital Damascus, ending the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, who has fled the country for an unknown destination. Residents took to the streets of Damascus, with videos circulating on social media showing people singing and dancing. Eyewitnesses said celebratory gunfire could be heard. The embassy of Iran previously one of al-Assad's most important supporters - was stormed, with the news channel Al Arabiya releasing videos showing people tearing down a large poster from the fence of the Iranian embassy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poster featured the powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020 in Iraq by a US drone strike, and Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia, who was killed in September in an Israeli airstrike near Beirut. The news channel Al Jazeera reported that the embassy staff had fled and there was no resistance to the rioters. Along with Russia, Iran and the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia were the main allies of the al-Assad government. With their support, the Syrian government forces regained important areas during the civil war, enabling al-Assad to remain in power. The rebels entered Damascus on Sunday, declared the overthrow of al-Assad's government and proclaimed Damascus liberated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addressing the millions of refugees displaced by the civil war, they declared: "To the displaced worldwide, a free Syria awaits you." The Syrian state army also said that al-Assad's rule had come to an end, with the army command informing government soldiers they were no longer in service, dpa learned from Syrian military sources. Syrian rebels entered the presidential palace in Damascus early Sunday while chanting "God is most great," eyewitnesses told dpa. Al-Assad had fled Damascus shortly before, with his destination unknown, the head of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told dpa, citing Syrian officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian civil war flared up again in late November when a rebel alliance led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria. The rebels seized control of several cities in rapid succession, including Aleppo, Hama and Homs, in a southward sweep towards the capital. Meanwhile, the rebels confirmed that they had stormed the notorious Sednaya prison, nicknamed the "Human Slaughterhouse." The prison near Damascus holds many political prisoners who opposed the rule of al-Assad. Syria has been in the throes of a civil war since 2011, when security forces responded violently to protests against al-Assad's rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 14 million people have been displaced and 300,000 civilians killed so far, according to UN estimates. The White House said US President Joe Biden and his team "are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners." Expert sees outside support for rebels Syria expert Jad Yateem told dpa that the rebel operation had been prepared in advance, with support and training by Turkey and financing from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The rebels took advantage of the weakening of Iran's influence in the region which started with the wars against the Palestinian militant organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip then Hezbollah in Lebanon, two groups Tehran funded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yateem also said the advance must have happened with the backing of the United States and Europe, which want to see Iran weakened in the region. The rebel advances revealed how fragile the Syrian army was, Yateem said. It had long relied on Iranian and pro-Iranian militias to fight the battles, on Russia to back them with warplanes, and on the Palestinian militant al-Quds Brigades, he said. Without this support, Syrian government forces would not have gained back the areas it did during the civil war, Yateem said. Rebels advance in the north-east Simultaneously with their advance on Damascus, the rebel alliance was also pushing forward in the north-east of the country on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insurgents said in an address broadcast on Syrian state television that they had brought areas west of the key city of Deir al-Zour under their control. This area was recently controlled by Syrian government troops and allied militias. Deir al-Zour is situated on the Euphrates River and on important transport and supply routes between the eastern and central parts of Syria. Near the border with Iraq, the area also contains most of the country's oil fields, as well as a US military base. Areas of the city are now largely controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are led by Kurdish militias. The Kurdish militias in Syria see an opportunity for a political new beginning. "This change offers a chance to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice," declared SDF commander Mazloum Abdi. He added that this could "guarantee rights for all Syrians." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In Syria, we are experiencing historic moments as we witness the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus," Abdi stated. The SDF were an important partner of the US coalition in the fight against the terrorist group Islamic State. Deir al-Zour, for a period in 2014-17 also a stronghold of the terrorist group Islamic State, is also a crucial transport hub between Syria and Iraq. It was recaptured by the Syrian army with Russian support in 2017. Syrians were facing a new political reality on Sunday after rebels took the capital Damascus, ending the two-decade regime of president Bashar al-Assad, who has fled the country for an unknown destination. Residents took to the streets of Damascus singing and dancing. Witnesses said celebratory gunfire could be heard, as more than 50 years of rule by the al-Assad family came to an end. For many inside and outside of Syria, however, the jubilation was tempered with caution amid concern about what lies ahead. It is unclear who will govern the divided country in the future and whether Syria will ultimately find a path to democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition forces now in control of Damascus announced a curfew in the city from 4 pm (1400 GMT) to 5 am. Iraq closed its al-Qaim border crossing with Syria and evacuated its embassy. Iran holds significant political influence in Iraq, and numerous Iranian-aligned militias are active in Iraq. The embassy of Iran was stormed on Sunday, with the news channel Al Arabiya releasing videos showing people tearing down a large poster from the fence of the site in Damascus. The poster featured the powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020 in Iraq by a US drone strike, and Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia, who was killed in September in an Israeli airstrike near Beirut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with Russia, Iran and the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia were the main allies of the al-Assad government. With their support, the Syrian government forces regained important areas during the civil war, enabling al-Assad to remain in power. After sweeping through major cities like Aleppo, Hama and Homs in just a matter of days, the rebels entered Damascus on Sunday, declared the overthrow of al-Assad's government and proclaimed the capital liberated. Addressing the millions of refugees displaced by 13 years of war, the Military Operations Command, which represents a group of rebel forces, said: "To the displaced worldwide, a free Syria awaits you," The Syrian state army also said that al-Assad's rule had come to an end, with the army command informing government soldiers they were no longer in service, dpa learned from Syrian military sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian rebels entered the presidential palace in Damascus early Sunday while chanting "God is most great," witnesses told dpa. Al-Assad had fled Damascus shortly before the rebels arrived, said the Russian government. The Syrian civil war flared up again in late November when a rebel alliance led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria in early December and then quickly seized territory from pro-Assad forces as they moved south toward Damascus. The rebels confirmed that they had stormed the notorious Sednaya prison, nicknamed the "Human Slaughterhouse." The prison near Damascus holds many political prisoners who opposed the rule of al-Assad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria has been in the throes of a civil war since 2011, when security forces responded violently to protests against al-Assad's rule. Around 14 million people have been displaced and 300,000 civilians killed so far, according to UN estimates. The European Union and the United States classify HTS as a terrorist organization, making it unclear just how much room for diplomatic manoeuvre the West has. According to HTS leader Abu Mohamed al-Joulani, the rebel alliance intends to take power peacefully. Public facilities in Damascus "will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until the official handover," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Years ago, the United States put a bounty of $10 million on al-Joulani. But the 42-year-old has been presenting himself as moderate who wants to rebuild Syria. Rebels advance in the north-east Simultaneously with their advance on Damascus, the rebel alliance was also pushing forward in the north-east of the country on Sunday. The insurgents said in an address broadcast on Syrian state television that they had brought areas west of the key city of Deir al-Zour under their control. This area was recently controlled by Syrian government troops and allied militias. Deir al-Zour is situated on the Euphrates River and on important transport and supply routes between the eastern and central parts of Syria. Near the border with Iraq, the area also contains most of the country's oil fields, as well as a US military base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Areas of the city are now largely controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are led by Kurdish militias. Monitor: Israel unleashes a series of strikes in Syria Israel mounted a series of airstrikes in Syria on Sunday, including the capital Damascus, a monitoring group reported. Israeli warplanes targeted military depots in the vicinity of a scientific centre near Damascus and an army outpost in the countryside of the capital, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Israeli Air Force had earlier attacked a chemical weapons factory in Syria according to media reports. The Jerusalem Post reported that the attack was motivated by concerns that weapons developed during the reign of al-Assad could fall into the hands of rebels. Syrians were facing a new political reality on Sunday after rebels took the capital Damascus, ending the two-decade regime of president Bashar al-Assad, who was reported to have fled the country for Moscow. Residents took to the streets of Damascus singing and dancing. Witnesses said celebratory gunfire could be heard, as more than 50 years of rule by the al-Assad family came to an end. For many inside and outside of Syria, however, the jubilation was tempered with caution amid concern about what lies ahead. It is unclear who will govern the divided country in the future and whether Syria will ultimately find a path to democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition forces now in control of Damascus announced a curfew in the city from 4 pm (1400 GMT) to 5 am. Russian state media TASS quoted a Kremlin representative as saying that Moscow had granted al-Assad and his family asylum on humanitarian grounds. Iraq closed its al-Qaim border crossing with Syria and evacuated its embassy. Iran holds significant political influence in Iraq, and numerous Iranian-aligned militias are active in Iraq. The embassy of Iran was stormed on Sunday, with the news channel Al Arabiya releasing videos showing people tearing down a large poster from the fence of the site in Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poster featured the powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020 in Iraq by a US drone strike, and Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia, who was killed in September in an Israeli airstrike near Beirut. Along with Russia, Iran and the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia were the main allies of the al-Assad government. With their support, the Syrian government forces regained important areas during the civil war, enabling al-Assad to remain in power. After sweeping through major cities like Aleppo, Hama and Homs in just a matter of days, the rebels entered Damascus on Sunday, declared the overthrow of al-Assad's government and proclaimed the capital liberated. Addressing the millions of refugees displaced by 13 years of war, the Military Operations Command, which represents a group of rebel forces, said: "To the displaced worldwide, a free Syria awaits you," Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian state army also said that al-Assad's rule had come to an end, with the army command informing government soldiers they were no longer in service, dpa learned from Syrian military sources. Syrian rebels entered the presidential palace in Damascus early Sunday while chanting "God is most great," witnesses told dpa. Al-Assad had fled Damascus shortly before the rebels arrived, said the Russian government. The Syrian civil war flared up again in late November when a rebel alliance led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria in early December and then quickly seized territory from pro-Assad forces as they moved south toward Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebels confirmed that they had stormed the notorious Sednaya prison, nicknamed the "Human Slaughterhouse." The prison near Damascus holds many political prisoners who opposed the rule of al-Assad. Syria has been in the throes of a civil war since 2011, when security forces responded violently to protests against al-Assad's rule. Around 14 million people have been displaced and 300,000 civilians killed so far, according to UN estimates. The European Union and the United States classify HTS as a terrorist organization, making it unclear just how much room for diplomatic manoeuvre the West has. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to HTS leader Abu Mohamed al-Joulani, the rebel alliance intends to take power peacefully. Public facilities in Damascus "will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until the official handover," he said. Years ago, the United States put a bounty of $10 million on al-Joulani. But the 42-year-old has been presenting himself as moderate who wants to rebuild Syria. Rebels advance in the north-east Simultaneously with their advance on Damascus, the rebel alliance was also pushing forward in the north and north-east of the country on Sunday. Syria's HTS rebels have taken control of large areas in the Kurdish-held northern city of Manbij, after clashes killed at least 26 people, a war monitor said on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fierce fighting was still ongoing in the central part of Manbij, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Clashes killed nine Turkish-allied rebels and 17 members of the Manbij military forces, which is affiliated with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Britain-based group said. The insurgents meanwhile said in an address broadcast on Syrian state television that they had brought areas west of the key city of Deir al-Zour under their control. This area was recently controlled by Syrian government troops and allied militias. Deir al-Zour is situated on the Euphrates River and on important transport and supply routes between the eastern and central parts of Syria. Near the border with Iraq, the area also contains most of the country's oil fields, as well as a US military base. Areas of the city are now largely controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are led by Kurdish militias. Syrians were facing a new political reality on Sunday after rebels took the capital Damascus, ending the two-decade regime of president Bashar al-Assad, who was reported to have fled the country for Moscow. Residents took to the streets of Damascus singing and dancing. Witnesses said celebratory gunfire could be heard, as more than 50 years of rule by the al-Assad family came to an end. For many inside and outside of Syria, however, the jubilation was tempered with caution amid concern about what lies ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a case in point, the United States military said it conducted "dozens of precision airstrikes" on Islamic State militants on Sunday, amid fears it could use the chaos to regroup and and expand. Russian state news agency TASS quoted a Kremlin representative as saying that Moscow had granted al-Assad and his family asylum on "humanitarian" grounds. It is unclear who will govern the fragmented country in the future - and whether Syria will ultimately find a path to democracy. The opposition forces now in control of Damascus announced a curfew in the city from 4 pm (1400 GMT) to 5 am. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iraq closed its al-Qaim border crossing with Syria and evacuated its embassy. Iran holds significant political influence in Iraq, and numerous Iranian-aligned militias are active in Iraq. The embassy of Iran was stormed on Sunday, with the news channel Al Arabiya releasing videos showing people tearing down a large poster from the fence of the site in Damascus. The poster featured the powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020 in Iraq by a US drone strike, and Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia, who was killed in September in an Israeli airstrike near Beirut. Along with Russia, Iran and the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia were the main allies of the al-Assad government. With their support, the Syrian government forces regained important areas during the civil war, enabling al-Assad to remain in power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But after sweeping through major cities like Aleppo, Hama and Homs in just a matter of days, the rebels entered Damascus on Sunday, declared the overthrow of al-Assad's government and proclaimed the capital liberated. Addressing the millions of refugees displaced by 13 years of war, the Military Operations Command, which represents the group of rebel forces, said: "To the displaced worldwide, a free Syria awaits you," Syrian rebels entered the presidential palace in Damascus early Sunday while chanting "God is most great," witnesses told dpa. Al-Assad had fled Damascus shortly before the rebels arrived, said the Russian government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian civil war flared up again when a rebel alliance led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria in late November and then quickly seized territory from pro-Assad forces as they moved south toward Damascus. The rebels confirmed that they had stormed the notorious Sednaya prison, nicknamed the "Human Slaughterhouse." The prison near Damascus holds many political prisoners who opposed the rule of al-Assad. Syria has been in the throes of a civil war that drew in foreign powers since 2011, when security forces responded violently to protests against al-Assad's rule. Around 14 million people have been displaced and 300,000 civilians killed so far, according to UN estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The European Union and the United States classify HTS as a terrorist organization, making it unclear just how much room for diplomatic manoeuvre the West has. According to HTS leader Abu Mohamed al-Joulani, the rebel alliance intends to take power peacefully. Public facilities in Damascus "will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until the official handover," he said. Years ago, the United States put a bounty of $10 million on al-Joulani. But the 42-year-old has been presenting himself as moderate who wants to rebuild Syria. Some 910 people have been killed since the start of the offensive in Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Among them are 138 civilians, including several children. US troops staying in Syria Turkey, Iran, Russia and the United States all deployed forces in Syria after 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are still around 900 US soldiers stationed in Syria tasked with combating the Islamic State. President Joe Biden said that US forces carried out "precision airstrikes" on Islamic State targets in Syria and that Washington would "remain vigilant." US Central Command said later that some 75 Islamic State camps and operatives in central Syria were hit. "Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses," Biden acknowledged of the HTS-led alliance. But, in remarks at the White House, he called the fall of the al-Assad regime "a fundamental act of justice." Rebels advance in the north-east Simultaneously with their advance on Damascus, the rebel alliance was also pushing forward in the north and north-east of the country on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria's HTS rebels have taken control of large areas in the Kurdish-held northern city of Manbij, after clashes killed at least 26 people, a war monitor said. Fierce fighting was still ongoing in the central part of Manbij, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Clashes killed nine Turkish-allied rebels and 17 members of the Manbij military forces, which is affiliated with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Britain-based group said. The insurgents meanwhile said in an address broadcast on Syrian state television that they had brought areas west of the key city of Deir al-Zour under their control. This area was recently controlled by Syrian government troops and allied militias. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deir al-Zour is situated on the Euphrates River and on important transport and supply routes between the eastern and central parts of Syria. Near the border with Iraq, the area also contains most of the country's oil fields, as well as a US military base. Syrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad familys 50 years of iron rule. Russian state news agencies were reporting that President Bashar Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were given asylum. Russia said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag. Others ransacked the presidential palace and residence. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago leads the biggest rebel faction in Syria and is poised to chart the countrys future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He made his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, at the capitals sprawling Umayyad Mosque, and called himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Assads fall was a victory to the Islamic nation. The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Israel has issued warnings to villages in southern Syria and its forces seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. ___ Here's the Latest: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel releases images of work on a new barrier with Syria The Israeli military said on Sunday it was reinforcing a barrier along its border with Syria as part of its enhanced preparedness in the area following the fall of the Assad regime. Israel released images of the construction, which showed bulldozers digging what appeared to be a trench. The army said in a statement that the barrier was named New East. Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began building what could be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria. The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israels presence along the border with Syria. Russian news agency reporting that Assad has arrived in Moscow Russian state news agencies reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum. The agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but had contacted the Kremlin for comment. Arab League condemns Israel for seizing territory in Golan Heights CAIRO The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Syrian President Bashar Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after Assads overthrow, Israel announced it had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights that was established by a cease-fire agreement with Syria in 1974. In a statement, the Arab League said Israel illegally sought to occupy more territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a temporary defensive position. United Nations secretary-general marks the fall of the dictatorial regime in Syria UNITED NATIONS The United Nations secretary-general is marking the fall of the dictatorial regime in Syria and says the future of the country is is a matter for the Syrians to determine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A statement by Antonio Guterres also called for calm and the protection of the rights of all Syrians as well as of diplomatic and consular facilities in Syria. He said there is much work ahead to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions, and he called on the international community to ensure that any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity. Top Ukraine diplomat says Assad is a dictator who relied on Russia to prop up his rule KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraines top diplomat on Sunday responded to Assads ouster by describing him as a dictator who relied on Russia to prop up his rule - a reference to the military campaign Moscow has waged in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assads government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. "Assad has fallen. This has always been and will be the case with all dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him, foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate update on the social network, Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to take steps towards restoring relations with Syria, severed months into Russias full-scale invasion of the neighboring state. Kyiv broke off diplomatic ties after Damascus in June 2022 recognized Kremlin-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as independent territories, in a move welcomed by Moscow and decried by the West as a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. Israeli military issues warning to residents of five villages in southern Syria JERUSALEM The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents of five villages and towns in southern Syria to stay inside their homes for their safety. The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act, the IDFs Arabic-language spokesman said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military didnt respond to questions. Earlier, Israel said its troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights Jewish and Druze so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. Head of Syrias biggest rebel faction in first appearance since Assads fall calls it a victory to the Islamic nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BEIRUT - The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capitals sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against President Bashar Assad is a victory to the Islamic nation. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus. He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria a farm for Irans greed. He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal amphetamine Captagon that brought cash to Assads circles. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, said Sunday that the victory was achieved because of God and the blood of martyrs. He said that he left Syria 20 years ago and since then his heart has longed for this movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Jordanian people welcome the fall of Assad's regime AMMAN, Jordan The vast majority of the Jordanian people are welcoming the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime and the success of the Syrian revolution. There is no doubt that I felt overwhelming joy at the fall of the Assad regime," said Badi Al-Rafaia, Engineer, union activist and member of the Islamic Action Front. "There is no doubt that we are happy with what happened in Syria, happy with the success of the revolution, happy with the Syrian people getting rid of an oppressor and criminal who treated the Syrian people and made the Syrian state a failed state. Al-Rafaia said that Jordan is benefiting from what happened in Syria, and "we hope that Jordan will help the revolution succeed and not work against it. Amman resident Muhab al-Majali said the fall of the Assad regime is The end of every unjust and tyrannical rule, and more than that, it mortgaged the country and its people to the Iranians, who abandoned it in minutes... I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians. The International Committee of the Red Cross calls for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria BERLIN The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria after the fall of Bashir Assads government. Our teams in Syria, including in Damascus, have been closely monitoring the fast-evolving security and humanitarian situation in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the ICRCs head of delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a written statement Sunday. The ICRC is responding wherever possible, with further efforts underway, as hundreds of thousands of people need care and humanitarian assistance, he said. Sakalian called on all parties to urgently enable safe and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian workers to reach those in need, to protect civilians, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. Iraqi government supports efforts seeking to open a dialogue for Syria's future BAGHDAD The Iraqi government said in a statement Sunday that it supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue for Syria leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. The statement from government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi, said that Iraq understands the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region. It cautioned against interfering in Syrias internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another. Iraq, which has a close relationship with Iran - once a strong ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad - has taken in some 2,000 Syrian army soldiers who fled the country amid the advance of armed opposition groups. Yemen's leader welcomes the fall of Syria's government CAIRO The head of Yemens internationally recognized government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. Its a historic moment, Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assads downfall. Its time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity. Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Irans support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemens internationally recognized government for a decade. Families wander through the presidential palace in Damascus, taking pictures DAMASCUS Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. But for some the celebration was bittersweet. I am very happy, but this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of the prison and know where is he is, said Damascus resident Bassam Masr. I have been searching for him for two hours - he has been detained for 13 years. Netanyahu says Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights after Syrian unrest TEL AVIV, Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assads rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a temporary defensive position. Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began construction of what could possibly be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria. The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarized zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, with around 1,100 peacekeepers from Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Uruguay. After the 1973 Mideast war, the U.N. Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 400 square kilometer (155 square mile) demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there. Airstrikes reported in the area of the Mezzeh military airport DAMASCUS, Syria An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike. Israel often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian armys Fourth Division and another former military site outside of Damascus Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israels presence along the border between Israel and Syria. Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has launched the 'Nikshay-Niramaya Chhattisgarh Abhiyaan' in the State. Speaking to reporters after the launch on Saturday, CM Sai said that this campaign will help to eradicate diseases like leprosy and malaria from the state. "The Nikshay-Niramaya Chattisgarh program has been launched... This campaign will continue for 100 days. Although the health department is functioning properly but the campaign will speed up their programs. Under this program, efforts will be made to eliminate diseases like leprosy, malaria..." he said. The Chief Minister also flagged off a mobile medical unit and promotional vehicle under the Nikshay Niramay Chhattisgarh Abhiyan at the AIIMS campus in Raipur. Under this campaign, people suffering from diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and leprosy will be identified and provided with testing and treatment benefits. The CMO Chhattisgarh wrote in a social media post on X, "Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today flagged off a mobile medical unit and promotional vehicle under the Nikshay Niramay Chhattisgarh Abhiyan at AIIMS campus in Raipur. In this campaign, people suffering from diseases like TB and leprosy will be identified and provided with testing and treatment benefits." https://x.com/ChhattisgarhCMO/status/1865358766322880739 Addressing the event, CM Sai said that the state will get benefits from this campaign and eventually it will help to eliminate diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and leprosy. https://x.com/vishnudsai/status/1865357743898423774 "To eradicate diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and leprosy from the nation, the state government launched the Nikshay Niramay Chhattisgarh Abhiyan. The state will surely benefit from this campaign to eradicate these diseases and we are eventually getting benefits from it. The health department has been successful in eliminating diseases from districts like Bastar.... I congratulate all the officials of the health department. (ANI) By Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus unopposed on Sunday after a lightning advance that sent President Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Russia after a 13-year civil war and six decades of his family's autocratic rule. In one of the biggest turning points for the Middle East in generations, the fall of Assad's government wiped out a bastion from which Iran and Russia exercised influence across the Arab world. Moscow gave asylum to Assad and his family, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, said on his Telegram channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His sudden overthrow, at the hands of a revolt partly backed by Turkey and with roots in jihadist Sunni Islam, limits Iran's ability to spread weapons to its allies and could cost Russia its Mediterranean naval base. It could allow millions of refugees scattered for more than a decade in camps across Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to finally return home. For Syrians, it brought a sudden unexpected end to a war in deep freeze for years, with hundreds of thousands dead, cities pounded to dust and an economy hollowed by global sanctions. "How many people were displaced across the world? How many people lived in tents? How many drowned in the seas?" the top rebel commander, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, told a huge crowd at the medieval Umayyad Mosque in central Damascus, referring to refugees who died trying to reach Europe. "A new history, my brothers, is being written in the entire region after this great victory," he said, adding that with hard work Syria would be "a beacon for the Islamic nation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Assad police state - known since his father seized power in the 1960s as one of the harshest in the Middle East with hundreds of thousands of political prisoners - melted away overnight. Bewildered and elated inmates poured out of jails after rebels blasted open their cells. Reunited families wept in joy. Newly freed prisoners were filmed at dawn running through the Damascus streets holding up the fingers of both hands to show how many years they had been in prison. "We toppled the regime!" a voice shouted as one prisoner yelled and skipped with delight. The White Helmets rescue organization said it had dispatched five emergency teams to the notorious Sedhaya prison to search for hidden underground cells believed to hold detainees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DEFACED ASSAD IMAGES As the sun set in Damascus without Assad for the first time, roads leading into the city were mostly empty, apart from motorcycles carrying armed men and rebel vehicles caked with mud as camouflage. Some men could be seen looting a shopping centre on the road between the capital and the Lebanese border. The myriad checkpoints lining the road to Damascus were empty. Posters of Assad were torn at his eyes. A burning Syrian military truck was parked diagonally on the road out of the city. A thick column of black smoke billowed from the Mazzeh neighbourhood, where Israeli strikes earlier had targeted Syrian state security branches, according to two security sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Intermittent gunfire rang out in apparent celebration. Shops and restaurants closed early in line with a curfew imposed by the rebels. Just before it came into effect, people could be seen briskly walking home with stacks of bread. Earlier, the rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments. Thousands of people in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting "Freedom." People were seen walking inside the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, with some leaving carrying furniture. A motorcycle was parked on the intricately-laid parquet floor of a gilded hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian rebel coalition said it was working to complete the transfer of power to a transitional governing body with executive powers. "The great Syrian revolution has moved from the stage of struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the struggle to build a Syria together that befits the sacrifices of its people," it added in a statement. Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, prime minister under Assad, called for free elections and said he had been in contact with Golani to discuss the transitional period. Golani, whose group was once Syria's branch of al Qaeda but has softened its image to reassure members of minority sects and foreign countries, said there was no room for turning back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ARAB WORLD STUNNED The pace of events stunned Arab capitals and raised concerns about more instability on top of the Gaza war. U.S. President Joe Biden, in a televised address, cheered Assad's fall but acknowledged that it was also a moment of risk and uncertainty. "As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk," Biden said. The U.S. Central Command said its forces conducted dozens of airstrikes targeting known Islamic State camps and operatives in central Syria on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the day Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he spoke with Turkish Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler, emphasizing that the United States is watching closely. Jubilant supporters of the revolt crowded Syrian embassies around the world, lowering red, white and black Assad-era flags and replacing them with the green, white and black flag flown by his opponents. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Assad's fall was thanks to blows Israel had dealt to Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, once the lynchpin of Assad's security forces. "The barbaric state has fallen," French President Emmanuel Macron said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the celebrations fade, Syria's new leaders face the daunting task of trying to deliver stability to a diverse country that will need billions of dollars in aid. During the civil war, which erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad, his forces and their Russian allies bombed cities to rubble. The refugee crisis across the Middle East was one of the biggest of modern times and caused a political reckoning in Europe when a million people arrived in 2015. In recent years Turkey had backed some rebels in a small redoubt in the northwest and along its border. The United States, which still has 900 soldiers on the ground, backed a Kurdish-led alliance that fought Islamic State jihadists from 2014-2017. The biggest strategic losers were Russia and Iran, which intervened in the war's early years to rescue Assad, helping him recapture most territory and all major cities. The front lines were frozen four years ago under a deal Russia and Iran reached with Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Moscow's focus on its war in Ukraine and the blows to Iran's allies following the war in Gaza - particularly the decimation of Hezbollah by Israel over the past two months - left Assad with scant support. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari in Damascus, Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman, Tom Perry and Laila Bassam in Beirut, Jaidaa Taha and Adam Makary in Cairo, Clauda Tanios, Nadine Awadallah and Tala Ramadan in DubaiWriting by Michael Perry, Michael Georgy, Peter Graff, Phil Stewart, Patricia ZengerleEditing by Philippa Fletcher, Andrew Cawthorne, Frances Kerry and Lisa Shumaker) ISTANBUL/DAMASCUS (Reuters) - After 13 years of civil war, Syria's opposition militias sensed an opportunity to loosen President Bashar al-Assad's grip on power when, about six months ago, they communicated to Turkey plans for a major offensive and felt they had received its tacit approval, two sources with knowledge of the planning said. Launched barely two weeks ago, the operation's speedy success in achieving its initial goal - seizing Syria's second city, Aleppo - took almost everybody by surprise. From there, in a little more than a week, the rebel alliance reached Damascus and on Sunday put an end to five decades of Assad family rule. The lightning advance relied on an almost perfect alignment of stars for the forces opposed to Assad: his army was demoralised and exhausted; his main allies, Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah, were severely weakened by conflict with Israel; and his other key military supporter, Russia, was distracted and losing interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no way the rebels could go ahead without first notifying Turkey, which has been a main backer of the Syrian opposition from the war's earliest days, said the sources, a diplomat in the region and a member of the Syrian opposition. Turkey has troops on the ground in northwest Syria, and provides support to some of the rebels who were intending to take part, including the Syrian National Army (SNA) - though it considers the main faction in the alliance, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), to be a terror group. The rebels' bold plan was the brainchild of HTS and its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the diplomat said. Because of his former ties to al Qaeda, Golani is designated as a terrorist by Washington, Europe and Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, over the past decade, HTS, previously known as the Nusra Front, has tried to moderate its image, while running a quasi-state centered on Idlib, where, experts say, it levied taxes on commercial activities and the population. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's government, which struck a deal with Russia in 2020 to de-escalate fighting in northwestern Syria, has long opposed such a major rebel offensive, fearing it would lead to a new wave of refugees crossing its border. However, the rebels sensed a stiffening of Ankara's stance towards Assad earlier this year, the sources said, after he rebuffed repeated overtures from Erdogan aimed at advancing a political solution to the military stalemate, which has left Syria divided between the regime and a patchwork of rebel groups with an array of foreign backers. The Syrian opposition source said the rebels had shown Turkey details of the planning, after Ankara's attempts to engage Assad had failed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message was: "That other path hasn't worked for years - so try ours. You don't have to do anything, just don't intervene." Reuters was unable to determine the exact nature of the communications. Hadi Al-Bahra, head of the internationally-recognized Syrian opposition abroad, told Reuters last week that HTS and SNA had had "limited" planning together ahead of the operation and agreed to "achieve cooperation and not clash with each other". He added that Turkey's military saw what the armed groups were doing and discussing. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking in Doha on Sunday, said Erdogans effort in recent months to reach out to Assad failed and Turkey "knew something was coming". However, Turkey's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Nuh Yilmaz, told a conference on Middle Eastern affairs in Bahrain on Saturday that Ankara was not behind the offensive, and did not provide its consent, saying it was concerned about instability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey's foreign and defence ministries did not respond directly to Reuters questions about an HTS-Ankara understanding about the Aleppo operation. In reply to questions about Turkey's awareness of battlefield preparations, a Turkish official told Reuters that the HTS "does not receive orders or direction from us (and) does not coordinate its operations with us either." The official said that "in that sense" it would not be correct to say that the operation in Aleppo was carried out with Turkey's approval or green light. Turkish intelligence agency MIT did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters was unable to reach a representative for HTS. VULNERABLE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebels struck when Assad was at his most vulnerable. Distracted by wars elsewhere, his military allies Russia, Iran, and Lebanon's Hezbollah failed to mobilise the kind of decisive firepower that had propped him up for years. Syria's weak armed forces were unable to resist. A regime source told Reuters that tanks and planes were left with no fuel because of corruption and looting - an illustration of just how hollowed out the Syrian state had become. Over the past two years morale had severely eroded in the army, said the source, who requested anonymity because of fear of retribution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aron Lund, a fellow at Century International, a Middle-East focused think-tank, said the HTS-led coalition was stronger and more coherent than any previous rebel force during the war, "and a lot of that is Abu Mohammed al-Golanis doing". But, he said, the regime's weakness was the deciding factor. "After they lost Aleppo like that, regime forces never recovered and the more the rebels advanced, the weaker Assads army got," he said. The pace of the rebel advances, with Hama being captured on Dec. 5 and Homs falling on or around Sunday at the same time government forces lost Damascus, exceeded expectations. "There was a window of opportunity but no one expected the regime to crumble this fast. Everyone expected some fight," said Bassam Al-Kuwatli, president of the Syrian Liberal Party, a small opposition group, who is based outside Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. official said on condition of anonymity that while Washington had been aware of Turkeys overall support for the rebels, it was not informed of any tacit Turkish approval for the Aleppo offensive. The White House National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Turkey's role. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday said that Russia's abandonment of Assad led to his downfall, adding that Moscow never should have protected him in the first place and then lost interest because of a war in Ukraine that never should have started. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday noted his country's role in weakening Hezbollah, which sources told Reuters withdrew its remaining troops from Syria on Saturday. GAZA FALLOUT Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources familiar with Hezbollah deployments said the Iran-backed group, which propped up Assad early in the war, had already withdrawn many of its elite fighters from Syria over the last year to support the group as it waged hostilities with Israel - a conflict that spilled over from the Gaza war. Israel dealt Hezbollah heavy blows, particularly after launching an offensive in September, killing the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah and many of its commanders and fighters. The rebel offensive in Syria began the same day as a ceasefire came into effect in the Lebanon conflict on Nov. 27. The sources familiar with Hezbollah said it did not want to engage in big battles in Syria as the group focused on starting a long road to recovery from the heavy blows. For the rebel alliance, the withdrawal of Hezbollah presented a valuable opportunity. "We just wanted a fair fight between us and the regime," the Syrian opposition source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad's fall marks a major blow to Iranian influence in the Middle East, coming so swiftly after the killing of Nasrallah and the damage done by Israel to Hezbollah. Turkey, on the other hand, now appears to be Syria's most powerful external player, with troops on the ground and access to the rebel leaders. In addition to securing the return of Syrian refugees, Turkey's objectives include curbing the power of Syrian Kurdish groups that control wide areas of northeast Syria and are backed by the United States. Ankara deems them to be terrorists. As part of the initial offensive, the Turkey-backed SNA seized swathes of territory, including the city of Tel Refaat, from U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. On Sunday, a Turkish security source said the rebels entered the northern city of Manbij after pushing the Kurds back again. "Turkey is the biggest outside winner here. Erdogan turned out to be on the right - or at least winning - side of history here because his proxies in Syria won the day," said Birol Baskan, Turkey-based political scientist and former non-resident scholar at Middle East Institute. (Additional reporting by Laila Bassam in Beirut, Tuvan Gumrukcu, Alexander Cornwell in Manama and Matt Spetalnick in Washington in Ankara; Writing by Tom Perry; editing by Frank Jack Daniel) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has linked the fall of the Syrian regime to the possibility of defeating Russia and its allies. Source: Tusk on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Tusks tweet was his first comment on the unprecedented events in Syria that have led to the overthrow of Bashar al-Assads regime. Quote: "The events in Syria have made the world realise once again, or at least they should, that even the most cruel regime may fall and that Russia and its allies can be defeated." Background: Syrian rebels announced they had taken control of Damascus on 8 December, signalling the end of over two decades of Bashar al-Assads rule. Assad was reported to have fled the country. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis also believes the events in Syria demonstrate that Russia can be defeated in Ukraine. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas reacted to the toppling of Assads regime in Syria, highlighting it as evidence of the weakness of Russia and Iran. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that Assads reliance on Russia has failed. Support UP or become our patron! Syrian Americans in Michigan said they are cautiously optimistic about the future of Syria as rebel forces advanced to end the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. "I'm over the moon," Shadia Martini, a native of Syria who lives in Bloomfield Township, told the Free Press. "I'm so happy that this country is finally going to be free." According to various news media reports on Sunday, al-Assad fled to Russia as rebel forces advanced on Damascus, the capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martini was glad to see the city of Aleppo, where she grew up, and other areas liberated from al-Assad's forces. Raised in Syria by parents who were surgeons, she recalls government forces terrorizing people in her city and destroying a hospital her parents helped build. She and other Syrian Americans have been anxiously monitoring the news in recent days. "I can't sleep," Martini said. "I can't do anything. I can't work. I'm just on the phone all the time." More: Syrian rebels say President Bashar al-Assad has fled Damascus A person waves a Syrian opposition flag Sunday, December 8, 2024, as people celebrate at Masnaa Border Crossing on the border with Lebanon after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar Assad. Now, she's worried about the future of her native land, concerned about religious extremists potentially taking over. She's hoping for a secular democracy in Syria and asks the U.S. government to help bring stability and freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're all worried what's going to happen next," Martini said. There are about 15,000 Syrian Americans who live in Michigan, according to 2020 census data. Roughly 1,400 of them live in Dearborn and more than 800 in Detroit. Many also live in Macomb and Oakland counties, with more than 400 Syrians in Sterling Heights and almost 600 in Troy. The community is diverse with different faiths, denominations, ethnicities and views about Syria's government. Since the Syrian uprising against al-Assad started in 2011, there have been rallies in metro Detroit both in support of al-Assad and against him. The Syrian American Christian community has expressed concern about opposition fighters they see as extremists. Syrian American priests in metro Detroit could not be reached for comment in recent days, but have previously expressed concern about some of the rebels. Martini and other Syrian Americans in metro Detroit have worked for years to bring attention to human rights abuses in Syria. One of the groups involved in lobbying efforts was United for Syria, based in Flint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Syrian Americans from Michigan have gone to Syria or neighboring nations to help with relief efforts. Others assisted with Syrian refugees who arrived in Michigan. At least two metro Detroiters died while in Syria over the past dozen years. In 2013, Nicole Mansfield of Flint became the first American known to be killed while in Syria. She was with opposition forces at the time of her death. Also, a former Dearborn resident was killed in Syria in 2014 while fighting for Hezbollah, a Lebanese group allied with al-Assad that the U.S. labels as a terrorist organization. Dr. Yahya Basha, of West Bloomfield, grew up in Hama, a city in Syria that was leveled in 1982 by al-Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad. When he heard the news that Hama was liberated from control by Syrian government forces, Basha was elated, but worried. The al-Assad family has ruled Syria for half a century and Basha was worried about what he and his supporters may do in coming weeks. Dr. Yahya Basha, of West Bloomfield, who has worked to promote democracy in Syria, said he is cautiously happy about the downfall of Bashar al-Assad's government. Basha is a longtime Arab American leader in Michigan. He's photographed here in 2013. "I am cautiously happy because I fear what could happen," Basha told the Free Press late Friday. Over the past decade, he often had his hopes for a free Syria crushed as Iran and Russia aided al-Assad in the leader's efforts to defeat the opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a coffee shop in West Bloomfield on Thursday night, a celebration was held by Syrian Americans after Hama was freed. A flier for the event with a photo of a historic water wheel in Hama read: "42 years waiting for justice - Hama has been liberated from Assad's dictatorship. Come celebrate with community!" Basha said that several of his cousins were killed in 1982 when the government crushed Hama. "Every time I remember the stories, the details of it, I cry at all the ache," said Basha, who is the founder of Basha Diagnostics in Royal Oak and a longtime Arab American community leader in Michigan. Basha said "I want to celebrate the departure of Assad and his killing machine." The doctor adds that he hopes the people who fled Syria to escape al-Assad and the war can return, "that people get back to their homes with some dignity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Basha was one of several Syrian Americans who spoke on a call last week with Richard Grenell, a former acting director of national intelligence under President-elect Donald Trump who has done outreach in metro Detroit's Arab American communities this year to help Trump's presidential campaign. Basha has met repeatedly for decades with politicians and U.S. officials who handle foreign policy to discuss Syria. He met in Warren with Trump in September, saying he asked his campaign to help prevent Russia, Iran and Hezbollah from interfering in Syria. Some Syrian Americans planned to rally Sunday afternoon, celebrating the end of al-Assad's rule, starting at the Islamic Center of Detroit, a Detroit mosque, and then proceeding with a caravan to the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn. Martini said many Syrian immigrants in Michigan have been emotionally affected over the decades. "We're all traumatized people," she said. "Syrian people are all traumatized people. Whether you lived there during the revolution or you didn't, like someone like me I've been here since the end of '92 we are all traumatized." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Syrian Americans have been more sympathetic to the Syrian government because they believe it was more progressive and protective of all groups in Syria. A rally in support of al-Assad was held in Dearborn in June 2011 at a Lebanese American center. On the wall at the rally hung a large banner with a photo of a smiling al-Assad, his hand waving to the crowd. It read: "Syria Believes in You." In Michigan's Lebanese American community, there are varying views about al-Assad. Other protests supporting the opposition were held in previous years outside the Troy consulate offices of Syria's government, which was closed about a decade ago. Hundreds of Syrian Americans rallied in a Birmingham park in Oakland County in September 2013 calling upon President Barack Obama to take action against al-Assad. Martini was 13 years old in 1978 when the Muslim Brotherhood battled with al-Assad's forces in Aleppo. She recalled that government soldiers went door to door looking for books written by the founder of the Brotherhood, arresting or killing people they found with the books. Martini said that at one point, a soldier with a rifle entered her bedroom to search for the books. "I woke up to to see a young man standing next to my bed with a Kalashnikov on his side, looking through my books," she said. "It was the scare of my life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that al-Assad's reign has ended, "I'm worried about what's going to happen next, the fight and struggle for power," she said. "We have certain Islamist factions that are within the rebels that scare me." Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group labeled as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government, played a key role in overthrowing al-Assad's government forces in recent weeks. In addition to Christians, other groups in Syria, such as Shias, Alawites, Kurds and Yazidis, have expressed concern about some of the rebels. Al-Assad was part of the Alawite community, a group seen as heretical by some opposition fighters. "We want a democracy," Martini said. "I want people in Syria to live like we live here, a secular democracy, and it's going to be a struggle to get there. A country that lives through dictatorship for so long, it's not going to be an easy transition, so that's what I'm anxious about. But hopefully in the last 13 years, people learned a lot, but who knows? It's very unclear." Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Syrian Americans in Michigan celebrate as al-Assad loses power The Syrian state army says the rule of President Bashar al-Assad has come to an end, with the army command informing government soldiers they are no longer in service, dpa has learned from Syrian military circles. The soldiers will be called back to duty if necessary, according to military sources. Syrian rebels entered Damascus early on Sunday, pushing government forces to withdraw and forcing President Bashar al-Assad to reportedly flee the capital. The Syrian civil war, ongoing since 2011, flared up in late November when a rebel alliance led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria. In a swift advance, the rebels seized control of several cities, including Aleppo, Hama and Homs. DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russian media said Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his familys 50 years of iron rule. Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire and waved the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," President Joe Biden said, crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syrias backers Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a fundamental act of justice but also a moment of risk and uncertainty, and said rebel groups are saying the right things now but the U.S. would assess their actions. Russia requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the U.N., in a post on Telegram. The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. A spokesman there didn't immediately respond to questions. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leader of Syria's biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is poised to chart the countrys future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assad's fall as a victory to the Islamic nation. Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he said Assad had made Syria a farm for Irans greed. The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They urged people to preserve the institutions of the free Syrian state, and announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An online video purported to show rebels freeing dozens of women at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. At least one small child was seen among them. This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he, said one relative, Bassam Masr. "I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years. Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi appeared on state TV and sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, saying: Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects. We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Celebrations in the capital Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, God is great. People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. Soldiers and police fled their posts and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Families wandered the presidential palace, walking by damaged portraits of Assad. Other parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. Its like a dream. I need someone to wake me up," said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with love. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rebels stood guard at the Justice Ministry, where Judge Khitam Haddad said he and colleagues were protecting documents. Outside, residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels have felt the pain of the people, said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syrias historically pro-government newspaper al-Watan called it a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood. It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements ordered from above. A statement from the Alawite sect that formed the core of Assad's base called on young Syrians to be calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. Calls for an orderly transition The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. The road to Damascus from the Lebanese border was littered with military uniforms and charred armored vehicles. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The end of Assads rule was a major blow to Iran and its proxies, already weakened by conflict with Israel. Iran said Syrians should decide their future without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Hossein Akbari, Irans ambassador to Syria, said it was effectively impossible to help the Syrian government after it admitted the insurgents' military superiority. Speaking on Iranian state media from an undisclosed location, he said Syria's government decided Saturday night to hand over power peacefully. When the army and the people could not resist, it was a good decision to let go to prevent bloodshed and destruction, Akbari said, adding that some of his colleagues left Syria before sunrise. Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on state TV, said there were concerns about the possibility of civil war, disintegration of Syria, total collapse and turning Syria into a shelter for terrorists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has said the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel. The U.N.s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed al-Ansari, Qatars Foreign Ministry spokesman, said they agreed on the need to engage all parties on the ground," including the HTS, and that the main concern is stability and safe transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israels military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didnt respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the U.S., views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israels efforts to take advantage of Assads downfall to occupy more territory. ___ Sewell reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue, Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut; Samar Kassaballi, Omar Sanadiki and Ghaith Alsayed in Damascus; Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain; Josef Federman in Doha, Qatar; and Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem, contributed. BEIRUT The Syrian government appeared to have fallen early Sunday in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family after a lightning rebel offensive. The head of a Syrian opposition war monitor said President Bashar Assad had left the country for an undisclosed location, fleeing ahead of insurgents who said they had entered Damascus after a remarkably swift advance across the country. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country, Jalili said in a video statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. He did not address reports that Assad had left the country. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Assad took a flight Sunday from Damascus. State television in Iran, Assads main backer in the years of war in Syria, reported that Assad had left the capital. It cited Qatars Al Jazeera news network for the information and did not elaborate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no immediate statement from the Syrian government. An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported seeing groups of armed residents along the road in the outskirts of the capital and hearing sounds of gunshots. The citys main police headquarters appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside. Another AP journalist shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint where uniforms were discarded on the ground under a poster of Assads face. It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege. The pro-government Sham FM radio reported that the Damascus airport had been evacuated and all flights halted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insurgents also announced they had entered the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital and liberated their prisoners there. The night before, opposition forces took the central city of Homs, Syrias third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syrias coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus the Syrian leaders base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The government denied rumors that Assad had fled the country. Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Homs without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies withdrew from the city, adding that rebels entered parts of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insurgency announced later Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The rebels had already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels moves into Damascus came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The fall of Damascus would leave government forces in control of only two of 14 provincial capitals: Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assads government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assads erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The U.N.s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assads chief international backer, said he feels sorry for the Syrian people. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syrias border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Lebanese border officials closed the main Masnaa border crossing late Saturday, leaving many stuck waiting. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syrias state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he was performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanons Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assads forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Separately, President Joe Bidens national security adviser said the Biden administration had no intention of intervening there. By Andrew Mills DOHA (Reuters) - Syria should have an 18 month transition period to establish "a safe, neutral, and quiet environment" for free elections, Hadi Al-Bahra, the head of Syria's main opposition abroad, said to Reuters on the sidelines of the Doha Forum on Sunday. In a seismic moment for the Middle East, Syrian rebels seized control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war, ending his family's decades-long rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lightning offensive sparked concerns in Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability, as well as questions over whether the rebels will be able to ensure an orderly transition. Al-Bahra, President of the Syrian National Coalition, said Syria should draft a constitution within six months, on which the first election would be a referendum. "The constitution will say, are we going to have a parliamentary system, presidential system, or mixed system? And based on this, we do the election and the people choose their leader," said Al-Bahra. He added that the opposition had asked state employees to continue to report to work until the power transition, and assured them that they would not be harmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad's swift toppling followed a shift in the balance of power in the Middle East after many leaders of Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, a lynchpin of Assad's battlefield force, were killed by Israel over the past two months. Russia, Assad's other key ally, has been focused on the war in Ukraine. "It was like a domino effect. So it was clear that (Assad) decided to leave. I felt relief, but also a little sad. He should be held accountable for all the crimes that he did," Al-Bahra said. (Reporting by Andrew Mills, Writing by Pesha Magid; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has criticized the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab, accusing it of having a secret alliance with the central government. Pandher also sought to know why the state government is stopping the media, despite claiming to support farmers and labourers. He alleged that the Punjab government was attempting to hide the central government's actions, and demanded that the Chief Minister Mann and Arvind Kejriwal should explain themselves. "We used to say that Bhagwant Mann government is having some sort of alliance with the central government. Today, the way media is being stopped, the CM and Arvind Kejriwal should come forward and explain this. They (AAP) say that they are with farmers and labourers, then why they are stopping the media? Bhagwant Mann government's face has been exposed. Earlier we were against the central govt only, but now we have to deal with the state government also The Punjab government is trying to put a shutter on what is being done by the central government...," he said. According to farmer leader Pandher, a group of 101 farmers will march towards Delhi today at 12 noon. The farmers are protesting various demands at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border. Ahead of the protest by farmers, SSP Patiala issued a memorandum cautioning the media against interfering in farmers' matters, citing a specific incident on December 6, 2024, that violated statutory provisions, and urging mediapersons to maintain a safe distance while fulfilling their responsibilities. SSP Patiala, Nanak Singh said, "Media has not been stopped. We have no such intentions. But, it was needed to brief the media. Last time we came to know that three to four media people were injured. To avoid that we briefed the media... We will try not to let this happen - but if someone gets injured, we have our medical team for evacuation." (ANI) Russia claims that, supposedly as a result of conversations with the rebels, Bashar al-Assad chose to step down as president and leave the country, issuing instructions to transfer authority peacefully. Source: Russian Foreign Ministry Details: Russia insists they did not participate in the conversations, but "are in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition." Also, Russian military bases in Syria are "on high alert", but there is currently no "serious threat" to their security. Background: On the morning of 8 December, the Syrian rebels announced that they had captured the Syrian capital, Damascus. The country's President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have fled. There is a "very high probability" that Assad could have died in a plane crash on 8 December, the media reported. Support UP or become our patron! Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted from power early on Sunday in a stunning bloodless coup by Islamist rebels who took control of Damascus, the Syrian capital after a 13-year civil war that has caused more than 500,000 deaths and forced millions of Syrians to leave their homeland. The rebels, who are called the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters, moved swiftly, entering Damascus and taking over the city as government military fled, hours after Assad had absconded. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebels fast-paced offensive was facilitated by a changing geopolitical scenario in which Assad was no longer able to rely on support from Iran, Russia and Lebanons Hezbollah militia, according to several analysts. State TV in Iran, which has been Assads main backer in recent years, reported that Assad had left the Syrian capital for an undisclosed location, while Syrian state television aired a video statement saying that he had been overthrown and that all detainees in the countrys jails, many of whom were political prisoners, have been set free. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, who at present remains in place, said in a video statement that he is ready to extend its hand to the opposition forces and turn over power to a transitional government. In the film community, Syrian filmmakers on the front lines have played a crucial role in raising global awareness of the Syrian civil war beyond the din of TV news. They include Waad Al-Kateab, co-director of Oscar-nominated civil war diary For Sama that traveled around the world; veteran auteur Ossama Mohammed, whose Silvered Water, Syria Self-Portrait screened at Cannes in 2014 and bore witness to the horrors of civil war using cellphone footage sent to him by hundreds of Syrians; and outgoing International Documentary Festival Amsterdam chief Orwa Nyrabia and his wife Syrian director Diana El Jeiroudi, whose non-conventional doc Republic of Silence depicted the turmoil of Syrias uprising seen from the outside. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said the government is willing to cooperate in a change of power. Early on Sunday, the rebel alliance in Syria proclaimed Damascus liberated as it entered the capital amid reports that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the city to an unknown destination. Al-Jalali called on citizens to cooperate with the current developments and not to damage public property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stressed that he was still at home in Damascus and had not left. "We believe that Syria is for all Syrians and that it is the country of all its sons and that this country can be a normal state that builds good relations with its neighbours and the world without entering into any regional alliances and blocs," he said in a statement posted on social media. The civil war in Syria flared up again suddenly last week with a rebel offensive led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) organization. The group seized many areas in the north-west of the country, including the key cities of Aleppo and Hama, before entering Damascus. HTS leader Abu Mohamed al-Joulani warned military forces in the capital that it was "strictly forbidden to approach public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until they are officially handed over." Syrian rebels took to the airwaves on state Syrian TV on Sunday morning local time to announce they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad, after their shock seizure of the countrys capital of Damascus. Footage circulating on social media channels shows the rebels taking control of the state TV building and entering the control gallery to ready the broadcast. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of nine men in casual clothes made an on-air statement saying they had toppled the oppressive al-Assad, and also freed prisoners being held in his regimes notorious Sednaya prison on the outskirts of Damascus. Assad is reported to have flown out of the country to an unknown destination in the early hours of Sunday. The presidents flight ends his familys 54-year stranglehold on the country which began when his father Hafez al-Assad seized power in a bloodless coup in November 1970. The rebels ousting of Assad is the latest chapter in a bloody civil conflict, which began in 2011 with peaceful pro-democracy protests in the wake of the Arab spring in Tunisia and Egypt, but descended into deadly fighting between rebels and the army, which remained loyal to the president. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human rights, just over 500,000 people had been killed in the conflict, split between some 343,000 military personnel and 164,00 civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 14 million Syrians were forced to flee their homes, with 7.2 million people displaced internally and another 5.5 million heading to neighboring countries of Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. Refugees also headed to Europe, with Germany currently home to more than 850,000 people who fled Syria. Countless members of the countrys film and TV community were among those forced to flee for their safety, when they found themselves on the wrong side of Assad. They included outgoing International Documentary Festival Amsterdam head and producer Orwa Nyrabia (The Return To Homs) and Oscar-nominated director Feras Fayyad (Last Men In Aleppo, The Cave), who were both imprisoned by the regime for a time, as well as Oscar-nominated filmmaker Talal Derki (The Return to Homs, Of Father and Sons), Ossama Mohammed (Silvered Water, Syrian Self Portrait) and Soudade Kaadan (Nezouh). Leaders around the world are following the fast evolving situation. President Biden said he was closely monitoring the events in Syria and was in constant touch with regional partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led the offensive, taking the cities of Aleppo, Homs, Hama and Damascus in a matter of days, has Islamist roots and was once affiliated with al Qaeda under the name of Nusra Front. However, its leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has presented a more moderate stance in recent months, saying the HTS fight is for all Syrians. For now, it is unclear how the latest development will play out and whether there can be a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government. The rebels appearing on state TV on Sunday reiterated al-Golanis recent stance in their broadcast, calling on citizens to protect all state properties and saying their vision for Syria was for all Syrians across all segments of society. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Syrian rebels announced on the morning of 8 December that they had captured the Syrian capital, Damascus. The country's President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have fled. Source: CNN; Syrian Rebel Military Operations Command; Reuters; Associated Press Quote from the rebels: "We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad." Details: Rebels reported that Assad had fled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Damascus International Airport reportedly stopped receiving and sending flights. Videos shared on social media depict dozens of people hastily moving through checkpoints and rushing towards exits in an attempt to flee the country. Earlier, the rebels claimed to have entered the Syrian capital and taken control of the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of Damascus. In 2017, Amnesty International published a report stating that about 13,000 people had been hanged in Saydnaya. "We broke the news to the Syrian people of liberating our prisoners and unchaining them, and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Saydnaya Prison," the rebels said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Flightradar, a Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was seized by the rebels. The plane was initially heading towards Syria's coastal region, a stronghold of Assad's Alawite sect, but abruptly made a sharp turn and flew in the opposite direction. A few minutes later, it vanished from radar. Updated: Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said that the government is ready to "extend a hand" to the opposition and hand over its functions to the transitional government. For reference: The Syrian conflict involves the government forces of President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, Syrian-Kurdish formations supported by the United States, and various rebel groups backed by Turkiye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The front line in the Syrian conflict has remained unchanged since 2020, when government forces, backed by Russian aircraft and Iranian militias, regained control of most of Syria. Background: The rebel offensive commenced on 27 November. On 30 November, the Syrian military confirmed that the rebels had entered the city of Aleppo. In response, Russia promised Assad additional military assistance to stop the rebels. On 3 December, anti-government armed groups in Syria approached the city of Hama. According to CNN sources, Assad likely fled the Syrian capital, Damascus. At the same time, Iranian officials and the Syrian government deny these reports, stressing that Assad remains in the country. On the night of 7-8 December, Syria's main rebel group declared the capture of Homs, located north of Damascus. This followed two days after the capture of Hama, situated to the north of Homs. Support UP or become our patron! Syrian government forces appeared on the brink of collapse late on Saturday as a rebel alliance claimed it captured the strategic city of Homs, leaving the road to Damascus wide open. The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told dpa that he believes that the capture of Damascus by the rebels and the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government are now only a matter of time. "All government forces have left the city of Homs," said Abdel Rahman, whose British-based monitor has been one of the leading sources of information about the war-torn country for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hassan Abdul Ghani, a spokesman for the rebel alliance, said: "We announce the complete liberation of the city of Homs." A Syrian military source told dpa "the army is repositioning itself around the city of Homs." The Syrian government, meanwhile, sought to counter speculation about the imminent capture of Damascus by the rebels. Interior Minister Mohammad al-Rahmoun told state television that there is a "very strong security ring on the outskirts of Damascus." He advised people to stay in their homes. An army spokesman said in a televised address that forces in the vicinity of Damascus were being reinforced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our armed forces units are strengthening their deployment lines throughout the Damascus countryside and the southern region to prevent any incidents as a result of the chaos that the terrorists are trying to create through their platforms, tools and sleeper cells in some areas," the spokesman said. Rebels and local opposition forces have already surrounded areas on the outskirts of Damascus, activists and the observatory said earlier on Saturday. While government troops said they were "repositioning," insurgents were gaining further territory in the south of the country and on the border with Israel, increasing the pressure on al-Assad. Al-Assad's office in Damascus was compelled to deny rumours that the president had fled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We confirm that the Syrian president is pursuing his work and national and constitutional tasks from the capital, Damascus," a statement by the Syrian presidency said. Insurgents aim to overthrow government The civil war in Syria flared up again suddenly last week with a rebel offensive led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) organization. The group seized many areas in the north-west of the country, including the key cities of Aleppo and Hama. The insurgents' stated objective is the overthrow of the government, with HTS leader Abu Mohamed al-Joulani issuing a statement encouraging his fighters on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohamed al-Joulani, issued a statement encouraging his fighters on Saturday. "Damascus is waiting for you," he said. He later issued a second statement, stating that "the fall of the criminal regime is very near" and urged his fighters "to have mercy" on residents. He also instructed Syrian government forces to go to their homes and stay there, or lay down their arms, and they would be safe. The fall of Homs is likely to make it increasingly difficult for Assad to turn the tide in his favour. Syria's third-largest city, home to about 1.4 million people, is situated between Aleppo in the north and the capital Damascus in the south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also occupies a strategically significant position between President Bashar al-Assad's strongholds on the coast and Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said air force intelligence units stationed at the northern entrance to the city withdrew in a surprise move. "Some officers left the area in helicopters towards the Syrian coast," Abdel Rahman said. The rebels said they freed more than 3,500 prisoners from a military prison in Homs. "We renew our pledge to our people to free all detainees from the prisons of tyranny," they said. In another statement, the insurgents said they were coordinating with senior regime official and officers in the capital to secure defections. Unprecedented situation The fighting is the latest stage in a conflict that began in 2011 with protests against al-Assad's government that were ruthlessly put down by security forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spiral of violence led to a civil war with international involvement, as Russia and Iran intervened to support al-Assad's regime while Turkey pursued its own interests. Some 14 million people have been displaced. According to UN estimates, more than 300,000 civilians have died so far. No political solution has been in sight for years, but the collapse of the Syrian military in recent days has dramatically changed the situation. Government forces appeared in full retreat south of Damascus too, including from the symbolic city of Daraa, where protests against al-Assad's regime first broke out in March 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Syrian state-run news agency SANA reported, citing the military, that government troops were repositioning after "terrorist elements" had attacked army checkpoints. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the province of Daraa is now entirely under the control of local opposition forces. They have also brought the adjoining province of Sweida almost fully under their control. Local residents in the Damascus countryside meanwhile told dpa that they had seen government troops withdrawing towards the capital city on foot. The cities of Muadamiyat al-Sham, Jaramana and Sahnaya witnessed demonstrations by local people in support of the opposition forces, who advanced towards Syrian army checkpoints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soldiers reportedly withdrew from the checkpoints, allowing local rebel factions then took control of these locations. Israel deploys reinforcements as rebels rule out chemical weapons The rapid developments in Syria have caused international concern about a further wave of instability in the country. The Israeli military said on Saturday it was supporting United Nations peacekeepers near the Israeli border in Syria after an attack by "armed individuals." The Israeli military said the UN position near the town of Hader, close to the border, came under attack. Israel earlier said it was reinforcing its units in the annexed Golan Heights region, which it conquered from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, rebel forces have occupied several positions near the border to Israel, including Quneitra governorate. The IDF later said it was determined to prevent any violation of the sovereignty of the state of Israel. Separately, the rebels late on Saturday vowed not to use chemical weapons, amid concerns that the internationally banned weapons could fall into their hands. In a statement, the insurgents said they would not use the weapons as they consider them a "crime against humanity." "We express our full readiness to cooperate with the world community regarding the supervision of these weapons," the statement said. The rebels accused the Syrian government of deploying chemical weapons to kill civilians and vowed that the rebels would work with "a high level of responsibility" not to allow chemical weapons to fall into "irresponsible hands." The Syrian government has fallen in a stunning end to the 50-year iron-fist rule of the Assad family in the wake of a rapid rebel offensive. Syrian opposition forces declared victory over President Bashar al-Assads regime early on Sunday, after fighters entered Damascus. Moscow confirmed on Sunday that Assad had resigned and left Syria, but did not comment on his whereabouts. US officials suggested he had fled to Russia, however his plane has disappeared from radar after making a sudden U-turn after taking off from Damascus. After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and (forced) displacement... we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria, the rebels said on Telegram. A statue of Hafez al-Assad, Bashars father, is pulled down in Homs on Saturday - REUTERS The rebel forces, led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army (SNA) launched a lightning offensive on Nov 27, capturing Aleppo, Syrias largest city, and then Hama and Homs in just eight days before marching on Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their victory marks a turning point for Syria, shattered by years of war which has turned cities to rubble, killing around 500,000 people, and forcing millions abroad as refugees. The dramatic collapse of the Assad regime also marks a seismic moment for the Middle East, ending the familys brutal rule over Syria and dealing a massive blow to Russia and Iran, which have lost a key ally at the heart of the region. Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, Syrias prime minister, said the government was ready to cooperate with the opposition and hand over its functions in a peaceful transition of power. Celebrations in Umayyad Square in Damascus on Sunday as government forces fell - LOUAI BESHARA/GETTY Mr Jalali said he would remain in Syria and continue to work on the efforts to exchange power. Syrians have poured into the streets of Damascus, where they gathered in central squares as others pulled down statues of Assad and burnt large banners of the former ruler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence, destroying and looting their belongings. I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall, said electricity worker Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44. From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them (the opposition forces) a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud, he told AP. The scenes mirrored the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before Assads regime carried out a brutal crackdown that plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. X / @danny_makki It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a years-long siege. The pro-government Sham FM radio reported that the Damascus airport had been evacuated and all flights halted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insurgents also announced they had entered the notorious Sednaya military prison north of the capital and liberated their prisoners there. The night before, opposition forces took the central city of Homs, Syrias third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syrias coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus the Syrian leaders base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insurgency announced late on Saturday that it had taken over Homs, which analysts had said would be a game-changer for the rebel offensive. The opposition forces entering Damascus came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of the southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The fall of the capital city would leave government forces in control of only two of 14 provincial capitals: Latakia and Tartus. However, rebel forces are believed to be fighting inside Latakia, where video footage showed a huge bust of Assad being torn down and dragged through the streets. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaeda and that the UN and US proscribe as a terrorist organisation. In their push to overthrow Assads government, the insurgents, led by HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey-backed Syrian forces have taken control of some 80 per cent of northern Syrias Manbij area and are close to victory against Kurdish forces there, a Turkish security source said. Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, said she welcomed the fall of Assads regime as Keir Starmer flew to the region on Sunday. The White House has said it is closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria, while president-elect Donald Trump accused Russia of abandoning Assad. Geir Pedersen, the US special envoy for Syria, called the events a watershed moment for the country as he urged all Syrians to prioritize dialogue, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Rebel fighters in Syria announced they entered the capital city of Damascus on Sunday, after seizing control of several other cities as part of the effort to take down President Bashar al-Assad. Just before dawn, insurgents appeared to be entering the city, according to photos and videos posted on social media. The development is the latest in the offensive movement that Syrian rebels ignited less than two weeks ago in an attempt to challenge al-Assads rule which has been a conflict since 2011. A giant banner of Syrian President Bashar Assad hangs on the facade of a building in Damascus (AP) The Syrian government did not give an official statement immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear if al-Assad is still in Damascus at this time. The government has denied rumors he has fled the country. Just hours early, rebels announced they had fully liberated the city of Homs a major intersection point between Damascus and Syrias coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where al-Assad enjoys wide support and where his Russian allies have a naval base and airbase. From Umayyad Square in the heart of Damascus: Syria is no longer Assads Syria. pic.twitter.com/f7ZxtBR583 Hussam Hammoud | (@HussamHamoud) December 8, 2024 It was part of a major advancement, led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), to try and overthrow al-Assads 24-year reign. For 13 years, rebels have sought to achieve the same goal after civil war erupted in the wake of the Arab Spring. Syrians initially peacefully protested in the hopes of changing the government but it quickly spiraled into a bloody conflict after al-Assad violently opposed the protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, outside forces have gotten involved. Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, all backed al-Assads government while the United States supported rebels. But in addition, the Kurdish, the largest ethnic minority group in Syria, began its own coalition and began to take land. Though the conflict within the country has been ongoing since 2011, the rebels launched a fast-moving and unexpected offensive at the end of November. Insurgents quickly took over the city of Aleppo and then the city of Hama, closing in on Damascus. Syrian National Army (SNA) soldiers celebrate victory in Manbij on December 7, 2024 in Manbij, Syria (dia images via Getty Images) HTS, which has roots in al-Qaeda though is no longer affiliated, is a designated terroist organization by the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government forces were forced to withdraw from Damascus International Airport, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Sunday. No flights appeared to be going in or out of the airport, according to FlightRadar24. Rebels claimed they had also taken control of the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison which sits north of Damascus. The prison was the site of horrific torture and brutality which Amnesty International said was used to degrade, punish and humiliate prisoners. A large number of prisoners held in Syrian prisons have been released, as rebel forces seized control of the country. The rebels confirmed that they had stormed the notorious Sednaya prison, nicknamed the "human slaughterhouse." The prison north of Damascus held many political prisoners who opposed the rule of Bashard al-Assad. A 2017 report from Amnesty International said thousands of people had been executed in Sednaya since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Many inmates were civilians and had been tortured, the report said. One report said some of them had been detained under the rule of Hafez al-Assad, whose now-ousted son took power after his father's death in 2000. Hama's old wooden water wheels along the Orontes river after rebel fighters captured the city from the Syrian government forces. Juma Mohammad/IMAGESLIVE via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Union Home Minister Amit Shah onSunday paid floral tribute to the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel who lost their lives in the service of the nation as he attended the 60th Foundation Day Parade of the BSF in Jodhpur in Rajasthan. BSF celebrates its Raising Day on December 1 - commemorating the establishment of the paramilitary force on December 1, 1965. Shah also felicitated BSF jawans - who killed three terrorists of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen(HM) in an operation. Many dignitaries including senior officials of Border Security Force were present on this occasion. He will also unveil the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Circuit House. On Armed Forces Flag Day on Saturday, Shah paid tribute to the armed forces for their "valour and patriotism" and urged people to contribute to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. In a post on X, he wrote, "Tributes to the immortal martyrs of our armed forces on Armed Forces Flag Day. With their valour and patriotism, our martyrs have created everlasting sagas of supreme sacrifice to protect the honour of our nation." He further appealed to the public to contribute to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund for the welfare of the forces and their families. Shah was also felicitated by the Sainik Welfare and Resettlement, Gujarat State, with a miniature flag. Till 1965 India's border with Pakistan were manned by the State Armed Police Battalion. BSF was established in 1965 following the India-Pakistan war to enhance border security. Initially BSF was raised with 25 Battalions and with the passage of time, was expanded as per the requirement of nation to fight against militancy in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, North east region etc. At present BSF is holding 192 (including 03 NDRF) Battalions and seven BSF Arty Regiments guarding International Border with Pakistan and Bangladesh. In addition, the BSF is also performing Anti-Infiltration role in Kashmir Valley, Counter Insurgency in North East region, Anti Naxal Operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh states and security of Integrated Check Posts along Pakistan and Bangladesh International Border. (ANI) The Assad familys decadeslong reign in Syria came to an abrupt end Sunday when rebel forces captured Damascus after a stunning lightning-strike rout across the country. Hassan Abdul-Ghani, senior commander of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), claimed victory for the rebel forces that stormed across Syria in a matter of days and entered Damascus overnight. We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad, he said in a post on WhatsApp. To the displaced people around the world, Free Syria awaits you. People celebrate with anti-government fighters Sunday at Umayyad Square in Damascus. Videos circulating on social media and verified by NBC News appeared to show Syrians celebrating across Damascus overnight and into the day, as crowds honked horns, waved flags and fired their guns into the air, while others posed for selfies standing on top of a tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos and video showed people toppling statues of Hafez al-Assad, father of ousted President Bashar Al-Assad, in cities across Syria, including in the Assad stronghold of Latakia. Assad fled the country and relinquished the presidency. That was confirmed by patron Russia, which supported the regime in crushing what started as a peaceful protest movement and became a vicious civil war. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus in 2019. As a result of negotiations between Bashar Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully, according to a Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry statement. Russian state media reported Sunday that Assad fled to Moscow. A senior Biden administration official confirmed that Russia has given Assad asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrias prime minister, Ghazi al-Jalali, remained in his home, he said in an earlier statement, and does not intend to leave except in a peaceful manner that ensures the continued functioning of public institutions and state facilities, promoting security and reassurance for our fellow citizens. He said the government is ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. HTS General Command said it also freed the people being held in Sednaya Prison. The Syrian government has detained thousands at the military prison on the outskirts of Damascus, according to Reuters. We announce to the Syrian people the news of the liberation of our captives and the breaking of their chains, proclaiming the end of the era of oppression in Sednaya Prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian state radio, Sham FM, reported that Damascus International Airport had been evacuated, all employees removed and all flights suspended. It was not clear Sunday who was in charge of the state outlet. An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in Damascus on Sunday. International reaction President Joe Biden on Sunday lauded the fall of the Assad regime. At long last, the Assad regime has fallen, Biden said near the beginning of his speech. He added, Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country, but he warned: Its also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden outlined continued U.S. involvement in Syria, saying, We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime, toward independent, sovereign and independent Syria with a new constitution, new government that serves all Syrians. In a post on his Truth Social platform Saturday morning, President-elect Donald Trump said in all capital letters that the United States should have nothing to do with the situation in Syria. This is not our fight. Let it play out. The Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X it has deployed to the buffer zone between Israel and Syria, as well as other places, to ensure the safety of the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel. We emphasize that the IDF is not interfering with the internal events in Syria, it said. Militant group offensive Damascus fell not long after rebels on Friday besieged the Syrian city of Homs with a rapid assault on government forces that left three of the countrys five largest cities in their hands and nothing to stop them from marching on the Syrian capital. HTS rebels claimed Saturday that they had captured the city, a day after also claiming to have seized the city of Daraa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S., which has about 900 American troops in northern Syria, has been closely monitoring developments in the country. In less than two weeks, the HTS rebels were also able to capture the city of Aleppo in the north, as well as the central city of Hama, where government forces were forced out Thursday. Syrian opposition fighters celebrate in Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The HTS attack on Aleppo was the first opposition assault on the city since 2016, when a brutal air campaign by Russian warplanes helped Assad retake control of the city. The sudden takeover of the capital by HTS militants was seen as a blow to the outside forces that have enabled Assad to cling to power for 24 years Russia, Iran and Iranian-backed Hezbollah. The rapid advance by HTS comes as the Middle East is awash in fresh fighting, with U.S.-backed Israel trying to root out Hamas in Gaza and maintain a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are Iranian-allied groups. Meanwhile, pro-Assad soldiers were battling Kurdish forces that seized government positions in eastern Syria near the cities of Raqqa and Deir Ez-Zor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Friday. Syrian rebel fighters parade detained members of the Syrian governments forces in civilian clothing in Homs. HTS origins HTS grew out of the former Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its one of several competing forces in Syria fighting to bring down the Assad regime that, since the beginning of the countrys civil war almost 14 years ago, has killed hundreds of thousands of Syrians. A 2020 ceasefire left Assad in control of 70% of Syria, but some 6.8 million Syrians have fled the country. Many have gone to Europe, where the sudden influx of Syrian refugees has fueled a resurgence of anti-immigrant far-right movements from Portugal to Poland. The recent battlefield successes of HTS are the culmination of four years of trying to turn the rebel forces into a force capable of challenging Assads army and equipping them with drones and other high-tech weapons of war, experts have said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expansion of units ... along with large-scale indigenous rocket and missile production has created a force that Assads regime has seriously struggled to defend against, let alone outmaneuver, Charles Lister, director of the Syria program at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank, said on X. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Syrian rebels said Saturday they have captured the strategically important city of Homs and are now on the doorstep of the capital of Damascus as they pressed a lightning assault on the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the Jihadist rebel group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, or HTS, said in a video posted on the organization's Telegram channel that 3,500 prisoners were freed from the Assad regime's prison in Homs after the rebels entered the city. "The Military Operations Department liberated the Al-Sukhnah area in the eastern countryside of Homs after expelling the criminal regime forces from it as part of the Deterrence of Aggression operation," al-Jolani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homs, located 100 miles north of Damascus on the Orontes River, is regarded as a key link between Syria's interior cities and the Mediterranean coast. Its apparent capture has come quickly after the rebels similarly took control of major cities such as Aleppo and Hama. HTS rebels have also already surrounded areas on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, according to sources cited Saturday by the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Resistance by Assad's army seemed to be melting away as the group advanced, the monitors said, reporting that regime forces such as 9th Division have "withdrawn completely" from their positions in Daraa province as well as in the Artouz area, located only several miles from the capital. Syrian journalist Nour Qormosh told Al Jazeera Damascus was surrounded and has come under siege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have seen in the past 24 or maybe 48 hours a massive advancement of the opposition forces into the entire countryside of Homs, as we saw in the previous advancement into Hama and Aleppo," Qormosh said. "Now, with the capture of Homs, and the advancement of the opposition forces in the countryside of Damascus, it's really putting Assad in a very bad situation here now. "He's basically trapped in the city of Damascus, not knowing how far the opposition can be in the coming hours." "After Homs, we will head towards Damascus," an HTS spokesman told the broadcaster. "There will be a new Syria based on justice. We are not facing an actual army, but rather a militia." As the Assad regime appeared to be crumbling, its main allies, Russia and Iran, sent out signals seeking "dialogue" between the government and "legitimate" opposition forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We firmly reaffirm our message about the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Saturday at a forum on the crisis in Doha, Qatar. "We call for an immediate end of hostilities and a start of dialogue between the government and legitimate opposition forces." Lavrov called for "full implementation" of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, which in 2015 provided a blueprint for ending the Syrian civil war and establishing a peace process to be facilitated by the UN. Iran on Saturday denied reports that Assad had fled to Russia as the rebels advance. Yaqoub Rezazadeh, a member of Iran's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, "categorically denied" the idea, as well as other reports suggesting Iran had evacuated its embassy in Damascus or pulled its military advisors from the country. "The news is baseless," he told state-run Press TV. "[Former Iranian diplomat Ali] Larijani met with President Assad in Damascus just yesterday." In a stunning turn, the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad appears to have fallen after rebels advanced into the capital Damascus, catching government forces by surprise 10 days after a lightning advance by insurgents first began. Early Sunday morning local time, the rebel military operations command for the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, claimed the president was no longer in the capital, writing: "We declare the city of Damascus free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad." The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a Sunday morning statement that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully." Russia and Iran were the two most important foreign backers of Assad's government. Assad's whereabouts remain unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collapse of Assad's government ends a 24-year reign, the president having succeeded his father Hafez al-Assad in 2000. The Assad family had ruled Syria since 1971. PHOTO: An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 8, 2024. (Hussein Malla/AP) MORE: Middle East live updates: Syrian rebels claim Assad has fled Damascus Assad oversaw Syria's slide into brutal civil war in 2011. His security forces sought to crush a mass protest movement demanding democratic reforms as the Arab Spring buffeted the region. The standoff devolved into a bloody civil war that split the nation on political, ethnic and religious lines. The chaos allowed ISIS to rise in the Iraq-Syria border region and seize swaths of territory in the Levant region. The conflict also became a proxy battleground drawing in major world powers including the U.S., Russia, Iran, Israel and the Gulf states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations estimated some 307,000 civilian dead in Syria by the end of 2022, with 12 million people -- more than half of the country's 2011 population of around 22 million -- forced from their homes, approximately 5.4 million of whom were still living as of late 2022. Assad retained nominal control of much of the country with Russian, Iranian and Hezbollah assistance. But last month's surprise rebel offensive revealed the weakness of the regime as fighters surged out of rebel-held Idlib province in the northwest of the country and quickly seized multiple major cities on their way to Damascus. PHOTO: Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 8, 2024. (Omar Sanadiki/AP) Videos on social media showed Syrian forces abandoning their posts and melting away. There were also reports of Syrian military troops surrendering in other cities. A few hours earlier, the rebel group first announced it had advanced directly into the capital city, reaching Sednaya prison, a government facility dubbed the "human slaughterhouse" by the human rights group Amnesty International. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our forces have begun entering the capital Damascus," HTS said in one message. In a follow-up statement, the group said it was "the end of the era of injustice of Sednaya prison." The Syrian prime minister, Ghazi al-Jalali, released a video saying the government was ready to "extend a hand" to the opposition and hand over its functions. Rebel leaders have instructed their fighters not to approach Syrian government sites, an apparent attempt to quell any fears in the city and await a formal handover in the morning. President Joe Biden was "closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria," White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said in a statement. Speaking at a defense conference earlier in the day, before rebels advanced into the capital, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the speed and scale of their rapid advance came, in part, because Assad's chief backers -- Iran, Russia and Hezbollah -- had all been "weakened and distracted," in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That has left Assad "basically naked," Sullivan said at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. "His forces are hollowed out." President-elect Donald Trump, meanwhile, said in a post to Truth Social early Sunday that Assad "is gone" and had "fled his country." Russia, Trump added, "was not interested in protecting him any longer." The incoming president said Moscow and its partners in Iran had been weakened by events in Ukraine and Israel's recent military successes across the Middle East. PHOTO: SYRIA-CONFLICT-HAMA (Omar Haj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Syrian army withdraws from key city of Hama amid rebel surge, state news reports Lighting advance by rebel groups Overall, the insurgent group claimed credit for taking over four Syrian cities in 24 hours -- Homs, Daraa, Queinetra and Sweida -- in a series of rapid advances by opposition fighters that was largely been met with little resistance from government forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the day Saturday, as the rebel forces were on the move, the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of the rebels, according to the military and an opposition war monitor. In a statement released earlier Saturday, the Syrian government at first denied Assad had fled the country, issuing a statement calling media reports to the contrary "rumors and false news." U.S. intelligence had been preparing for Assad's front line to collapse under the press of rebel forces, and the U.S. had intelligence that Assad's family had left the country for Moscow. PHOTO: Syrian-Civil-War (Bilal Alhammoud/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs Earlier this week, government forces withdrew from Hama, Syria's fourth largest city, which sits between the capital Damascus to the south and Aleppo -- Syria's second city -- to the north. Aleppo fell to the lightning rebel offensive on Nov. 29. Hama was one of the few major cities that did not fall to anti-government forces following the unsuccessful 2011 revolution against Assad's rule. Who are the Syrian rebels? The rebel offensive is being waged by HTS and a collection of Turkish-backed Syrian militias known as the Syrian National Army. HTS, which has its roots in al-Qaida, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HTS is led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who in recent days has been trying to distance himself from his jihadist past. Jolani was born in Saudi Arabia to Syrian parents from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and and raised in Damascus. Jolani said in an interview with PBS in 2021 that he fought for al-Qaida in Iraq during the American occupation. Jolani said he was arrested by American forces and held for more than five years in several detention facilities, including the infamous Abu Ghraib and Camp Bucca prisons. Jolani said his ideology has since evolved. HTS said it has severed ties with al-Qaida in recent years and sought to remake itself by focusing on promoting civilian government and military action, according to The Associated Press. PHOTO: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohamed al-Jolani is pictured at the site of an earthquake in the village of Besnaya in Syria's rebel-held northwestern Idlib province at the border with Turkey, on Feb. 7, 2023. (Omar Haj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Who are the opposition fighters overrunning Syria? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Assad flees the country and HTS gains control of Syrian government institutions, it's unknown how they will seek to govern. "Will they revert back more to that when it was affiliated with al-Qaida?" said Javed Ali, associate professor at the University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy, during an appearance on ABC News Live. "Or will it look more like the Taliban in Afghanistan -- which is Islamist, conservative, but not, for the most part, intent on threatening its neighbors or having its country be used as a launchpad for attacks against the West." What officials are saying about the situation in Syria Ali called the developments a "catastrophic loss" for Iran, which has long supported the Assad regime and a "black mark" for the Russian government, which has also propped up Assad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing media reports, both countries appear to have pulled advisers and equipment out of the country, Ali said. "If these withdrawals continue, both on the Iranian and the Russian side, it's only basically the Syrian military and security forces left," he said. "And much like we saw in Afghanistan in 2021, they are probably not going to be able to hold back against HTS and all the other rebel groups that are on the outskirts of Damascus right now." Trump weighed in on the developments in the Syrian civil war on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday and said the U.S. should stay out of the matter entirely. PHOTO: SYRIA-CONFLICT-HAMA (Omar Haj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images) "Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" Trump posted. In the post, Trump noted that Russia, which has long supported Assad's regime, is "tied up in Ukraine" and apparently unable to intervene in Syria. Trump said Assad being forced out "may actually be the best thing that can happen" to the Russian government. Meanwhile earlier Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the rebel offensive in Syria, saying Russia would oppose it "in every way possible" but Russia "will actively promote the need to resume dialogue with the opposition," meaning between the government and the rebels. Syria's Assad resigns and leaves the country after stunning rebel blitz, Russia says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Syrians refugees in Turkey on Sunday celebrated the toppling of Bashar al-Assad, with crowds gathering in front of Istanbul's Fatih Mosque waving opposition flags. Celebrations were also seen in the southern city of Gaziantep near the border with Syria, media reports said. According to UN figures, Turkey has taken in around 3 million Syrian refugees, more than any other country. Most of them are reported to have come from Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Syrian children have been born in Turkey since the start of the civil war in 2011 and have never seen their homeland, while around 240,000 Syrians have taken Turkish citizenship, according to Interior Ministry figures. Acceptance of Syrian refugees by the domestic population has declined over recent years, placing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan under pressure. Erdogan has said he aims to repatriate at least some of them. (Bloomberg) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government has fallen after a stunning territorial advance by opposition groups over the past few days. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listen to the Bloomberg Daybreak Europe podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. Assad and his family arrived in Moscow, where they were granted asylum by the Russias government, Russian news agency TASS reported on Sunday. Earlier, Moscow said Assad decided to step down and had left the country. Syrian state television announced the triumph of the great Syrian revolution and the fall of the criminal Assad regime. The toppling of the longtime ruler is sending shockwaves through the Middle East and will be a major blow to Russia and Iran, his main foreign backers. Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, which has led the push to oust Assad and his government, entered Damascus on Saturday evening and captured the key city of Homs about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of the capital around the same time. Other areas of the country, including in the north near the Turkish border and in the south, have been captured by different groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Videos and broadcast footage showed Syrians in Damascus and elsewhere celebrating the downfall of the widely despised regime. There were also scenes of jubilation in Turkey, which hosts millions of Syrian refugees. HTSs leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, called on all of the Syrian governments forces in the capital to stand down. Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani, said Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali will remain in his role until theres an official handover. The 59-year-old Assad, who took over from his father Hafez in 2000, made a last-ditch attempt to remain in power, including indirect diplomatic overtures to the US and President-elect Donald Trump, Bloomberg reported on Saturday. In a sign of how weak his military position was, he ordered his army to fall back on Damascus, essentially ceding much of the country, including Homs, to the insurgents. Trump took to social media to say that the US should have nothing to do with the developments in Syria. This is not our fight, he said. Let it play out. Do not get involved! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Bidens administration, in power until next month, showed little inclination to intervene and has said the US has nothing to do with HTSs rebellion. The US and Israel, which borders Syria, are watching warily. Assad was no ally of theirs, and Washington has severely sanctioned the Syrian government. But HTS is designated a terrorist organization by the US and other Western countries. On Sunday morning, Israel said it had deployed forces in a buffer zone near Syria to protect communities in the Golan Heights. The Israeli military added its not involved with whats happening in Syria. It should be remembered that these rebels arent lovers of Zion, Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, told Israels Channel 14. Its true that everyone is today welcoming the weakening of Iran something that is certainly very significant from a regional perspective. But there is also concern that parties aligned with terrorist organizations will use Assads weapons against Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HTS, a Sunni group, broke away from al-Qaeda in 2016 and has tried to portray itself since then as more moderate. Al-Sharaa, in an interview with CNN on Dec. 5, said non-Muslims and other minorities would be safe in Syrian areas overseen by HTS. The leader, in his early 40s, attributed the success of opposition forces to greater discipline and unity over the past year. The revolution has transitioned from chaos and randomness to a state of order, he said. Germanys foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, warned that Syria must not now fall into the hands of other radicals whatever guise. France called on its partners to do their utmost to help the Syrians find the path to reconciliation and reconstruction through an inclusive political solution. Syrias political situation is likely to remain fluid as various groups try to bolster their positions, according to risk consulting firm RANE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collapse will likely trigger a contested political process among competing rebel factions to create a provisional government, said Freddy Khoueiry, RANEs global security analyst. This will likely be a slow process prone to violence as foreign actors try to shape the postwar balance of power, making an unstable and fragmented Syria the most likely outcome in the near term. Assad lost large swaths of the northwest of the country in late November as opposition fighters made a sudden advance out of Idlib province. They first captured Aleppo, one of the biggest cities in Syria, and then advanced on Hama. The rapid collapse of Syrias government took Russia, Iran and the US by surprise. In 2015, Russia and Iran came to Assads aid and helped turn the tide in Syrias war which began four years earlier in his favor. This time both Tehran and Moscow, which has a naval base at the Syrian port of Tartus, have been stretched by conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Iran tried to drum up support for Assad among Arab states. It also said it would send Iranian troops to Syria if he requested it, but was ultimately unwilling or unable to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, Tehrans most powerful proxy militia group, Lebanon-based Hezbollah, has been hugely degraded since September by war with Israel. Its fighters were crucial to helping Assad stay in power from early in the civil war. The Syrian conflict has left between 300,000 to 500,000 people dead and displaced more than 10 million, with many of them fleeing abroad, according to United Nations agencies and Syrian organizations. Syrias economy has been devastated. It was reclassified as a low-income country by the World Bank in 2018, with its gross domestic product collapsing by more than half between 2010 and 2020. Its exports products such as olive oil, nuts and phosphates. It also produces and traffics narcotics, the US says. --With assistance from Peter Martin, Dan Williams and Selcan Hacaoglu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Adds Assad and family in Russia in second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Germany's Syrian migrant community took to the streets in their thousands over the weekend to celebrate the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, whose brutal attacks on civilians drove hundreds of thousands towards Europe in search of safety. At the height of the country's civil war in 2015, Germany admitted some 890,000 Syrian refugees into the country under the so-called Willkommenskultur ("welcoming culture") immigration policy spearheaded by then chancellor Angela Merkel. Almost a decade later, police across Germany were counting thousands joining marches to celebrate al-Assad being driven from Damascus - 11,000 in the city of Essen, 6,000 in Munich, 5,000 in Berlin, 3,000 in Mainz and thousands more in cities like Hamburg, Nuremberg, Hamm, Wuppertal, Dusseldorf and Dortmund on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Berlin's Kreuzberg district, home to many Middle Eastern migrants, thousands cheered, set off firecrackers and waved Syrian flags - many with "Free Syria" written on them. The night before, as news of Damascus falling to rebel forces broke, spontaneous celebrations erupted in the nearby district of Neukolln, home to many migrants and Syrian-run shops and restaurants. The same area has seen repeated protests against Israel's bombardment of Gaza in recent months, many ending in violence between police and pro-Palestinian protesters. Police reported no major incidents over the weekend, however. Meanwhile in Hamburg, where around a thousand people celebrated Syria's change in power at the northern port city's central train station, one young Syrian said she had dreamed of this day for a long time, a day when she could finally return to her home country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Syrian, who had come to the rally with his 11-year-old son, said he saw his child's future in Germany. "Everything in Syria was ruined by al-Assad," the man said. Others said they wanted to wait and see how things develop in Syria. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also welcomed the end of al-Assad's rule in Syria, pointing to the brutal oppression of his own people and countless deaths that he on his conscience, driving many Syrians to Germany. "The Syrian people have suffered terrible hardships. The end of Assad's rule over Syria is therefore good news." Now it is important for law and order to be swiftly restored in Syria, he said. Berlin's Senator for Integration, Cansel Kiziltepe, told the Berliner Morgenpost newspaper that she was "happy for the people who are out on the streets of Berlin celebrating freedom and democracy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leading voices in Germany's Syrian community also joined in the celebration, with human rights lawyer Michal Shammas calling on Facebook: "Let us reconstruct our Syria together." Since Saturday, Syrian opponents of the toppled regime have been publishing videos showing the liberation of prisoners. They are reported to include political prisoners detained under the rule of Bashar's father Hafez al-Assad, who died in 2000. Hassan al-Aswad of the Syrian Democratic Alliance called on Syrians to forgive those who had been part of the old system but who had not committed serious crimes. The lawyer from the south-western Syrian city of Daraa, who lives in exile in Hanover, published a video in which he praised the fact that the rebels had not destroyed state infrastructure during their advance on Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I forgive the person who has occupied my house since 2012." He added: "May God forgive you. I don't want anything from you." Syrians were facing a major test, al-Aswad said. "War is not easy, but peace is more difficult," he said. Those guilty of crimes should face a fair trial something Syrians had not experienced in the past, he added. People celebrate with flags of the Syrian Republic on Oranienplatz at the main railway station after insurgents took the Syrian capital Damascus, ending the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Bodo Marks/dpa People celebrate with flags of the Syrian Republic on Oranienplatz after insurgents took the Syrian capital Damascus, ending the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Christopher Hirsch/dpa People celebrate with flags of the Syrian Republic on Oranienplatz after insurgents took the Syrian capital Damascus, ending the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Christoph Reichwein/dpa People celebrate the fall of the Assad regime with flags of the Syrian Republic on Oranienplatz after insurgents took the Syrian capital Damascus, ending the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, who has fled the country for an unknown destination. Julius Christian Schreiner/dpa Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along the Masnaa border that connects Lebanon with Syria, scores of joyous Syrian refugees were lining the streets dancing and clapping on Sunday, waiting to see if they can cross over to their country, which many left when war broke out in 2011. "Freedom is for ever," shouted one woman, as she stood near the main border crossing in the Masnaa area. "I am taking my children, even if I have to walk to the Syrian border. I am going home," she said with tears in her eyes. According to a Lebanese border guard "the Syrian side of the border is empty. No one is there anymore." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guard, fielding the requests of many foreign journalists trying to get a chance and enter the capital Damascus, told dpa the "situation inside the capital is chaotic still." "Bashar has left and we are happy, but the situation inside the capital is miserable, people with machine guns were looting shops everywhere," a Syrian taxi driver who lives in the capital Damascus told dpa at the border. A cameraman working for a foreign broadcaster told dpa: "I entered this morning and I was lucky because we were accompanied by one rebel fighter who knew us. He took us around ... but machine gun fire was constantly over our heads." "The situation inside the capital is very dangerous, there is no rule of law inside, only gunmen roaming around," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman who was crossing while carrying bags from the Syrian side into Lebanon said "no one is at the crossing at the Syrian side. We left because we felt unsafe." "We saw people smashing the windows of one bank and entering the premises," she said in a low voice. A few metres away from the border in Chtaura, 50 kilometres east of Beirut, young and elderly people were waving opposition flags along the road and chanting "bless our free country." More than 1 million Syrian refugees are currently living in Lebanon after they fled their war-torn in 2012. Most of whom still live in informal camps scattered across the Bekaa valley. "No more tents for me and my family we are going back to our home to Aleppo with no more fear," Fatima, a mother of three said. Line of cars loaded with Syrian refugees are seen waiting to enter to their country at the Lebanese border with Syria at the area of Masnaa as Syrians started returning home following the fall of the Syrian regime. A rapid advance by Syrian rebel groups on the country's capital has led to the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's control of a nation his family had ruled for half a century. Marwan Naamani/dpa Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offered prayers at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, in the Rudraprayag district on Sunday morning and sought blessings to make the winter Char Dham Yatra successful. Notably, Omkareshwar Temple is known to be Baba Kedarnath's winter residence. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "...We prayed that the winter pilgrimage which is going to begin be successful. May the lord's blessings keep on us... We are trying to establish every possible arrangement according to the winter pilgrimage. God has special courtesy to this place and sunshine remains here for 12 months as many of the places have foggy weather," CM said. "I appeal to all to come to Uttarakhand and experience the religious and tourism places," CM added while speaking to ANI. During his visit, he was given a conch shell by Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Chairman Ajendra Ajay at Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath. Earlier, CM Dhami had underlined that the state government is working on plans to promote the winter Char Dham Yatra. "The state government is issuing guidelines to all concerned officials for the promotion of the winter Char Dham Yatra. All arrangements are being made for the winter journey. A high-level meeting will be held in the coming days regarding the Char Dham Yatra," the official statement quoted Dhami saying. He also assured that preparations for the upcoming Yatra would begin as soon as the current Yatra ends, and work would be done to provide people with employment during the winter journey. On Saturday while speaking to ANI has showed confidence in the winter Char Dham Yatra, and said that he believes that the Yatra will be a "game changer" for the state. "This time we are starting the winter pilgrimage. The plan has been made for it. Instructions for its preparation have also been given to all," he told ANI. During the winter months in Uttarakhand, the traditional Char Dham holy shrines--Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath--are closed due to heavy snowfall. However, the winter Char Dham Yatra involves a pilgrimage to alternative shrines like Ukhimath, Pandukeshwar, Kharsali, and Mukhwa, according to the state's tourism department. (ANI) Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being upodated. Russian news agencies reported on Dec. 8 that Syria's Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia, where they have been granted asylum by Russian authorities, according to a Kremlin source. "President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted asylum to him and his family on humanitarian grounds," the source told TASS news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Russian plane took off from Latakia a few hours ago, then turned off its transponder and headed towards Russia, BBC Russia reported citing data from the Flightradar website, which tracks the movement of aircraft. The aircraft may have departed from the Russian military base in Khmeimim or from Latakia airport, according to the outlet. The plane's transponder was reportedly briefly switched on near Moscow and then turned off again before landing. Russia deployed troops to Syria in 2015, providing support to the Assad regime against multiple anti-government forces. Damascus has supported the Kremlin throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. President Joe Biden said on Dec. 8 that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad represented a "fundamental act of justice" after decades of repression, but also acknowledged that it marked "a moment of risk and uncertainty" for the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden's remarks came hours after rebel groups completed their takeover of Syria, following more than a dozen years of violent civil war and decades of Assad family rule. Biden said the U.S. has been monitoring reports suggesting he was seeking refuge in Moscow. Former President Donald Trump also commented, saying that Assad had fled Syriawhere his family had ruled for decadesbecause his close ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin, "was not interested in protecting him any longer." When celebrations of the regime's downfall begin to fade, Syria's new leaders will face a challenge of restoring stability to a country devastated by years of conflict. The civil war in Syria began in 2011 as an uprising against Assads government, and his forces, along with Russian allies, bombed cities to rubble. The war created one of the largest refugee crises in modern history, with millions fleeing the country, and led to a political reckoning in Europe when over a million refugees arrived in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, Turkey supported the rebels in a small enclave in northwest Syria, near its border, while the United States, which still has 900 troops on the ground, backed a Kurdish-led alliance that fought Islamic State jihadists from 2014 to 2017. Both Russia and Iran had intervened early in the war to prop up Assad, helping him regain most of the territory and all of Syria's major cities. Four years ago, the front lines had been largely frozen under a deal between Russia, Iran, and Turkey. However, Moscows focus on its war in Ukraine, along with setbacks for Irans allies following the war in Gazaparticularly the heavy losses suffered by Hezbollah in the past two monthsleft Assad with little support as his government collapsed. Read also: Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russias Middle East clout, may indirectly strengthen Ukraines hand Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Editor's Note: Reuters originally reported on Dec. 8 in an article on ongoing events in Syria that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have been killed in a plane crash, but later removed the reports from the article. The Kyiv Independent has updated this news article to reflect the change. Reuters on Dec. 8 reported, citing its Syrian sources, that "there was a very high probability that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have been killed in a plane crash" as he was fleeing Damascus following its capture by rebels. Reuters later deleted the reports of his possible death in the plane crash from its article on the ongoing events in Syria and Assad's toppling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters originally reported that a Syrian airplane had departed from Damascus airport around the time rebel forces were said to have taken control of the capital, suggesting Assad may have been onboard. The plane allegedly headed towards Syria's coastal region, but made a sudden steer and flew in the opposite direction for several minutes before vanishing from radars, Reuters reported. Reuters earlier said it was unable to confirm the passengers on board, but reported that two "Syrian sources" suggested that there was a strong possibility Assad may have perished in a plane crash. The latest version of the Reuters article reports that Assad flew out of Damascus to an unknown destination on Dec. 8, and his current whereabouts, as well as those of his wife and children, are also unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's Foreign Ministry also said on Dec. 8 that Assad had resigned and fled the country, without providing details of his whereabouts. However, German military blogger Tendar, citing flight tracking data, similarly reported on X that a plane leaving Damascus rapidly lost altitude near the Syrian city of Homs and may have crashed west of the town. It also said that rumors were circulating that the plane may have been carrying Assad. These claims remain unofficial and have not been verified. The Kremlin had been a major backer of the Assad regime for years. Russia maintains a significant military presence in Syria, operating the Tartus Naval Base, the Khmeimim Air Base, and other key facilities nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Assad's regime captured Aleppo in 2016, Russia's military intervention was fundamental in helping him succeed. In 2020, Russia, in collaboration with Turkey, brokered a ceasefire agreement with the rebels and effectively froze the conflict for years. The fragile peace was shattered by the surprise rebel offensive launched in late November. Read also: Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russias Middle East clout, may indirectly strengthen Ukraines hand Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Outgoing Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that the events in Syria indicate the possibility of defeating Russia in Ukraine. Source: Landsbergis on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: According to Landsbergis, the news from Syria proves that Russia can be defeated. Quote: "The Syrian example shows that Russia can be kicked out and will go home. The Baltics were right the West is strong enough to win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We don't need to fear "the Bear" in Ukraine or anywhere else he is causing chaos," he wrote. Background: Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reacted to the toppling of Syria's Bashar al-Assad regime, saying it exposed Russia and Iran's weaknesses. German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the shift of power in Syria as "good news," while French President Emmanuel Macron wrote that "the barbaric state has fallen." Support UP or become our patron! TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) China sent 14 warships, seven military aircraft and four balloons near Taiwan between Saturday and Sunday, according to Taiwans Defense Ministry, as Beijing ramps up pressure on the island it claims as its own. Chinas military activities come amid speculation Beijing might organize military drills around the island in response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-tes recent visit to Pacific allies, including U.S. stops in Hawaii and Guam. China claims Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy of 23 million people, as its own territory, and bristles at other countries formal exchanges with Taiwan. The United States, like most countries, doesnt recognize Taiwan as a country but is its main unofficial backer and sells it arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese government has pledged to annex Taiwan, through military force if necessary, and sends ships and military planes near the island almost daily. The 14 warships, seven military planes and four balloons were reported over 24 hours between 6 a.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday, according to Taiwans Defense Ministry. The ministry said six of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial demarcation zone between Taiwan and China. One of the balloons brushed over the islands northern tip, according to the ministry. Lai on Friday called on China to refrain from threats and said Beijings military exercises will not be able to win the respect of neighboring countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lais first overseas trip since taking office in May included visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The rest of the world, including the U.S., has official ties with China. Lais stops in Hawaii and Guam from where he had phone calls with U.S. Congress leaders angered China, which opposes U.S. arms sales and military assistance to Taiwan. There was widespread speculation China might organize war games around Taiwan in response to the visit, though it was unclear when they might start. In October, China held drills around Taiwan involving a record one-day total of 153 aircraft, 14 navy vessels and 12 Chinese government ships in response to a Lai speech in which he rejected Beijings claims over Taiwan. Beijing has labeled Lai a separatist and refuses to speak to him. TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's defence ministry said on Sunday that China had nearly doubled the number of its warships operating around the island in the previous 24 hours, ahead of what security sources expect will be a new round of war games. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has been angered by visits by President Lai Ching-te to Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam as part of a Pacific tour. Lai returned from the week-long trip on Friday night. Beijing has held two rounds of war games around Taiwan this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its daily morning report on Chinese military activities, Taiwan's defence ministry said there were 14 Chinese warships operating nearby, up from the eight it reported the previous day. The ministry said it had detected four Chinese balloons flying over the Taiwan Strait, one of which had brushed the top of the island. Weather will likely be a factor in China's decision on any war games, security sources say. Weather in the strait has been poor this weekend. China's defence ministry did not answer calls to its news office seeking comment outside of office hours on Sunday. But in a strongly worded commentary on its WeChat account on Sunday, China's Ministry of State Security said Lai's efforts to "use arms to seek independence" and cosy up to the United States were doomed to fail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwan's government is putting on a "false display of power" while the U.S. government is "acting in cahoots with gangsters and jackals" in supporting Taiwan, it said. "No country, organisation or individual should underestimate the strong determination, firm will and powerful capacity of the Chinese government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said. No one should presume they can "step out of line on the Taiwan issue without having to pay a price", the ministry added. Lai and his government reject Beijing's sovereignty claims. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by William Mallard) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Just one month from the start of the 95th Arkansas General Assembly, with legislation already being formed. Talk Business & Politics host Roby Brock met with Senate President Bart Hester who will be leading the chamber in 2025 to discuss his take on the big issues that will be debated. Roby then talks with newly named First Orion CEO Scott Hambuchen and CFO Jeff Stalnaker about how their Arkansas telecommunications tech success story continues to grow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talk Business & Politics airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on FOX 16. For more coverage, head to TalkBusiness.net. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com. Tennessee prides itself on delivering a quality educational experience for its nearly 1 million students, but we are falling far behind in one critical area recess. Our state mandates just 15 minutes of daily recess for elementary students, and for middle schoolers, there is no requirement. Meanwhile, Tennessees labor laws guarantee adults a 30-minute break for every six hours of work. How can we, in good conscience, justify giving our children who spend between 6.5 and 7 hours in school each day so little time to move, play, and recharge? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decreasing physical activity is a major factor in the rising rate of childhood obesity in this nation. Texas project shows recess leads to better academic outcomes Approximately one in five U.S. children is obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The obesity rate among Tennessees children averages a bit higher at 22.7%. Thandiwe Green, 8, flies high on swings after being pushed by her mother, Farai Harreld, far left. Laura Burton, middle left, pushes her son Reed Benaka at Brookfield Park last month. This is shameful and we must do better. Its time to recalibrate the school day by providing our children with more opportunities for unstructured, outdoor play. Recess is essential for childrens physical activity, social development, and emotional well-being. For many students, this is their only opportunity to move freely during the day. They are often restricted from playing during lunch, and physical education, when available, only occurs once or twice a week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With such limited time for movement, we are jeopardizing the holistic development of our children. Playtime is a crucial component of cognitive, social, and emotional development. Research backs this up. One prominent example is the LiiNK Project (liinkproject.tcu.edu), initiated by Dr. Debbie Rhea at Texas Christian University. This project, spanning nine years, has shown that increased recess time dramatically benefits students' physical health, academic performance, and mental well-being. More: These are the best elementary and middle schools for 2025 in Tennessee, according to U.S. News & World Report The LiiNK Project found a 40% reduction in off-task behavior, a 10% increase in standardized test scores by fourth grade, and a significant reduction in chronic stress and anxiety. These findings underline that more recess leads to more engaged, well-rounded learners. Making children sit so long during the day makes little sense Tennessee is, shockingly, disregarding its own recommendations. The 2023-24 Coordinated School Health: Physical Education & Physical Activity Annual Report, released by the Tennessee Department of Education supports the critical role of physical activity in improving students' cognitive functions like concentration and memory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It further concludes that students who are regularly active perform better academically, with higher test scores and improved attention spans. Yet, despite this compelling evidence, Tennessees schools are failing to implement the very practices that their own report highlights as essential, particularly through recess. The states neglect of these guidelines, deemed vital for childrens social and emotional development, demonstrates a clear contradiction between their findings and their actions. Playtime is a crucial component of cognitive, social and emotional development. Studies like The Power of Play further highlight that children who engage in unstructured play develop stronger memory, language skills, and behavior regulation. All of which contribute to better academic performance. The idea of asking children to sit for two-hour instruction blocks is unreasonable. As adults, we know we couldnt do it, so why are we expecting our kids to? A national trend is emerging in which recess is being reduced or eliminated entirely, and Tennessee is not immune to this shift. This is a mistake. Recess is not a waste of time. It is time well spent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To remedy this, I am calling on my colleagues to enact legislation requiring two 30-minute, unstructured, screen-free recess periods for elementary students one in the morning and one in the afternoon and at least one 30-minute recess period for middle school students. Our current 15-minute mandate for elementary students is inadequate, and middle school students deserve at least one daily break. This is not a radical idea. Its common sense. We already mandate breaks for adults, so why arent we giving our children the same consideration? Tennessee needs to stop standing still on this issue and start movingboth literally and figuratively. If we let kids be kids and give them the time they need to thrive in a healthy, balanced school environment, we will raise healthier, happier and more productive adults. Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, represents District 64 of the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes part of Maury County. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Fight obesity epidemic by giving Tennessee kids more recess | Opinion Driven by the commitment to self-sustainable living, women farmers of Chhattisgarh have proven their mettle and resilience by embracing innovative technologies including flying drones in their farms. Today, the state boasts a record of 4.95 lakh rural women as Lakhpati Didis- earning an income of Rs 1 lakh annually- this includes 76,084 women of special categories of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and others. In its first year, the Lakhpati Didi scheme has made significant strides, especially with initiatives like the Namo Drone Didi program in Chhattisgarh. As per officials of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and Women & Child Development departments, under this pilot project, since the launch of this scheme the 15 beneficiary women earned a profit of Rs one lakh since December 2023. Under this innovative scheme, Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative (IFFCO) trained women farmers of nine districts by operate drones for spraying Nano fertilizers and pesticides on their crops. Now these women have become key players in improving agricultural productivity while earning an additional income of between Rs 300 to Rs 500 per acre by offering drone services to other farmers. Attributing Drone Didi's role in increase of profit margins of agriculture, farmers in Chhattisgarh are reaping a profit benefit of about 15 per cent and substantial increase in yield due to the effective spraying of fertilizers, while Drone Didis are also touching the sky by additional income. Durg-based farmers including Narayan Prasad Sahu and Chandan Prasad Sahu, are availing drone spraying on crops by Drone Didi in their farms. These farmers are experiencing a noticeable rise in income due to the cost-effectiveness and time-saving benefits of adopting drone technology in their farming practices. "There is a financial surge of around 15% in our agriculture profits along with increase in yield of crops. Compared to manual spraying, which takes five days to spay pesticides to nearly 10 acres, the drone completes the task in one day, saving time and money for farmers," said Narayan Prasad Sahu. The use of drone technology for spraying fertilizers ensures that plants remain disease-free by providing accurate, uniform coverage, effectively preventing the spread of pests and diseases. This result in improved crop yields, enhanced nutrient absorption and leading to cost savings in terms of both labor and materials. Additionally, drone spraying minimizes human health risks, reduces water usage, and speeds up the fertilization process, leading to overall better farm productivity and environmental sustainability. Sharing results of increase in yield, a Durg-based progressive farmer, who also works in Bhilai Steel plant, V Sandeep Naidu of said, "Services of Drone Didis are in high demand and require advance booking. I have seen an increase in my yield since using the drone fertilization process. This year, I harvested 30 quintals of paddy from each acre, whereas I used to harvest only 24 quintals." Eventually ,in course of time, the Drone operating Didis started earning extra perks by gaining popularity and evident benefits in agriculture. A prime example is Chandrakali Verma from Nagpura village in Raipur district, who has earned nearly Rs one lakh after covering the costs of her co-pilot, who drives the E-Rickshaw to transport the drone, along with other miscellaneous expenses. While another beneficiary Jagriti Sahu from Durg have also earned nearly Rs one lakh after rendering her drone technology services over 500 acres of land area. Explaining the advantages of using drone in farming, Durg-based progressive farmers Jagriti Sahu, said, "The technology saves time and labor, reduces wastage of water and fertilizer and ensures greater precision in spraying." Drone technology, is capable of spraying up to 10 liters per acre in just eight minutes, minimizes chemical emissions in the soil, protecting both human health and the environment. The drones also use Nano urea in a diluted form, making them eco-friendlier than traditional spraying methods. The drone technology also proved deeper penetration of pesticides and prevention from catching disease in lengthy crop like of sugarcane, sorghum millet, corn and others where density of crops obstructs the ground level penetration of pesticides. Moreover, drone technology has significantly increased efficiency for farmers, allowing them to cover large areas quickly and at a much lower cost compared to manual labourer. As per officials of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), the Lakhpati Didi scheme is not just about technology; it's about empowering women to improve their livelihoods. Though, in next two years, Chhattisgarh had set target to enable 8.48 lakh rural women to become Lakhpati Didis, out of which 4.95 women have already achieved this status in 2023 and remaining target is set to be achieved by 2024-2026. This is an indication of pro activeness of Chhattisgarh government in staying ahead of fulfilling their promise of growth and development. Appreciating the success and efforts of various administrative departments in empowering Drone Didi, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said, "The initiatives like drone operations, natural farming training, and livestock management, the state is further expanding its efforts to ensure women farmers have the skills and support needed to succeed. The Lakhpati Didi scheme is an example of how technology and community empowerment can transform rural economies, creating a brighter future for women across Chhattisgarh." Lakhpati Didi group of Special category includes 368 women from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), 1516 are physically disabled women, 35113 are landless females and 39,087 females are sole breadwinners of their families. According to state's National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) official, while PVTG communities were initially hesitant to join for community inclusion, they began to embrace the Lakhpati Didi scheme after understanding the vision and benefits and government's support. As a result, out of target of 52,899 PVTG families a total 34,749 from 80 development blocks in 22 districts of Chhattisgarh are now part of self-help groups (SHGs). Chhattisgarh's 2.5 lakh Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), with nearly 28 lakh members, are benefiting from NRLM's interventions, which include skill training, credit access, digital inclusion, and market linkages. These SHGs not only encourage savings but also promote internal lending, empowering women to reduce their dependency on institutional banks or money lenders. (ANI) Yahoo Sports Leonards tools, toughness and ability to avoid negative plays make him intriguing. But he still has to show that he can execute complex throws on a more consistent basis, which might never happen. Dec. 7The arcane red light reportedly throbbed in the sky above Albuquerque's South Valley for about an hour in October 2023, caught on camera by a bewildered man who says, "I've never seen a light that bright." A solid, bright orb drifted with angular elegance in February over Jal, near the state's southern border, startling an observer. As the nighttime scene unfolded near a Lea County oilfield, the observer reported feeling like the air was astir with a leaden static. Videos of these episodes of stargazing turning bizarre in a state known for enigmatic nighttime occurrences are among those catalogued by a popular UFO reporting platform and cellphone app operated by Enigma Labs. The company, founded in 2020, has issued a new report naming New Mexico its top state for sightings per capita, with several strange videos submitted this year showing lights over Albuquerque. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "New Mexico is a focal point for UFOs," said Alejandro Rojas, a consultant for Enigma Labs. "But it's really interesting that New Mexico has really popped up in our data lately as being heads above the leader when it comes to submissions per person." The data set comes as an obsession with unidentified flying objects continues nationwide, even after a congressionally mandated Pentagon report released in February found no evidence the federal government was covering up knowledge of extraterrestrial technology and no evidence UFO sightings are signs of aliens visiting Earth. A Pentagon office, known as the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, was created in 2022 to track what the government calls UAPs unidentified anomalous phenomena with 757 reported to the office between May and June of this year, according to a November report. Still, people continue to see things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the fast-paced digital age, Enigma Labs provides an online trove of oddities an endless proliferation of sights and sounds. The private company offers a website and cellphone app allowing UFO enthusiasts and regular people who believe they have encountered the anomalous to upload videos and photos with descriptions, aggregating and crowdsourcing the data. "Like millions of ants crawling around us," the individual who spotted something in Jal said in the Enigma post. "I hate to say it. Those are ships!" gushed a man who claimed he was witnessing alien plasma ships in Gallup near the Arizona border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All told, the Land of Enchantment's rate of 12.2 Enigma entries per 100,000 people is far higher than the next closest states of Nevada and Arizona, which boast submission rates of around 9 per 100,000 residents, according to the company. UFO researchers have theories about the large volume of entries here, citing how alien mythology and lore have been woven into the state's cultural fabric for decades. According to the National UFO Reporting Center, 1,708 sightings have been reported in New Mexico, most of them since 2000. "We have a relatively small population, but the one thing we do have, and I think this factors into your question, is a preponderance of military operations areas and scientific development areas Los Alamos [National Laboratory], Sandia [National Laboratories] a rich history of sightings," said David Marler, a longtime UFO researcher who lives in the Albuquerque area and serves as the executive director of a new UFO records center in Rio Rancho. While the Roswell incident has long been a dominant talker, Marler said there are many other intriguing reports of encounters over the last 75 years in New Mexico: April 1964, Socorro; April 1964, La Madera; March 1950, Farmington; November 1957, Kirtland Air Force Base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A prevalent state for sightings Enigma Labs runs a New Mexico page that archives and cataloging sightings, rating and categorizing videos. As of late November, the company had received 278 New Mexico sightings directly, according to an email from Rojas. Combined with publicly available sources, it has 3,531 total sightings in New Mexico archived. "When you go back and look at early magazine reports and military reports going back to the 1950s, there were magazine articles showing maps where a lot of UFO sightings. One of the most prevalent states was New Mexico," Marler said. A fascination with the unknown has long gripped New Mexico. It's a state renowned thanks to its dry climate, low population density and sprawling deserts for its night sky viewing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One of the most spectacular reports is from last August. A witness said they were watching TV when they caught this weird object out of the corner of their eye. They were able to get a few seconds of video before it disappeared behind nearby trees," Rojas said of video footage taken in Chaparral, a Southern New Mexico community near El Paso. The video shows a floating gray object with a television heard in the background. New Mexico sightings logged into the Enigma Labs database break down like this: Albuquerque, 754; Las Cruces, 159; Roswell, 143; Alamogordo, 107; and Deming, 95. Rojas said eight sightings have been reported to Enigma from Santa Fe and one in Los Alamos. Two friends were driving along San Mateo Boulevard in Albuquerque late one night in February when a moving craft in the sky lit up with lights flashing in a diagonal pattern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an episode that lasted about a minute, "it went from a long craft to a triangle shaped craft with only 3 lights, and then to something that resembled a helicopter with one light, and quickly disappeared," states the caption on the for the video posted to Enigma Lab's site. New records center in Rio Rancho Tens of thousands of case files, among the earliest dated in 1947, are housed in Rio Rancho. They relay the stories of witnesses, couched in the diction of reports written by law enforcement officers or members of the military as far back as 70 years ago. The files can be pored over at the new National UFO Historical Records Center, a facility that recently opened and can be visited by appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's the largest historical archive ever assembled on the history of the subject in the history of the United States," said Marler, the director. The volunteer-operated research center, at 1301 Nicklaus Drive SE, opened in October. It holds rolls of decades-old microfilm, hundreds of thousands of audio recordings, an exhaustive library of foreign and domestic magazines, newsletters and periodicals all dealing with reports of mysterious craft spotted from Earth. Some 2,000 books line the shelves, along with an interminable supply of UFO investigations and intrigue, with tales and testimony for those who believe. "It's really set up for academics and for the general public who have a serious interest in the subject. It's not for the casual enthusiast per se," Marler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center has files from the National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomena, records kept by the largest citizen organization in the U.S. devoted to cataloguing UFO reports from 1956 until 1980, the year the group published its final newsletter. The center is currently digitizing the files for the first time ever. Also in its possession are collections from the Aerial Phenomenon Research Organization, once based in Alamogordo, with tens of thousands of case files as well as collections from the UFO Research Committee of Akron, especially active in the 1950s in Ohio. "We're literally getting these holdings in from all different points of the globe," Marler said. Well-documented cases beyond Roswell Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Academics of unexplained phenomena have descended on the Land of Enchantment for a beloved UFO festival in Roswell. But the mythic narratives don't go dry there. "Unfortunately, Roswell, Roswell, Roswell. That always dominates the conversation and there are better, more well-documented cases on file," Marler said, referring to the 1947 crash of a craft near the Southern New Mexico city. While many believe it was an extraterrestrial spacecraft, the federal government has said it was a secret military balloon aimed at detecting Soviet atomic bomb tests. Marler said many New Mexicans aren't aware of other cases within their own state. In November of 1957, a UFO was tracked on radar and "violated" the perimeter of the Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, hovering around restricted sites, according to reports Marler has reviewed. He said the Rio Rancho records center has the original case file on it from "Project Blue Book," the Air Force name for a project that investigated UFO reports between 1947 and 1969. "Two Air Force personnel were observing it with binoculars at night. They described it as looking like a car standing vertically on end with a white light emanating out of the bottom. The object had the ability to hover, to rapidly accelerate, to move slowly," Marler said. The Socorro incident in April 1964 unresolved in the Air Force investigations that transpired at the time and widely reported by New Mexico news publications was observed by local police Officer Lonnie Zamora, who claimed he witnessed two humanoids beside a shiny, egg-shaped object that later rose into the air from an arroyo as flames belched from the rising craft. Marler said he had believed the Socorro case was an isolated one. In the last year, however, he received the APRO files and came across an account published in the Santa Fe New Mexican of a similar report four days after the Socorro incident from La Madera, a remote community north of Ojo Caliente in Rio Arriba County. "Eyewitness Recounts Passage of 'Thing' Burning in Sky," reads a headline in the April 28, 1964, edition of The New Mexican. "It talks about Socorro, but it talks about a landing in La Madera ... and it described an egg-shaped object," Marler said. "... New Mexico State Police [investigated and] drew a detailed diagram of the landing site and took pictures and colored photographs." Over 7,000 Catholic parishioners attended Saturday's 19th annual Honra Tu Madre (honor your mother) event in downtown Phoenix, a celebration dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico, whose feast day is on Dec. 12. Parishioners representing cultures from Latin America, Asia, and Africa participated in dances dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a mass led by Bishop John P Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix that took place in the courtyard of St. Mary's Basilica and in a procession that traveled the streets of downtown. The Virgin of Guadalupe occupies a special place in the culture and religious life of many Mexicans and Latinos in the United States. Her importance is so great that her image, which originated in Mexico, has become a transnational symbol, her influence growing across the U.S. due to migration and the increased presence of Mexican culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catholic churches organize masses, processions and festivals in her name on her feast day, Dec. 12, coinciding with the day she appeared before an Indigenous man in the 1500s in what is now Mexico City, according to Catholic dogma. For almost 20 years, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix has organized an annual mass and procession at St. Mary's Basilica a week ahead of the official feast day, giving churches from across the Valley and other parts of Arizona the chance to participate in the massive event. Dolan said Saturday's gathering was a special one for both Catholic and Christian communities of Arizona because it celebrated the Virgin Mary, the upcoming Christmas season and the birth of Christ. As mass concluded, Dolan said St. Mary's Roman Catholic Basilica was among churches across the world that rang their bells in celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was a nice celebration for us to celebrate our lady, Our Lady of Notre Dame, as we are celebrating our lady, Our Lady of Guadalupe," Dolan said. After mass ended, the crowd participated in the mile-long procession that showcased over 60 groups from Catholic parishes across Arizona. Dolan said the procession is meant to symbolize parishioners following the will of God. Dressed in gigantic, marigold-adorne, sombrero-like hats and masks with thick faux facial hair, during the procession several dancers were spinning and kicking their feet in rhythm to the tlacololero, a traditional dance originating in Guerrero, Mexico. Ricardo Sandoval, a tlacololero dancer, said he has been performing in the Honra Tu Madre event for the past six years. It was an honor for him to do this year after year as an homage to the Virgin Mary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the tlacololeros, matachines dressed in distinct brightly colored, rattle adorned outfits lined the procession with each group's attire representing the region in Mexico from where their dance originated. For about 20 years, Crizeida Avitia said she has been dancing in her father's matachin dance troupe that he brought over from Durango, Mexico. For Avitia, she said performing matachin means being thankful "and giving back our thanks to Our Lady of Guadalupe; showing our thanks to Saint Jude, God, and any other saints that the families invite us to their homes for." Reach La Voz reporter David Ulloa Jr. at david.ulloa@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Downtown Phoenix procession draws thousands in honor of Virgin Mary Consumers in California were bombarded last month with 11 food recall notices that included raw milk from Fresno infected with H5N1 bird flu, organic carrots from City of Commerce contaminated with E. coli and cucumbers from Arizona that contained salmonella. The notices brought the total number of recalled foods between September and November to 26. It is normal to have this many recalled foods? Experts say it's hard to define what is a normal amount of recall notices and detected foodborne illnesses because the testing systems and investigative steps have significantly changed over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Baby carrots [for example] could have been contaminated before but it could have gone undetected," said Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University. In recent years, she said, there has been more invested in testing, investigation, identification and tracking systems when it comes to food safety, but it's far from being a perfect system. "As we get better at identifying, monitoring and tracking [contaminated foods] we will naturally see an increase in recalls because we're just getting better at figuring stuff out," said Sara Bratager, Senior Food Safety Specialist for the Institute of Food Technologies. Though 26 recall notices in three months might seem like a large number, Bratager said it's not unprecedented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trace One, a product management software company, studied the number of food recalls in the U.S. between 2020 and 2024 and found that the number of recalls grew from 454 to 547 per year. The leading cause of food recalls are bacteria, foreign objects and allergens that are triggered when products are exposed to wheat, dairy and nuts, often due to cross contamination. California has the highest percentage of recall notices in the U.S. with 39.8%, followed by New York with 36.4%. According to Trace One, California has the largest share of recalls because it's the nation's largest producer of food. Experts say the overall number of recalled food products has grown across the country because the food chain has become more complex as food is often grown, manufactured, packed and distributed by separate companies, which leads to more places in the supply chain where contamination can occur. Any number of recalls feels significant but experts say recalls aren't all doom and gloom: Outbreaks from contaminated foods are growing smaller, and there are several actions consumers can take to protect themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Listeria recall expands to 12 million pounds of meat and poultry sold at Trader Joe's, Target and others Are recalls just bad news? A recall means the production of a specific food is halted (sometimes voluntarily by the producer), the item is taken off the shelves and consumers are warned against eating or drinking the product because the food can cause injury or illness. Foods can be recalled because they're contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites, there's a presence of foreign objects (broken glass, metal or plastic) or a failure to list a major allergen in the food packaging (such as peanuts or shellfish), according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Recall notices have both a negative and positive association, said Bratager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's bad because it means the preventive measures that are in place by the FDA and the U.S. Departmen of Agriculture (which regulates meat, poultry, and processed egg products) failed and contamination got into the food production process, Bratager said. Recalls are also good because they signify that the process of investigation, identifying and tracking contaminated foods to alert producers and consumers is working. "It's a comfort and a scare because we don't want to see recalls happening," she said. "But at the same time I would be worried if I was living in a community where there was not a single recall." Read more: A wave of major listeria recalls shows food safety will 'never be perfect' The number of infected in a recall is getting smaller, why? On Nov. 18 the Los Angeles County Public Health Department alerted consumers of two local cases of E. coli associated with a multistate outbreak linked to whole bagged and baby carrots from a farm in Bakersfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the county, one local case was linked to the outbreak and resulted in the death of an adult over the age of 65 with medical conditions. It's becoming more common to see recall notices and public health alerts that affect a smaller number of people who have become ill or died from contaminated food. No recall is a positive event, Bratager said, but when a recall has a smaller number of people affected by the outbreak, it's reflective of monitoring and detection efforts becoming more precise. "Oftentimes the reason a recall is really big is because we find an issue and we can't necessarily pin down when that issue happened and get to the root cause of it," she said. What can consumers do to protect themselves? Before handling and cooking any type of food, Kowalcyk said, make sure you wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds. Secondly, ensure that the utensils and the surface area you're using to prepare the food are sanitary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to produce, make sure you're washing it before preparing and eating. Soap isn't necessary, said Kowalcyk. What's more important to getting rid of bacteria on the food item is friction under running water and then using a paper towel to dry it. Another rule of thumb is to keep raw meat and poultry away from other foods to minimize cross contamination. Cook foods to proper temperatures by using a cooking thermometer, especially when cooking meats. For a complete list of safe minimum internal temperatures for various foods, visit the online USDA list. "I know it's fun, especially on holidays, to keep food out [to graze on] for a few hours, but you really don't want [food] out for more than two hours, said Bratager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such proactive steps should extend beyond your own kitchen, said Darin Detwiler, a food safety expert and professor of food regulatory affairs at Northeastern University. If you are dining at a restaurant, for example, Detwiler said, you should speak up if you see a staff member handling food who isn't being hygenic, such as handling food with bare hands or not washing their hands. If your meal isn't cooked properly, say the meat on your plate is raw, alert the staff. Read more: California infant dies from listeria amid outbreak tied to ready-to-eat meat products What is a consumer's roll in recalls? If you get sick and you suspect the cause is a foodborne illness, experts say you should first consult your healthcare provider and then report it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can report a complaint of illness or serious allergic reaction to the proper regulatory system for the particular food item. Issues with dairy products, produce, nuts, spices, and bottled water can be made online via the FDA's Safety Reporting Portal or by calling (888) 723-3366 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time (the phone line is closed Thursdays and federal holidays). Reports of issues with seafood should be emailed to seafood.illness@fda.hhs.gov with the following information: species of fish/fish products, location of illness, identify whether there are any remnants of the possible contaminated food, how many people have fallen sick and where the food was purchased. Problems with meat and poultry should be reported to the USDA by calling (833) 674-6854 or by email to the meat and poultry hotline MPHotline.fsis@usda.gov. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. In our weekly list of business people on the move, we highlight Palm Beach County professionals who are making a difference. These are people from across the spectrum of public and private endeavors, those working in charities, court houses, private practices and beyond. They are moving up within their industry, advancing their careers and standing out for their services within our community. Here are this week's professional standouts: Riviera Beach non-profit adds college dean to board LaTanya McNeal The non-profit organization Community Partners of South Florida recently announced the appointment of LaTanya McNeal to its board of directors. McNeal, the executive dean and dean of student services for the Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves Campuses at Palm Beach State College, brings over 27 years of leadership in higher education to the board. Community Partners of South Florida is a $16 million comprehensive community development nonprofit agency headquartered in Riviera Beach that provides services to families facing social, emotional, and financial adversity. Addiction specialists, Hanley Foundation adds three doctors to team Hanley Foundation recently added three renowned doctors to chief officer positions at the organization. Dr. Heather Howard is the new chief strategy officer, Dr. Angelo Asheh is the new chief medical officer, and Dr. Phoenix Adams is the new chief clinical officer. Howard, Asheh, and Adams bring a wealth of knowledge in the mental and behavioral health field, and will play an essential role in expanding Hanley Foundations innovative treatment options for patients. Through its four mission areas of prevention, advocacy, treatment, and recovery support, Hanley provides evidence-based holistic addiction treatment, recovery scholarships to those in need, and youth prevention programming, while reducing stigma and informing policy. Dr. Heather Howard Dr. Angelo Asheh Dr. Phoenix Adams Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Palm Beach law firm adds two attorneys Lisa M. Diaz Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. recently announced that attorneys Lisa M. Diaz and Zoe Weiser-Dalton have joined the firm's West Palm Beach office. Diaz practices in the areas of environmental and Native American law, focusing on permitting, litigation, and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Before joining the firm, Diaz represented clients with legal challenges related to the construction and permitting of liquified natural gas export facilities. Weiser-Dalton earned her JD from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she served as a research assistant and as finance chair for UFs 29th Annual Public Interest Environmental Conference. Zoe Weiser-Dalton South Florida firm elevates two attorneys to partner Jordan A. Dulcie Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, a leading law firm specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, and complex litigation, has announced the promotion of Jordan A. Dulcie and David P. Vitale Jr. to shareholders within the firm. Dulcie, who joined the firm in 2017, has established himself as a formidable advocate for clients in medical malpractice and personal injury cases. Vitale Jr., an esteemed litigator who has tried cases to verdict in both state and federal court, has been with the firm since 2017, focusing on complex cases involving catastrophic injury, commercial litigation, wrongful death, and medical negligence. David P. Vitale Jr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Palm Beach law firm bolsters roster with associate West Palm Beach law firm Day Pitney LLP recently added Christopher Parmele as an associate. Parmele represents clients in commercial litigation matters. Prior to joining Day Pitney, Parmele served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable William Matthewman in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Alan O. Forst in Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal, and a judicial law clerk for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County. Christopher Parmele Legal Aid Society adds four board members for 2024-25 Lauren Johnson The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach Countys board of directors recently elected its officers for 2024-2025 and welcomed four new board members. Lauren Johnson is a partner at Rabin Kammerer Johnson practicing business litigation, qui tam (whistleblower) matters, and securities arbitration and litigation. Nicholas Johnson, a partner with Osborne & Francis, is an experienced trial lawyer, representing people harmed by the negligence of others, with a focus on medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, and general personal injury matters. Ellen Leibovitch, a partner at the law firm of Assouline & Berlowe, P.A., focuses her practice on labor and employment law counseling and litigation, as well as commercial and business litigation. John Terwilleger, a shareholder at Gunster, is a litigator who handles a variety of trial and appellate matters including disputes regarding complex business issues, trusts and estates, intellectual property and trade secrets, eminent domain and property rights, land use, contracts, professional services, insurance, and employment issues. Nicholas Johnson Ellen Leibovitch Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Terwilleger If you are looking for more insight into the movers and shakers operating in the Palm Beaches, subscribe to our real estate newsletter, The Dirt, keep an eye out for stories and perspective from veteran reporters Kimberly Miller and Alexandra Clough. If you have an announcement for Business People on the Move, please send it to Pbbusiness@pbpost.com. Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best businesses, professionals, business people in Palm Beach County This is a truly historic day, one many of us thought would never come. On Sunday, rebel forces in Syria captured the capital Damascus and toppled the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country. I first crossed into Syria with smugglers in 2011 as popular protests were sweeping through the country. I reported on only one story for the following few years. The short-lived Arab Spring was in full bloom, and Syrians had watched Tunisia, Egypt and Libya with hope in their hearts. Decades of oppression in the chokehold of first Hafez al-Assad and then his son Bashar had created a vast reservoir of resentment. PHOTO: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attends the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 11, 2024. (SPA via Xinhua/Getty Images) This was truly a homegrown uprising, almost a family affair. By early summer 2012, a large-scale armed rebellion was underway. At first, Assad's poorly motivated, ill-disciplined army was a poor match for the Sunni-led popular rebellion. The minority Alawite-led regime had persecuted, subjugated and discriminated against much of the country's Sunni majority for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regime responded with deadly force, gunning down peaceful protesters. And so in turn, the protesters became rebels, taking up arms and daring to take on Assad and the allies who came to his rescue: Iran, Hezbollah, Russia and a host of other Shia militias. Syria's Assad resigns and leaves the country after stunning rebel blitz, Russia says Russia provided air, weapon and artillery support to the regime, as well as mercenary fighters -- primarily to protect its own interests in the Middle East and its naval base in Latakia, Syria's principal port city and a strategically important foothold on the Mediterranean. Iran, long an ally and sponsor of Assad and Syria as a key node in its Axis of Resistance, stepped up its military presence to protect its client and secure weapons flows and influence. And Hezbollah, the Iranian-sponsored group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and others, flooded the front lines with some of its best fighters. Together, they halted and ultimately reversed the rebel advance, although never completely, as the rebels clung to a small corner of northwest Syria. Who are the Syrian rebels that have toppled Assad and taken Damascus? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebels were a fairly ragtag and disparate group of local men with a little external support, learning to be fighters. As the violence and death grew, so many groups became more radicalized. Most were Islamists of different shades, albeit more nationalist in outlook. I still find it difficult to think of the countless people I have seen wounded and dying at the hands of Assad. Young Mohammed, peppered with shrapnel, writhing in agony in a makeshift hospital. The children whose school was hit with an incendiary bomb, and they were burned alive. It is a sight, a smell I will never forget. The people of Syria never forgot, either. We may never know how many hundreds of thousands of men, women and children died. The United Nations Human Rights Office estimated in June 2022 that the death toll over 10 years of the conflict was at least 306,000 people. But that was over two years ago and at the time, it acknowledged it was almost certainly an undercount. The United Nations has said over half the population has been forcibly displaced, with an estimated 5.4 million refugees in neighboring countries and almost 6.8 million refugees within the country as of 2022. PHOTO: An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian President Hafez Assad in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (Hussein Malla/AP) Eyewitnesses reveal horrors of Syria school attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The world watched and the world largely did nothing. When Assad used chemical weapons against his own people, the Obama administration blinked. The so-called red line was indisputably crossed, but Russia played the U.S. brilliantly. Assad agreed to destroy his chemical weapons stockpile and the international community allowed him to continue to kill his people by more conventional means. Assad walked away scot-free while the U.S. and its allies turned their attention to the black flag of ISIS. Here was something they could agree and act upon. It suited Assad perfectly. His regime also became an ally, although in practice it did little to take on the terror group, certainly far less than it was willing to do against the rebel fighters. (The Trump administration in 2018 ordered a strike on Syria in response to chemical attacks.) So yes there are scenes of celebration now, but there won't be a Syrian at home or in exile who isn't also reminded of loved ones mercilessly slaughtered by Assad, Russia, Iran or Hezbollah. They will also remember how little the U.S. did to help. PHOTO:A woman waves a Syrian opposition flag as she celebrates at Umayyad Square in Damascus on Dec. 8, 2024. (Bakr Al Kassem/AFP via Getty Images) PHOTO: APTOPIX Syria (Omar Sanadiki/AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains to be seen what hue the new Syrian government takes. Islamists have an unfortunate habit of allowing one man, one vote, one time. Maybe this will be different. If not, then expect Israel and the U.S. to have a say. Syria has long been a lynchpin in the Shia crescent, allowing Iran to spread influence and weapons from Tehran to Iraq, Syria and into Lebanon. What happened Sunday has broken that chain in a way that will have huge consequences for the region. We must wait and see, but this is the most important moment in recent Middle Eastern history. Toppling of Syria's Assad most important moment in recent Middle East history: Reporter's notebook originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Reacting to the "anti-EVM" event of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) held at Markadwadi village in Solapur district of Maharashtra, the state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday said that Sharad Pawar should accept the defeat handed to the alliance in the recently concluded Assembly polls. Markadwadi village has become the centre of a campaign against alleged electoral malpractices mounted by the MVA, which is blaming Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for its rout in the recent elections. Bawankule further targeted Sharad Pawar on why the Opposition alliance didn't say anything when 31 of their MPs were elected in the Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to reporters here, Bawankule said, "Sharad Pawar should accept defeat. He suffered a great loss in these elections. The kind of lies they said in elections were all rejected by the people. Pawar Sahab has gone to Markadwadi. It doesn't behove a person of his age to lie. Maharashtra respects him. Several elections have been held in Markadwadi. Several elections have been held on EVM in Maharashtra. But they never rejected elections. They did not say anything when 31 of their people were elected as MPs...Pawar Sahab is running around to save his face in the upcoming local body elections...He knows that MVA is going to lose the upcoming elections. They will lose their deposits too..." Meanwhile, following notices sent to farmers in Latur, Bawankule alleged that Maharashtra Waqf Board had played "mischief" by forcibly encroached on several properties and registering them under their name. He further urged the central and state governments to investigate this matter strictly. "Waqf Board has done mischief. A lot of properties are for Hindu deities, for Hindu Trusts, for farmers, but they have forcibly encroached on them and registered them under their name. This should be digitised once again. There should be a clean record. BJP has written to the Centre and State Govt again and again that the mischief done by Waqf Board, the land encroached on by them should be released and for that, the Govt will take strict action...This should be probed. I urge the Centre and State to probe this strictly..." the Maharasthra BJP chief said. The Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 witnessed a decisive victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance, securing a landslide win with 235 seats. The results marked a significant milestone for the BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats. The Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party also made notable gains, with 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback with Congress winning just 16 seats. Its alliance partner, Shiv Sena (UBT), won 20 seats, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) secured only 10 seats. (ANI) A transgender 10-year-old fears shell be murdered for her identity, and other trans children are talking about the negative impacts of anti-trans rhetoric on them. CNN interviewed three trans kids and their mothers who traveled from Arizona to speak on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., as the court heard a case Wednesday on health care for trans minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When reporter Lucy Kafanov asked 10-year-old Violet DuMont what concerns she has about speaking out, the girl replied, That Im gonna be, like, murdered. Im gonna be walking down the street and somebodys gonna come up and, like, shoot me or something. Thats a really scary thing to be worrying about at 10 years old, Kafanov responded. Violets mother, Lucy Callahan-DuMont, said its hard to hear her child say that. After Donald Trump was elected president in November, Callahan-DuMont said, Violet asked her three questions: Are we gonna have to move? Are they gonna take me away from you? Am I not gonna be able to get my medicine? Another trans girl, Dylan Heinzer, said Republican anti-trans rhetoric and ads make her feel like they think were puppets that they can play with, and its just so wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violet DuMont added, It literally made me feel dead inside. Its probably, honestly, the worst thing Ive ever felt. Like politicians say you have the wrong gender, youre confused, honey. No, My self is a fact, not an opinion, and they dont get to decide that for me. I get to decide that for myself. Regarding gender-affirming care bans like the one in Tennessee that is the subject of the Supreme Court case, Hazel Heinzer, Dylans mother, said she doesnt know what care her children will need in the future, but she believes in bodily autonomy and parental rights. My kids deserve access to the same lifesaving care that other, cisgender kids are receiving without politicians interfering, she said. - YouTube www.youtube.com The Tennessee law bans administration of puberty blockers and hormone treatment for gender transition for minors but allows this care for cisgender kids for other conditions, such as early-onset puberty. It also bans gender-affirming surgery for trans people under 18, but such surgery is rarely performed on minors anyway, and the lawsuit out of Tennessee is not challenging that portion of the law. Arizona so far has banned surgery only. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Trujillo, a trans boy, told Kafanov that if politicians really cared about children, then they would take the time and listen to what they have to say. I think that they would focus on real things, like climate change, instead of using our identities as a pawn just to get votes or just to stay in office. He and his family have traveled to the Arizona state capitol many times to speak out, and he has repeatedly been disrespected and misgendered, he said. He added that they came to Washington because oftentimes, our lives get turned into numbers and trauma stories with no name and no face. Our existence is so beyond that. I play the guitar, Im in our schools March for Our Lives club and our Spanish club. Like, I live this very full and vibrant life. When politicians turn us into numbers, a lot of the times they havent met trans people, they dont know trans people, they dont take the time to introduce themselves to trans people. His mother, Lizette Trujillo, said Daniel lobbied for the first time at age 9; hell be 18 next August, two months after the Supreme Courts ruling is expected to come out. He will have spent a majority of his life defending his existence, she said. So I just want Daniel and Violet and Dylan to live in a world that just lets them be and a world where they can be safe. I really worry that the rhetoric has gotten so bad. Callahan-DuMont noted the high suicide rate among trans youth, while Lizette Trujillo cited the violence faced by Black and brown trans women. Violet DuMont said the anti-trans climate has ruined her childhood. As to what might happen under four more years of Trump, who has backed a national ban on gender-affirming care, she said, I just dont want to think about what hes going to do. Tricare beneficiaries in certain ZIP codes will switch to or stay in a different Tricare region than the rest of their state come the new year, according to the Defense Health Agency. Six states will switch from Tricares East Region to the West Region starting Jan. 1, 2025, as announced earlier this year. However, after conducting a recent evaluation, Tricare officials announced Tuesday that they have now carved out select ZIP codes in four states where more than 2,000 beneficiaries will be in a different region from the rest of their state come Jan. 1. This includes limited ZIP codes in two states Missouri and Indiana that arent among the regional shift. The ZIP codes are being carved out because they border another state with a nearby military hospital or clinic and are part of that military treatment facilitys prime service area, which is defined as a 40-mile geographical region around a military hospital or clinic where Tricare Prime is available, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tricare officials conducted a significant evaluation of the potential for carve-outs over several months, a Defense Health Agency spokesperson told Military Times. Health care will not be affected by these carve-outs. They instead ensure the Prime networks will continue to function as [they] have been before the upcoming changes in regions, the spokesperson said. Officials have been conducting targeted outreach to beneficiaries affected by the ZIP code carve-outs, according to a source familiar with the efforts. The ZIP code carve-outs come two years after the new Tricare contracts were awarded and it was announced that all beneficiaries in Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin would move to the West Region. At the time, officials said switching the 1.5 million beneficiaries from the East Region to the West Region would provide a more equitable balance of beneficiaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Areas impacted by the new ZIP code carve-outs include: Arkansas : Most of the state is switching to the West Region, but those living in certain ZIP codes in eight counties will stay in the East Region , including certain areas in Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Greene, Mississippi, Poinsett and St. Francis counties. Indiana: Those living in certain ZIP codes in Benton, Fountain, Lake, Vermillion or Warren counties will switch to the West Region, unlike the rest of their state, which stays in the East Region. Missouri: Those living in certain ZIP codes in Butler, Dunklin, New Madrid and Pemiscot counties will be in the East Region, unlike the rest of their state, which stays in the West Region. Wisconsin: Most of the state is switching to the West Region, but those living in certain ZIP codes in Florence County will stay in the East Region. As the Dec. 10 deadline for Tricare open season changes approaches, beneficiaries should review whether these tweaks could impact their health care plan decisions. To determine your Tricare region, visit Tricares website, scroll down the navigation bar on the right side and enter your ZIP code in the tool labeled, Whats my Tricare region in 2025? Further, some beneficiaries in new carve-out areas are now in the West Region, where a new contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, takes over effective Jan. 1. All West Region beneficiaries should contact TriWest before Jan. 1 to ensure their contact information is up to date. Beneficiaries also need to transfer their payment information if they pay enrollment fees or premiums by credit card or bank transfer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For active duty family members who dont pay enrollment fees, these carve-outs will be transparent, officials said. If beneficiaries dont provide TriWest with payment information before Jan. 1, they may be involuntarily disenrolled from Tricare and potentially lose their health coverage. If they pay by military allotment, they dont need to take action. Beneficiaries staying in the East Region dont need to take action, as the contractor, Humana Military, remains the same and will keep the payment information on file. The five-year-old bull terrier now known as "Trooper" captured the hearts of those both near and far. The dog became known through social media after his rescue by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper who saw him tied to a fence along Interstate 75 in Tampa as Category 4 Hurricane Milton barreled toward Florida. Trooper then faced an uncertain fate. But today, his past is behind him and he's found a new beginning and a new "fur-ever" home, according to a post from the Leon County Humane Society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From the moment he was introduced to his new Mom and Dad, you could see that it was a perfect match," the post said. "In other meetings, Trooper would normally be visibly on edge and uncomfortable, but with Frank and Carla, Trooper seemed immediately at ease." (The post didn't identify Frank and Carla by their full names or place of residence.) Trooper's tail wags now more than ever as he is enjoying his new home and a new friend, Dallas, a seven-year-old rescue miniature bull terrier. Trooper was originally taken into custody by FHP Trooper Orlando Morales after he got a tip from another driver who was traveling on the interstate and spotted the animal Oct. 9. Trooper was eventually taken in by the Leon County Humane Society after receiving a call from Gov. Ron DeSantis' office. He was placed in a temporary home with someone who has experience with his breed. When Trooper met Dallas Trooper the dog with new friend Dallas. After a few observed visits with the inquiring adopters, Trooper was excited by his new owner's visits, running to them to lean in for cuddles, happily accepting gifts and tearing them to shreds, the post explained. After the first visit went well, the dog met Dallas, who was grieving the loss of her friend Diesel, who died at age 15 this April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the two dogs met, it was "love at first sight," stating that "they ran up to each other and pressed foreheads, tails wagging furiously." And so Trooper was brought home, spoiled with everything any good pup deserves. Trooper the dog, with new owners Frank and Carla. Trooper's new parents have worked with a dog trainer to help Trooper get acclimated to his new environment. Who was Trooper's original owner? And where is he now? Trooper's previous owner, Giovanny Aldama Garcia, was identified Oct. 15 and has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony, according to Erin Maloney, spokesperson for Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez. According to Lopez's office, Garcia admitted to leaving the dog, which he called "Jumbo," while driving from Tampa to Georgia to flee from Milton "because he couldn't find anyone to pick the dog up." Trooper, a 5-year-old bull terrier, was abandoned by his owner as he fled from Tampa to Georgia to avoid Hurricane Milton. Garcia will be arraigned Dec. 18, Maloney said in an email. An arraignment is a formal court hearing in which a defendant is told the charges against him, enters a plea and is assigned legal representation if he doesn't already have a lawyer. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trooper, dog abandoned amid Hurricane Milton, finds fur-ever home Dec. 7A plan to release vapors from containers of radioactive waste has been put on ice. As Los Alamos National Laboratory and the National Nuclear Security Administration wait for regulatory approval and warmer weather, the venting of four 51-gallon, stainless steel pressure containers containing tritium waste will likely have to wait until the spring, at least. Venting wasn't scheduled for this year, as the New Mexico Environment Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hadn't yet authorized the release, wrote LANL spokesman Steven Horak in an email to The New Mexican. Nevertheless, "readiness activities were conducted throughout the year" in case those approvals came though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LANL wants to get rid of the legacy waste, which dates back to weapons developed during the Cold War. An NNSA audit found lead in the containers, designating them as a hazardous waste requiring off-site disposal. That requires moving them from their current location at Area G a site that stores legacy radioactive waste to a licensed off-site facility after being repackaged at LANL's tritium facility. But moving the containers could become more difficult over time, and the venting is intended to release some of the pressure to make them safe to handle. LANL documents state that the transport is part of an effort to reduce waste held at Area G and the risk associated with it. "There is currently a window of time in which safe, compliant controlled venting can be performed," Horak wrote. "Once that time passes likely in less than four years any effort to move or mitigate the containers becomes much more difficult and introduces new risks, including possible curtailment of Area G cleanup." It's already been four years since the plan was first publicized. The containers were supposed to be vented in April 2020, but the action was postponed because of pandemic-era staffing challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By then, the plan had caught the attention of not only advocacy groups and community members living nearby but also former New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall and current Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan, who requested a public meeting and additional transparency about the move. At the meeting, several individuals and groups expressed concern about potential health impacts. Colorless and odorless, tritium can be both naturally occurring and man-made. A radioactive hydrogen isotope, the gas is typically considered low risk when at low levels, according to an EPA fact sheet. But exposure to higher levels, which could come from broken exit signs or other sources, can come with health risks. In 2019, the lab received a three-year authorization from the EPA to conduct the venting. In 2023, it appeared the venting would be delayed again. That year, thousands of people signed an online petition circulated by Indigenous advocacy group Tewa Women United in opposition to the venting plan. More recently, two studies prepared for Tewa Women United underscored concerns about health impacts. One, authored by German researcher Bernd Franke, said the venting plans did not take into account more vulnerable populations like infants. In the report, Franke stated when exposed to the same amount of tritium as an adult, babies will receive a dose more than three times as high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Tritium makes water, our sacred source of life, radioactive," said Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez, a member of San Ildefonso Pueblo and co-founder of Tewa Women United, in a statement. "We were shocked to learn that LANL's compliance calculations did not take infants and other children into account." The second report, authored by Institute for Energy and Environmental Research president Arjun Makhijani, states LANL's venting application "systematically underestimates" the dose of tritium that would be released in bad weather. "I have long been concerned about the problem of tritium pollution," Makhijani wrote. "Tritium is the most ubiquitous radioactive pollutant associated with nuclear weapons and nuclear power. Tritium, once in the body in the form of water, pervades every cell." The EPA doesn't set specific regulatory limits for children or infants, Horak wrote. But, Horak added, "Venting of the flanged tritium waste containers will be conducted to ensure that emissions remain within EPA limits. ... The limits established by the EPA are protective of even the most vulnerable members of the public, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a news release, members of Tewa Women United said they want to hear alternatives. In a question-and-answer post about the plan on LANL's website, the lab mentions potential alternatives but says it deemed venting the most viable. "The selected option, while more complex and expensive than many alternatives, was deemed to be the safest option for both the workers and the public," the webpage reads. Tritium decays into helium. But waiting for that could delay the project by more than 80 years, Horak wrote. Meanwhile, pressure would still be building in containers. There are six flanged tritium waste containers at LANL. The four in question are at Area G, while the other two remain at the laboratory's Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility. The latter two don't need to be vented before transport, Horak wrote, and venting of other containers is not expected. President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker that you have no choice but to deport everyone who is illegally in the U.S., including possibly removing the American citizen family members of those deported. Trump also said he will move to end birthright citizenship long enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution which would strip rights from those born in the country to undocumented parents. But, he said, he is open to working with Democrats to pass legislation that would ensure Dreamers undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as children would be able to remain in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps comments about his mass deportation plan, a key promise of his presidential campaign, were the most expansive since he won the election in November. The program, he said, will begin with undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes and then advance to people outside of criminals. He did not detail which crimes would be included. I think you have to do it, Trump said of his deportation effort. Its a very tough thing to do. Its but you have to have, you know, you have rules, regulations, laws. They came in illegally. You know, the people that have been treated very unfairly are the people that have been on line for 10 years to come into the country. We have to get the criminals out of our country, Trump said, later adding: But were starting with the criminals, and we got to do it. And then were starting with others, and were going to see how it goes. Asked by Welker, Who are the others? Trump responded, Others are other people outside of criminals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a large increase in the number of unauthorized immigrants crossing into the U.S. during President Joe Bidens time in office, though that number has fallen following executive actions in recent months. Tightening restrictions around the U.S. border with Mexico was at the forefront of Trumps candidacy much as it was during his first run in 2016. Trump and allies routinely highlighted acts of violence committed by undocumented immigrants to bolster their case. (A 2024 study from the National Institute of Justice found that Texas arrest records between 2012 and 2018 showed undocumented immigrants were arrested at less than half the rate of native-born Americans for violent crimes.) Trump also described scenarios in which U.S. citizens may choose to be deported along with family members in the country illegally. His comments echoed Tom Homan, his pick to serve as border czar in the upcoming administration, in saying that he will be deporting families with mixed immigration status together. Let me ask you about another group of people, the estimated 4 million families in America who have mixed immigration status. So Im talking about parents who might be here illegally, Welker said, but the kids are here legally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to be breaking up families, Trump said. So the only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back. Welker also asked about the zero-tolerance policy during Trumps first term, where families would be separated at the border as a means of deterrence for those who chose to enter the U.S. illegally. Trump eventually ended the practice. We dont have to separate families, Trump said. Well send the whole family very humanely, back to the country where they came. So no more family separations? Welker asked. Youre not reviving the zero-tolerance policy? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It depends on the family, Trump said, adding later: If they come here illegally but their family is here legally, then the family has a choice. The person that came in illegally can go out, or they can all go out together. On birthright citizenship, Trump said he would seek to repeal it via executive action which would be certain to spark immediate legal challenges. We have to end it, Trump said, calling it ridiculous. Trump suggested that birthright citizenship is uniquely American, saying, Were the only country that has it, you know. But according to a review by the Library of Congress, more than 30 nations provide birthright citizenship, including Canada and Brazil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elect used a softer tone when discussing Dreamers, those who arrived in the U.S. nearly 20 or more years ago as children and are covered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program that has allowed them to remain in the country and work legally. We have to do something about the Dreamers, because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age, and many of these are middle-aged people now, they dont even speak the language of their country, Trump said, adding: I will work with the Democrats on a plan. They were brought into this country many years ago, he continued. Some of them are no longer young people, and in many cases they've become successful. They have great jobs. In some cases, they have small businesses. Some cases they might have large businesses, and were going to have to do something with them. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WASHINGTON (NewsNation) President-elect Donald Trump met Saturday with President Emmanuel Macron of France and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine ahead of the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, making a grand return to the world stage in his first foreign trip since securing the White House. Macron welcomed Trump to the Elysee Palace with a display of pomp and circumstance that stood in stark contrast with the recent collapse of the French government after Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet were ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament, leaving the nation without a functioning government. Its an honor to be here, Trump told reporters while standing alongside Macron. We had really great success working together on defense and offense, too. And it certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now, and well be talking about that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump allies chafe at Senate GOP resistance to nominees Approximately an hour after the start of Macron and Trumps meeting, Zelenskyy arrived at the Elysee Palace, creating an impromptu trilateral meeting amid growing concerns over U.S. support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Trump who has pledged to end the war quickly once he enters the White House has also threatened to curtail further aid for Ukraine. Zelenskyy said his first face-to-face encounter with Trump since the election was good and productive, adding they had agreed to continue working together. President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him, Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X. We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way. We spoke about our people, the situation on the ground, and a just peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, a host of global figures attended Notre Dames reopening, nearly five years after a fire devoured the Gothic cathedrals wooden roof and toppled its famed spire. Both Trump and First Lady Jill Biden, who was representing the Biden administration, were seated in the front row. President Joe Biden did not attend due to a scheduling conflict, the White House said. Here are the billionaires stocking Trumps next administration Following the ceremony, Trump and Prince William, heir to the British throne, had a private meeting at the UK Ambassadors residence in Paris. Hes doing a fantastic job, Trump said of Prince William as they greeted one another and posed for photos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kensington Palace revealed the conversation was warm, friendly and lasted around 40 minutes. The pair discussed a range of global issues but focused on the importance of the UK/US special relationship, the palace said, noting that Trump also shared some warm and fond memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II for which the prince was extremely grateful. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Donald Trumps Cabinet is shaping up to be a whos-who of MAGA world alpha types, among the most aggressive and boisterous on the campaign trail. Now that theyre heading into the administration, those traits could prove their downfall. The president-elect has stacked his Cabinet with outsize personalities who in some cases have conflicting ideological approaches and policy preferences that threaten to outshine Trump. And while the bunch is widely seen as far more loyal to Trump than his first Cabinet whose interests often clashed with the presidents it raises the specter of whether this group will be able to avoid the drama from the first term. Already, the president-elect has through his actions slapped down Cabinet picks who have gotten out ahead of him. After Howard Lutnick, his transition adviser and pick for Commerce secretary, said on CNN that Trump would of course not nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary, the president-elect did exactly that. When Elon Musk, who was appointed to co-lead the unofficial Department of Governmental Efficiency, publicly endorsed Lutnick for Treasury secretary, Trump instead chose Scott Bessent. Trump never addressed either set of comments publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elect did rebuke his running mate JD Vance from the debate stage earlier this year after he said Trump would veto a national abortion ban if elected. Vance later said he learned my lesson on speaking for the president before he and I have actually talked about an issue. My advice to them all theres only one boss, and dont forget it, said Scott Jennings, a GOP strategist who has been a vocal Trump defender on CNN and who was at one point considered for the press secretary post. In other words: In a world of alphas, dont forget one alpha rules them all. This has the potential to turn right back into a New York City soap opera, said Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist and former Trump administration appointee. With all these personalities, theres an opportunity to remake some of the workings of government and make it work better for the people but thats not necessarily a given with everyones different perspectives and how they came to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the Trump transition team, the alpha-packed Cabinet is a feature, not a bug. We saw what four years of betas looked like under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, said Jason Miller, a senior adviser for the Trump transition, and the American people voted in favor of strong leadership under President Trump in order to fix our economy and secure our borders. The memories of Trumps first term and what happened when Cabinet officials tried to go against the president should be fresh enough that incoming Cabinet officials are clear-eyed about what theyre getting into. Or have outsized hope that round two may be different from round one. But at least one of them may already be wearing out his welcome. As a co-leader of the unofficial DOGE, Musk wont technically be in the Cabinet, but promises to be ubiquitous in the administration. Trump has jovially chafed at Musks seemingly interminable presence at Mar-a-Lago since Election Day, joking at an America First Policy Institute gala in Palm Beach last month that he can't get him out of here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps jokes usually arent jokes at all, said a person close to the transition, granted anonymity to speak candidly about the president-elect. Most people figure out over time, the more time you spend with the president usually works to your disadvantage. Of all the characters that will take a seat in the White Houses Cabinet room, Kennedy may face a more difficult time settling in than the president-elects other picks, according to three Trump-aligned Republican strategists. Kennedy came to the position not as a longtime Trump loyalist but because of the fealty he showed in dropping out of the race to endorse Trump. That, coupled with his strong and independent vision for upending the U.S. health care system and a fiery personality of his own, could end up rubbing Trump the wrong way if he isnt deferential enough, the strategists said. Still, Trump has so far apparently supported Kennedys vision, saying he would let him go wild on health care in his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think [Kennedy] is concerned about clashing with anybody. This is his domain, said Jeffrey Rose, a clinical hypnotherapist and nutritionist and a longtime friend of Kennedys. When our country is getting healthier, the obesity rates are going down thats Trumps legacy, bringing Bobby in. And Lutnick, who has a reputation for having a big ego, may run into similar challenges, two people familiar with the transition said. But some in Trumps orbit believe that because of their loyalty to the president-elect, this group of Cabinet picks is unlikely to be marked by the kind of infighting and drama of the first Trump administration. The slapdash Cabinet thrown together after Trumps surprise 2016 victory was filled with a variety of people they argue used the positions to advance their own agendas instead of the presidents, viewing his win as more of a novelty and a fluke than as a mandate to execute a specific kind of vision. Last time everyone had their own agendas that were far more important than the presidents agenda, the person close to the transition added, saying that several people in the Cabinet werent Trumpers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats no longer the case, they say, with Trumps definitive win of the popular vote. The quality of the Cabinet is light years ahead of 2017, said Scott Reed, a veteran Republican strategist. There wont be the Game of Thrones on the inside of the White House. [Incoming chief of staff] Susie [Wiles] runs a tight ship, and Trump knows what matters and personnel is policy. Thats the big difference. Its a sentiment some people in the Cabinet nominees orbits themselves echo that despite the nominees own strong personalities and personal policy agendas, they know whos ultimately in charge. Theyre all individuals, and they all want to do the best they can, and they all probably have different ideas about the playbook. But ultimately you cant have 20-something people writing the playbook, said a Republican familiar with the transition, granted anonymity to speak candidly. Thats not how this works. Everybody going into it needs to have that sort of mentality or else its not going to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the Cabinet, reflective of the big tent position the GOP currently finds itself in, will have to grapple with a host of ideological differences. Trumps picks include traditional conservatives and populists, isolationists and globalists, pragmatists and ideologues, career politicians and political outsiders and two former Democrats. Bessent, for instance, is viewed as a business-friendly Treasury secretary who will take a strategic, negotiable approach to tariffs in contrast to Lutnicks avowed protectionist stance. And while Trumps choice for secretary of State, Sen. Marco Rubio, has in recent years softened his hawkish views and drifted closer toward the president-elects America First position, he still is generally more supportive of global intervention than, say, Vance, who has taken a strongly isolationist approach. That sets up a potential for clashes, particularly as those within the Cabinet work to define themselves within the contours of Trumps vision as they eye their own future political aspirations. Vance, Rubio, Doug Burgum, Kristi Noem, Elise Stefanik and Vivek Ramaswamy are all among the list of possible 2028 hopefuls. But election results have shown the challenge of running on a Make America Great Again platform without Trumps name. In 2022, MAGA-aligned gubernatorial candidates Doug Mastriano and Tudor Dixon lost their respective gubernatorial bids in Pennsylvania and Michigan. And Kari Lake decisively lost back-to-back bids for governor and Senate in Arizona in 2022 and 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters have shown theyre more tolerant of Trumps actions or words than they are about his underlings who have to defend him, said Terry Sullivan, a GOP strategist and Rubios 2016 presidential campaign manager. They see a level of authenticity when he says it, but when they try to defend it, and weve seen this time and time again, they look like craven politicians, Sullivan said. Politically speaking, if your goal is to run for president in four years as a Republican, then probably a Cabinet position isnt the best political option. For those who dont heed that advice, he added: Stay for a short period of time and move on. Dont stick around long enough to wear out your welcome. Leave on your terms, not by a tweet. President-elect Trump early Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire in the fighting between Ukraine and Russia following the fall of the Assad government in Syria and after a meeting in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place, Trump posted on Truth Social. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever, Trump added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump asserted that Zelensky would like to make a deal and stop the madness, citing the loss of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians since Russia first invaded in early 2022. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin, Trump posted. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! Trumps post came hours after he met with Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris during his trip to the country to see the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. It also came amid a tumultuous time in Syria, where President Bashar Assad fled the country on Sunday amid a rapid advance of rebel forces in Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A White House spokesperson said late Saturday that President Biden was closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners. The Biden administration has rallied international allies to support Ukraine with billions of dollars in aid and military equipment to fight invading Russian forces since the war began in 2022. But Trump and his allies have voiced skepticism at continued U.S. support, with Trump pushing for peace talks, even as critics warn it would mean Ukraine ceding territory to Russia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President-elect Donald Trump publicly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach an immediate ceasefire deal with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky in a late-night social media post Saturday evening amid reports that Syrias capital of Damascus had fallen to a rebel attack. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that there should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin in the wake of Bashar al-Assad, Putins ally, being ousted by a Turkish-backed rebel force. Reports indicated that the Syrian leader fled the capital in a plane with close advisers; that plane may then have crashed. His whereabouts and status are unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse, Trump said. He added: I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! Trumps comments came just hours after he met with Zelensky in Paris on Saturday for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. His arrival in Washington in January is expected to upend the war in Ukraine as many believe that the Trump administration will end military aid to the country in an attempt to bring the two sides to a peace agreement a move that could more than likely be to Russias benefit if Ukraine is suddenly cut off from the bulk of western support. Donald Trump met with Frances president Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. His administration is expected to sharply shift Ukraine policy after taking office in January (AP) Trumps statement continued: Likewise, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines president has said the actual number of slain troops is around 43,000 since Russias invasion in February of 2022. The fall of Syrias government this week was sudden, and came in the face of a widespread rebel offensive that overtook the cities of Homs and Aleppo in the days immediately leading up to the fall. Its an end to the decade-long Syrian Civil War, which began during the regionwide Arab Spring phenomenon during the Obama administration and quickly became a shockingly brutal and bloody conflict as Bashar al-Assad, backed by Iranian-supported militias including Hezbollah as well as Russia, pounded rebel forces and occupied areas, pushing them away from the capital. US officials had publicly called for Assad to step down for years, though those calls dwindled after Obama left office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What will emerge in Assads place in Syria remains unclear. Militants affiliated with the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as well as a coalition of Turkish-backed groups known as the Syrian National Army now hold claim over large parts of the country, with other smaller groups including jihadist groups all operating across Syria as well. HTS itself was once officially affiliated with Al Qaeda, the terrorist group behind the 9/11 terror attacks, though its leader now claims his ideologies have evolved. Incumbent President Joe Biden, who is due to leave office in January, was monitoring the situation according to a statement released to the White House press pool Saturday evening. The White House has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter. People react to the fall of Syrian regime in Umayyad Square on December 8, 2024 in Damascus (Getty Images) The HTS group is still considered a terrorist organization by the US government. That didnt matter across the streets of Damascus on Saturday evening into Sunday morning, however, as civilians celebrated Assads downfall and the end of his brutal regime in the streets, in mosques, and in their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Assad government fell, attention is now turning to those thought to have been held captive in Syrias infamous prisons (and elsewhere) by the regime and its allies, including US journalist Austin Tice, whose family said at a press conference in recent days (after a meeting with senior US officials) that he is believed to be alive. JD Vance, the incoming vice president, commented on the situation with more detail on Sunday. While doing so, he took aim at Josh Rogin, a Washington Post columnist, for celebrating the downfall of Assad. As President Trump said, this is not our fight and we should stay out of it, wrote Vance on Twitter. Aside from that, opinions like the below make me nervous. The last time this guy was celebrating events in Syria we saw the mass slaughter of Christians and a refugee crisis that destabilized Europe. He added: Many of "the rebels" are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they've moderated. Time will tell. The true enemy within In 2017, Steve Bannon stated that the Trump Administration would deconstruct the Administrative State (liberal deep state). Sensible guard rails prevented this. In 2024, Donald Trump won the election while promising to lower prices, deport illegal immigrants and lower taxes. He claimed he would protect this nation from the Enemy Within. When asked about Project 2025 (increased power to the president), he denied knowing anything about it. Them Trump selected his cabinet. Many of these nominees were involved in crafting Project 2025, funded by the Heritage Foundation. Others include accused sex offenders, TV reality stars, science deniers, a possible Russian asset and persons of wealth. These are being picked without normal FBI background checks and signed documents for the government to provide security clearances and briefs. Few have the experience and qualifications to head these departments. Their only requirement is total allegiance to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will these individuals succeed in the plan to deconstruct the administrative state? This is a threat to our Constitution, national security, rule of law, civil rights, civil liberties, environment, and public health. Will Republican Senators and Congressmen put Trump before their oath to protect this nation from enemies foreign and domestic? The true Enemy Within may reveal itself. Steve Golubic, Puyallup We need a real senior center Eastside Community Center opened in 2018, combining the senior center and boys and girls club into one location. They now plan to assimilate Lighthouse. My experience dictates that it will cause hardships for your seniors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I joined, 20-25 seniors used the larger gym for SAIL class. They have moved us to various rooms, including a running track. We have been squeezed out of our space with no notice and no apology. We have lost many frustrated class attendees. Its discouraging to come to class with no place to hold it. We feel undervalued and minimized. We currently meet in the smallest activity room. With 10 people, we are extremely overcrowded. I travel to other centers, far from my neighborhood, to get additional exercise. Other people, who cannot drive, are not under-served; they arent served at all. People depend on Lighthouse for socialization, spending hours there playing cards, bingo, and sharing a nutritious meal. Their exercise classes are geared to diminished abilities. Tacoma Parks does not support the needs of their most fragile citizens. Its only a rec center, where people exercise, then go home. Its certainly not a welcoming community center, and it cannot replicate services that seniors desperately need. Claire Brown, Tacoma Kilmer has an opportunity In a New York Times interview, Representative Derek Kilmer described Congress with one word: potential. Its a hopeful view of an often-criticized institution, but history supports it. Congress has delivered transformative achievements like Social Security, the Civil Rights Act, and the Interstate Highway System. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Kilmer has an opportunity to show that potential. With two months left in office, he can make his mark by championing impactful legislation. As a supporter of the Tacoma-based nonprofit The Borgen Project, I see the value of policies that aid the worlds most vulnerable while advancing U.S. security and economic interests. Kilmer shares this vision, and I urge him to co-sponsor key bills currently awaiting attention in Congress. The MINDS Act would fund mental health services for emergency responders to prevent conflict. The READ Act would promote education in vulnerable regions, fostering stability and creating markets for American goods. These are just two examples of legislation that could make a global impact. Sponsoring these bills wont guarantee they become law, but doing nothing ensures they dont. By taking action now, Kilmer can show whats possible and leave a legacy of leadership. Congress has potential this is his chance to prove it. Isaiah LaCombe, Gig Harbor Elizabeth L. T. Moore is a Hearst Fellow in San Antonio. She can be reached at Elizabeth.Moore@hearst.com Elizabeth did her first fellowship year as a reporter with the New Haven Register in Connecticut. Moore has published bylines with Bloomberg News, The Virginian-Pilot and The Daily Tar Heel, the student newspaper of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Moore placed nationally in the Hearst Collegiate Journalism Program, and she is fluent in Spanish. Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Malook Nagar on Sunday lashed out at the INDIA bloc saying that the alliance had several differences with its allies since it was formed and all of them have rejected Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. He further hit out at the Congress party, which he said did not have a president for three years as it lacked leadership. Speaking to ANI, Malook Nagar said, "The day the INDI bloc was formed, they had differences with Nitish Kumar in Bihar, Mamata in West Bengal, Kejriwal in Delhi and Punjab, and Akhilesh Yadav in MP, Haryana, and Maharashtra. All of them have rejected the LoP.... Congress has no leadership that's why they hadn't had any party President for three years. They couldn't even give respect to leaders in 'so-called' INDIA bloc.... This has to happen with them." Nagar's remarks came after Samajwadi Party pulled out of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance on Saturday. The head of the party's Maharashtra chapter Abu Azmi expressed dissatisfaction with the "communal remarks" made by Shiv Sena (UBT) to pull out from the Aghadi alliance. Azmi said, "Samajwadi Party was, is and will always be against communalism. SP leaves Maha Vikas Aghadi because of Shiv Sena (UBT)" Azmi had previoulsy expressed dissatisfaction with the MVA leaders. "They (Uddhav Sena) used to say that they have become secular, and they made an alliance with Congress, Sharadpawar, SP, now that they had lost so they are expressing this anger and saying the same things they used to say before. I believe that the MVA cannot be sustained like this," Azmi told ANI. He criticised the alliance for a lack of coordination with other parties during the assembly elections. "We were not contacted during ticket distribution, there was no coordination whatsoever during elections," Azmi told ANI. He also said that if there is a demand from the people to remove EVMs for polling, it should be done. "I also suggest that to remove the doubts among the people, then for once to remove any doubt, on the will of the people the EVMs should be removed," he added. Azmi also did not join in with other Opposition MLAs in boycotting the oath-taking ceremony during the special session of the Maharashtra Assembly held earlier on Saturday, saying that he has taken his oath. (ANI) Donald Trump vowed to deport all illegal immigrants, with violent criminals as only his first priority, in an interview with NBCs Meet the Press which aired on Sunday. The president-elect gave his clearest outline yet for his proposed mass deportation plan in the interview, telling moderator Kristen Welker that you have to do it. Its a very tough thing to do when asked directly if he would deport everyone who is here illegally over the next four years?. But he would also target birthright citizenship the 14th amendment, which guarantees the right of citizenship to any person born in the United States or its territory around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [W]e're going to have to get it changed, Trump said of the 14th amendment. We'll maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it. Were starting with the criminals, and we got to do it. And then were starting with others, and were going to see how it goes, he added. Of the word others, he clarified: Others are other people outside of criminals. He quickly pivoted in the interview to a more comfortable talking point: claiming that immigration would be allowed to continue, while the US government would work to prevent criminals being among those entering the country. We dont want people who are in for murder, Trump said. Theyre walking down the streets, theyre walking next to you and your family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He claimed that estimates said that thousands of convicted murderers were walking US streets, having come to the country illegally. Actual data from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that the total number of US Border Patrol interactions with noncitizens convicted of homicide or manslaughter is typically less than 50 per year. But Trumps ambitious goal to deport all noncitizens living in the US without legal means would put a drastically larger number of targets on the backs of people living all around the country. Donald Trump outlined his plan for a mass deportation system under his second presidency in an interview Sunday (The Independent) An estimated 11 million undocumented (illegal) immigrants are thought to live across the United States, according to the most recent figures from 2022. An operation to deport that many people in just four years or even eight, if a Republican president were to continue Trumps work in 2028 would be a staggering undertaking that would have rippling effects in communities in every state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also require a massive expansion of existing DHS infrastructure, which at present is not equipped to process or deport anywhere close to the number of people Trump hopes to go after. Trump himself has said that he believes the real number of undocumented noncitizens living in the US to be between 15-20 million people, which is subsequently his actual target for the mass deportation plan. Democrats, who once pushed forcefully for immigration reform that would allow immigrants living in the US illegally to pursue a pathway to full citizenship, have largely backed away from those efforts. Kamala Harriss campaign attacked Trump for torpedoing a bill that would have allowed the president to shut down the asylum system altogether during the 2024 presidential election. The incoming president has picked hardliner Tom Homan as his border czar while also putting Stephen Miller, the architect of his first-term family separation border enforcement measures, in charge of advising him on national security issues at the White House. Majority Leader-elect John Thune, R-South Dakota, speaks to reporters following the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) The United States Senate is arguably the least democratic (small d) institution in any democracy in the world, with the possible exception of the British House of Lords. The Senate exists without proportional representation. Every state has two senators without regard to population. Wyomings two senators represent 586,000 citizens, while Californias 39 million citizens are represented by two senators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate has quirky rules: unlimited debate (the filibuster); much happens by unanimous consent (or doesnt happen when one senator objects); seniority rules meaning a cranky old senator like Chuck Grassley of Iowa, age 91, will soon again chair the powerful Judiciary Committee. Grassley has been a senator since 1981, meaning the youngest senator, Jon Ossoff of Georgia, wasnt alive when Grassley took office. The Senate has six-year terms, a function of the Founders unfortunately naive belief that a longer term of office insulates senators from the worst of grubby political pressures. The Senate has extraordinary powers, again thanks to the original thinkers who came up with the idea of an institution to balance the rambunctious House of Representatives. Senators have the constitutional duty to advise and consent or not consent on presidential appointments to the Cabinet and judiciary. The Senate, by super majority vote, can ratify treaties. The Senate judges, when it cares to, the impeachment of high governmental officials. The Senate traditionally has had a major voice in foreign policy. And the Senate, when it cares to, has the power to investigate. Google Watergate, the CIA, Teapot Dome or even the sinking of the Titanic to see what the Senate has historically done to expose and inform. Now, as the Founders would certainly have appreciated, the Senate faces an enormous historical test a power-hungry president committed to vastly enlarging executive power at the expense of the legislative branch. Donald Trump has signaled that he expects a GOP Congress will do his bidding no questions asked. Questions must be asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ... the Senate faces an enormous historical test a power-hungry president committed to vastly enlarging executive power at the expense of the legislative branch. The widely floated idea that the Senate should allow recess appointments to critical executive branch jobs should be dead on arrival, but incoming Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota hasnt ruled out the Senate rolling over for Trump. I think that all options are on the table, including recess appointments, Thune said recently while disingenuously suggesting that Republicans might need to forgo advising and consenting because Democrats might not play ball. But caving on the constitutional demand for Senate concurrence in major appointments isnt about Democrats. Its about Trump. Still, there are modestly hopeful signs that at least some Republicans wont diminish their own and the Senates power by simply giving a grasping president who he wants in his Cabinet an accused sex abuser, vaccine denier or Russian stooge just to flag three of the worst of the nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idahos James Risch, easily one of the most partisan Republicans in the Senate who spent the first Trump term defending the administrations feckless foreign policy, has so far at least refused to commit to supporting some of Trumps craziest nominees, a group properly termed by commentator Charlie Sykes as a cabinet of zealots, toadies, and cretins. Ask me this question again after the hearings, Risch said regarding support for the inconceivable nominations of a Fox New host, Pete Hegseth, to be secretary of Defense and a Putin apologist, Tulsi Gabbard, to head the national intelligence agencies. These appointments by the president are constrained by the advice and consent of the Senate, Risch said. And demonstrating that he recalls his oath of office, Risch added, The Senate takes that seriously, and we vet these. Despite his earlier comments Thune has shown a hint of backbone, telling a home state audience recently, Every president is going to come in and try to do as much as they can by executive action Congress, in some cases, is going to be the entity that sometimes will have to put the brakes on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps return to the White House will test, sooner than later, whether the Senate has the ability meaning individual senators possess the courage to use its substantial power to constrain Trumps most dangerous inclinations, including appointing a gang of woefully compromised incompetents. Congress also, of course, has the power of the purse and should scotch any Trumpy plan to illegally impound dollars appropriated by the legislative branch. Expect Trump to push this issue to the limit. Hope for the sake of the Constitution that Thune and fellow senators resist more effectively than they did when during his first administration Trump diverted military funding to his border wall, a project you may recall that Mexico was never going to pay for. Republican senators know, certainly better than most of their voters, that Trump cares nothing about the nuts and bolts of the federal government. More than any man who has held the office Trump is an agent of chaos, destruction and revenge. But the Senate was designed to obstruct and delay would-be tyrants just as it was designed to give small states like Idaho and South Dakota outsized influence in the business of the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Mansfield, the great Montanan who led the Senate for 16 years, spent his tenure gently persuading fellow senators to behave as national legislators and not merely as partisan representatives of individual states. Mansfields perspective has never been more important. In the end, it is not the Senators as individuals who are of fundamental importance, Mansfield said in 1963. In the end, it is the institution of the Senate. It is the Senate itself as one of the foundations of the Constitution. It is the Senate as one of the rocks of the Republic. The rock of the Republic must be solid if the Constitution is to hold. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX President-elect Donald Trump vowed to make immediate and sweeping changes after he takes office on Jan. 20, such as pardons for those convicted in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, and said he wants to find a legislative solution to keep Dreamers in the country legally. In an interview with Kristen Welker, moderator of NBC News Meet the Press, Trump also said hell work to extend the tax cuts passed in his first term. He said he will not seek to impose restrictions on abortion pills. He plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and try to end birthright citizenship. And he said the pardons for Jan. 6 rioters will happen on day one, arguing many have endured overly harsh treatment in prison. These people are living in hell, he said. Read more coverage of Trump's interview: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps first postelection network television interview took place Friday at Trump Tower in Manhattan, where he spoke for more than an hour about policy plans Americans can expect in his next term. Trump said he would fulfill a campaign promise to levy tariffs on imports from Americas biggest trading partners. In a noteworthy moment, he conceded uncertainty when Welker asked if he could guarantee American families wont pay more as a result of his plan. President-elect Donald Trumps is interviewed Friday by Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press." I cant guarantee anything, Trump said. I cant guarantee tomorrow. Trump also said he will not raise the age for government programs like Social Security and Medicare and will not make cuts to them as part of spending reduction efforts led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Asked if raising ages or any of that stuff was off the table, Trump agreed, saying, I wont do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump spoke in a calm, measured tone and at times sparred with Welker when she fact-checked him. He seemed heartened by the scope of his victory on Nov. 5. After winning the popular vote and capturing all seven of the key battleground states, he said with pride, Im getting called by everybody. Hes heard from Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post: Were having dinner, he said. People like me now, you know? he said, adding: Its different than the first you know, when I won the first time, I wasnt nearly as popular as this. And one thing thats very important, in terms of the election, I love that I won the popular vote, and by a lot. Maybe he should Trump did segue into familiar grievances. He would not concede that he lost the 2020 election. Asked how, in his view, Democrats stole that election but not this one even though they control the White House, Trump said, Because I think it was too big to rig. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He blamed President Joe Biden for the nations political divide and heaped insults on perceived foes. Adam Schiff, the incoming Democratic senator from California, is a real lowlife, he said. But he delivered something of a mixed message when it comes to political retribution. Trump made clear he believes hes been wronged, but he also sounded a conciliatory note, saying he will not appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden. Im not looking to go back into the past, he said. Retribution will be through success. A fear among Trumps political opponents is that hell use the governments fearsome investigative machinery to exact vengeance. He has chosen two allies for top law enforcement positions: Pam Bondi for attorney general and Kash Patel for FBI director. If confirmed, Trump suggested, theyd have autonomy in how they go about enforcing the law. Yet he also singled out people he believes crossed the line in investigating his actions, calling special counsel Jack Smith very corrupt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the House committee that examined the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol were political thugs and, you know, creeps, committing offenses in going about their work, he said. For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail, Trump said. Asked if he would direct the Justice Department and FBI to punish them, Trump said, No, not at all. I think that theyll have to look at that, but Im not going to Im going to focus on drill, baby, drill a reference to tapping more oil supplies. If Biden wants to do it, he could pardon the committee members, Trump said, and maybe he should. Minimum wage, immigration and Obamacare The interview covered a range of topics during which he continued to keep some space between himself and the conservative Project 2025 that was intended to be a blueprint for his administration to implement new policies. But while he once disavowed the policy guidebook, he embraced it more closely and agreed some of the drafters are now part of his incoming administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of those things I happen to agree with, Trump said. He said he would consider raising the federal minimum wage, which has been $7.25 an hour since 2009, but would like to consult with the nations governors. I will agree, its a very low number, he said. He said hell release his full medical records. Trump will be 82 by the time his term ends in 2029 the same age Biden is now. He said he doesnt plan to divest from Truth Social, the billion-dollar platform he launched after leaving office. I dont know whats to divest, he said. All I do is I put out messages. And he said he will not try to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, whom he has criticized in the past. He said his children wont join him as White House aides, a departure from his last term, when daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner both served as senior advisers with West Wing offices. Ill miss them, he said. He didnt address a question about what role his wife, Melania Trump, will play in the new term, though he described the future first lady as both very elegant and very popular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration was the centerpiece of Trumps campaign, and he didnt flinch in saying he will carry out mass deportation of those who are living in the country illegally. First will be convicted criminals, he said. Pressed on whether the targets would go beyond that group, Trump added: Well, I think you have to do it, and its a hard its a very tough thing to do. Its but you have to have, you know, you have rules, regulations, laws. They came in illegally. Its also possible that American citizens will be caught up in the sweep and deported with family members who are here illegally, or could choose to go. Asked about families with mixed immigration status, where some are in the U.S. legally and some illegally, Trump said, I dont want to be breaking up families, so the only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expense and logistical complexities of deporting millions of people havent deterred him, he said. You have no choice, he said. First of all, theyre costing us a fortune. But were starting with the criminals, and weve got to do it. And then were starting with the others, and were going to see how it goes. An exception might be the Dreamers people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children and have lived here for years. He voiced openness toward a legislative solution that would allow them to remain in the country. I will work with the Democrats on a plan, he said, praising Dreamers whove gotten good jobs, started businesses and become successful residents. Were going to have to do something with them, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said he intends to eliminate birthright citizenship, the protection enshrined in the 14th Amendment that guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil regardless of their parents. Asked about the likelihood that doing so unilaterally would face legal opposition, Trump said he would consider amending the Constitution. Well maybe have to go back to the people, Trump said. But we have to end it. During Trumps one debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, he was criticized for saying he had concepts of a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, the health care law signed by President Barack Obama. Its not clear Trumps ideas have evolved further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obamacare stinks, he said. If we come up with a better answer, I would present that answer to Democrats and to everybody else and Id do something about it. When will he have a developed plan? Well, I dont know that youll see it at all, Trump said, adding that health care experts are studying possible alternatives. Foreign policy Later Friday after the interview, Trump flew to Paris for a ceremony marking the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, which had been devastated by a fire. After arriving, he met privately with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who posted on social media that the trio talked about reaching a just peace in his countrys war with Russia. Zelenskyy joined for roughly the last 10 minutes of the meeting, a Trump transition official said. In the interview with Meet the Press, Trump said he is actively trying to end the war, if I can, adding that Ukraine can possibly expect it wont get as much military aid from the U.S. when hes back in office. He would not commit to keeping the U.S. in NATO, the European military alliance that has been a bulwark against Russia since World War II. If they pay their bills, absolutely, he would preserve Americas role in the alliance, he said. On another foreign policy front, Trump expressed doubt that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will be able to remain in power. Its amazing, because he stayed for years under you would think much more adverse conditions, and all of the sudden, just rebels are going and theyre taking over large pieces of territory, Trump said. People have bet against him for a long time, and so far that hasnt worked. But this seems to be different. No American carnage One phrase that leapt out of Trumps first inaugural address in 2017: American carnage. It evoked a nation ravaged by crime and saddled with rusting factories. This time, Trump said the takeaway from his inaugural speech will be different. Were going to have a message, he said. It will make you happy: unity. Its going to be a message of unity. And no American carnage? Welker asked. No American carnage, no, the 45th and soon-to-be 47th president said. Asked for his message to the Americans who didnt vote for him, Trump compared them to his most strident supporters a shift from his campaign rhetoric. Im going to treat you, he said, every bit as well as I have treated the greatest MAGA supporters. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com US President-elect Donald Trump has acknowledged that US aid to Kyiv may be reduced after his return to the White House on 20 January. Source: Trump in an interview with NBC News, as reported by European Pravda Details: When the interviewer asked Trump directly whether Ukraine should prepare for less US military aid when he arrives in the White House, the Republican answered, "Probably. Sure." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to the November election, Trump had chastised Joe Biden's administration for overspending on Ukraine aid and for being unable to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. Since his election victory, Trump has largely avoided discussing his administration's approach to the war, but he has repeatedly emphasised the need for it to stop. When the interviewer pointed out that Trump had promised to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours, even before becoming president, he responded, "Im trying to." Trump also stated that he had not spoken with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin since winning the election, before swiftly clarifying that he hadn't "spoken to him recently". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether he had spoken with Putin since the election, Trump declined to comment, saying he didnt want to impede the negotiations. Trump also stated that there were hundreds of thousands of people being killed on both sides, and that the war "should never have happened". Background: On Sunday, 8 December, after meeting with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on 7 December, and amid the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria, Trump stated that Kyiv wants to reach an agreement to end the war. Zelenskyy emphasised after the meeting: "We all want to end the war in Ukraine fairly and as soon as possible." Support UP or become our patron! Donald Trump isnt off the hook for Jan. 6 just yet. Though the criminal cases against him are all but dead, Trump is likely to be fighting eight civil lawsuits from members of Congress and injured police officers deep into his second term. They may be the last form of legal redress Trump faces for his role in spurring the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Those lawsuits have been steadily advancing for years, largely overshadowed by the explosive Jan. 6 committee and grand jury investigations. But now that the criminal cases have imploded, theyve become a last stand of sorts for those seeking to hold Trump accountable for the chaos his supporters wrought that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These cases, unlike the criminal case, will not be affected by the election, said Joseph Sellers, a lawyer representing 10 current and former Democratic House members suing Trump and members of two far-right groups involved in the riot, the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Our clients suffered real injuries that entitle them to relief, but also I think are seeking some measure of accountability given President Trumps role in the Jan. 6 events and the events leading up to it. Trumps election effectively scuttled special counsel Jack Smiths prosecution of Trump, but a unanimous Supreme Court ruling from more than two decades ago says civil litigation can proceed against a sitting president. The high court ruled that those cases dont need to end because of the potential to distract the chief executive. And a complicated appeals court ruling in 2023 allowed the Jan. 6 lawsuits to move forward despite Trumps claims of presidential immunity a decision that helped form the basis of the Supreme Courts subsequent ruling on Trumps immunity from criminal proceedings. Trump is still waiting for a ruling on whether hes immune from the lawsuits because he was acting as president as he riled up the crowd at the ellipse that day, as hes argued. If hes held liable for inciting the violence at the Capitol, Trump could be on the hook for tens of millions of dollars. This is something that should be brought to trial during the second administration of President Trump, Sellers added. Were not suggesting that the president be treated like any other defendant, but that should not stop the cases from proceeding to trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, the attorneys in the case met for a brief update, and Trumps lawyer Jonathan Shaw said he anticipated additional delays in the case because the president-elects lead attorney, David Warrington, had just been named White House counsel. The Jan. 6-related suits are only a portion of Trumps legal hangover. Also looming are massive civil judgments rendered against him over the past year: $450 million he owes to New York state over what a judge concluded was pervasive fraud in his business empire there and about $97 million he owes to New York writer E. Jean Carroll in suits she brought relating to her claim that he raped her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the 1990s. (Trump is appealing all those cases.) Trump is also a defendant in other long-running lawsuits, including one seeking to hold him accountable for unleashing federal law enforcement agents on Black Lives Matter protesters and another claiming he defamed the wrongly accused Central Park 5 during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris in September. Adding to the unwieldy heap of litigation are a slew of suits Trump himself has filed in recent years, accusing media organizations, his political opponents and others of spreading defamatory stories about him or otherwise treating him unfairly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some viewed those cases as publicity stunts aimed at boosting his campaign to return to the White House, but now Trump faces the potential of being forced to give sworn testimony. As he tries to fill out his administration and launch his promised policy agenda, those depositions and the sessions hell need with lawyers to prepare for them could be a significant distraction. Trump could avoid that predicament by dropping the cases he filed. So far, theres no sign hell do so, and a spokesperson said the president-elect intends to fight on. President Trump will continue to hold those who have committed, and are committing wrongdoings, accountable for blatantly false and dishonest reporting, which serves no public interest and only seeks to interfere in our elections on behalf of political partisans, said Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the transition. Hes pursuing a defamation lawsuit against ABC for asserting that a civil jury found that he raped Carroll, when the jury actually found him liable for sexual abuse. (A federal judge in New York ruled it was accurate to say Trump was found liable for rape in common modern parlance.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is also battling with publisher Simon & Schuster over the rights to recorded interviews he gave to journalist Bob Woodward. Hes pressing suits against CBS for its handling of an interview with Harris and the Pulitzer Prize board for reaffirming awards it gave to the New York Times and Washington Post for their reporting on ties between his 2016 campaign and Russia a claim Trump often derides as the Russia hoax. Separately, Trump is fighting in a Georgia-based federal appeals court to reinstate a sweeping lawsuit he filed against Hillary Clinton and members of the intelligence community, an overtly political attack that resulted in a judge imposing a $1 million sanction against him and his attorneys. All the civil suits expose Trump to the possibility of being subject to court orders to testify in depositions that are typically recorded on video and sometimes released publicly. The deadline to complete depositions in the ABC case is Dec. 9 after a judge refused an extension sought by both sides. An ABC spokesperson declined to comment on whether the network is seeking to depose the president-elect in the case, which was set for closed-door mediation on Dec 12. In a recent letter to the judge presiding over the suit related to the Woodward interview recordings, a Trump lawyer expressed confidence that the case could proceed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issues in this case, namely the unlicensed for-profit use of President Trumps voice that was recorded in an unofficial interview, is [sic] both timely and ripe, for fear of further unaccounted for profit being made from the Presidents voice, Trump attorney Robert Garson wrote. In addition, we trust that the Court can accommodate a discovery process that will cause minimal interference with the Presidents impeding [sic] obligations. Despite Trumps bluster about confronting his opponents in court, he has a history of dropping or settling cases when he decides the political costs of pursuing them are too great. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump railed against what he said were meritless lawsuits over his defunct Trump University business that offered seminars and mentoring in real estate. A judge delayed a trial in the civil cases until after the 2016 election, but when Trump won, he grudgingly settled, avoiding a distracting courtroom spectacle by paying out $25 million to resolve claims that the classes were a scam. Last fall, as Trump was ramping up his latest presidential campaign, he abruptly dropped a suit against his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen after a judge insisted that Trump sit for a deposition on a day he had scheduled a campaign rally in New Hampshire. A spokesperson said Trump elected to temporarily pause the litigation accusing Cohen of breaching attorney-client privilege and a confidentiality agreement with Trump. The case has not been refiled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of all the pending civil suits, the Jan. 6 civil cases are shaping up as the marquee courtroom battle of the Trump presidency. The first hurdle in the cases is whether Trump is immune from the lawsuits altogether; he argues his actions on Jan. 6 were connected to his official duties as president. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who has been holding periodic status updates with the lawyers for months, said Friday that he wants to rule by summer on the immunity issue. If the Obama-appointed judge rules that the cases can proceed to trial, Trump is certain to appeal, likely back to the Supreme Court, which could again consider the contours of presidential immunity. Trump has yet to be deposed in the Jan. 6 suits, which Cheung denounced as part of the weaponization of the justice system. Both sides have agreed to put off Trump's testimony until the immunity issue is resolved. President-elect Trump praised Prince William of Wales as the two met in Paris Saturday night to celebrate the Notre Dame Cathedrals reopening. Hes doing a fantastic job, Trump said as he stood beside Prince William in the cathedral, which was closed in 2019 after a massive fire tore through the building. There were more than 1,500 guests in attendance, BBC reported. The last time that Trump and Prince William met was in 2019 when the president-elect visited the United Kingdom, BBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the BBC, Prince William and Trump spent roughly 40 minutes together discussing global issues and the importance of U.S.-UK relations. The prince was also set to meet with outgoing U.S. first lady Dr. Jill Biden. During the ceremony, Trump sat in the front row next to French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron. Beside the French first lady was first lady Jill Biden, who sat with her daughter Ashley Biden. Staunch Trump ally Elon Musk and former Secretary of State John Kerry were also in attendance. The BBC reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was also present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President-elect Trumps rollout of his Cabinet and administration nominees, coupled with the transition teams lack of vetting, is creating unwanted headaches for Senate Republicans. Trump has been rolling out appointments and nominees at a breakneck pace as he seeks to stock his administration with loyalists, from Kash Patel at the FBI and Pam Bondi as attorney general, to Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, Robert F. Kennedy and Health and Human Services and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) as director of national intelligence. But that swiftness has also brought pitfalls. A pair of nominees have already withdrawn in the early weeks and Hegseth could follow suit as he struggles to win the requisite support in the upper chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Senate Republicans are pleased with much of the swift action and many of Trumps choices so far, they concede the lack of vetting and rapid nature of the push is creating sore spots they would prefer to avoid, especially with confirmation hearings and votes on deck in short order. Its got upsides and downsides, no question about it, said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). Its not ideal, but it is Donald Trump. It just is Donald Trump, and hell always perplex us with the different way he does things. Ive just grown to love it and go with it, Cramer added. With his victory in the rearview mirror, Trump wasted no time in announcing scores of administration appointees and nominations, including much of his potential Cabinet with some of those announcements coming mere minutes of one another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to lead the Justice Department served as a prime example as it came on the heels of him tapping Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to become secretary of State. In between, he also announced Gabbard, a former Democratic lawmaker from Hawaii, was his choice for the intelligence office. That was all in a 27-minute time span. Gaetz, of course, ended up withdrawing from consideration to become attorney general. Trump nominated Bondi, Floridas former attorney general, for the same post six hours later. The sooner the better to get the nominations out, said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). The challenge is to get the background work done, but it would make it worse if he was waiting until January to do that because it would delay getting them through the processes we have in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the questions in recent days have centered on the background check issue, especially after multiple nominees have reportedly opposed subjecting themselves to one by the FBI until there is new leadership in place. The Trump transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to carry out background checks on his picks after a lengthy post-election delay. This has led to frustration among Senate Republicans, especially amid questions about a number of Trumps nominees, such as Hegseth. Clearly, some people need to be vetted better, said one Senate GOP aide said, pointing specifically to the recent situation surrounding Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff who withdrew his nomination to become head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) only three days after he was selected. Chronisters choice came under question almost immediately as he arrested a Florida pastor in March 2020 for convening a church service in violation of COVID-19 lockdown regulations. The incident was a big problem for GOP senators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look at the DEA guy, the aide continued. Just Google [Chronisters] name. Thats what pops up. The Trump transition team was unaware of the 2017 allegation of sexual assault against Hegseth when he was chosen for the Defense slot. No charges were ever filed against him. Gaetz was nominated only days before the House Ethics Committee was set to release a damaging report related to allegations that he had sex with a minor. As for Gabbard, questions remain among senators, including some Republicans, about her loyalties given past comments that were sympathetic to Russia and whether she is at all compromised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But whether these nomination missteps, past and potential, will backfire on Trump politically remains an open question. Senate GOP sources believe that the incoming president is fine in that regard for now, especially with a lengthy legislative to-do list coming during the first 100 days. At the end of the day, folks are giving a lot of leeway to the president. If anyone goes down, its up to the president how he handles it, a second Senate GOP aide said. The reality in Congress is everyone wants to get things done and they need the presidents support to do that. Nevertheless, one thing members are getting used to once again is the Trump-infused manic pace that was noticeably absent during Bidens presidency, with the nominations being a prime example. Cramer noted the rapid-fire personnel announcements have been hard for him and his colleagues to keep up with, though. He specifically pointed to his recent realization that he has not met with former Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.), Trumps nominee to take over atop the Transportation Department, despite his status as chair of the Environment and Public Works subcommittee on transportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of the lack of a meeting, Cramer said the announcements came so fast and furious that he never posted on the social platform X his support for Duffys bid who he is a big backer of. I couldnt keep up, Cramer said, adding that he told his top aides, I guess we can only handle one Fox News personality at a time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President-elect Donald Trump in a television interview that aired Sunday previewed a sweeping agenda for his first days in office, outlining how his administration will prioritize deporting migrants with criminal records, vowing to pursue pardons for January 6 defendants on his first day, and raising the possibility that former Rep. Liz Cheney and other political opponents could face jail time. At the same time, Trump said hes open to working with Democrats to preserve the legal status of Dreamers an often-used term for immigrants who were brought to the US as children even as he stood by campaign pledges of mass deportations and ending birthright citizenship. We have to do something about the Dreamers, because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age, and many of these are middle-aged people now. They dont even speak the language of their country. And yes, were going to do something about that, Trump said in a Meet the Press interview with NBCs Kristen Welker that taped Friday, his first broadcast sit-down since he was elected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will work with the Democrats on a plan, and if we can come up with a plan but the Democrats have made it very, very difficult to do anything. Republicans are very open to the Dreamers, he added. Trump had previously expressed some support for protecting Dreamers during his first term, although his administration tried to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the Obama-era program that protects them from deportation. That attempt was blocked by the Supreme Court in 2020. Trump said his administrations mass deportation efforts will target people with criminal histories, but indicated it could go beyond deporting criminals without specifying who the other people outside of criminals would be. When asked whether he plans to deport every person who has entered the country illegally, he said, I think you have to do it. Its a very tough thing to do, he said, adding, you know, you have rules, regulations, laws. They came in illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about families with mixed immigration status where parents are in the country illegally but their children are not Trump said, I dont want to be breaking up families, so the only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together, and you have to send them all back. Trump also doubled down on his campaign promise to end birthright citizenship, which is protected by the 14th Amendment, and suggested he may attempt to overturn the right through executive action. Were gonna have to get it changed, or maybe I would go back to the people, but we have to end it. Were the only country that has it, he said, echoing a false statement hes made in the past. If we can, through executive action. I was going to do it through executive action, but then we had to fix Covid first, to be honest with you. As CNN has reported, about three dozen countries provide automatic citizenship to people born on their soil. Investigations and pardons Trump said he would not seek retribution against President Joe Biden and against his political enemies, but he repeatedly left room for his appointees to decide whether to go after specific people. He suggested members of Congress who led the investigations into his conduct during the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol should be put in jail and that hell look on his first day at issuing pardons to supporters involved in the riot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These people have been there, how long is it? Three or four years? You know, by the way, theyve been in there for years, and theyre in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldnt even be allowed to be open, he said. Nearly 1,200 people either have pleaded guilty or were found guilty at trial for crimes connected to the January 6 attack, according to the Justice Department. More than 645 defendants were ordered to serve some jail time. Trump said he would not direct his Justice Department to investigate members of Congress and Biden administration officials who led the investigations into his role in January 6, but continued to suggest his DOJ would be justified in deciding to launch investigations without his input. When asked about the possibility of investigating special counsel Jack Smith, who brought the two since-dropped federal cases against him, Trump said he wants his pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, to do what she wants to do. Shes very experienced. I want her to do what she wants to do. Im not going to instruct her to do it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was more direct when speaking about the members of Congress who led the January 6 committee, telling Welker that the co-chairs of the committee Republican Cheney, who has since left Congress, and Democrat Bennie Thompson should go to jail. Cheney was behind it. So is Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee, he said. For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail. Trump also suggested that committee members might do well to receive preemptive pardons from Biden to protect themselves from criminal prosecution. CNN reported last week that Biden White House aides, administration officials and prominent defense attorneys in Washington were discussing potential preemptive pardons or legal aid for people who might be targeted by Trump. Biden can give them a pardon if he wants to, Trump said. And maybe he should. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement later Sunday, Cheney said, Donald Trumps suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic. Republican former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who served on the committee, told CNNs Manu Raju on Sunday hes not worried about the Trump administration investigating him or his fellow committee members. The Constitutions Speech or Debate Clause protects lawmakers from certain law enforcement actions targeted at their legislative duties. CNN has reached out to Thompson for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pressed whether hed direct Bondi or Kash Patel, his pick to lead the FBI, to send them to jail, Trump said, No, not at all, before adding, I think theyll have to look at that. Asked whether he plans to follow up on his frequent campaign promise to investigate Biden whom he repeatedly labeled as corrupt and a criminal on the campaign trail Trump said he doesnt want to go back into the past. Im really looking to make our country successful. Im not looking to go back into the past, he said, adding, Retribution will be through success. When asked about previously saying he would direct his Justice Department to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden, Trump said he would not do that but left the door open for top DOJ officials to make their own determinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, Im not doing that unless I find something that I think is reasonable, he said. But thats not going to be my decision. Thats going to be Pam Bondis decision, and, to a different extent, Kash Patel, assuming theyre both there, and I think theyre both going to get approved. Trump has tapped Patel to lead the FBI, despite the current director, Trump appointee Christopher Wray, still having several years left in his 10-year term. Throughout the interview, Trump at times struck a more temperate tone toward his political opponents and appeared to prioritize uniting the country over exacting vengeance. He said he plans to make unity a central theme of his inauguration address and expressed confidence that his administration will achieve a level of success that will bring the country together. But Trump invoked similar calls for unity at various points throughout his campaign including in the wake of the first assassination attempt against him before often reverting to bitter, divisive rhetoric and personal attacks. During the NBC interview, Trump again refused to concede that he lost the 2020 presidential election. Cant guarantee tariffs wont raise prices In the interview, Trump further previewed his plan to levy additional tariffs on three of the nations largest trading partners Mexico, Canada and China. He again argued the US is subsidizing those countries and said tariff hikes will create a more equitable economy for the US and its allies. But Trump said he cant guarantee tariffs wont lead to increased prices on goods for Americans, as economists have suggested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant guarantee anything. I cant guarantee tomorrow, he said, before claiming that during his first presidency we had no inflation and that the tariffs he imposed cost Americans nothing. Both of these claims are false, as CNN has fact-checked. Trump also said he does not intend to replace Jerome Powell, the chair of the Federal Reserve, when he takes office. Responding to concerns that his initiative to reduce government spending, spearheaded by tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, could lead to cuts to entitlement programs, Trump promised not to make cuts to Social Security or raise the retirement age to begin receiving benefits. But he did say his administration would look to make the program more efficient. Ramaswamy has previously said his and Musks initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency, would seek to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in entitlement programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After tapping Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a leading vaccine skeptic who has promoted anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, as his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Trump said hes open to Kennedy looking into eliminating childhood vaccines if theyre dangerous for the children. He then falsely suggested that vaccines have contributed to a rise in autism diagnoses, a claim that has been repeatedly debunked. Trump continued to tout his isolationist foreign policy agenda, teasing possible movements away from US allies in Europe. He refused to commit to keeping the US in NATO for the duration of his term, saying if NATO allies did not increase their contributions to funding the organizations defense expenditures, he would absolutely consider withdrawing. And when asked whether Ukraine should prepare to receive less US aid when he takes office, Trump said possibly, probably, sure. Trump, who will be the oldest person sworn in as president, again committed to releasing his medical records, saying he has no problem with it and I think anybody should. He has previously released letters from his personal physicians outlining his health but has not released detailed accounts of his medical history. CNNs Rashard Rose and Jamie Gangel contributed reporting. This story and headline have been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Dec. 8 (UPI) -- President-Elect Donald Trump said he plans to launch efforts to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, impose tariffs on foreign countries that do business with the U.S. and pardon some of the people convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol intrusion. Trump made his comments when describing his agenda In the interview that lasted more than an hour with Kristen Welker on NBC News' "Meet the Press." Trump also said he will work to extend tax cuts that were passed during his first administration, not raise the age of Medicare or Medicaid and seek ways to cut federal spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also he said he will not impose restrictions on abortions pills, and continues to want abortion determined by individual states, Former president and Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump stands with Vice Presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-OH, at the 2024 Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI In addition to the deportation efforts, he will also try to end birthright citizenship, which is spelled out in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. He wants to strip rights from those born in the country to undocumented parents. Regarding deportations, Trump said that "we're starting with the criminals, and we got to do it. And then we're starting with others, and we're going to see how it goes." There are an estimated 4 million families in America who have mixed immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't want to be breaking up families. So the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." Trump said he wants to work with Democrats to ensure Dreamers, who are undocumented immigrants who entered the United States as children nearly 20 or more years ago - would be able to stay in the country. "We have to do something about the Dreamers, because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age, and many of these are middle-aged people now, they don't even speak the language of their country," Trump said. While serving as president, legislation wasn't approved to protect Dreamers. They are covered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program that has allowed them to remain in the country and work legally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referring to his efforts to pardon the Jan. 6 rioters, he said many have endured overly harsh treatment in prison. Trump said the pardons will happen on day one, arguing many have endured overly harsh treatment in prison. "These people are living in hell," Trump said during the interview. A total of 1,251 have been convicted or pleaded guilty of the 1,572 defendants in the attack. At least 645 defendants have been sentenced to incarceration ranging from a few days to 22 years. He said members of the Jan. 6 House committee "committed a major crime" by destroying evidence. Committee members said that is not true because evidence has been preserved with the committee, the White House or Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said about the committee members, adding he would not direct his appointees to arrest them. Regarding the consequences of tariffs, Trump said he could not assure U.S. consumers that they won't pay more for some products under the new rules should they be imposed. "I can't guarantee anything," Trump said. "I can't guarantee tomorrow." Trump also said that Ukraine should "possibly, probably" expect less aid in its fight against Russia and he is trying to negotiate the end of the war with Russia. The future president said he will not raise the age of eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid recipients, and said those programs will also be protected from sweeping cuts promised by Elon Musk, whom Trump has appointed to head a newly created Department of Government Efficiency, with another billionaire, Vivek Ramaswamy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I won't do it," Trump said. Musk has said the department could cut as much as a third of the national budget, or more than $2 trillion, though he has been short on specifics. Analysts have said cutting that much of the U.S. spending plan in short order is next to impossible while continuing to keep the country's vital services intact and the nation running, even if the department only takes aim at so-called "discretionary spending." Trump has claimed that his sweeping Nov. 5 victory is a mandate. He won by about 2 million votes of 152 million cast though his Electoral College margin was 312-226 against Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he has broad support from not only the American people, but from corporate titans like Amazon's Jeff Bezos, whom Trump claims to be having dinner with. "People like me now, you know?" he said in the interview. "It's different than the first - you know, when I won the first time, I wasn't nearly as popular as this. And one thing that's very important, in terms of the election, I love that I won the popular vote, and by a lot." While sounding harsh on the campaign trail, Trump said in the interview that he plans to "move forward," and does not, for instance, plan to appoint a special counsel to investigate President Joe Biden. Nor, he said, does he have plans to use the legal system to punish his political or personal adversaries. A two-day Commanders' Conference of Western Air Command (WAC) of the Indian Air Force was held on December 6 and 7 in New Delhi. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) attended the conference as the chief guest. He was received by Air Marshal PM Sinha, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, WAC, and was presented with a ceremonial Guard of Honour on his arrival. "A two day Commanders' Conference of Western Air Command (WAC) of the Indian Air Force was held on 06 & 07 December 2024 at New Delhi, with Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) as the chief guest. He was received by Air Marshal PM Sinha, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, WAC, and was presented with a ceremonial Guard of Honour on his arrival," as per a Ministry of Defence release. During the conference, the CAS interacted with the Commanders of the WAC AoR, and discussed the need to pursue training for ensuring the capability to fight and win multi-domain warfare. He emphasised on the theme for this year "Bharatiya Vayu Sena - Sashakt, Saksham, Atmanirbhar", and sought the collective capability, capacity and commitment of all commanders to take the IAF to even greater achievements. He emphasised on the need to achieve focused progress in various areas, which include increasing operational capability through better training and planning; early operationalisation of newly inducted equipment; safety and security, and nurturing leaders by empowering individuals at all levels to turn into a future-ready and cohesive force. "The CAS in his address, complimented WAC for being the first responders to calls for HADR, both within India and abroad; maintaining high operational excellence to ensure an always ready' formidable fighting force, and always keeping IAF core values of 'Mission, Integrity and Excellence' foremost," the release read. In October, the second Army Commanders' Conference for the year 2024 was organised in a hybrid mode in Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the conference. (ANI) In his first network TV interview since his electoral victory, President-elect Donald Trump went through a range of his campaign promises, including those on immigration, health care, and his plans for the Justice Department in an interview with NBC News. Trump doubled down on one of them, vowing to pardon people jailed for their role on Jan. 6 on his first day in office. "First day. Yeah, I'm looking for these pardons," Trump told NBC's Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump meets with Macron in first international trip since reelection: 'World is going a little crazy right now' Criticizing the jail conditions, Trump argued the people who plead guilty did so because they had no other choice. PHOTO: Screen grab of President-elect Donald Trump as he sits for his first post-election network interview with Kristen Welker, moderator of NBC's ''Meet the Press,' Dec. 8, 2024. (NBC News/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock) "Look. I know the system. The system's a very corrupt system. They say to a guy, 'You're going to go to jail for two years or for 30 years.' And these guys are looking, their whole lives have been destroyed," said Trump. "Yeah, I'm going to look at everything. We're going to look at individual cases." According to the Department of Justice, more than 1,500 people have been arrested or charged in connection with Jan. 6 with almost 900 of them pleading guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As one of his campaign's main themes, Trump long promised to "free" those imprisoned for their participation on that day as one of his first acts as president, oftentimes honoring them at his campaign rallies. MORE: Trump's dark 'retribution' pledge at center of 2024 bid, but can he make it reality? Trump's pardon promise comes as he offered fluctuating comments on the role his picks for attorney general and FBI director, Pam Bondi and Kash Patel, would play in his upcoming administration should they be confirmed. On the issue of retribution, which was a central theme in Trump's 2024 campaign, the president-elect repeatedly said he wouldn't direct them to go after his political rivals, but they could if they wanted to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She's very experienced," he said of Bondi. "I want her to do what she wants to do. I'm not going to instruct her" to go after Special Counsel Jack Smith, who he called a "very corrupt" person. "If they think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it," the president-elect said about Patel investigating Trump's rivals. Patel has long called for investigations into members of the media, Department of Justice, and Democrats, including President Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, calling for a "housecleaning." Although Trump argued he wouldn't directly tell Bondi and Patel to go after people, he was clear that they would have free range to do so. Aside from attacking Biden and Smith, Trump also harshly criticized the House Select Committee investigating Jan. 6, calling for members to be jailed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[Former Rep. Liz] Cheney was behind it. So is Benny Thompson and everybody on that committe, honestly, they should go to jail." Again, though, Trump looked to move that decision away from himself when asked if he would direct Bondi to throw them in jail. "I think that they'll have to look at that. But I'm not going to. I'm going to focus on 'Drill, baby, drill.'" MORE: Trump says he'll fire FBI Director Christopher Wray, replace him with longtime ally Kash Patel Former Rep. Liz Cheney responded Sunday to Trump's comments, calling them a "continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is no conceivably appropriate factual or constitutional basis for what Donald Trump is suggesting a Justice Department investigation of the work of a congressional committee and any lawyer who attempts to pursue that course would quickly find themselves engaged in sanctionable conduct," she said in a statement. Given that Trump has continued these threats throughout his campaign and now during the transition, Biden is considering preemptive pardons to some of those that have received Trump's wrath, including Cheney and Democratic Sen.-elect Adam Schiff, who were part of the House Jan. 6 investigation, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who has faced intense scrutiny over the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When asked about those possible pardons from Biden, Trump told NBC "maybe he should." "Biden can give them a pardon if he wants to. And maybe he should," he said, going on to continue to attack their investigation. Trump promises pardon for Jan 6 rioters on his first day originally appeared on abcnews.go.com President-elect Donald Trump said he still plans to end birthright citizenship in the United States on day one but was unable to provide insight into how he would go around the 14th Amendment. We're going to have to get it changed. We'll maybe have to go back to the people, Trump said in an interview with NBCs Kristen Welker on that aired Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press. But we have to end it. Trump also falsely noted that only the United States has birthright citizenship, despite other countries like Brazil and Canada also offering birthright citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welker asked how Trump plans to end birthright citizenship and whether he would do it through executive action. Trump responded: If we can, through executive action. I was going to do it through executive action but then we had to fix Covid first, to be honest with you, Trump said. We have to end it. It's ridiculous. The 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868, states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." A constitutional amendment approved by Congress requires ratification by three-fourths of the states. Trump also in the interview said he wanted to work something out in regards to Dreamers, or children who immigrated with their families at a very young age and have since grown up in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to do something about the Dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age, Trump said. And many of these are middle-aged people now. They don't even speak the language of their country. And yes, we're going to do something about the Dreamers. Trump also said he would work with Democrats on a plan for Dreamers but that they have made it very, very difficult to do anything and that President Joe Biden should have done something on Dreamers during the past four years. (Efforts at bipartisan immigration reform in the Senate earlier this year collapsed due to opposition from then-candidate Trump.) He added: Republicans are very open to Dreamers. I think we can work with the Democrats and work something out, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dreamers, he added, They've become successful. They have great jobs. In some cases they have small businesses. Some cases they might have large businesses. And we're going to have to do something with them. But when Trump was asked about his plans of mass deportation and whether he still plans to deport everyone who is here illegally Trump said, I think you have to do it. He said he will start with people with a criminal history, then expand out. It's a hard its a very tough thing to do. But you have to have rules, regulations, laws. They came in illegally. You know the people that have been treated very unfairly are the people that have been on line for ten years to come into the country, Trump said. And we're going to make it very easy for people to come in in terms of they have to pass the test. He added, They have to be able to tell you what the Statue of Liberty is. They have to tell you a little bit about our country. They have to love our country. They can't come out of prisons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have said they expect Trump to immediately tackle immigration. Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno, a former luxury-car dealer who defeated Democrat Sherrod Brown in Ohio, said Trump will tackle immigration as soon as he takes office. We're going to resolve immigration the first 40 to 60 days, Moreno told a crowd of Illinois Republicans at a holiday luncheon event Friday. The Colombia-born Moreno is Ohio's first Latino U.S. senator. Weve got to fix immigration. This election was ultimately about two issues at the end of the day: open borders and high prices. That was the entire election, and we got to fix the immigration system. It's the easiest thing to fix intellectually. It's the hardest thing to fix emotionally, and I hope to play a role in making that happen. Shia Kapos contributed to this article. Donald Trump told NBC in a wide-ranging interview that he believes all members of the January 6 committee should be thrown in jail though he stopped short of outright threatening to use the Justice Department to do so. Honestly, they should go to jail, he told Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker in an interview about his day one plans, airing Sunday. When asked about Liz Cheney who was a GOP lawmaker, served as vice chair of the committee and who campaigned with Kamala Harris in the 2024 race Trump said everybody on the panel should be jailed for what they did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, Trump insisted he would not direct his FBI director pick Kash Patel or attorney general pick Pam Bondi to pursue the committee members or any other political enemies of his. I want her to do what she wants to do. Im not going to instruct her to do it, he said of Bondi. Im not looking to go back into the past, he added, when asked if he would seek to prosecution Biden family members, including President Joe Biden. Im looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success. Donald Trump speaks to NBCs Kristen Welker on Meet the Press (The Independent) The president-elect made headlines throughout his 2024 campaign, much like his 2016 bid for the presidency, by threatening to jail his political opponents. Most recently in September, he wrote in a Truth Social post that those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted, referring to top Democratic leaders such as Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while he did not follow through with his explicit threat to jail Hillary Clinton following his 2016 election victory, his new focus on installing loyalists at top agencies including the FBI and Justice Department have led many to wonder if the threats are real this time. Despite losing his 2020 reelection bid to Joe Biden, Trump maintained (and still maintains) that he was the rightful winner. His fact-free claims of widespread fraud were weaponized to instigate a mob attack against the US Capitol on January 6 2021, as throngs of his supporters attempted to stop Congress from certifying the transfer of power. Trump went on to be prosecuted for those actions in a now-defunct investigation ended by the Justice Department after his 2024 election victory, as well as by Congress in the form of the bipartisan committee to investigate January 6. Members of the committee compiled countless hours of video evidence and testimony which painted a horrifying scene of the violence that played out during the attack as well as the depth of knowledge Trump and his team had to predict that the attack would occur. Donald Trumps nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, has said the agency should be torn apart for its role in investigating Trumps 2016 campaign (AP) In his interview airing Sunday, Trump also said hed pardon some of those rioters on his first day in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im going to be acting very quickly. First day, Trump said, adding later about their imprisonment that theyve been in there for years, and theyre in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldnt even be allowed to be open. Patel, the president-elects pick for the FBI, has called for the government to go after journalists with criminal and civil legal action. Patel has also called for the FBI itself to be dismantled following its investigation of the 2016 Trump campaigns alleged ties to Russian operatives. Biden moved to shield his family from some of that danger this past week, and issued a blanket pardon for his son Hunter covering any crimes committed over an 11-year period. The adult son of the incumbent president has a history of drug abuse and at the time of his pardoning was due for sentencing on tax and gun charges. Trump and his allies attacked the pardon as symbolic of Washington corruption while the presidents allies did the opposite of rush to his defense: many Democrats criticized the president for giving the appearance of a separate standard of justice for his family members, given that the facts of his sons criminal case are not in dispute. But the president does have some defenders who have characterized the move as necessary to shield the presidents family from political retribution from the incoming administration. Washington/Kiev (dpa) After a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris at the weekend, US President-elect Donald Trump called on Sunday for Russia and Ukraine to quickly agree to a ceasefire. "There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed," Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. The post was written after Syrian president Bashar al-Assad - a key Kremlin ally in the Middle East - was overthrown. Trump linked the development to Moscow's war against Ukraine, saying it showed Russia had become "weakened." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said it was Russian President Vladimir Putin's "time to act" and begin talks to end the nearly three years of large-scale fighting. "China can help," Trump continued, alluding to the close ties between Beijing and Moscow. "The world is waiting!" Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Zelensky in Paris on Saturday to discuss the future of Ukraine. Zelensky called the meeting "good and productive." Trump, who will be sworn in as president on January 20, repeatedly claimed during the election campaign that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, preferably before even taking office. He never said how he would do this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Zelensky, in an updated death toll from nearly three years of large-scale war with Russia, said on Sunday that the number of Ukrainian soldiers killed has risen to 43,000, an increase of 12,000 from the 31,000 announced in February. Military analysts say the real figure is likely to be much higher. However for tactical reasons, the warring parties are often reluctant to provide precise information on the numbers of soldiers killed. There have also been 370,000 instances in which personnel injured during the conflict were given treatment, Zelensky said on his channel on the Telegram messaging platform. However, about half of those who were injured have returned to the war effort. With the regime of his Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad toppled in Damascus, Russian leader Vladimir Putin received a public warning from President-elect Donald Trump, who urged him to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine before the conflict there becomes far worse. Assad is gone, Trump wrote, in an early Sunday morning post on Truth Social. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. A Truth Social post by President-elect Donald Trump in which he encourages Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue a ceasefire in Ukraine. Russias foreign ministry confirmed Sunday that Assad left Damascus and stepped down, putting an end to his reign that began in 2000 with promises of reform and descended into a personality cult dictatorship defined by human rights abuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia, Assads biggest backer, since anti-government conflicts began in Syria in 2011, has had to focus its resources on its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever, Trump wrote, likely citing a NATO estimate about Russian casualties. The president-elect suggested that Putin should agree to an immediate ceasefire and come to the negotiating table before, he said, the impact of the war in Ukraine further damages his country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conveyed to Trump his openness to negotiations at a meeting in Paris Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness, Trump wrote. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. Trump has claimed he would end the Ukraine war in a single day after taking officesomething diplomats and experts have doubted, especially as Russia has in recent weeks retaken and captured new territory. Last week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the newspaper Izvestia there are no grounds for negotiations yet. Trump, nevertheless, pressed Putin to act: I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Russias fallen ally in Syria, Trump on Saturday appeared to suggest staying out of the matter. As rebels, led by al-al-Qaeda break-off group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, made a rapid advance against a depleted and isolated Assad. Trump wrote: THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! HTS, which will now jockey with other rebel groups to fill the power vacuum left by the departed dictator, is considered a terrorist organization by the United States. President-elect Donald Trump called for former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney and other members of the committee investigating the January 6th riots on Capitol Hill to be jailed in his first sit-down interview since winning the election. Trump appeared to shock NBC journalist Kristen Welker with his remarks. The Meet the Press moderator sharply raised her eyebrows in disbelief and tried to clarify what he meant by the suggestion. Commenting on whether the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack had unfairly targeted Trump and whether they had destroyed records, the president-elect said: Cheney was behind it. So was Benny Thompson and everybody on that committee were going to. for what they did, yeah, honestly, they should go to jail. Trump: Cheney...Bennie Thompson, and everybody on that committee...should go to jail. Q: So you think Liz Cheney should go to jail? Everyone on the committee, you think, should be in jail? Trump: I think everybody...Anybody who voted in favor. pic.twitter.com/O4SkRSGuUC Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) December 8, 2024 So you think Liz Cheney should go to jail for what? Everyone on the committee? Welker asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anybody that voted in favor, Trump replied. Trump claimed he would not order members of his cabinet to find a way to jail the congressmen on the committee, but strongly suggested that such a process would be inevitable. Are you going to direct your FBI Director, and your attorney general to send them to jail? Welker asked. No, not at all. I think that theyll have to look at that but Im not going to. Im going to focus on drill baby, drill, he said. Members on the committee deny they destroyed any records they kept. The group also include the likes of Adam Schiff, who is now set to sit as a senator, and Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps opponents have feared what he could do when he arrives to the Oval Office next month. His pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, founded an organization that supports the families of the rioters. He has also accused committee members of smearing him. NBC News has reported that President Joe Biden is considering offering so-called pre-emptive blanket pardons to individuals who are likely to be targets of criminal investigations by Trump officials. President-elect Trump in a new interview that aired Sunday said he couldnt guarantee Americans would not pay more because of tariffs he has pledged to impose on imported goods. Trump, in an interview with Kristen Welker of Meet the Press, shrugged off repeated warnings from economists that tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China and others would raise prices for American consumers, saying he did not believe them. Can you guarantee American families wont pay more? Welker asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant guarantee anything. I cant guarantee tomorrow. But I can say that if you look at my just pre-COVID, we had the greatest economy in the history of our country, Trump responded. When Welker noted that U.S. companies like Walmart, Stanley Black & Decker and others have warned that tariffs will force them to increase their prices, Trump again insisted tariffs boost the economy. They also solve another problem, Trump said. If we were going to have problems having to do with wars and having to do with other things, tariffs I have stopped wars with tariffs by saying, You guys want to fight, its great. But both of you are going to pay tariffs to the United States at 100 percent.' Tariffs are a properly used, are a very powerful tool, not only economically, but also for getting other things outside of economics, Trump added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elect in recent weeks threatened tariffs against Canada and Mexico, two of the United Statess biggest trading partners, unless they did more to crack down on the flow of migrants and illegal drugs across the border. Trump noted that he spoke on the phone with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flew to meet with him at Mar-a-Lago within days of the threat. The president-elect has for months pledged to impose blanket tariffs on all imports, a plan economists have warned could spike the cost of goods in the United States and cause companies to pass along increased costs to consumers. But Trump has shrugged off those concerns, claiming the tariffs will cause more companies to do business inside the U.S. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggested in a Meet the Press interview aired on Dec. 8 that Ukraine could receive less aid under his presidency. When asked whether Ukraine should prepare for reduced U.S. assistance, Trump responded, "Possibly, sure." Trump reiterated that he is working to end the war in Ukraine, building on his previous campaign claim that he could resolve the war within 24 hours if he were in charge. However, he confirmed that he has not spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin recently, adding, "I dont want to say that because I dont want to do anything that could impede the negotiations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier that President Volodymyr Zelensky "would like to make a deal" and "stop the madness" of the war in Ukraine, following their meeting in Paris on Dec. 7. Trump and Zelensky met in Paris as world leaders convened for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. The meeting, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, marked the first in-person discussion between the two since Trump's election victory in November. Trump also refrained from guaranteeing the U.S. would remain in NATO but emphasized that the U.S. would continue its membership if treated "fairly" in terms of contributions. Read also: Scholz tells journalists joint strategy on Ukraine possible with Trump Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Donald J. Trump stands before a section of border fencing during his visit to the border area of Otay Mesa, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, a neighborhood along the Mexican border in San Diego, Calif. | Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead via Flickr Public Domain President-elect Donald Trump has reaffirmed that once he takes office he plans to declare a national emergency and use the military on American streets to accomplish his promises to round up and deport millions of undocumented migrants. Many experts concerns about this program have included the facts that immigrants contribute enormous value to the U.S. economy and mass deportation would hurt food production, housing construction and other crucial industries. Other scholars have analyzed how deportation traumatizes families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have an additional concern about a renewed focus on deportation as someone who has studied U.S. domestic militias for more than 15 years: Some militia units may see it as their duty to assist with such efforts. In fact, local police may even deputize certain militias to help them deport immigrants. Anti-government, but supporting national defense Militias are generally wary of the government. Theyve even been known to use violence against politicians and other government representatives, including police. I have found in my research that the militias disdain for the federal government is especially strong because they believe it is too big and corrupt and takes too much of their income through taxation. But militia members negative beliefs about immigration and self-declared mission to protect the country could lead them to join a national mass-deportation effort. My research finds that militia members generally believe the falsehoods that undocumented migrants are a threat to public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some, my research finds, this perception is rooted in xenophobia and racism. Other militia members misunderstand what is required to obtain U.S. citizenship: They believe that anyone who enters the country illegally is, by definition, a criminal and has therefore already proven their intention to not follow the laws and generally be a good American. This is not true, because migrants may seek asylum regardless of their immigration status for up to a year after entering the country. Members with both sets of motives believe that undocumented migrants are taking jobs away from more deserving citizens and are generally receiving unearned benefits from being in the country. Trumps promises to crack down on immigration appeal to militia members of both types. Michigan Home Guard militia members at the Second Amendment March at the Capitol, Sept. 17, 2020 | Laina G. Stebbins Militia members also believe that one of the few legitimate functions of the federal government as outlined by the Constitution is national defense. In that sense, those who believe migrants are an urgent threat could see the militarys involvement in a mass-deportation operation as consistent with a duty to defend the nation. Most scholars agree that even if it were technically legal, domestic deployment of the military would be an alarming threat to democracy. Active participation Some militia units in border states have been engaged in deportation efforts for a long time. They typically patrol the border, sometimes detain migrants and regularly call the U.S. Border Patrol to report their findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border Patrol agents have historically expressed skepticism and concerns about militia involvement with border monitoring due to the unverifiable skills and motives of civilian support. Some state, county and local police also do immigration enforcement, and in recent years they have seemed to become more open to civilian assistance. Some local police agencies, particularly sheriffs, are already asking for civilian assistance managing perceived problems with migrants. Others have hosted anti-immigration events with militias who patrol the border under an effective, if not formal, deputization of their actions. Militias may also be called on directly. In the past, Trump has directly addressed militias. The most cited example is his instruction in a Sept. 29, 2020, presidential debate, directing the Proud Boys to stand back and stand by. People had similar interpretations of his comments in advance of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I have long believed these appeals started much earlier. In 2018 Trump pardoned the men who inspired the Bundy family occupation and standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. I believe that was an early attempt to garner support from people in militia circles. A volatile combination The military has already been getting involved in immigration enforcement in unprecedented ways. In early 2024, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott claimed the U.S. Border Patrol was not protecting his state from an invasion from would-be immigrants. He deployed his states National Guard to an area of the border, blocking the Border Patrol from working in that section. That blockade continues. In a second term, Trump has little incentive to restrain his rhetoric or his actions. The Supreme Court has ruled that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office. Even if he does not directly appeal to private citizens to control the border or detain people whom they believe to be undocumented migrants, his official presence and hard-line stance on immigration may be enough to provide legitimacy to vigilante action. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers listen to President Donald J. Trump addressing his remarks during his visit to an overlook along the Rio Grande Thursday, January 10, 2019, near the U.S. Border Patrol McAllen Station in McAllen, Texas. | Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead via Flickr Public Domain In November 2024, two militia members were convicted of a variety of federal offenses, including conspiracy to murder federal agents, for a plot to kill Border Patrol agents whom the men believed were failing to adequately protect the border from crossing migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all militia members support mass deportation, especially if it involves unconstitutionally deploying military forces on U.S. soil. Thats clear from my research. The military is the military, and law enforcement is law enforcement, one militia member replied when I asked some of my long-term contacts for their perspectives on Trumps declaration to use the military. They are separate for a reason. This man believes undocumented migrants pose dangers but thinks shifting the militarys role would be even more harmful. Not all militia members are so circumspect. Amy Cooter, Director of Research, Academic Development, and Innovation at the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, Middlebury This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Police on Sunday deployed tear gas at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border to disperse farmers who began their 'Dilli Chalo' march earlier today. Police and protesting farmers got into a verbal altercation and drone footage showed police blocking the farmers at the border. According to Haryana Police, the group of farmers moving ahead did not match the list of 101 farmers they were given who were scheduled to participate in today's march. "We will first identify them (farmers) and then we can allow them to go ahead. We have a list of the names of 101 farmers, and they are not those people - they are not letting us identify them - they are moving ahead as a mob," said a Haryana police official deployed at the site. Police said that the farmers did not have permission to move towards Delhi. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "The 'Jattha' of our 101 farmers and labourers have reached. We have already issued the list, if they (the police) have decided that they will check the IDs first before allowing us to move, they should tell us we will cooperate with that. We have shown the discipline and will continue to be so... They are using more tear gas today, as the wind direction is towards us. We are ready for any kind of sacrifice... It's the PM who has the solution for our problems, either he does it or let us march to Delhi." A protesting farmer at the Shambhu border claimed that the police had the wrong list. He said that they were requesting the police to allow them to move ahead, as they have identity cards. "The list they (police) have is wrong - the list doesn't have the name of farmers coming here. We have asked them (the police) to let us move ahead and we will show them our identity cards. Police are saying that we (farmers) don't have permission to move ahead - so why do we have to prove our identity?... We are trying to sort things out through dialogues - but anyhow we will move ahead. I told them (police) to go to Haryana as this is the land of Punjab." Earlier today, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that a 'Jattha' of 101 farmers would march at 12 noon. SSP Patiala had issued a memorandum cautioning the media against interfering in farmers' matters, citing a specific incident on December 6, that violated statutory provisions, and urging mediapersons to maintain a safe distance while fulfilling their responsibilities. (ANI) President-elect Donald Trump trolled First Lady Jill Biden in an advertisement for his perfume and cologne line. Trump posted the ad for Trump Perfumes & Colognes on Truth Social, alongside a picture of him and the First Lady greeting one another at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday. The photos caption reads, A fragrance your enemies cant resist! The president-elects official fragrance line describes itself as for patriots who never back down, like President Trump. The Trump for Men cologne and Trump for Women perfume both sell for $199, according to the website . The president-elect is also offering a buy one, get one 50 percent off sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elect is also selling victory perfume and cologne, both of which are sold out as of Sunday. Trump and the First Lady sat near one another at the ceremony, with photos showing them exchanging conversation. President-elect Donald Trump and First Lady Jill Biden talk at the reopening ceremony for Pariss Notre Dame Cathedral (AP) Paris marked Trumps return to the geopolitical stage as he prepares to return to the White House on January 20. Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron while in Paris. It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now, the president-elect told reporters as he met Macron outside the Elysee Palace. And well be talking about that. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later joined the pair, and the three were photographed following a meeting on Saturday night before the ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky later described the meeting as good and productive. Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky meet at Pariss Elysee Palace (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way, he said. We spoke about our people, the situation on the ground, and a just peace. Following the meeting, Trump pushed Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach an immediate ceasefire deal with Ukraine. In a Sunday interview, Trump also told NBC he is working toward ending the war. Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness, Trump wrote on social media Sunday. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin, he added. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! U.S. President-elect Donald Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to take action toward negotiating a truce, saying on Dec. 8: "I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!" Trump's comments on his Truth Social platform followed his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris as world leaders gathered in the city for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Despite Trump's call, the Kremlin has said that Russia is not prepared to pause the war in Ukraine, arguing that such a move would allow Kyiv to rearm and regroup. However, Russia has expressed readiness to negotiate on its own terms to end the conflict, insisting that Ukraine must withdraw its forces from four regions annexed by Russia in 2022, even though Moscow does not fully control them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the outgoing U.S. administration has continued to supply Ukraine with weapons, aiming to bolster Kyiv ahead of any potential ceasefire talks. On Dec. 7, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced a new military aid package worth nearly $1 billion for Ukraine. The package wont arrive in Ukraine immediately, instead, it will involve contracts with U.S. defense companies to manufacture new drones and air defense munitions. Since February 2022, the U.S. has spearheaded a coalition of nations to supply Ukraine with weapons and equipment, and Austin emphasized that abandoning Kyiv would be a grave mistake. Read also: China says any Ukraine-Russia peace talks need positive energy from international community Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Trump once celebrated the COVID-19 vaccines released at the end of his first term as "one of the greatest achievements of mankind," echoing the sentiments of mainstream medical officials who praised their rapid development as pivotal in combating the then-raging pandemic. But as his second administration takes shape, some are sounding the alarm regarding Trump's picks to lead major public health agencies, concerned that the nominees' skepticism, if not hostility, toward vaccines could jeopardize the nation's ability to respond to new or resurgent infectious threats. There's Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's pick to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who has called the COVID-19 vaccine the "deadliest vaccine ever made" and said that "there's no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective." Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has contended that he's not against vaccines, but has spread the myth that they commonly injure children and can cause autism. (Morry Gash / Associated Press) Nominated to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is Dr. Dave Weldon, a former congressman from Florida who has expressed skepticism of the safety of vaccines and promoted the discredited idea that a preservative, thimerosal, that has been used in some vaccines, or the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine which has never used thimerosal may be linked to autism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skepticism and outright conspiracy theories about vaccines are nothing new, and health officials have long warned about the potential pitfalls of such misinformation. But now, some top doubters could be in the position to shape federal health policy. While COVID is no longer the grave public health threat it once was, the disease spikes periodically as it did this summer and has continued to be responsible for the most hospitalizations and deaths of any respiratory disease nationally, with nearly 60,000 fatalities for the yearlong period that ended Sept. 30. And other infectious threats, be they whooping cough, measles or the latest strain of bird flu, continue to loom. "We really don't want to return to the era where these vaccine-preventable diseases were frequent, and children were getting sick or hospitalized or even dying," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, a former deputy director at the CDC, who served at the agency for more than three decades, starting in the Reagan administration. "We've been fortunate in the past couple decades to have high levels of vaccination and low levels of most of the diseases." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither the Trump transition team, a spokesperson for Kennedy, nor Weldon answered requests for comment for this story. Read more: Highly contagious whooping cough rises in California to highest level in years Trump, who had his own brush with the coronavirus near the end of his first term, hailed the rapid development of the COVID vaccines as a "monumental national achievement" and celebrated the production of "a verifiably safe and effective vaccine." He continued in 2021 to promote COVID vaccines in interviews and at rallies, though he also said he didn't support making the shots mandatory. That year alone, the World Health Organization estimates, the vaccines likely saved at least 14.4 million lives worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even then, skepticism surrounding the shots was starting to take root including among Trump's supporters. A KFF survey found that 60% of Republicans who support his "Make America Great Again" agenda got at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at some point. But by late 2023, another KFF survey found that 70% of self-identified MAGA Republicans were either not too confident or not at all confident in the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. That same survey found that only 36% of Republicans were very or somewhat confident the COVID-19 vaccines are safe, compared with 54% of independents and 84% of Democrats. Kennedy has contended he is not "anti-vaccine," but his organization, the Childrens Health Defense, has questioned their safety. Kennedy himself has criticized what he sees as deficits in the science on vaccine safety and spread the myth that vaccines commonly injure children. When asked by a documentary maker whether there were any vaccines in history that were a benefit to mankind, Kennedy replied: "I don't know the answer to that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: RFK Jr. spent years stoking fear and mistrust of vaccines. These people were hurt by his work More recently, he has said he would not "take away anybody's vaccines." But even if a vaccine isn't taken away entirely, "you can just make it much harder for people to get," said Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health and a former White House COVID-19 Response coordinator under President Biden. Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, said Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "consistently shows that he doesn't believe in modern medicine, doesn't believe in the scientific process that has led to these huge gains that we've had" in public health. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) For instance, Jha said, newly appointed officials could demand randomized clinical trials for every annual update to the COVID vaccine "even though we don't do that for the flu vaccines." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If that is a new standard that they create, it probably will make it impossible for [updated] COVID vaccines to be available in time for the holiday season," Jha said. "If they follow through on their own previous critiques, they may box themselves in and make it very, very hard for Americans to even get COVID vaccines." Kennedy has also advanced the baseless claim that thimerosal in vaccines can cause autism, which has been thoroughly discredited by scientists. Thimerosal has been removed from childhood vaccines since 2001, according to the CDC, and "research does not show any link between thimerosal and autism." While it is still used in some flu vaccines, parents can request a formulation without the preservative for their children. Organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics also say the MMR vaccine which protects against measles, mumps and rubella and is a major target of the anti-vax movement is safe. Read more: How Robert F. Kennedy Jr. went from outsider to Cabinet pick Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics have also accused Kennedy of spreading misinformation regarding the safety of the measles vaccine in Samoa. The Associated Press reported that Kennedy traveled to the island nation in June 2019 and met with anti-vaccine activists before a severe outbreak that killed 83, mostly infants and children. At the time, public health officials said anti-vaccine misinformation had made the nation vulnerable. Kennedy has denied playing a role in the outbreak, which he has characterized as "mild." "I had nothing to do with people not vaccinating in Samoa. I never told anybody not to vaccinate," Kennedy told an interviewer in the 2023 documentary "Shot in the Arm." In a video published by the New York Post in 2023, Kennedy floated the conspiracy theory that COVID-19 may have been engineered to avoid harming Jews and Chinese people. Critics called his comments antisemitic and anti-Asian. In a social media post, Kennedy said "the insinuation" that "I am somehow antisemitic, is a disgusting fabrication." In another post, Kennedy said he has "never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was targeted to spare Jews" and asserted "that the U.S. and other governments are developing ethnically targeted bioweapons and that a 2021 study of the COVID-19 virus shows that COVID-19 appears to disproportionately affect certain races." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some scientists have dismissed some of Kennedy's assertions as absurd and not based in science. "One of my biggest concerns about about him is the misinformation that he spreads around vaccination," said Dr. Richard Besser, who served as acting CDC director during the initial response to the 2009 H1N1 "swine flu" pandemic and is now president and chief executive of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Read more: Myths, disinformation are preventing people from getting booster shots The Health and Human Services secretary plays a major role in setting health priorities for the nation suggesting how much money various agencies should get, helping determine what is covered for people on Medicare or Medicaid, and having a say in what kind of public recommendations the agency issues, Besser said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy "consistently shows that he doesn't believe in modern medicine, doesn't believe in the scientific process that has led to these huge gains that we've had" in public health, Jha said. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, whom Trump appointed as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during his first term, said on CNBC that if Kennedy follows through on his rhetoric, "You're going to see measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates go down," which he expects would result in large outbreaks. "For every 1,000 cases of measles that occur in children, there will be one death," he added. Trump's apparent skepticism toward some vaccine requirements during the campaign he pledged to "not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate" is also raising alarm bells in some corners. Making moves that would erode the share of schoolchildren receiving vaccines they have been getting for generations would "create health risks" for the community at large, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, former secretary of California's Health and Human Services Agency. "I can imagine that some states may be pushed into a corner" if federal funding for public health work is reduced, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, former secretary of California's Health and Human Services Agency. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) If a policy scrapping federal funding at schools that enforce vaccination requirements for schoolchildren were enacted, some districts or states may have to make tough decisions. While most public schools largely rely on state and local funding, federal dollars flow to support certain programs, such as school lunches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California is a little less reliant on federal funding for public health work, but "I can imagine that some states may be pushed into a corner," Ghaly said. State and local health officials should also speak up if they see messaging from the federal government that amounts to misinformation, Jha said. "It is, I think, really critical for state and local public health officials to speak up and not cede the floor to federal officials, especially if those federal officials are not sort of sticking to where the scientific evidence is," Jha said. Different leadership at national health agencies could also affect the availability or cost of vaccines. "Could they become harder to get? Could it become more expensive to get in some places? Maybe not in the first year or two, but down the road, absolutely," Ghaly said. Read more: Shorter lines and TikTok ads: Californias push to beat vaccine hesitancy The federal government's childhood vaccination program, run out of the CDC with oversight from Health and Human Services, plays a major role in getting half the kids in America their childhood vaccines essentially for free, Jha said. If federal officials decide to gut the program, "a lot of poor kids are not going to have easy access to vaccines, which, of course, would be tragic and would put everybody at risk." Other questions include whether future federal health officials would seek next fall to water down the CDC's current recommendation that everyone age 6 months and up get vaccinated against COVID and whether that would affect whether insurers cover the costs of vaccines. One glimpse into a sharply different way of managing COVID vaccination recommendations is in Florida. In a move at direct odds with the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration, Florida's surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, advised against getting mRNA COVID vaccinations this fall and suggested that healthcare providers look into a non-mRNA shot for the elderly and immunocompromised. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both use mRNA technology, while a different vaccine from Novavax does not. Ladapo, a former professor at UCLA, is viewed favorably by some highly ranked Republicans, including Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor who appointed him. Just after the election, DeSantis urged Trump to appoint Ladapo as the next secretary of Health and Human Services. Read more: How a Kennedy built an anti-vaccine juggernaut amid COVID-19 The CDC and FDA have rebuked earlier claims by Ladapo, saying his suggestion that there was an increased risk of harmful, life-threatening side effects caused by the COVID-19 vaccines was incorrect, misleading and could be harmful to the American public." The letter said the FDA-approved COVID vaccines have met rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness. Jha said he thought some of Trump's other administration picks were reasonable, including the nomination of Dr. Marty Makary, a surgical oncologist at Johns Hopkins University, to run the FDA. Makary drew attention for a February 2021 op-ed in which he wrote he expected COVID-19 to be "mostly gone" by that April, a prediction that failed to materialize. Later that year, he criticized federal recommendations to have 16- and 17-year-olds receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster, citing a lack of supporting clinical data. In early 2022, he criticized experts who he said discounted infection-derived immunity to COVID. Jha said he disagrees with Makary on a number of topics such as, in his view, discounting the value of COVID vaccinations in kids. The difference between Kennedy and Makary, Jha said, is that Makary's views "are within the range of medical professionals who believe in modern medicine, who can disagree honestly." Read more: Trump picks Jay Bhattacharya, critic of COVID mandates, to lead National Institutes of Health Among Trump's other picks Jha said he considered reasonable was Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University health policy professor and economist who was critical of pandemic lockdowns, and offered pandemic policy advice to Florida. Nominated to run the National Institutes of Health, Bhattacharya supported a pandemic response called "focused protection" protecting those at highest risk of death while allowing others to "live their lives normally to build up immunity to the virus through natural infection." "I think some of his ideas and recommendations during the pandemic were really problematic and caused a lot of suffering," Jha said of Bhattacharya, adding that no state was able to implement "focused protection" and that "lots of Floridians died." But, Jha added, "If the question is is he qualified? This is a guy who has an MD, PhD at Stanford ... he's got a very broad body of work, mostly in health economics ... He's very smart, very experienced." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. For weeks, President-elect Donald Trump has faced a barrage of criticism over his nomination of Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary. Hegseth, an Army National Guard major and former co-host of "Fox & Friends Weekend," is a staunchly conservative combat veteran who has defended Trump's "America First" policies and called for an end to decades of progress in the U.S. military, including the deployment of women in fighting roles. He also has little leadership experience and a raft of personal baggage that has dripped out steadily since Trump selected him from sexual assault allegations in California, to accusations of financial mismanagement at two veterans groups, to widespread claims of severe alcohol abuse going back years, including in work settings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those issues have sparked concern among senators who would need to confirm Hegseth to the Pentagon post, and reports swirled Thursday that the nomination was doomed and Trump was considering withdrawing it. Trump, however, swung back sharply Friday, defending Hegseth as a "WINNER" who was still in the fight. "Pete Hegseth is doing very well," Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social. "His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe." The pitched battle over Hegseth is one piece of a broader fight among Trump, his critics on the left and a handful of Senate Republicans who have shown a willingness to block the president-elect's most unqualified nominees. It is also one of the clearest examples yet, experts said, of how Trump's own unorthodox rise to power and extreme need for loyalty will play a defining role in his second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That Trump would downplay traditional experience, dismiss alarming baggage and prioritize camera-ready adherence to his agenda as he seeks candidates for top positions in his new administration is not surprising, they said. Rather, it is in keeping with his own against-all-odds rise to power and his belief that the voters who reelected him despite his own baggage are largely unbothered by such issues, experts said. Time and again, they said, Trump has shown he is willing to overlook criminal charges and convictions, allegations of sexual misconduct and various other red flags that may have short-circuited nominations in the past, as long as the nominees in question have a clear track record of loyalty to him. And while not all of those picks have panned out, and more may still fall, it remains likely that Trump will assemble one of the most unorthodox and inexperienced leadership teams in American history, the experts said. In some ways, backers of the president-elect have championed that idea. In a statement to The Times, Karoline Leavitt, a Trump transition spokeswoman, said that Trump "was re-elected by a resounding mandate from the American people to change the status quo in Washington," and "has chosen brilliant and highly-respected outsiders" whom he will continue to "stand behind" despite efforts to "derail the MAGA Agenda." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of President Trumps cabinet nominees are receiving great feedback and support on Capitol Hill because they are qualified men and women who have the talent, experience, and necessary skill sets to help Make America Great Again," Leavitt said. Read more: As Trumps lead in popular vote shrinks, does he really have a 'mandate'? Other conservative backers of Trump have echoed that idea including in closing ranks around Hegseth while Trump has lashed out at any suggestion that he is not in complete control of the nominations process. After the Wall Street Journal reported on a second Trump nominee pulling out under pressure, Trump lambasted the newspaper, writing on Truth Social that Chad Chronister, his pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, "didn't pull out, I pulled him out." Democratic critics and some outside experts take a different view. They say loyalty to Trump appears to be the only metric being applied to his nominees, and that those picks are facing stiff headwinds because they are clearly unfit for the roles otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrea Katz, a legal historian who teaches constitutional law at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and writes often on presidential power, said all presidents make appointments based on a "mixture of who they like, who they can get, who will actually do the job well, and who needs to be rewarded for their loyalty." And, conservative presidents for years have held the added assumption that many mainstream candidates and agency experts are too liberal to be trusted, she said. "With the GOP generally, there's been since Nixon definitely accelerating under Reagan this idea that the bureaucracy is not a conservative president's friend, and you need to appoint people who are loyal to you and not to the agency you are appointing them to," Katz said. But Trump has taken that idea to a new level, she said, making the notion that career civil servants are "woke" and the "deep state" must be destroyed in favor of his own loyalists core to his approach to governance and to nominations. His picks, she said, "are historically aberrational outliers, beyond the pale normally, and therefore he is making a point by appointing them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Hegseth, Trump has put forward several Justice Department candidates who have raised eyebrows. His first pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, withdrew his name amid allegations that he paid for sex with a minor and used illicit drugs and the widespread concerns about his fitness for office among senators. Critics have noted that some of the allegations were already public and under investigation by a House ethics panel when Trump selected Gaetz for the nation's top law enforcement position. Trump's replacement pick for attorney general, former Florida Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, is viewed as more qualified, but has also been criticized for backing Trump's false claims about the 2020 election being stolen. His pick for FBI director, Kash Patel, has been widely panned given his thin credentials and his embrace of Trump's calls for retaliation against a "deep state" of government workers, members of the media and others who have challenged the once and future president. FBI directors are normally appointed and left in office for 10-year terms, and Trump's suggestion that he will replace current FBI Director Christopher A. Wray who Trump himself appointed has drawn derision in its own right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Biden pardon, Patel FBI nomination fuel debate over politics and justice Trump nominated Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. The elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in 2020 after pleading guilty in 2005 to 16 counts of tax evasion, one count of retaliating against a federal witness and one count of lying to the Federal Election Commission. Trump nominated Peter Navarro, a top trade aide in his first administration, to again serve as a trade advisor. Navarro got out of prison earlier this year after being convicted of two counts of contempt of Congress for defying a congressional subpoena from a House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump also has taken heat for his nominations of former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to serve as his director of national intelligence despite her having little relevant experience and a history of defending U.S. adversaries; of billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to serve in his newly invented "Department of Government Efficiency" despite having clear conflicts of interest through their business holdings; and of various others with ties to the conservative Project 2025 playbook despite his disavowing the blueprint during the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides Gaetz, the only Trump nominee to withdraw to date is Chronister, Trump's pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration. Chronister, the sheriff in Hillsborough County, Fla., had been criticized by conservatives over his record on immigration and his having arrested a mega-church pastor who defied a COVID-19 lockdown. The unorthodox nature and baggage of Trump's various picks have raised questions about his process for selecting leaders for his next administration, with some questioning whether his transition team is simply bad at vetting. Others see a purposeful disregard for past improprieties, with loyalty being the only true test. "Trump is assembling a palace of the most loyal guards," said Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the liberal Center for American Progress, who worked for years in the Senate including as chief of staff to former Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado and has written extensively about the checks and balances in American government. Trump's nominees, Sozan noted, include people who lent credence to wild conspiracy theories, who have promised to "weaponize government to assault Trump's political enemies," and who have been accused of sexual assault or served time in prison, as well as "billionaires with massive conflicts of interest." The only thing they all have in common is that they are "extremely loyal to Trump" which is by design, he said. "This is what we see from authoritarians, what we see in other backsliding democracies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sozan said every president "should get a lot of deference" in standing up their own administration, but Trump's nominees are "so far out of the mainstream" that they deserve special scrutiny. "We have never seen anything like this in modern times." Sozan said he doesn't think Trump cares whether people have been accused or convicted of crimes, and might even see nominating such people as "a way of minimizing" his own legal troubles, including allegations of sexual assault. "It's almost a way of inoculating himself when he is surrounding himself with loyalists who have gone through similar travails." Katz said Trump's revelry in shocking the mainstream leaders of his own party, angering his progressive opponents and delighting his anti-establishment MAGA base is clearly a factor in his nominations. But so is his deeply held belief, which he has "tested" repeatedly in the past, that "the public is going to perceive a legal liability the way he wants it to be perceived," she said. Trump tested that idea when he fired FBI Director James Comey during his first term amid an investigation into his campaign's ties with Russia, and when he derided as baseless that investigation, the separate investigations into his political strong-arming of Ukraine, his 2020 election denial and the Jan. 6 attack, and both of his resulting impeachments, Katz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each time, voters "didn't leave him," she said, "so I think he's pretty confident that he is able to mold people's perceptions of where an ethical red line is," including when it comes to his nominees. Robert C. Rowland, a professor of rhetoric at the University of Kansas and author of the book "The Rhetoric of Donald Trump: Nationalist Populism and American Democracy," said Trump's picks a dozen now from Fox alone have been characteristic of his approach to governing. "Image and loyalty are always the first two things that influence Trump's view of those with whom he works. He has picked any number of people who excel in praising him and who also have experience on television," Rowland said. Trump has "total faith in his own gut instincts" over and above formal vetting and "relishes playing the role of provocateur, with a special focus on 'owning the libs,'" Rowland said. Rowland said the result may well be a "crazy" mix of loyalists running the country which he said was scary, as "they are not the adults in the room." Updates: 9:17 a.m. Dec. 9, 2024: This article was updated to clarify that Pete Hegseth is a former co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Shortly after Donald Trumps win in last months U.S. election, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rushed to congratulate the president-elect: Historys greatest comeback! he gushed. If Trumps staunchly pro-Israel first term and his nominations for top administration positions are any indication, Netanyahus glee is justified. But much has transpired since Trump left office in early 2021. The wars in the Middle East, the lofty ambitions of Netanyahus far-right governing coalition and Netanyahus personal relationship with him could dampen that enthusiasm and complicate what on the surface looks like a seamless alliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Bibi, this is his dream. He wanted this, said Mazal Mualem, an Israeli journalist and Netanyahu biographer, referring to the Israeli leader by his nickname. For Bibi, its too good to be true. With Netanyahu set to testify in his corruption trial and facing an international arrest warrant over the war in Gaza, Trump's backing will be all the more significant. During Trumps first term, he adopted policies largely favorable to Netanyahu. Trump broke with longstanding U.S. policy to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital, moving the U.S. Embassy to the contested city over Palestinian objections. He recognized Israels claim to the Golan Heights, which the international community considers occupied Syrian territory. He also turned a blind eye to Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank and presented a peace plan that would leave dozens of settlements intact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinians seek all of the West Bank, captured in 1967, as the heartland of a future state, with east Jerusalem as its capital. The international community considers settlements in both areas illegal. At Netanyahus urging, Trump withdrew the U.S. from an Obama-era deal between world powers and Iran over its nuclear program and ramped up sanctions against Iran, while also killing a top Iranian general. And in the final days of his presidency, Trump brokered a series of diplomatic deals between Israel and Arab countries, shattering a longstanding assumption that Arab countries would not normalize ties without progress on Palestinian statehood. The accords marked a major foreign policy achievement for Netanyahu. Likely to top Netanyahus wish list this time around is for Trump to be tough against Iran or perhaps even provide Israel with the weaponry it needs for an effective strike against Iran's nuclear program. Netanyahu will also want to see progress on normalization with Saudi Arabia, but he will seek to minimize Israeli concessions to the Palestinians in return. And he will likely expect Trump to give Israel a free hand in Gaza and not pressure it to withdraw troops, even under a ceasefire deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the weeks since Trumps reelection, Netanyahu and his allies have expressed hope that the good times will return after strained relations with the Biden administration. The belief for now is that Trump will deliver, said Aviv Bushinsky, a former adviser to Netanyahu. He said Netanyahus appointment of a hard-line settlement advocate as ambassador to Washington was a sign of the Israeli leaders confidence in the future under Trump. Netanyahu could certainly use the boost, especially after seeing his popularity drop after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Despite important battlefield gains against Hamas, including the death of its leader in October, and the recent ceasefire that ended nearly 14 months of fighting with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, opinion polls have repeatedly predicted that Netanyahus governing coalition would fall far short of a required majority to stay in power if new elections were held now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu is also scheduled to testify in his long-running corruption trial this month, setting the stage for a spectacle that could draw unwelcome attention. And the International Criminal Court warrant, which could complicate his travel to dozens of countries worldwide, is a new blow to the Israeli leader. Some of Netanyahu's aides are also embroiled in a series of scandals over leaked or doctored sensitive wartime documents. But there are no guarantees that Netanyahu will get what he wants from Trump. For starters, its not clear whether their relationship is as strong as it once was. Netanyahu upset Trump when he congratulated President Joe Biden for his win in 2020, despite Trumps claims that the election was stolen from him. Although Netanyahu visited Trump in Florida earlier this year, its not clear if Trump will hold a grudge once back in office. Trump also returns to the White House with a Middle East roiled by conflict, potentially scrambling their alignment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the ceasefire with Hezbollah appears to be holding, Israel is still fighting in Gaza 14 months after the Hamas attack that triggered the war. Trump has indicated he wants Israel to wrap things up in the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave, but he hasn't said what that might entail. He has demanded that Israeli hostages held in Gaza be freed before he is sworn in in January, warning that if they are not released, there will be HELL TO PAY, without elaborating. It is far from clear whether Netanyahus postwar vision of Gaza which includes an open-ended military presence in the territory is acceptable to Trump. Trump also may have bigger plans for the region. He has talked in the past of normalizing ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, the wealthiest and most influential Arab country. His first-term peace plan, while heavily favoring Israel, nonetheless called for the establishment of a Palestinian state, albeit far smaller than what the Palestinians seek. Progress on either of these tracks would require Israel to make concessions to the Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saudi Arabia has repeatedly said there will be no normalization with Israel without a clear path to Palestinian independence an idea that Netanyahu and his hard-line governing partners reject. Even if Netanyahu comes around, his government would almost certainly collapse. Netanyahu is convinced that he will be able to recruit Trump to his goals, as happened in the past. However, the American president-elect has been sending, as usual, difficult-to-decipher messages since the victory on Nov. 5, wrote Amos Harel, a commentator with the liberal Haaretz daily. Trumps strategy on Iran is also murky. Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israel relations at Israels Bar-Ilan University, said Netanyahu expects Trump to resume exerting maximum pressure on Tehran to rein in its nuclear program, but he might give negotiations a chance in a second term bid to secure a legacy as a peacemaker. Trumps possible positions on any of these issues could force Netanyahu to choose sides, setting him up for a clash with the parties that hold the key to his political survival. Netanyahu has described Trump as Israels greatest friend in the White House. And if Trump asks something of him, he wont be able to say no, Gilboa said. All sorts of problems can arise here. DOHA (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday that Syria's new administration must be inclusive because Syrian people would determine their own future after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by rebels. Syrian rebels declared Assad's ouster after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, ending his family's iron-fisted rule after more than 13 years of civil war. In a press conference in Doha, Fidan said the Syrian people were not in a position to rebuild on their own and international actors and regional powers had to act with prudence and preserve the country's territorial integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terrorist organisations must not be allowed to take advantage of the situation, he added. "As of this morning, Syria has reached a stage where Syrian people will shape the future of their own country. Today there is hope," Fidan said. "The new (Syrian) administration must be established in an orderly manner, the principle of inclusiveness must never be compromised, there must never be a desire for revenge... It is time to unite and reconstruct the country," he added. Asked about the whereabouts of Assad, Fidan said he believed he was out of the country. He said Turkey had no contact with Assad despite a call from President Tayyip Erdogan to hold normalisation talks, after years of animosity. Fidan added Ankara had reached out to Assad but all efforts had failed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey has said it did not support the rebel operation in northern Syria, and that Assad's refusal to engage in a serious political solution had triggered his downfall. Fidan also said that chemical weapons and related materials should be secured, and that Turkey - host to some 3 million migrants from Syria - had started work on their return. (Reporting by Andrew Mills and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Christina Fincher) NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The FEMA Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office Advocate Team is holding mobile events. Theyre hoping to assist people with claims before a deadline. The Mobile Connects events are scheduled to take place in Las Vegas and Truchas, and it gives those impacted by the HPCC Fire a chance to begin their claim before the December 20 deadline. Current claimants can get an update on their claim status as well. Anyone impacted by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding is encouraged to start a claim with the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office if they havent already. The deadline to start a NOL is Dec. 20, 2024, per the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Act, reads a press release from FEMA. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Truchas event is happening at the post office on Tuesday, December 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To attend the Las Vegas Mobile Connects, youll need to visit Room 322 at the Highlands University Student Union Building from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 12. Click here to learn more about the Claims Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Two people had to be extricated from a vehicle after a rollover crash in Brockton. According to Brockton Fire, crews responded to the area of Belmont St and Minot Ave for a motor vehicle rollover on Sunday morning. According to Brockton Fire, two parties were trapped and had to be extricated, their injuries are unknown. Boston 25 has reached out to Brockon police for more information. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Today, Brockton Fire and EMS responded to the area of Belmont St and Minot Ave for a motor vehicle rollover with entrapment where two parties were extricated from the vehicle. pic.twitter.com/rZ7U9eDuwb Brockton Fire (@Brockton_Fire) December 8, 2024 This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Bar Council of India on Sunday directed the immediate removal of Advocate Sanjeev Nasiar from his position as Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi. Additionally, the Secretary of the Bar Council has been instructed to request an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the authenticity of Nasiar's LL.B. (Hons.) degree and possible fabrication of related records. Nasiar, who also heads the legal cell of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), faces scrutiny over these allegations. The Bar Council of India, in its meeting held on December 7, 2024, has resolved to take immediate and decisive action in the matter concerning allegations of irregularities in the LL.B. (Hons.) Degree issued to Sanjeev Nasiar, Vice-Chairman, Bar Council of Delhi by Devi Ahilyabai Vishvavidyalaya, Indore. This decision follows an inquiry conducted by a sub-committee constituted as per the resolution dated September 3, 2024, and in response to directions of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi. BCI issued a press statement stating that the inquiry has revealed significant and glaring discrepancies in the records relating to Sanjeev Nasiar's degree. The inspection of P.M.B. Gujarati Arts and Law College, Indore, disclosed that the college was not authorized to conduct an LL.B. (Hons.) Course during the relevant period. The academic records provided to the Sub-committee appeared tampered with or fabricated with uniform handwriting and ink consistency spanning an extended period. Additionally, it was established that the LL.B. (Hons) program was introduced under The Bar Council of India regulations only in 2008, rendering the degree in question, purportedly issued in 1988, inconsistent with regulatory requirements. The non-cooperation and obstructive behaviour of university officials during the inquiry further cast serious doubts on the authenticity of the degree. The Sub-Committee constituted by The Bar Council of India, has after a thorough enquiry, concluded that the authenticity of the LL.B (Hons.) Degree of Sanjeev Nasiar is highly questionable. In accordance with its statutory authority under the Advocates Act, 1961, and the Bar Council of India Rules, the General Council of the Bar Council of India has resolved as follows. "The report dated 25.10.2024 of the Sub-Committee regarding enquiry of the LL.B (Hons.) Degree of Mr. Sanjeev Nasiar is hereby adopted. The Secretary, Bar Council of India is directed to approach the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the request to hold an immediate investigation into the authenticity of the LL.B. (Hons.) Degree of Mr. Sanjeev Nasiar and potential fabrication of related records and take appropriate action. Pending the outcome of the investigation, Sanjeev Nasiar is removed from the position of Vice Chairman, Bar Council of Delhi, said BCI statement. (ANI) Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Media mogul Tyler Perry has paid tribute to Steve Mensch, president and general manager of operations at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, after Mensch died this weekend in a small plane crash in Florida. He was 62. "This time of year, grief meets me like an unwanted visitor, as tomorrow marks 15 years since the loss of my mother. It feels especially harder because I have lost so many friends and mentors this year, ranging in age from as young as 40 to 92," Perry wrote on Instagram Saturday. "And today, yet another loss. I've been trying to understand this tragedy all day -- what went wrong with that plane. Steve loved flying, and he loved that plane; he took so much pride in it," Perry added. "Steve Mensch was truly a kind soul and a great leader at the studio. We all adored him and are devastated that he's gone. I'm praying for his family as we all try to make sense of this heartbreak. Life is but a moment; we are like vapors. Hold strong to the people you love AND TELL THEM!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN reported that Mensch was found dead at the scene of the crash Friday night in Citrus County, Fla. Mensch was the pilot of the single-engine Vans RV12 and the only person onboard at the time of the incident. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Mensch joined Tyler Perry Studios in 2016 after the company had bought the former Fort McPherson Army Base in Atlanta. Mensch held leadership positions at Third Rail Studios, Qingdao Oriental Movie Industrial Park and Turner Broadcasting and also worked at Feature Systems Inc, AT&T and Embassy Suites. He is survived by his wife and three children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Marty, the girls, and I were saddened to learn of Steve Mensch's passing," Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrote on X. "A good man and an instrumental part of a studio Georgia is proud to call its own, his achievements made our state better and brought more opportunities to its people. His loved ones and the entire Tyler Perry Studios team will be in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn this loss." Steve Mensch, the president and manager of general operations at Tyler Perry Studios, died in a single-seater plane crash in Florida on Friday, according to a source close to the studios, per TMZ. He was 62. Highway Patrol Troopers told local media that they responded to the fatal crash, which occurred in Homosassa, a short distance from the Gulf Coast. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Steve Mensch speaks onstage during the Atlanta Film Festivalas 2019 IMAGE Film Awards Gala at Fox Theater on April 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images Mensch served as president of Tyler Perry Studios since 2016, with his LinkedIn profile detailing that he oversaw operations at Perrys 300-acre studio in Atlanta. Mensch noted that he became a significant figure in the Georgia business community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tyler Perry Studios released a statement, sharing their sadness over the news. We are incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Steve Mensch, a rep for Tyler Perry Studios said in a statement, per Deadline. Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than 8 years, and well-beloved in the community of Atlanta. It is hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers. Mensch is survived by his wife and three children. Menschs death comes on the heels of Perry being honored at the Paley Center for Medias annual fall gala. The Madea star, 55, was recognized for his achievements as an actor, writer, director, producer, philanthropist and the founder of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Tyler Perry attends the Paley Honors Gala in Beverly Hills, California, U.S. December 4, 2024. REUTERS A small-engine plane crash has closed the intersection of Highway 19 and Longfellow St. in Homosass. WFLA Oprah Winfrey, 70, took the stage to honor her longtime friend during the event. I am just delighted to be here tonight and I really do mean that, because I dont like to go out much but Im out tonight because I get to talk about my big little brother, the talk show host declared. He is a giant among men. Not only in what you see in his 66 physical stature, but he is a giant soul. He has a ginormous spirit that is guided by a divine hand. The president of Tyler Perry Studios was killed in Florida on Friday when the small plane he was flying crashed north of Tampa. The studio announced the death of Steve Mensch at the age of 62, saying its staff is incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend. Ive been trying to understand this tragedy all daywhat went wrong with that plane, wrote Tyler Perry, the studios founder and CEO, in an Instagram post. Steve loved flying, and he loved that plane; he took so much pride in it. Steve Mensch was truly a kind soul and a great leader at the studio, he added. We all adored him and are devastated that hes gone. Im praying for his family as we all try to make sense of this heartbreak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Menschs plane crashed in Homosassa, roughly 60 miles north of Tampa, and a photo taken at the scene shows the single-engine Vans RV-12IS upturned on a hard, possibly concrete, surface. An image released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shows a small plane upturned after it crashed about 60 miles north of Tampa, Florida. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are both investigating the incident. Menschs plane was registered to his home address in the Atlanta area, FAA records show. Mensch was a key advocate for keeping Georgias $1 billion annual film tax credit, which has drawn in a dozens of film and television productions and made the Atlanta area an emerging rival to established North American production hubs like Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York and Toronto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that he began lobbying for state subsidies for film and television when he ran the studio operations of Atlanta-based Turne Broadcasting. He also helped market Georgia in advance of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was trying to formulate the vision for the marketplace before the Olympics and wanted a think tank of people in the community to make Georgia competitive, actor Ric Reitz told the newspaper. He was an important figure in the our growth to become a strong film and TV market. Perry hired Mensch to help found and run his Atlanta-based studio, which now covers a sprawling 330 acres, in 2016. He died the same day that the studios latest, the World War II drama The Six Triple Eight, debuted in select theaters. He is survived by his wife and three children. This article was originally published in News from the States. WASHINGTON The U.S. Education Department called on every state, school and district on Tuesday to adopt policies on cellphone use in schools. The department asks schools to have well-thought-out policies on the matter, but does not dictate exactly what those policies should be. An accompanying resource for schools notes the risk social media can pose to students mental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this digital age, every elementary, middle, and high school should have a clear, consistent, and research-informed policy to guide the use of phones and personal devices in school, U.S Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a written statement. Education is at a Crossroads: Help Us Illuminate the Path Forward. Donate to The 74 The evidence makes clear: there is no one-size-fits-all policy, Cardona added, noting that different school communities have different needs, and the nuances of this issue demand that local voices parents, educators, and students inform local decisions around the use of personal devices in school. The department acknowledged the role cellphones can play in keeping parents connected to their kids, especially in emergency situations, while also highlighting the increasing evidence on the harms social media can have on youth mental health, such as sleep deprivation and depression. Increasing state policies An increasing number of states and school districts have enacted policies either prohibiting or restricting students from using their cellphones in the classrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the country, schools and districts continue to grapple with how to deal with kids cellphone use, and more than half of all states have sought to ban or restrict cellphone use in classrooms. Related So Your School Wants to Ban Cellphones. Now What? As of early November, at least eight states have passed statewide policies that either limit or prohibit cellphone use in the classrooms, according to KFF. That includes California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia. A Minnesota law forces schools to adopt a policy on cellphone use by March 2025. A handful of other states education departments have issued policy recommendations or pilot programs, while lawmakers in several more have introduced statewide legislation regarding cellphone use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guidance from the U.S. Education Department coincides with the release of a resource for education officials and local communities on adopting cellphone use policies. In the playbook, Cardona points to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthys public warning in 2023 on social medias effects on youth mental health. Murthy warns: More research is needed to fully understand the impact of social media; however, the current body of evidence indicates that while social media may have benefits for some children and adolescents, there are ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. MARSHALL, Texas (KETK) United States Senator for West Virginia, Joe Manchin, delivered a commencement address for East Texas Baptist Universitys largest ever fall class of graduates on Saturday. ETBU gets $475,000 for Marshall economic revitalization 202 graduates walked across the stage throughout the days ceremonies, including 140 undergraduate and 62 graduate students. It was ETBUs largest fall class in university history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This milestone commencement is a result of the combined efforts of faculty and staff focusing on ETBUs mission of graduating Christian servant leaders so they can follow their calling to God and humanity, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Thomas Sanders said. Hannah Hobson, a Bachelor of Arts graduate in Worship Studies at ETBU, was awarded ETBUs Presidents Award for the Fall of 2024. Hobson, whos from Shreveport, maintained a perfect 4.0 throughout her time at ETBU and shes also done practicum hours at the First Methodist Church in Marshall. The quality of Hannahs academic work is superior, said Dr. Nathan Phillips, director of bands and chair of the ETBU Department of Music and Theatre Arts. She completes assignments thoroughly and often goes beyond the requirements in order to do her best work. As a musician, Hannah is one of the finest instrumentalists Ive ever taught. She has superior technique and musicianship and elected to give two recitals that were not required for her degree. She treats everyone she meets with compassion and fairness. She goes out of her way to serve and encourage and gives of her time and energy. Dr. J. Blair Blackburn, president of ETBU, lead the ceremonies on Saturday and introduced one of only four current independent members of the United States Senate, Joe Manchin, who gave the morning commencement address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ETBU softball wins 2024 Division Three National Title It is an honor to have Joe Manchin, United States Senator for West Virginia, here with us today, president Blackburn said. Thank you for serving your home state of West Virginia and our nation. Senator Manchin is respectfully regarded as an esteemed statesman among both political parties. Americans across our country and those of us in Texas, are grateful for Senator Manchin and his leadership. At each commencement, the Presidents Award is given to the graduating ETBU student who is the best representation of a Christian leader, scholar, and servant. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Worship Studies, Hannah Hobson is the recipient of the Fall 2024 Presidents Award. Photo courtesy of ETBU. Scholar and educator Dr. Karen ODell Bullock was awarded an honorary doctorate during the second commencement ceremony where she also delivered the keynote address. Photo courtesy of ETBU. Scholar and educator Dr. Karen ODell Bullock was awarded an honorary doctorate during the second commencement ceremony where she also delivered the keynote address. Photo courtesy of ETBU. The Honorable Joe Manchin, Senator from West Virginia, charged the graduating class with a keynote address during the first commencement ceremony. Photo courtesy of ETBU. East Texas Baptist University presented 202 graduates with degrees during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 7, in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presided over the ceremony as 140 students received undergraduate degrees and 62 received graduate degrees. Photo courtesy of ETBU. East Texas Baptist University presented 202 graduates with degrees during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 7, in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presided over the ceremony as 140 students received undergraduate degrees and 62 received graduate degrees. Photo courtesy of ETBU. East Texas Baptist University presented 202 graduates with degrees during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 7, in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presided over the ceremony as 140 students received undergraduate degrees and 62 received graduate degrees. Photo courtesy of ETBU. East Texas Baptist University presented 202 graduates with degrees during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 7, in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presided over the ceremony as 140 students received undergraduate degrees and 62 received graduate degrees. Photo courtesy of ETBU. East Texas Baptist University presented 202 graduates with degrees during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 7, in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presided over the ceremony as 140 students received undergraduate degrees and 62 received graduate degrees. Photo courtesy of ETBU. East Texas Baptist University presented 202 graduates with degrees during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 7, in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presided over the ceremony as 140 students received undergraduate degrees and 62 received graduate degrees. Photo courtesy of ETBU. East Texas Baptist University presented 202 graduates with degrees during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 7, in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presided over the ceremony as 140 students received undergraduate degrees and 62 received graduate degrees. Photo courtesy of ETBU. East Texas Baptist University presented 202 graduates with degrees during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 7, in Baker Chapel of the Rogers Spiritual Life Center. ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn presided over the ceremony as 140 students received undergraduate degrees and 62 received graduate degrees. Photo courtesy of ETBU. Theres no way in the world you can make it by yourself, Senator Manchin said. Ive never had anybody who worked for me; they worked with me. We all have to work together to make something happen. Success depends on the team moving in the same direction. Whether youre leading a team or contributing to one, always remember that its not about tearing people down but building them up so they can rise and grow. Thats how we create lasting impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, for the afternoon ceremony, Dr. Karen ODell Bullock gave the keynote address after being awarded an honorary doctorate. Bullock taught for over 30 years at Southwestern University, Dallas Baptist University and B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary, where she retired at recently. Bullock continues to advise doctoral students and serves as an executive vice president of the Baptist Center for Global Concerns. We are what we read, Bullock said. We are shaped and influenced by the books we read. They prepare us not only for interesting conversations but also for facing the real challenges of life. As graduates of East Texas Baptist University, an institution grounded in Christian values, youve been immersed in Gods Word. Its teachings are woven into the fabric of this campus, from the halls to the classrooms. These divine messages inspire us to grow in character, to deepen our faith, and to prioritize being over mere knowing or doing. Youve been challenged to follow Christ while pursuing your academic goals. As you step into the world, remember that life wont always be easy. You may face hardships, trials, and setbacks. But God promises to strengthen you and sustain you. ETBU renames largest student residence hall on campus Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blackburn addressed all of Saturdays attendees to remind them of ETBUs mission. Today, we celebrate your academic achievements, spiritual growth, and answered callings to serve, Blackburn said. As a Christ-centered university, ETBU has equipped you to become Christian servant leaders, ready to impact the world with the hope, love, and light of Jesus Christ. From this Hill and ETBU, we are sending you out as Kingdom leaderseducated, empowered, and emboldened to influence and impact people. May you carry the torch of faith and transform lives, for the glory of God. To learn more, visit East Texas Baptist University online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. By Alexander Cornwell MANAMA (Reuters) - Syria is not out of the woods yet and extremism and terrorism remain a main concern, the United Arab Emirates diplomatic advisor to the president said on Sunday, adding that he did not know whether or not Bashar al-Assad was in the UAE. "I don't know," Anwar Gargash told reporters on the sidelines of the Manama Security dialogue in Bahrain when asked if Assad was in the UAE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian rebels said on Sunday they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad, eliminating a 50-year family dynasty in a lightning offensive that raised fears of a new wave of instability in a Middle East gripped by war. Gargash blamed Assad's downfall on a failure of politics and said he had not used the 'lifeline' offered to him by various Arab countries before, including the UAE. "Now there was a major failure, basically, in part in politics and policy, because Assad did not really use the sort of, you know, lifeline, that was thrown to him by various Arab countries, including the UAE, and did not really use that to open up, to move on to constitutional discussions that were taking place." The UAE had hoped to distance Assad from Iran and had taken up a leading role in rehabilitating him among the mainly Sunni Muslim Arab states that shunned him after he accepted help from Shi'ite, non-Arab Iran and Russia to put down the Sunni-led rebellion against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources had told Reuters earlier this month that the U.S. and the UAE had discussed with each other the possibility of lifting sanctions on Assad if he peels himself away from Iran and cuts off weapons routes to Lebanon's Hezbollah. "We're very worried about chaos. We're very worried about extremism. We remain worried about the territorial integrity of Syria," Gargash said, adding that recent events created a moment to connect and speak with Iran about what comes next. "We don't know about the shape of developments in Syria. Is this going to be a sort of wiser group that will be able to actually transcend, as I mentioned, Syria's tortured history, or are we going to go back into a reincarnation of radical and terrorist organisations playing a major role?" (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell, writing by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Elaine Hardcastle) EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) The University of Evansville Aces gave up 47 points in the second half in their 79-65 loss to Western Kentucky. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers on the battlefield since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in Feb. 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed in a rare statement on Ukrainian losses posted on X. This figure contrasts a claim made earlier the same day on Dec. 8 by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who wrote on his Truth Social platform that Ukrainian military losses had reached "400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians." In his post, Zelensky wrote that "Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers killed in action on the battlefield," adding that there have been "370,000 cases of medical assistance for the wounded," which includes light or repeat injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear if Trump was referring to total casualties soldiers killed and injured in his Truth Social post. Zelensky also noted that approximately half of the soldiers wounded in action later return to the battlefield. "This is a testament to the resilience of our Armed Forces and the effectiveness of our medical teams," Zelensky said. "Since September this year, Russia has been losing troops on the battlefield at a ratio of 5-to-1, or even 6-to-1, compared to us," he added. As of August, Russia's war has killed 11,743 civilians and injured 24,614, according to the UN, but the actual figures are likely much higher. A lack of access to Russian-occupied and front-line areas makes it nearly impossible to gather accurate casualty numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The updated battlefield casualty figure provided by Zelensky reflects a rise from his February estimate of 31,000 total deaths. Up until that moment, Ukraine had kept the number of troops killed a secret. Zelensky did not clarify at that time what the government's definition of a troop casualty was. In recent months, Zelensky and other officials have actively addressed and refuted various claims regarding Ukrainian military losses. In a Dec. 1 interview with Kyodo News, Zelensky rejected Western media reports suggesting that as many as 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the ongoing war with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, Roman Kostenko, secretary of the parliamentary defense committee, dismissed the figure as "exaggerated" during an interview on Sept. 18, in response to a Wall Street Journal report citing the same number. Read also: Destroying us little by little: Ukrainian troops worried about fate of Kursk operation Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Following Samajwadi Party's pull out from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, citing several concerns, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray saying that the Samajwadi Party unit of Maharashtra behaves sometimes like the "B team of BJP." "I would not like to comment much on them. Akhilesh Yadav is fighting his fight but the SP here (Maharashtra unit of SP) sometimes behaves like the B team of BJP...Our Hindutva is clear...Our Hindutva is about 'hriday mein Ram aur haath ko kaam'...Our Hindutva is about taking everyone together..." Thackeray said while addressing reporters. Yesterday, the SP's Maharashtra President Abu Azmi expressed dissatisfaction over the "communal remarks" made by Shiv Sena (UBT) and pulled out of the Agadhi alliance. He also criticised the alliance partners for a lack of coordination with other parties during the assembly elections. In a post on X, Azmi said that the party had quit the alliance in the state due to the remarks made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader. "Samajwadi Party was, is and will always be against communalism. SP leaves Maha Vikas Aghadi because of Shiv Sena (UBT)." Azmi was referencing the remarks made by the Shiv Sena (UBT) that had posted a picture of the Babri Masjid and Balasaheb Thackeray, expressing solidarity with the Babri masjid demolition. Meanwhile, reacting to NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar's 'anti-EVM' event at Markadwadi village in Solapur district, Aditya Thackeray said that conducting a mock poll there won't change the mandate or government in the State. In a scathing attack on the Chief Election Commissioner, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said that although this country runs on the principle of 'Satyameva Jayate', it is the Chief Election Commissioner who is working on the principles of 'Sattameva Jayate'. He said, "...Public's only demand is to have a mock poll there on ballot paper. Mock polls won't change anything, neither the government nor the EVM mandate...But we would know the truth. This country runs on 'Satyameva Jayate', not 'Sattameva Jayate'. It is the Chief Election Commissioner who is working on 'Sattameva Jayate'." Amid West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's reported statement on "willing to lead INDIA alliance," the Shiv Sena UBT leader said that the INDIA alliance is fighting for the Constitution and the voices of the people and she is a good leader. Thackeray said, "INDIA Alliance is fighting for the Constitution of our country, for our democracy. Be it in Lok Sabha or different states, our alliance is fighting for our Constitution and the voices of the people. Mamata Didi is very close to us, she is a good leader. Kejriwal Sahab will enter into election field in Delhi now. So, all these leaders should speak with each other." The Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 witnessed a decisive victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance, securing a landslide win with 235 seats. The results marked a significant milestone for the BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats. The Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party also made notable gains, with 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback with Congress winning just 16 seats. Its alliance partner, Shiv Sena (UBT), won 20 seats, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) secured only 10 seats. (ANI) The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has expressed its readiness to pave the way for the resumption of relations with Syria in the future. Source: Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha Quote from Sybiha: "Assad has fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. The main goal now is to restore security in Syria and effectively protect its people from violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All efforts must be made to stabilize the region and ensure inclusive political dialogue in Syria for the sake of effectively functioning state institutions. We express our readiness to pave the way to restoring relations in the future and reaffirm support for the Syrian people." Update: The Foreign Ministry later published a remark on the fall of Assad's rule, stating that "the events in Syria demonstrate the weakness of the Putin regime, which is unable to fight on two fronts and abandons its closest allies in order to continue the aggression against Ukraine." "We urge the next Syrian authorities to reconsider relations with the Putin dictatorship, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Syrian citizens, particularly innocent women and children. We are confident that the completion of Russia's presence in Syria is critical to the country's long-term security." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: According to the Foreign Ministry, Moscow prompted the Assad regime to illegally recognise Russia's attempt to annex Crimea, as well as the temporary occupation of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, forcing Ukraine to break diplomatic relations with Assads criminal regime in 2022. "We hope that in the future Syria will become a state that respects international law, in particular the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, which will pave the way for the restoration of bilateral relations and a full-fledged political dialogue between Kyiv and Damascus," the statement said. Background: On the morning of 8 December, the Syrian rebels announced that they had captured the Syrian capital, Damascus. The country's President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have fled. There is a "very high probability" that Assad could have been killed in a plane crash on the same day, the media reported. Russia claims that, supposedly as a result of conversations with the rebels, Bashar al-Assad chose to step down as president and leave the country, issuing instructions to transfer authority peacefully. Support UP or become our patron! Key developments on Dec. 7-8: Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers in action since start of invasion, Zelensky says Russia claims control of village in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine has not confirmed capture Situation in Zaporizhzhia Oblast 'difficult,' but 'predicted,' Freedom of Russia Legion spokesperson says Ukrainian sea drones target Russian-occupied gas platforms in Crimea, Navy says Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers on the battlefield since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in Feb. 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed in a rare statement on Ukrainian losses posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This figure contrasts a claim made earlier the same day on Dec. 8 by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who wrote on his Truth Social platform that Ukrainian military losses had reached "400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians." In his post, Zelensky wrote that "Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers killed in action on the battlefield," adding that there have been "370,000 cases of medical assistance for the wounded," which includes light or repeat injuries. It is unclear if Trump was referring to total casualties soldiers killed and injured in his Truth Social post. Zelensky also noted that approximately half of the soldiers wounded in action later return to the battlefield. "This is a testament to the resilience of our Armed Forces and the effectiveness of our medical teams," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since September this year, Russia has been losing troops on the battlefield at a ratio of 5-to-1, or even 6-to-1, compared to us," he added. As of August, Russia's war has killed 11,743 civilians and injured 24,614, according to the UN, but the actual figures are likely much higher. A lack of access to Russian-occupied and front-line areas makes it nearly impossible to gather accurate casualty numbers. The updated battlefield casualty figure provided by Zelensky reflects a rise from his February estimate of 31,000 total deaths. Up until that moment, Ukraine had kept the number of troops killed a secret. Zelensky did not clarify at that time what the government's definition of a troop casualty was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, Zelensky and other officials have actively addressed and refuted various claims regarding Ukrainian military losses. In a Dec. 1 interview with Kyodo News, Zelensky rejected Western media reports suggesting that as many as 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the ongoing war with Russia. Similarly, Roman Kostenko, secretary of the parliamentary defense committee, dismissed the figure as "exaggerated" during an interview on Sept. 18, in response to a Wall Street Journal report citing the same number. Read also: Destroying us little by little: Ukrainian troops worried about fate of Kursk operation Russia claims control of village in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine has not confirmed capture Russia claimed control over the village of Beretsky in Donetsk Oblast, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Dec. 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian officials have not commented on Russia's claims, which could not be independently verified. Berestky is located near Kurakhove, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Donetsk. Kurakhove has seen increasingly heavy assaults in the past months as Russia attempts to encircle the town amid its ongoing push in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry alleged on Dec. 7 that its forces continued their advance in the region and captured Beretsky. The claim comes two days after Ukraine regained control of Novyi Komar, another village in Donetsk Oblast. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced on Nov. 29 that Ukrainian forces stationed near the embattled towns of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove would be supplied with additional reserves, ammunition, weapons, and military equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian advance continues to gain momentum, despite heavy personnel losses, as Ukraine's military struggles to replenish its ranks. Read also: Once liberated Kupiansk braces for worst as Russian troops approach, and future Western support looks uncertain Situation in Zaporizhzhia Oblast 'difficult,' but 'predicted,' Freedom of Russia Legion spokesperson says The situation on the Zaporizhzhia front is becoming "very difficult and tense," but the development was "predicted," Freedom of Russia Legion spokesperson Kostiantyn Denysov said on Dec. 7. "Their infantry assault groups are trying to find weaknesses in our defenses," he said in an interview with KYIV24. "Under the cover of armored vehicles, they are trying to figure out how to confront tanks and armored personnel carriers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comment comes after a series of warnings about, and attacks on Zaporizhzhia Oblast, which is becoming an increasingly active part of the front line. Denysov said the Russian attacks were still causing difficulties, but added "all this was predicted" as it is a repeat of a pattern observed previously. "They trained their infantry and practiced with armored vehicles," he said. "We all understood very well why they were doing all this, and we can already see that they are gradually starting to send bigger groups to attack." The Freedom of Russia Legion, made up of Russian nationals opposed to the Kremlin, has been actively involved in operations on several fronts, including Zaporizhzhia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Zelensky said on Nov. 25 that Ukraine was "aware of the existence of threats" in the Zaporizhzhia sector. Assault groups arrived in November, and Ukrainian soldiers repelled an attempted offensive in the oblast.Ukraine has been building heavy fortifications just in preparations for a potential Russian offensive in the region. Read also: Abducted mayor tortured to death in Russian captivity, governor says Ukrainian sea drones target Russian-occupied gas platforms in Crimea, Navy says Ukrainian naval drones have destroyed surveillance systems on Russian-held gas platforms in occupied Crimea, the Commander of the Naval Forces Vice-Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa, announced on Nov. 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The hunt for the enemy in the Black Sea continues. The occupiers will not stay on our territory we will get them everywhere," he said in a post on Facebook. "Naval (drones) delivered precise strikes on Russian targets," he said. Several successful Ukrainian strikes on occupied Crimea have been conducted in recent weeks. On Nov. 27, Russia claimed that Ukrainian naval drones had hit the seaside city of Sevastopol in occupied Crimea. A powerful explosion was reported in Sevastopol, as well as near the Belbek military airbase. On Nov. 28, Ukraine destroyed a Russian radar station near the village of Kotovske in occupied Crimea and just one day later Ukrainian forces destroyed three more Russian radar stations in occupied Crimea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The destroyed systems included Podlet, an advanced mobile radar system which is estimated to have cost around $5 million, and a Kasta radar, which is estimated to have cost around $30 million. Ukraine repeatedly attacked Russian military and industrial targets in Sevastopol and elsewhere in the occupied peninsula during the full-scale war. After repeated attacks, Russia withdrew its last patrol ship of the Black Sea Fleet from Crimea on July 15. Read also: Crimean bridge defenses being bolstered by underwater drone traps, according to reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has described reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been killed in a plane crash as disinformation. Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) on Telegram Quote: "Bashar al-Assads escape from Damascus was accompanied by reports that the Syrian dictators Il-76T aircraft had disappeared from monitoring radars, allegedly due to a shootdown or a crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The information available indicates that this disinformation was used by the aggressor state, Russia, as cover for its operation to rescue the Syrian leader and a limited circle of his close associates. The loss of the planes radar signal was likely linked to the actions of the crew, who were following instructions from the Russians and conducted the flight under their guidance." Details: DIU noted that the remnants of Russias contingent in Syria are "hurriedly packing up and departing by sea and air". It was also reported that, following General Sergei Kisels exit, the newly appointed Russian military group commander in Syria, General Alexander Chaiko, has left the country after just a week in post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Russians have deployed additional ships, including vessels from the aggressor states Baltic fleet, to evacuate the remaining weapons, equipment and personnel," DIU added. Background: On the morning of 8 December, Syrian insurgents declared the liberation of Damascus. Assad fled the country. Reuters reported that there was a "very high probability" that Assad may have been killed in a plane crash on 8 December. Meanwhile, Russia claimed that following negotiations with the rebels, Bashar al-Assad had decided to step down from the presidency and leave the country, ordering a peaceful transfer of power. Support UP or become our patron! New York police detectives arrived in Atlanta on Saturday following a large number of tips linked to the as-yet-unidentified suspect wanted in Wednesday's fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, sources told ABC News. The Atlanta Police Department confirmed the arrival of the New York team but declined to give more specifics. The suspect allegedly arrived in New York on Nov. 24 on a Greyhound bus that departed from Atlanta, though it is unclear exactly when he may have boarded. Sources told ABC News he was spotted on board in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the second straight day, NYPD divers entered a lake near Central Park's Bethesda Fountain on Sunday searching for evidence connected to the Midtown homicide. It was unclear if investigators recovered anything from the water. Police have not yet recovered the distinctive gun used in the shooting. The masked gunman shot Thompson at point-blank range at 6:44 a.m. on Dec. 4 outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson's company was holding an investors conference. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as "brazen" and "targeted." Police have learned that the suspect took a taxi to the Port Authority bus facility at 178th Street and boarded a bus out of New York City following the shooting, according to police. PHOTO: An undated NYPD handout image obtained by Reuters on Dec. 5, 2024, shows an individual wanted for questioning in connection with the killing of UnitedHeatlhcare CEO Brian Thompson, in an unknown location. (Nypd/via Reuters) MORE: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting latest: Suspect's backpack had Monopoly money: Sources Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NYPD believes it is making good progress toward identifying the shooter but has so far not done so, sources told ABC News. Late Saturday, the NYPD released new images of the suspected shooter in what appeared to be the back of a cab. No further context was given. The suspect is believed to have boarded a bus out of the city that made six or seven stops, police sources said. Investigators have followed leads in multiple states, the sources said. The FBI is assisting the nationwide manhunt, according to law enforcement sources. PHOTO: The New York City Police Department is asking for the public's help to identify this person wanted for questioning in the Midtown Manhattan murder of a CEO on Dec. 4, 2024. (NYPD) MORE: Who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson? What we know about the suspect on the run Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators are continuing to comb New York City -- where the suspect is believed to have spent 10 days before the shooting -- for evidence. The NYPD recovered a backpack that allegedly belonged to the suspect on Friday night. The bag had only two items inside -- a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money -- sources with knowledge of the ongoing investigation told ABC News Saturday. Investigators believe they secured DNA samples from several pieces of evidence discovered at or near the crime scene, law enforcement sources told ABC News. PHOTO: Thompson, the CEO of major insurance group UnitedHealthcare, was shot to death at point-blank range in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024. (ABC News) MORE: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect allegedly flashed smile while flirting with hostel worker Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DNA samples are currently at the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to be run through databases for a possible match -- a process that could take several days, the sources said. Police were also able to extract a fingerprint off a water bottle the suspect bought at a Starbucks. The print is smudged, so it is unclear whether it will be helpful to the investigation, sources said. PHOTO: NYPD officers search Central Park for evidence in the CEO shooting, Dec. 6, 2024, in New York. (WABC) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect's timeline before, during, after the shooting The brazen, targeted shooting unfolded about 6:40 a.m. on Wednesday outside the New York Hilton hotel, where Thompson was to attend his company's shareholder conference. The gunman, whom police said was lying in wait, shot Thompson multiple times from behind as the CEO approached an entrance to the hotel, according to police. "The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot," NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. "It appears that the gun malfunctions, as he clears the jam and begins to fire again." Written on the shell casings were the words "deny," "defend" and "depose," according to police sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect's timeline before, during, after the shooting The words on the bullets echo the title of the 2010 book "Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It." Police are aware of the similarity, and are investigating whether one possible motive is anger at the insurance industry, sources said. Centene, a major health insurer, said it would hold a planned in-person investor day in New York City next week virtually, according to a Friday statement citing Thompson's killing. PHOTO: A backpack recovered by police in Central Park during the investigation into the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Dec. 6, 2024. (Obtained by ABC News) MORE: Fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson prompts wake-up call for nation's executives: Experts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by Brian Thompson's death and want to express our support for all of those affected," Centene Chief Executive Officer Sarah M. London said. "He was a person with a deep sense of empathy and clear passion for improving access to care," London added. "Our hearts are with his family and his colleagues during this difficult time." UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting latest: NYPD detectives follow leads to Atlanta originally appeared on abcnews.go.com ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) A Unity in the Community event was held at Wisner Park in Elmira to celebrate democracy and honor those whove served and continue to serve the country on Saturday Dec, 7. The event took place on the 83rd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack that occurred on December 7, 1941, and part of the focus was to remember those who lost their lives. Local and state elected officials, including veterans and other community members, gave speeches, sharing messages of freedom, democracy, and other themes about unity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guthrie to host Caregiver Holiday Craft Show in Sayre Organizer Dr. Stephen Coleman expressed gratitude towards veterans and the U.S. Military for their service and dedication to preserving and defending America. When we celebrate our freedom are those that protect our freedom now and those that protect our freedom in the past and those that have sacrificed their lives for America and remember those brave souls who died on December the seventh, 1941, Coleman said. NAACP President Georgia Verdier of the Elmira-Corning branch mentioned, We have to learn how to turn the tables on things and make things positive. Rather than concentrating so much on negativity, think positively and let us all decide what can we do to make this world a better place? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Researchers at the University of Michigan believe they are closer to a breakthrough that could potentially help more than half of the worlds cancer patients. In a study published last month in the academic journal Cancer Cell, the research team reports they have identified a metabolic mechanism that tends to block the bodys natural immune response and makes immunotherapies ineffective. Weiping Zou, a senior author on the study and the executive director of the Michigan Center for Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, said the extremely complex system can be broken down into simple terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Immunotherapy uses) your own immune system to kill the tumor cells, Zou told News 8. We have T-cells in our immune system. T-cells are the soldiers of the immune system. They recognize tumor cells and they kill tumor cells. Latest trial of University of Michigans tumor destroyer exceeds goals But currently, only 20% to 30% of cancer patients respond well to immunotherapy. Zou and his team are working to figure out why, and how to overcome that. Zou and the team identified a protein that transports one specific metabolite within cancerous cells that allows the cell to resist those attacks by the T-cells. In the study, the researchers proved that tumor samples with high levels of a specific protein, called SLC13A3, was prevalent in patients who had a poor response to immunotherapy and a lower survival rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After confirming the findings with tests on multiple types of cancers, the research team experimented on mice. The animals grew tumors where the SLC13A3 protein was suppressed. In those cases, tumor development slowed. Once the protein was restored, the tumor development rate returned back to previous levels. Thats why we feel this is not only scientifically important, but we have some levels of application, Zou said. University of Michigan archivist discovers long-lost Gershwin musical While the SLC13A3 protein is a promising target, more work needs to be done to determine other effects caused by the protein inhibitor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next steps involve assessing the toxicity of this inhibitor in natural animals and also in humans, Zou said. It is still far away from real application, but as we know, future cancer treatment will rely on innovative immunotherapies. This may be one way to go. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Businessman and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband, Robert Vadra, on Sunday urged the government to address the concerns of farmers. Speaking to ANI, Vadra expressed surprise at the BJP's significant majority win in Haryana despite widespread farmer protests in the state. "The government should listen to their demands and find a way to help them. If Haryana farmers are protesting, then how did the BJP win by such a huge majority in that state?" he questioned. Earlier in the day, police used tear gas at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border to disperse farmers participating in the 'Dilli Chalo' march. A verbal altercation ensued between police and protesters, with drone footage showing police blocking farmers at the border. According to Haryana Police, the group of farmers moving ahead did not match the list of 101 participants scheduled for the march. On allegations of discrepancies in EVMs, Vadra criticized their credibility and suggested a return to ballot papers for elections. "People have lost faith in EVMs. They are surprised by the results of the Haryana and Maharashtra elections. Moving forward, some other method, like ballot papers, should be used," he said. Vadra also praised the INDIA alliance, calling it a strong opposition capable of defeating the BJP in every state. "The INDIA alliance is the strong opposition that the country needed. If it stays united, it can defeat BJP in every state. All the leaders of the INDIA alliance are strong, and whichever leader emerges from it will be good for the country's progress," he added. On Congress' recent victory in Wayanad, Vadra expressed confidence that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would deliver on her promises to the constituency. He also revealed his long-held desire for her to become a Member of Parliament. "I am sure that Priyanka will fulfil the promises she made to the people of Wayanad. I always wanted Priyanka to become a Member of Parliament. I am confident she will bring to light the issues overlooked by BJP," Vadra said. (ANI) The Colorado River is pictured near Moab on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Western states that rely on the Colorado River are in a heated deadlock over how to manage the troubled river, and are doubling down on their own regional plans, despite growing pressure from the federal government to reach a compromise. Top water officials for the seven Colorado River Basin states Arizona, California, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming gathered for the Colorado River Water Users Association conference at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for the first time in years, representatives from Lower Basin states Nevada, Arizona, and California and Upper Basin states Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming did not appear on a panel together or meet during the conference to negotiate the future of the Colorado River. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Its been customary that we get together beforehand, said Colorado River Commissioner for Colorado, Becky Mitchell, during a news conference. Unfortunately, we werent able to do that. I dont think that means that we will never be able to do that again. It just means this time we werent. Nine months ago, the two basins submitted competing water management plans to the federal government after state negotiators could not reach a consensus on how to share the rivers dwindling water supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the basin states have not moved any closer to negotiating a compromise on how to equitably share and cut Colorado River water use once current management rules expire in 2026, leaving states up a creek without a paddle. One of the biggest sticking points between the two basins is whether or not Upper Basin states should absorb mandatory water cuts during dry years, despite using significantly less than their 7.5 million acre-feet Colorado River allocation year-after-year. Historically, Lower Basin states have used nearly all their 7.5 million acre-feet Colorado River allocation under the 1922 Colorado River Compact, compared to the 4.5 million acres-feet used by the Upper Basin states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lower Basin states argued all seven states should share water cuts during dry years under the new post-2026 guidelines. If they dont, downstream states warned they could face water cuts they cant feasibly absorb. Those tensions were reflected Thursday when Lower Basin water managers told a ballroom full of water managers, researchers, agricultural producers and others from across the drought-stricken river that if their Upper Basin counterparts did not sign onto the Lower Basin plan and accept cuts, they would be at greater risk of triggering a compact call, which could force cuts on the Upper Basin. Upper Basin states argue they dont have the legal authority to significantly reduce flows to water users on their own under the 1922 Colorado River Compact, unlike Lower Basin states. They might have that authority if we make a compact call. So perhaps well make that compact call, then theyll have the authority to cut flows, said Tom Buschatzke, Arizonas top Colorado River negotiator. Maybe thats an easy path compared to going to their water users with some voluntary program or their legislatures to get authorities to do the things we have to do in the Lower Basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, Buschatzke asked Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs to set aside $1 million for litigation in the event states cant reach a compromise and Arizona needs to take the issue to court. I have to do my due diligence for all potential outcomes, said Buchatzke about his request. Negotiators in both the Lower and Upper Basin states all acknowledged they have three options to decide how states will share the rivers waning water supply going forward: litigation, legislation or negotiation. When we put forward our Lower Basin alternative, we were looking to offer a compromise, said JB Hamby, Colorado River Commissioner for California. We want a seven state agreement. We dont want to have to go litigate stuff and force these really difficult outcomes in the Upper Basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell, the Colorado River Commissioner for Colorado, was critical of how the Lower Basin states have approached negotiations with the Upper Basin. I think going in, not willing to change your deal at all, is probably the first problem. You cannot say theres a compromise, if we have to accept a deal in its entirety, Mitchell said, adding that Upper Basin states are open to adjustments to their plan. To spur a compromise, the federal government released an initial outline detailing four different river management options last month, including a hybrid management option that blends components from both basin state plans. Representatives for both camps said they would need to see more details before throwing their weight behind any of the federal management proposals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They did provide a bit of additional information today as to some of the elements, but still not enough, said Estevan Lopez, New Mexicos representative on Colorado River matters, during a news conference Thursday. Representatives for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said the agency intends to publish a more detailed analysis of the federal proposals by the end of the year. Maximum cuts could range from 2.1 million acre-feet to 4 million acre-feet, which could be divided based on who has the oldest rights, or distributed proportionally across all seven states. Despite the lack of comradery among the Lower and Upper Basin states at the annual conference, both camps expressed optimism they could reach a compromise, eventually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want everybody from the upper basin to hear from Nevada: We believe compromise is possible. We think its the first, second and third best option. But we need a dance partner, so lets get back to the table and make this happen, said John Entsminger, Nevadas representative on river issues and general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Mitchell said it was clear to her from panel presentations during the conference that all seven states want to reach a consensus plan on how to manage the future of the Colorado River. I think theres still a possibility. Im still hopeful. And I think if we want a seven state consensus, were going to have to have seven leaders come to the table, Mitchell continued. Brandon Gebhart, Wyomings state engineer and Colorado River negotiator, said he believes the seven Colorado River Basin states can come up with a better management plan than one imposed by the federal government, although it wont happen next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really need to understand that the enemy were battling right now is not the Upper Basin, its not the Lower Basin. Its hydrology, Gebhart said. Nevada Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nevada Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Hugh Jackson for questions: info@nevadacurrent.com. Follow Nevada Current on Facebook and X. The US Department of Defense has announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine worth $988 million. Source: a statement on the Pentagon website Quote: "Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a significant new security assistance package to ensure Ukraine has the tools it needs to prevail in its fight against Russian aggression. This security assistance package commits an additional $988 million in support through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) that will provide Ukraine with munitions for rocket systems and Unmanned Aerial Systems. This package also includes support for maintenance and repair programs to help Ukraine reconstitute its forces and build and sustain combat power." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The package includes: ammunition for artillery missile systems (HIMARS); unmanned aerial systems; equipment, components and spare parts for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of artillery systems, tanks and armoured vehicles. The statement notes that this is the twenty-second USAI package from the Biden administration. Support UP or become our patron! On Sunday 8 December, the US Embassy in Ukraine issued a warning about increased threats from Russian missiles and drones and urged people to seek shelter in the event of an air raid. Source: US Embassy in Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: The embassy encouraged US citizens in Ukraine to exercise "heightened caution" due to "increased threats from Russian missiles and drones targeting Ukraine's critical civilian infrastructure". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All US citizens should heed Ukrainian government warnings regarding possible air attacks and keep an eye on a reliable Air Alert app on their mobile devices. US citizens should abide by any government curfews, respond swiftly to instructions, and seek cover during air raids. Embassy staff urged citizens to identify shelter locations ahead of time, before an air raid warning is issued, and to follow the instructions given by Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency. Background: The US urged its citizens in Ukraine to exercise maximum caution due to the risk of a large-scale airstrike by Russia on 20 November, with the US Embassy switching to remote operations. Following the United States, the Spanish Embassy later announced its closure, and for security reasons, the embassies of Greece and Italy also decided to shut down temporarily. Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the shift to remote work by the US Embassy and some other foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine as "information overreaction". Support UP or become our patron! The US has carried out precision air strikes against Isis targets in Syria amid concerns that the terror group will regroup in the vacuum created by the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Joe Biden, the US president, said on Sunday afternoon it had struck targets after learning that Damascus had been overtaken by rebel groups. The US military will continue to operate in the region to quell the threat of IS. Were clear-eyed about the fact that Isis will try to take advantage of any vacuum to re-establish its capabilities to create a safe haven, said Mr Biden. We will not let that happen. In fact, just today, US forces conducted a dozen precision strikes, air strikes within Syria, targeting Isis camps and Isis operatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president added that he would send members of his administration to Syria and work with Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel should any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition. He called the fall of Assad a fundamental act of justice. The strikes were conducted by B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 aircraft and hit Isis leaders, operatives and camps, CNN reported. The US is also concerned about the Syrain rebels plan for a new government, given the grim record of terrorism and human right abuses among some of the groups in the rebel coalition, he said. Daniel Shapiro, the deputy assistant secretary of defence, said on Sunday that the US would remain focused on deterring Isis using a standing force in eastern Syria that has been targeted by Iran-backed militia in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are aware that the chaotic and dynamic circumstances on the ground in Syria could give Isis space to find the ability to become active, to plan external operations, and were determined to work with those partners to continue to degrade their capabilities, he told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain. He said the US focus would remain on the enduring defeat of Isis and the secure detention of its fighters and the repatriation of displaced persons. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the main Sunni rebel group, was previously aligned with Al-Qaeda and Isis, but has distanced itself from them in recent months. Donald Trump, who will take office next month, said the US should not be involved in the Syrian civil war. He wrote on his Truth Social platform on Saturday: Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, and the United States should have nothing to do with it. This is not our fight. Let it play out. Do not get involved! Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The US military struck ISIS targets in Syria on Sunday as rebel groups toppled the government. Longtime Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled Damascus for Moscow. President Joe Biden said US forces would remain in Syria to fight ISIS. The US military said it carried out dozens of precision strikes against ISIS targets in central Syria on Sunday. The widespread airstrikes came after a dayslong blitz by rebel forces that ultimately led to the downfall of Syria's longtime leader, Bashar Assad. Russian state news media reported Sunday that Assad had arrived in Moscow, where he was given asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Central Command, which oversees Middle East operations, said it struck ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps to prevent the terrorist group from rebuilding in central Syria amid the chaos. Centcom said it used US Air Force B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, and A-10 attack aircraft to strike over 75 targets, adding that battle damage assessments are underway. A senior administration official, speaking to reporters, described the operation as "significant" and said about 140 munitions were used. It is unclear what missiles or bombs may have been used. "There should be no doubt we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria," Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the Centcom commander, said in a statement. "All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way." Syrian anti-government forces announced early on Sunday morning that they had taken control of Damascus. It was the culmination of 13 years of civil war, which began in 2011 after Assad's forces violently cracked down on peaceful demonstrators. Anti-regime armed groups advance in Syria's strategically important province of Homs on December 6. Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an organization that traces its origins to Al Qaeda but has since split from the group and portrayed itself as more moderate, launched the surprise offensive in late November. The rebels quickly took control of Aleppo, one of Syria's largest cities, Hama, and the strategic city of Homs before advancing into Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden, in a press briefing on Sunday, acknowledged that the US conducted airstrikes "targeting ISIS camps and ISIS operatives" inside Syria. "We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to re-establish its capability to create a safe haven," Biden said. "We will not let that happen." Biden said that the US would support Syria's neighbors Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel "should any threat arise from Syria during this transition." The United States has about 900 troops in Syria carrying out missions against ISIS. Biden said on Sunday that these forces will remain in the country despite Assad's ouster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US routinely works with local forces in Syria and neighboring Iraq to carry out operations against ISIS, dozens of which have taken place in recent months. Read the original article on Business Insider By Steve Holland, Katharine Jackson and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will work with partners and stakeholders in Syria to help seize the opportunity that has presented itself after rebel fighters' stunning overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, President Joe Biden said on Sunday. "At long last, the Assad regime has fallen," said Biden, commenting on a fast-moving string of events in Syria that caught some in the White House off guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden and his top national security aides took stock of a new-look Middle East that may be emerging after rebel forces ousted Assad in little more than a week. Biden said Syria is in a period of risk and uncertainty and that it is the first time in years that neither Russia nor Iran nor the Hezbollah militant organization held an influential role in Syria. "For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. But over the last week, their support collapsed - all three of them - because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office," said Biden, who became president in 2021. He said Syria faced a period of "risk and uncertainty" and that the United States would help where it can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk," Biden added. But a senior U.S. official cautioned that the United States did not plan to offer a blueprint for Syria going forward. "The future will be written by Syrians," the official told reporters. The United States was watching closely statements from the HTS rebel organization that tossed out Assad. The group is "saying the right things" at this stage but that it was too early to say what was going to happen in Syria, the official added. The United States will work to ensure the safety of chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria, the senior U.S. official said, without elaborating except to say there would not be a role for U.S. troops on the ground in this effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second senior U.S. official told Reuters that the United States would likely keep its estimated 900 troops in eastern Syria as a hedge against ISIS militants. The future of Russia's two main bases and some smaller ones in Syria was unclear. The bases have been used to back Assad and give Russia a footprint in the region. Assad is in Moscow with his family after Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies on Sunday, and a deal has been done to ensure the safety of Russian military bases. Biden said U.S. forces on Sunday conducted dozens of precision strikes within Syria targeting camps and operatives of Islamic State to keep the militant group from reasserting itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. It's also a moment of risk and uncertainty," Biden said. (Reporting by Steve Holland, Katharine Jackson and Steve Holland; Editing by Mary Milliken and Diane Craft) By Alexander Cornwell MANAMA (Reuters) - The United States will maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said on Sunday. Speaking hours after Syrian rebels announced they had toppled Bashar al-Assad's government, Shapiro called on all parties to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and to respect international norms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are aware that the chaotic and dynamic circumstances on the ground in Syria could give ISIS space to find the ability to become active, to plan external operations, and we're determined to work with those partners to continue to degrade their capabilities," he told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain's capital. "(We're determined) to ensure (Islamic State's) enduring defeat, to ensure the secure detention of ISIS fighters and the repatriation of displaced persons," Shapiro added. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria, was formerly an al Qaeda affiliate known as the Nusra Front until its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016. Western governments, which have shunned the Assad-led state for years, must decide how to deal with a new administration in which HTS looks set to have influence. HTS is a globally designated terrorist group. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Writing by Nadine Awadalla; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Frances Kerry) The U.S. carried out a major round of airstrikes on Islamic State targets on Sunday, and warned the terror group against trying to regain strength in the country after rebels took over the government. The operation included "dozens" of airstrikes on over 75 targets involving ISIS operatives and camps using B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 close-air support attack aircraft "to ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria," according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. "There should be no doubt we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria," said Central Command chief Gen. Erik Kurilla, "All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News of the strikes come after the stunning collapse of the Assad regime in Syria that has upended the security situation in the Middle East, and raises fresh questions about the role of the 900 U.S. troops stationed in the country. On Saturday, President-elect Trump, who twice sought to end the U.S. troop presence in Syria during his first term, called the country a mess and said the U.S. should not get involved in the conflict. One top lawmaker who was among those gathered this weekend at the Reagan National Defense Forum said she hopes otherwise. The 900 troops on the ground in Syria are spread between several small outposts where they continue to train Kurdish militias and work to keep ISIS from regenerating while guiding U.S. airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias operating in the country. I think leaving our forces that are there weve got about 900 troops there and ensuring they can continue to protect themselves is really important, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the incoming ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are no immediate changes to the posture of the troops in Syria, a Defense Department official said on Sunday, just hours after the complete collapse of President Bashar Assad's regime in the face of a lightning rebel offensive. The official was granted anonymity to discuss operations. In remarks on Sunday afternoon, President Joe Biden said the U.S. troops will be protected. "We will help ensure stability in eastern Syria, protecting any personnel our personnel against any threats and ... our mission against ISIS will be maintained including security of detention facilities where ISIS fighters are being held as prisoners," he said. The U.S. forces are in the north and east of the country, hundreds of miles from the recent fighting that saw the Turkish-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham race through the countryside, chasing Assads troops out of the major city of Aleppo and taking Damascus on Saturday. The United States labels the group as a terrorist organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stunning fall of one of the worlds longest-running and most brutal dictatorships brought an end to the Assad familys 50 years of iron-fisted rule, a situation that will reverberate throughout the region and beyond. Not only will Russia potentially lose its only foreign air base, but also its only overseas naval facility. The rebel victory also will likely cut off Iranian supply routes to Hezbollah in Lebanon and block its access to the Mediterranean. Just hours before rebel forces marched into Damascus, Shaheen said she was concerned about the fate of thousands of ISIS detainees who are being guarded by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces that receive training and equipment from American troops. I think thats a concern, and what that means if they hook up with ISIS is a real challenge, Shaheen added, also expressing concern that the rebels now holding Damascus could link up with ISIS. The instability in Syria, she said, is one more potential ember that could ignite a broader conflict in the Middle East, and that its in our interest to support Americas allies who are there Israel, Jordan, Iraq who are providing some stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The security situation is like a Dumpster fire and a trainwreck all wrapped up in a Sharknado, and bad news for the United States as we are really trying to stabilize the region, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committees subcommittee on emerging threats, said at the conference. Others also questioned whether the rapid push by the conglomeration of Islamist rebels to the capital would help the United States in the fight against ISIS in the long run. Speaking at the conference on Saturday, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog said that while the developments represented a major blow to Iran, there are no good guys in this story. Israel is worried the extremist group might get access to the collapsed governments chemical weapons. The main question now is what comes next, said Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East during the Trump administration. Will ISIS make a resurgence with a sympathetic power in Damascus? What will the international [community] do and who will they recognize as the leader of Syria? Is there even a Syria? VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) USS Oak Hill returned home Saturday after a seven-month deployment as part of the USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group. Hundreds of families gathered pier side Saturday morning at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story to greet the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship. Many held up signs and waved American flags. However, Jenna Mulvihill, 27, of Chesapeake held something precious her husband HT2 Zachary Mulvihill had never seen before: his first-born child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is six weeks old about to meet his daddy for his first time today, Jenna Mulvihill said. Its going to be an amazing moment. WAVYs Navy Ship Salute: USS Oak Hill The ship, along with USS Wasp and USS New York spent much of the last seven months in the Mediterranean. This deployment demonstrated the versatility and strength of amphibious forces, Capt. Nakia Cooper, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 4, said. Whether enhancing NATO interoperability or on station as the crises response force, the Sailors and Marines of the ARG-MEU team consistently executed with precision and remained ready. To our families and loved onesthank you for your unwavering love and support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) returned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on Dec. 3. Its incredible to get to watch it, Capt. Jason Nowell, USS Oak Hills commanding officer, said regarding the homecoming. To see the crew and the families and watch it from that perspective. This was Nowells ninth deployment but his first as captain of a ship. To start the deployment with the crew and cross the finish line with them its spectacular, Nowell said. Definitely the best deployment Ive done so far. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Sunday slammed the BJP-led government at the Centre for not fulfilling the promises made to farmers. She said that the farmers had to continually struggle for what is rightfully theirs under the rule of a government that talks about doubling farmers' income. "What is happening with the farmers is extremely unfortunate, considering that they have been protesting for a minimum guarantee for MSP support. It is still being denied to them despite the commitment made by the government of India," Priyanka Chaturvedi told ANI. "This is the government which spoke about doubling farmers' income and yet today farmers find themselves in a situation where they have to continually struggle for what is rightfully theirs," she added. Chaturvedi's statement comes against the backdrop of farmers at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana on Sunday trying to march towards Delhi, pressing various demands including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price. Police and protesting farmers got into a verbal altercation and drone footage showed police blocking the farmers at the border. The police also used teargas against the farmers. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they have decided to withdraw the 'jatha'. "Today we have decided to withdraw the 'jatha'. The agitation will continue today. One farmer has been admitted to PGI and is in serious condition and 8-9 farmers are injured, so we have withdrawn the 'jatha'. After the meeting, we will tell you about the future program," Pandher told ANI. According to Haryana Police, the group of farmers moving ahead did not match the list of 101 farmers they were given who were scheduled to participate in today's march. "We will first identify them (farmers) and then we can allow them to go ahead. We have a list of the names of 101 farmers, and they are not those people - they are not letting us identify them - they are moving ahead as a mob," said a Haryana police official deployed at the site earlier. Police said that the farmers did not have permission to move towards Delhi. The farmers had attempted to cross the Shambhu border on Friday as well but called off the stir after some of them got injured from the tear gas shells used by the Haryana police to disperse them. (ANI) Support for victims and survivors of domestic violence is available 24/7: 1-800-897-LINK (5465). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or in an emergency, please call 911 immediately. OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) A man was arrested on Friday night after he reportedly threw gasoline on a woman, set her on fire, and strangled her before fleeing the scene. Gregory Youngblood, 57, was arrested on one count of aggravated arson, a first-degree felony; aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony; and one count of use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 11 people hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak at meat-packing plant According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Weber County, when officers arrived at the scene just before 2 a.m. on Friday, the victim was standing in the street and had severe burns to her face, chest, shoulder, and arm. Documents said the victims hair was singed, and the arresting officer wrote that the victims burns may result in serious permanent disfigurement for the victim. The affidavit said the victim had been arguing with the suspect for several days before the incident. The victim and Youngblood were both going to receive a ride from the same person on Friday, but documents said the victim had been making statements about her displeasure with the arrangements for the ride. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As she was making those statements, Youngblood reportedly came into the room, threw gasoline on the victim, and set her on fire. Another witness told officers they saw that incident happen, in addition to witnessing Youngblood throwing the victim to the floor and strangling her with both hands, according to the affidavit. Officers were told that Youngblood fled through a back door, and were unable to find him until they obtained a warrant to access the location data from his phone. He was located in Riverdale and taken into custody by the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force. Officials found a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine when arresting the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youngblood was taken into custody on the aforementioned charges, with two charges having domestic violence enhancements attached to them. The affidavit said the suspect did not speak to officers but instead invoked his right to an attorney. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The Ventura Police Department will no longer be providing monthly crime updates on social media thanks to their new and improved Community Crimes and Calls for Service maps. The interactive maps provide instant access to information about incidents that occur in Ventura without requiring a public records request. On the Community Crime Map, users will be able to view reported crimes by location; the Calls for Service Map allows users to view the locations of police calls for service, including officer-initiated activities, VPD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long Beach police release bodycam footage from night of deadly November shootout Both maps allow for the filtering of information by dates, crime categories and call types in addition to other information that was carefully reviewed by officials to ensure victim privacy while keeping data accessible to the public. More information on the new technology can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) In this weeks episode of Big Country Politics, U.S. Airforce Member, Author, and Adjunct Professor for McMurry University Hannah Durbin joins the show to discuss her childrens book on democracy. Meet the candidates running for Abilene City Council ahead of BCH debate The book that Durbin wrote is named Maeves Mighty Mission, which promotes democracy for children. As they discussed the book, Durbin was asked to elaborate on her book. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Durbin responded, Everything ties back to improving America and contributing to our democracy wherever we can. Durbin is originally from Kentucky but moved to Abilene because she is stationed at her current assignment at Dyess Air Force Base. She and her husband moved from their last station in Germany, where theyd been for three years. Shes also been serving in the Air Force for seven years and recently took a job as an Adjunct Professor for McMurry University. During the discussion, Durbin is asked how she balances military service and academic roles and how she fits that in a single day or week. Im really fortunate to have some supportive leadership at Dyess; they know where my passion lies. The military is apolitical, so I have to be careful in that realm. But theyre fully supportive of the education aspect. Just being able to have a conversation with McMurry students once a week, just to be able to see whats on their mind and tie it back into our democracy experience, and where were going, and see what the next generation is thinking or what theyre thinking. Durbin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the discussion moved to young people in politics nowadays compared to them back in the early 2000s, Durbin responded that, fortunately, shes discussing with political science and sociology majors, as they are more politically inclined. Durbin also mentioned that her class is more based on political theory and how it all starts as it goes back to Plato and Aristotle. In Durbins Political Theory class, the students discuss connecting political theory to current events. Durbin also said the class gets more impactful if you connect it to current events. When Durbin was asked what the class discussed, she said they discussed everything. She mentioned that students are plugged in on Texas politics and their house legislation. Durbin noted that she is impressed by how the students can bring back political conversations and are always respectful despite their different beliefs. Durbin explained that politics with the youth is different because it will still find them even if they try to hide from it. She said its hard to avoid politics because it has entered so many realms into our lives. Durbin said her students are very politically active and voted in the 2024 Presidential Election as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the discussion moves on to the book, Durbin is asked where she finds the time to write a book while also teaching and serving in the military. I care a lot about this stuff; Im not just someone who can sit on my hands and watch. I see for our democracy to continue to be successful, we need informed and excited citizens. Durbin said. As they continue discussing Maeves Mighty Mission, Durbin explains the book in detail. The book follows Maeve on an adventure as she tries to figure out what she wants to do growing up. Maeve, feeling disgruntled, goes from job to job and discusses with her father what she likes about the job. Throughout the discussion, Maeves father discusses that her career is not her identity. He said part of it is also being a citizen in a democracy, which is valuable. Maeve then takes this lesson to her friends, saying that being a citizen and participating in a democracy is valuable and fulfilling. Durbin is asked about the inspiration for the book, especially when kids may not take democracy very seriously. She responded that she had parents who cared a lot about this, and they took her along to vote for the first time when she was five months old. She went with her parents every year until she graduated and got to vote alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Durbin went to college, she noticed that not everyone had the experience she had with her parents voting. In her head, she wondered how we could have these conversations and give parents the resources they needed. Politics doesnt have to be everybodys hobby, but it is the responsibility of everybody in a democracy, Durbin said. The book was published about a month ago and has been distributed to some schools in her home state of Kentucky. Durbin hopes the books will make it to the Big Country soon. Durbin said there will be a reading event at Seven and One Books in Downtown Abilene with another local author with similar interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her book, Durbin discusses the topic of community and her ideas for a scholarship to reward civic leadership, which is people doing things to improve the community. Durbin then thanked the non-profit organization Community Foundation of Abilene, and she opened a fund for them named Salute to Citizens. Durbin mentions the first scholarship will be paid out in the springtime to the first citizen who exemplifies these characteristics, and the proceeds from the book will support that fund. The book is officially on the shelves in some places, such as Seven and One Books downtown and on Amazon. Although Durbin has yet to go to Kentucky recently, she said that many local schools are excited about her book. Durbin said many young people like the story and credited her illustrator. She said we really dont think about being a citizen or an American, which is much lower for some people. Durbin wants to get the identity early and show its value, and politics doesnt have to be partisan or angry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. The Frederick Church of the Brethren Learning Center held a Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 13 to honor veterans within the school family. Preschoolers participated in a question-and-answer session with eight veterans representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and National Guard. Students presented flags to veterans and thanked them for their service. The event also included patriotic songs, the Pledge of Allegiance and a recognition of other veterans. KENOSHA, Wis. (Augustana) The No. 8 Augustana Vikings opened up NSIC action in impressive fashion, collecting an electric 22-15 road upset over No. 3 Parkside on Saturday night. With the win, AU moves to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the NSIC while the Rangers fall to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in conference action. The night started dominantly at 125 pounds where, after jumping ahead 6-1 with two takedowns, the reigning top-ranked Jaxon Rohman pinned Shane Corriganthe fourth-ranked wrestler in the weight classin 1:54 At 149 pounds, Cael Larson collected the next victory for the Vikings in exhilarating fashion, pulling out the upset with a gritty 4-3 decision over #4 Jalen Spuhler to tie things up. After logging a takedown in the first period. Larson fended off Spuhlers two escapes with an escape of his own in the third to clinch the win. Connor Simmonds claimed a ranked victory over #5 Ben Durocher at 157 pounds, taking the 7-2 decision after registering a takedown in the first period and a four-point nearfall in the third. Coy Gunderson hung tough and defeated Crosby Schlosser at 174 pounds, breaking the four-all tie at the end of the second by adding in his second escape and takedown of the night in the final period. After each logging an escape and tying at 1-1, #7 Cade Mueller headed into a sudden victory period with #3 Reece Worachek at 184 pounds. The two resumed their lock-tight battle with a fresh minute on the clock, until Mueller logged a takedown in the final five seconds of the period for the 4-1 sudden victory, extending Augustanas lead to 18-12. The upset victory was sealed for the Vikings once Max Ramberg emerged victorious at 197 pounds. The junior tallied five takedowns alongside two escapes in the matchscoring 13 points in the final periodas he claimed the 19-9 major decision over Chase Stegall to help clinch the dual win. Full Results 125: No. 1 Jaxson Rohman (AUG) over No. 4 Shane Corrigan (UWP) (Fall 1:54) 133: No. 10 Matt Chi (UWP) over Owen Hansen (AUG) (TF 23-8 6:29) 141: No. 5 Cayden Henschel (UWP) over Connor Whiteley (AUG) (MD 15-6) 149: No. 6 Cael Larson (AUG) over No. 4 Jalen Spuhler (UWP) (Dec 4-3) 157: Connor Simmonds (AUG) over No. 5 Ben Durocher (UWP) (Dec 7-2) 165: Dajun Johnson (UWP) over Payton Handevidt (AUG) (Dec 7-6) 174: Coy Gunderson (AUG) over Crosby Schlosser (UWP) (Dec 8-4) 184: No. 7 Cade Mueller (AUG) over No. 3 Reece Worachek (UWP) (SV-1 4-1) 197: No. 5 Max Ramberg (AUG) over Chase Stegall (UWP) (MD 19-9) 285: No. 10 Lloyd Reynolds (UWP) over Max Balow (AUG) (Dec 4-1) Extra Matches 149: Jordan Craft (UWP) over Alex Mentzer (AUG) (Fall 4:20) 174: Josh Wagener (AUG) over Adler Osborn (UWP) (TF 18-2 3:32) 197: Jordan Blanchard (UWP) over Sam McEnelly (AUG) (TF 22-3 5:00) Up Next Augustana will head to Lincoln, Neb., on Friday, Dec. 20 for duals against Nebraska-Kearney and Nebraska, with action set to start for the Vikings at 4 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Dec. 7CAPE VINCENT On the last day of July in 1926, a party of about 50 explorers landed at Carleton Island in search of historic lore. After disembarking from a scow, they "walked over the land which has been the stomping ground of six peoples," the Watertown Daily Times reported, "from the ages past when Eskimos had their dwelling there until centuries later when it was known to the white men and finally belongs to the Americans." Garret S. Jones (1887-1960) of Cape Vincent, a World War I veteran and amateur archaeologist, was the leader of the intrepid group. "He conducted them over the early Indian trail beneath a jutting cliff made up of layer upon layer of shelf-like rock to the site of old Fort Haldimand, where only three stone chimneys, now crumbling into ruins, mark the spot where once a military fortification of the British empire stood," the Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those crumbling chimneys, the last of which fell into oblivion and out of sight in the 1990s, were once beacons of history tangible indicators that the island is one of the oldest and most significant plots of land in Jefferson County. Interest in the island's history began to surface again in 2022 when it was announced the Carleton Island Villa, one of the most well-known landmarks on the St. Lawrence River, although in shambles, had been sold for $300,000 after being vacant for more than 70 years. The 6.9-acre property was purchased by Ronald Clapp, of Florida, and sold by Charles and William Millar, brothers whose family has summered on Carleton Island since 1900. They purchased the historic villa in 1987. The project, proposed by Carleton Villa owner Clapp, has resulted in a disagreement with many members of the public. Clapp hopes to turn some of the area around the historic villa into campgrounds/glampgrounds. He has said he would use money from the campgrounds and glampgrounds (sites with extra amenities and comforts, such as electricity) to pay for the villa's restoration. In April, workers at the site began clearing trees and other vegetation with an excavator, which prompted the Thousand Island Land Trust to bring legal action. It was then granted an injunction preventing Clapp from clearing or excavating land near the St. Lawrence River shoreline. TILT has contended that a conservation easement and declaration of restrictions it was granted in 1986 encumbers the villa property, limiting its development and preserving its natural environment. The injunction was appealed and in September, State Supreme Court Judge James P. McClusky declined to change the earlier decision that set conditions upon which limited work could occur on the proposed campground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday evening, the town of Cape Vincent held a public hearing to obtain citizens' views relative to the submission of an application to Empire State Development for financial assistance under the Restore NY Communities Initiative a municipal grant program. The town board unanimously agreed to sponsor the Restore grant application targeting stabilization of Carleton Villa. The grant is solely for stabilization of the villa. It has nothing to do with any other portion of the project, including the potential campground/glampground. In addressing residents, Clapp said the project would benefit the town by potentially hiring local residents and even if local residents aren't on the job, money will be coming into Cape Vincent by people buying groceries, eating at restaurants, and "doing all the things that we do." He also said that materials may be from some north country distributors. "My intent is to bring as many of those dollars to the local community," he said. Carleton Villa was built by William O. Wyckoff, a man who made his fortune in marketing at a New York City firm. The palatial 64-room, five story stone-and-wood structure was built as a fishing camp and was completed in 1895, apparently when there was scant concern about the island's past and what was uncovered during the villa's construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When the villa was built on the western end of the island, some of our present inhabitants who were employed in excavating, unearthed strange implements and ornaments and owing to the absence of an archaeologist or someone interested in research work, they were destroyed," wrote Jefferson County Historical Society President Garrett S. Jones in 1926. Jones authored an eight-page "historical sketch" of Carleton Island and Fort for the July 1926 pilgrimage to the island organized by the Jefferson County Historical Society. He noted that archaeology "is the youngest of the sciences today, being only about 60 years old." Today, there is renewed interest on archaeology on the island, which totals 1,274 acres, because of the proposed project at the former Carleton Island Villa. 'Most significant' island Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kenneth J. Knapp, Clayton, is an archaeologist and the conservator of the North Country Archeology Center located at the Depauville Free Library. His area of expertise is the pre-contact Native American cultural resources and history of the Thousand Islands-Upper St. Lawrence Valley and Eastern Lake Ontario lowlands region of New York. He is also curator of the Knapp Family Collection, started in 1908 by his grandfather, Watertown resident Arthur R. Knapp, who died in 1966 at the age of 74. "The Native American history on the river stretches back to almost 13,000 years and you can expect the same on Carleton," Knapp said. "It's arguably the most significant historical island in the Thousand Islands. It's rich in history in that it has not only the Native American stuff, but it has a major chunk of Euro-American history, which you can't find on any other island in the Thousand Islands. That's kind of a big deal in my mind." The island was once used by French fur traders as a transient stop. Knapp said the island became a key location for three international wars, beginning with the French and Indian War, a conflict between the French and British that took place in North America from 1754 to 1763. "The French set up an initial fort there and the English destroyed it." According to the Times' files, the first English residents on the upper St. Lawrence and the first English-speaking people in Jefferson County lived on the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carleton Island became a place of refuge for the Tories (loyal to the British Crown) of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Times' files note that Thayendanegea (aka Joseph Brant), Great Chief of the Six Nations, made the island his headquarters. Joseph's sister, Molly Brant, (Konwatsi'tsiaienni) had a house built for her on the island/fort by the British. Both assimilated European and Indian culture into their lives. Molly married Sir William Johnson, the superintendent general of Indian Affairs for Great Britain and they became political partners. During the Revolutionary War, Carleton Island was a key staging area for the British. Fort Haldimand was three-eighths of an octagon and built on top of a cliff, with a 60-foot drop to the water below, to create a natural defense against attacks from the southwest side of the island. "And the very first action in the northern theater of the War of 1812 was conducted from Millens Bay when Abner Hubbard took a couple of guys over and took the fort," Knapp said. Preservation office critical Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After reviewing an archaeological survey, the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation issued a report in late October stating a controversial project on Carleton Island may affect the historic nature of the island. The letter was authored by Bradley W. Russell, historic preservation specialist, archaeology, at the state's Historic Preservation Office. In the report, he thanked Peter Partlow, civil/site designer at Aubertine & Currier Architects for seeking the office's comments. Clapp announced in August of 2023 that he was partnering with Aubertine & Currier "for the meticulous restoration of Carleton Villa." Russell wrote that the state's Historic Preservation Office reviewed the Phase IA Archaeological Survey report for the Carleton (Wyckoff) Villa project prepared by Colliers Engineering & Design, Consulting Archaeologists. "The report has significant deficiencies which necessitate major revisions. While the function of a Phase IA survey is to conduct a thorough literature review as a basis for determining sensitivity and plan future investigations, the report omits critical information regarding the related historic resources and fails to establish the historical significance of the project area," Russell wrote. "Without this information, it is impossible to understand the archaeological sensitivity of the project area." Carleton Island, Russell noted, has a long history of Indigenous, European and American communities. "It has been utilized by native peoples for thousands of years as evidenced by several known archaeological sites including burials," Russell wrote. "During the Revolutionary war, it was a critical British (and allied indigenous groups) military outpost deeply involved in many significant events of the war. Unrest resulted in the island serving as a refuge for Native Americans and loyalists displaced by the conflict." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russell noted "key known historic resources" on the Island include: Fort site, the North Bay shipwreck site of the HMS Haldiman (a 150-ton British snow schooner built in 1771), the Carleton Island Provincial Marine Wharf, the fort military burial ground and the Carleton Island west site. The island contained a "full complex of important features related to the functioning of the fort." "Many are located in the area where direct effects (ground disturbance) are anticipated," Russell wrote. "Others are located in areas where foreseeable indirect effects are anticipated." Russell credited research by Dennis R. McCarthy for certain details in the report. Dennis and his wife, Kathi, experienced divers, are directors of the St. Lawrence River Historical Foundation. Dennis retired in 2009 from his career in engineering management in the Consumer Electronics and CATV industries. Having traveled to 28 countries in his business profession, he now prefers to spend his time with Kathi in Cape Vincent being intrigued by local history and enjoying the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River. Carleton Island can be viewed from their backyard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCarthy said that SLRHF is not taking a stance on the proposed development. "We're not in a position to advocate. We're trying to let everybody know about the historical aspect. Everyone knows about Fort Haldimand but they have no idea that the fort was just part of a major base and it was much more extensive than what many people think." Carleton Island became a major supply route in the 1770s. The island also contained a shipyard where two British ships of the lines were built along with several gunboats. It became the headquarters for naval operations on Lake Ontario and the Upper St. Lawrence River. The SLRHF has a website dedicated to the fort. Among information on the site: In August, 1778, Governor General of Canada, Frederick , instructed Lt. William Twiss of the Royal Corps of Engineers to select a site at the Eastern end of Lake Ontario to play a role in the new supply route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deer Island, which would become Carleton, was selected, named after Major Gen. Sir Guy Carleton, governor of Quebec. Twiss outlined the design of docks, shipways, a hospital, fortifications and barracks. Carleton Island served as one of the major staging areas for military actions against the Mohawk Valley. By 1782 the entire west end of the island was occupied. Records indicate at times over a thousand merchants, camp followers, soldiers, sailors, Indians and displaced loyalists lived on the island. When the Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution in 1783, the British army abandoned new activities on Carleton Island. Though major hostilities were over, a new need arose to resettle loyalist families who were displaced from the Mohawk Valley. The British then reoccupied both the post at Oswego and the old French post at Cataraqui and renamed it Kingston. Claiming Carleton Island for the Americans did not involve a grand battle, according to the Times files: "Abner Hubbard, accompanied by a man and a boy, rowed from Cape Vincent, capturing one British sergeant, three invalid soldiers and two women." Jones wrote that the captives were marched to Sackets Harbor and surrendered to the Army. But within a few days, some British soldiers returned to the island to burn the barracks so they couldn't be used by the Americans. "In 1785, trans-shipment for government stores was relocated from the island to Kingston. In 1788 the naval yard was relocated to Kingston." "Technically the island was ceded to the U.S. by the Jay Treaty in 1796 yet in reality Britain still held Carleton Island at the outbreak of the War of 1812. The base was eventually ceded to the U.S., becoming the only land change resulting from the War of 1812." "For the first half of the nineteenth century the bays at the head of the island played a role in the lumber trade." "Most of the island was used primarily for cattle grazing until land development in the 1980s." In 1979, the fort site and the North Bay section where several artifacts have been recovered by divers, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. These days, no one lives on the island year-round. Artifacts from North Bay's British heyday surfaced in 1976 in underwater exploration conducted by the Division of Historic Preservation of the State Office of Parks and Recreation and the Thousand Islands State Park and Recreation Commission. A grant from the National Science Foundation helped fund the project. A cannon now displayed in Sackets Harbor was recovered, as well as such items as uniform buttons, small weapons and clay pipes. A private diving venture in 1973 off Carleton Island led to the recovery of another cannon. A 1978 proposal to divide the island into 260 separate tracts was grudgingly approved by the St. Lawrence-Eastern Ontario Commission on condition the fort be preserved and a minimum lot size of 5 acres be maintained. General Electric once owned the island. In 1936, the company considered razing Carleton Villa "to eliminate tax assessments," Times files say. In the 1940s, General Electric sold the island to the late Merle L. Youngs, owner of Zenda Farms in Clayton and president of Youngs Rubber Corp., maker of Trojan condoms. Mr. Youngs' heir, John McFarlane, sold the island in 1986 to Patten Corp. Northeast for $823,000, which promoted the development of the island into a community of summer homes. Charlie and Bill Millar had the property listed for $495,000 for more than a decade. That listing made lists online, and in newspapers such as the New York Post, as a haunted house for cheap. 'Let us restore' In July of 1927, more than 100 people gathered at the site of Fort Haldimand to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the departure of British Col. St. Leger in his advance on Fort Stanwix. In 1777, Barry St. Leger was appointed Brig. General to lead the western branch of Gen. John Burgoyne's three-pronged New York invasion force. This led to his failed siege of Fort Stanwix in Rome. The temporary marker was unveiled by state historian Alexander Flick. "Let us search out the history of this old fort," Flick told the crowd. "If possible we should make a public park out of it. Let us restore some of the officers' homes and then we will have a place worth preserving and worth showing." Issac L. Hunt, president of Watertown Savings Bank, also spoke. "It is historic ground on which we stand," Hunt told the gathering. "Here, we find evidence of the occupation of many races: First the Eskimo, then the Algonquian, then the Iroquois, then the French, the English and finally the Americans. Here, we find their traces in implements of peace and implements of war." In his October report, Russell indicated historic traces could yet be uncovered. The state's Historic Preservation Office requested revisions and resubmissions of the Phase 1A Archaeological Survey Report. "It is the opinion of OPRHP that the planned project has the potential for a series of both direct and indirect effects on important historic resources that remain unaddressed by the Phase IA survey report. Direct effects include the actual ground disturbance related to the undertaking. Indirect effects relate specifically to increased numbers of tourists interacting with historic resources (public access) that can have foreseeable negative effects on those resources." "We request that the revised report explicitly address all available research related to these and all other historic resources such as the Marsh/Folger Farm Historic Site (USN 04505.000182) located within the expanded project." "The historic background presented in the Phase IA survey report lacks considerable detail and should be expanded to appropriately address the significance of the site. The report omits detailed maps of the fort and surrounding area. These should be georeferenced, reviewed, described in detail." "The Revolutionary War period activity at the fort is well-documented and tied to significant events in the war including British/Native operations in the Mohawk Valley. The report should place the fort complex into the context of the unfolding conflict. This review should include details such as its role in the Burgoyne campaign, its role as a refuge for Loyalists and indigenous peoples displaced by the conflict, the impacts of the Sullivan Expedition of 1779 which led to retaliatory actions by troops from the fort led by Sir John Johnson, etc. The participation of Native forces and their residency at the fort and surrounding areas should be addressed in detail." "In our letter requesting a Phase IA survey dated 3/28/2024, we specifically noted that due to the sensitivity of the location and the known decades-long history of military activity on this portion of the island, we recommended methods consistent with typical battlefield investigations. We indicated that a detailed Phase IB work plan should be submitted that included testing beyond the standard 15-meter grid of shovel tests. The report does not address this request." Knapp said he doesn't want to weigh in on the villa project itself, but he also has thoughts on the Phase IA Archaeological Survey report. "After reading through the report as an archaeologist, I was pretty dumfounded," he said. "It was so lacking in information as to be deceptive, which I found pretty outrageous." Knapp is also disturbed by the clearing work done at the villa property. "In our region, much of the archaeology is in that top layer of soil. To go through construction and rubbing out a site removing the brush sod and trees it is the disturbance of that layer where you are destroying archaeology. That, to me, is pretty outrageous to think that somebody could do that and not have any consequences." LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Voters in 3 Acadiana towns went to the polls on new Public Safety Taxes. In Franklin, voters approved by a large margin, 69% to 31%, a 1% sales tax to fund the Police and Fire Departments. Baldwin easily passed a 1% Public Safety tax with 77% of the vote. In Erath, 58% of the voters approved a half-cent sales tax to be used for the Police Department. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. Residents of the Great Lakes, Northeast and mid-Atlantic have been shivering since a cold blast arrived around Thanksgiving. While a warmup may be welcome by most, it will not come without its share of problems. If it seemed to be the coldest end of November and beginning of December in quite some time, that would be an accurate assessment. In some locations, it was the coldest in several decades. This also made some cities feel like they were in a different climate altogether. AccuWeather meteorologists say the pattern changed this past weekend as the jet stream shifted. Arctic air retreated into Canada and northern New England, while milder air advanced eastward. For example, Washington jumped from a high of 45 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday to near 70 on Sunday. Daily highs early this week will continue to be in the 60s, but temperatures in the 60s will not be limited to the only Nation's Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday was a soaker for some across the South and as moisture continues to flow into the area, rain is expected to continue through midweek. In fact, the rain could be heavy enough to cause ponding on streets and highways in cities such as Atlanta and New Orleans. As this rain advances northeastward on Monday morning, some residual cold air at the low levels could cause some of the rain to freeze on surfaces. Even if temperatures are slightly above freezing, the cold ground and, in some locations, snow cover, can also cause rain to freeze on contact with the ground. This will especially be the case in the interior Northeast. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts with Premium+ "Across portions of New England and upstate New York, despite milder air trying to return from the south and southwest, the very chilly air mass will be hard to displace at the surface," explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As the moist, warmer air overrides this entrenched cold air at the surfaces, there will be a threat for freezing rain and icy conditions Monday into Monday night across parts of upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire," cautioned Pydynowski. "This could make for difficult travel for the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes on roads such as interstates 87, 89 and 91. Even where precipitation falls as all rain, places with several inches to several feet of snow on the ground will have other problems. "Although rain amounts only around half of an inch are expected, there will still be a concern for standing water, ponding of water on roadways and flooding in some poor drainage areas in northeastern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York due to snowmelt," said Pydynowski. By Tuesday, milder air will be more well established in the Northeast, with the exceptions of northern New England. Meanwhile, colder air will plunge southward into the Midwest on the back side of the storm. A more powerful storm with widespread wind and rain and a brief period of rain changing to snow over the interior can arrive on Tuesday night and Wednesday. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser to US President Joe Biden, has assessed the state of the Russian economy in recent weeks, noting that "warning bells" have begun to ring louder. Source: Sullivan during his speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum, as reported by European Pravda Details: Sullivan noted that President Biden had recently instructed him to increase military support for Ukraine and to increase pressure on Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And if you look at Russia's economy right now, just in the last few weeks, you've seen the warning bells begin ringing much more strongly. Russia really has mortgaged its economic future," Sullivan said. He noted that military support for Kyiv and economic pressure will be the tools that can be used in future peace talks to ensure that Ukraine's future as a sovereign and independent state is secured. "I cannot predict exactly how the war will end, nor can I dictate to President Zelenskyy or the Ukrainians how it should end," Sullivan added. Background: Jake Sullivan has recently promised to provide Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of additional artillery shells, thousands of missiles and hundreds of armoured vehicles by mid-January. On 7 December, the US Department of Defense announced a significant new security assistance package for Ukraine worth almost US$1 billion. Support UP or become our patron! WATCH: Doorbell camera captures garbage truck explosion ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WGN-TV) Residents of an Arlington Heights, Illinois, neighborhood are picking up the pieces on Friday night after a garbage truck exploded and caught fire, damaging several homes. According to Arlington Heights police, at around 4 p.m., officers and fire crews responded to a report that a garbage truck, operated by Groot Waste Management, caught fire near the intersection of North Dryden Avenue and Euclid Avenue in Arlington Heights. See it: Vehicle explosion damages homes and downs wires in Queens Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews arrived and began assessing the scene, but officers said that was when part of the truck exploded. Officers said the vehicle was powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), and officials believe that one of the tanks exploded during the fire. During the blast, two police officers and one firefighter were injured by flying debris and post-blast concussion. Authorities described the explosion as significant and said truck parts were launched into the air, landing several blocks away. A shockwave also reportedly caused property damage in the surrounding area. The windows of nearby homes were shattered and sections of roof and siding were blown off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blast also shattered the windshield of a fire engine that was on the scene and the airbags in a squad car that was parked next to the engine deployed. Who is Lamb Chop, Americas most popular dog toy? SkyCam 9 was over the scene around 5 p.m. when two ladder trucks could be seen spraying water on the badly damaged truck. According to authorities, forensic technicians documented the scene using digital and drone photography. Video captured by Luca and Leo Garanzinis doorbell camera shows the moment the garbage truck exploded in suburban Arlington Heights. Crews from Groot Waste Management also responded to the scene and cleaned up any residual debris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The badly damaged garbage truck was pulled from the scene by a wrecker around 7:15 p.m. It is currently unclear what sparked the initial fire. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. After Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar raised concern about the voting percentage in the Markadwadi village of Solapur, BJP Maharashtra president Chandrashekhar Bawankule shared details of 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections saying that the village is not the stronghold of any single party. Citing voting patterns from past elections. Bawankule, in a post on X, highlighted that Markadwadi village has consistently voted in different patterns in Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. "Sharad Pawar Saheb, the residents of Markadwadi have always supported different political parties. For your information, I am presenting the election data from 2014, 2019, and 2024. Please read it carefully. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Markadwadi village, NCP candidate Vijaysingh Mohite Patil received 533 votes, while Mahayuti alliance candidate Sadabhau Khot received 664 votes. In the same year, in the Assembly elections, NCP's Hanumant Dolas got 294 votes, while independent candidate Anant Khandagale received 979 votes," he said. "In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Markadwadi village, BJP's Ranjitsinh Nimbalkar received 956 votes, while NCP's Sanjay Shinde got 395 votes. However, in the same year's Assembly elections, NCP's Uttamrao Jankar received 1346 votes, whereas BJP's Ram Satpute got 300 votes. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Markadwadi village, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) candidate Dhairysheel Mohite Patil got 1021 votes, while BJP's Ranjitsinh Nimbalkar received 466 votes. Meanwhile, in the Assembly elections, NCP's Uttamrao Jankar received 843 votes, and BJP's Ram Satpute secured 1003 votes," the BJP leader added. Bawankule further said that instead of spreading misinformation and blaming the EVMs, the NCP chief should carefully analyze the voting data from Markadwadi. "These figures clearly show that the residents of Markadwadi have supported the NCP at times, independents at other times, and the BJP on other occasions. Hence, this village is not the stronghold of any single party. This time, the villagers and our dear sisters have rejected you. Therefore, instead of spreading misinformation and blaming the EVMs, carefully analyze the voting data from Markadwadi. This will help you think clearly," he said. This comes after Sharad Pawar on Sunday expressed concern over the recently concluded Maharashtra assembly elections, saying that "people have doubt over the election process and voters are not feeling confident." Addressing an "anti-EVM" event at Markadwadi village in Solapur district of the State, the NCP-SCP chief said, "Elections happen. some win some lose...but in the recently concluded election in Maharashtra, people have doubts over the election process and voters are not feeling confident. We go to elections through EVMs. Voters go to vote and come out with confidence but some results have created doubt among people." Pawar also sought to know why paper ballots were not used as was the practice in many countries, including the United States, England, and several European nations. "America, England and many European countries are conducting elections on ballots, not on Electronic Voting Machines EVM. When the whole world is holding elections on the ballot, why not us?" Pawar said. Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance partners have been raising questions about the legitimacy of EVMs after facing a setback in the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024. In the election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide by winning 235 seats. The results marked a significant milestone for the BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats. The Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party also made notable gains, with 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback with Congress winning just 16 seats. Its alliance partner, Shiv Sena (UBT), won 20 seats, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) secured only 10 seats. (ANI) MEMPHIS, Tennessee (KMID/KPEJ) Thousands of pieces of mail were dumped along Crump Boulevard, causing an obstacle for drivers on Wednesday. The United States Postal Service said it was caused by a contractor that inadvertently dropped some of its load. Watch: Slackliners balance between flying hot air balloons at 2,500 meters setting new world record But some say this isnt the first time theyve seen mail scattered along the same South Memphis road near Mississippi Boulevard. The postal service said the mail was what they call UBBM, which means undeliverable marketing mail or bulk business mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the mail on the street and a nearby vacant lot was reportedly sales ads, but there were also other types of mail, including some addressed to people. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. WASHINGTON, Ill (WMBD) A water main break in the city of Washington left 550 homes on a Water Boil Order. Illinois American Water were told about a water main break on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 7 in the City of Washington, said Anna Kubas, a spokesperson with Illinois American Water. Body of Shelby County Coroner discovered in Lake Mattoon in hunting accident The main has been fixed, but homes that use the line will remain under a boil advisory until the order is lifted, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois American Water replacing lead pipes in Peoria Kubas said, the boil advisory remains in place until notified due to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agencies water regulations, people on the ban will be notified by Illinois American Water when it lifted. A post on the citys Facebook said that the boil order is only for those who are served by Illinois American Water. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. NEW PARIS A new website unveiled Friday will warn drivers and emergency services in southern Elkhart County about blocked railroad crossings. The site blockedcrossings.com tracks the status of 10 railroad crossings between Goshen and the intersection of U.S. 6 and S.R. 15, just north of Milford. A green dot on the map means a crossing along the Marion Branch tracks is open and a red dot means a train is occupying it. A timer at each red dot can give an idea of whether a train is moving through or camping out. The site adds a black circle to indicate that a crossing has been blocked for more than 10 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public and first responders are really tired of being held hostage with blocked crossings, Elkhart County Commissioner Brad Rogers said. We created this knowledge, and knowledge is power for first responders and the public. When you have this knowledge of where the crossings are open, you can make adjustments. Elkhart County contracted with Blocked Crossings LLC to install the system, which has been in operation for several weeks and is now available to the public. Company co-owner Glenn Gilbert believes its the first community in the country to use the technology, which relies on cameras to detect when the warning lights at a crossing are flashing. The method was designed by Goshen software developer Douglas Miller. Over the past 10 years he tried a range of ways to remotely determine if a crossing was blocked, from ground vibrations and audio cues to changes in magnetic fields. Miller said the problem with each of those detection methods was that a train became invisible once it stopped. He realized that the question they should be trying to answer was, Is this crossing open or blocked? and that a camera was the simplest, most reliable solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blocked Crossings LLC came along at a time of mounting frustration with rail traffic in cities like Goshen and towns like New Paris. Local government representatives saw the usefulness of the technology to emergency services, who when confronted with a train may have only seconds to decide whether a left or right turn is the better bet to find an open crossing. When Rogers was the Elkhart County Sheriff, he had his department issue tickets to train engineers who were stopped at crossings for more than 20 minutes. But a 2018 ruling by the Indiana Supreme Court ended the longtime state law that gave local law enforcement agencies that power. The Jackson Township Fire Departments New Paris station is a stones throw from a crossing that serves as the gateway to its western coverage area, which includes part of Union Township. Fire Chief Bill Dunlap and Rogers, whose district includes Jackson Township, issued a statement in the spring of 2022 pointing out the danger to public safety and calling on Norfolk Southern Railway to stop parking trains in the way. City of Goshen representatives expressed similar frustration a year earlier, asking the railway to stop using our community as a parking lot. The county appropriated an initial sum of $60,000 in August 2023 to install poles and cameras at the New Paris-area crossings and to pay for the first year of service with Blocked Crossings. Jackson Township Trustee Tom Lantz agreed to cover the annual maintenance cost of $9,600 starting in 2025. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on November 5, 2024. - Credit: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP/Getty Images This years presidential election was a historic one for weed, with both major presidential candidates endorsing marijuana legalization for the first time ever. Kamala Harris said that she would legalize adult-use cannabis at the federal level. At the same time, Donald Trump announced that he was backing Floridas Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational weed in the state (despite majority support, the measure did not receive the required 60 percent voting threshold in the November election). At this stage, federal legalization seems all but inevitable. Last May, President Biden directed the Department of Justice to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, a move that would pave the way for legal medical use under federal law. The reclassification wouldnt federally legalize recreational marijuana, but it would remove current barriers to medical research, and could affect how some licensed cannabis businesses are taxed. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal cannabis policy has stagnated for decades. No matter what politicians have said about their evolving stances on legal weed, cannabis prohibition has been cemented in place since the 1970s, when Richard Nixons administration designated marijuana alongside heroin and LSD as a drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse despite Nixons private admission to aides and advisors that he knew it wasnt particularly dangerous. Nearly four decades after Nixon launched the War on Drugs, Barack Obama said during his first presidential campaign that medical marijuana was an issue best left to state and local governments. In 2013, in a move that activists hailed as a step toward ending prohibition, his Department of Justice issued the Cole Memorandum, which stated that federal marijuana laws would no longer be enforced at the state level. When Trump won the 2016 presidential election, Obama told Rolling Stone in an exit interview that he thought marijuana use should be treated as a public-health issue rather than a criminal one, saying, If you survey the American people, including Trump voters theyre in favor, in large numbers, of decriminalizing marijuana. When Trump took office the first time, the legal cannabis industry was flourishing. California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada had all voted to legalize adult-use marijuana the day he was elected, joining Colorado, Washington, and Oregon in the so-called Green Rush. Trump had claimed during his campaign that he wouldnt interfere with state-level marijuana policy but then his drug-warrior attorney general Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memo in 2018. Despite stoking the fears of cannabis advocates and industry folks, however, the policy shift didnt impede state-level marijuana reform. Today, three-quarters of Americans live in a state where marijuana is legal for either recreational or medical use. While Trump has signaled that he could be open to federal cannabis reform in his second crack at the presidency, Democratic lawmakers arent taking him at his word. A coalition led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), drafted a letter in November asking Biden to finalize his plans to limit marijuana prosecutions at the federal level before he leaves the Oval Office. Trumps threat of mass deportations could also threaten undocumented agricultural workers who travel to the United States to cultivate, harvest, and trim cannabis crops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What will Trumps policies ultimately look like when it comes to legal weed? Its hard to tell what kind of alliances hes building as he taps convicted criminals and other unqualified candidates for key positions. His first pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, was pro-legalization; cannabis advocates were delighted. But after Gaetz flamed out amid claims of sexual misconduct, Trump nominated Floridas former attorney general Pam Bondi, who opposed the states efforts to legalize medical marijuana. Trumps nominee to head up the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is an anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist who has threatened to fire Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employees for suppression of substances including raw milk and ivermectin but hes pro-cannabis and psychedelics. Chad Chronister, a Florida county sheriff who was in favor of legalizing recreational cannabis, was Trumps choice to head up the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), but the president-elect yanked the appointment after Chronister was revealed to have arrested a Florida pastor for hosting church services during the Covid-19 pandemic. And then theres Marty Makary, a surgeon and medical commentator who has suggested that cannabis use can be linked to cardiovascular and mental health issues. Trump nominated Makary to head up the FDA in a post that would oversee federal cannabis policy. Trying to track all Trumps nominees and their varying stances on legalization will give you whiplash. The unpredictability of the incoming Trump administration was a hot topic last week in Las Vegas at MJBizCon, a trade show that bills itself as the largest B2B cannabis event in the world. Tens of thousands of marijuana entrepreneurs and advocates gathered to wheel, deal, and discuss what the future may hold. Surprisingly, the overall mood at the event was optimistic, even as the industry braces for massive shifts, with hearings to move marijuana to Schedule III slated to begin the day after Trumps inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cultivator Ted Lidie made the leap from the legacy market (industry insiders no longer use the term black market) to the regulated space when California legalized recreational weed. His company Alien Labs is now licensed to operate in three states. Despite his general dislike of the GOP and Trump, Lidie thinks things bode well for the industry under the new administration. I think Democrats would have done better on the social-justice side, Lidie says. But the Republicans are probably going to steal this issue, and do better from a business perspective than the Democrats would have done. Until now, federal prohibition has squelched any possibility of interstate commerce, since crossing state lines with cannabis violates federal law. While thats been frustrating for operators with single-state licenses, its also protected them from being squeezed out by multi-state corporations. Lidie has mixed feelings about the market opening up nationally, but he thinks that interstate commerce could actually help small businesses survive; if consumers in Florida could order craft cannabis from a highly regarded grower in Oregon or California, Lidie says, it would make a much better marketplace, in my opinion. Lidies cautious hope for disruption of the status quo was echoed by others at the event. Jordan Tritt, CEO and co-founder of advisory firm The Panther Group, says investors are feeling optimistic about Trumps nomination of RFK Jr. as head of the HHS. RFK Jr. is the biggest positive opportunity in the administration that I see playing out for the cannabis base, Tritt says. Hes pretty favorable on psychedelics and cannabis. I expect a move away from pharmaceuticals that will invite new strategic investors. During his run for the Republican presidential nomination, RFK Jr. claimed that, if elected, he would legalize cannabis and use the tax revenue to create wellness farms where people with addiction to psychiatric drugs would be repaired. Could he potentially merge the legal American weed industry with the global wellness market, which reportedly raked in $6 trillion worldwide in 2023? The idea seems appealing to venture capitalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other industry veterans were circumspect when asked about how Trump could affect business. Crystal Millican is senior vice president of retail and marketing for Cookies, a California cannabis brand that launched in 2010 and now spans six countries. Cookies execs arent trying to predict what the administration will do, Millican says: Were cautiously optimistic about Trumps support for safe banking for cannabis companies. Shes reserving judgment on Pam Bondi and her anti-marijuana record. As for Trumps other candidates, Millican says, I dont think the administration has signaled that cannabis reform is at the top of their list. So we will see. Vince Ning, founder and CEO of the cannabis wholesale platform Nabis, is waiting to see if Trumps appointees will set a domino effect into motion by carrying out his vow to dismantle federal bureaucracy. The HHS produces all the health studies and reports from organizations like the National Institute of Health, Ning says. HHS is going to be one of the first places [where] the government is going to cut costs. And the Drug Enforcement Agency reports to the attorney general, so whoever gets appointed as AG will have a large influence on the DEA. That doesnt mean that Ning is necessarily pessimistic about the upcoming administration. I think its more status quo than anything else, he says. Republicans are all about small government and states rights. Thats the default way in which cannabis has been legalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some marijuana activists also anticipate that things could change for the better under Trump, even if it means chaos. Danny Danko Vinkovetsky, the former cultivation editor for High Times, points out that federal law hasnt changed under any of the five presidential administrations since he started out as a grower in the 90s. He says moving marijuana to Schedule III could actually be a step in the wrong direction, if it ends up giving control of legal cannabis to the pharmaceutical industry. But he says that even if the Trump administration is disruptive, it might move things forward in some way by breaking what exists. Cannabis PR, media, and drug policy expert Ricardo Baca agrees that a shakeup is desperately needed. The federal government has always been sitting on its hands when it comes to drug policy reform, Baca says. We could see significant change with a loose cannon stepping into the Oval Office. I dont support Trump. I think hell be bad for the country. But the snail-paced progress needs to be disrupted. I wouldnt be surprised if he did something nuts (in D.C. terms) like federally legalizing cannabis. The consensus on what federal law will look like under Trump 2.0 seems to be that there is no consensus, other than that change is imminent. Overall, the industry outlook for legal weed seems bright. Could Trump and his cabinet of diehard MAGA loyalists flip the script on over 80 years of prohibition? Well have to spark up, sit back, and wait to see. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ELKHART The Well Foundations Greatest Need Fund has awarded $214,400 in grants to boost community health across Elkhart County. The Well Foundation Committee convened in November to distribute this years grants. The Greatest Need Fund provides flexible funding for local initiatives that help Elkhart County residents live healthier, longer lives. Were thrilled to continue supporting health-focused projects and organizations throughout Elkhart County, said Jane Erickson, president of the committee, which includes numerous volunteers with ties to the original Goshen Hospital & Healthcare Foundation. This commitment to community well-being has been a driving force since our founding in 1969. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the Greatest Need Fund, the Well Foundation also supports a variety of designated programs and scholarships. This years grants include: ADEC Inc.: $11,000 for Resource Center Activity Green Space Bashor Home of the United Methodist Church: $4,900 for OT Services for Secure Youth Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County Inc.: $5,000 for Suicide Prevention Training Center for Healing and Hope: $12,655 for Technology Upgrade Church Community Services Inc.: $20,000 for Seed to Feed/Teen Growers Expansion Church Women United dba The Window: $10,000 for Leadership Transition Cultivate Food Rescue: $14,000 for New Elkhart Location Capacity Building Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elkhart County Clubhouse Inc. dba Cora Dale House: $11,000 for Community Support Development Project Elkhart County Community Corrections: $7,510 for Facilitator Training In-house Programming GiveHear dba HearCare Connection Inc.: $25,000 for Goshen Hearing Healthcare Clinic Joes Kids Inc.: $10,000 for Therapy Supplies & Training Maple City Health Care Center Inc.: $20,000 for Mental Health and SANE Expansion for Children Oaklawn Foundation for Mental Health Inc: $20,000 for Therapist Recruitment and Retention OHana Heritage Foundation Inc.: $11,835 for Technology Upgrade Ribbon of Hope Inc.: $7,500 for Elkhart County Expansion Project Ryans Place Inc.: $18,000 for Ryans Place Hospital Room Wheelchair Help: $6,000 for Lift Chair & Mobility Scooter Restoration Election results are available here. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) In the Dec. 7 election, voters in West Baton Rouge Parish decided to renew a property tax that funds local recreational facilities and programs. The Parishwide Proposition (Renewal) will continue a 5-mill tax on taxable property from 2025 through 2034. The term mill in property tax language refers to the amount of tax payable per dollar of the assessed value of a property. Specifically, one mill represents one-tenth of one cent. A 5-mill tax means that for every $1,000 of assessed property value, $5 in tax is levied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tax is expected to generate approximately $753,000 annually, earmarked for the construction, improvement, operation, and maintenance of recreational facilities throughout the parish. The proposition passed with 62% of 2,523 votes cast in favor, according to the Secretary of States website. Polls in Louisiana were open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Besides the local proposition, voters across the state also weighed in on four constitutional amendments and various municipal general elections and propositions. December 2024 Election | Featured Coverage Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Saturday marked the 83rd anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, forever changing the course of history. An American tragedy, took 2,400 of the Greatest Generations lives, in what became the most consequential event of the 20th century. 83 years later, cities and towns across the country observe Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, to honor the brave lives lost when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, bringing the United States directly into World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city of Westfield held a ceremony at Kane-Wojtkiewicz Park to recognize the significance of this day in American history and honor one of their own who was killed when the USS Arizona suffered a direct hit. The park was named for Frank Wojtkiewicz, Chief Petty Officer, First Class of the U.S. Navy, the first man from Westfield to lose his life in the war. For the veterans, members of the American Legions, Military order of the Purple Heart Trail, and community members in attendance, this ceremony is meant to instill in Americans, the importance of remembering. U.S. Army Veteran Cathy Martin shared, I hope that they just remember the sacrifices of our fallen that came before us and continue to honor veterans and active duty military. As we observe flags at half-staff this December 7, we remember Pearl Harbor and the America it paved the way for. It would inspire Americans to line up at military recruiting offices across the nation, says Commander of American Legion Post 124 James Johnson. It would inspire Hollywood productions, public servants, and communities throughout America to get behind the war effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We commemorate those who perished that day, as they made the ultimate sacrifice. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Uttar Pradesh police and fire safety department are on high alert and taking all precautionary measures to make Mahakumbh 2025 celebrations secured for lakh of devotees scheduled to visit the holy place early next year. The UP fire safety department held a demonstration to prevent fire mishaps arising from lithium batteries generally used in e-rickshaws, electric buses and wireless communication. Uttar Pradesh Fire Service has purchased Lithium Battery Anti-Fire Cylinder which would be placed into service for the first time in Maha Kumbh. Uttar Pradesh Fire DG Avinash Chandra reached the headquarters of the Fire Service in Maha Kumbh area on Sunday where he talked to the officials and also gave them guidelines to maintain proper security arrangements. DG Fire Avinash Chandra said, "Lithium batteries are being used in e-rickshaws etc. and during Maha Kumbh, the use of electric vehicles and e-rickshaws will increase, for this the fire service has already made arrangements. During the demonstration, an ex-fireman from South Africa demonstrated and told that this is an old technology. He invented it himself. It is the best in extinguishing fire." Ex-fireman from South Africa and staff from supplier of the Anti-Fire Cylinder, Louis said that some features have been added to this technology and it is being used in many countries of the world. "This technology will be used for the first time in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, which will be most beneficial in controlling fire. There is a high possibility of fire when the temperature in lithium battery is high. Therefore, this technology will be beneficial during Maha Kumbh. This is brought for the first time in Kumbh, a total of 500 cylinders of this have been brought here," he said. Earlier UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday addressed state police personnel, emphasizing the importance of vigilant and approachable policing in preparation for the Mahakumbh 2025. He highlighted the critical role of law enforcement in ensuring public safety and maintaining order during large gatherings. "Being a citizen of an independent country, the police department should be friendly towards the public. Old people used to say that if you lose your sight, an accident happens. I think this is the case with the police. As soon as your vigilance is reduced, there is an enemy and an opponent," said CM Yogi. He also stressed proactive measures to ensure smooth conduct of the Mahakumbh, urging police personnel to remain alert and committed to their responsibilities. CM Yogi also warned against negligence, saying, "Even a small crowd can create chaos and pose a threat to lives and property. We should ensure that no animal or person who is an enemy of society or the country enters." Earlier, CM Yogi chaired a meeting with officials at the Circuit House in Prayagraj to review ongoing preparations for the Mahakumbh, set to begin with the 'Paush Purnima Snan' on January 13, 2025, and conclude with the 'Mahashivratri Snan' on February 26, 2025. (ANI) Thick, heavy fog is rolling across Central Valley roads, obscuring local landmarks and make driving difficult. Dense fog causes reduced visibility, the the National Weather Service wrote on Dec, 6. in a post on X. Why is the fog so bad in Fresno this time of year? And how dangerous is it? The Fresno Bee reached out to the National Weather Service and California Highway Patrol to find out. Dense fog causes reduced visibility. Safety tips to keep in mind if you need to drive in the fog: turn on low-beam headlights and drive slowly with caution, keep a good distance between vehicles and/or consider waiting until the visibility improves before venturing out. #cawx pic.twitter.com/ogAsAJP15e NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) December 6, 2024 What causes ground fog? Radiation fog, also known as ground fog, forms at night under clear skies with calm winds when heat absorbed by the earths surface during the day is radiated into space, the weather service said on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If theres a deep enough layer of moist air near the ground, fog will form as the earths surface cools and humidity reaches 100%, the weather service said. Radiation fog varies in depth from 3 feet to about 1,000 feet and usually remains stationary, the weather service said. This type of fog can reduce visibility to near zero at times and make driving very hazardous. You can think of fog as a type of cloud that forms close to the ground when the air is filled with tiny droplets of water or ice, according to weather website RainViewer.com. A service truck travels through the fog Tuesday morning, Dec. 18, 2018 on Kearney Boulevard. Why is the fog so bad in Fresno area? Fog has increased in the Central Valley since November due to the powerful storms rolling across California, according to the weather service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That high amount of rain is producing the very thick fog that were seeing in central California, said Carlos Molina, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford. In years past, we would get rain, but just a little bit of rain. Because it wasnt that much rain, the fog was not that thick. For three years, the region was in a drought, Molina said. We just didnt have the water (for fog). When heavy winters returned in 2022, there were so many storms that the fog never really had a chance to form, he said, while Fresno experienced lighter fog the following year. Although Fresno only saw 12 inches of rain in 2023 he said, This year were already well above normal for our rainy season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means more fog. From Nov. 28 to Dec. 6, the National Weather Service issued a total of 10 dense fog warnings one for each day, according to Molina. How common are fog-related crashes? More than 38,700 vehicle crashes occur in fog each year across the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Highway Administration. Over 600 people are killed and more than 16,300 people are injured in these crashes annually, the federal road agency said. On Dec. 3 there were at least 12 fog-related crashes on Fresnos freeways, city streets and county roads, Fresno televsion station ABC30 News reported. In one incident, a Chevrolet pickup truck struck the front of a semi tractor-trailer truck as it entered the intersection of Parlier and McCall avenues in Fresno. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impact lodged the Chevrolet under the big rig, causing significant damage and ejecting the driver onto the roadway, The Fresno Bee reported. The pickup truck then became engulfed in flames. The Chevrolets driver later identified as Armando Jimenez Cadena, 36, of Del Rey was pronounced dead at the scene, and his female passenger was critically injured, The Bee reported. Visibility in the area was reduced due to foggy conditions, CHP spokesman Mike Salas told The Bee at the scene. He said that many of the recent crashes in Fresno County were caused by excessive speed and poor judgment on foggy roads. Will Fresno area see more fog? Widespread dense fog was expected Sunday morning, mainly before 9 a.m., according to the National Weather Services latest seven-day forecast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday will be mostly cloudy, with a high temperature near 59 degrees and an overnight low temperature around 43 degrees, the weather service said. The forecast called for patchy dense fog before 9 p.m. Sunday and after 3 a.m. Monday. There will be more widespread fog on Monday, mainly before 8 a.m. Otherwise, the day will be mostly sunny, with a high near 59 and a low around 41. According to the weather service, sunny skies are expected for the rest of the week, with highs in the high 50s and low 60s and lows in the low 40s. Theres a 20% chance of rain on Friday, the weather service said. How to drive safely in the fog In its X post, the weather service offered a number of safety tips to keep in mind if you need to drive in the fog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turn on low-beam headlights and drive slowly with caution, the weather service said. Keep a good distance between vehicles and/or consider waiting until the visibility improves before venturing out. Molina offered a few more tips for how to drive safely in foggy conditions: Hadi was among the first to pay attention when opposition rebels moved into Syrias second-largest city, Aleppo. He checked his phone anxiously and repeatedly in the next days for updates from his wife and sisters in the war-ravaged city, as President Bashar al-Assads forces crumbled and fled. Seeing what happened was a shock, a complete shock. You feel like you are lost. Your life is on hold, but the rest of the world is continuing, Hadi says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 27-year-old, who came to the UK legally as a refugee, is one of the 7m Syrians who have fled Assads murderous regime during 14 years of civil war. He speaks using a pseudonym because of fears for his family back home. The despots retreat from Aleppo and other key territories after mere days of fighting leaves Hadis relatives and other civilians in a terrifying limbo reminiscent of the past. What scares them the most is the aeroplanes. Its the regime throwing bombs and using Russian and Syrian aeroplanes and very advanced military equipment. There is nothing you can do to hide from bombs coming from the sky, Hadi says. Until a week ago Syria was frozen in conflict still at war but relatively stable. Some European leaders had been starting to normalise relations with Assad, who is wanted for war crimes including for the use of chemical weapons against his own population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italy and Austria were even pushing to brand it a safe country, after a decade where the EU accepted more than 1m Syrian refugees. But as Assads key allies in Moscow and Tehran have been busy waging their own wars, Syria is suddenly again gripped by chaos. On Sunday morning, rebels declared that they had ousted Assad after their lightning offensive reached Damascus. However, what the future holds for Syria is far from clear. The warnings about the situation are only growing, as Sir Keir Starmer prepares for his first official trip to the Middle East. The Prime Ministers focus will be on drumming up Gulf investment from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for Britains creaking infrastructure during his desert charm offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At home, he faces voter dismay over the record 5.4bn cost of the UKs asylum and record net migration in previous years. The UNs special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has warned Syria is in grave danger. Further military escalation risks mass displacement and civilian casualties, he said, urging rapid de-escalation to prevent a humanitarian disaster. The number of Syrians who have fled their home country is still the worlds greatest refugee crisis, according to the UN. The rebel insurgence of the past week has already led to more than 300,000 people fleeing their homes to other parts of Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the news nervously from London, Hadi fears many more will be forced to embark on journeys similar to his own if the situation escalates. But with little in the way of legal routes out of the country, smugglers would stand to profit from their plight. Im 100pc sure from seeing what happened in Syria before that we will find many, many people who are trying to escape. I would expect many to try to cross to Europe, Hadi says. Shocking turn Opposition rebels recaptured the strategically important city of Hama last week - Abdulkerim Muhammed/Anadolu via Getty Images The Syrian civil war is one of the most complex conflicts of the 21st century. The country of 23m inhabitants has been gripped by war since Assads violent crackdown on Arab Spring protesters in 2011. Yet even those who understand the conflict and its many factions well were stunned by the rapid changes of the past weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its like a house of cards. You dont know how solid that structure is until you poke it. When opposition forces were able to see how easy it was that shocked them as well, says Haid Haid, a Syrian columnist and Chatham House fellow. The opposition rebels who stormed Aleppo belong to the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an offshoot of Al-Qaeda that has since cut its ties to the terrorist organisation, professionalised its army and sought to sanitise its image. They have in the space of little more than a week erupted from their territory in north-west Syria, captured Aleppo followed by the strategically important city of Hama. Homs, which links Syrias capital Damascus and access to the coast, fell just days later and the rebels claimed to have defeated Assads regime by Sunday after taking control of the capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been a pretty shocking turn and unravelling. People had been signalling at the regimes brokenness and ongoing state collapse but there was a clear sense that the regime was, if not in control, on top of the situation enough to be the brutal overlord that kept things together, says Julien Barnes-Dacey from the European Council on Foreign Relations. The end goal is to topple Assad, according to HTSs leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a proscribed terrorist by several governments who has a $10m (8m) bounty on his head. Rebels riddled a portrait of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad with bullets after capturing Hama - OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images The rebels initial goal was only to push the regime out of key urban areas and reduce attacks on their territories. But when they saw how fast they could drive away Assads men, their ambitions changed, Haid says. At this point, their approach is that the sky is the limit, he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the surprise over the cracks in Assads chokehold, the seeds of discontent were there for anyone to see, Haid says. The attack itself was not surprising. Its a predictable outcome of the international communitys failed approach where it has prioritised managing the conflict over resolving it, he says. You had seen inside Syria continued regime attacks on communities and a lack of progress. For the people who live there, the conflict is not a frozen one, it is very much still active. The only way to change those dynamics would be violent means to achieve what the political process has not been able to deliver. Economic collapse and instability have made life for ordinary people in the failed state increasingly hard. So there was little in the way of loyalty left to prop up Assad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regime has been cannibalising whats left there for its own gain and leaving the wider population to kind of feed off the crumbs in a really desperate fashion, Barnes-Dacey says. A painful new conflict Vladimir Putin has helped prop up Bashar al-Assads regime in an effort to cement Russias power in the region - Valery Sharifulin/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP Putin has long played an active role in preserving Assads murderous regime. Syrias location provides Moscow with strategically important access to the Mediterranean Sea and has cemented its presence in the region, which brings economic and political advantages. Allowing Assads regime to collapse would have risked the country being taken over by pro-Western and pro-US forces in a blow to Moscow. Putins intervention in Syria also helped him project a strong image of military capability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were able to demonstrate their military capabilities in Syria by using weapons they did not use elsewhere. It was a good way to promote the weapons and then sell them to potential clients in the Middle East and elsewhere, Haid says. Much of what the West has witnessed in Ukraine over the past three years airstrikes flattening entire neighbourhoods, the bombardment of hospitals and a disregard for civilian life Syrians have seen first-hand. They were the test case before Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many experts say. Nearly a decade ago it was Russian airstrikes that helped Assad retake Aleppo after four years of battle over the city, causing devastation so great it became known as Syrias Stalingrad. It makes the last weeks events all the more remarkable: What took Assad years to win back, he lost in days. The situation on the ground shows so far that the resources needed have not been deployed yet from the Russian side, Haid says. When theres a big crisis like this, everyone will point fingers at everyone. Putin seems to blame his military commanders in Syria. He sacked one of his top commanders, Haid says. Assad in turn is likely to blame Russias diminished presence for not getting support when he needed it the most, he says. If you look at it from the perspective of Iran and Russia, [theyd say] we provided you with all this support for years and then you could not even protect your gains for one week, Haid says. Indeed, news reports have emerged of sources near the Kremlin saying Putin is disgusted by Assads men abandoning their positions. The source told Bloomberg that Russia would not save Assad as long as his own men were fleeing. Neighbouring countries were also getting fed up with Assads unwillingness to negotiate. Damascus has leveraged the smuggling of Captagon, a drug containing amphetamine and theophylline, to push the Gulf states to reintegrate it into the Arab world, experts say. Meanwhile, Turkey had long been wanting to strike a deal over refugees and the status of northern Syria to contain what it sees as a Kurdish threat in the area. The rebels rapid strikes could only take place because Recep Erdogan, Turkeys president, turned a blind eye, analysts say. This is first and foremost a response to the fact that the regime wouldnt cut any deals, and it wouldnt make any compromises, and its been hollowed out by its own corruption and international sanctions, Barnes-Dacey says. Clearly, the civil war has been reignited. For ordinary Syrians in areas where the battle lines are rapidly changing, they face a triple whammy of surging prices, a struggle to get essentials and fears of bombardment. Hadi says the insurgents are now trying to force Aleppians to abandon their currency. As a result, costs are through the roof. The parts of Syria controlled by opposition rebels use Turkish lira and dollars, while areas held by Assad use Syrian lira. Exchanging Syrian lira for dollars cost twice as much in Aleppo as it did in Damascus before it fell to the rebels. Unfortunately, if you think about bread, the most basic thing, before just last week it was 1,000 Syrian lira per bag. Now it is 16,000-18,000. So everything has become much more expensive, Hadi says. There is no gas. There is nothing to use for transport. Its pretty hard to deal with that situation, he says. Getting out is more difficult too. Hadis wife, who has a UK visa, was meant to join him in London later this month. That journey now looks far more dangerous. Getting on a bus from Aleppo to Damascus, which is near the border with Jordan in the south, only took four hours a week ago. Now it takes 52 hours. The price has also soared: From 40,000 Syrian lira, which is approximately $4, now they are asking for $600, Hadi says. Aleppians queue for bread distributed by a charity as the civil war sends prices rocketing - Muhammad Haj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images Erdogan has said the rebel advance would aid refugees voluntarily returning to Syria from Turkey. Hadi says this is true of some family members in Turkey desperate to go home after years of being refugees. But Russian airstrikes would undermine any such plans, he says. While he and many others share cautious optimism about the possible fall of Assad, the fear of being stuck between airstrikes and Islamist insurgents is hard to escape. The uncertainty over what will happen may drive many others to try to leave. We dont know much about the opposition. I would not think they are as bad as the regime or what the regime did to Syria. But the opposition is known to be more conservative than the people of Aleppo, where it is much more modern and youll see women without hijabs, he says. People are right to be concerned, says Barnes-Dacey. There is no denying, despite a lot of opposition optimism, that the movement spearheading this military push is a former al-Qaeda offshoot that still has a strong Salafist bent. It may not be a transnational terrorist organisation with designs of attacking the West any longer, but its a Salafist conservative group and Syrian civilians and minorities are obviously incredibly concerned about what that could mean for the country, he says. Fresh exodus Opposition fighters pose for a selfie in Hama. More Syrians are likely to flee as the conflict intensifies - Bilal al-Hammoud/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock HTS has made concerted efforts since taking Aleppo to portray themselves as moderate, insisting Christians and other minorities need not fear them. Many are still wary, however. The threat of the intensifying conflict to send many hundreds of thousands on the run is grave, warns Haid. While Assads government has said it is ready for a peaceful handover of power, there are concerns this could prove to be a false dawn for peace if the Syrian dictator tries to regroup. The worst case scenario is for the fighting to continue to escalate and for regime and Russian airstrikes to start targeting civilian areas, he says. In such a likely scenario, you would definitely see huge displacement within Syria, as well as the attempt of many to cross elsewhere. I think many people right now who fled Aleppo or other areas, or even those not close to the front lines are seriously considering leaving Syria because they might think that nothing is predictable or impossible. Fleeing to neighbouring countries is more fraught than during the height of the Syrian refugee crisis a decade ago. Lebanon already hosts the highest number of refugees per capita in the world, is at war and barely stable amid a fragile ceasefire. Meanwhile, other countries such as Jordan and Turkey are more determined to push refugees away and get rid of the millions who have been there since the onset of the war, according to Haid. The ability of people to stay in the neighbouring countries is more difficult now, which would indicate that more and more people will try to cross to Europe because it will be the only way to find safety, he says. Cyprus, one of the nearest gateways to Europe, has already seen a surge in Syrians fleeing Lebanon. The island declared a state of serious crisis in April and suspended processing asylum applications from Syrians, leaving thousands of people in limbo. The situation underscores how European attitudes have changed over the course of Syrias long civil war. Two-year-old Alan Kurdi lying lifeless on a beach after drowning alongside his mother and brother while trying to reach Greece became the defining image of the crisis in 2015. Days earlier Angela Merkel, the former German chancellor, had stood up at a press conference telling Germans seeing images of thousands of people walking alongside European motorways Well manage this. Under Merkel, Germany welcomed more than a million refugees in the space of only two years from 2015 to 2016. This policy helped make it the worlds third-largest refugee-hosting country. The UK took very few Syrians in comparison. David Cameron created the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), which accepted around 20,000 Syrian refugees and gave them a legal route to the UK. A further 9,766 Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK in the last three years, arriving irregularly. We do have Syrians crossing in small boats. But from 2018 to this year, they only make up about 8pc, says Peter Walsh of the Migration Observatory. Many experts believe that a renewed exodus of Syrians would be smaller than a decade ago, as millions have already fled and few have returned. Germany and other European countries with large Syrian populations would likely be their first port of call on the Continent. But in many countries, political opinion has shifted from welcoming to deterring migrants. The large scale of both irregular and legal migration over the past decade is partly to blame, says Andrew Geddes, director of the Migration Policy Centre in Italy. If you want to explain the Alternative fur Deutschland, the Freedom Party in Austria, Wilders in the Netherlands, I think that plays a part in this, he says. The Syrian refugee crisis had a seismic effect on public perceptions of migration, he believes. Thered already been people crossing the Mediterranean in boats and some terrible loss of life. But the scale was new. There was an increased sense that governments werent dealing with the issues properly and it seemed to be chaotic and out of control, he says. This is echoed by Walsh. The lack of legal routes for people fleeing conflict has led to a surge in irregular arrivals. But this has turned public opinion, he says. In a discourse where its all about control, these small-boat arrivals are a very clear example of a lack of control. That does concern people, Walsh says. For Sir Keir Starmer, any rise in irregular or legal migration would pose a big problem, says Jonathan Thomas, a senior fellow at the Social Market Foundation. Starmer has vowed to smash smuggling gangs and reduce overall net migration figures. While he can still just about blame the previous government, things arent looking great so far. The numbers crossing the Channel are still pretty high. Theyve certainly not gone down. Plus this revelation that immigration was even higher under the previous government. It could hardly be a better backdrop for Reform. Right at the top of the Labour Government, theres clearly a very strong move to sound tough on immigration, Thomas says. There is also the problem of the record 5.4bn asylum bill, with 8.2m a day spent on hotels. Weve got for the first time a greater focus on the costs of housing people, which is very high. That cost is there regardless of how sympathetic you are to the people youre housing. That puts Keir Starmer in a very difficult position, he says. One of the things that Labour could do is say, Were going to take some Syrians through a resettlement scheme, as David Cameron did. But the numbers you tend to take through those schemes are not huge, and its an open question whether they stop people coming through other means, he says. Smugglers could flourish Syrian families have fled northwards away from fighting in the Hama area - Bakr Alkasem/AFP via Getty Images A decade ago several key Labour figures who are today in top Cabinet positions including Rachel Reeves, David Lammy and Wes Streeting called on the then home secretary Theresa May to accept greater numbers of Syrians. Whether such goodwill has followed them into government remains to be seen. Europes far more hostile attitudes to people seeking protection compared with a decade ago may mean that far fewer people make it to France to cross the Channel in the first place, Thomas adds. However, the more fraught migrant routes become, the greater the potential profits for smugglers and the more likely they are to be highly organised criminals, he says. This complicates Starmers mission to smash the gangs. Such warnings are echoed by human rights organisations. Weve seen thousands of people already fleeing. If the fighting escalates then thats only going to increase. Smuggling gangs and networks flourish when there are no safe routes. Thats their business model, says Gunes Kalkan, of NGO Safe Passage. The polling shows that there would be much more support for a process where the number of people that are coming is clear in advance, and there are processes in place for that to happen in an orderly way, he adds. For Syrians like Hadi, the resurgence of fighting has brought back painful memories. His dads leg was blown off in an airstrike on Aleppo. He knows all too well what civilians face if Russian planes fly over the city again. I feel like there is no escape from war. No matter where you are. There is no escape from stress, anxiety, worrying about your family, worrying about your country. Its I think associated with being born in that part of the world, he says wearily. He hopes civilians will be helped to safety by the UK and other European countries if things escalate. But he would rather see them vetted in advance by the Home Office like he and his family were than arrive through the Channel. I dont want people who have criminal records or who commit war crimes, whether they are from the regime, the opposition or the court or the Islamic groups there to be in the UK. I care about the UK the same way I care about the country that I was born. To be honest I love the UK sometimes even more. Everything I remember about my country is war, death and blood. In the UK, its much better, he says. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. HONOLULU (KHON2) Honolulu police are getting ready to pull its extra manpower from the Leeward coast after they had been there to bring back a sense of safety and security to the community. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The move is getting mixed reactions from area lawmakers. After a string of violent crimes on the Waianae coast, Honolulu Police dedicated more resources to the area but thats coming to an end at the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Increased Hawaii park surveillance without public approval And were looking at not reducing resources, necessarily speaking, but handing over the activities to the district completely, said Chief Joe Logan, Honolulu Police Department. HPD Chief Logan mentioned the change during the recent police commission meeting. I think this just goes to show that extra enforcement is needed on the Waianae coast, so if its working, why would we retreat? said Sen. Samantha Decorte, (R) Ko Olina-Makua. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has been staffing the Waianae Boat Harbor 24-7 since August. At this time, that will continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Department of Law Enforcement said it will continue to support HPD and other law enforcement agencies in promoting safety on the Leeward Coast but newly elected Waianae Senator Samantha Decorte said theres still a big missing piece. 30 security cameras being installed in Chinatown I have been a strong advocate for many years on completing the Waianae police station, said Decorte. It still continues to sit unfinished and uncompleted. Do we need like a whole bunch of people just out there around? Im sure to some degree that helps, but really the plan with crime is not to just have kinda a scarecrow method of trying to scare people off but to have a long-term method, said Honolulu Councilmember Andria Tupola. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honolulu Council member Andria Tupola is looking for long-term fixes. Its kinda like the broken glass theory, said Tupola. You have broken glass and things everywhere, it looks like you should do crime there. We need to deter people from crime in areas like that and the only way you do it is to beautify, make it look like hey this is not a place to do this.' Tupola said she wants to attack crime in three areas at parks by creating a parks detail for patrol, in schools with resource officers and cleaning up the corridor from the bridge to the high school. Check out more news from around Hawaii Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want them to feel like they can tell me the things that maybe a small difference will have a huge impact, said Tupola. We want to be able to go to the grocery store, walk to our cars, and not have to look over our shoulders, said Decorte. I mean, this is just not a healthy way for any community to live. Public safety should be number one in every community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) After its first summer open, the Winrock Town Center just wrapped up its first winter market. Shoppers were excited to see what the Winrock Farmers & Artisan market had to offer this year as they hosted their final event of the year on Saturday. The market part of a major renovation to the Winrock area, and its nearly two decades in the making. This was our vision all along to support the community to bring Albuquerque something they dont have, said Darin Sand, Senior VP of Goodman Realty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vision drew in over 10,000 visitors to the market since August, with half coming just last weekend. Story continues below I feel like theres more visitors here for the winter market, but our summer market was very consistent with people coming out, said David Stroud, event curator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers say the growth has been through word of mouth and social media. With more than 400 vendors participating throughout the year. We learned that there is a lot of small businesses that need to be supported, and we want to create that space for that, said Stroud. They explained the area is ideal with plenty of parking and room for new developments like the incoming food hall. Additionally, organizers are looking to add more improvements for next year like shade in the play area and doubling up on the number of vendors they currently have. We just want people to come out here to be able to use this space as a community space, said Stroud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The market will be back up and running the week of Easter in 2025. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A local woman on Friday was charged with first-degree murder of a 2-month-old child this summer. Court records show that a Wake County grand jury on Monday indicted Davonna Parsons, 31, for the murder of Seven Montrell Richardson on June 26. Additional records show that the Wake County Sheriffs Office arrested Parsons on Friday. CBS17 reported that the victim was Parsons son. A spokesperson for the Raleigh Police Department did not confirm their relation to The News & Observer, but an online obituary for the infant lists Parsons as his mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil court records filed in August, in which a relative petitioned for custody of Parsons other children, stated that Parsons is currently incarcerated due to [the] death of her youngest child. Records show Parsons is being held at the Wake County Detention Center. The Raleigh police spokesperson said in an email Saturday that no additional information about the case was immediately available. Dec. 8 (UPI) -- World leaders, including in the volatile Middle East, reacted after Syrians rebels seized control, toppling the long rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Also, celebrations broke out among Syrians worldwide, including in Lebanon, France, Greece, Denmark, Turkey, Spain, Britain, Germany, Austria. Many of them are refugees fleeing the Syrian regime. Generally the leaders expressed non-interference and a peaceful transfer of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Joe Biden made public remarks after meeting with his national security team Sunday morning. "At long last the Assad regime has fallen," Biden said at the White House. "This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. Syrians cheer and wave national flags as they celebrate the taking over of the capital Damascus by Syrian rebel fighters in the Lebanese town of Bar Elias in the Bekaa valley on Sunda. Photo by Fadel Itani/UPI "It's also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next. The United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help the seize an opportunity to manage the risk." US President Joe Biden reiterated his commitment to bringing home Americans held hostage, including freelance journalist Austin Tice taken captive more than 12 years ago. Syrians in in Lebanese town of Bar Elias in the Bekaa valley, on Sunday celebrate the taking over of the capital Damascus by Syrian rebel fighters. Photo by Fadel Itani/UPi President-elect Donald Trump took to social media on Sunday morning about the overthrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Supporters of the Syrian opposition wave flags in Place de la Republique in Paris on Sunday. Photo by Mohammed Badra/EPA-EFE "There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever. Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success." On Saturday, he said the United States" should have nothing to do" with conflicts involving Syria. Russia had limited reaction on the change of power. "As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement obtained by The Guardian. "Russia did not participate in these negotiations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad and his family arrived in Moscow after being granted asylum in Russia, according to Russian state media TASS, citing a source in the Kremlin. TASS also reported Russia wants negotiations on Syria's future to take place under the aegis of the United Nations. The United Nations will work with the Syrians on determining the country's future, Secretary General Antonio Guterres said "The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine, and my Special Envoy [for Syria Geir Pedersen] will be working with them towards that end," he said in a statement. "There is much work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions. I reiterate my call for calm and avoiding violence at this sensitive time, while protecting the rights of all Syrians, without distinction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will need the support of the international community to ensure that any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity. Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity must be restored. "The UN will honor the memory of those who have borne the brunt of this conflict. We remain committed to helping Syrians build a country where reconciliation, justice, freedom and prosperity are shared realities for all. This is the path to sustainable peace in Syria." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was "historic day" and direct result of blows dealt to Hezbollah and Iran by Israel. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., "congratulates the Syrian-American community, the liberated people of Syria, the Muslim world, and everyone who cares about justice and freedom on the downfall of the brutal and murderous Assad regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We thank God for this historic, miraculous arrival of freedom after decades of brutal oppression against the Syrian people. We pray that the Syrian people succeed in establishing a representative government that upholds justice for all its citizens, advances just policies across the region and serves as a beacon of inspiration for other oppressed people around the world." MIDDLE EAST Iran The foreign ministry said it expects "friendly" relations to continue with Syria, despite the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Iran was a key backer of Assad. "Determining Syria's fate and deciding its future is solely the responsibility of its people, free from destructive interference or external imposition," the ministry said, according to CNN. "Achieving this goal requires the swift cessation of military conflicts, prevention of terrorist activities, and the initiation of national dialogues with the participation of all segments of Syrian society. ... The Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing Syria's status as an important and influential country in the West Asia region, will spare no effort to help establish security and stability in Syria. To this end, Iran will continue its consultations with all influential parties, particularly within the region." Iraq Iraq's spokesman has urged "non-interference in Syria's internal affairs," including foreign meddling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baghdad "reaffirms the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians and emphasizes that Syria's security, territorial integrity, and its independence are of utmost importance - not only for Iraq but also for the stability and security of the entire region," government spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi said to CNN. Afghanistan "We express hope that the process of power transition be carried out in a manner aligned with the aspirations of the Syrian people, paving path for the establishment of an independent and service-oriented Islamic government, which prioritizes national reconciliation, avoids divisions and retribution, and adopts a policy of general amnesty to foster unity among all Syrians," Taliban's foreign ministry said in a CNN report. Lebanon Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati held a call with leaders of the army and security services. He stressed "the priority of tightening control over the border situation and distancing Lebanon from the repercussions of the developments in Syria," according to a government readout. Jordan King Abdullah, whose nation shares its northern border with Syria, urged stability and avoidance of further conflict in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Chairing a National Security Council meeting, His Majesty stressed the need to safeguard Syria's security, and the safety and achievements of its citizens, and to work urgently to ensure stability and avoid any conflict that could lead to chaos," a statement from The Royal Hashemite Court said. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia called on the international community to "not interfere" in Syria's internal affairs and was satisfied with the "positive steps" taken to ensure the Syrian people's safety while rebels took Damascus "The Kingdom affirms its support for the brotherly Syrian people and their choices at this critical stage in Syria's history, and calls for concerted efforts to preserve the unity of the epic Syrian people, in a way that protects them - God willing - from slipping into chaos and division," a statement from the Saudi foreign ministry obtained by CNN read. Egypt The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: "Egypt follows with a great attention the change taking place in the Arab Republic of Syria, and affirms its support to the Syrian state and people as well as to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypt urged all Syrian parties to preserve the country's properties and state institutions and prioritizing the greater interest by unifying goals and priorities. Qatar The Foreign Ministry said it was "closely monitoring the developments in Syria" and emphasized "the necessity of preserving national institutions and the unity of the state to prevent it from sliding into chaos," according to Aljazeera. EUROPE Britain Deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, called the development "welcome news" and told Sky News that Assad "wasn't exactly good to the Syrian people". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She called for a political resolution "in line with the UN resolutions", stressing that: "We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected. Far too many people have lost their lives. We need stability in that region." France French President Emmanuel Macron described Syria as a "barbaric state" before the takover. "I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience," he wrote on X.com. "In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity. France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East." Germany Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock posted on X: At this point it is impossible to assess what exactly is happening in Syria right now. But one thing is clear: The end of #Assad is a big relief for millions of people in Syria - after an eternity of atrocities committed by the Assad regime." European Union European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe would help to rebuild Syria. "Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities," she said in a post on X. "The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks." Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha praised the fall, writing on X.com: "Assad has fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on [Vladimir" Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. The main goal now is to restore security in Syria and effectively protect its people from violence." ASIA Turkey Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a news conference: "Today, there is hope. The Syrian people cannot achieve this alone. The international community must support the Syrian people. ... We will continue to support a force to establish stability and security in Syria," he said. He noted the Islamic State and the Kurdistan Workers' Party could take advantage of the instability in Syria. China The Foreign Ministry called for a return to "stability" in Syria. "The Chinese government has actively assisted Chinese citizens who are willing to leave Syria in a safe and orderly way, and has maintained contact with ... Chinese citizens who remain in Syria," the statement said. "We urge the relevant Syrian parties to take practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria." (Reuters) - Following are reactions from around the world to events in Syria. Syrian rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad and seized control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East. EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN "The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks. Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF KAJA KALLAS "The end of Assad's dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assad's backers, Russia and Iran." "Our priority is to ensure security in the region. I will work with all the constructive partners, in Syria and in the region." EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ROBERTA METSOLA "The Dictator has fallen. It is clear that Bashar al-Assad's brutal 24 year rule of Syria is over as his regime lies in tatters. This is a critical period for the region and for the millions of Syrians who want a free, stable and secure future. What happens in the next hours and days matters." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IRAN FOREIGN MINISTRY The ministry said in statement Iran respects Syria's unity and national sovereignty and called for "the swift end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist actions, and the commencement of national dialogue" with all sectors of Syrian society. Tehran said it would continue to support international mechanisms for pursuing the political process, adding that long-standing and friendly relations between the Iranian and Syrian nations are expected to continue. ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU The fall of Assad, a major link in the Iranian axis, is an historic day and a direct result of blows dealt to Hezbollah and Iran by Israel, Netanyahu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border," he added. U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN "President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners," the White House said in a statement. U.S. PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP "Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY The ministry said in a statement, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left office and departed the country after giving orders there be a peaceful handover of power. The ministry did not say where Assad was now and said Russia has not taken part in the talks around his departure. It said Russia's military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time. Moscow is in touch with all Syrian opposition groups and urges all sides to refrain from violence. IRAQI GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON Iraqi government spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi said Iraq was closely following developments and reaffirmed the importance of not interfering in the internal affairs of Syria, or supporting one party in favour of another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JORDAN'S KING ABDULLAH King Abdullah said Jordan respected the choices of the Syrian people. He urged the avoidance of any conflict in Syria that might lead to chaos and stressed the need to protect the security of his country's northern neighbour, according to a statement published by the Royal Hashemite Court. FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON "The barbaric state has fallen. Finally. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I wish them peace, freedom and unity," Macron said in a post on X social media. "France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UK PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER "The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure." "Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored." "We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days." QATAR FOREIGN MINISTRY Qatar's foreign ministry renewed its call to end the crisis in Syria along the lines of the 2015 U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254 which laid out the steps for a ceasefire and political transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foreign ministry said it is following developments in Syria with interest and called for the preservation of the unity of the state. SAUDI ARABIA Saudi Arabia has been communicating with all regional actors on Syria and is determined to do what is possible to avoid a chaotic outcome for the country, a Saudi official told Reuters. "We have been in contact with all actors in the region. We are in constant communication with Turkey and every stakeholder involved," the official said, adding that the kingdom was not aware of Bashar al-Assad's whereabouts. FOREIGN MINISTRY OF EGYPT Egypt has called on all parties in Syria to preserve the capabilities of the state and national institutions, the Egyptian foreign ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foreign ministry affirmed its support for the Syrian people and the country's sovereignty and unity. TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people will shape the future of their own country, today there is hope, Fidan said in a press conference in Doha. The Syrian people cannot do this alone. Turkey attaches importance to Syrian territorial integrity. A new Syrian administration must be established inclusively, there should be no desire for revenge. Turkey calls on all actors to act with prudence and to be watchful. Terrorist organisations must not be allowed to take advantage of this situation. Opposition groups must be united. We will work for stability and safety in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new Syria should not pose a threat to neighbours, it should eliminate threats. Any extension of the outlawed PKK militia cannot be considered a legitimate counterpart in Syria. UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANDRIY SYBIHA "Assad has fallen. This is how it has always been and will always be for dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. The main goal now is to restore security in Syria and effectively protect its people from violence." KONSTANTIN KOSACHYOV, RUSSIAN LAWMAKER Syrians will have to cope with a full-scale civil war alone, deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament Konstantin Kosachyov said, the Interfax news agency reported. AFGHANISTAN TALIBAN ADMINISTRATION'S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: "Afghanistan congratulates the leadership of the movement and the people of Syria on the recent developments, which have resulted in the removal of key factors contributing to conflict & instability." "The capital, Damascus, has come under control of Syrian people under the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and we express hope that the remaining phases of the revolution will be managed effectively to establish a peaceful, unified, & stable governance system." U.S. PENTAGON OFFICIAL DANIEL SHAPIRO "The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State," Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrain. Shapiro called on all parties to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and respect international norms. GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ANNALENA BAERBOCK: "It is impossible to say exactly what is happening in Syria now. But one thing is clear: for millions of people in Syria, the end of Assad means the first big sigh of relief after an eternity of atrocities committed by the Assad regime." "Assad has murdered, tortured and used poison gas against his own people. He must finally be held accountable for this. "The country must not now fall into the hands of other radicals - regardless of the guise. We therefore call on the parties to the conflict to live up to their responsibility for all Syrians. This includes the comprehensive protection of ethnic and religious minorities such as Kurds, Alawites or Christians and an inclusive political process that creates a balance between the groups." GERMAN CHANCELLOR, OLAF SCHOLZ: "Bashar al Assad has brutally oppressed his own people, has countless lives on his conscience and has driven numerous people to flee Syria, many of whom have also come to Germany. The Syrian people have experienced appalling suffering. The end of Assad's rule over Syria is therefore good news. "What matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria. All religious communities, all minorities must enjoy protection now and in the future." ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANTONIO TAJANI "We are calling for a peaceful handover between the fallen regime and the new reality, so for a peaceful rather than military transition. It seems to me that at the moment things are going in this direction," Tajani said in a press conference. U.N. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SYRIA GEIR PEDERSEN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen underscores the clear desire expressed by millions of Syrians that stable and inclusive transitional arrangements are put in place, a statement said. He urged all Syrians to prioritize dialogue, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights as they seek to rebuild their society, adding he stands ready to support the Syrian people in their journey toward a stable and inclusive future. "Today marks a watershed moment in Syrias history - a nation that has endured nearly 14 years of relentless suffering and unspeakable loss... This dark chapter has left deep scars, but today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new oneone of peace, reconciliation, dignity, and inclusion for all Syrians." U.N. AID CHIEF TOM FLETCHER: "Events in Syria moving at remarkable pace. More than decade of conflict has displaced millions. Now many more are in danger. We will respond wherever, whenever, however we can to support people in need, including reception centres food, water, fuel, tents, blankets". (Compiled by Reuters) In the first candidates forum in the race for Democratic National Committee chair, all four publicly declared candidates spoke to Young Democrats of America (YDA) at their annual winter meeting, with each candidate vowing to institutionalize monetary support for the partys youth wing. Each of the four of them coming here shows that they are serious about reaching out to young voters, Young Democrats of America President Quentin Wathum-Ocama told The Hill. No matter what you think of any of the candidates, theyre all committed to building a multi-generational, working-class party, so I think that for me, thats why it was so important for them to hear what we say. The four candidates running are Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin, Wisconsin Party Chair Ben Wikler, former Maryland Gov. and Social Security Administrator Martin OMalley (D), and New York State Senator James Skoufis (D). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the first time Young Democrats of America have hosted a candidate forum with DNC candidates. Wathum-Ocama added that he was glad that none of the candidates are interested in doing things like we have in the past. During the forum, the four candidates agreed to make Young Democrats a funding line item for the national party. Young Democrats of America operates as an independent 527 political organization that has to raise money independently of the party. We gave millions to consultants which was basically throwing the money away when we could have been giving it to organizations like this one, said Skoufis. It is shameful how the Democratic National Committee has either taken for granted the young, college and high school Dems and have completely overlooked the contribution that all of you makes the party. During this presidential election, far fewer younger Americans supported Democrats compared to previous elections, with President-elect Trump winning among younger men and Trump reducing the traditional double-digit advantage Democrats hold among younger voters to only a few points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to young Democrats at the meeting, such an investment would be life changing for the organization. The funding promise could radically change how we operate, said Katherine Jeanes, the incoming voting delegate on the DNC for young democrats. A lot of promises were made. I am interested in seeing what the commitment and the follow through looks like. Five thousand or one thousand to us is going to go a lot farther than really going to some PAC or political consulating because my members stretch that money, and they know how to make the connections with young people, how to be frugal, to be able to ask you to support your chapters in that way consistently and allow them to grind, said Wathum-Ocama. Jeanes, who has not decided which of the four candidates they will vote for in February, said they are also looking to learn more from the candidates about the work they have done to work with young Democrats in their state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the most impactful thing that you could do for me is make a meaningful investment with the Young Democrats of their state right now, Jeanes said. They are coming to me because I have a DNC vote. Theyre coming here because there are people with DNC votes, but the people who run their young democrats chapters dont have votes on the DNC. The candidates also vowed to make travel for members of Young Democrats to national conventions easier while also increasing funding for state and local parties, with the candidates pointing to North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton, who is the youngest party chair in the country at 26 and was in attendance at the forum, as an example of why the national party needed to support state and local party leaders better. No state party chair should have to choose between paying the bills and working for the party they love, so were going to set up funds for guest travel, especially for younger Democrats, to recognize they have have full times jobsfor example we have a 26-year old chair in North Carolina who has dedicated her life to the party but wasnt getting paid, said Skoufis. Clayton echoed Skoufiss comments after the forum, adding that it was important to increase funding to get younger people involved in the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We only pay 10 out of the 57 state party chairs and territory chairs in the country. And I think that is a huge problem and a big divestment that the state of the National Party has made in terms of looking at people that are working class and young people, Clayton told The Hill. Clayton, who had a vote in the DNC election, said she was most drawn to Martin and Wikler since they have experience organizing state parties. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Volodymyr Zelensky "would like to make a deal" and "stop the madness" regarding the war in Ukraine, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform following a meeting with the Ukrainian president in Paris on Dec. 7. Trump and Zelensky met in Paris as world leaders gathered in the city for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the two for their first in person meeting since Trump won the elections in November. "Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness ... There should be an immediate ceasefire, and negotiations should begin," Trump said in his post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse," he wrote. Zelensky addressed Trump's post on his Telegram channel on Dec. 8, saying the war cannot be ended simply with a piece of paper and a few signatures, warning that a ceasefire without guarantees can be reignited at any moment, as (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has already done in the past. To ensure there are no more Ukrainian losses, we must secure a reliable peace, Zelensky added.Turning a blind eye to occupation is not an option, he said. Trump's statement follows a presidential campaign in which he famously asserted that he could resolve the conflict within 24 hours if he were in charge, and an alleged phone call with Putin, during which Trump advised the Russian leader "not to escalate the situation in Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's statement also comes in the wake of the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, which the president-elect appears in his post to attribute to Russia's growing disinterest in the region. "Assad is gone ... His protector, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," Trump also wrote in his post. "They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever," he then added. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan echoed these statements, agreeing with comments made by Trump on X, in which Trump had stated that the situation in Syria arose because Russia is "so tied up in Ukraine" and has suffered heavy losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, state-controlled media outlet TASS reported that Deputy Speaker of the Russian Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev said that Russia will "continue to support the people of Syria if necessary," but that "Syrians will have to handle the full-scale civil war on their own." However, despite such claims, the Ukrainian military intelligence agency (HUR) reported that even as Aleppo fell on Dec. 3, Russia was still sending private mercenaries to support both Syrian and Russian troops in the country. Read also: Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russias Middle East clout, may indirectly strengthen Ukraines hand Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Union Railway Minister also inspected Phaphamau area ahead of Maha Kumbh 2025. During his visit, he also visited a book stall, bought two books and made payment through UPI. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday addressed state police personnel, emphasizing the importance of vigilant and approachable policing in preparation for the Mahakumbh 2025. He highlighted the critical role of law enforcement in ensuring public safety and maintaining order during large gatherings. "Being a citizen of an independent country, the police department should be friendly towards the public. Old people used to say that if you lose your sight, an accident happens. I think this is the case with the police. As soon as your vigilance is reduced, there is an enemy and an opponent," said CM Yogi. He also stressed proactive measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the Mahakumbh, urging police personnel to remain alert and committed to their responsibilities. CM Yogi also warned against negligence, saying, "Even a small crowd can create chaos and pose a threat to lives and property. We should ensure that no animal or person who is an enemy of society or the country enters." Notably, the Mahakumbh 2025 will start on January 13. To accommodate the anticipated 45 crore visitors from 75 countries, the government is implementing large-scale infrastructure and service enhancements. A special floating jetty at Sangam will allow devotees to bathe comfortably and change clothes nearby. A 100-bed hospital is nearly complete at the Parade Ground to ensure health services for devotees and saints. For accommodations, natural huts and world-class tents are being built. These include options such as villas, Maharaja suites, Swiss cottages, and dormitories, priced between Rs 1,500 and Rs 35,000 per day. Extra guest charges will range from Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000. (ANI) A woman died after crashing her vehicle through sand barrel dividers and into a concrete median on Interstate 35 near downtown, San Antonio police said. kali9/Getty Images/iStockphoto A woman died after smashing through sand barrel highway dividers and crashing into a concrete median on Interstate 35 near downtown Saturday night, San Antonio police said. The woman, 55, was driving a blue 2016 Lincoln MKC southbound in the 1500 block of I-35 north when she smashed through sand barrels dividing the upper and lower level of the highway and crashed into a concrete median around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. The collision caused major damage to the vehicle's undercarriage and driver's side, according to a preliminary police report. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The woman suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The police report did not indicate that anyone else was involved in the crash or what caused the collision. The crash is under investigation. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed gratitude to the voters of Sandur for their decisive support in the recent by-election, calling it a reaffirmation of their trust in Congress. Speaking at a public event in Sandur, Siddaramaiah took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of spreading false claims during the campaign and lacking the courage to accept a challenge to prove them. "During the campaign, Modi and BJP leaders spread lies. I challenged him to substantiate his allegations, promising to retire from politics if proven wrong. He didn't respond because he couldn't," Siddaramaiah said. The Chief Minister highlighted the transformation of Sandur under Congress leadership, particularly under local MLA Tukaram's efforts. "Sandur has witnessed significant development, unlike before. Tukaram's leadership has brought real change to this constituency," Siddaramaiah noted. He emphasized the Congress government's commitment to fulfilling its promises and implementing programs aimed at boosting the economic strength of the people. "We make promises and deliver on them. This is in stark contrast to Modi, who has failed to honor the promises he made to the nation," he said. Siddaramaiah criticized BJP leader Janardhan Reddy for turning Bellary into a "Republic of fear," using money and coercion to manipulate voters. However, he praised the people of Sandur for rejecting such tactics and voting for development by electing Congress candidate Annapoornamma. "The people of Sandur have shown they value truth and progress over fear and falsehood. This victory has upheld the dignity of Sandur and sent a clear message about the kind of politics the people want," he remarked. The CM said the Congress victory sends a strong message to BJP, whose efforts to tarnish his image through false cases and propaganda had failed. "This win proves that the people stand with us. As long as I have their blessings, no conspiracy can shake me," Siddaramaiah stated. Taking a jab at BJP's history in Karnataka, he said, "BJP has never come to power on its own in Karnataka. They have always relied on Operation Kamala, buying MLAs and manipulating the system. Where did this money come from? They need to answer that." On corruption allegations, including the Waqf issue, Siddaramaiah accused Modi of making baseless claims. Referring to Modi's speech in Maharashtra, where he alleged corruption worth Rs 700 crore, Siddaramaiah said, "I challenged Modi to prove this or face my retirement from politics. As expected, he did not respond." Siddaramiah also criticized PM Modi for failing to deliver on his 2014 election promises, including creating 2 crore jobs and bringing back black money. "None of these promises were fulfilled. Modi has deceived the people, and this needs to be questioned," he added. To address the housing needs of the people in Sandur, Karnataka Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan announced the allocation of 2,000 additional houses, following the successful completion of 2,172 homes. "Sandur, identified as a backward taluk in Nanjundappa's report, will greatly benefit from this initiative. Congress remains committed to improving the lives of Sandur residents," Khan said. (ANI) State lawmakers are considering making it a traffic violation to operate a vehicle in Arizona with an animal on the drivers lap. The violation would come with a fine. Do you agree? You voted: LIC Bima Sakhi Yojana Eligibility: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Life Insurance Corporation of India's Bima Sakhi Yojana at an event in Panipat, Haryana, according to a statement from the state-owned insurer. Aligned with the Prime Minister's vision of empowering women for a developed India (Viksit Bharat), the event is expected to feature Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and other ministers from both the central and state governments. LIC Bima Sakhi Yojana: Job Opportunities Under this program, women will have the opportunity to become insurance agents (Bima Sakhi). They will receive financial support of up to Rs 7,000 per month. The objective of the Bima Sakhi Yojana is to provide rural women with job opportunities and financial assistance. LIC Bima Sakhi Yojana: Earnings (Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000) In the first year, women will receive Rs 7,000 per month. In the second year, this amount will reduce to Rs 6,000 per month. By the third year, women will receive Rs 5,000 per month. Additionally, they will receive an extra incentive of Rs 2,100. Commission-based rewards will also be provided for achieving insurance targets. LIC Bima Sakhi Yojana: Recruitment In the first phase of this program, 35,000 women will be recruited as insurance agents. In the future, the program will be expanded to include an additional 50,000 women. Initially, the program will be launched in Haryana and gradually implemented across the country. LIC Bima Sakhi Yojana: Eligibility And Minimum Qualification To register for the Bima Sakhi Yojana, women must be between 18 and 50 years of age. Adding further, a minimum qualification of passing the 10th grade is mandatory. Priority will be given to women. (With ANI Inputs) Mumbai: The combined market valuation of six of the top-10 most valued firms surged Rs 2.03 lakh crore last week as the Indian stock market ended with gains. In the trading session from December 2 to December 6, Nifty closed at 24,677 with a gain of 2.27 per cent or 546 points and Sensex closed at 81,709 with a gain of 2.39 per cent or 1,906 points. This was the third consecutive week when the stock market closed in the green. Among the top 10, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Infosys, Reliance Industries, and State Bank of India (SBI) were gainers, while Bharti Airtel, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), ITC, and Hindustan Unilever were laggards. The market capitalisation of TCS surged by Rs 62,574 crore to Rs 16,08,782 crore. The market valuation of HDFC Bank jumped Rs 45,338 crore to Rs 14,19,270 crore. Infosys added Rs 26,885 crore taking its market cap to Rs 7,98,560 crore and the market capitalisation of Reliance Industries surged by Rs 26,185 crore to Rs 17,75,176 crore. The market capitalisation of SBI soared by Rs 22,311 crore to Rs 7,71,087 crore. ICICI Bank added Rs 19,821 crore to its market capitalisation to Rs 9,37,545 crore. On the other hand, the market capitalisation of Bharti Airtel declined by Rs 16,720 crore to Rs 9,10,005 crore. The market valuation of ITC went lower by Rs 7,256 crore to Rs 5,89,572 crore and the market capitalisation of Hindustan Unilever declined by Rs 2,843.01 crore to Rs 5,83,673.71 crore. LIC's market cap declined by Rs 1,265 crore to Rs 6,21,937.02 crore. On Friday, the stock market ended with a marginal loss. Sensex and Nifty declined by 56 points and 30 points, respectively. Naxal Attack In Chhattisgarh: A tragic incident unfolded in Chhattisgarh where a woman was killed allegedly by Naxalites on suspicion of being a police informer in Bijapur district, police said on Sunday. As per preliminary information, Naxalites abducted Yalam Sukra, 40, from Laded village under Madded police station limits and took her to a nearby hill on Saturday, an official said, as reported by news agency PTI. Sukra was strangled, and her body was abandoned in the area, he stated. Speaking on the incident, the official stated that the police team recovered a pamphlet from the Madded area committee of Maoists at the spot. In the pamphlet, the Naxalites accused the woman of acting as a police informer since 2017. A search operation has been launched to trace the assailants, he said. With this incident, Naxalites have claimed the lives of over 60 people so far this year in the Bastar division, comprising seven districts, including Bijapur, police said. A similar incident occurred on December 6 when Naxalites killed a woman Anganwadi assistant in the Basaguda area of Bijapur, suspecting her of being a police informer, while two former sarpanchs (village panchayat heads) were killed in separate places in Bijapur on December 4. (With PTI Inputs) New Delhi: Criticising the government over its statement in Parliament on India-China ties, the Congress on Sunday claimed that the Modi government has agreed to a "new normal" over the "old normal" prevailing before April 2020 which was unilaterally disturbed by China. It also demanded that Parliament be allowed to debate the full gamut of the relationship between the two countries. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said a discussion in Parliament on the India-China relationship should focus on both strategic and economic policy, especially since our dependence on China has increased economically, even as it unilaterally changed the status quo on our borders over four years back. In a statement, Ramesh said the Congress has studied the recent suo motu statement made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in both Houses of Parliament titled "Recent Developments in India's Relations with China". It is unfortunate, but typical of the Modi government, that MPs were not permitted to seek any clarifications, he said. While "fully appreciating" the sensitive nature of many aspects of India-China border relations, he said the Congress has four pointed questions on the statement issued by the Modi government. Ramesh noted that the statement claims that "the House is well aware of the circumstances leading up to the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in June 2020", and pointed out that it is an unfortunate reminder that the very first official communication to the nation on this crisis came on June 19, 2020, when the PM provided a clean chit publicly to China and falsely stated "Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai". "Not only was this an insult to our fallen soldiers but it also weakened India's position in subsequent negotiations. Whatever prompted the PM to make this assertion?" Ramesh said. "On October 22, 2024, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi restated India's longstanding position: 'As far as we are concerned, we want to go back to the status quo of April 2020... thereafter we will be looking at disengagement, de-escalation and normal management of the LAC'. "However, the Ministry of External Affairs statement following the 32nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) on 5 December 2024 stated that 'the two sides positively affirmed the implementation of the most recent disengagement agreement which completed the resolution of the issues that emerged in 2020'," Ramesh pointed out. Does this not reveal a shift in our official position, he asked. "The EAM's statement in Parliament stated that in a few other places where friction occurred in 2020, steps of a temporary and limited nature were worked out, based on local conditions, to obviate the possibility of further friction", he noted. Ramesh claimed that this clearly refers to the so-called "buffer zones" to which our troops and livestock herders are "denied access" that they previously had. "These statements taken together suggest that the MEA is accepting a settlement that does not return the LAC to the April 2020 status quo as desired by the Army and the nation. "Is it not clear now that the Modi government has agreed to a new status quo and agreed to live with the 'new normal' after the 'old normal' prevailing prior to April 2020 was unilaterally disturbed by China?" Ramesh said. Why has the Chinese government yet to corroborate any details about the disengagement in Depsang and Demchok, he asked. "Have traditional grazing rights for Indian livestock herders been restored? Will there be unfettered access to our traditional patrolling points? Have the buffer zones ceded during previous negotiations been taken back by India?" he said. The Congress reiterates the demand it has been making for the past few years -- Parliament must, to reflect a collective national resolve, be given an opportunity to debate the full gamut of the India-China relationship, he asserted. "This discussion should focus on both strategic and economic policy, especially since our dependence on China has increased economically, even as it unilaterally changed the status quo on our borders over four years back," Ramesh said. His remarks come days after Jaishankar said India is committed to remaining engaged with China to find a fair and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary issue. However, he made it clear that its ties with Beijing will be contingent upon strictly respecting the sanctity of the LAC and adhering to the pacts on border management with no attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo. Making a statement in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday in which he articulated three key principles for engagement with China, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said the disengagement of troops has been achieved in "full" in eastern Ladakh through a step-by-step process, culminating in Depsang and Demchok. India now expects the commencement of talks on remaining issues that it had placed on the agenda, he added. Jaishankar said the conclusion of the disengagement phase now allows "us to consider other aspects of the bilateral engagement in a calibrated manner, keeping our national security interests first and foremost". India was and remains very clear that the three key principles must be observed in all circumstances, he said, explaining: "One: both sides should strictly respect and observe the Line of Actual Control (LAC), two: neither side should attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo, and three: agreements and understandings reached in the past must be fully abided by in their entirety". Jaishankar's detailed statement came weeks after the armies of India and China completed the disengagement of troops from two last face-off points in eastern Ladakh, effectively ending the over four-year military face-off along the LAC in that region. Jaishankar made the statement in Rajya Sabha the next day. Hours after NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar said the opposition should not lose heart after its defeat in the Maharashtra elections, as there is no enthusiasm in the state over Mahayutis victory, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday that a senior leader like Sharad Pawar should not mislead people. Pawar said that the opposition should not lose heart over its rout but go back to the people who do not seem to be enthused by the massive victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti in the Maharashtra elections. Responding to the NCP (SP) president's claims, Fadnavis stated that he should accept the defeat and advise his colleagues to introspect. "You will come out of this if you accept defeat. I expect you to give your colleagues advice on introspection," he stated on X. Hitting back at Pawar, the Maharashtra CM resorted to election result numbers. BJP polled 1,49,13,914 votes and bagged nine seats in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections, whereas Congress polled 96,41,856 votes and bagged 13 seats, he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) got 73,77,674 votes and won 7 seats, while NCP (SP) polled 58,51,166 votes and won 8 constituencies, he said. The Opposition's priority would be to ensure that all the election promises made by the ruling alliance, including increasing the financial assistance to women under the Ladki Bahin scheme from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, are implemented at the earliest, he said. Pawar said a comparison between votes polled and seats won by political parties in the Maharashtra assembly polls was surprising. "It is true that we have been defeated. We should not fret over it but go back to the people, as no enthusiasm is visible among the people about the election results. There is a lot of resentment," the senior politician said at a press conference here. The ruling BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance won 230 out of 288 seats in the November 20 elections. Pawar said the comparison between votes polled and seats won by political parties in Maharashtra assembly polls was surprising. "Congress polled 80 lakh votes and won 15 seats, while Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena bagged 79 lakh votes and emerged victorious on 57 seats," he said. Ajit Pawar's NCP polled 58 lakh votes and won 41 seats, whereas the NCP (SP) secured 72 lakh votes and won only ten seats, he said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress polled 87,92,237 votes and won only one seat, while the undivided NCP secured 83,87,363 votes but won 4 seats, he added. (With PTI Inputs) Farmers Protest: Protesting farmers are set to resume their Dilli Chalo march on Sunday after Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they have not received any message from the central government for talks to address their issues. Ahead of the protest, police put up barricades and installed nails at the Shambhu Border. Speaking on the protest at the Shambhu border, Pandher said that the protest has entered the 300th day, but the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government is still adamant. On Saturday, Pandhar said that the government is in no mood to hold talks and a group of 101 farmers will resume their march to Delhi on December 8. On Friday, protesting farmers suspended their march to the national capital for the day after some of them suffered injuries due to tear gas shells fired by security personnel, who stopped them at the Punjab-Haryana border. Speaking to news agency ANI, Pandher also said that since the government is not willing to talk, farmers will oppose the entry of BJP leaders in Punjab. "The protests of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) have entered the 300th day. But the central government is still adamant...Another big announcement we made was that we will oppose the entry of BJP leaders in Punjab. We are not sure, but we have heard that Saini (Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini) and Gadkari (Union Minister Nitin Gadkari) are going to Amritsar. We call out the farmers of Punjab to oppose their entry into the state," Pandher said. The farmers have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). The Haryana Police has written to its Punjab counterpart asking it to ensure media personnel are stopped at a distance from the protest site for their safety as well as to ensure ease in maintaining law and order. In Shambhu on the Punjab-Haryana border on Saturday, Pandher addressed reporters and said 16 farmers suffered injuries, and one of them lost hearing ability because of the teargas shelling by Haryana security personnel. Except for four injured farmers, the rest of them have been discharged from the hospital, he said. "We have not received any message from the Centre for holding talks. The (Narendra) Modi government is in no mood to hold talks." He further said the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have already decided that a 'jatha' of 101 farmers will again march towards the national capital on Sunday noon in a peaceful manner. As part of a call given by the farmer unions SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, a 'jatha' of 101 farmers began its march to Delhi on Friday from their protest site at the Shambhu border to press for their demands. The 'jatha' was stopped by multilayered barricading erected by Haryana security personnel. Undeterred by prohibitory orders, the farmers attempted to force their way through the barricades but were stopped by security personnel who lobbed multiple tear gas shells to force them to go back to their protest site at Shambhu, which falls in Punjab. (With agencies inputs) Congress leader Ajay Rai has slammed the government's handling of farmers' issues, asserting that farmers are facing severe injustice. During a press conference on Sunday, Rai condemned the government's actions and reaffirmed Congress' support for the ongoing farmer protests. "The government is committing atrocities against farmers, and they are adamant about their demands. False assurances have been given. Farmers are being arrested. Initially, they used to get 50 kg of fertilizer, then it was reduced to 45 kg, and now they are only getting 40 kg. Congress stands with them," Rai said, highlighting the difficulties farmers are facing with reduced fertilizer supplies. Meanwhile, the "jatha," a contingent of 101 farmers participating in the 'Dilli Chalo' march, was called off due to escalating tensions and injuries among the protesters. Farmer leaders confirmed that the group's withdrawal came after several farmers were injured, one of whom was admitted to PGI in serious condition. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher addressed the media, stating that the situation would be assessed in a meeting the following day. "Today we have decided to withdraw the 'jatha'. The agitation will continue today. One farmer has been admitted to PGI and is in serious condition, and 8-9 farmers are injured, so we have withdrawn the 'jatha'. After the meeting, we will tell you about the future program," Pandher said. The injured farmers include Resham Singh, Dilbagh Singh, Mehr Singh, Karnail Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Kulwinder Singh, with four in serious condition. Pandher also slammed the government for trying to stop the march, saying, "The Modi government has the most powerful means and resources in the world to spread false propaganda and misinformation. The government does not seem to have any intention of resolving this issue through dialogue with us." On the occasion of Sonia Gandhi's birthday on Monday (December 9), Rai shared Congress' plans for a large-scale blood donation camp across Uttar Pradesh, aimed at promoting communal harmony. "Through blood donation, the red blood we give will flow in the bodies of people of all religions," he said. Rai, during the media briefing, also reaffirmed Congress' role in the INDIA alliance, stressing Rahul Gandhi's leadership. "Congress party was in the role of elder brother in the INDIA alliance and will always remain so. Rahul Gandhi was our (INDIA alliance's) leader and will remain so," Rai added. (ANI) Farmers protesting for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other demands suspended their foot march to Delhi on Sunday after several protesters were injured during clashes with Haryana police at the Shambhu border. The agitating farmers, marching under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, were met with multilayered barricades, tear gas, and water cannons deployed by Haryana security personnel. The incident came just as their protest marked its 300th day. Peaceful Start Turned Sour As a group of 101 farmers resumed their march on Sunday afternoon, Haryana police surprised them by offering tea, biscuits, and showering them with flower petals. However, the protesters termed this a "drama," as the police soon resorted to firing tear gas and rubber bullets when the farmers insisted on crossing the barricades. Farmer leader Baldev Singh Zira said, Along with tea and biscuits, they fired tear gas shells. This exposes their duplicity. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher added, Whatever happened today was seen by the entire country. The Haryana administration used teargas and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters. Injuries Reported Among Farmers Pandher reported that six farmers were injured in the clashes, including Resham Singh, who was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. Others injured included Dilbagh Singh, Major Singh, and Harbhajan Singh. Farmer leader Tejveer Singh questioned the authorities actions, saying, Why are peaceful farmers being stopped? What objection does Haryana have to farmers marching on foot? Media Barred From Protest Site Pandher accused Haryana police of instructing Punjab police to block media personnel from accessing the protest site, keeping them at least one kilometer away. The Haryana police justified the move, citing safety concerns. Escalating Standoff The marchers faced a standoff lasting over three hours, during which farmers attempted to cover tear gas shells with wet jute bags to minimize their impact. The farmers eventually called off their march for the day, saying they would decide their next steps during a meeting on Monday. The Haryana government had earlier warned farmers not to proceed, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which bans unlawful assembly of five or more people. What Are Farmers' Demands? A legal guarantee for MSP. Pension schemes for farmers and farm laborers. A complete farm debt waiver. Withdrawal of police cases against farmers. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. Compensation for families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 protests. Additionally, farmers are seeking justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence and an assurance of no electricity tariff hikes. At the Khanauri border, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewals fast unto death entered its 13th day. Farmers reported that Dallewal had already lost eight kilograms of weight as he continues to demand a resolution to their grievances. The latest clash is reminiscent of similar incidents earlier this year. Farmers attempted to march towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were stopped by heavy security at border points. Haryana authorities also suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages in the Ambala district until December 9 to prevent the spread of information about the protests. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday highlighted Indias diplomatic focus on mitigating tensions between Israel and Iran, describing their relationshipor the lack thereofas a major concern. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Jaishankar also addressed security challenges in the Red Sea and emphasized the importance of connectivity projects for Indias economic growth. In recent times, for all of us, the relationship or absence of it between Israel and Iran has been particularly a source of concern, so some of our diplomatic efforts have focused on that particular aspect, Jaishankar said. He refrained from elaborating on the specifics of Indias diplomatic efforts, but his comments come amid escalating tensions in the region. In October, Iran fired around 200 missiles into Israel in response to the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders by Israeli forces. Israel retaliated with strikes on Iranian targets, raising global alarm over the deteriorating situation. Jaishankars remarks underscore Indias growing role in addressing geopolitical instability in the region, which has significant implications for global trade and security. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of West Asia for India, citing the countrys burgeoning economic footprint. India is today almost a USD 4 trillion economy, (and) we expect to comfortably double that this decade. Our trade is today around USD 800 billion, that too should at least double this decade, he said. This region is, for us, the world beyond our borders that immediately awaits us, he added, highlighting Indias stakes in fostering stability and growth in the region. Referring to maritime security, Jaishankar stressed the need for regional cooperation to tackle challenges in the Red Sea, which have disrupted trade and increased shipping costs. And we have had very significant security challenges in this area with a very deep and disastrous impact for trade in Asia, he said. India has maintained a naval presence in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, and the Northern Arabian Sea, responding to 24 incidents in the past year, escorting 250 ships, and rescuing 120 crew members. We are working in tandem with Operation Prosperity Guardian and have our own nationally named operation, Jaishankar said, referencing the US-led initiative to address security threats in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Jaishankar also discussed transformative connectivity projects, including the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway (IMTT), the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). In fact, one day, when these corridors are done, the IMEC will bring the Atlantic to India, the IMTT will actually take that connectivity from India to the Pacific, he said. So you can actually envisage a connectivity corridor from the Atlantic to the Pacific, going through southern Europe, going through the Arabian Peninsula, cutting through the southern part of the Asian continent. India is expanding its bilateral naval exercises in the Gulf and Mediterranean regions. In the Gulf, our partners have become fairly regular. In the Mediterranean, apart from Israel, weve had significant exercises with Greece and Egypt, he said. Kerala Lottery Results Sunday 08-12-2024 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "AKSHAYA AK-680" Lucky Draw Result today Akshaya AK-680, December 08, 2024. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2024 for "Akshaya AK-680" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Akshaya AK-680 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 70 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Akshaya AK-680 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 08-12-2024 December: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR AKSHAYA AK-680 Draw LUCKY NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS: AU 966347 LUCKY NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKHS IS: AW 689346 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: AN 677163 AO 880545 AP 878263 AR 680564 AS 946474 AT 801640 AU 742427 AV 806410 AW 961580 AX 685184 AY 851567 AZ 420906 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: AN 966347 AO 966347 AP 966347 AR 966347 AS 966347 AT 966347 AV 966347 AW 966347 AX 966347 AY 966347 AZ 966347 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0228 1607 2998 3435 4435 4577 5069 5601 5678 5906 6084 6326 7517 8198 8321 8439 9031 9732 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: 0662 0888 1807 4535 4649 6828 9137 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0067 0070 0770 0787 1079 1370 1538 2026 2424 2905 3091 4099 4114 4134 4299 4832 5298 5722 6188 6561 7305 8071 8388 8399 9084 9958 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: To Be Announced LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: To Be Announced KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 08-12-2024 December TODAY: AKSHAYA AK-680 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 5 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 2,000 6th Prize: Rs. 1,000 7th Prize: Rs. 500 8th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 (NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.) Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been employing individuals under the influence of drugs or posing as mentally disturbed to infiltrate India and deliver critical messages to incarcerated terrorists, according to a report by PTI. Security agencies have detected more than 10 such cases since July this year, involving Pakistani nationals entering India from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Modus Operandi of ISI Speaking to news agency PTI, officials saidthese infiltrators serve as couriers tasked with relaying crucial communication to jailed terrorists in Indian prisons. These individuals often exhibit unusual behavior and provide superficial details during questioning, raising suspicions among security personnel. Interrogations reveal that they are trained to resist intense questioning, suggesting the involvement of high-level handlers. An official explained, The use of mobile phones and the internet leaves electronic footprints. To avoid this, ISI appears to have adopted these unconventional tactics, relying on human couriers instead. Among the reported incidents, individuals apprehended in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan prisons are believed to be part of this larger network. Notable cases include: The Minor from Attock: In July, a minor from Pakistan's Attock district was intercepted in Punjab. Security personnel found a damp paper with Arabic writing in his possession, though it was illegible. Bijnour Incident: A Pakistani national from Bijnour village in Rajasthan, posing as mentally disturbed, revealed during questioning that he had been hired by Pakistani drug lords Sarfaraz Johiya and Nawaz to smuggle narcotics into India and gather intelligence on Border Security Force (BSF) deployments. Mohammed Asad: In another case, Mohammed Asad, a youth from Lahore, drove to the India-Pakistan border on his motorcycle and awaited arrest by the BSF. Initially claiming a family dispute over his girlfriend, officials suspect Asad acted as a courier. Shahid Imran: In October, a 31-year-old man identified as Shahid Imran entered India via the Jammu sector, claiming he wished to visit a Kali temple to get married. Officials are investigating his true intent. The ISIs reliance on couriers is not new. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it exploited the Samjhauta Express, the rail link between India and Pakistan, to smuggle drugs and funds for terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. This practice, facilitated by so-called "sawari operators," ended with the suspension of the train service in February 2019 after heightened tensions between the two nations. Officials note that the recent tactics bear a striking resemblance to these past methods. "The ISI is revisiting old strategies with new adaptations to evade security forces," said a senior official. Infiltrators are typically booked under the Foreigners Act and Passports Act, which carry prison terms of two to eight years. Following their sentences, they are deported. Authorities are now seeking extended custody for many of these individuals to probe deeper into their connections and handlers. The ISI's infiltration tactics are closely tied to drug smuggling operations, which provide financial support for terrorist networks. Security forces remain on high alert, coordinating efforts to counteract these emerging threats. The cases underscore the evolving strategies of cross-border espionage and the need for vigilance along Indias borders. As an official summarized, This is not just about individuals crossing over; its a calculated effort to destabilize Indias security framework and aid terrorist networks. New Delhi: Farmers resumed their Delhi Chalo march on Sunday in an attempt to enter the national capital from the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana. The agitating farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and loan waivers among various requests. Visuals from the protest site show farmers adorning face shields. The Centre has not initiated any communication regarding holding talks, according to farmer leaders. "We have not received any message from the Centre for holding talks. The (Narendra) Modi government is in no mood to hold talks," Farmers leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told reporters on Saturday. Farmers Delhi Chalo Protest: Latest Updates Kolkata: Protests were held in various parts of West Bengal on Sunday over the alleged atrocities on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Hundreds of people joined the protest rallies organised by Hindutva groups in Kolkata, Kanthi, Kakdwip, Sandeshkhali and Purulia, calling for the immediate release of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. At the demonstration outside the Salt Lake International Bus Terminus near Kolkata, protesters torched Dhakai Jamdani sarees from Bangladesh. They called for a boycott of Bangladeshi goods, warning that Indians wouldn't remain silent if the disrespect toward the tricolour and attacks on Hindus continued. "We condemn the continuous targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh and the hate-driven narratives against India. We will not sit idle and with burning the Jamdani sarees, we urge people to boycott Bangladeshi products," said a protestor. "What kind of Bangladesh is this? The people who fought for liberation in 1971 now seem to be erasing their own history," said another protestor. Leading the protest rally in Kanthi, the state's Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said 'sanatanis' were united against rising fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh. "The martyrdom of 30,000 Indian soldiers in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war has been forgotten by the Islamists in the neighbouring country. Today's rally is a wake-up call to the elements across the border to stop rabble-rousing rhetoric," he said. When asked about anti-India statements by Bangladeshi groups, Adhikari said that following international protocol and UN guidelines, the Narendra Modi government will take appropriate steps at the right moment. Agartala: Amid rising atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, the All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association (ATHROA) has decided to deny hotel and restaurant services' to Bangladeshi citizens. In a statement, Bhaskar Chakraborty, Office Secretary, All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association says, "On 2nd December we took a decision in the presence of all our members that starting 2nd December, no hotel will be available for Bangladeshi citizens." The decision comes as a strong response to the growing unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh. The All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association (ATHROA) announced a ban on providing services to Bangladeshi citizens in the state. The decision, which took effect immediately, follows allegations of escalating persecution of Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh. Bhaskar Chakrabarty, Secretary, All Tripura Hotel & Restaurant Owners' Association told ANI, "The primary reason for this decision is the disrespect shown towards our national flag in Bangladesh. Additionally, the incident involving the Bangladesh High Commission has also played a significant role in shaping this resolution." "Another reason is to ensure the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi nationals visiting here. If any untoward incident occurs involving a Bangladeshi guest, the entire responsibility would fall on the hotel owner. To avoid such complications, we decided on the 2nd of this month that we will not provide rooms to Bangladeshi citizens," he said. He clarified, "The (Bangladeshi) citizens who checked in here before 2nd December can stay here but we won't accept any new bookings. It was also decided that if someone comes here under a critical condition with proper documents, for medical purposes, they will be provided rooms." In an official statement, signed by ATHROA Secretary Bhashkar Chakraborty, the association condemned recent incidents involving extremist actions against minority groups in Bangladesh. "We are a secular country that respects all religions, but the recent atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh have deeply concerned us. The behaviour of certain elements in Bangladesh is unacceptable, especially their disrespect towards the Indian national flag," the statement read. The association emphasized that Tripura has historically welcomed people from Bangladesh with warmth and hospitality. However, the recent developments have led to a change in stance. The ban on services, which includes all hotel and restaurant facilities, applies to Bangladeshi citizens visiting the state from December 2, 2024. ATHROA President Sumit Saha, speaking to the Tripura Times, expressed strong disapproval of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. "We have always believed in treating all guests with respect. However, the current situation in Bangladesh has made it impossible for us to continue offering services to those who come from a nation where such atrocities are happening," Saha said. The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting the move as a stand against violence and discrimination, while others question its impact on tourism and business relations between the two countries. Nonetheless, the association remains firm in its position, citing the need to stand in solidarity with the oppressed minority communities in Bangladesh. As of now, the ban is expected to remain in place until further notice, with ATHROA pledging to monitor the situation closely. Meanwhile, Bangladesh continues to see increased violence against Hindu minorties. On the intermitter night of Friday and Saturday, the Laxshmi Narayan Mandir was allegedly burnt. Temple authorities filed a complaint against the same and alleged that the attackers had aimed to harm them. A case was lodged on Sunday against Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and hundreds of his followers over a violent clash on the Chittagong court premises, according to a report by The Dhaka Tribune. The monk, who faces sedition charges, has been named as the primary accused alongside 164 identified individuals and 400 to 500 unidentified people. The complaint was filed by Enamul Haque, a businessman and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh activist, before Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Md Abu Bakar Siddique. Haque alleged that he was attacked by Chinmoy Krishnas followers on November 26 while leaving the court after completing land registry work. They targeted me because I was wearing a panjabi and a cap. The attack left me with a fractured right hand and head injuries, Haque said. He was rescued by bystanders and admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Haque explained the delay in filing the complaint, citing prolonged illness from the injuries sustained in the attack. Haques right hand was fractured, and he sustained head injuries in the assault. The case names Chinmoy Krishna as the principal accused, his lawyer stated. The incident is one of several clashes tied to Chinmoy Krishnas arrest on sedition charges on November 25 at Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. His detention has sparked widespread demonstrations by supporters and heightened tensions within Bangladeshs Hindu community. On November 27, police in Chittagong filed three related cases at Kotwali police station, naming numerous individuals and hundreds of unidentified persons for obstructing law enforcement and attacks during protests. Additionally, another case was filed by a businessman on November 28, alleging an assault near Rangam Cinema Hall. That complaint named 29 individuals, including members of political organizations and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), alongside 40 to 50 unidentified persons. Chinmoy Krishna, a former ISKCON member and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, has become a polarizing figure. His arrest has amplified concerns over the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh, especially as attacks on minority communities have risen in recent months. The arrest coincides with strained relations between Bangladesh and India following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Her government was replaced on August 5 by an interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus after a student-led protest. The growing unrest reached a tragic climax when Assistant Government Prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif was killed during a protest in Chattogram after Chinmoy Krishnas bail was denied on November 26. On December 3, a Bangladesh court deferred the hearing on Chinmoy Krishnas bail petition to January 2 after no lawyer appeared to represent him. His supporters continue to stage protests, demanding his release and condemning the governments actions as discriminatory. Syrias Bashar Al Assads government seems to have been overturned by the rebels, who claimed to have taken hold of the capital city of Damascus. With reports of Assad fleeing the country, the claim appears even more solid. Visuals from Damascus showed crowds gathered on streets to celebrate Assads fall, prayers were being chanted with occasional gunfire. Opposition forces have entered Damascus for the first time since 2018, marking a significant breakthrough in the ongoing Syrian conflict. How Did Syrian Rebels Toppled Assads Regime The advance came swiftly, with government forces collapsing just days after rebels breached Army lines in Aleppo. The turning point unfolded a night prior, when rebel forces seized control of Homs, Syria's third-largest city, following the withdrawal of government troops. The lightning-fast advancement of the rebel offensive has taken the globe by surprise, within 24-hours the Syrian ruler lost control of Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda and Homs. The Turkish-backed Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) breached Aleppo's defenses last week, marking a significant shift in Syria's conflict. The breakthrough ended years of impasse in the war-torn region and achieved the oppositions far-fetched goal since 2011toppling the Assad regime. Syrians of Suwayda celebrating the revolution and victory of Syrians over Animal Assad pic.twitter.com/Z94O7OPzCz Hamdi Rifai (@HamdiRifaiJD) December 6, 2024 Rami Abdurrahman, from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition group monitoring the war, said Assad flew out of Damascus early Sunday. Hours after the announcement of Assad escaping the country to an undisclosed location, Syrian state television aired a video in which a group of men announced that President Bashar Assad had been overthrown, and all prisoners freed. The man reading the statement identified the group as the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus. They called on rebel fighters and citizens to protect the institutions of a "free Syrian state." People gathered in Ummayed Square, the heart of the Syrian capital, to celebrate the downfall of Bashar Assad's government. Excitement filled the air as crowds stormed the presidential palace. People celebrating the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in northeast Syria's (Rojava) Hasaka city after rebels captured the capital Damascus and Assad fled the country. pic.twitter.com/608Tr3SmRc Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) December 8, 2024 The fast-moving events have stunned the region. Lebanon announced it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria, except one between Beirut and Damascus. Jordan also closed a border crossing with Syria. (With agency inputs) Dhaka: A case was lodged on Sunday over a clash between police and followers of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on the court premises in Chittagong, according to a media report. The Dhaka Tribune newspaper said the case names the Hindu leader, arrested on a charge of sedition, as the prime accused, along with 164 identified individuals and 400 to 500 unidentified people. The complaint was filed by Enamul Haque, a businessman and activist of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, in the court of Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Md Abu Bakar Siddique. Haque in his complaint alleged that he was attacked by followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das while returning home after completing land registry work at the court on November 26. The businessman claimed that he was targeted for wearing a panjabi, a kurta, and a cap, which resulted in injuries to his right hand and head. He was rescued by bystanders and admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, the newspaper said. Haque also said that his delay in filing the case was due to his prolonged illness from the attack. "Haque was assaulted on November 26 on the court premises by followers of Chinmoy Krishna. His right hand was fractured, and he sustained head injuries. The case names 164 individuals, with Chinmoy Krishna as the principal accused," his lawyer is quoted as saying. The incident follows several clashes linked to the imprisonment of Chinmoy Krishna, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote. Previously on November 27, police filed three related cases at Kotwali police station, naming numerous individuals and hundreds of unidentified persons for obstruction and attacks on law enforcement. Separately, another case was filed by a businessman on Tuesday, alleging assault by a group near Rangam Cinema Hall on November 26. The complaint named 29 individuals, including members of political organisations and ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), alongside 40 to 50 unidentified persons, the report said. The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power after deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 following a student-led protest. The relations deteriorated further in recent weeks over continued attacks on Hindus and especially after the arrest of the Hindu monk, a former member of ISKCON Bangladesh. Das arrest in a sedition case on November 25 from Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport had triggered demonstrations by supporters of the monk. An assistant government prosecutor, Saiful Islam Alif, was killed during a protest in Chattogram after the monk was denied bail on November 26. On December 3, a Bangladesh court deferred to January 2 hearing on the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna on a government plea as no lawyer appeared on his behalf. The snowfall has amplified the scenic charm of this remote area, attracting tourists to its stunning landscapes. Visuals from the area show the entire sector blanketed with snow, creating a stunning spectacle for the viewers. Earlier, the Machil sector in Kupwara district received snowfall on November 16. Meanwhile, the scenic heights of Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh were shrouded in white after the district received snowfall on Sunday. The police administration has advised tourists to take precautions during the journey. The snow formed a white blanket over houses camouflaged in the wintry scene. The charm of a snow-covered region lies not only in its visual appeal but also in the tranquil atmosphere it creates, offering a sense of solitude, wonder, and the timeless beauty of nature. (ANI) Seoul: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday narrowly escaped impeachment over the outrage following his brief declaration of martial law. The National Assembly voted on the opposition-led motion, but most lawmakers from Yoon's ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote, despite massive protests outside the parliament, YONHAP news agency reported. Yoon had earlier apologised publicly for his martial law declaration, stating that "he will leave to the ruling party decisions about his term and stabilisation of state affairs." The PPP lawmakers largely stood by their party's stance to avoid a repeat of the 2016 impeachment crisis of President Park Geun-hye, which led to a conservative party divide and a liberal victory in the 2017 presidential election, as per YONHAP news agency. Following Yoon's martial law decision raised serious questions about his ability to govern for the remaining half of his single, five-year term. Now he legal risks and renewed attempts to force him out of office as the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) said "it will table the impeachment motion again next week." According to YONHAP news agency, hundreds of thousands of people gathered outside the National Assembly on Saturday, calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office. This comes after Yoon's attempt to impose martial law, which has sparked widespread outrage. Prosecutors, the police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials have all launched probes into Yoon and senior officials involved in the martial law decree, seeking to press charges of insurrection and abuse of power, among others. DP leader Lee Jae-myung has accused Yoon of being "the mastermind behind rebellion," calling for authorities to take necessary procedures for a swift investigation into him. Under the law, crimes of rebellion are exceptions to the presidential immunity to prosecution, as reported by the YONHAP news agency. Notably, South Korea is facing a challenging time, with some lawmakers proposing a constitutional amendment to shorten President Yoon Suk Yeol's term and transfer more power to the prime minister, the government's No. 2 post, who holds a largely ceremonial role. The political turmoil comes at a challenging time for South Korea, as it is working to strengthen alliances with the United States and other partners to counter growing threats from North Korea amid its deepening military ties with Russia. Yoon had planned to meet Trump shortly after his inauguration on Janurary 20, but that prospect now seems uncertain, the YONHAP report added. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family apparently have been granted asylum in Moscow, the Associated Press reported citing Russian state news agencies. The development comes just hours after opposition forces took over Damascus, showing the end of Assad's rule after quick wins around the country. The fighting by the opposition grew very intense early Sunday when fighters attacked the capital at dawn. People went out into the streets, waving flags from before Assad's time, while opposition leaders said that Assad's long rule was over. On state television, a man in military clothing stood amidst armed fighters, reading his "Statement No. 1," which said the capital Damascus was captured. "We have taken control of the capital," he declared, marking a new page in Syria's history. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based rights group, reports that hundreds of regime soldiers were instructed to leave the Damascus International Airport. Most of them took off their military garb and donned civilian attire. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 revealed a Syrian Air jet departing Damascus amid opposition control. Initially heading toward the Alawite-dominated coastal region, the jet abruptly changed course and disappeared from radar. Rebel forces and multiple media outlets speculated that the aircraft carried Assad and his closest allies. By Sunday evening, the Russian state media reported that Bashar Assad and his family arrived in Moscow and received asylum. Within hours, opposition forces seized control of Damascus after securing key cities like Homs, a significant stronghold. Opposition leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, commonly known as Abu Mohammad Al-Julani, termed the fall of Homs a "historic moment" and requested his fighters to be careful with those who were surrendering. The fleeing forces left behind many prisoners, who were reported to have burned government papers before leaving. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali said he is willing to cooperate with a new administration. He vowed to head public institutions until an official handover of the process is completed. "Syria belongs to all Syrians," Al-Jallali said on television. "I urge everybody to think hard about what is best for our country." Al-Julani agreed, putting an end to celebratory gunfire and directing the fighters to protect public buildings. The opposition also celebrated the release of prisoners from Sednaya Prison, which is near Damascus. This happened because security forces left their posts. The fall of Assad's regime has sent shockwaves across the region. The rapid offensive by opposition forces has disrupted traditional alliances and raised questions about the future of Syria's governance. Russia's choice to give Assad a safe place to stay shows its long-time support for the Syrian leader, even though the situation has clearly changed to benefit the opposition. As Syrians celebrate what they consider to be the start of a new time, the world watches carefully to see how the opposition handles this delicate change and keeps peace in a country worn down by more than ten years of fighting. Syrian rebels entered the capital city, Damascus, on Sunday, and so far there are no signs of any army deployments. With the grip of rebels strengthening, trouble continues to mount further on President Bashar al-Assad, whose 24-year-old authoritarian rule is nearing a drastic end. As rebels enter Damascus, the Syrian president fled the country for an unknown destination. Syria's army command has notified officers Assad's 24-year rule has ended, a Syrian officer aware of the move told news agency Reuters, after a rapid rebel offensive. Syrian rebels said Damascus was "now free of Assad." Earlier, news agency AP had reported that the whereabouts of Bashar Assad, who has been ruling the country for 24 years, were unknown. "After several qualitative night operations, the remnants of the criminal regime are escaping the city of Homs, and the city's neighbourhoods are now being penetrated and combed in preparation for declaring it completely liberated, God willing," a spokesperson for the northern rebels said on Saturday. Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime's military has sent a message to residents assuring them that it will continue to defend the country. This comes at a time when rebels say that they are circling in on the capital, Damascus. Also, the Syrian military assured residents that it remains committed to defending the country. This statement came as rebels claimed to be closing in on the capital. "The Syrian Arab Army, as always, continues its national and constitutional duties to defend Syria and its people, and it will restore security and stability to all parts of our homeland," the military said in a text sent via its cell providers across the country on Saturday evening. Earlier, Syrian government forces withdrew from a number of Damascus suburbs where opposition protests broke out on Saturday, according to war monitoring organizations, the New York Times reported. According to the British-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, government forces have withdrawn from several suburbs of Damascus, including Moadamia al-Sham and Daraya, as well as the neighbouring Mezzeh military airport. (With agencies inputs) DAMASCUS, Syria Opposition fighters in Syria made a powerful statement on Sunday as they escorted Prime Minister Mohammad Jalali out of his office and to the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus. The move symbolized the transfer of power and the definitive end of over 50 years of Assad family rule. The dramatic scene unfolded after armed opposition forces launched a lightning offensive, capturing the capital city of Damascus and storming the presidential palace. This marked the culmination of years of conflict and resistance against the Assad regime, which had maintained a firm grip on the nation since the 1970s. Extraordinary - opposition fighters from #Daraa are escorting #Syrias Prime Minister out of his office & to the Four Seasons Hotel, in a move intended to symbolize the transfer of power & removal of #Assad regime rule. pic.twitter.com/am0tT6cbl1 Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) December 8, 2024 Reports suggest that Syrian regime leader Bashar al-Assad fled the country amid the chaos, with unconfirmed sources pointing to Iran or Russia as potential destinations. His departure signals a significant shift in the region's political landscape and a long-awaited victory for opposition forces. Across Syria, celebrations erupted as citizens took to the streets to mark the fall of the regime. In Damascus and other cities, jubilant crowds waved flags and chanted slogans of freedom, marking what many hope is the beginning of a new chapter for the war-torn nation. DAMASCUS, Syria The Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) announced on Sunday the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, marking the "beginning of a new era" after its forces captured Damascus. With the world closely monitoring the situation, attention is now focused on HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani, a former associate of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the late leader of ISIS. HTS, formerly known as the Nusra Front and once affiliated with Al-Qaida, spearheaded a swift offensive starting November 27. The group captured key cities, including Aleppo and Hama, before storming Damascus. Conflicting reports have since emerged regarding the whereabouts of Assad, with speculation suggesting he has left the country after negotiating a peaceful transfer of power. Who Is Abu Mohammad al-Julani? Born Ahmed Hussein Al-Shara, Julani, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Golani, has a $10 million bounty on his head under the U.S. Department of States Rewards for Justice program. Designated a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" in 2013, Julanis rise began under the guidance of Baghdadi, who instructed him to establish a front for Al-Qaida in Syria. The Nusra Front, armed with manpower, weapons, and funds from Al-Qaida in Iraq, vowed to overthrow Assad as early as 2012. Over the years, Julanis organization evolved, rebranding itself from the Nusra Front to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and eventually Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in 2017. Despite severing ties with Al-Qaida, HTS remained controversial, with analysts pointing to its ideological alignment with jihadism and history of violence. Local media reports suggest that HTS has regained prominence after a five-year lull, navigating significant regional and international shifts, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and changing dynamics in Idlib. The group consolidated power in the region under the 'Salvation Government,' its administrative and political arm in Idlib. According to Lebanon's Al-Manar, HTS has adopted a strategy of "jihadism in methodology and nationalism in geography," balancing its hardline roots with a focus on localized governance. However, this resurgence has drawn criticism, with some analysts warning that celebrating Assad's downfall inadvertently empowers groups with ties to ISIS and Al-Qaida. Russia, a key ally of the Assad regime, has placed its military bases in Syria on "high alert" while expressing deep concern over the unfolding events. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed Assad's departure and called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. "As a result of negotiations between Bashar al-Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully," the ministry stated. It emphasized the need for all parties to renounce violence and pursue political solutions. The fall of Assad marks a pivotal moment in Syria's history, ending decades of autocratic rule. However, it raises fresh concerns about the future stability of the region, particularly with HTSa group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S.assuming a central role. As the dust settles, the international community faces a dilemma: how to address the rise of HTS while navigating Syria's complex political landscape. The next moves by Julani and his faction will likely shape the trajectory of the region in the coming months. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) carried out multiple operations in November, rescuing 56 minors and 4 women, while apprehending 23 illegal Bangladeshi migrants at various railway stations across the region, officials said on Sunday. As per an official release, the illegal Bangladeshi migrants were detained at Agartala, Jirania, and Dharmanagar railway stations in different drives carried out from November 1 to 30. On November 27, RPF personnel from Katihar conducted a check at Katihar railway station and rescued a runaway minor boy. ""During the check, they rescued one runaway minor boy from Katihar railway station. Later, after ascertaining the address of the minor boy, the rescued minor boy was handed over to Child Line, Katihar for safe custody," said Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway. In another incident, on November 21, a joint check by the RPF team from Dharmanagar and BSF/97 BN/Shipinjuri at Dharmanagar station led to the detection of four Bangladeshi nationals. "While checking, they detected four Bangladeshi nationals. On interrogation, they could not produce any valid documents and later confessed that they entered India illegally. Later, all four were apprehended and handed over to BSF/97 BN/Shipinjuri for further legal action," Sharma said. Sharma further stressed that the RPF remains vigilant and alert to prevent illegal infiltration and human trafficking. "RPF carries on a relentless fight against criminals in protecting railway passengers, remains vigilant for suspected persons involved in human trafficking, as well as the movement of children travelling alone or without proper guardians," he added. (ANI) During the meeting, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt wishes, praying for her good health and long life. In a post on X, CM Sukhu said, "Hearty congratulations and best wishes to senior Congress leader and former minister Vidya Stokes on her birthday. I pray to Almighty God for your good health, long life and happy life." On the occasion, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, MLA Harish Janartha, Sudarshan Babloo and Vinod Sultanpuri were also present. Earlier this year when Vidya Stokes was admitted in the hospital, CM Sukhu had visited the Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla to inquire about the well-being of the veteran Minister who was recuperating from an illness. The Chief Minister had wished for a speedy recovery of the veteran Congress leader. "Reached Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla today to inquire about the well-being of senior Congress leader and former minister Smt. Vidya Stokes. May God give him a speedy recovery," Sukhu wrote in a post on X. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended an invitation to his Gujarat counter part Bhupendra Patel on Sunday to attend the inauguration of Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. Uttar Pradesh Minister AK Sharma and UP Minister of State for Skill Development Kapil Dev Agarwal met CM Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar and extended the invitation on CM Yogi's behalf. In a post on X, CM Patel said, "On behalf of Hon'ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanathji, he personally extended the invitation to attend the commencement of Mahakumbh 2025 to be held next year in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh." https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/1865750031241736569 On December 2, the Uttar Pradesh government declared the Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as a new district. The decision, which led to the formation of the new Maha Kumbh Mela district, was made to streamline the management and administration of the upcoming Kumbh Mela, ensuring smooth operations for the grand religious event scheduled for January 2025. In a bid to ensure the safety and convenience of an estimated 45 crore devotees, the Yogi Adityanath government is revolutionizing preparations for the upcoming Maha Kumbh. For the first time, the grand event is being digitized on such a large scale, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media platforms to enhance management and security. Security arrangements are being made across land, water, and air. In a first, to prevent any untoward incidents during the bathing rituals, the water police are being equipped with high-tech jet skis, often referred to as "mini ships." Al-powered cameras are being installed throughout the Kumbh site to monitor the massive crowd and ensure 24/7 surveillance. These state-of- the-art cameras will not only bolster security but also assist in reuniting individuals who may get separated during the event. In addition, popular social media platforms like Facebook and X will provide immediate assistance in locating lost relatives, streamlining the process of reuniting families amidst the sea of pilgrims. Mahakumbh starts with Paush Purnima Snan, which is on January 13, 2025. The Kumbh festival will conclude with the last bath on February 26, 2025, the day of Mahashivratri. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended a cultural programme organized by Balmiki Sangeet Vidyalaya at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday. He also announced that one Kendriya Vidyalaya and five Navodaya Vidyalayas are also going to be built in Assam. "A Kendriya Vidyalaya is going to be built in Jagiroad and 5 Navodaya Vidyalayas are also going to be built in Assam. Yesterday the central government took this decision, I thank the Prime Minister Modi very much," he said at the event. Around 1200 students belonging to Safari Karmis performed Borgeet, Satriya Dance, Boortaal Nritya during the cultural programme. "Today 1200 children of cleaning staff took part in cultural programme. This was a unique presentation. Audience were pleased to watch their performance. I extend my greetings to them and pray for their bright future. After 2 years these students will perform their cultural acts in Delhi and the state government will help on this," the Chief Minister added. Dr Hedgewar Smarak Samiti and Balmiki Sangeet Vidyalaya had organised the programme. Earlier on Saturday, CM Sarma attended the first-ever reunion seminar of the chiefs of Assam Police at the Director General of Police (DGP) Office at Ulubari. Notably, the reunion seminar of IPS officers of the Assam segment is an opportunity for police officers who have worked as DGP Assam, DGP Meghalaya, and head of CAPFs. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the first-ever reunion seminar of Assam Police Chiefs is a unique opportunity for serving police personnel to learn from the invaluable experiences of those who served and built a world-class police force for a secured Assam. CM Sarma said that the seminar is not just a formal gathering; it is a profound tribute to the invaluable contributions, which have not only shaped the identity and achievements of the Assam Police but also contributed immensely to the security and unity of India. (ANI) Several groups held a demonstration in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, expressing concerns against the 'atrocities' against minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh. The protest was carried out by Minorities of Kashmir in Srinagar, and Sanatan Dharma Sabha held a demonstration in Poonch. The Minorities of Kashmir also submitted a memorandum to the J-K Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, for onward submission to concerned authorities calling for necessary action. During the protest in Srinagar, social activist Anita Chandpuri said that the United Nations is "silent" on the attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh, and stressed that they aim to take their voices globally. "The Human Rights Commission is silent on the atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. Where is UNO? We are not holding a strike against the LG administration or the government. We want our voices to reach PM Modi and UNO. We are going to hold a bigger procession across the country if the need arises," she said. Social activist Chand Ji also voiced his protest and affirmed hope that the Indian government open their diplomatic channels with Bangladesh for the minorities there. "We are protesting because we have experienced the same pain for the last 35 years. We hope the Indian government opens their diplomatic channels with Bangladesh and fulfil their duty towards the Bangladesh minorities," he said. Meanwhile, the Sanatan Dharma Sabha in Poonch lodged a strong protest against the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh. Hindus and Sikhs from Poonch participated in the protest, and the protesters also burnt an effigy of the Chief Adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh, Mohammad Yunus. The protesters also appealed to the Indian government to intervene and stop the killing of Hindus and the destruction of Hindu properties and temples in Bangladesh. Notably, there have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests. Another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in the north of Dhaka, came under attack on late Friday night. India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. India had urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI) Taking a jibe at the leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance over their allegation surrounding electronic voting machines (EVM), Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said that no one takes the MVA seriously. Speaking to the reporters, Goyal said that if the MVA leaders don't trust EVMs, then their MPs and MLAs should resign and let re-election take place. "No one takes them (MVA) seriously...If they don't have trust in EVMs the MPs and MLAs of Congress, NCP-SCP and Shiv Sena (UBT) should resign in protest of EVMs and let re-election take place," the Union Minister said. "There is nothing left in the INDI alliance as there is a lot of infighting. I don't see any future of the INDI alliance. Any party who joins hands with the Congress party gets defeated,"Goyal added. Notably, the MVA alliance partners have been raising questions about the legitimacy of EVMs after facing a setback in the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024. Earlier, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Sunday that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) should welcome the clear mandate given by the people of the state. Responding to questions about the legitimacy of EVM, Shinde said, "The opposition should welcome the clear majority given by the people of Maharashtra. Our 2.5 years of Mahayuti government has done so much work, and implemented so many schemes, the result of which is this..." He criticized the opposition for selectively questioning EVMs, saying they do not raise such concerns in states where they win elections. "Recently, elections were held in Jharkhand and Wayanad. Wherever they (opposition) win, EVMs are fine. This has been going on for several years," Shinde told reporters. Referring to past election results in Maharashtra, he said, "In the Lok Sabha elections, Mahayuti secured 43.55 per cent of the votes, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi got 43.71 per cent. The margin was minimal, but we won 17 seats, and they got 31 seats. But then, they did not question the EVMs?" Taking a dig at the opposition, Shinde added, "Yesterday, they (MVA MLAs) did not take their oath citing an EVM scam. But today, they took oath. Does that mean the EVM scam is over?" The Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 witnessed a decisive victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, securing a landslide win with 235 seats. The results marked a significant milestone for the BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats. The Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party also made notable gains, with 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The MVA suffered a major setback with Congress winning just 16 seats. Its alliance partner, Shiv Sena (UBT), won 20 seats, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) secured only 10 seats. (ANI) National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Sunday expressed concern over the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, calling for mutual respect among religions in these regions. Abdullah stated that it was wrong and emphasised that the people should respect other people from different religions. He further criticised the central government, alleging inaction on this matter. "It is very wrong, as people from other religions also reside there. They should also respect people from other religions...The central government is doing nothing," Abdullah said. The NC President also addressed the issues in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that atrocities were being committed against Muslims in the state. "Atrocities are being committed on Muslims in UP. Their mosques and homes are being demolished," he added. Abdullah's remarks come amid the killings of Hindus and burning of temples in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, protests against these atrocities have erupted across the nation today. The Hindu society in Navi Mumbai took to the streets to protest against the atrocities on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh, where people from the Hindu community participated in it and expressed their dissent over the matter. The All India Karni Sena, along with the Hindu Mahasabha, organised a silent march in protest over the atrocities as well as the vandalism and burning of temples in Aligarh. The protest started from the SMB College in Aligarh's Ramghat Road and concluded at the Centre Point crossing, following which the workers of the Karni Sena and the Hindu Mahasabha burnt the effigy of Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government Mohammad Yunus.Several groups also held a demonstration in Jammu and Kashmir, expressing concerns against the 'atrocities' against minorities. The protest was carried out by Minorities of Kashmir in Srinagar, and Sanatan Dharma Sabha held a demonstration in Poonch. (ANI) The Hindu society in Navi Mumbai took to the streets on Sunday to protest against the atrocities on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh. People from the Hindu community participated in it and expressed their dissent over the matter. During the protest, ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) representative Advaita Chaitanya Maharaj said that nowadays, the tolerance of Hindus has become their biggest weakness and that it was the duty of all Hindus to come to the street and demand justice for Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested in Bangladesh on the charges of sedition. Maharaj stated that there was a need for all Hindus to come together and register their protest against this atrocity and that the Indian government would not do anything until Hindus take to the streets over this matter. "The tolerance of Hindus has become their biggest weakness today... It is the duty of all Hindus to come to the street and demand justice for Chinmoy Krishna Das...There is a need for all Hindus to come together and register their protest against this atrocity... The Indian government will not do anything until Hindus take to the streets... There are about 100 crore Hindus in the whole country, and if even half of them come out on the streets, the world will realise the power of Hindus," he said. Notably, there have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests.Another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in North of Dhaka came under attack on late Friday night.India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. India had urged Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI) People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti clarified her stance following the row over her recent remarks on 'Hindutva' and said that she had spoken against the ideology of 'Hindutva' and not 'Hinduism'. Mufti said that Hinduism is a religion that promotes "peace and compassion" and further criticised the 'Hindutva' philosophy, which she claimed wants an India only for Hindus. The PDP leader further reiterated that she was against Hindutva, which she terms as a "disease" that needs to be "weeded out." "This is an India of Mahatma Gandhi. I have spoken against Hindutva, not Hinduism. I have spoken against Veer Savarkar's philosophy that India is only for Hindus...I know Hinduism is a religion that promotes peace and compassion. I am against Hindutva as it is a disease that needs to be weeded out," Mufti said. Earlier, she clarified her 'controversial' post where she expressed a strong criticism of 'Hindutva,' calling it an "illness," and said that there is a lot of difference between 'Hindutva' and 'Hinduism.' This came after the PDP leader, reacting to a purported video of the attack on minor Muslim boys forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram', called Hindutva "a disease" that has "afflicted millions of Indians & sullied a God's name." "Ram the deity must hang his head in shame & watch helplessly as minor Muslim boys are whacked with chappals only because they refuse to chant his name," she stated on Saturday. Mufti drew a clear distinction between Hindutva and Hinduism, emphasising that the former is a religion promoting values of secularism, love, and compassion, similar to Islam. "There is a lot of difference between Hindutva and Hinduism. Hindutva is a philosophy of hate that Veer Savarkar spread in India in the 1940s with the aim of establishing the hegemony of Hindus, and the philosophy was that India belongs to Hindus and is for Hindus. Like Islam, Hinduism is also a religion that promotes secularism, love, and compassion. So, let's not deliberately distort it," she said. Mufti further argued that the slogan "Jai Shri Ram" has been wrongly associated with violence and is being used as a tool to instigate hate, rather than representing the ideals of "Ramrajya." "The slogan 'Jai Shri Ram' is not about 'Ramrajya,' but it is being linked to lynching... It is very shameful that Hinduism is being distorted...I criticised Hindutva as it is an illness," she added. Meanwhile, following Iltija's statement, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said, "She has praised the Hindu religion. She is a young leader and is the granddaughter of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed...We all should respect each other's religions." Later, Iltija Mufti made another post, wherein she stated that the "senseless violence" carried out in the name of Islam has led to 'Islamophobia,' and a "similar situation" is happening with Hinduism. "Much outrage over my tweet & also whataboutery about Islam. The senseless violence that's been carried out in the name of Islam is what caused Islamophobia in the first place. Today Hinduism (not Hindutva) also finds itself in a similar situation where it's being used & abused to lynch & persecute minorities. Let's call spade a spade," she stated on Sunday. (ANI) As the culmination of the Hornbill Festival approaches at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, tourists from both within and outside the region are flocking to the village to experience the vibrant culture of Nagaland. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Minister of Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, said, "The 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival has come to the 8th day today, and the response of the tourists, both domestic and international, and our own local tourists has been very overwhelming." He said that the participation of the art and culture team from all over the state has truly been phenomenal. "Their hard efforts are actually being a pleasure for all the tourists that have come, especially for all of us also, to see them perform so well." He lauded the TAFMA, the music festival where more than thousands of music connoisseurs are participating from all over the world, all over the country, and the State's own local performers. Along said that the 25th edition has brought about a great dynamic change to the way the Hornbill Festival is looked at today. Stating that the festival is not only about tourism but also about networking, the privilege, and the chance to meet Brand Nagaland, known throughout the world. He said that he was surprised that tourists from Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab, and Delhi, and even from Kashmir, are here in the state. Adding that the state's local partners, Sikkim, have a huge contingent while Telangana has been so good to the people, I am sure that this Hornbill Festival is able to bring about the story of the Nagas to them," he said, and added that "not only in merrymaking and commemorative experience of the 25th edition, but also about the culture, about the way of life, the way we think, the way we love to work hard, the way we want to resonate our state to become a prosperous state, and all these things can happen if we all work together like this." The minister also added, "Just two more days to go, tomorrow and the day after. I pray that everyone would come together, and it's going to be a wonderful culmination with some beautiful performances." He said that the band Blue Mountain is set to perform on the last day."One of the handsome and beautiful film stars from Bollywood is also expected to be here on the last day," Along informed. Adding that a lot of eminent personalities, at the same time, the tourists would be at an all-time record high. "So you can expect a wonderful culmination of the 25th edition, and the countdown starts for the 26th edition.". According to a government release, Hornbill Festival, often referred to as the 'Festival of Festivals', is known for its diverse cultural performances, including music, dance, and traditional art forms. Running from December 1 to December 10, this year's festival is poised to be a grand celebration of Nagaland's rich cultural heritage, alongside global artistic partnerships. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024' in Jaipur on Monday, according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The event is being organized at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC). As per his schedule, the Prime Minister will arrive at Jaipur airport on monday morning and reach the JECC. Upon arrival, he will inaugurate the summit and take a brief tour of the exposition in Hall B. The Prime Minister will then move to the Inaugural Hall (Hall-A), where he will be presented with a souvenir by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. A children's choir will then welcome the PM. Following the welcome, the Chief Minister will address the audience, followed by the screening of the Rising Rajasthan film. As per officials, 'industry captains', including Mukesh Ambani, Anil Agarwal, Anand Mahindra, Kumar Mangalam, and Karan Adani, will address the gathering. This will be followed by Prime Minister Modi's special address. Following the Jaipur event, PM Modi will then travel to Panipat in Haryana, where he will launch the Bima Sakhi Yojana by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a scheme aimed at empowering women. The initiative will provide training to women aged 18-70 years, who have passed Class X, to become LIC agents. They will receive a stipend for the first three years to promote financial literacy and awareness. After completing their training, these women will have the opportunity to qualify for positions as LIC Development Officers. In Panipat, PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University in Karnal. The campus, covering 495 acres, will cost over Rs 700 crore and will focus on crop diversification and research in horticultural technologies. (ANI) Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad has hailed the state's progress, stating that it has emerged as a leader in economic growth, recording an impressive 10 per cent GDP growth compared to the national average of 8.2 per cent. Speaking at a voter appreciation event in Sandur, Lad credited this achievement to the state's welfare programs under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's leadership. Highlighting Karnataka's progress between 2013 and 2018, Lad noted that the state was a leader in tax collection and economic development. He said the "Five Guarantees" and other welfare schemes have played a key role in driving growth. "These programs have greatly contributed to our success, helping Karnataka achieve around 51 per cent GDP growth during this period," Lad said. The minister further stated that the state has spent Rs 60,000 crore on the Five Guarantees, which have strengthened economic inclusion and supported underprivileged communities. He cited initiatives like mid-day meals, Anganwadi services, widow pensions, and old-age pensions as examples. He further said that the state has provided interest-free loans to farmers of up to Rs 3 lakh, allocated Rs 9.5 crore for this purpose, and waived farm loans worth Rs 8,165 crore. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities have received loan waivers and grants totalling Rs 80,000 crore, while gram panchayats have been allotted Rs 3,700 crore. Under the Ashraya housing scheme, Rs 2,633 crore has been allocated, and more than Rs 18,000 crore was spent between 2013 and 2018 to assist the poor. Lad also highlighted his party's contributions while in power at the Center, including a Rs 72,000 crore farm loan waiver and job creation in over 26,000 villages across the country. "These welfare initiatives have not only driven Karnataka's growth but also set a strong example for inclusive development across India," Lad said. (ANI) The 'silent' protest march started from the SMB College in Aligarh's Ramghat Road and concluded at the Centre Point crossing. After the march, the workers of the Karni Sena and the Hindu Mahasabha burnt an effigy of Mohammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government. During the protest march, Gyanendra Singh Chauhan, State President of All India Karni Sena, said that they demand the Bangladesh government take concrete steps to ensure the safety of Hindus living there. "The protest is against the atrocities and killings of Hindus in Bangladesh and against the Bangladesh government. We are also mourning the loss of Hindus who have been killed in these attacks," Chauhan said. "We demand that the Indian government ensure the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh," he added. Meanwhile, Ashok Pandey, National Spokesperson of Hindu Mahasabha, said, "We organized this silent march to protest the killings of Hindus and the burning of temples in Bangladesh." Notably, there have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests. Another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in the north of Dhaka, came under attack on late Friday night. India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. India had urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI) "Our results have no clear or direct application right now. It's basic research that lays the foundation for future technologies in quantum information and quantum computers. There's enormous potential for complete discoveries in many different research fields," said Guilherme B Xavier, a researcher in quantum communication at Linkoping University, Sweden. However, we must begin at the beginning in order to comprehend what the researchers have demonstrated. One of the most irrational--yet essential--features of quantum mechanics is that light may be both particles and waves. We refer to this as wave-particle duality. The theory dates back to the 17th century when Isaac Newton suggested that light is composed of particles. Other contemporary scholars believed that light consists of waves. Newton finally suggested that it might be both, without being able to prove it. In the 19th century, several physicists in various experiments showed that light actually consists of waves. But around the early 1900s, both Max Planck and Albert Einstein challenged the theory that light is just waves. However, it was not until the 1920s that physicist Arthur Compton could show that light also had kinetic energy, a classical particle property. The particles were named photons. Thus, it was concluded that light can be both particles and waves, exactly as Newton suggested. Electrons and other elementary particles also exhibit this wave-particle duality. But it is not possible to measure the same photon in the form of a wave and a particle. Depending on how the measurement of the photon is carried out, either waves or particles are visible. This is known as the complementarity principle and was developed by Niels Bohr in the mid 1920s. It states that no matter what one decides to measure, the combination of wave and particle characteristics must be constant. In 2014, a research team from Singapore demonstrated mathematically a direct connection between the complementarity principle and the degree of unknown information in a quantum system, the so-called entropic uncertainty. This connection means that no matter what combination of wave or particle characteristic of a quantum system is looked at, the amount of unknown information is a least one bit of information, i.e. the unmeasurable wave or particle. Researchers from Linkoping University together with colleagues from Poland and Chile have now succeeded in confirming the Singapore researchers' theory in reality with the help of a new type of experiment. "From our perspective, it's a very direct way to show basic quantum mechanical behaviour. It's a typical example of quantum physics where we can see the results, but we cannot visualise what is going on inside the experiment. And yet it can be used for practical applications. It's very fascinating and almost borders on philosophy," added Guilherme B Xavier. In their new experiment set-up, the Linkoping researchers used photons moving forward in a circular motion, called orbital angular momentum, unlike the more common oscillating motion, which is up and down. The choice of orbital angular momentum allows for future practical applications of the experiment, because it can contain more information. The measurements are made in an instrument commonly used in research, called an interferometer, where the photons are shot at a crystal (beam splitter) that splits the path of the photons into two new paths, which are then reflected so as to cross each other onto a second beam splitter and then measured as either particles or waves depending on the state of this second device. One of the things that makes this experiment set-up special is that the second beam splitter can be partially inserted by the researchers into the path of the light. This makes it possible to measure light as waves, or particles, or a combination of them in the same set-up. According to the researchers, the findings could have many future applications in quantum communication, metrology, and cryptography. But there is also much more to explore at a basic level. "In our next experiment, we want to observe the behaviour of the photon if we change the setting of the second crystal right before the photon reaches it. It would show that we can use this experimental set-up in communication to securely distribute encryption keys, which is very exciting" shared Daniel Spegel-Lexne, PhD student in the Department of Electrical Engineering. (ANI) Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Sunday highlighted growing tensions along the Israel-Syria border, and said that armed forces had entered the buffer zone on the Syrian side and carried out attacks against United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). He further emphasised Israel's concern over violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, noting the potential threats to its security and the safety of its citizens, particularly in the Golan Heights region. Sharing a post on X, Saar wrote, "Over the past 24 hours, armed forces have entered the buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border with Israel. Among other actions, attacks were carried out against UNDOF forces in the area." "Israel is concerned about violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria, which also pose a threat to its security, the safety of its communities, and its citizens, particularly in the Golan Heights region. The State of Israel does not intervene in the internal conflict in Syria," the post added. Meanwhile, after claiming control over four cities -- Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda and Homs, Syria's main rebel group said that their focus is now on Damascus, CNN reported. "We were able to liberate four Syrian cities within 24 hours: Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda and Homs, and our operations are continuing to liberate the entire Damascus countryside, and our eyes are on the capital, Damascus," spokesperson Lt. Col. Hassan Abdul Ghani said on Sunday. Meanwhile, as the Israeli army reinforced security along the Syrian border, Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi said on Saturday night that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was prepared for any scenario. "We are monitoring to see that the local elements are not turning in our direction. We are monitoring very closely what is happening," Halevi said. He also stressed that Israel had no intention of intervening in Syria's civil war, but was also keeping its eye on Iranian personnel evacuating the country. "The main emphasis is to also see the Iranian exit, the Iranian interest, which from our perspective is the first necessity, and the second thing is to see the local elements here who are occupying the territory. There is an offensive response and behind it a very, very strong defensive response," he said. A day earlier, the military confirmed Israeli forces are helping United Nations peacekeepers on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights fend off an attack by rebels. "A short while ago, an attack was carried out by armed individuals at a UN post in the Khader area in Syria," the IDF said. "The IDF is currently assisting the UN forces in repelling the attack." The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) is a peacekeeping mission tasked with maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Syria in the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The 1,200 monitors come from 13 countries. (ANI) The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended eight Indian fishermen and captured two boats off the coast of Ramanathapuram on Sunday morning. The apprehended fishermen who belong to Ramanathapuram have been identified as Mangadu Bhatrappan (55), Reddayurani, Kannan (52), Chinna Reddayurani Muthuraj (55), Agasthiyar Kutam Kali (50) and Thangachimad Yasin (46), Jesus, Uchipulli Ramakrishnan and Velu including 8 fishermens was arrested and taken to the Kangesanturai Naval Camp. According to the Mandapam Fishermen Association, the apprehended fishermen had gone to the sea from Mandapam. They were fishing in Palk Bay sea area when the Sri Lankan Navy came to the area early this morning claiming that the fishermen had crossed the border. The fishermen who went to sea in 324 boats from Mandapam north coast of Ramanathapuram district yesterday on December 7 were fishing near Delft Island in Palk Bay Sea area when Sri Lanka Navy arrived in the area early this morning and captured two boats, IND TN 11 MM 81, barge owned by Mandapam Karthikaraja and IND TN 11 MM 231, boat owned by Thangachimadam Yasin. 2 mechanised boats. According to the Mandapam Fishermen Association, Sri Lankan Navy captured two boats belonging to Mandapam and apprehend 8 fishermens from the boat and took them to Kangesanthurai Naval Camp for investigation. After investigation, the fishermen and the boat will be handed over to the Jaffna Fisheries Department officials. This has created confusion among the fishermen. The arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have been a concerning issue for both the Tamil Nadu government as well as the BJP-led central government. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has written to EAM Jaishankar multiple times regarding the matter. CM Stalin had previously said that the detention of fishermen and confiscation of their boats cause "serious distress and uncertainty" among the coastal communities." The detention of our fishermen and the confiscation of their boats cause serious distress and uncertainty among the coastal communities. I have repeatedly reiterated that concrete and proactive steps must be taken to resolve this festering issue diplomatically," he added. Responding to one of his letters, Jaishankar assured him of proactive action on the issue and said that the Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna have been expeditiously and consistently taking up such cases for the early release of those detained. (ANI) Amid a rebel offensive, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has flown out of Damascus for an unknown destination on Sunday, Reuters reported. The news agency cited two senior army officers, whom it did not name as rebels Syrian groups said they entered the capital, Damascus, in the early hours today. The development comes hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. The head of Syria's main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said that Damascus is now "without Bashar al-Assad" according to Reuters. AlJazeera reported that Syrian rebels have said they have captured Damascus. "The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the armed opposition said in a statement. "We declare Damascus free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad," they said. The rebels earlier claimed to have entered the capital and taken control of the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison north of Damascus, CNN reported. CNN cited the Military Operations Command's post on Telegram which said, "We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad." The statement added, "To the displaced all over the world, a free Syria awaits you." The civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years has resurfaced and within a the span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups have taken over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa. The pro-government Sham FM radio station reported that militants had infiltrated the cities of al-Rastan and Tell Bisa in Homs' northern part. Syria's defence ministry, however has refuted reports about troops withdrawal from Homs. "Reports disseminated in some media outlets and resources linked with terrorist organizations about the withdrawal of any units of our armed forces from the city of Homs and its neighbourhoods are not true," it said in a statement posted on its social media page. Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he does not plan on leaving his home as he aims to ensure that public institutions continue to function. "I urge all to think rationally and to think about they country," al-Jalali said. "We extend our hand to the opposition who have extended their hand and asserted that they will not harm anyone who belongs to this country," he was cited as saying by Al Jazeera. Videos posted online, which Al Jazeera said it had verified, show several people in the Ummayad Square, standing on an abandoned military tank and singing in celebration. On December 5, the Syrian army command stated that militants had infiltrated several neighbourhoods in the city of Hama. According to its statement, government forces were redeployed outside the city. On December 7, the Syrian Defence Ministry announced that military units operating in the south of the country were being regrouped in accordance with the military's strategic plan.Iran envoy to Beirut on Saturday said that the Syria developments pose a "threat" to entire region, the IRNA news agency reported. Syrian government is engaged in fighting with terrorist groups that launched an offensive on November 27 from their stronghold in the western province of Idlib, it reported. The Wall Street Journal had reported yesterday that Tehran warned Syrian President Bashar Assad last week that its assistance to his government in the fight against militant armed groups would be reduced, According to the sources, Iran withdrew its senior officers stationed in eastern Syria. The newspaper also noted that the Iranian side accused the Syrian troops of retreating. According to the Washington Post, the rebel advances are being led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a faction once associated with Al-Qaeda. A newly announced rebel faction, the Southern Operations Room, said Saturday its forces had taken the southern city of Daraa. Meanwhile, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt Iraq, Russia, Turkey, and Iran expressed their support for the cessation of hostilities in Syria to pave the way for the launch of a political process, according to a joint statement issued following their meeting on the Syrian crisis in Doha. Russia urged its citizens to leave Syria "on commercial flights through existing airports." (ANI) Anthony Franze is a native Texan and very passionate about covering any weather that is thrown at him. He can be reached at anthony.franze@express-news.net. Anthony earned a degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in 2017. He has worked as a broadcast meteorologist for six years, one at NBC Montana and the next five at NewsWest 9 in Midland before joining the Express-News in July 2023. In his free time, Anthony enjoys watching sports, checking out local restaurants and breweries, and getting outside whenever the heat allows for it. If you have any story ideas, questions about the weather or restaurant suggestions, drop him a line. At least five people were killed after an explosion in an apartment building in The Hague, the Netherlands on Saturday, CNN reported, citing authorities. According to firefighters, the blast occurred at around 6:15 am (local time), causing the three-storey apartment building to partially collapse and set on fire. They said five different apartments were impacted by the explosion. Police has urged witnesses who might have seen car moving from the spot at a very high speed shortly after the incident occurred. The Hague mayor, Jan van Zanen, said that the search started as a rescue operation by Saturday afternoon. However, it turned into a recovery mission, CNN reported. He said it is not unknown how many people were still under the rubble, but "the reality is that the chances of survival for them are slim." He said, "We are considering the worst-case scenario." The Dutch Urban Search and Rescue service deployed a rescue group at the site of the incident on Saturday, which included four dog handlers and a structural engineer. Firefighters said the fire was nearly out by 11:30 am (local time) and rescue dogs were carrying out search for possible victims. The dogs could not search the building for long as there was a risk that it could fully collapse, CNN reported, citing Dutch public broadcaster NOS. According to the report, people from some 40 homes have been evacuated. Speaking to the broadcaster, one man said that his initial thought after seeing the aftermath of the explosion was that it occurred due to a rocket attack. The man said he heard a child calling for help from the rubble. However, he was unable to reach them as people pulled him back from the fire. The broadcaster reported that forensic officers were also at the spot gathering evidence. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof stated that he was "shocked" by images of the damaged apartment building in The Hague. In a post on X, he stated, "Shocked by the terrible images of a collapsed apartment building in The Hague. My thoughts go out to the victims, all other people involved and the emergency services who are now working on the scene. This morning I have been in contact with mayor Van Zanen of @GemeenteDenHaag and offered him all the help needed on behalf of the cabinet." https://x.com/MinPres/status/1865329825193271362 In a statement shared on X, the Dutch King and Queen said that their thoughts were with those impacted by the incident. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the federal government over the protest held in Islamabad on November 26, The Express Tribune reported. During the PTI core committee meeting, disccussion were held regarding launching a civil disobedience movement, The Express Tribune reported, citing sources. A sub-committee was established to decide on whether or not to go ahead with the movement as the sub-committee is scheduled to submit its report within 48 hours, with Barrister Gohar Ali Khan appointed as its head. In addition, the leaders of Imran Khan-founded party, during the core committee meeting decided to lodge an FIR against the government with regards to the November 26 protest. A separate committee, headed by former Attorney General Latif Khosa, has been established to handle lodging of the FIR while the committee will also include prominent lawyers like Naeem Haider Panjotha. In the meeting, the PTI leaders said that 146 workers of the party have gone missing after the protest on November 26, according to The Express Tribune report. The PTI started protest on November 24, when PTI caravans moved from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Islamabad. The protesters reached D-Chowk by November 26, where security personnel carried out a late-night crackdown to disperse the people and end the protest. Earlier in November, the PTI described Pakistani forces' action against PTI protesters as a "massacre ... under the brutal, fascist military regime." Imran Khan's party accused security personnel of assaulting PTI's peaceful protesters in Islamabad during their rally. In a post on X, the PTI said, "A massacre has unfolded in Pakistan at the hands of security forces under the brutal, fascist military regime led by the establishment and PMLN's illegal government. The nation is drowning in blood." "Today, armed security forces launched a violent assault on peaceful PTI protesters in Islamabad, firing live rounds with the intent to kill as many people as possible. Snipers were also used in order to murder many civilians. With countless death and injured, the interior minister's threat to kill and then the declaration of "victory" over slaughtered innocents is enough evidence of the regime's inhumanity," it further said. The PTI said, "The world must condemn this atrocity and the erosion of democracy and humanity in Pakistan. The international community must take a strong stand against this brutal crackdown." (ANI) The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) several top leaders in connection with the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case, ARY News reported. According to reports, the 25 accused mentioned in the GHQ attack case include PTI's top leaders like Ali Amin Gandapur, Shehryar Afridi, Zain Qureshi, Shibli Faraz, Tahir Sadiq, Malik Taimoor Masood and Kanwal Shauzab ATC Rawalpindi Judge Amjad Ali Shah signed the warrants, ordering the Rawalpindi Police (CPO) to arrest them and present them before court by December 10. The court's decision showcases efforts to hold the accused accountable for their alleged involvement in the GHQ attack case. On December 5, Judge Amjad Ali Shah indicted PTI founder Imran Khan and 60 other PTI leaders were indicted in the GHQ attack case, ARY News reported. After the decision announced by the ATC, the police arrested four PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub, Raja Basharat, and Malik Ahmad Chatta, in connection with the GHQ attack case. 23 other accused in the case, including Zulfi Bukhari, Murad Saeed and Shehbaz Gill, have been declared proclaimed offenders. On May 9 last year, Khan, who served as Pakistan's PM from 2018 to 2022, was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court, where he was present for a hearing in a corruption case. He was accused of receiving illegal gifts and assets from other nations. Protests erupted acrosss the country following Imran Khan's arrest, as his supporters and party workers took to the streets to demand his release. The PTI protesters attacked and vandalised several civil and military installations, including the Jinnah House in Lahore, the Mianwali airbase, GHQ of the army in Rawalpindi and and others. The protesters also set vehicles on fire, blocked roads and clashed with police and security personnel. Over 5,000 people were arrested and charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other laws for their involvement in the riots, ARY News reported. The federal government accused Imran Khan of being the mastermind of these attacks and said that it had evidence of his involvement. (ANI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur accused the federal government of Pakistan of using the country's army to open fire at Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaaf (PTI) supporters, Dawn reported. As per Dawn, Gandapur said this in a public appearance, days after arrest warrants for him were issued by a court in Rawalpindi. While speaking to media persons after attending the convocation of Gomal Medical College in his hometown, Gandapur claimed the federal government had "illegally" invoked Article 245 during the PTI's protest in Islamabad last month. Article 245 allows the Pakistan government to summon the army "in aid of civil power". The federal government invoked Article 245 to deploy the army at sensitive installations in the Red Zone for security purposes during the PTI's protest, Dawn noted. While referring to the alleged killing of PTI supporters during the protest, Gandapur said the PML-N-led federal government "imposed Article 245 and used the army for shooting innocent people". He added, "At this time, there are 12 confirmed martyrs and 107 of our supporters are missing," Dawn said. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM also expressed apprehension over the missing workers and said thousands of PTI supporters were arrested and hundreds injured with gunshot wounds. He said the federal government's actions were "sowing hatred" among people While commenting on PTI's negotiations with the government, Gandapur said the party would hold dialogues "for the sake of the country". Incarcerated former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, has been in the Adiala Jail since August 2023, after he was arrested by the Rawalpindi police in January over his alleged involvement in the protest. Dawn reported that two other PTI leaders, Omar Ayub Khan and ex-Punjab law minister Raja Basharat, were held this week after the indictment. They were later released on post-arrest bail. (ANI) Amid rising atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, the All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association (ATHROA) has decided to deny hotel and restaurant services' to Bangladeshi citizens. In a statement, Bhaskar Chakraborty, Office Secretary, All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association says, "On 2nd December we took a decision in the presence of all our members that starting 2nd December, no hotel will be available for Bangladeshi citizens." The decision comes as a strong response to the growing unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh. The All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association (ATHROA) announced a ban on providing services to Bangladeshi citizens in the state. The decision, which took effect immediately, follows allegations of escalating persecution of Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh. Bhaskar Chakrabarty, Secretary, All Tripura Hotel & Restaurant Owners' Association told ANI, "The primary reason for this decision is the disrespect shown towards our national flag in Bangladesh. Additionally, the incident involving the Bangladesh High Commission has also played a significant role in shaping this resolution." "Another reason is to ensure the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi nationals visiting here. If any untoward incident occurs involving a Bangladeshi guest, the entire responsibility would fall on the hotel owner. To avoid such complications, we decided on the 2nd of this month that we will not provide rooms to Bangladeshi citizens," he said. He clarified, "The (Bangladeshi) citizens who checked in here before 2nd December can stay here but we won't accept any new bookings. It was also decided that if someone comes here under a critical condition with proper documents, for medical purposes, they will be provided rooms." In an official statement, signed by ATHROA Secretary Bhashkar Chakraborty, the association condemned recent incidents involving extremist actions against minority groups in Bangladesh. "We are a secular country that respects all religions, but the recent atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh have deeply concerned us. The behaviour of certain elements in Bangladesh is unacceptable, especially their disrespect towards the Indian national flag," the statement read. The association emphasized that Tripura has historically welcomed people from Bangladesh with warmth and hospitality. However, the recent developments have led to a change in stance. The ban on services, which includes all hotel and restaurant facilities, applies to Bangladeshi citizens visiting the state from December 2, 2024. ATHROA President Sumit Saha, speaking to the Tripura Times, expressed strong disapproval of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. "We have always believed in treating all guests with respect. However, the current situation in Bangladesh has made it impossible for us to continue offering services to those who come from a nation where such atrocities are happening," Saha said. The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting the move as a stand against violence and discrimination, while others question its impact on tourism and business relations between the two countries. Nonetheless, the association remains firm in its position, citing the need to stand in solidarity with the oppressed minority communities in Bangladesh. As of now, the ban is expected to remain in place until further notice, with ATHROA pledging to monitor the situation closely. Meanwhile, Bangladesh continues to see increased violence against Hindu minorties. On the intermitter night of Friday and Saturday, the Laxshmi Narayan Mandir was allegedly burnt. Temple authorities filed a complaint against the same and alleged that the attackers had aimed to harm them. (ANI) Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have raised significant concerns about Webull Financial LLC's ownership structure and operational ties to China . Due to these connections, the lawmakers highlighted the security risks posed to American investors' data and the broader US financial market. In their letter, the Committee underscored that Webull, which plans to go public via a merger with the SPAC SK Growth Opportunities Corp., continues to maintain substantial links with Chinese entities. These include ties to Webull's parent company, Fumi Technology, and Changsha-based Hunan Weibu Information Technology Co., which has received CCP-backed funding and shares personnel and technology with Webull. The lawmakers raised concerns about Webull's compliance with US regulations, especially regarding market fairness, transparency, and data security. Despite Webull's restructuring to create the appearance of separation from the PRC, the company remains deeply intertwined with Chinese entities, raising serious questions about its independence and its ability to safeguard US user data. This is particularly concerning given China's stringent laws requiring companies to cooperate with state intelligence activities. Additionally, the Committee pointed to Webull's recent move to Florida and the de-registration of brokers based in China, questioning the timing of these changes ahead of the planned SPAC deal. Further concerns were raised about potential discrepancies in Webull's compliance with US regulations, specifically in the SEC's Rule 606 order routing data, which could indicate market manipulation or omissions in reporting. In light of these risks, the Select Committee has demanded comprehensive documentation from Webull, including information on its efforts to ensure operational autonomy from the Chinese government, its data privacy practices, and its plans to protect the liquidity and security of U.S. investors' capital. The Committee has set a deadline of December 31, 2024, for Webull to respond to these inquiries. The Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party has the authority to investigate and provide policy recommendations on issues related to the CCP's economic, technological, and security activities, especially as they impact american interests. As of the time of this report, Webull has not publicly responded to the letter. (ANI) South Korea's former Defence Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, has been arrested on Sunday as prosecutors investigated his role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's decision last week to impose martial law, The New York Times reported. Yoon's decision caused political upheavel in South Korea, including an opposition-led attempt to impeach South Korea President and protests. Kim is the first person to be arrested as prosecutors start their probe into allegations made by Yoon's political opponents. The opposition has asserted that Yoon and his followers in the government and military conducted insurrection and other crimes when they sent soldiers and police personnel into the National Assembly to seize the legislature shortly after South Korea's President imposed martial law last week, according to The New York Times report. Kim, who surrendered himself to investigators on Sunday, wads arrested without a court warrant. The police and prosecutors can use "emergency arrest" when they have grounds to suspect a person who committed a serious crime and there is risk of them fleeing the country or tampering wiht evidence. They need to apply for a court warrant within two days to formally arrest the suspect. Kim Yong-hyun, who supported Yoon's martial law plan, resigned following the President's announcement. The military rule remained for only six hours after the National Assembly voted against it on Wednesday and forced Yoon to reverse it. It was unclear whether South Korea's former Defence Minister had a lawyer. Speaking to a daily Dong-A Ilbo prior to his arrest, he said he had been involved in Yoon's decision of imposing martial law, but stressed that it was put in place according to legal procedures. For most of the two and a half years he has been serving as South Korea's President, Yoon has faced low approval ratings and been in political standoff with the opposition. The opposition and Yoon have tussled particularly over his refusal to accept their demands that a special prosecutor be appointed to probe allegations of corruption involving his wife. In a statement on Tuesday, Yoon announced that he was imposing martial law to rid the National Assembly of "shameless North Korean followers and anti-state forces." On Saturday, he apologised to the people of the nation for his "desperate" action, The New York Times reported. Yoon Suk Yeol said he would leave it to his party, People Power Party (PPP), to decide how long he should remain in office and how the government should be run. After his announcement, PPP decided to boycott the impeachment vote. All except three of the 108 PPP lawmakers joined the boycott, saving Yoon from the impeachment. On Friday, South Korea's Defence Ministry suspended three Army lieutenant generals from their jobs, as prosecutors conducted their investigation into their possible roles in Yoon's declaration of martial law, The New York Times reported. One of them, Lt General Kwak Jong-geun, said Kim ordered him to send special forces troops into the National Assembly on Tuesday night. He said Kim directed him to remove lawmakers from the Assembly hall where they were gathering to vote against Yoon's military rule. However, he did not follow his order. The Defense Ministry said it also asked the Justice Ministry to impose ban on three generals and seven other military officers from leaving the country. Yoon has not made any remarks publically since the impeachment effort failed. However, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon later announced that his party would push for Yoon's "early resignation." (ANI) Residents of Parom, a town in the Panjgur district of Balochistan, staged a sit-in outside a local Frontier Corps (FC) camp, calling for the immediate release of their missing family members. They warned that if their demands were not addressed, they would escalate their protests. In a statement, the residents claimed that Pakistani forces carried out an operation late Thursday night, encircling the area and raiding homes. They accused the forces of damaging property, stealing valuables, and physically abusing the locals. During the operation, four young men Khalil Siddique, Abdul Shakoor Saleh, Arshad Rafiq, and Waseem, son of Muhammad Hashim were reportedly taken into custody and have since disappeared, with no information about their current whereabouts The Balochistan post reported. The protesters have declared that their demonstration will persist until the detainees are freed and emphasized that any harm during the protest would be the responsibility of the forces and local authorities. Local sources revealed that all the missing individuals were labourers or drivers of vehicles transporting oil. The residents have demanded their immediate release, stressing that these men were not engaged in any criminal activities. Meanwhile, the protest camp organized by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) outside the press club in Quetta marked its 5659th day. Political and social activists, including Muhammad Ali Baloch, Abdul Razzaq Baloch, Mir Bijjar Marri, Tahir Badini, and Suresh Bugti, arrived from Khuzdar to express their solidarity with the families of the missing persons. In a conversation with the visitors, VBMP Vice Chairman Mama Qadeer Baloch criticized the Pakistani state for its ongoing disregard for international human rights standards. He denounced the growing crackdown in regions such as Panjgur, Khuzdar, Kharan, Kalat, Bolan, Dera Bugti, and Harnai, where military operations have reportedly intensified in recent weeks. Mama Qadeer also accused state-backed militias of carrying out atrocities against the Baloch people. He pointed to the rising number of abductions and the discovery of mutilated bodies, describing it as a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Balochistan. The people of Balochistan have consistently raised their concerns about enforced disappearances and military operations, yet their calls for justice and accountability have gone unaddressed. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], December 8 (ANI/WAM): The WeProtect Global Summit 2024 concluded in Abu Dhabi, marking the launch of the '"Abu Dhabi Call to Action'', a unified initiative to address current and emerging challenges in child protection within the digital world. Held over two days, the summit brought together government entities and global technology leaders to address critical issues surrounding children's safety online. The event emphasised the need for collaborative efforts and the adoption of innovative technologies to create a secure digital environment, safeguarding the future of children against the growing risks of the digital age.WeProtect Global Alliance Executive Director Iain Drennan thanked President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his support in launching this Humanitarian initiative.He also acknowledged the continuous support of Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, in co-hosting such a successful summit in Abu Dhabi and for his ongoing commitment to keeping children safe.In his closing address on Day 2 Iain Drennan said, "This year's theme, 'Focus on the Future', has guided us to think beyond immediate challenges and imagine the world we want to create a world where every child can explore, connect, and grow online without fear. The conversations we've had here in Abu Dhabi have not just been about identifying the problems but about reaffirming our commitment to bold action. This is not a task for tomorrow; it's a call to act today. Every moment matters because every child matters. As an Alliance of members from across the world, we remain committed to working together to change millions of lives for the better".Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director General of the International Affairs Office at the Ministry of Interior and a Board Member of the WeProtect Global Alliance, reflected on the initiative's origins during her closing remarks. She highlighted that a decade ago, under the patronage of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the WeProtect Summit was launched from the Emirates, establishing a global movement for child protection. She also acknowledged the continuous support of Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, whose leadership has enhanced the Ministry's role within the global alliance and reinforced international collaboration for safer communities.Lieutenant Colonel Al Marzouqi expressed pride in the UAE's achievements in child protection, underscoring that safeguarding children, families, and society remains a top priority under the UAE's visionary leadership. She extended gratitude to all contributors, emphasising that this distinguished edition, hosted by the Ministry of Interior, has further solidified the UAE's reputation on the global stage. In her address, she called for intensified efforts to curb the rising number of digital crimes against children, urging serious, result-driven actions. She stressed the need for greater integration among global alliances, organisations, and institutions, highlighting the WeProtect Alliance as a key connector between governments, private companies, and public institutions. Transparency and collaboration, she noted, are essential to establishing a universal baseline for child safety. She also called attention to the voices of children, citing their recent appeal during a meeting of the Global Network of Religions for Children in Abu Dhabi. In their message, children from diverse backgrounds urged leaders to uphold their fundamental rights: safety, education, security, a sustainable environment, and the chance to grow with dignity. The summit's second day featured extensive discussions and sessions led by experts and specialists, focusing on empowering children and protecting them from technological threats, exploitation, and abuse linked to digital advancements.The event underscored the UAE's commitment to spearheading global efforts in child protection, fostering innovative solutions, and prioritizing the well-being of future generations. (ANI/WAM) Residents of Quetta took to the streets in protest against gas shortages amid the cold. The protesters chanted slogans against the administration. This demonstration followed a similar protest in Mastung, where locals had blocked the Quetta-Karachi National Highway to express their frustration over the lack of gas and electricity, The Balochistan Post reported. In Quetta, residents, including those on Spinny Road, have been facing extended gas load-shedding, severely disrupting daily life. Protesters on Spinny Road blocked the street to express their frustration over how the gas shortage has halted essential household activities, such as cooking and heating, amid the harsh winter conditions, as reported by The Balochistan Post. In Mastung, protesters earlier voiced their anger over having to pay inflated utility bills on time while being denied essential services like gas and electricity. Their sit-in caused a traffic standstill on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway. According to the report, frequent protests demanding basic services like water, electricity, and gas have become common in Balochistan. Demonstrators have accused the government of neglecting their needs, arguing that people are being forced to live in "stone-age conditions." Criticism of the Balochistan government went beyond gas shortages, as residents highlighted shortcomings in health, education, and other essential services. Protesters warned that if the administration fails to address their issues, they will intensify their protests. The region faces significant challenges, including poor infrastructure, inadequate educational facilities, and a lack of proper healthcare, all of which contribute to widespread poverty and high unemployment. The exploitation of Balochistan's natural resources by Pakistan, alongside China's increasing influence as a colonial power, has worsened these issues and caused immense suffering for the local population. Furthermore, Pakistan's decision to cede control of the strategically important coastal city of Gwadar to China has paved the way for large-scale projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), further entrenching these problems. Notably, human rights violations in Balochistan have been a long-standing issue, with ethnic Baloch people accusing the state of systemic discrimination, marginalization, and denial of political autonomy. The Pakistani government has faced criticism for suppressing Baloch nationalist movements through extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and the torture of activists, journalists, and civilians. (ANI) President Joe Biden is considering preemptive pardons for several prominent names facing possible retribution from the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, US media has reported. Among those being considered for the historic pardons are Anthony Fauci, the former White House special advisor on Covid-19, and former Republican lawmaker Liz Cheney, a fierce critic of Trump. The president-elect has made no secret of his desire to exact vengeance against critics and those he falsely claims stole the 2020 election from him. Biden has discussed with advisors the possibility of using his constitutional power to protectively issue preemptive pardons -- even to people yet to be charged with any crime -- before he leaves the White House on January 20. The discussions were reported by Politico and later by the New York Times, CBS News and the Washington Post, all citing anonymous sources close to the talks. On Friday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre did not confirm the reports, but said President Biden was "reviewing other pardons and commutations." Biden sparked controversy on Sunday when, in a reversal, he pardoned his son Hunter, who was due to be sentenced this month in cases involving a gun purchase and tax fraud. Democratic Representative Adam Schiff of California, who served as lead manager during the first Senate impeachment of Trump, and retired general Mark Milley might also be in line for preemptive pardons to shield them from Trump. Milley, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump's first term, later told journalist Bob Woodward that Trump was "a total fascist" and "the most dangerous person to this country." Schiff responded to the reports by saying he would be against such a move. "I don't think the idea of a blanket pardon of some kind is a good idea, and I would recommend against it," he told US media, adding that he had communicated this position to the White House. Overseeing any such prosecutions would be the man who the president-elect has nominated to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel. Patel, who held a senior position in the Pentagon during the first Trump term, has said that as FBI chief he would "come after" those "who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections." "WHEN I WIN," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in September, "those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law." Presidential pardons, issued at the end of a term, have a long history in the United States. On his last day in the White House in January 2021, Trump pardoned 74 people accused of various crimes and misdemeanors, including his former chief strategist Steve Bannon and Elliot Broidy, a former major Republican fundraiser. And in September 1974, a month after Richard Nixon resigned as president during the Watergate scandal, his successor Gerald Ford announced "a full, free and absolute pardon" for any crimes against the United States that Nixon might have committed while in office. But the multiple preemptive pardons reportedly being considered by Biden -- to insulate several people from future prosecutions that might not ever happen -- could constitute a first. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday offered prayers at Shreenath Ji temple in Manama, describing it as a "true symbol of the longstanding friendship" between India and Bahrain. During his visit, Jaishankar saw pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi taken during Modi's visit to the temple in 2019. Sharing the experience on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Started the day by visiting the 200 year-old Shreenathji Temple in Manama. A true symbol of the longstanding India - Bahrain friendship." EAM Jaishankar arrived in Manama on Saturday to participate in the Manama Dialogue. He was received by his Bahrain's Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. Expressing his enthusiasm for the visit, Jaishankar posted on X, "Delighted to arrive in Manama this evening. Great to see my brother FM Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. Look forward to participating in the Manama Dialogue tomorrow. Confident that our High Joint Commission will be very productive." He will be in Bahrain from December 8 to 9, where he will co-chair the 4th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission (HJC) with Foreign Minister of Bahrain; Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. This Ministerial Meeting will review the entire gamut of the bilateral relations and discuss avenues to further strengthen the multifaceted ties between India and Bahrain. The External Affairs Minister will also participate in the 20th edition of IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on December 8, according to Ministry of External Affairs press release. The theme of this year's Manama Dialogue is "Middle East leadership in shaping regional prosperity and security." India and Bahrain enjoy excellent bilateral relations characterized by cordial political, economic, cultural and people to people contacts.The two countries have seen several high-level interactions which reflect the closeness of ties between the two countries, according to MEA. Bahrain is keen on seeking greater economic engagement with India as Bahrain recognizes the importance and potential of the growing Indian economy and its Look East Policy in recent times has India as a major pivot, the Ministry of External Affairs noted. The two countries have significant cooperation across all sectors. Trade and investment ties are flourishing between the two countries. (ANI) Deutschland Hinduistische Verbande, a Germany-based Hindu organisation, expressed deep concerns over 'atrocities' being committed against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and called for global attention towards the situation under the interim regime. Strongly condemning the "heinous crimes", the organisation held a protest in Germany and demanded justice for Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das who was arrested on sedition charges. "The rising incidents of violence against Hindus, Christians and other religious minorities in Bangladesh, perpetrated by extremist factions, are deeply concerning. These acts of violence, including physical assaults, killings, looting, arson, and the inhumane persecution of women, demand immediate global attention," the Deutschland Hinduistische Verbande said in a press release. It stated that the actions of the interim regime in Bangladesh have "failed" to take any 'decisive action' to curb these attacks against minorities and instead have remained "silent observers." "The Deutschland Hinduistische Verbande with other Hindu and humanitarian organizations in Germany unequivocally condemns these heinous crimes. Regrettably, the interim regime of Bangladesh and other responsible authorities have failed to take decisive action to curb these atrocities, choosing instead to remain silent observers," the release stated. "When Bangladeshi Hindus, compelled by their circumstances, peacefully raised their voices in democratic protest to advocate for their safety and rights, they were met with further injustice and oppression. This is exemplified by the unjust imprisonment of Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Bangladeshi Hindu monk and community leader who is the spokesperson of Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha, who was leading one such peaceful demonstration", it added. Furthermore, the Deutschland Hinduistische Verbande urged the Government of India to persist in its efforts to address these ongoing atrocities. "It is imperative that India leverages diplomatic channels and fosters international support to safeguard the rights and well-being of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh". The organisation gave a call to the international humanitarian organizations to stand united in solidarity with the victims in Bangladesh. "Collective action and advocacy are essential to hold the respective governments accountable and to promote global peace and harmony. The Deutschland Hinduistische Verbande reaffirms its commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at achieving justice and ensuring the safety and dignity of all communities in Bangladesh", the press statement observed. "Entire world must condemn and boycott the ongoing atrocities against Hindus, Christians, Buddhists and other minority groups in Bangladesh. Such violence has no place in any civilised society," it added. Notably, there have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests. Another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in North of Dhaka came under attack on late Friday night. India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. India had urged Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI) Shaukat Nawaz Mir, President of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), has strongly criticised the newly introduced Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024, which imposes severe restrictions on public gatherings in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Speaking out against the government's actions, Mir accused Pakistani politicians of neglecting the basic needs of the people for decades, pointing out the stark contrast between their lavish lifestyles and the struggles faced by ordinary citizens. Mir recalled how, earlier this year, successful protests led by the JAAC resulted in a reduction in electricity and flour prices, providing much-needed relief to the public. However, he lamented that these gains have been reversed, with the authorities now imposing cuts to subsidies. He criticized the government for revoking these beneficial decisions and questioned why the authorities are now oppressing peaceful assemblies that have led to tangible results for the people. "In the past, when politicians ignored your electricity bills, when they did nothing to ease the burden of rising living costs, and when they failed to inquire about the welfare of your children, you took to the streets under the Jammu-Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee to demand cheap electricity and affordable flour. Now, when your voices are still needed, why is the government so intent on silencing them?" Mir said. "This is not political rhetoric; I am speaking about the genuine demands of the people." A local trader also weighed in on the growing unrest, stating that the new ordinance, which has sparked widespread protests, is strongly opposed by the business community in PoJK. "We reject this ordinance, and we will not rest until it is revoked. The government's actions are an affront to our rights," the trader said. Mir emphasized that the struggle for the people's rights will continue, condemning the government's double standards and their failure to honour previous promises made to the people of PoJK. He called on citizens to unite and maintain pressure on the authorities until the ordinance is repealed and the government's commitments to the people are fulfilled. The protests show no signs of slowing down, with the JAAC and local communities pledging to continue their fight for justice, as they demand the restoration of subsidies and the protection of their fundamental rights. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], December 8 (ANI/WAM): Under the directives and blessing of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has announced a government reshuffle, including the establishment of the "Ministry of Family" and elevating the role of the "Ministry of Community Development" to become the "Ministry of Community Empowerment." Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "Under the directives of my brother, the President of the UAE, and with his blessing, we announce today a government reshuffle that includes the establishment of the 'Ministry of Family.' This new Ministry will be led by Her Excellency Sana bint Mohammad Suhail, whose extensive experience in early childhood development, family welfare, and supporting people of determination, along with her years of dedicated service in government, makes her uniquely qualified for this critical role." Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum added: "Family is a national priority, the cornerstone of our progress, and the foundation of our nation's future. During the recent Annual Government Meetings, the UAE President underscored the need for comprehensive national programs aimed at increasing family formation in the UAE, fostering growth, empowering families, and strengthening their cohesion and stability, while also boosting fertility rates. The new ministry will take charge of this vital mission by developing legislation, policies, and programs to address these challenges. This task is not the ministry's alone. It is a shared responsibility involving parents, ministries, entities, as well as the public and private sectors. Families form the solid nucleus of our society, and their strength ensures the cohesion of our communities. We call on everyone to contribute to the empowerment and support of families, and we anticipate significant positive developments in this critical area in the coming period." Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum noted: "As part of this government reshuffle, we have elevated the role of the 'Ministry of Community Development' to become the 'Ministry of Community Empowerment,' under the leadership of Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui. The ministry will adopt a pioneering and integrated community empowerment model designed to amplify community participation and unlock the potential of every individual. The ministry will oversee the social support system and empowerment programmes, providing a safety net for low-income families and tailored pathways to improve their quality of life and foster their financial independence. Furthermore, it will play a pivotal role in regulating the third sector and activating the role of not-for-profit organisations to create a lasting social impact and contribute to the nation's progress. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "The Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, led by Abdullah bin Zayed and Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed, will oversee the development of strategic directions in the family and community empowerment portfolios, and the alignment between the plans of the new ministries, linking their directions with education and human development within a unified and a comprehensive vision. The human journey in the UAE is integrated and interconnected from birth to the completion of education, to the career pathways, to the growth of families, and to the contribution to the community and the country." Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "We extend our best wishes to everyone as they embark on their new roles, confident that these changes will help us realise our collective aspirations.. Together, through shared responsibility, we can create a powerful national team - uniting sectors, organisations and individuals - to lay the foundation for family stability and drive remarkable progress in the social sector." Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the establishment of the Ministry of Family, appointing Sana bint Mohammad Suhail as Minister of Family. Additionally, the Ministry of Community Development has been elevated to become the Ministry of Community Empowerment, with Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui appointed as its minister. Sana bint Mohammad Suhail has been serving as the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority since April 2021. She previously held positions including Undersecretary of the Ministry of Community Development, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy and Communication at the General Secretariat of the UAE Cabinet (2013-2016), Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services at the Ministry of Public Works (2011-2013), and Assistant Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Dubai (2003-2010).She is also a board member of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (since 2020), a member of the UAE Gender Balance Council, and served on The Higher Committee of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. She holds a master's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Zayed University and another in Child Rights from the University of Geneva. The Ministry of Family will be responsible for developing and implementing policies, strategies, legislation, and initiatives aimed at fostering cohesive families, promoting positive values, enhancing national identity, and supporting balanced family development. The ministry will also conduct studies and propose policies and initiatives to increase fertility rates among Emirati families, reduce the risks of family breakdown, and mitigate its negative impacts on individuals and society. The ministry of family's responsibilities include developing and implementing initiatives to prepare, encourage, and support prospective couples, as well as managing marriage support services and grants. It will develop programmes to promote family cohesion, provide parental training, and enhance work-life balance. Additionally, the ministry will introduce measures to protect families and individuals from violence under applicable legislation. The ministry will also focus on child welfare, proposing policies and strategies to ensure the social, psychological, educational, and health rights of children, in collaboration with relevant authorities. It will design initiatives to support children's development, particularly during early childhood, and evaluate their effectiveness. The ministry of family will propose strategies to protect, empower, and integrate vulnerable groups, including People of Determination, senior citizens, orphans, and victims of abuse. It will collaborate with entities in health, education, and other sectors to create comprehensive care and integration programs for these groups. The ministry will also develop and manage family care programs for children in need of alternative families and issue official documents for children born of unknown parentage. The ministry of family functions will include outlining standards and procedures for licensing institutions and facilities providing social care services. Additionally, it will include developing training programs for social care sector. As part of this announcement, the Ministry of Community Development has been elevated to become the Ministry of Community Empowerment. A key focus area of the ministry will be to propose and design policies, strategies and regulations for an innovative and integrated social support system for low-income families. The ministry will focus on providing targeted support to enhance the quality of life for these families while enabling their economic participation and financial independence. This includes defining the framework of social support, establishing eligibility criteria, overseeing the implementation of these policies, managing social support applications, and ensuring the efficient disbursement of support to beneficiaries. The Ministry of Community Empowerment will also develop and implement tailored pathways to enable social support beneficiaries to achieve sustained self-reliance. This will involve creating strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance beneficiaries' skills and provide training and employment opportunities aligned with their health, social conditions, and professional readiness. Additionally, the ministry will conduct regular monitoring and evaluation to assess the progress of beneficiaries and the impact of the empowerment programs. By adopting a human centric and data-driven approach, the ministry will prepare forward-looking studies and forecasts on demographic shifts and economic and social conditions affecting beneficiaries. The Ministry of Community Empowerment will propose and develop policies, strategies, and legislation to regulate not for profit organizations and enhance their contributions to national priorities. Its mandate includes establishing standards, criteria, and procedures for licensing and registering non-profit organizations, issuing licenses, and overseeing their operations. The ministry will also evaluate and measure their impact on economic and social development. To ensure accountability and integrity, it will implement mechanisms and safeguards while designing and executing plans to empower these organizations, build their capacities, and provide financial and technical support to align their contributions with the UAE's national priorities. The ministry will also be responsible for setting criteria and procedures for licensing entities permitted to collect, receive, or offer donations, both domestically and internationally. This includes issuing licenses and ensuring compliance with regulations. Furthermore, the ministry will develop and implement programmes to promote volunteering initiatives among individuals, government entities, and private sector organisations across various fields, fostering a spirit of service and contribution to the nation's development. The Ministry of Community Empowerment will also oversee the licensing, and regulation of houses of worship for non-Muslims. The Ministry of Community Empowerment will design and implement programs and initiatives to strengthen social cohesion among diverse segments of society, creating an inclusive and unified community. It will develop innovative models and mechanisms to promote social innovation community contributions across public, private, and third-sector organisations, and guide these efforts to align with the UAE's national priorities in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and the services and programmes provided to the beneficiaries of the former Ministry of Community Development will continue in place until the role of the two new ministries is activated through transitional plans that will include transitioning the services and programmes gradually during the upcoming year. Beneficiaries will be notified of any updates regularly through official channels. (ANI/WAM) Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) President Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry on Saturday directed the PoJK government to revoke the controversial presidential ordinance that had sparked widespread protests across the region. In a letter to PoJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, the president instructed the government to free all individuals who had been arrested under the "Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024" as reported by Express Tribune. A statement revealed that the PoJK government took prompt action to follow his directives. This decision comes after the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) began long marches toward PoJK's entry points in protest of the controversial presidential ordinance. Earlier in the day, convoys from Rawalakot, Bagh, and Dheer Kot arrived at the Kohala entry point, where participants held a sit-in on the bridge linking Pakistan with PoJK . Despite the biting cold, thousands of protesters gathered at the entry point. In Muzaffarabad, the Public Action Committee's long march arrived at Bararkot, where a large group of protesters gathered at the point linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with PoJK and held a sit-in. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a coalition of civil society activists advocating for regional rights, has been protesting against the ordinance. Earlier this week, the PoJK Supreme Court suspended the ordinance. However, Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a core committee member of JAAC, stated that the strike would continue unless the government formally repeals the ordinance and frees the detained activists. Mir also mentioned that further negotiations would take place on Sunday (today), and the committee would demand a "siege" of the regional legislative assembly. Meanwhile, PoJK Information Minister Pir Mazhar Saeed asserted that the government had released all detainees and insisted that the negotiations concerning the ordinance had not failed. Despite PoJK's strategic significance and natural beauty, the region has long been neglected by Islamabad, leaving many residents feeling marginalized. Promises of economic development, improved infrastructure, and better public services have largely remained unfulfilled, resulting in a population trapped in poverty and disillusionment. (ANI) Despite the ongoing crisis in Syria, which saw the fall of the over two-decade-long rule of President Bashar al-Assad after rebels took over, the Indian Embassy continues to remain operational in Damascus and is in touch with all Indian nationals, sources said on Sunday. The sources further stated that all the Indian nationals there are safe and the embassy remains available to assist them in the crisis-hit nation. "Indian Embassy continues to remain operational in Damascus, Syria. The Embassy is in touch with all Indian nationals, and they are safe. The embassy remains available to assist Indian nationals in Syria," the sources said. The situation in Syria remains a focal point for all the other nations after Syrian rebels on Sunday entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee for an unknown destination, ending his over two-decade rule in the country. The development came hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. The head of Syria's main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said that Damascus is now "without Bashar al-Assad" according to Reuters. This came after Syrian rebels claimed capturing Damascus."The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the armed opposition said in a statement. Earlier on Friday, the Indian government issued a travel advisory for Syria, strongly advising Indian nationals to avoid all travel to the country until further notice. "In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification," the Ministry of External Affairs stated. "Indians currently in Syria are requested to remain in touch with Indian Embassy in Damascus at their emergency helpline number (also on WhatsApp) and email ID hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in for updates. Those who can, are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights and others are requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum," it added. "We declare Damascus free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad," they said.The rebels earlier claimed to have entered the capital and taken control of the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison north of Damascus, CNN reported. The report further cited the Military Operations Command's post on Telegram which read, "We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad." "To the displaced all over the world, a free Syria awaits you," the statement added. The civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years has resurfaced and within a span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups have taken over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa. (ANI) The Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday expressed extreme concern over the events unfolding in Syria and appealed to all parties involved in the negotiations with a strong call to renounce violence and resolve all issues by political means. Further, the ministry stated that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has stepped down and left the country giving instructions to transfer power peacefully. "We are following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. As a result of negotiations between B Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully. Russia did not participate in these negotiations. At the same time, we appeal to all parties involved with a strong call to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues by political means," Russian Foreign Ministry said. "In this regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition. We call for respect for the opinions of all ethno-confessional forces of Syrian society, and support efforts to establish an inclusive political process based on the unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2254," the statement added. On Sunday morning, Syrian rebels entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee for an unknown destination, ending his over two-decade rule in the country. The development came hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. Noting the situation, the Indian Embassy decided to remain operational in Damascus and is in touch with all Indian nationals, sources said on Sunday. The sources further stated that all the Indian nationals there are safe and the embassy remains available to assist them in the crisis-hit nation. Earlier on Friday, the Indian government issued a travel advisory for Syria, "strongly advising Indian nationals to avoid all travel to the country until further notice." "In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification," the Ministry of External Affairs stated. Notably, the civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years has resurfaced and within a span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups have taken over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa. (ANI) External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, while speaking on the ongoing conflict in West Asia, stressed that the primary concern is to stop the mounting death toll, and stressed the need for achieving an "immediate ceasefire," paving more humanitarian assistance, and facilitate the return of hostages. He further India's continuous contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and asserted that the country will continue to do so. He was speaking at the 20th IISS Manama Dialogue panel on 'Whither Regional Strategic Cooperation', alongside Bahrainian Foreign Minister, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Czech Republic National Security Advisor, Tomas Pojar in Bahrain. "Right now I think the issue is of the ceasefire, the issue is of humanitarian assistance, return of the hostages. The issue is actually the stopping of deaths. We have been contributing to UNRWA. We will continue to do so," he said. "In recent years we have increased our contribution. We have supplied relief material, particularly medicines because we are a prolific producer of medicines. We have provided medicines to Gaza through Egypt, through the Palestinian authorities, separately to Lebanon, to the government of Lebanon," he added. Jaishankar also highlighted the impending demographic crunch that will impact numerous societies worldwide in the next decade and emphasised that India is addressing this reality through migration and mobility partnerships established with several countries "Yes, I do think that, in the next decade, the demographic crunch is really going to impact a lot of societies, some very unexpected ones. In fact, today, when we look at power projection, you know, which country is going to be where a lot of this is a business in itself? The demographic variable is going to be increasingly critical because many societies are going to see a very, very sharp dip as early as the beginning of the next decade," he said. "So, we feel it's a reality that needs to be addressed. Some countries like to do it as part of a formal multilateral or bilateral understanding. We have something called migration and mobility partnerships, which we have established, I think, with a number of countries now, many of them in Europe, Japan, and Australia," he added. Further, the Foreign Minister noted that India is a supporter of the Abraham Accords, and affirmed hope that the 'I2U2' grouping will grow in the coming days. 'I2U2' is a strategic partnership group between four nations -- India, Israel, the US and the UAE. "For us, when we speak about the region, there is the importance of the region itself, the society, the culture, the history, the civilization, the people. The 60 million who live in the Gulf, the 500 million who live in the MENA region beyond. And most of all, I think this region has had in history a great ideational impact on the wider world. And I think even today, a lot of what happens here and around here, I think resonates around the world," he said. "There is a second aspect, which is, in a sense, the economic one, the resources, especially, but not only energy, including, I should say when we look a little bit beyond the horizon, non-fossil energy as well. I mean, this is going to be a crucial region(for green hydrogen, for green ammonia. It's going to be part of green corridors," he added. External Affairs Minister called the Gulf region crucial for India and the wider world, stating that it has always been a 'bridge' between Europe and Asia. He talked about the region's importance in today's scenario. Notably, the I2U2 Grouping was conceptualized during the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the four countries held on 18 October 2021. Each country also has Sherpa- level interactions regularly to discuss the possible areas of cooperation. I2U2 is aimed to encourage joint investments in six mutually identified areas such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It intends to mobilize private sector capital and expertise to help modernize the infrastructure, low carbon development pathways for our industries, improve public health, and promote the development of critical emerging and green technologies. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar offered prayers at Shreenath Ji temple in Manama, describing it as a "true symbol of the longstanding friendship" between India and Bahrain. Sharing the experience on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Started the day by visiting the 200 year-old Shreenathji Temple in Manama. A true symbol of the longstanding India - Bahrain friendship." EAM Jaishankar arrived in Manama on Saturday to participate in the Manama Dialogue. He was received by Bahrain's Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. EAM Jaishankar is on an official visit to Qatar and Bahrain from December 6-9. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], December 8 (ANI/TPS): The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Sunday morning, working with the police, arrested a Palestinian resident of Ramallah (36) in Kfar Ni'lin (located near Modiin) after he posed as an IDF soldier wearing an IDF uniform on social; media. In the search of the suspect's house, IDF uniforms and other military equipment were located and seized. The arrest came after, in recent days, an advertisement was found on a social network of a Palestinian man impersonating an Israeli soldier. Due to the suspicion that the uniform would be used in a terrorist incident, "rapid investigative operations" were carried out at the Modi'in Ilit Police in order to trace the suspect's identity and place of residence. (ANI/TPS) Tel Aviv [Israel], December 8 (ANI/TPS): Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held two meetings on Sunday in Jerusalem with representatives of families of hostages, including the Families' Headquarters Assembly and the "Hope Forum". During the discussions, Netanyahu stressed that recent developments, including the fall of the Assad regime in Syria--partly due to Israel's firm actions against Hezbollah and Hamas--may open the door to advancing a deal for the hostages' return. (ANI/TPS) US president-elect Donald Trump on Saturday landed in Paris on his first international trip since his election win, preparing for a day of intense diplomacy before attending the reopening ceremony for the Notre Dame cathedral restored after the 2019 fire. President Emmanuel Macron scored a major coup in Trump's acceptance of the invitation to attend the ceremony in the evening, where he will be joined by scores of other leaders. The event provides a unique chance for leaders to brush shoulders with Trump before the tycoon turned politician takes office in January. Trump arrived at Orly airport in the south of Paris aboard a private plane just before 0700 GMT, said an airport source, asking not to be named. He is to hold talks at the Elysee Palace with Macron at 1500 GMT. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who is due to meet Macron an hour later at 1600 GMT, may also meet Trump, a Ukrainian official said on Friday. Such a meeting would be of huge importance given the fears in Kyiv that Trump, who once boasted he could end Russia's war on Ukraine in 24 hours, may urge concessions to Moscow. The Notre Dame opening ceremony will itself start at 1800 GMT. Trump is expected to leave on Sunday and it is not clear if he will return to the church for morning mass that day. Macron invited both Trump and outgoing President Joe Biden. Trump accepted the invite, while the current administration will be represented by First Lady Jill Biden. Trump posted on his Truth Social page that Macron had "done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!" For Macron, the invitation to Trump marks a sense of deja vu as he tries to woo an impulsive US president with whom he has had sharp disagreements. Macron welcomed Trump in 2017, after his first election, with the glamour of dinner at the Eiffel Tower and the pomp of watching a Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees -- which Trump later said he wanted to emulate in Washington. Trump's relationship with Macron gradually soured, albeit not as quickly as it did with a number of other leaders, such as then German chancellor Angela Merkel. In 2019, Trump said the French leader was "very, very nasty" and lashed out at his economic record after Macron criticized the US level of commitment to the NATO alliance. When Trump won again a month ago, Macron was one of the first world leaders to speak to Trump by telephone to congratulate him. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has decided not to make the trip, after her prsence was initially announced by Brussels. She is in the throes of a major spat with Macron after going to Montevideo on Friday to announce the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the EU and four South American countries, which is opposed by France and some other European countries. Tel Aviv [Israel], December 8 (ANI/TPS): The president of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog hosted a meeting with imams, religious and social leaders, employees of the Ministry of Interior, who are considered influential in Arab society. They serve as mediators in localities and communities, to reduce violence in localities, as well as leaders of information and activity in the fields of education, culture, leisure, health, and sports. With the outbreak of the war, the imams set themselves the goal of strengthening the fabric of shared life between all religions and denominations in the country, with the aim of fostering tolerance, dialogue and mediation - out of the belief that this is the basis for a common and stable Israeli society. The President thanked the participants and heard about the many activities they promote in the communities of Arab society and said: "I am a man of faith, I truly and sincerely believe in God, everyone knows my grandfather Rabbi Herzog, whose last name was Ambash - I believe in complete faith." "I greatly appreciate religious people, I greatly respect religious people and people of faith, who lead religious discourse and who have such a great social influence," he added. "One of the problems is that the Israeli public does not know what an imam is, and does not understand the role. The Israeli public has seen all kinds of things that scare it, from other arenas, which have nothing to do with you at all. Now is the time to strengthen the imams, to give them their backs, to support them, this is an issue that I take it upon myself to push. The crime issue is worrying, it's terrible, and everyone is under it. It's a terrible disease." (ANI/TPS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday welcomed the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's two-decade-long regime in Syria, calling it a "historic day" for the Middle East region. Netanyahu further acknowledged that while the collapse presents great opportunities, it also poses significant dangers. He extended a 'hand of peace' for all beyond Israeli borders to live in peace with Israel. Netanyahu shared a video on X and stated, "This is a historic day for the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers. We send a hand of peace to all those beyond our border in Syria: to the Druze, to the Kurds, to the Christians, and to the Muslims who want to live in peace with Israel." Following the Syrian Army abandoning its positions, Netanyahu said that he had ordered the Israeli Army to take over these positions to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel. "This collapse is a direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad's main supporters. It set off a chain reaction of all those who want to free themselves from this tyranny and its suppression. But it also means we have to take action against possible threats. One of them is the collapse of the Separation of Forces agreement from 1974 between Israel and Syria. This agreement held for 50 years. Last night it collapsed," he said. "The Syrian army abandoned its positions. We gave the Israeli army the order to take over these positions to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel. This is a temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found. We're going to follow events very carefully. If we can establish neighbourly relations and peaceful relations with the new forces emerging in Syria, that's our desire. But if we do not, we'll do whatever it takes to defend the State of Israel and the border of Israel," he added. Notably, the situation in Syria remains a focal point for all the other nations after Syrian rebels on Sunday entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee for an unknown destination, ending his over two-decade rule in the country. The development came hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. The head of Syria's main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said that Damascus is now "without Bashar al-Assad" according to Reuters. This came after Syrian rebels claimed capturing Damascus."The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the armed opposition said in a statement. The civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years has resurfaced and within a span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups have taken over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa. (ANI) Following the political crisis in Syria, Russia has granted asylum to Bashar al-Assad and his family, TASS reported citing a Kremlin source. The situation in Syria remains a focal point for all the neighbouring nations after Syrian rebels on Sunday entered the capital Damascus, forcing Assad to flee, ending his over two-decade rule in the country. The source confirmed that Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow and Russia has granted asylum for them, being driven by "humanitarian considerations." "Russia has always spoken in favour of a political settlement of the Syrian crisis. We insist that the UN-mediated talks be resumed," the source said, reported the Russian news agency. "Russian officials are in touch with representatives of armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions on the Syrian territory," the source added, TASS reported Notably, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday expressed extreme concern over the events unfolding in Syria and appealed to all parties involved in the negotiations with a strong call to renounce violence and resolve all issues by political means. Further, the ministry had stated that Bashar al-Assad has stepped down and left the country giving instructions to transfer power peacefully. "We are following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. As a result of negotiations between B Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully. Russia did not participate in these negotiations. At the same time, we appeal to all parties involved with a strong call to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues by political means," Russian Foreign Ministry said. "In this regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition. We call for respect for the opinions of all ethno-confessional forces of Syrian society, and support efforts to establish an inclusive political process based on the unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2254," the statement added. Notably, the civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years resurfaced and within a span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups took over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa, before seizing control of the Damascus unopposed on Sunday, ending the Assad family's nearly six decades of autocratic rule. The development came hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. The head of Syria's main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said that Damascus is now "without Bashar al-Assad," according to Reuters. This came after Syrian rebels claimed capturing Damascus. "The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the armed opposition said in a statement. (ANI) US President Joe Biden on Sunday hailed the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, calling it a "fundamental act of justice." He further said that the fall of the regime is a moment of historic opportunity for the Syrian people to rebuild their nation. Biden made the remarks on the latest developments in Syria. "After 13 years of civil war in Syria, more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by Basher Assad, his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office and flee the country," Biden said. "At long last, the Assad regime has fallen, this regime brutalized and tortured and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice, it's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country," he added. However, Biden acknowledged that the latest development also brings uncertainty and risk. He pledged that the United States would work with its partners and Syrian stakeholders to help stabilise the country and support its transition. "It's also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next. The United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk," Biden said. Describing the US policy on Syria, Biden said that his administration made it clear that sanctions on Assad would remain in place unless he would end Civil War. He said, "Over the past four years, my administration pursued a clear principal policy towards Syria. First, we made clear from the start that sanctions on Assad would remain in place unless he engaged seriously in a political process to end the Civil War as outlined by the UN Security Council resolution passing in 2015 but Assad refused so we carried out a comprehensive sanction program against him and all those responsible for atrocities against the Syrian people." "Second, we maintained our military presence in Syria to counter ISIS, to counter the support of local partners as well on the ground," Biden added. Following the latest developments in Syria, Biden pledged US support to Syria by engaging with all Syrian groups to establish an "independent, sovereign Syria." "We now see new opportunities opening up for the people of Syria and for the entire region. Looking ahead, the United States will do the following. First, we will support Syria's neighbours including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel. Should any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition I will speak with leaders of the region in the coming days. Second, we will help ensure stability in eastern Syria...," Biden said. He added, "Third, we will engage with all Syrian groups to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward independent, sovereign Syria with a new constitution, a new government that serves all Syrians. This process will be determined by the Syrian people themselves and the United States will do whatever we can to support them including through humanitarian relief to help restore Syria after more than a decade of war and generations of brutality by the Assad family and finally, we will remain vigilant to make no mistake. Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses. We've taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days and they're saying the right things now but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions." Notably, the situation in Syria remains a focal point for all the other nations after Syrian rebels on Sunday entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee for an unknown destination, ending his over two-decade rule in the country. The development came hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. The head of Syria's main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said that Damascus is now "without Bashar al-Assad" according to Reuters. This came after Syrian rebels claimed capturing Damascus. "The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the armed opposition said in a statement. The civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years resurfaced and within a span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups took over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa. (ANI) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed optimism about Syria's future following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Trudeau described the event as marking the end of decades of "brutal oppression" under Assad's dictatorship and highlighted the potential for a "new chapter" in Syria's history. Sharing a post on X, Trudeau wrote, "The fall of Assad's dictatorship ends decades of brutal oppression. A new chapter for Syria can begin here -- one free of terrorism and suffering for the Syrian people." Trudeau also emphasized Canada's commitment to closely monitoring the country's transition. "Canada is monitoring this transition closely. We urge order, stability, and respect for human rights," the post added. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday also welcomed the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's two-decade-long regime in Syria, calling it a "historic day" for the Middle East region. Netanyahu further acknowledged that while the collapse presents great opportunities, it also poses significant dangers. He extended a "hand of peace" for all beyond Israeli borders, "who want to live in peace." Netanyahu shared a video on X and stated, "This is a historic day for the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers. We send a hand of peace to all those beyond our border in Syria: to the Druze, to the Kurds, to the Christians, and to the Muslims who want to live in peace with Israel." Following the Syrian Army abandoning its positions, Netanyahu said that he had ordered the Israeli Army to take over these positions to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel. "This collapse is a direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad's main supporters. It set off a chain reaction of all those who want to free themselves from this tyranny and its suppression. But it also means we have to take action against possible threats. One of them is the collapse of the Separation of Forces agreement from 1974 between Israel and Syria. This agreement held for 50 years. Last night it collapsed," he said. Notably, the situation in Syria remains a focal point for all the neighbouring nations after Syrian rebels on Sunday entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee for an unknown destination, ending his over two-decade rule in the country. The development came hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. The head of Syria's main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said that Damascus is now "without Bashar al-Assad," according to Reuters. This came after Syrian rebels claimed capturing Damascus. "The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the armed opposition said in a statement. The civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years has resurfaced and within a span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups have taken over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa. (ANI) GE Vernova secured a contract with 50Hertz Transmission GmbH to deliver advanced STATCOM technology, supporting Germany's transition to a renewable energy future The 300 Mvar FACTSFLEX GFM solution, with Grid Forming Control, will enhance grid stability and resilience as Germany integrates more renewable energy sources STATCOM units will be deployed at key substations in Germany, further strengthening the countrys electrical infrastructure and supporting its ambitious Energiewende goals GE Vernova Inc. announced it has secured a contract from 50Hertz Transmission GmbH, one of Germanys four transmission system operators, to provide advanced grid-stabilizing technology with an aim to enhance the reliability of Germanys electrical power grid as it integrates more renewable energy sources. As part of this contract, GE Vernova will deliver its 300 Mvar FACTSFLEX GFM solution, a Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) solution with Grid Forming Control (GFM). This advanced STATCOM technology (Figure 1) provides essential support for maintaining the stability of the power system, especially as variable energy sources like wind and solar are added to the grid. Supported by Grid Forming Control software, this solution is designed to automatically adapt to fluctuations in the grid voltage, keeping the grid stable. The solution will also include transformers, circuit breakers, and protection and control equipment to provide a fully integrated and reliable system. [caption id="attachment_226479" align="aligncenter" width="740"] 1. Virtual model of a STATCOM facility. Courtesy: GE Vernova[/caption] The STATCOM units are planned to be designed and manufactured at GE Vernovas grid solutions facilities in Dresden (Germany) and Tampere (Finland), with additional components, including valves, supplied from Stafford (UK) and transformers from Monchengladbach (Germany). Two STATCOM units will be deployed at 50Hertzs substation at Siedenbrunzow in Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania and one STATCOM unit at the Rohrsdorf substation in Saxony. 50Hertz operates the electricity transmission system in the north and east of Germany, which it expands as needed for the energy transition. More than 77 substations and switching stations are part of its grid infrastructure. 50Hertz is part of the Belgian-German Elia Group. Dr. Dirk Biermann, Chief Operating Officer with 50Hertz, said: STATCOM solutions are a necessary and important element of the energy transition. They provide continuously variable reactive power in response to voltage variations and allow us to strengthen the resilience of our grid as we move forward with renewable energy integration. STATCOM technology supports stabilizing the power grids in an energy system with more and more fluctuating renewable energies and less power plants based on fossil fuels. Johan Bindele, business leader at GE Vernovas Grid Solutions business, added, Our work with 50Hertz demonstrates GE Vernovas commitment to supporting Germanys energy transition with high-quality, reliable technology. With our STATCOM solution and Grid Forming Control, we are bringing advanced solutions that help keep Germanys grid stable as the country moves toward a renewable future. GE Vernova is at the forefront of electrification, dedicated to empowering a sustainable and resilient energy landscape. Why STATCOM Technology Is Essential for Energy Transition A STATCOM system acts as a critical stabilizer for the electrical grid, dynamically managing reactive power flow to prevent potential disruptions. As Germanys renewable energy generation increases, this technology is critical in stabilizing fluctuating energy inputs to achieve uninterrupted power for households and businesses. STATCOM is a part of a broader Flexible AC (Alternating Current) Transmission System (FACTS) framework, which includes advanced equipment designed to enhance grid flexibility and stability. Without solutions like STATCOM, the grid could face challenges such as voltage instability and power disruptions, particularly as it accommodates variable renewable sources. By actively responding to grid conditions, GE Vernovas FACTSFLEX GFM is designed to support the adaptability and resilience needed to meet the demands of Germanys ambitious energy transition. This solution represents an advanced approach to managing grid balance, providing a smoother transition to a renewable-powered future. Supporting Germanys Energy Transition Goals Germanys commitment to its energy transition, or Energiewende, is one of the worlds most ambitious. With the goal of sourcing 80% of its energy from renewables by 2030, Germany requires a robust and reliable grid infrastructure to meet the new electrification demands. Projects like these are instrumental in supporting the countrys vision for a lower-carbon, reliable energy future, and GE Vernova is proud to contribute to this mission. Expanding Local Expertise in High-Voltage Technology To further support Germanys energy transition, GE Vernova recently inaugurated its HVDC (High-Voltage Direct-Current) Competence Center in Berlin, strengthening local expertise and resources for high-voltage technology. This center enhances GE Vernovas capacity to address the needs of European grid operators, providing innovative, locally driven solutions for complex power challenges. POWER edited this content, which was contributed by the External Communications department of GE Vernovas Grid Solutions business, which is part of its Electrification segment. Dec. 7 (UPI) -- An English translator and anticolonial activist who championed efforts that led to the United Nations resolution ending Algeria's war of independence from France blasted Israel's war in Gaza at a special screening of a documentary about the Algerian war in New York on Friday. Elaine Mokhtefi had a significant but behind-the-scenes role in Algeria's fight for independence working as a translator and activist to help Algerian delegates craft their messaging for addressing the U.N. when much of the world was pressured by the colonial power France and its ally, the United States. She attended the screening of Cine-Guerrillas: Scenes from the Labudovic Reels organized by art historian Maura McCreight at the CUNY Graduate Center in Midtown Manhattan. Mila Turajlic, the director of the 2022 documentary, also attended with a lively crowd of viewers from North African countries like Tunisia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What struck me watching Mila's film was how stories of revolutionary struggle, transnational solidarity, and the power of visual media remained as urgent today as ever," McCreight said. "I am referring to the 76-year-long struggle of the Palestinians, human rights, and the innate right of all human beings on Palestinian soil to self-determination." The film specifically follows the late Stevan Labudovic, a Yugoslavian cameraman who was handpicked by President Josep Broz Tito in 1960 to document the Algerian war because he saw parallels between Algerian resistance and the resistance of Yugoslavians against Nazi occupation during World War II. Stevan Labudovic, a Yugoslavian cameraman who was handpicked by President Josep Broz Tito in 1960 to document the Algerian war for independence from France, is pictured in a still from a documentary about his work. Photo courtesy of Mila Turajlic "It was a difficult period where no one in the United States was interested and people knew little about Algeria and less about the war and were very influenced by the French," Mokhtefi said. The films Labudovic made had an effect in chipping away at the tremendous influence of the French, Mokhtefi said. She noted that France released 20 colonies just to try to keep Algeria and it kept a heavy hand on those colonies when they became independent states. Elaine Mokhtefi, an English translator and anticolonial activist who championed the United Nations resolution that ended Algerias war of independence from France, is pictured holding her book at a screening of a documentary she is featured in about Stevan Labudovic. Photo by Adam Schrader Mokhtefi said, "The United States backed France all the way to such a point that there was an American armament, American planes being used by the French, the French were being financed by the United States," which provides military assistance and other funding to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To get his footage, Labudovic embedded with Algerian militants-later described as terrorists by the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, much like Israel and the United States and their allies today describe Palestinian groups like Hamas. Mokhtefi noted before the film was screened that France had portrayed Algerian resistance fighters as anything but a real army, which it said doesn't exist. Israel likewise has denied Palestinians the right to a fighting force as it defines militias like Hamas as terrorists. "You'll see a real army," Mokhtefi said of how Labudovic depicted the Algerians. Scenes from the film are resonant to anyone who has followed the Gaza war since it began on October 7, 2023. For example, Labudovic points to the location of a refugee camp along Algeria's border with Tunisia and discusses protests and demonstrations in the streets of Algiers. The Yugoslavian cameraman was one of the few documenting the Algerian side of the conflict when French newsreels were showing pro-colonial propaganda. France engaged in efforts to remove him from the battlefield as his films were then shown within Algeria and to the United Nations to convince them to support Algerian independence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Likewise, Israel has killed at least 135 journalists and media workers in Gaza and Lebanon since the war began, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. And earlier this year, the Israeli government raided and shuttered Al Jazeera, forcing the news broadcaster to report from outside of Israel. After the war, Labudovic films were locked away in a vault in what is now Serbia upon the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Viewing them requires special permission from the Algerian government, which granted Turajlic special access because her film focused on the life of Labudovic-who is considered a national hero in Algeria. The French newsreels often said the Algerian people supported French colonialism similarly to how Israel often argues that its Arab citizens have full rights and representation, though human rights groups have long contested that claim. And French newsreels, like Israel's where dialogues like "Free Palestine-From Hamas" abound, paint the Arab population as void of a future without their intervention. "The French also made newsreels. What did their newsreels say," Turajlic asks Labudovic at one point. He responded, "Their newsreels said the opposite of what I was making. They couldn't have told the truth, of how they tortured, so they told fairy tales." And while Palestinians allege facing rape and torture, Israel has defended its actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Who would accept an occupier who tortures and maims," Labudovic said in the film. Later in the film, Labudovic's wife notes that France didn't consider Algeria to be a colony. It considered it a part of France. Now, Israel's far-right politicians have called for illegally annexing Palestinian land as the country continues to approve illegal settlements. And while the United States continues to be the sole veto of any U.N. Security Council draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, Israel itself has pushed back against every U.N. agency that challenges it from the UNRWA to UNIFIL. "At the moment our reporter's camera filmed this event, the U.N. began a debate on 'the Algerian question.' The French government refused to participate claiming the situation was an internal problem of France," an announcer on one of Labudovic's newsreel reads in the documentary like a past echo of what is happening today. Mokhtefi told the crowd that, after the war, in 1968, she was walking in the streets of Algiers and people were crying from the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War as Israel clamped down on movement in occupied Palestinian territories and began the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Friends of mine came to visit me and just sat on the couch and cried for Palestine and they had always had a strong feeling for them for their tragedy of the Palestinians, but they thought it was very close to their own struggle," Mokhtefi said. "I imagine that has continued today." Mokhtefi continued to work as a translator after the war and married an Algerian man who had fought in the war for independence. She also continued to be involved in elements of anticolonial activism, threading together representatives from various anti-colonial factions globally that visited Algeria for diplomatic or training purposes. Turajlic said she found correspondence between Mokhtefi and Kathleen Cleaver, a prominent leader of the Black Panther movement in the U.S. The translator helped the Black Panthers take a position on the decadeslong Palestinian conflict. In the 1970s, Labudovic himself was sent to Palestine to make a documentary about Arafat and the Palestine Liberation Organization. "All of this footage is in Belgrade, none of it has been digitized and there is no project by the Serbian government to do so," Turajlic said of Labudovic's Palestinian footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while students in the United States have received criticism for engaging in campus protests against the war in Gaza, Mokhtefi said that she too became involved with politics shortly after leaving high school. She blasted schools like Columbia University, near where she lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, for how they have handled the protests. "There was a really concerted strategy behind the media efforts to internationalize the question and to create a situation where it was morally untenable for France to remain in Algeria," Turajlic said after the screening. "I find it so striking that the same mechanism has been deployed today but the world isn't reacting in the way it reacted in the 1960s. Where is the world's moral outrage they managed to successfully harness in the 1960s that for some reason is missing today?" Global stakeholders now have to reckon with the geopolitical impact of a rebel offensive led by an Islamist group in Syria that could potentially threaten President Bashar al-Assads hold over the country. Syrian rebels have made a lightning advance in the north of the country, taking two major cities: Aleppo, the second biggest city, and Hama, a strategically important city that lies on a vital supply route. The rebels are saying theyll advance further south to Homs, just over 100 miles from the Syrian capital of Damascus. When we talk about objectives, the goal of the revolution remains the overthrow of this regime. It is our right to use all available means to achieve that goal, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the former Al Qaeda fighter who is now leading the rebellion, told CNN in an interview on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Assad has many enemies in the region and beyond, his fall wouldnt be welcomed by all. Western and Arab states, as well as Israel, would like to see Irans influence in Syria curtailed, but none wish for a radical Islamist regime to replace Assad. For Russia, Syrias fall could mean losing its closest Middle Eastern ally and undermining its ability to project power while it fights a war in Ukraine. For Iran, it could shatter its so-called Axis of Resistance, comprising allied states and militias. Heres how the events in Syria could impact key players in the Middle East: Arab states The rebel advances in Syria mark the first real test of powerful Arab states commitment to reconcile with Assad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the height of the Syrian civil war, Sunni Arab states, including regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, broke ties with the Iran-allied Assad regime, moved to isolate it and threw their weight behind opposition groups trying to topple it, seeing it as an opportunity to curb Tehrans regional influence. But Assad, aided by Russia, Iran and Lebanons Hezbollah, survived and reclaimed territory lost to the rebels. Under heavy US sanctions, Syria turned into what some experts have called a narco-state, fueling a drug crisis in neighboring countries. Syrias new reality prompted Arab nations to extend a hand to the Assad regime, and over the past few years, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have led efforts toward his regional and international rehabilitation. In 2023, the Syrian regime was readmitted to the Arab League. Over a decade after they backed the Syrian opposition, Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are now siding with Assad as he once again faces a rebellion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2011, a very large number of countries rather quickly came to the view that they would be better off if Assad fell and they wanted to get rid of him but the Saudis, Emiratis and others in the region see this now as a challenging and destabilizing situation for them if Assad falls at this point, said Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Washington DC-based Quincy Institute. In their annual Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit last weekend, Gulf Arab leaders called for the preservation of Syrias territorial integrity, declared respect for its sovereignty and rejected regional interference in its internal affairs. By contrast, the statement after the 2011 GCC summit called on Assad to immediately stop the killing machine, put an end to the bloodshed and release detainees. Gulf Arab leaders attend the 45th Gulf Cooperation Council summit at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait City, Kuwait on December 01. - Amiri Diwan of the State of Qatar/Anadolu/Getty Images We might see that many of these countries would want to take advantage of the situation to improve their own position inside Syria, particularly with Iran, but that necessitates that Assad is weakened but stays a very different position from what they had earlier on when they were throwing everything at him to get rid of him all together, Parsi said. Iran Iran has used Syria to expand its regional influence through proxy groups stationed in the country. The Islamic Republic, along with its most formidable proxy Hezbollah, have proven instrumental in keeping Assad in power, by helping Syrian government forces regain lost territory, while sending its own Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders to advise Assads military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched its attack on Israel in October last year, Hezbollah began exchanging fire with Israel, prompting an Israeli retaliation that had the groups top brass assassinated and significantly debilitated its capabilities. As a result, Hezbollah pulled its forces out of Syria to focus on its war with Israel, leaving Assad exposed, experts said. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in Damascus, Syria, on December 1. - SANA/Reuters In Syria, Israel has consistently targeted Iranian personnel and supply routes used to transfer weapons to its proxies. The fall of Aleppo and potentially other cities bordering Lebanon could further disrupt those routes, placing Iran in a difficult position. Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the Qatari news outlet Al Araby Al Jadeed that Tehran would consider sending troops to Syria if requested by the Assad regime. However, escalating the war in Syria could undermine Irans efforts to pursue diplomacy with the West and Arab states. Losing Syria would be a huge blow for Iran, Parsi said. The investment Iranians have made in Syria is very significant, its an important land bridge to Lebanon, but also the alliance the Iranians have with the Assad regime has lasted across the Islamic Republics history. Iran may also use its proxies in the region as leverage in potential talks with an incoming Trump administration, Parsi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Iran loses too much of their position in the region, will they be too weak to negotiate? But if they fight back to try and retain as much of that position as possible, do they risk escalating the war to the point where diplomacy may no longer be possible? he said. Theyre walking a fine balance, Israel Israel too is caught in a difficult position. Assad, who views Israel as an enemy, has not posed a direct threat to the country, opting not to respond to the regular Israeli strikes in Syria over the past year. But the regime has allowed its territory to be used by Iran to supply Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hadi al-Bahra, a Syrian opposition leader representing anti-Assad groups, including the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), said rebels felt encouraged to make an advance for Aleppo last week after Israel debilitated Hezbollah and weakened Irans footprint in the region. Due to the Lebanese war and decrease in Hezbollah forces, (Assads) regime has less support, Al Bahra told Reuters in an interview, adding that Iran-backed militias also have fewer resources, and Russia is providing less air cover to Assads forces due to its Ukraine problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group leading the rebellion, however, is Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) whose leader Abu Muhammad Al Jolani is a former al Qaeda fighter with an Islamist ideology that opposes Israel. Israel is in between Iran, its proxies and Syrias Islamic rebels, Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official, told CNN. None of the choices are good as far as Israel is concerned but for the time being Iran and its proxies are weakened, which is good. Israel has to make sure that the offensive will not evolve into a new challenge posed by HTS and the Sunni rebels leading the offensive in Syria, he added. Russia Assad was on a losing streak in Syria until Russian President Vladimir Putin intervened in 2015. Without Russian air support, the recapture of Aleppo in 2016, a turning point for the embattled Syrian president, would have been difficult, if not impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin said this week it will certainly continue to support Assad as Russian jets stepped up strikes on opposition forces in northern Syria. Nicole Grajewski, a fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace with a focus on Russia, said the Assad regime was caught off-guard during the rebels latest offensive, and the rebels may have taken advantage of Russias distraction with Ukraine to take land in Syria. Russian air force pilots, assisted by ground crew, climb into their fighter jet at Hemeimeem airbase in Syria on October 22, 2015. - Vladimir Isachenkov/AP Moscow hadnt committed a large number of forces to Syria and may still be capable of supporting it, she added, but Russias ability to mobilize forces would be difficult given how quickly the rebels are advancing across northern Syria. Overall, the rebels advance with the help of Turkey is a pretty big threat to Russia, Grajewski told CNN. Russia put far too much capital in Assad and the loss of Syria would be an even bigger loss as its broader status as a great power and its ability to maneuver in the Middle East. Turkey Turkey has tried to distance itself from the rebels actions in northern Syria, but it is the primary backer of the Syrian National Army, one of the groups pushing the offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ankara has also represented the opposition in negotiations with Russia over several years in the past decade, which eventually led to a ceasefire agreement in 2020 between parties in Syria each of them supports. Despite its support for opposition forces, Turkey has not ruled out a rapprochement with Syria. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a meeting with Assad, the man he once labeled a terrorist, to reset relations. Assad has refused to meet him as long as Turkey continues to occupy parts of his country. Turkey has also sought a solution for an estimated 3.1 million Syrian refugees it hosts more than any other country. The refugees have become a major point of contention in Turkey, often leading to anti-Syrian riots and calls for mass deportation by opposition parties. Until recently, the Syria situation was seen in Turkey as regime is winning, opposition is losing with the Iran-Russia axis defining the developments on the ground, said Galip Dalay, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, a think tank in London. But the recent rebel push has changed that power dynamic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now its clear that Turks want to engage in a negotiation but showing Assad that he is entering the negotiation from a point of weakness. If negotiations now take place, the only way it will lead to anything is if Assad provides real concessions, not cosmetic concessions, Dalay told CNN. Another goal for Turkey is to push back Kurdish insurgent groups located along the Turkish-Syria border and create a buffer zone. Erdogan has long opposed Kurdish nationalism and made it clear that his ultimate goal is to eliminate the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a Kurdish far-left militant and political group based in Turkey and Iraq that has fought the Turkish state for more than three decades. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Yemen's warring parties and beleaguered people cannot wait indefinitely for a roadmap to peace before the country slips back to war, the UN special envoy told AFP. Hans Grundberg insisted it was "still possible" to solve the conflict in impoverished Yemen, where Iran-backed Huthi rebels control much of the country. But any chance of implementing a roadmap has effectively been put on hold by escalating regional crises sparked by the war in Gaza. Although preparatory discussions are continuing with all sides, "obviously... it cannot stay like this forever", Grundberg said in an interview at the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain. "At a certain point, there is an expected delivery that the parties want to see happen. And if that doesn't take place, you risk losing the necessary momentum that you have, and that danger is clear." He added: "There are belligerent voices in the region. What I'm saying is, don't go down that road -- it's possible to settle this conflict." Yemen has been at war since March 2015, when a Saudi-led coalition began a campaign to dislodge the Huthis who had seized control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, months earlier. A UN-brokered ceasefire in April 2022 calmed fighting and in December last year, even after the Israel-Hamas war had started, the warring parties committed to a peace process. But US and British strikes on Huthi targets in January, after the rebels began attacking shipping on the vital Red Sea trade route, "complicated the mediation space tremendously". "On the basis of that, we have not been able to take the step forward from the commitments that were agreed to in 2023 to the assigned roadmap," Grundberg said. The UN envoy said it's not "possible to move forward with the roadmap right now, because I don't think that the implementation of that roadmap would be possible". But he added: "I still believe that the foundation for a roadmap in Yemen is there because the conflict between Yemenis is solvable. "However, the complicating factor now is the regional destabilisation, where Yemen has become an integral part through the attacks in the Red Sea." Grundberg said the roadmap is "not a magic wand" for Yemen, which has been plunged into one of the world's worst humanitarian crises with two-thirds of the population dependent on aid. The Arabian Peninsula's poorest country is divided along regional, religious, political, tribal and factional lines, and has foreign influence at play including from Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The roadmap is intended as a structure for implementing humanitarian and economic commitments, and steps towards a permanent ceasefire and political process, over a nominal period of three years. "So here I think the responsibility that lies on our side is to ensure that this momentum is upheld and that the parties understand the necessity to... trust in the fact that this is possible to achieve," Grundberg said. "If not, the consequences are known. If you slip back into a violent confrontation internally, I think the consequences of that are pretty well known and I don't think that they would be in favour of anyone." He added: "I would guess that the Yemeni people should be impatient as a whole. I think that they have been waiting for peace for far too long. "Everyone wants this to come to an end." There is no region where Donald Trump was and is more popular than the Arab world. He speaks a language of power they understand: using military strength and maintaining loyalty to friends. He is not a spineless politician. To many in the Middle East, Trump appears more Arab than American: he rules from the centre, promotes loyal family members to political positions, speaks from his heart, owns prime real estate, holds grievances, and is able to feel the pulse of a situation instinctively. These skills will get him far, but Harold Macmillans warning about Events, dear boy, events will make or break Trumps legacy if he does not make the right choices in the months ahead. A destabilising, anti-American, anti-Israeli poison is polluting the air of the Middle East and wider Muslim world. The political oxygen of the region is full of toxic substances spread by two entities: the (Shia) revolutionary government of Iran and the (Sunni) Muslim Brotherhood, born in Egypt. Hezbollah, Hamas, al-Qaeda, Isis and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria are all variants of a venom that violates peace and prosperity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the almost weekly hate marches in London to the anti-Jewish riots on American campuses since the October 7 attacks on Israel, the toxin of political Islamism is protected by the fact that it has now spread far beyond the Middle East. But Trump immediately banning the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates in America would force Europe to reconsider the financial, media, and mosque networks used by Iran and the Brotherhood in their own countries to project power back into the Middle East. So a Muslim Brotherhood ban, not a Muslim ban, is needed urgently. A policy shift from Washington under Trump to confront Tehran would also strengthen the Wests allies in the Middle East. Renewed sanctions on the Iranian regime, bold preparedness to destroy its nuclear weapons programme, and the removal or minimisation of its octopus-like imperial tentacles in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Iraq would open the pathway to eliminating ideological pollutants and reshaping the region towards greater pluralism and tolerance. Trump possesses the strength of conviction and military power, consolidated by his loyalty to his Arab and Israeli friends, to then build on the signature achievement of his previous presidential term: the Abraham Accords. But Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood have made his job of achieving greater peace and normalisation with Israel more difficult. Israels war in Gaza has radicalised millions of young people in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, making the need to see some form of a Palestinian state, guaranteeing Israels security and achieving dignity for Palestinians, more urgent. Israeli polling does not show willingness for the creation of a Palestinian state. Palestinian schools and mosques teach a culture of Jew-hatred and killings. This is the deadlock that must be undone. With American security guarantees, Trump could mobilise Arab and Muslim nations to assist in this difficult process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump will not persuade more countries to sign up to the Abraham Accords, but other nations could normalise their diplomatic and trade relations with Israel in other ways. Senegal and Morocco already have a peaceful relationship with Israel. Mauritania could be the next candidate for closer ties. It has an outsized influence on global Islamic scholarship, and Trump would find willing partners in the country seeking to normalise relations with Israel. Similarly, in Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation in the world, there are major political parties and leaders willing to reach a rapprochement with the Israelis. Then there is Imran Khan in Pakistan, currently in prison on trumped up charges, but a friend of sorts to Trump and his wife. Could the president-elect call for his release and demand that Pakistan, in return for financial assistance and other help, re-imagine its relationships with Israel? It would outsmart India, too. Trumps peacemaker impulse, however, must be encouraged and supported while knowing that within the ranks of his inner circle are influential men and women with dangerously misplaced views. Events could empower the wrong people at the court of King Trump. Indeed, ahead of his January 20 inauguration, the balance of power in the Middle East is already shifting. Israel has weakened Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, but the situation in Syria is again becoming dangerous. Assad is a mass murderer, but the Islamist rebels marching towards Damascus will not be any better in government and will provide a new base for Hamas, al-Qaeda, and other enemies of the West. Trump may have to find solace in Trotskys warning that you may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the broader conditions in the Middle East are conducive to a new approach by the president-elect. The West has partnerships now in the Middle East that are not dominated by the struggles of T E Lawrence, or by Churchills handling of Arab nationalists. The political and economic gravity is no longer in Cairo or Baghdad, but in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. These are pro-American cities and countries with which the West can advance common interests in security, trade and innovation. In Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, I hear talk of joint Arab-Israeli space exploration and artificial intelligence-empowered medical advances. In Cairo, I hear talk of Gaza tunnels and terrorism. Trumps choices are clear. Ed Husain is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a professor at Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Universities are cautioning international students to return to the US before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, citing uncertainties around his plans for immigration-related policy. Advisories targeting pupils and staff on student and exchange visitor visas were issued at USC, Quinnipiac University, Cornell, Penn State and Wesleyan University, with the latest coming from the California school this week just as students prepare to head home for the holidays. The institution is asking pupils to return to campus by January 13, when the semester begins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is especially important given that a new presidential administration will take office on January 20 and as is common may issue one or more executive orders impacting travel to the US and visa processing, a statement sent out by USC read. While there is no certainty such orders will be issued, the safest way to avoid any challenges is to be physically present in the US before the Spring semester begins. International students have reason to feel uncertain about Trumps upcoming term. In 2017, the president-elect signed an executive order banning travelers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for a 90-day period. The ban affected some of the 17,000 international students studying in the US at the time. Lawsuits managed to temporarily block the order but it was upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018. President Joe Biden suspended the ban after taking office in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, Trump vowed to restore the travel ban to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country. Cornell University is warning pupils and staff that a similar ban is likely to go into effect once Trump is sworn in. An advisory on the universitys website states Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen and Somalia could be targeted, with new countries like China and India potentially added to the list. When entering the US, students should have evidence of their connection to the university while at the airport, like a certificate of enrollment, transcript and evidence of funding. They should also carry their passports, visas and a valid employment authorization document, if applicable. Students from the listed countries who cant return to the US before Inauguration Day should communicate with a university advisor about travel plans and be prepared for delays, the institution said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students from countries not on the list are not expected to experience difficulties when returning to the US. Neither are people in transit through them on their way to the US. Meanwhile, USC is asking pupils not to make decisions based on social media, news reports, and rumors about potential new policies. Please rely only on official communications from US government agencies and guidance from the universitys Office of International Services, USC said. If problems arise at a US port of entry, students and staff are encouraged to call the universitys Immigration Clinic Hotline for help. Dumb War A Russian spacecraft launched higher than most satellites has long had the Pentagon worried and new revelations about what it contains have made those concerns all the greater. Launched in February 2022 just a few weeks before Ukraine was invaded, Russia's Cosmos 2553 spacecraft is nominally built to test out "newly developed onboard instruments and systems." According to new reporting from the New York Times, however, the mysterious satellite system contains a "dummy warhead" a precursor of what could come should the Russians decide to arm the craft for real. As scary as the concept of a space nuke sounds, it wouldn't necessarily harm life on Earth unless you consider eliminating all satellites in its vicinity harm, in which case the people down on the planet below would be seriously screwed. ASAT Stats Back in 1962, the US military actually did detonate a nuclear weapon in space, though the damage from the electromagnetic pulse it emanated seems mostly to have been limited to streetlights dimming in Hawaii, which was below the test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists learned from that formerly-classified test that doing so was probably a pretty bad idea, and in 1967, both Russia and the United States signed the Outer Space Treaty to prevent, essentially, space warfare. In the years since, however, concerns have grown that Russia may violate the treaty especially as more and more communications satellites began littering our planet's orbit. After Russia released Cosmos 2553 some 250 miles above the planet's surface, military experts became concerned that it might be a secret nuclear weapon. As the NYT's new reporting reveals, the US Space Force and a group of intelligence agencies have quietly been looking into the satellite to try to figure out its real purpose. Throughout 2024, more and more information about the alleged anti-satellite weapon began to trickle out of Washington. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied that it's any such thing though notably, it doesn't appear he's made any such denial since the NYT reported that Cosmos 2553 contains a dummy warhead. Despite those refutations, Russia vetoed in April a United Nations resolution that would bar nuclear weapons in space. If the NYT's reporting holds up, we may know why. More on Russian crafts: Insane Video Shows Reckless Russian Fighter Jet Rip Right Past an F-16 It used to be thought that Gen-Z was a rather passionless, inert bunch children of screens, they scrolled incessantly on beds behind closed doors, too afraid to leave home for real-life social interaction, anxious about work, conversation and sex, braced for micro-aggressions, unsafe spaces and triggering content. But in the past few years, beginning with support for Greta Thunbergs scarily extreme brand of hair-shirt environmentalism and its offshoots especially the paint-chucking Just Stop Oil we have begun to see another side to them: at times deranged, pseudo-political passion. These youngsters, especially the majority that gravitate towards the political fringe, are not afraid of getting out at all, and seem wildly confident rather than socially anxious. In fact, not since the 1960s have we seen such passionate lunacy in young peoples political identities: their flaunting and strutting as police corral and arrest them, their faces puce and furious as they scream and chant their mad orthodoxy into megaphones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels response to Hamass October 7 invasion put to rest any final worries about the confidence and passion of Gen Z, especially the swathes of it associated with the Left (or the disturbing mishmash of disinformation, false history and identity politics that passes for the left these days). Marches in London for Palestine and against Israel regularly number 125,000. And yet this apparent dedication to the cause of justice in the world is astonishingly narrow. Yes, theres the preoccupation with the hazily menacing notion of climate justice. But on issues where Leftist passion would be truly welcome, and reassuring, it is missing in action. If risking arrest, harassing and creating an intimidating environment for Jews and glorifying terrorism is de rigueur, there seems to be no appetite for doing so on behalf of to give an example women in Afghanistan who are ever-more brutalised by the Taliban. The extending misogynistic sadism of this movement was revived by Joe Bidens craven decision to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan. When, in August, the Taliban stopped women speaking, singing or showing any skin at all, even on their faces or hands, in public, there was barely a peep from the Left. And last week, there was news of a fresh tightening of an already unbearable screw in Afghanistan with a ban on women training in midwifery, dentistry and nursing, their sole remaining avenue for education and career. Its hard to imagine what else there is to destroy in womens lives, but no doubt the Taliban will think of something. Add to the list the Muslim Uyghurs in China, of whom one million have been arbitrarily detained in concentration camps, subjected to torture including forced sterilisation, or Sudans civil war between two vicious forces, the RSF (Rapid Support Forces, the new name for the militia that carried out the slaughter in Darfur 20 years ago) and the SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces), which has left more than 60,000 dead, displaced more than 10 million and is threatening the destruction of 13 million more through famine in what aid organisations call the worlds worst humanitarian disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then there are the victims of the brutal Russia-backed Assad regime in Syria; victims, especially girls, of Islamist groups in Nigeria; Venezuelans fleeing authoritarian rule, violence and poverty. And what about the innocent civilians in Ukraine bombarded every night by Russian bombs? The sinister, lethal approach to women, artists and intellectuals in Iran, surely, also ought to garner at least some reaction; some use of megaphones, and some placards paraded through city streets imploring our government to take this threat seriously? But sadly it seems the streets are all but silent by such activists. Some on the Right speak out, but on the Left, on real questions of right and wrong, passion runs cold and dry. The fate of women the world over trapped in inhumane Islamist regimes, including those of Hamas and Hezbollah, and all the rest of the worlds poor and abused who deserve to be stood up for, or at least remembered, are of no interest. There are many explanations for this phenomenon some say its to do with disaster fatigue, and the overweening dominance in the media of events in the Middle East and in Ukraine under Russian aggression. Some say its to do with confusion over who the bad guy is when the conflict does not involve a friend of America (the friend of America is always the bad guy). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I think the answer is simpler and darker than those rationalisations suggest. Its that the cheerleaders for those who mean Israel the darkest harm under the banner of attempting to free Palestine but who remain silent in the face of an emboldened Taliban, genocidal Rwandan militias, and mass abuse of Uyghurs actually want the West to be destroyed. Their pattern of passion and frigid silence is not some accident of well-meaning care for the weak. It is intentional, a direct result of a set of ideologies that has soaked through academic and institutional settings. In their warped world, even the shuttering of a final avenue of life beyond total darkness for women in a country that the West threw to the wolves, but could have saved, simply doesnt register. Its hard not to conclude, then, that those who shout the loudest on behalf of the dispossessed of Palestine are actually engaged in a project of cheerleading for those who want the West, beginning with Israel, to fall. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Its one of those scenes of the holiday season cheerful volunteers standing outside local stores next to a red kettle ringing a bell. The Salvation Armys, well, army of bellringers can be found outside area retailers. Armed with a healthy dose of Christmas cheer, these volunteers brave winters chill to raise money for the nonprofit that provides those in our community in the greatest need with shelter and food. The News & Advance team has decided to take a day and join the army for this holiday tradition. On Wednesday, members of our reporting and editing staff will be outside the Boonsboro Kroger from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and we hope you will take the time to come out and see us. And if you want to talk about news and the newspaper, wed be happy to hear from you. The Red Kettle campaign fundraiser provides the bulk of the money The Salvation Armys Lynchburg Corps uses throughout the year. That money in 2023 helped provide 28,692 meals and 6,248 nights of safe, dry and warm shelter to people with no other place to go. This year, the campaign hopes to raise $150,000 through the kettle efforts so it can continue to provide critical services for individuals and families in the Hill City. The campaign runs through Christmas, with bellringer stations at various retailers throughout the Lynchburg area, including Walmart, Kroger, River Ridge mall, Sams Club and Hobby Lobby. Lynchburg is a city known for its generosity, whether its through time or financial support, said Captain Tansena Spears, Assistant Corps Officer, in a news release announcing the start of the campaign. When we bring kettles, our volunteers sing songs, and the community responds by giving. The Salvation Army recently outlined just how far donations can go. For instance, $50 can feed 39 people and $100 gives a person a safe and warm place to stay for four nights. Just $250 will keep 195 children from going to bed hungry and $1,000 can provide someone shelter for a month. Winter starts a busy season for The Salvation Army, when more of our fellow citizens find themselves in need of help. The Red Kettle campaign, along with the Angel Trees program, helps make sure the organization can meet that increased demand, and the money raised helps carry the organization throughout the year. Every dollar donated, every gift wrapped, and every hour volunteered creates real change for someone in need in Lynchburg. Together, we continue to ensure that Christmas is full of warmth and joy for our neighbors, writes Miki McGarry, development director for The Salvation Armys Lynchburg Corps. The organizations roots stretch back to London in 1852, when William Booth abandoned the church pulpit to bring the gospel to the homeless and the hungry, according to The Salvation Armys website. By 1875, Booths efforts had become The Christian Mission, with more than 1,000 volunteers working to reach thieves, prostitutes, gamblers and drunks. The group gained the moniker The Salvation Army three years later, and over the decades, its mission spread to the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland, India, South Africa, Iceland and Germany. Today, The Salvation Army is active in 134 countries. The Red Kettle campaign also has its roots in 19th century England, when in 1891 Capt. Joseph McFee, a Salvation Army officer looking for a way to cover the cost of a community meal, had the idea to recreate the Simpsons Pot, an iron pot where passersby could drop donations. The effort remains the organizations signature fundraiser. Our local corps serves Lynchburg, as well as the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell and Nelson. At the center of its efforts is the Center of Hope on Lynchburgs Park Avenue, which nightly feeds members of our community, and provides shelter to those in need. The Center of Hope, built in 2008, is an 80-bed shelter with separate floors for men, women and children, as well as family units. Those who seek shelter are also taught life skills to help reestablish themselves and the center provides additional assistance in helping sheltered individuals work their way back into the community. The center also opens as a warming or cooling shelter in extreme temperatures to help Lynchburg residents who may not have proper heating and cooling systems to combat the extreme temperatures. The local corps also provides emergency assistance with rent and utilities, as well as supplies food, hygiene products and other necessities to families in the Lynchburg community. Looking for a way to help? Stop by the next kettle you see. Want to get more involved? Theres still time to take a shift as a bellringer. Visit registertoring.com to pick a time and location that works for you. If you cant devote the time to stand outside of one of these retailers, how about virtual bellringing? The virtual campaign allows participants to turn hobbies or interests into fundraisers to support The Salvation Armys operations. If bell ringing isnt your thing, how about adopting an angel from the Angel Tree? Nestled in River Ridge mall, Thomas Road Baptist Church and other locations, sits a tree decorated in little paper angels, each containing information about a child that would not otherwise have a present to unwrap on Christmas morning. Last year, the Angel Tree brought Christmas to more than 1,000 children all through the generosity of the community. And help is needed at the Angel Tree warehouse for sorting and packing those presents. For more information on ways you can help, visit lynchburg.salvationarmypotomac.org. We hope you will take some time to join us at the Boonsboro Kroger on Wednesday as we support The Salvation Armys mission. HYOGO, Dec 09 (News On Japan) - The city of Himeji has proposed a revision to the entry fees for the World Heritage Site Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture, increasing the current rate of 1,000 yen to two or three times the amount for non-residents. According to Himeji City, the fee increase is intended to cover the costs of maintaining and managing the historical site as well as preservation and repair work. Under the proposed changes, the entry fee for adults (aged 18 and older) will rise from the current 1,000 yen to between 2,000 yen and 3,000 yen for visitors who are not Himeji residents. The entry fee for Himeji residents will remain at approximately the current rate. Additionally, visitors under the age of 18, who previously paid 300 yen, will be allowed free entry under the new policy. Regarding the entry fee changes, Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto previously mentioned that raising the fees for foreign tourists was being considered as a measure to address overtourism. Source: ANN (FILES) The TikTok logo is displayed outside TikTok social media app company offices in Culver City, California, on March 16, 2023. TikTok faces a US ban after an appeals court on December 6, 2024, rejected its challenge to a law requiring the video-sharing app to divest from its Chinese parent company by January 19. The potential ban could strain US-China relations just as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) TikTok edged closer to being banned in the United States after it lost an appeal on Friday against a law requiring the video-sharing app to divest from its Chinese parent company by January 19. The potential ban could strain US-China relations just as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20. TikTok said it would now appeal to the Supreme Court, which could choose to take up the case or let the DC circuit courts decision stand. The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue, the company said. TikTok will also be looking to Trump, who has emerged as an unlikely ally, arguing that a ban would mainly benefit Metas platforms owned by Mark Zuckerberg. Trumps stance reflects broader conservative criticism of Meta for allegedly suppressing right-wing content, including Trumps ban from Facebook after the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The US government alleges TikTok allows Beijing to collect data and spy on users. It also says TikTok is a conduit to spread propaganda, though China and app owner ByteDance strongly deny these claims. The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, would block TikTok from US app stores and web hosting services unless ByteDance sells the platform by January 19. While recognizing that 170 million Americans use TikTok to create and view all sorts of free expression, the three-judge panel unanimously upheld the laws premise that divesting it from Chinas control is essential to protect our national security. They found that the law did not hinder free speech as it was devoid of an institutional aim to suppress particular messages or ideas. The judges also disagreed with the idea that less drastic alternatives than a sale by ByteDance would solve the security issues. This conclusion is supported by ample evidence that the Act is the least restrictive means of advancing the Governments compelling national security interests, the judges said in their opinion. Trumps position marks a reversal from Trumps first term, when he tried to ban TikTok over similar security concerns. That effort got bogged down in the courts when a federal judge questioned how the move would affect free speech and blocked the initiative. Trumps newly nominated tech policy czar David Sacks also opposes the ban as government overreach. Trump lifeline Trumps shift coincides with his connection to Jeff Yass, a major Republican donor with ByteDance investments. Donald Trump could be a lifeline for TikTok once he takes office, but halting the enforcement of the ban is easier said than done, said Emarketer lead Analyst Jasmine Enberg. And even if he does manage to save TikTok, hes already flip-flopped on his stance toward the app and theres no guarantee he wont go after it later. The President-elect launched his own TikTok account in June, gaining 14.6 million followers, but hasnt posted since Election Day. Despite the uncertainty, TikToks US presence continues growing. The platform reported $100 million in Black Friday sales for its new shopping venture, and Emarketer projects US ad revenue will reach $15.5 billion next year, accounting for 4.5 percent of total digital ad spending in the country. But Enberg warned a ban would significantly disrupt the social media landscape, benefiting Meta, YouTube, and Snap while harming content creators and small businesses dependent on TikTok. (Left) Mahama and Bawumia (Right) Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of Ghanas ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has conceded defeat in the 2024 elections, congratulating former President John Dramani Mahama on his victory. In a concession speech delivered on Sunday, Mr Bawumia acknowledged that internal data from his party indicates the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has secured victory in both the presidential and parliamentary polls. Let me say that the data from our own internal collation of the election results indicate that former President John Dramani Mahama has won the presidential election decisively, Bawumia said. The NDC has also won the parliamentary election. Even though we await the final collation of a number of seats, I believe ultimately these will not change the outcome. I am making this concession speech before the official announcement by the electoral commission to avoid further tension and preserve the peace of our country. It is important that the world investor community continues to believe in the peaceful and democratic character of Ghana. Mr Bawumia added that he accepts the decision of Ghanaians with all humility. Mahama, who lost his re-election bid to Nana Akufo-Addo in 2016, is expected to take office as president in January 2025. By Rachel Okporu Fadoju Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that the Department of State Services (DSS) are not responsible for searching passengers bags at airports. Naija News reports that Keyamo made this known during an interview on This Morning programme on Arise News on Sunday. Using Lagos International Airport as an example, Keyamo said passengers enter through the arrival door and immediately encounter a screening machine for their bags. Keyamo said the bags are inspected at a joint inspection table after the screening, which causes congestion due to the lack of space. He said the congestion often leads to blockages that extend to the entrance gates, but the ministry has dismantled the joint inspection table at airports. According to the minister, DSS officials are meant to profile those travelling in and out of the country for security checks and not check passengers bags. He explained that the agencies now work with aviation security at the screening machine to eliminate repetitive searches. He said, What is that joint inspection table? You will see customs, DSS, NDLEA, quarantine, and on and on, all lined up on the same table. Each of them telling you to open your bags, and theyll be dipping their hands into your bags one by one, passing you on to the next agency on the same table, and all, you know, I have not seen this in any part of the world. So you can then observe all the bags passing through the machine jointly, without harassing anybody. That is why the machines are there in the first place. You, NDLEA, customs, if you notice anything like drugs inside or suspicious package, pull the person aside, take the person away into your private screening room, and do your further searches there. DSS, you are not, you have no business searching peoples bags. You are profiling individuals who are going out of the country, people who have been maybe who are under security checks and all that. Go and stay with immigration. At the point of stamping their passports, you can pull the person aside a person that ought not to travel. DSS can work with immigration at their table, and they can just roam around. Roam around the airport, check faces of people, profile them. If you want to pull people aside as you think they should not travel, pull them aside to a private room, but dont create a nuisance at airports where you see they are checking peoples bags. Speaking on the federal governments recently approved measures to curb harassment faced by travellers with various agencies stationed at airports, Keyamo said the aim is not to remove these agencies but to streamline how they perform their duties. He added, Nobody expects to go through an airport without security checks. However, the complaints we have consistently received from Nigerians have been complaints bordering on extortion, corruption, and perhaps even the very tardy process of these security checks. There are some practices we have noticed among the security agencies that are not under our control that we think do not align with the best practices all over the world. US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday said that the world was "a little crazy" as he met President Emmanuel Macron in Paris ahead of the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral on his first international trip since his re-election. The two men embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honour. "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for talks with Macron which started around 45 minutes later than scheduled. Despite tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his ties with the centrist French leader, saying: "We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot." Macron told Trump it was "a great honour for French people to welcome you" for the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 during Trump's first term. "You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction," Macron added, speaking in English. When he first took office in 2017, Trump's ties with Macron -- then also a fresh face on the world stage -- began warmly despite their obvious political differences. Their long and muscular handshakes -- which saw each man seek to assert his superiority -- became a light-hearted focus of attention before ties cooled, then soured, following disputes about climate change, trade and defence. They are expected to discuss the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as trade. Trump's return to power has rung alarm alarms in Paris and many European capitals after his promises on the campaign trail to force an end to fighting in Ukraine which could see US military assistance to Kyiv withheld. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected at the French presidential palace shortly after Trump and he is set to hold three-way discussions with Macron, an aide to Macron told AFP on condition of anonymity. Syrian rebels put an end to 53 years of the Assad familys rule declaring the end of the Bashar Assad regime after a bloody 14 year-war. The news of freed political prisoners and refugees jubilating to go home triggered emotions of joy, except in the Algerian political class where the news was met with the grief to see an authoritarian ally fall so spectacularly fast. The grief is also shared in Iran and Russia which both maintained troop deployment for years as well as proxies in the Syrian battle ground, perpetrating war crimes against the will of the Syrian people. Now, that the Assad regime has fallen, the Algerian regime is in dire diplomatic condition after years of backing Bashar in diplomatic forums against his own people. Algeria has for years opposed Arab initiatives to arm the Syrian opposition and worked to break the isolation of Bashar Assad. Meanwhile, it mistreated Syrian refugees at home abandoning them in desert borders as was cited in a Human Rights Watch report in 2017. Algeria has also backed the Assad regime in the UN against any attempt that would lead to a political solution or improve the lives of refugees waiting to go back home. Sugarcoating its pro-Bashar Assad position as a stand against foreign intervention, Algerian officials stood steadfast in support of the status-quo in Syria, and never condemned the presence of Iranian troops and Hezbollah proxies or Russian soldiers. Reports shared on social media showed Syrian rebels capturing Algerian nationals believed to have fought for Assad amid the Blitzkrieg on Aleppo. The Algerian regime has said it was repatriating nationals without specifying what exactly they were doing in a war zone. The Algerian regime has been on the side of Bashar Assad since the onset of what started as a peaceful revolution against the backdrop of the Arab Spring. Protesters demanded a clean break with the Assad regime who responded with repression, killing civilians, and triggering a civil war that forced millions to displacement in neighboring countries. Algeria never condemned Assad for his crimes and was a staunch ally of the brutal Syrian regime, on the footsteps of its Russian arms supplier and its Iranian ally. In defending Assad, the military regime in Algeria was rather defending its own model of military authoritarianism. The fall of Assad should serve as a reminder to the Algerian regime to start listening to the Algerian people and the demands of the disenchanted youth for democracy and better social and economic prospects or else face a similar fate. The new Syria that will emerge from the rubble of the war will remember the Algerian regimes position in support of Assad crimes against civilians. The headquarters of the permanent secretariat of the African network of national preventive mechanisms against torture was inaugurated on Saturday in Rabat at the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) head office. The permanent secretariats inauguration by representatives of African network members translates the collective commitment of human rights defenders in Africa and their shared determination to prevent torture on the continent. Establishing the permanent secretariat of the African network aligns with efforts of national torture preventive mechanisms to prevent this crime against humanity on the continent, and reaffirms Africas determination to protect human dignity and create a common continental front against this practice. In addition to institutionalizing efforts and establishing solid foundations and dynamic operational structures during its first mandate, the network vows to facilitate joint action, coordinate activities of national torture preventive mechanisms at regional and continental levels, and strengthen technical support. It is also meant to foster sharing best practices and building the capacities of national torture preventive mechanisms in Africa. In a statement to the press, coordinator of the Moroccan Preventive Mechanism against Torture Mohamed Benajiba said that this event falls within the framework of activating the African network of national preventive mechanisms against torture, following the constitution phase started in Marrakech in 2023 and the second in Cape Verde. Benajiba explained that Morocco, which set up its national mechanism in 2019, carried out 169 visits after five years, noting that the Kingdom is currently a model to follow in Africa. For his part, President of Senegals National Observatory of Places of Deprivation of Liberty, Madiaw Diaw, stated that participation in this initiative was motivated by the willingness to promote sharing and exchanging African experience in torture prevention, and to examine ways of federating efforts to achieve fruitful results. The inauguration of the permanent secretariat headquarters in Morocco was an opportunity for the seven members of the steering committee to prepare for the general assembly, to be held shortly in Cape Verde, and to share their views on the subject, he added. For his part, Chairman of Mauritanias National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, Al Bekay Abdelmalek, felt honored to be part of this network, which includes Morocco, Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, South Africa and Mozambique. He noted that the aim is to work together to improve these mechanisms in order to respect the rights and dignity of every individual. He also emphasized that this inauguration of the permanent secretariat, which chairs the network, reflects the determination of the members to establish close collaboration in order to guarantee positive results. The African Network of National Preventive Mechanisms against Torture, an initiative whose foundations were laid in Marrakech in 2023, embodies Africas common goal of promoting the defense of human rights and protecting their dignity through institutional and sustainable African cooperation. I thought her initial response was fine, but she lost me a bit when she slipped in the stan bait. Reply Thread Link I don't speak Spanish and haven't seen this movie either, but I get the gist of what he's saying. I hate it when a character is speaking a language they are supposed to be fluent in, but they sound terrible. It's torture. And it does make the overall performance suffer. If casting was going to get an actor who can't speak the language, then they need to make sure they have enough time to learn so that they are at least passable. I feel that production has to take responsibility here. And the thing is that some people do feel sensitive about hearing their language butchered. Reply Thread Link My pet peeve is when a character is supposed to be from a different country, so they have a foreign name, and they themselves mispronounce it like the italian name Giuseppe, that will end up with a "ee" sound at the end, and although I do not speak all of them, I'm pretty sure the big majority of slavic languages, if not actually all of them, will pronounce J as Y, and not as a G. Reply Parent Thread Link people also choose J to spell their russian name which is a zh sound (kinda sorta like the "su" in "measure/pleasure") Reply Parent Thread Expand Link isnt Selena one of the producers? Not sure how many lines she has in Spanish/if she needs to carry conversations throughout the movie, but actors often get parts where theres something they arent particularly good at. What separates the dedicated ones from the Selenas is that dedicated actors often work off the clock to improve. This year I did a casting for a character that needed to be a complete stoner and the actress had never even smoked cigarettes - you could absolutely tell by the way she smoked and it simply wasnt realistic the good sis was a pothead. We had about two weeks before the shoot and she would come to my house to literally just watch me smoke and practice. By the time we shot the film, homegirl was rolling joints like an absolute pro lol my point is that if youre dedicated enough, you can learn what youll actually need for a shoot. Even if production didnt have the means to hire experts or dialect coaches, Selena herself does so she couldve done her homework but she clearly didnt. And now she seems somehow surprised people arent praising mediocrity. Reply Parent Thread Link This is me with certain K-dramasback in the early aughts some k-dramas would hire Gyopo actors and non-Korean kpop idols to play the lead or costar. After a bit; the networks noticed those type of k-dramas where the lead had a strong accent or mispronounced words had a backlash from the viewers. Like the gyopo actors and the idols were only going through the motions of phonetically pronouncing the words correctly, but not emotions attached to the said words. It really takes away from the performance if the actor cant emote through words. Edited at 2024-12-08 05:25 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link As a native German speaker... I cringe every time I hear someone (try to) speak German or pretend to have a German accent in movies or TV shows. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this is me with trying with cdrama - they end up dubbing over the voice lines and they don't match the mouth shapes to the voice lines. or they have foreign actors coming into do a role but they don't speak the language and they dub over that too. what is up with the dubbing!! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This. Spanish is my first language and it takes me out of the film/show when I hear an actor butchering Spanish when their character is supposedly a Spanish-speaking person. It also annoys me when they cast a Spanish-speaking actor from one country to play a character from a different country, since the accents are completely different and you can tell very easily Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Eugenio Derbez is right and Selena Gomez is a perpetual victim in her head lol Reply Thread Link Ohhh, he also makes a great point of how the praise for this shit movie is coming from places and people that do not speak Spanish (especially not Spanish as their first language) lol like Im just finding out the French director doesnt speak English nor Spanish but made a movie with a setting in Mexico and its in English and Spanish? Ijbol what a mess Reply Thread Link I havent seen the movie, but it sounds like an all around mess. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh it it and I didnt even get to the part where Selena is in lol, I only got through a few mins and couldnt continue to watch. Reply Parent Thread Link Reminds of Denzels quote about why it was important for Fences to have a black director. To those unfamiliar, this is what he said: I'm sure Scorsese could have directed Schindler's List. And Spielberg probably could have directed Goodfellas. But there are cultural differences. I know, you know, we all know what it is when a hot comb hits your head on a Sunday morning, what it smells like. That's a cultural difference, not just color difference." Reply Parent Thread Link I've only seen one clip of her movie ans it was so bad. Because I haven't seen the film I thought maybe her character was supposed to speak like that. But if she was playing a latina who actually speaks the language... boy, clearly no one gave a fuck. Not Selena or the director. They made absolutely no effort. Reply Parent Thread Link I can't speak for this movie in particular, but Audiard did a movie about a Sri Lankan refugee (even casting a refugee as the lead) fleeing to France; most of the movie is in a South Asian language (Tamil) and he shot in India, and it's a very sensitive, nuanced portrayal of that experience. So he does have a background in this. Edited at 2024-12-09 01:11 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Eh, it's imperfect but I found it to be interesting and dynamic, not to mention very original. And yes, I am Mexican (from Mexico City in fact) and a native Spanish speaker and while it's not for everyone given its arthouse origins, and yes the accents are a bit off...I didn't find it to be a mess or disrespectful at all. In a way, very much its own version of "magical realism"/ heightened reality that if seen in clip or out of context form can be jarring. Like the fact that it started with a choral version of the famous 'se compran colchones' call had me sat immediately. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This is the reason why I don't feel like watching the movie. And with all the stereotypes about Mexico, I think it will probably just make me angry Reply Parent Thread Link Hes right bloop Reply Thread Link This has always been hilarious to me. Actors take such pride in reproducing a 1940's accent from Bumfuck nowhere, Mississippi, but they have to say one sentence in another language they're supposedly fluent in and they can't be arsed to learn it. Reply Thread Link as a bumfuckian, I hold my thick-tongued thoughts in on this ALL the damn time. we have actors who live here, fwiw, if anyone wanted to actually hire/pay them or take a chance on an unknown. it's easier for a production to hire someone with their own established stanbase, cause they know many will watch their content and support and even defend their projects blindly. which is fine by me, as i'm not trying to act. or sing. or be famous. but like, we do hear it and we do know it's wrong...and we could help if you wanted to, idk, ask us. we'd probably even help you for free, just for the experience. we're bored. anyway, bless your hearts. <3 Reply Parent Thread Link As someone from a state whose accents are often butchered by actors from the more famous states I HEAR YOU. As a casting producer I definitely make a point to cast actors who are from the same place/region their characters are. Its not always doable but its one of my priorities bc it significantly improves the quality of the overall result. And if I can spot differences, people from those places most definitely will too. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I'm doing a rewatch of 'True Blood' and GOOD LORD those Southern American accents are allllll over the place. They are literally characatures. I'm Canadian and can tell. People just don't sound like that. Edited at 2024-12-08 04:53 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I don't know him or much about her, but her response didn't seem that bad to me. Mentioning her fans seems kind of whatever. They'll be supporting her when she's doing infomercials so yeah, she would talk about them. Reply Thread Link Also, this reminds me of when people said that characters on Chernobyl (HBO) or The death of Stalin should be speaking Russian or with a Slavic accent and FUCK, NO. NO! Those people don't live in the former Soviet Union. Reply Thread Link Speaking of HBO's Chernobyl and "fuck", I take every opportunity I get to trash the dialogue. I was forced to watch almost a whole episode. They didn't have any swearwords in that episode, not even a "fuck". Meanwhile there were several people arguing. No soul whatsoever. Which is esp. interesting, cause HBO is one of the few American companies who do sometimes invest in local content in eg. Eastern Europe, and those pieces do have believable dialogues. Reply Parent Thread Link Can't relate, I consider it one of the best things I've seen on television. I read the book that many of the stories were based on in Russian and had to get used to the pathos with which the Ukrainian / Belorussian / Russian people told their stories, because that falsely rings fake and theatrical to my cold and reserved Baltic ass, even though those are genuine feelings and I cried a bit at least 3 times while reading it. I loved the dialogue of the series, some more fucks would have been accurate though. Reply Parent Thread Link omg get off social media girl Reply Thread Link The humble/victim act is so exhausting. It's never her fault, she did her best, the others are just being mean, leave my fans alone etc. She's not 15 and in Disney anymore. I haven't watched the movie but I've watched some of her previous work and her acting skills are not good so idk why she's getting so much praise all of a sudden. Reply Thread Link Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ Reply Thread Link I think hes making the correct/valid argument, which most people on internet are not. Its not about her accent. Yes, the accent is bad, but plenty of people have accents. If it was just about the accent, then he would be hypocrite, because he has a very heavy accent in English. The issue is, she does not sound like she knows what she is saying. She is just parroting words. Shes either yelling or whispering. Nothing in between. None of the emotions feel correct for the words she is saying. Her character is not a native speaker, so the accent should be expected. But her character does speak the language. She know the words she is saying. She should be able to the FEEL the words she is saying. EVEN IF, she is saying them poorly, she knows them. Selena Gomez does not understand the words she is saying. And you know this, because they are not being expressed like she knows what she is saying. There is a difference. Reply Thread Link I appreciate this comment very much. At first I was going to side eye this and write it off as the usual gatekeeping bs but you make a lot of valid points, and you made them a lot better than this man and it's relatable; I've studied German for years and it took me a while to just talk in that normal conversational flow and not the "Das Brot ist gut, ja?" stilted speech you have when you're learning a new language. It sounds like Selena was the latter and not the former. Reply Parent Thread Link Honestly, it sounds like Selena's performance did not even sound as a stilted speech of a new learner, but like borderline gibberish of someone who is not very familiar with the language at all, and just learns the lines phonetically to the best of their abilities. Reply Parent Thread Link This makes me remember a time when she explained her flat affect or flat tone of voice as being related to lupus or so? Reply Parent Thread Link I will use this every time I don't do good enough at my job: I understand where you are coming from..I'm sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesn't take away from how much work and heart I put into this. Should you need any additional information do not hesitate to contact me. Best regards, Reply Thread Link idgi when US/UK shows have a character from some specific country and then they cast a random foreigner in the role who has no connection to said country. What logic are we running with? A local actor butchering an accent is one thing, but getting an actor from country A to play character from country Z and butchering the accent has me doing the brazilianmathlady.gif because what was the point Reply Thread Link Hes basically saying Selena understood what she was saying as much as these precious babies. Reply Parent Thread Link zibby, my full embarrassed confession: I was knee-deep in the comment section and was no longer referring to Selena but thinking of a different show altogether lmao Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this has me choking lmfao Reply Parent Thread Link Awww I love that movie. Its not a tumor! Reply Parent Thread Link China's near monopoly on rare earth metal processing gives it significant leverage in the global supply chain. The U.S. has significantly increased its rare earth metals production in recent years but remains reliant on China for processing. China has dominated global rare earth metals production for the past three decades, accounting for over two-thirds of global production in 2023. Rare earth metals are a set of 17 chemically similar elements which are integral to modern technologies. From neodymium, used in powerful magnets that can withstand extreme temperatures, to beryllium, which is used to manufacture lightweight materials for fighter jets, these elements have a variety of crucial technological uses. While rare earth metals are not particularly rare, they are seldom found in pure form and are often mixed with other minerals, making them costly to mine. This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Kayla Zhu, visualizes rare earth metals production (in kilotonnes) of the eight leading countries from 1995 to 2023, using figures from the Energy Institutes Statistical Review of World Energy 2024 report. China Is Dominating Rare Earth Metals Production Global rare earth metals production has surged the past three decades, increasing from 75.7 kilotonnes in 1995 to over 350 kilotonnes in 2023, reflecting growing demand for these metals in high-tech applications. China has been and still is the undisputed leader in the rare earth metals industry, accounting for over two-thirds of global production as of 2023. The United States has made a big comeback in rare earth metals production, particularly from 2017 onwards. U.S. production jumped from 15.4 kilotonnes in 2017 to 43 kilotonnes in 2023, reflecting efforts to strengthen the domestic supply chain and reduce reliance on China. Separating and processing rare earth metals is an integral step in the supply chain, and China has a near monopoly on this process. The country currently processes 90% of all rare earth metals and 99.9% of heavy rare earth metals, meaning it is importing metals from other countries and processing them. In December 2023, China banned the export of rare earth metal extraction and separation technology, hoping to reinforce its dominant position when it comes to the global critical minerals supply chain. Meanwhile, the U.S. has been ramping up efforts to bolster both domestic rare earth metals production and processing capabilities, awarding millions in defense contracts to companies like Lynas Earths and MP Materials to build their own separation and processing facilities. To learn more about which critical minerals the U.S. depends on China for the most, check out this graphic that visualizes Chinas share of U.S. imports by metal. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Industry leaders are calling for an end to the permitting pause and streamlined regulations to support continued growth in the U.S. LNG sector. The outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election could significantly impact the future of U.S. LNG policy and export potential. The U.S. is currently the world's largest LNG exporter, but future growth is threatened by legal challenges, project delays, and a pause on new export permits. The U.S. LNG export industry has recently hit several stumbling blocks. And who will be Americas president in the next four years may not even be the biggest. Litigation at court from environmental groups, a contractor bankruptcy, and President Joe Bidens permit pause have combined to increase uncertainty for U.S. LNG project developers and exporters this decade. Top LNG Exporter The expansion of the LNG export infrastructure over the past five years and the flexibility in cargo destination of U.S. LNG have made America the worlds biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas. Soaring sales in Europe, which has scrambled to replace Russian pipeline gas, and more LNG projects coming online this decade boosted U.S. exports by 12% in 2023 from a year earlier. At 11.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of LNG exports, the United States easily beat its closest rivals Qatar and Australia to become the biggest LNG exporter last year, EIA data showed. Utilization of U.S. LNG export capacity averaged 104% of nominal capacity and 86% of peak capacity across the seven U.S. LNG terminals operating in 2023 as relatively strong demand for LNG in Europe amid high international natural gas prices supported increased U.S. LNG exports last year. This year, U.S. LNG exports are set to average 12.1 billion Bcf/d, slightly up from 2023, and 13.8 Bcf/d in 2025, per the EIAs latest Short-Term Energy Outlook for October. Two new projects, Corpus Christi LNG Stage 3 and Plaquemines LNG, are in the commissioning phase to start LNG export operations, and each of these facilities will begin exporting LNG by the end of 2024, the EIA said. Uncertainties Lie Ahead Going forward, delays at some fully-permitted projects have recently emerged, and they have nothing to do with the U.S. administrations policy. ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy have seen their $10-billion Golden Pass LNG export plant in Texas slip in the timeline to late next year after the project faced delays due to the bankruptcy of Zachry Holdings, the lead construction contractor. The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has just granted a three-year extension to ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy to build their export plant. Earlier in August, Exxon said it is delaying the start-up of Golden Pass LNG to late 2025 from the first half of next year after work at the facility stalled following the bankruptcy of the lead contractor. Then there is the Rio Grande LNG project of NextDecade, which also faces delays due to a court ruling over its FERC authorization. In early August, a U.S. appeals court vacated the remand authorization of NextDecades Rio Grande LNG export project issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on the grounds that the FERC should have issued a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement during its remand process. This case and other litigation add another layer of uncertainty for U.S. LNG developers. Of course, the biggest one now is President Bidens pause on permitting from January until the Department of Energy can update the underlying analyses for authorizations. Under environmentalist pressure, the Administration said early this year that during the temporary pause DOE will carry out a new updated review on the impact of such projects on health and communities. The consensus at Wood Mackenzies annual conference on Gas, LNG and the Future of Energy last week was that the pause in LNG export authorizations would ultimately be seen as something between a blip and a speed bump for the U.S. LNG sector, wrote Ed Crooks, Senior Vice President, Americas, at WoodMac. The 47th President and U.S. LNG Some of the uncertainties for U.S. LNG could be cleared as soon as January when the 47th U.S. president takes office. Donald Trump has promised to immediately restart LNG permitting. However, analysts have expressed concerns that the U.S LNG export boom could be undermined if a Trump administration slaps a promised 60% tariff on Chinas imports, which could lead to Chinese retaliation with China avoiding new LNG purchases from the U.S. or re-selling U.S. cargoes. After the U.S. election, It seems highly likely that the pause will be lifted. But new requirements could be imposed on projects that would make securing an authorisation a slower and more complex process, WoodMacs Crooks says. The industry is calling for the pause to be lifted. You gotta stop this crazy LNG pause from going forward, Ryan Lance, chief executive at ConocoPhillips, said at the Gastech conference in Houston last month. We absolutely need permitting reform, and we need more infrastructure, Lance added. A Trump administration is widely expected to facilitate permitting and ease the regulatory burden on Americas oil and gas industry. But the primary determinants of US hydrocarbon production are the revenues and capital allocation strategies of the Majors and E&P companies, which are unlikely to be affected much by what happens in Washington, according to WoodMacs Crooks. Even with a President Trump, or likely precisely because of a Republican in the White House, the environmental campaign against LNG at U.S. courts will gain momentum, and U.S. LNG developers may have to contend with fresh delays stemming from legal challenges. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com What a wasted life! The identity of the Nigerian lady who was killed in Italy over alleged poor performance during s*x, has been revealed. The deceased identified as Blessing Benedicta Daniels but popularly known as Anita, a Nigerian runs girl in Italy, was murdered by Leopoldo Scalici, 40, for failing to satisfy him after he paid her for s*x. According to Italian website, Modena According to Italian website, Modena Today , Scalici approached Benedicta on the streets of Modena Nord for s*x over the weekend. He loaded her on board the van on which he was travelling to reach a secluded place where they were believed to have had s*x. Benedicta was reportedly killed after the duo had had s*xual inter-course and an argument had broken out, which led to Scalici hitting the Nigerian lady with a heavy object on her face and head. Britain's leader Keir Starmer makes his first trip to the Gulf as prime minister from Sunday, seeking to attract investment from the region's oil-rich states, Downing Street announced. Starmer will first visit the United Arab Emirates and then travel to Saudi Arabia, before stopping off in Cyprus on his way back to London on Tuesday in a bid "to build closer ties and drive long term UK growth". The trip to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh comes as his Labour government pursues a free-trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council's six nations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. "There is huge untapped potential in this region, which is why, while here, I will be making the case to accelerate progress on the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement," Starmer said in a statement released Saturday. The meetings will also aim to "deepen our research and development collaboration" and partner on projects in areas including defence and artificial intelligence, Starmer added. The British leader will land in the UAE on Sunday evening, ahead of Monday morning talks with its president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Later Monday, Starmer will fly to Saudi Arabia to meet Riyadh's de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who last week hosted French President Emmanuel Macron. A Downing Street press release called the UAE and Saudi "some of the UK's most vital modern-day partners". The regional tour will end on Tuesday with Starmer meeting President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia, the first bilateral talks between the leaders of Britain and Cyprus in over five decades. Starmer is also due to address British troops stationed in Cyprus. Labour has staked its credibility on a promise to get Britain's sluggish economy firing again. It says a GCC agreement could boost bilateral trade, currently accounting for GBP55 billion ($70 bn) of UK trade, by 16 percent, "potentially adding an extra GBP8.6 billion a year in the long run". It hopes a deal would see Gulf sovereign wealth funds invest in a range of sectors, including energy and infrastructure, while also opening up lucrative markets to British firms. Starmer's trip comes after Britain last week rolled out the diplomatic red carpet for Qatar's emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani who enjoyed a state visit to the UK. Starmer discussed trade with the royal during talks in Downing Street that coincided with Qatar announcing it will invest GBP1 billion ($1.3 billion) in British climate technologies. Discussing regional conflicts is expected to be "high up the agenda", including the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon and renewed unrest in Syria. Starmer will also be looking to repair relations between the UK and UAE that soured under the previous Conservative government after an Abu Dhabi-backed bid to buy the Telegraph newspaper failed. The Gulf visit will be Starmer's 15th international trip since he entered Number 10 on July 5. Opponents have criticised the amount of time he has spent out of the country but allies insist the trips have been vital to get to know other world leaders. Starmer, 61, has been insisting in capitals that "Britain is back on the world stage" following rancour over its departure from the European Union. Of the 85 screeners, about half of them parades expired licenses as FAAN had refused to send the security personnel for a refresher course to renew their license. Bi-Courtney Rejects FAAN Unlicensed Security Screeners Bi-Courtney is the managing company of MMA Terminal Two. Bi-Courtney, as it is popularly called hasDr. Wale Babalakin, a Nigerian businessman as its Chairman. In an internal memo sent to Aviation Security department of FAAN, Bi-Courtney flagrantly rejected the deployment of NCAA uncertified security screeners to its terminal to man their screening machines. Bi-Courtney threatened FAAN that if it refuses to send its staff for certification, Bi-Courtney would be left with no choice than to make use if its certified security screeners. The memo, according to sources, forced FAAN Aviation Security to hastily begin the renewal process of licensing of its security personnel. The source said, Bi-Courtney some weeks back threatened to take over the screening of passengers themselves because they have NCAA certified security screeners. As a result of this, FAAN are hurriedly certifying some of its staff in order not to make Bi-Courtney carry out the threat. Currently, the third batch of FAAN Security is on the certification training with NCAA. About 59 security personnel have successfully renewed their license adding to the 85 with NCAA certified license while some another batch are undergoing training. FAAN Aviation Security Forced To Work Overtime Without Pay The certification process of security staff by FAAN has once again led to the overstretching of its staff. It was reliably gathered that Aviation Security staff were forced to work for 12 hours to make up for the shortage of staff while others are ongoing certification by NCAA. A source at the airport that spoke to SaharaReporters said, The process of renewing the screening license led to FAAN withdrawing their certified screeners from different terminals to be deployed to MMA2 for the essence of screening. Even at that, FAAN lacks sufficient certified screeners and were forced to collapse their shift from four to three, meaning that staff security work for 12 hours instead of 6 hours. It was further gathered that according to the condition of service of FAAN, staff are meant to work for not more than six hours shifting daily and an extra hour of work would be compensated with extra pay. However, this is not the case as staff are not given any extra payment or any form of incentive for the double of hours they are forced to work. This is not the first time Aviation Security staff will be doing overtime. There was a time staff were forced to work for 12 hours for a whole year and they did not get any dime as extra payment. FAAN aviation securities, because of the shortage of staff, work double the hours they are meant to work. Some also work longer hours on the x-ray machine and this is damaging to their health. According to FAAN condition of service, staff are not supposed to be subjected to overtime without pay with normal shift rotation pegged at six hours. SaharaReporters further gathered that staff are not happy with the development but they have no means of expressing their displeasure to the management as it could lead to sanctioning or suspension. A source said, This is a normal procedure at the Aviation Security field officers department when there is an issue and also when there are foreign inspectors and audit to cover up the inadequacies of the management and shortage of manpower. Staffs have been complaining of the bad working condition and over time they are being subjected to. Sometimes ago, one of our colleague, Usman Bello, slumped and died while on duty and it was widely reported in the media. The source said they hope this process does not take long so they can fall back to our normal six hours shift. We also want them to be paying us whenever we work extra hours as this is the stipulated law in our condition of service and federal government guideline. Bi-Courtney Uses Faulty Screening Machine Bi-Courtney parades itself as one of the best terminals in West and Central Africa. One of the qualities of the terminal written on the About MMA2 reads, We are the first choice because of our state-of-the-art facilities, soft services, excellent airline and passenger services, seamless passenger facilitation that gives our customers an unforgettable experience and fantastic relationship management. Contrary to the above, SaharaReporters reliably gathered that the astrophysics and other x-ray machines being used at MMA2 are not in good condition as some display wrongly while some electrocute the operators. A report of the machines MMA2 is using, written by the operators and was obtained by SaharaReporters revealed that most of the screening machines are faulty and are not serviceable. Most of the x-ray machines are not in good condition. They experience an intermittent breakdown at the central passenger screening point. Operators experience electric shock and systems malfunction. X-ray machines available at the Baggage Hall, Cargo Facility, Escravos Crew Centre and Arrivals are also faulty, as they breakdown intermittently. In summary, the machines are not serviceable for screening. It was also gathered that Bi-Courtney and other domestic terminals at the Lagos Airport do not have Explosive Trace Detection Machine. Also at the cargo, Bi-Courtney does not make use of ETD and cargos are being transported on a passenger flight, which puts the passengers on board at risk. FAAN, Bi-Courtney Keeps Mum All efforts to speak with the spokesperson of FAAN and Bi-Courtney proved abortive as they both evaded speaking with our correspondent that contacted them. An email was sent to Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, she declined to respond to the email sent to her neither did she acknowledged the email. A call was put through to Mrs. Victoria Shin-Aba, MMIA Terminal Manager. She asked to be called back but subsequent calls put to her were left unanswered. However, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations of the NCAA, said all security staff working at the Bi-Courtney terminal were certified personnel but didnt clarify if they are NCAA screener certified or not. He said: There are screening going on quite alright manned by the appropriate officers and they are working. However, there are some equipment that are not in use maybe because they didnt have enough hand to man them not because they are not serviceable. However, the one that are in use, the screening is going and they are in order. There is nothing that they do without certification, the only thing we do, what we call oversight as our job is the certificate we issue. If there are violations, its the certificate that we can withdraw or suspend. We dont have any other means of carrying out the oversight without certification. If somebody is not certificated, he cannot be of service. Any airline, when they recruit personnel, they sit for exam, pass and get our license. They cannot be in use. If airline employ pilot, cabin crew and all the rest, without our license, they cannot be in use, it is the same practice all over the world. It is not possible for somebody that is not certificated to be in operation as the only thing we use in regulation is the license we issue. In August of this year, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation that phases out the states 1% tax on groceries, ending on Jan. 1, 2026. This tax has been collected and administered by the state, but the tax revenue went to the cities where the groceries were purchased. For many Illinois cities, this tax can be a significant part of their operating budget, with its elimination being a cause for concern. The state law leaves Illinois cities the option to pass their own 1% grocery taxes, giving municipal governments the authority to decide whether they want to keep the tax. Around the Quad-Cities, municipalities are considering or already acting to keep the tax in place. East Moline is the first city, voting at the City Council meeting on Nov. 4 to implement its own 1% tax when the state tax expires in 2026. First Ward Alderperson Olivia Dorothy was the only councilmember to oppose the measure, saying at the meeting that taxes on groceries are regressive and hit lower-income residents harder. At that meeting and during previous discussions, city leadership emphasized that it isnt a new tax, that the revenues arent going to a new place and that this action wont cause changes in residents grocery bills. East Moline City Administrator Mark Rothert said that the city looked at the revenue it would lose by eliminating the tax. He said it was a significant enough number that if they didnt have the grocery tax, theyd likely have to make up for it in other ways. Theres about $300,000 of revenue that wed miss out on, annually. It goes to our general fund, which supports police, fire, street maintenance, park maintenance, snow plowing, all the general functions of a city, the basic services. So that money being cut would necessitate us to potentially cut services, cut people, Rothert said. Under the state law, cities have until Oct. 1, 2025, to file a copy of a new ordinance keeping the tax with the state for it to go into effect by Jan. 1, 2026 so cities still have time before they need to act if they want to prevent a gap in the tax. Rothert said it seemed once East Molines elected officials knew the impact removing the tax would have, they wanted to be transparent and act to keep the tax sooner rather than later. And while East Moline is the first of the Illinois Quad-Cities to vote to keep the grocery tax, it is unlikely to be the only one. The Village of Milan has a significantly smaller population than East Moline but has a Hy-Vee grocery store that benefits Milan residents and draws in people from outside of the community which means that customers at the Milan Hy-Vee from outside of the community help pay for Milan city services through the tax. Milans Village Administrator, Steve Seiver, said the grocery tax largely coming from the Hy-Vee generated about $750,000 annually, greater than 10% of the villages budget. The loss of that revenue coming from outside of Milan is either a loss of services, or a reduction of some type, or an additional tax on Milan residents, Seiver said. In Moline, city council members raised concerns about the grocery tax being regressive during budget discussions, and at the city council meeting on Nov. 12, the majority of the city council members recommended keeping the tax out of the planned budget for the years 2026 and 2027. During discussion at the meeting, Alderperson At-Large James Patrick Schmidt said even though it looked likely that the city would keep the tax, he thought it was irresponsible to put a tax in the budget that the council had not yet approved. I think we know thats the change thats coming, but 2025 is balanced, were talking about a problem in 26, and 27, and so I think its appropriate for us to leave that until weve made that policy decision, Schmidt said. Molines finance director said that they would likely bring the issue back to the council sometime early next year. In Milan, Seiver said that the village council has been informed about the pros and cons of keeping the tax, and that he expected it to be voted on by the council in the first or second quarter of 2025. I would be surprised if any of the local communities did not pass an extension, Seiver said. This is not a tax increase, this is whether or not to allow the existing sales tax to sunset, to the detriment of your local community. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's long reign has ended as rebel forces captured the capital, Damascus, early Sunday. In a televised statement, the Islamist rebels declared the city "liberated," forcing Assad to flee. Assad's ouster brings an end to his family's over 50 years of autocratic rule in a nation of 23 million. When protests against his rule broke out in March 2011, Assad resorted to the brutal tactics once employed by his father to suppress dissent. As the uprising spiraled into a full-scale civil war, he relied on his military to bombard opposition-held cities, backed by steadfast support from Iran and Russia. Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement that Assad "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully," adding that "Russia did not participate in these negotiations." "The Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition," it said. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz welcomed the fall of al-Assad's regime. "The arms of the octopus are being severed one by one," Katz said. Instructions have been passed to the Israeli army to seize the buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Katz said this was done "to ensure the protection of all Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights Jews and Druze so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side." Meanwhile, Syrian rebels announced a 13-hour curfew in Damascus, from 8 a.m. ET Sunday to 9 p.m. ET Monday, according to a statement from their Military Operations Command shared on Telegram. Reports also surfaced that presidential palaces have been ransacked, and the city is facing heavy traffic congestion amidst the unfolding events. Jordan's King Abdullah on Sunday called for stability and the prevention of further conflict in Syria, following the fall of Assad's regime. "Chairing a National Security Council meeting, His Majesty stressed the need to safeguard Syria's security, and the safety and achievements of its citizens, and to work urgently to ensure stability and avoid any conflict that could lead to chaos," a statement from The Royal Hashemite Court said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Europe would help to rebuild a Syria that is safe for all minorities. "Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities," she said in a post on X. "The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks," she added. Not long after Liam Watson was elected to the Blacksburg Town Council in November 2023, an anonymous complaint was submitted to a state election official and to Montgomery County Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt. It alleged that Watson conspired with Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith to create a false address to enable Mr. Watson to claim residence in the Town of Blacksburg for the purpose of running for Town Council, according to court records filed Friday. Three months later, three citizens wrote to Connie Viar, the countys voter registrar, asking that Watsons home address listed on election paperwork be verified. Viar forwarded the letter to Pettitt. The prosecutor then requested the Virginia State Police to seek authorization from the state Attorney General to begin an investigation, according to court records. Authorization was granted March 22. In July, a grand jury indicted Watson, 25, on three counts of election fraud and illegally voting in an election. It is alleged in these cases that Mr. Watson falsely indicated his address as 502 Milhurst Street a rental home owned by Blacksburg Concierge, a company whose registered agent is Hager-Smith, court records state. Hager-Smith has not been charged in the case. In August, she was asked by The Roanoke Times about the connection between Watson and the property. Did I know that he lived at the property? she said. I cant say I did. Reached Saturday, the mayor declined to comment. Documents in Montgomery County Circuit Court which provide the most detailed account to date of the allegations against Watson were filed by his lawyer, prominent Roanoke attorney John Fishwick. A variety of motions ask a judge to dismiss the indictments or exclude evidence in the case. In a motion to have the charges dismissed, Fishwick asserts that a state police special agent began his investigation several weeks before it was authorized by the attorney general. Such approval is required by state law when an elected official is accused of committing a crime. Special Agent Shane Cliftons unauthorized investigation ran the risk of undermining confidence in government as well as to do damage to the reputation of an elected official, Fishwick wrote. His request to have the indictment dismissed, and a similar motion to suppress any evidence obtained by police, quotes from attorney general opinions that stress how investigations of groundless allegations can have a devastating effect upon government. A Dec. 17 hearing has been scheduled for a judge to hear arguments on the motions. Watsons trial is set to begin in February. Fishwick declined to comment. Efforts to reach Pettitt late Friday were unsuccessful. In September, Fishwick filed a subpoena seeking documents and other evidence in Hager-Smiths possession. The subpoena stated that the mayor and others had potential evidence material to my clients defense, which included information about his residency, his election to town council, his earlier appointment to the Blacksburg Planning Commission, and residency requirements for holding the positions. The subpoena was for emails and text messages shared between Watson and Hager-Smith going back to January 2022. Also sought were copies of any photographs that might contain material evidence. A response to the subpoena was filed Oct. 10, according to court records, and was placed under seal. In his motion to have the charges against Watson dismissed, Fishwick outlined the following steps that were taken by special agent Clifton, before he received authorization to begin his investigation: On March 7, Clifton interviewed two of the three people who wrote the February letter to the voter registrar that asked for an inquiry of Watsons address. Among the information he received was that the 502 Milhurst Street address in Blacksburg was listed in Watsons application to run for town council, and the allegation that Watson was actually living with his parents at their home in Montgomery County at the time, according to the motion. The Montgomery County address was apparently the basis for a charge that Watson voted in the 2023 election where he was not qualified to vote where and when the vote was given. According to the motions filed by Fishwick, the charges of election fraud allege that Watson falsely listed his address as Milhurst Street on three election documents: a voter registration application submitted in August, a statement of candidate committee organization filed later that month, and a declaration of candidacy filed in November. The motion asks a judge to dismiss indictments that were based solely on Cliftons investigation, both before it was authorized by the attorney general in March and afterwards. Fishwick filed a total of nine motions Friday that totaled more than 60 pages. Among his other pre-trial requests were: A motion to suppress evidence obtained by police through two search warrants, which sought Watsons telephone records and information about who paid for the electric service provided to the Milhurst Street home during the time of the alleged crimes. A motion to suppress evidence obtained during a police interrogation of Watson on June 28. Among other things, the motion asserts that the questioning was not stopped after Watson asked if he needed an attorney, a violation of his Miranda rights. A motion to exclude a recording of the interrogation, based on the argument that police made improper statements about their own interpretation of laws that govern residency requirements for running for elected office. A motion to exclude photographs taken by police of the Milhurst Street home, which included a shot of the mailbox where a green card with the word vacant was visible. The photographs were taken in April, the motion states, and have no relevance to the question of where Watson was living the year before. A motion to dismiss one of the election fraud charges for lack of jurisdiction, based on the argument that Watson was in Richmond at the time he submitted paperwork electronically to the Virginia Board of Elections. Watson has previously worked as the press secretary for the Democratic Party of Virginia. He briefly was chairman of the Montgomery Democratic Committee. His election in November 2023 was as a write-in candidate for a vacant position on the town council. After a recount was held, when some votes were not originally tallied due to a technical problem, it was determined that Watson beat his closest write-in opponent, retired Virginia Tech administrator Rick Johnson, by a margin of 2,436 votes to 1,922. Watson, who was 24 at the time, is believed to be the youngest person elected to town council. Since the charges were filed last July, he has declined a request by his follow council members to take a leave of absence while the case is pending. I look forward to continuing my representation of the people of the Town of Blacksburg, he wrote in a letter to the council. In 2021, when Watson ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for a seat on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, he was endorsed by Hager-Smith. Later that year, he wrote a letter to the editor in The Roanoke Times that backed her candidacy for a second term as mayor. Mayor Hager-Smiths inimitable heart for public service is one that lives free from the maneuvering of political machinations, Watson wrote. Her spirit eschews ego and avoids self-promotion at all cost, the letter continued. She embodies the empathy and intellect that is so seldom found in politics. While revealing his plans of first day in office, President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that he plans to pardon supporters involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, describing their imprisonment as "living in hell." Trump also said he believes the House members on the select Jan. 6 committee who investigated the 2021 Capitol riot, including Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson and former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, "should go to jail." His comments were made in an exclusive interview with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker. "I'm going to be acting very quickly. First day," Trump said, later adding about their imprisonment, "they've been in there for years, and they're in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldn't even be allowed to be open." Trump acknowledged that his proposed pardons would "have some exceptions," specifying cases where individuals were "radical" or "crazy." Since the Capitol riot, at least 1,572 individuals have faced charges, with more than 1,251 convicted or pleading guilty. Of these, at least 645 have received sentences ranging from a few days to 22 years in federal prison, NBC News reported. Around 250 individuals remain in custody, most serving sentences post-conviction, while a few are held in pretrial detention as ordered by federal judges. When asked about the more than 900 individuals who pleaded guilty in connection to the Capitol attack but were not charged with assaulting officers, Trump suggested that many were unfairly pressured into accepting plea deals. "I know the system. The system's a very corrupt system," Trump said. "They say to a guy, 'You're going to go to jail for two years or for 30 years.' And these guys are looking, their whole lives have been destroyed. For two years, they've been destroyed. But the system is a very nasty system." Welker also asked Trump if he intended to appoint "a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the United States, Joe Biden and the entire crime family," as he said he would last year on Truth Social. Trump replied saying: "No, I'm not doing that unless I find something that I think is reasonable... But that's not going to be my decision." He said he would leave the decision on Pam Bondi, who he intends to name attorney general and Kash Patel, his pick for FBI director. Trump also said that he would let Bondi decide whether to investigate special counsel Jack Smith, who brought both federal criminal cases against Trump. "I want her to do what she wants to do... I'm not going to instruct her to do it," Trump added. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #49 Posted on 8 December 2024 by BaerbelW, Doug Bostrom, John Hartz A listing of 24 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 1, 2024 thru Sat, December 7, 2024. Alternative listing prototype Instead of a "Story of the Week" we added a listing by assigned category, so this installment will have the same list of articles twice, first by category and then by publication date. Please let us know in the comments which format you prefer, if the manually assigned categories actually fit the articles and if additional categories might make sense without getting too fine grained. To keep things simple, an article can only be assigned to one category. Climate change impacts Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Guest post: The conflicting practices in using land to tackle climate change Removing CO2 from the atmosphere using land-based mitigation strategies is central to nearly every countrys net-zero target. by Guest author Dr Evelyn Beaury,, Carbon Brief, Dec 05, 2024 Climate law and justice Top UN court to begin hearings on landmark climate change case ICJ to hear submissions from more than 100 groups in Pacific-led campaign to provide an advisory opinion on states obligations for climate harm by Rebecca Bush and Bethanie Harriman, The Guardian, Dec 02, 2024 ICJ to hear submissions from more than 100 groups in Pacific-led campaign to provide an advisory opinion on states obligations for climate harm by Rebecca Bush and Bethanie Harriman, The Guardian, Dec 02, 2024 Australia accused of undermining landmark climate change case brought by Pacific nations in international court Vanuatu leads the charge of several nations arguing developed nations have a legal responsibility beyond non-binding promises by Adam Morton and Australian Associated Press, The Guardian, Dec 03, 2024 Climate policy and politics As renewables rise, the world may be nearing a climate turning point "Global climate pollution hit a record high this year. But a new report finds signs of progress in the transition away from fossil fuels." by Dan Nuccitelli, Policy & Politics, Yale Climate Connections,, Dec 3, 2024 "Global climate pollution hit a record high this year. But a new report finds signs of progress in the transition away from fossil fuels." by Dan Nuccitelli, Policy & Politics, Yale Climate Connections,, Dec 3, 2024 Fannie and Freddie, the Big Mortgage Backers, Face Climate Risks Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which backstop most U.S. mortgages, know floods and fires are a growing problem. But little action has been taken. by Lydia DePillis, NYT, Dec 07, 2024 Climate Science and Research International Climate Conferences and Agreements Public Misunderstandings about Climate Science CAPP President Abandons `Net Zero` Message at Exclusive Industry Event Oil patch advocate Lisa Baiton called for more extraction and less regulation at Vancouver address that didnt once mention climate change. by Mitch Anderson, DeSmog, Dec 03, 2024 Oil patch advocate Lisa Baiton called for more extraction and less regulation at Vancouver address that didnt once mention climate change. by Mitch Anderson, DeSmog, Dec 03, 2024 Why do so many people ignore major threats like climate change? "Its an inherent struggle to get people to take climate change seriously. Psychologists explain why" by Matthew Rozsa, Science & Health, Salon, Dec 6, 2024 Miscellaneous (Other) Stories we promoted this week, by publication date: Before December 1 How Plastics Fuel Climate Change, "ClimateAdam" on Youtube, Adam Levy. December 1 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48 , Skeptical Science, Barbel Winkler, Doug Bostrom & John Hartz. A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, November 24, 2024 thru Sat, November 30, 2024. , Skeptical Science, Barbel Winkler, Doug Bostrom & John Hartz. A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, November 24, 2024 thru Sat, November 30, 2024. Doomsday Glacier collapse! Time for MORE human intervention?? , "Just have a Think" on Youtube, Dave Borlace. , "Just have a Think" on Youtube, Dave Borlace. Talks to produce global plastics pact end without agreement, Climate Home News, Matteo Civillini. "Countries failed to break a stalemate over core issues for a new treaty, with a push to manufacture less plastic meeting resistance from oil-rich states" December 2 December 3 December 4 Climate change and insurance: a growing fustercluck, Volts, David Roberts. In this podcast episode, David Roberts talks with Kate Gordon, CEO of California Forward, about how climate change is breaking the insurance industry. December 5 December 6 December 7 Traditional Foods, and the Threats They Face, Take Center Stage at Navajo Summit , Inside Climate News, Noel Lyn Smith. Climate change is leading to a decline of many wild and farmed ingredients in traditional Dine staples, but presenters at the Food Gathering Summit hope that passing on recipes and legacies can help them persist. , Inside Climate News, Noel Lyn Smith. Climate change is leading to a decline of many wild and farmed ingredients in traditional Dine staples, but presenters at the Food Gathering Summit hope that passing on recipes and legacies can help them persist. Fannie and Freddie, the Big Mortgage Backers, Face Climate Risks, NYT, Lydia DePillis. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which backstop most U.S. mortgages, know floods and fires are a growing problem. But little action has been taken. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Amnesty International became the first major human rights organization last week to officially accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza. Its 296-page report presents evidence that includes accounts of mass civilian killings and dire living conditions in the densely populated and blockaded Gaza Strip, which, Amnesty argues, are calculated to bring about the destruction of Palestinian life. As the report put it, Israel committed and is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has strongly denied the accusations, saying they are based on lies and accusing the report of ignoring Hamas violations of international law. With other groups, including the United Nations and Human Rights Watch, raising alarms about Israels military actions, and the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for Israels prime minister, the report arrives at a moment of heightened international debate over the legal and ethical dimensions of the war. To explain the findings and implications of the report, I spoke with Nadia Daar, chief strategy and impact officer at Amnesty International USA, who oversees U.S.based advocacy and communications for the group. In our conversation, she detailed how the investigation was conducted and responded to the denunciations in Israel, including a disavowal from some in Amnestys own Israel-based outfit. Slate: Can you walk me through your approach to creating this report? Nadia Daar: This is an incredibly in-depth investigation. It is the latest of over a dozen reports from Amnesty since October 2023, and the evidence for this report has partially come from that work. In addition, we have done over 200 interviews, used satellite imagery, verification using geolocating, and consolidated data collected from U.N. agencies and other humanitarian organizations operating on the ground. We then examined all of our evidence against the international crime of genocide, established in the Genocide Convention, a legal standard established in 1948. And we have concluded that the Israeli government has committed and is continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. And this must urgently be put to a stop. What specific cases most contributed to your conclusions? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have documented in detail 15 airstrikes that took place between Oct. 7, 2023 and April 20, 2024. Across them, at least 334 civilians were killed, including 141 children and hundreds of others wounded. We uncovered evidence of weapons of U.S. origin used in some of those attacks. In one illustrative case, in April, an Israeli airstrike destroyed a family house in the Al-Janina neighborhood in eastern Rafah, killing three generations of Palestinians, including 16 children while they were sleeping. Over 42,000 Palestinians were killed since October, over 13,000 of them children, the highest number of journalists and U.N. workers killed in any modern conflict. And what we have described in our investigations of indiscriminate attacks is just a fraction of the destruction. Especially with so many journalists and workers killed, what logistical challenges did you face in reaching people, verifying their stories, and deciding what evidence could be included in the report? We have a field-worker in Gaza who has been an incredible asset in enabling us to do that level of reliable research in Gaza. We also have a crisis-evidence lab and have conducted over 200 interviews. But the obstruction of the freedom of the press, not allowing media organizations in the Gaza Strip, and the devastating number of U.N. workers, humanitarian workers, and local journalists who have also been killed in Gaza have made this work extremely dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Producing this report has been complex and challenging, but it has not been impossible for us to develop this research. And we feel very strongly about the findings. And we hope that people and policymakers in particular will take these findings seriously. The report cites statements from 22 senior Israeli officials as evidence of genocidal intent. But Israel argues that these statements arent directly tied to policies. Advertisement We have established through our investigation the intent to destroy, a key threshold for the genocide standard, by looking not only at genocidal statements. We analyzed over 100 statements by Israeli government and military officialsnot just the phrases shared widely in social mediawho have authority to make decisions on the conduct of the military, and then looked at how those statements have been repeated and interpreted by Israeli soldiers on the ground in Gaza, identifying how those statements translated onto the battlefield, which is vital. But statements are not the only way in which we established Israels specific intent to physically destroy the Palestinians in Gaza. Prohibited acts under the convention fall into five categories, and we found that the Israeli government is incriminated in three of them: killing members of the group, causing them serious mental and bodily harm, and deliberately inflicting on the group conditions that are calculated to bring about their destruction in whole or in part. But the point that I really want to highlight is the denial and obstruction of the delivery of aid and essential services into Gaza, which has created a deadly mixture of malnutrition, hunger, and disease. Palestinians are living in terror, not only for the threat of a bomb dropping on them every night but also for lack of medical treatment, food, and water. Its the pattern of conduct which is critical for us to establish Israels intent here: repeated indiscriminate attacks, repeated displacement to unsafe and unsanitary conditions, repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure, and repeated denial and blockage of critical aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How do you differentiate between reckless disregard for civilian life and an intent to destroy civilian life, especially in a legal context? We are not disregarding the fact that the Israeli government has stated military objectives in Gaza: to destroy Hamas and the safe return of hostages. Those are military objectives and military intent. But the intent to commit genocide can be demonstrated either as a means to achieve that military objective or as a stand-alone objective. In the legal standard for genocide, there can be dual intent, or it can be a means for the intended military objective. Advertisement With the Trump administration taking office soon, do you think this political shift will affect how this report is received or understood by the international community? This is an international report, not a U.S.specific report. Indeed, weve been pushing the Biden administration for the last 14 months to take the human rights violations much more seriously and to immediately stop the transfer of weapons to the Israeli government. What we hope this report will do is raise the level of urgency globally and urge the Biden administration and also the incoming Trump administration to not allow for this to continue. Advertisement Advertisement We are operating in different legal contexts in every country were operating in. Were the largest and oldest human rights organization. By virtue of the kind of work we do, we put out reports that are uncomfortable for many political leaders. The U.S. and Israel have ratified the Genocide Convention. The U.S. is obligated under international law to prevent and to punish for the crime of genocide. We continue to be extremely concerned to see the transfer of weapons, and, frankly, the U.S. is risking complicity in genocide by continuing to do so. Theres an ongoing ICJ case that was initiated by South Africa over Israels alleged breach of its obligations under the Genocide Convention. Genocide is not included in the crimes that Israel is being charged with right now. The office of the prosecutor of the ICC must urgently consider adding genocide to its ongoing investigation of alleged crimes committed by Israeli officials, and states must do everything in their power to respect the ICC arrest warrants, including the United States. Israeli officials have already alleged bias in this report by saying that it ignores Hamas violations of international law. They also challenged Amnesty to address Hamas actions, including the treatment of hostages. Will there be a report on those issues? How do you respond to that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an international human rights organization, its critical that we look at all parties when there are potential risks of violations of human rights standards. Amnesty has unequivocally condemned the violations and atrocities that were perpetrated by Hamas and other armed groups in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and we continue to analyze the actions of Palestinian armed groups under international humanitarian law and international criminal law. Weve condemned the taking of civilian hostages, which is a war crime. Weve put out a report in the press soon after Oct. 7 that demonstrated our own assessment, and have concluded that war crimes have been committed by Hamas and other Palestinian groups. But our organizations wider investigation into the Oct. 7 attacks and its aftermath is ongoing, and that report will come out with the findings and legal analysis in the coming months. Too often, we face If youre lifting up this groups human rights, then you must not be lifting up these human rights. Human rights are not zero-sum. Human rights are for everyone. They are universal, and we need to hold that universal standard. And that is actually the basis for Amnestys work. Advertisement Advertisement Israels branch of Amnesty International responded to the report like this: While the Israeli section of Amnesty International does not accept the accusation that Israel is committing genocide, based on the information available to us, we are concerned that serious crimes are being committed in Gaza, that must be investigated. How do you respond to that? Its deeply disappointing that some members of Amnesty Israel have chosen to distance themselves from this report and from its conclusion. Its evidence-based, impartial, ethical research. Thats at the heart of everything that Amnesty International does. Thats something that we take extremely seriously and that we pride ourselves on. This particular investigation went through extensive legal analysis and research, extensive internal review at the highest levels, and also external and international legal experts. Our organization stands by this report, this research, and its conclusion. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241207/romanian-presidential-candidate-calls-on-citizens-to-protest-cancellation-of-1st-round-1121119980.html Romanian Presidential Candidate Calls on Citizens to Protest Cancellation of 1st Round Romanian Presidential Candidate Calls on Citizens to Protest Cancellation of 1st Round Sputnik International Romanian independent presidential candidate Calin Georgescu called on his compatriots on Saturday to go to the polls anyway, despite the Romanian Constitutional Court's decision to cancel the first round of the presidential election in the country. 2024-12-07T23:08+0000 2024-12-07T23:08+0000 2024-12-08T04:09+0000 world romania central election commission nato presidential election constitutional court https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/19/1120997499_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_1ed927974872ddceb17bcf3f24bd7a4d.jpg "Voting is a right we have won, and we will not let it be taken from us. We must be at polling stations tomorrow, across the country as well as outside it. The will and the power of the people cannot be defeated," Georgescu told the Realitatea broadcaster. The politician pledged to challenge the Constitutional Court's decision. According to the November 24 election's results published by the Central Election Commission, Georgescu won the first round with 22.94% of the vote. The leader of the liberal Save Romania Union, Elena Lasconi, who favors a partnership with NATO and the United States, came second with 19.18%. The second round of elections was scheduled for December 8. However, the Constitutional Court ruled on Friday to cancel the results of the first round, paving the way for a rerun. The Romanian government must now set the date of a new presidential vote. Both Georgescu and Lasconi criticized the ruling. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241207/annulment-of-romanian-presidential-election-results-is-de-facto-ban-on-georgescus-victory-1121118580.html romania Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International calin georgescu, romanian election, calin georgescu banned, romanian election nulification, second round of election in romania More than 250,000 lights are displayed on the decades old Christmas Ranch light display in Cleveland. Vehicles can drive through the colorful property. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Giant decorative candy canes brighten the night during the drive through the Hanleys' property. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Bob Hanley and Diane Hanley created a Christmas tradition for the community. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Bob Hanley prepares a flamingo. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff A touch of Florida is included in the Hanleys' display. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Spotter for Christmas Ranch, near Cleveland TX The Hanley's started to decorate their property 29 years ago, never imagining that it would become a holiday focus point for the Cleveland community. Today, over 250,000 lights are displayed at the Christmas Ranch. The family starts to install all the lights during the Thanksgiving weekend throughout their property. Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Throughout the Christmas Ranch, iconic holiday themes painted by Bob Hanley and his family are on the path of the light display. Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Bob Hanley and his wife Diane Hanley receive help from family and friends to set up the last touches of their Christmas display in Cleveland. The display takes a over one acre of their ranch. Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Bob Hanley spreads evenly Christmas lights hanging from a tree simulating a waterfall when lit on the dark. Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Cleveland ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Bob Hanley has been creating the Christmas Ranch with his wife and volunteers for nearly 30 years. The Christmas display of lights has become a family as well as a community tradition. Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Cleveland. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff A 25-foot-tall decorative red reindeer stands on the entrance of Bob Hanley and Diane Hanley's Christmas Ranch on Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Bob Hanley prepares a flamingo wearing a winter scarf to be installed near the entrance of the Christmas Ranch, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. The flamingo decoration lits at night giving the Christmas Ranch a bit of a warm Floridian flavor. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff A decorative flamingo frames the Christmas Ranch decorations. Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Bob Hanley and Diane Hanley's home at dusk decorated for the 2013 holiday season in Cleveland. Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff After families drive their vehicles through the Christmas display, they are welcomed to give a donation for the families in the Cleveland community in need of assistance during the holidays. The Hanley family delivers the donations to the Parish Charities at St. Mary's Catholic Church for distribution. Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Over six Christmas lights shaped as trees decorate the property of Bob Hanley and Diane Hanley in Cleveland. Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff A 26-feet decorative red reindeer welcomes visitors to the Christmas Ranch in Cleveland. The giant tribute to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is put together with the help of a cherry picker owned by Bob Hanley. Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff The tail lights of a vehicle are visible as it drives through the Christmas Ranch light display, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Cleveland. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff The tail lights of a vehicle are visible as it drives through the Christmas Ranch light display, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Cleveland. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Kristyn Lasley, 6, of the Woodlands greets Ralph the Elf, also known as Danny Cennamo, as she visits with her family the Christmas Ranch in Cleveland, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. Cennamo helps the Hanley family with the traffic that forms to visit the lights display during the visit of Santa Claus on Saturdays from 7:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff Ralph the Elf, also known as Danny Cennamo shares candy cane and a conversation with Christmas Ranch visitors, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Cleveland. Cennamo helps the Hanley family set up the thousands of lights and also helps with the traffic during the busy nights at the Christmas Ranch. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff A 26-foot tribute to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer welcomes visitors to the Christmas Ranch in Cleveland. Marie D. De Jesus/Staff The triple lights Christmas tree at the Christmas Ranch in Cleveland. The triple three is ones of the most eye catching attractions at the display. Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff View of a section of the Hanley's Christmas Ranch through holiday lights. Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle ) Marie D. De Jesus/Staff CLEVELAND - It's a gray morning at the Christmas Ranch, and the magic still is asleep. Instead, all the extension cords and light strings and metal frames are out in their mundane, plain absence of glory. The magic - the sparkling lights, the glittering 26-foot-high reindeer (the biggest in Texas!), the twirling carousel telling the story of "The Nutcracker" - well, that comes out after dark. Right now, Diane and Bob Hanley, along with a couple of friends and relatives, are busy pulling it all together. They know the drill. They have been doing this for almost 30 years, first in Huntsville and for 19 years and counting on this property on FM 1725, a few miles northwest of Cleveland, about an hour's drive from the center of Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I was worried about driving past it, but honestly, even during the day it's impossible to miss that bright-red reindeer, not to mention the gargantuan 100-foot light-up dinosaur in a Santa hat. A Christmas dinosaur? "Put a Santa hat on anything, and it's Christmas," says Bob. Actually, this year the dinosaur won't be so lonely, with the addition of a stegosaurus, also in a Santa hat. "Imagine seeing a dinosaur in the middle of the woods, and the screech of brakes," Bob says. The message of the Christmas Ranch, outside of the obvious one, isn't themed. There's a Yoda Claus over here, a Mardi Gras tree over there, a biker Santa, a classic Santa and his sleigh. A nativity scene. Salutes to both A&M and the University of Texas. A Green Bay Packers tree. "We're both from Wisconsin," Bob says. This all would be remarkable in itself, but the Hanleys have built this wonderland themselves, and they don't charge a dime for driving through it, every night from 6 to 10 p.m., Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve. Santa appears on Saturday nights before Christmas, too, plus the 23rd and 24th. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some of the special effects are completely improvised, such as the white tube lights wrapped in colored Saran Wrap. Some are handmade, others store-bought. It's not all glitter and sparkles. One New Year's Eve, a toy soldier was run over. "And the teddy bear got abducted and taken into the woods and molested," says Diane. The mailbox, for letters to Santa, got ripped off. This year, some charming soul stole nearly $1,000 worth of extension cords. It all started in 1985 when Diane told Bob it would be nice to have some lights on their house. "The first year, we won a contest," says Bob. "Then there were more the next year and the next year, and we got carried away." Although the drive-through is free, the Hanleys do have a donation box. The first year they accepted donations, they garnered all of $8. Now it's a lot more. The money goes to their church to be distributed to the needy. Some folks who remember the Hanleys from their Huntsville days drive over from Huntsville every year. "The worst thing for Santa is that some parents say they came here as a little girl or boy," says Bob, who on some nights bears an uncanny resemblance to the great jolly old elf. Diane and Bob take two weeks off from work to set up the display, and Bob's older brother comes down from Wisconsin. Their friends the Joneses help out for two weeks, too. Bob works during the week in construction in California - he has more than 1 million frequent-flier miles - and Diane is a trainer for the state Health and Human Services Commission. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Many of the displays are handmade by Bob - well, one was painted by one of their daughters when she was tiny. (She's now an animator with DreamWorks, so good call.) But some are donated by fans of Christmas Ranch, sometimes, like the light-up candy canes that appeared on their porch one day, anonymously. Diane keeps meticulous records of every light in the whole acre-and-a-half display. On this day, the total is 235,166, but after the stegosaurus is up, the number will be more than 248,000. "We'll hit 250,000 this year," says Bob. The Hanleys love giving back to their adopted town. "It's not the richest community, but we love this little community," says Bob. "We'll take those Houston dollars." It's a fair exchange, a donation for all that magic. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/atacms-missiles-strikes-deep-into-russia-not-silver-bullet-for-ukraine---white-house-1121119857.html ATACMS Missiles, Strikes Deep Into Russia Not 'Silver Bullet' for Ukraine - White House ATACMS Missiles, Strikes Deep Into Russia Not 'Silver Bullet' for Ukraine - White House Sputnik International The transfer of American long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine and permission to strike deep into Russian territory will not be a "silver bullet" for Kiev, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said. 2024-12-08T00:57+0000 2024-12-08T00:57+0000 2024-12-08T04:41+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine jake sullivan ukraine army tactical missile system (atacms) white house california russia russia-nato showdown us arms for ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/13/1120926664_0:320:3071:2047_1920x0_80_0_0_83da04ef1f32e565bc6be8473c1d1449.jpg "I would just say to everyone: anyone who thinks that is a 'silver bullet' for this war does not understand what is happening in this war. It is not a 'silver bullet one additional capability, but where this war is being fought is on basic munitions, and then the question of manpower," he said during a speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California, speaking about the transfer of long-range missiles and strikes deep into Russia. According to Sullivan, for the United States, the problem with the transfer of ATACMS was the size of its own arsenal, and when Washington accumulated a sufficient number of these missiles for sending, it transferred them to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.The Abrams tanks transferred to Ukraine by the United States were undermanned, they were not the most useful equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in combat, Jake Sullivan said.Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the settlement, directly involving NATO countries in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. According to lavrov, the US and NATO are directly involved in the conflict, including not only by supplying weapons, but also by training personnel in the UK, Germany, Italy, and other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241127/pentagon-made-no-full-analysis-of-consequences-of-atacms-missiles-use-on-russia---hersh-1121013305.html ukraine california russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International jake sullivan atacms, atacms strike on russia, ukraine use of atacms, us atacms supply for ukraine, https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/its-too-early-to-say-the-syria-crisis-is-close-to-an-end--pundit-1121123943.html It's Too Early to Say the Syria Crisis is Close to an End Pundit It's Too Early to Say the Syria Crisis is Close to an End Pundit Sputnik International Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, following negotiations with participants of the conflict, resigned from the presidency and left Syria, instructing a peaceful transfer of power, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. 2024-12-08T12:56+0000 2024-12-08T12:56+0000 2024-12-08T18:12+0000 analysis bashar al-assad syria russia damascus hezbollah islamists iran us opinion https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106822/28/1068222836_0:0:4608:2592_1920x0_80_0_0_472fa20c480e0b823a2981fad2ec6ce3.jpg "Chaos and a struggle for power will begin in Syria now. Therefore, it is at least premature to say that the crisis is close to an end," Nikolay Surkov, senior researcher at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), told Sputnik.Meanwhile, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali announced on December 8 that he had established contact with the jihadi forces that entered Damascus after beginning their advance on November 27.The war-torn nation has been under enormous pressure for years:In addition, Israel seemed to be interested in the armed oppositions advance, seeking to close the corridor to Lebanons Hezbollah movement and undermining Iran's Axis of Resistance, according to the pundit. Moscow made it clear it would work with any government chosen by the Syrian people. "Russia cannot be more Syrian than the Syrians themselves," Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in 2015. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/assad-resigns-amid-peace-efforts-orders-peaceful-power-handover---russian-foreign-ministry-1121123067.html syria russia damascus iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova syria, syrian president bashar al-assad, russia, damascus, jihadists, hts, islamists came to power in damascus, caesar act, syrian economy, us sanctions https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/over-1000-eu-citizens-join-lawsuit-against-eu-president-over-covid-19-vaccine-spending-1121120346.html Over 1,000 EU Citizens Join Lawsuit Against EU President Over COVID-19 Vaccine Spending Over 1,000 EU Citizens Join Lawsuit Against EU President Over COVID-19 Vaccine Spending Sputnik International More than 1,000 EU citizens have joined the legal action against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the case of violations during the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, the Belgian activist who filed the complaint, Frederic Baldan, said on Saturday. 2024-12-08T04:40+0000 2024-12-08T04:40+0000 2024-12-08T04:40+0000 world ursula von der leyen europe brussels european union (eu) european commission https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/11/1119407071_0:0:3123:1757_1920x0_80_0_0_31b67e8c6b8fbc605b3337cdc68af5cc.jpg "We have over 1,000 plaintiffs," Baldan told reporters. These people include members of non-governmental organizations and professional organizations, such as trade unions of pilots, as well as Hungarian and Polish officials, the activist said. There is evidence that the vaccines approved for use in the European Union "have not been sufficiently tested" for effectiveness in combating the pandemic, although Brussels introduced restrictive measures against those who opposed mandatory vaccination, Baldan added. A Belgian court in Liege was unable to consider the charges against von der Leyen on Friday and had to postpone the hearings on the case indefinitely. The European Prosecutor's Office has protested the fact that the case against von der Leyen was considered by the Belgian justice, insisting that she had immunity, since it was related to her professional activities. In 2021, media reported that during the COVID-19 pandemic, von der Leyen exchanged text messages and calls with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, discussing the biggest ever vaccine purchase deal. The newspaper emphasized the role of the commission president in striking the deal with Pfizer, adding that under the contract, 1.8 billion doses of Pfizer vaccines worth 35 billion euros ($37 billion) would be purchased by the EU. Von der Leyen was urged to disclose contents of her massages with Bourla, but the EU Commission refused to do so. The European Commission took over responsibility for EU-wide vaccine rollout under a joint procurement scheme, stocking up on more than 20 billion euros worth of vaccine doses. The Politico newspaper reported that hundreds of millions of doses went unused, costing taxpayers an estimated 4 billion euros. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240902/highly-contagious-covid-strain-could-be-responsible-for-major-future-spike---report-1119982401.html brussels Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International eu citizens, covid-19 vaccines, european commission president ursula von der leyen https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/participants-in-syria-talks-call-for-cessation-of-hostilities-in-country-1121120511.html Participants in Syria Talks Call for Cessation of Hostilities in Country Participants in Syria Talks Call for Cessation of Hostilities in Country Sputnik International Participants in the Syria talks in Doha, which include five Arab countries and three member states of the Astana negotiation process, pointed out the need to stop military actions in Syria in order to begin a political process there based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254, according to a joint statement. 2024-12-08T04:45+0000 2024-12-08T04:45+0000 2024-12-08T11:37+0000 world syria doha astana un security council (unsc) security council turmoil in syria https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106016/43/1060164302_0:274:3072:2002_1920x0_80_0_0_1bd58d922f602eb4dc05bb15ae3062c1.jpg "The Ministers stressed the need to stop military operations in preparation for launching a comprehensive political process, based on Security Council Resolution 2254, to put an end to the military escalation that leads to the shedding of more innocent and defenseless blood and prolonging the crisis," the statement says. The meeting's participants also expressed support for "the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria," noting the need to protect it "from slipping into chaos and terrorism and ensure the voluntary return of refugees and the displaced."The terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham*, along with several armed factions from the so-called Syrian armed opposition, launched a large-scale operation on November 29, advancing from northern Idlib towards the cities of Aleppo and Hama. By the following day, November 30, the second-largest city in Syria, Aleppo, along with its surroundings, including the international airport and the Kuweires military airbase, came under the control of the terrorists.This marked the first time that the militants had fully taken over Aleppo since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011. Until late 2016, the armed opposition controlled only the eastern part of the city, which was recaptured by the Syrian army with Russian air support.After the capture of Aleppo, the terrorist units attempted to advance towards the city of Hama, capturing the town of Maaret al-Numan. The Syrian army fought off heavy terrorist attacks in the Hama province from three directions for several days, preparing for a counteroffensive. However, on December 5, the SAR military command officially announced the redeployment of its units from the city of Hama.The city of Hama, located in central Syria, has been under the control of the Syrian army throughout the conflict, which began in the spring of 2011. Hama holds strategic geographic importance, lying between the provinces of Homs and Damascus and connecting through mountain ranges to the Latakia province.The last attempt at an armed insurgency by radical Islamist underground forces, supported by the Muslim Brotherhood*, in Syrias fourth-largest city took place in 1982. At that time, thanks to prompt action by the Syrian military command, the city was freed from terrorist groups, and control was restored to official authorities.*terrorist groups banned in Russia and many other countries https://sputnikglobe.com/20241207/russia-warns-against-geopolitical-use-of-terrorists-in-syrias-conflict-1121118122.html syria doha astana Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International syria talks call for cessation of hostilities, syria talks in doha, stop military actions in syria https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/russian-air-defenses-shoot-down-46-ukrainian-drones-overnight-1121120820.html Russian Air Defenses Shoot Down 46 Ukrainian Drones Overnight Russian Air Defenses Shoot Down 46 Ukrainian Drones Overnight Sputnik International Russian air defense systems on duty destroyed 46 Ukrainian drones over the past night, 17 of them over the Belgorod region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. 2024-12-08T05:00+0000 2024-12-08T05:00+0000 2024-12-08T05:00+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine belgorod the united nations (un) russian defense ministry kursk voronezh air defense air defence system https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/01/1119211006_0:173:3025:1875_1920x0_80_0_0_da8604db882a151fae9070b52fb86252.jpg "During the past night, attempts by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks using fixed-wing UAVs against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation were thwarted. Air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 46 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said. It is noted that 17 of them were destroyed over the Belgorod region, 12 over the Kursk region, six over the Voronezh region, seven over the Rostov region, and four drones were shot down over the Astrakhan region.Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/russian-air-defenses-shoot-down-two-uk-made-storm-shadow-missiles-1120949786.html russia ukraine belgorod Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian air defenses shoot down, ukrainian drones, russian defense ministry https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/russian-forces-liberate-blagodatnoye-settlement-in-donetsk-region-1121122516.html Russian Forces Liberate Blagodatnoye Settlement in Donetsk Region Russian Forces Liberate Blagodatnoye Settlement in Donetsk Region Sputnik International Russian forces have taken control of the settlement of Blagodatnoye, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) reported. 2024-12-08T10:42+0000 2024-12-08T10:42+0000 2024-12-08T10:42+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine ministry of defense d-30 kharkov russian armed forces ukrainian armed forces national guard https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0a/1d/1120714448_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_4c73671ccf597b0bdc5bec33e06749db.jpg "Units of the Vostok Battlegroup, as a result of successful offensive actions, liberated the settlement of Blagodatnoye (October collective farm) in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR)," the MoD said in its statement.Troops of the Russian Vostok battlegroup struck formations of a Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) mechanized brigade and two territorial defense brigades around the settlements of Konstantynopol, Vremevka, Neskuchnoye and Bogatyr in the DPR, and also repelled two counterattacks by enemy assault groups.Ukrainian losses amounted to:Russian forces also destroyed a fuel depot.Other DevelopmentsThe Russian Zapad battlegroup inflicted heavy losses on five Ukrainian brigades in various areas of Kharkov region and the DPR. Over 460 Ukrainian soldiers were reported as casualties. The Zapad units gained advantageous positions, defeating the manpower and equipment of a tank brigade, an infantry brigade, two mechanized brigades and a territorial defense brigade around Monachinovka, Dvurechnaya, Kondrashovka, Petropavlovka, Zagryzovo, Kupyansk in Kharkov region and Torskoye in Donetsk Peoples Republic. Another 11 counterattacks by Ukrainian assault groups were repelled.The Yug battlegroup improved its tactical position and repelled two Ukrainian attacks, with up to 225 Ukrainian soldiers reported lost. The forces of the battlegroup defeated the formations of a tank brigade, three mechanized brigades, a mountain assault brigade, an air assault brigade, two airmobile brigades and a naval infantry brigade in the areas of Ulakly, Ostrovskoye, Grigorovka, Verkhnekamenskoye, Privolye, Kurakhovo, Yantarnoe and Dachnoye in the Donetsk People's Republic. Two enemy counterattacks were also successfully repelled.In the zone of operations of the Sever battlegroup in the Kharkov region, the Ukrainian forces suffered losses of up to 40 soldiers in one day. The battlegroup defeated the formations of a territorial defense brigade and a border guard unit in the areas of Tikhoye, Volchansk and Kazachya Lopan in the Kharkov region. The enemy lost up to 40 soldiers, a motor vehicle and two D-30 howitzers.The Tsentr battlegroup repelled eight Ukrainian counterattacks, causing over 500 Ukrainian casualties and destroying an American M777 howitzer. The Russian units continued advancing deep into enemy defenses, defeating the manpower and equipment of three mechanized brigades, an infantry brigade, a rifle brigade, a motorized rifle brigade, a naval infantry brigade and a National Guard assault brigade in the areas of Dzerzhinsk, Shevchenko, Dimitrov, Tarasovka and Novotoretskoye in the Donetsk People's Republic. In total, over 500 Ukrainian soldiers were lost, along with a US-made M777 howitzer, a 152mm Msta-B howitzer, a 152mm D-20 gun and two D-30 122mm howitzers.The Dnepr battlegroup caused losses of up to 45 Ukrainian soldiers and three Olha multiple rocket launchers. Russian forces defeated the manpower and equipment of two mechanized brigades and a territorial defense brigade in the areas of Otradokamenka and Antonovka in Kherson region. The Ukrainian forces lost up to 45 soldiers, nine motor vehicles, a D-20 152mm howitzer, two D-30 122mm howitzers and three Olkha 300mm multiple rocket launchers. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241204/watch-russian-drone-take-out-ukrainian-armored-transport-with-precise-strike-1121092268.html russia ukraine kharkov Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian forces, settlement of blagodatnoye, ministry of defense, blagodatnoye settlement in donetsk region Turkey Told US It Will Not Allow Terrorists to Benefit From Situation in Syria - Source Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a phone conversation that Ankara would not allow terrorist organizations to take advantage of the situation in Syria, a diplomatic source in the Turkish capital told Sputnik. "On December 9, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During the conversation, the latest events in Syria were discussed. Minister Fidan stressed the importance of the territorial integrity and political unity of Syria. He said that Turkey will never allow terrorist organizations to take advantage of the situation in Syria," the source said. "Noting that it is important for the international community to support the Syrian people in restoring the infrastructure that has been lacking for many years, Minister Fidan said that efforts must be made to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria," the source added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/syrias-assad-and-his-family-arrive-in-moscow---source-1121126068.html Syria's Assad Arrives in Moscow With His Family Kremlin Source Syria's Assad Arrives in Moscow With His Family Kremlin Source Sputnik International Bashar al-Assad, the former president of Syria, arrived in Moscow with his family, where they were granted asylum by Russia on humanitarian grounds, according to a source in the Kremlin. 2024-12-08T17:52+0000 2024-12-08T17:52+0000 2024-12-08T18:35+0000 world bashar assad bashar al-assad syria russia moscow kremlin turmoil in syria https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/08/1121126200_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_54fe629487542b5854cecf5607033836.jpg "President Assad of Syria, with his family, has arrived in Moscow. Russia, based on humanitarian considerations, has granted them asylum," the source told RIA Novosti.The source added that Russia has always supported the pursuit of a political solution to the Syrian conflict.Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, "whose leaders have guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions in Syria," the source added.Moscow hopes to continue political dialogue to preserve the interests of the Syrian people and further develop the relations between Russia and Syria. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/assad-resigns-amid-peace-efforts-orders-peaceful-power-handover---russian-foreign-ministry-1121123067.html syria russia moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International bashar assad, syria, former syrian president, assad ousted, assad overthrown, syria crisis, where is bashar assad, what's going on in syria Tuscan Prince won a front-end battle in the $12,000 Preferred Trot featured on the snowy Saturday, Dec. 7 evening card at Flamboro Downs. Tuscan Prince got away fourth at the pylons through a :28.2 opening quarter before driver Paul MacKenzie sent the favourite after the leading Insanity (Colin Kelly) and they battled back and forth on top through middle splits of :58.3 and 1:27.3 over the 'good' track, which was rated two seconds off. Tuscan Prince eventually put away Insanity when they turned for home and held one length clear at the end for the 1:59.4 victory as Marvin Hagler (Austin Sorrie), a winner of this class two weeks ago, shot through the passing lane off a pocket trip. Sicario (Samuel Fillion) edged out Yank My Halo (Roger Mayotte) for third. Tuscan Prince has earned his four seasonal wins -- all at Flamboro -- in his last six starts. He paid $3 to win as the 1-2 favourite after managing a fourth-place finish in his last outing on Nov. 23 here when he broke stride at the start. Luc Blais trains the four-year-old Kadabra-Tosca gelding, a 10-time career winner with $387,529 in earnings, for Determination, Montreal of Que. To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs. (Standardbred Canada; Photo of Tuscan Prince from a previous win) This week's Rewind is the monthly edition of Years Ago, a regular feature. Robert Smith has found some old short stories and pictures and this time around it's all based on people, events and anything to do with the decade of the 1980's. That means 40-plus years ago. Hope you find something of interest. 1982 - Kading Wins Aged Trotting Mare Award OHHA General Manager, Joe Burke (left) on behalf of the United States Trotting Association makes the USTA/USHWA Aged Trotting Mare Of The Year Award won by Kading to Lenore, Dorothy and Charles Armstrong of Inglewood. Kading is owned jointly by Arnold Bachner of Stamford, Conn. and Armstrong Bros. of Inglewood. The presentation took place at the annual OHHA dinner dance and award ceremony held at the Westin Hotel, Toronto on January 16,1982 (Harness Horse photo) In January 1982 a gala event was held at the Westin Hotel in Toronto to honour the outstanding performers of the 1981 season. As shown above the award for aged trotting mare went to Kading, a then four-year-old daughter of Hickory Pride. She had an outstanding season, most often driven by Ron Waples. Second from left in the above photo is Lenore Armstrong, a well known personality in Canadian harness racing and part of the famous "Armbro" family for many years. She recently passed away on November 20, 2024 at the age of 93. She was predeceased by her husband Charles in 2017 after 57 years of marriage. Edith (better known as Lenore) was born in the hamlet of Snelgrove, Ont. and spent her entire life in that general area. Her three daughters and their extended families remain. 1986 - Ken Heeney Killed In Racing Accident Oct. 1986 - A veteran harness race driver was killed in a chain-reaction collision of four horses at Foxboro Raceway. Driver Ken Heeney, 52, a native of Saratoga, N.Y., who won more than 1,500 races, was catapulted from the sulky and hit head first into the hubrail in the sixth race, officials said. The accident occurred when Cody Lee, driven by Bruce Ranger, broke stride, causing a chain reaction in which four horses including W Cs Luck, driven by Heeney collided. None of the horses in the accident finished the race. Heeney was taken by ambulance to Norwood Hospital and apparently was dead on arrival. John Marshall, who drove Ideal Worth, suffered leg injuries in the accident and was also brought to Hospital for treatment. The other horse in the accident was E J Star, driven by J. Carl Smith. Heeneys death came less than three months after Hall of Fame driver Billy Haughton died of head injuries suffered in a racing accident at Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, N.Y. Like Haughton, Heeney was not wearing one of the newly-designed safety helmets which have been made mandatory in New York since Haughtons death. After being at Saratoga for many years, Heeney had been based previously based in New England. 1988 - Wager Without Leaving Home That was the heading of a news item in the Feb. 2nd issue of the Canadian Sportsman. This was not a joke it was fact and involved an area of the country that was probably not considered to be involved in cutting edge technology. Harness racing fans in Brandon, Man. will now be able to watch and wager on racing programs from Assiniboia Downs some 120 miles away, without even leaving the comforts of home. In mid-January a local cable TV company introduced the concept which is the first of its kind in Canada. A Winnipeg firm is expected to do likewise in a very short time. Assiniboia Downs has received the necessary approval to broadcast its races throughout the Province. Track officials are confident that all 13 cable companies in Manitoba will eventually be telecasting the race cards. Under this system fans will be able to view the post paardes, watch the change in odds and make their wagering choice. They will then have to call a toll-free number. Track officials do not anticipate a great increase in handle but are hopeful that viewers will be impressed and start attending races in person. 1989 - Dr. John Findley Honoured At Arnprior September 1989 - Dr. John Findley was recently honoured by the Arnprior Agricultural Society, marking the 50th anniversary of his involvement in harness racing. Joining in on the occasion was the Arnprior Lions Club for service to the community. A detailed address was read at the ceremony and I have included a few details of his lengthy career. John Steele Findley was born in Braeside, Ont. On Sept. 2, 1924. He attended school in Braeside and later Arnprior and eventually graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1947. He practiced veterinary medicine in the Arnprior area from 1947 to 1961. He then decided to devote full time to the sport of harness racing and opened his own public stable. "Dr. John" as he was commonly referred to, began jogging horses in the early 1930's and started training miles at the age of 10. He drove in his first race on Aug. 29, 1939 at the Arnprior Fair, winning one heat out of three. He drove in his final race in 2005 at the age of 81, having participated in an unprecedented eight decades. His entire lifetime was consumed with activities related to all aspects of the sport. In 1953 John was mentioned in the minutes of the Ontario Veterinary Association for his work with burned horses during the fire at Richelieu Park. He served on many boards and committees including serving as President of the United Horsemen Assoc. I had the pleasure of many conversations with "Doc" and always enjoyed our "visits" which continued until shortly before his passing. He left us on Saturday, Aug. 20, less than two weeks from his 98th birthday. In many respects he was among the most accomplished people ever in the sport of harness racing. Crimson Duchess with Dr. Findley in the bike Quote For The Week: The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. - Ralph Waldo Emerson Who Is It #1? Can you identify the above pictured gentleman who was once a driving force in Canadian harness racing. Sadly he passed away very suddenly at a young age. Who Is It #2? Can you identify this fellow? Who Else Is It? Can you identify the driver being interviewed in this photo? I don't know who the other fellow is but if anyone recognizes him please send it along. (Iron Horse Photo) Students who need specialized services are bridging the gap in state funding for Conroe ISD after enrollment numbers lag through December. In this file photo, students walk to their next class past an airplane-themed mural at Conroe ISDs Sam Houston Elementary. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Conroe ISD's population of students in special education is growing fast enough that it's making up for state funding losses over general enrollment numbers, district administrators said this week. Karen Garza, chief financial officer for Conroe ISD, presented a budget update and a look at next year during the boards workshop Tuesday. According to Garza, state funding is based on average daily enrollment, generating $6,610 per student. Students who need additional services, like special education, are weighted, which generates more funding. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In August, the board adopted a $711.97 million budget with a $11.9 million shortfall. Garza said the preliminary budget for the 2025-2026 school year will be around $723 million, including a $3.81 million shortfall. Garza said the district budgeted enrollment based on 74,000 students for the current year. However, Garza said, enrollment is down by 1,000 students. Based on what we are seeing, kids who are coming to us are needing more specialized services, Garza said. So even though actual enrollment growth has not grown at the pace we had thought, the kids who are coming to us are generating weighted funding so we will make up any loss in revenue as a result of being down 700 kids. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The state takes a snapshot of the district's enrollment numbers on the last Friday in October. Garza said the district anticipates an influx of students after the holidays but that it likely wont be 1,000. According to the Texas Education Agency, the number of students served through special education has increased 72% since 2014. In 2017, the agency removed the cap on the number of students a district could classify for special education, allowing more students to qualify for services. Garza said that Conroe ISD is projected to have 11,192 students in special education through 2025, which is 110% growth from 2019. State funding has continued to be a hot-button issue for school districts, including Conroe ISD. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Garza said the districts budget deficit was partly due to the boards allocation of $15 million in November to give employees a 2.5% raise in the current budget, gambling that the state Legislature would provide additional funding and avoid a future deficit for the district. However, the Legislature failed to provide that funding. The budget includes 147 full-time equivalent faculty for a payroll of $10.8 million in 2025. Garza said half of that number will support special education. The board has also pushed state legislators to change from the average daily attendance state funding model to a model based on actual enrollment. In October, the board finalized its first set of legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session with state funding and safety topping the list. Newly sworn in Metro Police Chief Ban Tien is congratulated after a ceremony at Houston City Hall on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Houston. Chief Tien, who along with HPD, has worked in DEA and is a veteran, is the first Asian American to lead the department. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Metro Police investigate the scene of an accident between a MetroRail train and a dump truck at the intersection of Fannin and Naomi on Friday, July 19, 2024 in Houston. At least three people were injured in the crash when a Metro light rail slammed into a dump truck near NRG Park. The train, traveling northbound, sustained significant front end damage, n addition to the truck, Doug Delony, spokesperson for Metropolitan Transit Authority said. The driver of the truck remained at the scene and was speaking to police, Delony said. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Metro Police Department will spend almost $50 million of its budget to partially fund the citys traffic enforcement and street light operations in 2025, but that extra funding won't have much impact on the transportation agency. In the first major move since Ban Tien left the Houston Police Department for the transportation police, the city will pull $25.4 million from Metro to fund the police departments traffic enforcement division and another $21.8 million for traffic and street lights, according to Meredith Johnson, a spokeswoman for Metro. MORE FROM HOUSTON CHRONICLE: HPD is struggling to fill its cadet classes. Leaders will have to get creative to boost the numbers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is around $50 million in additional revenue that wont have to come from the general fund, said Melissa Dubowski, the city of Houstons finance director, of the additional funding from Metro. Theres more to come, but this is definitely a big first step in the things weve been working on. The combined costs will take around 3.5% of Metro's total revenues, according to budget documents. The funds are coming from a source of revenue inside Metro that the city hadn't previously used. Johnson said Metro dedicates around 25% of sales tax revenues which amount to around $217 million to fund interlocal agreements with partner entities. The funds can be used for street improvements, mobility projects and other services. Dubowski said the intention is for this plan for funding traffic enforcement to become a recurring source for the city. This will not increase HPD's budget The traffic enforcement funding will pay for the departments traffic enforcement divisions operations, Dubowski said. That includes salaries for the officers in the division and other operational costs, but doesnt include any other expenditures the division might have, such as for vehicles. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As of early 2024, the division had around 167 staff, according to data from an open records request. But the traffic enforcement division isnt the only place the department spends on enforcing traffic laws, with patrol officers sometimes citing people for speeding and other violations. Officials with the Houston Police Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment about how much the agency spends on traffic enforcement each year. The Metro funding wont increase the citys police department budget, officials said. Rather, it will only change the source of funding for traffic enforcement from the general fund to Metro. Before Metro moved to fund traffic enforcement, the division was funded via the departments $1.1 billion budget. The move away from the police budget comes as Mayor John Whitmire has spoken of ways to reduce city spending amid deficit concerns. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dubowski said the new funding is an example of increased collaboration between the city and other local agencies. In January, shortly after taking office, Whitmire said he wanted to merge Metro police with the Houston Police Department, adding the agencys 300 officers to Houstons almost 6,000-person department. But former Metro board chairman Sanjay Ramabhadran said at the time the move would be more complicated than it may seem. Gia vang the gioi sang nay ap sat moc 3.000 USD/ounce muc ky luc chua tung co trong lich su. Trong nuoc cung khong ngoai le, khi lan luot tang tu 700 en 1 trieu ong/luong. "Vang ang trong thi truong tang gia dai han. Chung toi du bao gia se giao dich trong khoang 3.000-3.200 USD trong nam nay", Alex Ebkarian, giam oc ieu hanh tai Allegiance Gold cho biet. A dual language program teacher is teaching fourth grade science on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 at Gregg Elementary School in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles offered critiques to Thompson Elementary leadership in hushed tones after observing a classroom in October. "This is the quintessential problem for 'at-bats' in language arts," Miles said. "If I'm supposed to learn author's purpose and spend 10 minutes in class (without hearing) the phrase 'author's purpose,' and just read (it,) now this is just a reading comprehension class." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some of HISD's in-classroom concepts date back to past administrations or decades-old research, chief of leadership and professional development Sandi Massey said. Others, such as "at-bats," were newly introduced or re-emphasized in training sessions ahead of this school year. Here are some common terms and strategies used both inside and outside of an NES classroom at HISD this school year: 'Grade-level' and 'high-level instruction' At least 90% of parents surveyed in a November 2023 Gallup poll believed their children were at or above their grade level in reading or math. But less than half of students met or exceeded grade level on end-of-course State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness in 2024, senior executive director of external engagement Najah Callander said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After students' test scores worsened during COVID, many districts and teachers have lowered the level of instruction, chief of leadership and professional development Sandi Massey said. "Now I have to teach my fourth grader second-grade work," Massey said. "With a situation like that, they'll never close a gap. So what we're finding is how adaptable and how quickly students can jump the gap and learn." Grade-level instruction can be measured by Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS, which are state standards on students' learning. "As students master a third-grade concept, they're ready for fourth grade and beyond, all the way through the whole school system, until they're actually ready to get out into the world, and they're prepared for college, a career or anything else that they want to do with their lives," said Paige Zumberge, executive director of curriculum design. Houston ISD touts lessons built into its own slide decks, which are mandated at NES schools, as examples of "high-level curriculum." But teachers must get students engaged to translate that curriculum into "high-level instruction," Massey said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles checks on a Audrey H. Lawson Middle School student doing his class worksheet on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer "Just because the curriculum was built in a high-quality way at grade level does not mean that a teacher is able to deliver it in a way where students can grasp it and engage with it, which is why we put in so many engagement strategies," Massey said. "You can be a first-year teacher just learning, and those engagement strategies will still buffer your inexperience ... and help students learn the material anyway." Zumberge said the district's curriculum is developed daily and allows for flexibility and feedback from teachers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Inside an NES classroom NES teachers center class around a learning objective each day before utilizing mandatory, timed slide deck lessons, pausing intermittently to invite students to answer aloud, discuss with partners or write answers on personal whiteboards. Students then test their grasp on the lesson with a Demonstration of Learning, or "mini quiz." Higher-scoring students are then sent to Team Centers for additional lessons, while those who may need additional help remain in the classroom. Classrooms across the district are supposed to use differentiated instruction, or teaching to meet students' different needs and interests with varied content and assignments. At NES schools, that instruction is based on a "highly differentiated" Learning, Secured, Accelerated or Enriched model. After their DOLs, students are given one of four additional learning options based on their understanding of the lesson. "(Say) I'm not asking questions, I'm afraid to talk in class, and now I get to see on my test score that I did not quite learn what I needed to," Massey said. "I get to stay in the class now with a smaller group of kids, and now I will feel more comfortable getting my questions answered. I get re-teaching, and hopefully I will close those gaps. That's the whole point of differentiating." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Engagement strategies Houston ISD uses eight engagement strategies to help lessons "stick" in students' brains, Massey said, although four are more commonly utilized. That includes using "oral choral response," in which students respond in unison, "turn and talk," or discussing answers with a partner, and white boards and response cards used to jot down thoughts or answers, Massey said. Every teacher across the district is trained in those eight engagement strategies, although Massey said teachers have more free rein over how they choose to get students involved. Student engagement may come in the form of a "modified whip around," in which students stand and give quick answers, or putting sticky note feedback on posters around the classroom, Massey said. A dual language program teacher is teaching fourth grade science on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 at Gregg Elementary School in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Scaffolding Scaffolding is a decades-old method of layering concepts into lessons to close the gap between students' knowledge and grade-level instruction. Those extra rungs on a theoretical ladder could look like charts on classroom walls, multiplication charts or calculators. This year, the district has further emphasized "at bats," which involves repeating a learning objective or concepts within a lesson. Others, such as using root word lists or Google Translate, can assist certain student groups, such as emergent bilingual students. The district is experimenting with other ways to layer learning, such as offering optional hidden scaffolding slides, Massey said. Getting involved The district began hosting virtual Student Success "town hall" seminars, portions of which are pre-recorded, in order to help explain the common classroom terms for parents Nov. 7. In its second meeting Dec. 5, Callander spoke with Paige Zumberge, executive director of curriculum design, and James Newman about building HISD's curriculum and grade-level learning. In a prerecorded portion of the lesson, curriculum design directors Carolina Moore and Sarah Racz presented examples of children's and chapter books, textbooks and pictures of the Lincoln Memorial to illustrate grade-level reading and fluency. Unlike traditional town halls, student success seminars do not accept live questions from parents, although some frequently asked questions are often answered at the end of a session. Parents typically gauge their students' academics with report cards, but those might not tell the whole story, Newman said. Newman recommended asking teachers more about their students' learning inside and outside the classroom, while Massey said parents can visit their students' campuses to get firsthand experience of an HISD classroom. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). The total value of non-oil exports (National Origin) in Bahrain for October fell by 9% to hit BD316 million ($833 million) from last year's figure of BD349 million ($920 million), according to the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked first in the importers' list followed by the US and UAE with unwrought aluminum alloys emerging the top export product, stated iGA in its October 2024 Foreign Trade report, which encompasses data on Trade Balance, Imports, national origin Exports and Re-exports. The top 10 countries in exports (National Origin) accounted for 75% of the exports (National Origin) value. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked first among countries for the non-oil imports from Bahrain totalling BD69 million (22%) followed by the US with BD40 million (13%) and UAE with BD31 million (10%). Unwrought aluminum alloys emerged on top of the list of Bahrain's exports for October valued at BD94 million (30%) followed by agglomerated iron ores and concentrates alloyed with a value of BD40 million (13%) and unwrought aluminum not alloyed with BD20 million (6%). According to iGA report, the value of non-oil imports has fallen by 17% to hit BD463 million in October over BD561 million for same month last year. The top 10 countries for imports recorded 71% of the total value of imports. China ranked first for imports to Bahrain valued at BD70 million (15%), followed by Australia with BD54 million (12%) and UAE with 37 million (8%). Other aluminum oxide topped the list of the kingdom's imports with a total value of BD48 million (10%), followed by four wheel drives with BD18.9 million (4.1%) and non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates being the third with BD18.5 million (4%). iGA said the total value of non-oil re-exports increased by 10% to hit BD75 million during October compared to BD68 million for same month last year. The top 10 countries in re-exports accounted for 82% of the re-exported value. The UAE ranked first with BD24 million (32%) followed by KSA with BD14 million (19%) and Belgium with BD8 million (11%). As per the report, turbo-jets topped the re-exported products list from Bahrain with a value of BD16 million (21%), followed by gold ingots worth BD5.3 million (7%) in the second spot and four wheel drives at third spot with BD5.1 million (6.8%). As for the Trade Balance, which represents the difference between exports and imports, the deficit recorded BD72 million in October compared to a deficit of BD144 million last year.-TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabias pioneering retail brand partner Cenomi Retail has reopened the Zara store in the new concept at Al Nakheel Mall in Riyadh, the most innovative mall in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This store, located on the ground floor of the mall, totals over 3000 sq m of commercial surface and features the latest technological innovations from Zara's integrated online and physical store platform. The store facade is built as per the updated Zara design concept, with the Infinity stone texture finish and brushed stainless steel portal ceilings, said Cenomi Retail in its statement. The interior, it stated, is predominantly white, clean and neutral with hints of colour and warmth from wooden fixtures and the natural tones of the textiles. The space encompasses the Womens, Mens and Kids section offering products that elevate everyday living and inspire new avenues of self-expression, it added. On the store reopening, CEO Salim Fakhouri said: "It has been expanded to an impressive over 3,000 sqm of commercial surface and is now the largest Zara store in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and one of the biggest in the Mena region." "This expansion aligns with the progressive growth of the retail sector in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is currently valued at SAR 682 billion and is projected to grow by an average of 5.3% annually through 2028. We are committed to renovating our stores in prime locations to offer an immersive and spacious shopping experience, seamlessly integrating physical and online shopping for maximum convenience, supported by the latest fashion technology," he added. According to him, this store has a new boutique space for Zara's newborns collection, and exclusive space dedicated to footwear and accessories with personalized assistance. As part of Zara's commitment to efficient store design, construction and management, the store has some of the most advanced energy-efficiency systems available, said Fakhouri. The measures taken to reduce environmental impact include efficient heating and cooling systems, energy-saving LED lighting and the use of lower impact materialsm, he stated. The store is connected to Inditexs internal Inergy platform, which monitors the efficient consumption of the store's air conditioning and electricity installations to enhance their management, identify the most efficient systems, improve maintenance and help define strategies to reduce energy demand, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Oman's Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has announced that it has completed the first two phases of its Salalah masterplan, a comprehensive development initiative designed to harness the economic, environmental, and social potential of the Dhofar region. Following the completion of these phases, which involve data collection and analysis, the ministry said it was currently working on the general structural plan and detailed regional plans. Spanning over 427 million sq m between Salalah and the wilayat of Taqah, the plan aims to accommodate more than 480,000 residents, marking an important milestone in Dhofars urban evolution. A key feature of the initiative is the Future City of Salalah, spanning 7 sq km and designed to house 60,000 residents in approximately 12,000 housing units, said the ministry in a statement. The city will incorporate modern urban design with sustainable practices, green spaces spanning 2.5 million sq m, recreational parks, cultural facilities, and a seafront, it stated. Advanced technologies and climate-resilient infrastructure are central to its vision, ensuring long-term appeal and adaptability, it added.-TradeArabia News Service Archer Aviation has entered into a multi-party collaboration agreement with key UAE and Abu Dhabi entities to advance the establishment of electric air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi. The agreement aims to formalise the cooperation between all UAE and Abu Dhabi stakeholders in preparation for the launch of the first commercial eVTOL flight. The agreement was signed under the auspices of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), in the presence of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs. Under the agreement, the goal is for Archer Aviation to be the first manufacturer of vertical electric vehicles in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and launch the first commercial flying taxi operations in the emirate. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office, a key signatory to the agreement, will facilitate coordination among Abu Dhabi entities in preparation for launch of commercial operations. Forming a robust ecosystem for eVTOL development, other parties to the agreement include Abu Dhabi Airports (AD Airports), Falcon Aviation Services, Etihad Aviation Training, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Global Air Navigation Services (GANS), Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL), and the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility). The collaboration outlines the roles and responsibilities of each party and lays the foundation for definitive agreements between Archer and the commercial stakeholders. The partnership represents a strong alignment between leading aviation industry players, and follows a previous collaboration agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to accelerate air taxi commercialisation. Badr Al-Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), said: "We are pleased to see leading members of Abu Dhabis aviation sector collaborating with Archer to support the launch of air taxis in the emirate. This partnership marks a major milestone in the efforts led by Abu Dhabis Smart and Autonomous Systems Council to accelerate smart and advanced mobility solutions, further solidifying the emirates position as a global leader in smart and autonomous vehicles. Director General of the GCAA, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, said: We are committed to launching electric air taxis safely in the UAE. Todays consortium announcement showcases the importance of collaboration across the countrys preeminent aviation entities in order to host Archers Midnight in the region next year. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, Elena Sorlini, said: "We are proud to support this pioneering collaboration, marking a significant step towards sustainable urban mobility in Abu Dhabi. This partnership reinforces our commitment to innovation and positions the emirate as a global leader in next-gen transportation, ensuring seamless connectivity for future passengers." Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer of Archer Aviation, emphasised the significance of the consortium: "The UAE is a cornerstone of Archers future, and these partnerships are key to making that future a reality. The comprehensive support from our partners, combined with Abu Dhabi's forward-thinking approach to next-gen transportation, creates an ideal environment for launching Midnight. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has been working closely with Archer, including organising a week-long workshop at Archers headquarters and flight test facility in November 2024, to establish the necessary regulatory framework to certify Archers Midnight aircraft and approve air taxi commercial air taxi operations. - TradeArabia News Service Under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, today (December 8) announced a government reshuffle, including the establishment of a new 'Ministry of Family' and elevating the role of the "Ministry of Community Development" to become the "Ministry of Community Empowerment." This new ministry will be led by Sana bint Mohammad Suhail, who had been serving as the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority since April 2021. She previously held positions including that of Undersecretary of the Ministry of Community Development, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy and Communication at the General Secretariat of the UAE Cabinet (2013-2016), Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services at the Ministry of Public Works (2011-2013), Sana's extensive experience in early childhood development, family welfare, and supporting people of determination, along with her years of dedicated service in government, makes her uniquely qualified for this critical role, said the ministry in a statement. In this new role, her ministry will be responsible for developing and implementing initiatives to prepare, encourage, and support prospective couples, as well as managing marriage support services and grants. It will develop programmes to promote family cohesion, provide parental training, and enhance work-life balance. Additionally, the ministry will introduce measures to protect families and individuals from violence under applicable legislation. The ministry will also focus on child welfare, proposing policies and strategies to ensure the social, psychological, educational, and health rights of children, in collaboration with relevant authorities. It will design initiatives to support childrens development, particularly during early childhood, and evaluate their effectiveness, it stated. On the government reshuffle, Sheikh Mohammed said: "We have elevated the role of the 'Ministry of Community Development' to the 'Ministry of Community Empowerment,' under the leadership of Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrui. The ministry will adopt a pioneering and integrated community empowerment model designed to amplify community participation and unlock the potential of every individual." The ministry will oversee the social support system and empowerment programmes, providing a safety net for low-income families and tailored pathways to improve their quality of life and foster their financial independence. Furthermore, it will play a pivotal role in regulating the third sector and activating the role of not-for-profit organisations to create a lasting social impact and contribute to the nations progress. The Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai recently launched a new season of its 'India Dialogues' series at a key event coinciding with UAE National Day celebrations, held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The series aims to facilitate crucial conversations that strengthen ties between India and the UAE, showcasing Indias remarkable progress and the vital role of global partnerships in shaping its future. Bringing together thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, the latest event underscored the importance of these dialogues in enhancing understanding and collaboration between the two nations. The panel of distinguished speakers at the event included Smriti Irani, the Former Union Cabinet Minister of India; Dr Ashwin Fernandes, the author of Modialogue Conversations for a Viksit Bharat; Dr Atul Chauhan, President of Amity Education Foundation & Chancellor of Amity University and Dr (CA) Sahitya K. Chaturvedi, Secretary General of the IBPC Dubai. Together, they provided invaluable insights on Indias transformative growth, the pivotal role of education, and the dynamic leadership driving national progress. The event began with the inauguration of Modialogue, followed by an engaging fireside chat between Stuti Sinha and Dr Fernandes. The discussions highlighted the vision for a developed India and the strategic importance of education in shaping the future. In her keynopte address, Irani focused on the major government initiatives aimed at empowering women and uplifting marginalized communities, thus highlighting Indias commitment to social equity. Dr Chauhan stressed the pivotal role of education in fueling Indias future development, while Dr Fernandes shared the inspiration behind his book, Modialogue, and the profound impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Mann Ki Baat series in shaping national discourse. The occasion culminated in the official launch of the book as well. The event also featured BG Krishnan, Consul (Economic, Trade, Commerce & Education), who highlighted the strategic importance of the India-UAE relationship and the potential for greater bilateral collaboration in various sectors. As the host of this seminal series, Chairman of IBPC Siddharth Balachandran reinforced the Council's role as a key facilitator of high-level discussions that promote understanding and foster business and cultural ties between India and the UAE. In his closing remarks, Dinesh Kothari, Governor of IBPC Dubai, emphasized the growing recognition of Indias achievements on the global stage and the invaluable contributions of the Indian diaspora to both nations' success. "The 'India Dialogues' series is a pivotal platform for engaging in meaningful conversations that not only highlight Indias ongoing transformation but also demonstrate the strength of India-UAE partnerships in fostering mutual growth," said Kothari, reflecting on the events success. The IBPC is set to host another high-profile sectorial summit on the Real Estate and Construction sector on December 13 at Dubai Chambers, tackling some of the most pressing issues currently shaping the industry. As the UAE intensifies its commitment to sustainability, the event will focus on critical topics such as achieving Net Zero in the built environment, the latest regulatory changes in real estate, and the growing demand for luxury properties amidst a shifting investment landscape. Dr Mahmoud AlBurai, Senior Director of the Dubai Land Department, Vivek Oberoi, Indian actor and businessman; and CA Ankur Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman of Bricks n Woods (BnW), will be keynote speakers offering a timely analysis of the sectors future under the guidance of Dubai Chambers.-TradeArabia News Service Saad Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, said Qatar stands in total support of the concept of the European Unions (EU) Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), and of the desire to protect and uphold human rights, labor rights, and reducing environmental impact. However, he added, the issue is how you go about it. In remarks during a Newsmaker Interview as part of the Doha Forum 2024, held in Doha, Minister Al-Kaabi criticised the directive as making absolutely no sense. This directive affects any company that deals in Europe and makes more than 450 million generated in or from Europe. So, companies like QatarEnergy, Shell, or ExxonMobil and even car companies like Toyota or GM, will have to say they will abide by the Paris Accords. So, the company will have to commit to Net Zero, he explained. For us as QatarEnergy, and with all the expansions we are undertaking, I can assure you we cannot meet Net Zero as a company. He added: The second thing is that we need to make sure we put a team of probably a thousand people in QatarEnergy whose dedicated job would be to go and look at all our subsidiaries and suppliers around the world, because if there is a nail or a screw that we buy from a contractor who has a subcontractor, we will be responsible for looking into their practices and would get penalised for that. Minister Al-Kaabi said: We are also asked to be responsible for tier emissions 1, 2, and 3 and be liable for a penalty of up to 5% of our total generated revenue worldwide. This makes absolutely no sense. So, my message to Europe and to the EU Commission is: Are you telling us that you don't want our LNG into the EU? Because I sure am not going to supply the EU with LNG to support their energy requirements and then be penalised with our total revenue worldwide. Minister Al-Kaabi said investment authorities, like Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), or any sovereign fund or fund manager around the world will worry about the companies they own or plan to own whether they could be liable for such penalties, which would affect their investments and end up pulling out of the EU to protect their funds and look at investing in other countries. So, I think what the EU is doing is really surprising, and I think it will harm them. And for companies that will have to comply, will need to put an army of people to do all this diligence. If there is more cost on the company to do this diligence, who ends up paying for it? The customer. This will harm European companies first. Speaking on relations with the coming administration of President Trump, Minister Al-Kaabi stressed that US-Qatari friendship and energy relations transcend administrations. The most important thing is that we have an excellent partnership between companies and between people, and that this is sustainable because it is good for business with mutual respect and mutual gain on both sides. It's a win-win relationship. We have oil and gas projects that are multi-decade projects and can survive governments and administrations. He also discussed the role gas in the energy transition stressing that it will play a very big role citing intermittency issues when the sun is not shining to power solar panels, or the wind is not blowing to drive wind farms, or lower rain levels fails to boost hydro power. We need to have a sensible approach, particularly that we have one billion people today, as we speak, who do not have the basic electricity that that we all enjoy. And we should make sure that everybody has ample supplies of energy for their growth and for them to live a good life. Minister Al-Kaabi highlighted Qatars contributions towards global food security through the production of much needed fertilisers. Today, we are the second largest fertiliser exporter in the world. We are doubling our production to 12 million tons per annum, which will make us the largest fertiliser producer in the world. Minister Al-Kaabi highlighted QatarEnergys LNG expansion projects that will double its production capacity to 142 million tons per annum, add to that 18 million tons from its project in Golden Pass project in Texas, in the USA. Also, a point to highlight during the interview was the environment, which He stressed was an utmost importance for QatarEnergy. we are big believers in making sure that we have clean air and clean water for everybody living in Qatar and around the world. A few years ago, we had zero renewables in Qatar. Today, 10% of the power that we are enjoying comes from solar. Next year, it will go up with another two plants that we are going to inaugurate in Mesaieed and Ras Laffan taking the total solar production to about 15% to 16%. With the addition of a fourth plant in Dukhan, we will increase our solar capacity making it 30% of our total power production. The Doha Forum, established in 2000, is a global platform for dialogue on critical challenges facing our world and bringing together leaders in policy to build innovative and action driven networks in major areas like geopolitical developments, international relations, the financial system and economic development, defense, information technology and cybersecurity, food security, sustainability and climate change, trade and investment, and more. -TradeArabia News Service Featuring half-price drinks and appetizers, the Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurant in the Beaver Valley Mall re-opened Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004, in Monaca, Pa. Contaminated green onions served at the restaurant were determined to be the cause of the nation's largest hepatitus A outbreak in November 2003 according to the Associated Press. GENE J. PUSKAR/AP Two Pesos' new location at Montrose and Westheimer, Oct. 12, 1989. Marno McDermott owned both the Chi-Chi's brand and Two Pesos in Houston. Howard Castleberry/Houston Chronicle Nearly 20 years after closing the last Chi-Chis Mexican food restaurant, it was announced this week that the brand is coming back. A new agreement with Hormel Foods, owner of Chi-Chi's trademarks, and Michael McDermott, son of Chi-Chi's founder, will bring back physical restaurant locations which are expected to open in 2025. A plan for specific locations has not been announced and it is unknown if any of the restaurants will return to Texas or the Houston area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nearly 20 years after closing the last Chi-Chis Mexican food restaurant, it was announced this week that the brand is coming back. A new agreement with Hormel Foods, owner of Chi-Chi's trademarks, and Michael McDermott, son of Chi-Chi's founder, will bring back physical restaurant locations which are expected to open in 2025. Hand-out/Press Wire An ad seeking employees for the Humble location of Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurant in August 1984. Houston Chronicle archive Houston Chronicle ads from 1979 and 1984 sought employees for the new Richmond Avenue location in September 1979 and the new Humble location in August 1984. Founded by restaurateur Marno McDermott and former Green Bay Packers player Max McGee in 1975, the Chi-Chi's restaurant chain grew rapidly during the late 20th century, reaching more than 200 locations nationwide. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fans of Houston architecture online suggested there could have been up to four Chi-Chi's locations in Houston before the brand left Houston in 1986. A December 1986 Houston Chronicle article featured Marno McDermott who also owned the Two Pesos Mexican food restaurant brand that launched in 1982 in Houston. The Two Pesos brand was sold to Taco Cabana in 1993. Highlights of Two Pesos were its 99-cent margaritas, the tortillas and the fact that an average Two Pesos customer could spend about $3, according to the 1986 article. The same article described Chi-Chi's atmosphere as "very dark and cave like compared with airy places like Pappasito's" and that in 1986 Houstonians spent about $52 annually on Mexican food according to data from the Texas Restaurant Association. An ad in the Houston Chronicle in September 1979 advertising the Grand Opening of Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurant on Richmond Avenue. Houston Chronicle archive Advertisement Article continues below this ad An unidentified man arrives at the Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant in the Beaver Valley Mall on Jan. 15, 2004, in Monaca, Pa. The restaurant chain closed in 2004 but the brand is being rebooted for 2025. GENE J. PUSKAR/Associated Press A series of ownership changes eventually led to the closure of Chi-Chi's restaurants. According to an Associated Press report, around the time of its bankruptcy filing, Chi-Chis reputation was also marred by a hepatitis A outbreak at one of its restaurants in Pennsylvania. The outbreak, linked to the green onions it used as a garnish and in its salsas, killed four people and sickened 660. The last Chi-Chis closed its doors in 2004. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Michael McDermott, who has built his career in the restaurant industry with brands like Kona Grill and Rojo Mexican Grill, is now determined to honor his family's legacy by combining the classic Chi-Chi's restaurant experience with modern influences, according to an announcement made this week. "I still have fond memories of growing up in the Chi-Chi's restaurants that my father built throughout their time, instilling in me the passion and determination to pursue my own career in the restaurant industry," McDermott said. "We have seen the impact our restaurant has had on individuals and families across the country and believe there is a strong opportunity to bring the brand back in a way that resonates with today's consumer an updated dining experience with the same great taste and Mexican flavor." Sustainability Forum Middle East has announced Foulath Holding, an industrial holding company with major steel investments, as a Forum Partner for its upcoming third edition, set to take place on January 28-29, 2025, in the Kingdom of Bahrain in the presence of Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, and with the support of the Supreme Council for Environment. The Forum, focusing on "Mobilizing Action and Investment for Climate and Energy Resilience," is set to bring together over 400 regional business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts, to engage in meaningful cross-sector dialogue and collaboration to accelerate the regional journey to net zero. Foulaths partnership underscores the companys steadfast commitment to sustainability and its pivotal role as a key investor shaping the future of the steel industry in the MENA region. By leveraging its integrated operations and significant investments, Foulath prioritizes sustainable growth while embedding principles of environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and social responsibility into its strategy. This alignment supports regional efforts to advance climate resilience and sustainable development goals. Dilip George, Group CEO of Foulath, said, We are proud to partner with Sustainability Forum Middle East for its 2025 edition, reinforcing our commitment to fostering sustainable practices and innovation within the steel industry. At Foulath, we prioritize responsible growth, ensuring that our investments and operations align with global climate goals and contribute to a more sustainable future for the region. We look forward to engaging with industry leaders at the Forum to explore impactful strategies for advancing sustainability and climate resilience. Adding, Laila Danesh, Managing Director of FinMark Communications and the Forum Founder and Organiser, said, We are happy to welcome Foulath as a Forum Partner for our 2025 edition. Foulaths commitment to sustainable growth and its leadership in fostering responsible investment practices make it an invaluable addition to the Forum. Their participation will bring valuable perspectives on how key industries, like steel, can align with sustainability goals while driving meaningful progress. The Forum will provide a dynamic platform for discussions focused on practical strategies and pathways to drive forward net-zero goals, emphasizing the critical role of both public and private sector actors in achieving a successful transition. This years agenda, featuring keynote addresses and interactive panels, covers a range themes central to driving the regions net-zero journey from the need to ramp up financing to policy developments and regulations, to strategies for innovation, technology advancements, and more. Again, it kicks off with a day of expert-led workshops by KPMG, Anthesis Group and Environment Arabia, providing practical hands-on learning to help attendees and their organisations mobilise action and investment for regional climate and energy resilience. The Forum is supported by Strategic Partner National Bank of Bahrain, Forum Partners: Aluminium Bahrain, Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard, Benefit, Environment Arabia, and Media Partners: OGN, Asharq Business with Bloomberg, BFT Media, and Sustainable Finance Daily. -TradeArabia News Service Japan and Thailand have ranked as the most popular holiday destinations, for the second consecutive year, according to the UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the worlds largest alliance of independent hotel brands, that revealed its GHA Discovery members top destinations and travel motivations for 2025. China climbed to the third position, overtaking Spain. Australia, New Zealand, and Italy tied for fourth, pushing out 2024 favourites Canada and Hawaii. Key Findings Leisure travel continues to dominate, with 99% of members surveyed planning holidays in 2025, while business travel is rebounding 62% are planning work trips, with travellers based in China, Germany, and Spain leading the resurgence. More than 93% of members are expecting to travel internationally for leisure next year, and 69% expect to do so for business, with business trips largely being within the region of residence, while leisure travel is expanding further, with Europe and Asia being the preferred regions for all source markets. Travellers plan to take six leisure trips on average (similar to 2024) and more than five business trips with an overnight stay in 2025 (a 13% increase year over year). Travellers in China anticipate the most business trips (7 trips on average), followed by Germany (6 trips) and Spain (5). For leisure, China dominates again, with members based in this market planning the most stays (7), followed by those in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates with 6 trips planned. Regional Highlights Asia: For business travel, 93% of Singaporean members plan international trips. Members in China and Australia focus on domestic business travel, while Australians also target Oceania and Indians the Middle East for work. Leisure travel shows similar patterns: 75% of Singaporeans plan overseas vacations, while Indians favour the Middle East. Japan is the top holiday destination for members in China, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore, while Japan-based members prefer Thailand and Indians are keen on Europe. Europe: Travellers from Spain, Germany, and the UK favour Thailand and Japan as holiday destinations for the third year in a row. Renewed interest in Dubai, New York, and the Caribbean replaced last years choices of Spain and Italy. Business trips will stay within the region, followed by Asia, North America, and, to a lesser extent, the Middle East. North America: US members are planning vacations domestically as well as across Europe and the Caribbean, with familiar hotspots like Hawaii, Spain, and Italy still popular. While Japan remains on the list, its appeal has slightly declined since 2023. For business travel, domestic trips will dominate in 2025. Middle East & North Africa: For UAE-based members, Thailand has surpassed Japan as the top holiday destination and Vietnam has emerged as one to watch for 2025. Intra-regional holidays within the Middle East are also expected to remain popular. On the business front, international travel will significantly outweigh domestic trips. Motivations, Inspirations and Preferences Relaxing and unwinding is the leading reason for travel in 2025, with 72% of members prioritising it. This overtakes last years focus on exploring new destinations and cultures, which now ranks second at 62%, followed by escaping everyday life in third (46%). Family and foodie breaks, as well as city and cultural activities, remain popular, while most members plan to travel with a spouse or partner, mirroring 2024 trends. Mixing Old with New Members aim to balance new destinations with revisiting old favourites. Those from India, China, and Spain are more inclined to travel somewhere new, while members in Germany, Singapore, and the UAE prefer a mix. In line with last years preferences, cities and beaches/tropical destinations dominate, more so than mountains and countryside. Friends and Family About 43% of members rely on recommendations from friends and family, whether through word of mouth or social feeds, which follows 2024s trend. Travel magazines continue to influence 20% of members, maintaining their relevance from last year. Loyalty Platforms Lead the Way Loyalty programme websites, apps, and social pages are now the top choice for travel research and booking across all regions, continuing the upward trend seen in 2023 and 2024. More than one-third (35%) of members turn to these platforms to search for hotels, while a striking 50% of travellers in China, India, and the UAE prefer booking through hotel loyalty programme websites or apps. Online travel agent (OTA) sites remain the second most popular source for research, echoing last years patterns. When choosing where to stay, travellers prioritise the quality of accommodation, loyalty programme benefits, and the propertys location or neighbourhood, all above the price or hotel brand. This ranking is largely consistent across markets and even across loyalty tiers. Upgrades and Recognition Room upgrades, early check-in, and late checkout retain their status as top perks for higher loyalty tiers especially in Japan (94%) and Germany (84%), while member rates and discounts remain the priority for lower tier members. 2025 promises to be a year of exploration, with destinations like Japan, Thailand, UAE and Italy continuing to captivate our members, alongside new favourites like New Zealand, and Vietnam said Kristi Gole, Executive Vice President of Strategy at GHA. As business travel continues its long recovery and longer leisure stays take centre stage, were seeing a clear shift towards blending work and relaxation. And with loyalty programmes increasingly influencing choice, we are in a prime position at GHA to help our members make the most of their travels across these sought-after destinations. TradeArabia News Service Nestled between Tunis' renowned City of Culture and the Convention Palace, the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Tunis, establishes a new benchmark for hospitality in the capital, as it marks the official debut of the Radisson Blu brand in the city. Positioned on Avenue Mohammed V, the hotel offers stunning views of the city and Lake Tunis as well as offering effortless access to top attractions and Tunis-Carthage Airport. Beyond the hotel, guests can explore the vibrant culture of Tunis, from the historic Medina and the lush Belvedere Park to the charming, white-and-blue streets of nearby Sidi Bou Said. For those interested in shopping, the central location offers access to local boutiques and hidden gems. With its convenient location, diverse amenities, and commitment to excellence, the hotel provides a premier choice for travelers seeking a luxurious stay with a true sense of Tunisian culture. This is a milestone moment for Radisson Hotel Group in Tunisia, as we mark our fifth hotel opening in the country and our debut of the Radisson Blu brand in Tunis. With the addition of this landmark property, we continue to grow our presence across the region, reinforcing our commitment to delivering world-class hospitality in key African destinations. said Tim Cordon, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group. Each of the stylish rooms and suites offers a blend of contemporary elegance and comfort, with neutral, warm tones, refined furnishings, and custom decorative headboard panels. Guests can enjoy amenities such as invigorating rain showers and complimentary Wi-Fi, all thoughtfully provided to create a memorable and relaxing stay. Culinary enthusiasts will find a variety of dining options at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Tunis. Al Mayda Restaurant offers an extensive breakfast buffet and a mix of international cuisine for lunch and dinner in a welcoming atmosphere. For a taste of authentic Tunisian flavors, Dar Zmen presents traditional dishes in an elegantly designed setting. At La Casa, guests can enjoy Mediterranean delights with live music and poolside views during the summer months. For those seeking a laid-back atmosphere, El Nakhil Lobby Bar serves refreshing cocktails under the shade of palm trees. Guests looking for a more traditional experience can unwind at Al Jalsa Shisha Lounge, which features a range of flavored shishas on an outdoor terrace. Designed to cater to both business and leisure travelers, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Tunis, features 2,000 square meters of flexible event space, including 14 modern venues that can accommodate up to 2,000 guests, making it one of the largest meeting facilities in the city. The hotels vast, secure parking area accommodates up to 400 vehicles, ensuring convenience for both local and international visitors. Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Tunis, is also the ideal choice for unforgettable weddings, offering two spacious ballrooms and a selection of tailored wedding packages to ensure each couples special day is nothing short of perfect. The hotels wellness and fitness facilities provide a serene escape from the citys bustling life. Laico Tunis Spa offers a full suite of rejuvenating treatments, including massages, facials, and a hammam experience, while the fully equipped fitness center and tranquil outdoor pool cater to guests seeking to stay active or simply relax. I am delighted to invite guests to experience this unique addition to Tunis. Our hotel is more than a place to stay; its a vibrant meeting point and a gateway to explore Tunis. Whether our guests are here for business or leisure, we promise a memorable experience marked by the very best in service and hospitality, said Wissem Souifi, General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Tunis.-TradeArabia News Service Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley says she is prepared to have her United States visa revoked, as she urged Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries to ensure they are able to explain...what the Cubans have been able to do for us as they seek to defend the Cuban health brigade programme. This matter, with the Cubans and the nurses, should tell us everything that we need to know. Barbados does not currently have Cuban medical staff or Cuban nurses, but I will be the first to go to the line and to tell you that we could not get through the (Covid-19) pandemic without the Cuban nurses and the Cuban doctors, Mottley said in a statement in Parliament. A clinic director in Houston with a 39-week pregnant patient in September 2023. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A moment of silence. That's what Dr. Carla Ortique asked for in September as she began a state meeting in Austin of an all-volunteer committee dedicated to reducing the number of Texas women who die in the process of bringing new life into the world. The work that is done by this committee to honor the lives of those who were lost during pregnancy, childbirth or the year beyond is incredibly important, said the veteran Houston-based OB/GYN. Silence was an appropriate gesture. It is not, however, an appropriate policy: later in the meeting, members of the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Committee, established in 2013 by a bipartisan state law, voted not to fully analyze maternal mortality cases from 2021 and 2022 the first two years during which Texas' near-total abortion bans went into effect. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The decision, which the Washington Post reported last week, certainly creates the appearance that pro-life politics is being prioritized over women's lives. If a death is not counted, does that mean the life did not matter? asked Patricia Garris in a recent Chronicle letter to the editor. We had the same question and went looking for answers. And, of course, the situation isn't so simple. Texas maternal deaths are still counted for the years following the abortion bans, a spokesperson for the Department of State Health Services told us. Paid staff epidemiologists go to great lengths to verify and cross check death records every year to produce a top-level analysis of causes of death. What's not being done for 2021 and 2022 cases is the deep-dive analysis into why mothers died and whether their deaths could have been prevented. For example, if the official cause of death is an infection, was a delay in receiving an abortion a key factor and why did doctors delay? Thats the work of the aforementioned maternal mortality committee, which includes doctors who specialize in obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics and maternal-fetal medicine. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But that deep dive is exactly what's needed. And now. Texas has long ranked among the worst states for maternal mortality and rates worsened during the COVID pandemic, especially among Black women. But in June, a Johns Hopkins study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that deaths of infants alone increased by 255 between 2021 and 2022. Thats a 12.9% jump compared with 1.8% for the rest of the U.S. And what about maternal mortality? The Gender Equity Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research organization, found that from 2019 to 2022 maternal mortality rose by 56% in Texas compared with just 11% nationwide, but the details from the study arent available and have not been peer-reviewed. That report also doesn't determine whether Texas abortion bans directly influenced the increase. Thats what the Texas volunteer panel could sort out. Its expert members were selected by Dr. Jennifer Shuford, the DSHS commissioner, appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ortique chairs the committee and has served since its founding. I would like to reassure the public that there was absolutely no nefarious intent nor desire to miss an opportunity to identify impacts from the recent legislative changes pertaining to abortion on maternal health outcomes in our state, Ortique told us by email and then read aloud at the committee's meeting on Friday. She wants to provide timely analysis, she says. But it takes so long to review maternal deaths that lawmakers just now have the 2020 report in hand to inform their work in the 2025 session. In an effort to catch up, Ortique says, the committee chose to skip ahead a couple of years on the deep- dive analysis with the goal of providing lawmakers in 2027 findings that are only one or two years old. That data, she points out, would still reflect any impacts of the abortion bans on women's deaths. We don't doubt Ortique's integrity, or her commitment to saving the lives of mothers and infants. She was named physician of the year in 2018 by the Houston Medical Forum, a Black doctors association. Ortique and other committee members are giving up their own time to serve. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But wheres the urgency in getting to the bottom of whats happening in Texas hospitals? We already know several tragic stories reported by ProPublica. One Texas mother, Josseli Barnica, died in 2021 after experiencing a miscarriage. Doctors at a Houston hospital refused to empty her uterus, apparently afraid that doing so would be a crime under Texas law. They waited until the fetus had no heartbeat, but by then the infection that would eventually kill the 28-year-old mother had already spread. We're grateful to the journalists at the nonprofit news outlet for tracking down such stories, but the government should be at least as diligent in assessing the consequences of its laws. How many more Josseli Barnicas are there? How many more will there be because the state isn't fully assessing such deaths in a timely manner? The author of one of the Texas abortion bans, state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, wrote in a Chronicle op-ed that the medical exceptions in the bans are plenty clear. He blames the media for confusing doctors. Weve got news for Senator Hughes: doctors aren't taking their cues from reporters; they're taking them from lawyers. When a doctor is caring for a woman experiencing serious pregnancy complications that would typically be treated with abortion procedures, and they're weighing whether the risk to the mother's life would meet the state's technical definition of a "medical emergency" in the eyes of some jury or judge, they likely consult with the hospital's legal staff, whose job is to minimize liability. And doctors may also have strong motivation that can rival their oath to "first, do no harm": to avoid a lengthy prison sentence or loss of their medical license if they make the wrong call in a borderline case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad No, Senator Hughes, the law is not clear enough. If it were, doctors wouldn't be avoiding standard treatments at the expense of women's lives. We don't believe Hughes wants to hurt women. But if his goal really is to protect life, he's got to find a way to clarify Texas abortion law this session. The Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Medical Board have both essentially said that's not their job. And now the state's maternal mortality committee, tasked with providing unbiased, trustworthy analysis, says they dont have the capacity to get their work done fast enough to accurately assess the crisis as it unfolds. To be sure, getting maternal mortality data right does take attention and deliberation. Readers may recall that in 2012, Texas reported that maternal mortality rates had skyrocketed when they really hadn't. Somebody later discovered that doctors and medical examiners were clicking a checkbox on an electronic form by mistake. Texas redesigned the form and now more carefully cross-references death certificates with other records. In 2023, the Texas Legislature voted to expand the volunteer maternal mortality committee by eight members and funded a new computer system that will automate the tedious process of making medical records anonymous. Hopefully that speeds up the review. Yet, were alarmed that Texas is no longer accepting federal funds to use the federal maternal mortality database, and will stop using it altogether once the Texas system is in place. In June, Ortique called for Texas to use the state and federal systems simultaneously, which would likely require a change to the law. Sarah Nagle-Yang, a co-chair the Colorado Maternal Mortality Review Committee, told us her state has not had to skip years. By going after federal funds, Colorado has built up its staff dedicated to supporting the committee. Our leaders in Austin seem more intent on playing games and severing ties with the federal government than in keeping mothers from dying or losing the ability to have children in the future. If the governor, lieutenant governor and legislators wont trust media reports, they need to respect dead moms enough to come up with the resources themselves to fully review and analyze maternal mortality medical records in a timely way. Perhaps paying more staff to assist the panel of respected experts would help. Trinidad and Tobago Red Force backed up skipper Joshua Da Silvas pre-game declaration that his pacers would lead the charge against Barbados Pride in the fifth round of the West Indies Four-Day Championship. Fast bowling would have been very much on the minds of the Kensington Oval curators as they prepared the pitch for the Barbados home match against T&T. This week was full of crazy news from governments falling, to countries suffering coups, to CEOs shot dead in the street. But you know what else is crazy? In 1930, a director wanting to shoot a movie about an Arctic voyage actually sailed to the Arctic, and the ship exploded, killing 27 people. Then the film was released anyway, with the directors death being a major selling point. Thats the sort of knowledge you have if you immerse yourself in a constant stream of facts. We have some more facts for you, involving cats, surfers and the manipulation of time. Advertisement 15 Friends and Family A woman in Britain spent eight years tracking down her birth parents. Her search ended this year, when it turned out that her biological father was one of her Facebook friends. Theyd never met, but hed heard about her genealogical research and added her, without knowing she was his daughter. Advertisement 14 True Love When a female Adactylidium is born, it already contains fertilized eggs. These mites hatch within it, producing one male and several males. They mate within the mother. Then the mites eat their way out, and the lone male immediately dies. 13 Siren Song The town of Siren in Wisconsin takes its name from the Swedish word for lilac. Its most newsworthy day was June 18, 2001, when much of it was destroyed by a tornado. Residents didnt receive a warning in time because the towns siren was broken. 12 Meat Market We raise so much livestock for meat that these animals outweigh all other mammals, easily. Domestic cows and pigs together weigh 10 times as much as all wild mammals combined. Advertisement Advertisement 11 Moses and the Promised Land Jrn Utzon, the architect who designed the Sydney Opera House, never saw the completed building. He turned down the invitation to come to the opening and then just never got around to visiting it before he died in 2008. Bernard Spragg He didnt need to see it. He knew what it looked like. 10 Death Box If you plan of taking your microwave apart, you obviously should unplug it first. But this will not save you: Its capacitors store enough residual current to kill you anyway. Advertisement 9 From the Mouths of Waves In the 1960s, NASA was experimenting with new lightweight materials for rockets. North American Aviation happened to have a factory right next to Californias Seal Beach, so they recruited a bunch of surfers, who advised them on how to use honeycomb insulation. Advertisement 8 Dont Cry for Her Eva Peron died of cancer in 1952. It took another 60 years for historians to get a look at X-rays of her brain and discover that, shortly before her death, doctors gave her a prefrontal lobotomy. Advertisement 7 Case Closed In 2012, Jack McCullough was convicted of murder, 55 years after the murder occurred. It was celebrated as the oldest cold case to be solved. But it turned out that the reason it took them so to convict him was he didnt do it, so he was declared innocent five years later. 6 Cute Pussy Resuscitation CPR was first performed on cats back in 1878. It took 81 more years for anyone to try doing the same thing on human subjects. Edgar/Unsplash Humans, reasonably, were considered less of a priority. Advertisement 5 One Last Drink The last recorded words of Bill W., the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, were repeated requests to his nurse for a glass of whiskey. She refused these requests, so the man died sober. Advertisement 4 Public Domain Theft Somewhere, the song that closes West Side Story, steals its melody from two classical pieces. One is Beethovens Piano Concerto No. 5. The other is the famous theme from Swan Lake. Advertisement 3 Do Not Do This Cool Thing In the 1970s, American ships sailed to the USSR to lay wiretaps on communications cables. Finding the secret cables proved to be quite easy. They just had to look for physical signs that the Soviets had erected, warning ships to stay away from the communications cables nearby. 2 Slow Jams When you yawn while listening to a song, the music will briefly appear to slow down. Its not just you its called auditory chronostasis, and it may be related to your mind shifting concentration between different ears. Advertisement Advertisement Michael Dekker Tulsa World Business Writer Follow Michael Dekker Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Despite many financial uncertainties, ongoing wars and a new presidential administration, people should be optimistic about the U.S. economy, a local investment strategist with 40 years of experience said. In remarks touching on everything from Russias invasion of Ukraine, immigration, tariffs, the national debt and a significant affordable housing shortage in the country, Steve Wyett, chief investment strategist at BOK Financial, also used terms such as NIMBYs and BANANAs in describing whats going on with the domestic economy and its future. Above all, we should remain optimistic, he said. Heres the bad part: Those geopolitical risks are there. We know that things are not as stable in the world as we would like. Wyett said the potential for Russias invasion of Ukraine to escalate, ongoing wars in the Middle East and a potential military conflict between China and Taiwan should be taken seriously. But absent something like that, we just have a lot of momentum going for our economy, he said. Wyett made the comments as a featured speaker last week during the Tulsa Regional Chambers State of the Economy and Tulsas Future annual meeting at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center. About 450 people attended. The performance of the U.S. economy coming out of the pandemic has been nothing short of extraordinary. It continues to be unbelievably resilient, he said. However, he mentioned that major challenges lie ahead, including the national debt. We are spending more now on (national debt) interest expense than we are on defense first time in the history of our country that weve done that, Wyett said. Were going to keep spending money. Neither party ran from a platform of fiscal austerity. The idea that we can completely solve all of our budgetary problems with spending cuts alone is going to be very, very difficult. He suggests that the government needs more revenue to balance the budget. But what I would want every one of us in this room to be aware of: Be ready to be part of the (debt) solution, he said. I have no idea what thats going to mean or what its going to look like, but be ready. Affordable housing, NIMBYs and BANANAs Wyett serves on the board of Green Country Habitat for Humanity. Housing is just going to be a continuing issue for (the U.S). This is a supply issue. This not a demand issue; its not a rate issue. Affordability is really bad because rates are higher and prices are higher. But prices are higher because supply is so limited. This is going to be a hard one to solve. He said the people at Habitat for Humanity are trying like heck to figure out ways to deliver affordable housing in this market. He cited a part of the problem in a recent visit to Phoenix. How many of you have heard the term NIMBYs? he said. So when you have a new real estate developer (there) who wants to put out a new project and theyve got to go before the city zoning commission (and) you have NIMBYs show up not in my back yard. And they have plenty of good reasons. Im not denying the reasons why they show up. But in Phoenix, they no longer have NIMBYs. They have what Wyett called BANANAs. Whats a BANANA? Build absolutely nothing anywhere, near anybody. And its going to be hard to solve the supply crisis when you have BANANAs out there. Tariffs, immigration and investing Wyett understands that it can be easy to become negative regarding the U.S. economic outlook. Well, extrapolate that forward, to this Mad Max outcome, where the only way for us to survive is to live in an underground bunker, stocked with canned goods, ammunition, gold and Bitcoin if you still think the internets still going to be available, he said to laughs at the chamber event. Heres my message: Dont buy it. Look around this room. It is filled with people and companies who get up every day and think, How do we do things better? How do we grow from here? He told the crowd that the more success achieved, individually and collectively, the more opportunities for others are created. However, he said there are two areas that I think weve got to be cautious about immigration reform and tariffs. Those two could be potential headwinds as we move forward. Its going to come down to how those are implemented in the end. He thinks President-elect Donald Trumps proposed tariffs might be more of a negotiating tool than an actual weapon to be used. He also said visa reform is needed in the immigration debate, pointing out that an economy does not grow with fewer workers. We need visa reform as we continue to move forward, just from a growth standpoint, he added. The Tulsa World is where your story lives A young Swedish woman, whose biological mother is Vietnamese, has returned to Vietnam twice in search of the woman who gave birth to her 34 years ago before she was adopted and moved abroad. Driven by an unwavering desire for a reunion, she holds onto the hope that one day, her efforts will lead to a miracle. With tears in her eyes, Hoa, as she is called, recently shared her story with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, expressing her heartfelt wish to meet her birth mother. The 34-year-old woman, with jet-black hair, speaks Vietnamese hesitantly but understands most of what is said to her. Ive been learning Vietnamese ever since I discovered my origins, Hoa said, her voice tinged with both pride and determination. I learned mainly through YouTube, so my speaking isnt fluent. But since returning to Vietnam about a year ago, my Vietnamese has improved. Hoa also shared how she has embraced local life by learning to ride a motorbike, a skill she now uses to navigate her journey of searching for her mother. Adopted by Swedish couple Hoa carries with her a stack of documents that trace her Vietnamese origins. These include a handwritten letter from her biological mother addressed to the National Hospital of Obstetrics in Hanoi, requesting the hospital to care for her; her birth certificate; a notice from the hospital regarding her adoption; a commitment letter from her adoptive Swedish parents; and an adoption handover document featuring a 3x4 photo of Hoa as a newborn, signed by the hospital's director, the adoptive parents, and a representative from the Hanoi Peoples Committee. In the letter, Hoas mother, Nguyen Thi Hoan, introduced herself as an 18-year-old from Nguyen Trai Commune, Thuong Tin District, Ha Son Binh Province, now part of Hanoi and Hoa Binh Province in northern Vietnam. A handwritten letter dated July 10, 1990, shows a Vietnamese mother, Nguyen Thi Hoan, requesting that the Hanoi-based National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology care for her newborn daughter, Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa, who was born on the same day. She wrote that she gave birth to Hoa full name Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa on July 10, 1990, but could not afford to raise her. The letter, signed on the day Hoa was born, led to an adoption shortly thereafter. Hoas birth certificate, issued by the hospital, left the names and addresses of her parents blank. However, in a notice sent to the Hanoi Department of External Relations, the hospital mentioned that Hoas mother had stated she gave birth out of wedlock at the age of 18 and had previously lived in Pho Lu Town, Bao Thang District, Hoang Lien Son Province, now Lao Cai Province in the northern region. Hoas adoptive parents, Uef Grundel, an organizational and management consultant born in 1949, and Eva Hof, an office assistant born in 1952, reside in Jerfalla, Sweden. I am fortunate to have been raised by my adoptive parents, who nurtured and educated me for over 30 years. Now, I wish to meet my birth mother. If she is living a happy life, I will not disrupt her or impose on her, Hoa said. Hoa added that her adoptive parents had brought her back to Vietnam several times as a child, sparking a growing awareness of her roots and a longing for her mothers love. This deep connection to her origins has inspired her to search for her birth mother in the hope of a reunion. Journey to look for birth mother Hoas search for her biological mother began in 2009 when, at the age of 20, she returned to Vietnam for five months. During her stay, she volunteered at a Hanoi-based center caring for children with HIV and worked remotely for Save the Children to support disadvantaged children. Despite her efforts, she left Vietnam without any leads. In early 2023, with the blessing of her adoptive parents, Hoa returned to Vietnam to continue her search. This time, she has stayed longer, renting a room in Hanois Ba Dinh District, learning Vietnamese, practicing motorbike riding, and taking a part-time job. Fortunately, Hoa has found supportive friends in Vietnam who are helping her in her quest. One of them, Dinh Thu Thuy, told Tuoi Tre: When I learned about Hoas determination to find her mother, I rearranged my work schedule to accompany her, as her Vietnamese is not fluent enough. Together, Hoa and Thuy have explored numerous leads. They visited the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Hanoi, where the adoption took place, but were told that no additional records about the adoption exist beyond what Hoa already possesses. At the Hanoi Department of External Relations, they discovered that Hoa-related files were no longer stored. The department referred them to a former translator, now around 80 years old, who had worked with Hoas adoptive parents in the 1990s. However, the translator could not recall any contact with Hoas birth mother. In the autumn of 2023, the pair traveled to Pho Lu Town in Lao Cai Province, where Hoas mother had reportedly lived. They spent four days working with local police and visiting schools, hoping to find records of her mothers attendance. Unfortunately, they found no information. Back in Hanoi, Thuy assisted Hoa by calling eight hamlet leaders in Nguyen Trai Commune, Thuong Tin District, formerly Ha Son Binh Province. However, none of the officials had any knowledge of Hoas mother. Despite these setbacks, Hoa remains determined to continue her search, driven by the hope of one day reuniting with her birth mother. Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa (R), a young Swedish woman searching for her Vietnamese birth mother, is accompanied by her closest friend, Dinh Thu Thuy, as they visit various locations in their quest for information. Pursuing search with hope for miracle Initially, I planned to stay in Vietnam for six months to search for my mother, but its been over a year now, Hoa said. I see my future here in my homeland, and I want to build my life in Vietnam. Hoas adoptive parents have supported her decision to remain in Vietnam and continue her search. The Swedish couple, who also adopted a son in addition to Hoa, encouraged her to follow her heart. Sweden offers more opportunities for a better life, Hoa reflected. But like other adopted children, I can confirm that ones roots, language, and culture are far more meaningful than material wealth in a foreign country. Over the past year, Hoa has reached out to multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Justices Department of Adoption, but has yet to find any information about her biological mother. If my mother reads this article, I want her to know that I was raised well, just as she wished, Hoa said. Now, all I hope for is the chance to meet her and to know that she is living a happy life. Despite the challenges and setbacks, Hoa remains optimistic. Maybe a miracle will happen one day, allowing me to meet my mother. I wait for that miracle every single day, she said, her voice filled with hope. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! NEW YORK He's making threats, traveling abroad and negotiating with world leaders. Donald Trump has more than a month and a half to go before he's sworn in for a second term. But the Republican president-elect is already moving aggressively not just to fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but to achieve them. Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, prompting emergency calls and a visit from Canada's prime minister that resulted in what Trump claimed were commitments from both U.S. allies on new border security measures. The incoming president has warned there will be ALL HELL TO PAY" if Hamas does not release the hostages being held in Gaza before his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. And this weekend, Trump returned to the global stage, joining a host of other foreign leaders for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral five years after it was ravaged by a fire. There, he was welcomed like a sitting dignitary, with a prime seat next to French President Emmanuel Macron. Absent in Paris: lame duck President Joe Biden, who has largely disappeared from headlines, except when he issued a pardon of his son, Hunter, who was facing sentencing for gun crimes and tax evasion. First lady Jill Biden attended in his place. I think you have seen more happen in the last two weeks than youve seen in the last four years. And were not even there yet, Trump said in an over-the-top boast at an awards ceremony Thursday night. For all of Trump's bold talk, though, it is unclear how many of his efforts will bear fruit. Breaking precedent The pre-inauguration threats and deal-making are highly unusual, like so much of what Trump does, said Julian Zelizer, a political historian at Princeton University. Transitions are always a little complicated in this way. Even though we talk about one president at a time," he said, the reality is one president plus. And that plus can act assertively sometimes." Zelizer said that is particularly true of Trump, who was president previously and already has relationships with many foreign leaders such as Macron, who invited both Trump and Biden to Paris this weekend as part of the Notre Dame celebration. Right now hes sort of governing even though hes not the president yet. Hes having these public meetings with foreign leaders, which aren't simply introductions. He's staking out policy and negotiating things from drug trafficking to tariffs," Zelizer said. Foreign leader meetings Trump had already met with several foreign leaders before this weekend's trip. He hosted Argentinian President Javier Milei in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago club in November. After the tariff threat, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago for a three-hour dinner meeting. Canadian officials later said the country is ready to make new investments in border security, with plans for more helicopters, drones and law enforcement officers. Incoming Trump aides have also been meeting with their future foreign counterparts. On Wednesday, several members of Trump's team, including incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz, met with Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelenskyy, in Washington, as Ukraine tries to win support for its ongoing efforts to defend itself from Russian attacks, according to a person familiar with the meeting. Yermak also met with Trump officials in Florida, he wrote on X. That comes after Trump's incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Qatar and Israel for high-level talks about a cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza, according to a U.S. official familiar with the efforts, meeting with the prime ministers of both countries. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. One president, two voices There is no prohibition on incoming officials or nominees meeting with foreign officials, and it is common and fine for them to do so unless those meetings are designed to subvert or otherwise impact current U.S. policy. Trump aides were said to be especially cognizant of potential conflicts given their experience in 2016, when interactions between Trump allies and Russian officials came under scrutiny. That included a phone call in which Trump's incoming national security adviser, Michael Flynn, discussed new sanctions with Russias ambassador to the United States, suggesting things would improve after Trump became president. Flynn was later charged with lying to the FBI about the conversation. Trumps incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that all transition officials have followed applicable laws in their interactions with foreign nationals. She added: World leaders recognize that President Trump is returning to power and will lead with strength to put the best interests of the United States of America first again. That is why many foreign leaders and officials have reached out to correspond with President Trump and his incoming team. Such efforts can nonetheless cause complications. If, say, Biden is having productive conversations on a thorny foreign policy issue and Trump weighs in, that could make it harder for Biden because people are hearing two different voices that may be in conflict, Zelizer said. Leaders like Russia's Vladimir Putin and Netanyahu may also anticipate a more favorable incoming administration and wait Biden out, hoping for a better deal. Coordination between incoming and outgoing administrations Although there is no requirement that an incoming administration coordinate calls and meetings with foreign officials with the State Department or National Security Council, that has long been considered standard practice. That is, in part, because transition teams, particularly in their early days and weeks, do not always have the latest information about the state of relations with foreign nations and may not have the resources, including interpretation and logistical ability, to handle such meetings efficiently. It is unclear the level of State Department involvement, but the Biden and Trump teams say they have been talking, particularly on the Middle East, with the incoming and outgoing administrations having agreed to work together on efforts to free hostages who remain held in Gaza, according to a U.S. official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the sensitive talks and spoke on condition of anonymity. That includes conversations between Witkoff and Bidens foreign policy team as well as Waltz and Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Last month, Biden administration officials said they had kept Trumps team closely apprised of efforts to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah on the Israel-Lebanon border. I just want to be clear to all of our adversaries, they cant play the incoming Trump administration off of the Biden administration. Im regularly talking to the Biden people. And so, this is not a moment of opportunity or wedges for them," Waltz said Friday in a Fox Business interview. Sullivan echoed those comments at the Ronald Reagan National Defense Forum Saturday. It has been professional. It has been substantive. And frankly, it has been good," he said of their coordination on national security issues. Obviously we dont see eye to eye on every issue, and thats no secret to anybody," he went on. But he said both teams believe it is our job on behalf of the American people to make sure this is a smooth transition, particularly given the seriousness of issues like the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and threats from China. The nature of the world we find ourselves in today only elevates our responsibility to be engaged, to talk regularly, to meet regularly, to be transparent, to share, and to make sure its an effective transition, he said. Taking credit already Trumps team, meanwhile, is already claiming credit for everything from gains in the stock and cryptocurrency markets to a decision by Walmart to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion policies Trump opposes. Promises Kept And President Trump Hasnt Even Been Inaugurated Yet, read one press release that claimed, in part, that both Canada and Mexico have already pledged "immediate action to help stem the flow of illegal immigration, human trafficking, and deadly drugs entering the United States." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stopped short of saying Trump mischaracterized their call in late November. But she said Friday that Trump has his own way of communicating, like when we had the phone call and he wrote that we were going to close the border. That was never talked about in the phone call. Earlier this week, Mexico carried out what it claimed was its largest seizure of fentanyl pills ever. Seizures over the summer had been as little as 50 grams per week, and after the Trump call, they seized more than a ton. Biden, too, tried to take credit for the seizure in a statement Friday night. Authorities in Nha Trang City under Khanh Hoa Province, located in south-central Vietnam, will impose harsh sanctions on three peddlers for their involvement in a scuffle with Chinese tourists at Long Son Pagoda, an official said on Sunday. Luu Thanh Nhan, vice-chairman of the Nha Trang Peoples Committee, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that police in Phuong Sai Ward had summoned the three vendors who got into a fight with some Chinese tourists and caused public disorder at Long Son Pagoda on December 1. A few days ago, multiple clips showing three peddlers scuffling with some Chinese tourists at Long Son Pagoda went viral on TikTok in Vietnam. Upon being informed of the incident, police in the ward summoned the three vendors involved in the altercation: T.T.N.T., 30, T.T.N.Y., 28, and N.T.N., 30, all residents of Nha Trang. According to preliminary findings, the incident occurred around 1:20 pm on December 1, when T. sold a bundle of incense for VND10,000 ($0.40) to two Chinese tourists, a man and a woman. The tourists paid with a VND50,000 ($1.97) note and received VND40,000 ($1.57) in change. About 15 minutes later, after visiting the pagoda, the two Chinese tourists approached the vendor again, claiming they had mistakenly handed over VND500,000 ($19.70) instead of VND50,000 and demanded the additional change. Therefore, the two sides got into a brawl. The authority in Phuong Sai Ward on December 5 directed the wards police to strictly handle the case as the three vendors caused public disorder. Nguyen Thi Anh Thu, chairwoman of Phuong Sai Ward, told Tuoi Tre that police had not yet found the two Chinese tourists, so it was unclear whether they had given VND500,000 or VND50,000 to the incense seller. Police are continuing to review footage from the camera at Long Son Pagoda to clarify the case. However, Thu confirmed that officers had determined the three vendors caused public disorder. The authority also asked relevant units to collect sufficient evidence to deal with the behavior of competing for guests and aggressively promoting their products among vendors in line with Clause 3 of Article 6 under the governments Decree 45/2019. Fines for this act range from VND1 million ($39.4) to VND3 million ($118). Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Da Lat, a popular city in Vietnam's Central Highlands, should focus on improving the quality of tourism services, enhancing wildlife, environmental, and cultural conservation, and prioritizing its development as a green destination to promote sustainable tourism. Da Lat, dubbed a city of flowers, attracts crowds of local and international tourists thanks to its year-round cool weather, charming landscapes, multiple buildings of French architecture, and unique festivals. Sustainable tourism is meant to harmonize economic, social, environmental, and cultural aspects, meeting the current demands and strengthening long-term growth. The United Nations defines tourism as an industry that takes full account of sustainability and low emissions. Sustainable tourism also highlights the importance of local culture and society, natural ecosystem protection, economic development, and the reduction of negative impacts on culture and the environment. Travel firms should step up efforts in shifting to a sustainable tourism approach that includes improving infrastructure and reforming the service process. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council sets and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism. It also serves as the international accreditation body for sustainable tourism certification. The council promotes responsible tourism, encouraging tourists to help conserve natural and cultural values. Primary principles for sustainable tourism In 2015, the United Nations announced 17 sustainable development goals seeking a balance between economic, social, environmental, and cultural priorities. Sustainable tourism requires a dual approach of promoting economic growth while preserving natural and cultural resources. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism is aimed at guaranteeing current tourism activities and producing no negative impacts in the future, as well as benefiting the community and environment. Firms active in tourism are encouraged to adopt measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, use renewable energy, effectively manage waste, and build a business strategy based on the participation of the community and green certification to raise awareness of sustainability. Tourists play a key role in a journey toward sustainable tourism through their use of reusable products and joining activities that bring benefits to the community. The success of sustainable tourism depends on a joint effort from all stakeholders. The joint contribution by the government, firms, organizations, and tourists is essential to boost sustainable tourism, minimize negative impacts on society and the environment, and ensure economic, social, and environmental development. Key elements for sustainable tourism in Da Lat Boasting natural beauty and cool climate, Da Lat City in Lam Dong Province has much potential to become a leading eco-friendly destination. The city can learn about Taiwans model of deploying a certification system for eco-friendly travel firms, applying international standards such as the ISO 14024, ISO 14044, and those set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. These standards not only help reduce impacts on the environment, but also spur socio-economic sustainability and conserve local cultural features. The municipal authorities should build a detailed and transparent assessment system to ensure that certification processes run smoothly and effectively. The system should include detailed criteria such as using green items, saving energy, managing waste efficiently, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Particularly, firms can start the sustainable tourism approach by replacing electric tools and equipment with energy-efficient ones and offering services that do not produce much waste, as well as encouraging tourists to prefer reusable products. To help companies easily access the approach, Da Lat authorities should join hands with environmental experts to provide them with training courses and technical support. Moreover, it is necessary to reduce taxes and give firms that meet the standards on green tourism financial aid. Apart from setting up a sustainable tourism certification system, the city should call on local firms to utilize agricultural products to develop ecotourism and green cuisine in a bid to maximize brand values. Last but not least, the city should expand a network of eco-friendly modes of transportation such as bicycles and electric vehicles to protect the environment, while enhancing communications activities to introduce Da Lat as an ideal green city in Vietnam. Da Lat City in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam has much potential for sustainable tourism. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre How is a travel firm in Taiwan certified as sustainable? Taiwan applies the N7900 benchmark based on the ISO 14024 and ISO 14044 standards on environmental management to make its tourism eco-friendly. Its standard consists of the use of green items and low-emission tourism activities. Closely monitoring compliance with these requirements helps Taiwan protect the environment and turn it into a sustainable destination. Besides, Taiwan actively supports travel firms with tax cuts, training, and techniques to incentivize them to follow environmental standards. Taiwan also provides a grading of Gold, Silver, and Bronze for firms pursuing Green Tourism. The Bronze title is granted to entry-level businesses, while companies which meet some criteria will receive the Silver. Enterprises which achieve the highest standards of sustainability are granted the Gold. The classification aims to encourage businesses to enhance their standards and attract environmentally conscious customers. According to regulations on environmental education, the certification process involves multiple stages, including registration, monitoring, and issuance through the National Environmental Research Academy. This process is designed to improve the quality of environmental education and promote environmental protection. Many hotels and restaurants in Taiwan are adopting green practices, such as utilizing local materials and minimizing the use of single-use items. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Hanoi have pressed charges against Pho Duc Nam, also known as TikToker Mr. Pips, and 25 other individuals over fraudulent appropriation of properties, failure to report criminal activities, and money laundering, with seized assets worth over US$197 million. The Hanoi Peoples Procuracy and the municipal Department of Public Security said on Friday that they were expanding an investigation into a large-scale online fraud scheme which involved Nam and 25 other suspects, including 34-year-old Le Khac Ngo hailing from Hanoi, after initiating the probe in late October. Nam, a 30-year-old native of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, gained fame on TikTok and YouTube for flaunting his lavish lifestyle and giving investment advice. A police report revealed that in June 2019, Nam colluded with Ngo to set up a fraud racket using a model resembling stock brokerage firms. They operated under the guise of companies offering telemarketing, telesales, financial consulting, and international stock brokerage services, promoting stocks from major corporations like Facebook, Apple, Pepsi, Microsoft, and Adidas to lure customers. They also created a website to recruit employees and project a professional image as a reputable international stock investment advisory firm. These employees were trained to approach potential victims, encouraging them to invest through the fraudulent platform. The suspects expanded their fraud operation by opening many branches in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and even Cambodia. Nam and his accomplices used fake company accounts and e-wallets to collect funds from victims who were invited to private chat groups where they were instructed to deposit and withdraw funds. Victims were then encouraged to make increasingly larger investments with the promise of high returns. The scammers manipulated trading orders to ensure victims accounts would be depleted. Once victims lost their money, they were enticed to join new platforms with promises of recovering their losses, only to be defrauded again. The suspects operated a well-organized system with specialized departments for IT, support, administration, and security to carry out their scheme. During raids on the workplace and residences of the suspects, the law enforcement force seized more than VND5 trillion ($197 million) worth of assets from the fraud operation. The confiscated items included VND127 billion ($5 million) in cash, savings books totaling VND306 billion ($12 million), 216 kilograms of gold, 128 properties, 30 cars of various types, and bonds valued at VND9 billion ($355,000). Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam is, to some extent, ahead of many other countries in terms of artificial intelligence (AI) as the Ministry of Information and Communications has proposed a law to heavily rely on open source platforms, which is supposed the best possible strategy, particularly for AI, Yann LeCun, a French-American pioneer in AI and machine learning, said during an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday. LeCun, who is also chief AI scientist at Meta, said he had recommended Vietnam invest in research and education as well as embrace open source platforms during a meeting with Vietnams Party General Secretary To Lam the previous day. AI is going to become a kind of infrastructure, specifically communication infrastructure, similar to the Internet, which is built based on open source software. Therefore, Vietnam should play an important role in contributing to a sort of large frontier models that would be trained with all the data, languages, cultures, and value systems in the world, LeCun suggested. He added that the job cannot be done by a single company or a single entity in a single country. That has to be done in a distributed manner across the world. Vietnam, along with the U.S., Europe, South Korea, Japan, and India, should form an international partnership to train an AI foundation model that speaks all the languages in the world, the expert claimed. To develop meaningful AI technology or to make meaningful contributions to AI research, Vietnam needs AI-focused data centers based on GPUs, LeCun told Tuoi Tre, adding that Vietnam has recently announced an agreement with Nvidia in which the latter would open an AI research and development center and an AI data center in the Southeast Asian country. AI data centers are costly but a crucial component, he affirmed. Developing simultaneously both semiconductor, hardware, and software will help create advantages in working on the entire chain. The AI expert said one of the big challenges of the next few years is bringing down the cost of running AI assistants as operating an AI assistant is expensive computationally. In order to serve the 100 million Vietnamese population, it should be cheap. As a result, Vietnam needs specialized hardware that can take charge of the job efficiently. Vietnam perhaps has a role to play there. Not just the hardware itself, but also the low-level firmware and software to run on this, according to LeCun. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L, 2nd) presents the US$3 million VinFuture Grand Prize to the winners at an awards ceremony in Hanoi, December 6, 2024. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Metas expert said that a key factor driving large corporations to invest in AI in Vietnam is the availability of talent. However, talent often emerges only when a country actively creates opportunities for its development. Establishing research labs can inspire students to pursue education and careers in those labs, creating a virtuous cycle where research institutions motivate learning and technological advancement, explained LeCun. He further noted that the larger the pool of educated students, the more appealing the country becomes for companies looking to establish research centers. Yann LeCun is among the winners of the US$3 million VinFuture Grand Prize in 2024, besides Prof. Yoshua Bengio, a Canadian computer scientist; Prof. Geoffrey E. Hinton, a British-Canadian computer scientist and cognitive psychologist; Jen-Hsun Huang, CEO of the U.S.-based chipmaker Nvidia; and Prof. Fei-Fei Li, a Chinese-American AI researcher. Vietnam boosts AI, semiconductor ecosystem development Receiving president and CEO of U.S. chipmaker Nvidia Jensen Huang on Friday, Vietnams Party General Secretary To Lam voiced his hope that Nvidia will continue supporting Vietnams AI ecosystem, enhancing the country's technological self-reliance. He affirmed that Vietnam considers Nvidia a leading strategic partner in semiconductor and AI, pledging to create the most favorable conditions for the two sides effective collaboration. On September 21, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed decisions to promulgate a human resource development program for the semiconductor industry and the national strategy for semiconductor industry development. In 2021, the prime minister also issued the national strategy on AI research, development, and application until 2030. At a seminar in early October this year, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung affirmed that the country had established a large AI and semiconductor ecosystem with the participation of large groups, such as Google, Meta, Qualcomm, Intel, Nvidia, AMD, and others. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The nuclear power project in Ninh Thuan Province, located in south-central Vietnam, has been officially resumed after an eight-year hiatus, with an estimated cost running into billions of U.S. dollars, according to a Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) official. Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan disclosed the projected investment during a government press conference in Hanoi on Saturday. The projects revival follows a resolution unanimously passed by the National Assembly (NA) on November 30, approving the government's proposal to restart its construction. The resolution also mandates the allocation of necessary resources and relies on assessments from relevant agencies to ensure the project proceeds effectively, Tan explained. According to preliminary reports, the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project is projected to require an investment of billions of U.S. dollars to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable operations. The project is meant to provide a green and clean energy source, bolstering national energy security and supporting Vietnam's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Deputy Minister Tan said. He noted that a precise cost evaluation is ongoing, as it must account for various factors, including investment scale, operational capacity, selected technologies, and stringent safety requirements. In 2009, when the government designated state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) as the project's investor, the initial design outlined two plants with a combined capacity of over 4,000 MW, requiring an estimated investment of approximately VND200 trillion (US$7.9 billion). However, the project was suspended in November 2016 over many concerns about safety, high investment costs, technological issues, and developments in the global energy situation then, according to Pham Van Hoa, a member of the NAs Law Committee. Currently, MoIT is advising the government to establish a steering committee, led by the prime minister, to oversee the implementation of the resumed nuclear power project, Tan said. The committees deputy head will be a deputy prime minister, and its members will include representatives from relevant ministries, as well as scientists and nuclear power experts, Tan added. The official also informed the media that the government is preparing a report to the NA to amend the Law on Atomic Energy, which will help facilitate the revival of the project. Regarding the projects site clearance, Tan said that the Ninh Thuan administration must assist in preparing suitable sites, ensuring consensus among local residents, to support the development. He also insisted on selecting the right investor for the project, noting that MoIT is assisting relevant authorities in this process. Throughout the projects development, Tan stressed that both the investor and relevant agencies should consider recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency and other organizations. In summary, Tan stated, This project is being revived carefully, step by step. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Sam & Tricia reach a surprising understanding on Hollys birthday, and later, Sam takes a chance with Iceland. 9:40pm Monday on Binge / Showcase. Yellowstone Matlock Pretty Woman: A Fairytale In Hollywood Wheel of Fortune Australia Five Bedrooms On 6th December, farmers heading towards Delhi from the Shambhu border (Punjab) to place their demand to enforce a legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops but were stopped mid-way by the Haryana Police. This is the second time in eight months when the farmers under the banner of Sanyukat Kisan Morcha (non-politics) and Kisan Mazdoor have come out in a protest March Delhi Chalo movement. A Jatha (group) of 101 farmers began foot March towards Delhi, but after just a few meters the security personnel used tear gas and spray to stop them. Support TwoCircles As per reports around 20 farmers have been injured in tear gas shelling and two are in a critical situation. Poonam Masih, brings the highlight of the March in photos for TwoCircles.net HA NOI Viet Nam is making significant strides toward transforming its energy sector by fostering a competitive and sustainable market to meet the nations socio-economic develoment demands. This vision was the focus of a conference late last week in Ha Noi discussing the development of a competitive energy market by 2030, with a vision to 2045. Economists, industry experts and policymakers at the event highlighted several critical challenges facing the countrys energy sector and the urgent need for strategic reforms. Key issues include the transition to net-zero emissions, potential energy shortages, limited diversification of energy sources, inadequate planning and complex pricing policies. These factors pose significant threats to Viet Nams energy security. Participants underscored the necessity of addressing these challenges to ensure rapid and sustainable energy development while aligning with goals of ecological preservation, national defence and social equity. Professor Tran inh Thien, former director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, emphasised the importance of modernising the countrys energy market. He called for a clear delineation of the roles of the Government and the market, while bringing electricity prices closer to market realities. He recommended promptly implementing a two-component pricing mechanism for electricity and seasonal price adjustments to enhance fairness and efficiency. Pham Thi Thanh Binh, a lecturer at the Hanoi Open University, suggested Viet Nam draw inspiration from global success stories. For example, Taiwan (China)'s Renewable Energy Development Act has driven growth in renewable energy by reducing reliance on finite resources and lowering carbon emissions. Binh advocated adopting similar policies in Viet Nam, such as transitioning to a bidding system to attract foreign investors and selecting developers offering the most competitive renewable energy prices. Policymakers stressed the critical role of media outlets in helping the public access unbiased information on the countrys energy pricing policies and in combating misinformation. They highlighted the need for clear and transparent communication with the public to ensure fairness and build trust in the Governments energy strategies. Industry experts reiterated that developing a competitive energy market is essential to Viet Nams socio-economic aspirations. Such an approach requires greater transparency, diversity and competitiveness. Le Anh Chien, a representative of the Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam), affirmed the groups commitment to achieving the countrys energy objectives. Over recent decades, Petrovietnam has prioritised optimising domestic resources, adopting energy-saving measures and modernising transmission networks. Under a plan to develop Viet Nams energy market by 2030 with a vision to 2045, the Government has emphasised the importance of creating a competitive energy market. This strategy aims to ensure national energy security, support economic growth and foster international integration. VNS SYDNEY The deepening relationship between Australia and Viet Nam is attracting growing interest from professionals across various fieldsincluding policymakers, businesses, and researcherswho are keen to explore and stay informed about Viet Nam's developments, including its vision for a rising era. The Viet Nam Policy and Economic Update 2024 conference at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, aimed to provide comprehensive updates on Viet Nam's recent policies and advancements as well as Australia's interest in Viet Nam's transformations. More than 150 participants, including policymakers, business representatives, researchers, academics, and Viet Nam enthusiasts, attended the conference organized by ANU and sponsored by Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Robyn Mudie, Head of the Southeast Asia Division at DFAT and former Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam, stressed Viet Nam's significant role in Southeast Asias economic development. She emphasised that the two countries shared a vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region and highlighted the growing relationship between Viet Nam and Australia in all sectors. In this context, Mudie underscored the importance of Australia keeping abreast of Viet Nam's new policies. She noted that this is not only an opportunity for information and knowledge sharing but also a chance for experts and scholars to expand their networks and contribute to enhancing bilateral relations. Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam shared updates on some of Viet Nam's major achievements in 2024, including a projected GDP growth rate of 6.1 per cent, over $27 billion in foreign investment, and nearly 16 million international tourist arrivals so far. Ambassador Tam also discussed Viet Nam's rising era vision, recently announced by Party General Secretary To Lam, which aims to lead Viet Nam toward prosperity and resilience. He expressed confidence that Australias engagement with Viet Nam's evolving policies would foster mutual understanding and bolster the growing partnership between the two countries. During the conference, experts from ANU, US-based Indiana University, and Viet Nam's National Economics University provided insights into recent updates in Viet Nam's governance structure, policies, and economic reforms. They also analysed the impact of these changes on various areas, such as the stock market, price regulation, the environment, public health, renewable energy, and Viet Nam's strategies to escape the middle-income trap. Notably, Vietnamese-American economist Professor Tran Ngoc Anh from Indiana University presented seven strategic directions recently outlined by General Secretary To Lam to propel Viet Nam into its rising era. His presentation drew significant interest from attendees. Professor Ngoc Anh noted that Australia sees Viet Nam as a strategic partner in politics, security, and economics. He highlighted Australia's long-standing support for Viet Nam and its genuine interest in helping Viet Nam achieve its ambitious goals: "Australia wants to understand the core content of this [rising era] vision, how Viet Nam plans to achieve it, and what needs to be done. From Australias side, I believe they sincerely want to support Viet Nam's success and are eager to identify ways they can contribute to Viet Nam's goals in this new era. Professor Suiwah Leung from ANU, an expert in Viet Nam's economic reforms during its oi moi (reforms) period, focused on changes in Viet Nam's political landscape and their potential to boost private sector growth: "I believe the relationship between the Party, government institutions, and the private sector is crucial. Currently, the private sector plays an increasingly significant role in Viet Nam's economy and is becoming more integrated with the global economy. The interplay between these three elements is vital, as the Party and government institutions need to facilitate private sector development. Therefore, Im particularly interested in how the Party (the tree's roots) and the government (the trunk) can create conditions for the private sector (the leaves) to thrive." Professor Paul Burke, an expert on energy transitions in Southeast Asia, expressed interest in Viet Nam's ongoing reforms and their potential to spur development. While noting that detailed plans for transformative breakthroughs are still emerging, Burke praised Viet Nam's vast development potential: "This is an exciting time for Viet Nam, as it implements proposals to restructure some ministries and boost economic performance. While more details are needed on how these plans will strengthen the economy, its clear that this moment presents significant opportunities for Viet Nam. I am particularly interested in the role of clean energy in Viet Nam's economy. Viet Nam has immense potential in this area, as well as in sectors like education, healthcare, and technology. While more information is needed, theres no denying Viet Nam's potential to achieve robust growth." VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese Embassy in Iran and Syria said on Sunday that it has requested Syrian authorities to provide detailed information about any Vietnamese nationals currently living, working and studying there amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East country. Syria has reported no specific information about Vietnamese citizens within its border, according to the embassy. Syrian rebels today seized control of capital city Damascus and claimed that President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country but his current whereabouts are unknown at the moment. Syrias prime minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said Sunday morning he would facilitate the nations transition of power. Earlier, as a precautionary measure, the embassy has provided Syrian authorities with its contact numbers while publicising its hotlines to facilitate immediate assistance if required. The diplomatic mission has also worked closely with the Philippine Embassy in Iran and Syria, which is evacuating its citizens from the nation. Additionally, an advisory about the Syrian situation has been published on the embassys website. Given the volatile political situation with potential for continued escalation between rebel forces and Syrian governments military, the embassy warned the Vietnamese citizens to avoid travelling to Syria this time. Those already in the country should expedite evacuation either to a third country or back to Viet Nam. In case of an emergency requiring assistance, citizens should contact the embassy via the hotlines: +98 933 965 8252/+98 991 205 7570 (Whatsapp) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs citizen protection hotline: +84 981 84 84 84. VNS HA NOI The official visits to Singapore and Japan by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation from December 1-7 were a success, with practical and comprehensive results across the Party, NA, Government, and people-to-people exchange channels, generating a new momentum for the robust development of Viet Nam's ties with both nations in the years ahead. Fostering substantive cooperation between Vietnamese, Singapore legislatures After more than five decades of diplomatic relations (19732024) and over a decade of strategic partnership (20132024), the Viet Nam-Singapore relationship has kept growing, with important milestones across various fields. Notably, political trust has been strengthened, and economic and trade cooperation remains a key pillar in bilateral ties. Singapore remains the second largest investor in Viet Nam, with over 3,800 projects worth more than US$81 billion. A network of 18 Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) across 13 Vietnamese cities and provinces stands as a symbol of successful economic cooperation between the two countries. During meetings, NA Chairman Man and high-ranking Singaporean leaders affirmed their determination to further promote this crucial cooperation pillar. This will be achieved through increased sharing of information and experience in tackling new socio-economic challenges, and stepping up investment based on leveraging each country's strengths. The goal is to create breakthroughs in emerging growth areas such as green logistics, data centre, semiconductors, clean energy, carbon credit, food security and green finance. To bolster substantive cooperation between the two legislatures, Man and Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Seah Kian Peng agreed on the need to continue effectively following the cooperation agreement between the two parliaments, contributing to further developing the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Partnership and elevating it to a new level. They also agreed to enhance the sharing of information and experience in each country regarding the perfection of institutions, policies and legal systems. Underscoring the visit's significance ahead of Viet Nam's upcoming reforms, Assoc. Prof. Vu Minh Khuong, a lecturer at the Singapores Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, described it as a practical channel for both sides to sharing experience in building legal systems and policies in a more scientific, concise, simple and easy-to-understand manner. According to him, Viet Nam's upcoming reform to streamline its administrative apparatus must start with legal matters. The visit provides an opportunity to draw on valuable legal experience, laying the foundation for building an elite civil service apparatus, from senior officials to the younger generations, enabling them to become the vanguard of change in this new era. Meanwhile, Assoc. Pro Eugene Tan, senior lecturer at the Singapore Management University, affirmed that the visit demonstrates the close relationship between Viet Nam and Singapore, helping their legislative bodies deepen understanding of each other's legal systems, paving the way for new cooperation opportunities. Meeting with leaders of major Singaporean corporations and businesses, Man delivered a clear message: Viet Nam is ready to remove difficulties and obstacles, offering all possible support for domestic enterprises and foreign investors. In the legislative work, the Vietnamese NA has made numerous reforms to improve institutional framework, creating a more conducive environment for them. Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung noted that major Singaporean corporations and businesses are optimistic about Viet Nam's potential, hoping that the country will soon resolve mechanism challenges, making it easier for them to continue investing in the country. The Vietnamese NA will help them overcome these obstacles. The visit not only reinforced the importance of legislative cooperation as a key channel in the Viet Nam-Singapore Strategic Partnership but also reaffirmed the political will to elevate bilateral ties to a new level. Affirming Viet Nam's commitment to comprehensive strategic partnership with Japan Since the two countries set up their diplomatic relations in 1973, their relationship has developed strongly, comprehensively and substantively across multiple domains. The recent official trip to Japan by NA Chairman Man, his spouse and the high-level delegation of the Vietnamese parliament reaffirmed how Viet Nam has attached much importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world. During his stay, Man met with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and held talks with President of the House of Councilors of Japan Sekiguchi Masakazu and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Nukaga Fukushiro. In a frank and open atmosphere, the two sides expressed their delight over the standout and practical outcomes in the bilateral relations across economy, trade, labour, human resources training, cultural exchange, people-to-people exchange, and local connectivity. They concurred to enhance exchanges among parliamentarians, particularly young and female lawmakers, and promote the pivotal role of the friendship parliamentary alliance in fostering people-to-people ties, business cooperation, and locality-to-locality partnerships. They also committed to sharing expertise between specialised committees and creating favourable legal frameworks to support enterprises to expand their cooperation and investment in each nation. A significant milestone of the visit was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese NA and the House of Councilors of Japan, laying the premise for the two legislative bodies to bring their partnership to a new high in the coming years. Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu highlighted the practical and effective outcomes of the visit, noting that Japanese leaders highly valued Man's visit, which saw extended discussions at various meetings. Laying stress on the agreement between the two legislative agencies, the first deal that the House of Councilors of Japan ever signed with a foreign parliament, he said that it features direct cooperation and discussions between the two agencies specialised units, expected to bolster Viet Nam's institutional reformsone of the nations strategic breakthroughs aimed at fostering socio-economic development in a new erathe era of the nations rise. Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Vu Hai Ha held that the deal will make further contributions to the development of the Viet Nam Japan comprehensive strategic partnership. Japan remains Viet Nam's largest ODA provider, the second-largest partner in labour cooperation, the third-largest investor, and the fourth-largest trading partner. With existing potential and advantages, NA Chairman Man called on Japan to enhance the implementation of new-generation ODA with favourable terms, simplified procedures, and flexibility, particularly for infrastructure development projects in Viet Nam. He also affirmed Viet Nam's ongoing efforts to improve its legal framework and investment climate to attract stable and long-term foreign investments, including those from Japanese enterprises. Meanwhile, member of the Japanese House of Representatives Soramoto Seiki noted Viet Nam's development potential, predicting rapid and robust growth in several industries in the near future. Man's visit, he added, was timely in capturing this momentum and advancing shared goals. The outcomes of the top legislators official visits to Singapore and Japan marked a significant milestone in enhancing parliamentary collaboration and strengthening Viet Nam's strategic partnerships with both countries. These visits solidified Viet Nam's commitment to deepening comprehensive, practical, and sustainable cooperation with Singapore and Japan across all fields. VNA/VNS HA NOI Viet Nam has built an inter-sectoral system to prevent violence against women and girls during the past years, in which social workers play an important role. ang Hoa Nam, Director of the Child Affairs Department under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, stated in an event held on Friday in Ha Noi. He made the statement at the "Roundtable conference on violence against women and children in Viet Nam" organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) with financial support from the Australian Government. The event was held in response to the national action month on gender equality, prevention and response to gender-based violence. Speaking at the conference, Nam confirmed that Viet Nam had made great progress in preventing violence against women and children. The Government has strengthened policies such as the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, the Law on Children and implemented national programmes to end violence against women and children. The country has an effective inter-sectoral coordination system, connecting representatives from ministries and sectors, demonstrating the strong commitment of the Government and authorities to create changes in preventing violence against women and children. The Government also issued a decree on developing social workers, in which one of the priority is ending violence against women and children. Pauline Tamesis, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Viet Nam, emphasised that in the next decade, Viet Nam needed to focus on integrating support services across sectors, building trust in the community and strengthening data systems. She proposed making efforts to support the needs of adolescents, listening to the voices of those who have been abused, engaging men and boys and changing harmful norms. Director Nam confirmed that addressing violence against women and children required collaboration between social welfare, health, justice, policing and education. Technology, in particular, can help ensure stable support for violence victims. Authorities at all levels need to have a reasonable fund and human resources so that intervention measures and prevention of violence against women and girls are more effective and sustainable, he said. Local authorities efforts and international organisations support will help Viet Nam take the lead in achieving sustainable development goals, including the goal of eliminating violence against women and children, said Nam. Sharing lessons from Australia to combat gender-based violence, Micaela Cronin, Australian Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Commissioner, said that in Australia, person-centred approaches and coordinated services were the key to making a difference. She added that Viet Nams integrated strategies were promising. During the conference, experts agreed that violence against women and children had common root causes of social norms, gender inequality and weak response and support policies. Violence can last for generations with long-term consequences for physical and mental health. Girls and boys who are exposed to violence are more likely to experience or commit violence as adults. To break this vicious cycle, there must be a shift in awareness and resolving violence in the community. VNS Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 HCM CITY Vietnamese police have dismantled a large-scale network involved in organising illegal immigration between Viet Nam and Cambodia for gambling activities. The southern province An Giang's police confirmed that on Friday they apprehended two Vietnamese nationals, Le Phuoc Luong, 34 and Nguyen Viet Phuong, 39, both of An Giang, who were facilitating the illegal entry of several individuals from Cambodia into Viet Nam. Following the arrests of his associates, another man, Vo Van Son, 52, voluntarily surrendered to authorities and disclosed his involvement in the operation. The members of this network enabled the movement of a significant number of gamblers across the border over an extended period, which has raised considerable public concern, according to the provincial police. They have detained the individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into their activities related to the organisation of illegal immigration. Authorities have encouraged any individuals connected to the operation to come forward to benefit from leniency under the law. Illegal crossings between Viet Nam and Cambodia remain a concern over many years. In March, Viet Nam received more than 100 citizens who had been arrested and deported by Cambodian authorities on gambling-related charges. Also in March, Cambodian authorities conducted a raid at the Paradis Island casino, resulting in the arrest and deportation of 172 foreigners, including over 100 Vietnamese nationals, according to the Khmer Times. VNS HCM CITY A memorial service was held on Sunday in HCM City for 12 soldiers who lost their lives during a military exercise in the southern province of ong Nai five days ago. The event, held at the southern National Funeral House in Go Vap District, was attended by former State Presidents Nguyen Minh Triet and Truong Tan Sang, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen, and Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Vo Minh Luong. Veterans and local people also gathered to pay their last respects to the fallen soldiers. At the event, the organising board posthumously awarded the martyrs with the State Presidents third-class National Defence Order, the Prime Ministers certificate of national merit, and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committees brave youth badge. Following the memorial service, they were laid to rest in military cemeteries in Binh Duong, ong Nai and Binh Thuan provinces as well as other localities, according to each of the martyr's hometown. The Military Region 7 organised a defence exercise under harsh weather conditions and in complex terrain from December 1-4, per a statement from the Ministry of National December. At 20:27 on December 2, at the National Shooting Range in Zone 3, while transporting explosives to a designated location amidst heavy rain and thunderstorms, a team of soldiers from Battalion 17, Division 5, the Military Region 7, stopped for a break. Suddenly, an explosion occurred, resulting in many casualties. Initial findings revealed that lightning struck an electric detonator, causing it to trigger and detonate the explosives. VNS By Nguyen My Ha On bustling Lan Ong Street in Ha Nois Old Quarter, herb doctor Tran Vu Cuong examines patients every morning. Sitting at a wooden table with a small pillow where patients rest their wrists, he diagnoses health issues using traditional methods that have stood the test of time. Dr Cuong has over 20 years been blending his formal medical training with the practices of traditional medicine, offering insights that modern diagnostic machines often cannot replicate. Take a seat, he tells his patients calmly, yet firmly. Give me your left wrist. His confident yet gentle approach immediately puts patients at ease. Dr Cuong places the tips of his index, middle, and ring fingers on a patients wrist to feel for subtle variations in their pulse. This ancient diagnostic technique, known as pulse reading, reveals detailed information about the patients health. Traditional Vietnamese medicine, like other Eastern systems, views health as a balance of vital energies flowing through the bodys meridians. A blockage in these pathways can lead to pain or illness. Practitioners like Dr Cuong work to restore this balance through herbal remedies, acupuncture, acupressure, and other techniques. I experienced this approach first-hand during a recent visit. After examining my pulse, Dr Cuong asked a question that caught me completely off guard: Do you still have your period? It had been over 20 years since my last visit to a herb doctor, and such directness about a topic often considered private was unexpected. But in traditional medicine, understanding a womans menstrual cycle is key to diagnosing broader health concerns. Regularity, pain levels, and other details can provide clues about the bodys internal balance. Traditional medicine focuses on the flow of qi -- the bodys vital energy, Dr Cuong explained. If your meridians are clear, youre healthy. If theyre blocked, youll experience pain or illness. Journey of traditional healers Traditional medicine practitioners in Viet Nam fall into two categories: formally trained doctors who specialise in traditional methods after medicine school, and "thay lang", or traditional healers. The latter often inherit family secrets and recipes for herbal treatments, passed down through generations. Dr Cuong combines rigorous academic knowledge with centuries-old techniques. His method of reading pulses to assess the condition of a patients meridians is a skill honed over decades. Each patients pulse tells a story, he says. By listening closely, we can uncover imbalances in the body. In addition to pulse reading, traditional medicine incorporates an extensive understanding of natural remedies. With over 2,000 acupoints identified along the meridians, treatment is highly individualised, addressing each patients unique needs. One of the most commonly recommended remedies at Dr Cuongs clinic is tam that (panax pseudoginseng), a powerful plant tuber known for its ability to improve blood flow and vitality. Powdered panax pseudoginseng is excellent for blood circulation, he advises during a consultation. Its especially beneficial for women going through hormonal changes or those recovering from childbirth. The root, while effective, is notoriously bitter. If you can handle the taste, the results are worth it. The bitterness cures, and the lingering aftertaste is surprisingly sweet, he adds, referencing the Vietnamese proverb, Thuoc ang da tat or bitter medicine cures illness. Traditional remedies require patience. Herbal medicine packs, often a mix of dried roots, leaves, and bark, need to be simmered for hours to extract their full healing properties. Terracotta pots are preferred for their ability to retain heat and enhance the medicines potency, although modern electric cookers offer convenience. The process may seem tedious, says Dr Cuong, but its a ritual that connects us to the wisdom of our ancestors. Street steeped in history Lan Ong Street, located in Ha Nois Old Quarter, has been synonymous with traditional medicine for over a century. Named after Hai Thuong Lan Ongthe father of traditional Vietnamese medicineit is a living testament to Viet Nams rich healing heritage. In the 19th century, the street served as a marketplace for zinc and copper from northern mines. During French colonial rule, it housed a vibrant Fujian community whose herbal traditions influenced the local culture. By the early 20th century, Vietnamese families began opening herbal medicine shops. Many of these practitioners hailed from villages renowned for their medicinal knowledge, such as a Nguu and Nghia Trai in Hung Yen Province. These shops offered remedies for common ailments, as well as specialised treatments based on secret family recipes. Lan Ong Street nowadays remains a vibrant hub for traditional medicine. Walking along the street, visitors are greeted by the earthy aroma of dried herbs and the sight of jars filled with ingredients like ginseng, lingzhi mushrooms and cinnamon sticks. The streets legacy is as much about preserving tradition as it is about healing. In recent years, Lan Ong Street has become a popular destination for tourists seeking a cultural experience. Many visitors stop by the herb shops to learn about traditional remedies and even consult practitioners like Dr Cuong. Ive treated patients from Germany, France and Austria, he says. When I accurately diagnose their conditions, theyre amazed by traditional methods and often take remedies home. Tourists are often intrigued by the holistic approach of traditional medicine. They realise its not just about curing disease but about maintaining balance and preventing future health issues, says Dr Cuong. Bridging East and West While traditional medicine excels in treating chronic conditions, Dr Cuong acknowledges the strengths of modern medical practices. Western medicine is unparalleled when it comes to acute conditions like infections or injuries, he says. But for chronic issuesjoint pain, liver disease, fatiguetraditional methods often yield better results. Many patients use traditional remedies alongside Western treatments. Elderly patients, in particular, appreciate the gentler approach of herbal medicine, which boosts overall health without the harsh side effects of synthetic drugs. For example, herbal remedies work well for conditions like high blood pressure and poor circulation, says Dr Cuong. These treatments complement Western medications, enhancing their effectiveness. Children, too, benefit from traditional medicine, particularly for conditions like bed-wetting or excessive sweating, which are often difficult to treat with modern methods. One of the most significant advantages of traditional medicine is its focus on prevention. By maintaining the bodys balance, traditional remedies can help patients avoid serious health issues later in life. For many patients, traditional medicine is a way to enhance their overall wellbeing, says Dr Cuong. Its about addressing small issues before they become major problems. However, he laments that younger generations often neglect preventative care. When youre young, you trade your health for money, he says. By the time you start caring about your health, its often too late. Holistic approach Despite the scepticism some may have, traditional medicine continues to offer a valuable alternative to modern healthcare. Its emphasis on prevention, balance, and individualised care makes it an indispensable part of Viet Nams medical landscape. Traditional remedies can be life-changing for patients with chronic conditions, says Dr Cuong, while the bitterness of the medicine may deter some, those who persevere often find their health transformed. Ultimately, the interplay between Eastern and Western medicine offers patients the best of both worlds. Whether its managing chronic illnesses, enhancing vitality, or preventing future health issues, traditional medicine remains a trusted resource for generations of Vietnamese patients. VNS The city is boosting production and collaborating with local provinces to ensure a stable supply of safe, high-quality agricultural products while keeping prices steady. With a population approaching 10 million people and millions of tourists visiting annually, Hanoi ranks among the top three consumers of agricultural products in Vietnam, according to city data. However, despite this high demand, the city's agricultural production satisfies only 20-70 per cent of its needs, depending on the product, requiring imports from other regions and overseas. To address this gap, Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has formed strong collaborations with 43 cities and provinces across Vietnam. These partnerships have led to the establishment of 977 supply chains involving over 1,130 partners, ensuring a consistent and reliable flow of safe food products, as highlighted in the department's 2024 summary report released at the end of November. Hanoi Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection has also taken proactive steps to support local farmers. Tailored production scenarios have been developed, considering weather patterns, while officials have been deployed to assist with crop care and offer guidance. Furthermore, pest control measures have been intensified to stabilise production, ensuring that Hanois market will be adequately supplied with high-quality agricultural products in time for the holiday. In line with these efforts, leaders from the districts of Thuong Tin, Thanh Oai, Dong Anh, and Soc Son shared with VIR that many farms and cooperatives are accelerating the cultivation of short-term crops and the care of livestock and poultry to meet the rising market demand. Tu Duc Manh, head of the Economic Department of Thuong Tin People's Committee, reported that over 1,300 hectares of winter vegetables have been planted, and the district is also reviewing available farmland to boost production in line with set targets. "Cooperatives and farms are also focusing on investing in product quality. The selected varieties of vegetables, tubers, and fruits all grow quickly, are suitable for the winter weather conditions, and meet food safety standards," said Manh. In addition, livestock farms are implementing plans to increase numbers of cattle and poultry to ensure a stable supply of meat and eggs during the Lunar New Year holiday. Weve strengthened breeding and upgraded our facilities. We expect a 15-20 per cent increase in egg and chicken production compared to last year to meet the higher market demand, Nguyen Van Hoa, a poultry farm owner in Thuong Tin district told VIR. Thuong Tin district has also partnered with specialised agencies to offer training on crop cultivation and livestock disease prevention. The district is ensuring that irrigation and transportation systems are maintained to avoid disruptions in the supply chain. In Dong Anh district, clean vegetable cooperatives are increasing production of popular leafy greens and root vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, and turnips. Some farms are incorporating high-tech farming techniques to improve yields and product quality. Hanoi Agriculture Department inspected safe vegetable production in Me Linh district. Photo: baodautu.vn To meet the heightened consumer demand before, during, and after the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday, Hanoi People's Committee issued a plan on October 29 to balance supply and demand. This plan focuses on organising regional linkages, promoting collaboration, and fostering connections between Hanoi and other provinces and cities in the trade and industry sectors. Furthermore, the city is establishing a stable and reliable supply of goods to ensure the market remains well-supplied throughout the holiday season. According to Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, comprehensive production scenarios have been carefully planned well in advance to meet the upcoming demand. The department has worked in close collaboration with Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade to accurately forecast market needs and efficiently coordinate the distribution of goods. Hanoi is also enforcing stringent food safety standards, emphasising traceability to guarantee the quality and origin of all goods. In addition, the city is offering strong support to businesses in logistics, circulation, and distribution, ensuring smooth operations throughout the supply chain. "With proactive efforts in production, linkage, and market regulation, I believe that this Lunar New Year, Hanoi will ensure a full supply of safe and high-quality agricultural products to the capital's residents," said Nguyen Xuan Dai, director of Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Hanoi to address public investment disbursement bottlenecks in 2025 Building on the successes of 2024, Hanoi enters 2025 with a clear vision for the new era, aiming for a state budget exceeding $21.04 billion, along with a strong determination to resolve the bottlenecks in public investment disbursement. Hanoi strengthens price stabilisation measures at year-end Deputy Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Ha Minh Hai has approved a plan to strengthen price management and stabilisation measures in the capital during the final month of 2024. The strategic framework is set to fortify Vietnam-GGGI collaboration over the next five years, driving support for Vietnams green growth ambitions and climate actions, including achieving the net-zero 2050 target. In her opening remarks at the launch at the headquarters of the MPI, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc emphasised, The launch of the Vietnam-GGGI new framework marks another milestone in the long-term cooperation between the MPI and GGGI to continue promoting green growth and sustainable development in Vietnam. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc at the event. Photo: GGGI Vietnam has solidified its status as a bright investment destination in Southeast Asia. In 2023, foreign direct investment (FDI) registrations in the country reached nearly $36.61 billion, a 32.1 per cent increase from the previous year. Vietnam has emerged as one of the rising manufacturing powerhouses, and a key destination for multinational corporations seeking diversification, establishing significant operations. Manufacturing now contributes nearly 24 per cent to Vietnams GDP, underpinning the countrys economic growth. Amid the impressive economic momentum, Vietnam is accelerating its decarbonisation efforts. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating the nations commitment to climate action and international collaboration. This new CPF 2024-2028 will contribute to this effort. The plan focuses on seven strategic areas: green investments, climate action, green industries (with a strong focus on climate tech startups), climate-resilient agriculture, waste management, green buildings, and carbon pricing. Aligned with national policies such as the Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025, the updated Nationally Determined Contribution 2022, and the National Power Development Plan 8, the CPF aims to mobilise investments and support the implementation of transformative policies to advance Vietnams green growth agenda. The Vietnam-GGGI Country Planning Framework 2024-2028 launchi at the Ministry of Planning and Investment in Hanoi. Photo: GGGI GGGI country representative to Vietnam, Juhern Kim, emphasised, As a trusted advisor, the GGGI is privileged to support Vietnam by accelerating green investment mobilisation, providing enhanced technical policy advisory, and supporting the green innovation ecosystem to empower climate tech startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises operating in Vietnam. Juhern Kim, GGGI country representative to Vietnam, discussing focused areas of the new framework. Photo: GGGI Since becoming a founding member of the GGGI in 2012, Vietnam has worked closely with the MPI as a main counterpart, while collaborating with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Ministry of Construction, as well as provincial governments. This long-standing partnership has delivered impactful policy advisories, including the development of the MPIs Investment Guidelines for Green Growth, the Urban Green Growth Indicator, and the Vietnam Urban Green Growth Development Plan. In terms of investment mobilisation, the GGGI has facilitated the mobilisation of approximately $410 million in green investments for projects such as waste-to-energy and pioneering green bond issuances by financial and corporate entities. However, the transition to a low-carbon economy requires significant financial resources, technical assistance, and a robust innovation ecosystem. According to the World Bank, Vietnam will need additional investments equivalent to 6.8 per cent of GDP annually about $368 billion by 2040 to achieve its climate and development goals. The CPF 2024-2028 is designed to help address this financing gap by fostering an enabling environment for green investments, preparing bankable projects in key sectors, and providing policy advisories. GGGI points the way to green future The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) has committed to further support Vietnam in implementing green growth with a focus on developing national energy planning processes that enable the transition to a clean energy future. GGGI unites GDP and green growth The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment recently inked the Country Planning Framework 2016-2020 (CPF), which aims to ensure Vietnams rapid economic growth is accompanied by a sustainable, inclusive environmental strategy. Adam Ward, GGGIs country representative for Vietnam, spoke with VIRs Thanh Tung about how investors can benefit from the CPF, and how Vietnam can develop a low-carbon economy. This is a human rights scandal, Cross-party calls for homes, not hospitals This article is old - Published: Sunday, Dec 8th, 2024 The Senedd supported calls to end the human rights scandal of autistic people and those with a learning disability being inappropriately detained in hospitals. Hefin David tabled a cross-party motion on the Stolen Lives campaign led by families whose loved ones have been trapped in hospitals due to a lack of community support. The Caerphilly Senedd member shared the experience of Dawn Cavanaghs son Jack, who was placed in an unsuitable secure residential unit more than 100 miles away. Dr David explained that Jack was later sent to live in a psychiatric intensive care unit in Wales despite not having a mental health condition. He said: Imagine you, as the mother or father of that young man, seeing him experience what is effectively a prison experience simply because hes autistic. Jack lived there for over two years. Harrowing Dr David, whose daughter is autistic, told the Senedd that Jack is now thriving in a more appropriate environment after his parents overturned the decision to section him. He said: Here are some of the things he said to his mother following this change in his life: I can see the moon and the stars, I have grass, I can hear birds, Thank you for my new home, Mummy, Im a free man. But there are still many others who exist in this condition. Leading a debate on December 4, he warned: This, at its heart, is a human rights issue. We cannot risk Wales being in continual breach of the Human Rights Act 1998: the right to be safe from harm, the right to liberty, and the respect for private and family life. The inappropriate use of deprivation of liberty orders must stop. Sioned Williams expressed concerns about the harrowing and completely unacceptable treatment of people inappropriately detained because they are disabled. Scandal Ms Williams, who represents South Wales West, raised the grave injustice faced by a family whose son Will was constantly frightened after being sectioned. She said: Their son was sectioned, without their foreknowledge, over an Easter holiday when they couldnt challenge what was happening. And the sectioning was traumatic. Will was told he was going on holiday and then admitted to a mental health unit, although it was determined later the issue leading to the section was not related to his mental health. Ms Williams warned: Theres a human rights scandal here because this isnt an isolated case, and lives like those of Will are being stolen. Its a fact that the human rights of people with a learning disability and/or autism are being breached. Mark Isherwood said Learning Disability Wales states about 150 autistic or learning disabled people are known to be in a hospital setting, with two-thirds for longer than ten years. Accountability He told the Senedd: Wales was one of the first countries in the world to launch a strategy to get people with a learning disability out of long-stay hospitals, back into the community. Yet we seem to be going backwards and slipping towards re-institutionalisation. Carolyn Thomas raised a 1,754-name petition submitted by Stolen Lives calling for an end to the detention of learning disabled and autistic people in hospitals. In a letter to the petitions committee chaired by Ms Thomas, the campaigners welcomed positive engagement with the Welsh Government. But the petitioners wrote: We need to see an action plan, with specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based goals. We need to be able to hold people to account. Ely Hospital Julie Morgan noted more than 40 years have passed since publication of the all-Wales strategy as she reminded members how far Wales has come. The strategy followed an inquiry into allegations of ill-treatment of patients and pilfering by staff at Ely Hospital which sparked outrage when revealed by the press in 1967. Ms Morgan pointed out her colleague Mark Drakeford co-wrote a book on the inquiry, which sought to transform the way people with learning disabilities were treated in the wider NHS. She said: I was involved with Ely Hospital looking back 40 years and listening to this debate, I can still feel the sadness of some of those children who lived in Ely. I particularly remember one little boy who had had hydrocephalus he sat in the window all day, every day, waiting for his mother to come to pick him up, and that went on for years. Not good enough Sarah Murphy, who was appointed mental health minister in July, said: No-one wants to see a return to the dark days where people with learning disabilities were institutionalised. She added: The latest data that we have shows that, in October, there were 140 adults with a learning disability who were receiving ongoing care in an in-patient setting; 22 were in England. This is not good enough. Ms Murphy vowed to work closely with Baroness Merron, her Westminster counterpart, to ensure the UK Governments mental health bill works for Wales. She explained: Importantly, this bill introduces changes so that it will no longer be possible to detain a person with a learning disability or autism for longer than is needed for assessment, unless they have a co-occurring mental health disorder. In closing, Ms Murphy told the Senedd: I agree: this is a human rights issue, so, let me reiterate: one person in a bed and not in a home is one too many. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter K tc x vung bin tai x Tam Quang, huyen Tuong Duong (Nghe An). Anh: TTXVN phat Chap cnh nhung uoc mo Tai Nghe An hien c 2 m hnh K tc x vng bin do cc on Bin phng trien khai, o au at tai x Tam Quang (Tuong Duong) v Truong Trung hoc co......[Nhieu Hon...] 2025-02-25 Downtown San Francisco is back, baby. It doesnt look exactly like it did pre-pandemic but no matter: A slew of recent art, food, and drinks arrivals have once again made it fun to spend the whole day exploring the neighborhood. Heres how to spend the perfect Saturday in downtown SF right now. 11:30am: Breakfast at Grand Opening (Courtesy of @grandopening___ ) Start the morning off right, with a pastry from Chinatown bakery pop-up Grand Opening. Youll find a weekly assortment of Asian-influenced sweets like black sesame eclairs, passion fruit caramel cashew cookies, and Parisian egg tarts crafted by the twice-nominated James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef finalist Melissa Chou. // Bake sales are Saturday from 11am to 2pm and Sunday from 10am to 2pm; 28 Waverly Place @ Mister Jius (Chinatown), grandopeningbakery.com Noon: A Bit of Magic at Madame Theodores Floral Academy for Wayward Travelers (Courtesy of Floral Academy for Wayward Travelers/Beacon Grand) Enter a whimsical world of botanical beauty at Madame Theodores Floral Academy for Wayward Travelers. The public art installation, a partnership between the iconic Beacon Grand hotel and artists Nicole Whitten and Carina Garciga Meyers, walks the boundary between reality and imagination, filling a once vacant storefront on Powell Street with a dizzying array of plants, flowers, and surprises. Take a spin through the shop and reinvigorate your sense of discovery and wonder. // Free to enter; 450 Powell St. (Union Square) 1pm: Lunch at Miller & Lux Provisions (Courtesy of @eatwith_tracy ) Chef Tyler Florences pair of Union Square cafes are the best spot for lunch with a generous side of people watching (especially during the holiday season when the ice rink is rolled out). If youve got an appetite, its the Rotisserie you want, which features Marys spit-roasted organic chicken, as well as tasty salads, sides, and brunchy eats like black truffle potato salad and smoked salmon benedicts (plus beer and wine). If youre still full from Grand Opening, grab a seat at the Patisserie instead where you can sip Postscript coffee or a chai latte and attempt to resist the soft serve ice cream croissant sandwich. // Miller & Lux Provisions Rotisserie is ope from 11:30am to 5pm daily at 225 Stockton St. The Patisserie is open from 7:30am to 5pm daily at 350 Powell St. (Union Square), millerandluxrestaurant.com 3pm: Culture at Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) SF (Courtesy of ICA SF) This fall, San Franciscos Institute of Contemporary Art got a serious upgrade , moving from its small Dogpatch gallery to a cavernous space in the Financial District. The nimble museum now has ample space to show off cutting-edge local and international artists whose work is a response to the current political and social moment. The inaugural show includes a group exhibition that turns everyday materials into artistic statements, the bejeweled rotting fruit of Kathleen Ryan, and the ceramic reliefs of Maryam Yousifand entrance to the museum is always free. // Open Wednesday through Sunday; 345 Montgomery St. (FiDi), icasf.org 5pm: A Forested Happy Hour at Heartwood + Transamerica (Courtesy of @gaelen ) Transition from day to night with a highball or boozy seasonal slushie at Heartwood. The redwood forestinspired bar in a century-old brick-and-timber building hails from the team behind Third Rail , The Treasury , and The Beehive . Cocktails brim with the creativity of the natural world, ranging from the spice-forward Pulp Fiction (house-spiced rum, mango pulp, cinnamon, makrut lime) to the herbaceous Apple Propaganda (gin, green apple, juniper, pisco, bay leaf, elderflower tonic). Stick with the forest theme with a slight detour through the Transamerica Redwood Park (600 Montgomery St.) on the way to dinner. The refreshed oasis , which is currently decked out with the fantastical faunal sculptures of French duo Les Lalanne, will change up its art twice a year. // Heartwood is open Monday through Saturday; 531 Commercial St. (FiDi), heartwoodsf.com . 6:30pm: Dinner at Four Kings (Courtesy of @fourkings__ ) Arguably SFs hottest restaurant of the yearand, according to Esquire , the hottest new restaurant in the entire countryFour Kings is an intimate Hong Kongstyle resto-bar with serious main character energy. Chefs Franky Ho and Michael Long whip up the dishes that fortified them through childhood, from black pepper steak and fried squab to Chinese sausage and bacon claypot rice and salted egg squash croquettes, to the soundtrack of 90s Cantopop. The wee space and undeniable charisma of Four Kings makes advance reservations an absolute must. // Four Kings is open Thur to Mon from 6pm to 11pm; 710 Commercial St. (Chinatown), itsfourkings.com 8:30pm: Nightcaps at Verjus (Will Brinkerhoff) End your perfect day downtown with a visit to Verjus, the celebrated wine bar from the team behind Quince and Cotogna that reopened with a bang last month after several quiet years. Channeling French bistro style, the revamped space is as lively as ever with a new DJ booth, vinyl collection, and ephemeral dance floor that pops up whenever the mood strikes. // Verjus is open Tuesday through Saturday; 550 Washington St. (Jackson Square), verjuscave.com On a day rich in lunar squares to highly influential planets, it can be helpful to remember that everyone needs to feel important. To recognize this need in yourself and get the attention in a way youre proud of is the stuff of superior skill. Some try to prove their importance by framing themselves as the best of the best or the worst of the worst. Its an absurd way to compete, but hyperbole is natural for beginners. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Youll make quite an impression by being true to yourself. You come across as unselfconscious yet thoughtful, striking that rare combination that makes others feel instantly comfortable with sharing what they normally might not. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Instead of analyzing every detail of a relationship, youll rise above it and gain a clearer view. This fresh perspective will help you understand whats working and where your heart really wants to go. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Youd rather get an honest, uncomfortable truth than a sweet-sounding lie that fades with time. Truth might be hard to swallow at first, but you know its a better foundation than any temporary comfort. CANCER (June 22-July 22). The current environment is teaching you, but memories can teach you even more if you let them because to some extent you are reenacting a pattern. Reflecting on a situation will add new layers of insight and a breakthrough moment. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You hold back just enough to inspire the other person to reach out, which works time and again. Yet were you to keep this up, you would surely hit the day when it would cease to work. Plan for a big gesture of surprise generosity soon. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Do what you want, not what they want. Even if its the same thing, intention matters. It will go right if youre doing it for yourself, and things will progress differently if youre doing it because another person prefers it. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Trust your instincts -- when your gut says no, respect that boundary and move on. Its possible to stay open to lifes opportunities without saying yes to every single one. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Youve been industrious, and now its time to let your mind unwind. Lounge with intention. Make rest your craft. Let yourself recharge fully because this is much-needed rest that will set you up for a strong push in the days ahead. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You never know from where your next inspiration will come or how useful the ideas that emerge from it will be. This is why youre willing to entertain offbeat characters and notions that just might be weird enough to work. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Communication isnt always talk. In fact, too much talk can detract from clear communication, as it makes it harder to separate the signal from the noise. Sharpen your point with the flint of brevity and it will pierce perfectly. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Dont compete for attention, rather hold out for the focus given from genuine interest and curiosity. Those who dont lend it are not a good match. Take yourself out of the competition. Shine your light your way and attract your people. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Friends and lovers are wonderful supporters, but they may not be ideal accountability partners. This is one of those times when you need someone outside of your personal circle to offer you the necessary objectivity to stay on track. TODAYS BIRTHDAY (Dec. 8). Your reality is no accident. Destiny is out to delight you. The best part is, you wont have to guess about this. There will be evidence everywhere you turn. A beautiful environment, the love in someones eyes, the means to go somewhere new and taste other cultures, and the work that lets you buy, sell and profit. More highlights: Youll be celebrated for the truly smart solutions you bring to a team that would not be the same without you. Your family grows and so does your heart. Aries and Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 5, 1, 12 and 4. CELEBRITY PROFILES: From her evolving sound to her star-studded collaborations, Nicki Minaj remains a compelling figure in pop culture, constantly innovating while staying true to her fire-sign essence. Recently, Minaj released her fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2, celebrating a return to the Pink Friday era that launched her to fame. Natal sun, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Neptune are all ablaze in Sagittarius, as abundantly evidenced notably in her approach to social media, highlighting humor and those bold, truth-telling tendencies, whether shes addressing industry dynamics or connecting directly with fans. Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com. Birmingham firefighters rescued two people from a burning vacant apartment building on the citys south side. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service was dispatched about 1:30 p.m. Saturday to 21st Way South, just off Highland Avenue. It was reported that someone was trapped in the three-story building. They arrived to find smoke and fire. The smoke billowed over nearby Elton B. Stephens Expressway. Crews used ladders to pull two people from a third-floor apartment. Fire Chief Cory Moon, who was on the scene, said both were evaluated and neither was injured. The building is vacant and does not have power. It wasnt immediately clear if the two people rescued had been staying in there. The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. Update: For a clarification issued by Austal on Dec. 16, see the end of this story. Longtime Austal Ltd. leader John Rothwell has described the former Austal USA president facing federal charges as a proud man who didnt personally benefit from the alleged wrongdoing. The comments were an unusually open disclosure for Austal, which has largely kept quiet on circumstances involving Craig Perciavalle and other former executives. Rothwell is a founder of Australian shipbuilder Austal Ltd., which is the parent company of Mobile-based Austal USA; he visited Mobile last week with other top executives. RELATED: Austal outlook: Hiring a challenge, but cash is no issue, says new leader Meeting with local reporters he was asked among other things about the long-running investigation of fiscal irregularities in the early years of the Littoral Combat Ship program, and its lasting impact on the company. Austal USA began building the Independence-class LCS in 2006, ramping up into full series production after 2010. Investigators have said that as man-hours and other costs crept far over budget around 2013, Perciavalle and other top executives at Austal USA concealed the problem from higher-ups at Austal Ltd. When it came to light in 2016, Austal Ltd. had to absorb an unexpected loss, and the handling of this news provoked an investigation by the Australian Securities and Exchange Commission. On the Australian timeline, Austal Ltd. announced in 2022 that it has resolved that investigation with a civil settlement and a $650,000 (Australian) penalty. On the Alabama side, federal agents raided Austal USAs offices in January 2019, with neither the feds nor Austal USA willing to shed much light on why. In August, a settlement involving a $24 million fine was announced between Austal USA and the Department of Justice. Happier times: At the December 2019 christening of the former USS Mobile, Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle, left, jokes during remarks made by civilian Navy official Frederick J. Stephany III, right. (Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com)Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com In the interim, Perciavalle resigned abruptly in February 2021, and in March 2023 he and two other executives were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and wire fraud affecting a financial institution. Perciavalle, along with former financial analysis director Joseph Runkel and former LCS program director William O. Adams, have entered pleas of not guilty. They also recently filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, arguing it was filed outside the applicable statute of limitations. Should the case continue to trial, that appears unlikely to occur before the second half of 2025. On Wednesday, Rothwell professed himself to be a little nonplussed by the tag-team prosecution by Australian and U.S. authorities. It was a little bewildering for me, he said. Of course its damaging and its very worrying, he said. By the same token I personally didnt have, I didnt feel bad about it. We made a mistake, our president at the time made a mistake. He didnt benefit from it though. But nevertheless, it was a corporate mistake. Rothwell depicted Perciavalle as a businessman who was losing ground early in the LCS process but who aimed to regain it as the program got up to speed and became more efficient. It was a mistake, Rothwell said. It shouldnt have been made but the president didnt gain from it to my knowledge whatsoever. He was a proud man trying to achieve the goals that hed set for himself in getting these ships built. His optimism of being able to claw back the hours that hed lost was too great. A request for comment from Perciavalles attorneys was pending as this story was published. On Dec. 16, Austal USA issued a notice titled Clarification of recent statements regarding government resolutions. It read, in full: Austal USA and Austal Limited remain committed to their respective obligations outlined in the previously announced settlements with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As part of its plea agreement with the DOJ, Austal USA accepted responsibility for the criminal conduct of its former employees that was the subject of that agreement. Accordingly, Austal USA and Austal Limited hereby clarify recent public statements made by corporate representatives relating to those settlements. The conduct at issue involved intentional, fraudulent conduct of Austal USAs former employees. Austal USA admitted pursuant to its guilty plea all the underlying criminal conduct set forth in the plea agreement with DOJ, and it continues to accept responsibility for that conduct. From their top management through all ranks of their respective workforces, Austal USA and Austal Limited remain committed to maintaining strong financial systems and controls, and the responsible individuals for the prior criminal conduct are no longer with the company." I knew I was in trouble when the media accounts of J6 took the tone they did on J7. Nothing the media said matched with what I had seen myself. Skeptical of the media since 1980, even I was a bit surprised at how decisively the tone and anger and verbiage synched across channels. My first introduction to atrocious media corruption came in 2004, when I cabbed down to the Institute of Medicine on Constitution Avenue in D.C. to see for myself the conference on the link between autism and vaccines. Since I was a longtime chiropractor practicing four blocks from the Capitol on Capitol Hill, I could attend in person. The conference lasted all day, and there was no way a person could listen to every presenter and not know that there is a link between shots and the aluminum adjuvant jump-starters and the mercury preservatives in vaccines aluminum and mercury being two of the most neuro-toxic substances on Earth. Yet, next day, The Washington Post reported that the conference assured that there was no link between autism and vaccines. Holding the paper in hand, I said to myself, So thats how Washington makes the sausage. In every piece on autism and vaccines since then that Ive scanned the citations for, that Post article is always referenced. Jump-cut back to J6. Lets remember how Tucker Carlson got fired. He started showing clips from the video inside the Capitol on J6 exposing how one Capitol Police officer was reported by media to have been murdered, yet the man was calmly seen making an inspection of the building three hours after he was supposed to have been beaten to death. Carlson also reported that the officer was calmly texting with his brother later that night, as other sources had reported. Tuckers famous last words were to the effect of Tomorrow night, well go deeper into the [J6] video to expose more lies that we had been told. He never did that show. It was reported that he was called into meetings and warned not to go down the J6 rabbit hole. Fox News had already been lawfared in New York to the tune of one billion dollars for allegedly allowing misrepresentation of the facts surrounding the 2020 election. I directly experienced the same wall of lies with respect to events alleged to have occurred between myself and Officer Jeffrey Smith. I am supposed to have attacked Jeffrey Smith, and this attack is supposed to have led in some way to his suicide nine days later. The lawyer for the widow of Officer Smith, and the widow herself, and the father of the unfortunate officer, have defied video evidence from five different angles to say repeatedly that I attacked the officer with three different sorts of weapons, or finally my bare hands, since, they accuse, I am a Tai Chi master. The story keeps evolving, but the images on the five tracks of video do not. The media told five truths about me: my name; my profession; my address four blocks from the Capitol; that I do and teach Tai Chi; and that I was in the Capitol on January 6, 2021. All other offered details are not just lies they are lies that could get me ruined or killed in this political climate. This political climate seems as counter-rational, as artificial, as fake, as staged, perhaps, as J6 itself. Any thinking moral person must wonder at some point about these great fog banks of propaganda that have blown across the land in recent years. Tucker Carlson, Dan Bongino, and others have described how the 2020 riots resemble the CIA-created device called a color campaign. The color campaign is a device the CIA uses to intimidate the ruling class in a foreign country so that they fold. The curious string of events we have witnessed that I have witnessed firsthand seems to have created the Terror State, the Punishment State we have been living through. This is for those of us who feel the human impulse to question Democrat and Washington authority on big items such as public health and the grooming of American self-hate. The great fog banks of propaganda seem not to care what facts are, nor that innocent people could be killed or worthy American and Western civilization institutions abandoned. My civil case is proceeding. To date, I am the only J6 defendant who will be taken to civil court for wrongful death. This, despite the prosecution introducing five different threads of video including the body cam of Officer Smith to show that I didnt come close to even facing the officer. I am grateful that he told the judge twice that they had slowed down the tape and looked at every possible angle, and that I didnt do anything but put my hands up in a defensive gesture. I think the prosecutor took the time to carefully cover this ground because I would not be surprised if he had gotten serious threats as well. As a result, my sense is that I have been Borked or Trumpified. Every detail in The Washington Post and the HuffPost was trimmed to turn me into a pariah for the Democrat party. This, after nearly four decades of exemplary chiropractic biophysics (the creme de la creme) service to the ruling class. Every factoid, each detail, seemed cut to turn on the amygdala, the reptile brain, of those willing to become the goon squad against those who question a certain authority. The purpose of this curious orchestration has never been disclosed by the invisible parties seemingly in control of it, whose secrecy appears to be basic to the ruse to make us think that all of this emotion is the natural outflow of the human mystique as we grope toward a higher level of being. I am personally fascinated by ethics, social dynamics, history, human health, and what human beings seem to be collectively striving for. Even if I werent, I probably would have walked down to the J6 election protest four blocks from my front door. I saw Trump give his speech on television around midday, urging peaceful protest, and I then recognized from experience the low hum in the air over the usually sleepy Capitol Hill neighborhood. That sound meant that a huge gathering of humans had formed at the Capitol or Supreme Court. One gets to know the breathing patterns of that unique neighborhood and the political moods that travel through. My fixation on political conflict and human realization began in 1977, when I read in my sociology textbook about the experiments in rat overpopulation by Calhoun. The increased infanticide, suicide, homosexuality, and homicide Calhoun observed when unchecked population growth could happen with sufficient food, he called behavioral sink. What occurred to me was that the creature that has no predator can become predator to itself. What occurred to me was that an overpopulated species can show a tendency to imagine enemies where none truly exist. My hypothesis ever since is that this is probably a design feature meant to spur humanity to a faster realization of its own purpose, and the bitter futility of its own self-destruction. If the highest plateaus of human conflict have no point in us learning from them, then I fear that life, and the Democrat partys violence and self-destruction, lacks any value at all. But it is far more likely that the risk and cost of human conflict have the most to offer in terms of after-action lessons. And I suspect that this belief is a measure of sanity. Hearing the low hum of a vast body, I snatched my iPhone and headed out the door. Image via Picryl. Eighty-three years after the disastrous sneak attack on Pearl Harbor which galvanized our nation to prepare for a long fight and ultimate victory, we have a clearer picture of how Barack Obama (and through him, President Biden) destroyed his party and with it many of our institutions. We now have a leader and a plan to restore their strength. Much has been written about why the Democrats suffered such a devastating loss in the election, but Im inclined to place great weight on the views expressed by Adam Mill in Chronicles Magazine, who argues persuasively that the Democrats decision-making process doomed their chances, a process unlikely to soon change. Democrats dont have leaders, rather they have facilitators who balance the many competing demands of their disparate coalition, leading to a rigid script of talking points, he argues. To keep on message is the key autocratic aim of the party, so any single deviation from the script endangers the entire enterprise. This explains as well as most theories why Kamala Harriss rare public interviews devolved into bafflegab word salads. Why in the absence of good sense, the party left the border open, supported pornographic books in public school libraries, fought for abortion of viable fetuses up until birth, and demanded free sex surgeries for illegal immigrants in custody. By contrast, Donald Trump, who had clear views of his own on significant subjects, met with hostile reporters, political critics, and opponents. He preserves his own agency. The consequences of their rigid orthodoxy not only damaged their party, but caused all of us to suffer from their tactics, not the least of which is a widespread crisis of incompetence within the institutions that sacrificed merit for ideological parity. The party was riddled with corruption, and it spread throughout the government. As Michael Walsh has long contended, the Democrats are nothing less than a criminal organization masquerading as a political party. Which institutions sacrificed merit for ideological parity? Our once great schools of higher education, our military, and the nations public health and law enforcement agencies come immediately to mind, but the incompetency, corruption, and extravagant waste of our resources throughout the federal government, not to speak of their illegal censorship of speech and assembly, can best be explained by this analysis as well. In contrast to the generally incompetent Biden cabinet, who often rose through the ranks of those they were set to govern, President-elect Trump has reached out to some of the most forward-looking, competent, non-governmental leaders to head his government -- people like Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Doug Burgum, Howard Lutnik, Scott Bessant, Jared Isaacson, and Kelly Loeffler. So thoroughly are the Democrats locked out of the new order that Steve Hayward suggests they might now actually rediscover the Constitution: You have to hand it to Donald Trumps limitless political genius. Beyond his obvious capacity to drive the media and the left (but I repeat...) out of their minds, some of his singular achievements have gone unremarked. Consider, for instance, that Trump has figured out how to make Democrats actually hate a Kennedy. Republicans have been trying without success to do this for 60 years. It looks like Trump is also making Democrats rediscover federalism. [snip] Good to see the original party of states rights going back to their comfy home. [snip] And before long they might even notice this old document called the Constitution of the United State. Nah -- not even Trump could dream up that. Theres still a lot of damage between now and the inauguration for Biden to do, and he is doing his best to do it. First, he issued an unheard-of blanket pardon of his son for crimes for which he was found guilty and even those for which he hasnt been charged for the decade and more that Hunter acted as the family bagman in an influence operation that spanned the globe. This after Joe gave his word as a Biden that hed never do this, and after a number of top party leaders and popular media lickspittles praised that promise as proof of the partys commitment to the rule of law. John Kass says that with this pardon, Biden and his party arrogantly laugh at America. He reminds us that Biden knew about Hunters business dealings that vacuumed up millions of dollars from, among other countries, China and Ukraine, who wanted influence from the Democrats, knew that Hunters laptop, which provided hard evidence of his many crimes, including participation in sex with underaged women, illicit drug use, and political corruption, was true even as he and disreputable intel officials said it was a lie. The pardon is an unprecedented, corrupt trick that we all knew was coming no matter how brazen and how many times Biden and his media mouthpieces lied about it, Biden isnt just trying to protect Hunter, hes desperately trying to cover up the scam hes been running on the American people for the past decade. This week, there are rumors, which the White House spokeswoman will not deny, that hes considering pardons for a number of people, including Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci. In case you were hoodwinked by media coverage of the governments handling of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the House Select Committee has issued a 550-page report on what a disaster the response to the virus was by our generously funded federal government. In sum : The conclusion of the report: nothing worked and everything tried resulted in more damage than the pandemic could ever have achieved on its own. In this sense, and given the low bar of expectations for all such political commissions, every champion of truth, honesty, and freedom should celebrate this report. It is an excellent breaking of the ice around the topic. Note that this report has received very little press attention, which only further underscores the problem. Coming in for heavy criticism: gain-of-function research, the deference to the WHO, the lab-leak coverup, the funding of pharma cutouts, business and school closures, mask mandates, the lack of serious attention to disease monitoring, vaccine mandates, the sloppy approval process, the vaccine injury system, the banning of off-the-shelf therapeutics, social distancing, the rampant fraud in business loans, the effects of monetary policy, and more. Ignored in the report: the rental moratorium, the frenzy of Plexiglas and air filtration, the push for sanitizing all things, the reopening racket designed to prolong lockdowns, domestic capacity restrictions, the division of the workforce between essential and nonessential, the role of CISA and the intelligence agencies, the CDCs push for mail-in ballots that might have been decisive in the national election, and the astonishing gibberish over the infection fatality and case fatality rates. There is so much more to chronicle and criticize that the report could have been 10 or 100 times as long. Im old enough to remember the Merry Minuet, which points out the whole world is festering with unhappy souls. This week, Syria joins the nations in turmoil. Trump warns we should stay out of this mess that Obama created. And while Obama looks increasingly crushed by the results of the last election, even to the point where his usually glib patter is failing him, the world is treating Trump, even before the inauguration, as our head of state. He ended the week in Paris, where he was warmly greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron for the reopening of the rehabbed Notre Dame Cathedral, which had been gutted by a fire of unknown origin. Is this celebration meant to be a tribute to the reinvigoration of Western values? Maybe thats the intention, but unless Western Europe and the EU do something about their invasion by those who do not share these values, it will just be a tribute to those artisans who did such a fine job of restoration. Image: Michael Ramirez The global rise of antisemitism, particularly in Canada, is fueled by the expanding influence of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperations (OIC) Sharia-driven agenda, which seeks to suppress dissent, restrict freedom of expression, and ultimately advance the Islamization of Western societies. As Islamophobia Awareness Month recently concluded, the world has witnessed an unprecedented surge in antisemitic aggression, unmatched since the October 7 massacre in Israel. November began with a coordinated wave of antisemitic Islamic violence sweeping Europe eerily reminiscent of Kristallnacht, the Nazi pogrom of 86 years ago. This destructive pattern is mirrored in Canada, with Jewish schools and synagogues struck by gunfire and firebombs, Jewish-owned businesses subjected to arson and vandalism, and visibly Jewish individuals targeted in streets, malls, and outside synagogues. Nowhere is this hatred more pronounced in Canada than in Montreal, where antisemitism has reached unprecedented levels, earning it the title Jihadi Capital of Canada. Tens of thousands of immigrants from Muslim-majority countries worldwide settled in Montreal since the Arab Spring and the Syrian Civil War in 2011. Many bring with them deeply ingrained antisemitic ideology and a Koranic mandate to spread Islam and wage jihad, beliefs that fundamentally conflict with Western values. Recent events in Montreal underscore this crisis, where each weekend pro-Hamas mobs, bolstered by the woke ultra-left, organize increasingly aggressive protests expressing fierce animosity towards Jews. Canadian mainstream media outlets, as well as Montreals mayor and police chief, avoid explicitly addressing antisemitism or acknowledging connections to Hamas. The refusal to acknowledge the Islamist elements in these antisemitic demonstrations, fuels hatred and emboldens perpetrators to commit increasingly violent acts. This reluctance stems from fear of being criminalized for Islamophobia, a result of coordinated efforts by the OIC and its countless affiliates. The OIC, representing 57 Muslim-majority states, wields significant influence in international politics, shaping narratives to advance its Islamic agenda. Since 1999, the OICs primary objective has been to criminalize Islamophobia in the West, equating any criticism of Islam with hate speech. Hate speech laws are only one step removed from blasphemy laws, which punish any perceived offense against Islam in Sharia-compliant countries with the most severe penalties, including death -- in compliance with those laws enforced by Islams Prophet Mohammed 1,400 years ago that called for the killing of his blasphemers and insulters. It is these blasphemy-against-Islam resolutions that the OIC has been relentlessly pursuing for decades, with the goal of enforcing them upon the West. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution 16/18 was finally adopted in 2011 and has since been used as a stepping stone to introduce hate speech laws, such as Canadas Bill C-63 (2024), the Online Harms Act. It is the closest Canada has come to enacting a blasphemy law with provisions that could criminalize Islamophobia under the guise of combating hate speech if it successfully passes the next two parliamentary stages. The initiative of framing criticism of Islam as a form of bigotry gained momentum in the 1990s with the promotion of the term Islamophobia by the International Institute of Islamic Thought, an organization linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. Fast forward to 2012, when Islamophobia Awareness Month was founded in the UK by a coalition of Muslim organizations, many of which have been reported to have ideological connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. Two years ago, International Day to Combat Islamophobia, an idea proposed and pushed by the OIC, was officially recognized by the UN to lay the groundwork for equating Islamophobia with hate speech and to guide national legislation toward adopting laws in that direction. Nearly twenty years after the OIC first engaged in its Islamophobia endeavors, telling the truth about Islam has become a crime in some European countries, especially in the UK, often punishable by imprisonment. Offenders were suspended from high school for smudging pages of the Koran with dirt. Others were arrested for denouncing, on social media, Palestinian flags flying in their neighborhoods. Canadian media compliance with the OICs Sharia-driven agenda is evident in their portrayal of recent antisemitic violence in Montreal as unrelated to Islam. However, this complicity goes beyond the media. The OICs influence extends to Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, who fails to confront antisemitic protests. Rather than defending Jewish values in Canada and addressing the alarming rise in antisemitism, Trudeau last year appointed Canadas first Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia, who advocates for adopting a federal definition of anti-Palestinian racism -- a move that aligns with the OICs Sharia-driven agenda to equate dissenting viewpoints with racism and hate speech, thereby restricting freedom of expression. Trudeau recently stated he would abide by" the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Is it any wonder that Canada is witnessing effigies of Netanyahu being burned at hate rallies? The ICC warrants were issued following a resolution adopted by the OIC at its Ninth Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit on November 11, urging the ICC to act against Israel, underscoring the OICs significant role in shaping global narratives to promote its Islamic agenda. Law enforcements two-tiered system is also Sharia-compliant in that it favors Islam over non-Muslims by apprehending the wrong individuals, and by ordering visibly Jewish people to move aside for fear of inciting the pro-Hamas side. These media outlets, like their European counterparts, are unknowingly extending the influence of Islam as a purely positive force to their viewers, thereby doing the proselytist work of Islamist propagandists who relentlessly bully their host society into Sharia-compliance. The inaction of politicians, media, and law enforcement aligns with the OICs broader goal of spreading Islamic influence across all sectors of society, thereby promoting Sharia compliance within host societies that remain unaware of its implications. It is precisely this indifference and ignorance that Islam is counting on to subjugate western civilization to Sharia, and to establish Islam as the alternative civilization. And that is the ultimate goal of the OIC, which is being advanced through its major affiliate, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), as outlined in its 2000 Strategy Plan for Muslims living outside the Islamic world. This plan urges Muslims to preserve their spiritual and moral superiority, immunize their cultural identity, and occupy key positions within host societies in much the same way that the earlier Muslim Brotherhood Explanatory Memorandum in 1990 instructs, which is to destroy western civilization from within. Intense phobias or irrational fears are what people develop about things that do not actually pose a significant threat, and often there is no logical basis for these fears. However, given the ongoing violent Jew hunts, the global declarations of Jews not being welcome anywhere, the massive street prayer disruptions to intimidate onlookers, and hate rallies becoming more and more violent, there is much to fear about a religion whose adherents are increasingly following a stricter interpretation of the Sharia, while harboring a fierce antipathy towards Jews. There is much to fear about a religion whose scripture commands its believers to wage jihad and subjugate non-Muslims to Islamic rule, by any means possible, as history has shown time and time again, and as each passing day makes clearer. Given the recent upsurge in antisemitic violence, it is reasonable to question whether fear of Islam is truly irrational. The dangerous rise of antisemitism, fueled by Sharia-driven agendas and political inaction, presents a growing threat that demands urgent attention. History has shown the devastating consequences of underestimating such threats. Europe was too late to respond to Hitler -- will it now be too late to prevent jihadists from conquering the West? Image: Jamie Kennedy Donald Trumps recent cabinet selections suggest that hes been radicalized. I do not mean that hes become violent, extreme, or a threat to American values. I mean, hes thoroughly thought through his ideas, consistently brought them to their logical conclusions, and seen what must be done to implement them. Radicalization is the process of becoming a consistent, integrated adherent to ones basic beliefs. Whether this is good or not depends on what youre being radicalized by. If your basic belief is that a severe God spoke to a seventh-century, libidinous, Arabian merchant in a cave through an angel (whose name he couldnt spell correctly), commanding him to impose his revelations on others with the edge of the sword, killing any who resisted, being radicalized is bad. If your basic belief is that the gracious God came in human flesh as a baby in Bethlehem to bring Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth, then being radicalized is good. If your basic belief is that you can apply the common sense of your business acumen that made you billions of dollars to the U.S. government, being radicalized is useful. Trumps radicalization is useful. How did this happen? Trump is famously a multi-tasker, likely working with a TV on, a phone in one hand, engaging with someone in front of him, while scanning documents, all simultaneously. Dr. Brett Osborn, a neurosurgeon noted, The fact that he attended 120 events in 7 months often multiple rallies in a single day in different states is proof-positive that Trump has a tremendous amount of stamina, mentally and physically. Newt Gingrich commented, Ive never seen anyone with the stamina and energy that [Mr. Trump] has. He can go for hours and hours, and he does it day after day. His TDS-infected detractors find a way to spin this as if it were a negative. Dr. John Kruse claims, He is a veritable poster boy for Adult ADHD. Trumps biographer, Michael DAntonio, asserted, I think hes definitely got attention deficit disorder. However, one persons attention deficit is another persons haste to move on to the next task. In other words, hes a dynamo always in a hurry, wanting briefings, meetings, and everything else presidents do accomplished in a New York minute. That sounds like a positive to me. Now, imagine what it does to this perpetual motion machine, this Energizer Bunny, this human humming-bird, this unstoppable freight train of activity and output to be confined to a court-room for six weeks with nothing to distract him from the mind-numbing technicalities of a trial purportedly on business records. Set aside the Kafkaesque absurdity of the case: charged with covering up embarrassing accusations, which is only a crime if those accusations involve an actual crime; yet the prosecutor didnt have to prove that a crime occurred. The judge instructed the jury that they did not even have to agree on what the original crime was that Trump was allegedly trying to conceal. If he didnt record the transaction as hush money in his business ledger, hes a criminal, according to that mockery of justice. But, for now, let us put aside the banana republicization of our justice system and think what it does to a dynamo like Trump to force him to sit through that ordeal undistracted. Trump was forced to watch like Alex in A Clockwork Orange with his eyes wired open so he cant even shut them to the spectacle what were up against. Conservatives and pragmatists and Trump is somewhere in the middle of them often underestimate what were up against. So did Trump in his first term, nominating cabinet secretaries, such as Jeff Sessions, who assumed our ideological adversaries had good intentions; that they were making accusations of Russian collusion in good faith, as patriots. They dont see that these adversaries are zealots -- people so convinced of their superiority that they managed to persuade Elon Musk, who rightly decried the woke mind virus, to stake his wealth to transform Twitter into a free speech platform -- to allow them to be the chief censors. Then, at the first chance they get, slap down a conservative documentary (What Is a Woman?). As I described in a previous article, What Were Up Against, William Butler Yeats warned us that the best would lack all conviction and the worst would be full of a passionate intensity. What he did not foresee was that the worst would be unquestionably convinced that they are the best and that we are the worst. Were garbage, so Biden declared. Thus, when questioned, like Kamala Harris by Bret Baier, they furiously stab the air with their index finger, in their narcissistic rage (expounded upon here), showing, again, what were up against. Trump was forced to gaze at it, for six weeks, during a Soviet-style show trial. It radicalized him. Were seeing, I believe, that is both useful and good. John B. Carpenter, Ph.D., is pastor of Covenant Reformed Baptist Church, in Danville, VA. and the author of Seven Pillars of a Biblical Church (Wipf and Stock, 2022) and the Covenant Caswell substack. Image generated by AI. Romanias Constitutional Court summarily invalidated the first-round results of its presidential election because the anti-globalist candidate, Calin Georgescu, unexpectedly won (while the globalist, Brussels-aligned, polling favorite was ignominiously booted from the race). The high courts official justification for defying the will of the Romanian people? It insisted that too much Russian disinformation on TikTok had unfairly manipulated the minds of voters. Wherever would the Romanian Establishment have learned that dirty trick? Probably by watching its NATO partners repeatedly do the same thing. Wherever and whenever the entrenched ruling class in the West has suffered electoral defeat over the last decade, governments and their media lackeys have blamed the Russians. The United Kingdom would never have voted to withdraw from the European Union had Russian Internet trolls not poisoned the thoughts of pro-Brexit citizens. Donald Trump would never have beaten Hillary Clinton in 2016 without the help of a few Russian frat boys posting funny memes on social media. Heck, American and European provocateurs would never have had to oust the duly elected Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych, back in 2014 had Ukrainian voters simply chosen a proEuropean Union alternative when they had the chance. Sometimes, you have to delegitimize the results of democratic elections until the people get it right. Other times, you have to foment civil war until citizens learn to vote correctly. The Western Establishment is giving Romanian voters a second chance to obey. In effect, NATOs great defenders of democracy are saying, We can do this the easy way or the hard way. If you vote well, we will applaud your choice to remain a vassal of the European Union and flood your country with illegal aliens. If you vote poorly, we will make excellent use of your lands in our nuclear-tipped proxy war against Russia, as we have done in Ukraine. Hello, Romania are you listening? The people of Georgia apparently didnt listen because they recently voted for leaders who are skeptical of joining the European Union. Their punishment for questioning Western orthodoxy and resisting eternal subservience to NATO and the E.U.? The U.S. Agency for International Development (the aid agency of choice for the Political Action Group of the CIAs Special Activities Center) is doing its best to break Georgia just as it broke Ukraine ten years ago. Riots and mob violence cost money, but American and European spooks are eager to give rebels a helping hand. Wait a second. If the United States and its NATO partners are actively subverting foreign elections and funding resistance movements when the wrong candidates win, arent they engaging in the exact kind of election interference operations that the West regularly blames on Russia? There does seem to be a pattern, doesnt there? When Marxist globalists and other sundry champagne socialists win office, Western governments assure voters that elections are as secure as can be and that the people have spoken with one loud voice. When anti-globalists, conservatives, libertarians, and freedom-loving constitutionalists win elections, the same Western governments immediately blame the outcome on Russian disinformation, bigotry, voter suppression, ignorance, or other electoral skullduggery. What is worse, whenever the Establishment fails to get its way, it does its best to undermine the will of the people (in the name of democracy, or something). When Marine Le Pens National Rally led all other parties in the first round of French elections earlier this year, Le Petit Roi Emmanuel Macron partnered with communists to deny commonsense conservatives a political victory. When Geert Wilderss Party for Freedom won the most seats in Dutch elections last year, the losing parties worked together to deny Wilders any chance of becoming prime minister. When the conservative Alternative for Germany became the countrys second most popular political party, other German parties demanded that it be banned as a security risk for people and democracy. When Donald Trump won the American presidency in 2016, treasonous members of the FBI and broader Intelligence Community worked with Establishment Republicans and Democrats to thwart his agenda with the continued threat of criminal investigations. In contrast, when Joe Biden who was never a popular politician outside his native Delaware and who is leaving the White House with some of the lowest public approval numbers in modern political history improbably won more votes in 2020 than any past presidential candidate (including fifteen million more than Democrat demigod Barack Obama), nobody was permitted even to question his statistically implausible victory. Anyone who suggested that the imposition of mail-in ballots during COVID likely opened the door to mass electoral fraud was immediately labeled an election denier. Anyone who protested for free and fair elections near the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, was labeled an insurrectionist and terrorist and became a target for the politicized FBI. As for corruptly using the criminal justice system to lock up Donald Trump and his supporters, the United States is hardly alone in weaponizing the courts and persecuting political opponents. Brazils Jair Bolsonaro and Frances Marine Le Pen are defending themselves against spurious criminal charges that may effectively bar both from holding future political office, even if they manage to avoid imprisonment. Their crimes? Just as has been the case with the American Establishments persecution of President Trump, the Brazilian Establishment accuses Bolsonaro of plotting a coup against his successor, while the French Establishment accuses Le Pen of fraud and financial misconduct. In reality, Bolsonaro and Le Pen are guilty only of being anti-globalist conservatives who threaten the Establishments continued hold on power. In the United States, Brazil, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, there is no more condemnable felony. In the West, the people are afforded the privilege of self-government, it seems, only when they vote in accordance with the Establishments wishes. Otherwise, they and their elected representatives get harassed, investigated, and censored. Many are financially sanctioned, denied access to banking institutions, and cut off from the so-called rules-based international order. Some become targets of partisan domestic prosecutors or ambitious bureaucrats at the International Criminal Court or Interpol. Some elected officials even receive one-way tickets to prison. The general populations fare no better. As punishment for voting incorrectly, subversive elements disguised as non-governmental organizations funnel money and resources to often violent political operatives. Chaos and rebellion become the order of the day. Spies and paramilitary groups initiate color revolutions meant to overthrow legitimately elected governments. The voting public suffers economic hardship and indiscriminate violence. If the errantly voting countries are truly unlucky, Western powers turn their nations into battlefields, drain their populations of fighting-aged men, strip their lands of natural resources, and leave survivors impoverished and irreparably divided. All in the name of democracy. So, Western oligarchs, hear me out. What if we actually practiced what we preached? What if we respected the choices of sovereign nation states and refrained from bullying their voters? What if we acknowledged that Western NGOs effectively operate as propaganda organs for the E.U. and U.S.-NATO and are used to shape domestic politics no differently than the dreaded scourge of Russian disinformation? What if we actually valued free speech, public debate, and dissent as much as our political leaders claim? What if we arrested the growth of online censorship and the criminalization of political beliefs before these malignant self-deceptions destroy us? What if we recommitted ourselves to the moral recognition of national self-determination and rejected global empires stubborn insistence that might makes right? One thing seems increasingly certain: if the Western Establishment continues to undermine the will of Western voters, the ruling class wont survive long enough to start WWIII. Image: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped). The New Democratic Party of British Columbia recently refused to designate December as Christian Heritage Month, with the socialist NDPs Ministry of Multiculturalism leading the denial. The newly re-elected British Columbian government rejected the petition, submitted by the Christian Music Festival of Toronto, via an email stating in part: Regretfully, your submission overlaps with other significant and nationally recognized statutory holidays celebrating the Christian faith, notably Christmas. Further to this, British Columbia recognizes additional days celebrating the Christian faith throughout the year for the general public, such as Good Friday/Easter. Yet that does not matter in the least when other religions holidays and recognition is concerned. British Columbia recognizes various other heritage months, including Tamil Heritage Month (January), Black History Month (February), Sikh Heritage Month (April), Asian Heritage Month (May), Italian Heritage Month (June), National Indigenous History Month (June), Polish Heritage Month (September), German Heritage Month (October), and Hindu Heritage Month (November). But Christian Heritage Month cant cut the mustard, which is particularly unusual in that, according to the 2021 census, 53.3% of Canadians identified as Christian, whereas only 2.1% identified as Sikhs and 2.3% as Hindu, while 4.9% of those surveyed practiced Islam and 34.6% professed no religion at all. In the U.S., January is National Oatmeal Month, while March is International Black Women In Jazz & The Arts Month. June is loaded up with overlapping observations, recognitions, and celebrations, as it is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Haitian Heritage Month, and Jewish American Heritage Month. And, of course, most famously of all, it is PRIDE! Month. But Christian Heritage Month is right out, a non-starter, a bridge too far. In 2001, 77.1% of Canucks identified as Christian, so, just as in America, the number of Christians there is dwindling fast. Possibly because it is becoming illegal to adhere to the Christian faith. Case in point: government lawyers are seeking a potential one-year jail sentence for a Calgary pastor who was charged with criminal harassment and breach of bail conditions and fined $500 -- for grousing about drag queen story hours targeting children at public libraries. Egad! What kind of a monster would be insufficiently supportive of grown men flouncing around in womens underwear in front of young children? The New Democratic Party of British Columbia/Canada? Well, weve got a new Democrat party in the United States, as well and it is just as out of touch and anti-Christian as the one to our north. (See also, Kamala Harris, AOC, Ilhan Omar, Rashid Tlaib, Tampon Timmy Walz, Gavin Brylcreem Newsom, et al.) If the recent election is any guide, it seems a majority of Americans have become sick of the new Democrat party with its desire to divide us and mock our history and traditions. So, they threw the bums out. Heres hoping Canadians, always polite, can soon find the backbone to do the same. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License Cuban Americans have long been among Americas most fervent patriots. Theyve had the very great advantage of life under Communism, and they have no doubt life in America is leaps and bounds better. Still, in some ways, Cuba is very like California. Both are single party, socialist/communist polities and like California, Cuban government policy has all but destroyed the market for gas powered vehicles while mandating electrics: Graphic: YouTube Screenshot. With rising fuel costs and shortages across Cuba, the island nation has turned to electric motorcycles en masse. Nowhere is that more apparent than on the streets of Havana. The rise in electric motorcycle usage is largely thanks to government policy, which has regulated the pricing of electric motorcycles while placing limits on imports of gasoline-powered motorcycles. Due to pricing policy, electric motorcycles were cheaper than gasoline-powered motorcycles for years. Eventually the government outlawed the import of gasoline-powered motorcycles all together, leaving electric as the only option for new purchases. From where do these electric scooters come? From China, a communist ally, transshipped through Panama. But arent many vehicles in Cuba American makes from the 50s, kept running with chewing gum and bailing wire? Indeed, but: Pricing regulation has kept them affordable for citizens and has helped the electric two-wheelers become a dominant form of transportation in the country. Estimates put the total number of electric motorcycles, locally referred to as motorinas, at around 300,000. To put that in comparison, there are around 500,000 cars registered in Cuba, according to ABC News. Pricing regulation, yet another communist economic miracle. Graphic: NewsNation Screenshot/ Theres just one catch. OK, OK, in any communist country everything has a catch, but for EVs the pertinent catch is the electric grid cant handle charging them. California has mandated all new vehicles sold in the state be either electric or hydrogen(?!) powered by 2035. But as early as 2022, California was telling EV owners to cut back on charging the EVs already in the state, mostly in the evenings when EV owners need to charge their vehicles. Californias green lunacy has forced the state to buy at least a quarter of its electricity from other states. California doesnt have sufficient electric generation capacity to charge the EVs already present, and is not building new power plants. More EVs will hopelessly overwhelm the grid. Cuba is doing worse right now: The national electric power system (SEN) completely collapsed again early Wednesday morning due to an unexpected shutdown of the countrys largest thermal power plant, Antonio Guiteras. The Electric Company of Havana communicated this through its Telegram channel, stating that the outage occurred at 2:08 AM and that efforts are underway to restore service. This new collapse of the SEN, the third to occur in Cuba since October 18, reflects the deep crisis facing the countrys electricity sector. The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant, located in Matanzas, has repeatedly been at the center of these events due to its structural deterioration and the challenges in ensuring proper maintenance. California and Cuba share deteriorating infrastructure and corrupt, feckless government. Their essentially shared system of governmentits a matter of degreerelies on centralized planning, which always fails, as with Californias high-speed rail to nowhere. Perhaps the only thing keeping Californias infrastructure from total collapse is the huge numbers of Californians becoming ex-Californians. Its harder, and wetter, for Cubans to escape their workers paradise, but they still try. It's ironic that with the American electric vehicle industry in a death spiral, the Harris/Biden Administration, in its last days, continues to push EVs as the future of American transportation, as does California and Cuba. American consumers, finally catching on that EV cheerleading is largely lies, dont want and wont buy EVs they cant afford, which cant meet their needs and might burn down their houses. Ford and GM, having lost billions on EVs, have all but totally shut down EV production and Ford is paying dealers to put EVs on their lots. Most dealers arent buying. Stellantis, which has never pushed EVs as hard as Ford and GM, has also quietly left the field, leaving domestic production almost entirely to Tesla. Donald Trump has promised to end federal tax credits for EVs, which will eliminate the domestic EV market. California Governor Gavin Newsom is planning to pick up that slack but not for Teslas, the only EVs made in California. That's Newsom's sour grapes over Elon Musks relocation of Teslas headquarters to Texas. In Cuba, reflected in California, we can see the EV future America might now avoid: government mandated EVs and no electricity to charge them. Just another bit of D/s/c utopia we can do without. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. With the exception of the surely unconstitutional, nearly half a billion-dollar, civil judgement against Donald Trumpthat ones sure to be massively reduced, perhaps even overturned on appealthe only criminal case remaining standing in any real way is Fani Willis equally fanciful Georgia prosecution. Willis, in the best tradition of racist, incompetent, malicious black Georgia prosecutors, is under investigation by the legislature, the case is on indefinite hold, and should be dismissed entirely due to the Supreme Courts presidential immunity ruling, to say nothing of its fanciful basis. Graphic: X Screenshot Willis, a stereotypical example of a black lawyer, rather than a lawyer who happens to be black, is under investigation for all manner of malfeasance and perjury under oath in the hearing that compelled the judge in the Trump case to demand either she, or Wade, remove themselves from the case. She chose to remove Wade. Court-ordered not to play the race card in court or otherwise, Willis has chosen to repeatedly stir the racial pot, claiming any attempt by Trump to defend himself, or Georgia to hold her accountable for her utter lack of prosecutorial ethics, is an racist attack on a black woman. Ive covered the case from its inception at my home blog. Enter Fani Willis in the home page search bar to find every article. It has long been established Nathan Wade, who Willis appointed to prosecute a RICO case against Trump and other defendants despite Wade having no experience in RICO law and scant prosecutorial experience, closely coordinated with the DOJ, the White House and the January 6 Committee. Willis also paid Wade, who was, and may still be, her lover some $700,000 dollars for his vastly underqualified work. On at least one occasion, Wade conferred with persons unknown at the White House. Why a local prosecutor would need, or want, to coordinate with the DOJ, White House or a blatantly partisan congressional committee that illegally destroyed its records remains unexplained. Fortunately, Judicial Watch has been pursuing Willis: Graphic: X Screenshot Judicial Watch announced today [12-03-24] that the Superior Court in Fulton County entered an order granting a motion for default judgment against District Attorney Fani Willis in Judicial Watchs lawsuit for communications Willis had with Special Counsel Jack Smith and the House January 6 Committee. In doing so, the court grants Judicial Watchs request for attorneys fees and orders Willis to search for and provide releasable records to Judicial Watch within five business days. The March 2024 lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of Fulton County, GA, after Willis and the county denied having any records responsive to an August 2023 Georgia Open Records Act (ORA) request for communications with the Special Counsels office and/or the January 6 Committee (Judicial Watch Inc. v. Fani Willis et al. (No. 24-CV-002805)). In its lawsuit Judicial Watch stated that Willis representation about not having records responsive to the request is likely false. Judicial Watch referred to a December 5, 2023, letter from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan to Willis that cites a December 2021 letter from Willis to then-House January 6 Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS). In that letter Willis requested assistance from the committee and offered to travel to DC. Willis has a history of refusing to respond to not only records requests, but deadlines and evidence due defense lawyers and their clients. Shes displayed remarkable entitlement and arrogance in the Trump case. Graphic: X Screenshot Fani Willis is something else. Weve been doing this work for 30 years, and this is the first time in our experience a government official has been found in default for not showing up in court to answer an open records lawsuit., Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. Judicial Watch looks forward to getting any documents from the Fani Willis operation about collusion with the Biden administration and Nancy Pelosis Congress on her unprecedented and compromised get-Trump prosecution. Now that Jack Smiths Inspector Javert-like pursuit of Trump has gone down in flames, Judicial Watchs litigation against the DOJ demanding information on Smiths persecution of Trump should succeed. The DOJ has no remaining legal argument for withholding that information, not that that will stop them from trying. Graphic: X Screenshot In the meantime, various investigations of Willis and her conduct, not only in the Trump case, but into all manner of unethical and arguably criminal conduct in the running of her office, continues. Americans finally seeing hope for the restoration of the rule of law in America will welcome the release of whatever Judicial Watch manages to pry out of Willis clutches. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. As we anticipate the Trump administration coming in six weeks or so, we take a look at the battle for speaker of the Texas House. We learned that former speaker Dade Phelan is not running for the position. This is the story: House Speaker Dade Phelan on Friday announced he is dropping his bid for another term leading the lower chamber, ending a bruising, monthslong intraparty push to remove him from power. Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, had previously insisted he had enough votes to thwart a challenge from the right led by state Rep. David Cook of Mansfield, a former ally. Out of deep respect for this institution and its members, and after careful consideration and private consultation with colleagues, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the race for Speaker of the Texas House, he said in a statement. By stepping aside, I believe we create the best opportunity for our members to rally around a new candidate who will uphold the principles that make our House one of the most exceptional, deliberative legislative bodies in the countrya place where honor, integrity, and the right of every member to vote their district takes utmost precedent. Phelan abandoned the race one day before a scheduled meeting where Republicans are set to pick their nominee for the gavel. Good luck, Dade. Pick up your service pin at the H.R. office. The next speaker is likely to be David Cook, but there is some talk about Dustin Burrows. This is the story: Heading into a crucial GOP caucus meeting on Saturday, two Republicans have emerged as the top candidates vying to succeed him and both are taking vastly different paths in their pursuit of the gavel. State Rep. David Cook of Mansfield, who has been running for months, is touting support from a majority of House Republicans, making him the favorite to secure the caucus endorsement. Meanwhile, state Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock a top Phelan ally who filed late Thursday night as Phelan exited the race is trying to lock up support from a mix of Democratic and Republican members who have thus far kept their powder dry. Who wins this contest? My guess is that the winner will be the one Governor Abbott is willing to fight for. We learned in the 2024 primaries that Governor Abbott is an electoral machine, who knocked out just about every Republican who didnt support his vouchers initiative. In this contest, my guess is that the governor would rather have Cook to work with. So lets wait for the actual vote, but calling David Cook speaker is a good bet. PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: Greg Abbott. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. In politics and diplomacy, appearance isn't everything, but it certainly holds weight. This has been particularly true since television sets entered our living rooms. The Kennedy-Nixon presidential debate held in 1960 proved this. Those who heard that debate on the radio thought Nixon won, while 70 million who watched it on TV thought Kennedy won. The viewers of the televised debate were focused on body language and appearance where Kennedy had the upper hand while listeners on the radio focused on content where Nixon was the master. The importance of appearance and body language is much more important in current times when every human has at least one screen in possession all the time and all footage remains permanent and easily accessible due to social media. Yesterday President Trump was on his first international trip since he was re-elected to the White House. He traveled to Paris to join world leaders and dignitaries to celebrate the renovation and reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. The symbolism of Trump's choice for his first international tour can hardly be ignored -- it was the revival of a majestic monument that was founded in Christian traditions and dedicated in honor of the Virgin Mary. It proved Trump, unlike some of his predecessors, is proud of his religious heritage which were also the values that the U.S. was founded on. Trump's first stop was the official residence of the French president, where he met with President Emanuel Macron. There was the typical strong handshake led by President Trump. Before stepping inside, Trump told the media and Macron, "It certainly seems like the world is, going a little crazy right now. And we'll be talking about that." Inside Notre-Dame, President Trump also met with Britain's Prince William -- after a chain reaction of world leaders spontaneously stood up, one after another, to greet Trump: Hard to tell if this was the re-opening of Notre Dame or the re-opening of Trump as global leader. pic.twitter.com/UWShp9mPGM Raymond Arroyo (@RaymondArroyo) December 7, 2024 Trump met with the Prince of Wales and called him a 'good man,' telling reporters the Prince of Wales was doing "a fantastic job." Trump also met with various leaders including Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump looked and sounded as if he were already president. The contrast between Joe Biden and President Trump couldn't be starker. Biden usually listlessly hobbled towards his counterparts and had to be escorted inside, often with his hand held. Trump on the other hand looks calm, confident, and ready for work. Despite being just two years away from 80, Trump looked active and healthy, he also displayed his unique light touch and humor which is essential for such formal events. Body language experts would say that Trump, despite being courteous and cordial, was doubtlessly the man in charge. What is the sitting president doing well? He's dozed off during a meeting with African leaders in Angola. What is the vice president up to? She is busy releasing bizarre videos on social media which have led many to believe she was inebriated. Trump, on the other hand, already looks, sounds, and behaves like the leader of the free world. Cynics will say this was merely an appearance and no deals were struck. American's enemies will certainly be watching these videos of Trump's appearances with keen attention. They probably had a good laugh at senile Biden and his bumbling word-salad chef deputy. But now matters are drastically different. They will realize that they cannot meddle around anymore. As the risk of sounding cliched, one has to say "America is back" or at least will be back next month. Image: Twitter video screen shot We answered a knock at our door the other day to find our friend Angela on our doorstep all in a panic. It seems her doctor announced that Angelas ten-year-old Jimmy is suffering from species dysphoria and wants Angela to authorize surgery to attach a tail. We counseled, No way, Jose, but poor Angela is at sixes and sevens because her doctor also opines suicide is on the horizon, and she must choose between a dead son and a live dog. That story, of course, is a barely exaggerated metaphor for whats happening to Americas children under the name of so-called transgenderism. Tennessee stepped up to address the problem, and the Biden administration sued, a matter now before the Supreme Court. To understand what the judges are considering, you need to understand the law in Tennessee. Alarmed to discover transgender butchers operating under cover of an M.D. license who threaten to transform the greenest state in the land of the free into the Forest of Dr. Moreau, Tennessee legislators enacted a statute aimed at protecting minors from medical treatments (drugs and/or surgery) intended to enable a so-called gender transition. Image by AI. The legislature enacted the statute on March 2, 2023. On July 1, 2013, Prohibited Medical Procedures for Minors (TN Code 68-33) became the law in Tennessee. As you will read, Section 68-33-101 makes legislative findings that transgenderism butchery of minors has become a menace in Tennessee and must be stopped, Section 68-33-102 recites clarifying definitions, and Section 68-33-103 bluntly prohibits performing on minors any type of medical procedure that purports to change their sex. Section 68-33-103(a) specifically states: (a) A healthcare provider shall not perform or offer to perform on a minor, or administer or offer to administer to a minor, a medical procedure if the performance or administration of the procedure is for the purpose of: (1) Enabling a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minors sex; or (2) Treating purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the minors sex and asserted identity. With that language, the law seeks to shut down Dr. Moreaus little shop of horrors in Tennessee. However, it is unfortunate that when it came to enacting a penalty for transgender butchery, the Tennessee Legislature lost its nerve. The penalty for violating 68-33-103 is specified in 68-33-106 as: A violation of 68-33-103 constitutes a potential threat to public health, safety, and welfare and requires emergency action by an alleged violators appropriate regulatory authority. Thus, transgender butchery of a child is not a crime in Tennessee; it is merely grounds for license revocation. Nevertheless, even with its purely administrative penalty, the Tennessee statute offended the Biden Department of Justice, which promptly rounded up some obliging Tennessee plaintiffs and brought suit against Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti in federal court seeking an injunction against the statute for alleged constitutional violations. Thats the case that the Supreme Court heard last week. In its briefs and during oral argument, the DOJ asserted that the Tennessee statute violates the 14th Amendments equal protection clause by treating males and females differently. That clause states, nor shall any Statedeny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. The DOJs position is that the Tennessee statutes application varies according to whether the patient is male or female. But is that so? Does the application of the statute so vary? Look at the text of 68-33-103(a), quoted above. The statute bans certain acts a healthcare provider can do to a minor, regardless of whether that minor is male or female. Instead, the statute banns conduct based on purpose, not the minors sex. This means the statutes effect is not dependent upon whether the minor in question is male or female. It is well known and beyond the possibility of dispute that every human being is one of two sexes, male or female, and that their sexes are expressed not only in the germ cells of the human organism but also in every somatic cell. That being the case, it is impossible to transition from one sex to the other. A healthcare provider who has misled a minor patient or his parents or guardian to believe otherwise may have rendered himself liable for civil or criminal fraud, rather than mere loss of a license. My friend Russ and I have intermittently crossed paths around town over the past 35 years. We met in the early 80s while working at the Los Angeles Sheriffs Homicide Bureau. He's a soft-spoken man with a calm demeanor. His politics are impenetrably liberal; he lives a very secular life. His immovable secular disposition makes his story especially compelling. While engaging in retiree small talk one afternoon, uncharacteristically and in hushed gentle tones, Russ began telling a personal story. I saw from the onset it was very spiritual in nature, whcihhe seemedunaware of... at first. He seemed to be in a zone as they say in sport jargon, enormously focused as he took a deep dive into a personal recollection. He appeared to be realizing for the first time, the story he had known so well his whole life, had in fact, been a deeply spiritual experience. I characterize his story as, how an eight-year-old boy spoke to himself seventy years later, causing an epiphany. Several years following the end of WWII, Russ was eight years old living in Redondo Beach, California. One summer day, the local boys club took he and several other members to the Redondo Beach Public Pool. Like most eight-year-old boys, he was full of excitement and energy, and a lot of overconfidence. A great splash exploded amidst the other children as he leapt into the pool. He immediately began to paddle out into the open water with the pools bottom gradually sinking away from his dangling feet with every stroke. He reached a point where he realized he had gone too far for his ability. Out of energy and unable to paddle any longer, he fell helplessly beneath the surface, unable to yell, only gasping and gulping as he slowly sank deeper and deeper beneath the cacophony of the children above. I tried to stay afloat, but it was useless! As I drifted downward approaching the pools bottom, I became increasingly serene. Floating aimlessly, feeling no pain, or fear, euphoria overtook my senses. I saw a light, a blindingly bright light. I felt myself compelled to go to it. I was happy as I move closer and closer toward it with euphoria increasing as it neared. It was an insatiable feeling wrought with passion, a desire I didnt want to end. I felt encapsulated in the arms of love, warmth, and serenity. I didnt want to leave. I looked-on watching my floating body from a position outside and slightly above myself. My self seemed to be floating in a surreal womb of amniotic fluid cushioning and protecting me. At this point of the story, he stopped. A few seconds later, he looked directly at me with a stunned expression of sudden awareness, making this pronouncement, I felt complete. He then continued, Suddenly, I burst back into consciousness. A stranger was applying the old-styled resuscitation technique, the one that preceded CPR; he was successful, and I was revived. Russ said that he had never shared this story with anyone, saying, I cant explain what happened, or why I felt compelled to share it right now! I offered those 70 years of secularism were getting in the way of his embracing the truth. I then asked him what he thought the light and euphoria was. He looked at me with solace in his eyes and haltingly said God. Knowing him all these years, I was stunned! I told him he was right and that the bright light was the manifestation of Gods glory. I added that the Force that compelled him to share his story that day was the same Force that raised Jesus from the grave and was beckoning him now. I suggested that the Lord provided an extra 70 years to that eight-year-old boy that day at the pool and now, 70 years later, the Lord was providing him with another opportunity to choose eternal life with the same God he encountered at the bottom of the Redondo Beach Public Pool. I ended with the observation that not everyone is given spiritual invitations like this, and that fact made him very special. Was this an epiphany, we can only pray it is accepted as such, but I note that this was the first time in 35 years that I can recall his ever publicly acknowledging God, and I know not his final choice. May we all be ever attentive, for out of the mouths of babes may come our call to enter the glorious light of our Savior for evermore. Image: AT via Magic Studio The case in New York City against Daniel Penny is a shambolic and, arguably, unconstitutional mess. Based on the nexus of the facts and New York self-defense law, the case should never have been filed. The trial has been conducted along unconstitutional racial lines, and the judge, faced with a hung jury, did something that was definitely unprecedented and is arguably unconstitutional. New York allows people to use self-defense against perceived threats. However, in addition to requiring reasonable justification, it also requires proportionality. Its that last that the prosecution is banging away at in the Daniel Penny trial, for it claims that Penny was reckless and/or negligently ignorant of the risk created by using a choke hold to subdue Jordan Neely. The defense has countered that Penny used an appropriate method to subdue a violent and dangerous man and that when Neely stopped resisting, he immediately downgraded his hold simply to retain control over Neely. Instead, says the defense, Neely died from agitation, excitement, K2 intoxication (a potent intoxicant and stimulant), and a sickle cell trait, all of which led to sudden death from cardiac arrest. I agree. Image: Daniel Penny. YouTube screen grab (cropped). The prosecution initially charged Penny with a greater charge (second-degree manslaughter) and a lesser one (negligent homicide). The first carries a maximum 14-year prison sentence, and the second a maximum four-year prison sentence. The jury instructions were set up so that the jurors were to consider the negligent homicide charge only if they had first agreed to reject the manslaughter charge. That is, both decisions were their responsibility. The analysis was to have worked this way: Step One: If you find that Penny committed manslaughter, do not go on to Step Two. Instead, return to the courtroom to announce your verdict. Step Two: If you find that Penny did not commit manslaughter, continue to step two to determine whether he committed negligent homicide. [UPDATE: Left out of the above discussion was the fact that Im guessing that the jury surely would have been instructed to return not guilty on both counts if it found self-defense not overcome by the state, beyond a reasonable doubt, on count 1.] Last week, after three days of deliberation, the jury announced that it was deadlocked on the manslaughter charge and hadnt even reached the negligent homicide charge. The prosecution responded by asking Judge Maxwell Wiley to dismiss the manslaughter charge and, instead, have the jury decide only the negligent homicide charge. This request violated the jury instructions, but Judge Wiley thought it was a great idea. Then, without sequestering the jury over the weekend, he sent them out into a community in which the anti-Penny mob is rampant, including loudly protesting on the streets immediately outside the courthouse. The only thing he did was to honor the phony request by the prosecution that the jurors be anonymous based on claims that both sides had made threats. Thats unlikely because leftists have loudly made threats, and no Penny supporters haveand the judge and prosecution both know this. Andrew McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor, is outraged by what the judge did: As I have contended from the start, rather than bring a one-count criminally negligent homicide case, Bragg added a baseless recklessness charge to the indictment so the jury would have two counts, increasing the odds of conviction by giving the jury something to compromise on. Instead of deciding negligence as the central question, that count was treated as a fallback position for the jurors to have something to pin on Penny i.e., they could feel good about convicting him of negligence, not because he was guilty but because they had already acquitted him of the more severe recklessness charge. Now, after the jury could not find Penny guilty of recklessness after four days and how disturbing it is that one or more jurors were apparently in favor of doing so the judge is letting Bragg remove the recklessness count from the case. It will go down as an acquittal for Penny on that charge, so he is no longer facing a potential 15-year prison term. For the jury, however, it makes the hard work of the last four days pointless. [snip] This is a disgrace. A disgraceand a dangerous break with legal precedent. Before New York City abandoned legal principles to attack Trump and turn the courts into racial circuses, the law on hung juries allowed prosecutors to retry the case (which means starting from scratch) or to request a dismissal. Theres a real question about whether retrying the case amounts to double jeopardy, but its still something prosecutors request and judges allow. Never before has a judge allowed the retrial to happen in the original case after the jury received instructions and began deliberations. I would argue at a more fundamental level that the rule of unanimous juries in criminal trials combined with the prohibition against double jeopardy makes a good argument for discarding retrials altogether when there is a hung jury. The 1824 decision in United States v. Perez set the precedent for this practice, but it never addressed the constitutional prohibition on double jeopardy. Instead, since then, the only trigger for double jeopardy has been a verdictwhich, of course, is something a hung jury, by definition, never reaches. It's hard to know at this point whether the jury, having been relieved of the burden of manslaughter, will now become a hung jury as to the negligent homicide. Or will having a lesser charge assuage the conscience of the holdouts and see them agree to imprison Penny for only four, not 14 years? Will the screaming mobs theyll see all weekend (despite the judges order that they put the case out of their minds) affect their decision now that they have an easier out? The jury is not protected and they are vulnerable, something that Judge Wiley finds acceptable. And if they are again a hung jury, will Alvin Bragg, a fanatic racialist, retry the negligent homicide case? We know that race is a motivating factor in the case because Dafna Yoran, the prosecuting attorney, relentlessly referred to him as the white man, both during questioning and in her closing argument. The judge should have granted the defenses motion for a mistrial but, reliably, did not. As McCarthy says, this is disgraceful, but its also a dangerous precedent. A New York judge has abandoned even the pretense of impartial justice and has openly sided with the racist, baying mob. John Dale Dunn MD JD is an emergency physician and attorney, both for more than 40 years who lives in Brownwood, Texas. TIPP Insights has published a must-read editorial aptly titled Bidens Unprecedented Blanket Pardon Destroys His Legacy and Proves Trump Was Wrongly Impeached Over Ukraine. The piece cuts to the heart of the issue: this pardon isnt just about Hunter its about insulating Joe Biden and dismantling the narratives used to undermine Donald Trumps presidency. As I reflect on the sordid details we know (and I wouldnt presume to claim we know everything), one truth becomes glaringly obvious: Hunter Biden isnt just unraveling Joe Bidens presidency. Hes exposing the tangled web of narratives the establishment has spun since 2016. Whether its the laptop labeled a hoax by more than 50 intelligence officials despite its now-confirmed authenticity by Bidens own DOJ or Hunters role at Burisma, Ukraine, and the Russian interference charade, his involvement has been the common denominator in scandal after scandal. The pardon issued by the Big Guy isnt just a get-out-of-jail-free card for Hunter; its a desperate attempt to prevent further unraveling. A Legacy in Tatters As TIPP Insights so aptly put it, this blanket pardon destroys [Bidens] legacy by exposing the lies propping it up. The editorial underscores how Joe Bidens actions effectively confirm Trumps innocence in the Ukraine impeachment saga. It further notes that Trumps call with Ukrainian president Zelensky was routine diplomacy compared to the Biden familys dealings, which have consistently raised questions of corruption. Meanwhile, Bidens DOJ, the media, and the intelligence apparatus worked overtime to dismiss Trumps concerns about Hunter as conspiracy theories only for the laptop, the shady dealings, and the influence-peddling to be confirmed as very real. The media, which spent years screaming collusion and corruption at Trump, now have a credibility problem that no amount of whitewashing can fix. How can they still hold a straight face while lecturing Americans on integrity, given their eager parroting of disinformation about Hunter Bidens laptop? They didnt just miss the mark; they deliberately turned the other way. Election Interference on a Grand Scale What our Republic has seen over the past three presidential election cycles is nothing short of election interference on a grand scale. From the Russian collusion hoax, made out of whole cloth, to the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020, to the lawfare deployed against Trump, the establishments fingerprints are everywhere. The goal was always the same: protect their chosen candidate, undermine their opposition, and control the narrative. Hunter Bidens pardon is the final insult. After all the lies, cover-ups, and manipulations, the man at the center of it all gets a clean slate while the American people are left to pick up the pieces of a system thats broken beyond recognition. Its no wonder the public trust in institutions is at an all-time low. The Incoming Congress Must Investigate But all hope is not lost. The incoming Congress and new leadership at the Department of Justice must keep the pressure on and fully investigate all the players involved in this web of corruption. As TIPP Insights emphasizes, Hunters pardon should not signal the end of accountability. Blanket pardons like this one and any others Biden, Inc. may issue between now and Inauguration Day cannot shield all wrongdoers from scrutiny. If during these investigations and hearings new crimes and potential defendants emerge, then those chips must fall where they may. No one not Hunter Biden, not Joe Biden, not the intelligence officials who swore the laptop was Russian disinformation should escape accountability. As Justice Louis Brandeis observed, sunlight is the best disinfectant, a reminder that transparency is essential to restoring trust in our institutions. The Big Guys Pandoras Box Joe Biden may have thought his pardon would close the door on Hunters scandals, but its done the opposite. By issuing this sweeping clemency, Biden has effectively opened Pandoras box. Hunter Biden is the thread pulling apart decades of deception and corruption, exposing just how deeply the establishment is compromised. From Burisma to Ukraine to the laptop, Hunters name is woven into the fabric of the very narratives used to attack Trump and shield Biden. This isnt just about one man or one family. Its about the very survival of our Republics integrity. The American people demand answers and they deserve accountability. For those who enabled, concealed, or profited from this corruption, the day of reckoning draws near. Winter is indeed coming, and no avalanche of spin, no flurry of pardons, and no storm of propaganda will be enough to bury the truth this time. Charlton Allen is an attorney and former chief executive officer and chief judicial officer of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. He is the founder and editor of The American Salient and the host of the Modern Federalist podcast. Image: Louise Parker via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped). Accra, Ghana (PANA) - Ghanaians are awaiting the official results of Saturday's presidential and parliamentary elections that were largely peaceful but saw two people being shot dead in two separate incidents in the Northern Region and Central Region Late goals from Enes Unal and Dango Ouattara saw Bournemouth come from behind to condemn Ipswich to a crushing 2-1 defeat. Town blew another Portman Road lead as their wait for a first Premier League home win continued following some drama at the death. Conor Chaplins first Premier League goal looked to have finally ended Towns duck in front of their own fans. But for the fourth time this season they were pegged back at home after taking the lead as Unal equalised for the Cherries three minutes from the end. We're at it again AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) December 8, 2024 Fellow substitute Ouattara then grabbed a winner deep into stoppage time for the Cherries, who earlier in the season had scored three times from the 87th minute on to beat Everton 3-2. Sundays win made it three successive victories for Andoni Iraolas side. Bournemouth would have taken the lead after only 10 minutes had Marcus Tavernier not missed an open goal from two yards out. Milos Kerkez drilled a low ball across the face of goal but Tavernier somehow put the ball wide at the far post. But Ipswich quickly took control and Liam Delap hooked a shot wide, Cameron Burgess headed just over and Omari Hutchinsons volley was just too high. The goal arrived in the 21st minute with Bournemouth struggling to clear a Leif Davis throw-in from their penalty box. Burgess neatly played the ball back for Chaplin to rifle across Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the net from 15 yards out. Since joining Town three years ago in League One, Chaplin had scored 48 goals to help them to back-to-back promotions and he gleefully celebrated his first in the top flight. Conor Chaplin wheels away in celebration after putting Ipswich ahead (Bradley Collyer/PA) In a frantic end to the first half Ipswich had a goal disallowed from a corner for a shove by Delap, before Tavernier pinged a shot against the foot of the far post. Kluivert had taken a tumble under a challenge from Burgess in the area moments earlier, and Cherries boss Iraola was booked for arguing against the decision not to give a penalty. Burgess then made a goal-saving challenge to bail out his captain Sam Morsy, who lost possession on the halfway line to let Kluivert through on goal. Ipswich had led in previous home matches against Fulham, Leicester and Aston Villa this season and drawn all three. Bournemouth could sense the tension and almost equalised when Unal headed Dean Huijsens cross just over the top. Enes Unal, left, scores Bournemouths equaliser (Bradley Collyer/PA) The second goal which would have calmed Ipswich nerves almost came with 20 minutes left when Sam Szmodics shot was saved by Kepa with the rebound just eluding Delap. Instead, with time running out, Ouattaras cross eluded keeper Arijanet Muric and Unal bundled the ball in at the far post with Burgess unable to clear from under the crossbar. And the comeback was complete five minutes into stoppage time when David Brooks shot was saved by Muric and Ouattara buried the rebound. Ipswich announced after the match that a medical emergency occurred in the directors box during the second half, later confirming that club ambassador and former player Simon Milton had been taken ill but was stable and communicating. Millions of Britons have been warned to brace for further disruption as more strong winds are set to sweep across the UK following Storm Darragh. Northern Ireland was exposed to wind gusts of up to 80mph overnight, while a fresh yellow Met Office wind warning came into force across much of England and Wales at 6am. More widely there are likely to be gusts of 35-45mph inland, even reaching 70mph around coasts during the morning. It means that further travel disruption and power cuts are likely until 6pm, the Met Office said. (PA Graphics) Storm Darragh brought gusts of 93mph to some parts of the country on Saturday, with millions warned to stay indoors, tens of thousands left without power and trains cancelled. National Rail said disruption was expected through Tottenham Hale until 9am. National Highways said the M48 at Severn Bridge was closed in both directions between J1 and J2 until at least midday. Wightlink said the 8am car ferry sailing from Portsmouth and 9am from Fishbourne were cancelled, along with the 7.15am and 8.15am Fastcat services from Portsmouth Harbour and the 7.45am and 8.45am services from Ryde Pier Head. The Met Office said heavy rain was expected to persist in central and eastern parts of England throughout Sunday, with 20-25mm forecast to fall across much of the country. As much as 60mm could fall over high ground of the Cheviots, Pennines and North York Moors. The wreckage of an airport bus which crashed on the way to Belfast International Airport during Storm Darragh (Rebecca Black/PA) Two men were killed on Saturday by falling trees hitting their vehicles. West Midlands Police said the latest victim was killed when a tree fell and hit his car on Silver Birch Road, Erdington, on Saturday afternoon. Sergeant Benjamin Parsons, of the roads policing unit, said: Our thoughts are with the mans family at this time, and his next of kin have been informed. The road was closed with drivers urged to avoid the area. Earlier in the day, a man died after a tree fell onto his van in Lancashire. The man, in his 40s, was driving his Citroen vehicle on the A59 at Longton, near Preston, at about 9am on Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Whilst #StormDarragh is clearing to the southeast, parts of the UK could still see strong winds through much of today Yellow weather warnings are in force for England, Wales and the far south of Scotland Stay up to date with the latest https://t.co/j7ojlIej4g pic.twitter.com/FFnTjNm34w Met Office (@metoffice) December 8, 2024 Detective Sergeant Matt Davidson, from Lancashire Polices serious collision investigation unit, said: Very sadly, this incident has resulted in the death of a man and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time. An investigation is ongoing, and I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened or has any dashcam or mobile phone footage to please get in touch. The Governments risk to life alert came into effect at 1am on Saturday and was sent to people within the area covered by the Met Offices rare red warning for wind in parts of Wales and south-west England. Energy Networks Association said 259,000 customers across England, Scotland and Wales were without power as of Saturday evening. It said that 80% of homes affected by the storm have been reconnected. The Environment Agency had 64 flood warnings in place in England on Sunday morning, meaning flooding is expected, while Natural Resources Wales said 25 flood warnings were active. The husband of a woman found dead in a car boot worked his way back into her life after being arrested for domestic abuse, her sister has said. Harshita Brella, 24, was found in the boot of a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Brisbane Road, Ilford, east London, on November 14, and her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, is the prime suspect. With police still trying to trace Lamba, Ms Brellas sister Sonia Dabas told the Sunday Times she is sure he is in India, which is a very safe place for him. She said Ms Brella, who was from Delhi, got a job in a packing factory near Corby, Northamptonshire, after entering into an arranged marriage with Lamba earlier this year. She said Lamba beat her and would deny her access to money. Ms Dabas said: The controlling was really bad towards the end; he even told her not to work anymore. An international manhunt is under way for Pankaj Lamba (Northamptonshire Police/PA) When she told us this we urged her to resist his controlling behaviour. I said, What is this, house arrest? Its not acceptable. If something were to happen to you, we wouldnt even know. Ms Brella kept silent about the alleged abuse, but eventually told her family in a telephone call to Ms Dabas on August 28 and she decided to go to the police, the Sunday Times reported. Her sister told the publication: The run-up to it was beatings by Pankaj over nothing. She went to the police because he had beaten her. Lamba was arrested by Northamptonshire Police officers on September 3, but was released on conditional bail and a domestic violence protection order was put in place, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said. Lamba was not supposed to call her but one day, while Ms Brella was in a refuge, she received a phone call from India from one of Lambas relatives, who then added him to the phone call, according to her family. Ms Dabas said: They both began badgering her and bullying her to withdraw the case against Pankaj. So she went to the police to withdraw it and found a rented room to stay [in]. The Sunday Times reported Lamba slowly began pushing his way back into Ms Brellas life. Police believe she was strangled in Corby on the evening of November 10 before her body was driven to Ilford in the boot of a car the next day. The IOPC said it will investigate Northamptonshire Polices contact with Ms Brella, while an international manhunt is under way for Lamba. Ms Dabas added: I am sure Pankaj is in India but we cant do anything to get the police on to him. India is a very safe place for him. Its easy to go missing in India. Anas Sarwar (left) maintains Sir Keir Starmers unpopularity is down to cleaning up mess left by Tories - JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images The Scottish Labour leader has denied Sir Keir Starmers performance in office was ruining his chances of becoming First Minister after a poll showed a collapse in support for his party. Anas Sarwar attempted to downplay the Norstat poll for The Sunday Times, which showed Labour is on course to win only 20 seats at the May 2026 Holyrood election, its worst ever tally. Sir John Curtice, the UKs most eminent polling expert, said the blame for Labours decline appeared to lie with the Prime Minister, whose net approval rating was at minus 32 per cent. An analysis of the results by Sir John predicted the SNP would win Scottish Parliament 59 seats easily enough for John Swinney to lead the Nationalists into a third decade in power. When combined with the seven seats predicted to be won by the Scottish Greens, it would also mean that Holyrood would continue to have a pro-independence majority. Mr Sarwar insisted he can still replace John Swinney as First Minister, arguing that the polls accuracy was undermined by the Nationalists losing 19 of the last 20 council by-elections. He was forced to deny that his chances were being wrecked by Sir Keirs short record in office, saying that the Prime Minister had been cleaning up the mess left by the Tories. But he admitted he disagreed with Sir Keir about the decision to restrict the winter fuel payment in England and Wales to OAPs eligible for Pension Credit, saying that was one example of a disagreement. Mr Sarwar said he also backed the removal of the two-child benefit cap across the UK after Mr Swinneys SNP Government used record funding from the Chancellor to scrap it in Scotland. The latter move was the centrepiece of a highly political Scottish Budget, unveiled last week, which included a series of populist measures that will be introduced in the run-up to the Holyrood election. SNP ministers have also announced that pensioners who are having their winter fuel payments removed will receive 100 next year. Labour had high hopes of winning power at Holyrood following Julys general election, in which the SNP was routed, but its support has since declined to the lowest level in three years. The poll put backing for Scottish Labour at 21 per cent for the Holyrood constituency vote and 18 per cent in the regional list its worst ratings since Nov 2021. Backing for the SNP was 37 per cent and 32 per cent respectively. Pro-independence The survey also put support for independence at 54 per cent when undecided voters were excluded, the highest level recorded in four years. Sir Johns analysis predicted the Tories would win 19 seats, Reform UK 13 and the Liberal Democrats 11. Asked if Sir Keir was making his life more difficult, Mr Sarwar told BBC Scotlands Sunday Show: Over the course of the last three-and-a-half years, I have seen lots of individual polls that have not looked good for the Scottish Labour Party. If we look at the actual polls, which is people going out to vote, we won overwhelmingly on July 4. Weve had countless council by-elections since July 4 and the SNP have lost 19 of the last 20 by-elections here in Scotland. But Sir John said Labours vote was being squeezed by the rising Reform UK vote as well as a resurgent SNP. He said: Just 21 per cent of Scots now say they would vote Labour on the constituency ballot for a Scottish parliament election, down nine points on Norstats poll in August and as much as 14 points below the partys tally in Julys general election. Sir John said Scottish Labour was being squeezed at both ends of the political spectrum, with the partys support being down among both supporters and opponents of independence. Emma Harper, an SNP MSP, said: Increasing support for independence is a sign that the people of Scotland know that Westminster, no matter who is in government, is failing them a better future as an independent nation is possible. Keir Starmer has welcomed the collapse of Bashar al-Assads barbaric regime in Syria and called for civilians to be protected after rebel forces took control of Damascus. In a statement hours before his first trip to the Middle East, the prime minister said the developments in Syria were unprecedented and called for a political solution to the vacuum in power. The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure, Starmer said. Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails and peace and stability is restored. Related: Our father did not die for nothing: disbelief turns to jubilation in Damascus He called on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and to ensure aid can reach the most vulnerable, and said the UK government was speaking to its partners in the region. Starmer was due to fly to the Gulf on Sunday night. He will meet the UAE president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, on Monday before travelling to Saudi Arabia for talks with its Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The meetings are sure to touch on the political situation in Syria after Assad, who has waged a bloody war against his people since a rebellion against him 13 years ago, was unexpectedly ousted by a lightning rebel offensive. If Assads regime has fallen I welcome that news, Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, told Sky Newss Trevor Phillips earlier on Sunday. What we need to see is a political resolution in line with the UN resolutions. We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected. Far too many people have lost their lives; we need stability in that region. Rayner said the government had been working to evacuate British citizens from Syria over the weekend and would continue to support them. Russia, a staunch ally of Assad, issued a statement confirming that he had left office and the country. The leading insurgent group in Syria is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK on the basis that it was an alternative name for al-Qaida. It is also designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN. The developments prompted fresh scrutiny of Labours decision under Ed Miliband to oppose British military intervention against Assads regime in 2013. A stunned David Cameron ruled out British involvement in Syria after losing a Commons vote by 13 votes. David Taylor, the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead and a former charity worker, said on X that from 2013 this has been a truly shameful chapter in our partys history and should never be allowed to happen again. Taylor told the Guardian: For many years I supported Syrian activists in the UK in calling for a no-fly zone to protect Syrians from Assad and Putin, as Jo Cox did, and Im convinced that if wed done that half a million people would still be alive. Its well documented that [Jeremy] Corbyn and co spent more energy casting doubt on whether chemical weapons were being used than on ways to protect civilians. Im glad our party has moved on from this period. Asked about Milibands decision in 2013, Rayner told Times Radio: Parliament decided and thats the right way. We have a democratic process in the UK I think what weve got to do is focus on how we take stability forward in the region. In 2015, Jeremy Corbyn opposed Camerons proposed airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria but gave Labour MPs a free vote to prevent a mass revolt. The Commons overwhelmingly backed the action after 66 Labour MPs sided with Camerons government. Ben Bradshaw, a former Labour foreign minister who stepped down as an MP this year, said on X that Labour opposing Camerons motion in August 2015 was a shameful moment in our partys history and one [we] must never repeat. Starmer and Rayner both voted against the strikes, despite Labour MPs having a free vote. A total of 11 members of the shadow cabinet voted in favour, including the then shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn. The now home secretary, Yvette Cooper; the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander; the science secretary, Peter Kyle; the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson; the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden; and the Commons leader, Lucy Powell, all backed Camerons airstrikes in 2015. John Sawers, a former head of MI6, said the government should review its proscription of HTS because it had cut ties with al-Qaida over the past decade. Sawers argued it would be rather ridiculous not to be able to engage with the rebels who had taken control of Syria because of the groups proscription. I think Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader, has made great efforts over the last 10 years to distance himself from those terrorist groups and certainly the actions weve seen of Tahrir al-Sham over the last two weeks has been those of a liberation movement, not of a terrorist organisation, Sawers told Sky News. So, I think the home secretary will be asking MI5 and the joint terrorism assessment centre for a review of the situation about Tahrir al-Sham and whether it should remain on the proscribed entity list. The Home Office said it recognised that HTSs relationship with al-Qaida had changed, as there had been a splintering between the two organisations. A spokesperson for the department said the government did not routinely comment on whether a group was being considered for proscription or deproscription. The situation on the ground in Syria is very fluid, they added. The priority must be the safety of Syrian civilians and securing a political solution to the unfolding events. Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said the Conservatives wanted to see the right kind of outcome, put the Syrian people first, but also look at the sort of governance structures that could occupy Syria going forward. Lara Trump, Michael Boulos and Tiffany Trump look on as Donald Trump greets Donald Trump Jr in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 4 November. Boulos, Tiffany Trumps husband, is the son of one of Trumps new advisers. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images While many appearing on stage during president-elect Donald Trumps victory speech in the early hours of 6 November were familiar faces, one man, standing next to Tiffany Trump, was not. Michael Boulos, the son of Lebanese billionaire and Trumps new senior adviser on Middle Eastern affairs, Massad Boulos, and the husband of Trumps youngest daughter, stood cautiously to the president-elects right as America looked on. While Boulos presence part of Trumps successful coalition-building effort may have gone largely unnoticed by many viewers, for Arab Americans such as Yahya Basha, a Syrian American doctor who runs several medical facilities in Detroit, it served as a breakthrough moment. Related: Trump assembling US cabinet of billionaires worth combined $340bn In September, Basha met Trump and Boulos during one of the president-elects many campaign trips to Michigan. I felt that they were serious and wanted to do business and communicate and partner on the issues, says Basha of his engagement with Trump and Boulos. If you are out, you dont count. You have to stay in the battle. Twenty years after the spike in animosity and prejudice in the aftermath of 9/11, Arab Americans are now finding themselves incorporated into US politics like never before and ironically given his nationalism the process is getting a boost from Trump. On 22 November, Trump nominated Janette Nesheiwat, the daughter of Jordanian Christian immigrants and a Fox News contributor, to the post of US surgeon general, and Marty Makary, a British American doctor with Lebanese heritage who also contributes to Fox News, to commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration. Alina Habba, Trumps Iraqi American lawyer and adviser, is another prominent face in Trumps entourage. During his previous administration Mark Esper and Alex Azar, both who have Lebanese heritage, served in senior positions. Many Arab Americans, particularly older generations who fled dictatorships in the Middle East, feel this is the first time that such prominent voices have been heard in a political context despite Trumps threats and a track record that has seen him ban travel from a host of Muslim-majority countries during his previous administration. While many Arab Americans say they are forced to look past Trumps previous actions given the failure of the Biden administration to stop Israels wars in Gaza and Lebanon, others believe the president-elects overtures to figures in their community is genuine. While the Democrats declined to allow a Palestinian American speaker at their August convention, a month earlier, at the Republicans equivalent event, Habba was strategically given a place in the coveted Thursday night session, where she spoke of being a proud first-generation Arab American woman. Part of Trumps outreach to Arab Americans has focused on connecting with Christian elements within the wider community, rather than Muslim ones. Boulos, Habba, Azar and Esper are either Maronite, Chaldean or Greek Orthodox Christians. [The Arab American and Chaldean communities] needed one of their own someone that is of their own and is in politics, says Casey Askar, a Chaldean businessman who was recruited by Trump as far back as July 2023 to engage with Chaldeans in Michigan. Askar believes 80% of the Chaldean voters in Michigan many of whom dont identify as ethnically Arab but celebrate their own distinct heritage within the Arab world backed Trump in last months election. Because Chaldeans didnt come from a democratic world or have opportunities for democracy or freedom of speech, they didnt engage in politics, he says. But in 2016, Chaldeans really came out to vote. And they generally voted for Trump and Republican candidates. He says that since a majority of Chaldean households in south-east Michigan, where the community is thought to number almost 200,000 people, own or run their own businesses, theres an attraction to Trump and the Republicans. After a fall off in 2020, he says the Chaldean vote helped Trump win Michigan last month, where he beat Kamala Harris by 80,000 votes. Historically, the Democratic party was the party of immigrants and minorities. I know that because when my family came, I believe they were more Democrat-leaning. If you look at the Catholic vote as a whole, it was predominantly Democrat, he says. But the party has changed. Theres so much hypocrisy. They pushed too far with wokeness, and that alienated a lot of people. Its a view shared by Basha, who is not Christian and who donated to Democrats election campaigns including Joe Biden, the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, and others running against Israel lobby-backed candidates. I had an excellent relationship with [Democrats]; I went to the White House many times, he says. But last year, he says he felt slighted during a call with Michigan donors hosted by the Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer. I wasnt allowed to speak during the call. I raised my hand but wasnt given the floor to speak when others were, he says. The Democrats became so complacent. I think the Arab-Americans were treated in the Democratic party as insignificant partners, from the Obama administration onward. Though he donated thousands of dollars to Trumps first opponent, Hillary Clinton, in 2016, he says that this time around when Harris campaign approached him for a donation, he refused. I told them: Im committed to Trump. Trumps efforts to build a coalition from within elements of the Arab American community has in part prompted many to run and win as Republicans at various political levels across the US. Amer Ghalib, the Democratic Yemeni American mayor of the Muslim-majority city of Hamtramck in Michigan, attracted headlines by endorsing and campaigning with Trump in October. Nor is the move to the Republican party confined to Michigan. Last month, Abe Hamadeh, a 33-year-old lawyer and former army reservist with little political experience, was elected to Arizonas eighth congressional district, defeating a Democrat in an open race. Endorsed by Trump and Arizona firebrand Kari Lake, and the son of Syrian immigrants, Hamadehs campaign website photos see him leaning into his military and Middle Eastern background. For many Arab Americans, the messages espoused by Republicans resonate. Samraa Luqman, a Yemeni American from Dearborn, Michigan, campaigned on behalf of and voted for Trump because you cannot reward genocide with a second term, referring to the Biden administrations support for Israels war on Gaza, where more than 44,000 people have been killed. But a second reason for abandoning the Democratic party related to her and others more conservative social values. Luqman, who still considers herself a Democrat, was among parents who railed against sexually-explicate content in schoolbooks in Dearborn in 2022. The story of this election does not start with 7 October [when Hamas attacked Israel]. It started in 2022, and the community felt betrayed by their own [Democratic] party, she says. Its unfortunate, but the minute the [Arab American] community disagreed with the policies espoused by the Democratic party, they became ostracized and painted in a negative light. That betrayal started the shift to the Republican party. Basha says he is fully aware of the dangers the second Trump administration may incur on the Arab world, not least to Palestinians suffering horrendous conditions as Israel continues to attack Gaza. Trump and many of his cabinet picks are vociferous supporters of Israel and its armys actions. Trump has also promised to bring back travel bans on Muslim-majority countries which he says is definitely a concern. Its better to be at the table than outside the door, he says. I want to see what we can be a part of and establish a positive view of [Arab Americans] and negotiate on local, national and international issues. Syrian rebels celebrate their victory at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus - Mohammed al Rifai/Shutterstock Follow todays live coverage of the conflict in Syria. Bashar al-Assad, the butcher of Damascus, fled to Moscow and was granted asylum on humanitarian grounds after rebels took control of the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive. Russian state media said Assad and his family had arrived in the capital on Sunday night after his palace was looted and thousands of his prisoners liberated in a swift end to his familys decades of rule. In Assads wake, Israel seized territory on the border and bombed military targets amid fears over the growing power of the Islamist rebels now controlling large parts of Syria. Damascus, the Syrian capital, fell to an alliance led by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the early hours of Sunday morning, ending a 13-year civil war that has killed more than half a million people. Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, said he would work with Assads former prime minister to ensure an orderly transition of power, before proclaiming victory in a speech at the citys ancient mosque. World leaders welcomed the fall of Assad but expressed caution about HTS. Assad has not been seen since, but Russian agencies reported that Moscows special forces had evacuated him on a military aircraft. Assad and members of his family have arrived in Moscow, a source told the Tass news agency. Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds. Joe Biden, the US president, confirmed he had heard that Assad was in Moscow and said he should be held accountable. The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Monday regarding the situation. Sir Keir Starmer said it was early days when asked whether his Government would engage with HTS, which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation in Britain. We do need a political solution, and thats what we are talking to regional allies about, he said. It is a good thing that Assad has gone, a very good thing for the Syrian people. What we must also ensure is the rejection of terrorism and violence, and that civilians are protected, minorities are protected, and that can only be through a political process. The Prime Minster made the comments as he arrived in the Gulf for trade and defence talks with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The talks are likely to be dominated by Syria. Mr Biden said Assads fall marked a fundamental act of justice, adding that the US would work with all Syrian groups ... to establish a transition away from the Assad regime. He said: Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses. Weve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days, and theyre saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions. Mr Biden said the US had carried out precision air strikes against Isis targets in Syria amid concerns that the terror group will regroup in the vacuum created by the fall of Assad. He added that Washington would keep around 900 troops in north-eastern Syria, where they have been operating with Kurdish-led Syrian defence forces to prevent a resurgence of Isis. The air strikes were conducted by B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 aircraft and hit Isis leaders, operatives and camps, CNN reported. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said the overthrow of Assad was a historic day in the... Middle East and a blow to Iran, warning that it offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers. Air strikes hit a military airport near Damascus, appearing to target a warehouse, shortly after the city fell. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes were carried out by Israeli jets and intended to prevent regime weapons from falling into rebel hands. It came on a dramatic day less than two weeks after a rebel alliance led by HTS launched a surprise attack on regime forces in the north-west of Syria. The rebels seized the Sednaya prison, north of the capital, after midnight and began releasing prisoners. Teams equipped with digging tools continued to tunnel through concrete to free prisoners in top-security basement cells on Sunday evening. The prison is known as the human slaughter house because of the number of regime opponents tortured and murdered there. The capital itself fell at around 9am local time, with men, women and children breaking into Assads presidential palace and luxurious private residence. Rebels and civilians broke into security service archives, and the Iranian embassy was ransacked. Mohammed al-Jalali, the prime minister, acknowledged the fall of the regime and said he was ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. In the afternoon, Jolani appeared at the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascuss old city. Surrounded by hundreds of cheering supporters, he said Assad had made Syria a farm for Irans greed and a base for the illegal amphetamine captagon, which brought cash to Assads circles. Liberation has occurred despite the nose of that tyrant, he said. The future is ours. Jolani, whose real name is Ahmed al-Sharaa, was once a member of al-Qaeda, but he and HTS split with the international terror group in 2016. Since then, he has sought to present himself as a moderate pragmatist, publicly ordering fighters to protect minority ethnic and religious groups, including Christians, after his forces captured Aleppo last week. Millions of Syrian refugees are expected to return home over the coming months, with Hasan Abdul Ghani, a rebel leader writing on social media: To the displaced all over the world, free Syria awaits you. Crowds began to form at the Turkish and Lebanese borders with Syria on Sunday as refugees displaced by the civil war vowed to return home. Refugees mounted spontaneous celebrations in Istanbul, while in London, crowds of Syrians gathered in Trafalgar Square. Muhamad Khatib, who owned a car rental office near El-Hamidiyah, Syria, said he had come to celebrate getting rid of a dictator who oppressed our country for 50 years. The Assad family had ruled Syria since Hafez Assad, Bashars father, seized power in a coup in 1971. The collapse of the regime is a major blow to Russia and Iran, traditional allies who spent millions of dollars and sent troops and aircraft to save it in 2015. A Kremlin source claimed the rebel leaders had guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions inside Syria, despite reports that Russia had been forced to abandon its Tartus naval base. Iran, which ordered its diplomatic and military personnel to quit Syria on Saturday, said it expected friendly ties to continue despite vandalism to its embassy. Opposition supporters raised the rebels green, white, and black flag over Syrian embassies in several countries including Greece, Spain, Serbia and Sweden. The Syrian embassy in Moscow took down the Assad regimes flag on Sunday evening. 07:21 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage as Damascus fell to rebel forces and Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow. We will be back soon with more updates and analysis from the fast-moving events in Syria. 07:19 PM GMT How the rebel army swept across Syria in maps: 07:19 PM GMT Analysis: Rebels success in Syria is a humiliation for Putin Russian fighter jets were quickly deployed to launch airstrikes against the rebel groups who rose up from north-west Syria a little more than a week ago. But as the rebels swept into Damascus on Sunday morning, the skies across Syria were clear but for a private jet thought to be carrying the president. The Kremlin, it appears, had no plan to save Bashar al-Assad once his soldiers melted away. Instead, it has been quietly withdrawing its own forces from Syria. Read the full analysis here. 07:10 PM GMT In pictures: Military equipment abandoned after collapse of Syrian army An anti-aircraft missile unit at abandoned military barracks after the withdrawal and desertion of the Syrian army forces - Shutterstock A military radar system left behind when the regime army collapsed - Shutterstock A helicopter and missiles abandoned at Mezzeh Air Base on the outskirts of Damascus - Getty Images Europe 07:06 PM GMT Analysis: Biden takes credit for toppling Assad Joe Biden was keen to tie the clear, principled foreign policy of his administration to the fall of Assad in his statement on Sunday afternoon, pledging the US would continue to be involved in the transition to a new government after Bashar al-Assad. His critics will say that is a bold claim to make, given that the loose rebel coalition that toppled the Syrian president was not formed by the US, and took the Biden administration somewhat by surprise in storming Damascus successfully. There is some merit to his argument that the US has helped to destabilise Mr Assads principle backers, Russia and Iran, by giving military support to Ukraine and Israel. He could also have mentioned that the US has spent years training the Free Syrian Army rebels at its al-Tanf base near the Iraqi and Jordanian borders. Those fighters were among those who brought Assad down on Saturday night. The elephant in the room during Mr Bidens statement, which he did not address, was the 180-degree turn in US-Syria policy coming next month when Donald Trump takes office. Mr Trump has already indicated he will take the opposite approach to Mr Biden, keeping the US out of the conflict and leaving the formation of government to the rebel leaders. How long can the current administrations strategy of shepherding Syria towards democracy really last? 07:03 PM GMT Pictured: Assads palace on fire A fire burns in a room of Assads residential palace in the Muhajirin area of Damascus - AFP 06:57 PM GMT Biden: Rebels have grim record of terrorism Joe Biden concluded his remarks by pledging that the US will stay vigilant to threats from the next government, which will be formed by rebel leaders. Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses, he said. Weve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days, and theyre saying the right things now, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions. It would be a waste of this historic opportunity if one tyrant were toppled...only to see a new one rise up in his place, he said. He said that although the situation brings considerable risk and uncertainty to Syria, it is also the best opportunity in generations for Syrians to forge their own future free of oppression. 06:54 PM GMT US carried out air strikes in Syria Joe Biden said the US had carried out air strikes in Syria on Sunday against IS targets, as he warned against the terror group filling a vacuum created by the fall of Assad. Were clear eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to re-establish its capabilities to create a safe haven, he said. We will not let that happen. In fact, just today, US forces conducted a dozen precision strikes, air strikes within Syria targeting ISIS camps and ISIS operatives. He added that he would send members of his administration to Syria, and work with Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel, should any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition. 06:49 PM GMT Biden: US will engage with rebel groups Joe Biden has said that Washington will engage with all Syrian groups in order to help with the transition of power and manage the risk. He called the fall of the Assad regime a historic opportunity for Syrian people, while calling on Islamist-led opposition forces to reject violence and protect religious and ethnic minorities in the country. 06:43 PM GMT Assad fall is fundamental act of justice, says Biden President Joe Biden said that at long last the Assad regime has fallen following the rebel takeover in Syria. Speaking from the White House, he called the events a fundamental act of justice but also warned that it was a moment of risk and uncertainty. 06:35 PM GMT Starmer: Rebel leaders must reject terror and violence Keir Starmer has said that Syrias rebel leaders must ensure the rejection of terrorism and violence and the protection of civilians. Asked whether he would deal with the leading rebel group, which has been proscribed by the UK as a terrorist organisation, Sir Keir told broadcasters in Abu Dhabi: Its very early days at the moment. We do need a political solution. He described the ousting of Assad as a very good thing and an opportunity for Syrian people. He added: What we must also ensure is the rejection of terrorism and violence, and that civilians are protected, minorities are protected and that can only be through a political process. Keir Starmer in Abu Dhabi on Sunday 06:27 PM GMT Hamas commanders freed from Syrian prisons While prisoners were being released across Syria, among those believed to have been freed was Hamas commander Abu Judat al Jaloudi, along with dozens of Hamass Al Qassem Brigades fighters. Over 630 Palestinians including 67 members of Al Qassam Brigades were freed from the Saydnaya prison known as the countrys human slaughterhouse, according to Dua Muslims. Hamas spokesman Basem Naim told The Telegraph he could not verify the truth of the news. I have no idea, he said on Sunday. 06:25 PM GMT Analysis: No surprise Assad turned up in Moscow Bashar al-Assad has turned up in Moscow after fleeing Damascus. Reports throughout the day had suggested that while his family may have flown to Moscow, the Syrian dictator had died in a plane crash in Syria. Instead, it now appears that Assads plane switched off its tracking devices and headed to the Russian capital after an asylum deal was agreed with Vladimir Putin. It shouldnt come as a surprise that Putin has allowed Assad to flee to Russia for humanitarian reasons. He is loyal to his allied junior partners and has proved a good friend to fleeing dictators before. Analysts have said that although Putin doesnt regard Assad as a friend, he has respected him. That respect may have vanished with the collapse of Assads army in the face of marauding rebel forces but Putin has still offered him a safe harbour. Just dont expect Putin to invite Assad for dinner at the Kremlin. 06:09 PM GMT Russia abandons Syria naval base after rebel victory Russia has been forced to abandon a major naval base in Syria following the rebel victory over the Assad regime, according to Ukrainian intelligence. After the fall of Damascus on Sunday, Moscow withdrew the last of its warships from its Tartus base, Ukraines military intelligence service said. Three Russian missile frigates, an attack submarine and two lightly-armed support ships were believed to have been stationed at the port before the rebel offensive. Syrian government forces are now believed to control just two out of 14 provincial capitals, Latakia, Syrias main port, and Tartus. However, videos appeared to show rebel forces inside Latakia on Sunday morning and by the afternoon, unconfirmed reports said the opposition forces had entered Tartus. Ukraine also said Russia was transferring weapons and other military equipment from its Khmeimim Air Base, south-east of Latakia. 06:01 PM GMT Biden speaks from White House 05:44 PM GMT 910 killed, including 138 civilians, since rebel offensive More than 900 people have been killed since Syrian rebels launched a major offensive 11 days ago, a war monitor said on Sunday. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the death toll of 910, includes 138 civilians, 380 Syrian troops and allied fighters, and 392 rebels. 05:39 PM GMT I dont agree with the rebels, but they are delivering on promises Muhamad Mowakket, a humanitarian worker forced to leave Aleppo with his wife in 2014, cant wait to return home, writes Janet Eastham. Pushing a pram and with his little daughter on his arm, Mr Mowakket told The Telegraph: No one wants to be a refugee. No one chooses to be a refugee. No one likes it. We had a wonderful country. But for what happened, we wouldnt leave... My fiance, now my wife, said, lets go to Turkey! I said no way! Four days later, the intelligence services were searching for me. I was a humanitarian activist. They were searching for me by name. I had to leave. You wouldnt leave your country unless you had to. Mr Mowakket said that ideologically he doesnt agree with the rebel forces, who he described as extremist but he said that they have delivered on guarantees such as allowing the country to keep its identity. Explaining how the rebels have liberated the political prisoners and detaineesthousands of people in just one prison, its like a dungeonhe breaks down, wiping away a tear, and says, so far, they are delivering. 05:32 PM GMT Pictured: Russias Tartus naval base on Dec 3 Russias Tartus naval base along Syrias Mediterranean coast on December 3 - AFP 05:26 PM GMT Israel seizes Syria border zone as rebels tighten grip on Damascus Israeli forces have seized a UN-patrolled buffer zone in south-west Syria, hours after Syrian rebel forces toppled the Assad regime. Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had ordered the Israeli military to take the demilitarised zone that borders Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, saying a 1974 disengagement with Syria had collapsed. We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border, the Israeli prime minister said after referring to the ousting of Iran-allied Bashar al-Assad as a historic day. Suspected Israeli fighter jets struck weapons and ammunition depots in Damascus and in the south of Syria in what analysts say is an attempt to stop military assets falling into rebel hands. Earlier on Sunday, rebel forces declared victory against the Assad regime, ending his 24-year rule following a flash offensive that saw the insurgents seize Aleppo, Hama and Homs in quick succession before entering the capital. 05:13 PM GMT Has rebel leader Jolani turned his back on jihad? In 2004, a newly ascended Bashar al-Assad, eager to shield his regime from the blowback of the American invasion of Iraq, encouraged young Syrians and Muslims to cross into Iraq to resist the US occupation, writes Hassan Hassan. Among those who heeded the call was a soft-spoken 22-year-old named Ahmed al-Sharaa, a media student with middling grades and a quiet disposition. I was another student at Damascus that year, and the regimes mobilisation at the university and elsewhere was not so subtle. I remember being shocked when, during university break, a cab driver on my way to my village in Albu Kamal, near the Iraqi border, openly spoke about ferrying fighters to Anbar. Two decades later, al-Sharaa played a pivotal role in toppling the regime that once urged him to jihad. His journey from a Damascus schoolboy to a rebel commander at the helm of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) reveals not only the complex intersections of Syrias fractured history but also the evolution of global jihadist movements. Read more here: I went to university with rebel leader Jolani I wonder if he has really turned his back on jihad 05:06 PM GMT Watch: Rebels in prison control room free inmates 04:48 PM GMT Our victory is a victory for whole nation Abu Mohammed al-Jolani who led the rebel offensive across Syria said their victory against the Assad regime was a victory for the whole nation. Speaking at the Umayyad mosque in Damascus, he accused Bashar al Assad of using Syria as a farm for Irans greed. Liberation has occurred despite the nose of that tyrant, he said, adding that Syria would fully recover. The future is ours, he told crowds of his supporters. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses the crowd in Damascus - AFP The crowd chanted Allahu akbar (God is greatest) as the rebel chief greeted supporters - AFP 04:38 PM GMT Rebel takeover mapped: 04:31 PM GMT Biden to meet with security advisers on Syria Joe Biden, the outgoing US president, will meet with his national security advisors over Syria. The President will meet with his national security team this morning to receive an update on the situation in Syria, Sean Savett, spokesman for the national security council, said. 04:25 PM GMT Its a dream: Syrians in London desperate to return home Ibrahim Tolaymat, who brought his teenage children to Trafalgar Square to celebrate, said he was over the moon at the fall of Assad, describing the news as a miracle, writes Janet Eastham. Im from Homs in Syria, I left Syria 11 years ago. It was very bad when I left. He told The Telegraph that he was of course looking forward to returning home to Homs, where many members of his extended family still live. My children were really tiny when we left so they are really looking forward to just seeing what Syria looks like. He paid tribute to the freedom fighters who had sacrificed everything to overthrow this regime. Aisha Ekrayem came to Trafalgar Square with her husband and their two young children. Its a dream! We cant believe it. We can all go back now. Many people have not been back for 40 years or more, she told The Telegraph. Syrian people living in London gather at the Trafalgar Square to celebrate the collapse of the Assad regime - Anadolu Syrians told The Telegraph they were looking forward to returning to their homeland - Reuters 04:18 PM GMT Syrian rebel supporters hoist flags at embassies abroad Supporters of the Syrian rebels have entered some Syrian embassies abroad to hoist their flag. In Spain, over a hundred people cheered and shouted Freedom! as a man at the Syrian embassy in Madrid threw the Assad governments flag to the ground and hoisted the black, green and white flag with three stars used by the rebels. In Athens, other rebel supporters entered the Syrian embassy in Athens and hoisted their flag from the rooftop. Police entered and detained four people, but left the flag flying. Several supporters of the Syrian opposition laughed and hugged each other in front of the embassy in the capital Belgrade and raised the rebel flag on a pole in the courtyard. At the Syrian embassy in Stockholm, the three-starred Syrian revolution flag was raised. A man climbs up a flag pool to hoist up a Syrian opposition flag outside an embassy in Belgrade, Serbia - Shutterstock Greek policemen stand guard outside the Syrian embassy where a Syrian opposition flag has been placed in Athens - AP 04:02 PM GMT Israeli strikes on Damascus targeted government buildings A monitor of Syrias war said Israeli strikes targeted government security buildings in Damascus on Sunday. Israeli strikes targeted a security complex in Damascus near the former regimes buildings including intelligence, customs and a military headquarters, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Buildings were seen ablaze in the security complex, which includes military intelligence. Smoke rises in the aftermath of suspected IDF strikes near Mezzeh Air Base near Damascus - Getty Images Europe A fire burns following explosions at a security compound that houses the Syrian military intelligence division on December 8 - Getty Images Europe 03:57 PM GMT Syrians celebrate in Trafalgar square Syrian refugees and activists are gathering in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assads tyrannical regime, writes Janet Eastham. Waving flags, whistling, handing out sweet biscuits and setting off fireworks, the crowd jubilantly celebrates the removal of the dictator Bashar al-Assad. Malath Alzoubi, a Syrian journalist, had just one word to describe how he felt about the liberation of his homeland: Happy! Im happy! I know as a journalist you need more than that. But we are so happy! he told The Telegraph. Mr Alzoubi said that of course he wanted to go home, but said today was a day for celebration. Tomorrow, well think about the future, he said. Muhamad Khatib, who owned a car rental office near El-Hamidiyah, Syria, said he had come to Trafalgar Square with his son to celebrate getting rid of a dictator who oppressed our country for 50 years. He stole Syria, brought poverty to Syria, he killed Syrians, he imprisoned Syrians illegally. He was, I think, the worst dictator in the world. Mr Khatibs son was born on March 1, 2011, the day the revolution started. I would love to go back and live there in a big democracy. On that day, the first protests started. It was so scary. I saw the protests online, and I rushed out of my office to join them. By the time I got there there were a thousand security officers there and they arrested all of them. 03:52 PM GMT I came for revenge: Selfies in Assads homes Hundreds of Syrians have explored, looted and damaged Bashar al-Assads former palace and his private residence in Damascus following the fall of the capital to rebel forces. I came for revenge; they oppressed us in incredible ways, Abu Omar, 44, told AFP in Assads luxury home that comprises of three six-storey buildings. I am taking pictures because I am so happy to be here in the middle of his house, he added, showing off photos on his mobile phone. A group of people take a selfie while sitting on a couch in a hall of Assads presidential palace in Damascus - AP A man holds an AK-47 and flashes the victory sign as he poses for a photo in Assads former hall - AP A Syrian man sits on a chair in the hall of the luxury home - AP A man carrying away a picture from Assads private residence 03:32 PM GMT Israel captures Mount Hermon in Syrian buffer zone Israeli forces appear to have captured the highest peak on Mount Hermon, a mountain cluster in a UN-controlled buffer zone in south-west Syria. Sources told Israeli outlet Ynet that air force commandos had taken the strategic summit in order to bolster Israels military control in the area. Earlier on Sunday, Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the Israeli military to take the demilitarised zone that abuts Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israeli soldiers raise their countrys flag on Mount Hermon 03:06 PM GMT Watch: Rebels find Assads luxury car collection Syrians who stormed Bashar al-Assads abandoned presidential palace in Damascus uncovered his large collection of luxury cars. The footage shows a large hangar filled with millions of pounds worth of cars including Ferraris, Aston Martins, Rolls-Royces, BMWs, Mercedes and what appeared to be a Bugatti Veyron. Read the full story here. 02:58 PM GMT Starmer welcomes end of barbaric regime Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of President Assads barbaric regime in Syria as he flew to the region on Sunday. The Prime Minister called for the restoration of peace and stability in the country as he was due to arrive in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday for trade talks before flying on to Saudi Arabia for his first visit to the oil-rich state. With rumours that President Assad may have used UAE as a staging post after fleeing Syria, Sir Keir will also discuss with the two countries leaders how stability and security can be maintained in the region. Sir Keir said: The developments in Syria in recent hours and days are unprecedented, and we are speaking to our partners in the region and monitoring the situation closely. The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure. Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored. We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days. 02:56 PM GMT Pictured: Rebel leader Jolani celebrates in Damascus Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who is the commander of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), is pictured celebrating in front of crowds at the Umayyad mosque in Damascus 02:46 PM GMT Analysis: Aftershocks of Assads fall will unfold in ripples and waves There are no easy or immediate answers to what kind of Syria will emerge in the post-Assad future, said Dr Burcu Ozcelik, senior research fellow in middle east security at RUSI. The challenges, she said, will arise as the coalition of rebel groups tries to transform from rebellion to governing, providing security and services to a vast, diverse and fragile country. The HTS-umbrella movement is not homogenous, Dr Ozcelik explained, and there are risks that internal fractures will arise in the weeks and months to come that may lead to discord and threaten Syrian stability. In terms of Russia, which has a major air base and naval base in the country, it has no good options in a now radically transformed Syria. Its ability to project power in and through Syria is now severely debilitated, she added. There is also no doubt that Assads fall is a highly consequential defeat for Iran, the implications of which will unfold in ripples and waves, Dr Ozcelik said. Syria was the conduit for Irans systematic support for Hezbollah in Lebanon, this supply chain has now been cut off. 02:33 PM GMT In pictures: Israeli tanks and forces next to Syrian border Israeli armoured vehicles along the Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria - AP Israeli tanks parked close to the Syrian border as Israeli said it had deployed forces to the demilitarised buffer zone - AFP Israeli politician Benny Gantz walks on a viewpoint near the Alpha Line - AP 02:28 PM GMT UN investigators: Syrias new leaders must ensure atrocities never repeated UN war crimes investigators described Bashar al-Assads fall from power as a historic new beginning for Syrians, urging those taking charge to ensure the atrocities committed under his regime are not repeated. Today marks a historic new beginning for the Syrian people who have suffered unspeakable violence and atrocities over the past 14 years, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said in a statement. It is incumbent on those now in charge to ensure that such atrocities are never again repeated within the walls of Sednaya (prison) or any other detention centre in Syria. 02:25 PM GMT Future is ours: Rebel leader tells Syria after fall of Assad The rebel leader who led the sweeping advance on Damascus has declared the future is ours in a victory speech to the Syrian people. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who is the commander of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), said there is no room for turning back in a statement read out on Syrian TV, hours after his insurgent forces entered the capital. The militant chief said HTS, which is defined as a terrorist group by the UN and US but has become more moderate, was determined to continue on the path it started in 2011 when the country was plunged into a brutal civil war. Abu Mohamed al-Jolani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - AFP 02:21 PM GMT Syrian opposition coalition working to establish transition government The Syrian opposition coalition on Sunday said it is working towards forming a transitional governing body with full executive powers. It added in a statement that it aspires to build strategic partnerships within the region and the world. 01:58 PM GMT Watch: Iranian embassy stormed in Damascus Irans embassy in the Syrian capital was stormed by rebels on Sunday following their capture of Damascus and the fall of Iran-allied Bashar al-Assad, Iranian state TV reported. It is said that the Iranian embassy was stormed alongside nearby stores by an armed group different from the group now controlling [most of] Syria, Iranian state TV said, referring to the rebel forces. Footage from inside the embassys premises showed rebels and civilians had damaged windows and furniture, while documents were strewn all over. 01:29 PM GMT Iran expects friendly ties with Syria to continue Iran said on Sunday that it expects the friendly relations with Syria to continue after the fall of Tehrans staunch ally Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. The relations between the two nations of Iran and Syria have a long history and have always been friendly, and it is expected that these relations will continue, a foreign ministry statement said. 01:28 PM GMT Pictured: Syrian government forces surrendering in Homs Syrian regime soldiers are led by rebel soldiers in Homs, Syria - Shutterstock A Syrian anti-government fighter stands guard over detain Syrian pro-government soldiers outside Homs Government soldiers being taken into custody by opposition fighters - AP 01:10 PM GMT Analysis: Complacent Assad had no allies as rebel offensive began Professor Christopher Phillips, an associate fellow at Chatham House, said the writing was on the wall for the collapse of the Assad regime. The prompt for President Bashar al-Assads fall was clearly Hayat Tahrir al-Shams assault on Aleppo last weekend. The speed of that attack set a template for what would follow the next week: sudden unexpected rebel advance followed by a swift retreat by Assads demoralised forces, he said. He added: Clearly HTSs military and political skills, honed over four years in rebel-held Idlib since the last ceasefire, have been a major factor in their successes. But the weakness of Assads forces has been the other side of the story, he said, adding that they had been strongly weakened by a lack of former allies. Hezbollah have been decimated by the war with Israel, Iran is much weaker too as a result, while Russia has removed many of its forces to Ukraine, he said. But complacent Assad was also struggling with a host of domestic woes, Prof Phillips said, including demoralised military, regime corruption, international sanctions. In retrospect it is unsurprising then that, after HTS advances in the north, former rebellious parts of Homs, the Houran and Damascus rejoined the rebel cause this week, ultimately hastening the regimes collapse. 12:51 PM GMT Suspected Israeli strikes hit weapons depots near Damascus Israel struck Syrian army weapons depots on Sunday near the Mazzeh military airport, on the outskirts of Damascus, a war monitor told AFP. Israeli strikes targeted positions of the Fourth Division of the Syrian army near the Mazzeh military airport, said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, adding that the targets included weapons depots. 12:40 PM GMT Watch: Syrians celebrate on streets of Damascus X / @danny_makki 12:27 PM GMT Macron hails end of barbaric Assad regime Emmanuel Macron on Sunday welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assads barbaric state in Syria, and sent wishes of peace to the war-torn nations people. The barbaric state has fallen. At last, the french president wrote on X. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity. 12:10 PM GMT Turkey tells displaced Syrians to return home Syrians displaced by years of civil war can now return home, Hakan Fidan, Turkeys foreign minister said on Sunday. Millions of Syrians who were forced to leave their homes can return to their land, Mr Fidan said at the Doha Forum in Qatar, adding that it was time to unite and reconstruct the country. 12:01 PM GMT Syrian rebels announce new curfew in Damascus Syrian rebels announced on Sunday a curfew in Damascus starting 4pm local time until 5am. 11:51 AM GMT Russia confirms Assad resigned and left Syria Russias foreign ministry has confirmed that Bashar al-Assad had left office and departed the country after giving orders there be a peaceful handover of power. The ministry did not say where Assad was now, despite reports he had fled to Russia. As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. Russia did not participate in these negotiations, the ministry said. 11:41 AM GMT Watch: Rebels celebrate in Damascus 11:32 AM GMT Suspected Israeli strikes hit Damascus Israeli air strikes are believed to have hit the Syrian capital of Damascus, according to Lebanese and Syrian security sources. Explosions were heard in the Mazzeh district in the south-west outskirts of the city Sunday morning, hours after the rebel forces entered the city and claimed victory over Bashar al-Assads regime. The area is home to a Syrian air base and other military structures belonging to the regime. Separately, sources told Reuters that Israeli jets targeted another military air base in the south of the country. Analysts believe Israel may be seizing the moment to destroy weapons and ammunition depots belonging to Assads army to avoid them falling into the hands of the rebel forces. 11:20 AM GMT In pictures: Inside Damascus Opposition fighters celebrate as they burn down a military court in Damascus, Syria - AP Smoke billows above central Damascus as residents and opposition fighters celebrate - AP Syrian rebels ride on the back of a vehicle after Syrian rebels captured Damascus - Shutterstock More people celebrate the rebel takeover of the capital city - Shutterstock 11:09 AM GMT UN says rebel takeover is watershed moment The UN envoy for Syria called the rebel takeover a watershed moment for the country marred by nearly 14 years of civil war. Today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new [chapter] - one of peace, reconciliation, dignity and inclusion for all Syrians, Geir Pedersen, UN special envoy for Syria, said. 11:01 AM GMT Israel sends forces to Syria buffer zone The Israeli military said it had deployed forces to a demilitarised buffer zone in southwest Syria abutting the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights after Damascus fell to rebel forces. Israel had already said the day before that its soldiers had entered the UN-patrolled buffer zone to assist peacekeepers in repelling an attack. On Sunday, the army announced a troop deployment there, citing it as necessary to Israels defence due to the the possible entry of armed individuals into the buffer zone. 10:56 AM GMT Rebels close to defeating Kurdish forces in north Syria Turkish-backed Syrian forces have taken control of some 80 per cent of northern Syrias Manbij area and are close to victory against Kurdish forces there, a Turkish security source said. The fight against the Kurdish militia referred to as YPG/PKK, which has long been in control of Manjib, is very close to victory. Both air and land interventions are ongoing to take Manbij from the hands of the YPG/PKK, the source said. 10:42 AM GMT Turkey says control of Syria changing hands Hakan Fidan, Turkeys foreign minister, said on Sunday that Syrias government had collapsed, after Islamist-led rebels declared they had taken Damascus, sending Bashar al-Assad fleeing after five decades of Baath party rule. The Assad regime collapsed and control of the country is changing hands, Mr Fidan said a the Doha Forum in Qatar, adding that this didnt happen overnight. For the last 13 years, the country has been in turmoil since civil war began with Assads repression of democracy protests in 2011. Mr Fidan added that Assad was probably outside Syria after reports early on Sunday morning that had fled Damascus on a plane to an unknown destination. 10:36 AM GMT Watch: Assad statue torn down and dragged through Latakia 10:31 AM GMT Ex-MI6 chief: Assads fall will surprise UK intelligence services Sir John Sawers, the former head of MI6, has said the fall of the Assad regime in Syria will be a surprise to UK intelligence services. He told Sky News: I think it was a surprise to everyone, it probably came as a surprise to Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which have been the main rebel group involved in this march on Damascus, I dont think they expected to go so far so fast. I think were all surprised at how the regime forces have just completely collapsed, even those most loyal to the regime and closest to the regime... Its not a failure of intelligence, its a surprise to everyone. He also added that it would be rather ridiculous if the UK was unable to engage with HTS, which is proscribed as a terror group by Washington. 10:26 AM GMT China hopes Syria returns to stability as soon as possible Chinas foreign ministry said it hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible. Beijing is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible, the ministry said on Sunday. We urge the relevant Syrian parties to take practical measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria, it added. 10:23 AM GMT Pictured: Inside Assads palaces A photo of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a tiny swimsuit was allegedly found inside his palace in Aleppo A man tries to take a chandelier as civilians ransack a private residence of Bashar al-Assad in Damascus - AP Screen grabs from a video appearing to show the inside of Assads master bedroom in his presidential palace in Damascus A picture purporting to show Assads jacuzzi as rebel forces loot his palace in Damascus 10:13 AM GMT Who are the rebels who toppled Assad? The rebel forces which have swept across Syria are mostly led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been dominant in the north-west and launched a lightning offensive on Nov 27, capturing Aleppo, Syrias largest city, and then Hama and Homs in just eight days. The opposition forces have now entered Damascus and claimed victory over the Assad regime. HTS is the main active rebel group in the country, said to have around 30,000 troops. Before the offensive, it had controlled an enclave of around half of Idlib province and parts of neighbouring Aleppo, Latakia and Hama. HTS has its roots in al-Qaeda, though it acrimoniously split with them in 2016 and has spent years trying to appear moderate. HTS is proscribed as a terrorist group by the United States. 09:53 AM GMT Why Putins failure in Syria risks a new refugee crisis in Europe Hadi was among the first to pay attention when opposition rebels moved into Syrias second-largest city, Aleppo. He checked his phone anxiously and repeatedly in the next days for updates from his wife and sisters in the war-ravaged city, as President Bashar al-Assads forces crumbled and fled. Seeing what happened was a shock, a complete shock. You feel like you are lost. Your life is on hold, but the rest of the world is continuing, Hadi says. The 27-year-old, who came to the UK legally as a refugee, is one of seven million Syrians who have fled Assads murderous regime during 14 years of civil war. The rebel insurgence of the past week has already led to more than 300,000 people fleeing their homes to other parts of Syria. Read the full story here. 09:44 AM GMT Watch: Syrians storm Assads presidential palace 09:40 AM GMT US to maintain its presence in eastern Syria The United States will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State, said Daniel Shapiro, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East. Speaking in Bahrain hours after Syrian rebels announced they had toppled Assads regime, Mr Shapiro called on all parties to protect civilians, particularly minorities, and respect international norms. 09:31 AM GMT In pictures: Rebels pose for photos inside presidential palace A Syrian rebel fighter sits inside an office in the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday - AP Syrian opposition fighters take a selfie inside the palace halls - AP Opposition leaders have warned Syrians not to deface public property - AP 09:23 AM GMT Trump: Putin lost all interest in Syria Donald Trump has said that the final blow to the Assad regime was delivered by Vladimir Putin who lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine. The president-elect said on Sunday: Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. He added on Truth Social: There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever. 09:05 AM GMT Rayner welcomes fall of Assad regime Angela Rayner has welcomed the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and called for a political resolution. The Deputy Prime Minister told Sky News: The situation looks very serious and if (the) Assad regime has fallen, then I welcome that news, but what we need to see is a political resolution in line with the UN resolutions. We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected, far too many people have lost their lives, we need stability in that region. She continued: Weve had a plan to ensure that [UK civilians] were evacuated ahead of whats happened over the weekend and we continue to support our UK nationals. Ms Rayner later said Bashar al-Assad wasnt exactly good to the Syrian people as she urged for a political solution where the government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people. 08:43 AM GMT Israeli military will not intervene Israel said its military would not intervene in the events taking place in Syria. However, Israeli forces have been deployed to the UN-monitored buffer zone with Syria and a number of other locations necessary for defence. 08:17 AM GMT How Oct 7 led to the fall of Syria - and the retreat of Iran The consequences of the atrocity on Oct 7 last year has reverberated well beyond the slaughter grounds of the kibbutzim on Gazas borders. Each wave has weakened Iran, hurting its regional ambitions of dominance, diminishing its stature and prising loose its network of proxies and clients across the Middle East. The latest, of greater magnitude than most expected, is washing over Syria so fast that it has triggered headlong panic in Tehran. An enfeebled Tehran will now either have to open talks with the West or go nuclear. Read the full story. 08:05 AM GMT Latest pictures from Damascus People celebrate at Umayyad Square - AFP/AFP Anti-government fighters arrive at Umayyad Square - AFP/AFP Celebrations in Damascus - AFP/AFP 07:54 AM GMT Commander hails historic fall of Assad Syrians step on a picture of Bashar al-Assad - AP The commander of Syrias US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which controls swathes of the countrys north-east, hailed the fall of the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad on Sunday. In Syria, we are living through historic moments as we witness the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus, Mazloum Abdi said on Telegram, adding that this change presents an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantees the rights of all Syrians. 07:39 AM GMT Syrian PM calls for free elections Syria should hold free elections to allow its people to decide their leadership, Mohammed Jalali, the Syrian Prime Minister, said. In an interview with Al-Arabiya, Jalali also said he had been in contact with rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani to discuss managing the current transitional period, marking a notable development in efforts to shape Syrias political future. 07:19 AM GMT Watch: Syrians tear down posters in Damascus Free Syrian people tear down Soleimani and Nasrallah poster outside Iran's embassy in Damascus. pic.twitter.com/1AfAFq5mAm Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024 06:59 AM GMT PM: Assads whereabouts unknown Syrias Prime Minister said the whereabouts of Assad and the countrys defence minister has been unknown since last night. 06:54 AM GMT Watch: Syrians sing and celebrate in Damascus People in Damascus have taken to the streets to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime. pic.twitter.com/yKT5ORlv7x Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) December 8, 2024 06:48 AM GMT Syrian army says operations ongoing against terrorist groups Syrias army said early on Sunday that its forces were pressing ahead with military operations against terrorist groups in the countryside of Hama, Homs and Deraa areas - despite rebel forces announcing the Assad regime had fallen. The army said there was a need for awareness of what it described as a large-scale plot targeting the country, urging citizens to remain vigilant in defending Syrias stability and sovereignty. 06:17 AM GMT Syrian state TV says Assad has been overthrown Syrian state television aired a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad had been overthrown and all detainees in jails set free. The man who read the statement said the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, an opposition group, is calling on all opposition fighters and citizens to preserve state institutions of the free Syrian state. Long live the free Syrian state that is to all Syrians in all their sects and ethnic groups, the men said. 05:56 AM GMT Celebrations take over Damascus As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the citys mosques and to celebrate the regimes end in the squares, chanting God is great. People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. In some areas, celebratory gunshots rang out. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense. Crowds gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus - AFP My feelings are indescribable, said Omar Daher, a 29-year-old lawyer. After the fear that he (Assad) and his father made us live in for many years, and the panic and state of terror that I was living in, I cant believe it. Daher said his father was killed by security forces and his brother was in detention, his fate unknown. Assad is a criminal, a tyrant and a dog, he said. Rebel forces shoot in the air as they celebrate in the central Syrian city of Homs - AFP Damn his soul and the soul of the entire Assad family, said Ghazal al-Sharif, another reveller in Damascus. It is the prayer of every oppressed person and God answered it today. We thought we would never see it, but thank God, we saw it. 05:29 AM GMT Pictured: Statue of Assads father pulled down in Homs People cheer as the statue of former President of Syria Hafez al-Assad is toppled in Homs 05:21 AM GMT In pictures: Syrians celebrate collapse of regime Syrians celebrate in Damascus, Syria Syrians celebrate in Damascus, Syria 05:17 AM GMT Where did Assad go? A Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels, according to data from the Flightradar website. The aircraft initially flew towards Syrias coastal region, a stronghold of Assads Alawite sect, but then made an abrupt U-turn and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map. Reports indicate that Assad was onboard, but this has not been confirmed. However, senior army officers did confirm that Assad left on a plane to an unknown destination. 04:42 AM GMT Opposition will meet with global leaders The head of Syrias main opposition group abroad, Hadi al-Bahra, told Al Jazeera Mubasher TV on Sunday that they would meet with Arab and European countries and the United Nations to agree on the next stage for the country. Residents celebrate in Damascus - AFP 04:41 AM GMT Biden monitoring extraordinary situation The White House has released a statement following the extraordinary developments: President Biden and his team are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners. 04:07 AM GMT PM will tend to government institutions until handover Public institutions will remain under the supervision of the prime minister until the official handover takes place, Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said. Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani also echoed those sentiments: To all military forces in the city of Damascus, it is strictly forbidden to approach public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former prime minister until they are officially handed over. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali remains in his home and said he is ready to support the continuity of governance. I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country, Jalili said in a statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. An empty square in Damascus is seen in the early hours of Sunday. Syrian rebels have called on citizens abroad to return - AFP 04:02 AM GMT Syrian PM ready to cooperate with any leadership Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said on Sunday he was ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people in a peaceful handover process. This country can be a normal country that builds good relations with its neighbours and the world... but this issue is up to any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. We are ready to cooperate with it (that leadership) and offer all possible facilities, Jalali said in a speech broadcast on his Facebook account. 03:23 AM GMT Syria now without Assad, opposition says The head of Syrias main opposition group abroad, Hadi al-Bahra, has said that Damascus is now without Bashar al-Assad. The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled, the group said. We declare Damascus free of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad. 03:02 AM GMT Celebration on streets of Damascus Thousands of Syrians in cars and on foot have congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting freedom. Local residents cheer as the gather on a street in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana - AFP 02:53 AM GMT Analysis: Where is Assads army? In the civil war of 2011 to 2016, the Assad regime turned the tide against opposition forces with the aid of Russian airstrikes and Hezbollah troops. But both Moscow and Iran, Hezbollahs key sponsor, have their attention on conflicts elsewhere. It has left the Syrian army without much support in the face of the lightning rebel offensive led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) group. Analysts told The Telegraph that low pay and morale as well as little experience were hampering the effectiveness of the army. Read more: Why Syrias army has collapsed so suddenly 02:38 AM GMT Thousands of prisoners freed from regime jail Rebels have broken into a notorious Damascus jail, announcing on Telegram an end of the era of tyranny in the prison of Sednaya. We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison, the rebels said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the doors of the infamous Sednaya prison, known as the human slaughterhouse, have been opened for thousands of detainees who were imprisoned by the security apparatus throughout the regimes rule. 02:31 AM GMT Assad left on a plane President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane and left to an unknown destination, two senior army officers have told Reuters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also says a private plane has left Damascus airport that was likely carrying the Syrian president. Assads regime is on the brink - GETTY IMAGES 02:28 AM GMT Syrian rebels: we are entering Damascus Syrian rebels said on Sunday they have begun entering the capital Damascus without any sign of army deployments. We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison, they added. Follow the latest developments here. Residents of Hama in the city center demonstrate support for the anti-regime armed groups The stunning success of the Islamist-led alliance in Syria has brought rebel forces to Bashar al-Assads capital. The rebels have begun the process of encircling Damascus, with reports that they have reached the suburbs of the city itself and that government forces are withdrawing. In a further blow to Assad, Iran has begun to withdraw its military commanders from Syria, and both Tehran and Moscow have joined Ankara in calling for talks between the Syrian government and the legitimate opposition. With Russian forces already overstretched in Ukraine and Irans network of proxies having proved ineffective in stopping the advance so far, no foreign intervention seems likely to relieve the Assad regime. For his part, Donald Trump has urged the United States to have nothing to do with the conflict, pinning the chaos in the country on former President Obamas failure to defend his red lines. If Assads regime falls, Russias air and naval bases in Syria could be taken out of the equation in a major blow to Vladimir Putin. Iran, meanwhile, would have failed in propping up one of its few state allies. While these consequences and Assads departure would be welcomed, what followed might not be an improvement. The commander of the rebels leading the offensive fought for al-Qaeda and returned to Syria at the behest of Islamic State leader Abu Omar al-Baghdadi. While some of those opposing Assad in particular, the Kurdish forces have the support of the West, it is unclear who will emerge on top. Bashar al-Assad fled the country on a midnight flight - Mahmoud Hassano Bashar al-Assad has fled the country after giving orders that there be a peaceful handover of power, Russia said on Sunday. US officials believe Assad left on a flight to seek refuge in Moscow as Damascus fell. Russia, which has propped up Syrias regime for years, did not say where Assad was now and claimed that Russia had not taken part in the talks around his departure. As a result of negotiations between B Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. Russia did not participate in these negotiations, the ministry said. The statement added that Russias military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time. Russian soldiers have been forced to flee a number of their bases, and questions remain over their airbase and naval assets. Conflicting reports There were conflicting reports on Sunday as to how Assad fled Syria and where he was now. One plane took off towards a Russian base in Syria at midnight, with US officials saying they believed the Syrian president was heading for Moscow. However, another private jet was heading to the UAE on Sunday morning, with no official confirmation of Assads whereabouts. Reuters reported that a Syrian Air plane took off from Damascus airport around the time the capital was reported to have been taken by rebels. Data from the Flightradar website initially flew towards Syrias coastal region, a stronghold of Assads Alawite sect, but then made an abrupt U-turn and flew in the opposite direction for a few minutes before disappearing off the map. The Telegraph could not immediately ascertain who was on board. Where is Assad now? Two Syrian sources told Reuters there was a very high probability that Assad may have been killed in a plane crash as it was a mystery why the plane took a surprise U turn and disappeared off the map according to data from the Flightradar website. It disappeared off the radar, possibly the transponder was switched off, but I believe the bigger probability is that the aircraft was taken down..., said one Syrian source without elaborating. Flight tracking data also showed a private jet leaving the Latakia region of Syria on Sunday morning, where Russia has an airbase, this morning and heading to Abu Dhabi. Ronen Solomon, an Israeli intelligence analyst, said the C5-SKY plane was flying on an unusual route from Assads last safe haven. It did it one day before the collapse and on Saturday, he told The Telegraph. This is the only jet thats been flying. A senior United Arab Emirates official refused to confirm or deny speculation he would take shelter in the UAE. When people ask, where is Bashar al-Assad going to?, this is really at the end of the day a footnote in history, presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said. I dont think its important. As I said, ultimately this is a footnote really to bigger events, the Emirati official added when pressed on the question by journalists. Chris Doyle, a Syria expert and Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, said there are limited places for Mr Assad to hide. There are clear reasons to suspect Moscow and Id probably put my money on that, he told The Telegraph. He has to go somewhere that feels safe and where he wont be handed over to an international criminal court, a place that will protect him. In my mind, Moscow will be the one. Bashar al-Assad is said to have fled his country - ATPImages/Getty Images Europe According to the UN, over the past ten years, an average of 84 civilians have been killed every day in direct connection to the war in Syria, by 2022, totalling an estimated 306,887 civilians. The US State Department estimates that 1,400 people were killed in 2013 when the Assad regime launched rockets carrying the deadly nerve agent sarin into the Ghouta district of Damascus. With Russia a key ally, along with Iran, in the civil war, Assad has deep ties with Moscow. He had a few choices, Iran would be another, and others have talked about Dubai, but Im not convinced by that, said Mr Doyle, who says that it would only have been in the final hours of the takeover that the decades-long leader would have believed that his reign was over. Dubai reinstated relations with Syria, hosting Assad in 2022, his first visit to an Arab country since the start of the war, and before the Arab League reinstated Syrias membership. Through backdoor diplomacy, the UAE has long hoped to distance Assad from Iran through building business ties with Syria, although US sanctions have hampered those efforts. On Saturday, Bloomberg reported that Assad had been in last-minute talks with the UAE to cut a deal to save him if he agreed to cut ties with Iran. Russia has long stood by Assad in the face of the civil war since 2011, and on Sunday morning, its embassy in Egypt released a statement slamming the rebels, blaming the takeover on its arch enemy, the US. According to information from Syria, the capital of this Arab country has been captured by terrorists, who are backed by external forces led by the United States. They stubbornly want to destroy the Syrian state and destabilise the entire Middle East, bringing more suffering to the Arabs, the statement said. US President Joe Biden and his team were monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and were in touch with regional partners, the White House said. Bashar al-Assads ally, Russia, said on Sunday he had resigned and left the country. Photograph: Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images The fate and whereabouts of former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad remained unclear on Sunday as his ally Russia, which had long sustained him in office, said he had resigned and departed the country. As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power, Russias foreign ministry said in a statement. It added: Russia did not participate in these negotiations. Assad had not been pictured since a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister in Damascus a week ago when he vowed to crush the rebels heading towards the city. Islamist rebels declared they had ousted Assad after seizing control of the capital on Sunday, ending his familys decades of autocratic rule after more than 13 years of civil war. There were unconfirmed media reports that Assad had been visiting Moscow late last month when rebels reached Aleppo, before returning to Syria. The Kremlin declined to comment on the matter at the time and it is unclear whether Russia has offered him refuge now. Related: Hezbollahs war with Israel left the Assad regime fatally exposed Amid questions over Assads whereabouts, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, Syrias prime minister, told al-Arabia that he had not been able to speak with Assad since Saturday despite claims by state media on that day that Assad remained in Damascus in office. Hakan Fidan, Turkeys foreign minister, said on Sunday that he believed Assad was probably outside of Syria. Attention had focused on a flight that left Damascus early on Sunday and disappeared from flight trackers outside Homs, but it was unclear who was on board and whether it had landed. The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group, had reported that a plane believed to be carrying Assad left Syria via Damascus international airport before the army security forces left the facility. Rami Abdul Rahman of SOHR said he had information that the plane was meant to take off at 10pm on Saturday. Although there appears to have been no flight at that time, a Syrian Air Ilyushin Il-76T cargo plane did take off from the airport hours later with the Flightradar24 tracking site showing that it first flew east from the capital then north-west before losing altitude near the central city of Homs where the flight transponder signal was lost. Other reports focused on a flight to Sharjah in the UAE that departed a little earlier but a diplomatic adviser to the Emirati president told reporters in Bahrain that he had no information that Assad was in the country. Related: Syrias rebels had strengths, but it was his regimes weakness that undid Assad | Jason Burke The Russian claim of Assads flight from Damascus also prompted multiple conflicting media reports about his destination, with Axios reporter Barak Ravid, citing an Israeli source, claiming the former president flew to a Russian base in Syria on Saturday night, intending to flee to Russia. The Wall Street Journal reported Assad was already in Moscow with his family following advice from Egypt and Jordan, while Bloomberg suggested a self-exile agreement might involve Assad relocating first to an area under his control and then to Tehran. Moscow, a staunch backer of Assad, for whom it intervened in 2015 in its biggest Middle East foray since the Soviet collapse, is scrambling to salvage its position, with its geopolitical clout in the wider region and two strategically important military bases in Syria on the line. Russia operates the Hmeimim airbase in Syrias Latakia province, which it has used to launch airstrikes against rebels in the past, and has a naval facility at Tartus on the coast. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Then Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pictured in 2002 - Dave Caulkin The humiliating collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads brutal regime, with the unloved dictator forced to flee as a baying Islamist mob overran the presidential palace in Damascus, was a fitting end for a man who was always temperamentally unsuited to the demands of a modern-day tyrant. As the second son of Hafez al-Assad, the uncompromising military dictator who established one of the Middle Easts most murderous dynasties, Bashar had been destined for a quiet life as an ophthalmic surgeon in London before fate intervened to set him on the path to becoming president in the summer of 2000. Tall and diffident, with a tendency to lisp, Bashar lived in the shadow of his more dynamic elder brother Bassel, a fast-living playboy whom Hafez had studiously groomed to succeed him. These carefully-laid plans ended in dramatic fashion when Bassel died after crashing his S-Class Mercedes into a roundabout at Damascus airport in 1994. Concerns within Syrias ruling Baathist junta that Bashar did not have the qualities to replace Hafez, whose thirty-year rule saw Syria designated as a notorious, terrorist-supporting rogue state, even led to speculation that the presidency be granted to someone better qualified to oversee a ruthless dictatorship. This meant that, during his 24-year rule, Bashar was always trying to overcompensate for his evident unsuitability for the role, indulging in gratuitous acts of violence that ultimately plunged his country into a violent fourteen-year civil war that has now resulted in his ignominious overthrow. It was on Bashars personal orders that a group of Syrian schoolboys accused of writing anti-Assad graffiti at the start of the Arab Spring protests in 2011 were seized and sent to the regimes notorious intelligence headquarters in Damascus, where they were brutally tortured. When the bodies of the boys, some of whom had been castrated, were eventually returned to their families, Bashar believed it would deter the countrys restless population from engaging in further protests. His action had the opposite effect, plunging Syria into a horrific civil war that continues to this day. Bashars willingness to resort to unimaginable acts of cruelty certainly came as a surprise to Western leaders like Tony Blair, who was so impressed by Bashars claims to be a pro-democracy reformer that he even arranged for the Syrian tyrant and his British-born wife Asma to visit Buckingham Palace for tea with the late Queen in 2002. Not everyone, though, was taken in by Bashars ability to display Western-style charm. Russian President Vladimir Putin, himself no stranger to tyrannical rule, dismissed Bashar as an incompetent fool after he was persuaded to deploy Russian forces in the summer of 2015 to prevent the Syrian dictator from being overthrown. Putins primary motivation for intervening in Syria was to safeguard the two military bases Moscow had established in the country during the Soviet era, when Syria had been a vital ally in the Kremlins conflict with the West. The Russian naval base at Tartus was of particular value, as it provided the Russian Navy with its only direct Mediterranean outlet. Putins contempt for Assad and his corrupt circle of Baathist sycophants was reflected in the Russians refusal to allow any Syrian military personnel access to the Khmeimin Air Base on the outskirts of Latakia, which was used to orchestrate the Russians murderous onslaught against opposition groups in cities such as Aleppo, where large areas were reduced to rubble. If Russias military intervention in Syria proved a useful testing ground for Putins later invasion of Ukraine, its support for Bashar, together with the contribution from Iran and its Hezbollah allies in neighbouring Lebanon, was crucial to keeping the Assad regime in power, especially against the hordes of Islamist fighters that had threatened to overrun Damascus. From its inception in 1970, the Assad regime had always struggled to contain the threat posed by Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood, which refused to accept the legitimacy of the minority Alawite sect to which the Assads belonged. The rivalry resulted in one of the most notorious massacres of the Assad era, when Hafezs forces surrounded the rebel Islamist stronghold based in the central city of Hama in 1982 and bombed it into submission, killing thousands of civilians in the process. Now, thanks to the lightning speed with which a new generation of Islamist militants have succeeded in consigning the Assads to the dustbin of history, Hama is once again under Islamist control, as are most of the countrys other major cities, with all the implications that could have for the future stability of the region. While Bashar and the rest of his mafia clan now face the uncertainty of life in exile, the deposed dictators demise demonstrates that, lacking the support he received from key allies such as Russia and Iran, his regime had lost its ability to maintain its ruthless suppression of the Syrian people. Con Coughlin is the author of Assad: The Triumph of Tyranny (Picador) Rebel forces have captured the Syrian capital, Damascus, and toppled the Assad regime - Amr Nabil/AP John Simpson has been criticised after describing Bashar al-Assad as weak rather than wicked after the fall of his regime in Syria. On Sunday, Simpson, the BBCs world affairs editor, said he had found Assad meek and the reverse of the traditional dictator in person. He wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday: Bashar al-Asad has done many evil things, but hes weak rather than wicked. His family members, Iran and especially Russia told him what to do, and he feebly did it. In person, I found him meek and anxious to please the reverse of the traditional dictator. But Robert Halfon, a former Tory skills minister, said: This is a disgraceful tweet Assad is the dictator who imprisoned thousands and massacred many many more of his own people using chemical weapons. Piers Morgan, the broadcaster, also condemned the remarks, adding: Try telling the people he tortured, murdered and unleashed chemical weapons on, that he isnt wicked An hour after he posted the remarks on X, Mr Simpson added: Im not defending Assad, Im trying to explain the precise nature of his crimes. It comes as politicians who previously warned against the UK taking action against Assad remained silent in the aftermath of the regimes toppling on Saturday night. Emily Thornberry, the head of the foreign affairs select committee, described Assad as a murderous tyrant, despite having said in 2018 that his popularity in Syria had been underestimated. Ms Thornberry said on Sunday: We can only celebrate the end of the reign of a murderous tyrant who prosecuted the most brutal of wars upon his own people. The question we have to ask, even in these moments of celebration, is what happens next? In 2018, she had told Prospect magazine that I think there has been a depth and a breadth of support for Assad that has been underestimated ... there is an argument that if he had been as overwhelmingly unpopular as the rebels told the West at the outset, then he wouldnt be there. At the time she and Jeremy Corbyn, the then Labour leader and now-independent MP, were criticised for their response to a 2018 chemical attack on Douma, which the US, France and Britain concluded was conducted by the Assad regime. At the time, Mr Corbyn said: The horrific deaths and injuries in Douma point to a chemical attack, which must be fully investigated by the UN and those responsible held to account. The need to restart real negotiations for peace and a political settlement in Syria could not be more urgent. Meanwhile, George Galloway, the former Workers Party of Britain MP, said on Sunday that the toppling of the Assad regime meant the last castle of Arab dignity has fallen. He had called the former president a breath of fresh air in 2005. On Sunday, Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of President Assads barbaric regime as he flew to the region, echoing the words of Angela Rayner, who said that the former leader wasnt exactly good for the Syrian people. Phillipson Across different departments, since entering government Labour have a common tactic. Whether it is the fictional fiscal hole they say they inherited, or the invented cost of the Rwanda policy they junked, the plan is simple. Misrepresent what the last government handed over to them, and when the claims are disproved, repeat them anyway. Consider the example of school reform. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA, rankings, English primary school children are the best readers in the West. For fifteen-year-olds, schools in England are 11th in the world in maths, up from 27th in 2009, 13th in science, up from 16th, and 13th in reading, up from 25th. This is an unqualified success story, yet Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, repeatedly claims that standards fell under the Conservatives. Her trick is to compare the PISA statistics between 2018 and 2022, when assessors noted that average performance in mathematics and reading had significantly declined across the OECD. For England, scores also declined, but remained significantly above the OECD average in each case. Of course, the reason for the blip was the Covid pandemic, when education was disrupted by lockdowns and school closures. We should remember that Phillipson and her Labour colleagues doing the bidding, as ever, of the public sector unions demanded children remain shut out of education for even longer than they did. Nevertheless, the PISA rankings show that English schools weathered Covid better than in most other countries, and remain far better than when Labour last left office. That they are is thanks to years of painstaking reform, overseen mostly by Michael Gove, Education Secretary during the Coalition government, and Nick Gibb, the former Schools Minister. Their reforms built on years of changes made by governments of both main parties, from the creation of Ofsted by John Major to the development of academies by Tony Blair. In a way, it is surprising that there was a long consensus on school reform, because education remains a prisoner of a deeply ideological battle over how to teach. For decades, the progressive approach to curriculum and pedagogy won out. This was and remains an evidence-free ideological approach that prioritises ephemeral skills over knowledge, is hostile to didactic, teacher-led instruction, and is implacably opposed to testing and exams. The alternative promoted by Gove and Gibb is not as caricatured: neither a lurch to the past nor a Gradgrindian obsession with recalling facts for the sake of it. Informed by neurological research and influenced by academics such as E.D. Hirsch, school reformers understood that higher-level skills depend upon the automatic mastery of lower-level activities, and that abilities such as reading improve as knowledge improves, because knowledge allows pupils to make sense of what they read. The Conservatives required primary schools to teach reading through systematic synthetic phonics, and replaced a failing numeracy strategy with tried-and-tested methods from South-East Asia. The English primary maths curriculum is based on the Singapore model, one of the highest-performing countries. In secondary schools, the number of children taking traditional academic GCSEs has increased, thanks to the English Baccalaureate, which comprises English, Maths, the sciences, history or geography and a foreign language. These subjects are often taken for granted by middle-class families, but now more children from working-class and disadvantaged families are studying them too. Free school founders and academy heads were often in the reformist vanguard. Academies are schools freed from local council control, free to develop the curriculum in their own way, set the length of the school day and term dates, and decide their own pay and conditions for teachers and staff. Free schools are new academies: approved to open not only to meet basic need for school places, but to provide innovation and competition in places where standards are low. According to government progress data published last week which looks at the value added by a school the best school in the country, for the third year in a row, is Michaela, the ground-breaking free school established by Katharine Birbalsingh. Like Michaela, the other top-performing schools use a knowledge-rich curriculum and strict discipline policies. Among free schools overall, 29 per cent score above 0.5 well above average compared to nine per cent of maintained schools. Nine per cent score above 1.0, compared to zero per cent of maintained schools. As these statistics were published, there was radio silence from Bridget Phillipson and her Anti-Education Department, just as there had been the day before, when the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, an international comparative study, showed English schools had improved despite the pandemic and outperformed almost all Western countries. It may seem remarkable that our Education Secretary should ignore such success, but to be surprised is to misunderstand her approach. An ideologue who wants to dismantle the policies that have improved the lives of millions of young people, Phillipson finds such evidence deeply inconvenient. Labour have already cancelled the next wave of free schools. They have weakened Ofsted and the clarity of its inspection framework. They plan to water down discipline policies and reduce the number of exclusions. They have put a left-wing academic who has complained about an obsession with academic achievement in charge of a curriculum review, and made clear they will weaken expectations and dilute the demand for knowledge. They are weighing up getting rid of Year Six SATs, without which we cannot hold primary schools accountable, nor produce progress data which shows the success of schools like Michaela and so many others. This is vandalism without a cause, destruction without regard to the evidence, ideology impervious to the interests of children. School reform worked once. When Phillipson is done, it will need to work again. New Orleans last four archbishops helped Lawrence Hecker avoid accountability for decades. Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP In the case of serial child molester and retired Catholic priest Lawrence Hecker, the cover-up failed. But it wasnt for lack of trying by a coalition of high-ranking church officials and sympathetic judges, who prioritized the predators comfort above justice for his innumerable victims until the evidence against him was so overwhelming that rather than stand the humiliation of a public trial he pleaded guilty last Tuesday. The 93-year-olds decision not only saddled him with an automatic life sentence. It also exposed how Catholic bureaucrats in Heckers home town of New Orleans, one of the churchs strongholds in the US, repeated the same sins that produced an eerily similar scandal in Boston two decades earlier events later immortalized in the Oscar-winning film Spotlight. Related: New Orleans clergy abuse: details emerge after retired priest admits to kidnapping and child rape This is the only conclusion to draw from years of reporting and studying the church files, court records, legal proceedings and and law enforcement documents outlining the campaign of terror to which Hecker subjected so many children raised in one of the most reliably Catholic regions remaining in the US. Files held by New Orleanss Catholic archdiocese establish that Hecker was molesting children virtually immediately upon his ordination in 1958. Chronologically speaking, one of Heckers earliest victims was a preteen altar boy who described attending nude swimming parties with the priest gatherings that would culminate in sexual assaults by the attacker. Hecker eventually instructed that boy to bring a box containing a feather to a particular fellow priest at another nearby Catholic school and church. In short order, the second priest sexually attacked the boy and the victim said he came to realize Hecker had used the feather to mark him as vulnerable to molestation. Unsurprisingly, Heckers superiors became more than aware of his crimes. Accusations against him piled up at each of the major milestones in the US churchs reckoning with Catholic clergy sexual abuse, which began in the 1980s when Louisiana priest Gilbert Gauthe pleaded guilty in criminal court to molesting several boys. Around that time, then New Orleans archbishop Philip Hannan received a child molestation complaint against Hecker. Hannans response carried out in private was to fly Hecker to a sabbatical in New York City before letting him return to work once things back home cooled off. More such claims against Hecker came in the 1990s, when another Louisiana priest Robert Melancon was convicted of raping an altar boy. The ensuing scrutiny prompted Hecker to confess in writing to church officials that he had sexually molested or otherwise harassed several children whom he had met through his ministry. Retiring under duress This time, Hannans successor as archbishop, Francis Schulte, was in charge of responding. Schulte sent Hecker to an out-of-state psychiatric care facility that diagnosed him as an incurable pedophile who should not work with young people. Upon Heckers return, Schulte assigned him to work at a church with a grammar school attached to it. Hecker retired under duress in 2002. As Spotlight famously chronicled, the Boston Globe had just exposed its local Catholic archdiocese for having covered up the widespread sexual abuse of children by its clerics, and it ignited a scandal that saw the worldwide church promise reform, such as by no longer tolerating the likes of Hecker. But, despite pledges of transparency, New Orleans archbishop at the time, Alfred Hughes, chose to hide from congregants the fact that Hecker had retired in hopes of keeping secret his career as a serial child molester. Archdiocesan attorneys back then did send a confidential memorandum to police notifying them that there had been an accusation naming Hecker as an abuser. But the note mentioned only a single case while failing to mention Heckers 1999 confessions. And Hughes ignored his advisers recommendation to oust Hecker altogether from the priesthood instead of merely letting him retire, a break that allowed the clergyman to collect lucrative retirement benefits. Such maneuvers were on brand for Hughes, who had worked as an administrator in Bostons archdiocese in the 1980s and 1990s and sought to perpetuate a practice of utmost secrecy and confidentiality with respect to the problem of clerical abuse in that city, a report from the Massachusetts attorney generals office ultimately found. That scheming was effective in further suppressing the truth about Hecker who would spend decades more free, even while Hughes successor as New Orleans archbishop, Gregory Aymond, continued dealing with the priests crimes after being appointed in 2009. It should not be this difficult to investigate and prosecute an admitted rapist. And [yet] it was Jason Williams, New Orleans district attorney For instance, in 2012, Aymond authorized a $37,000 payment to settle out of court with a former altar boy who alleged having been molested by Hecker. Aymond, nonetheless, would not publicly unmask Hecker as a child molester for years. In fact, in April 2018, the archdiocese touted the looming 60th anniversary of Heckers ordination into the priesthood in its newspaper. About seven months after that celebratory announcement, a grand jury report in Pennsylvania established that clergy abuse within the states Catholic institutions was more widespread than ever thought previously. Aymond at last accepted that he could no longer completely suppress Heckers past. The archbishop outed him in a list of dozens of local clergymen who had been the subject of substantial, credible child sexual abuse allegations though the roster lacked any details about the sheer volume of molestation cases facing Hecker or how far back they dated. Hundreds of abuse claims against the New Orleans archdioceses personnel both on the clergy molester list and not eventually drove the organization to file for bankruptcy protection in 2020. In theory, the bankruptcy filing should have metaphorically locked the truth about Hecker away because most information associated with the case was automatically placed under a confidentiality order. The federal judge presiding over the churchs bankruptcy, Meredith Grabill, at one point ruled that the seal on case-related information was so sacrosanct that it could not be lifted even with respect to Hecker and his potential crimes. In reaching that decision, Grabill said she intended to destroy any [sealed] information that this court received while litigating the issue about whether Hecker deserved to benefit from the bankruptcys secrecy. Still, the truth got out. They covered up child rape One reason for that: the Guardian obtained a copy of Heckers 1999 admissions and reported them publicly for the first time despite the bankruptcys confidentiality. The Guardian then provided the confession to WWL-TV Louisiana in August 2023, and both outlets confronted Hecker on camera. Hecker remarkably stood by his written confession about illicit and overtly sexual acts with multiple underage boys. The outlets, furthermore, later secured a copy of a video deposition that Hecker gave privately in 2020 during civil litigation stemming from one of the complaints against him. The deposition explored in Heckers own words how New Orleans last four archbishops had helped him avoid accountability over the course of decades. Hannan and Schulte are dead. Hughes and Aymond are still alive, though they have not commented in detail about their management of Hecker. In the end, the serial molesters downfall resulted from law enforcements speaking with a man who told investigators that he had been an underage student at a New Orleans Catholic high school in 1975 when Hecker choked him to the point of unconsciousness at a neighboring church and then raped him. The victim recalled reporting the rape to his principal at the time, Paul Calamari. However, Calamari later named in Aymonds 2018 list of clergy molesters failed to report Hecker to police, according to the victim. The victim said Calamari instead threatened to expel him and compelled him to go to psychiatric treatment for anger issues and fantasy stories. (Coincidentally, Aymond joined the clergy the same year as the rape. And at the time, he was a young member of the faculty of the school where Calamari was the principal.) Authorities knew Louisiana allowed instances of child rape to be criminally prosecuted no matter how old the cases were. And, given Heckers prior admissions as well as the number of accusations against him, they also knew building a strong case was viable. With the help of Louisiana state police investigator Scott Rodrigue, the office of New Orleans district attorney, Jason Williams, secured a grand jury indictment charging Hecker with child rape, kidnapping and other crimes in September 2023. Rodrigue as well as assistant district attorneys Ned McGowan and Andre Gaudin lined up nearly a dozen witnesses who alleged a range of sexually abusive acts by Hecker from the 1960s to the 1980s and who would bolster the credibility of the victim pressing the charges in question. Even then, it seemed evident some cogs in the justice system preferred for Hecker to die without meeting justice. New Orleans criminal court judge Benedict Willard delayed the case more than a year amid questions about whether Hecker at his advanced age retained the mental competence required to withstand trial. Doctors eventually determined that Hecker had dementia specifically, Alzheimers disease but fit the criteria to stand trial. Then, on the morning of a trial date tentatively scheduled for late September, Willard suddenly recused himself from handling the case, citing nothing more than a clash of personalities with McGowan. The abrupt move delayed the case by a couple more months, which was not insignificant given Heckers age. Willard has declined to publicly discuss his recusal with the news media. Yet it prompted questions in some quarters about whether Willard a lifelong New Orleanian and graduate of one of the citys influential Catholic high schools had done the church a last-ditch favor to see whether a declining Hecker would die while his case remained unresolved, sparing the archdiocese the painful spectacle of a trial. These men who wear pointy hats and carry staffs and wear robes and wear fancy jewelry and gold chalices they covered up child rape Richard Trahant, victims attorney Soon enough, the judge who took over Heckers case Brooklyn-born Nandi Campbell ensured Heckers trial would begin on Tuesday with jury selection unless otherwise resolved. Hecker preferred the latter option, pleading guilty as charged to crimes including child rape, guaranteeing him life imprisonment at a sentencing date tentatively scheduled for 18 December. Related: We called her mastodon: infamous New Orleans orphanages abusive history ran deeper than ever known All eyes now turn to whether any of Heckers enablers will be prosecuted. Though none had been charged at the time of the guilty plea, its well-known that the Hecker case birthed a broader, ongoing inquiry into whether the archdiocese ran a child-sex-trafficking ring responsible for the widespread abuse of minors dating back decades that was covered up and not reported to authorities, as a statement sworn under oath by Rodrigue in April put it. Asked if any of his clients former superiors put pressure on him to plead guilty and avert a trial that would embarrass the church, Heckers attorney, Robert Hjortsberg, denied that happened. It was his decision, and he made it on his own free will, Hjortsberg said as Hecker was taken out of Campbells courtroom in a wheelchair. He later added at a news conference: Hes taking responsibility for his actions, and everyone will have an opportunity to move forward in any way they can. Williams alluded to how steep the odds of convicting Hecker had been. The last clergyman to be charged with child rape in New Orleans criminal courthouse deacon George Brignac had died four years earlier after the coronavirus pandemic delayed his trial, marking the last of four attempts to try him on counts of clerical molestation. It should not be this difficult to investigate and prosecute an admitted rapist, Williams said. And [yet] it was. The press pushed this. The press pressed something that it seemed like the system and institutions wanted to look away from and forget about and that also feels criminal. Overcome with emotion about the role he played in bringing Hecker to justice, the cases star witness declined comment. But his attorney, Richard Trahant, met with journalists documenting Heckers guilty plea and aptly summarized the legacy of the case. These men who wear pointy hats and carry staffs and wear robes and wear fancy jewelry and gold chalices they covered up child rape, Trahant said. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453 or visit their website for more resources and to report child abuse or DM for help. For adult survivors of child abuse, help is available at ascasupport.org. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International Blower cartoon for December 9 The events now unfolding in Syria could bring many things: the beginning of the end of three, maybe four wars, the unravelling of the so-called axis of evil or the dawn of a new dark age which will propel millions more refugees to Europe. We may see all of these. The direction of travel, I believe, will be apparent within days. The fate of President Assad was always going to be closely linked to the fates of the mullahs in Iran and of Putin in the Kremlin. The Iranian regime had created proxies across the Middle East and beyond to bolster their ramshackle regime in an attempt to prevent the future. The Shiite mullahs funded and mentored Hamas, a distinctly radical Sunni organisation, finding common ground in their hatred for Israel and the West. They supplied and mentored the Houthi rebels in Yemen as well as the radical militias in Iraq. But the jewel in their crown of subversion was always Hezbollah: a state within a state in Lebanon. The staggering client state of Syria was a key ally. This morning the Assad regime has fallen. The fate of Assad himself is unknown but speculation is that his aircraft fell victim to a Russian made missile system operated by his enemies. The Russians are desperately evacuating their warm-water naval base at Tartus all the Russian ships there actually put to sea days ago. The nearby Russian airbase is being evacuated too. This is a disaster for Putin, given that he now has no warm water naval access. Tartus is now or soon will be surrounded by enemies and the Bosporus is closed to Russian warships due to the ongoing Ukraine war. Putins illegal Ukraine invasion has closed off access to the Mediterranean Sea from the Black Sea bases of Odesa and Sevastopol which he no longer controls and Novorossiysk. Russian warships can now reach the Mediterranean only by departing from the Arctic or Baltic on a long trip around Europe via Gibraltar. The fledgling Russian base in Libya is now seriously compromised. Government soldiers and allies are taken into custody by rebel fighters on the road between Homs and Damascus in Syria on Sunday Dec 8 2024 - Ghaith Alsayed/AP The mullahs in Tehran will be reeling and on high alert against any demonstrations at home with their regional empire smashed. In fairness the chaos is all their own doing. Their crazy gamble to stymie the looming Abraham accords brokered by Donald Trump in his last term between Israel and the moderate Arab kingdoms using the proxy attack led by Hamas on the 7th of October last year has led to the destruction of Hamas as a military force. It has also led to the annihilation of the leadership of their most important regional asset, Hezbollah, and the degradation of their military power such that they were unable to bolster the regime in Syria. Within Syria the Iranian-officered auxiliary military forces the Pakistani Liwa Zainebiyoun and the Afghan Hazara Shiite Fatemeyoun will be fugitives from the rebels now. The Iranian sponsored popular militias in next-door Iraq will be impotent in the face of sensible moves by the government of Iraq to maintain stability internally by sealing its borders. So who are the winners? Turkeys President Erdogan has been presented with both risks and opportunities. No friend of Assad, his ambition to renew the reach of the Ottoman Empire moves a step forward. But so do the ambitions of the Kurdish factions to his south. Back in 2014 I travelled to Iraq to advise the Kurdish regional government in the face of the rise of Isis. At that time, I saw the opportunity for an alliance of Kurdish factions in Iraq, Iran and Syria to create a Kurdish sphere of control from the mountains of Iran to the Mediterranean Sea potentially with a port, Tartus, and an independent outlet for their oil wealth. That would have presented both the West and Israel with a reliable ally in the region. Today that is achievable but hampered, potentially fatally, by infighting and personal hubris amongst the various Kurdish leaders. Israel has made it clear it would not wish to intervene in Syria but the contrast between a benign regime in Syria at best and a radical Islamic regime at worst must be food for thought. Lebanon will face more turmoil. The potential is there for it to rid itself of the cancer of Hezbollah but also the real risk of a new civil war with Sunni and Shia groups set against each other. The fluidity of the situation is such that the risks and the opportunities presented are historic. I fear the weakness of the fading Biden administration means that the USA will be unlikely to scoop up the potential winnings, but with a Trump administration only weeks away the opportunities loom large. Trump could use the Syria situation to further his interests regionally as well as broker a peace in Ukraine. He will be wargaming the fall of the regime in Iran as well as the consequences of such a development. This could be the time to bolster the moderates in Iraq to forge a new stable and influential partner. Within Iraq, I see statesmanlike individuals such as the National Security advisor, Dr Saifaldin Al Darraji, with the quick wits and mental agility to further Iraqi national interests and regional influence. What is certain is that the war in Syria is in its last mile, and so are the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Both sides may soon seek a ceasefire in Ukraine. The future of the Houthi rebels in Yemen now also looks dubious with regime change in Tehran a possibility. The coming weeks will be a crucial era that historians of the future will study with interest. We are living through it. Colonel Tim Collins is a former British Army officer who served with the SAS and as commander of the Royal Irish during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, when his before-battle speech to his soldiers made headlines around the world Syrian insurgents celebrate the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in Damascus on Sunday. Photograph: Omar Sanadiki/AP The road to Damascus was lined with discarded army uniforms. In a panic, Syrian army soldiers stripped down in the streets in the early hours of Sunday morning, realising their leader, Bashar al-Assad, had abandoned them after 54 years of his familys rule over Syria. Syrian army tanks, which were supposed to stop the lightning rebel offensive that started just 11 days earlier, stood empty in front of checkpoints with posters of the late leader Hafez al-Assad, his face half torn. Out of habit, a driver stopped and rolled down the window, but there was no one at the checkpoint. Related: Syrian rebels enter Damascus: everything we know so far No more checkpoints, no more bribes, Mohammed remarked, smiling as he sped towards the Syrian capital city. Damascus was still in a state of disbelief, smoke from battles the night before hung over the city like a fog. Windows shook from the occasional explosion, the target and the warring party unknown. Just hours before, it was announced that Assad had fled the capital and that his regime had fallen. The head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Mohammed al-Jolani the most prominent of the rebel leaders in Syria announced that the former Syrian prime minister Mohammed Gaza al-Jalali would lead a transitional government in the coming months. Residents of Syria were dazed by the days events. I feel as if I am in a dream, I havent slept and I cant absorb whats happened, said Fatimeh, a Syrian originally from Idlib, as she approached Damascus. I am from Idlib, she said once more. For years she wouldnt dare say where she was from when she was in Damascus, for fear that any affiliation with the province held by Islamist rebels would provoke retaliation. Al-Jolani, who this week dropped his nom de guerre in favour of his birth name Ahmed al-Shaara was also chasing after rebel forces. It was fighters from the southern province of Deraa, not HTS, who reached the gates of Damascus. HTS fighters were preoccupied with securing Homs, Assads last lifeline to his coastal strongholds of Tartus and Latakia. The rebel leader arrived at the landmark Umayyad mosque in the old city of Damascus in his first public appearance on Sunday after the fall of the Assad government. Seeing the rebel leader in the mosque, located in the former heartland of the government, would have been unthinkable just a few days earlier. To Syrians, the message was clear: Assad was gone, and rebels were in control. Related: Tears of joy and sadness as disappeared Syrians emerge from Assads prisons With the president ousted, the kingdom of silence had suddenly come alive. Hundreds of people gathered in Umayyad Square, where the ground was littered with bullet casings not from fighting, but from celebratory shooting. Fighters passed families AK-47s, which they fired into the air with glee, the tracer rounds red glow fading in the distance. Jolani had forbidden the firing of guns into the air, for fear a stray bullet could hurt someone but his instruction was quickly forgotten amid the jubilation. The tears were falling by themselves, my father, my brothers, so many people were killed, a woman said in the square, declining to give her name. Her daughter chimed in: Now we know our father did not die for nothing. Amid the celebration, a woman rolled down her window to ask a passerby, was anyone from Sednaya here? The prison, about 20km from the capital city, was perhaps the most notorious of all of the Syrian governments detention centres. Rebels had opened its doors on Sunday morning and thousands of prisoners left all at once, each heading in a different direction. Driving through Damascus, Mohammad Abu al-Zeid, a commander from the rebel group Operations Room to Liberate Damascus, along with two other fighters from southern Syria, pointed out the embassies that lined the swanky Mezzah district in Damascus, most of them now empty but undamaged. We are not touching any of the public institutions those are for the new state to come, Abu al-Zeid said. Abu al-Zeid had started his day by storming the headquarters of Syrian state television. He led a squadron of fighters who commandeered the broadcast reading from a piece of paper as he declared the end of the Assad regime. My kids saw me on TV and started crying, what is Baba doing there, the rebel commander said, laughing. Now, he was occupied with navigating the city he had just helped capture. He kept getting lost, making U-turns and squinting at Google maps. It was the first time he had been in the capital city in years. Not even the rebels seemed to anticipate having taken Damascus so quickly they travelled around the capital city seemingly in a daze. Their guns, which they had been firing just hours before, now sat in the boot of the car untouched. We didnt want to have to fight for 13 years, we shouldnt have had to. We wanted change, not to have to bring down a regime, said Wassim al-Khatib, one of the fighters under Zeids command, as he looked over the lines of broken military equipment which littered the streets of Damascus. Lossiemouth, pictured at Fairyhouse last weekend with Paul Townend on board, is the new favourite for the Champion Hurdle - Seb Daly/Getty Images Every National Hunt season, one group of horses really fascinates me and this year it is the two-mile hurdlers. Lossiemouth is the new favourite for the Champion Hurdle after a blistering win in Ireland last weekend. Not only is she an exceptional talent, she also gets a seven-pound weight allowance off the boys because shes a girl. The logic behind the weight allowance is that it encourages owners to buy and race the fairer sex, who are perceived as being less robust and talented than their male counterparts. A bit of a leg-up is one thing, but should mares be getting seven pounds off geldings and colts at the very highest level? I think not. It seemed to me very unfair that a great talent like Dawn Run won the 1984 Cheltenham Gold Cup only because she carried less weight than Wayward Lad, who was the moral victor on the day but not in the history books. However, after a year off the track, seven pounds is what the best British hurdler, Constitution Hill, will have to give Lossiemouth if they meet in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton or the Champion Hurdle in March. My spies in Lambourn tell me that there is nothing wrong with Constitution Hill apart from the fact that, like his trainer Nicky Henderson, he may have summered a bit too well. In other words, he slightly overdid the pies. Nicky Henderson with Constitution Hill last month - sources have suggested the gelding may have to shed a few pounds if he is to go in the Christmas Hurdle - PA/David Davies He will, no doubt, be spending a serious amount of time in the gym between now and Christmas unlike his trainer. As for stable-mate Sir Gino, who is as fit as a flea after winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, I suspect Henderson will make sure that jockey Nico de Boinville never has to choose between the two of them. Considering the four-year-old will have to give seven pounds to the year-older Lossiemouth, I do not suppose Henderson will be in a rush to run Sir Gino against her any time soon. All of which makes planning his immediate future complicated. Listening to Henderson eulogising about De Boinvilles judgment before the Fighting Fifth made me wonder why Nico might not join Henderson on the trainers licence at Seven Barrows in the foreseeable future. Nico is no spring chicken and it would be a win-win for both of them. From Hendersons point of view, a harmonious partnership with Nico would prolong his training career for at least a decade. They have worked together long enough to get on as training partners, of that I have no doubt. And whilst the 35-year-old De Boinville has never suggested that he wants to be a trainer, he has never completely rejected the notion. Turning down such an opportunity at Seven Barrows would be hard to do. I also have no doubt that Hendersons owners would wholeheartedly love the concept. Overcome with emotion for Bradstock Dont make me cry, trainer Sara Bradstock told Alice Plunkett live on ITV after Mr Vango had slugged it out in the gloom at Sandown Park on Saturday. It was too late for me. I already had tears pouring down my cheeks after imploring Mark, Saras late devoted husband, to lend De Boinville a hand from heaven on the run-in. A special win for the team This one means a lot to trainer Sara Bradstock #ITVRacing | @NdeBoinville | @Sandownpark pic.twitter.com/6HK1hGynJk ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 7, 2024 The Bradstocks have always punched way above their weight and they put De Boinville on the map when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Coneygree whilst still an apprentice. Now at the height of his powers, Nico went some way towards repaying them with a masterful ride. He kept Mr Vango wide on the best ground and did not give up when he looked tired jumping the railway fences for the last time. Hes a great horseman, owner JP McManus had observed earlier in the afternoon after De Boinville had galvanised Jonbon to win back-to-back Tingle Creeks. A man of few words, McManus does not chuck compliments around like that lightly. Sara, who is the daughter of the legendary Daily Telegraph racing correspondent Lord Oaksey, selflessly nursed Mark for a long time at the expense of their training operation. But Mark was determined that she and their daughter, Lily, should stick at it after he died. What they now need are more horses like Mr Vango to work their magic on. But anyone sensible enough to send a horse that needs a lot of care and attention to the Bradstocks they practically sleep alongside their horses should bear one thing in mind: make sure you eat before you go to visit your horse, unless you fancy a bowl of oats. The showstopping Panettone Weighing in at 10 kilograms, Fortnum & Masons mammoth panettone is large enough to feed a family at Christmas several times over. The 495 Italian cake, stuffed full of candied citrus fruit and raisins, is believed to be the heaviest panettone currently available in shops and can serve 100 people in a sitting. F&M have described it as the ultimate panettone which comes wrapped in a turquoise or eau de nil ribbon. The dough is said to undergo a 48-hour-long double fermentation process and is enriched with Australian raisins, candied oranges, and Madagascar Bourbon vanilla. Fortnum & Mason store in Piccadilly, London - SOPA The heaviest recorded panettone was made in 2018, weighing 332kg, 150 centimetres high and 115cm wide, by a team of chefs in Milan in 2018 who won a Guinness World Record for their efforts. Davide Comaschi and a team of six from the Chocolate Academy Centre, used nearly 50,000 grams of flour and 18,000g of egg yolk for the record-breaking attempt. Questions have been raised over who has the appetite, or indeed funds, for F&Ms mammoth version. Aldo Zilli, the celebrity Italian chef who has lived in the UK for nearly 50 years, described the offering from the high-end department store in Londons Piccadilly as a PR stunt, and questioned who would buy it. Aldo Zilli says no one should pay more than around 25 for a panettone - SARAH COLLIER He said: They have done their job, they are probably going to make one or two, but nobody is going to buy it. Whos going to buy that? If you have 20 people for [Christmas] lunch, not everybody likes panettone anyway. I have panettone made from a company in the south of Italy where I come and they make it for me at 25 each and they are unbelievably good, I dont think anyone should pay any more than that. Zilli, speaking ahead of the opening of his new restaurant Undercroft in Mayfair, recommended that panettone be eaten with a coffee in the morning rather than as an after-dinner treat. Zilli, 68, said: Your Christmas pudding is a different story. But panettone is meant to be a little snack, maybe in the afternoon when you get a little bit hungry, or with a coffee in the morning as breakfast. The 495 panettone Supermarkets have committed a lot of sins in the name of panettone producing discount versions which simply taste like sweet bread, he added. Panettone comes from Italy, its a tradition in Italy, lets not ruin it like weve done with carbonara, with pizza, lets not abuse the name. A typical panettone will weigh 1kg, feed 10 people and (if good quality) will last between two and three weeks. Giorgio Locatelli, the Italian Michelin-starred chef, praised F&Ms gastronomic effort. He said: To make a 10kg panettone you have to be really good at making panettone it is quite difficult to make it rise and hold it up, because there is a natural rise. The chef-patron of Locanda Locatelli in Marylebone, added: I would put it in the restaurant, a 10kg panettone, give a little slice, pass it around [the customers] when they finish their meal. He said F&M is showing off a little to make such a large panettone, as its size would be akin to two cabin bags. F&M has been approached for comment . Startups and tech workers will join government for six- to-12-month tours of duty. Photograph: Richard Baker/Corbis/Getty Images Tech employees will be seconded to work in Whitehall for year-long stints to help the UK government function more like a startup under plans to rewire the state. Ministers will spend 100m on public sector reform as part of a shake-up of the workings of government to achieve Keir Starmers targets. In a speech on Monday, Pat McFadden, the Cabinet Office minister in charge of cross-government coordination, will urge Whitehall to become more like Silicon Valley and warn: If we keep governing as usual, we are not going to achieve what we want to achieve. McFadden will call for departments to adopt the tech industrys test-and-learn culture so that the government operates a little bit more like a startup. Related: Starmer accuses Whitehall of being comfortable with failure in landmark speech Startups and tech workers will join government for six- to-12-month tours of duty and work on policy areas including criminal justice and healthcare. The secondments are part of the No 10 innovation fellowship, which is entering its third round. Frontline public service workers, such as prison governors and heads of social services, will also be seconded to work in central government. McFadden will say: Test it. Fix the problems. Change the design. Test it again. Tweak it again. And so on, and so on, for as long as you provide the service. Suddenly, the most important question isnt: How do we get this right the first time? Its: How do we make this better by next Friday? Thats the test-and-learn mindset, and Im keen to see where we can deploy it in government. Where we can make the state a little bit more like a startup. McFadden will argue that prison governors and childrens services directors are the ones who have stared the issues and the people that depend on us in the eye, seen how the system has been broken they have taken the frustrations home with them each week. Now we want them to be part of the solution. The intervention comes amid concerns about Labours plummeting poll ratings. The prime minister made a speech last week in which he set out six targets or milestones including slashing hospital waiting lists and improving living standards. McFadden, speaking at University College Londons East campus in Stratford, will set out plans to send test-and-learn teams across the country to apply a Silicon Valley mindset to key challenges. The scheme will start in January, with teams asked to improve the reach of family hubs in Manchester and Sheffield and reduce the cost of temporary accommodation in Liverpool and Essex. They will be given until late spring. Were not going to dictate how they do that. The central point of these test-and-learns is that we set them a problem and then leave them to get on with it. Theyll be empowered to experiment and find new and innovative ways to fix problems, McFadden will say. Afterwards, more test-and-learn teams will be deployed in other parts of the country to work on further problems, such as getting more people into work, using the 100m fund, which will become available from April. McFadden will also announce plans to simplify Whitehalls mind-bogglingly bureaucratic and off-putting recruitment process to make it more accessible to external candidates. Only half of the Home Offices recent asylum decisions have met its own internal quality checks. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Only half of the Home Offices recent asylum decisions have met its own internal quality checks, significantly fewer than before Rishi Sunaks push to clear a backlog of old claims. Civil servants and lawyers say errors and omissions are also driving a huge increase in costly legal challenges, with more than 9,300 appeals lodged between this April and June. Only 52% of asylum decisions sampled in the Home Offices internal quality assurance process were satisfactory in 2023/24, new figures show, down from 72% the previous year. In the same period, the number of appeals against asylum decisions lodged at the First-Tier Tribunal rose from 8,000 to 29,000. Almost half of challenges are currently successful. An asylum official who spoke to the Observer on condition of anonymity said changes implemented after former prime minister Sunaks pledge to process more than 90,000 old asylum claims by the end of 2023 had made decisions less safe. They significantly shortened the training period for asylum decision-makers, they added. They raised the targets to clear the backlog, focusing on quantity rather than quality. Decision-makers were expected to crank out seven events a week, come hell or high water, and that adversely impacted on the quality of their decisions. The Home Office also introduced a two-hour limit for most asylum interviews, which the official said made it very difficult to gather enough information to write a sustainable decision that could withstand legal scrutiny, and concise templates for explaining refusals. The quality assurance process was also downgraded during the push to clear the legacy backlog, with an internal Home Office report from June 2023 warning of insufficient activity to identify risks and a risk of incorrect or unsustainable decisions. The asylum processing changes have been maintained since the general election, the Observer understands, despite Sunak declaring the legacy backlog cleared in January. The Freedom from Torture charity called the quality assurance figures alarming. Head of asylum advocacy Sile Reynolds said: If quality is sacrificed in the pursuit of efficiency, then we risk sending refugees back to torture and persecution. If this government doesnt want to repeat the mistakes of the previous government, then it needs to urgently prioritise quality alongside speed. Lily Parrott, a solicitor at Duncan Lewis who specialises in asylum claims, said she and her colleagues had noticed a drop in decision-making quality. She added: Weve been seeing a lot more unexpected refusals, and were very conscious that will probably just move the backlog from the Home Office to the tribunal. As the quality of decisions goes down, thats leading to more refusals and more appeals. Parrott said errors in asylum refusals included decision letters with the wrong name, the wrong nationality, the wrong gender, and where theyve been clearly copying and pasting sections of other peoples decisions. Related: Home Office trial doubles time refugees have to find home before eviction The Observer has also been told of cases where the Home Office booked interpreters for asylum interviews who spoke the wrong dialect, generating inaccurate records of applicants testimony as a result. The Immigration Law Practitioners Association said members were seeing factual mistakes, failures to consider evidence and poor-quality interviews. It added: The Home Office is refusing cases on the basis that it does not believe individuals are at risk, because there is insufficient detail about the risk of persecution, while simultaneously appearing not to seek that detail or information. The Care4Calais charity said mistakes had a profound impact on vulnerable asylum seekers, who face further needless anxiety, uncertainty and months in limbo for appeals to be processed. Hannah Marwood, the charitys head of legal access, said: These poor-quality decisions will wreck peoples lives by denying them the right to safety and protection. A Home Office spokesperson said: The government is determined to restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly and fairly. We are getting the asylum system moving again by processing cases and increasing returns of people who have no right to be here. 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The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), a local government umbrella group, welcomed an increase in funding from the Scottish Government, announced in last weeks Holyrood Budget. But Cllr Katie Hagmann, Coslas resources spokesman, said this only amounted to around half the 5 per cent rise local authorities had demanded. With this years council tax freeze having been ended, she warned it was now open to local authorities to increase the levy, including by 10 per cent or more. Cllr Hagmann said that councils priority was to protect local services and highlighted the spiralling cost of pay settlements, with a 1 per cent wage rise costing 125 million. Her intervention came amid reports that local authorities across the country are considering double-digit rises. The Sunday Post said they included Angus, East Lothian and West Dunbartonshire. Perth and Kinross has already agreed council tax will rise by 25 per cent over the next three years, with the first 10 per cent planned for next April. Aberdeenshire council officials have calculated that a 17 per cent rise would be needed to balance the books. A separate analysis by Scotland on Sunday found at least 11 of Scotlands 32 council were considering double-digit rises, potentially adding more than 370 to the bill for a band D property. Edinburgh city council has said it believes it will need to increase council tax by more than 5 per cent, although the Budget implications are still being digested. Not out of the woods yet The decision has been complicated by councils waiting to find out how much funding they will receive to compensate them for the impact of the UK Governments decision to increase employer National Insurance. Shona Robison, the SNP Finance Secretary, announced a 1 billion rise for council funding in the 2025-26 Scottish Budget and argued that large increases should not be necessary. Cllr Hagmann welcomed the settlement but told BBC Scotlands Sunday Show: So first of all, I think its fair to say that leaders welcome the increased settlement from the Scottish Government. However, I think its fair to say that theres still going to be difficult decisions that some councils are going to have to make. We asked for an increase of 5 per cent, and we have had a real terms increase. However, its only 2.6 per cent so while this is really welcome news, were not out of the woods yet. Although she said that the very last thing local authorities wanted to do was hit struggling families, she said that council tax is one lever that we can use to safeguard services. Pressed if there could be double-digit council tax increases in several councils, she said: So again, that will be down to local council. We were very clear, and our ask had been heard by the Scottish Government for no council tax freeze and no caps. So therefore these remain open for local government decisions. Iran-allied Houthi supporters in Yemen demonstrate in solidarity with the Palestinian people - Getty/Mohammed Hamoud They must be cursing the memory of Yahya Sinwar in Tehrans corridors of power. Occasionally in history, one individual tilts the course of events through a single incident: think of Gavrilo Princips assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 or George Washington firing the first shots of the Seven Years War with his ambush on French forces in the Ohio Valley in 1754. The atrocity ordered and masterminded by Sinwar, the late leader of Hamas, on Oct 7 last year has proved similarly momentous, its consequences reverberating well beyond the slaughter grounds of the kibbutzim on Gazas borders. Each wave has weakened Iran, hurting its regional ambitions of dominance, diminishing its stature and prising loose its network of proxies and clients across the Middle East. The latest, of greater magnitude than most expected, is washing over Syria so fast that it has triggered headlong panic in Tehran. Amid the dawning realisation that the Assad regime was probably unsalvageable, the Iranian government scrambled to evacuate its diplomats and military officers from Damascus. So undignified and frenzied was the scramble for the exits it took a while for stunned Middle East observers to realise that Iran was essentially scuttling its decade-long mission to prop up the regime of Bashar al-Assad and abandon the Syrian dictator to his fate. With rebels on the outskirts of Damascus and claims that Assad had fled, the last significant element of Irans network of proxies and clients across the Middle East seemed to be toppling at breakneck speed. Normally empires collapse gradually and then suddenly, said a Western diplomat with years of experience in the Middle East. But Irans informal empire, its network of influence, is, by historical standards, collapsing very fast. An emergency recalibration is now under way in Tehran. Others liken it to the helplessness with which the communist regime in Moscow watched the unravelling of the Warsaw Pact in the late 1980s. Whether such comparisons are overblown remains to be seen, but Western diplomats, analysts and even members of the Iranian armed forces and political establishment acknowledge that Tehrans options are dwindling. If the regime is to shore up its weakening position, they say, Iran will probably either have to adopt pragmatism and enter into genuine, meaningful negotiations with the West or it will have to race to build a nuclear warhead. As it scrambles to adjust to the unpredictability of Donald Trumps incoming administration, it may well seek to do both. In the past week, the Iranian government has sent out conflicting messages. IDF Mohammad Javad Zarif, one of Irans 15 vice-presidents, called for negotiations over the countrys nuclear programme, saying that Masoud Pezeshkian, Irans new, ostensibly reform-minded president, wanted to engage constructively with the West and manage tensions with the United States. At the same time, however, both the United Nations and the US intelligence agencies have concluded that Tehran has rapidly escalated work on building a nuclear weapon. A report released on Thursday by the office of Avril Haines, the US director of national intelligence, warned that Iran had now accumulated enough material to make more than a dozen nuclear weapons. The following day, Rafael Grossi, the UNs chief nuclear inspector, confirmed that Iran was quadrupling its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 per cent, close to the level needed for a nuclear weapon. In other words, Iran is close to reaching a juncture at which it may have to decide whether it goes all-in on all-out, at least for a while, on its nuclear programme. Amid evidence of division and recrimination within the regime, it is not a position that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, wanted to find himself in not yet, anyway. A year ago, the ayatollah was in a much more comfortable position, protected so he believed by a network of proxy and allied militias in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. He called them his axis of resistance, a ring of fire that would not only defend the Shia Muslim world and Irans dominance within it but would one day consume Israel, a country he vowed to destroy by 2040. The proxies, coupled with Tehrans nuclear ambitions, made Iran arguably the most powerful Muslim state in the Middle East, strong enough to be feared by both Israel and the Sunni Arab countries of the Gulf. Yet the proxy strategy was always a risky one. It allowed Iran to project power well beyond its borders, to make mischief and wage war at arms length and the luxury of deniability, however implausible. But the groups it supported did not always march to the beat of Irans drums, sometimes pursuing agendas that did not always align with Tehrans wishes. That was particularly the case with Hamas, a Sunni outfit that may have been beholden to Iran that provided it with arms, cash and training but that appears not to have sought permission from Tehran before launching last years attacks. Mohammad Javad Zarif, one of Irans 15 vice-presidents, speaks during a ceremony in tribute to slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah - Shutterstock Sinwars massacre unleashed waves of devastation that scythed through Irans Middle East policy as an enraged Israel took its vengeance first on Hamas and then on Hezbollah, which had joined the fray. Instead of its ring of fire engulfing Israel, it blew backwards, scorching through neighbouring states and Irans expensively constructed militias until the heat was felt in Tehran itself. Within little more than a year, Israel had severely weakened both movements, killing both Sinwar and Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, decapitating their high commands and eliminating thousands of their most capable fighters. The impact was less obvious in Syria initially. Having nearly been toppled early on in the countrys 13-year civil war, the Assad regime had turned the tide against its assorted foes thanks to Russias bombers and Irans support on the ground, much of it supplied by Hezbollah, essentially becoming an Iranian client state in the process. Yet the truth was that, with Hezbollah teetering, a vacuum had opened up in Syria, an opportunity Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate that broke away in 2017, had spent years training and preparing for. Sweeping down from its bases in the north, it seized Aleppo, which Assads forces had battled for four years to reconquer, in just four days, before capturing Hama, a city that had never previously fallen to the rebels, racing through shattered Homs by Saturday morning and reaching the outskirts of Damascus just hours later. In no position to save Assad Yet in the face of this dramatic change of fortune Iran looked on impotently, concluding that, without Hezbollah, it was impossible to save Assad for a second time. As the situation unfolded, staggered Iranian military insiders spoke of their deep frustration at how the demoralised and underpaid Syrian army, always feeble beyond a handful of elite brigades, had simply turned tail as the rebels advanced. Many were surprised by their swift advance and are reluctant to offer full support and send forces this time, one said. Some of them say that he [Assad] has had 10 years to prevent this but did nothing because he knew we would be there for him. Syrian rebels on Sunday claimed the Assad regime had fallen. The cost of this would be huge for Iran. Syria is a vital land bridge that allows it to resupply Hezbollah. A rebel victory would effectively isolate the Lebanese movement, leaving the sea the only route for rearmament, a far from ideal option. Without Syria, Iran is deeply enfeebled. While it had other proxies in Syria in the form of Pakistani and Afghan Shia units, which Tehran ordered to fall back on Damascus in a desperate attempt to hold the capital, even this was an acknowledgement that neither was capable enough to hold the lime, let alone launch a counter-attack. Even Irans Shia militias in Iraq were of no use. Not only was there not enough time to deploy them, but ordering them to deploy across the border would have further strained ties between Baghdad and Tehran, according to analysts. Effectively shorn of its axis of resistance, Irans horizons have narrowed to a choice between pragmatism and, quite literally, going nuclear. Pragmatism in the past Iran has pursued pragmatism in the past, adopting warmer relations with the West during the presidency of Ali Akbar Rafsanjani from 1989 to 1997. With Mr Pezeshkian in office, such a route is more plausible. The question, however, is whether Mr Trump would be willing to countenance a rapprochement with Iran. Although fond of making a deal, particularly one he could represent as a swift foreign policy triumph, there are plenty of Iran hawks in his cabinet, said Daniel Roth, research director at United Against Nuclear Iran, an advocacy group headed by Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida. Many of Trumps cabinet picks are very vocal in their anti-regime outlook, he said. You have people like Marco Rubio [secretary of state designate] who has been on the record many times about the real dangers of Iran. So ultimately I think Trump is going to go pretty hard on Iran. Sensing Irans weakness, Mr Trump is unlikely to countenance anything that appears to be less than the complete dismantling of its nuclear programme. Tehrans divided regime therefore faces the choice of whether it wants to be a neutralised Iran on good terms with the West or a nuclear-armed country that could drag the Middle East into all-out war. As for the incoming Trump administration, it faces a moment of great opportunity and great danger, too. Cammy Day is alleged to have sent messages to Ukrainian refugees, asking about their sexual preferences - Jeff J Mitchell/ Getty The Labour council leader in charge of Scotlands capital has been suspended by the party following allegations he sent sexually explicit messages to Ukrainian refugees in the city. Police are investigating Cammy Day over allegations of inappropriate behaviour over claims he sent social media messages to refugees asking about their sexual preferences. The Edinburgh city council leader is also alleged to have attempted to meet them for dates, complimented them on their looks and sent love heart and kissing emojis. The Sunday Mail reported that two of the refugees said they felt unable to ignore the unsolicited approaches because of his position in the city. Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said the party had taken immediate action to suspend Cammy Day - Robert Perry/PA Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said the allegations were distressing and the party had taken immediate action to suspend Mr Day pending the completion of the police and council investigations. But the leaders of the SNP, Tory and Liberal Democrat groups on the council said Mr Day should resign immediately over the shocking claims. The 50-year-old is one of Labours most powerful figures in Scotland after becoming Edinburghs council leader two years ago. He has been a vocal supporter of the Ukrainian refugees who have made their home in the city since the Russian invasion of their homeland, also in 2022. But one, who fled their country the same year, said they were bombarded with messages from Mr Day when they arrived in Edinburgh. The Sunday Mail, which said it had seen the messages, said Day had asked sexually explicit questions, sent love heart emojis and asked the refugee if they wanted to meet up for wine. Sending kissing emojis The refugee did not respond to most of them but the council leader also contacted them on a dating app, where the messages were more sexually explicit. After arriving in Scotland, they said they felt lonely and also a stranger in a new country. When Cammy Day first wrote to me from several social medias, I was surprised that a person of such a high position was interested in me, and then I saw him a couple of times at pro-Ukrainian events. He found and subscribed to me on social media and started liking my stories intensively, sending kissing emojis, especially when I posted gym and pool photos. One day he found me on a dating website and messaged me which was very strange to me as he was already following my social media and knew that I knew who he was. Under pressure The refugee said they tried to be polite and to stay away from sexual topics. However, they said that they were afraid to say no or say something wrong and under pressure when Day sent messages in the dating app. I tried to ignore all his hints about sex or meeting up because I was afraid of his influence and just tried to be polite to avoid any conflict, they said. A few of my friends also faced a similar situation where he wrote to them on social media and in the dating app. One of my Ukrainian friends said that this person had shown sexual interest for some time but I dont know what actually happened or why he was interested specifically in Ukrainians. Asked to meet up A second refugee, who has now left Edinburgh for another country, also told the tabloid that they had received messages from Mr Day via social media and dating sites while they were living in the city. They said: He started following me then sent lots of emojis and reactions to posts and asked to meet up. It was too much and I didnt know how to say I didnt want him to contact me any more because of his position. Detectives are understood to be examining his conduct over the past 18 months and have interviewed several councillors and senior officials, including the councils chief executive and some who had raised concerns. Power dynamic Last December, a councillor reported allegations he was sending harassing messages to a Ukrainian refugee but council officials told them to contact the police. The councillor said: There was an element of a power dynamic there. The person couldnt raise it as an issue because of their own status and a fear of retribution. Youre talking about the most vulnerable people, refugees. I was told to go to the police so I did but they werent able to do anything about it as they didnt see it as criminal. A Police Scotland spokesman said: On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, we received a report of inappropriate behaviour. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances. Councillor Simita Kumar, the local authoritys SNP group leader, posted on X, formerly Twitter: This is beyond shocking. Im almost lost for words. Cammy Day needs to resign as Council Leader immediately. Councillor Kevin Lang, the Liberal Democrats group leader, said: I have this morning written formally to Cllr Cammy Day to call on him to step down immediately as Leader of Edinburgh Council. The Liberal Democrat group has also tabled an emergency motion for Tuesdays Policy Committee to agree he must now resign. Councillor Iain Whyte, the Tory group leader, said: If Cammy Day has been suspended by Labour, he cant have their support to remain as Council Leader. He must step aside immediately. The Council as a whole can then decide a way forward. The Telegraph contacted Scottish Labour and Edinburgh city council asking for a response from Mr Day to the allegations but did not receive one. He has previously said he did not know what the police investigation related to, and that he had not been contacted by officers. Mr Sarwar told BBC Scotlands Sunday Show that the party had become aware of the claim on Saturday and thats why councillor Day was immediately suspended. The Scottish Labour leader said: I believe theres been a report submitted to the police. Of course, its for them if they choose to investigate, and I dont want to interfere in any kind of police situation. We have suspended the individual pending investigations and I dont think I can say much more on that at this stage. Pressed whether Mr Day should resign, he said that the people that matter actually are those that are the ones that have allegedly been the victims of these messages. A Labour spokesman said: The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken. A city council spokesman said: All matters raised with the chief executive and monitoring officer have been progressed through our established processes in consultation with our independent whistleblowing service, Safecall, and, where appropriate, Police Scotland. Anthony Albanese says he believes the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue meets the criteria for being labelled a terrorist act but that there is a process to be followed. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP The Australian federal polices deputy commissioner for national security will meet Victoria police in Melbourne on Monday to discuss whether Fridays synagogue firebombing should be declared a terrorist act and whether federal agencies should formally join the investigation. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and his workplace relations minister, Murray Watt, both said they considered the attack met the criteria for being declared as terrorism, after opposition criticisms that a determination was taking too long. Guardian Australia understands that Canberra-based AFP deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett will travel to Melbourne for talks on whether the joint counter-terrorism taskforce should join the investigation into the attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea. Albanese foreshadowed the talks on Sunday, saying he personally believed the firebombing met the criteria for being labelled a terrorist act but that there was a process to be followed. Quite clearly, terrorism is something that is aimed at creating fear in the community, he said at a news conference in Perth. And the atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne, clearly were designed to create fear in the community and therefore, from my personal perspective, certainly fulfil that definition of terrorism. The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, had earlier condemned Albanese for being reluctant to offer a view. If people are attacking a place of worship, a religious gathering point, then we know that that is a terrorist attack, he said at a news conference in Tasmania. Although the AFP and other agencies have been liaising with Victoria police since Fridays attack, the joint taskforce requires an invitation from the states police to formally join the investigation. Engaging the taskforce, which includes Asio, along with federal, state and territory police, would expand the powers and capabilities available for the investigation. Earlier on Sunday, Dutton accused Albanese of creating the conditions for the attack with what he alleged was the Labor governments inadequate response to last years 7 October Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. We call out every action of antisemitism when we see it, Albanese said. There has been a worrying rise in antisemitism, but we call it out, and we call it out consistently, and we work with the community to work through these issues. Albanese announced another $32.5m in funding to improve security for the Jewish community, following $25m already allocated. The independent MP Zoe Daniel, whose Melbourne bayside seat of Goldstein neighbours Macnamara, where the synagogue is located, and is also home to a sizeable Jewish community, wrote to Albanese on Sunday urging him to do more. Daniel said the rise in antisemitism meant the Jewish community was being disproportionately affected by community tensions and targeted help was warranted. It is, however, important to acknowledge that one communitys pain does not cancel out the other, she said, adding that all places of worship should receive more security support. Related: Melbourne synagogue fire condemned as act of antisemitism as police search for culprits She called for a joint federal-state taskforce to consult religious leaders and monitor safety and upgraded hate-crimes laws. Daniel also said religious tolerance and social cohesion should be taught in schools and community activities funded to promote interfaith understanding and respect. The process for determining whether the attack should be declared a terrorist act is being led by Victoria police, which must assess the perpetrators motivation and the impact of their actions against criteria defined in law. Under the federal Criminal Code Act, an incident is defined as terrorism if it causes death, endangers life or causes serious harm to life or property or puts public health and safety at risk, is done to advance a political, religious or ideological cause, and is done to intentionally intimidate the public or influence a government in Australia or elsewhere. Earlier on Sunday, senior federal minister Murray Watt also alleged the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue on Friday looks like terrorism. For me personally, it looks like terrorism, but thats a judgment thats got to be made by our domestic security agencies, and I know that theyre working on that at the moment, Watt told Sky News on Sunday. But whatever we label it, it is an absolute outrage. It should never have happened and the people responsible have got to be hunted down and pay a price for this. The NSW premier, Chris Minns, has announced he is now reviewing the laws around protesting outside places of worship in his state after the attack in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea. Watts comments came after the federal opposition leader echoed the comments of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in effectively blaming the Albanese government for the synagogue attack with what he said was its inadequate response to the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October lasts year. Dutton accused Albanese of setting the tone after the 7 October attack by not more forcefully declaring zero tolerance for antisemitism. This is an act of terrorism, pure and simple, and I think the prime ministers deliberate decision to seek political advantage over the course of the last 12 months on this issue and play to a domestic audience of Green voters, I think has been deplorable and one of the worst things Ive ever seen in public life, Dutton told Sky News on Sunday. He said that if he wins the next election, he will consider withdrawing Australia from the international criminal court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu. Dutton said the foreign minister, Penny Wong, should be ashamed of the stance Australia has taken on the 7 October attacks and the Gaza conflict. Related: Security at Australian synagogues stepped up as Netanyahu links Melbourne attack to Labor stance A very clear message should have been sent at that point, that we have zero tolerance for racism and antisemitism in our country. And I just think these protesters have taken succour from the Labor party approach and the tolerance that the prime minister and Minister Burke and others have demonstrated, and I think its left a whole segment of our community living in fear at the moment, which was unnecessary and the leadership should have been demonstrated from day one, but it wasnt. Anthony Albanese met Jewish community members at a synagogue in the seat of Perth on Saturday morning. People must be allowed to conduct their faith with peace and respect, and there is no place in Australia for antisemitism, he said on Sunday. In relation to Netanyahus criticisms of Australia voting for a United Nations resolution calling on Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories, Albanese noted that only the US, among the Five Eyes intelligence partners, did not support it. Watt said it was Dutton who was politicising the Melbourne attack. This was an absolutely horrific antisemitic attack that I think all Australians, particularly our leaders, should stand together on, Watt said. But of course, as he always does, Peter Dutton chooses to try to politicise it and divide our community, rather than try to bring us together. The NSW premier said he was horrified at the attack on the Adass Israel synagogue and had asked his attorney general, Michael Daley, and the NSW Cabinet Office to examine options for restricting protests outside places of worship across his state. Being heckled on the way in to observe your faith is not consistent with the principles of a multicultural, multi faith community where all are protected by law from someone stopping them from prayer, Minns said in a written statement. Holding the line isnt enough. We have to go further and ensure that peoples rights to religious freedom of expression and worship is protected. Hospitals are under considerable strain with the spike in flu and Covid-19 cases - Jeffrey Markowitz/Corbis RF Stills NHS staff sickness rates are up 10 per cent on last year as a quad-demic of viruses takes hold. Hospital workers in England took more than 361,000 sick days combined over seven days. The average of 51,667 absentees each day in the week beginning Nov 25 was 10.3 per cent higher than the same period last year. It comes as the number of patients in hospital with flu was also four times higher than last year, with an average of 1,099 patients each day. NHS chiefs warned of the threat of a quad-demic as patients hospitalised with vomiting-bug norovirus topped 750, almost double last years figure. Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also continue to circulate, adding pressure to hospitals that have had more than 96,500 inpatients heading into December. An average of 1,390 inpatients were in hospital with Covid-19, while there were also 142 children in hospital beds with RSV each day. RSV is a respiratory virus that causes coughs and colds but can become severe and lead to pneumonia with babies and the elderly particularly at risk. The majority of staff absences came from the Midlands and North East of England, which accounted for about two in five of the total. NHS figures revealed some 662 NHS workers were absent each day because of Covid-19, accounting for just over one per cent of the total. The figures are down on similar periods in 2021 and 2022 when the NHS was under intense pressure from the pandemic and the immediate surge in post-lockdown viruses and illnesses. However, 11 of the 135 acute trusts monitored either did not provide any data or provided incomplete data. Rory Deighton, the acute director at the NHS confederation, said: These figures are deeply worrying as they provide yet more evidence the NHS is already under considerable strain before the pressures of winter have peaked. We knew that the health service was running hot, with A&Es, ambulances and general practice had their busiest October on record. But it is clear that the impact from seasonal viruses such as flu and norovirus is being felt much earlier than in previous years, with 10% more staff off sick than the same week last year. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust had the most staff off sick, with an average of 1,472 employees absent each day over the week. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust all also had more than 1,000 staff members absent on average each day. This is not the most by proportion of staff, however, as these are large teaching hospitals which employ more than the average number of workers. Prof Stephen Powis said: The NHS is busier than it has ever been. - WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe Prof Sir Stephen Powis, the medical director of NHS England, said: The NHS is busier than it has ever been before heading into winter and we are still only at the start of December, so we expect pressure to increase and there is a long winter ahead of us. Low uptake of the flu vaccine among NHS staff could be partly to blame, with just 24 per cent getting vaccinated as of the end of October. Prof Paul Hunter, the professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said last week that the poor uptake of the vaccine would leave staff unable to work and hospitals dangerously understaffed. The NHS has issued a plea to staff to get vaccinated and wrote to hospital trusts last week to remind them to encourage staff to get vaccinated, which they can until the end of January. The suspect is seen masked in the back of a taxi New images have been released of the man suspected of assassinating Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare boss, as authorities said the net was tightening in their search for the killer. Mr Thompson, 50, was shot dead in Manhattan on Wednesday as he made his way to a conference, sparking a manhunt that is believed to now be multi-state. One of the new images of the suspect shows him in the back of a taxi wearing a hooded sweatshirt and mask. In the second, he is seen outside the car. The suspect approaching the taxi On Saturday, Eric Adams, the New York mayor, said the net is tightening around the gunman, who fled the scene on foot before riding an electric bike into Central Park. He was later caught on camera entering a bus station in northern Manhattan. Mr Adams would not confirm whether detectives knew the name of the suspect. We dont want to release that now, the New York Post quoted him as saying. If you do, you are basically giving a tip to the person we are seeking and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all. Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask. The mayor praised the manner in which investigators were able to follow his footsteps to recover evidence some of it is known, some of it is unknown but the net is tightening and were going to bring this person to justice. Police have located a grey backpack in Central Park thought to belong to the killer and were seen searching a nearby lake. The bag contained a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and fake money from the boardgame Monopoly, CNN reported. The NYPD and FBI had identified the bag from CCTV footage of Mr Thompsons assassination. Political point The new evidence suggests the killer intended to make a political point about Mr Thompson, who ran one of the largest health insurance companies in the US. Police have declined to confirm reports that shell casings left at the scene after the CEO was shot were etched with the words delay and deny language often used by insurance companies to reject claims. Mr Thompsons wife has suggested that the organisers of his killing may be disgruntled health insurance customers whose medical claims were rejected by UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealthcare is a major player in the lucrative American health care market, and the parent group had revenues of $100.8 billion in the third quarter of the year. The FBI, which said it was assisting New York police, has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the suspects capture. A CCTV image of the suspect checking into a hostel before the killing, and grinning at a member of staff, has given him the tabloid nickname the smiling assassin. Police have requested that border control staff on the Canadian and Mexican borders remain on the lookout for the suspect. Keir Starmer sets out Labours 'plan for change' in a speech at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire on 5 December. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images How depressing that the Labour party seems so bereft of ideas that all it can do as a new government is to castigate the civil service for its lacklustre performance (Starmer may view Whitehall reform as essential to his missions, 6 December). What does Labour expect? Any new manager worth their salt knows that it takes time and effort to motivate an understandably demoralised and paranoid workforce. If criticism is due, it should be made privately and with some understanding. What the civil service needs desperately is clearly thought out policies and a commitment to change, while knowing support will be there when this is inevitably challenged. This is where Keir Starmer and his ministers focus and energy should be directed, and it is concerning that this is taking such a long time coming. There is no quick fix, and turning to short-term populism is dangerous. It will not help their cause. Shirley Osborn Kibworth, Leicestershire It is with a wearied sense of familiarity that I witnessed Keir Starmers announcement of six measurable milestones to accompany or supersede his five missions for government (Starmer accuses Whitehall of being comfortable with failure in landmark speech, 5 December). Does anyone recall Ed Milibands six Ed Stone pledges from nine years ago? Anyone who works in the public sector has seen this type of mission statement and marketised, top-down managerialism. It lasts for a year or two, wastes some resources, has a few sycophants in middle management hitching their star to it, and then is quietly shelved for the next sloganised initiative. Does anyone know where the Ed Stone is located now? Starmer was clearly a high-achieving senior manager in the public sector. His ministers resemble middle managers in the public sector of rather variable levels of ability. What we need in this country is less managerialism and more leadership. We need doers, not marketing puff. Dr Robert Lockie Hove, East Sussex A politically stuttering Keir Starmer (Editorial, 2 December)could do well to look at Martin Luther Kings I have a dream speech. He will never match the oratory, but what is often overlooked is that its success was that what he said were his audiences dreams already. He did not have to persuade, he just put into words what they felt. Trumps Make America great again was putting into words what many felt. Obviously their objectives were vastly different, but their way of getting support was remarkably similar. Their dream was the dream the audience already has. Starmers vision is of little interest if he is not tapping into the publics vision. It will only be successful if the reaction is thats what I always thought. With a shared vision, the country will achieve more and accept some sacrifices to achieve our aims. Helping the left-behind is a patronising ambition who wants to be labelled as left-behind? Attracting inward investment sounds like Brother, can you spare a dime? How can you be inspired by that? A positive national message is more important than any single policy or pretty-looking spreadsheet. If Starmer cannot deliver that, Labour needs to find someone who can. Otherwise Nigel Farage will be our next prime minister. John Sommer Bristol Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. Angela Rayner said we need to protect nature but not at the expense of building houses - Avalon/Universal Images Group/Getty Angela Rayner is to give mayors more powers to accelerate major infrastructure projects. The Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary is proposing to give them the lead role in drawing up infrastructure and development projects that span local authorities. They will be expected to draw up spatial development strategies to cover projects such as schools, hospitals and parks to support plans for 1.5 million new homes by the end of the Parliament. Mayors will need the support of the majority of local councils in their areas to go ahead with the infrastructure under the plans, to be set out in white paper on English devolution. Councils will retain control of local planning and producing housing plans. Councils in areas without mayors would be required to join forces and make big decisions across local government boundaries. The moves came as Ms Rayner said newts and other threatened wildlife would not hold up the Governments plans to hit its housing targets. She told Trevor Phillips on Sky News: I believe we can offset, look after them, but at the same time not stop building because we cant have a situation where a newt is more protected than people who desperately need housing. What we need is a process which says protect the nature and wildlife, but not at the expense of us building the houses. We could do both. Angela Rayner: We cant have a situation where a newt is more protected than people who desperately need housing - Ian Vogler/Getty Images The Governments Planning and Infrastructure Bill, due to be unveiled in the new year, is expected to propose a solution for ensuring nutrient neutrality EU guidelines that have delayed developments over threats of environmental pollution and protecting wildlife without blocking housing schemes. Developers will be allowed to start building and then strike agreements on mitigation measures such as creating new wetlands elsewhere to soak up pollution or schemes to preserve rare wildlife. But residents would not be allowed to move into those new homes until completion of the measures as part of a Grampian solution first set out by Ms Rayner and Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, last autumn. A Grampian condition is a court-issued consent condition that prevents developments from starting until a specific action is taken on other land. For example, a Grampian solution could prohibit development until a wastewater station is built. This week, Ms Rayner will set out the detailed formula for how the new mandatory targets for house-building will be set in each area of England and Wales. It will also set out the criteria for determining where councils can build on grey belt areas within the green belt while also prioritising development on brownfield sites. Grey belt is defined as poor quality land within the green belt that is under-used or not used for public enjoyment. Ms Rayner confirmed at the weekend that applications meeting local development plan requirements will bypass council committees, with the aim of ending delays to new homes, cutting the time and resources spent on individual schemes, and providing more certainty to housebuilders. Weve told councils, theyve got to have those [local development] plans. If developers follow the framework, the national framework which protects environments, looks at a number of different elements and also follows the local plan, they shouldnt be stuck in the system for years, she said. Elsewhere, Sky News pointed to the number of asylum seekers set to arrive in the UK over the period in which the new homes are expected to be built, and claimed five out of seven could go to migrants. Well, thats not the truth, said Ms Rayner. There is plenty of housing already, but theres not enough for the people that desperately need it. So the homes, especially under our affordable homes programme, which is social and affordable housing, will be there for people who desperately need them, local people. Richard Fuller, the Conservative shadow Treasury minister, said Labours goal of building 1.5 million homes is a reasonable target. But he added: If you want to achieve that, youve got to bring the people with you, and, unfortunately, Labour seem to be saying that Angela is best and local people can be ignored. Major-General Richard Secord: he had directed the only successful rescue of prisoners during the war in Indo-China - Bettmann Major-General Richard Secord, who has died aged 92, was a highly decorated US Air Force bomber pilot who worked with the CIA organising covert operations, directing the only successful rescue of prisoners during the war in Indo-China. He achieved notoriety a decade later when, having left the military, he was exposed as the logistical middleman in the Iran-Contra scandal that tarnished Ronald Reagans administration. Secord had worked with his friend Lt Col Oliver North, deputy military affairs director for Reagans National Security Council, to sell arms illegally to Iran and use the profits to arm rebels (or Contras) fighting Nicaraguas Leftist government. After journalists and federal investigators uncovered threads of the operation, Congress held hearings in 1987 that exposed a clandestine foreign policy pursued by Reagan appointees including Vice Adml John Poindexter, the presidents national security adviser, and the CIA director William Casey. Over several years, $47 million was raised from the sales to Iran, with some of it used, contravening a congressional directive, to send arms, medicine and other goods to the Contras. The Iran-Contra independent counsel Lawrence Walsh concluded that Secord had received at least $2 million from his involvement, and had lied about it to Congress. Prosecutors also reckoned him to be a silent partner of Edwin Wilson, a renegade CIA operative jailed for selling tons of plastic explosive to Libyas Col Gaddafi. Secord testified over four days that, on Norths orders, he had arranged the shipments to Iran and deliveries to the Nicaraguan rebels. The Enterprise had secret Swiss bank accounts and its own aircraft, pilots, airfields, communications and a ship. Only $3.5 million of the estimated $12 million in profits from the Iran arms sales went to the Contras, Secord said; $3 million paid for the deliveries to Iran while $1 million purchased the ship. Millions were earmarked for commissions though he denied having received any himself. Millions more were unaccounted for. Secord being advised by his attorney in front of the joint Congressional investigation, 1987 - Bettmann Secord had been Americas highest-ranking officer in Iran, in support of the Shah, but was ready to arm the ayatollahs who had overthrown him. He had obtained supplies for the Contras with help from the CIA and the State Department; he had met the CIA director Casey several times; and he understood that Reagan and Vice-President George Bush both knew that proceeds from the Iranian sales were being diverted to the Nicaraguan rebels. He insisted he had been doing the Reagan administrations bidding, acting as a patriot in what he believed to be a righteous cause. North, who had been dismissed from the NSC, testified that he did not know if Reagan knew of the transactions, but said that Casey, who had recently died, had approved them. Reagan and Bush denied any knowledge of the affair, but some mud stuck. Poindexter, North, Secord and Hakim were indicted on charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States. Secord was charged with 12 felonies, but in 1989 agreed to plead guilty to one count of lying to Congress about illegal gifts he had provided to North. He was placed on probation for two years, and later his guilty plea was overturned. Nobody went to jail. Reviewing Secords memoir Honored and Betrayed (1992), Joel Brinkley wrote in The New York Times: The lesson he has taken from the entire experience seems to be No good deed goes unpunished. Richard Vernon Secord was born at LaRue, Ohio, on July 6 1932, the eldest son of Lowell Secord, a welder, and his wife Wahnetta. He joined the USAF, earning his wings in 1956, and served as a flight instructor. From 1962 to 1965, Secord flew 285 combat missions in Vietnam. Graduating from Staff College in 1966 and transferred to Thailand, he was detailed to the CIAs Secret War in Laos. On January 7 1967, he directed the wars only successful PoW rescue, the Ban Naden raid. A team of the CIAs hill-tribe mercenaries took the guards by surprise, killing about 40. Nine Air America helicopters landed on the Ho Chi Minh Trail and rescued 53 prisoners all Asian, mainly Laotian, and twice the number expected. Secord also organised the defence of Lima Site 85, an installation close to Laoss border with North Vietnam whose radar beam American aircraft could follow to Hanoi and drop their bombs regardless of the weather. It was surrounded by North Vietnamese forces, so he requested a deployment of Green Berets, or personal weapons for its technicians. Ambassador William Sullivan, who supervised the war in Laos, overruled Secord, so he insubordinately issued them with small arms. When the site was overrun, he had to be talked out of resigning his commission. Secord speaking to the press in 1990 after he was sentenced to two years probation - Bettmann In 1969 he took command of a squadron adapting aircraft for counter-insurgency, then spent a year at the Naval War College. Next he became the Pentagons desk officer for Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. He worked up plans for the Christmas 1972 bombing campaign that the Nixon administration would argue had forced North Vietnam back to the negotiating table. Secord had his first experiences of Iran between 1963 and 1965, as an adviser to the Imperial Iranian Air Force. He returned in 1975 a brigadier-general, heading Americas Military Assistance Advisory Group and being chief advisor to the head of the Iranian Air Force. After Sullivan was appointed ambassador in Tehran, Secord clashed with him, and returned to Washington in 1978 to be the USAFs director of international programmes. His official biography says he was the ranking USAF officer for the failed attempt in April 1980 to extract the US diplomats held hostage by the Islamic revolution. Secord denied this, but confirmed his involvement with a planned second rescue obviated by the hostages release. From 1981 to 1983, he was Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. He retired from the Air Force in 1983 after allegations of improper dealings with Edwin Wilson. He faced no charges, and was bitter that the Reagan administration let him run up legal bills of $22,000 despite his having given evidence against the rogue CIA operative. As a civilian, Secord went into business with Hakim. After being sentenced over The Enterprise, he launched a libel suit against the authors and publisher of Out of Control: The story of the Reagan administrations secret war in Nicaragua, the illegal pipeline, and the Contra drug connection (1987). The court dismissed the case, saying he had not shown they had malicious intent. In 1992, Secord and another retired general visited the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, offering to train its special forces. In 1996 he joined a company making diagnostic medical equipment; becoming its president and chief operating officer in 2002, he stood down in 2005. Richard Secord married Jo Ann Gibson in 1961; she died last January. He is survived by their three children. Richard Secord, born July 6 1932, died October 15 2024 Tobacco farmer Valdemar Postanovicz, 45, was poisoned by diquat. Photograph: Marcelo Curia/Unearthed/Public Eye Valdemar Postanovicz was at home after a day tending to his tobacco crop when his limbs seized up. All of the right side of my body was paralysed. I couldnt feel my foot and my hand. My mouth twisted to the right, he says. He feared it was a stroke. In fact, he was suffering symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning. Postanovicz, 45, had absorbed Reglone, a powerful herbicide based on the chemical diquat. It was only one time in my life, but I felt so sick, he says. Postanovicz lives in Parana, southern Brazil the countrys agricultural heartland. But his accidental poisoning can be traced more than 6,000 miles from South America to Britain, where there is a high chance the pesticide was made. Records obtained under freedom of information laws by Unearthed, Greenpeaces investigative unit, and the NGO Public Eye reveal that despite a ban on their use in the UK, diquat and other toxic pesticides are being legally exported around the world with large volumes going to developing countries. Last year, 8,489 tonnes of chemicals banned on British farms due to health and environmental concerns were sent abroad, according to export data shared with the Observer. Of those, 98% were made by the Chinese-owned, Swiss-headquartered chemical company Syngenta. The biggest export was diquat of which Brazil is one of the worlds leading consumers. The weedkiller, made at only a few factories around the world, including Sygentas plant in Huddersfield, is a close chemical cousin of paraquat, which has been banned in Britain since 2008 and is the subject of class action lawsuits in the US and Canada, where farmers allege it left them suffering health problems including Parkinsons. Syngenta, which reported 32.2bn of sales in 2023, disputes the claim and says its products are safe when used according to instructions. Diquat is generally considered less toxic than paraquat, but can still be extremely harmful: exposure can lead to blindness, vomiting, irritation, convulsions, organ damage and even death. It has been banned on EU farms since 2019 and British farms since 2020, after experts concluded it posed a high risk to workers, people living nearby and birds. Yet a legal loophole allows Syngenta to keep making the weedkiller in UK factories, for export to countries with weaker regulations. Diquat exports by Syngenta reached 5,123 tonnes in 2023, more than half of that to Brazil. In total, the UK exported pesticides containing 10 banned chemicals to 18 countries last year, including products considered highly toxic to bees and those with high potential for groundwater contamination. The figures have prompted calls for an end to exports of pesticides banned in Britain, which campaigners and health experts described as exploitative and unethical. Syngenta rejected the allegation, saying: It is neither exploitative or unethical to provide products where the government and regulatory agencies of the importing country have provided express permission for the import and have directed and regulated use of those products within the specific agricultural context of that country. A spokesperson said agricultural needs differed worldwide and that exports of all products were in line with all laws and global treaties. They said the company put considerable effort into ensuring safe use of its products, including tamper-proof bottles and closed transfer systems, and that every year it gave safety training to hundreds of thousands of people. They said herbicides like diquat were essential tools for farmers wanting to boost productivity and implement low or no-till practices, which help reduce carbon emissions and that blocking access encouraged a counterfeit market. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the UK went beyond the international standard by requiring consent from importing countries, enabling them to make informed decisions. This government is committed to protecting human health and the environment from the risks posed by chemicals, a spokesperson said. But Dr Marcos Orellana, the UN special rapporteur on toxics and human rights, said exporting banned pesticides to the developing world was a form of modern-day exploitation. He accused the UK of allowing the production for export of hazardous pesticides that subject countless people who are exposed to them, mainly poor workers in the fields of the global south to illness and grave suffering. It seems that for countries that produce and export banned pesticides, the life and health of people in recipient countries is not as important as their own citizens, he said. Other countries, including France and Belgium, have already taken action to prohibit the export of banned pesticides. In October, six member states publicly backed an EU-wide prohibition on banned chemical exports. Asked whether the UK would follow suit, Defra did not respond. Sian Berry, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavillion, said: Its beyond belief that this is apparently happening lawfully. Related: What are highly hazardous pesticides and how are they used in the UK? Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace, described the exports as double standards. He disputed Syngentas claim that diquat was helping tackle climate change, saying the chemical like paraquat hammers the land and biodiversity to produce commodity crops for export. Research by the Pesticide Action Network has found there are alternatives to toxic pesticides, including living mulches, controlled grazing, mechanical weeding and thermal weeding, as well as alternative synthetic products. This is intensive, not sustainable, agriculture, Parr said. Back in Brazil, some experts are warning of public health concerns. Last year was the first that diquat exports from Britain exceeded those of paraquat, after Brazils government banned paraquat in 2020 over health fears. Since then, the countrys use of diquat has surged from 1,400 tonnes in 2019 to 24,000 tonnes in 2022. Data suggests that as diquat usage has increased, accidental poisonings have risen. Between 2018 and 2021, the state of Parana one of the biggest consumers of diquat recorded one to three cases annually. This jumped to six in 2022 and to nine in 2023, according to data obtained by Unearthed. Marcelo de Souza Furtado from the Parana health department, who tracks poisonings in the state, said the official numbers reflected a small parcel of reality, with many cases unreported due to lack of access to healthcare in remote areas or fear of reprisals from employers. But he said the pesticides problem was big. He first noticed last year that notifications of diquat poisoning were overtaking paraquat. Of the 36 diquat cases recorded nationally by Brazils health ministry between 2018 and 2022, Syngentas product Reglone was cited in 83% of cases. Related: We found unhealthy pesticide levels in 20% of US produce heres what you need to know Were worried, Furtado said. If its already been banned in other countries, then that already shows that it has a very toxic effect. Syngenta recommends that those using its products wear PPE, including coveralls, boots, gloves, a cap, an apron, goggles, and respiratory protection. But in reality, Furtado said many farmers were not aware of its importance with heat and humidity making consistent use difficult. Even for those wearing PPE, usage still carries risks. In one modelled scenario using tractor-mounted equipment, a 2014 European Food Safety Authority review found that worker exposure for those wearing coveralls, gloves and boots could still exceed the maximum acceptable level by 350%. While Postanovicz recovered from his exposure in 2021, he believes others should know the dangers. It is a really strong product. If it touches the tobacco plant, it kills it, he said. When he used it he says he wore protective trousers, boots, and gloves, but omitted the visor. When we breathe it blurs and we cant see correctly, he said. It is dangerous: we can stumble and get hurt. He says his symptoms began after he had finished work and showered. His vision blurred, his right leg and arm went numb, and tremors shook his right hand. Even now, the smell of Reglone triggers a visceral reaction. I hate it, he says. I can feel if someone is using it far from here. Additional reporting: Naira Hofmeister Scientists have found the gene responsible for ginger fur in cats and it explains why they are almost all boys - Irina Gutyryak/iStockphoto If it wasnt immediately obvious that the lazy, lasagne-eating Garfield was a tom cat, then his orange fur should have given it away. Scientists have, for the first time, found the gene responsible for ginger fur in cats and it explains why they are almost all boys. The specific gene which causes the colouration has long evaded scientists but two teams of geneticists have now found the chunk of DNA responsible. Arhgap36 is a gene located on the X chromosome, of which males have one copy while females have two, and it causes ginger fur. If a male inherits this gene from either his mother or father then he will be Garfield-ginger, but if a female gets passed the gene from her parents she will most likely not be. If it wasnt immediately obvious that lasagne-loving Garfield was a tom cat, then his ginger fur should have given it away - Project G Productions/PA Females, because they have two X chromosomes, shut down half of them at random during development. As a result females with an orange gene become the two or three-coloured animals known as calico or tortoiseshell. Only in rare cases where a cat has an abnormal number of chromosomes will a feline not follow these colour rules outlined by their genetics. Two teams of scientists, one at Stanford University in the US and one at Kyushu University in Japan, found the Garfield gene independently, solving a 60-year mystery. Colouration in cats, humans and all mammals is caused by the presence of melanin, a compound in the skin which has two forms. One pigment (eumelanin) causes black and brown fur as well as dark skin tones whereas another (pheomelanin) creates a reddish hue. Ginger people only make pheomelanin while dark-skinned people produce eumelanin. All other skin tones and hair colours fall somewhere in between on a broad spectrum. But one gene (MC1R) is known to power this system in almost all mammals, including people, where it is found on chromosome 16. A genetic conundrum However, this gene does not control colouration in felines and finding the one that does has been a genetic mystery, a conundrum, according to Dr Greg Barsch, the lead scientists behind one of the new studies. His work, as well as that of the rival group from Japan, found that when the Arghap36 gene is present on a cats X chromosome it forces the pigment-making cells in the skin to produce more pheomelanin, leading to the orange morph. This is what makes male cats ginger, and is responsible for the orange splotches on calico and tortoiseshell females. The two studies are published as preprints and have yet to be peer-reviewed, but experts have not contested the findings, which have been published simultaneously. I am fully convinced this is the gene and am happy, Carolyn Brown, a University of British Columbia geneticist who was not involved in either study, told Science. Its a question Ive always wanted the answer to. Kim faces a travel ban as prosecutors investigate - Reuters Police have arrested South Koreas former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun over his role in last weeks martial law declaration that plunged the country into political turmoil. Mr Kim had already resigned after the brief imposition of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol, which saw soldiers and helicopters sent to parliament on Tuesday. Mr Yoon was forced to rescind the order hours later after parliament voted down his decree. The former defence minister tendered his resignation soon after being identified as the mastermind and prosecutors imposed a travel ban on him. He is now facing treason charges after the countrys vice defence minister Kim Seon Ho said Mr Kim was the one to deploy troops to the National Assembly. Police raided Mr Kims office in Seoul on Sunday, according to local media. Officers have reportedly taken Mr Kims phone to check call records and he has been sent to a detention centre in Eastern Seoul. President Yoon has also been listed as a suspect in treason charges by prosecutors. Park Se-hyun, a prosecutor leading the special task force tapped to handle the case, said: Numerous complaints have been submitted, and an investigation is underway in accordance with the process. He added that Mr Yoon is being investigated for treason and abuse of power. Protesters rallied outside, calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol - Reuters Mr Kims arrest comes less than 24 hours after the South Korean president narrowly escaped an impeachment tabled by opposition parties. The impeachment motion needed 200 votes in the 300-member parliament to pass, but a near-total boycott by Yoons People Power Party (PPP) doomed it to failure. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), said on Sunday that they will try again on December 14 in the name of the people. Yoon, the principal culprit behind the insurrection and military coup that destroyed South Koreas constitutional order, must either resign immediately or be impeached without delay, Lee told reporters. Political turmoil continues The leader of the ruling People Power Party Han Dong-hoon, and South Koreas Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, have meanwhile announced that Mr Yoon would no longer take part in the countrys state affairs, including diplomacy. Their intention is to facilitate the presidents orderly and early resignation, they said. The proposal was immediately rejected by the DP and speaker of the National Assembly, who described the plan as unconstitutional. Kim Min-seok, a lawmaker from DP, said on Sunday: Suspending Yoons presidential duty is the only process that accords with the Constitution, and any other measures are unconstitutional and nothing but another act of insurrection. National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik denounced the ruling party as arrogant and proposed talks between the PPP and the DP to facilitate an immediate suspension of Yoons presidential power. Analysts say the ruling partys proposal of excluding Mr Yoon from state affairs at a time when he remains in office has no legal and constitutional grounds. Han Duck-soo is not elected by South Korean people and Han Dong-hoon is just the head of a political party, so there is no legal authority for them to handle the countrys state affairs, Lee Sangsin, an expert on South Korean politics at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told the Telegraph. In his view, the PPPs proposal reflects their unwillingness to give up power. They probably dont want to hold another election because they will most certainly lose, said Lee. Since opposition parties have vowed to keep introducing impeachment motions at the National Assembly every week, Lee said the impeachment of Yoon is only a matter of time. The ruling party successfully blocked the impeachment of Yoon once but South Korean people will keep protesting and pressuring the ruling party. I think the PPP has no choice but to surrender to the impeachment of Yoon, he noted. However, Lee said this process could take weeks or even months. Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian government collapses in Damascus - OMAR SANADIKI/AP The Syrian government has fallen in a stunning end to the 50-year iron-fist rule of the Assad family in the wake of a rapid rebel offensive. Syrian opposition forces declared victory over President Bashar al-Assads regime early on Sunday, after fighters entered Damascus. Moscow confirmed on Sunday that Assad had resigned and left Syria, but did not comment on his whereabouts. US officials suggested he had fled to Russia, however his plane has disappeared from radar after making a sudden U-turn after taking off from Damascus. After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and (forced) displacement... we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria, the rebels said on Telegram. A statue of Hafez al-Assad, Bashars father, is pulled down in Homs on Saturday - REUTERS The rebel forces, led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army (SNA) launched a lightning offensive on Nov 27, capturing Aleppo, Syrias largest city, and then Hama and Homs in just eight days before marching on Damascus. Their victory marks a turning point for Syria, shattered by years of war which has turned cities to rubble, killing around 500,000 people, and forcing millions abroad as refugees. The dramatic collapse of the Assad regime also marks a seismic moment for the Middle East, ending the familys brutal rule over Syria and dealing a massive blow to Russia and Iran, which have lost a key ally at the heart of the region. Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, Syrias prime minister, said the government was ready to cooperate with the opposition and hand over its functions in a peaceful transition of power. Celebrations in Umayyad Square in Damascus on Sunday as government forces fell - LOUAI BESHARA/GETTY Mr Jalali said he would remain in Syria and continue to work on the efforts to exchange power. Syrians have poured into the streets of Damascus, where they gathered in central squares as others pulled down statues of Assad and burnt large banners of the former ruler. Others ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence, destroying and looting their belongings. I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall, said electricity worker Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44. From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them (the opposition forces) a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud, he told AP. The scenes mirrored the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before Assads regime carried out a brutal crackdown that plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. X / @danny_makki It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a years-long siege. The pro-government Sham FM radio reported that the Damascus airport had been evacuated and all flights halted. The insurgents also announced they had entered the notorious Sednaya military prison north of the capital and liberated their prisoners there. The night before, opposition forces took the central city of Homs, Syrias third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syrias coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus the Syrian leaders base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The insurgency announced late on Saturday that it had taken over Homs, which analysts had said would be a game-changer for the rebel offensive. The opposition forces entering Damascus came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of the southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The fall of the capital city would leave government forces in control of only two of 14 provincial capitals: Latakia and Tartus. However, rebel forces are believed to be fighting inside Latakia, where video footage showed a huge bust of Assad being torn down and dragged through the streets. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaeda and that the UN and US proscribe as a terrorist organisation. In their push to overthrow Assads government, the insurgents, led by HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. Turkey-backed Syrian forces have taken control of some 80 per cent of northern Syrias Manbij area and are close to victory against Kurdish forces there, a Turkish security source said. Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, said she welcomed the fall of Assads regime as Keir Starmer flew to the region on Sunday. The White House has said it is closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria, while president-elect Donald Trump accused Russia of abandoning Assad. Geir Pedersen, the US special envoy for Syria, called the events a watershed moment for the country as he urged all Syrians to prioritize dialogue, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights. Syrias president, Bashar al-Assad, has fallen and fled to Russia after rebel forces entered the capital Damascus, capping a stunning advance across the country in an extraordinary day for Syria. Here is everything we know so far: Reports in Russia have said Bashar al-Assad and family have been granted asylum in Moscow after Syrian anti-government rebels declared they had seized control of Damascus on Sunday, ending his familys decades of autocratic rule after more than 13 years of civil war. Rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of Syrias Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, visited Damascus landmark Umayyad Mosque on Sunday. He said in an earlier statement read on Syrias state TV that the future is ours. He has reportedly said that all state institutions will remain under the supervision of al-Assads prime minister until they are handed over officially. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday praised the end of Syrias dictatorial regime and called on the country to focus on rebuilding. After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future, Guterres said in a statement. Footage shows the Damascus residence of Bashar al-Assad has been stormed and almost emptied by looters. There were reports earlier today that the Iranian embassy in Damascus was attacked. As armed rebels swept cities across Syria, they flung open detention facilities where rights groups estimated that at least 100,000 people were considered missing or forcibly disappeared since 2011 at the hands of the state. This included the Sednaya military prison, a facility notorious as the site of particularly brutal and humiliating methods of torture. Arab states will seek to avert the threat of a reignited Syrian civil war by starting an open dialogue with all the forces on the ground to ensure any transition is inclusive of all Syrians regardless of ethnicity, Qatars foreign ministry has said. In Europe, Spains foreign ministry has urged for there to be an inclusive political transition in Syria, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would help to rebuild a Syria that safeguards minorities. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the collapse of the Assad regime offers great opportunity, but warned that it is also fraught with significant dangers, adding that he will take action against possible threats (to Israel). Israel airstrikes were later reported against a major security complex in the Kafr Sousa district of Damascus, along with a research centre where it had previously said Iranian scientists developed missiles. The Pentagon has said the US will keep a presence in eastern Syria and take the appropriate steps to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State. US president-elect Donald Trump said on Sunday that Assad had fled his country after losing the backing of Russia. Assad is gone, he said on his Truth Social platform. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. Iraq has reportedly evacuated its embassy in Syria and moved staff to Lebanon, hours after rebels overthrew Assad and took control of the capital. Reasons behind the evacuation were not made public Syrians in neighbouring Lebanon celebrate the fall of Assad. In Damascus, celebratory gunfire and car horns echoed around the city. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images The people of Syria have celebrated the fall of Bashar al-Assad and dared to dream of a better future after five decades of dynastic rule came to a sudden and unexpected end with the dictator fleeing to Moscow. Crowds of people waved the Syrian revolutionary flag and pulled down statues and portraits of the president and his father, Hafez, while celebratory gunfire and car horns echoed around Damascus on Sunday as an astonishing rebel advance reached the capital. In photos and videos of families reunited with loved ones long lost to the dark of the regimes notorious prison system, people cried and clung to one another in disbelief at their newfound freedom. Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace, marvelling at the abundance of luxury goods and designer cars in a country where 90% of the population lives below the poverty line. Just hours before, it was announced that Assad had fled the capital in a private plane and that his regime had fallen. On Sunday evening, Russian state news agencies reported that the president and his family were in Moscow and had been given asylum on humanitarian grounds. The major road linking the Lebanese city of Beirut to Damascus was lined with discarded army uniforms on Sunday after Syrian army soldiers discarded them upon realising their leader had abandoned them after 54 years of his familys rule over Syria. Syria erupted into the deadliest war of the 21st century, complicated by the interests of foreign powers, when the Assad regime began a brutal crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy Arab spring protests in 2011. Assad was saved by his Iranian and Russian allies from the advance of rebel forces backed by Qatar and Turkey in 2015, as well as the Lebanese group Hezbollah, forcing the opposition to withdraw to the north-west of the country. The Assad axis and the Kurdish-led, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, based in the north-east, fought to defeat Islamic States (IS) self-declared caliphate between 2014 and 2019, yet another theatre in the war that dragged in neighbouring Iraq. At least 300,000 people have been killed and 100,000 disappeared since 2011. Half the country about 12 million people have been displaced from their homes, with about 5.4 million seeking shelter abroad. The frontlines had for the most part stayed quiet since a ceasefire between the regime and opposition brokered in early 2020, but roared back to life less than two weeks ago in a push by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on Aleppo, supposedly to stave off an expected regime offensive. HTS, along with an umbrella of Turkish-backed militias known as the Syrian National Army (SNA), correctly assessed that Iran, Hezbollah and Russia were distracted by the wars with Israel and Ukraine: this time, no one came to save Assad, and loyalist Syrian forces fled or collapsed as the rebels moved south, taking city after city. In a broadcast on state television from the capital on Sunday afternoon, a rebel spokesperson said: To those that bet on us and to those who didnt, to those one day who thought we were broken, we announce to you the victory of the great Syrian revolution after 13 years of patience and sacrifice. Damascus was still in a state of disbelief: smoke from battles the night before hung over the city like a fog. Windows shook from the occasional explosion, the target and the warring party unknown. I feel as if I am in a dream, I havent slept and I cant absorb whats happened, Fatimeh, originally from north-west Idlib, long an opposition bastion, said as she approached Damascus after leaving Lebanon. I am from Idlib, she said once more, adding that for years she wouldnt dare say where she was from when she was in Damascus, for fear that any affiliation with the area in part held by Islamist rebels would provoke retaliation. It was still unclear by Sunday evening whether Latakia and Tartus, Assads coastal strongholds, had fallen to the rebels, and fighting was reported between Turkish-backed Arab rebels and Syrian Kurdish groups in Manbij, on the Turkish border. Separately, US forces said they had conducted dozens of airstrikes on IS forces in central Syria, adding that they would not allow the jihadist group to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute. US Central Command said it had struck more than 75 targets, without specifying where. Reports also emerged that Israel had launched airstrikes on regime and Hezbollah weapons depots in Damascus and Syrias southern countryside, apparently afraid that they would fall into the wrong hands. Israel also sent ground forces into areas of the Syria-controlled Golan Heights after the Syrian armys withdrawal in order to deter rebel forces. There are still many questions and challenges ahead for Syrias future, as well as that of the wider region. The head of HTS, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who spearheaded the rebel offensive, announced that Syrias prime minister, Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali, would stay on in Damascus to lead a transitional government in the coming months. The UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, hailed the end of Syrias dictatorial regime and urged the country to rebuild. After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize a historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future, he said in a statement. I reiterate my call for calm and avoiding violence at this sensitive time, while protecting the rights of all Syrians, without distinction. The UN Security Council will convene Monday afternoon for an emergency closed door meeting regarding Syria, at the request of Russia. The US president, Joe Biden, called the Assad governments fall a fundamental act of justice but also a moment of risk and uncertainty. The US would engage with Syrian stakeholders to establish a peaceful transition of power, he added. Jolani was a late arrival to the capital: fighters from the southern province of Deraa, rather than HTS, were first to reach the gates of Damascus. HTS forces were preoccupied with securing Homs to the north, cutting off Assads last lifeline to Tartus and Latakia. The rebel leader was filmed at the historic Umayyad mosque in the old city of Damascus on Sunday afternoon in his first public appearance after the fall of the Assad government, a sight that was unthinkable just a few days before. To Syrians, the message was clear: Assad was gone, and rebels were in control. Some residents expressed reservations about the Islamist group, wary of revolutionary factions claiming to represent the Syrian people particularly Islamist ones after years of bitter civil war. HTS and the SNA both have records of human rights abuses and authoritarian rule in areas under their control. But for most, caution was delayed for another day today was for celebration. The feelings, theyre indescribable, said Mohammed Ahmad, a resident of Kafr Halab, in northern Syria. I am angry, I am happy and I am sad. But now that the regime has fallen, I can rest. Syrians gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus to celebrate as 61 years of Baath Party rule in the country collapses - Izettin Kasim/Anadolu via Getty Today, anybody who knows anything about the real Syria is rejoicing at the news that President Assad can no longer torture, murder and gas the people of that ancient land. His evil lieutenants are gone, the malign influence and airstrikes of Putin have all but gone, and the mullahs in Tehran can no longer spread their evil gospel across this beautiful country. Today we rejoice: tomorrow the hard work of transition must begin. I saw al-Qaeda and Isis in Syria back in 2013 and luckily managed to avoid them, just, and I saw Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) develop from 2015 to 2020. By the end they were much changed from their jihadist beginnings, which gives me hope most especially when we see the professional, well-trained and equipped rebels who have swept across Syria in the last 10 days. I judge these soldiers have spent the last four years preparing for this. Given the positive vibes coming from President Erdogan, supporting their progress, Turkish support seems likely. During the seven years I spent in and out of Syria, I was always mightily impressed with the way Turkey supported our medical efforts in northwestern Syria and helped millions of Syrians who fled into Turkey. Before that during my 24 years in the British Army I was involved in both Gulf Wars and did a few tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have a reasonable idea what the fighting is all about, but probably more importantly, what good and bad transition, from war to peace should and should not entail. In this respect, 2003 and the second Gulf War is where there are lessons to be learned: the Syrians should pretty much do the opposite of what the Coalition did in Baghdad that year and subsequently. It is vital that the country is not plunged into years of insurgency: most importantly the extreme jihadists of Isis must not get a toehold into Damascus and the government, as happened in Iraq post 2003. So this must be a Syrian solution: an Arab solution, hopefully supported by the Gulf States who have the right cultural and diplomatic expertise. Certainly, the West can help with resources and a variety of experts who will be required to rebuild the country functionally, physically and politically. We have at least seen how not to do it in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and have made the mistakes which the new administration in Damascus must try and avoid. The Syrian Army, the police, the functions of government must not be immediately disbanded: they are needed to keep the country running and prevent it descending into anarchy. The rotten generals and senior police officers are already long gone, and I expect there is the right experience of Syrians in exile who can be brought in to help. The judiciary, the medical services and the other roles of government must be kept functioning. There are many Syrian politicians, judges and doctors in the diaspora who are well qualified and highly motivated and ready to help. There are millions of refugees who appear keen to return to their rightful homes and this should be enabled and encouraged. With many millions of Syrians in Europe this is a task that the European Union and the UK can lean into to help the new Syria. But after years of civil war the infrastructure of the country is devastated. The power network, sewage, transport, virtually everything has been destroyed by Assad, Putin and the Iranian militias and it is here where resources and expertise from Turkey, the West and elsewhere can help bring Syria back. Reconstruction would also provide desperately needed employment and money, allowing a new administration to get back to normal after years of tyranny. There will need to be some sort of reconciliation process or commission to ensure that those who left and those who stayed can all move forward in peace with common aims and set of goals. This is not going to be easy. Assad is a war criminal, and I feel a little sense of pride that the evidence we collected on his use of chemical weapons against his own people led to an arrest warrant for that crime against humanity. I hope he lives long enough to get his day in court I will certainly be in the gallery if he does. Syria has had many terrible days during the 50 years of the Assad familys murderous rule, but today is a terrific one. There are many buts and ifs flying around today. But the Arab world must step up, if the leader of HTS, Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, is as good as his current words, there is just a chance that the sun might shine brighter over Syria tomorrow and beyond. By God, the Syrian people deserve it. Toddlers rescue from Syrias most notorious prison is perhaps the most fitting symbol of Bashar al-Assads downfall First they tried to shoot the lock off. Then they tried crowbarring it. Maybe someone found a key. When the cell door swung open to reveal a tiny toddler, eyes filled with curiosity and trepidation as his liberators shouted: Run! Run! The rescue of this scared child from Syrias most notorious prison is perhaps the most fitting symbol of Bashar al-Assads downfall. From the lifeless infants pulled from the rubble of barrel bombings and the little girls choked by Sarin gas in Ghouta, Assads legacy has been a massacre of children. On Sunday morning, the 54-year Assad dynasty finally came to an end. Dictatorships always fall gradually, then suddenly. The collapse of the House of Assad, which ruled Syria for 54 blood-soaked years, was exceptionally sudden. At first, last Wednesdays rebel offensive merely raised the worlds eyebrows. The sudden breakout across the winter countryside of Idlib was curious, but unremarkable amid the current chaos in the Middle East. But when in just three days they rolled into the historic citadel of Aleppo, the world sat up. Bashar al-Assads regime, seemingly so secure after Iran and Russia helped it crush the rebellion in the 2010s, was revealed as weaker than anyone imagined. Even then, it was too early to write off the dictator who had weathered the bloodiest of all the Arab Spring uprisings. He still had powerful allies, after all. Would Russia and Iran abandon the regime they invested so many millions in propping up? Russia duly dropped some bombs. Irans foreign minister visited Damascus in solidarity. But within hours, the jaw-dropping truth became clear. The regime had no answer to the rebels attack drones, specially-trained night-fighting commandos, and young men in black beanie hats on machine gun-mounted motorbikes. Onwards they tumbled down the M5 highway to Damascus, government strongholds falling like ninepins. At Khan Sheykoun, then Hama, and then Homs, resistance melted away. Even more importantly, civilians began to rise up in towns that Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) had not even reached yet. And then, in Damascus on Saturday, soldiers were spotted changing into civilian clothes on the side of the road. Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters in Damascus - Omar Sanadiki/AP These are the tell-tale signs of a dictatorship in its death throes, and Assads allies understood what they were seeing. On Saturday, Iran began to evacuate its diplomats and fighters to Iraq and Lebanon. Russia told its citizens to get out of the country immediately and began to evacuate its bases in Latakia and Tartus. And that night, Bashar al-Assad vanished. The fall On Sunday afternoon, a tall bearded man in plain green fatigues walked across the red carpet of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. Or rather, he tried to. The mob of supporters shouting God is Great made it difficult to move. Liberation has occurred despite the nose of that tyrant, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the canny leader of the HTS, said in what was effectively a victory address. Syria, he said, would fully recover. The future is ours. There is no better venue to proclaim a new Syria. Umayyad Mosque was built in the seventh century on the site of a Roman church that was previously a pagan temple. The original classical columns still hold up the dome. It was the equivalent of William the Conquerer entering Westminster Abbey. Inside the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Mohammed al-Jolani says the future is ours - Aref Tammawi/AFP But the most powerful symbol of victory over Assad was not to be found in the beauty of the mosque. Al-Jolanis victory address happened just after midnight on Sunday, when a man in camouflage was aiming his Kalashnikov carefully at the lock on the gate to Sednaya prison, the sprawling concrete complex at the centre of the Assad regimes architecture of terror. Life is not like the movies: shooting the lock didnt work. But after a few minutes of frantic kicking, the gate swung open. A crowd of fighters rushed forward, and one by one they threw open the grey metal cell doors, the prisoners inside stumbling in confusion into the corridor. You are all free now! Dont be scared. Go home. You are all free now, a man barked at the confused inmates of one of the womens cell blocks. What happened? asked one of the women. The regime fell. You are free. Those released range from the tiny toddler to Raghid al-Tatari, a pilot jailed in 1981 for refusing Hafez Al-Assads orders to bomb the city of Hama, who was considered Syrias longest-serving political prisoner. Behind the jubilation, there was chaos, panic and fear that some might not make it out alive. On Sunday afternoon a man issued an appeal to civil defence crews to bring tunneling equipment to open up the high-security cells in the basement. There are more than three floors of cells [under] Sednaya. These floors are known as the red prison. They have not been able to open it because it has very specific technologies, he said. Time, he warned, was running out for those trapped below. This is not a prison, it is a slaughterhouse. Its not even a slaughterhouse. It is something beyond human comprehension. Looting Al-Jolani ordered his men not to enter official buildings until a formal handover could be arranged with Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, the incumbent prime minister. By all accounts Damascus was relatively orderly on Sunday. But only relatively. Within hours members of the public had stormed both the presidential palace and Assads private residence, and were picking through the all-too predictable personal effects of a corrupt dictator. Take it all, Auntie. This all belongs to you; youre right, and you deserve to have it, one of them said as men and women rummaged through surprisingly cramped bedrooms, turning over crockery, bedclothes, and other personal effects. Look, its Louis Vuitton! came the reply. There was the inevitable dictators car collection, with rebels gawping at a garage containing Ferraris, Aston Martins, Rolls-Royces, BMWs, at least one Mercedes Benz SLS (with seagull-wing doors), and what appeared to be a Bugatti Veyron. There was also a very ordinary looking camper van. Syrian rebel fighter sits in an office at the Syrian Presidential Palace - Omar Sanadiki/AP Underneath the house of Maher al-Assad, one the dictators brothers, rebels found a vast but sparsely furnished bunker serviced by an underground funicular railway. In Latakia, a giant statue of Hafez al-Assad was pulled down and mounted by young men, who rode it as it was pulled through the streets. In a widely shared video, prime minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali was escorted by opposition fighters in Daraa, the cradle of the revolution, from his office to the Four Seasons hotel to hand over control of state institutions. Assads foreign allies did not escape untouched. Outside the Iranian embassy on Fayez Mansour street, the dual-carriageway running through Damascus upscale diplomatic district, an Al Arabiya crew filmed smashed windows, scattered documents and men wandering in and out of the main entrance. In Latakia, a giant statue of Hafez al-Assad is pulled down and mounted by young men, who ride it as it is pulled through the streets - Louai Beshara/AFP One young man hauled at what appeared to be a refrigerator liberated from inside. Above his head, portraits of Hassan Nasrahhah, the late Hezbollah leader, and Qassem Soleimani, the IRGC commander, the architects of the brutal intervention that kept Assad in power in the 2010s, dangled in shreds. Of the president himself, there was no sign. The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that Assad had left after giving orders for a peaceful transfer of power. A plane was reported to have crashed in the countryside near Homs. Another, a Russian military heavy lifter, was spotted flying north. A third was said to have headed for Abu Dhabi. What now? There will be a hangover. There always is. Jolani seems poised to assume the role of national ruler. He commands the biggest armed force, after all. He also has the diplomatic and political nous to reach across divides: he has already promised protection of minorities including Christians, as well as amnesty and co-operation with all the other anti-regime factions. That pragmatism explains much of the rebels success: many regime commanders opted to lay down their arms or change sides rather than fight. By suggesting running the country through regional councils, a model already used in the Kurdish-dominated Rojava, he might avoid a new civil war. But he is, nonetheless, an Islamist. He has hardly ruled Idlib like a model democrat. Motorcyclist steps on the dismounted head of a statue of Hafez al-Assad - Hussein Malla/AP Many Syrians will be nervous about what comes next. Foreign governments will judge him by his actions, not his words. And he will have his work cut out reunifying a country shattered by 14 years of war. In the north east quarter of the country, Kurdish-run Rojava and its army, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), retain independence in all but name. It also controls much of Syrias oil wealth, hosts 900 US troops, and enjoys a close alliance with the West, which relies on them to police tens of thousands of Isil prisoners including Shamima Begum. The SDF congratulated the rebels on overthrowing Assad and seem to have a pragmatic relationship with HTS. But they are also mortal enemies of Turkey, and Jolanis Turkish-backed allies in the Syrian National Army (a rebel group, not Assads army) launched an offensive against the SDF almost as soon as Aleppo fell. For all his rhetoric about national unity, Jolani may be forced to choose a side in that war. And from the south march the loose rebel alliance called the Free Syrian Army. Independent of the HTS-led Idlib rebels, more secular, and with closer links to the United States than to Turkey, they have broken out of a pocket on the Jordanian border to capture Palmyra and a swathe of strategic countryside. There is some confusion about which faction reached Damascus first. No one in Syria is asleep to those challenges. But the headaches can wait. For this, for now, for most Syrians, there is only space for sheer, exuberant euphoria. I was kicked out from my country and havent seen half of my family since then. They killed my uncle in front of my eyes when I was a child, said Ibrahim Al Hussein, a 19-year-old from Idlib who fled the country in 2016. I had to leave my home when I was young because of Assad. I cant describe how amazing today is for us. I wasnt expecting this and when I heard I just shouted, I laughed out loud. Now I will be able to go back home. Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Saturday. Photograph: Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu/Getty Images Donald Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, a day after meeting the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Paris, claiming Kyiv would like to make a deal to end its war with Russia. Related: Any settlement with Russia has to be just, says Zelenskyy at Trump meeting In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said both sides had suffered enormous losses in the war which he claimed on the US election campaign trail he would be able to end in 24 hours if elected. Trump has already appointed the retired army general Keith Kellogg as his Russia and Ukraine envoy, tasked with ending the war. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, Trump said on Sunday. He said Kyiv had ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. He did not specify whether the figure included those wounded. Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness, he added. Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Sunday that he had had a good meeting with Trump in Paris. The news site Axios reported that the French president, Emmanuel Macron, had persuaded Trump to meet Zelenskyy with him, Trump being initially reluctant to meet the Ukrainian leader. Zelenskyy said on Sunday that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and 370,000 wounded, of whom about half had been able to return to service after treatment. Russia and Ukraine have both been reluctant to publish figures of those killed or wounded in action. In February, Zelenskyy gave a figure for the first time, putting the number of those killed at 31,000. At the time, western estimates put the real figure closer to 70,000 military fatalities. Related: Russia and Ukraine wait warily for Trump transition and subsequent peace talks How Trumps policy on Ukraine will look in practice remains something of a mystery. Kellogg has previously talked of putting pressure on Kyiv and Moscow to enter talks, and boosting military aid to Ukraine if Vladimir Putin refused to engage. Others in Trumps orbit have espoused openly pro-Russian views. There has been cautious optimism in Kyiv over Trumps election, as many Ukrainians felt the red lines and escalation management of the Biden administration had disastrous consequences on the battlefield. Ukraine has become increasingly exhausted after nearly three years of full-scale war, and the number of people who say they would consider territorial concessions to stop the conflict is increasing. About a third are against any deal, a third want a deal in any circumstances including through concessions to Russia, and a third are not sure. They want the war to end but not at any price, said the political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko in an interview in Kyiv. In recent months, Kyiv has been suffering from an acute personnel shortage as its mobilisation drive flounders and the army struggles to replenish ranks. This has led to the US administration making the unusual move of publicly calling on Kyiv to lower the mobilisation age from 25 to 18 years old. Zelenskyy has ruled out the move, which would be deeply unpopular in Ukrainian society. Among Zelenskyys inner circle, there is an increasing awareness that, as the army struggles to hold back Russia on the frontline, some kind of negotiations will be necessary soon. But they fear that without solid security guarantees from the west, a ceasefire would be meaningless. I told [Trump] that we need a just and strong peace, which the Russians wont destroy in a few years as they did before, Zelenskyy said on Sunday. Despite Trumps optimism about a possible deal, it is not clear that Putin has any interest in negotiations at the moment. He has laid out his demands for ending the war, which include Russian control over the Crimean peninsula and four regions Moscow laid claim to in 2022, including parts of Ukraine not currently controlled by Russian troops. Putin also wants a ban on Ukraine joining Nato, as well as its disarmament. Most of these conditions would be absolutely unacceptable for any Ukrainian leader to sign. In recent weeks, a number of sources close to decision-making circles in Moscow have told the Guardian that they did not see any desire on Putins part to make real concessions for the sake of peace. So far, Ive seen no indications, either privately or publicly, that Moscow is particularly flexible in its stance. Those signals simply havent been there, said one source in the Russian foreign policy establishment. Trump before speaking at the Fox Nation Patriot Awards, on 5 December 2024, in Greenvale, New York. Photograph: Heather Khalifa/AP The grand reopening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Saturday was expected to be attended by around 50 heads of state and government. Joe Biden was not there to admire the magnificent splendour of the 850-year-old place of worship. But Donald Trump was. The role reversal neatly symbolises how power is draining from one man to the other. Biden, now a lame duck, appears to be in decline both physically and politically, fading from Americas national stage and tarnishing his legacy with a pardon for his errant son. Trump, however, is already dominating the Washington agenda more than 40 days before he takes the oath of office. He has grabbed attention with incendiary cabinet selections and policy pronouncements. He has begun flexing his muscles with world leaders. To many Americans, it feels like he is president again already. Bidens presidency is ending with a series of whimpers rather than a bang and it feels like hes shrinking into irrelevance as Trump is asserting himself, said Charlie Sykes, a conservative author and broadcaster. If youre a foreign leader, you may talk to Biden out of politeness but youre going to listen to Trump out of naked self-interest. Traditionally, the US has only one president at a time in both practice and spirit. But since defeating Bidens vice-president, Kamala Harris, in last months election, Trump has effectively set up a shadow presidency at Mar-a-Lago, his club in Florida long dubbed his winter White House. Hes already engaging with foreign leaders. His threat of 25% tariffs taxes on foreign imports - led Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau to rush to Mar-a-Lago with a promise of increased border-security measures. Trump also said Mexico had agreed to close its border, a claim contradicted by the Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum. Just as in his first term, Trump can shape affairs and move markets with a single social media post. He sent shares of US Steel down by writing on Truth Social that he would block its proposed acquisition by Japanese-owned Nippon Steel. Mike Waltz, Trumps pick for national security adviser, has credited Trump with bringing Israel and Lebanon to the negotiating table, although some political analysts have said there is no evidence that Trump had any direct involvement. The president-elect vowed ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East if Gaza hostages were not released before his inauguration. Meanwhile, he is capitalising on the strong stock market, claiming it as a victory for his policies, and taking credit for the the reversal of diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at companies such as Walmart. On Monday, the Trump transition team issued a press release headlined: Promises Kept And President Trump Hasnt Even Been Inaugurated Yet. It argued that Trump, who still has no official powers, is already securing the border, working towards international peace, propelling economic growth and dismantling divisive, unchecked DEI. Critics point out that economic indicators including the stock market have been trending in the right direction for a long time, while recent dramas in South Korea, Syria and Ukraine cast doubt on the notion that Trumps peace through strength mantra is already paying dividends. Even so, Trump and his team are once again proving they can sell a narrative that suits them. Reed Galen, president of JoinTheUnion.us, a pro-democracy coalition, said: Its a combination of Trumpian bravado, further or final dismantling of whatever processes we took for granted for too long and their instinctual and maybe even unconscious ability to occupy a vacuum when they feel one. He added: If Bidens going to spend most of his time overseas and do very little in the way of pushing back on this stuff, theyre going to take all the ground thats ceded to them. Call it Maga, call it the 21st-century Republican party if they see an opportunity, they take it. They dont worry about the outcome. They dont worry about the consequences. They dont worry about somebody saying, you cant do that, you shouldnt do that. Theyre like, were going to go do it and good luck trying to stop us. Clearly, it spooked Trudeau enough to go flying to Mar-a-Lago. In theory, Trumps conversations with world leaders could violate the Logan Act, a federal statute prohibiting unauthorised private diplomacy with foreign nations. But only one person has ever been indicted for breaching it that was in 1803 and did not lead to a prosecution. Legal experts do not expect Trump to fall foul of it now. His actions do represent a break from past norms, however. Presidents-elect tend to maintain a respectful distance from the incumbent until it is their turn to occupy the White House. Franklin Roosevelt firmly rebuffed an invitation from the man he beat, Herbert Hoover, to take part a joint effort to pull the economy out of the Great Depression. Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said: Im old enough to remember when presidents-elect disappeared. I dont think we saw Kennedy three times except going to church back in the late fall of 1960. Reagan appeared once in public after the election; they caught him going into a store for supplies or something. Thats what was expected. You didnt interfere with your predecessor because he was still president. But perception of Trumps authority has been accelerated by Bidens shrivelling influence. This week, Biden became the first sitting US president to visit Angola and the first since Barack Obama in 2015 to set foot in Africa. His speech received little coverage and has fewer than 2,000 views on the White Houses official YouTube channel. Biden, 82, is also facing fierce criticism from fellow Democrats for pardoning his son Hunter over federal crimes after previously pledging that he would not. Some regard it as a vote of no confidence in the justice system that Biden vowed to protect and a gift to Trump in his ongoing efforts to undermine democratic institutions. The Axios website reported: A Biden friend said the president seems older by the day slower in walk, more halting in talk. To some Biden loyalists, his decline is a sad metaphor for his presidency: He started strong but will finish diminished. By contrast, Trump, 78, is once again dominating headlines with a frenzy of round-the-clock social media posts and controversies. One cabinet pick had to withdraw due to sexual misconduct allegations; another is teetering because of claims he assaulted women and abused alcohol; a third presents grave concerns to intelligence experts because of her willingness to believe conspiracy theories. The growing prominence of Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, also has nerves jangling. For Washington, there is a sense that the circus is back in town or perhaps it never went away. Sykes, author of How the Right Lost Its Mind, said: It feels like a continuation of the last four years where, even though Joe Biden has been the president, Donald Trump has felt like he was a politically dominating force for so long. Unfortunately, when people look back on the Biden presidency, theyre going to comment on how low-profile and low-key Biden was in comparison to the man that he defeated. Im not sure that theres any historical parallel for that. The Trump show has been ongoing and sucking up all the oxygen for nearly a decade now. Wes Streeting has ordered health officials to rewrite staffing plans to train thousands more GPs, health visitors and community nurses - E+ A mass expansion of GP services is being planned to tackle the NHS workforce crisis. Wes Streeting has ordered health officials to rewrite staffing plans, in order to train thousands more GPs, health visitors and community nurses. Before Labour won the election, Mr Streeting warned that the GP system stood on the brink of collapse and vowed to divert funds to practices to save the front door of the NHS. Today, he pledges to rewrite NHS workforce plans to create a transformed health service. The Health Secretary told The Telegraph that Lord Darzi, a leading surgeon, has diagnosed the dire state of the NHS, including that too many people end up in hospital because there arent the resources in the community to reach patients earlier. He said: Our 10-year health plan will deliver three big shifts in the focus of healthcare from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention. We will refresh the NHS workforce plan to fit the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, so the NHS has the staff it needs to treat patients on time again. Last year, health officials drew up a strategy which would have seen a 49 per cent increase in hospital consultants by 2036 but just 4 per cent more GPs. Now, they will be told to refresh the plan to tip the balance in favour of services closer to home, meaning far more GPs, health visitors and community nurses trained and hired. The strategy, which will detail major policy changes, will be published in line with the landmark 10-year plan for the NHS that is set to be launched in spring. Health officials will then be asked to rewrite the workforce plan to ensure there are sufficient staff working in the areas being expanded. The changes are also likely to include scaling back in the expansion of hospital doctors, with more medical students encouraged to be trained to work in general practice. Lord Darzi, a former health minister, released a landmark report last September about the dire situation the NHS - Aaron Chown/PA In September, a report by Lord Darzi warned that the NHS is in a critical condition with too many patients ending up in hospital because there are not enough family doctors to meet demand. Reforms will see GP practices, which allow patients to see the doctor of their choice and those which provide good continuity of care, receiving higher funding than other surgeries. Neighbourhood health centres a one-stop shop bringing together GP practices with physiotherapists, nurses, care workers and health visitors will be introduced, in a bid to boost access to services. The refreshed NHS long-term workforce plan is likely to include an expansion in training places for GPs as well as far more community roles for physiotherapists, nurses and health visitors. But the biggest challenge for the Government will be finding the incentives to persuade more doctors to become GPs and to retain more staff. Across the country, family doctors have embarked on industrial action, including work-to-rule measures capping the number of patients they see. Local medical committees recently instructed the British Medical Associations GP committee to ballot members on escalating the action to full strikes, with GPs furious that they are facing extra costs from the National Insurance hike for employers. Policymakers are already working on proposals to reduce red tape for GPs, with doctors complaining that the amount of time spent on paperwork is driving many out. Insiders say that changing the career structure for GPs could tempt more into the profession, with younger doctors more likely to want portfolio careers which combine some days as a family doctor with academic and training roles. There is also interest in an expansion of salaried GPs, with younger doctors showing less interest in working for themselves. Other policies under consideration could include the golden hello payments worth up to 20,000 to encourage doctors to work in underdoctored areas. The majority of GPs are partners, with an average annual earnings of 140,000. While the average works around six half-day sessions a week equivalent to three days a week many say the paperwork pushes their hours to the equivalent of working full time. The latest published figures show in 2021, GPs worked an average of 38 hours a week, down from 41 hours and 20 minutes in 2012. International data shows Britain has 16 per cent fewer fully qualified GPs than most other high-income countries, relative to its population. The number of health visitors has fallen by almost 20 per cent since 2019, while the number of nurses working in the community has fallen by more than five per cent since 2009. Sir Keir Starmer says the NHSs 10-year plan will be the biggest reimaginings of the service yet - Julian Simmonds Ministers will promise an unrelenting approach to deliver an NHS fit for the future. Sir Keir Starmer has said the NHS 10-year plan will be the biggest reimagining of the NHS since its birth, with far more care being delivered in the community, rather than by hospitals. It comes after the Chancellor set aside 25 billion in funding for the health service for the next two years. On Thursday, Sir Keir said cutting hospital backlogs so that 92 per cent of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks for hospital treatment by 2029 will be one of six milestone targets. The focus has caused concern that tackling long waits in A&E will become less of a priority. According to Lord Darzis report, GPs are seeing more patients than ever before, but with the number of fully qualified GPs relative to the population falling, waiting times are rising and patient satisfaction is at its lowest ever level. He added: The NHS budget is not being spent where it should be too great a share is being spent in hospitals, too little in the community, and productivity is too low. With more and more funding ploughed into hospitals, the proportion of the NHS budget going to primary care has fallen by a quarter in just over a decade. Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of NHS England, said: The NHS is nothing without our incredible staff and having a sustainable workforce is a key building block for an NHS fit for the future thats why we committed to update the plan regularly so that it reflects the changing and growing needs of patients. While the NHS is delivering more care to patients in the community, with the expansion of virtual wards, community diagnostic centres and neighbourhood hubs, part of our longer-term goal is delivering even more care out of hospitals, and well work closely with the government to refresh the workforce plan, alongside the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan. The state needs to become more like a start-up, a senior minister will say as he launches efforts to reform public services backed by 100 million. Pat McFadden, who oversees the Cabinet Office, will call for the civil service to adopt the test and learn culture used by digital companies. The minister, whose title is Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, will warn: If we keep governing as usual, we are not going to achieve what we want to achieve. In a speech at University College Londons East Campus in Stratford on Monday, Mr McFadden will add: Test it. Fix the problems. Change the design. Test it again. Tweak it again. And so on, and so on, for as long as you provide the service. Suddenly, the most important question isnt How do we get this right the first time?, its How do we make this better by next Friday? Thats the test and learn mindset, and Im keen to see where we can deploy it in Government. Where we can make the state a little bit more like a start-up. The minister will launch a 100 million innovation fund to underpin his plans, which will be used to deploy test and learn teams in public services around the country. The test-and-learn approach is used across the business world, and allows new ideas to be tried out on a small scale to see their impact before being rolled out more widely if they are successful. Under the plans, the test and learn teams will be set a challenge and allowed to experiment and try new things to meet it. Mr McFadden will compare these reforms with what he will describe as the pointless distractions and headline-grabbing gimmicks of the previous government. Two projects on family support and temporary accommodation will be the first outing for the test-and-learn approach. These will begin in January 2025, with teams deployed in Manchester, Sheffield, Essex and Liverpool. While Mr McFadden will acknowledge each of these projects is small, he will say they could rewire the state one test at a time. The Cabinet Office minister will also encourage people from start-ups and tech companies to enter Government for six- to 12-month tours of duty. This will be aimed at putting their skills to use tackling big challenges such as criminal justice or healthcare reform. The Tories urged Labour to do more to cut back on bureaucracy. Richard Holden, a shadow Cabinet Office minister, said: The bureaucracy of the British state urgently needs cutting back, which is why at the general election we had a plan to reduce it to pre-Covid levels, plans Labour opposed. Everything Labour has done so far has been to swell the size and cost of the state, on the backs of workers, pensioners, farmers and family businesses across the country. Labour ministers talk tough, but from bitter experience, we know thats all it is glib platitudes and broken promises with British taxpayers picking up the bill. Train lines have reopened in Northern Ireland but thousands of homes remain without power following Storm Darragh. Gusts of up to 70mph caused extensive damage to the electricity network in the region, with 48,000 customers losing power at the peak of the storm. Co Antrim saw the most impact, with power station EP Ballylumford temporarily halting electricity generation on Saturday following damage to a chimney and scores of roads blocked by fallen trees. From 3pm on Friday to 6am on Sunday, 1,336 incidents were reported on Northern Irelands roads 1,000 of which were caused by fallen trees and branches. The wreckage of an airport bus which crashed on the Ballyrobin Road close to Belfast International Airport in the early hours of Saturday amid Storm Darragh (Rebecca Black/PA) A bus also crashed close to Belfast International Airport and a loyalist mural in north Belfast was damaged. On Sunday morning, public transport provider Translink said all rail lines were open, although some speed restrictions are in place. NIE Networks said around 7,000 remained without power by Sunday evening. The group indicated it may take a number of days to reconnect those customers. #TRAIN #ENT #UPDATE Following disruption yesterday caused by #StormDarragh all rail lines are open today. Speed restrictions are in place so please allow for some knock on delays/disruption Real time updates can be found here https://t.co/9MDxHQ8NBE Translink (@Translink_NI) December 8, 2024 Network operations manager Alex Houston said engineers are working to restore customers as quickly as possible. Most of the faults affecting high numbers of customers have been repaired which has allowed us to restore significant numbers of customers, he said. However, there are still around 1,200 faults across the network, some of which are affecting very small numbers of customers, so we do anticipate that it will take some time before we can get all of these cleared. Engineers will be working to restore customers as quickly as they can and we will provide further updates as soon as we are able to. A fallen tree blocks the Seven Mile Straight close to Templepatrick in Co Antrim on Saturday following Storm Darragh (Rebecca Black/PA) Community assistance centres are set to open later for those still without power. South Lake leisure centre in Craigavon, Lagan Valley Leisureplex in Lisburn, Blair Mayne in Newtownards, Seven Towers in Ballymena, Cookstown leisure centre, Kilkeel leisure centre and Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will open from 2pm to 4pm offering warm drinks as well as charging and changing facilities. Additionally, Coleraine leisure centre will open from noon until 3pm and the Red Cross will be working with NIE Networks to provide support at Draperstown Centra, Islandmagee Spar and Newtownstewart Spar from 2pm 4pm. NIE Networks is also reminding the public to stay clear of any damaged electricity equipment, keep children and animals away and to report any incidents of damage immediately to the NIE Networks customer helpline on 03457 643 643. Stormont Infrastructure Minister John ODowd thanked workers who responded to the impact of Storm Darragh. This is the third named storm of the season to fall across a weekend and I want to thank the multi-agency staff who have once again risen to the challenge and have worked together very effectively to keep the public safe, he said. With over 1,300 incidents across the road network during the storm and 48,000 homes without power at its peak, this has been a difficult period. When those who could were staying indoors, teams from my department were outside working in the atrocious weather conditions to keep people safe. Infrastructure staff were out on the ground all weekend monitoring river levels and removing accumulated material as well as clearing debris and trees off the roads to get all major routes open. I want to thank and pay tribute to them for doing so. I also want to commend all of the emergency services who have been to the forefront of the weekends operation keeping people safe in very difficult conditions. Thank you also to the Community Resilience Groups who were kept up to date with advance notice of severe weather warnings so that they were prepared and ready to respond in their communities. We will continue to work with other agencies as the clear up continues. The UK welcomes reports the Assad regime has fallen in Syria, Angela Rayner has said. The British Government had been working to evacuate UK citizens before the situation reached a crisis point, the Deputy Prime Minister added. Overnight on Sunday, a lightning rebel offensive seized control of Damascus, the Syrian capital, and president Bashar Assad is reported to have fled. The situation is fast-moving, the Deputy Prime Minister told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, amid reports of the Syrian leaders escape. Speaking to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News, she said: If (the) Assad regime has fallen, then I welcome that news, but what we need to see is a political resolution in line with the UN resolutions. We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected, far too many people have lost their lives, we need stability in that region. She did not reveal how many British nationals are in Syria, but said the Foreign Office had been working over the weekend to help them leave. She added: Weve had a plan to ensure that people were evacuated ahead of whats happened over the weekend, and we continue to support our UK nationals. The leading insurgent group in Syria is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Islamist rebels whose group is banned in the UK. Ms Rayner said Mr Assad wasnt exactly good to the Syrian people, but suggested she did not want to see Syria move in a radical direction following his regime. The Deputy Prime Minister said: Dictatorship and terrorism creates problems for the people of Syria, who have faced so much already, and also destabilises the region. Thats why we have to have a political solution where the Government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people. HTS is a proscribed group in the UK as the authorities say it should be treated as an alternative name for the organisation which is already proscribed under the name al-Qaeda, once led by Osama bin Laden. A former spy chief said it would be rather ridiculous if the UK was unable to engage with HTS because of the ban. Ex-head of MI6 Sir John Sawers told Sky News: When I was chief of MI6 10 or 12 years ago, we looked at all of these Syrian opposition groups and classified them into those that we could support and those who were beyond the pale and too close to al-Qaeda, and Tahrir al-Sham was definitely in the latter category. Bashar Assad is reported to have fled Syria after a rebel offensive (Sana/AP) I think Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader, has made great efforts over the last 10 years to distance himself from those terrorist groups and certainly the actions weve seen of Tahrir al-Sham over the last two weeks has been those of a liberation movement, not of a terrorist organisation. He added: So, I think the Home Secretary will be asking MI5 and the joint terrorism assessment centre for a review of the situation about Tahrir al-Sham and whether it should remain on the proscribed entity list. It would be rather ridiculous, actually, if were unable to engage with the new leadership in Syria because of a proscription dating back 12 years. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the Tories wanted to see the right kind of outcome, put the Syrian people first, but also look at the sort of governance structures that could occupy Syria going forward. Dame Priti said the Government should look at a review of the security and defence implications as well as the terrorist risks, adding: They will have to now assess the threat that HTS poses, immediately for our own interests, as well as for Syrias interests and the wider region. West Ham forward Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower-limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday. Antonio was taken to hospital in London following the incident in Epping, Essex, with the club confirming on Saturday evening that the 34-year-old was in a stable condition. A statement from the Hammers on Sunday read: West Ham United can confirm Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower-limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday afternoon. Michail will continue to be monitored in hospital over the coming days. West Ham United can confirm Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following a road traffic accident on Saturday afternoon. Michail will continue to be monitored in hospital over pic.twitter.com/vg7vQbjssU West Ham United (@WestHam) December 8, 2024 Everyone at the club wishes Michail a speedy recovery and wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the football family at large for the overwhelming support shown since yesterdays news, as well as extending a heartfelt thank you to the emergency services and first responders who attended to Michail in the immediate aftermath of the incident, and the medical team who continue to aid him in his recovery. The club will provide further updates when appropriate. West Ham confirmed on Saturday evening that Antonio was conscious and communicating in hospital after unverified images of a heavily damaged Ferrari began to circulate online. Essex Fire Service also confirmed firefighters had attended the scene and released a man trapped in his car. A statement read: Crews were called to High Road, Epping, at 1.02pm this afternoon after reports of a road traffic collision involving one car. Antonio has scored 83 goals for West Ham since joining the club in 2015 (Jonathan Brady/PA) In arrival, firefighters reported that a man was trapped in his car and worked to release him by 1.45pm. The casualty was left in the care of the Ambulance Service. Essex Police said in a statement that officers investigating a serious collision in Epping were asking for witnesses and dash-cam footage. The police said: We were called shortly after 12.50pm on Saturday 7 December to Coppice Row, Epping, following reports of what is believed to be a single vehicle collision involving a Ferrari. London-born Antonio, a Jamaica international, is in his 10th season with West Ham after joining the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015. He has scored 83 goals in 323 appearances for the club and helped them win the Europa Conference League in 2023. Antonio started out at non-League Tooting and Mitcham and has also had spells at Reading, Cheltenham, Southampton, Colchester and Sheffield Wednesday. President Joe Biden speaks about the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad from the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden said Sunday that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is a fundamental act of justice after decades of repression, but it was a moment of risk and uncertainty for the Middle East. Biden spoke at the White House hours after rebel groups completed a takeover of the country following more than a dozen years of violent civil war and decades of leadership by Assad and his family. Biden said the United States was monitoring reports of the whereabouts of Assad, with Russian state media saying he had fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump were working to make sense of new threats and opportunities across the Middle East. Biden credited action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria's backers Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said for the first time that they could no longer defend Assad's grip on power. Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," Biden said, after a meeting with his national security team. Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled because close ally Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, was not interested in protecting him any longer. Those comments on Trump's social media platform came a day after he used another post to decry the possibility of the U.S. intervening militarily in Syria to aid the rebels, declaring, THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT." The Biden administration said it had no intention of intervening. The U.S has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Biden said he intended for those troops to remain, adding that U.S. forces on Sunday conducted precision air strikes" on IS camps and operations in Syria. U.S. Central Command said the operation hit more than 75 targets. Were clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try and take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its credibility, and create a safe haven," Biden said, using a different acronym for the group. "We will not let that happen. The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which the U.S. says is a terrorist organization with links to al-Qaida, although the group says it has since broken ties with al-Qaida. We will remain vigilant, Biden said. Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses. He added that the groups are saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions, Biden said. A senior Biden administration official, when asked about contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leaders after Assad's departure, said Washington was in contact with Syrian groups of all kinds. The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the situation and spoke on condition of anonymity, also said the U.S. has focused over the past several days on chemical weapons that had been controlled by the Assad government, aiming to ensure they were secured. Still, Assad's fall adds to an already tense situation throughout much of region on many fronts including Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and its fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Like Biden, Trump, who takes office in five-plus weeks, made a connection between the upheaval in Syria and Russia's war in Ukraine, noting that Assad's allies in Moscow, as well as in Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah, are in a weakened state right now. Vice President-elect JD Vance, a veteran of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, wrote on social media Sunday to express skepticism about the insurgents. Many of the rebels are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope theyve moderated. Time will tell, he said. Trump has suggested that Assad's ouster can advance the prospects for an end to fighting in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022. The president-elect wrote that Putin's government lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine and Trump called for an immediate ceasefire, a day after meeting in Paris with the French and Ukrainian leaders. Daniel B. Shapiro, a deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, said the American military presence will continue in eastern Syria but was solely to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and has nothing to do with other aspects of this conflict. We call on all parties in Syria to protect civilians, particularly those from Syrias minority communities to respect international military norms and to work to achieve a resolution to include the political settlement, Shapiro said. Multiple actors in this conflict have a terrible track record, to include Assads horrific crimes, Russias indiscriminate aerial bomb bombardment, Iranian-back militia involvement and the atrocities of ISIS," he added. Shapiro also said no one should shed any tears over the Assad regime. As they pushed toward the Syrian capital of Damascus, the opposition forces freed political detainees from government prisons. The family of missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice renewed calls to find him. To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that were waiting for Austin, Tices mother, Debra, said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media. "We know that when he comes out, hes going to be fairly dazed & hes going to need lots of care & direction. Direct him to his family please! Tice disappeared in 2012 outside Damascus as the civil war was intensifying. "Weve remained committed to returning him to his family, Biden said at the White House. "We believe hes alive, we think we can get him back but we have no direct evidence to that yet. And Assad should be held accountable. The president added: We have to identify where he is." The U.S. has no new evidence that Tice is alive but continues to operate under the assumption that he is, according to a U.S. official. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, added that the U.S. will continue to work to identify Tice's whereabouts and to try to bring him home . ___ Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain, and Aamer Madhani and AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller contributed to this report. U.S. Penitentiary Atwater in Merced County, Calif. A 55-year-old fugitive who had been on the run for eight years after escaping from a federal prison in California has been caught and indicted, the U.S. attorneys office said last week. A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment on Thursday against Eric Pree of San Francisco, charging him with escape from custody, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert of the Eastern District of California said in a news release Thursday. According to Talberts office, Pree was convicted on federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in 2012. He was sentenced to a year and five months. Pree had been serving his sentence at U.S. Penitentiary Atwater until Jan. 29, 2017, when he was discovered missing from the facility. Pree did not have permission to leave the Atwater facility and remained at large until his arrest nearly two months ago, Talberts office states in its news release. In October, investigators found Pree in the city of Walnut Creek in California and arrested him there. At the time of his arrest, authorities said Pree had several cellphones and identification cards, as well as debit and credit cards in different peoples names. He also had multiple drivers licenses and a fake Harvard University student ID. Pree is back in federal custody to serve the remainder of his original sentence as he faces an additional charge for his alleged prison escape. The maximum statutory penalty for this crime is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. But Prees final sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which takes into account a number of variables, according to the U.S. attorneys office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is expected to prosecute the case, which is the product of an investigation by the Department of State and the U.S. Marshals Service. Deborah Ann Brooks THE NIGHT OF NOVEMBER 13th On the evening of November 13, 1980, 17-year-old Deborah Ann Brooks -- who was called Missy by her family -- left her home in Northeast Washington, D.C., to go to the pharmacy a few blocks away. Deborahs brother Paul Brooks told Dateline he remembers that night like it was yesterday. We were in a living room, my mother just come home from work, it was almost 7:00 oclock or 7:30, Paul said. My sister had to go to the local drugstore -- it was called Peoples Drug Store back then -- it was about three blocks up the street on 12th Street. Paul says he offered to accompany his sister there. Even though I was younger than her, I often felt like, you know, one of her big brothers, Paul said. Paul says he often felt protective of Deborah. Often got into some situations because of her, he said. While were in high school, I remember one instance, some young fellow was bothering her, and we were in a lunch room, and she said, Well, Ill get my brother on you. And Im looking at her as small as I am, Youre going to get me? Yeah, that was something we used to joke about. Paul and Deborahs brother Frederick was in the Army, stationed in Germany at the time, so it was just the two of them. We leaned on each other, Paul said. We grew up together, we were each others best friends. Deborah with mother and brother, Frederick Frederick had been gone for about nine months when Deborah vanished that November evening in 1980. She had to go fill up a prescription, and my mother told her Hey, you know, the drugstore is about to close, Paul said. She said Well, Mom, you know, I can make it there in time if I run. And I was going to go with her. But Deborah told him she would be stopping by her boyfriends house, too, which was just around the corner, and she didnt need Paul to come with her. The Charles County Sheriffs Office details the events that followed on their website. On Thursday, November 13, 1980, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Deborah Ann Brooks came home to her residence [on] Monroe Street in Northeast Washington, D.C., and asked her mother, Constance Canty, about a prescription that Canty had picked up for her at the Peoples [sic] Drug Store on 12th Street in Northeast, the website states. Deborah opened the bag and saw that the prescription had not been filled properly. She said she was going to go to the drug store to get the correct prescription but had to hurry because the drugstore would be closing soon. According to the Charles County Sheriffs Offices website, Deborah was reported as having worn blue jeans, a brown sweater, a green waist-jacket and brown shoes when she left her home. Paul Brooks says after Deborah left their house that night, he sat down on the couch to watch TV and fell asleep. He woke up around 10:30 p.m. I woke up in the living room, and my mother was still sitting in the living room, pacing back and forth. She was worried, Paul remembered. His mother told him his sister hadnt returned home and that she had called Deborahs boyfriends house, where she learned that Deborah had left a while earlier. It was uncharacteristic for her to be out, you know, past 10:00-10:30 on a school night, Paul said. Paul added that Deborahs boyfriends family confirmed that Deborah had stopped by their house. His mother, father, sisters, they all saw her. Whatever happened to Deborah, must have happened within the five-minute walk home from her boyfriends house that night. THE NEXT DAY My mother stayed up all that night, and I was up intermittently checking on her, calling around waiting to hear from her. And that next morning, I got up, and I said, OK, well, maybe shell meet me at school, Paul recalled. So my mother went to work, and I went to school that morning, and she wasnt there. Paul told Dateline that on his way home from school that day, he ran into a man who used to do maintenance around their neighborhood. He told Paul that one of the property owners family members had found Deborahs prescription bag on the sidewalk. The bag was torn. If that was not alarming enough, there was blood on the bag. I knew right then -- something happened to my sister, Paul said. Paul immediately went to see their mother, who was still at work. Deborah and a friend She asked me, Have you heard from, you know, Missy? And I just showed her the bag, and she just started crying and dropped to the floor, Paul said. Of course, we called the police, and then that started everything. According to Paul, the family hadnt yet reported his sister missing since it was still less than the required 24-hour absence for reporting. However, he said, finding the prescription bag changed everything. They called the Metro Police Department right away. The family kind of came together my aunt -- my mothers sister, folks in the neighborhood. And they came and, kind of, comforted us because, you know, this is the first time our neighborhood had gone through something like this, and it was very traumatic, Paul said. A GRUESOME DISCOVERY The next day after Deborah was reported missing, the familys worst nightmare came true. Thats when they found her body -- in the state of Maryland, Paul said. Deborah was found in Waldorf, Maryland, about an hours drive from where she was last seen. According to the Charles County Sheriffs Office website, Two hunters were operating a four-wheel-drive vehicle in a wooded area off Sharpersville Road in Charles County looking for a place to hunt deer. When they were about three-quarters of a mile off the road, they observed what appeared to be a body lying face-up under a pile of drywall. Dateline spoke with Lieutenant Frank Tona of the Charles County Sheriffs Office, who says Deborahs body was found on November 14 around 3:00 p.m. The two hunters on the 14th contacted the Prince Georges County, Maryland Police Department. And then when those officers got to the scene, they realized theres a creek that separates our county, Charles County, and Prince Georges County, he said. So, the south side of the creek is actually Charles County, and she was found on the south side of that creek, and thats when the police officers called the Charles County Sheriffs Office. Deborah Ann Brooks According to Lt. Tona, Deborahs remains were positively identified by her family on November 16. Paul Brooks says his grandfather and his aunt went to identify the body. They couldnt describe what they saw, it was so traumatic for them. My grandfather cried for a long time. It broke him, Paul said. Paul says his aunt told him Deborah had been stabbed, and there were patches of hair torn off her head. It appeared as though Deborah had fought back against her attacker. Thats something my sister always said, you know, if anyone ever tried to, you know, rape her or assault her, that she would fight back with everything she had, Paul remembered. My sister also had long nails. She would keep her nails long. All of her fingernails were broken because she was fighting back. Lieutenant Tona confirmed Pauls information, adding that Deborahs official cause of death was multiple injuries as a result of blunt force trauma and sharp objects. A DECADES-LONG QUEST FOR ANSWERS Investigators interviewed Deborahs boyfriend and his family who confirmed Deborah stopped by on her way home the night she disappeared. From them, they were also able to find out more about her, more about victimology, that kind of thing, Lt. Tona told Dateline. But nothing they learned led them to a suspect. Weve ruled people out, and these were just names that were found in the initial investigation back in 1980, but weve already ruled them out through forensic science. Dateline also spoke to Noelle Gehrman, the Deputy Director of Forensic Science at Charles County Sheriffs Office. Over the years, especially picking up early 2000s and even continuing to even this week, there has been more than 40 items of evidence collected in this case. And more than 25 items of evidence have been either processed, tested or analyzed, she said. Technology has advanced quite significantly. As of yet, it has not provided the answers Deborahs family so desperately wants. Deborah Ann Brooks It has now been 44 years since Deborah was murdered. I was 16 when this happened. Im 60 now, you know? How much longer do I have to wait? Paul asked. In an interview with NBC 4 Washington in 2017, Paul said his mother passed without learning what happened to her daughter. Right before my mother passed, she said that she regretted that we were never able to find out what happened to my sister, he said. It wont bring her back, but it will give my family the satisfaction of knowing the persons responsible have been dealt with. We are applying every method of advancement in technology that we can to this case. Noelle Gehrman stressed. We have a list of names from -- who we know were associated with her. But, obviously, she may have friends that we didnt know. So, anybody that thinks that they know something -- even something small -- that could be such a break in the case if they just come forward and share it, she said. Anyone with information is asked to contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, by texting CHARLES + your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by submitting a web tip. Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest or indictment. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. If you have a story to share with Dateline, please submit it here. Tulsi Gabbard in National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 22. In the spring of 2018, congressional staffers were anxious ahead of a House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting. A Syrian defector who had risked his life to expose atrocities committed by the Assad regime was due to appear behind closed doors at a private briefing for lawmakers. No cameras would be present, but congressional aides worried about one committee member, Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who had repeatedly defended the Syrian regime and even met its leader, Bashar al-Assad, in an unannounced trip in 2017. The aides were concerned Gabbard might leak information about the defector, who had hidden his identity out of fear of reprisals from the Assad regime. Some worried that she might even reveal his identity to someone associated with the Syrian government, which at that point had killed hundreds of thousands of its own citizens, according to human rights groups. Both Democratic and Republican aides told the Syrians accompanying the defector, known as Caesar, to ensure that he covered his face before Gabbard entered the room just in case. It was Democratic and Republican staffers on the committee coordinating with me to figure out how do we make sure that Tulsi doesnt take a photograph of Caesar, or learn his real name, or record his voice, said Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force who helped organize Caesars appearance and translated for the session. In the past, Caesar had spoken privately to members of Congress without his face covered when Gabbard was not present. But not at the special briefing in the summer of 2018. A Syrian military defector using the pseudonym Caesar, while also wearing a hood to protect his identity, testifies about the war in Syria during a Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing on Capitol Hill in 2020. There were bipartisan concerns for Caesars safety, a former staffer who was involved in the discussions and asked not to be named. Most specifically, because then congresswoman Gabbard had earlier returned from Damascus and met with Assad, the former staffer told NBC News. The episode reflects the deep misgivings that many lawmakers, intelligence officials and human rights activists have harbored for years about Gabbard. Now, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated the former lawmaker to serve as the countrys highest-ranking intelligence official. If confirmed, Gabbard would have access to a trove of top secret material and have the final word on what spy agencies share with the president in regular intelligence briefings. A spokesperson for the Trump transition team said Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, has an active top secret security clearance and has never breached the confidentiality rules around classified information. As someone who served for eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives and attended many classified briefings, there is zero evidence that confidentiality has ever been violated, said spokesperson Alexa Henning. Asked about the case of congressional staffers in 2018 who were concerned she might not safeguard the Syrian defectors anonymity, she said: This is another smear by anonymous officials with no proof. As a presidential candidate, a member of Congress and a commentator supporting Donald Trumps campaign, Gabbard has been accused of repeatedly echoing propaganda spread by Russia and the Assad regime, including questioning U.S. intelligence assessments that the Syrian government carried out multiple chemical weapons attacks on its own people. On Thursday, nearly 100 former diplomats, national security officials and intelligence officials wrote to Senate leaders expressing alarm at Gabbards nomination. The former officials, who have served under both Democratic and Republican administrations, urged closed-door confirmation hearings to allow lawmakers to carry out a full review of government information about Gabbard. Several of Ms. Gabbards past actions call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus, the letter stated. At a moment of historic upheaval in the Middle East with Syrian rebel forces toppling the Damascus regime and Assad fleeing the country, Gabbards views on Syria and its former Russian and Iranian patrons will be under fresh scrutiny as senators weigh her nomination. She is expected to begin meeting with lawmakers next week in advance of her confirmation hearings. Henning, the spokesperson for Gabbard on the transition team, dismissed the letter as an unfounded attack by people who oversaw foreign policy and intelligence debacles in the past, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq. A Syrian defector named "Caesar" meets with House Foreign Affairs Committee members on Capitol Hill in 2018. These unfounded attacks are from the same geniuses who have blood on their hands from decades of faulty intelligence, including the non-existent weapons of mass destruction, said Henning, referring to a purported justification for the start of the Iraq War that turned out to be false. A rising Democratic star In 2012, after a surprise election victory as Hawaiis new congresswoman at the age of 31, Gabbard was seen as a rising young star in the Democratic Party, a fresh face who had served in the Iraq War with the Army National Guard. During her early days in Congress, Gabbard was part of a bipartisan exercise group in the House. She was also often invited to informal gatherings of a small group of Democrats favoring a moderate foreign policy. Gabbard appeared even-keeled in her manner and there was no sign she had any predisposition toward authoritarian regimes or bought into their propaganda, according to those who knew her at the time. Every time you talked to her you just felt like this is a measured, thoughtful person. Not prone to hyperbole, not prone to get overly excited or angry, said Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, also a veteran of the Iraq War. Exactly the kind of attitude and demeanor that I grew to expect from the military. Her arrival in Congress coincided with Syrias descent into civil war. The Assad regime brutally crushed peaceful political protests in 2011, firing on unarmed demonstrators and carrying out mass arrests and torture. The crackdown led the opposition to take up arms and an all-out war, with the regime launching chemical weapons attacks and Russian-backed air raids on Syrian cities and towns. As the war intensified, Gabbards sympathetic statements about the Russian-backed Assad regime raised eyebrows and alarmed her colleagues. In 2014, Gabbard first encountered the defector Caesar at a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he appeared before cameras with his face covered to shield his identity. Citing some 50,000 photographs smuggled out of Syria, Caesar outlined how the regime had executed and tortured tens of thousands of Syrians who dared to oppose the regime. Gabbard praised his courage and asked Caesar if armed rebels were strong enough to take on Assad. Caesar assured her that they were strong because they believed in their cause and that their cause was just. In 2015, Gabbard was invited on a congressional trip to the Turkish-Syrian border, where she and other members met medical workers, activists and wounded civilians who recounted the fallout from the Assad regimes military attacks. Syrian human rights advocates hoped the trip might lead her to reconsider her views. Gabbard was part of a congressional delegation in Gaziantep, Turkey, near the Syrian border in June 2015. Gabbard and the other lawmakers traveled to Gaziantep, just over the border from Syria, and spoke to Syrian civilians who had been forced to flee their homes. She took notes and nodded politely but rarely spoke, according to Moustafa, who accompanied the delegation. Although the trip took place nine years ago, one exchange has stayed with Moustafa. Two Syrian girls described suffering severe burns when aircraft bombed their displaced persons camp. She asked them, How do you know it was the Russians and Assad who did it and not ISIS? Moustafa said. Gabbards question shocked Moustafa, as the lawmaker did not say anything else to the children. And Gabbards intervention showed how badly informed she was, he said. ISIS had no air force. After that conversation with the little girls, I saw there was nothing to be done, Moustafa said. He concluded that facts dont matter to Gabbard and there was no way to shift her view. He added it would be dangerous for Gabbard to be given the top U.S. intelligence job. Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin first reported on the exchange. Gabbards spokesperson called the account of the conversation with the Syrian children false. Afterward, Gabbard did not publicly refer to what she and the other members of the delegation saw and heard firsthand from Syrian civilians. Two years later, she made an unannounced trip to meet Assad, the leader of Syria accused of orchestrating large-scale atrocities. By the time of her 2017 visit, U.S. diplomatic relations with Syria had been suspended for five years and Russian air power, Irans Revolutionary Guard troops and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters had shored up Assads forces. Gabbard did not tell most of her Democratic colleagues about the trip. Syrian-Americans linked to a pro-regime party paid for her flight and hotel and organized her meetings. After news of the trip became public and Gabbard came under criticism, she said she repaid the cost of the trip in full. The Trump transition spokesperson said Gabbard handled the trip in accordance with congressional rules. She did everything that was required of any Member (of Congress) going on foreign travel by getting the itinerary and trip approved by House Ethics Committee prior to travel and submitting post trip reports upon returning, Henning said. She also met with the U.S. Ambassador in Lebanon. Henning added: Due to security concerns and active terrorist activity that would compromise the safety of everyone on the trip if it were leaked in advance, she kept the trip under close hold. Tulsi Gabbard at Capitol Hill in 2018. Following her meeting with Assad, Gabbard defended her trip in interviews at the time and said she was skeptical that Syria was responsible for a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of people. U.S. intelligence agencies, the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons concluded that the Assad regime was behind that attack, as well as multiple other attacks. She also embraced the Assad regimes line that the war was a struggle against Islamist terrorists. Speaking about her trip in 2017, Gabbard told CNN that people of all ages they asked me, why is the United States and its allies supporting these terrorist groups who are destroying Syria, when it was Al-Qaeda who attacked the United States on 9/11 not Syria? I didnt have an answer for them. The United States waged an air war against ISIS extremists in Syria and Iraq and did not support terrorists in Syria. The Obama administration did provide limited assistance and training to some Syrian armed groups that Washington deemed as moderate forces opposing Assad. But the military aid ended in 2017 and anti-regime forces splintered, with hardline Islamists taking on a prominent role. In an interview with journalist Ryan Grimm after her 2017 meeting with Assad, Gabbard aid that during her conversation with the Syrian president, she challenged him to hold free and fair elections with international observers and that Assad agreed. No such elections have taken place. Gabbard has rejected accusations that she is aligned with authoritarian leaders or undermining U.S. interests. She maintains she is coming under attack for questioning Washingtons establishment and opposing U.S. military regime change interventions including the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Lt. Col. Gabbard has seen the casualties of war firsthand, and like President Trump, is committed to peace and preventing endless wars, Henning said. Concerns among lawmakers and intelligence officials Several Republicans have indicated they will enthusiastically support Gabbards nomination. But Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he would like to know more about her 2017 meeting with Assad. Well have lots of questions. She met with Bashar Assad, well want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was, as a member of Congress, Lankford told CNN. One former senior intelligence official said Gabbards statements on Syria called into question her willingness to accept facts that dont fit her world view. She basically completely adopted the Assad regime propaganda, where she suggested falsely that the U.S. was supporting terrorist extremists in Syria, and didnt mention that the Assad regime had been slaughtering fellow Syrians there, the former official said. So what does that say about her judgment? Some lawmakers and former intelligence officials say they worry that Americas partners, including those in the vital Five Eyes intelligence alliance -- the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand -- may choose to withhold some sensitive information if they distrusted Gabbard as director of intelligence. Nikki Haley, the former Republican governor of South Carolina who served as ambassador to the United Nations in the first Trump administration, has sharply criticized Gabbards nomination, saying her statements showed she was not ready to assess threats to the United States. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Tulsi Gabbard literally blamed NATO, our western alliance thats responsible for countering Russia, Haley said on her Sirius XM radio show last week. She blamed NATO for the attack on Ukraine, and the Russians and the Chinese echoed her talking points and her interviews on Russian and Chinese television. She added: This is not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer. This story has been updated to reflect the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. Gerald Radford appears for a hearing at a courthouse in Tampa, Florida, on Friday, December 6. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock) A Florida man accused of a hate crime for killing a gay man is asking a judge to dismiss the charges, saying he acted in self-defense. Gerald Radford testified on Friday that he feared for his own life when he shot John Walt Lay at a Tampa dog park on February 2. Local news outlets report Radford testified that Lay repeatedly hit him in the face just before the shooting. I dont know if I told him to stop or not, but he wasnt stopping, Radford testified in a hearing before Hillsborough Circuit Judge Samantha Ward. Radford is charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutors are seeking additional hate-crime penalties if Radford is convicted. Defense attorneys cited Floridas stand-your-ground law in seeking immunity from prosecution. Such laws say people have no duty to retreat before using deadly force when they believe they are defending themselves against a violent crime. Prosecutors dispute Radfords story. Several witnesses testified Friday that Radford had harassed Lay for months before the shooting, repeatedly using homophobic slurs. Prosecutors presented recorded jail phone calls where Radford used a homophobic slur to describe Lay after his arrest. Paul Gumpert, a friend of Lay, testified that it wasnt in Lays character to be the aggressor, describing Lay as very mild-mannered and very dismissive of any pressure against him. Lay shared a video claiming Radford had threatened him at the dog park the day before the shooting. In the video, Lay claimed he had an encounter with Radford at the park and that Radford told him, Youre going to die. Radford acknowledged using slurs against Lay. But he told Assistant State Attorney Justin Diaz under questioning that he treated Lay differently because of the way he treated me and not because of his sexual orientation. Defense attorneys pointed to a text message Lay sent after the video as proof he planned to attack Radford. Lay wrote in part that he would try to tackle Radford if he blocked his path again. In addition, he wrote, this weekend should be drama. In response to questions from defense attorney Matthew Futch, the 66-year-old Radford said the 52-year-old Lay had completely overpowered him. Had you not drawn your firearm to defend yourself, do you believe you would have suffered great bodily harm or death? Futch asked. Radford, crying, answered yes. But prosecutors said the trajectory of the bullet through Lays body, as traced by an autopsy, makes it unlikely that Lay was on top of Radford when Lay was shot, as Radford claims. Hillsborough County Chief Medical Examiner Kelly Devers testified it would be hard for a bullet to take the path it did if Lay had been laying or kneeling on Radford. Diaz argued there are inconsistencies in Radfords account. Its a hate crime, Diaz said. Ward said she will rule on the stand-your-ground motion next week. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com University of Glasgow/National Library of Medicine; Mirrorpix via Getty Isabella Ruxton; Mary Rogerson Nearly 100 years after what historians call one of the most important criminal investigations of the 20th Century, a university in Scotland is asking for the public's help in finding the victims relatives so that researchers can safely return their bodies. Edinburgh University made a plea last month in partnership with the BBC to try to track down the living relatives of Isabella Ruxton and Mary Rogerson, two English women who were brutally killed by Isabellas husband, Dr. Buck Ruxton, in 1935. The general practitioner murdered his wife, Isabella, and their nursemaid, Mary, before dismembering them and scattering their body parts in an attempt to thwart the investigation into their murders, according to the BBC. But an unprecedented use of forensic science helped investigators identify the victims and find evidence that Dr. Ruxton was the killer, leading to one of the most significant court trials of the 1900s and, five months later, his execution. The extensive efforts to identify the victims and the circumstances of the crime led the case to be dubbed "The Jigsaw Murders." Heres what happened, and here's how investigators used new advancements in forensic science to crack the case. Topical Press Agency/Getty Dr. Buck Ruxton The Murders By 1935, Dr. Bruxton grew jealous of his wifes friendships with other men and allegedly became abusive, according to the BBC. The outlet reported that Isabella reported his domestic violence to the police, but the matter was never properly investigated. Soon after, tensions between the couple boiled over and Dr. Ruxton murdered his wife and the households nursemaid, Mary. Their bodies were disposed of in woodland in Dumfriesshire, according to Edinburgh University. The United States National Library of Medicine says the doctor mutilated their bodies and scattered the parts, in an effort to make them unidentifiable. Their body parts were soon recovered under a bridge near the border of England and Scotland, according to the BBC. But then, forensic scientists and researchers at Edinburgh University took on the task of reconstructing the bodies and studying the evidence: They used groundbreaking methods involving fingerprints to identify the women and even studied bugs found on their remains so they could ascertain when they were murdered. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Skull no. 2, photograph B, 1935. Investigators photographed the Skull No. 2 in the same orientation as an existing photograph of Mrs. Ruxton. Then they laid a photo-transparency of this skull over the portrait to establish that the skull was Mrs. Ruxton's. On September 14, 1935, Buck Ruxton, an Indian-born physician who lived in Lancashire, near the English-Scottish border, murdered his wife Isabella and her maid Mary Rogerson, and then mutilated their bodies and scattered the parts, in an effort to make them unidentifiable. The Court Case The forensic scientists evidence was used to convict Dr. Ruxton in a first-of-its-kind presentation of such scientific proof. Tom Wood, a former English police officer who wrote a book about the revolutionary investigation, told the BBC it was one of the most important criminal investigations of the 20th Century, not because of the horror of the case and the dismemberment of the bodies, but because of the forensic science. "Put simply, anything before the Ruxton case was ancient history, Wood said. Anything after the Ruxton case is modern, integrated, forensic science-led investigation. Dr. Ruxton was found guilty of murdering Isabella and sentenced to death, while the charge for killing Mary was dropped. The doctor-turned-convicted murderer was hung at Manchesters Strangeways Prison while huge crowds gathered outside a dramatic scene that highlighted the magnitude of the case. Chronicle/Alamy Dr. Buck Ruxton A New Plea to Find the Victims' Families Edinburgh University asked the BBC for help tracking down potential living family members of both Isabella and Mary after researchers rediscovered some of the victims remains in the universitys archives last November. Isabella and her husband shared three children, who were orphaned following their parents deaths, and the university says its uncertain whether the children were ever told the truth about what happened to them. We want to do what is morally right for the women and their family members, the university said in its plea last month. The university has since closed its appeal for information about remaining family members, though no further announcements have been made about the effort. Our appeal has generated numerous enquiries and we are now working to pursue leads, the university said. This is a sensitive process, which requires anonymity for all involved, and we must ensure it is handled with the utmost care. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Press Release December 8, 2024 CHIZ: STRONGER SUPPORT FOR RICE FARMERS SEEN WITH CHANGES TO AGRICULTURAL TARIFFICATION ACT Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero expects rice farmers to get a boost in their production with greater support coming from the government through the amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act of 1996. With the signing into law of Senate Bill No. 2779 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tomorrow, December 9, 2024, Escudero said the country's rice farmers will receive greater support through the provision of farm machinery and equipment, free distribution of high quality inbred certified seeds, and other interventions. The law extends the life of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which is sourced from the tariffs collected from the importation of rice, until 2031. An increase in the annual allocation to the RCEF will also be instituted, from the current P10 billion to P30 billion until the year 2031. "Kailangan palakasin ang suporta sa ating mga magsasaka para makamit natin ang hangarin na makapag-ani ng mas marami pang bigas at mapababa ang presyo nito para sa ating mga mamamayan. Mahalaga para sa lahat ng Pilipino ang bigas kung kaya tinugunan ng Senado ang pagpasa ng mga batas tulad nito para makamit natin ang hangarin na ito," Escudero said. A buffer stock of rice will be maintained, equivalent to 30 days at any given time, to sustain disaster relief programs of the government during natural or man-made calamities and to address food security emergency situations on rice. The Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Plant Industry, will be strengthened to conduct a stronger inspection and monitoring of warehouses and agricultural facilities as part of the goal to ensure a stable supply of rice in the market, as well as quality control of rice being sold to consumers. "We want to avoid a situation where the price of rice shoots up unnecessarily due to smuggling or hoarding. This has long been a problem in the country that should be addressed immediately," Escudero said. The new law also empowers the Secretary of Agriculture to respond better to a declaration of rice food shortage or an extraordinary increase in rice prices. During periods when there is an extraordinary increase in the prices of rice, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to designate importing entities, with the exception of the National Food Authority, to import rice to augment the supply of rice and stabilize prices. SBN 2779 was sponsored by Senator Cynthia Villar as chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform. It is a consolidation of the bills filed by Senators Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, and Villar. Jill Biden, Donald Trump It was hard to miss this love-in in the City of Love. Outgoing first lady Jill Biden and President-elect Donald Trump displayed some rare cross-party camaraderie in Paris during the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. The interaction delighted the MAGA world and sparked a frenzy of speculation. They two had a rare encounter in Paris on Saturday. via REUTERS Biden and Trump shared a moment caught on camera while waiting for French First Lady Brigitte Macron to take the seat that separated them during the reopening ceremony. On Sunday, Trump seized on the frenzy and used the photo of him and Jill Biden that caused a social media stir to hawk his own cologne line. A fragrance your enemies cant resist, the caption read for his cologne Fight, fight, fight. While its not clear what was said between them, internet commenters had some theories that Jill has warmed up to the incoming president. Despite her harsh words for Trump, 78, and his scathing attacks on her husband in the pas, some users theorized that she ultimately supported the president-elect during the 2024 race. I just want to find someone that looks at me the way Jill Biden looks at Trump, user Drefanzor Memes posted on X. Jill Biden looks like shes in love with the BOSS Trump. 100% confirmed she voted for Trump! user AJ Huber wrote on X. She voted for him. Its settled science, Bonchie chided. Netizens seized on a look first lady Jill Biden made to President-elect Donald Trump during the Notre Dame reopening ceremony. via REUTERS Look at how fast everyone warmed up to fascist dictator Donald Trump. Not even Dr. Jill Biden can resist this world class charmer, self-described independent journalist Kyle Becker said. Havent seen Jill look at Joe quite like shes looking at President Trump, user Joanne_Lopez_Dow said. Mr. Steal Your Girl No doubt she voted for him, user Geiger Capital jabbed. Thank you for voting for me, podcaster Alan Cornett mused about what the conversation was like between the two. Many of those users seized on a photo in which Jill Biden appeared to look fondly on Trump. Ashley and Jill Biden sat one seat away from President-elect Donald Trump during the ceremony. Getty Images for Notre-Dame de Paris Shortly after President Biden dropped out of the race in July, the MAGA faithful theorized openly that the Bidens werent actually backing Joes handpicked successor, Vice President Kamala Harris. They seized on the lame-duck president donning a Trump hat while mingling with firefighters in Shanksville, Pa., last September while marking the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. On Election Day, Jill Biden was seen wearing a bright red outfit, which further fed fodder to social media speculation. TikTok @kelseysimmers94 Then, after the election, President Biden appeared surprisingly jubilant at the White House while acknowledging his rivals victory. During his visit to Paris, Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron offering him a power grab handshake. He also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the UKs Prince William. The trek marked his first stop overseas since winning the Nov. 5 election. As the manhunt for a still-unidentified suspect in the fatal shooting of a health care executive in Manhattan continues on its fifth day, police are missing key pieces of evidence and combing through what they have gathered for more clues. The New York Police Department is working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies across the country to search for the suspect and offering rewards to the public. Two new photos released by police show the suspect masked with a hood in the backseat of a vehicle and wearing a jacket walking on the street. While authorities say they believe the suspect has long left New York City after fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Wednesday, they feel confident he will be captured. NYPD divers search a pond in New York's Central Park on Saturday, December 7, in connection to the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. - Spectrum News NY1 Heres what authorities are still trying to find: The confirmed identity of the suspect The weapon used in the shooting The bicycle the suspect used to get away And here are some of the key pieces of evidence theyve gathered: Images of the suspects unmasked face Video evidence of the path he took to escape A backpack possibly worn by the suspect, with a jacket inside DNA from a discarded Starbucks water bottle A partial fingerprint from the water bottle A discarded burner cell phone 9 mm shell casings with the words delay, deny and depose written on them Police divers concluded a search for the weapon in a lake in Central Park on Sunday without finding anything, after searching the parks iconic boathouse and Bethesda Fountain on Saturday, a law enforcement official told CNN. The divers operated in the same area Sunday, according to footage from CNN affiliate WABC. A Peak Design backpack was recovered during a second sweep of the park Friday, a law enforcement source told CNN. Police examined it at a forensic lab in Queens. Inside, they found Monopoly money, a law enforcement source told CNN. It also contained a Tommy Hilfiger jacket, law enforcement officials briefed on the matter told CNN. It was not immediately clear whether other items were in the backpack. But crucially, there was no gun in the backpack. There has also still been no sign of the bicycle used by the suspect. Detectives have released additional photos of a person authorities believe is the suspect in Brian Thompson's killing. - NYPD Meanwhile, photos of the suspect have been circulated to multiple law enforcement agencies, including airports and border patrol stations along the Mexican and Canadian borders, in the hope he wont slip out of the country. Police said the suspect mostly wore a mask covering his face as he traveled through New York. We had to go through lots of video evidence to get that one money shot with the mask down, said police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, describing a photo of the suspect unmasked in an Upper West Side hostel where he checked in with a fake New Jerseys drivers license. The FBI is offering up to $50,000 of reward money for information leading to his arrest and conviction. The NYPD has added another $10,000. Piecing together clues The NYPD released images taken at a hostel of the unmasked shooting suspect. - NYPD Thompson, 50, was shot on a busy Manhattan street early on December 4 as he approached the New York Hilton Midtown on West 54th Street to attend his companys annual investor conference, according to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The killer was lying in wait outside the hotel, Tisch said. The CEO was shot at least once in the back and once in the right calf and declared dead at a hospital. The shooter then crossed the street from the Hilton and fled northbound through an alley between 54th Street and 55th Street. He rode off on an electric bike on 55th, investigators told CNN. From there, the suspect headed north on Sixth Avenue toward Central Park. Police say the man was spotted near the George Washington Bridge and George Washington Port Authority bus terminal at 178th Street around 45 minutes after the shooting. Police have obtained video of the suspect entering the Port Authority Bus Station but not exiting it, indicating he left the city. The killing of UnitedHealthcares CEO has rattled other health care companies concerned about their own leaders safety and prompted some of them to ramp up security and scrub top executives photos from their websites. The backpack, photos, surveillance videos, ammunition left behind, a burner phone, a water bottle and DNA evidence have thus far helped investigators get closer to zeroing in on the suspect despite hitting dead ends with the use of facial recognition software and an unusable fingerprint previously obtained by police, according to Joseph Kenny, the NYPDs chief detective. A surveillance video clip shows a person authorities believe is the suspect in Brian Thompson's killing riding an electric bike. - NYPD Investigators continue to search for the electric bike the suspect rode the day of the shooting and are examining whether the shooter used a veterinary gun, a larger firearm used on farms and ranches to put down animals without causing a loud noise, Kenny said Friday. Looking for a motive The 9 mm shell casings undergoing testing had the words delay, deny and depose written across them, with one word on each of the three bullets, Kenny told reporters. Police are looking into whether the words, similar in phrasing to a common description of insurance company tactics Delay, deny, defend may point to a motive. A book critiquing the insurance industry was published with the title Delay Deny Defend in 2010. That might be him sending a message saying why it was that he shot (Thompson), but at the same time, it could be a diversion to try to get taken away from the real reason behind it, former FBI Special Agent Kenneth Gray told CNN on Saturday. Until hes caught, we wont actually know the purpose of those words, Gray said. Although the motive remains unclear, authorities have said they believe the killing was premeditated and targeted. The shooter definitely planned this out, Kenny told CNN on Friday. He knew what time the victim was going to be walking by. He knew what hotel this conference was going to be in, Kenny said. Kenny said video of the suspect about 30 minutes before the shooting shows him walking and wandering around the hotel area before he committed this act. The detective said at a Friday briefing there is no evidence the shooter and CEO had any prior interactions or the shooting was related to Thompsons personal life, according to audio of the briefing the NYPD provided to CNN. As were going through our investigation, were coming across a lot of online comments, a lot of online threats, things of that nature, Kenny said. His wife indicated that he had received some prior threats. I dont know the details of those threats. Thompson had worked for UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and was appointed CEO in 2021. He lived in Minnesota and was visiting New York for the companys annual investor conference. He is survived by his wife Paulette and two children. The shooting has prompted some to portray the killer as a vigilante enacting justice against a health care system they believe values profits over lives, and some users on social media have mocked the CEOs death. News of the shooting inspired an outpouring of social media stories about denials of claims from UnitedHealthcare and other insurance companies. Whats next in the investigation? Police are tracking down as many tips as they can, as the manhunt spreads and authorities try to determine where the suspect might surface. NYPD officials said they believe the suspect left New York City on an interstate bus, the same mode of transportation investigators believe he used to get to the city days earlier: He traveled to New York on a Greyhound bus starting its route in Atlanta, multiple law enforcement sources told CNN. Those sources added authorities do not know whether the suspect boarded in Atlanta or elsewhere. The Atlanta Police Department announced Friday, without elaborating, it will assist the investigation after the NYPD contacted it. NYPD detectives arrived in Atlanta on Saturday as part of the probe, two law enforcement officials briefed on the matter told CNN. In the meantime, the gun remains the key piece of outstanding evidence police are searching for, as they build a case against the shooter. CNNs Zoe Sottile, Elise Hammond, Holly Yan, Meg Tirrell, Dalia Faheid, Linh Tran, Sara Smart, Taylor Galgano, David Goldman, Amanda Musa, Rebekah Riess, Paradise Afshar, Nouran Salahieh, Josh Campbell and Karina Tsui contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Rebel forces in Syria captured the capital Damascus and toppled the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country. As Assad resigned and fled Syria, rebel forces moved into Damascus as citizens celebrated there and in the streets of Aleppo, where the rebel offensive began 11 days ago. Meanwhile, the ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. The Israel Defense Forces continued its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza, particularly in the north of the devastated Palestinian territory. Tensions also remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. Latest Developments Dec 9, 4:34 AM Israel bombed Syrian chemical weapons sites, foreign minister says Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters on Monday that Israeli forces "attacked strategic weapons arrays, residual chemical weapons capabilities, missiles and long-range rockets" inside Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of "extremist elements." Israeli forces have been striking inside Syria and occupying positions on Syrian territory in recent days, as rebel forces -- some with roots in jihadist organizations -- surged into major Syrian cities and precipitated the collapse of President Bashar Assad's regime in Damascus. The Israel Defense Forces announced on Sunday it had taken up positions in the demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria established by a bilateral 1974 agreement. Saar said the presence of "armed men" in the zone and their alleged attacks on United Nations positions there prompted the Israeli decision to cross the border. Saar said Israeli deployments into the buffer zone are "targeted and temporary" and intended to prevent an "Oct. 7 scenario from Syria," referring to last year's devastating Hamas infiltration attack into southern Israel. -ABC News' Jordana Miller and Dana Savir Dec 9, 4:34 AM Israeli forces cross into buffer zone separating occupied Golan Heights from Syria Israel Defense Forces tanks and armored vehicles have entered the buffer zone that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria on Sunday night. The move puts IDF troops in operations on four fronts in the Middle East, Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halevi said on Sunday, according to the Associated Press. The advancement into Syria comes after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime to Islamist rebels. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision was made to "protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions," according to AP. The IDF has reportedly warned Syrian residents in five southern communities to stay home for their safety. Israeli forces on Sunday also took over the Syrian side of Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, according to AP. Dec 8, 7:21 PM Syrian Civil Defence searches for 'secret cellars' holding detainees at Sednaya prison The Syrian Civil Defence, known as the White Helmets, said on Sunday that it sent five specialized emergency teams to Sednaya prison to search for secret cellars inside the prison where detainees are expected to be present, in a post on X. "The teams include a search and rescue team, a team to dig through walls, a team to open iron doors, a team of trained dogs, and an ambulance team," the post said. Sednaya prison, operated by ousted president Bashar al-Assads government, is known colloquially as the human slaughterhouse. It is located near Damascus. -ABC News' Ellie Kaufman Dec 9, 4:35 AM Iranian foreign minister says he fears 'renewed civil war' in Syria Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi commented on the fall of Syria's government during an interview on Iranian state TV on Sunday. He said Syria's ousted president, Bashar al-Assad, was surprised and complained about the way his own army was performing. Araghchi also said Iran was fully aware of the situation in Syria through the intelligence and security system of our country. Iran is monitoring the developments in Syria and is concerned about the possibility of a renewed civil war or a sectarian war between different sects or the division of Syria and the collapse of Syria and its transformation into a haven for terrorists, Araghchi said. -ABC News' Hami Hamedi and Ellie Kaufman Dec 9, 4:35 AM US strikes 75 ISIS targets in Syria The United States launched dozens of against ISIS targets in central Syria on Sunday in an attempt to "disrupt, degrade and defeat" the terrorist group, according to the head of the U.S. Central Command. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said in a statement that 75 ISIS targets were hit in precision airstrikes Sunday in Syria. He said the mission was carried out by U.S. Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s and A-10s. "There should be no doubt -- we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria. All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way," Kurilla said. Kurilla said the strikes hit known ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria. PHOTO: President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the political upheaval in Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (ABC News) During a speech at the White House on Sunday, President Joe Biden mentioned the U.S. strikes on ISIS targets in Syria. He said U.S. forces are also bolstering security at detention facilities in Syria where ISIS fighters are being held. "We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capability and to create a safe haven," Biden said. "We will not let that happen." -ABC News' Cindy Smith Dec 9, 5:59 PM Airstrikes hit Damascus Airstrikes have hit numerous government and military facilities in Damascus in the last few hours, after IDF officials earlier in the morning had claimed similar strikes. The IDF is not commenting on these most recent strikes. PHOTO: Smoke rises in the aftermath of suspected IDF strikes near Mezzeh Air Base in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images) Earlier Sunday, IDF issued warnings to residents of five Syrian villages along the border with Israel, saying it is taking control of the buffer zone between the two countries. During a visit on Sunday to a Syria observation post in the Golan Heights, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF seized the buffer zone due to Syrian troops abandoning their positions there. "We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border," Netanyahu said. Dec 8, 1:53 PM Biden: 'At long last the Assad regime has fallen' President Biden gave remarks Sunday on the situation in Syria, saying from the White House that "at long last, the Assad regime has fallen." Biden called it a "fundamental act of justice" and a "historic opportunity," acknowledging there is also "risk and uncertainty." Read more here. PHOTO: President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the political upheaval in Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (ABC News) Dec 8, 1:01 PM Assad is in Moscow: Russian state media Bashar al-Assad and his family are now in Moscow, Russian state-owned news agency TASS is reporting, citing a source in the Kremlin. PHOTO: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attends the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 11, 2024. (SPA via Xinhua/Getty Images) -ABC News' Tanya Stukalova Dec 8, 12:49 PM Biden to give remarks on Syria President Biden is expected to deliver remarks on Syria at 1 p.m. ET in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. -ABC News' MaryAlice Parks, Cheyenne Haslett and Lauren Peller Dec 8, 11:23 AM Iran Foreign Ministry: Future of Syria 'will only be decided by the people' The Iranian Foreign Ministry released a statement Sunday saying it continues to monitor the situation in Syria and that "the future of Syria will only be decided by the people." PHOTO: Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (Omar Sanadiki/AP) "It is expected that the relations between Iranian and Syrian nations continue with a long-term and wise approach, based on common interests and benefits," the statement read, in part. -ABC News' Somayeh Malekian Click here to read the rest of the blog. The mystery man who spent nine hours with photographer Hannah Kobayashi before she vanished told investigators that she was a free spirit but otherwise seemed completely normal, according to a report. The day before she walked into Mexico, Kobayashi and the man bumped into each other outside LAX and walked through downtown LA together, talking and smiling until they made their way to Union Station, where they fell asleep together. When he woke up in the morning, the 30-year-old photographer was gone. Hannah Kobayashi at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 8, 2024. Courtesy Larie Pidgeon The man was one of the first people whom authorities tracked down after she was reported missing and police saw the pair on security cameras. For a while, he was the last person to have seen her when we didnt know where she was, Lt. Doug Oldfield, of the Los Angeles Police Departments missing persons unit, told People magazine. So we did have to spend a few days on this to ensure that nothing bad happened, he said. After analyzing hours of footage, police determined that he was not a threat. He was often smiling, and Kobayashi had an opportunity to cry out for help as they walked past LAPD officers. Investigators have spoken twice with the man, who said they first met around 9 p.m. local time Nov. 11 as she was leaving the airport. She was looking for directions to get to the train station, he told police. Hannah Kobayashi buying a bus ticket at LA Union Station on Nov. 11, 2024. FOX 11 Los Angeles/YouTube The two decided to walk together and formed an instant bond as they talked. For the amount of time they spent together, he pretty much was an ear to listen, said Detective Omar Franco, who heads the missing persons unit. She just spoke and talked about her life in Maui, her personal life, her love life and so forth. And he just listened to her. The man described Kobayashi as a free spirit but told police she seemed perfectly normal and not scared. The unidentified man called Kobayashi a free spirit as the two spent time together before she left for Mexico. Facebook She didnt seem scared, and had even mentioned her plans to be in New York where she was supposed to fly three days earlier to visit her boyfriend but never boarded her flight. When they got to the station, they ate dinner together and passed out in a waiting area. Kobayashi then got up by herself in the early morning, gathered her luggage and walk[ed] off on her own, Franco told the magazine. These things we were able to corroborate, Oldfield said. She purchased a bus ticket around 6:10 a.m. Nov. 12. Four hours later, she was at the border and walked into Tijuana around noon, police said. Her phone was left at LAX for reasons still unknown. Police have cleared the gentleman of any wrongdoing and do not suspect Kobayashi was a victim of any crime. While her whereabouts remain unknown, Kobayashi may have been caught up in a marriage scam perpetrated by an Argentinian national. The photographer is believed to have landed at LAX with her alleged new husband, Alan Cacace, and his girlfriend, Marianna, according to Los Angeles Magazine. The outlet reported that its sources believe the aspiring photographer may have been scammed out of money after allegedly marrying the man in a green card visa scheme gone wrong. Kobayashis mother, Brandi Yee, allegedly discovered immigration documents at her daughters home in Hawaii that showed she was working with or in contact with an immigration attorney. While her whereabouts remain unknown, Kobayashi may have been caught up in a marriage scam perpetrated by an Argentinian national. Facebook Tensions have divided family members since Kobayashis disappearance and her fathers tragic suicide. The rift in the family between Kobayashis sister Sydni and aunt Larie Pidgeon spilled out into the public last week. Sydni blasted Pidgeon who has become the de facto source for updates saying she doesnt speak for the family. Its really unfortunate when you have to question family, Sydni told News Nation. The fact that she has gone rogue and wants to disconnect from [our effort], thats on her. Pidgeon has hit back at her niece, telling The Post that Sydni is throwing her under the bus because she wants the limelight from national TV interviews. Ryan Kobayashi holds a picture of his daughter in downtown LA on Nov. 21, 2024. AP They want to be the face. They want to be the whole thing Its really sad, Pidgeon said. The split follows the death of Kobayashis father, who police said jumped off a parking garage at LA International Airport after arriving in the city to help look for his daughter. In every crisis lies opportunity, and in every opportunity lurks crisis. The startling advance of Syrias opposition in a week is the unintended consequence of two other conflicts, one near and one far. It leaves several key US allies with a new and largely unknown Islamist-led force, governing swathes of their strategic neighbor if not most of it, given the pace of events, by the time you read this. Syria has absorbed so much diplomatic oxygen in the past 20 years, it is fitting this week of sweeping change popped up as if from a vacuum. Since the invasion of Iraq, the US has struggled to find a policy for Syria that could accommodate the vastly different needs of its allies Israel, Jordan, Turkey, and its sometime partners Iraq and Lebanon. Syria has always been the wing-nut of the region: linking Iraqs oil to the Mediterranean, the Shia of Iraq and Iran to Lebanon, and NATOs southern underbelly Turkey to Jordans deserts. George W Bush put it in his Axis of Evil; Obama didnt want to touch it much in case he broke it further; Donald Trump bombed it once, very quickly. It has been in the grip of a horrifically brutal dictatorship for decades. Hama, Homs, Damascus all again in the headlines overnight because of the regimes swift fall, yet too home to the most heinous parts of its history respectively the 1982 massacre of 20,000 in Hama, or the 2012 siege and then starvation of Homs, or the gassing with Sarin in Ghouta, near Damascus, of children in basements in 2013. Then there was ISIS from 2014 to 2017. There seemed little more you could subject Syria to, until this week brought it liberation, thus far at an unknown cost, with vast caveats. The swiftly changing fate of Bashar al-Assad was not really made in Syria, but in southern Beirut and Donetsk. Without the physical crutches of Russias air force and Irans proxy muscle Hezbollah, he toppled when finally pushed. Syrian opposition fighters drive past a burning government armored vehicle south of Hama, Syria, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. - Ghaith Alsayed/AP Israels brutal yet effective two-month war on Hezbollah probably did not pay much mind to Assads fate. But it may have decided it. Likewise, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 34 months ago, likely considered little how few jets or troops it might leave Moscow to uphold its Middle Eastern allies with. But the war of attrition has left Russia incapable of assisting Assad, even President-elect Donald Trump noted on Saturday. And indeed Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cut a weakened figure this weekend, saying: What is the forecast? I cannot guess. We are not in the business of guessing. These are not the words of a steadfast and capable guarantor, rather those of a regional power seeing its spinning plates hit the floor. Iran has been wildly hamstrung in the past six months, as its war with Israel, usually in the shadows or deniable, evolved into high-stakes and largely ineffective long-range missile attacks. Its main proxy, Hezbollah, was crippled by a pager attack on its hierarchy, and then by weeks of vicious airstrikes. Tehrans pledges of support have done little so far but result in a joint statement with Syria and Iraq on a need for collective action to confront the rebels. The Middle East is reeling because ideas taken as a given like pervasive Iranian strength, and Russian solidity as an ally are crumbling as they meet new realities. Assad prevailed as the leader of a blood-drenched minority, not through guile or grit, but because Iran murdered for him and Moscow bombed for him. Now these two allies are wildly over-stretched elsewhere, the imbalance that kept Assad and his ruling Alawite minority at the helm is also gone. When established regional powers seem suddenly unable to act, there is often a moment of significant risk. But this is one seized by Turkey, a NATO member which has dealt with the most fallout from Syrias turmoil. Ankara has had to play the long game over Syria, and housed over three million of its refugees since 2012. It has had to see the Kurdish militants the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that the US trained, equipped and helped to fight ISIS develop a stronghold along its border. From Ankaras perspective, the Syria problem has never gone away even though attention to it faded; it would one day need to alter the enduring mess in its favor. The sweeping offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS) with its impetus, equipment and inclusive communications strategy, telling Syrias disparate and panicked ethnic groups their new society would view them all as one spoke of a sophisticated hand behind it. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made his strongest suggestion to date whose hand that was when he said Friday he had tried to negotiate the future of Syria with Assad, failed, and he wished the offensive well, all the way to the Syrian capital. It was not a subtle message. But it does not need to be at a time of seismic change Erdogan has likely long awaited. Exactly who Turkey has empowered remains unclear. HTSs upper echelons, in short, began as al-Qaeda, found ISIS too extreme, and are now trying to suggest theyve grown up. From Ireland to Afghanistan, the history of this sort of evolution is messy. Its not always simple for extremists to reform, yet also possible sometimes they can change just about enough. Separately, while Turkey may have lit the touch paper of HTS assaults, the speed of Assads collapse may not have been anticipated. There is such a thing as too great a success. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, on April 24, 2024. - Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images The unknowable impact of vast, fast change left Syria mired in half-policies and US inaction before. Back in 2013, then-US President Barack Obama said he would retaliate militarily if Assad used chemical weapons, but did not enforce this red line when Assad deployed Sarin in Ghouta in 2013. His officials partially justified his walkback by suggesting too much further damage to the already frail Assad regime could let increasingly jihadist rebels to advance so fast, they could be in control of Damascus in months. It is possible they were right back then; it is yet more likely the failure by Obama to act emboldened Russia and Iran for years. We dont know a lot about what is happening now in Syria or what it means. HTS may prove a better governor of Syrias ethnic mix than Assad was, which wont be hard. Assad may melt away into exile in a lavish row of Moscow dachas, and his hollow autocracy may crumble fast. Russia may lick its geopolitical wounds and concentrate on the catastrophic bleed that is its invasion of Ukraine. Iran may pause to reflect, and instead ready itself for the possible tsunami of aggression that could come with Trumps White House. Obamas argument was made to a Western audience exhausted by Iraq and Afghanistan, and preoccupied by terrorism. And it marked a form of war-weary isolationism, in which an over-stretched US was reluctant to instigate more change it could not control. Obama ended up funding and arming the Syrian opposition so feebly it was slaughtered and when its extremists joined up with radicals from Iraqs long-running insurgency against the US occupation metastasized into ISIS. That was about the worst possible outcome. The West had played its hand so weakly in one low-grade conflict, it won the four-year industrial-strength horror of a war against the ISIS caliphate. This may prove the swift and severe change that Syria needed to stabilize a shaking of the carpet that leaves society smoother. Syrias past 13 years have been so brutal it deserves exactly that. Yet they have also proven how out of reach peace can be, and deep its suffering can go. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The NYPD on Sunday searches the Central Park Boathouse pond for clues in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. NYPD divers Sunday continued to search the Central Park Boathouse pond for potential clues including the gun used in the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as cops were still hunting the killer. Investigators believe the on-the-lam suspect may have tossed evidence into the lake in the middle of the sprawling park, sources said. The murder weapon has yet to be recovered, sources noted. Video footage showed two divers prepping to hit the water Sunday for the second straight day at the popular landmark, five days after Thompsons shocking caught-on-video shooting death outside a high-end Manhattan hotel. The dive team apparently turned up empty-handed and is expected to pick up its search of the pond again Monday. The NYPD also deployed gun-sniffing dogs to Fort Tryon Park on Sunday, but the search turned up empty for any firearms, too, police sources said. NYPD divers enter the water at the Central Park Boathouse pond Sunday as the manhunt for Brian Thompsonss killer goes into a fifth day. LP MEDIA Investigators believe the suspect may have tossed the murder weapon into the water. LP Media LLC Tracking a killer: Timeline of the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week. New York Post Cops have released photos of the alleged killer inside a Big Apple taxi cab and recovered what investigators believe was his backpack in the park, which contained a jacket from the popular American brand Tommy Hilfiger and fake Monopoly money. New surveillance images reviewed by The Post on Sunday suggest that the gunman got out of the cab in front of 2372 Amsterdam Avenue between West 177th and West 178th streets, next to an MTA bus stop known as the East Village M101 bus line, before disappearing again. The location is near the George Washington Bridge bus terminal. The detectives search through all of our video on Friday, the manager of an apartment building at the Amsterdam Avenue site said Sunday. They didnt have any luck. They never saw him. The footage does not show the suspect leaving the area on foot, she added. Thompson, 50, was walking outside a Midtown hotel when he was shot dead. UnitedHealth Group Thompson, 50, was on his way to a business meeting Wednesday when he was shot dead outside the New York Hilton Midtown with a type of veterinarian gun, authorities said. Cops said the bullet casings had bizarre scribblings on them, including the words depose, delay and deny, seemingly drawn from a 2010 book titled Delay, Deny, Defend that criticizes the health industry. How The Post reported a break in Thompsons death. csuarez The NYPD scuba squad continues at search for the gun that was used in the murder of the United healthcare CEO in Central Park Lake on Sunday morning. LP MEDIA Surveillance footage shows that after the shooting, the suspect hopped on a bicycle and peddled up Sixth Avenue to Central Park, where he allegedly grabbed the cab. On Saturday, Mayor Eric Adams told reporters the net is tightening on the killer, but police have not closed in on the suspect entering the fifth day of the manhunt. Selena Gomez attends the French American Film Festival opening night premiere of Netflix's "Emilia Perez" in Los Angeles. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images) Selena Gomez is defending her performance in the Netflix musical Emilia Perez. In the new film, which also stars Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofia Gascon, Gomez, 32, portrays the former wife of a Mexican cartel boss. The Only Murders in the Building star, who took home the Cannes Film Festival's best actress prize for the film. She portrays a bilingual character in the movie, but is not fluent in Spanish in real life. The actor and producer Eugenio Derbez criticized Gomezs role in the film on the Hablando de Cine podcast, on the ground that Gomez does not speak Spanish fluently, although her father is of Mexican descent. In the podcast, Derbez, in Spanish, calls Gomezs work indefensible. The host, Gaby Meza, agreed, arguing that it felt to her as if Gomez did not know what she was saying. Both lamented that the film's French director, Jacques Audiard, did not hire a Spanish-speaking actor for the role. Gomez saw a clip from the podcast on TikTok on Sunday and responded in the comments section, writing, I understand where you are coming from..Im sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesnt take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie. The comment appears to have since been removed. While many agreed with Derbez and Meza, others defended the 13 Reasons Why producer in the comments section, with many pointing out that Gomezs character is from the United States and learned Spanish later in life. Others shared that they loved her performance and said she did great. The Emilia Perez role is Gomezs first in a Spanish-speaking part, but she told Variety that she spoke Spanish at home until she was 7 and grew up embracing her Mexican heritage with her fathers side of the family. The Wizards of Waverly Place alum also brought Spanish into her music in 2021, when she released the EP Revelacion. In a November interview with NPRs Fresh Air, Gomez shared that speaking Spanish was an important factor for her in taking on the role in Emilia Perez. "I got my first job at 7, and most of my jobs from that point on were English," she said at the time. "And I just lost [my Spanish]. That's kind of the case for a lot of people, especially Mexican American people. "I wish I just knew a lot more than I do. But I think that's why I try to honor my culture as much as possible from releasing an album in Spanish to wanting to pursue this movie," Gomez added. "And I don't think it'll be the last thing I do in Spanish." ISTANBUL/DAMASCUS (Reuters) - After 13 years of civil war, Syria's opposition militias sensed an opportunity to loosen President Bashar al-Assad's grip on power when, about six months ago, they communicated to Turkey plans for a major offensive and felt they had received its tacit approval, two sources with knowledge of the planning said. Launched barely two weeks ago, the operation's speedy success in achieving its initial goal - seizing Syria's second city, Aleppo - took almost everybody by surprise. From there, in a little more than a week, the rebel alliance reached Damascus and on Sunday put an end to five decades of Assad family rule. The lightning advance relied on an almost perfect alignment of stars for the forces opposed to Assad: his army was demoralised and exhausted; his main allies, Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah, were severely weakened by conflict with Israel; and his other key military supporter, Russia, was distracted and losing interest. There was no way the rebels could go ahead without first notifying Turkey, which has been a main backer of the Syrian opposition from the war's earliest days, said the sources, a diplomat in the region and a member of the Syrian opposition. Turkey has troops on the ground in northwest Syria, and provides support to some of the rebels who were intending to take part, including the Syrian National Army (SNA) - though it considers the main faction in the alliance, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), to be a terror group. The rebels' bold plan was the brainchild of HTS and its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the diplomat said. Because of his former ties to al Qaeda, Golani is designated as a terrorist by Washington, Europe and Turkey. However, over the past decade, HTS, previously known as the Nusra Front, has tried to moderate its image, while running a quasi-state centered on Idlib, where, experts say, it levied taxes on commercial activities and the population. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's government, which struck a deal with Russia in 2020 to de-escalate fighting in northwestern Syria, has long opposed such a major rebel offensive, fearing it would lead to a new wave of refugees crossing its border. However, the rebels sensed a stiffening of Ankara's stance towards Assad earlier this year, the sources said, after he rebuffed repeated overtures from Erdogan aimed at advancing a political solution to the military stalemate, which has left Syria divided between the regime and a patchwork of rebel groups with an array of foreign backers. The Syrian opposition source said the rebels had shown Turkey details of the planning, after Ankara's attempts to engage Assad had failed. The message was: "That other path hasn't worked for years - so try ours. You don't have to do anything, just don't intervene." Reuters was unable to determine the exact nature of the communications. Hadi Al-Bahra, head of the internationally-recognized Syrian opposition abroad, told Reuters last week that HTS and SNA had had "limited" planning together ahead of the operation and agreed to "achieve cooperation and not clash with each other". He added that Turkey's military saw what the armed groups were doing and discussing. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking in Doha on Sunday, said Erdogans effort in recent months to reach out to Assad failed and Turkey "knew something was coming". However, Turkey's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Nuh Yilmaz, told a conference on Middle Eastern affairs in Bahrain on Saturday that Ankara was not behind the offensive, and did not provide its consent, saying it was concerned about instability. Turkey's foreign and defence ministries did not respond directly to Reuters questions about an HTS-Ankara understanding about the Aleppo operation. In reply to questions about Turkey's awareness of battlefield preparations, a Turkish official told Reuters that the HTS "does not receive orders or direction from us (and) does not coordinate its operations with us either." The official said that "in that sense" it would not be correct to say that the operation in Aleppo was carried out with Turkey's approval or green light. Turkish intelligence agency MIT did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters was unable to reach a representative for HTS. VULNERABLE The rebels struck when Assad was at his most vulnerable. Distracted by wars elsewhere, his military allies Russia, Iran, and Lebanon's Hezbollah failed to mobilise the kind of decisive firepower that had propped him up for years. Syria's weak armed forces were unable to resist. A regime source told Reuters that tanks and planes were left with no fuel because of corruption and looting - an illustration of just how hollowed out the Syrian state had become. Over the past two years morale had severely eroded in the army, said the source, who requested anonymity because of fear of retribution. Aron Lund, a fellow at Century International, a Middle-East focused think-tank, said the HTS-led coalition was stronger and more coherent than any previous rebel force during the war, "and a lot of that is Abu Mohammed al-Golanis doing". But, he said, the regime's weakness was the deciding factor. "After they lost Aleppo like that, regime forces never recovered and the more the rebels advanced, the weaker Assads army got," he said. The pace of the rebel advances, with Hama being captured on Dec. 5 and Homs falling on or around Sunday at the same time government forces lost Damascus, exceeded expectations. "There was a window of opportunity but no one expected the regime to crumble this fast. Everyone expected some fight," said Bassam Al-Kuwatli, president of the Syrian Liberal Party, a small opposition group, who is based outside Syria. A U.S. official said on condition of anonymity that while Washington had been aware of Turkeys overall support for the rebels, it was not informed of any tacit Turkish approval for the Aleppo offensive. The White House National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Turkey's role. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday said that Russia's abandonment of Assad led to his downfall, adding that Moscow never should have protected him in the first place and then lost interest because of a war in Ukraine that never should have started. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday noted his country's role in weakening Hezbollah, which sources told Reuters withdrew its remaining troops from Syria on Saturday. GAZA FALLOUT Sources familiar with Hezbollah deployments said the Iran-backed group, which propped up Assad early in the war, had already withdrawn many of its elite fighters from Syria over the last year to support the group as it waged hostilities with Israel - a conflict that spilled over from the Gaza war. Israel dealt Hezbollah heavy blows, particularly after launching an offensive in September, killing the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah and many of its commanders and fighters. The rebel offensive in Syria began the same day as a ceasefire came into effect in the Lebanon conflict on Nov. 27. The sources familiar with Hezbollah said it did not want to engage in big battles in Syria as the group focused on starting a long road to recovery from the heavy blows. For the rebel alliance, the withdrawal of Hezbollah presented a valuable opportunity. "We just wanted a fair fight between us and the regime," the Syrian opposition source said. Assad's fall marks a major blow to Iranian influence in the Middle East, coming so swiftly after the killing of Nasrallah and the damage done by Israel to Hezbollah. Turkey, on the other hand, now appears to be Syria's most powerful external player, with troops on the ground and access to the rebel leaders. In addition to securing the return of Syrian refugees, Turkey's objectives include curbing the power of Syrian Kurdish groups that control wide areas of northeast Syria and are backed by the United States. Ankara deems them to be terrorists. As part of the initial offensive, the Turkey-backed SNA seized swathes of territory, including the city of Tel Refaat, from U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. On Sunday, a Turkish security source said the rebels entered the northern city of Manbij after pushing the Kurds back again. "Turkey is the biggest outside winner here. Erdogan turned out to be on the right - or at least winning - side of history here because his proxies in Syria won the day," said Birol Baskan, Turkey-based political scientist and former non-resident scholar at Middle East Institute. (Additional reporting by Laila Bassam in Beirut, Tuvan Gumrukcu, Alexander Cornwell in Manama and Matt Spetalnick in Washington in Ankara; Writing by Tom Perry; editing by Frank Jack Daniel) Syria's Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia and have been granted asylum by the Russian authorities, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, citing a Kremlin source. The Interfax news agency quoted the unnamed source as saying: "President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds." This is a developing story that will be updated. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Syria's Assad is in Moscow under asylum, Russian news agencies say The Assad familys decadeslong reign in Syria came to an abrupt end Sunday when rebel forces captured Damascus after a stunning lightning-strike rout across the country. Hassan Abdul-Ghani, senior commander of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), claimed victory for the rebel forces that stormed across Syria in a matter of days and entered Damascus overnight. We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad, he said in a post on WhatsApp. To the displaced people around the world, Free Syria awaits you. People celebrate with anti-government fighters Sunday at Umayyad Square in Damascus. Videos circulating on social media and verified by NBC News appeared to show Syrians celebrating across Damascus overnight and into the day, as crowds honked horns, waved flags and fired their guns into the air, while others posed for selfies standing on top of a tank. Photos and video showed people toppling statues of Hafez al-Assad, father of ousted President Bashar Al-Assad, in cities across Syria, including in the Assad stronghold of Latakia. Assad fled the country and relinquished the presidency. That was confirmed by patron Russia, which supported the regime in crushing what started as a peaceful protest movement and became a vicious civil war. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus in 2019. As a result of negotiations between Bashar Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully, according to a Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry statement. Russian state media reported Sunday that Assad fled to Moscow. A senior Biden administration official confirmed that Russia has given Assad asylum. Syrias prime minister, Ghazi al-Jalali, remained in his home, he said in an earlier statement, and does not intend to leave except in a peaceful manner that ensures the continued functioning of public institutions and state facilities, promoting security and reassurance for our fellow citizens. He said the government is ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people. HTS General Command said it also freed the people being held in Sednaya Prison. The Syrian government has detained thousands at the military prison on the outskirts of Damascus, according to Reuters. We announce to the Syrian people the news of the liberation of our captives and the breaking of their chains, proclaiming the end of the era of oppression in Sednaya Prison. Syrian state radio, Sham FM, reported that Damascus International Airport had been evacuated, all employees removed and all flights suspended. It was not clear Sunday who was in charge of the state outlet. An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad in Damascus on Sunday. International reaction President Joe Biden on Sunday lauded the fall of the Assad regime. At long last, the Assad regime has fallen, Biden said near the beginning of his speech. He added, Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country, but he warned: Its also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next. Biden outlined continued U.S. involvement in Syria, saying, We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime, toward independent, sovereign and independent Syria with a new constitution, new government that serves all Syrians. In a post on his Truth Social platform Saturday morning, President-elect Donald Trump said in all capital letters that the United States should have nothing to do with the situation in Syria. This is not our fight. Let it play out. The Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X it has deployed to the buffer zone between Israel and Syria, as well as other places, to ensure the safety of the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel. We emphasize that the IDF is not interfering with the internal events in Syria, it said. Militant group offensive Damascus fell not long after rebels on Friday besieged the Syrian city of Homs with a rapid assault on government forces that left three of the countrys five largest cities in their hands and nothing to stop them from marching on the Syrian capital. HTS rebels claimed Saturday that they had captured the city, a day after also claiming to have seized the city of Daraa. The U.S., which has about 900 American troops in northern Syria, has been closely monitoring developments in the country. In less than two weeks, the HTS rebels were also able to capture the city of Aleppo in the north, as well as the central city of Hama, where government forces were forced out Thursday. Syrian opposition fighters celebrate in Damascus. The HTS attack on Aleppo was the first opposition assault on the city since 2016, when a brutal air campaign by Russian warplanes helped Assad retake control of the city. The sudden takeover of the capital by HTS militants was seen as a blow to the outside forces that have enabled Assad to cling to power for 24 years Russia, Iran and Iranian-backed Hezbollah. The rapid advance by HTS comes as the Middle East is awash in fresh fighting, with U.S.-backed Israel trying to root out Hamas in Gaza and maintain a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are Iranian-allied groups. Meanwhile, pro-Assad soldiers were battling Kurdish forces that seized government positions in eastern Syria near the cities of Raqqa and Deir Ez-Zor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Friday. Syrian rebel fighters parade detained members of the Syrian governments forces in civilian clothing in Homs. HTS origins HTS grew out of the former Al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. Its one of several competing forces in Syria fighting to bring down the Assad regime that, since the beginning of the countrys civil war almost 14 years ago, has killed hundreds of thousands of Syrians. A 2020 ceasefire left Assad in control of 70% of Syria, but some 6.8 million Syrians have fled the country. Many have gone to Europe, where the sudden influx of Syrian refugees has fueled a resurgence of anti-immigrant far-right movements from Portugal to Poland. The recent battlefield successes of HTS are the culmination of four years of trying to turn the rebel forces into a force capable of challenging Assads army and equipping them with drones and other high-tech weapons of war, experts have said. The expansion of units ... along with large-scale indigenous rocket and missile production has created a force that Assads regime has seriously struggled to defend against, let alone outmaneuver, Charles Lister, director of the Syria program at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank, said on X. Media asked to maintain safe distance amid farmers' Delhi Chalo march Media persons at Shambhu border were advised to maintain a safe distance during the ongoing 'Delhi Chalo' march by farmers on Sunday. Farmers, under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, will resume their march towards Delhi with a 101-member delegation starting their protest from Shambhu border between Haryana and Punjab at noon. Addressing the media, the police emphasised the importance of maintaining distance while covering the protest for safety reasons. Speaking to IANS, Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh stated, "Media coverage is not being stopped, but it is crucial to prioritise safety. We request media persons to cover the events from a safe distance to avoid any incidents that might lead to injuries or losses." Singh noted that during the initial march two days ago, three media persons were injured. He informed that to prevent a recurrence, a letter was sent to the DPRO Patiala, instructing media coverage to be conducted from a safe distance. "It is up to the discretion of media persons to ensure their safety while reporting," Singh added. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher acknowledged the SSP's instructions and added, "The SSP assured us that junior police officers who misbehaved with media persons will be instructed to not repeat such actions. The situation has now been clarified for the media." Earlier, Pandher had slammed the Punjab government for restricting media access near Shambhu border. Responding to Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur's directive to keep media one kilometre away from the protest site, Pandher remarked, "Bhagwant Mann and Kejriwal, who once criticised the Modi government for oppressing farmers, have now shown their true colours." "The Punjab government is stopping the media on instructions from the Centre. We condemn this and demand answers from the Chief Minister," he told IANS. Security measures have been significantly strengthened at the Shambhu border as farmers continue their protests. Internet services in Ambala have been suspended until December 9, and gatherings of more than five people have been prohibited by the Ambala administration. Pandher also claimed that 16 farmers were injured during recent confrontations, accusing the government of failing to address their grievances. Farmers have outlined a series of demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), debt waivers, and pensions for farmers and agricultural labourers. They also oppose any hike in electricity tariffs and demand justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Additional demands include reinstating the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and providing compensation to the families of farmers who lost their lives during the 2020-21 agitation. Despite heightened security and restrictions, farmers remain determined to march to Delhi and press their demands, signalling continued tensions between the farming community and the government. In Jan. 2023, I wrote about my 10 top stocks to buy for the new year. I ended up pretty proud of my list because if you'd invested $1,000 in each of the 10 stocks the day the article was published, you'd have ended 2023 with $13,301, including dividends. If you'd instead put your $10,000 into an S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) index fund, you would've had just $11,900 at the end of the year. In other words, the total return of my stock picks beat the broad market by 74%. And last December, I updated my list of top 10 stocks for 2024, which have again outperformed the market. With $10,000 invested equally across those 10 stocks at the beginning of the year, you'd have $14,281 as of the Dec. 5 market close. An equal investment in an S&P 500 index fund would be worth $12,890. That's a total return difference of 48%. That's an encouraging result given how strong stocks have been this year. When the market is down, it's much easier to beat. For example, when the S&P 500 lost 18% in 2022, 51% of U.S. equity managers underperformed the market. But through the first half of a bullish 2024, 57% of large-cap U.S. equity managers were underperforming the index, and 60% underperformed it last year when the index was up 24%. Let's take a closer look at how my picks are faring with about a month to go in 2024 and consider whether you should buy them for the coming year. Drumroll, please ... The top 10 stocks I chose for 2024 were Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST), Global-e Online (NASDAQ: GLBE), Lemonade (NYSE: LMND), Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ: LULU), MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI), Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU), SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI), and Visa (NYSE: V). Here's how they are performing compared to the S&P 500 as of Dec. 5: ABNB Total Return Level Chart Data by YCharts. Nine of my top 10 picks are up year to date. The lone exception, Lululemon, is experiencing some major challenges right now. Let's do a quick rundown on each of these stocks and their prospects for 2025. Airbnb: Flat After gaining 59% in 2023, Airbnb has been flat this year. Growth has slowed, but profitability has soared. It's looking more like a value stock right now, and it's building on its popular platform. Shares trade at only 22 times trailing-12-month free cash flow, and value investors should take a look. Amazon: Up 45% Amazon has launched powerful artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that are driving tremendous growth in its cloud computing segment, Amazon Web Services (AWS). AWS is the leading global cloud services provider, and AI is bringing in new clients. It's also the largest e-commerce company in the U.S. with a wide lead. Amazon remains a top choice for almost any investor. Costco: Up 50% Costco is one of my favorite all-weather stocks, and it continues to climb despite reaching fresh all-time highs this year. It's reliable for strong performance under almost any macroeconomic conditions, and the market can't seem to get enough of it. If you have a long-term mindset, you can add some shares even now, but you might want to adopt a dollar-cost averaging strategy. Global-e Online: Up 34% Global-e is a small but growing e-commerce powerhouse that provides cross-border solutions for online retailers. It services A-list clients like Disney, LVMH, and Nordstrom, and it adds more customers every quarter. It boasts high growth, and it's getting closer to profitability too. That positions the company to extend its momentum into 2025. Lemonade: Up 185% Lemonade is the standout stock on this list, and you can see how one big winner can carry a portfolio. The insurance company entered 2024 down more than 90% from its all-time high as investors were frustrated with its progress toward profitability. It made great strides this year, and its AI algorithms are doing their job. Lemonade still has a tremendous opportunity. Lululemon: Down 33% Lululemon is a consumer favorite, but it made a few missteps this year in its product launches. That wasn't helped by a soft market in general for premium apparel, and Lululemon isn't the only activewear company struggling right now. However, at the current price, it trades at only 26 times trailing-12-month earnings, a discount to the S&P 500 average. There may be some more volatility in the near future, but long-term investors should view this as an opportunity to buy a leading consumer apparel brand on the dip. MercadoLibre: Up 26% MercadoLibre has been a top performer for a long time, but the stock fell earlier this year due to economic instability and new competition in some of its key markets. However, MercadoLibre continues to run an outstanding business that's highly profitable and still reporting high growth, and its opportunity across Latin America is enormous. Nu: Up 44% Nu is an all-digital bank headquartered in Brazil, and it's growing by leaps and bounds. It has a cross-selling strategy that's resulting in high engagement and rising average revenue per active customer. The company has 110 million global customers, and it's entering new markets that should fuel its gains through 2025 and beyond. SoFi: Up 57% SoFi is an all-digital bank in the U.S., and it's also demonstrating momentum as it captures market share and becomes sustainably profitable. It has reported positive net income in the past four quarters, and management expects that trend to continue. The business is successfully expanding into a full financial services app, adding to its core lending segment, and it has years of growth ahead of it. Visa: Up 20% Visa is an all-weather stock that grows when the economy does. It's slightly underperforming the market this year since the market's gains have been fueled by big tech stocks. But Visa has been a winning choice for years, and it's an excellent value pick. The best portfolio is diversified Ten stocks aren't enough for a diversified portfolio, and this list skews toward growth stocks. But if your research leads you to invest in a few of these companies and you round out your portfolio with additional stocks or even an exchange-traded fund for greater diversification, you can be well prepared for various market conditions. And it's important to remember that every year will look different -- some picks may be duds, while others surge. But these year-to-year swings become less important when you focus on buying quality stocks and holding them long term. This remains a winning strategy for building wealth in the stock market. Should you invest $1,000 in S&P 500 Index right now? Before you buy stock in S&P 500 Index, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and S&P 500 Index wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $872,947!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 2, 2024 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fools board of directors. Jennifer Saibil has positions in Airbnb, Global-E Online, Lemonade, MercadoLibre, Nu Holdings, SoFi Technologies, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Airbnb, Amazon, Costco Wholesale, Global-E Online, Lemonade, Lululemon Athletica, MercadoLibre, Visa, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends Nu Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Tyler O'Neill was good in 2021, and then again in 2024. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) (Cole Burston via Getty Images) Tyler O'Neill is staying in the American League East. The former Boston Red Sox outfielder has agreed to a three-year, $49.5 million deal, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The deal reportedly includes an opt-out after the first season. The deal rewards a resurgent season for the former St. Louis Cardinals standout, who had a career year in 2021 but struggled to replicate that form until last year. In 2021, O'Neill finished eighth in MVP voting and won a Gold Glove while hitting .286/.352/.560 with 34 home runs. He hit only .229/.310/.397 in the next two seasons, leading to a change-of-scenery trade to Boston. O'Neill didn't quite reproduce his 2021 numbers, but he made a good enough impression to land a multi-year deal in free agency. His playing style is still characterized by high risk, high reward at the plate. His peripherals are some of the worst of any MLB regulars when it comes to strikeouts and whiffs, but he makes hard contact any time he touches the ball and can draw a walk. All of that makes O'Neill a natural replacement for Anthony Santander, a hitter with a similar profile who won a Silver Slugger in right field for the Orioles. Santander remains a free agent and is almost certainly not coming back now. Baltimore also still has more on its to-do list after a somewhat disappointing 91-win season. Its 2024 ace, Corbin Burnes, remains a free agent, and the team is looking to either re-sign or replace him atop the rotation. Neither option will be cheap, but it won't be as expensive as what the Red Sox are trying to do at corner outfield with O'Neill on the way out. 8 December 2024 14:44 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On December 8, the Syrian army command announced the collapse of Bashar al-Assads authoritarian rule, marking a seismic turning point for the Middle East. This development follows a swift rebel offensive that culminated in the capture of Damascus, where jubilant crowds filled the streets chanting "Freedom" after decades of Assad family domination. The fall of Assad's regime not only reshapes the Syrian political landscape but also sends ripples across neighboring regions, sparking fears of instability and geopolitical recalibrations. As the Middle East braces for the aftermath of Assads downfall, questions arise about its implications for the South Caucasusa region bordering key players in Syria, including Russia, Iran, and Turkiye. With these neighbors supporting the 3+3 format to foster cooperation in the South Caucasus, parallels with the Astana format on Syria become evident. Yet, the shifting dynamics in Syria raise concerns about the durability of such frameworks and the potential challenges for regional sovereignty in the South Caucasus.This format includes the three South Caucasus nationsAzerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgiaand their larger neighbors, Russia, Turkiye, and Iran. While ostensibly aimed at fostering stability and reducing geopolitical tensions, the reality of its implementation reveals varied levels of enthusiasm and engagement among the participants. Each of the regional actor has clear and distinct ambitions. Turkiye is determined to contain the Kurdish military presence, prevent the establishment of any Kurdish political entity along its southern border, and ensure the return of Syrian refugees. Iran is focused on preserving the critical land routes that connect it to Syria and Lebanon for the transfer of arms to its allies and proxies, while also reinforcing the centralized state in Damascus. Meanwhile, Russia has declared its intention to resolve the Syrian conflict, yet it lacks the necessary leverage to compel President Assad to accept any compromises. In this complex landscape, Assad strategically navigates the interests of these three powerful actors to solidify his authority. Perspectives on the 3+3 Format from South Caucasus nations: Azerbaijan has been a strong advocate for the 3+3 initiative, viewing it as a pragmatic platform to address regional challenges collaboratively. For Baku, the format represents an opportunity to participate in multilateral diplomacy while promoting peace and connectivity within the South Caucasus. has been a strong advocate for the 3+3 initiative, viewing it as a pragmatic platform to address regional challenges collaboratively. For Baku, the format represents an opportunity to participate in multilateral diplomacy while promoting peace and connectivity within the South Caucasus. Armenia , on the other hand, appears less enthusiastic. Yerevan's involvement seems to stem from geopolitical necessity, particularly its dependence on Tehran, rather than genuine alignment with the formats goals. While it hesitates to deepen ties with Turkiye in other contexts, the 3+3 framework provides a controlled setting for limited interaction. , on the other hand, appears less enthusiastic. Yerevan's involvement seems to stem from geopolitical necessity, particularly its dependence on Tehran, rather than genuine alignment with the formats goals. While it hesitates to deepen ties with Turkiye in other contexts, the 3+3 framework provides a controlled setting for limited interaction. Georgia remains the notable absentee, declining participation due to its strained relations with Russia.Given the ongoing protests in the country and the turmoil in the government, Tbilisi is undoubtedly not yet considering the urgency of this issue. Despite this, Tbilisi maintains functional relations with other participants, demonstrating a pragmatic approach to regional diplomacy. The establishment of a 3+3 regional format in the South Caucasus resembles the Astana Process in Syria. Currently, this format has successfully prevented any spillover effects in the South Caucasus. The Astana process in Syria initially strengthened coordination between Russia, Turkiye, and Iran, allowing them to manage their overlapping interests and contain conflicts. However, as agreements fracture and tensions rise, the limits of such formats have become evident. This decline in cooperative mechanisms raises concerns that similar processes in the South Caucasus, such as the 3+3, might face similar challenges. In Syria, external powers have relied heavily on proxies to advance their agendas. In contrast, the South Caucasus retains an advantage: the absence of direct proxies. While Russias alliance with Armenia and Turkiyes partnership with Azerbaijan resemble proxy-like relationships, they are markedly different. Armenia demonstrates a degree of autonomy in its dealings with Moscow, while the Azerbaijan-Turkiye alliance is characterized by mutual respect and equal partnership. The enduring subjectivity of the South Caucasus statesAzerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgiaremains a critical factor in preventing external powers from turning the region into another arena of proxy wars. The regions future stability hinges on these countries ability to act as independent actors rather than subservient to larger neighbors geopolitical interests. For this reason, the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia is not merely a bilateral concern but an existential necessity for the South Caucasus as a whole. Resolving disputes, particularly in light of the recent focus on economic diversification and infrastructure development in Azerbaijan, could shield the region from external manipulations and provide a foundation for sustained peace and prosperity. Looking ahead As Syrias statehood collapses and the power vacuum grows, the South Caucasus faces the task of consolidating its subjectivity amidst competing interests from neighboring powers. The lessons from Assad's fall and the Astana format underscore the importance of self-determination and regional cooperation, emphasizing that the South Caucasus cannot afford to rely on external actors to define its future. In this context, Azerbaijans leadership in advocating for pragmatic multilateralism, alongside Turkiyes partnership and Georgias strategic autonomy, could serve as a model for balancing external pressures while safeguarding regional sovereignty. 8 December 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Kamaluddin Gafarov, head of the Milli Majlis' working group on inter-parliamentary relations with Pakistan, met with Sardar Ammar Ahmed Khan Leghari, a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan. Azernews reports, citing the Press and Public Relations Department of the Parliament that the meeting discussed the history of relations between the states and peoples of Azerbaijan and Pakistan, the political support provided by official Islamabad to our country both during the period when our lands were under Armenian occupation and during the 44-day Patriotic War, the development path of our diplomatic relations, and the prospects for deepening our inter-parliamentary relations. During the conversation, the Pakistani guest congratulated Azerbaijan on holding such a prestigious international event as COP29 at a high level and on the successful results achieved, despite all the difficulties and obstacles. He said that the construction work carried out by Azerbaijan in the territories liberated from occupation is highly appreciated. The parties also exchanged views on the importance of mutual support in international organizations, the activities of inter-parliamentary friendship groups and other topics. At the meeting, Member of Parliament Elshan Musayev shared his views on Azerbaijani-Pakistani relations. 8 December 2024 15:09 (UTC+04:00) A Post-COP29 seminar was held in Islamabad, Pakistan, attended by key officials including Romina Khurshid Alam, Pakistan's Prime Minister's Coordinator for Climate Change and Environment, and Khazar Farhadov, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Pakistan, among others, Azernews reports. In his speech, Khazar Farhadov emphasized the success of COP29, noting that numerous world leaders participated in the event, with over 76,000 people engaging in the discussions. Romina Khurshid Alam highlighted Pakistans technical and political contributions during COP29, which were praised by international observers. She also announced that Pakistan would soon host the V20 (The Vulnerable Twenty) meeting to develop a roadmap for addressing climate challenges. 8 December 2024 19:31 (UTC+04:00) Participants of the International Parliamentary Conference on Parliamentarism: Traditions and Prospects visited Khankendi and Khojaly as part of their program in Garabagh, Azernews reports. The delegation first toured Victory Square in Khankendi, where the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan, Elchin Yusubov, briefed them on the city's history and redevelopment. They then visited Garabagh University, established by a presidential decree in 2023. Rector Shahin Bayramov highlighted the rapid creation of a modern educational infrastructure, including renovated buildings, equipped laboratories, and new libraries. Delegates engaged with students and explored the university facilities. The group then traveled to Khojaly, where they learned about its tragic history, including the Khojaly genocide of February 1992. Delegates were reminded of the atrocities committed by Armenian forces, which left 613 Azerbaijanis dead, including women, children, and the elderly, and caused widespread destruction. The reconstruction efforts since the liberation of Khojaly in September 2023 were also discussed. Officials accompanying the delegation included Vice-Speaker Rafael Huseynov and several Azerbaijani parliamentary committee chairs. The visit symbolized both remembrance and progress as the region moves forward with significant redevelopment efforts. Israel deploys forces in Golan buffer zone amid 'fall' of Assad regime in Syria Israel has deployed its forces in new positions within the buffer zone along the Israel-Syria border in the Golan Heights on Sunday following the"fall" of the Assad regime in Syria. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the move, marking the first such deployment since the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement was signed. The IDF, in a post on X, stated, "In accordance with the situational assessment following the recent events in Syria, including the entry of armed personnel into the buffer zone, the IDF has deployed forces in the buffer zone and in several other places necessary for its defence, to ensure the safety of the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel." The move comes following a fresh assessment and "the possibility of gunmen entering the buffer zone," the post read. "We emphasise that the IDF does not intervene in the events taking place in Syria," the security forces said. The deployment coincides with significant upheaval in Syria. According to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, rebel fighters entered Damascus at dawn on Sunday. Reports indicate that hundreds of government soldiers were seen withdrawing from Damascus International Airport, shedding their military uniforms for civilian clothing. Multiple media outlets have reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country, although the Syrian presidency maintains that Assad is still fulfilling his constitutional duties in the capital. Social media footage from Damascus reveals intense gunfire and heavy traffic as residents attempt to flee the city. In another video, a statue of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father and predecessor, is shown being torn down, symbolising the regime's collapse. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali addressed the situation in a Facebook post, expressing his willingness to "cooperate" with any leadership chosen by the people. He also urged citizens to refrain from vandalising public property. 8 December 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Panama on Saturday was officially made an associate member state of the South American trade bloc Mercosur, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. Panama was formally admitted into the group after a meeting held in Uruguays capital Montevideo with the leaders of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay also in attendance. Jose Raul Mulino, Panamas president, stressed that they are the first Central American country to join the trade bloc. "Today, we made history. This is not just an agreement; it is a commitment to our people and to a future filled with opportunities," he said. As an associate member of the bloc, however, Panama does not currently have the right to vote or take part in decision-making processes. The Southern Common Market, also known as Mercosur, was founded in 1991 and is made up of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Venezuela, a full member of the bloc, has been suspended since December 2016. 8 December 2024 13:05 (UTC+04:00) The Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali has said the country should hold free elections in an interview with Al-Arabiya that has been cited by the Reuters news agency, Azernews reports. He also mentioned having been in contact with rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani regarding the transitional period. This morning, Al-Arabiya quoted the prime minister saying his last contact with Bashar al-Assad was "yesterday evening" and that he has no information on Assad's current whereabouts. As a reminder, in the early hours of the morning we brought you details of an address the prime minister made via social media. He said that he was ready to help do what is best for the people. ****10:29 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane and fled from the capital city of Damascus to an unknown location, Syria TV reported, citing unnamed sources, Azernews reports. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) war monitor also said a private plane that left Damascus airport was most likely carrying Assad. Government troops at the airport were demobilized after its departure, SOHR added. Syrian state TV has broadcast a video from Syrias rebel factions saying President Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown and all jail detainees freed. In their first televised announcement since their rapid and surprise offensive, they called on all opposition fighters and citizens to preserve state institutions of the free Syrian state Assad left Damascus shortly after the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group confirmed it had entered the capital. Al Jazeera Arabic, citing unnamed sources, reported that the rebels have taken control of the Public Radio and TV building in the city. 8 December 2024 16:00 (UTC+04:00) "The Syrian people will reshape the future of their country," said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a press conference in Doha, Azernews reports. He emphasized Turkey's commitment to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that "millions of Syrians who were forced to leave their country can now return." Fidan also noted that Turkey is dedicated to rebuilding Syria: "We must be very careful so that ISIS and the PKK do not abuse the current situation. We continue to maintain contacts with our American friends. Syrian state institutions must be protected and opposition forces must unite immediately." He urged all actors to "act carefully and calmly," stressing, "We must not continue instability in the region any longer." 8 December 2024 17:03 (UTC+04:00) Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared on Telegram, Azernews reports. He recalled a meeting on December 7, 2024, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump, the soon-to-be U.S. President, at the Elysee Palace. "We discussed important things on the battlefield in Ukraine and in the global situation, from our front to North Korea," Zelenskyy stated. The President emphasized Ukraines need for a "just and strong peace" that Russia would not destroy in a few years, referencing the Russian actions in Georgia, Moldova, Syria, and even Africa. "Russia brought war to our land. And it is Russia that most of all wants to disrupt the possibility of peace," Zelenskyy added. He also shared updated figures on Russian losses, which exceed 750,000 people, including 198,000 killed and over 550,000 wounded. Zelenskyy expressed his nation's determination, stressing that "our people are defending their home at the cost of their lives" and highlighting the importance of frontline medical developments. "One of the key differences between the Russian army and the Ukrainian Defense Forces is the level of development of frontline medicine, which is much higher in our army," he noted. Additionally, Zelenskyy drew attention to the significant number of Ukrainian prisoners, including military and civilians, some of whom have been held since 2014. He stated that since February 2022, 3,935 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity, urging continued efforts to bring all missing individuals home. The President also highlighted the plight of children deported by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories, with the Russians reportedly scattering hundreds of thousands of stolen children across their country. "Returning them is the most difficult thing," Zelenskyy emphasized. Finally, he warned that a ceasefire without guarantees could reignite hostilities, as seen with previous Russian actions. "To ensure that there will be no more losses of Ukrainians, we must guarantee the reliability of peace and not turn a blind eye to the occupation," he said. 8 December 2024 18:33 (UTC+04:00) Ghana's Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has accepted defeat in Saturday's election and congratulated the opposition candidate, former President John Mahama, on his victory, Azernews reports via BBC. "The people have voted for change," said Bawumia. The elections come amid the country's worst economic crisis in a generation, which saw the cost of basic goods shoot up, while young people struggled to get jobs and the country was unable to repay its debts. Despite Bawumia's concession, no official results have been declared. The Electoral Commission (EC) said results had been delayed because supporters of the two main parties were impeding the process and it had asked the police to clear the collation centres. Mahama's supporters have taken to the streets around the country to celebrate, cheering, waving flags, blowing vuvuzelas and spinning motorbikes. "I'm so excited for this victory," Salifu Abdul-Fatawu told the BBC in the central city of Kumasi. He said he hoped it would mean that he and his sibling would get jobs, while the price of food and fuel would come down. Even NPP supporter Nana accepted that "my party is NPP, but whatever they did was not good. "The system was so bad in an election year and so most people were not happy." 8 December 2024 21:07 (UTC+04:00) Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was detained on December 8 as part of an investigation into his alleged recommendation of a brief martial law imposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol, Azernews reports via AP. The detention follows political turbulence in South Korea, as President Yoon narrowly avoided an impeachment attempt by the opposition-led parliament. The Democratic Party announced its intent to pursue a new motion against him. Kim was taken into custody at a Seoul detention facility after voluntarily appearing at the prosecutors' office. Reports indicate his mobile phone was confiscated, and police conducted searches at his former office and residence. Further details about the case remain undisclosed. 8 December 2024 22:39 (UTC+04:00) The UK has experienced severe damage and tragic losses as Storm Darragh brought strong winds and heavy rainfall across the country, Azernews reports. According to reports, a tree fell on a minibus on the A59 motorway near Longton, Lancashire, claiming the life of a 40-year-old driver. In a similar incident in Erdington, Birmingham, another individual was killed when a tree fell on their car. Winds reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), leaving over 250,000 residents in western England and Wales without electricity. Sporting events were postponed, and flights were cancelled due to unsafe conditions. A yellow weather warning remains in effect for southern England, Wales, and Scotland, with a separate warning for heavy rain in northeastern England. The Environment Agency has issued 65 flood alerts and 152 flood warnings. Residents are urged to monitor forecasts and plan travel cautiously. The storm caused significant structural damage, including uprooted trees, damaged roofs, and road closures. Experts advise limiting outdoor activity and staying indoors unless absolutely necessary during such hazardous conditions. 8 December 2024 23:10 (UTC+04:00) Iran's Foreign Ministry has issued a statement reaffirming its principled stance on the situation in Syria, emphasizing respect for the country's national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, Azernews reports. In the official statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry called for an immediate cessation of military conflicts in Syria, urging the prevention of terrorist attacks and the initiation of a national dialogue. This dialogue, according to Iran, should include all Syrian groups and aim to form a government that fairly represents the interests of all citizens. The ministry also underscored its support for monitoring Syria's political process through international mechanisms, particularly those outlined in UN Resolution 2254. Iran reiterated its ongoing constructive cooperation with the United Nations in this regard. Given the grave situation in Syria, which is undergoing one of the most perilous periods in its history, Iran emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of all citizens, including foreign nationals, and the protection of diplomatic buildings. The Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated Syria's role as an influential and significant country in West Asia and stressed that it would continue its efforts to help restore security and stability in Syria. In conclusion, Iran reaffirmed its commitment to continue consultations with all relevant parties, especially regional countries, to support peace and stability in Syria. From left, Pearl Harbor survivor Earl Chuck Kohler, his son Mike, and Gary Moreland (son of a late Pearl Harbor survivor) attend a ceremony near Mount Diablo on Saturday that honored the victims of that fateful event. Christian Leonard/The Chronicle When Earl Chuck Kohler heard planes fly over Pearl Harbor the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, he didnt realize anything was off until shrapnel burst through the wall of his building, tearing at his neck and shoulders. Kohler, 100, recounted his experience Saturday at a ceremony on California State East Bays Concord campus commemorating the 83rd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. As part of the annual event, the Mount Diablo Beacon was illuminated at sunset, sending out a rotating beam of light to honor the attacks victims. If you will watch that beacon as it rotates ... all of those victims will communicate with you, Kohler told the more than 100 attendees. They will do so in unison, as if with one voice, and their message, their plea, will always be the same: Remember us. Remember us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kohler, who lives in nearby Clayton, is one of the last Pearl Harbor survivors there are just 16 still living, according to the Associated Press. He was 17 and stationed at Ford Island as a first class seaman when Japanese forces launched their surprise attack, which killed more than 2,300 U.S. troops and pushed the U.S. to enter World War II. After Kohler recovered from his initial shock that morning, he said he ran outside and saw a bomb on the ground and a Japanese plane overhead, and he realized the harbor was under attack. His officer told him to take cover, but Kohler said he and a group of others grabbed their weapons instead. Im from a proud family and I damn well know that if Im going to lose my life in this battle or any other battle of this war, I would want my family and my country to know I died fighting, not hiding, Kohler said. With a .50-caliber machine gun, Kohler took aim at the cockpit of an attacking plane. He fired several shots, forcing the pilot to veer away from the group of soldiers, he said. Kohler stayed by his gun, but the planes did not come back. Kohler said he has returned to Pearl Harbor once since that day, a visit that moved him to find a way to honor his fallen comrades. To that end, Kohler has donated thousands of dollars to preserve and restore the Mount Diablo Beacon, which is lit three times a year on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The beacon was built on the summit of Mount Diablo in 1928 to help planes navigate, one of four guiding lights installed on the west coast by Standard Oil. But, after Pearl Harbor, the beacons light was extinguished for fear it could help enemy planes attack, according to nonprofit Save Mount Diablo. It stayed dark for decades, until Pearl Harbor Day in 1964, when veterans relit the Beacon to commemorate those who died in the 1941 attack, beginning an annual tradition. The Beacons beam was lit Saturday just after 5 p.m. and was to stay lit until dawn. The latest in the parade of lawsuits by plaintiffs who were given gender transition drugs and / or surgery and later grew out of their gender dysphoria has now hit one of the top child gender transition surgeons. Dr. Johanna Olsen-Kennedy, Medical Director of the Center for TransYouth Health and Development at Los Angeles Hospital in California is being sued by Clementine Breen, now 20 and a de-transitioner now comfortable in her female body as she was born. Breen was administered puberty blockers, male hormones, and finally a breast removal by Dr. Olsen-Kennedy between the ages of 12 and 14. She is now disfigured and infertile from the prosecures and drugs. Breen says she was rushed into the "treatment" without mental health examination or explanation of side effects. When her parents raised objections, they were told by Dr. Olsen-Kennedy that Breen had expressed suicidal thoughts if she did not get the "treatment". Breen says she never had any suicidal thoughts or expressed anything like that to the doctor, who then lied to her parents. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14167839/transgender-transition-sex-change-doctor-infertile-kaya-breen.html The US Supreme Court recently heard a case where the ACLU objected to a Tennessee law that protects children from these gender reassignment drugs and surgery and is expected to uphold that law. Last year, the British National Health Service issued medical guidance that gender confusion in children was usually temporary and most of them grew out of it naturally, and recommended no drug or surgical treatment or even use of new names or pronouns. Beaufort County Schools are building a new school on the same ground where Eastern Elementary already exists, at a cost of $10,500,000.00 to Beaufort County's Taxpayers. Is this a wise expense of taxpayer dollars at this time? 22.73% Yes, Beaufort County has been awarded a 42 million dollars of grant money from the state of North Carolina (FREE MONEY) to construct school at 3.00 per squ. ft.65.91% No, this is the wrong time, to build the wrong school, on the wrong placement - its lowest point - of Eastern Elementary's existing location, when community schools work best.11.36% Why should I care about the public's education? This car was lifted by the roots of a tree emerging from the ground after it was blown over. Simon Grant from NIE Networks and Cookstown resident Thomas McDonald at the NIE Networks Community Assistance Centre in Cookstown Leisure Centre on Sunday afternoon, one of a number of centres set up across Northern Ireland by NIE for people affected by Storm Darragh. A bus collided with a building outside Templepatrick as Storm Darragh arrives in Northern Ireland on December 7th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott) The property owner John O Donnell surveys the damage to his garden. John reports the authorities have been and assessed the damage. Specialist Tree Surgeons are required to deal with such a massive tree. Around 1,500 customers remain without power on Monday morning following extensive damage to the network caused by Storm Darragh, NIE Networks has said. And while the operator said it will be working to restore power to homes as quickly as possible, some homes may have to wait until Tuesday. Around 95,000 customers were hit by power cuts over the course of the storm following sustained gusts of up to 70mph. At Darraghs peak, over 48,000 homes were without power. An amber warning for wind the second highest level of weather warning had been issued from 1am-3pm on Saturday. A yellow wind warning was then in place until 6am on Sunday. Among the events cancelled on Saturday was the Christmas Market in Belfast. It re-opened to visitors on Sunday but as a knock-on effect traffic around the city centre ground to a halt as shoppers made their way in during one of the busiest weekends of the year. Alex Houston, Network Operations Manager for NIE Networks, said his team had been dealing with over 900 faults across the network as a result of storm damage. Our teams will be working to restore customers as quickly as they can, he said. We estimate that the vast majority will be restored by Monday evening however there is the potential that small pockets will remain off supply into Tuesday. Adding to the power problems, electricity generation was temporarily suspended at Ballylumford, one of Northern Irelands main power stations, after the natural gas-fired power station reported structural damage to one of its smaller chimneys. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said 1,336 incidents were reported on our roads, over 1,000 of which were caused by fallen trees and branches Essential travel only was advised on Saturday and there were several road traffic accidents, one resulting in a Translink driver needing hospital treatment as his double decker bus left the road near Belfast International Airport. The property owner John O Donnell surveys the damage to his garden. John reports the authorities have been and assessed the damage. Specialist Tree Surgeons are required to deal with such a massive tree. Watch: Bus collides with building and roads blocked as storm Darragh batters Northern Ireland A substantial number of road closures remain in place, and road users are advised to plan their journeys in advance, including in Lurgan where a large tree came down to block Cottage Road. Property owner John ODonnell said a specialist tree surgeon will be needed to remove the fallen tree. Chainsaws were also needed across roads in Belfast, including along the Falls Road, to help remove fallen debris and make them passable again. At one point on Saturday morning there were no trains running in Northern Ireland but journeys have now resumed, with knock-on delays. Bus services, flights and ferries were also affected with many travellers seeing weekend plans cancelled. All six Irish Premiership games scheduled for Saturday were called off, with late postponements leaving fans in an appalling situation, according to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. The strongest gusts on Saturday included 78mph at Orlock Head, Co Down; 71mph at Killowen, Co Down; and 68mph at Magilligan, Co Londonderry NIE Networks is now facing a challenge to restore power to affected homes and businesses. Mr Houston added: At this stage we have worked through a lot of the faults which impact on larger numbers of customers and are now moving towards those faults where small numbers are affected. The public are reminded to stay clear of any damaged electricity equipment, keep children and animals away and to report any incidents of damage immediately to the NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643. On Sunday afternoon, NIE Networks manned community assistance centres at several locations around Northern Ireland to provide a warm place for those affected to stay warm.. Simon Grant travelled from Newry to help out at Cookstown Leisure Centre. Were here to provide a service and reassure people that NIE is doing all it can to have power restored as quickly as possible, and that we are in constant contact with all the relevant authorities to make sure that happens, he said. Cookstown resident Thomas McDonald, who has been without power at home since the early hours of Saturday morning, said the assistance centre was welcome, but added that he had only found out about it from a neighbour who hadnt lost power. With no internet and no social media there will be a lot of people who maybe needed the assistance but didnt know it was available, he said. That shows just how vital it is to get the supplies restored as quickly as possible. Im fortunate enough to have been able to take the family out for breakfast and dinner. I have an office in the town with a kitchen, so we went there for breakfast this morning (Sunday) but some will be sitting at home alone in the cold, with no television, no heating and isolated. On Sunday morning around 60 homes in the immediate Cookstown area remained affected, though that number had been reduced to single figures by Sunday afternoon as NIE worked overnight to restore the supply. Members of the public have been asked to check in on relatives, friends and neighbours who may require further support and to also ensure that their power cut has been reported. Infrastructure Minister John ODowd thanked the multi-agency staff who have once again risen to the challenge and have worked together very effectively to keep the public safe. When those who could were staying indoors, teams from my department were outside working in the atrocious weather conditions to keep people safe. Infrastructure staff were out on the ground all weekend monitoring river levels and removing accumulated material as well as clearing debris and trees off the roads to get all major routes open. I want to thank and pay tribute to them for doing so, he said. I also want to commend all of the emergency services who have been to the forefront of the weekends operation keeping people safe in very difficult conditions. Thank you also to the Community Resilience Groups who were kept up to date with advance notice of severe weather warnings so that they were prepared and ready to respond in their communities. We will continue to work with other agencies as the clear up continues. NIE Networks will open community assistance centres tomorrow from noon-2pm and 5-7pm to offer assistance to those still without power: South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon Seven Towers in Ballymena Kilkeel Leisure Centre Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney Omagh Leisure Centre Donaghadee Community Centre Firefighters are at the scene of an ongoing fire in Belfast city centre. The incident involving a compressor during roadside works started shortly before 3:30pm on Donegall Quay. Firefighters in breathing apparatus battled the blaze with foam and hose reels. Two appliances from Whitla remain at the scene. Watch: CCTV shows traffic chaos in Belfast Police have issued a renewed appeal for information as they grow increasingly concerned about missing man Philip Porter. The 46-year-old was last seen on the Lurgan Road in Moira on Thursday at 2:15am. The PSNI is asking business owners in the area to check their yards, storerooms, and premises. They are also urging residents to check sheds and outbuildings. Sergeant Jones said: Philip was last seen on the Lurgan Road of Moira at around 2:15am on Thursday 5th December. "He is described as 57 in height, with grey coloured hair and of slim build. He was last seen wearing navy blue trousers, a dark coloured jacket and a green and black shirt. We are asking business owners in Moira to check their yards, store rooms and premises as well as residents checking their sheds and outbuildings. Police would ask motorists who were travelling in the Moira and Magheralin areas at around 2:15am on Thursday 5th December, to review any dashcam footage they may have available that may be able to assist with our enquiries. Philip had also made reference to travelling to the Mourne Mountains so anyone in that area and believe they may have seen Philip, should contact police. If anyone has any information which may assist with our enquiries, they should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 438 05/12/24. A Stenaline ferry is anchored at the edge of Belfast Lough waiting for Storm Darragh to pass, Saturday, December 7, 2024. (Picture by Peter Morrison) Passengers aboard a ferry bound for Belfast endured a 13-hour delay after the captain deemed it "unsafe" to dock due to severe weather conditions. Storm Darragh kicked off on Friday night, causing widespread disruption across the UK and Ireland. Eileen Roberts, 52, and her husband along with the other passengers were stranded on the ferry, while the vessel circled the Belfast coast. The couple onboard the Stena Line vessel travelling from Scotland to Belfast Port, posted on a Facebook Northern Ireland Shipping forum on Saturday saying their ferry was unable to dock. Currently aboard Stena Superfast VII...coming into Belfast Lough ship turned and captain announced it's too unsafe to come into Belfast. Going round in circles for a few hours I suspect, they said. The couple faced double disruption as they attempted to travel back to Belfast from London. Their initial Liverpool ferry was cancelled due to severe weather, and on Stena Line's advice, they rebooked to travel from Cairnryan in Scotland. However, two hours into the journey, the captain announced that docking in Belfast would be unsafe due to high winds. Speaking to Sky News while still on the vessel, Ms Roberts said she had just one hour of sleep after a "scary and unsettling night onboard the ferry. Ms. Roberts said: My husband and I had flown to England late yesterday afternoon, where we were returning via the Liverpool ferry but were informed that it had been cancelled. We raced to Scotland, managed to make the ferry, which had been delayed. But about two hours into the journey, we were informed that it would not be docking in Belfast as it was unsafe due to the weather conditions. "We have been out on the lough ever since the early hours of the morning. She added: The boats pretty stable, but it does look very choppy outside. During the night, it was pretty black; we couldnt see what was going on and it was a bit more unsettling. We can see outside now, and yes, its pretty rough out there, but the ship itself is pretty calm inside. I havent witnessed anyone getting frustrated. Everyone has been pretty understanding. The mood onboard is really calm. Weve been well looked after, and the captain is giving regular updates in terms of whats happening. "But the last update he gave said that the gale-force winds are still preventing us from getting into Belfast. Storm Darragh caused widespread disruption across Northern Ireland, including a bus crash in Co Antrim, the cancellation of Stena Line ferry services from Belfast to Cairnryan in Scotland, and a power outage from one of NI's leading providers. NIE, one of the region's key power providers, has been offline due to the severe weather, with the provider warning that full power restoration may not occur until Tuesday. Labour is not removing local democratic power from councils with its proposals to overhaul the planning system, Angela Rayner has suggested. The Housing Secretary wants to speed up planning applications, with some potentially avoiding scrutiny by local councillors if they meet certain rules. As part of the reforms, applications which meet local development plan requirements would bypass council committees, with the aim of ending delays to new homes, cutting the time and resources spent on individual schemes, and providing more certainty to housebuilders. Conservative shadow Treasury minister Richard Fuller argued that local people will be ignored under Labours plans. Asked if the plans will take powers away from local councils, Ms Rayner told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: I dont accept that, because were saying they have to have a local plan, local democracy, and were saying the national planning policy framework, national democracy, were elected to build the 1.5 million homes, so therefore weve bolted in the consultation. Angela Rayner was asked about planning changes on the Sunday morning political programmes (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) What weve seen is, because we havent had these compulsory plans locally, is speculative development where green belt land has been developed on because we havent had the local plan that delivers for local people. Weve told councils, theyve got to have those plans. If developers follow the framework, the national framework which protects environments, looks at a number of different elements and also follows the local plan, they shouldnt be stuck in the system for years. Under Ms Rayners proposals, council officials would have a strengthened role in decision-making about planning while the councillors who sit on the committees will get new mandatory training. Alongside the reforms, the Government is this week expected to confirm sweeping changes to the National Planning Policy Framework the document which sets out national priorities for building following a consultation. This is expected to see increased housing targets which will be mandatory for the first time, with the aim of reaching the Governments pledge to build 1.5 million homes this Parliament. Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Richard Fuller (Jonathan Brady/PA) Mr Fuller said Labours goal of building 1.5 million homes is a reasonable target, but added: If you want to achieve that, youve got to bring the people with you, and, unfortunately, Labour seem to be saying that Angela is best and local people can be ignored. Elsewhere, Ms Rayner, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, was asked on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News whether she is content with many of the new homes she hopes to build going to migrants. The programme pointed towards the number of people set to arrive in the UK over the same period the homes are expected to be built, and claimed five out of seven homes could go to migrants. Well, thats not the truth, Ms Rayner responded. There is plenty of housing already, but theres not enough for the people that desperately need it. So the homes, especially under our affordable homes programme, which is social and affordable housing, will be there for people who desperately need them, local people. Families gathered at Portsmouth harbour to welcome home the ships company (LPhot Alika Mundy/PA) Sailors on a Royal Navy destroyer have been reunited with their loved ones for Christmas after a mission lasting more than six months in the eastern Mediterranean. HMS Duncan sailed to replace HMS Diamond in the Red Sea in multinational efforts to keep trade flowing during attacks by Yemens Houthi rebels. But the wars between Israel and Hamas, and Israel and Hezbollah, escalated regional tensions and HMS Duncan was ordered to stay in the eastern Mediterranean. Families waited in Portsmouth to be reunited (LPhot Alika Mundy/PA) The destroyer spent 125 days of its deployment at sea, providing air defence alongside allies from Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Cyprus and the US. Footage of its homecoming shows a crowd of people facing blustery weather at Portsmouth harbour, some waving welcome signs and Union flags. Uniformed crew members stood in line on the ships deck as it neared, before running down the ramp to hug their loved ones after it had docked. The Royal Navy said 1,000 people greeted the 200 sailors that had been aboard HMS Duncan. Commanding Officer of HMS Duncan, Commander Dan Lee, told the PA news agency: We deployed at relatively short notice back in May. After describing HMS Duncans activities in the Mediterranean, he said: For us, its a bit of time off, a bit of time back home with families back in the new year in order to start all over again, basically. Leading Hand Andrew Lynch, a member of HMS Duncans logistics team, said he will carry a piece of this experience aboard the ship with him when he returns home. He said: I look around. The faces of the people who have become my new family. The laughter that fills the mess, the shared struggles that have bound us together in this challenging world. The friendships forged not by proximity, but by necessity and resilience. When I return home, when Im finally reunited with the faces Ive missed so terribly, I will carry a piece of this experience with me. Some 200 sailors were aboard HMS Duncan (LPhot Alika Mundy/PA) The friends Ive made on this deployment, the lessons Ive learned, the moments of silent strength when I thought I couldnt go on these will be a part of who I am, who Ive become. When I hold my loved ones again, Ill do it with a new kind of appreciation, a deeper love, and a quiet resolve that no distance, no time, no separation can ever truly break. A destroyer is a fast-moving vessel and the Royal Navy said HMS Duncan acted as an escort to the task group from the USS Wasp. The Portsmouth-based ship used its powerful radars and Sea Viper missile system to escort the US navys amphibious assault ship, it added. It said HMS Duncan also spent six months of 2023 in the eastern Mediterranean, leading Natos premier security mission in the region. As a result, some of its sailors have spent 12 of the last 24 months on challenging deployments. Engineering technician Bradley Jones said: Having endured another long deployment onboard HMS Duncan, I can say without hesitation that I have developed a deep gratitude for the friends and family I have back home. No words can give justice to what its like being deployed. I went through periods of self-doubt, frustration and fear, but these emotions were often followed with love, laughter, and hope. Hope for a better tomorrow. Hope for the day to be reunited with loved ones and hope that our efforts whilst deployed have helped to secure a safer world. In honour of the Mediterranean operations, the HMS Duncan was recently awarded the Destroyer Trophy for the second year running at the Fleet Efficiency Awards, the Royal Navy said. The Royal Navy said 1,000 people greeted the sailors on their return (LPhot Alika Mundy/PA) Commander Lee also said: As we return home after a challenging six-month deployment, I could not be prouder of my ships company and all they have achieved. Despite a significantly compressed regeneration period following last years deployment, they stepped up at every opportunity, displaying remarkable dedication, professionalism and an unwavering sense of duty in often dangerous situations. As we return home in time for Christmas, with my team selected as the best destroyer in the fleet, they should be rightly proud of everything theyve done. The ship sailed more than 36,000 nautical miles and operated with 21 allied warships. Its flight deck had 400 landings including 20 by US, French and German aircraft, while its Wildcat helicopter sortied 89 times. The Prime Minister urged all sides to protect civilians and ensure aid could reach the vulnerable (Andy Buchanan/PA) The UK welcomes the fall of Bashar Assads barbaric regime in Syria, the Prime Minister has said as he called for the restoration of peace and stability. Sir Keir Starmer urged all sides to protect civilians and ensure aid could reach the vulnerable as he responded to the overthrow of the Syrian regime. Overnight on Sunday, a lightning rebel offensive seized control of Damascus, the Syrian capital, and president Mr Assad is now reported to have fled to Moscow. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Prime Minister said it was still early days when asked if Britain would engage with the rebels, a banned terror group, but insisted on the need for a political solution to safeguard Syrias future. Sir Keir said: The developments in Syria in recent hours and days are unprecedented, and we are speaking to our partners in the region and monitoring the situation closely. The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure. Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored. We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities, and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days. The leading insurgents in Syria are Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist rebel group which is banned in the UK. It should be treated as an alternative name for al Qaida, the group once led by Osama bin Laden, according to the Governments list of proscribed organisations. Asked whether he would deal with the group, Sir Keir told broadcasters in Abu Dhabi: Its very early days at the moment. Syrian President Bashar Assad has fled his country following the insurgency (Amir Nabil/AP) We do need a political solution, and thats what we are talking to regional allies about. It is a good thing that Assad has gone, a very good thing for the Syrian people. But the Home Office recognised that HTSs relationship with al Qaida had changed, as there had been a splintering between the two organisations. A spokesperson for the department said the Government did not routinely comment on whether a group was being considered for proscription or deproscription. The situation on the ground in Syria is very fluid. The priority must be the safety of Syrian civilians and securing a political solution to the unfolding events, they added. A former spy chief said it would be rather ridiculous if the UK was unable to engage with HTS because of the ban. Ex-head of MI6 Sir John Sawers said HTS was thought of as too close to al Qaida when he was in post, but added that its leader Mohammed al-Golani had made great efforts over the last 10 years to distance himself from those terrorist groups. He also told Sky News: So, I think the Home Secretary will be asking MI5 and the joint terrorism assessment centre for a review of the situation about Tahrir al-Sham and whether it should remain on the proscribed entity list. It would be rather ridiculous, actually, if were unable to engage with the new leadership in Syria because of a proscription dating back 12 years. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the Government would have to assess the threat that HTS posed (Lucy North/PA) Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had earlier told broadcasters the Foreign Office had a plan to ensure that people were evacuated ahead of whats happened over the weekend, and we continue to support our UK nationals. But she did not reveal how many UK nationals were in Syria or had been helped to leave. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the Tories wanted to see the right kind of outcome, put the Syrian people first, but also look at the sort of governance structures that could occupy Syria going forward. Dame Priti said the Government should look at a review of the security and defence implications as well as the terrorist risks, adding: They will have to now assess the threat that HTS poses, immediately for our own interests, as well as for Syrias interests and the wider region. Meanwhile, Amnesty International called for the UK to assist in launching universal jurisdiction cases against suspected perpetrators of human rights abuses in Syria. Earl Abad shows a picture of himself, his late wife Monica, and his daughters Micah and Jazhel, right. Monica died of stomach cancer in December 2023, and Abad struggled to cover rent and household costs on his part-time salary. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle The Cheesecake Factory in Union Square will always hold a special place in Earl Abads heart. Not for its warm ambience or rooftop views, nor its rich desserts or hearty meals. Rather, it was the place where he and his wife Monica would go to treat themselves when they were able to save a little extra money. After their daughter Micah was born, it became a cherished family tradition filled with laughter and conversation. It has been five years since the three of them went there together for a meal, right before Monica began her yearslong battle with stomach cancer. She died in December 2023 at 57 years old, and Abad said that his memories of those family dinners at the Union Square restaurant remain some of his most treasured. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He and his daughter havent been back since Monicas death, though Abad said that sometimes he passes it on his way to Chinatown. When I look up, I remember, he said. More about Season of Sharing Since its inception in 1986, the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund has raised and distributed $206 million to help house, care for and nourish Bay Area residents. All administrative costs are covered by the San Francisco Chronicle and the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, so 100% of donations go directly to help people facing crises. For more information or to donate, visit www.seasonofsharing.org/donate. Abad, 55, works part time as an event coordinator and housekeeper at the Moscone Center, a few blocks away from Union Square. Monicas death not only left him and his daughter devastated, but also without a second source of income from her job with In-Home Supportive Services. Im not going to lie, I still think about her, Abad said. But its like Ive got to move on. I cannot bring dead people back. Nothings going to happen to me and my daughter if Im grieving all day, every day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Abad immigrated to San Francisco in 1989 from Manila, and met Monica through his brother in 2010. The two had been together for a total of 18 years and married for two. Inside and out, shes beautiful, he said of his late wife. Maybe shes up there in heaven now with Jesus. Abad explained that Monica was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2008, but made a full recovery after getting an operation. Her second bout with cancer was different. She developed stomach cancer in 2020, but her family didnt find out about it until months before her death. She never told us, Abad said. She told the doctor, but she kept it (from) us. By mid-2023, she was in and out of the hospital for weeks at a time as the cancer spread. Abad had to quit his second job as a dishwasher at the InterContinental hotel to care for Micah as Monicas conditions worsened. His older daughter Jazhel, who is from his first marriage, also helped care for Micah during this time, and the two have developed a strong bond over the years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She faced her death by herself, Abad said of his late wife. I cannot believe she took that pain. The Cheesecake Factory atop Macys in Union Square holds a special place in Abads heart because going there with Monica and Micah was a cherished family tradition. He would like to go back sometime with Micah for old times sake. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle In 2020, Abad first noticed how immunocompromised Monica was when they all caught COVID-19. Abad recalls that while he and his daughter barely had any symptoms, Monica ended up in the intensive care unit for six days. She recovered, and life went on as usual. But Monica found herself in and out of the hospital more frequently, and other signs began to surface that something was amiss. She always missed work, and then she was losing weight, always got sick and then her skin discoloration, he said. So I got a suspicion that she was sick, but when I asked her she said, Nothing, dont worry about it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Monica had to stop working in December 2023, a few weeks before she died, due to the pain she was experiencing. Without his wifes extra stream of income, Abad struggled to cover rent and household costs for himself and his daughter on his part-time salary. I always save for emergencies, Abad said, noting that he drained his savings account before searching for other means of financial help. He found out about the Chronicle Season of Sharing Fund from Silay Kintanar, his case worker at the Akbay program, a service of the South of Market Community Action Network. Season of Sharing was able to cover three months of back rent for Abad as he continued his search for a full-time job. Kintanar is one of many from the organization who has been working with Abad and his family since the early pandemic, providing financial assistance and support. Theyre like family to us, she said. It was a surprise for me to find out that his wife was in the hospital. I knew there was some kind of illness, but I didnt know the severity of it. We were all actually taken aback in our organization. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kintanar noted that the organization will continue helping Abad as he adjusts to this new normal. My daughter is still grieving until now, said Abad, sitting in San Franciscos 5M Park near his home on Dec. 2. I want to be an example to her that I could manage. I get up again. I fall down, but I get up. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle My daughter is still grieving until now, but Im over it because I cannot do anything if I grieve all day in the house, Abad said. I want to be an example to her that I could manage. I get up again. I fall down, but I get up. A sophomore at Galileo Academy of Science & Technology in Fort Mason, Micah has remained focused on her studies through this difficult time, something that Abad said he is proud of. I told her, Dont stop going to school, he said, adding that she has been going to therapy to help cope with the loss of her mother. Right now, its like one day at a time. I think shes realizing that Moms not coming back. Though he has lived in San Francisco for more than 30 years, Abad said that after everything, the two of them have been through, hes ready for a fresh start. His mother and two sisters live in San Diego, and the beach city has been on his mind a lot. Im trying to move there, but my daughter doesnt want to come with me, he said, admitting that he is ready for a safer, calmer environment. He said that hell continue trying to convince Micah but for now is also focusing on spending quality time with her. The two have a special bond, though different from the one she had with her mother, he pointed out. With the Cheesecake Factory in Union Square facing possible closure in the new year, Abad said that hed like to have one last meal there with her for old times sake. Syrians celebrate the fall of Bashar Assads government in the town of Bar Elias, Lebanon, near the border with Syria (Hassan Ammar/AP) Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad familys 50 years of iron rule. The Russian agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source on Mr Assad and his family being given asylum in Moscow, his long-time ally and protector. Syrian President Bashar Assad, pictured meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in July 2024, is said to have fled to Moscow and has been granted asylum (Valery Sharifulin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but contacted the Kremlin for comment. RIA also said Moscow had received guarantees from Syrian insurgents of the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Mr Assad reportedly left Syria early on Sunday, and Syrians have been pouring into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital. The swiftly moving events have raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Russia has requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in Syria, Russias first deputy permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, posted on Telegram. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after President Bashar Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown. Russia, a close ally, said Mr Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former al-Qaeda commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance, leads the biggest rebel faction and is poised to chart the countrys future direction. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs on Saturday, Mr al-Golani visited the capitals sprawling Umayyad Mosque and said Mr Assads fall was a victory to the Islamic nation. Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he told hundreds of people that Mr Assad had made Syria a farm for Irans greed. The end of Mr Assads rule deals a major blow to Iran and its allies, already weakened by over a year of conflict with Israel. Iran, which had strongly backed Mr Assad throughout the civil war, said Syrians should decide their countrys future without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention. The rebels now face the daunting task of healing bitter divides in a country ravaged by war and still split among different armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling US-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas. An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian president Hafez Assad in Damascus following the downfall of the government of his son Bashar (Hussein Malla/AP) Syrian state television aired a video statement early on Sunday by a group of rebels saying that Mr Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been set free. They called on people to preserve the institutions of the free Syrian state. The rebels said they had freed people held at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. A video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked and confused. At least one small child could be seen among them. Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi, who appeared on State TV later in the day, sought to reassure Syrias religious and ethnic minorities, saying: Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects. We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did. Many of the capitals residents were in disbelief at the speed at which Mr Assad lost his hold after nearly 14 years of civil war. Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters as they step on a picture of Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus (Omar Sanadiki/AP) As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the citys mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting God is great. People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. I cannot express my happiness, said Bassam Masr. But this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he. I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said in a video statement that the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video shared on Syrian opposition media later showed a group of armed men escorting him out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Mr Assad took a flight on Sunday from Damascus. A senior diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, which had sought to rehabilitate Mr Assads image and has welcomed high-profile exiles in recent years, declined to comment on his whereabouts when asked by reporters at a conference in Bahrain. Anwar Gargash said Mr Assads destination at this point is a footnote in history, comparing it to the long exile of German Kaiser Wilhelm II after the First World War. Mr Assad has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war, including a 2013 chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of the capital. The fall of Syrian President Bashar Assads government brought to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold on to power as his country fragmented amid a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. Mr Assads downfall came as a stark contrast to his first months as Syrias unlikely president in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his fathers iron grip. Aged just 34, the Western-educated ophthalmologist was a rather geeky tech-savvy fan of computers with a gentle demeanour. But when faced with protests against his rule that erupted in March 2011, Mr Assad turned to the brutal tactics of his father in an attempt to crush them. As the uprising grew into an outright civil war, he unleashed his military to blast opposition-held cities, with support from allies Iran and Russia. International rights groups and prosecutors alleged widespread use of torture and extrajudicial executions in Syrias government-run detention centres. The then president-elect Bashar Assad, right, during military training games in Syria in July 2000 (Sana/AP) The Syrian war has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the countrys pre-conflict population of 23 million. Millions of Syrians have fled across the borders into Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon, and on to Europe. His departure brings an end to the Assad family rule, spanning just under 54 years. But with no clear successor, it throws the country into further uncertainty. Until recently, it seemed that Mr Assad was almost out of the woods. The long-running war had settled along frozen conflict lines in recent years, with Mr Assads government regaining control of most of Syrias territory while the north-west remained under the control of opposition groups and the north-east under Kurdish control. While Damascus remained under crippling Western sanctions, neighbouring countries had begun to resign themselves to Mr Assads continued hold on power. The Arab League reinstated Syrias membership last year, and Saudi Arabia in May announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria since severing ties with Damascus 12 years earlier. However, the geopolitical tide turned quickly with a surprise offensive launched by opposition groups based in north-west Syria in late November. Government forces quickly collapsed, while Mr Assads allies, preoccupied by other conflicts including Russias war in Ukraine and the year-long wars between Israel and the Iran-backed militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas appeared reluctant to forcefully intervene. Bashar Assad meeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran in May this year (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP) Mr Assad came to power in 2000 by a twist of fate. His father had been cultivating Bashars oldest brother Basil as his successor, but in 1994 Basil was killed in a car crash in Damascus. Bashar was brought home from his ophthalmology practice in London, put through military training and elevated to the rank of colonel to establish his credentials so he could one day rule. When Hafez Assad died in 2000, parliament quickly lowered the presidential age requirement from 40 to 34. Bashars elevation was sealed by a nationwide referendum, in which he was the only candidate. Hafez Assad, a lifelong military man, ruled the country for nearly 30 years during which he set up a Soviet-style centralised economy and kept such a stifling hand over dissent that Syrians feared even to joke about politics to their friends. He pursued a secular ideology that sought to bury sectarian differences under Arab nationalism and the image of heroic resistance to Israel. He formed an alliance with the Shiite clerical leadership in Iran, sealed Syrian domination over Lebanon, and set up a network of Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups. Bashar initially seemed completely unlike his strongman father. Mr Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin embrace during a meeting in Sochi, Russia, in November 2017 (Mikhail Klimentyev/ Kremlin pool/AP) Tall and lanky with a slight lisp, he had a quiet, gentle demeanour. His only official position before becoming president was head of the Syrian Computer Society. His wife, Asma al-Akhras, whom he married several months after taking office, was attractive, stylish and British-born. The young couple, who eventually had three children, seemed to shun trappings of power. They lived in an apartment in the upscale Abu Rummaneh district of Damascus, as opposed to a palatial mansion like other Arab leaders. Initially upon coming to office, Mr Assad freed political prisoners and allowed more open discourse. In the Damascus Spring, salons for intellectuals emerged where Syrians could discuss art, culture and politics to a degree impossible under his father. But after 1,000 intellectuals signed a public petition calling for multiparty democracy and greater freedoms in 2001 and others tried to form a political party, the salons were snuffed out by the feared secret police who jailed dozens of activists. Instead of a political opening, Mr Assad turned to economic reforms. He slowly lifted economic restrictions, let in foreign banks, threw the doors open to imports and empowered the private sector. Damascus and other cities long mired in drabness saw a flourishing of shopping centres, new restaurants and consumer goods. Tourism swelled. Abroad, he stuck to the line his father had set, based on the alliance with Iran and a policy of insisting on a full return of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, although in practice he never militarily confronted Israel. Bashar Assad with then Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi at the League of Arab States summit in Algiers in 2005 (Nabil/AP) In 2005, he suffered a heavy blow with the loss of Syrias decades-old control over neighbouring Lebanon after the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri. With many Lebanese accusing Damascus of being behind the killing, Syria was forced to withdraw its troops from the country and a pro-American government came into power. At the same time, the Arab world became split into two camps one of US-allied, Sunni-led countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the other Syria and Shiite-led Iran with their ties to Hezbollah and Palestinian militants. Throughout, Mr Assad relied largely on the same power base at home as his father: his Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam comprising around 10% of the population. Many of the positions in his government went to younger generations of the same families that had worked for his father. Drawn in as well were the new middle class created by his reforms, including prominent Sunni merchant families. Mr Assad also turned to his own family. His younger brother Maher headed the elite Presidential Guard and would lead the crackdown against the uprising. Their sister Bushra was a strong voice in his inner circle, along with her husband deputy defence minister Assef Shawkat, until he was killed in a 2012 bombing. Bashar and Asma Assad outside 10 Downing Street with then prime minister Tony Blair in December 2002 (Max Nash/AP) Mr Assads cousin, Rami Makhlouf, became the countrys biggest businessman, heading a financial empire before the two had a falling out that led to Mr Makhlouf being pushed aside. Mr Assad also increasingly entrusted key roles to his wife, Asma, before she announced in May that she was undergoing treatment for leukaemia and stepped out of the limelight. When protests erupted in Tunisia and Egypt, eventually toppling their rulers, Mr Assad dismissed the possibility of the same occurring in his country, insisting his regime was more in tune with its people. After the Arab Spring wave did move to Syria, his security forces staged a brutal crackdown while Mr Assad consistently denied he was facing a popular revolt, instead blaming foreign-backed terrorists trying to destabilise his regime. His rhetoric struck a chord with many in Syrias minority groups including Christians, Druze and Shiites as well as some Sunnis who feared the prospect of rule by Sunni extremists even more than they disliked Mr Assads authoritarian rule. Ironically, on February 26, 2011, two days after the fall of Egypts Hosni Mubarak to protesters and just before the wave of Arab Spring protests swept into Syria in an email released by Wikileaks as part of a cache in 2012 Mr Assad emailed a joke he had come across which mocked the Egyptian leaders stubborn refusal to step down. It read: NEW WORD ADDED TO DICTIONARY: Mubarak (verb): To stick something, or to glue something. Mubarak (adjective): slow to learn or understand. A giant banner of Syrian President Bashar Assad hangs on the facade of a building, as pedestrian walk through an the empty streets of Damascus, Syria (Omar Sanadiki/AP) The Syrian government appeared to have fallen early on Sunday in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family after a lightning rebel offensive. The head of a Syrian opposition war monitor said president Bashar Assad had left the country for an undisclosed location, fleeing ahead of insurgents who said they had entered Damascus after a stunning advance across the country. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country, Mr Jalili said in a video statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. He did not address reports that Mr Assad had left the country. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Mr Assad took a flight on Sunday from Damascus. FILE Syrian President Bashar Assad (SANA via AP, File) State television in Iran, Mr Assads main backer in the years of war in Syria, reported that Mr Assad had left the capital. It cited Qatars Al Jazeera news network for the information and did not elaborate. There was no immediate statement from the Syrian government. An Associated Press (AP) journalist in Damascus reported seeing groups of armed residents along the road in the outskirts of the capital and hearing sounds of gunshots. The citys main police headquarters appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside. Another AP journalist shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint where uniforms were discarded on the ground under a poster of Mr Assads face. Residents of the capital reported hearing gunfire and explosions. Footage broadcast on opposition-linked media showed a tank in one of the capitals central squares while a small group of people gathered in celebration. Calls of God is great rang out from mosques. It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a years-long siege. The pro-government Sham FM radio reported that the Damascus airport had been evacuated and all flights halted. The insurgents also announced they had entered the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital and liberated their prisoners there. The night before, opposition forces took the central city of Homs, Syrias third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syrias coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus the Syrian leaders base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The government denied rumours that Mr Assad had fled the country. Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Homs without elaborating. Mr Abdurrahman said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies withdrew from the city, adding that rebels entered parts of it. The insurgency announced later on Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The rebels had already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began on November 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. Syrian opposition fighters drive past a burning government armoured vehicle south of Hama (Ghaith Alsayed/AP) The rebels moves into Damascus came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of the southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The fall of Damascus would leave government forces in control of only two of 14 provincial capitals: Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaeda and is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Mr Assads government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Mr Assads erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The UNs special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called on Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Mr Assads chief international backer, said he feels sorry for the Syrian people. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syrias border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Lebanese border officials closed the main Masnaa border crossing late Saturday, leaving many stuck waiting. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. The UN said it was moving non-critical staff outside the country as a precaution. An opposition fighter fires his AK-47 into the air in celebration at the takeover of Damascus (Hussein Malla/AP) The Assad familys 50-year, often brutal rule of Syria is over after a lightning rebel advance reached the capital Damascus in the early hours of Sunday. President Bashar Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown, as joyful crowds gathered in central squares to celebrate their downfall. Here is a timeline of key events in Syria since Mr Assads move to crush a pro-democracy uprising resulted in civil war: 2011 March: Protests erupt in the city of Daraa over the detention of a group of boys accused of painting anti-government graffiti on their school walls. On March 18, security forces fire at a protest in Daraa, killing four people in what activists say were the first deaths of the uprising. Demonstrations spread, as does the crackdown. April: Security forces raid a sit-in in Syrias third-largest city, Homs, where thousands tried to recreate the mood of Cairos Tahrir Square, the epicentre of protests against Egyptian autocrat Hosni Mubarak. 2012 July 18: A bombing at the Syrian national security building in Damascus during a high-level government crisis meeting kills four top officials, including Mr Assads brother-in-law and the defence minister. Fighting spreads to Aleppo, Syrias largest city and commercial capital. 2013 Syrias government and opposition trade accusations over a gas attack that killed 26 people, including more than a dozen soldiers, in the northern town of Khan al-Assal. A UN investigation later finds sarin nerve gas was used, but does not identify a culprit. May: Lebanons militant Hezbollah group officially joins the Syrian conflict on Mr Assads side. August 21: A chemical attack in Damascuss eastern Ghouta suburbs kills hundreds. The US and others blame Syrian government forces. September 27: The UN Security Council orders Syria to account for and destroy its chemical weapons stockpile, following a surprise deal between Washington and Moscow that averts US strikes. October 14: Syria becomes a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention, prohibiting it from producing, stockpiling or using chemical weapons. People embrace in Londons Trafalgar Square in celebration at the downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad (Alberto Pezzali/AP) 2014 June 23: The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons says it has removed the last of the Syrian governments chemical weapons. June 30: Islamic State declares its so-called caliphate in areas it controls in Iraq and Syria. The refugee crisis accelerates. September 23: The US launches air strikes on IS targets in Syria. 2015 March 28: Syrias north-western city of Idlib falls to Islamic militants led by al-Qaedas affiliate known as the Nusra Front. September 25: The body of three-year-old Alan Kurdi is found on a Turkish beach, drawing attention to the plight of Syrian refugees taking desperate risks to reach the safety of Europe. September 30: Russia begins launching air strikes in Syria in support of Mr Assads forces. 2016 August: Turkish forces cross into northern Syria, capturing areas along the border from the Islamic State group. December: Syrian insurgents pull out of rebel-held eastern neighbourhoods of the northern city of Aleppo after a Russia-backed government offensive. An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late former Syrian president Hafez Assad (Hussein Malla/AP) 2017 April 4: At least 58 die in what doctors say may have been a nerve gas attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in rebel-held Idlib. Witnesses say either Russian or Syrian Sukhoi jets carried out the attack. Moscow and Damascus deny responsibility. The US later fires a barrage of cruise missiles into Syria in retaliation for the Khan Sheikhoun attack, the first direct American assault on the Syrian government. May: Rebels withdraw from the last neighbourhood they controlled in Homs, once dubbed the capital of the revolution. 2018 January 20: Turkey begins a major military operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters in northern enclave of Afrin. April: Syrian government forces capture eastern Ghouta, taking control of all Damascus suburbs and securing Mr Assads seat of power. April 14: The US, Britain and France launch military strikes in Syria to punish Mr Assad for an April 7 purported chemical weapons attack that activists say killed more than 40 people in the Damascus suburb of Douma. 2019 October 10: Turkey begins a ground offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria after US troops pulled back from the area. Bashar Assad with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July 2024 (Valery Sharifulin/Sputnik/Kremlin pool/AP) 2020 March 5: The presidents of Russia and Turkey say they have reached agreement on a ceasefire in north-western Syria, where escalating fighting had threatened to put their forces into directconflict. The truce also stopped a Russian-backed government offensive on Idlib, the last rebel stronghold. 2024 March: The civil war enters its 14th year, with observers saying violence is on the rise while the worlds attention is focused on other crises, such as Russias onslaught on Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. April: Israel demolishes Irans consulate in Damascus in an air strike, apparently signifying an escalation of its targeting of Iranian military officials and their allies. The attack killed General Ali Reza Zahdi, who led the elite Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria until 2016, according to Irans Revolutionary Guard. Amnesty International says it has documented widespread abuses, including torture and deprivation of medical care, in detention facilities holding thousands of suspected Islamic State members and their relatives in north-east Syria. As the year goes on, Israel steps up its attacks inside Syria, saying it is acting against military sites linked to Iran and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. October: A series of US air strikes target several camps run by Islamic State in Syria in an operation the American military said will disrupt the extremists from conducting attacks in the region and beyond. Young Syrians living in France smile during a rally in Paris after the Syrian government fell (Aurelien Morissard/AP) November 27: Syrian armed groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces, setting off fierce clashes and seizing territory in western Aleppo. November 29: Insurgents led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham breach Aleppo and clash with government forces for the first time since 2016. They take the city the next day. December 5: The Syrian army withdraws from the central city of Hama after insurgents break through its defences. December 6: Insurgents enter the central towns of Rastan and Talbise, bringing them closer to Syrias third largest city of Homs. December 7: Opposition forces reach the outskirts of the capital Damascus, as government forces are said to have withdrawn from much of Homs. December 8: The Syrian government of President Bashar Assad falls after the rebels stunning advance across the country. Mr Assad is said to have fled the country for an undisclosed location, as Syrians pour on to the streets to celebrate the end of the regime. US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness, Mr Trump wrote on social media, referring to Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Asked on NBCs Meet the Press if he were actively working to end the nearly three-year-old Ukraine war, Mr Trump said, I am. President-elect Donald Trump with French President Emmanuel Macron in Notre Dame Cathedral (Thibault Camus/AP) He refused to say if he had spoken to Mr Putin since winning the election in November. I dont want to say anything about that, because I dont want to do anything that could impede the negotiation, he said. Mr Trumps call for an immediate ceasefire went beyond the public policy stands taken by the Biden administration and Ukraine and drew a cautious response from Mr Zelensky. It also marks Mr Trump wading unusually deep into efforts before his January inauguration to resolve one of the major global crises facing the Biden administration. Mr Trump made his proposal after a weekend meeting in Paris with the French and Ukrainian presidents, where many world leaders gathered to celebrate the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral. Kyiv would like to close a deal, Mr Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! Mr Trump added, referring to mediation efforts by China that many in the West have seen as favouring Russia. Mr Zelensky described his discussions with Trump, brought together by French President Emmanuel Macron, as constructive but has given no further details. Russian President Vladimir Putin was urged by Donald Trump to bring the war to an end (Yuri Kochetkov/pool/AP) In a post Sunday on the Telegram app, Mr Zelensky cautioned that Ukraine needs a just and robust peace, that Russians will not destroy within a few years. When we talk about an effective peace with Russia, we must talk, first of all, about effective peace guarantees. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land, he said. He insisted any peace deal should be just for Ukrainians, so that Russia and Putin or any other aggressors will not have the opportunity to return. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscows long-standing message that it is open to talks with Ukraine. He referenced a decree by Mr Zelensky from October 2022 that formally declared the prospect of any talks impossible as long as Mr Putin was the Russian leader. That decree came after Mr Putin proclaimed four occupied regions of Ukraine to be a part of Russia, in what Kyiv and the West was a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, and despite Moscow lacking full military control over the areas. For most of the war, Kyivs official position has been to call for a full withdrawal of Russian troops from internationally recognised Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, as a condition for peace talks. In a separate social media update on Sunday, Mr Zelensky asserted that Kyiv has so far lost 43,000 soldiers since Moscows all-out invasion on February 24, 2022, while a further 370,000 have been injured. Both Russia and Ukraine have been reluctant to publish official casualty figures, but Western officials have said the past few months of grinding positional warfare in eastern Ukraine have meant record losses for both sides, with tens of thousands killed and injured each month. BBC's Blue Lights actor moved back to Belfast because locals keep him 'grounded': 'I just dont deal with people with egos' Blue Lights and Day of the Jackal star turned down big Hollywood roles to stay at home Richard Dormer in The Day Of The Jackal Kelly Allen Sun 8 Dec 2024 at 10:30 Richard Dormer moved back to Belfast because the people keep him grounded. latest | H&W rescue deal could be signed within days Agreement with Spanish shipbuilder would secure more than 1,000 jobs across companys four UK yards The iconic Samson and Goliath cranes of Harland & Wolff Christopher Woodhouse Sat 7 Dec 2024 at 14:17 A rescue deal for Harland & Wolff could be signed as early as next week with the state-owned Spanish shipbuilder Navantia. Jail for woman who left children alone to meet up with new boyfriend in Germany Four kids ranging in age from 10 down to just a year found living in squalid conditions and with little food Mariyana Asenova who was jailed for child cruelty offences Paul Higgins Sun 8 Dec 2024 at 09:30 A woman who abandoned four kids in a filthy, rubbish-strewn house to go to Germany to meet up with her new boyfriend has been handed a one-year sentence. Chef and TV judge chats to Gerry Kelly about her time on much-loved show Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith on the set of Great British Bake Off Great British Bake off judge Prue Leith has urged more people from Northern Ireland to enter for the hugely successful Channel 4 show. In a TV interview with Gerry Kelly, the 84-year-old presenter said she was disappointed to hear from her host that only four contestants from here had been on Bake Off in its 17-year history. And what made the statistic even more surprising, she said, was the fact that Northern Ireland has such a strong tradition for baking. Prue Leith being interviewed by Gerry Kelly Speaking on the latest episode of Conversations with Gerry Kelly which airs next Sunday night on NVTV and Sky channel 177, she said: We need more Irish contestants. Leith thought that potential contestants were sometimes scared off by the really daunting Bake Off application form which were designed, she said, to establish if people were good bakers or just wanted to be on television. But she added that people from Northern Ireland might be too modest about their skills. Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith on the set of Great British Bake Off Leith said she had a great affection for people from here, especially as she received her first ever standing ovation at a one-woman show in Northern Ireland which had sold out faster than any other venues on her tour. However, she told Kelly she was brought down to earth in Dublin, the night after the Belfast show by a technician who was doing her soundcheck. After she told him about the standing ovation, he replied: Thats because were Irish, we stand up for anyone. Introducing South African-born Leith at the start of the show, Kelly said there was much more to her than the Bake Off series for which she was best known. Shes also a Michelin star chef, a restaurateur, a political campaigner, cook book writer, a novelist, a designer and a highly successful businesswoman who at 84 is showing no signs of slowing down. Leith, who took over the judges role on Bake Off in 2017 from Mary Berry, said: I hadnt realised just how big Bake Off was because I didnt watch it. Prue Leith with Great British Bake Off co-judge Paul Hollywood and presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding After she got the job she rang Mary Berry and asked her what it was like working with Paul Hollywood, her co-host on the show. She said hes absolutely wonderful, he really knows his onions. But she said you have to hold your own because he could do the whole show without you. You have to elbow your way in and I have found that to be true. But I didnt realise I was replacing a national treasure until all the press went on about how wonderful Mary Berry was and no one would ever be able to replace her. Prue said she was initially nervous of Hollywoods steely blue stare but discovered he was a real softee. Conversations with Gerry Kelly featuring Prue Leith airs next Sunday, December 15, at 8.30pm on NVTV and Sky Channel 177 Adobe Stock The question of Bethlehem vs. Nazareth is one of the most striking, but still-elusive issues related to Jesus birth. After all, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But his virgin mother, Mary, and stepfather, Joseph, were both from Nazareth. How did Mary and Joseph end up so far from home? They were in an overcrowded city with no room at the inn, so why has that transition from Nazareth to Bethlehem been so widely discussed? Starting in the earliest Gospel account, in Mark 1:9, we learn that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee. Hes also repeatedly referred to as Jesus of Nazareth, even as his birth in Bethlehem was long heralded by prophecy. Lets take a look at Jesus birthplace, Bethlehem, and how it compares with Nazareth. Then, explore why Bethlehem still resonates with Christians today. The Birth of Jesus and His Birthplace Matthew 2 and Luke 2 detail the backstory of Jesus birth. With the proclamation of Emperor Caesar Augustus, Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to participate in the census. As a descendant of David, Joseph was required to register in Bethlehem, the census hub for his lineage. According to Luke 2:4-7, Mary gave birth to Jesus, wrapped him, and laid him in a manger, which was more like a trough for feeding animals. In that context, it's clear that Jesus' birth was relegated to the place outside, away from the inn, where they kept the animals. Even as he was called King of Kings and Son of the Highest, he was born in the most humble of surroundings. How Does Prophecy Factor In? In Micah 5:2, Micah prophesied the Messiahs birth in Bethlehem. Old Testament passages shed light on the birth of Jesus as the King of the Jews and ruler in Israel. From ancient lineage and humble origins, Jesus is destined to become the redemptive sacrifice. The prophetic visions offer insights: Isaiah 40:3: Isaiah speaks about preparing the way for the Lord. Malachi 3:1: This passage references John the Baptist, a messenger to prepare the way for Jesus. Numbers 24:17: This prophecy shows the universal nature of Jesus influence for Jews and Gentiles. Isaiah 53: These verses reference being despised and rejected. Here, again, is a reference to being a lamb to the slaughter. Even innocent and without blame or fault, Jesus will take the sins of the world. In a dual role, the Old Testament prophecies predict a savior and ruler. Then, Mark, Matthew, John, and Luke document how Jesus birth in Bethlehem and life of service fulfill those prophecies. They speak to the power of redemption and hope. Out of the most humble of beginnings, Jesus fulfilled his purpose long foretold by prophecy. Bethlehem vs. Nazareth While some still debate about whether Nazareth even existed, biblical and archaeological evidence points to a small, isolated settlement in Galilee. Jesus' parents were from Nazareth. It was a small, agricultural town and they returned there after their prolonged hiatus in Egypt to avoid King Herods hit squads of soldiers in Bethlehem. Alerted to the birth of Jesus, King of the Jews, Herod ordered his soldiers to slay some 14,000 male children 2 years of age and younger in Bethlehem. Those infants and toddlers were the first martyrs to fall as part of Herods attempt to eliminate a perceived threat to his rule. It was called the massacre of the innocents, a tragedy still remembered with the Feast of the Innocents on December 28th. While Nazareth was Jesus home, Micah prophesied that Bethlehem would be his place of birth. Called the City of David, Bethlehem was the place of Davids birth. Its a place fraught with cultural significance and first referenced as the burial place for Rachel, Jacobs wife, in Genesis 35:19-21. Even that earliest reference predicted the later introduction of Jesus, the Lamb of God, by John the Baptist. The Birthplace of Hope Jesus birthplace is still hotly debated by scholars, but it has evolved into an ongoing discussion about something larger than the geographical location of Jesus' birth. When King Herod learned about the prophecies detailing the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem, he took it as a threat and moved to destroy Jesus before the prophecy could be fulfilled. Prophecy proclaimed the birth of Jesus as the Messiah, a King, the Savior. He was persecuted, reviled, and hunted. His family fled to Egypt to escape Herods massacre of innocents, but Jesus continued to face hardship and abuse right up until he was sacrificed on the cross. He offers hope to the downtrodden, as he heals, frees, and restores them. Is it any wonder that we celebrate Jesus birth in Bethlehem at the time of year when the days are dark and we most need joy, cheer, and the biblical promises weve come to rely on? Bethlehem is a place of history and culture, but its also a fulfillment of prophecy. Esther Lombardi is a dedicated writer, journalist, and author who writes about faith, spirituality, and Christianity. With a background in theology and a keen interest in ancient texts, she explores narratives that shape our understanding of spirituality. Thousands of convergent ladybugs hibernate together in large aggregations in the East Bay hills. Come February, as temperatures warm and days lengthen, theyll disperse. Colin Peck/Special to the Chronicle Helms Saxton, age 3, hunts for ladybugs on a school trip with Neptune Nature School in Oaklands Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. Colin Peck/Special to the Chronicle Thousands of ladybugs converge in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park each fall to overwinter in a cool, damp microhabitat. Colin Peck/Special to the Chronicle Fall in the Bay Area brings certain distinctive signs. Trees turn golden and shed their leaves. Puppies romp in the windows at Macys. And a marvel of entomology descends on the Oakland hills. Every year, thousands of ladybugs converge on an otherwise unremarkable stretch of trail deep inside Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. They blanket tree trunks and traverse fence posts. They amble across branches and swarm on leaves. One minute hikers are strolling past bare bushes and logs; a few steps farther and theyre in the midst of a Discovery Channel documentary. Amazement, East Bay Regional Parks naturalist Michael Charnofsky said of his feeling toward the annual migration. Its also kind of baffling. Why are they doing this? How are there so many of them in one place? Advertisement Article continues below this ad The ladybugs blanket tree branches and swarm over stumps. While many species of ladybugs overwinter in isolation, Convergent ladybugs spend the colder months in large clusters. Colin Peck/Special to the Chronicle While much of the beetles behavior remains somewhat mysterious, what scientists do know is this: Every fall, the ladybugs ride westerly winds to converge on small patches of the East Bay hills. They typically arrive in October and spend the next four months camped out in winter caches, massing over stumps and shrubs, sheltering in downed trees, flying about on warm days and delighting visitors who hike into the park to see the charismatic insects, which have been featured by PBS and were recently filmed by a crew from the BBC. And though the beetles are often in motion, theyre actually hibernating. Thousands of ladybugs converge in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland each fall. Colin Peck/Special to the Chronicle When aphids, the ladybugs preferred food source, dwindle in early fall, the insects seek out consistently cool, damp microhabitats where they can maintain a low body temperature to conserve energy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Historically, convergent ladybugs (scientifically known as Hippodamia convergens), the species most frequently found at Redwood Regional and one of 175 ladybug species native to California, would track food resources into the Sierra foothills, and overwinter there in far colder climes, said Peter Oboyski, executive director of the Essig Museum of Entomology at UC Berkeley. But as agriculture and irrigation expanded around the Bay Area, the ladybugs preferred summer snacks have become more abundant closer to the coast. Now, when the insects head for higher elevations in the fall, the first ones they find are in the East Bay. Loading... And while many insects wait out the winter alone, convergent ladybugs prefer to hunker down with thousands of their closest friends. Only a few species of ladybugs do this, Oboyski said. Possible reasons for their behavior: thermal control, ease of finding a mate come spring, and safety in numbers from potential predators, he said. One thing a lot of people dont realize is ladybugs are toxic. By having all these toxic animals hanging out together, its really a guard against predation and a strong symbol that you dont want to come over here. Just as remarkable as the size of their gatherings is the fact the ladybugs return year after year to the same specific locations. Inside Redwood Regional Park, the beetles congregate along a small section of the Stream Trail less than 2 miles from the Canyon Meadow Staging Area. Families flock there, too, to gawk at the spectacle as wriggling red swarms of the bugs flank both sides of the path. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On a recent afternoon, hikers hoisted cellphones to capture the phenomenon, and kids craned their faces close to the piles of crimson insects. Francesca Allegrotti Fox, age 3, inspects ladybugs along the Stream Trail in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. Colin Peck/Special to the Chronicle One landed on me! an enthusiastic grade schooler exclaimed. Scientists dont know for sure why or how they keep coming back to these locations, but believe the population may leave behind a strong chemical scent when it disperses each February, guiding a new generation of ladybugs to the same spot the following year. They never live for more than one winter, Charnofsky said. So, every one thats wintering there has never been there before. They obviously can find it. Its like fish. How do they know to go back to the same stream? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Charnofsky said aggregations have also popped up in Oaklands Sibley Volcanic and Leona Canyon Open Space regional preserves in recent years, and surely there are other hibernation sites deep within the East Bay wilderness far from any trails or visitors cameras. But the convergence along the Stream Trail inside Redwood Regional has been remarkable for its consistency. Charnofsky, who has worked for East Bay Parks for 18 years, said the ladybugs have been an annual fixture in their chosen winter residence. Every winter theyve been there, Charnofsky said. Kids love ladybugs. So do adults. Its a big family event to go and see them. Emily Allegrotti points out ladybugs on a school trip with Neptune Nature School in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. Colin Peck/Special to the Chronicle Still, all that attention may be taking a toll. Charnofsky said the population returning to the Stream Trail each year has dropped from hundreds of thousands when he first started on the job to thousands or maybe tens of thousands now. He reminds hikers to treat the beetles with care: Watch where you step, and stay on the path. Dont pick them up. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Leading Irish political party Fianna Fail is looking down its nose at the second biggest party and the 400,000 who voted for them, the Sinn Fein president has said. Mary-Lou McDonalds party finished second in the recent general election with 39 seats in the Dail behind Fianna Fail with 48, but ahead of Fine Gael with 38. Advertisement None of the parties secured the 88 required to form a government by themselves, with Fianna Fail leader Tanaiste Micheal Martin set to take part in talks with other parties this week. Finna Fail leader and Tanaiste Micheal Martin is expected to begin talks with other parties this week (Liam McBurney/PA) These meetings are expected to include Fine Gael, Labour, Social Democrats and a group of eight independents. Mr Martin has previously indicated he did not plan to go into government with Sinn Fein. The Irish Parliament is set to meet on December 18th, however, it is unclear if political talks will have agreed a new coalition government by then. Advertisement Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party formed the last coalition government. Ms McDonald told RTE Radios This Week programme that she regrets her party did not secure enough seats to form a government. Fianna Fail clearly has the numerical advantage. Fianna Fail clearly has eyes only for Fine Gael. They have decided, it seems, that another five years of Fine Gael is what they wish to see. I think thats a really bad outcome from this election, but the ball is at their feet, she said. Theyre talking to independents, theyve talked to others. Interestingly, the only group that theyve steadfastly refused to speak to is the second largest party in the Dail, and I really think for Micheal Martin to look down his nose at over 400,000 people who voted for Sinn Fein and to disregard those votes en masse is really a bad look. Advertisement Ms McDonald said she has already met with the Social Democrats and hopes to meet with Labour in the next week, adding that she also hopes to have the chance to meet with others, including Mr Martin. I think the least that he can do is show a level of respect to the Sinn Fein electorate, she added. Speaking on the same programme, Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan said his partys position is very clear and denied any disrespect to Sinn Fein voters. The position is very clear. Before the election, it was announced by Fianna Fail that we wouldnt go into government with Sinn Fein, and I think it would be very cynical now if after the election we decided to do a U-turn on that, he said. Advertisement And also I think we need to recognise that before the election, Mary-Lou and Sinn Fein were very definitive about how the country, they said, needed to see the back of Fianna Fail so I think we need to respect what we said to the electorate before the vote and be consistent with it after the vote. Mr OCallaghan said the process of reaching a new coalition government was at an early stage, but it was his own view that there is a reliable cohort of independents who recognise there are national issues that need to be addressed. I think there is a possibility that we could have stability within a Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and group of independents government, he added. He also said that no deadline has been set to agree a new government coalition, but given the unpredictability of the world a new Irish government should be in place before January 20th when Donald Trump is due to start his second term as US president. Advertisement Earlier Mary Butler, Fianna Fail TD and minister of state for mental health and older people, told RTEs The Week In Politics programme she is hoping for a strong, stable and secure government, adding she will be quite happy to work with my Fine Gael colleagues again. She said: Ive worked with them for the last four and a half years and we worked very, very well together, we delivered the majority of our programme for government. Martin Heydon said that his Fine Gael party cant be taken for granted (Brian Lawless/PA) Martin Heydon, a Fine Gael TD and minister of state at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, reiterated Fine Gael leader Simon Harriss position that the party cant be taken for granted in terms of its manifesto pledges. He said the work done now on agreeing policies between parties will be the bedrock for how successful the next government will be. He added: Thats what matters to Fine Gael, thats our clear focus. He said Mr Harris is set to meet with the eight independent TDs and Labour leader on Monday. Im sure hell talk to Fianna Fail later in the week as well, Mr Heydon added. There was some informal discussion there last week, briefly between himself and the Tanaiste. He also reiterated that his party does not intend to form a government with Sinn Fein. Meanwhile, Michael Collins of Independent Ireland said the group he has joined, with the two Healy-Rae brothers and Paul Gogarty, have not received a call from anyone yet. He said if they do not form part of a new coalition government, they will instead be a strong opposition. When Fianna Fail and Fine Gael entered coalition for the first time after the last general election in 2020, there was only a three-seat difference in their relative strength. Simon Harris Fine Gael party won 38 seats in the election (Niall Carson/PA) That resulted in an equal partnership at the head of the coalition, with the Green Party as the junior partner. The two main parties swapped the role of Taoiseach halfway through the term. With Fianna Fails lead over Fine Gael having grown to 10 seats following this election, the focus has turned to the future of the rotating taoiseach arrangement and whether it will operate again in the next mandate and, if so, on what basis. There are similar questions about the distribution of ministries and other roles. While Mr Martin has so far refused to be drawn on the specifics, on Wednesday he did suggest he expects Fianna Fails greater strength of numbers to be reflected in the new administration. Labour and the Social Democrats held talks about the post-election landscape at Leinster House in Dublin on Friday. The Labour Party had called for a centre-left platform to engage with the larger parties as part of talks to form a government. Ireland Party talks to intensify in bid to agree new coali... Read More However, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian OCallaghan said they would be going it alone and plan to meet with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael next week. The two larger parties, with a combined 86 seats, are just short of the 88 required for a majority. If they wish to return to government together, they would need one smaller party as a junior partner or a handful of independents. Political parties are set to intensify efforts in the week ahead to agree a new coalition government. It comes amid speculation of disagreement between Fianna Fail, which emerged on top in the general election, and former coalition partners Fine Gael over policy. Advertisement The Dail is set to meet on December 18th. However, it is unclear if political talks will have agreed a new coalition government by then. While Fianna Fail was the clear winner of the recent poll securing 48 of the 174 seats, ahead of Sinn Fein on 39 and Fine Gael on 38 no party has secured enough seats to form a government by itself. Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party formed the last coalition government. Mary Butler said she believes the leaders of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will meet on Monday (PA) Fianna Fail TD and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler said she understands her party leader and Tanaiste Micheal Martin is set to meet with Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Simon Harris on Monday. Advertisement She told RTEs The Week In Politics programme she is hoping for a strong, stable and secure government, adding she will be quite happy to work with my Fine Gael colleagues again. She said: Ive worked with them for the last four-and-a-half years and we worked very, very well together, we delivered the majority of our programme for government. Were just starting into the talks now, my understanding is that the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste are going to meet tomorrow. She said her party is very proud to have seen 48 TDs elected, but added: The important thing is we enter these talks with an open mind, and we respect each other, and I have no doubt that what the people voted for was a strong effective government that will be able to withstand any of the shocks that might come our way in the time to come. Advertisement Martin Heydon, a Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, reiterated Mr Harriss position that the party cant be taken for granted in terms of its manifesto pledges. Fianna Fail under leader Micheal Martin won 48 of the Dails 174 seats (PA) He said the work done now on agreeing policies between parties will be the bedrock for how successful the next government will be. He added: Thats what matters to Fine Gael, thats our clear focus. He said Mr Harris is set to meet with the eight independent TDs and Labour leader on Monday. Advertisement Im sure hell talk to Fianna Fail later in the week as well, Mr Heydon added. There was some informal discussion there last week, briefly between himself and the Tanaiste. He also reiterated that his party does not intend to form a government with Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein TD Louise OReilly said Fianna Fail is in the driving seat, and Mr Martin seems hellbent and intent on putting Simon Harris back at the Cabinet table and bringing Fine Gael in as their junior partner. She added: I wouldnt downplay the numbers that the left have within the Dail, youre talking about 66 TDs elected that is a very large bloc, that is a bloc that will make sure that their voices are heard. Advertisement Meanwhile, Michael Collins of Independent Ireland said the group he has joined with the two Healy-Rae brothers and Paul Gogarty, have not received a call from anyone yet. Sinn Feins Donnchadh O Laoghaire celebrates being elected for Cork South-Central one of 39 seats secured by the party (PA) He said if they do not form part of a new coalition government, they will instead be a strong opposition. When Fianna Fail and Fine Gael entered coalition for the first time after the last general election in 2020, there was only a three-seat difference in their relative strength. That resulted in an equal partnership at the head of the coalition, with the Green Party as the junior partner. The two main parties swapped the role of Taoiseach half-way through the term. With Fianna Fails lead over Fine Gael having grown to 10 seats following this election, focus has turned to the future of the rotating taoiseach arrangement and whether it will operate again in the next mandate and, if so, on what basis. There are similar questions around the distribution of ministries and other roles. While Mr Martin has so far refused to be drawn on the specifics, on Wednesday he did suggest he expects Fianna Fails greater strength of numbers to be reflected in the new administration. Labour and the Social Democrats held talks about the post-election landscape at Leinster House in Dublin on Friday. The Labour Party had called for a centre-left platform to engage with the larger parties as part of talks to form a government. Ireland Bacik refuses to rule out coalition move amid atte... Read More However, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian OCallaghan said they would be going it alone and plan to meet with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael next week. The two larger parties, with a combined 86 seats, are just short of the 88 required for a majority. If they wish to return to government together, they would need one smaller party as a junior partner or a handful of independents. Across the Middle East and beyond, the fall of Syrias authoritarian government at the hands of jihadi militants set off waves of jubilation, trepidation and alarm. Expatriate Syrians and many residents across the Middle East exulted at the overthrow of a leader who led his country through 14 years of civil strife that left half a million Syrians dead and displaced millions to countries around the world. Advertisement While others are worried about further instability rocking a region already in turmoil. Governments whether allies or opponents of Bashar Assad scrambled to absorb the sudden, stunning development and assess the implications for the Middle East and the world. Syrians celebrate the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assads government in the town of Bar Elias, Lebanon, near the border with Syria (Hassan Ammar/AP) In the US, President Joe Biden said that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Mr Assad is a fundamental act of justice after decades of repression, but it was a moment of risk and uncertainty for the Middle East.Speaking at the White House, Mr Biden said the US was not sure of Mr Assads whereabouts, but was monitoring reports he was seeking refuge in Moscow. Mr Biden credited action by the US and its allies for weakening Syrias backers Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said for the first time that they could no longer defend Mr Assads grip on power. Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East, Mr Biden said. Advertisement President Joe Biden speaks about the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad from the Roosevelt Room at the White House (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) In a social media post on Saturday, before Mr Assads fall was confirmed, President-elect Donald Trump said: Syria is a mess but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! The US has about 900 troops in Syria, including US forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held north east to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. In Lebanon, thousands of Syrians headed for the Masnaa border crossing to return to their home country, despite the uncertainty. Anything is better than Bashar, said Sami Abdel-Latif, a refugee from Hama who was heading back to join his wife and four children. Advertisement This is a feeling weve been waiting 14 years for, said Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to the capital of Damascus. Now, he said, Syrians have to create a state that is well organised and take care of their country. Many citizens in Syrias neighbouring countries reacted with joy to the news Mr Assad was gone. In Greece, a rally celebrating the fall of Assad was held in central Syntagma Square, in Athens, Greece (Yorgos Karahalis/AP) In Jordans capital, Amman, resident Muhab al-Majali said his fall marked the end of unjust and tyrannical rule. I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians, he said. Advertisement Syrias neighbours stepped up security along their borders. Lebanon said it was closing all but one of its land border crossings with Syria. Jordan also closed a border crossing. Iran, a key ally of Mr Assad, said the Syrian people should decide their countrys future without destructive, coercive foreign intervention. The Foreign Ministry in Tehran said Iran supports Syrias unity and national sovereignty and hopes to see the end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist activities and the start of a national dialogue with the participation of all groups. People gather to celebrate the Syrian governments fall, in Istanbul, Turkey (Emrah Gurel/AP) The Iraqi government, which is close to Iran, said it supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue for Syria. Advertisement Egypts foreign ministry urged a comprehensive political process to establish a new era of peace in the war-torn country. The head of Yemens internationally recognised government welcomed the fall of Mr Assad as a historic moment. Turkey has backed anti-Assad militant groups in Syria and could play a key role in what happens next. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the fall of Assad brought hope and he called on the world to help unite and reconstruct Syria. In Europe, many governments welcomed Mr Assads departure while urging a rapid return to stability. People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement that the end of Mr Assads rule was good news, adding that what matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria. Frances foreign ministry welcomed the fall of Mr Assad, saying the Syrian people have suffered too much. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also welcomed the end of Mr Assads barbaric regime. We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days, he said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for calm and urged work to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions. Young Syrians living in France smile during a rally on Republique square in Paris after the Syrian government fell in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family (Aurelien Morissard/AP) Russia, which backed Mr Assad with troops and warplanes, said it has been following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. State media later reported that Mr Assad was in Moscow with his family and they had been granted asylum. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, wrote on X that the ousted Syrian leader had suffered the fate of all dictators who bet on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him. Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad familys 50 years of iron rule. The Russian agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source on Mr Assad and his family being given asylum in Moscow, his long-time ally and protector. Advertisement Syrian President Bashar Assad, pictured meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in July 2024, is said to have fled to Moscow and has been granted asylum (Valery Sharifulin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but contacted the Kremlin for comment. RIA also said Moscow had received guarantees from Syrian insurgents of the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Mr Assad reportedly left Syria early on Sunday, and Syrians have been pouring into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital. The swiftly moving events have raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Advertisement Russia has requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in Syria, Russias first deputy permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, posted on Telegram. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after President Bashar Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown. Russia, a close ally, said Mr Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Advertisement Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former al-Qaeda commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance, leads the biggest rebel faction and is poised to chart the countrys future direction. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs on Saturday, Mr al-Golani visited the capitals sprawling Umayyad Mosque and said Mr Assads fall was a victory to the Islamic nation. Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he told hundreds of people that Mr Assad had made Syria a farm for Irans greed. The end of Mr Assads rule deals a major blow to Iran and its allies, already weakened by over a year of conflict with Israel. Advertisement Iran, which had strongly backed Mr Assad throughout the civil war, said Syrians should decide their countrys future without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention. The rebels now face the daunting task of healing bitter divides in a country ravaged by war and still split among different armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling US-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas. An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian president Hafez Assad in Damascus following the downfall of the government of his son Bashar (Hussein Malla/AP) Syrian state television aired a video statement early on Sunday by a group of rebels saying that Mr Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been set free. They called on people to preserve the institutions of the free Syrian state. Advertisement The rebels said they had freed people held at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. A video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked and confused. At least one small child could be seen among them. Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi, who appeared on State TV later in the day, sought to reassure Syrias religious and ethnic minorities, saying: Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects. We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did. Many of the capitals residents were in disbelief at the speed at which Mr Assad lost his hold after nearly 14 years of civil war. Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters as they step on a picture of Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus (Omar Sanadiki/AP) As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the citys mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting God is great. People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. I cannot express my happiness, said Bassam Masr. But this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he. I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said in a video statement that the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video shared on Syrian opposition media later showed a group of armed men escorting him out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Mr Assad took a flight on Sunday from Damascus. A senior diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, which had sought to rehabilitate Mr Assads image and has welcomed high-profile exiles in recent years, declined to comment on his whereabouts when asked by reporters at a conference in Bahrain. Anwar Gargash said Mr Assads destination at this point is a footnote in history, comparing it to the long exile of German Kaiser Wilhelm II after the First World War. Mr Assad has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war, including a 2013 chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of the capital. The fall of Syrian president Bashar Assads government brought to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold on to power as his country fragmented amid a brutal civil war that became a proxy battlefield for regional and international powers. Mr Assads downfall came as a stark contrast to his first months as Syrias unlikely president in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his fathers iron grip. Advertisement Aged just 34, the Western-educated ophthalmologist was a rather geeky tech-savvy fan of computers with a gentle demeanour. But when faced with protests against his rule that erupted in March 2011, Mr Assad turned to the brutal tactics of his father in an attempt to crush them. As the uprising grew into an outright civil war, he unleashed his military to blast opposition-held cities, with support from allies Iran and Russia. International rights groups and prosecutors alleged widespread use of torture and extrajudicial executions in Syrias government-run detention centres. Advertisement The then president-elect Bashar Assad, right, during military training games in Syria in July 2000 (Sana/AP) The Syrian war has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the countrys pre-conflict population of 23 million. Millions of Syrians have fled across the borders into Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon, and on to Europe. His departure brings an end to the Assad family rule, spanning just under 54 years. But with no clear successor, it throws the country into further uncertainty. Until recently, it seemed that Mr Assad was almost out of the woods. The long-running war had settled along frozen conflict lines in recent years, with Mr Assads government regaining control of most of Syrias territory while the north-west remained under the control of opposition groups and the north-east under Kurdish control. While Damascus remained under crippling Western sanctions, neighbouring countries had begun to resign themselves to Mr Assads continued hold on power. The Arab League reinstated Syrias membership last year, and Saudi Arabia in May announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria since severing ties with Damascus 12 years earlier. Advertisement However, the geopolitical tide turned quickly with a surprise offensive launched by opposition groups based in north-west Syria in late November. Government forces quickly collapsed, while Mr Assads allies, preoccupied by other conflicts including Russias war in Ukraine and the year-long wars between Israel and the Iran-backed militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas appeared reluctant to forcefully intervene. Bashar Assad meeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran in May this year (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP) Mr Assad came to power in 2000 by a twist of fate. His father had been cultivating Bashars oldest brother Basil as his successor, but in 1994 Basil was killed in a car crash in Damascus. Bashar was brought home from his ophthalmology practice in London, put through military training and elevated to the rank of colonel to establish his credentials so he could one day rule. Advertisement When Hafez Assad died in 2000, parliament quickly lowered the presidential age requirement from 40 to 34. Bashars elevation was sealed by a nationwide referendum, in which he was the only candidate. Hafez Assad, a lifelong military man, ruled the country for nearly 30 years during which he set up a Soviet-style centralised economy and kept such a stifling hand over dissent that Syrians feared even to joke about politics to their friends. He pursued a secular ideology that sought to bury sectarian differences under Arab nationalism and the image of heroic resistance to Israel. He formed an alliance with the Shiite clerical leadership in Iran, sealed Syrian domination over Lebanon, and set up a network of Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups. Bashar initially seemed completely unlike his strongman father. Advertisement Mr Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin embrace during a meeting in Sochi, Russia, in November 2017 (Mikhail Klimentyev/ Kremlin pool/AP) Tall and lanky with a slight lisp, he had a quiet, gentle demeanour. His only official position before becoming president was head of the Syrian Computer Society. His wife, Asma al-Akhras, whom he married several months after taking office, was attractive, stylish and British-born. The young couple, who eventually had three children, seemed to shun trappings of power. They lived in an apartment in the upscale Abu Rummaneh district of Damascus, as opposed to a palatial mansion like other Arab leaders. Initially upon coming to office, Mr Assad freed political prisoners and allowed more open discourse. In the Damascus Spring, salons for intellectuals emerged where Syrians could discuss art, culture and politics to a degree impossible under his father. But after 1,000 intellectuals signed a public petition calling for multiparty democracy and greater freedoms in 2001 and others tried to form a political party, the salons were snuffed out by the feared secret police who jailed dozens of activists. Instead of a political opening, Mr Assad turned to economic reforms. He slowly lifted economic restrictions, let in foreign banks, threw the doors open to imports and empowered the private sector. Damascus and other cities long mired in drabness saw a flourishing of shopping centres, new restaurants and consumer goods. Tourism swelled. Abroad, he stuck to the line his father had set, based on the alliance with Iran and a policy of insisting on a full return of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, although in practice he never militarily confronted Israel. Bashar Assad with then Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi at the League of Arab States summit in Algiers in 2005 (Nabil/AP) In 2005, he suffered a heavy blow with the loss of Syrias decades-old control over neighbouring Lebanon after the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri. With many Lebanese accusing Damascus of being behind the killing, Syria was forced to withdraw its troops from the country and a pro-American government came into power. At the same time, the Arab world became split into two camps one of US-allied, Sunni-led countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the other Syria and Shiite-led Iran with their ties to Hezbollah and Palestinian militants. Throughout, Mr Assad relied largely on the same power base at home as his father: his Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam comprising around 10% of the population. Many of the positions in his government went to younger generations of the same families that had worked for his father. Drawn in as well were the new middle class created by his reforms, including prominent Sunni merchant families. Mr Assad also turned to his own family. His younger brother Maher headed the elite Presidential Guard and would lead the crackdown against the uprising. Their sister Bushra was a strong voice in his inner circle, along with her husband deputy defence minister Assef Shawkat, until he was killed in a 2012 bombing. Bashar and Asma Assad outside 10 Downing Street with then prime minister Tony Blair in December 2002 (Max Nash/AP) Mr Assads cousin, Rami Makhlouf, became the countrys biggest businessman, heading a financial empire before the two had a falling out that led to Mr Makhlouf being pushed aside. Mr Assad also increasingly entrusted key roles to his wife, Asma, before she announced in May that she was undergoing treatment for leukaemia and stepped out of the limelight. When protests erupted in Tunisia and Egypt, eventually toppling their rulers, Mr Assad dismissed the possibility of the same occurring in his country, insisting his regime was more in tune with its people. After the Arab Spring wave did move to Syria, his security forces staged a brutal crackdown while Mr Assad consistently denied he was facing a popular revolt, instead blaming foreign-backed terrorists trying to destabilise his regime. World Syrian government falls to lightning rebel offensi... Read More His rhetoric struck a chord with many in Syrias minority groups including Christians, Druze and Shiites as well as some Sunnis who feared the prospect of rule by Sunni extremists even more than they disliked Mr Assads authoritarian rule. Ironically, on February 26, 2011, two days after the fall of Egypts Hosni Mubarak to protesters and just before the wave of Arab Spring protests swept into Syria in an email released by Wikileaks as part of a cache in 2012 Mr Assad emailed a joke he had come across which mocked the Egyptian leaders stubborn refusal to step down. It read: NEW WORD ADDED TO DICTIONARY: Mubarak (verb): To stick something, or to glue something. Mubarak (adjective): slow to learn or understand. Emergency services are continuing to search through the debris of a Dutch apartment block that was destroyed by an explosion and fire, killing at least five people. The cause of the blast in the Hague on Saturday morning is unclear, with mayor Jan van Zanen saying investigators are looking into all possibilities. Advertisement Police said they are looking for a car seen leaving the scene in case that helps with the investigation. Destroyed bicycles amid the debris at the site of the explosion (Phil Nijhuis/AP) The fire service said five bodies have been found, and five injured people were rescued. The mayor said rescuers are no longer looking for survivors but for bodies, given the slim chance of survival under what is left of the building. However, one person was rescued alive many hours after the explosion. Residents of the north-eastern neighbourhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. One woman told local media she thought there had been an earthquake. Advertisement Dutch authorities deployed a specialised urban search and rescue team to the scene, with four dogs trained to find victims. The team was previously used during the devastating earthquake in Turkey in 2023. A search and rescue dog works amid the debris (Phil Nijhuis/AP) The mayor called it an extremely heavy day. Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a statement he was shocked by the images of the disaster. My thoughts go out to the victims, all other people involved, and the emergency services who are now working on the scene, he said. The Dutch royal family expressed similar sentiments. Our thoughts are with those affected in The Hague after the explosion and fire this morning, including those who are afraid of the fate of their loved ones, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said in a statement. The Syrian government appeared to have fallen early on Sunday in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family after a lightning rebel offensive. The head of a Syrian opposition war monitor said president Bashar Assad had left the country for an undisclosed location, fleeing ahead of insurgents who said they had entered Damascus after a stunning advance across the country. Advertisement Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and hand over its functions to a transitional government. I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country, Mr Jalili said in a video statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. He did not address reports that Mr Assad had left the country. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Mr Assad took a flight on Sunday from Damascus. Advertisement FILE Syrian President Bashar Assad (SANA via AP, File) State television in Iran, Mr Assads main backer in the years of war in Syria, reported that Mr Assad had left the capital. It cited Qatars Al Jazeera news network for the information and did not elaborate. There was no immediate statement from the Syrian government. An Associated Press (AP) journalist in Damascus reported seeing groups of armed residents along the road in the outskirts of the capital and hearing sounds of gunshots. The citys main police headquarters appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside. Another AP journalist shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint where uniforms were discarded on the ground under a poster of Mr Assads face. Advertisement Residents of the capital reported hearing gunfire and explosions. Footage broadcast on opposition-linked media showed a tank in one of the capitals central squares while a small group of people gathered in celebration. Calls of God is great rang out from mosques. It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a years-long siege. The pro-government Sham FM radio reported that the Damascus airport had been evacuated and all flights halted. The insurgents also announced they had entered the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital and liberated their prisoners there. Advertisement The night before, opposition forces took the central city of Homs, Syrias third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syrias coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus the Syrian leaders base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The government denied rumours that Mr Assad had fled the country. Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Homs without elaborating. Mr Abdurrahman said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies withdrew from the city, adding that rebels entered parts of it. Advertisement The insurgency announced later on Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The rebels had already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began on November 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. Syrian opposition fighters drive past a burning government armoured vehicle south of Hama (Ghaith Alsayed/AP) The rebels moves into Damascus came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of the southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The fall of Damascus would leave government forces in control of only two of 14 provincial capitals: Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaeda and is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Mr Assads government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Mr Assads erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The UNs special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called on Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Mr Assads chief international backer, said he feels sorry for the Syrian people. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syrias border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Lebanese border officials closed the main Masnaa border crossing late Saturday, leaving many stuck waiting. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. The UN said it was moving non-critical staff outside the country as a precaution. The Assad familys 50-year, often brutal rule of Syria is over after a lightning rebel advance reached the capital Damascus in the early hours of Sunday. President Bashar Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown, as joyful crowds gathered in central squares to celebrate their downfall. Advertisement Here is a timeline of key events in Syria since Mr Assads move to crush a pro-democracy uprising resulted in civil war: 2011 March: Protests erupt in the city of Daraa over the detention of a group of boys accused of painting anti-government graffiti on their school walls. On March 18, security forces fire at a protest in Daraa, killing four people in what activists say were the first deaths of the uprising. Demonstrations spread, as does the crackdown. Advertisement April: Security forces raid a sit-in in Syrias third-largest city, Homs, where thousands tried to recreate the mood of Cairos Tahrir Square, the epicentre of protests against Egyptian autocrat Hosni Mubarak. 2012 July 18: A bombing at the Syrian national security building in Damascus during a high-level government crisis meeting kills four top officials, including Mr Assads brother-in-law and the defence minister. Fighting spreads to Aleppo, Syrias largest city and commercial capital. 2013 Syrias government and opposition trade accusations over a gas attack that killed 26 people, including more than a dozen soldiers, in the northern town of Khan al-Assal. Advertisement A UN investigation later finds sarin nerve gas was used, but does not identify a culprit. May: Lebanons militant Hezbollah group officially joins the Syrian conflict on Mr Assads side. August 21: A chemical attack in Damascuss eastern Ghouta suburbs kills hundreds. The US and others blame Syrian government forces. September 27: The UN Security Council orders Syria to account for and destroy its chemical weapons stockpile, following a surprise deal between Washington and Moscow that averts US strikes. Advertisement October 14: Syria becomes a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention, prohibiting it from producing, stockpiling or using chemical weapons. People embrace in Londons Trafalgar Square in celebration at the downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad (Alberto Pezzali/AP) 2014 June 23: The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons says it has removed the last of the Syrian governments chemical weapons. June 30: Islamic State declares its so-called caliphate in areas it controls in Iraq and Syria. The refugee crisis accelerates. Advertisement September 23: The US launches air strikes on IS targets in Syria. 2015 March 28: Syrias north-western city of Idlib falls to Islamic militants led by al-Qaedas affiliate known as the Nusra Front. September 25: The body of three-year-old Alan Kurdi is found on a Turkish beach, drawing attention to the plight of Syrian refugees taking desperate risks to reach the safety of Europe. September 30: Russia begins launching air strikes in Syria in support of Mr Assads forces. 2016 August: Turkish forces cross into northern Syria, capturing areas along the border from the Islamic State group. December: Syrian insurgents pull out of rebel-held eastern neighbourhoods of the northern city of Aleppo after a Russia-backed government offensive. An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late former Syrian president Hafez Assad (Hussein Malla/AP) 2017 April 4: At least 58 die in what doctors say may have been a nerve gas attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in rebel-held Idlib. Witnesses say either Russian or Syrian Sukhoi jets carried out the attack. Moscow and Damascus deny responsibility. The US later fires a barrage of cruise missiles into Syria in retaliation for the Khan Sheikhoun attack, the first direct American assault on the Syrian government. May: Rebels withdraw from the last neighbourhood they controlled in Homs, once dubbed the capital of the revolution. 2018 January 20: Turkey begins a major military operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters in northern enclave of Afrin. April: Syrian government forces capture eastern Ghouta, taking control of all Damascus suburbs and securing Mr Assads seat of power. April 14: The US, Britain and France launch military strikes in Syria to punish Mr Assad for an April 7 purported chemical weapons attack that activists say killed more than 40 people in the Damascus suburb of Douma. 2019 October 10: Turkey begins a ground offensive against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria after US troops pulled back from the area. Bashar Assad with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July 2024 (Valery Sharifulin/Sputnik/Kremlin pool/AP) 2020 March 5: The presidents of Russia and Turkey say they have reached agreement on a ceasefire in north-western Syria, where escalating fighting had threatened to put their forces into direct conflict. The truce also stopped a Russian-backed government offensive on Idlib, the last rebel stronghold. 2024 March: The civil war enters its 14th year, with observers saying violence is on the rise while the worlds attention is focused on other crises, such as Russias onslaught on Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. April: Israel demolishes Irans consulate in Damascus in an air strike, apparently signifying an escalation of its targeting of Iranian military officials and their allies. The attack killed General Ali Reza Zahdi, who led the elite Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria until 2016, according to Irans Revolutionary Guard. Amnesty International says it has documented widespread abuses, including torture and deprivation of medical care, in detention facilities holding thousands of suspected Islamic State members and their relatives in north-east Syria. As the year goes on, Israel steps up its attacks inside Syria, saying it is acting against military sites linked to Iran and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. October: A series of US air strikes target several camps run by Islamic State in Syria in an operation the American military said will disrupt the extremists from conducting attacks in the region and beyond. Young Syrians living in France smile during a rally in Paris after the Syrian government fell (Aurelien Morissard/AP) November 27: Syrian armed groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces, setting off fierce clashes and seizing territory in western Aleppo. November 29: Insurgents led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham breach Aleppo and clash with government forces for the first time since 2016. They take the city the next day. December 5: The Syrian army withdraws from the central city of Hama after insurgents break through its defences. December 6: Insurgents enter the central towns of Rastan and Talbise, bringing them closer to Syrias third largest city of Homs. December 7: Opposition forces reach the outskirts of the capital Damascus, as government forces are said to have withdrawn from much of Homs. December 8: The Syrian government of President Bashar Assad falls after the rebels stunning advance across the country. Mr Assad is said to have fled the country for an undisclosed location, as Syrians pour on to the streets to celebrate the end of the regime. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Donald Trump to Paris on Saturday with a full dose of presidential pomp as the two held a hastily arranged meeting with Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky before celebrating the grand reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. On a day that mixed pageantry with attention to pressing global problems, the once and future American president was warmly embraced by Mr Macron upon arriving at the Elysee Palace. Advertisement Its a great honour for French people to welcome you five years later, Mr Macron told Mr Trump. Welcome back again. Mr Trump said it was a very great honour to be there, while hinting at challenges ahead. French President Emmanuel Macron, right, welcomes President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives at the Elysee Palace (Michel Euler/AP) It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now. And well be talking about that, Mr Trump said. An actual red carpet was rolled out for Mr Trump as Mr Macron bestowed the kind of full diplomatic welcome that France offers sitting American presidents, complete with trumpets blaring and members of the Republican Guard in full uniform. Advertisement It was a clear sign that even though Mr Trump does nt take office until January 20, Mr Macron and other European leaders are already working to win his favour and treating him as Americas representative on the world stage. President Joe Biden declined an invitation to attend the Notre Dame ceremony, five years after a devastating fire, with the White House citing a scheduling conflict. First lady Jill Biden was the official US representative in his place. Emmanuel Macron points towards Germanys President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, right rear, as he talks with Donald Trump in Notre Dame Cathedral (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP) Mr Macron and leaders across Europe are trying to persuade the president-elect to maintain support for Ukraine in its defence against Russias invasion. Mr Macrons office said the war, along with conflicts in the Middle East, would be discussed. As Mr Trump arrived at the official residence of the French president, Mr Macron went out of his way to project an image of close ties, offering handshakes and plenty of back-patting for the cameras. Advertisement In a video posted later on X, Mr Macron could be heard asking Mr Trump: You remember? as both men entered a reception room. I remember, Mr Trump answered. Mr Trump spent about 90 minutes inside, meeting first with Mr Macron before they were joined by Mr Zelensky for about 35 minutes. The French presidents office said the three-way talks were proposed by Mr Macron and arranged shortly before Mr Trumps arrival. Mr Trump has pledged to end the war in Ukraine swiftly but has not specified how, raising concerns in Kyiv about what terms may be laid out for any future negotiations. Advertisement United States, Ukraine and France. Together on this historic day. United for Notre-Dame. Lets continue to work together for peace and security, Mr Macron wrote on X afterward. Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and X who has spent considerable time with Trump since the election and spent millions to elect him, was also in attendance at Notre Dame. Mariecar Mendoza is the senior arts and entertainment editor for the San Francisco Chronicle, where she manages daily coverage and audience engagement for Datebook and datebook.sfchronicle.com. Prior to The Chronicle, Mariecar was a features digital editor for the Los Angeles News Group, helping cover major pop culture moments in the region like Coachella and Comic-Con to the Emmys and Oscars. She also worked as a multimedia news reporter for several publications throughout the state. Mariecar served three terms as vice president of the Asian American Journalists Associations Los Angeles chapter and more recently two terms as vice president of the San Francisco-Bay Area chapter. In 2018, she launched AAJA Features Forum, a group that aims to provide programming, services and support for features, arts, entertainment and lifestyle journalists of color. Mariecar is a Bay Area native and is glad to be back home. The largest intergenerational wealth transfer in US history is about to take place though the vast majority of Americans are unlikely to inherit much money at all. About $US105 trillion ($164 trillion) is projected to be passed down from older generations over the next quarter of a century, says research firm Cerulli Associates, an amount roughly equal to global gross domestic product in 2023. Just between us: Rising share and home prices, not to mention inflation, have added to Baby Boomer wealth. Credit: Glenn Hunt Rising sharemarkets and home prices, as well as inflation, have fattened the estates that members of the baby boom generation, born between 1946 and 1964, are expected to leave their heirs. The latest inheritance projection by Cerulli is 45 per cent higher than the 25-year forecast the firm made only three years ago. US gifts and inheritances are expected to total $US2.5 trillion next year alone. About 80 per cent of the wealth held today is going to be in motion, Chayce Horton, lead author of the Cerulli report, said in an interview. The ratio of wealth expected to be changing hands in the next 25 years is significant, and much greater than what we even saw a decade ago. Growing up in Marrickville in the 1980s, Anh Dos friends nicknamed him Weirdo a playful twist on his surname (Weir Do). Little did Do know that the books he would go on to write, inspired by his childhood, would dominate Australias bestseller lists for five consecutive years. Now, theyre set to hit television screens. Anh Dos Weirdo books and his Wolf Girl series are set for screen adaptations. Credit: Jeremy Park The Weirdo series is being turned into a television series in partnership with Warner Bros. Ludo studio creator of the beloved childrens show Bluey - has animated the pilot. A release date has not yet been announced. Dos Wolf Girl series is being adapted into a film by Rose Byrnes production company Dollhouse Pictures, alongside Foundation Media Partners, with casting expected to begin in coming months. Speaking from Canberra, where he had just finished soundcheck for a stand-up show, Do reflected on the nickname he was given as a child. While Weirdo might sound harsh, he insists it was never meant to offend: They werent teasing me it was just something to do, you know. We were just bored as kids. A universal experience for teenage girls, Brisbane sisters Daniella Dionyssiou and Natalia Suesskow couldnt find anything in their closets they wanted to wear. It was at that moment, at just 17 and 19 years of age, they decided to create their own dream clothing store. Now VRG GRL (pronounced Verge Girl) has a combined following across Instagram and TikTok exceeding 1.2 million, and the likes of Ariana Grande, Kendall Jenner and Taylor Swift wearing their designs. Its safe to say the brand has exceeded expectations. VRG GRL founders Daniella and Natalia started their brand 16 years ago. While Dionyssiou said the brands celebrity appeal isnt solely responsible for their growth, the exposure does help amplify VRG GRL to new audiences. The designer who created the Australian Broadcasting Corporations Lissajous logo inspired by broadcast vibrations seems to have had some insight into the cycle of birth, death and recrimination through which the ABC is doomed to cycle. The logo is reminiscent of an ouroboros a snake-like creature with its tail in its mouth, representing birth, death and renewal but twisted into tortuous knots. Or perhaps an infinity symbol with an extra loop of infinity tacked on. We must be on the third arc of infinity this year, a time of especial drama before the swooping logo enters another valley of lassitude. An unusually high number of producers and journalists are retiring or being retired. The process is supposed to set the scene for renewal. But the question, as always, is how to introduce renewal into a closed system. Kim Williams (right) might do well to find journalists who are curious enough to tune into Joe Rogan. Credit: Digitally altered image. Artwork: Marija Ercegovac. Conservatives like to call for the ABC to be defunded. Thats a defeatist approach. The ABC is a powerful tool of social cohesion and new migrant integration. Its given generations a shared cultural point of reference. From Playschool to Bluey, the ABC gives Australian children something in common regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Flagship current affairs shows once drove national conversations. When the majority of the population consumes the same entertainment and news, it creates a sense of nationhood. The worst sin of the ABC is, therefore, not that it is biased. It is that it has become so dull it is no longer worth tuning into. Chairman Kim Williams is focused on the need for objectivity, but emphasising journalistic dispassion is only part of the solution. With the exception of a small number of programs, most relegated to minor time slots and barely promoted, the ABC has become incurious. An orthodox Jewish community will hold burial ceremonies for holy Torah scrolls if they are found to be damaged beyond repair after the firebombing of their synagogue. The secretary of the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbournes inner south-east, said scriptures that couldnt be salvaged would be interred in a service at its Springvale cemetery. Members of the Adass Israel community inspect Torah scrolls damaged in Fridays synagogue firebombing. Credit: Adass Israel congregation Synagogue board member Benjamin Klein remembers one such ceremony in Melbourne. He said that in 1995 the same Ripponlea synagogue was firebombed, and several Torah scrolls were damaged and buried. Peter Dutton will go to the election as the presumptive prime minister unless there is a dramatic disruption to the long, steady trend taking him within sight of victory. The opposition leader faces big obstacles in forming government not least driving the teal independents out of parliament but has gained ground at a rate that should alarm the Labor loyalists who thought he could never succeed. But he is also defying gravity, in a sense, because he is now ahead in the opinion polls at a time of deep unrest over the cost of living when he has no significant public plan to fix the problem. Nobody can be sure if Dutton will return to earth with a thud after he reveals the cost of his stated policy to build seven nuclear power stations over the coming decades. Voters have slashed their core support for federal Labor to a new low of 27 per cent amid a deepening dispute over the cost of living, backing the Coalition to deliver more help to households over the next three years. In a rebuff to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, an exclusive survey shows that 56 per cent of voters have rejected his new message on the economy we have your back after years of pressure on family budgets. The survey also reveals that 59 per cent of voters believe they are worse off than when Labor came to power at the last election, with only 13 per cent feeling better off. The latest Resolve Political Monitor, conducted for this masthead by research company Resolve Strategic, highlights the gains for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in the crucial economic debate despite a slip in the Coalitions primary vote from 39 to 38 per cent over the past month. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size My eyes trace the extraordinary ivory cascade of antique Mexican wedding dresses stitched together to form a sort of matrimonial spider web. Its one of the first works guests encounter at Casa Malca, a boutique resort on the Caribbean coastline of Mexicos Riviera Maya. Over 80 gowns make up these towering mirrored sets of dress curtains. Trains on the bottom row pool on either side of a striking tree bark-lined complex, each fluffed into crescents over an autumnal-hued rug that staff roll out fresh each morning and pack away each evening during Tulums rainy season from June to October. My gaze wanders up to the highest tier, at nearly three storeys high. No two dresses are the same. The exquisite details suddenly sharpen into focus the unique beading, lacy embellishments and lustrous satins in spectrums of white. Between them are lounge chairs suspended from rust-cloaked chains, a dusty pink Victorian-style sofa, and twin faded terracotta-hued armchairs. Theyre not just for display; you can take a seat. Dreamt into reality Lio Malcas wedding dress curtains. Credit: The curtained installation, which theatrically frames the compound, was commissioned specifically for the property, which, in a former life, was owned by one of historys most infamous cartel figures, Pablo Escobar. Did I forget to mention that? The resorts admittedly fascinating narco-connection barely registers, so enraptured am I with the display. The artwork is like something out of a surrealist dream, I think, while taking another sip of the champagne ferried to me moments ago at reception. Advertisement Art pervades the property Yue Minjuns Contemporary Terracotta Warriors 2003. Credit: Its only the following day, on one of Casa Malcas afternoon art tours, that I learn the installation did, in fact, originate from a dream the hotels owner, prominent New York-based art collector and gallerist Lio Malca, supposedly dreamt about the web of dresses. Upon waking, he thought, what a wonderful way to welcome guests, eventually turning his whimsical vision into a reality. Its astonishing the measures taken to preserve the monumental outdoor display, exposed to the full spectrum of tropical extremes: sometimes-cyclonic winds, intense rain, sun, salty air and near-constant damp. Staff tenaciously attend to stains and signs of mildew. Every six years the entire work is disassembled and removed offsite for deep cleaning, were told (the expense and logistics of this feat alone boggles the mind). Much has been made of the resorts history as a beach retreat for the worlds most notorious drug kingpin the same whose life story forms the basis for the Netflix series Narcos. Details about the propertys bulletproof walls have been grossly overstated by TikTokers (and staff may suppress eye rolls if you enquire about it); in any case, its hardly the most interesting thing about Casa Malca. Dine in with the sand between your toes Head of a Madman restaurant and grill. Credit: The hotel is also home to Head of a Madman beach club, named for the artwork by American Neo-expressionist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Non-hotel guests can reserve a spot at the namesake restaurant and tuck into wood-fired pizza with the sand between their toes or snag a day pass to use the pools and uncover its most Instagrammed spots. Chief among them is the lair-like subterranean grotto hidden beneath the resorts main outdoor pool, accessible by a discrete set of stairs and a water wall (when we visit, the underground pool flickers with colourful atmospheric lighting that feels more rave than grotto). Advertisement Casa Malcas underground grotto pool. Credit: Twilight art tours on Fridays and Saturdays introduce visitors to the myriad oversized sculptures along the beach, in the lobby, bar and tucked between buildings and vegetation. Theres a playfulness and sense of scale to Malcas collection, many of which hail from some of the worlds most revered contemporary artists, from Fabien Verschaere and Keith Haring to Brian Donnelly (known professionally as Kaws). A squiggly, glossy red sculpture, Scary Guy (Red), by American artist Kenny Scharf, cuts a bold and cartoonish figure over the pool. Its only when you view it at a certain angle that a ghoulish face with sloping, furious eyes and jagged white teeth emerges. Scary Guy (Red) by New York-based artist Kenny Scharf. Credit: At the beach end of the pool, a leafy canopy constructed into the shape of a camera lens frames the ocean, but youll have to wait your turn to stroll through the passage is in constant flux as a backdrop for phone-snapping visitors and marriage proposals. Before the tour concludes, our group of eight gathers in Haring Bar, itself an art installation. Pop artist Keith Haring created The Pop Shop in New York in 1986 as a place to sell graphic T-shirts and articles featuring his works, and that of his contemporaries. In 1987, Haring took the concept to Japan to create Pop Shop Tokyo, transforming two 40-foot containers and hand-painting the wooden panel interiors. Like in New York, it was a space for sharing art and making it accessible to all. The containers disappeared for a long time, their whereabouts unknown, until Lio Malca located them, and they joined his collection in 2004. The hand-painted work of pop artist Keith Haring adorns the walls of Haring Bar. Credit: Advertisement Even if youre unfamiliar with the name, Harings style is unmistakable a frenetic repetition of stylised shapes or figures deeply influenced by Americas graffiti subculture of the 1980s. In Haring Bar, the artists original hand-painted black-and-white walls sit in opposition to a lounge area heaving with antique chandeliers and sumptuous purple velvet curtains giant framed photographs of Mexicos mysterious Olmec stone heads, said to date back to 1200 BCE to 400 BCE, watch over the opulence in quiet judgment. We finish our cocktails on the rooftop, with 360-degree views of the beach and jungle. The ashen compound is a perfect minimalist canvas for Malcas exuberant taste. We pass yet another room of art and curiosities on the way up to our suite a loft tucked above the lobby featuring two patina-hued vintage dentist chairs next to an ornate floral lounge set. Overhead, mounted to the wall, is a mechanical-looking ant fashioned from two faux-scorched human skulls like something out of a Mad Max film. Like the beach sculptures, which are eroding gradually in the elements, the rooms contents are in various states of decay: frayed and rusted, coaxed on by the briny sea air. It makes for a hauntingly beautiful vignette. Living art the canopy feature has been fashioned from branches into the shape of a camera lens. Credit: Our suite is one of just 71 uniquely styled accommodations. The space opens to a huge, lush balcony terrace with a daybed overlooking the beach; inside, rough-hewn concrete ceilings and vivid contemporary works pair purposefully with vintage furnishings, sumptuous velvet curtains and Persian rugs. We pin down one piece as the handiwork of How and Nosm, the art duo (and identical twin brothers) Raoul and Davide Perre from Spain, known for their distinct large-scale street murals. Its a maze of swirling spirograph-like patterns in gradient pinks and greys, rippling around a crush of black-and-white objects and figures too intricate and surreal to decipher. Im obsessed. No two accommodations are the same. Credit: The term art hotel gets bandied about by marketers. But Casa Malca isnt trying to be an art hotel. Theres none of the usual clashing wallpaper prints or in-room record players. Rather, its owners genuine lifelong passion for modern art and beautiful objects seems to organically steer the aesthetic. What results is a five-star hotel that is foremost a cutting-edge modern art museum. Its what every self-styled art hotel wishes it could be. Advertisement Public health officials believe that drinking raw milk can increase peoples chances of developing H5N1, otherwise known as bird flu. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Marin County health officials are investigating a possible case of H5N1 bird flu in a child, health department officials announced Friday. The agency has been investigating the case since last week, alongside officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health. The case, if confirmed, would be the 61st case of bird flu in the United States, and the second instance of a child infected with H5N1 in California, and specifically the Bay Area. The first involved a child in Alameda County, who was also the first known case of bird flu in a U.S. minor overall. The youths symptoms were mild and nobody else in their family tested positive for the virus. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Investigators are working to figure out how the child could have been exposed. Its deeply concerning that another child may have H5N1. We need to know much more about this case, Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University in Providence, R.I., told the Los Angeles Times, which broke the story. Given the proximity of this case to the last case of H5N1 diagnosed in a child without known exposure to animals, it may be prudent to conduct a broader investigation, including a serologic study, to see if there is evidence of other infections in the area. The Marin County health departments announcement came on the same day that the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it would start testing milk for the virus in six states: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The National Milk Testing Strategy, as its known, could expand to future states as department officials aim to rid the countrys dairy herds of bird flu though few virologists believe this to be an achievable goal. Public health officials believe that the disease, which was first detected in cows in March, is spreading through dairy operations, and that drinking raw milk could increase your risk of acquiring the virus. Pasteurized dairy products remain safe to consume, as the pasteurization process kills the virus. Putin Secures Belarus Alliance With Nuclear Guarantees, Opposition Outcry (Photo: - / / Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 4.0 ) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday deepened Moscow's military ties with its closest ally, Belarus, signing a treaty offering security guarantees that include the potential use of Russian nuclear weapons to repel aggression. The pact, signed during Putin's visit to Minsk, underscores escalating tensions between Russia and the West amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. "I'm sure that the treaty will ensure the security of Russia and Belarus," Putin said during televised remarks alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The agreement formalizes the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, with Putin emphasizing that their use would respond to threats to the sovereignty of either nation. Belarus' inclusion under Russia's nuclear umbrella follows Putin's recent revision of Moscow's nuclear doctrine, which lowered the threshold for nuclear weapon use and extended guarantees to Belarus. The doctrine allows nuclear strikes in response to the use of weapons of mass destruction or conventional aggression threatening the territorial integrity of Russia or Belarus. Lukashenko called for further military reinforcements from Russia, requesting the deployment of advanced Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles to Belarus. "I would like to publicly ask you to deploy new weapons systems, primarily Oreshnik, to Belarus," he said, claiming that such weapons would "help calm some heads." Putin confirmed that the missiles, capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads, could be deployed by the second half of next year. However, he stressed that control over their use would remain with Moscow. The Oreshnik missile, which Putin said is immune to existing air defense systems, has a range sufficient to strike any target in Europe. The treaty's signing was condemned by Belarusian opposition figures, who view the agreement as further eroding the nation's sovereignty. "Putin's visit to Minsk isn't about security, it's about Russia tightening control over our country," said Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile. She called the deal a dangerous step that uses Belarus as "a pawn in [Putin's] imperial ambitions" and "threatens us all." Franak Viacorka, senior adviser to Tsikhanouskaya, described the pact as "another betrayal of Belarusian independence." In a statement to Newsweek, he said the agreements signed during Putin's visit cement Belarus' role as "a militarized satellite of Russia." He urged the international community to reject the treaty, arguing it exposes Belarusians to heightened risks of military escalation. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) characterized the agreement as part of Moscow's strategic push to expand its military footprint in Belarus and de facto annex the country through the Union State framework. The ISW noted that Lukashenko's requests for control over Russian-deployed weapons in Belarus reflect ongoing efforts to preserve sovereignty, though such attempts have historically failed. Belarus' military alignment with Russia has intensified since Lukashenko allowed Russian forces to use Belarusian territory as a launchpad for the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Tactical nuclear weapons were later stationed in Belarus under a deal that kept them under Russian control but required Lukashenko's sanction for their use. The security pact arrives amid heightened nuclear rhetoric from Moscow, with Putin touting the capabilities of the Oreshnik missile. In November, Russia used the missile against Ukraine, which Putin claimed was retaliation for attacks on Russian military facilities using Western-supplied weapons. He warned that the missile could also be used against facilities in NATO member states aiding Ukraine. Despite the growing military collaboration, Belarus' opposition insists that such moves isolate the country further from the West and deepen its dependence on Moscow. "By aligning so closely with Putin, [Lukashenko] burns chances to drag Belarus out of Russian claws," Viacorka said. Gints Zilbalodis dreamlike animated fantasy Flow, about a group of mismatched animals finding companionship on a post-apocalyptic voyage, has added another prestigious accolade to its quiver: the European Film Award (EFA) for best animated feature. This win comes after two major wins in the U.S. this week for best animated feature from the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Board of Review. At the EFA, Flow was nominated against four other films: Kristina Dufkovas Living Large, Claude Barras Savages, Isabel Hergueras Sultanas Dream, and Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscals They Shot the Piano Player. Among these films, Living Large and Sultanas Dream are eligible for the Oscars this year, as is Flow. In addition to its growing hopes for an animated feature nomination at the Academy Awards, Flow is also Latvias official submission for international feature at the Academy Awards. The Latvia/France/Belgium co-production premiered in the Un Certain Regard sidebar of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, and was a big hit at Annecy in June, picking up more awards than any other title in competition this year: the feature film jury award, audience award, Gan Foundation Award for Distribution, and best original music for a feature film. Distributed by Sideshow/Janus Films in the U.S., it expanded its footprint this weekend to around 350 theaters. Upon winning the European Film Award, presented in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Saturday evening, the president of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics sent a message of congratulations, posted below, on social media. Rinkevics also got involved in last seasons Oscar campaigning by throwing his support behind another animated feature from a Latvian director, Signe Baumanes My Love Affair with Marriage. In 2015, the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians by ISIS shocked the world. Yet, it sparked a powerful response that was at odds with the extremists intent: the victims families chose forgiveness. Instead of division, various faith communities from around the world united in condemning the violence. For the past decade, ISISs propaganda video was the most widely known account of this tragic story. However, scattered eyewitness accounts known only to the victims families and those responsible for the crimes also existed. Drawing on some of these stories, an international team of over 70 artists from 24 countries, led by Cartoon Saloon alum Tod Polson, have created a more authentic and deeply moving retelling with The 21. Created in collaboration with the global Coptic community, this new film provides a richer and more human perspective on the events. Director Tod Polson spent months carefully shaping the films story and concept art. He traveled to Egypt to visit the martyrs home province, meeting their families and the local bishop. These heartfelt interactions deepened his understanding of the mens lives and strengthened his admiration for their courage. The story developed gradually, informed by interviews with the martyrs families, other Copts, former ISIS members, and journalists embedded with the Libyan army. To ensure authenticity, the production team collaborated closely with Archbishop Angaelos of London, staying true to Coptic faith and traditions. Native Arabic speakers from Egypt and the American Coptic community helped bring the characters to life. The films score and sound design were deeply influenced by the rich acoustic heritage of the martyrs homeland. With roots in both Egypt and the Coptic diaspora, classically trained Coptic musicians Sarah and Laura Ayoub composed and recorded an original symphonic score for the film infused with traditional Egyptian instruments and authentic cultural sounds. Their score was balanced by the unique soundscape created by sound designer and composer Giles Lamb who drew from the regions unique sounds, creating an audio experience that stays true to the martyrs origins. The Ayoub Sisters soundtrack will be released as a stand-alone musical memorial to the martyrs. Over nearly five years of production, artists from 24 countries contributed their time, passion and talent to the film. 2D animators from places as diverse as South Africa, India, Iran, and Romania worked in different software, different time zones, and on different aspects of the film. All their individual contributions were brought together into an exquisite work of art that counters a narrative of hate with a story of devoted love. My deepest hope is that The 21 serves as a tribute to the martyrs and their families, said Polson. In a world that seems more than ever in need of such powerful examples of faith and resilience, I believe their story is more vital than ever. To learn more about the film, visit The21Film.com. Press Release December 8, 2024 CHIZ SAYS INCLUSION OF MENTAL WELLNESS PROMOTION IN BASIC EDUCATION TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF STUDENTS Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero said the institutionalization of mental health and well-being promotion in basic education will significantly enhance government efforts in addressing the needs students even at a young age. Escudero made the statement ahead of the signing of the landmark legislation by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which is meant to support the mental wellness of every student both in private and public schools nationwide and strengthen crisis response confronting learners. "This landmark legislation will institutionalize a comprehensive school-based mental health program, ensuring that every public and private basic education school in the Philippines has the necessary resources and support to address the mental health needs of our learners," Escudero stated. "The Act mandates the establishment of care centers in schools, staffed by qualified mental health professionals, to provide essential services such as mental health first aid, crisis response, and ongoing support for students and staff," the Senate chief added. Escudero emphasized the importance of this legislation considering the increasing mental health challenges faced by students, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our students have endured significant disruptions to their education and daily lives in recent years. This act will help create a supportive environment where they can thrive academically and emotionally," he pointed out. The law mandates comprehensive school-based mental health programs for all public and private basic education institutions, including provisions for out-of-school children in special cases. This initiative aims to promote mental health awareness, address mental health concerns and enhance suicide prevention efforts in schools. The new law will create additional plantilla positions for school counselors and further strengthen mental health programs in schools. These include roles such as School Counselor Associate I to V, School Counselor I to IV, and Schools Division Counselor. Existing items will also be reclassified. The Senate President also expressed his appreciation to his fellow legislators both in the Senate and in the House of Representatives for advocating mental health and wellness. "I extend my deepest appreciation to my colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives for their dedication and commitment to ensuring the passage of this vital law. Together, we are taking significant strides in safeguarding the future and welfare of our nation's youth." The law to be signed tomorrow is the consolidated versions of Senate Bill No. 2200 and House Bill No. 6574. Protesters in San Francisco participate in a worldwide student walkout on March 15, 2019, to protest the lack of action to address climate change. Amy Osborne/Special to the Chronicle 2019 EDINBURGH, Scotland I exited the city government offices, turned left at the Adam Smith statue and walked two minutes along the Royal Mile to the Museum of Childhood. Founded in 1955 by a city councilor, the worlds first museum dedicated to childhoods history has four fascinating floors of soft exhibition pieces dolls (like Queen Anne from 1740), toys (1920s voice-activated Radio Rex) and stuffed animals (a Steiff teddy bear that accompanied Jewish children on a train out of Nazi Germany). But the museum, by highlighting vast improvements in young peoples living conditions, conveys a hard, relevant narrative about the growing power of children. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Once seen as little adults who did not live long, Earths 2.3 billion children now represent a rising global superpower. In the 21st century, capitalism, extended schooling, legal protections and technology have empowered more children to shape their own lives and threaten the supremacy of adults. We cant save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed, declared the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who famously organized global school boycotts on Fridays in 2018. Everything needs to change and it has to start today. People older than Thunberg rarely discuss childrens growing power and their fear of it but it is polarizing our societies and politics. After all, nationalism and authoritarianism are strongest in aging countries and among older people, who react to the perceived threat of youthful power. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Restrictionist immigration policies, often framed as an issue of culture or economy, actually focus on demonizing and detaining children. During the Donald Trump and Joe Biden presidencies, the United States had an official policy of separating children from parents at the border. We need to take away children, said the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Nationalists around the world also have seized neutral government agencies and expert institutions that they see as hostile to traditional values. But in weaponizing such institutions, nationalists often target children. Politically, the idea of reducing the power of children, in part by reducing their numbers, has adherents on the economic right (children are tax eaters) and the ecological left (more children = more carbon emissions). But, ironically, efforts to decrease youth power by shrinking the child population can be self-defeating. Because when children become scarce, they become more important and powerful. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Societies with fewer kids have smaller talent pools from which to develop adults who can support their older populations. This means each kid must be more successful and productive than the last. Thats why smart countries with low birth rates, notably in Asia, invest so much to support their children. Such generational solidarity makes all the sense in the world. But todays politicians who thrive on fear and division try to make us afraid for our children and of our children. Some of these policies are good-faith efforts to protect children from distractions and screen addiction, online bullying, loneliness and mental health problems. But such policies also can violate basic democratic principles. The governments banning phones for schoolchildren are organizations of adults selected by adults, and they rarely include children in determining such policies. In the face of hypocrisy, children are demanding more of the democratic rights that they are now denied. Worldwide young people are forming their own parliaments, some with formal power. Young people have lowered the voting age to 16 or 17 in Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Malta, Nicaragua and in local jurisdictions from Germany to the Bay Area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies One reason I visited Scotland was to study its advances in youth democracy. Beginning with the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence, children have been able to register to vote at age 14 and cast ballots at 16. Scotland also has an elected youth parliament, representing ages 12 to 25. That body has campaigned to reduce gender-based violence and established an online hub, the Right Way, to pressure governments to include children in policymaking. A University of Edinburgh study found that boosting the democratic power of Scottish children makes them more engaged as adults. Tamela Scoggins Leatherwood, known to many as Tammy, passed away on December 5, 2024, at the age of 61. Born on Jan. 30, 1963, in Cleveland, Tn., she brightened the lives of everyone around her and will be deeply missed. She was preceded in death by her brother Kevin Scoggins; cousin David Watson; and mother-in-law Eleanor Leatherwood. Tammy had a passion for life that was evident in everything she did. She loved cross-stitching, cheering on the University of Tennessee from the stands, and cooking up new adventures in the kitchen. She ran an eBay store where she shared her finds with others. There was never a dull moment when she was around, especially during poolside hangouts with her friends known as "The Girls." Whether it was a sun-soaked trip to Panama City Beach or a community event for Bradley County's Relay for Life, Tammy's spirit shined bright. She leaves behind her beloved husband, Bill Leatherwood, with whom she shared 27 wonderful years of marriage, as well as her loving parents, Whick and Glenda Scoggins. Her legacy also includes her cherished children: Amber Olinger (Todd), Tyler Dooley, Ryan Leatherwood (Rebecca), Emily Elliott (Brett), and Sara Leatherwood, along with her precious grandchildren: Aiden Olinger (Hope Withrow), Ian Dooley, and Zoe Dooley. She also leaves behind father-in-law, Roy Leatherwood. In addition to these she leaves behind a host of friends, extended family and "Her Girls." Tammy's family will welcome friends for a time of remembrance from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, in the sanctuary of the "Ridge Chapel" at Companion Funeral Home, at 2412 Georgetown Road NW, Cleveland, Tn. 37312. A celebration of her vibrant life is set to take place at 2 p.m., led by Pastor James Sears. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Earl's Cemetery. In the spirit of Tammy's love for the Tennessee Volunteers, her family invites everyone to wear Tennessee orange to the celebration if possible. You're encouraged to share your fond memories of Tammy or send your condolences to her family at her online memorial at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Leatherwood family during this time. Tammy will be missed, but her warmth and love will forever remain in our hearts. For the last two years of our sons appointment at the Air Force Academy, he resided in Sijan Hall, named for USAFA graduate Lance Sijan (65). This inspired me to learn how Sijan became the exemplar for this Academy building. Lance Sijan was from Milwaukee, Wi., the oldest of three children of Serbian immigrants who came to the U.S. seeking refuge during World War I. He was driven to serve the country that had given his family shelter. After graduating high school, he was admitted to the Naval Academy Preparatory School. The service academies have prep schools where students who missed appointments during their senior year can take another year of classes to be considered in the next cycle of appointments. After graduating from the NAPC, Sijan qualified for appointment to the Air Force Academy. He graduated from the USAFA in 1965 and, upon completing his fighter pilot training, was assigned to the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Wing, stationed at Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam. He flew missions as an F-4 Phantom pilot and weapons systems officer. On his 67th combat mission, November 9, 1967, then 1st Lt Sijan and his F-4C pilot, Lt Col John Armstrong, were hitting targets along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos, a major resupply line for the North Vietnamese Army. As they made their second low target pass, they were hit by anti-aircraft fire, causing an onboard explosion. Armstrong took their Phantom to about 10,000 feet before it lost all flight controls, rolled back toward the ground, and ultimately crashed in the dense jungle. At the time, no parachutes were observed, and no emergency beacons were detected. However, early in the morning two days later, voice contact was established with 25-year-old Sijan by a pilot flying over the crash site. After confirming contact, the Air Force launched a massive search and rescue effort to find Sijan. Subsequently, more than 20 aircraft were damaged by enemy fire during that effort, including an A-1H Skyraider that was shot down. Fortunately, the A-1H pilot was rescued by SAR aircraft in the area. At dusk on November 10th, a CH-3 Jolly Green Giant rescue helicopter was able to drop a jungle penetrator cable near where they believed Sijan to be. Despite his severe injuries after his low-level ejection, including a compound fracture of his left leg and skull fracture, Sijan refused the assistance of any Para-Jumpers being lowered because of the danger. After more than 30 minutes on station near where they estimated Sijans location, the CH-3 SAR helicopter was ordered to pull back to avoid the risk of being shot down. The SAR attempt would resume the next morning, but there was no further radio contact with Sijan. Both he and Armstrong were then listed as missing in action. Though Sijan had no contact with Armstrong after the ejection, there were varying reports later that he might have survived, but none of those reports could be authenticated. He became one of more than 600 Americans MIA in Laos. Despite his severe injuries and with little food and water, Sijan successfully evaded capture for 46 days until Christmas Day, when North Vietnamese soldiers found him unconscious near the Ho Chi Minh Trail, about three miles from where he had been shot down. He was initially placed into a nearby POW holding camp and, despite his condition, managed to disable one of his guards and crawl back into the jungle. He was captured again several hours later and beaten as a result. Sijan was then transported to another POW holding camp where he was cared for by two USAF prisoners, Maj Robert Craner and Capt Guy Gruters. They would later confirm he had been severely tortured by his captors and that he had revealed no information other than his name, date of birth, service, rank, and service number in accordance with the Geneva Convention. The three POWs were then transported to the infamous Hoa Lo prison (a.k.a. Hanoi Hilton), where Sijan told his fellow POWs details of his ejection and evasion and even enlisted their support to escape again, despite his severely disabled condition. Lest anyone ever forget, Hoa Lo prison was the location of Hanoi Jane Fondas anti-war propaganda photo op, laughing as she posed on an NVA anti-aircraft gun just a few yards away from where American POWs were being tortured. That would include three personal friends who were held at Hoa Lo: Medal of Honor recipient Col Leo Thorsness, Col Roger Ingvalson, and Lt Col Bill Gauntt. Each of these men were mild-tempered unless there was mention of Fondas name. On Jan. 22, 1968, eight days after reaching Hanoi but receiving no medical assistance, Lance Sijan died. He was one of 65 POWs known to have died in captivity during the Vietnam War. Lt Sijan was posthumously promoted to captain in 1968, and his remains were positively identified and repatriated in March 1974. In 1976, after full details of his actions were verified, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valiant effort to evade his captors despite his injuries, and moreover for his fierce resistance and refusal to release information that would compromise the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadrons mission and operations despite being subject to severe torture. On March 4, 1976, President Gerald Ford presented his parents, Sylvester and Jane Sijan, with his Medal of Honor. Sijans Medal citation concludes, Capt. Sijans extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Armed Forces. Indeed. Lance Sijan was the first and only Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor. Sijan Hall was dedicated in his honor on Memorial Day 1976. His legacy is that of an American Patriot with unbroken will. Capt. Lance Sijan: Your example of valor a humble American Patriot defending Liberty for all above and beyond the call of duty and in disregard for the peril to your own life is eternal. "Greater love has no one than this, to lay down ones life for his friends." (John 15:13) Live your life worthy of his sacrifice. Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis Pro Deo et Libertate -- 1776 Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen -- standing in harms way in defense of American Liberty, and for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to support our historic hometown National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. Make a check payable to NMoH Sustaining Fund and mail to: Patriot Foundation Trust, PO Box 407, Chattanooga, TN 37401-0407. Visit the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at Aquarium Plaza. (https://www.MOHHC.org) Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com) BASLER, SHANE MICHAEL 217 WINCHESTER ST CHATTANOOGA, 374053235 Age at Arrest: 36 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD DOMESTIC ASSAULT DOMESTIC ASSAULT CALDWELL, CHANDLER LANCER 4604 13TH AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37407 Age at Arrest: 23 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DOMESTIC ASSAULT CLARK, CHARLES RYAN 1608 STRAWBERRY LN CHATTANOOGA, 37343 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OF PROPERTY DANIELS, SHAUN EDWARD 3267 CONNER STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37411 Age at Arrest: 37 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (2ND) SPEEDING IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE GARRETT, KAYLEN M 2510 JEFFERY DR CHATTANOOGA, 374211917 Age at Arrest: 26 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE GLOVER, DAVID LEBRON 701 N GERMANTOWN RD HOMELESS CHATTANOOGA, 374112828 Age at Arrest: 45 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) GRAY, CYNTHIA ANN 4502 S CHOCTAW DR CHATTANOOGA, 37411 Age at Arrest: 61 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION OR RESTRAINING OR HARRIS, TRACY EUGENE 712 N CREST RD Chattanooga, 374062010 Age at Arrest: 54 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) HERNANDEZ, CHASITY A 12116 BETTIS ROAD GEORGETOWN, 37366 Age at Arrest: 22 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff SPEEDING HERNANDEZ, OBDULIO ISMAEL 8363 GIBSON DRIVE CLEVELAND, 373230655 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) JACKSON, ALLEN TAYLOR 198 HILLCREST RINGGOLD, 30736 Age at Arrest: 29 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) JONES, TERRANCE DEANTHONY 220 TUNNEL BLVD CHATTANOOGA, 37411 Age at Arrest: 39 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD FAILURE TO APPEAR KELLEY, TORRI NICOLE 3493 CHANDLER PL CHATTANOOGA, 374101375 Age at Arrest: 28 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff DOMESTIC ASSAULT KINYANJUI, MICHAEL KURIA 5633 MOUNTAIN OAKS LANE OOLTEWAH, 37343 Age at Arrest: 42 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) LEMAY, DREW AARON 1710 SANTABARBRA CIRCLE SODDY DAISY, 37379 Age at Arrest: 28 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff PUBLIC INTOXICATION MANIS, DYLAN LEE 3952 Churchill Rd Chattanooga, 374061616 Age at Arrest: 25 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD RESISTING ARREST OR OBSTRUCTION OF LEGAL PROCESS POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED MASON, WEBSTER PHILLIP 5314 DORSEY STREET CHATTANOOGA, 37410 Age at Arrest: 46 years old Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE POSS.HANDGUN WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE SEAT BELT LAW VIOLATION - PASSENGER THEFT OF PROPERTY SPEEDING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE MAURICIO HERNANDEZ, MYNOR DAVID 1347 WOODMORE LN CHATTANOOGA, 374111721 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MCDONALD, TERRY KING 803 E 48TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 374102104 Age at Arrest: 43 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC ASSAULT) MCDUFFEY, DARREN RAYNARD 1405 PATRICIA CIRLE KNOXVILLE, 37914 Age at Arrest: 40 years old Arresting Agency: UTC AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL TRESPASS PARSONS, SAVANNAH CAROLINE 727 E 11TH CHATTANOOGA, 37403 Age at Arrest: 32 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff (VOP) DRUGS GENERAL CATEGORY FOR RESALE PICKETT, ANTONIO DEMARCO 7707 LEE HWY, ROOM 232 CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 29 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD THEFT OF PROPERTY AGGRAVATED BURGLARY (OCCUPIED HABITATION) RAWLINGS, MELAKIL DEWAYNE 6127 HOWELL RDG FRONT 30058 LITHONIA, 30058 Age at Arrest: 18 years old Arresting Agency: Chatt Housing Auth CRIMINAL TRESPASSING POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA THEFT OF PROPERTY SAUNDERS, LEE DAVENPORT 4219 3RD AVE, APT A CHATTANOOGA, 37416 Age at Arrest: 36 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD AGGRAVATED BURGLARY SHAW, GREGORY WAYNE 2406 CONE FLOWER TRL CHATTANOOGA, 374211888 Age at Arrest: 62 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD PUBLIC INTOXICATION SNYDER, JONATHAN L 120 CROWE HILL CIR BENTON, 373074665 Age at Arrest: 31 years old Arresting Agency: Collegedale Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) STOKER, DAVID LAMAR 1601 TRUMAN AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37412 Age at Arrest: 58 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OF PROPERTY 39140103 THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) WALKER, ERIKA M 1 EAST 11TH STREET APT 603 CHATTANOOGA, 37402 Age at Arrest: 52 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OF PROPERTY WILKEY, PAMELA FAYE 3508 CLIO AVENUE CHATTANOOGA, 374072604 Age at Arrest: 25 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) WILSON, REBEKAH 89 HERMAN SMITH RD PIKEVILLE, 37367 Age at Arrest: 26 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff AGGRAVATED ARSON Here are the mug shots: DANIELS, SHAUN EDWARD Age at Arrest: 37 Date of Birth: 05/14/1980 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (2ND) SPEEDING IMPLIED CONSENT LAW - DRIVERS DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE GARRETT, KAYLEN M Age at Arrest: 26 Date of Birth: 07/31/1998 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER LINE GRAY, CYNTHIA ANN Age at Arrest: 61 Date of Birth: 06/27/1963 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTECTION OR RESTRAINING OR HERNANDEZ, CHASITY A Age at Arrest: 22 Date of Birth: 01/14/2002 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): SPEEDING HERNANDEZ, OBDULIO ISMAEL Age at Arrest: 31 Date of Birth: 05/01/1993 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) KINYANJUI, MICHAEL KURIA Age at Arrest: 42 Date of Birth: 09/30/1980 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) MASON, WEBSTER PHILLIP Age at Arrest: 46 Date of Birth: 04/16/1978 Arresting Agency: Tenn Hwy Patrol Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE POSS.HANDGUN WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE SEAT BELT LAW VIOLATION - PASSENGER THEFT OF PROPERTY SPEEDING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FAILURE TO MAINTAIN LANE POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE MCDONALD, TERRY KING Age at Arrest: 43 Date of Birth: 06/22/1981 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DOMESTIC ASSAULT) MCDUFFEY, DARREN RAYNARD Age at Arrest: 40 Date of Birth: 12/27/1983 Arresting Agency: UTC Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL TRESPASS RAWLINGS, MELAKIL DEWAYNE Age at Arrest: 18 Date of Birth: 08/14/2006 Arresting Agency: Chatt Housing Auth Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): CRIMINAL TRESPASSING POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA THEFT OF PROPERTY SHAW, GREGORY WAYNE Age at Arrest: 62 Date of Birth: 06/17/1962 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): PUBLIC INTOXICATION STOKER, DAVID LAMAR Age at Arrest: 58 Date of Birth: 08/28/1965 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY 39140103 THEFT OF PROPERTY (CONDUCT INVOLV.MERCHANDISE) WALKER, ERIKA M Age at Arrest: 52 Date of Birth: 09/27/1972 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): THEFT OF PROPERTY WILKEY, PAMELA FAYE Age at Arrest: 25 Date of Birth: 02/09/1999 Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s) WILSON, REBEKAH Age at Arrest: 26 Date of Birth: 06/18/1998 Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff Last Date of Arrest: 12/07/2024 Charge(s): AGGRAVATED ARSON Home Books Armie Hammer's mother shares how faith sustained her through heartbreak, scandal Dru Hammers life reads like a novel, one filled with dizzying highs, devastating lows and most importantly, a journey of faith, forgiveness and perseverance in the face of betrayal. Hammer is the ex-wife of Michael Hammer, grandson of Occidental Petroleum magnate Armand Hammer, and mother of financier Viktor Hammer and embattled actor Armie Hammer and shes seen her family's life scrutinized and sensationalized in the public eye for decades. In an interview with The Christian Post, the 62-year-old said she wrote her new memoir, Hammered, to shift the focus of her highly-publicized story to the faith that has carried her through. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe It took me 10 years to write this book, because if you write a book, I really believe that you have to bring in the good, the bad and the ugly, and in our family, there's just a lot of all of the above, she said. But that's what Jesus does; when you have problems and when you're going through all these horrendous things, God is faithful. And that's really the whole message of my book, is the faithfulness of God when our hearts get hammered. In her book, Hammer recounts her upbringing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where her father led a traveling healing ministry, influenced by evangelists like Kenneth Hagin and Oral Roberts. It was that foundation, Hammer said, that became her lifeline as she would go on to navigate a life of privilege and heartbreak. When you grow up as a child, and that's what you see all into your adulthood, and you see people walk out of wheelchairs and the blind people receiving their sight, there's no way that I could ever limit God. He is the Creator of the universe. Who are we, as mere peons with our finite minds? Who are we to limit the God, the creator of the universe, who is infinite? So that really directed every step of my life, she said. Hammer met Michael Hammer on a plane to Tulsa, and after a whirlwind romance, she found herself married into a world of glamour and privilege, complete with lavish dinners, servants and parties with royalty like Princess Diana. Ten months after their marriage, Hammer became pregnant with their first child, Armie, and welcomed their second son, Viktor, three years later. Now residing in Los Angeles with her family, she also began renovating and selling houses, a business she said quickly blossomed. But it wasnt long before her idyllic world was shattered. Her boys were still young when she found out her husband had been unfaithful, but, she writes, he seemed repentant, and not wanting her children to grow up without a father, she forgave him. Her marriage of 25 years finally unraveled after she had a dream in which God revealed her husband Michael's infidelity again. Confronted, Michael initially denied the accusation but ultimately admitted to years of unrepentant affairs, rooted, he claimed, in childhood trauma from severe abuse. Financially blindsided, Hammer discovered that Michael had made her unknowingly relinquish her rights to their assets. Following her decision to leave him, his office canceled her credit cards and bank accounts. During this time, she relied on her faith to sustain her, spending her days walking, listening to Scripture and praying. Although she fervently prayed for reconciliation, she ultimately faced the reality of an inevitable divorce. When I came out of my divorce, I wasn't left penniless, thankfully, because I had renovated 27 homes during our marriage," she said. When I walked down the aisle 40 years ago, I never in a million years dreamed that 25 years later I would be going through a very difficult divorce, she continued. My father was a very trustworthy person, and I loved my husband and I trusted him. Why would I stay in a marriage with a person that I didn't trust? That would be ridiculous, right? What's the point of that? But sometimes, again, God doesn't fail us, but people can fail us, and there can be deceptions. Hammer eventually forgave her ex-husband, and before his passing from a glioblastoma brain tumor in 2022, the two had become friends, celebrating holidays together with their children. I actually became very good friends with my former husband. [] Does God want us to be divorced? Absolutely not. God says He hates divorce and it leads to sin, and boy does it, but God can also restore as well." I loved my husband, she said. I loved him till the day he died. I would go into his hospital room and crawl in bed with him and pray over him, and ask Jesus to heal him, of course, because I believe in healing, but he got the ultimate healing. He's worshiping the Lord in Heaven. In her book, Hammer also touches on the scandal surrounding her son, Armie. In January 2021, multiple women accused Armie of sharing sexual fantasies with them that involved cannibalism, among other allegations. A prolific actor, Armies story made headlines in the tabloids and was highlighted in the 2022 documentary House of Hammer, though no charges were ever filed. In 2023, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office announced Hammer would not face any charges related to the allegations. When asked about the controversy, Dru Hammer said, Theres always another side, she recalled, adding: He just decided, I'm not going to speak out, that the truth always comes out, and that's what he did. So occasionally I would call him and go, Well, if you won't speak out, can I speak out? Because those girls stayed in my home, and they were in love with you. And if you were really that terrible of a person, they wouldn't have wanted to be with you like that.' She recounted her approach with Armie during his public ordeal. I would remind him, People will fail you, but God never will. My role wasnt to be their friend but their guide, even when it wasnt popular. Though she raised her children in the church, Hammer said she doesnt necessarily see her sons seeking the Lord deeply today. But she is confident theyll return to the faith she tried to instill in them as children. I don't think they have a chance, because I pray every single day, and the best thing I can do is to be a godly example to them, and the rest is up to them. We're only responsible for ourselves, she said. You have to rely on God for your joy, because the world could absolutely be falling apart around you, and you can still have joy if you trust God. I also have to think, wow, God, you must have something really fabulous for the Hammer family, because our entire family has been obliterated. Motherhood, Hammer said, has been both her greatest joy and her toughest calling. Im a praying mom, she asserted. My sons know where I stand. Though touching on public scandals and personal heartbreak, the major theme of Hammers book is forgiveness, something she says is crucial for emotional and spiritual health. Bitterness eats people alive, she said. I had lunch with a woman once who was so venomous about her ex-husband I thought it had happened recently. Then she told me it had been 12 years. Forgiveness isnt about the other person its about freeing yourself. Jesus says, I cant forgive you until you forgive others. I need forgiveness every day, so I dont have time to hold onto bitterness. Today, Hammer uses her platform, experiences and resources to help others. Her nonprofit, Hammered Hearts, exists to help others spiritually, physically and mentally who have also experienced hardship, and shes also worked with the Dream Center, helping victims of sex trafficking and those struggling with drug abuse. I just really believe that God gives us so much and He's so faithful, that my greatest joy now is to being able to go out and help other people that are going through the same thing, she said. Shes also launching an innovative AI project, What Does the Bible Say? debuting at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 18. The project uses AI to answer over 1,000 questions rooted in Scripture. Its not the Bible according to Dru Hammer, she said. Its what Gods Word says. My hope is to make Scripture accessible and clear for anyone seeking truth. By sharing her story with the world, Hammer hopes to encourage others that they, too, can find hope, forgiveness and healing through faith, regardless of the challenges life throws at them. We can have peace amongst chaos, and that's the word 'shalom,'" she said. "Jesus said, I am the Prince of Peace, so I just kept relying on Jesus as my source of peace and joy." Home News Americans split on plans for attending church this Christmas: survey Less than 40% of non-Evangelicals report going to services Adults in the United States are divided on whether they'll be attending church this Christmas season, a recent study from Lifeway Research suggests. According to the survey of over 1,200 Americans conducted in August, nearly half (47%) said they typically attend church during the holiday season, while 48% said they do not, and 5% were unsure. "The very name 'Christmas' originates in the church's celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. In the mid-14th century, the words 'Christ's Mass' were first merged as a single term for this celebration," said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. "While 9 in 10 Americans do something to celebrate Christmas, less than half typically attend church at Christmastime today." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The study highlights the stark contrast between different denominations and their likelihood of attending church. Protestants (57%), Catholics (56%) and those from other religious backgrounds (53%) are far more likely to attend church at Christmastime than the religiously unaffiliated, only 21% of whom report attending. Among religiously unaffiliated individuals, 71% say they do not usually attend church during Christmas. One of the most significant factors influencing church attendance is the frequency with which individuals attend services. Of those who attend church more than once a week, 95% say they typically attend church at Christmas. About 72% of respondents with Evangelical beliefs report attending church during Christmas, while only 40% of those without Evangelical beliefs said the same. Among the 47% of respondents who typically attend church at Christmas, the majority (60%) say their motivation is to "honor Jesus." Notably, those who attend church less frequently are more likely to cite tradition as the primary reason for attending at Christmastime. Among those who rarely attend church or only go on holidays, 22% and 27%, respectively, say they attend mainly to observe tradition, compared to just 10% of regular weekly attendees. "While church services draw more people in the Christmas season, their prime motivation isn't unified," said McConnell. "The majority are drawn to celebrate the birth of Jesus, honoring Him as the Christ or promised Messiah. But others mostly join in because of the importance of family, their embrace of Christmas church tradition or to jump-start Christmas vibes." The findings also suggest that many Americans who don't typically attend church at Christmas might do so if invited. Among those who usually skip church, 56% said they would likely attend if someone they know invited them, including 17% who are very likely to go. However, 36% said they're unlikely to attend, with 24% stating they are very unlikely. "More than one in eight Americans are convinced they would not attend a Christmas service if an acquaintance invited them," McConnell said. "However, the majority of Americans who do not typically attend church at Christmastime say they probably would if they were invited by someone they know." Invitation effectiveness varies across religious groups. Catholics (71%), Protestants (65%) and those of other faiths (58%) are more likely to say they would attend if invited than the religiously unaffiliated (40%). The likelihood of accepting an invitation is also higher among women (61%), Hispanics (72%) and individuals with Evangelical beliefs (69%). Older Americans, however, show less interest in attending a church service, even if invited. Among those aged 65 and older, 48% said they were unlikely to attend a service, whether or not they received an invitation. The survey was conducted from Aug. 14-30 using a nationally pre-recruited panel. To ensure the sample accurately reflected the U.S. population, quotas and slight weights were applied to balance gender, age, region, ethnicity, education, religion and Evangelical beliefs. The survey also included an over-sample of Americans with Evangelical beliefs to allow for more reliable subgroup analysis. The error margin for the entire sample is +3.3 percentage points. The study's findings mirror the results of a Gallup poll in March, which found that church attendance declined across most U.S. religious groups. Three in 10 Americans said they attend religious services every week (21%) or almost every week (9%), while 11% report attending about once a month. Another 56% said they seldom (25%) or never (31%) attend religious services. Home News Biden: US monitoring Syrian rebel groups; raises concerns for Americans in Syria President Joe Biden said the United States is monitoring rebel groups in Syria following the downfall of the Assad regime, and is concerned for the safety of Americans living in the country. In remarks given on Sunday afternoon, Biden addressed reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had fled Syria as rebel forces took over the capital of Damascus. At long last, the Assad regime has fallen, Biden said. This regime brutalized, tortured and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Biden acknowledged that there was much uncertainty facing Syria, noting that there is a chance that extremist Islamic groups might take advantage of the power vacuum to take over. Biden promised to continue military efforts against Islamic State elements in the country, to work with regional leaders to maintain stability, and engage with all Syrian groups to create an independent sovereign Syria. We will remain vigilant, he continued. Make no mistake: some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses, he added, likely referring to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and U.K., among other groups. In 2018, The U.S. imposed a $10 million bounty on the head of HTS' leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who has been designated as a terrorist since 2013. Weve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days. Theyre saying the right things now, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions. Biden added that his administration was mindful that there were Americans present in Syria, including individuals who have been taken hostage, such as Austin Tice, a Marine-turned-journalist, who was abducted by jihadist militants over 12 years ago. It is now incumbent upon all the opposition groups to seek a role in governing Syria, Biden added. To demonstrate their commitment to the rights of all Syrians, the rule of law, and the protection of religious and ethnic minorities. Late Saturday night, after more than a decade of civil war, rebel forces successfully forced Assad to flee the country, ending around 50 years of his family ruling Syria as a dictatorship. Following Assads departure, crowds flooded the streets of Damascus, chanting Allah is great and shouting anti-Assad slogans, reported The Associated Press. My feelings are indescribable, said Omar Daher, a 29-year-old lawyer, in comments given to the AP. After the fear that [Assad] and his father made us live in for many years, and the panic and state of terror that I was living in, I cant believe it. Despite the celebrations, some have expressed concern over the potential fallout from the regime collapse, especially for the nations vulnerable Christian community and other minority groups. Since the violence began in 2011, Syrias native Christian population has declined considerably from around 10% of the country, or 1.5 million, to approximately 300,000 at present, reported Crux Now. Home News Christians in Syria face uncertain, perilous future under HTS, persecution watchdog warns Christians in Syria confront an uncertain and perilous future under the control of Islamist-led rebel forces, a human rights group has warned. The citys minority Christian population, significantly diminished by years of civil war, now grapples with fears of escalating threats and restrictions. Islamist rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and U.K., captured Aleppo about a week ago, followed by Homs and Damascus late Saturday night in a sweeping offensive that toppled Syrian government forces. Bashar al-Assad resigned and left the country on a flight to Russia on Saturday night. Since Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's takeover of Aleppo, many Christians have fled, leaving behind a small but resolute group trying to maintain their faith and traditions. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The coming days and weeks will be crucial for the fate of [the] Christian community," said Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, in a statement shared with The Christian Post. "Christians, with roots stretching back nearly two millennia, now face an uncertain and perilous future. Bread shortages have worsened, and drinking water remains unavailable in several areas, Catholic News Agency reports as being among the hardships residents are facing. Curfews imposed by the militant group from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. further restrict daily life, leaving many residents, including Christians, feeling confined and vulnerable. Small vans distributing free bread and water in some neighborhoods offer limited relief. A key highway between Damascus and Aleppo has also been blocked, leaving residents with only a congested and hazardous alternative route, according to CNA. The isolation has claimed lives, including that of Dr. Arwant Arslanian, a Christian physician killed by sniper fire while attempting to flee the city, reported the Facebook page of Armenians of Syria. A bus carrying young Christians was also stranded on the Aleppo Road, later finding refuge at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese. Many Christian leaders have remained in the city, providing spiritual guidance and practical support to their communities. Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Mor Boutros Kassis and other Christian leaders have been communicating through social media where they held prayers and liturgies. They are encouraging Christian residents to face the reality with awareness, courage and faith, he was quoted as saying. Franciscan Father Bahjat Karakach, representing the Latin Church, acknowledged, The Church knows no more than the people do. Its up to individuals and families to decide if they want to stay or leave Aleppo, he stressed. No one can make it on behalf of another. We friars are staying and waiting to see how things unfold, he was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, the Islamist faction, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, has pledged to protect civilians, including Christians. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani visited Aleppos citadel and stated, Aleppo has always been a meeting point for civilizations and cultures, and it will remain so, with a long history of cultural and religious diversity, as reported by Al-Monitor. Despite assurances, fears persist among Aleppos estimated 30,000 Christians, down from hundreds of thousands before the Syrian conflict began in 2011. Switzerland-based group Christian Solidarity International responded to the assurance given by HTS, saying, HTS ideology and history give religious minorities in Aleppo serious reason to doubt these promises. HTS has often targeted Christians throughout Syria in violent attacks and kidnappings, repeatedly killing Christian civilians and confiscating their property, CSI explained. In the Salafist worldview that animates HTS, Christians are not heretics to be destroyed (like the Alawites and the Druzes), but people of the Book followers of religions that were revealed before the coming of the [Islamic] prophet Muhammad. In lands ruled by Islam, they should be made dhimmis a protected people who are kept in legal subjugation and pay an additional tax called the jizya, CSI continued. Until now, HTS has avoided imposing dhimmi status on Christians in Idlib by referring to them as mustamin, or temporary residents, the group acknowledged. But how long will HTS maintain this distinction? CSI asked. However, Archbishop Boutros Marayati of the Armenian Catholic Church sought to reassure worshipers during a Mass, telling them, Do not fear, dear brothers. We have received assurances from all parties. Continue living normally, and everything will remain as before, even better, as quoted by AL Monitor. The Christian community in Aleppo has historically aligned with the Syrian government, which President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, has positioned as a protector of minorities. The rebel takeover represents a dramatic shift, stirring memories of prior persecution during the Islamic States reign over parts of Syria. IS systematically targeted Christians, destroying churches and engaging in mass kidnappings before being defeated in 2019. An Amazon package containing a GPS tracker sits on a porch. Experts say the main way to deter porch pirates is by keeping packages out of sight. Robert Bumsted/Associated Press 2018 The holidays are here. So are the porch pirates. Searches for stolen package spike every December, according to Google Trends. According to the annual package theft report from security review site Security.org, 6% of Californians have had a package stolen in the past three months, and 35% are highly concerned about holiday package theft. Theft is a crime in California petty or grand, depending on the value of the item stolen but a bill that would have specifically made entering the vicinity of a home with the intent to steal a package its own crime, introduced by former Assembly Member Evan Low, D-Sunnyvale, died in committee earlier this year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What can you do to keep your holiday shopping safe? Heres what experts recommend. How to prevent package theft The main way to deter porch pirates is by keeping packages out of sight, said Ben Stickle, a professor of criminal justice at Middle Tennessee State University whos studied package theft. This is a crime completely centered around opportunity, he said. His analysis found most thieves drive down the street and only stop when they can see packages from their car. There are lockable package boxes like Adoorn (www.adoorn.com) and other products you can buy to try and protect your purchases, but Stickle said just having a bench or plants that block visibility from the roadway is usually sufficient. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While doorbell and security cameras can capture an image of the thief, surprisingly, those dont seem to deter porch pirates, Stickle said. In a review of camera footage, he said a lot of the thieves would look right at the camera and then proceed to take the package anyway. Very few seemed to care or even bother trying to hide their face, he said. What did seem to deter thieves: a sign that the resident had a burglar alarm. Whether you actually have one is less important, he said: Just having a sign that you have a burglar alarm is actually more effective than having a burglar alarm. More tips to prevent package theft Track deliveries and retrieve items as quickly as possible. Sign up for text or email updates, and bring your package inside as soon as you can once it arrives. (At the same time, be conscientious about package delivery text and email scams. Never click a link asking you to update your delivery address, pay surprise extra shipping or customs fees, or directing you to a misspelled website like fed-x.com. Watch for typos, grammatical errors, and excessive use of capitalization and exclamation points. The Federal Communications Commission has more information on spotting this type of scam (www.fcc.gov/how-identify-and-avoid-package-delivery-scams). Sign up for text or email updates, and bring your package inside as soon as you can once it arrives. (At the same time, be conscientious about package delivery text and email scams. Never click a link asking you to update your delivery address, pay surprise extra shipping or customs fees, or directing you to a misspelled website like fed-x.com. Watch for typos, grammatical errors, and excessive use of capitalization and exclamation points. The Federal Communications Commission has more information on spotting this type of scam (www.fcc.gov/how-identify-and-avoid-package-delivery-scams). Schedule deliveries or request signature upon delivery. Make sure the package only arrives when youll be there to get it. Make sure the package only arrives when youll be there to get it. Request nondescript packaging. Some sites let you choose shipping your item in a more plain-looking box as opposed to packaging that says exactly whats inside. Though its a little wasteful to get an extra cardboard box to ship a cardboard box in, its worth the extra protection. Just make sure you recycle it. Some sites let you choose shipping your item in a more plain-looking box as opposed to packaging that says exactly whats inside. Though its a little wasteful to get an extra cardboard box to ship a cardboard box in, its worth the extra protection. Just make sure you recycle it. Let friends and family know when a package is on its way. Sure, you dont want to spoil the surprise, but your special gift has a better chance of making it to the recipient if you let them know when it will arrive. Sure, you dont want to spoil the surprise, but your special gift has a better chance of making it to the recipient if you let them know when it will arrive. Make it look like someone is home. No need to go full Home Alone, but a well-lit house makes thieves wary in addition to looking extra cozy. Motion detector lights and alarms are another option. No need to go full Home Alone, but a well-lit house makes thieves wary in addition to looking extra cozy. Motion detector lights and alarms are another option. Make a sign. In addition to a sign about your (real or fake) burglar alarm, a news writer for a radio station in El Paso photographed a handwritten porch pirates seen in area poster taped to a tree. Stickle said anything that makes thieves think someone is actively watching them as opposed to viewing camera footage after theyre long gone seems to make them more leery. In addition to a sign about your (real or fake) burglar alarm, a news writer for a radio station in El Paso photographed a handwritten porch pirates seen in area poster taped to a tree. Stickle said anything that makes thieves think someone is actively watching them as opposed to viewing camera footage after theyre long gone seems to make them more leery. Work with your neighbors. If youre friendly with the people who live around you, agree to pick up each others packages when you see them. If youre friendly with the people who live around you, agree to pick up each others packages when you see them. Consider pickup centers or store pickup. If youre not home a lot during the day, you might want to have packages sent to an Amazon Locker or other location where theyll be protected until you can retrieve them. A tip sheet provided by the San Francisco Police Department on package theft includes a recommendation to use the U.S. Postal Services hold package option to let you pick it up at the post office. FedEx and UPS offer similar services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What to do if your package gets stolen If a porch pirate struck despite your best efforts, Stickle laid out the steps you should take. 1. Confirm delivery. A lot of carriers take photographs of the delivered item. See if yours is on a neighbors porch. 2. Contact the retailer. Ask what steps they want you to take next. Some will ask you to file a police report or contact the delivery service. Others will send a replacement, no questions asked. And some might just say youre out of luck. In most cases, once the carrier drops off a package at your address, the item is in your possession, and neither the delivery service nor seller are legally liable to replace it, Stickle said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You can buy package insurance but just like car insurance doesnt stop you from getting into a crash, package insurance doesnt prevent theft. It just gives you the ability to get your money back. If you have a lot of thefts or are ordering something worth a lot of money, Stickle said it could merit consideration. Home News Supreme Court to decide if Tennessee can ban trans surgeries for kids The U.S. Supreme Court is set to determine whether Tennessee can prohibit body-mutilating sex-change surgeries and irreversible puberty-blocking drugs for children exhibiting gender dysphoria. In an orders list released Monday morning, the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal in the case of United States v. Jonathan Skrmetti et al., with oral arguments not expected until the fall. The American Civil Liberties Union, a progressive legal group known for its opposition to such state laws, is helping to represent the families suing Tennessee over the law. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Court has the power to protect trans youths right to access the healthcare they need by striking down this discriminatory law, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, staff attorney at the ACLU of Tennessee, in a statement. We are steadfast in our commitment to fiercely advocate for trans youth and their families, ensuring they have the autonomy to access the care they need to survive and thrive, and the Court has the opportunity to make that future a reality. In March of last year, Tennessee passed Senate Bill 1, which prohibits healthcare providers from performing genital mutilation surgeries or giving puberty blockers to minors suffering from confusion over their sex. The legislature declares that the integrity and public respect of the medical profession are significantly harmed by healthcare providers performing or administering such medical procedures on minors. This state has a legitimate, substantial, and compelling interest in protecting minors from physical and emotional harm, explained the findings of the legislation. This state has a legitimate, substantial, and compelling interest in protecting the integrity of the medical profession, including by prohibiting medical procedures that are harmful, unethical, immoral, experimental, or unsupported by high-quality or long-term studies, or that might encourage minors to become disdainful of their sex. The following month, the ACLU, Lambda Legal and others sued the state over the new law on behalf of trans-identified minors and their families, with the U.S. Department of Justice filing a complaint in intervention on behalf of the plaintiffs. Although a lower court would put a preliminary injunction in place against the new law, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit allowed the measure to take effect. Last September, a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit ruled 2-1 to uphold the law, with Circuit Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton, a President George W. Bush appointee, authoring the majority opinion. There is a long tradition of permitting state governments to regulate medical treatments for adults and children, wrote Sutton. So long as a federal statute does not stand in the way and so long as an enumerated constitutional guarantee does not apply, the States may regulate or ban medical technologies they deem unsafe. Home News Trump, Macron meet with Zelensky as world leaders gather in Paris for Notre Dame opening US President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Saturday as world leaders gathered to celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. The meeting was part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address global security concerns while marking the restoration of the iconic landmark five years after a devastating fire. The trilateral meeting, proposed by Macron and hastily arranged, occurred at the Elysee Palace shortly before the Notre Dame ceremony, France 24 reported . Zelensky described the discussion as good and productive, noting that the three leaders agreed to continue working toward peace. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him, Zelensky wrote on X. Macron also released a public statement on the social media platform, calling for continued joint efforts to achieve peace and security. The meeting came as European leaders sought assurances from Trump regarding his commitment to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia, according to The Associated Press. Trumps victory in the recent U.S. presidential election has raised concerns in Kyiv about the potential shift in American foreign policy, especially regarding military aid. During his campaign, Trump pledged to end the war swiftly, though he has not shared how he intends to achieve this goal. Ahead of the trilateral talks, Macron hosted a bilateral meeting with Trump at the Elysee Palace, where the two leaders reportedly exchanged warm gestures. Trump praised their relationship, saying, We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot. Macron responded by saying it was an honor to host Trump for the cathedrals reopening. You were president at that time, and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction, Macron said, referring to the fire that started on April 15, 2019. During the meeting with Zelensky, concerns over the war in Ukraine took center stage. Macron, who had long planned to meet with Zelensky separately, extended the discussion to include Trump upon his arrival. According to the French presidential office, the trilateral discussion lasted about 35 minutes, with all three leaders speaking in English. While Macrons office called the meeting a constructive dialogue, questions remain about the terms Trump might propose for ending the conflict. In an effort to build trust with Trumps incoming administration, Zelenskys aide Andriy Yermak recently met with key members of Trumps team in the U.S. A senior Ukrainian official described these preliminary talks as productive but declined to provide details. A red carpet and a full guard of honor greeted Trump at the Elysee Palace, with Macron projecting an image of close ties. Trump described the event as a great honor, adding, It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now, and well be talking about that. Security in Paris was heightened for the Notre Dame reopening, with over 20 French government security agents reportedly collaborating with U.S. Secret Service to ensure Trumps safety. The cathedral underwent extensive restoration after the fire that nearly destroyed its iconic spire. The reopening ceremony drew numerous dignitaries, including Prince William, who met with Trump at the British ambassador's residence later in the day. The Prince of Wales described their interaction as warm and friendly, according to the BBC. During their meeting, Trump praised the prince as a good man and discussed global issues, including the special relationship between the US and the UK First lady Jill Biden attended the ceremony on behalf of President Joe Biden, who declined the invitation citing a scheduling conflict. The reconstruction of Notre Dame, completed at a cost of 800 million (roughly $845 million), restored the cathedral's 19th century spire and its intricate stained glass windows, reported The Telegraph. Some 40,000 square meters of stone were cleaned and repaired. The structure now features an even more luminous interior than before. The restoration involved removing 150 years of accumulated dirt, revealing the blond stone walls and soaring ceilings in their intended brilliance. The stained glass windows, including the iconic rose windows, have renewed their vibrant colors, making them appear gem-like under the restored lighting. The cathedral's great organ, which survived the fire but required extensive cleaning and reassembly of its 8,000 pipes, now sounds as powerful as ever. New liturgical furnishings, such as a bronze baptistery and altar, complement the historic interior, blending modern artistry with medieval craftsmanship. Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump were all smiles at a Mar-a-Lago dinner where the president-elects tariff threat was the main topic of conversation. Attending with Trudeau were his chief of staff, Katie Telford, front left, and Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc, at left. COLUMBUS, OhioServing as president of the Ohio Senate or speaker of the Ohio House brings enormous power to determine what bills become law in the state and which dont. But Matt Huffman is poised to become the first state lawmaker since the 19th Century to serve in both jobs and the first in state history to move between them without interruption. December 7, 2024: To keep their economy going in spite of the economic sanctions, Russia is depending on China and India. These are its most loyal trading partners. These two nations assist Russia in exporting its oil despite the sanctions. They can also obtain some items Russian can no longer obtain from Western suppliers. Care must be taken because many of these components can easily be identified and traced back to the last legal purchaser. Ukraine has been diligent about collecting debris from Russians weapons that are not supposed to exist because of the ban on selling Russian essential components. This has led to the discovery and elimination of several smuggling operations. This often involves sanctioning Chinese or Indian businesses and some of their key personnel. China, more than India, has to be careful about this because Western sanctions on Chinese firms means China can no longer obtain key components from Western suppliers. This sort of thing didnt start with Russian operations in Ukraine and has been encountered for decades as Iran copes with similar sanctions. In 2023 China got credit for arranging a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran which involved these two long-time antagonists resuming diplomatic relations and, purportedly, halting military operations against each other. This was a major achievement for China. While this preliminary agreement makes for great headlines and indicates a decline in American influence in Saudi Arabia, it was not a done deal. The announcement was about intentions not actual accomplishments. Iran has a long history of violating agreements. Iran is still subject to economic sanctions by Western nations because of continued Iranian efforts to develop nuclear weapons. Armed like this, Iran could more easily intimidate neighboring countries and resume its historical role as the regional superpower. Iran, China and Russia are now allies, diplomatically if not economically and militarily. Despite that, there are still suspicions. For example, Russia has sent troops stationed on border areas to Ukraine, but still keeps somewhat more than token forces on portions of its 4,200-kilometer Chinese border. There Russia faces, for the first time, a larger, better armed, trained and led Chinese army. China has unresolved claims on most of the Russian Pacific coast territories. Russia also has a 17-kilometer border with North Korea and Russian troops are sometimes seen here as well. Since the Ukraine War began, fewer Russian troops have been seen on other foreign borders. Thats because the crisis in Ukraine demanded more troops to replace losses. The scale and scope of Russian army losses in Ukraine is unprecedented. While air forces and navy losses were relatively minor, the Strategic Rocket Forces or SRF and their thousands of nuclear warheads still have the same number of troops, so the Russian State is still secure. Neighboring China also has lots of nuclear weapons and keeps everyone guessing about who their missiles are aimed at. Far more important is the Russian dependence on Chinese economic and military cooperation. China remains on good terms with Russia economically and militarily. China warned Russia to back off on nuclear threats over the Ukraine War and made it clear that China considered the Ukraine War a major mistake. Before 2022, Russia and China were seen as a powerful military and economic alliance. Now the Russian military is revealed to be much less capable than previously thought. Western sanctions have devastated the Russian economy and China will benefit from that at the expense of Russia. What happened to Russia in Ukraine also caused China to review its own military policies in the South China Sea, against Taiwan and, less obviously, the Russian Far East territories. China insists it will continue to maintain pressure against its opponents in territorial disputes. Chief among this is the Chinese effort to gain control of Taiwan and Indian territory that China claims is illegally occupied by India. Then there is the most blatant claim of all ownership of the South China Sea. All these claims are vigorously opposed by growing coalitions of powerful countries. China is most active on its border with India. China claims much territory that is now considered part of India. There have been several thousand armed and unarmed confrontations over the years as one side or the other accuses foreign troops of crossing the Line of Actual Control or LAC. The mutual troop withdrawal in Ladakh reduced tensions there but not along other LAC segments where there are still a lot of Chinese and Indian troops confronting each other. China is slowly winning this border war because it uses largely non-violent tactics. China pushes its troops, often while unarmed, across the border and forces the Indians to try and stop them. This has led to casualties, but not from the use of military weapons. If the Indians fire on the unarmed Chinese troops, then India is the aggressor and China can shoot back. Often China does not and shames India into backing off. India realizes that China has a more powerful military and Indians do not feel confident about their ability to handle a large-scale battle on the border. India is still haunted by the last battle between Indian and Chinese forces. This took place back in 1962. In a month of fighting that began on 20 October 1962, India lost 7,000 troops. About 57 percent were prisoners and the rest dead or missing. There were 722 Chinese killed. China declared a ceasefire that India accepted. China actually advanced in two areas, a thousand kilometers apart and ended up taking 43,000 square kilometers of Indian territory. The source of the 1962 war and current border disputes are a century old and heated up again when China resumed control over Tibet in the 1950s. From the end of the Chinese empire in 1912 until 1949, Tibet was independent. But then the communists took over China in 1949 and sought to reassert control over their lost province of Tibet. This began slowly, but once all of Tibet was under Chinese control in 1959, China had a border with India and there was immediately a disagreement about exactly where the border should be. Thats because, in 1914, the newly independent Tibet government worked out a border called the McMahon line with the British who then controlled India. China considers this border agreement illegal and wants 90,000 square kilometers back. India refused, especially since this would mean losing much of Arunachal Pradesh State in northeastern India and some bits elsewhere along the new northern border. India feels more capable in opposing China because of growing Indian economic power. Indian GDP nearly doubled in the last decade; from $1.7 trillion to the current over $3.9 trillion now. This made India the fifth largest economy, surpassing Britain with $3.6 trillion and France with$3.2 trillion). The rest of the top five are the U.S with$29 trillion, China with $18 trillion, Germany with $4.7 trillion and Japan with $4 trillion. Chinese GDP growth is slowing although in the last decade it more than doubled from $6.1 trillion to $18 trillion. Over three decades of spectacular economic growth in China resulted in the Chinese GDP becoming over fourteen times larger than it was in 1989. In that same period the U.S. GDP doubled. After World War II India had a larger GDP than China and never felt the same urgency as China to modernize and expand its economy. But India has not been as effective in keeping up with the Chinese military in terms of modernization. Indian threats to oppose Chinese military moves carry little weight with the Chinese or anyone else who analyzes the situation. Actions have consequences and, in this case, it means China can push India around on their mutual border. China intends to keep pushing until it regains its claimed lost territories. Currently the Indian GDP growth rate is increasing faster than Chinas. The Indian defense budget does not benefit and military modernization plans remain on hold as the politicians try to figure out how to enrich themselves from all the additional money now available for spending. China notices this and is encouraged to push ill-equipped and supported Indian troops back from the border. Meanwhile China has been blaming NATO for the war in Ukraine but realizes that the Ukrainians are not going to give up and are now talking to the Ukrainians about how China can help in bringing the war to an end. China has already told Russia that the war is a mistake and damages the Russian-Chinese alliance. Russia has been unsuccessful at persuading China to provide military aid. Any country that does send military aid to Russia faces heavy economic sanctions. This would cause substantial economic and political problems for China. Russia argues that military aid from China would enable Russian forces to deal with another Ukrainian offensive. With Chinese military support Russia believes it could turn the Ukraine War into at least a stalemate. This would also demonstrate that Russia and China have a robust and effective alliance. China is not so sure. Russian forces have performed so poorly in Ukraine that Chinese military aid would have little impact. People walk near razor wire at Masnaa Border Crossing, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, Lebanon, on Dec. 8, 2024. Amr Abdallah Dalsh | Reuters Syrian rebels declared they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of autocratic rule after more than 13 years of civil war. In a seismic moment for the Middle East, the Islamist rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in Syria in the heart of the region allies who had propped up Assad during critical periods in the war but were distracted by other crises recently. The rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments. Thousands of people in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus, waving and chanting "Freedom" after a half-century of Assad family rule, witnesses said. People were seen walking inside the Al-Rawda Presidential Palace, with some leaving carrying furniture from inside. "We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains," the rebels said. Leading rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani said there was no room for turning back. "The future is ours," he said in a statement read on Syria's state TV after his forces took over Damascus. The pace of events stunned Arab capitals and raised concerns about a new wave of instability in a region already in turmoil following the spread of conflict after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the ensuing Gaza war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Assad's fall was a direct result of blows that Israel has dealt to Iran and its ally Hezbollah. French President Emmanuel Macron said, "The barbaric state has fallen," and paid tribute to the Syrian people. Daunting task ahead When the celebrations fade, Syria's new leaders will face the daunting task of trying to deliver stability to a diverse country with competing factions that will need billions of dollars in aid and investments to rebuild. Syria's long civil war, which erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad's rule, turned cities to rubble and killed hundreds of thousands of people. Stakeholders range from Turkey to the United States to Islamists to Kurds. One possible challenge could be a resurgence of the Islamic State, which imposed a reign of terror in large swathes of Syria and Iraq and directed external operations during its prime. Underscoring the lightning changes, Iran's embassy was stormed by Syrian rebels, Iran's English-language Press TV reported. Iran, whose elite Revolutionary Guards have faced deadly Israeli strikes in Syria, gave a measured response. Its foreign ministry said Syria's fate is the sole responsibility of the Syrian people and should be pursued without foreign imposition or destructive intervention. Lebanese-based Hezbollah, which provided crucial support to Assad for years, withdrew all of its forces from Syria on Saturday as rebel factions approached Damascus, two Lebanese security sources told Reuters on Sunday. Assad, who had not spoken in public since the sudden rebel advance a week ago, flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination earlier on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters. His whereabouts now and those of his wife Asma and their two children were unknown. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Assad had left office and departed the country after giving orders for a peaceful handover of power. The Syrian rebel coalition said it was continuing work to complete the transfer of power in the country to a transitional governing body with full executive powers. "The great Syrian revolution has moved from the stage of struggle to overthrow the Assad regime to the struggle to build a Syria together that befits the sacrifices of its people," it added in a statement. Throughout the civil war, security forces held hundreds of thousands of people seized in detention camps where international human rights organizations say torture was a universal practice. Families were often told nothing of their loved ones' fate. Bewildered and elated prisoners poured out of Syrian jails on Sunday, shouting with joy as they emerged from one of the world's most notorious detention systems. Newly freed prisoners ran through the Damascus streets holding up the fingers of both hands to show how many years they had been in prison, asking passers-by what had happened, not immediately understanding that Assad had fallen. Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali called for free elections in a country where Assad's opponents faced barrel bombs. Jalali also said he had been in contact with Golani to discuss managing the transitional period, marking a notable development in efforts to shape Syria's political future. The collapse of Assad's rule followed a shift in the balance of power in the Middle East after many leaders of Hezbollah, a lynchpin of Assad's battlefield force, were killed by Israel over the past two months. Russia, a staunch Assad ally, intervened decisively in 2015 to help Assad during Syria's civil war. But it has been tied down by the Ukraine war. U.S. to maintain presence A man treads on a picture of Syria's ousted president Bashar al-Assad as people enter his residence in Damascus' Malki area on December 8, 2024, after Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive, sending al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images) Omar Haj Kadour | Afp | Getty Images The more than 50-year Assad dynastic dictatorship was on the cusp of collapse on Sunday, as rebel forces seized the capital of Damascus in a lightning offensive that has swept the country's largest cities in a matter of days. The defense forces of the Russia and Iran-backed government have been struggling to stymy the rebel advance that kicked off with the rapid sweep of northern city Aleppo last week, breaking a years-long stalemate. The attack has been led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which the U.S. and U.N. Security Council designated as a terrorist organization and its allies, who have widened the scope of their campaign to the south of the country and now also captured the key cities of Hama and Deir el-Zor. "We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad," Hassan Abdul-Ghani, senior HTS commander, said in a post on WhatsApp. "To the displaced people around the world, Free Syria awaits you." CNBC could not independently verify developments of the ground. The whereabouts of President Bashar al-Assad, who assumed leadership in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, were uncertain. Multiple media reports, which CNBC could not independently confirm, state he has fled Damascus. The Russian Foreign Ministry later on Sunday said that Assad had decided to leave his presidential post and the country. People stand near a damaged statue of former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Qamishli, Syria December 8, 2024. Orhan Qereman | Reuters Syrian Prime Minister Ghazi al-Jalali said he remained at his home and was prepared to support the continuity of Syrian governance. "We believe that Syria belongs to all Syrians and to all its citizens, and that this country can be a normal state, one that builds good relations with its neighbors without entering into any regional alliances or blocs," he said, according to NBC News reporting. "This matter is left to any leadership chosen by the Syrian people, and we are ready to cooperate with them by providing all possible facilitation." The U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Sunday stressed this is a "watershed moment" in the Syrian civil war, calling for "stable and inclusive transitional arrangements." Several nations have evacuated their embassies amid the Damascus conflict, with outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden "closely monitoring" the events and retaining contact with regional partners, according to White House National Security Council Spokesman Sean Savett. Distracted allies The advance on Damascus comes after militants reached Homs the country's third-largest city and a chokepoint between rebel-held territories and the capital city. Holding Homs would pose significant challenges for the rebels, who would have to confront a concentration of government forces and gain the support of local pro-Assad Alawite communities, Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Qutaiba Idlbi wrote on Dec. 5. An anti-government fighter waves an Islamic flag from atop a tank in Damascus on December 9, 2024. Syrians flocked to the main square of the capital city Damascus on December 9 to mark what many regard as a long-awaited new dawn after the fall of president Bashar al-Assad. Omar Haj Kadour | Afp | Getty Images "More importantly, the rebels advancing toward Homs will test Russia's redlines in Syria. So far, Russia has been absent from providing serious military support to uphold Assad's defenses across areas he's losing to the rebels," Idlbi added. "While Russia has conducted some airstrikes in Idlib and Aleppo to counter rebel advances, it has not engaged directly in Hama. This restraint reflects Moscow's strategic calculations to avoid overextension." Syria has been rocked by 13 years of civil conflict, sparked by the March 2011 pro-democracy demonstrations against repressive governmental rule, in lockstep with similar regional uprisings during the Arab Spring. The Assad administration answered the Syrian protests with deadly force, leading to calls for his resignation, nationwide unrest and the rise of opposition groups. Peace talks carried out separately by the U.N. and by Russia, Iran, and Turkey have yet to bear fruit. A demonstrator holds a Syrian opposition flag as members of the Syrian community chant slogans in Syntagma square in Athens to celebrate the end of the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad after rebel fighters took control of the Syrian capital Damascus overnight, on December 8, 2024. Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive that a UN envoy called "a watershed moment" for the nation marred by civil war. (Photo by Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images) Angelos Tzortzinis | Afp | Getty Images The Syrian escalations take place as Assad's allies Russia and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have been increasingly distracted by battle on their own home fronts, engaging Ukraine and Israel, respectively. The Syrian unrest exacerbates the broader conflict in the Middle East, which was set off in October 2023 by a terror attack perpetrated by Palestinian militant group Hamas in Israel, leading to the Jewish nation's retaliatory military campaign in the Gaza Strip and to its fire exchanges with Hezbollah, Yemeni Houthi and Iran. "This lightning-fast offensive is a monumental shift in the Syrian conflict and highlights the regime's inherent weakness," wrote Natasha Hall, a senior fellow with the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, further noting that the "fragile stasis collapsed as Assad's allies, Iran and Hezbollah, have been significantly weakened" by Israeli military offensives, while "Russia has been bogged down in Ukraine and unrest in Georgia." In an update on his Truth Social platform, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggested Assad's "protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine." Markets have been watching the military developments for signs of an impact on supplies in the oil-rich Middle East, as well as further trade disruptions along critical trade routes. U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., November 26, 2024. President Joe Biden cheered the toppling of Syria's dictatorship in remarks on Sunday, but he warned about the uncertainty during the country's political transition. "It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country," he said from the White House's Roosevelt Room. "It's also a moment of risk and uncertainty. As we turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk." The U.S. will support Syria's neighbors, including Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Israel, during the transition period and send senior officials to the region, Biden said. He also pledged to continue the mission against ISIS and to ensure the security of detention facilities in Syria that hold ISIS fighters. "We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of the new vacuum to reestablish its capability and create a safe haven. We will not let that happen," Biden said. He added that U.S. forces conducted a dozen precision air strikes in Syria on Sunday, targeting ISIS camps and operatives. But he noted that it isn't just ISIS that poses a threat. Biden said the U.S. will stay vigilant, adding that some of the rebel groups that took down Assad's regime have their own records of terrorism and human rights abuses. "They're saying the right things now, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions," he said. The U.S. will also help "all Syrian groups" establish an independent, sovereign government. That pledge will include humanitarian aid to help Syria after 13 years of civil war. Biden also said that his administration is committed to returning Austin Tice to his family. Tice, an American journalist, was abducted in Damascus in 2012 and detained by the Syrian government. Biden said the U.S. thinks Tice is alive. Syrian rebel forces seized the capital of Damascus on Sunday. Russia's Foreign Ministry said President Bashar al-Assad has resigned and left the country, ending his family's decades-long dictatorship in Syria. "We're not sure where he is, but there's word that he's in Moscow," Biden said, adding later that Assad should be held accountable. Assad assumed leadership in the country in 2000, following his father's death. Assad's allies included Russia, Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Biden said all three allies are "far weaker" now than they were when he took office. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump attends a meeting with Britain's Prince William (not pictured) at the residence of the British ambassador to France, on the day of the reopening ceremonies of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral following the 2019 fire, in Paris, France, December 7, 2024. In an exclusive interview with Donald Trump on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, the president-elect told NBC News' Kristen Welker that Ukraine will "possibly" receive less military aid once he takes office. "We're in for $350 billion, and Europe is in for $100 billion. Why isn't Europe in for the same as us?" Trump told Welker of support that has gone to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022. "The one thing that should happen is that Europe...should equalize," he added. On Saturday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a $988 million aid package of new arms and equipment to Ukraine to help in the ongoing conflict following Russia's invasion. All told, the U.S. has committed more than $62 billion in assistance to Ukraine since the conflict started nearly three years ago. "I think [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy] is maybe the greatest salesman of any politician that's ever lived," Trump previously said of the Ukrainian leader in June. The comments suggest that Zelenskyy's diplomatic skills were to credit for the tens of billions of dollars in U.S. military aid packages, rather than the country's actual needs. Like his stance during his first term in the White House, Trump said that NATO needs to "pay their bills" as a condition of the U.S. remaining part of the military coalition. The incoming president has previously threatened multiple times to withdraw the country from NATO an alliance that has been in place since World War II, with a primary mission of protecting against the growing power of Russia. "Europe is in for a fraction, and war with Russia is more important for Europe than it is for us," Trump told Welker. "We have a little thing called an ocean in between us." When asked whether he had been in touch with Putin since winning office, Trump would not deny that he had spoken to the Russian president. December 8, 2024: All is well on the Caspian Sea exit. In 2023 Russia brought in dredging equipment for a major, and overdue, dredging of the heavily used Volga-Don Canal that enables ships to get from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. Because of the war in Ukraine, and Iran supplying weapons and equipment to Russia, canal traffic was up 15 percent in 2022 over the previous year. In 2023 traffic increased by another 4.5 percent. Since 1952, a 101 kilometers long canal, linking the Don and Volga rivers, gave the Caspian Sea access to the Black Sea and the world's oceans. However, ships that can use the canal cannot displace more than 5,000 tons and be no more than 140 meters long, 17 meters wide, and have a draft of no more than 3.5 meters. Normally the canal moves over 12 million tons of cargo a year. About half of that is oil or oil products. In 2021 Russia agreed to allow Iran to use the Volga-Don Canal so that Iranian ships can reach the Black Sea from the landlocked Caspian Sea. This is the first time Russia has ever given a foreign nation free access to the canal. Russia and Iran are now using each others Caspian Sea ports heavily for trade and getting Iranian weapons to Russia. Both nations have agreed to establish a joint-shipbuilding operation in the Caspian Sea and cooperate in dredging the canal, something that has not been done since 1991. The prolonged lack of dredging has made portions of the canal shallower and forced ships to carry less cargo. The 13 locks on the canal connect the Volga River, the longest in Russia that empties into the Caspian, and the Don River which empties into the Sea of Azov, which is connected to the Black Sea via the Kerch Strait. The Caspian is the world's largest lake, at 371,000 square kilometers. It is about a thousand kilometers long and 430 kilometers wide. It's saline but is only about a third as salty as ocean water. The Caspian has a 7,000-kilometer-long coastline, with the largest chunk, 1,900 kilometers, belonging to Kazakhstan. Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad during a meeting in Sochi on November 20, 2017. Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule. The Russian agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source on Assad and his family being given asylum in Moscow, his longtime ally and protector. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but contacted the Kremlin for comment. RIA also said Moscow had received guarantees from Syrian insurgents of the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Assad reportedly left Syria early Sunday, and Syrians have been pouring into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule. The swiftly moving events have raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Russia has requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council discuss the situation in Syria, Russia's first deputy permanent representative to the U.N., Dmitry Polyansky, posted on Telegram. Joyful crowds gathered in squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Syrians living in Greece gather in Syntagma square after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, in Athens, Greece, December 8, 2024. Louiza Vradi | Reuters Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and residence after Assad and other top officials vanished. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance, leads the biggest rebel faction and is poised to chart the country's future. In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the sprawling Umayyad Mosque and called Assad's fall "a victory to the Islamic nation." Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he told hundreds of people that Assad had made Syria "a farm for Iran's greed." The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and still split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement early Sunday saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They called on people to preserve the institutions of "the free Syrian state." The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m. A view shows a damaged poster of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, after the Syrian army said that dozens of its soldiers had been killed in a major attack by rebels who swept into the city, in Syria November 30, 2024. Mahmoud Hassano | Reuters The rebels said they freed people held at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. A video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked. At least one small child was seen among them. "This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he," said one relative, Bassam Masr. "I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years." Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi later appeared on state TV and sought to reassure Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, saying: "Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects." "We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did," he added. Celebrations in the capital Damascus residents prayed in mosques and celebrated in squares, calling, "God is great." People chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teenage boys picked up weapons apparently discarded by security forces and fired into the air. People hold Syrian opposition flags as they gather at the Place de la Republique, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Paris, France, December 8, 2024. Piroschka Van De Wouw | Piroschka Van De Wouw Revelers filled Umayyad Square, where the Defense Ministry is located. Some waved the three-starred Syrian flag that predates the Assad government and was adopted by the revolutionaries. Elsewhere, many parts of the capital were empty and shops were closed. Soldiers and police left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Videos showed families wandering the presidential palace, some carrying stacks of plates and other household items. "It's like a dream. I need someone to wake me up," said opposition fighter Abu Laith, adding the rebels were welcomed in Damascus with "love." At the Justice Ministry, where rebels stood guard, Judge Khitam Haddad said they were protecting documents from the chaos. Outside, some residents sought information about relatives who disappeared under Assad. The rebels "have felt the pain of the people," said one woman, giving only her first name, Heba. She worried about possible revenge killings by the rebels, many of whom appeared to be underage. Syria's al-Watan newspaper, which was historically pro-government, wrote: "We are facing a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood." It added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing past government statements, saying it "only carried out the instructions." This photograph taken in Belgrade on December 9, 2024 shows front pages of some Serbian newspapers, dominated by stories about the fall of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. Oliver Bunic | Afp | Getty Images A statement from the Alawite sect that has formed the core of Assad's base called on young Syrians to be "calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country." The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. In Qamishli in the northeast, a Kurdish man slapped a statue of the late leader Hafez Assad with his shoe. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to "extend its hand" to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video shared on Syrian opposition media showed armed men escorting him from his office and to the Four Seasons hotel on Sunday. Anwar Gargash said Assad's destination at this point is a "footnote in history," comparing it to the long exile of German Kaiser Wilhelm II after World War I. Calls for orderly transition The rebel advances since Nov. 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall within days as the Syrian army melted away. Russia, Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, which provided crucial support to Assad throughout the uprising, abandoned him as they reeled from other conflicts. A Syrian rebel fighter fires rounds as people celebrate near the Clock Tower in the central city of Homs on December 8, 2024, after rebel forces entered Syria's third city overnight. Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. Muhammad Haj Kadour | Afp | Getty Images The end of Assad's rule was a major blow to Iran and its allies, already weakened by conflict with Israel. Iran, which had strongly backed him throughout the civil war, said Syrians should decide their future "without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention." The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said Israeli troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned positions. Israel's military later warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety, and didn't respond to questions. Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israel's efforts to take advantage of Assad's downfall occupy more territory. The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. Al-Golani, has sought to recast the group as a moderate and tolerant force. The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that headed a lightning rebel offensive snatching Damascus from government control, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. Abdulaziz Ketaz | Afp | Getty Images People march in heavy rain to protest against South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol, as strike and protests continue amid the martial law crisis, in Seoul, South Korea, on December 05, 2024. South Korea's leadership crisis deepened on Sunday as prosecutors named President Yoon Suk Yeol as a subject of a criminal investigation over last week's martial law attempt, a media report said, and his former defense minister was arrested. Yoon survived an impeachment vote in the opposition-led parliament late on Saturday, prompted by his short-lived attempt to impose martial law on Tuesday, but the leader of his own party said the president would effectively be excluded from his duties before eventually stepping down. That proposal, which appeared to win tacit approval from the Yoon-appointed prime minister on Sunday, drew condemnation from opposition lawmakers who said it was another unconstitutional power grab to delegate authority without resignation or impeachment. Thousands of people rallied in front of the parliament in Seoul on Sunday, calling for the impeachment and arrest of Yoon and the disbandment of his ruling party. Yoon's martial law declaration on Tuesday plunged Asia's fourth-largest economy and a key U.S. military ally into its greatest political crisis in decades, threatening to shatter South Korea's reputation as a democratic success story. The leader of Yoon's People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, told a press conference alongside the prime minister on Sunday that Yoon would not be involved in foreign and other state affairs before his early resignation. But National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik said it was unconstitutional to delegate presidential authority to the prime minister and the ruling party without impeachment. Woo proposed a meeting of rival parties to discuss ways to suspend Yoon's presidential power immediately. The main opposition Democratic Party called for the immediate suspension of Yoon's presidential duties and for stripping him of authority to control the military. The DP called for the arrest of Yoon and related military officials implicated in the martial law fiasco. Yoon shocked the nation on Tuesday night when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what he called "anti-state forces" and obstructionist political opponents. He rescinded the order six hours later, after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote unanimously against the decree. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets Elon Musk before attending a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket, in Brownsville, Texas, U.S., November 19, 2024. Donald Trump's first administration was chock full of super-rich figures whose combined wealth exceeded $5 billion, marking an unprecedented marriage of money and executive power. Trump's second term could make that total look like chump change. More than half a dozen of the Republican president-elect's picks for his incoming administration are either confirmed billionaires or widely speculated to be. Numerous others are multi- or centimillionaires. The richest by far is Elon Musk, whom Trump has tapped to co-lead a bespoke advisory group tasked with slashing purported government waste. Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is the world's wealthiest person, with estimates placing his net worth above $346 billion and as high as $362 billion. Vivek Ramaswamy, the entrepreneur and former presidential candidate working with Musk on the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, is worth $1 billion, according to Forbes. The nonprofit Americans for Tax Fairness last month estimated that the average net worth among Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance and his top appointees is $616 million. For comparison, Forbes estimated the total net worth of President Joe Biden's entire Cabinet at $118 million. And the tax group's analysis is likely a low-ball estimate, since it came before Trump announced a slew of other highly affluent picks. In the past week, he has picked billionaire financial services CEO Warren Stephens as his ambassador to the UK, billionaire investor Stephen Feinberg as deputy defense secretary, and venture capitalist David Sacks as his crypto czar. Trump also picked Kelly Loeffler, a former U.S. senator who was reportedly considered the likely richest person on Capitol Hill while in office, to lead the Small Business Administration. The same day, he chose billionaire CEO Jared Isaacman to head NASA. Over the weekend, he selected Charles Kushner, the father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, as his choice for U.S. ambassador to France. The newcomers join an array of other super-wealthy Cabinet picks, including billionaire Howard Lutnick for Commerce secretary, WWE Co-founder Linda McMahon for Education secretary and Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary. Trump also has picked billionaire Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany, as a top Middle East advisor. And Trump chose Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Oz, as of 2022, was worth as much as $300 million, according to a New York Times analysis of a financial disclosure Oz filed during his failed bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania. He lost that campaign to Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who had worked to paint Oz as out-of-touch a task made easier when Oz posted a viral video complaining about the cost of assembling a crudites platter. Fall 2025 will not see any launches from NASA and its Artemis Moon mission as the national space agency announced that it is delaying the program after evaluating its initial findings on the last Artemis I mission. With this, the timeline for the program will see several months of delay for the Artemis II mission, and it also affects the further launches of this supposed return to the lunar surface. Instead of a ramping Moon mission launch with actual crewmembers aboard the Orion spacecraft by September 2025, NASA, its astronauts, and the entire world would have to wait for further developments. NASA Delays Artemis II Mission to 2026 After Recent Findings The latest release from NASA shared the latest findings on its study on Artemis I's Orion spacecraft, particularly when pieces of its heat shield flew off, burned, and saw these materials wearing unexpectedly. With these findings, NASA is opting for safety and announced the delays for the Artemis II mission that will no longer launch come Fall 2025 and instead commence by April 2026. It will be around seven months of delay for the Artemis II mission before it launches toward the moon for its flyby journey, with NASA exerting grave importance to this mission as it will bring a four-person crew of astronauts with it. Because of the findings, NASA also announced that it would also change the Orion's trajectory when it makes its re-entry burn from 25,000 miles per hour to 325 mph, and then deploy its parachutes before its Pacific Ocean splashdown. "We need to get this next test flight right. That's how the Artemis campaign succeeds," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. Other Artemis Mission Launches Also Pushed Back Because of this, NASA also pushed back on the other missions under its Artemis program, particularly with the Artemis III mission that was supposedly launching by 2026. Now, the Artemis III, best known as the mission that will land astronauts on the Moon via SpaceX's Starship HLS (Human Landing System), will commence by mid-2027. NASA and its Return to the Moon It has been a long and winding journey for NASA in its plans to bring humans back to the Moon which will center on flying a new generation of astronauts to the lunar surface fifty years since the last. Two years ago, NASA completed its uncrewed Artemis I mission which tested the capabilities of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft in its flyby venture. Supposedly, NASA will launch the next mission under Artemis II this 2024, two years after its maiden launch, but earlier this year, the space agency announced that all future missions will see a one-year delay. NASA claimed that it is prioritizing "crew safety" with this decision to push back on the launches, and it previously set September 2025 to finally see the crewed Artemis II make its way to the Moon. NASA and its team of experts working on the Artemis program have legitimate concerns regarding its crew's safety and the success of the mission which led to the massive delays behind the historic return to the natural satellite. Because of the recent findings on Orion's heat shield, NASA ultimately decided that Artemis II is not yet launching by next Fall, and instead, it will be commencing the mission by Spring of 2026. They say that war is hell, but wed like to propose an update to the idiom: War is dumb They say that war is hell, but wed like to propose an update to the idiom: War is dumb. We mean that both in the philosophical sense that brutality is a poor method of conflict resolution and also in the sense that young men with big weapons in a stressful environment are bound to eat it in a spectacular fashion. Such as in the case of 5 Henry Gunther On November 11, 1918, Gunther had been at the Western Front for two months. He had recently been demoted for daring to suggest in a letter home that the World War kind of sucked, so when he saw a chance to charge the Germans, he went for it with hope of impressing his superiors, even if it was against orders. There was just one problem: It was 10:59 a.m., and unbeknownst to Gunther, the Armistice with Germany was about to go into effect one minute later. The Germans even tried to wave him off. Unfortunately, he got close enough to a pair of automatic machine guns to trigger them, becoming the last American to die in World War I. 4 Special Orders No. 191 In September 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee issued an order instructing the movement of his troops to be sent to all of his major generals, one of whom promptly lost his copy in a field wrapped around three cigars. It was immediately found by a Union soldier who handed it over to Major General George B. McClellan, who probably spent the next hour pinching himself. It was basically all the information he needed to whip Bobby Lee, in his words, at Antietam. He arguably still borked it, but Antietam wasnt exactly known as a close game. 3 The Gate to the North In the final days of Constantinople, things were rough. The Catholic mercenaries were clashing with the Orthodox natives, the Turks had super-guns, it was a whole thing. And in all the chaos, someone left the gate to the city wide open. Honestly, Constantinople probably wouldnt have held on much longer regardless, but it didnt help that the Turks could just walk right in. 2 Operation Tamarisk Advertisement Advertisement The Soviets had a reputation for being starkly utilitarian, but they could appreciate a good metaphor. For example, when troops in the field werent issued toilet paper, they decided to wipe their asses with classified documents instead. This presented a valuable if disgusting opportunity for spies from the U.S., U.K. and France, who took to sifting through trash cans full of Soviet poop for information. It was described as one of the most successful espionage operations of the war, but at what cost? It certainly casts James Bonds Cold War era in a new light. Though it may always be sunny in Philadelphia, a handful of episodes shine particularly bright for actress Kaitlin Olson. The Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia star recently got candid about her favorite installments of the long-running sitcom, offering her list of must-see episodes to internet personality and notable Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia virgin Kylie Kelce during the inaugural episode of Kelces Not Gonna Lie podcast. I really personally, selfishly love The Gang Broke Dee, thats a really fun one, she told Kelce who is married to retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce after she admitted that shed never watched a full episode of the FX staple. Don't Miss But her characters short-lived, Season Nine foray into stand-up comedy is far from Olsons only Its Always Sunny highlight. Weve done so many I cant even remember the names of the episodes, I just remember the scene, she explained. So which scenes stand out to Olson? Alongside Season Fours legendary musical episode, The Nightman Cometh, Olson also cited Season Threes Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare as one of her top picks. Thats just like a classic, she explained to Kelce. Advertisement Advertisement Even though Kelce may not have recognized Olson from her most (in)famous role, the actress had no hard feelings about the podcast hosts lack of Paddys Pub knowledge, dubbing Kelces honesty as so refreshing and so confusing. What a compliment that you already were a fan, and you didnt even know me for the thing that most people know me for, Olson told Kelce, who previously praised Olson for her work on ABCs crime drama, High Potential. Im gonna take it as a straight-up compliment. It aint easy being Colin Jost and Michael Che. Back in the Chevy Chase days, Saturday Night Lives Weekend Update only had to compete with Johnny Carson when dissecting the weeks current events. Carson generally didnt take off the gloves when it came to politics a punchline about Congress cant get anything done these days was about as biting as he got. That made it borderline shocking when Chase delivered news updates like: UNICEF fell under attack this week when Syria formerly protested the charitys new Christmas card, which says, in 10 different languages, Lets kill the Arabs and take their oil. But things got trickier for Weekend Update as more comics entered the late-night game. David Letterman and Conan OBrien began adding their two cents, followed by todays Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, John Oliver and Taylor Tomlinson. Throw in all the professional smart-asses on social media, and you have a symphony of comedic voices weighing in on every hot news story, many of them in real time. Don't Miss By the time we get to Saturday night, whats there left to say? So we get it, Jost and Che you have a tough job, trying to make soup out of that turkey leg after everyone else gets first bite at the meat. But thats no excuse for the guys not sharpening their knives. Take this weeks assassination of the UnitedHealthcare CEO and the torrent of social media reactions. What should have been biting social commentary about frustration with a failed healthcare system turned into Jost punchlines about how easy it was for the killer to escape. This week, New York City officials sent a tough message on crime: If you shoot somebody in the middle of the street, you better get on your bike, hop on a bus and get the heck out of here, mister. The manhunt continues for the assassin who gunned down the CEO of UnitedHealthcare on Wednesday. And it really says something about America that a guy was murdered in cold blood and the two main reactions were, Yeah, well, health care stinks, and also, Girl, that shooter hot. Isnt Jost missing the bigger picture here? The national conversation focused on how the inequities of a broken healthcare system led to tragedy. Jost joked about how the cops were too busy posing in front of the 30 Rock Christmas tree. Advertisement Could Che do any better? New York City police say that they were able to get the smiling picture of the suspect after the man apparently was caught on camera at a local hostel, flirting with a female employee whose name has been reported as Lucky S. Bechalive. Oof. You could head to Twitter/X or Bluesky or Tumblr or other late-night comics for funnier, harsher and more incisive takes. Advertisement Yeah yeah yeah, Saturday Night Live has big corporate advertisers and cant get away with those kinds of jokes. But so did Chevy Chase, Norm Macdonald and Ronny Chieng (above). Che and Jost prove they can get edgy when theyre doing their annual joke swaps, so they have it in them. Its time to bring back that fearlessness to Weekend Update if not, there are plenty of other places we can find it. MBABANE The pockets of taxpayers are expected to be further strained as government has decided to sign a contract valued at an estimated E5.2 billion. The contract is for the construction of the Strategic Oil Reserve facility at Phuzumoya, Siphofaneni, in the Lubombo Region. This decision comes despite the availability of a significantly cheaper proposal, which was estimated at E2.2 billion for the same project. The now-debated Strategic Oil Reserve facility is planned to be located at Phuzumoya, Siphofaneni, in the Lubombo Region. It is important to note that citizens have expressed concerns regarding the high costs associated with the infrastructure development projects that government is currently undertaking. Many of these concerns were highlighted during Sibaya (Peoples Parliament) held in November of the previous year. The outcry is primarily focused on the fact that most projects tend to exceed their initial cost estimates. The Times SUNDAY has learnt that following much deliberation, government has finally signed an agreement with the Overseas Investment and Development Corporation (OIDC), a Taiwanese company responsible for executing governmental overseas aid projects, to undertake the construction of the facility. A delegation from Eswatini, including officials from the Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC), travelled to Taiwan last week to finalise the deal. In a public announcement shared on Taiwanese social media, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan (Republic of China) confirmed the agreements signing, which occurred on November 29, 2024. The announcement was accompanied by photographs of the delegation from Eswatini alongside Taiwanese officials. The statement noted that Taiwans Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-Lung, met with a delegation led by Eswatinis Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini and Nhlanhla Dlamini, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ENPC. According to the statement, during their discussions, representatives from both countries explored bilateral relations and Taiwans support in building an oil storage facility in Eswatini. Minister Dlamini is in Taiwan to witness the signing of a contract between Taiwans Overseas Investment & Development Corporation and ENPC. Minister Lin welcomed Dlamini on his visit and described the agreements signing as a significant milestone in the oil tank project, part of the statement reads. The announcement also noted: Eswatini is an important ally for Taiwan in Africa, and MOFA wishes to thank the King and the country for their continuous support of Taiwans involvement in the global community. We will continue to collaborate with the country based on our friendly relations under cooperative initiatives, aligning with the Allies Prosperity project. Clarified Velaphi Dlamini, Chairperson of the ENPC Board, confirmed the contracts signing but clarified that this remains a work in progress; further details, including design costs and other aspects, will be communicated to the public in due course. Conversely, the Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela, stated that this is a crucial national project still on the table. Enquire after it has undergone parliamentary approval; a financial bill must first be enacted, and that is all I can disclose, he said. It should be noted that the government has, for years, been advocating for the facilitys construction, believing it will guarantee the country a fuel reserve lasting up to 60 days, thereby reducing the risk of fuel shortages. Previously, the projects cost escalated to E3.2 billion, as reflected in the 2021/22 financial year budget estimates. Intriguingly, in 2022, His Majesty King Mswati III mentioned that the Strategic Oil Reserve would facilitate investment opportunities for oil traders from Abu Dhabi and Dubai in Eswatini. He stated this during a press briefing at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence, where he reported on his visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Taiwan and South Africa. The King said the main purpose of the trip in all these countries was to attract foreign investors. His Majesty said Eswatini could benefit from the crude oil and natural gas produced in Abu Dhabi and Dubai because oil proved to be a resource that was necessary for life to be easier. He said the natural gas could be used in Eswatini in a number of ways. The head of State mentioned that Eswatinis relationship with the UAE would make it easy to import oil from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai and that the facility could come in handy to store the oil that could be traded with the UAE. According to the international trade administration, the UAE is among the worlds 10 largest oil producers. About 96 per cent of the countrys roughly 100 billion barrels of proven oil reserves are located in Abu Dhabi, ranking number six worldwide. The UAE produces an average of 3.2 million barrels of petroleum and liquids per day. Government has previously explained that the facility had three components blending, refinery and storage. Energy experts say blending amounts of alternative fuel with conventional petrol/diesel is one way to conserve petroleum. Blends can also consist of two types of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG). Other experts say fuel blending involves mixing hazardous wastes or hazardous waste and commercial fuels to meet the specifications required by an incinerator, a cement kiln or an industrial furnace. It should be noted that in October this year, Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators raised concerns after learning that there was a controversy surrounding the construction of the facility. This happened during a workshop organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy for its Portfolio Committees in both Houses of Parliament. Our sister publication, the Times of Eswatini, reported that the concerns by the MPs submitted that they had heard different versions about the value of the construction of the facility. Engaged The MPs are said to have raised that they had heard rumours that government had engaged or given in to a proposal by the Republic of China (Taiwan) to construct the oil and fuel reserve two times the price of an initial contractor that was engaged by the ENPC. Initially, the MPs complained about the price of the oil reserve which was then estimated at E2.2 billion. However, reports emerged that price could possibly increase to E7 billion after the Republic of China (Taiwan) forwarded its proposal to do the work. The construction of the reserve under the ENPC will see the country having up to 60 days of fuel supply, thus safeguarding the country from any shortages should there be challenges in terms of transportation among other issues in the countries Eswatini uses as transit for its fuel. During the work, as reported by our sister publication, the ENPC CEO informed the parliamentarians that the company conducted a feasibility study and business case that were completed in 2023. The CEO is said to have said a consultant from neighbouring South Africa was appointed by ENPC to produce detailed designs of the Phuzumoya Project and cost estimates.The appointment, the CEO reportedly said, was through a competitive bidding that was approved by the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ESPPRA). Moreover, the CEO reportedly said a 99-year lease for the land is in place at Phuzumoya and part of the fundraising is ongoing and that the Republic of China (Taiwan) had shown interest and the government requested that ENPC to give Taiwan an ear. Estimated He said the Taiwanese presented their basic designs that were estimated to be at E7 billion. He said they engaged with the Republic of China (Taiwan) until the designs were E5.2 billion. Parliamentarians were informed that talks are ongoing between government, ENPC and Taiwan and that there were two prices, E2.2 billion and E5.2 billion on the table. Furthermore, the parliamentarians were informed that ENPC had already raised E1 billion for the project which can finance the 30-day storage, which is 4 000 litres. Furthermore, the CEO communicated his wish to have the project started in the first quarter of 2025. That would have depended on whether the ENPC constructs the 30-day storage or 60-day one, but that was to happen within two and a half years. The project is expected to make financial gains for the country. Following the presentation by the CEO, the parliamentarians demanded answers on why it was difficult to take a decision on which consultant or contractor to engage. The MPs are said to have submitted that they had heard reports that the cheaper price was just for basic designs while the higher price included refinery plants. It was revealed that the expensive contract actually covered just basic designs yet the cheaper one was a more detailed design. Information gathered suggested that the consultant conducted similar jobs in recent years in Botswana for E1.8 billion; hence the E2.2 billion was practical. Meanwhile, this publication reported how His Majesty King Mswati III wanted the contract for the construction of the Strategic Oil Reserve facility to be signed as soon as possible. It was reported that upon his arrival at the ENPC stand during this years international trade fair, the King enquired about the exact timeline for the contracts finalisation. In a light-hearted manner, he elicited laughter from those present by noting the presence of Ambassador Jeremy Liang and requesting that he be summoned to confirm the news regarding the imminent conclusion of the contract negotiations. The ambassador, who was positioned a short distance from His Majesty, approached and stood beside the CEO. Please share the good news that I have been hearing. The good news that the contract for the construction of the Strategic Oil Reserve will be finalised next week, the King stated at that time to a round of applause. The ambassador responded with a smile, and the King then urged all parties involved in the project to confer and provide him with updates the following week. It is essential to recognise that during the presentation of the Speech from the Throne in February 2024, the King emphasised the necessity of prioritising certain outstanding capital projects, including the Strategic Oil Reserve. The King explicitly expressed his desire for the project to commence within six months. For context, in September of the previous year, Taiwan committed to assisting Eswatini, its sole African ally, in the construction of a new oil tank, as outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both nations and their respective enterprises. initiatives The Overseas Investment and Development Corporation (OIDC), a Taiwanese firm dedicated to executing government overseas aid initiatives, was appointed to develop the Strategic Oil Reserve facility. It was reported that the Kingdom of Eswatini aimed to establish an oil tank capable of storing a minimum of 30 days worth of oil reserves. Former President Tsai Ing-wen, during her four-day visit to Eswatini, praised the agreement as a significant advancement in the bilateral relations between the two nations. She noted that discussions regarding the construction project had been ongoing for some time, emphasising that the proposed facility would play a crucial role in securing the nations energy supply. According to the governments website, Eswatini relies heavily on oil imports from South Africa, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in international crude oil prices. Consequently, government has tasked its national oil company, ENPC, with the responsibility of constructing and managing the oil reserve facilities to enhance energy security. The MoU was signed by Jeff Chung, General Manager of OIDC, and Nhlanhla Dlamini in his capacity as the CEO of ENPC.The signing ceremony was attended by His Majesty King Mswati III and former President Tsai. Established in 1995, OIDC is a collaboration of various State-run and private enterprises in Taiwan, aimed at executing aid and infrastructure initiatives in allied nations of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The proposed new oil reserve facility is anticipated to bolster fuel supply security and significantly aid the socio-economic development of Eswatini through infrastructure enhancement and job creation. On its website, the ENPC states that it is the countrys national oil company established by the Petroleum Act No.18 of 2020 and has been mandated by government to build and operate a Strategic Oil Reserve Facility at Phuzumoya. The company says the facility will enable security of fuel supply and significantly contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country through infrastructural development and job creation. In November 2023, ENPC invited companies for pre-qualification of contractors for the proposed construction of the Strategic Fuel Reserve Facility at Phuzumoya. This was referred to as Tender No.10 of 2023/2024. According to the project background as relayed by the ENPC, the public entity is planning to construct a Strategic Oil Reserve facility at Phuzumoya that will be central to the countrys goal of having security in energy supply and mitigate fuel supply disruptions. Currently, Eswatini sources petroleum products from the international markets through the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique. Most of the products are distributed from the commercial storage facilities in Matsapha. The company said the stock was, however, generally limited to approximately two to three days storage, despite the Petroleum Act of 2020 mandating the oil companies to hold 14-days commercial stock. As a result, the Government of Eswatini, through ENPC, intends to develop the Strategic Oil Storage facility. The facility will hold up to 80 million litres of fuel stock, which is equivalent to 60 days consumption for the country. It will also offer blending for all its 95-ULP. Proof that Eswatini was determined to see the project start was evident when Prime Minister (PM), Russell Mmiso Dlamini visited Taiwan in March this year to pitch for investment for the African kingdom and discuss details of the fuel storage facility. During his visit, the PM gave feedback to the effect that he had an engagement with former President Tsai Ing-wen and that they then proceeded to tour Taiwans leading engineering company, CECI Engineering Consultants. Also, the PM shared that ambassadors from both countries presented a progress report of the project at Phuzumoya and its designs. The PM emphasised that the establishment of the facility will enhance the nations ability to secure its fuel supply, thereby mitigating the economic repercussions of potential fuel supply disruptions in the market. He noted that Eswatini currently lacks fuel stock reserves and that the existing bulk fuel storage infrastructure is severely limited. This situation renders us economically vulnerable to any disruptions in the supply chain, whether from external or internal sources. Therefore, the creation of this facility is of paramount importance, the PM said. Reputable During his visit, he encouraged CECI to establish operations in Eswatini, as it is a reputable company that employs approximately 2 300 individuals in Taiwan and other countries. Their expertise lies in the construction sector, and they are well-known for their work on railway lines, bridges and hospitals, among other projects, he explained. Nine years ago, the cost for the construction of the facility was E900 million. In the financial year 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, theENPC had fixed the costs at E2.1 billion. A proposal was tabled by a certain company fixed the construction of the Strategic Oil Reserve facility at US$380 million, the equivalent of E7 billion in the current foreign exchange rate. The Burgan Cape Terminals (Pty) Ltd, South Africa, built the 118 million-litre fuel storage capacity in Cape Town at a cost of E1.2 billion. It was built because of the shortage of oil refinery facilities in Cape Town, long haul distances and congested loading at existing facilities. It was launched on August 30, 2017. The facility was built by VTTI. VTTI, at some point, showed an interest in constructing the Phuzumoya fuel storage facility at a cost of E900 million. The days of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad are numbered. His stronghold of Damascus will fall, as extremist militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) bears down on the capital. HTS shocked the world by how quickly it took Aleppo. It has since captured the city of Hama, and is now pummelling Homs and is on the outskirts of Damascus fighting suburb to suburb. The capital, hemmed in by Lebanon to the west, Israel and Jordan to the south and desert to the east, has been severed from supply lines leading to Russias military bases on the Mediterranean, as HTS blocks the route north. With his forces mired in Ukraine, Russian president Vladimir Putin cannot turn the tide in Assads favour as he did more than a decade ago, nor can the Syrian tyrant rely on his Hezbollah backers and their Iranian sponsors after Israel has depleted their number. So it is little wonder that Assads poorly paid, low-morale conscription army is fleeing in disarray. The dictator has long legitimised his brutal, corrupt regime as the countrys only bulwark against being overrun by fanatical jihadi groups. With roots in Al Qaeda, HTS is one such group but is now attempting to shed its extremist image, seeking to win over local populations in the areas it liberates. Wxtremist militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham shocked the world by how quickly it took Aleppo, writes Tbias Ellwood It has since captured the city of Hama, and is now pummelling Homs and is on the outskirts of Damascus fighting suburb to suburb For the first time in years, real momentum has shifted against Assad, writes Tobias Ellwood, pictured The advance of HTS is not just a battlefield victory; it is deeply symbolic. For the first time in years, real momentum has shifted against Assad. After decades of iron-fisted rule, Assad will want to fight to the bitter end, but he is reportedly already seeking exile possibly in Russia. His fall would send shock waves across the Middle East. For Iran, it would sever a critical corridor to Hezbollah forces in Lebanon for arms, drugs and human trafficking, reducing the terror groups capacity to threaten Israel. Russia will struggle to hold its Tartus and Latakia bases barely 50 miles from the HTS advance which would be a strategic blow and also humiliating. For Europe and the UK, Assads collapse and his countrys descent into civil war could spark a mass migration crisis reminiscent of 2015, as Syrians flee renewed violence and instability. The spectre of terrorism also looms large, as jihadi groups could exploit a fractured Syria as a launchpad to export violence globally. The old order is gone and the West must brace itself. These appalling cases, rightly highlighted by The Mail on Sunday today, are certain to infuriate the public. Foreign rapists, drug dealers and fraudsters are being given a free pass in a system which, I can only conclude, is rigged against the British people. These feral criminals must be laughing at how naive we are. Olutobi Ogunbawos case alone is mind-boggling. The idea that the rights of a criminals partner to access IVF treatment should be elevated beyond the British publics right to feel safe is disgraceful. It offends every sense of fairness. And what is frankly shocking is the judges abysmal failure to grasp the facts. The decision to block the deportation of a Jamaican man because he claimed to be bisexual, despite no evidence of any relationship with a man, is equally ridiculous and points to a wider pattern of abuse. In our twisted system it seems you could make anything up and gullible immigration judges will believe you. Yet this is just a snapshot. Similar cases crossed my desk in the Home Office with alarming regularity. They left me furious. The public are being forced to live in fear alongside these dangerous foreign criminals. Robert Jenrick (pictured) writes that 'foreign rapists, drug dealers and fraudsters are being given a free pass in a system which, I can only conclude, is rigged against the British people' He cites the case of Olutobi Ogunbawo, who has avoided deportation because it would impact his wife's ability to access IVF treatment 'Foreign Secretary David Lammy (pictured) has been too busy surrendering British territory', Mr Jenrick writes That fear is not misplaced. Statistics show foreign criminals who avoided deportation committed a staggering 10,000 offences in a single year. Jamaican Ernesto Elliott, a prolific criminal whose deportation was blocked after Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs objected, murdered a man in a knife fight. Lloyd Byfield, whose deportation to Jamaica was also blocked, murdered a young woman in her own home. More than 10,000 foreign criminals now languish in our prisons at a cost to the taxpayer of hundreds of thousands of pounds each - yet Keir Starmer is letting out hundreds of career criminals because our prisons are full. It is blindingly obvious that we need to be deporting these individuals. The Government should be using every lever to force their home countries to take them back, including halting visas or foreign aid to those who refuse to cooperate. But instead, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been too busy surrendering British territory. And Keir Starmer doesnt care enough to change the human rights laws that make this mess possible. The public are right to be furious. The current system is nothing short of a scandalous betrayal. With three knocks of the Archbishops crook three times over one of Western civilisations defining spiritual and cultural landmarks was reborn last night. Five and a half years on from the fire which shocked not just Paris but the world, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame is not merely restored. It is now more splendid than perhaps at any point since the Middle Ages. Last nights congregation of 1,600 was led by more than 50 world leaders including the Prince of Wales, incoming US President Trump and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky. None of the above was as warmly welcomed as the parade of firefighters, the first to charge inside on the night of April 15, 2019, after renovation works had sparked a small fire. In next to no time, flames had spread across the transept and beyond. Yesterday evening, in their same red uniforms, they stood on the very spot where the spire had come crashing to earth. The ovation went on and on. Even they, however, were just the supporting act for the great lady herself. Her half a million square feet of scrubbed limestone was positively shining beneath the television rigs and the chandeliers. On an evening of foulest winter weather, the fabled City of Light was just that. At the stroke of 7pm, the official start of the ceremony, the Eiffel Tower lit up like a stratospheric Christmas tree. No expense had been spared on a restoration that had cost 706million. For all last nights sumptuous pageantry, there had been some hard-fought battles behind the scenes. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is not merely restored. It is now more splendid than perhaps at any point since the Middle Ages, writes ROBERT HARDMAN Emmanuel Macron wanted to make the most of this brief moment of uncluttered joy, but was told to welcome world leaders in a marquee outside The French government is rigorous in separating church and state. On this occasion, repaying the compliment, the Catholic church was adamant that this was their show and not the presidents. Given his disastrous ratings in the polls and an imploding government, Emmanuel Macron wanted to make the most of this brief moment of uncluttered joy. However, he was told he would have to welcome the world leaders in a special marquee outside. Even the national anthem would have to be played there, too, and not in the House of God. The motorcades queued up while each head of state received a hug and backslap plus a kiss from Brigitte Macron. Diplomacy dictated that Donald Trump had to arrive before the First Lady of the US, Jill Biden. Intriguingly, both then had to wait for one more guest of honour tech mogul Elon Musk. Such is 21st-century protocol. Shortly after 7pm, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich thumped three times on the door with a crook crafted from the charred remains of 2019. The choir responded with Psalm 121 and the ritual was repeated twice more. Only then did the great doors open. The original plan had been for President Macron to deliver a short speech in his marquee. With Storm Darragh battering the plastic, it was decided that he should at least be allowed to speak inside but not at the lectern. A one-off podium was installed for his speech in which he hailed the hope, the will and the daring of the restoration plan. The podium was then removed and the clergy took charge. Outside, tens of thousands lined the banks of the Seine. They were the same crowds kneeling in shock, in prayer and in floods of tears on that night in 2019. They will never forget it. Nor will I, as the only journalist to make it inside the blazing building that night. President Macron with US president-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Clerics arriving at the ceremony to mark the reopening of Notre Dame de Paris on Saturday Spotting a small VIP delegation making a dash across the cobble-stones, I inserted myself at the back (all eyes were on the fire) and I was swept inside alongside the then-prime minister, Edouard Philippe. For a few minutes, the fire chiefs let us stand at the west end of the Nave, ankle-deep in water from the hoses poking through broken windows. I watched blazing rafters crashing down on to piles of steaming wreckage. But there was also something bordering on the miraculous, that night. Through the gloom and the miasma from the hoses, I saw something glistening in the reflection of the firemens torches. It was the cross on the altar at the far end, still standing. I still keep that photograph saved in my phone. All was not lost. You did not have to be religious to find this profoundly uplifting. I reported that the world should take comfort from this stunning symbol of defiance. As word then spread, the mood changed. Even so, the most devout and optimistic worshipper could not have imagined that Notre-Dame would rise again, so soon and so spectacularly. But she has. Welcome back, Our Lady of Paris. MBABANE For years, residents of Sikhuphe Village have decried that their houses were falling apart and the hailstorm that occurred on Friday has made their situation even worse. This is because the storm, which was accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds, left them with no shelter. Sikhuphe Village came about after residents homes were demolished to make way for the construction of the King Mswati III (KMIII) International Airport, as well as the highway that leads to the airport. Over eight families are said to have been affected by the storm on Friday, as the roofs of their houses were blown off, leaving their belongings soaked in water. James Tsabedze, of one of the affected families, said they were left devastated and without shelter for the night (last night). He said he was pained to see the roof of his five-room structure being blown off within minutes. Plead for assistance I have put my items, especially clothing at my neighbours homestead. I do not even know what to say except to plead for assistance. For now, what I can do is simply take the corrugated iron sheets that were blown off and fix my roof myself, he said. According to Tsabedze, officials from Red Cross visited the village and assessed the extent of the damage. He said he is hopeful that they will return and assist where they can. The situation was also confirmed by Dvokodvweni Member of Parliament Sifiso Shabalala. We have been badly hit by the storm and currently, we are doing our level best to make sure the people are safe, he said. In June 2022, our sister publication, the Eswatini News reported that the families of Sikhuphe Village had decried that they faced the danger of being homeless, as their 12-year-old houses were falling apart. There are 71 big houses, each with two separate rooms (emalawu netintsanga) in the family compounds at the village. Residents estimate that the village is home to over 500 people. At the time, cracks wide enough to let a childs hand through had emerged on the walls of the houses sending fears to occupants that the houses could collapse in the face of a mild storm. Floors were found to be criss-crossed by the severe cracks, and have exposed underlying rifts in the foundation of the houses. In one of the houses, vertical cracks appeared just after the first course of bricks and mortar was laid, making the residents to suspect this to be the work of either shoddy workmanship or poor mixture of building material. The village is made up of unemployed youths and senior citizens who live off pension grants. Though houses were wired, most homes rarely have electricity because the community cannot afford it. Every homestead has a running water tap. Each family compound was compensated with structures befitting the previous housing before the resettlement. This accounts for the almost similar manner in which the homes were built, one big house with two or three bedrooms and smaller one-roomed houses in the yard. Most homes also have rondavels, which is standard for homes in rural areas. The Friday storm has, therefore, made things worse for the residents.Meanwhile, incidents of hailstorms which cause havoc are becoming a norm. Last week, a total of 146 households were affected by the severe thunderstorm that occurred in the country. This was revealed in a situation report released by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). Widespread damage The entity said on November 27, 2024, the Kingdom of Eswatini was hit by a severe thunderstorm, which was characterised by strong winds, severe lightning, heavy rain and hail. It was mentioned that the destructive weather event caused widespread damage across the country. According to the NDMA, the preliminary assessment indicates that the 146 households comprises of 730 individuals were severely impacted by the thunderstorms. The assessment found that many homes sustained significant damage, which included rooftops being blown off and broken windows. It was mentioned that hailstorms in some areas caused damage to agricultural lands, particularly maize fields and vegetable crops, compounding the challenges faced by affected communities. The storm is also said to have disrupted critical infrastructure with electricity power lines heavily impacted and over 4 850 power outages reported nationwide, affecting daily life and access to essential services. A young woman has warned Aussies about sneakily working from Bali after her friend's 'super important' meeting was interrupted by dancers in their hotel. Montana, who posted a video of the disruptive dance on TikTok, described the spontaneous celebration as the 'one thing' Australian workers need to know if they plan to 'work from home' abroad. Many Australians have been moving to Bali for extended stays and working their office jobs from glamorous villas or the beach - with some failing to inform their bosses first. Montana, a journalist and social media expert, has been working remotely for two years, gladly trading the daily grind for a life in paradise. 'I used to live and work on the Gold Coast, I would wake up, go to the gym, go to work, come home and have dinner and go to bed. Every day,' she said. 'Now I know there is more to life and we don't have to be tied to that, I can't see myself living like that ever again.' The 29-year-old says she has never been happier or had a better lifestyle than she does now where she works from her laptop at the beach or a local cafe. 'We wake up, go to the beach, have a coffee with friends, work from a cafe, catch a Pilates class, work for a bit and then head to watch sunset with a friend,' she said. A young woman has warned Aussies about sneakily working from Bali after her friend's 'super important' meeting was interrupted by Balinese dancers in their hotel She is currently working from Bali and doesn't understand why workplaces are so keen to get everyone back to the office grind. She says she's never been happier or more productive There are downsides to working remotely - you have to relinquish control of your environment as Montana's friend found out when this Balinese dance kicked off at the same time as an important meeting 'I do more - and better - work now because I can do it on my terms. My imagination is working better and I know if I get the job done quickly and well then I can go to the beach or do something fun.' Montana's work from Bali lifestyle was thrown into the spotlight after she filmed her British friend's poorly-timed meeting. 'My friend was working remote from Bali and had just jumped online to give this very important presentation she's been prepping for for weeks. At the same time this Balinese dance performance started outside our door,' she said in a video. 'I am howling, it is so loud and it's so obvious she is not in London right now.' Still amused a week later, the young woman explained her friend's bosses knew she was working abroad - but not all the stakeholders in the meeting did. 'She kept a straight face the entire time,' Montana recalled, laughing. 'She said afterwards that her laptop is built for people working from abroad so the others in the meeting didn't hear anything due to good sound masking.' The Balinese performance included lots of shouting, banging and bells as they paraded through the grounds. The pair had planned their day around being back in the hotel room for the big meeting. The young woman says living in your favorite holiday destination gives you the ability to prioritise life over the 9-5 'grind' 'That's the one thing people who want to work from a holiday destination need to know - you can't control the surroundings,' she said. 'I know a lot of people who have been caught out in meetings because of the noise in the background.' Montana spent time in Gili T recently and said the call to prayer was distracting for some of her fellow nomads. The tale promoted many to share their own 'working from home from abroad' stories too. 'I wanted to work from Bangkok but when I got there the IP was detected and I got blocked from Outlook,' one expat said. 'I almost got fired when my boss found out I was attending a meeting from a beach club bar in Malaga, Spain,' another woman added. 'I had a call once from inside the Colosseum in Rome, I didn't want to cancel the day trip for one call,' one more recalled. Montana said she has been surprised by how many people do their 'big jobs' remotely. 'I know CEOs, lawyers and managers who all work in Bali - some of them even have families here with them. They just want the lifestyle,' she said. And she's right, with many higher-ups sharing their own examples with her. She now works from cafes, bars and beaches 'I once defended a deposition from the hotel pool in Cabo,' one said. 'I am a stenographer and I have done it from an Airbnb,' said another. 'I work in aviation as flight support, which is remote,' a woman wrote. Others were 'furious' with the women for living abroad and working online. 'This is the exact behaviour that's ruining work from home for the rest of us,' one raged. 'There is a difference between working from home and remotely. A lot of legal and insurance stuff changes when you switch countries,' another said. Montana says her friend locked eyes with her once she got off her call and they both burst into laughter. 'I was cracking up. I said "girl I don't know how you kept a straight face". She was just relieved, the meeting went well,' she said. The young woman plans to work remotely for at least five more years and doesn't understand why so many businesses are cracking down on it. 'Honestly I don't want to be rude but the world is changing and they should change or be left behind,' she said. 'Staff happiness boosts productivity and creativity. If Covid taught us anything it is that life is short and most of us can work remotely.' Her life used to look very 'eat, sleep, work, repeat'. But now every day is sprinkled with fun activities, socialisation and work Montana says the cost of living in Bali is similar for her as it was on the Gold Coast, but that the quality of her life is much higher. 'We shouldn't be stuck in an office, we can do anything anywhere - when you are living the life you want you are so much more creative and effective,' she said. Working from home has been a hot topic of late, with Australians who continue to do so at a risk of jeopardising their tax return if they fail to keep a diary of their rostered hours. H&R Block director of tax communications Mark Chapman said the Australian Taxation Office was likely to demand proof that someone worked from home during the last financial year. 'We expect the ATO to check claims thoroughly, particularly to verify whether taxpayers have a record of all their working from home hours over the entire tax year, in the form of timesheets, a diary or copy of work rosters,' he told Daily Mail Australia. New rules came into effect in March 2023 requiring work-from-home professionals to keep a diary of every hour worked at home to claim the 67-cent-an-hour flat rate on their tax return. That would make 2023-24 the first full financial year where time worked from home needed to be recorded. 'If you don't keep a record of all your working hours spent at home from 1 July through to 30 June - so, for the entire tax year - you won't be entitled to claim the 67 cents per hour fixed rate,' Mr Chapman said. The flat rate method is much simpler than itemising out every single expense related to working from home. 'This method is generally preferred by taxpayers because - apart from the requirement to keep a record of all your hours worked - the documentation requirements are much less stringent,' Mr Chapman said. 'The ATO believes that work-related expenses claims are the biggest element in that 'tax gap' and have signalled that they'll be looking closely at these deductions this year,' he said. Families across the world are digging up their old trees, dusting off decorations and brewing mulled wine in the run up to Christmas. Many prepare for the special day months in advance, and the parents of Britain's 'biggest family' are no exception. Parents-of-22, Sue and Noel Radford, from Morecambe, Lancashire, host their children - and grandchildren - over the festive season. The family - who are the stars of the Channel 5 show, 22 Kids and Counting - are taking part in 'vlogmas' this year, which is where YouTubers upload clips of what they get up to each day throughout the whole of December. . Previously, Sue revealed that the family consumes a whopping 18 pints of milk, three litres of juice and three boxes of cereal at breakfast every day. The brood said that the holiday season has cost them an eye-watering 7,000 in previous years. The Radfords kicked off the first day of December by uploading a clip to their YouTube channel where they showed themselves decorating the house and FEMAIL delves into what the family could be getting up to this year. Christmas time is magical for Sue and Noel Radford , from Morecambe, Lancashire, as they have 22 children and now grandchildren to entertain over the festive season Multiple Christmas trees in their 1m house The parents decided to put up their festive tree in November and wanted to surprise their children by transforming their house into a winter wonderland by the time they got home from school. And it seems as though Sue and Noel go all out on decorating their 975,000 home, as there is a tree dressed head-to-hoe in lights and baubles in almost every room. 'They can decorate all their little trees [in their rooms]. I do really enjoy doing the Christmas tree in the living room, they will probably help do the one in the dining room,' Sue said on the clip. Their children also have special Christmas bedding that Sue and Noel place on their beds to help them get into the spirit. Last year, Sue struggled with a 'cracked a rib' following a bout of 'painful' coughing and therefore began decorating later than she would've liked. But this year, the mother-of-22 - who loves the holiday season so much that she refers to herself as 'Mrs Claus' - came back with a bang and gave herself the almost impossible task of setting the living room up in less than an hour. 'Quick, we're under pressure,' she said to Noel, as they dug out the artificial green snow-frosted tree. The parents decided to put up their festive tree in November and wanted to surprise their children by transforming their house into a winter wonderland. Above: Sue showing off her Christmas decorations last year From candy canes, to chequered bows and huge baubles, the faux evergreen made for quite a sight. To the left of the tree lay an overcrowded shelf bursting with tinsel, lights and uncountable stockings, thought to be around 22, one for each member of the famous family. Last year, the family had three Christmas trees - decorated with personalised baubles for the children - last year and stockings for every family member. Sue and Noel also had some help from their grandchildren, Chester and Ophelia, who are Millie's kids. The 23-year-old recently tied the knot to Harley Passmore at the lavish Wennington Hall in Lancashire, where wedding packages start at an eye-watering 8,995. In another clip, the Sue and Noel showed their reaction to the decorations, as many entered the room with massive grins on their faces. The kids started looking inside the stockings, in the hopes to find candy canes and sweet treats and picked their favourite baubles on the tree. Wrapping gifts months in advance Sue begins wrapping her family's gifts in September, three months before the big day, meaning she has to source them even earlier. She has to ensure she has enough wrapping paper, as they usually get through around 50 to 70 rolls for all of their children. Their kids write Christmas lists containing what they want, but they don't always get their dream items. Above: Some of their children reacting to the decorations this year Sue prides herself on being a fast wrapper, and says she can often have a stack of gifts done and dusted way before Noel. The kids write lists of what they want, but they don't always get their dream items. The Christmas dinner Cooking dinner for more than 22 people every year is not an easy task and requires months of planning. Noel takes care of all the cooking, whereas Sue is in charge of preparation. Each year, she does the supermarket shop and picks up around 10kg of potatoes, 4kg of carrots, 60 Yorkshire puddings and 120 pigs in blankets. She previously told the Daily Mail that every one of her children enjoys Brussels sprouts, meaning that they purchase a whopping 2.5kg of them. The Radfords also need three packets of Christmas crackers, as there are only 12 inside each box, and they have a rule that everyone on the table must read out their cringe joke. Because many of them do not like traditional dried fruit and alcohol-soaked Christmas pudding, they opt for trifle and cake for dessert. The total bill comes to around 400 before they even set foot inside the butchers for meat, as they usually have around 30 guests join them every year. Each year, Sue does the supermarket shop and picks up around 10kg of potatoes, 4kg of carrots, 60 Yorkshire puddings and 120 pigs in blankets Last year, Sue shared an image of the family's lavish breakfast that they throw on December 1 On the day, the younger children will usually have their meals plated up for them, but the adults will be able to help themselves to whatever dish they fancy Although they usually get their turkey from the supermarket, and a gammon, along with a joint of roast beef, Noel decided to get a fresh turkey from a local farm in 2021. But he forgot to tick the 'oven ready' box, meaning a very much alive turkey rocked up at their house, before Sue managed to get it swapped. Most of the vegetables are peeled and prepped on Christmas Eve and each of the family will be assigned the task - whether that is peeling the carrots or potatoes. On the day, the younger children will usually have their meals plated up for them, but the adults will be able to help themselves to whatever dish they fancy - however, everyone must help with the washing up. The brood are also thought to have thrown a lavish breakfast on December 1 to celebrate the start of Santa season. Last year, it included advent calendars worth hundreds of pounds. elf on the shelf cake pops and a red bucket brimming with Christmas chocolates. Piles of presents Sue previously revealed in 2018 that she has a budget of between 100 and 200 for a main present for each of the kids. We save for it over the year, putting money away in an account. I do supermarket savings stamps for the food shop too, Sue previously told the Daily Mail. Every year, they buy around 300 presents, which includes the 'main gift' and then 'bits and bobs' for each of their children. But she said the children don't always get what they want, as sometimes the items they request are too expensive. One of their kids asked for a Barbie doll house which was selling online for 700 - despite it being 240 RRP. But due to their TV work and large following on social media sites, sometimes the Radfords are gifted once-in-a-lifetime experiences and presents from brands, in exchange for coverage. Sue previously revealed in 2018 that she has a budget of between 100 and 200 for a main present for each of the kids The family appeared on ITV's This Morning to discuss their busy Christmas routine in 2018 In the past, they've been given seemingly free tickets to Universal Orlando theme park and have been treated to a new roof, a hot tub and an outdoor cinema room. Last year, Sue gave a sneak peek into her children's gifts as she shared a snap of two dolls - which retail for 79.99 each on Amazon, on her Instagram Stories. 'Bonnie and Heidie are going to love these dolls,' she wrote, referring to her two youngest children. Sue also marked the post as an #ad. In past years, Christmas presents have also included Nintendos, dolls, board games, necklaces and Lego. And perhaps a luxurious holiday? Previously, the Radford family went on holidays throughout December and enjoyed a festive Center Parcs outing last year. Sue and Noel took some of their brood out to enjoy the Winter Wonderland experience at the holiday site, which offers cosy cabins and outdoorsy activities for the whole family. The family also stopped off for some food at The Pancake House. Elsewhere, the family posed with actors in Christmas-themed costumes. Sue also enjoyed some mulled wine to warm up during the day out. It is not clear if the family stayed overnight or simply travelled over for the day. The family is known for taking multiple holidays a year and are a big fan of travelling to Florida- as they have done many times in the past Prices at Center Parcs' Whinfell Forest location, in Cumbria - which is the closest to where the family live - currently show the cheapest three-bedroom cabin stays at 499 for three days, with the most expensive lodge option at 999 for the same duration. Currently, it is not known whether the Radford family are planning to take any trips over the festive period this year. Throughout 2023, the brood enjoyed at least 20 holidays, including Sue and Noel's anniversary trip to Dubai, a lavish family break in Florida and various weekends away in their motorhome. At the end of August, they went on their seventh trip to the US in two years and have also jetted off to exotic locations such as the Maldives and Dubai. The family is known for taking multiple holidays a year and are a big fan of travelling to the Sunshine State - as they have done many times in the past. The clan also visited the Orlando resort in April this year, August and April 2023, as well as August and April 2022. A penguin becoming man's best friend and the two forging a bond to last a lifetime sounds as ludicrous as it does absurd... but it doesn't make it untrue. Back in the mid-seventies, this fairytale became Tom Michell's reality - a young, free and ambitious 23-year-old who'd taught himself Spanish from age 12, and yearned to share his passion for the language in South America. From the rural downs of Sussex, he broke free and actualised his dream to teach, and in his early 20s he secured himself a job as an assistant master at a posh school in Argentina. The decision would spark magic. In 2016, Tom Michell, then 64, penned a crazy tale about his time in the country - and how he helped a dying penguin, entitled The Penguin Lessons. Movie writers couldn't have written a plot better themselves, and soon Hollywood came knocking with Steve Coogan - known best as tactless TV presenter Alan Partridge - taking the lead role. A film adaptation of the same name is slated for release in April 2025, and tells the stunning true life story of the teacher's quest to save a penguin after it washed ashore on a Uruguay beach following a catastrophic oil spill. The arrival of the stricken Magellanic - a South American breed - penguin transforms Tom's life in the process, and symbolises dazzling hope for a nation at the time battling terrorism, kidnap and murder amidst the fall of Isabel Peron's government. Writers have adapted The Penguin Lessons for the big screen, and have enlisted Oscar nominee Steve Coogan to play Tom Michell - a teacher who grew an unlikely bond with a penguin (Pictured: Steve Coogan as Tom Michell in The Penguin Lessons) The story began in 1973, when Tom, barely 21, left his family home in Surrey to teach at a private and well-respected boys school in Buenos Aires, named St George's. While one may question what inspired a young man to search for work in another continent, for Tom it all boiled down to a thrill for the 'exotic' demonstrated before him. He once told how his mother - born in Singapore - brazenly bred three alligators at his grandparents home before forcibly handing them over to Chessington Zoo because they'd grown too dangerous. In a piece for the Daily Mail he explained: 'Upon leaving, she was given three eggs as a memento by her best friend. They had hatched, naturally, in her cabin during the long voyage and so, naturally, she had to take them home with her. 'Her passion for the exotic clearly burned in me, too, and in 1973 I left our family home in rural Sussex to teach at a boarding school in Argentina'. After arriving in South America's second largest country, he settled into his new job nicely, doing his best to instill order and education in a school full of teenage boys. And a few years later, he had grown accustomed to the school's winter holidays - a long break in July that ran adjacent to British summer holidays. By 1976, he had fostered an endearing friendship with a family of expats who lent him their seaside apartment in neighbouring Uruguay; it was a place where he could relax and decentre before term time resumed. Tom Michell (pictured) moved to Argentina to teach at an exclusive boys school. During a visit to a Uruguay beach, he discovered a penguin clinging to life after an oil spill. He would later pen the wild tale into a novel and title it The Penguin Lessons That same year, what began as a tranquil vacation for the diligent teacher, would spark a chain of events that would forever change his life. It was a calming weekend for Tom as he took a stroll around the apartment's harbour, taking in it's captivating views. However this time, he noticed things appeared all too serene. As he looked closely, he noticed fish laying listlessly along the beach shore, while schools of them were intercepted by masses of large black lumps. And as he continued along, he spotted not only lifeless fish but hundreds of dead penguins. To Tom, it was soon obvious that the tragedy was not the outcome of some force majeure, but the aftermath of an intentional oil spill, which had sadly claimed the livelihoods of much sea life. '[They] lay dead in the sand, covered in the thick, suffocating oil from a slick dumped by one of the many tankers which washed out their holds at sea before collecting new consignments' he recounted to the Daily Mail. After saving the flightless bird's life by cleaning it, he named it Juan Salvador Gaviota - the Spanish translation of John Saviour Seagull (Pictured: Juan the penguin following its rescue) 'Each wave piled more birds on top of those already there, while further out every new breaker swept another grim batch of black carcasses towards the shore'. He temporarily pictured the penguins' horrifying end and the cruel manner in which it may have come to pass. The thought left him 'sick' and with concerns about society's part in the matter. While consumed by his thoughts, he spotted a flicker of movement amongst the black canvas and moved closer to investigate what the sporadic movements could be. Alas it was a sputtering sign of life - a flightless bird which had miraculously clung to life and survived a fate meant to end its life like many beside it. This penguin still had some fight left. Still, a young Tom assumed its actions signalled the end, and were its last 'death throes' if you will. He reasoned with himself that the struggling bird deserved a quick exit, and so he prepared to end its suffering with a quick act of violence, perhaps one less tortuous than that of its fellow birds. But before he could muster the courage, the plucky penguin staggered to its feet clearly ready to battle for its life. Tom brought his winged pal back to school where it became an object of fascination. It lived on the terrace outside Tom's room, complete with tin bath full of water and a steady supply of sprats from the local fishmonger (Pictured: Steve Coogan as Tom Michell in The Penguin Lessons) As a teacher, Tom was no stranger to perception, and quickly noticed there was something different - perhaps even personable - about the large bird. He recalled it staring into his eyes in a desperate plea to be saved, and knew at that moment its fate was in his hands. 'Quickly, I scanned the scraps of wood, plastic bottles, and other bits of rubbish found along the high-water mark on this and every other beach tainted by our advanced society' he said. He luckily encountered a piece of material resembling a fishing net - and with that began a heroic rescue mission. He enwrapped the '10lb' bird with the net while it flapped and tossed eager to escape, as both man and penguin journeyed back to his borrowed seaside apartment. It seemed a mission impossible to sneak the winged bird past the building's concierge, who were stationed in an office under the stairs. Thankfully they were nowhere to be found, making it easy for him to creep in undetected. He carried the penguin to the bathroom and quickly got to work. Tom recalled: 'Deftly, I placed newspaper on the floor beneath the creature. Satisfied that I had contained it, I then remembered that we had used butter to remove tar from beach towels when we were children. 'I had some in the fridge and collected it together with some margarine, olive oil, soap, shampoo and detergent. After filling the bidet with warm water, I lifted the bag from its temporary support and placed it in the bowl'. The bird was increasingly irate and the two battled it out before it got the better of Tom and took a bloody bite out of his finger. 'Damn you! Let go!' he remembered yelling. Tom Michell saved breed of South American penguin called a Magellanic penguin (pictured) 'I prised its beak open as gently as my pain and fury would allow. It could have opened a tin of beans with that thing and it had inflicted a deep, painful cut which bled profusely and hurt as much as if I had jammed my finger in a heavy door. I still carry the scar to this day. 'Leaving the bird in the bidet, I ran my finger under cold running water, glowering at the penguin who stared straight back at me with belligerent eyes. "Damn you!" I said again. "Im trying to help you! Cant you even understand that, birdbrain?" He found some rubber bands and used them to tie the penguin's beak together, before resuming the deep wash he hoped would add years to its life. The bird then calmed down and let Tom continue with the task - and it was at this magical moment that the two forged an unspeakable bond that would last a lifetime. Although Tom contemplated spending more time with the penguin, he had to return to the school the next day and so decided to set it free into the ocean. But what happened next shocked Tom to his core. Placing the bird at the waters edge, he expected it to rush into the sea and swim away, perhaps happy to be free once more, but instead it walked straight back to the teacher's side. Worse still, it appeared to be looking directly into Tom's eyes while trying to communicate something. He imagined what it could be saying: 'Why are you trying to send me back to that deadly oily ocean so soon after weve met and become friends? "Go on" I said. "Go and find your fellow penguins. You cant come with me!" Tom attempted to set the penguin back into its natural habitat three times, but at each go it came waddling back to shore eager to remain with the human who'd saved its life. By now, saddened by the thought of letting it go, and particularly concerned about the effects of the oil spill on its delicate body, Tom enclosed the penguin in his arms and took it back to the apartment bathroom. He placed it in the bathtub while he got something to eat at a nearby restaurant. There he hoped to find inspiration for what to do next. It was here he would name his beloved penguin Juan Salvador Gaviota - the Spanish translation of John Saviour Seagull - after reading a book of the same name. But Tom could barely focus on his meal as all thoughts reverted back to Juan. He paid the bill and returned to the bathroom where he found the bird flapping its wings in an apparent welcome. The following morning, Tom was going back to Argentina, by bus, hydrofoil and then bus again, to resume work. According to an excerpt by journalist Marcus Berkkman for the Daily Mail, Tom would take on the heroic task of taking the penguin back with him. Tom tried to conceal his winged pal as they entered the bus, and at first his deception was successful. No one suspected a thing - that is until the penguin loosened its bowels and deposited a pungent pile of poop on the bus floor. Then at Argentinian customs, there was a small commotion when Tom's brown paper bag let out an enormous squawk. 'It's a penguin' he explained. And in the interrogation room, he proved it. Back at school, the penguin became an object of fascination. It lived on the terrace outside Tom's room, complete with a tin bath full of water and a steady supply of sprats from the local fishmonger. It brought joy to the students and everyone who happened to meet it - and came to be an emblem of hope, proving that almost anything was possible. According to the book's publisher, Penguin books, Tom, now 72, eventually left Argentina for Cornwall where he helped with the family business and joined a local choir. His hobbies post The Penguin Lessons have included painting, particularly illustrations of wildlife and birds of prey. He is currently married with four children and three grandchildren. The Penguin Lessons, the movie, is directed by The Full Monty's Peter Cattaneo. It was adapted by Jeff Pope from Tom Michell's 2016 memoir of the same name and stars Oscar nominee Steve Coogan as Tom Michell, Jonathan Pryce, Vivian El Jaber, Bjorn Gustafsson and Alfonsina Carrocio. The film debuted at this year's Toronto International Film Festival and is set to arrive in British cinemas in April 2025. Zara Tindall has been impressing some recently with her stylish ensembles, most recently turning heads at the Princess of Wales' carol concert at Westminster Abbey on Friday. The Christmas carol concert has become a festive staple in recent years thanks to Kate Middleton, who organises the event. The daughter of Princess Anne, was without her husband Mike or children Mia, Lena and Lucas as she walked into the venue with cousin Beatrice. Zara, 43, donned a burgundy velvet trouser-suit, with a double-breasted blazer and flared trousers. She completed the ensemble with matching heels and a glamorous gold bag. The royal wore her blonde hair loosely pinned back, with a long fringe swept to the side. A pair of statement floral earrings, in a similar shade of dark berry red, were the finishing touch. Her chic look impressed royal watchers, who praised the niece of King Charles over her style choices. Zara Tindall (pictured) looked stylish in a maroon velvet two-piece trouser suit as she attended the Princess of Wales' Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey on Friday Many took to Instagram to praise the equestrian, with one writing: 'Zara stole the fashion of them all.' Another added: 'Zara is just gorgeous in this suit, love the colour too.' A third wrote: 'She is lovely . Love the velvet.' In a similar vein, a fourth added: 'Looking fabulous as always Mrs Tindall.' Another royal watcher simply wrote: 'She looks fantastic.' Among the other guests at the event were the entire Middleton family clan, who have been Kate's dedicated support network throughout what has been a difficult year for the royal, who undertook a course of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer. Princess Beatrice and the Duchess of Edinburgh also attended. The King and Queen, however, were not amongst the guests. At the end of last month, it was reported that Zara revealed some details of how the royals spend the festive season. Royal watchers took to Instagram to praise the mother-of-three's look, with one proclaiming that she 'stole' the show Zara opted for a more traditional look while attending Paddy Power Day at Cheltenham Racecourse in November this year (pictured) Attending the Battle of the Commentators charity lunch at Evolution London in Battersea Park on November 27, the mother-of-three was said to shed light on how they enjoy the royal holidays. She is said to have shared how they keep up with both traditions and more modern elements - including a surprising gift-giving custom that involves the whole family. According to a source, Zara confirmed the long suspected tradition of a black tie dinner on Christmas Eve, where King Charles and Queen Camilla usually host their extended family at Sandringham in Norfolk. And apparently it's not just the younger family members who are treated to a stocking, with even the most senior royals waking up to a festive goodie bag on the big day. According to an insider, Zara said during the event: 'We give presents to each other on Christmas Eve. As adults, we still have stockings on Christmas Day,' reported Hello!. When quizzed over whether even her late grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, would have stockings on Christmas day, Zara replied, 'Of course'. Compliments were showered on Zara by royal watchers, with some using words like 'fantastic' and 'fabulous' to describe her look Accompanied by her doting husband, Mike Tindall, 46, Zara is a regular attendee of the Sandringham Christmas celebrations. The pair are regularly spotted making the annual amble to St Mary Magdalene Church, where the family attend a Christmas Day service. In former years, the couple have brought along their two daughter, Mia, ten, and Lena, six, though their youngest, Lucas, three, is yet to enjoy his first Christmas Day outing. In previous years, the adorable young Tindalls have stolen the show alongside their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Since becoming king, Charles, 76, appears to have made effort to stick to royal traditions. However, in recent years the royal has allowed for an even bigger celebration with Queen Camilla, 77, also inviting her children and grandchildren to Sandringham. Tyler Perry gave a frosty answer when asked about lending his LA mansion to Meghan Markle in an interview with the Sunday Times. Described by the paper as one of the 'most powerful people in the film and television industry - and one of the richest', the 55-year-old famously lent his $18m California home to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after they quit the royal family in 2020. At the time neither Markle nor Perry had met each other, but the pair are now close friends as he is godfather to the couple's daughter Lilibet. Asked about how he helped prepare the Duke and Duchess for their move to America, Perry shot back at the interviewer: 'I didn't.' The Times noted that 'any conversational intimacy evaporated' as Perry bristled at the questions about Markle. 'Meghan is from California. She knows California well. So there was nothing to prepare them for. But I will say this: what I learnt about mentioning them - because theres this insatiable appetite to know all about them - is that any question that is asked becomes the headline of anything I say,' the film mogul said. When asked why the appetite for news about the couple is so insatiable, Perry said he doesn't pay attention to the media. 'Youre from the UK, you tell me,' he fired back in the tense clash. Tyler Perry is photographed with his friend Meghan Markle at the Paley Honors Fall Gala on December 4 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills Then the interviewer reminded him the headlines are just as plentiful across the pond and Perry fired off another acid-tongued reply: 'You think? Well, you would know better than I would because Im not paying attention to that world.' The Times said that at that point in the discussion it was 'clearly time to cut to the next scene' as Perry was in no mood to discuss his relationship with Meghan. Speaking during Netflix's 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan (in which Tyler appeared) the Duchess, 43, described how Tyler had offered the couple the use of his private jet, security team, and Los Angeles home. According to Meghan, while speaking to the media mogul, she was 'just crying and crying', adding that sometimes its easier to 'open up to someone who knows nothing at all'. The warm friendship between Tyler and Meghan was on full show last week as the former royal attended The Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills, where the 55-year-old visionary director, actor and philanthropist was honoured with a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of his career. He was also the recipient of the Paley Honors Award at the soiree. Meghan donned a strapless black Oscar de la Renta gown with a front slit and strappy Celine heels at the event, held at the iconic Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Sparkling around her neck was a diamond Logan Hollowell necklace, which she paired with rings by Lorraine Schwartz and Engender, according to Marie Claire. Meghan and husband Prince Harry, 40 who recently said the pair have no plans to return to the United Kingdom were part of the Tribute Host Committee Chairs for the event, though he was not present on the red carpet. Harry was in New York at the annual DealBook Summit, also attended by Jeff Bezos and Bill Clinton, where he revealed that he and wife Meghan Markle have no plans to return to the UK with Archie and Lilibet. He said said his focus was on 'being the best husband and the best dad that I can be' - and claimed that due to security concerns in Britain there are things his two children 'undoubtedly wouldnt be able to do in the UK'. Meghan's hair was styled in a relaxed updo, and delicate makeup accentuated her features. She further accessorised her look with a gold Cartier Love bracelet. Media mogul Tyler Perry, 55, is seen while appearing in the 2022 Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan Tyler Perry's luxury Hollywood home that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stayed in when they moved to California Meghan Markle, 43, dazzled during a solo red carpet appearance on Wednesday, as she supported her friend Tyler Perry at The Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills Meghan attended the event without Harry, who was in New York The Duchess of Sussex and husband Prince Harry, 40, were part of the Tribute Host Committee Chairs for the event, though he was not present on the red carpet The actress wowed at the event, following reports that she and Harry have taken a 'twin track' approach to appearances that will see them doing more things on their own The Duke of Sussex speaks onstage during The New York Times Dealbook Summit 2024 in the Big Apple yesterday In September, Meghan and Harry who have reportedly taken a 'twin track' approach to public appearances, that will see them doing more things on their own rather than together attended Perry's star-studded birthday bash with Oprah. Perry who previously said Meghan treated him 'like a therapist' after quitting the royal family also famously let the pair stay in his Santa Barbara home when they first moved to America. The Six Triple Eight filmmaker looked dapper for the night, wearing a black tuxedo with a black button-up underneath. While on the red carpet he and Meghan shared a tender hug and chatted together. He also posed with actress Tika Sumpter, 44, who thrilled in a silver gown. Actress Kerry Washington, 47, was also present to celebrate Perry, and looked stunning in a vibrant blue gown. Beyonce's mom, Tina Knowles, 70, made the event as well, rocking a black blazer dress. Meanwhile Yvette Nicole Brown, 53, looked chic in a black velvet suit and matching heels. 'Throughout my career, I have strived to bring people together and to give a voice to those often underrepresented in media,' Perry said in a statement after it was revealed he would be receiving the award. 'Media has served as a vital platform for this mission, and Im honoured to receive this award from The Paley Center for Media, an organisation that has dedicated itself to spotlighting the power and importance of media.' Meghan wowed in a strapless black Oscar de la Renta gown with a sizzling front slit and strappy Celine heels Perry previously shared about his friendship with the royal couple: 'They hid out at my house for a long time. It was so great' Sparkling around her neck was an exquisite diamond necklace She had a gold Cartier bracelet on her wrist The Duchess looked to be in great spirits, despite flying solo for the night Meghan flashed her megawatt smile She walked the red carpet solo before meeting up with Perry Her raven tresses were pulled up into a chic updo She wore delicate glam for the occasion A touch of mascara drew attention to her eyes Her stylish gown commanded attention on the red carpet It comes after Prince Harry revealed that he and Meghan have no plans to return to the United Kingdom The Sussexes have called Montecito, California home since the summer of 2020 - after they fled the UK and the Royal Family Meghan laughed it up on the red carpet At one point she waved to the cameras She further accessorized her diamond necklace with a number of rings The actress and her husband have a close friendship with the billionaire filmmaker, who is the godfather of their three-year-old daughter, Lilibet In September, she and Harry attended Perry's star-studded birthday bash with Oprah Perry who previously said Meghan treated him 'like a therapist' after quitting the royal family also famously let the pair stay in his Santa Barbara home when they first moved to America Back in 2020, after Harry and Meghan announced that they were saying goodbye to their royal duties and relocating to California, the couple, along with their then-one-year-old son, Archie, spent a few months living in Tyler's Beverly Hills mansion During an interview with The Cut in 2022, Meghan, spoke out about her bond with Tyler, explaining that he got in touch with her after she first wed Harry in 2018 She added that he sent her a 'note' in which he said he 'understood' the intense pressure she was under, and encouraged her to reach out if she ever needed help She soon began to open up to him about her struggles and the two grew close, despite them never even meeting in person 'Sometimes, you can tell your life story to a stranger on a plane as opposed to some of the people that are closest to you,' she told The Cut According to the outlet, Tyler offering his home to the pair 'became, in many ways, the reason that Meghan and Harry started their new life in Southern California' Meghan held hands with Perry as they greeted each other in front of the shutterbugs She shared a tender hug with the filmmaker Meghan was seen leaving the event She was all smiles while navigating the sidewalk in her designer heels The Duchess didn't seem to mind the night winter chill Maureen J. Reidy, the President & CEO of The Paley Center for Media, shared: 'Through his acclaimed and prolific body of work, Tyler Perry has solidified his place as one of medias greatest and most impactful figures.' 'With each new project, he continues to move our industry, and our culture, forward, and it is our great privilege to present Tyler with our highest honor, The Paley Honors Award.' Other Tribute Host Committee Chairs at the event were Ariel Emanuel, Jon Feltheimer, Whoopi Goldberg, Taraji P. Henson, Matt Johnson, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Gayle King, Debra L. Lee, Mellody Hobson and George Lucas, Scott Mills, The Honorable Nicole Avant and Ted Sarandos, and Kerry Washington. The Paley Center for Media called Perry 'one of the most inspiring, versatile, prolific, and innovative creatives working in media today' adding that 'Over the course of his storied career, he has produced over 2,000 episodes of television, and directed, written, and produced 28 feature films.' The Paley Center for Media is a non-profit organization that's dedicated to preserving television and radio history and exploring the cultural and social impact of media. Back in 2020, after Harry and Meghan announced that they were saying goodbye to their royal duties and relocating to California, the couple, along with their then-one-year-old son, Archie, spent a few months living in Tyler's Beverly Hills mansion. During an interview with The Cut in 2022, Meghan, spoke out about her bond with Tyler, explaining that he got in touch with her after she first wed Harry in 2018. She added that he sent her a 'note' in which he said he 'understood' the intense pressure she was under, and encouraged her to reach out if she ever needed help. She soon began to open up to him about her struggles and the two grew close, despite them never even meeting in person. 'Sometimes, you can tell your life story to a stranger on a plane as opposed to some of the people that are closest to you,' she told The Cut. The two had an enthusiastic chat The dynamic duo also posed with Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO of The Paley Center for Media Maureen looked glamorous in a fiery red gown Perry was the recipient of the Paley Honors Award at the soiree While on the red carpet he posed with actress Tika Sumpter, 44, who thrilled in a silver gown Actress Kerry Washington, 47, was also present to celebrate Perry, and looked stunning in a vibrant blue gown Her tresses were slicked back for the occasion Beyonce's mom, Tina Knowles, 70, made the event as well, rocking a black blazer dress (L-R) Perry, Nicole Avant, Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix, and Maureen According to the outlet, Tyler offering his home to the pair 'became, in many ways, the reason that Meghan and Harry started their new life in Southern California.' Meanwhile Perry previously shared about his friendship with the royal couple: 'They hid out at my house for a long time. It was so great.' The Hollywood titan revealed that the duo had previously shared the same publicist whom he used to deliver a message of support. 'I sent them a note... and just said, "If you ever need anything, I'm here," and she called months later and just talked to me like I was a therapist and we just had a great conversation.' It comes after Prince Harry revealed that he and Meghan have no plans to return to the United Kingdom with Archie and Lilibet. The Duke of Sussex opened up about his desire to stay in the United States at the annual DealBook Summit live in New York on Wednesday. It was there that the prince said security was a factor for his and Meghan's decision to stay put for the time being - as well as their children's future. The Sussexes have called Montecito, California home since the summer of 2020 - after they fled the UK and the Royal Family. The Times reported Prince Harry told the summit on Wednesday: 'I very much enjoy living here and bringing up my kids here.' The Duke added that there are also activities he can do with young Archie, five, and three-year-old Lilibet that he 'undoubtedly wouldn't be able to do in the UK'. It comes after Prince Harry revealed that he and Meghan have no plans to return to the United Kingdom with Archie, five, and Lilibet, three; pictured at the DealBook summit on Wednesday Prince Harry said of life in the US: 'I very much enjoy living here and bringing up my kids here'; they are seen in 2019 Harry said he was focused on 'being the best husband and the best dad that I can be', too. During last night's summit, Harry spoke at length about children. He revealed he did not support the move to ban social media for children, stating that doing so 'creates all sort of problems'. Harry said a social media ban for kids didn't make sense because taking it away could lead to family rows and playground bullying. He did, however, state that social media companies should be subject to greater transparency and accountability. Earlier today, it was revealed that Harry has secured the services of his neighbor Katy Perry to sing at the opening night of his Invictus Games, which will take place on February 8, 2025. The Grammy nominated star will headline the opening of the event for disabled military veterans in Vancouver, Canada. Katy is by far the biggest star to appear at the bi-annual event attended by Harry and his wife Meghan. She and her partner actor, British actor Orlando Bloom, are close neighbors of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Montecito, California. The Invictus Games will be the first major event Harry and Meghan have attended together after reports emerged they were going their separate ways in engagements. Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the US in June that year. Since Harry and Meghan resigned from the Royal Family, the couple have spoken about how the Firm could have done more to support Meghan during her time in the UK. The Duke of Sussex and Meghan relocated to California in 2020. Pictured this year in Nigeria In their Netflix series, Meghan detailed her first meeting with the Prince and Princess of Wales - and how she was 'surprised' to learn the Royal Family's formality continued behind closed doors. She said: 'Even when Will and Kate came over and I was meeting her for the first time I remember I was in ripped jeans, I was barefoot. 'Like I was a hugger, I have always been a hugger I didn't realize that is really jarring for a lot of Brits. 'I started to understand that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside, that there is a forward facing way of being and then you close the door and think 'OK we can relax now.' 'But that formality carries over on both sides and that was surprising to me.' In Prince Harry's biography Spare, the Duke claimed the Princess of Wales was 'put on edge' by Meghan's arrival and how she would be 'forced to compete' with the actress. In their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan revealed she began experiencing suicidal thoughts while she was pregnant with Archie in 2019 and was not given the support she needed. When you ask people about the drugs they experimented with in their youth, you often get a response along the lines of: 'Oh, I tried everything... except for heroin.' Well, that drug, the one everyone vows they won't touch, consumed my life for 20 years. When I tell people I was a junkie, they picture someone lying in a gutter or shooting up in an alley. While the stereotype might be true for some addicts, my experience was different. I held down a full-time job for decades during my addiction. I made good money, too. I was always able to function and even learn new skills while using heroin in my late teens. When I got married at 25 and had two kids, nothing changed. If anything, it escalated. I was good at my job and was a first-class welder, so never had any problems at work. Later on, I ran my own business and - incredibly - managed to keep the money rolling in. My problem was when I clocked off work at 5pm. When you're an addict, the more money you have, the deeper you spiral. While we appeared like a normal family, I was scamming, stealing, manipulating and doing horrible things to feed my habit. And I was completely oblivious to the harm I was doing to my loved ones. Heroin numbs you. It takes away all your feeling until you're living in a foggy cloud of nothing. You're not quite in reality; you're always numb. It's a place of no pain, no happiness. There were periods when I could barely get out of bed, but I still had to work so would manage to drag myself there. Looking back, it's a miracle I kept things together for so long, but eventually it all came crashing down. When I tell people I was a junkie, they picture someone lying in a gutter or shooting up in an alley. While the stereotype might be true for some addicts, my experience was different. I held down a full-time job for decades during my addiction. I made good money, too (stock image) How it began Heroin started taking over my life when I was 19. My addiction landed me in jail, saw me overdose three times and had me in and out of hospital for years. But let me take you back to the start. While most other kids were focusing on school, I was trying different drugs. I started smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol at 12. From 14 I was using every day. I started taking acid and selling it at 15. I left high school that year and started a four-year apprenticeship to become a boilermaker in Brisbane, which I managed even while getting high. I progressed to intravenous drug use at 17, and by 19 found heroin. I used it as often as I could. Whenever I was going through a hard time or felt lost, drugs were the solution. Before I knew it, my life revolved around heroin. Meanwhile I was treating those around me terribly, as if I were a man possessed. Human beings became like objects to me, and I never considered the consequences of my actions or the harm I was doing to others. Our author, who chose not to reveal his name, spoke bravely of his lifetime of addiction I started stealing money - the most I ever took was about $7,000 - and at 19 I was caught robbing a post office and was charged and convicted. Theft helped support my habit, and when youre so far into addiction youll do whatever it takes. I would steal from anybody - even my own mother, whom I robbed regularly. I didnt realise I was hurting people mentally, emotionally and physically with my crimes. Today, I agonise over what I did and the trauma I caused, but at the time I was blind to it. I went to rehab at 24 and spent 10 months there. It had got to a point where I was seriously unwell from mixing drugs - I was combining pills, heroin, weed and alcohol daily - but I was eventually kicked out for breaking the centre's rules. At 25, I met the woman I would marry. She had two children already, and we would go on to have two of our own. Those four kids were my everything, but my heroin use didn't stop. It was always a beast lurking in the shadows. We would have dinner together, get the kids ready for bed and I would read them a story before they went to sleep. But once the lights were off, I would take drugs to unwind. At 29, I was sentenced to four years in prison for armed robbery, but only served two. I was released on bail and started reconnecting with my wife and kids again. I also rekindled my toxic relationship with heroin. The struggle to get clean As my drug use worsened after prison, my biological children, then two and four, were taken away to their grandmother's for their own safety, and I returned to rehab for another year. I really tried to turn my life around and quit drugs. The support groups and programs did seem to work. When I was able to kick the habit, life was good and I felt like I could see light at the end of the tunnel. But when I was just 24 days shy of two years' clean, I relapsed. I bought heroin, cooked it and shot up. Overnight, the cycle of drugs, lies and crime resumed. That relapse continued for nearly six years. I lost it all again - my wife, my kids, everything. Here's the part that will shock you. During that whole time I was running my own business. I was working, balancing the books, doing my taxes and generating steady income. My professional life may have trundled on - miraculously - but my personal life was a mess. I hit rock bottom at 40. I was homeless, jumping between men's hostels. One night I went to the train station and was standing on the edge of the platform preparing to end my life by jumping in front of an express train. I looked up at the night sky and screamed out to a God that I didn't believe in when a vision of my kids appeared in front of me. It was so vivid and powerful it brought me back from the brink, as if they were telling me: 'Don't do this - we need you here.' It was a moment of clarity when I needed it most. I took a step back and walked away. The next day I went to the methadone clinic and was an emotional wreck. I was a 40-year-old man bawling my eyes out saying, 'I'm going to die. I need help'. That was the start of my recovery, although it still took some time for me to finally stop. My first day clean was April 7, 2011. I try to live along spiritual rather than religious lines. I encourage a belief in a greater power, but whatever that power is, that's entirely up to you. Now I'm 54 and know my past doesn't define the person I am today. When I sought help, they dissected my whole life piece by piece, leaving no stone unturned. We went through my entire life's inventory, speaking about relationships, emotions, sex, everything. Part of that was recognising that I had to make amends, and that my soul was sick and in need of cleansing. One of the greatest gifts of getting clean is having a relationship with my children again. We love each other, have a great bond and I'm motivated to be the best dad I can be. Despite my past, I won't let it define me or my future. I'm a decent man today, a good dad and grandfather to three beautiful grandchildren who know nothing of my past. One benefit of being in recovery for so long is you feel distant enough from the person you used to be to carry out a forensic examination of what made you an addict in the first place. I now know I was hurting, felt abandoned and unloved, and never believed I was enough. These feelings are normal, but when you don't learn to deal with them, you push them down and self-medicate. Today, I have a toolkit of coping strategies to help me process whatever it is I'm feeling. I read, meditate, pray, and know that sometimes life just happens. I hope whoever is reading this knows they're not alone, and maybe my story can inspire them to seek help and make their way out of the darkness. Social media influencers are illegally promoting 'blockbuster' prescription weight loss jabs to their thousands of followers, many of who are desperate to lose weight, MailOnline can reveal. The social media stars many of who have taken the injections themselves entice their TikTok fans with discount codes and special offers to cut the price of potent medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. An analysis of hundreds of these posts across Instagram and TikTok revealed the adverts may be part of disturbing money-making schemes. Some online pharmacies are paying influencers to post the promotion which directs customers to the pharmacy website. UK law forbids promotion of any prescription medication. This includes sponsored posts shared on social media. Doing so could result in a fine and up to two years in prison. The injections, which are administered weekly, are designed to help type 2 diabetes patients control their blood sugar levels or for obese people to lose weight for health purposes. However, they can also involve worrying side effects such as pancreatitis when the pancreas suddenly becomes inflamed or gastrointestinal issues. The findings come six months after TikTok cracked down on weight-loss influencers by banning the 'marketing of weight loss or muscle gain products' on the platform. In one video, TikTok user @.katie.k1986 shared her referral code to encourage people to start using Mounjaro via online pharmacy MedExpress with a 40 discount code Yet, UK influencers are still flooding the app with codes to help boost online pharmacy brands' customer sign-ups, MailOnline has found. Some have told of the disturbing incentives offered by online pharmacies and how they have been offered free medication and money. Health chiefs today labelled the adverts irresponsible and alarming, and urged Brits to always visit their local pharmacies for legitimate health advice. It comes as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) last week warned scam online retailers posing as pharmacies were targeting vulnerable patients and may even be selling contaminated versions of the blockbuster injections. In one video, UK TikTok user @.katie.k1986 shared her referral code to encourage people to start using Mounjaro via online pharmacy MedExpress with a 40 discount code. Another, UK influencer @ginageemounjaro, offered her TikTok followers a 15 per cent off code for all products at Curate, a separate online pharmacy. A third UK account, @charliewithacherryontop, who has 34,000 TikTok followers, also shared videos of the best accounts to visit, along with discount codes. Other UK users spam the comment sections of popular influencers who track their weight loss journeys on the jabs with codes for up to 50 off injection orders. @charliewithacherryontop, who boasted 34,000 TikTok followers also shared videos of the best accounts to visit with discount codes Another, @ginageemounjaro, offered her TikTok followers a 15 per cent off code for all products at Curate, a separate online pharmacy 'Oushk Pharmacy code is 'Tanya' 22 off every order', one reads. 'Mine is 25 off first pen and 15 there after. Essentially 55 off with Getweightless.co.uk', another says. MailOnline has also found around 1,400 adverts on Meta's Ad Library mentioning 'weight loss injections' since January 2024. Meta owns and operates Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. Comparable injections, at Boots or Superdrug, are sold for 199 and 195 respectively for a month's supply. One TikTok influencer, who boasts almost 10,000 followers, also told MailOnline he began to be approached by online pharmacies once his follower count hit the thousands. The 31-year-old started taking Mounjaro in June prescribed by his GP and launched his TikTok account as a way to track his progress on the drug and share advice for others. He said: 'These brands come to you and say "do you want to work with us". UK influencers are still flooding the app with codes to help boost online pharmacy brands' customer sign-ups. Pictured, one UK account 'One who approached me didn't message from their official account, it was from an agency who represents them interestingly. 'It said, "Hi I'm from the marketing department, we've seen your profile and would love to arrange a Teams chat with you to go through what we can offer you". 'Influencers aren't going to promote something if they're not going to gain from it. Some have been offered actual money, others free medication I believe. 'I'm not interested. I don't want it.' He added: 'Every time I go on TikTok now I'm also having these codes and pharmacies shoved down my throat. 'If you go to big influencers' comment sections it's just all spam accounts saying "use my code, use my code, use my code". It's ridiculous. 'People using this medication need support from qualified pharmacists and their GPs. 'But if you're a new user, you're going to say "why am I going to spend 200 pounds and get a GP and maybe a nutritionist to help me manage my journey, when I could just go with this other company and get my money back". 'It stresses me out. It's like an MLM' Multi-level marketing, better known as an MLM, is a sales strategy often considered controversial where individuals sell products to friends and family who are then recruited to do the same. 'There's a difference between a normal MLM and a weight loss medication. If not used properly, it could kill you,' the influencer told MailOnline. 'Some of these influencers are not doing it for the right reasons, they're not trying to help people, they're just trying to cash in. 'This medication can be amazing when it is used properly and responsibly.' A spokesperson for MedExpress told MailOnline: 'At MedExpress, we strictly adhere to MHRA advertising guidelines and do not use influencers to promote prescription medications. 'We have recently seen an increase in customer referral codes being shared on social media and within online community groups. 'However, our terms and conditions have always clearly specified that public sharing of these codes is prohibited, as they are intended solely for friends and family use. Other UK weight loss jab users spam the comment sections of popular influencers who track their weight loss journeys on the jabs with codes for up to 50 off injection orders 'To reinforce this, we have recently updated our terms to include an annual cap on referrals. 'We are closely monitoring the referral system and remain committed to evolving our policies where needed.' A spokesperson for Curate, meanwhile, said: 'Curate puts patient standards and safety at the forefront of everything it does, with all patients going through rigorous consultation and evidence collection prior to any medication being prescribed. 'Curate Health has a consumer focused app in which supports people with a 360 view of their health. 'We have provided public advocates and super users with unique pricing which provides them with a lower commercial barrier to entry across our weight loss service. 'This includes access to our app, consultations with experts and clinical support throughout their weight loss journey. 'We have built an exceptional community and business around weight-loss with thousands of people benefiting from our service on a monthly basis. 'This is not something we would want to jeopardise the integrity of. In the UK advertising prescription-only medications is in breach of both the drugs watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority and Advertising Standards Authority rules 'We work closely with all governing bodies to ensure the appropriate positioning, care and support is adhered to at all times.' A spokesperson for Oushk Pharmacy also told MailOnline: 'Oushk Pharmacy does not work with influencers" to promote referral or discount codes. 'Instead, we have provided long-term patients who choose to share their personal weight loss journeys on social media with codes for our weight loss service as a whole. 'These codes are not associated with any specific prescription-only medication. 'We are extremely proud of the business we have built, focusing on patient education and exceptional care. 'We work closely with our governing body to ensure we not only meet but excel in all standards and regulations. 'As a customer-focused pharmacy, prioritising the safety and well-being of our patients is at the heart of everything we do, and we would never compromise that integrity for promotional codes on social media nor do we push for this.' MailOnline has approached all other online pharmacies mentioned for comment. In September, US fitness influencer @healthkols told her 548,000 TikTok followers that over the last year and a half she had received '20 plus emails asking me to promote Ozempic on this page' from online pharmacies But the phenomenon is not limited to the UK. In September, US fitness influencer @healthkols told her 548,000 TikTok followers that over the last year and a half she had received '20 plus emails asking me to promote Ozempic on this page' from online pharmacies. She said: 'They were all from different companies. But all with a very similar budget a large budget. 'They are asking me to make a claim that I lost 70lbs through using that medication. They are asking me to lie to sell a product to you. 'I'm also not a doctor or a pharmacist. The fact you could click a link in my bio and go buy medication is beyond me. 'If you want to take medication go to a doctor.' She added: 'I don't even begin to want to know the legalities behind this. 'Clearly these brands are not interested in protecting me legally if I did decide to promote this drug.' In August, US influencer Stella Kittrell also told her 500,000 TikTok followers she was 'offered $20,000 to sell you Ozempic' One month earlier in August, US influencer Stella Kittrell also told her 500,000 TikTok followers she was 'offered $20,000 to sell you Ozempic' by an online brand. She said: 'A year ago I got my first Ozempic collab offer and it was pretty nuts. 'A year ago it was $15,000 for a 15 second ad, now it's $20,000 for a three-frame Instagram story.' In the US, however, influencers are able to promote medicines. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US drugs regulator, requires that all promotion must be consistent with the FDA approved prescribing information and be truthful and non-misleading. After being shown the findings from MailOnline's probe, the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) announced it had launched a probe into 'ads of this nature'. An ASA spokesperson added: 'We have just launched proactive investigations into ads of this nature, some of which include discount offers, as part of a project-based approach to identifying and tackling problems and setting clear precedents for advertisers. 'This will be followed-up by enforcement work. If and where advertisers appear unwilling or unable to follow the rules, we'll take further action.' Only patients who have a body mass index of over 35, or a BMI of 30 and at least one weight related health problem like high blood pressure, should be prescribed Mounjaro on the NHS Your browser does not support iframes. ASA has also this week issued a separate warning to advertisers, agencies, businesses and influencers to remove online and social media ads for weight-loss prescription-only medicines targeted at members of the public. Julian Beach, interim executive director of healthcare quality and access at the MHRA, also said: 'Prescription-only medicines including semaglutide cannot be advertised to the general public, as set out in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and the MHRA's Blue Guide. 'The MHRA takes concerns about the illegal promotion of prescription weight-loss medicines to the public very seriously. 'We consider complaints we receive about the alleged advertising of prescription only medicines to the public, looking at each case on its own merits and, where appropriate, working with other regulators. 'We review information received carefully in line with our procedures and guidance and will take appropriate action as necessary, as outlined in the Blue Guide, in order to protect public health.' MailOnline also understands TikTok has now removed the videos and banned the accounts after they were brought to their attention by this website. The social media platform does not allow the trade or marketing of regulated high-risk goods and services, including prescription drugs, MailOnline understands. Under NHS guidelines Ozempic is available on the NHS strictly for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Wegovy and Ozempic work by triggering the body to produce a hormone called GLP-1 that is released naturally from the intestines after meals Only patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 35, or a BMI of 30 and at least one weight related health problem like high blood pressure, should be prescribed Mounjaro or Wegovy. While private prescribers aren't bound by this, they still need to follow general professional guidelines and consider national guidance to ensure only patients that need the drug get access to it. Dr Leyla Hannbeck CEO of Independent Pharmacy Association described our findings as 'concerning'. 'The effectiveness of any weight loss drug is linked to personal endeavours to maintain life style choices that support weight loss,' she added. 'Pharmacists are regulated professionals and have a legal and professional duty to adhere to the regulations. 'Many brick and mortar pharmacies are delivering weight loss management in accordance with regulatory guidelines. 'It is incumbent on the regulators, the MHRA and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to investigate these advertisements and the impact they have on prospective patients and the public.' The GPhC regulates pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies in Great Britain. Susan McGowan, 58, from Lanarkshire, died from multiple organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis after taking two low-dose injections of tirzepatide Jasmine Shah, head of advice at the National Pharmacy Association, also told MailOnline: 'You are risking your health if you buy unlicensed medication online. 'Medicines are not like ordinary goods for sale they must be handled with great care because they have the power to harm as well as to heal. 'We urge anyone who is unsure about medicine they purchased online to speak to their local pharmacist for advice.' The MHRA warns Mounjaro side effects could include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting which usually goes away over time and constipation. People taking the drug outside clinical trials have also reported experiencing hair loss while taking Mounjaro. Earlier this year it was revealed the MHRA had received reports of ten deaths linked to the use of weight loss jabs in the UK and 7,228 reports of nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea associated with the likes of Ozempic and Mounjaro. Of these, 68 patients were admitted to hospital. A reported death or adverse reaction does not necessarily mean it has been caused by the medicine, only that someone had a suspicion it may have been. Underlying or concurrent illnesses and other medicines the patients may have been taken at the time of their death may be responsible and such events can also be coincidental. Last month, the UK also recorded its first death officially linked to Mounjaro. Susan McGowan, a 58 year-old nurse from Lanarkshire, died from multiple organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis after taking two low-dose injections of tirzepatide. She took the jabs for a two-week period before her death on September 4. It is thought to be the first time the medicine has been listed as a contributing factor on a death certificate. Scottish nurse, Ms McGowan, bought a prescription through a registered online pharmacy after looking into Mounjaro and seeking medical advice. I regularly fly from Southampton to Dublin on Aer Lingus regional flights to visit my mum. I usually pay between 160 and 200. In September I was asked to measure my carry-on suitcase when boarding at Southampton, then told it was too large and to pay a 35 charge. But I'd flown the same route nine times in the last nine months with the same bag, and every other time it has been OK. On three of those occasions, I even measured it in the baggage sizer and was told it was within the limits. On the return journey, I asked an Aer Lingus employee if I needed to check the bag in, and was told I didn't. It was allowed on the plane with no problems. Is this fair? A.R, Hampshire Up in the Aer: Aer Lingus told this reader her bag was too large, even though she had used it many times on the same route without a problem Helen Crane of This is Money replies: Worrying about the size of your bag is now part and parcel of airline travel, especially as the limits seem to be ever-shrinking. What was once a relatively generous allowance now sees some carriers allowing no more than a small backpack on to the plane without the need to pay an extra fee. I do understand your frustration, as a bag being accepted on to the same flight no less than nine times - three of which it was deemed to fit in the bag sizer by staff - would strongly suggest that the size was acceptable. After you begrudgingly paid the 35 charge, you contacted Emerald Airlines, which operates regional Aer Lingus flights to complain about the lack of consistency. You received a reply which said it is up to the airport staff to make the decision. But given it was previously fine, you feel that the member of staff got it wrong on that occasion. You also said that other passengers on the same flight were asked to pay for bags which they hadn't needed to before. You contacted me to ask if I could encourage Aer Lingus to see sense. But sadly, it didn't fly. An Emerald Airlines spokesman reiterated it was down to the discretion of the staff at the airport and their decision was final. He said: 'Aer Lingus Regional flights, operated by Emerald Airlines, have a 7kg carry-on baggage limit per passenger. The maximum dimensions for carry-on baggage on these flights are 48x33x20cm. 'Due to limited space on board our aircraft, gate staff at all airports are required to enforce this limit.' You were not impressed, replying: 'This not a budget airline - it charges premium prices. To charge someone who has flown nine times in the past nine months with the same suitcase does not make sense.' Rules are rules, but as the price of airline tickets continues to rise, customers are increasingly cheesed off with extra charges for things like baggage. Airlines may have to look again at their policies if they want to keep them on board. Farmers are up in arms across the country following Chancellor Rachel Reeves's changes to inheritance tax rules for farms in the Autumn Budget. Thousands descended on London in protest against the changes, as Jeremy Clarkson said the rules would prove 'the end' for many. Despite the controversy, Labour MPs voted through the inheritance tax raid on farms this week. While the petrolhead TV star turned celebrity farmer might have been at the forefront of protests hitting the streets of London, by his own admission it is not the genuinely wealthy like Clarkson who would prove to be the ones truly losing out to the tax changes. Instead, it is cash-poor but asset rich farming families who fall through the cracks of the new rules that may be forced to sell off parts or all of their farm in order to fund inheritance tax charges. The changes were intended to close a loophole for wealthy investors buying up farmland, and yet it is not these people that will face the greatest impact of the new rules. Critics say investors may opt to sell farmland and move money elsewhere, or hold onto it, as it still benefits from a 50 per cent discount on inheritance tax. In contrast, for farmers land is an essential ingredient of their business and way of life, which in many cases has been passed down the generations. Those affected have gone from a long-running inheritance tax exemption to facing big bills for death duties, so the move has been hugely controversial. Meanwhile, the government's figures on the impact have been called into question. We take a look at what the inheritance tax changes mean for farmers, what they can do - and whether there is any chance the new rules might change? Clarkson's Harm: TV star Jeremy Clarkson speaks out against the damage of the inheritance tax changes during the farmers' demonstration Inheritance tax and farmland - the new rules Under the new rules, farmers will lose 100 per cent relief on inheritance tax on agricultural property and business assets. From April 2026, agricultural and business inheritance tax reliefs will be restricted. Estates will only get full inheritance tax relief on the first 1million of combined business and agricultural assets. Above that they will get a 50 per cent relief on the tax rate, meaning inheritance tax will effectively be charged at 20 per cent on assets above the 1million threshold. This is still beneficial compared to the 40 per cent rate charged elsewhere. Farmers and landowners will also get the standard inheritance tax-free allowance of 325,000 for an individual plus an extra 175,000 if their own residence is passed on to a child or grandchild. The 1million agricultural relief is per farm owner, so could be doubled up by a married couple, but only if both are still alive and those whose partner is already deceased cannot use any of their unused amount, as with standard IHT allowances. In order to qualify for this agricultural property relief, farms must have been owned and used for agricultural purposes for two years if farmed by the owner, or for seven years if rented to a farmer. The eventual inheritance tax bill is payable over a 10-year period, without interest accruing on the outstanding tax. For some, this means that that saving or borrowing could be used to avoid having to sell assets to meet these payments. Why target farmers on inheritance? The changes come as the new Government looks to prevent farmland being used as an inheritance tax-dodging investment opportunity by the very wealthy looking to protect against a hefty tax bill on their estate at death. But it has come in for heavy criticism as it treats those who farm and investors in land in the same way, making no distinction between farmers and those who bought farmland for inheritance tax benefits. Sam Dewes, private client partner at HW Fisher, said: 'While there is some sympathy with the aim of preventing very wealthy taxpayers from claiming APR on valuable land without adding to the rural economy, many farmers who are often asset-rich but cash-poor - will never actually realise the value from their land whilst they continue to farm it. 'To protect multi-generational farming families, the proposals could be amended to only limit APR on death when the farm is sold afterwards. That way farmers who hope to continue the business aren't forced to sell up to pay for the tax.' Less than half of farmland sold now goes to farmers, with private and institutional investors now taking a large chunk, Strutt & Parker's English Estates & Farmland report reveals As sales to farmers have fallen, the price of farmland has risen substantially - massively outstripping farmers' profits and driving down yields The number of investors purchasing farmland has increased in recent years, with just 31 per cent of land purchases so far this year having been made by farmers, according to data from Strutt & Parker. Previously, farmers and business owners have been fully exempt from inheritance tax thanks to agricultural and business reliefs, which gave 100 per cent relief on these assets. This relief has been in place for 40 years and was specifically designed to stop family farms having to be broken off or have parts sold off to pay death duties. Many farms are passed through the generations to those willing to take them on and land is an essential element for farming but profits tend to be small. Meanwhile, farms are struggling for income due to high costs, the impacts of climate change and the shift away EU subsidies after Brexit. Farmers are angry as promised new payments have not properly materialised. Craig Rickman, personal finance expert at Interactive Investor, told This is Money: 'It's not going to affect all farms, but for those that it does affect the tax penalties could be could be quite painful. Although some farms have some pretty serious value to them, not all farmers have cash available.' How many farms will be affected? According to the Treasury, these measures could rake in more than 230million for the tax man in its first year and 520million a year by 2029. While Treasury figures claim only 500 or so farms will be affected per year, this is almost a third of the 1,800 current claims for agricultural relief. Over the course of a decade, 5,000 farms would be affected, which compares to just over 200,000 farms in total across the country, according to Defra. The Treasury says only 28 per cent of farms will be affected but one of the major controversies around the inheritance tax raid surrounds these figures on its impact. The National Farmers Union says that Defra's own figures contradict this, stating that around two-thirds of farms are worth more than 1million and therefore potentially affected. An Institute for Fiscal Studies report said:'However defined and therefore whatever the proportions it is clear that some farms will be able to be passed on tax-free, while others will attract inheritance tax. 'Those farm owners who do not have a (surviving) spouse or civil partner, or who face a higher chance of dying within seven years, have less ability to manage their affairs so as not to pay inheritance tax.' Farms worth 3million can be passed on tax-free if all conditions are met and the farmhouse is left to direct descendants Can farmers really pass on farms worth up to 3M? While IHT is now set to be charged on farm assets above 1million, some farmers could increase this threshold up to 3million in certain circumstances. For a farm jointly owned by two people, they can combine both of their initial 1million tax free agricultural property allowances, along with their standard 325,000 nil-rate inheritance tax band and 175,000 residence nil-rate band. This requires them to pass 1million each of farm assets on at their death, while also using the maximum 1million combined inheritance tax-free allowance for a married couple or civil partners to pass on their wealth and own home to children or grandchildren. But their individual estate must not be more than 2million, otherwise they will start having their residence nil-rate band removed. In total, this means farms worth 3million can be passed on tax-free if left to direct descendants. For non-direct descendants the farm would still be tax free up to 2.65million, as the residence nil-rate bands would not be available. It is worth noting that some farms won't qualify for these extras if they don't have a home on the farm or one worth enough to benefit, or if they are unmarried or don't have a surviving spouse or civil partner. Crucially, couples passing on assets worth 3million must do so separately, passing the first 1million allowance to a descendant when one member of a couple dies, as this allowance cannot be used by the surviving spouse. Critics have attacked the complexity of these scenarios when ministers have put forward the 3million figure as a reason why most farmers should not be concerned about inheritance tax. They also create a scenario where farms may end up jointly owned for a period of time by different members of a family, who may hold opposing views on how the farm should be run. Family farms are also not always passed to children or grandchildren, sometimes they go to whichever family member is willing to be a farmer. The IFS said: 'A typical couple might expect to be able to use both of their 1 million allowances. But people will not inherit any unused part of the 1 million allowance from a deceased spouse or civil partner, like they do with the nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band. 'So, to use both partners allowances, each must separately bequeath at least 1 million of the property to others (e.g. children). 'That means splitting ownership of the property between family members on or before the death of the first partner, rather than bequeathing the whole thing when one of them dies. It will also disadvantage families where one member of the couple has already passed away. 'There is a good case for making unused portions of the 1 million allowance inheritable by a spouse or civil partner.' Protest: Farmers took to the streets of Westminster to demonstrate against the Government's tax changes What about business relief? Some farmers have also previously used Business Property Relief on some of their farm's assets. In order to make use of BPR, a farm must be a working business that has been owned for at least two years before the transfer. The business must not mainly make holding investments or deal in land or buildings. This means that farms purchased for investment purposes do not qualify as trading businesses. However, under the new rules both APR and BPR fall under the same 1million allowance from 2026, meaning that farmers cannot benefit from both. How can farmers mitigate their tax bill? Aside from making use of the available reliefs to the greatest possible extent, there are ways that farmers can plan ahead to cut their inheritance tax bill. Farmers can make use of the seven year gifting rule to pass their farm on long before they die so that it is free from inheritance tax. However, if a farmer still lives and farms on the property, then this may be considered a gift with reservation of benefit, meaning that inheritance tax could still be chargeable. To prevent this, the owner could only pass on some of the farm and then not derive a benefit from that part, although this may seeriously impact their income. If handing over the entire farm and house, they would need to move out of the property or pay a market rent, and not take income from the farm. With the clock starting now on gifts for something that was previously inheritance tax-free, understandably those whose spouses may have already died, or are in ill-health, and are unable to make use of the seven year rule feel put out by the new rules. The IFS, which broadly supports the inheritance tax changes, said that the government should consider changing this. It said: 'If the government wished to give current farm owners the same opportunity to avoid inheritance tax that owners of other assets have, it could do so by transitioning to the new regime more slowly. 'For example, lifetime gifts of agricultural property made before a certain future date could be made inheritance tax free, regardless of the timing of the death of the giver, so that those farm owners who pass away in the next seven years have an opportunity to make tax-avoiding gifts in light of the Budget changes. 'This would reduce the revenue raised from the policy, but this would be one-off, rather than permanent, reduction in the revenue raised.' Farmers also face a potential capital gains tax if the value of the farm has increased since you acquired it. Typically, the farmhouse, as a main residence, would be exempt from this, benefitting from Principal Private Residence Relief, but other properties, assets and land may not be. The farm could qualify for holdover relief, which means the CGT liability passes to the recipient of the gift to pay on the total gain when they eventually dispose of the property. Nestled in the idyllic West Wales countryside lies the quaint little farming village of Llandysul - a place that was once a thriving community. The previously bustling village boasted two schools, four banks, and a host of shops and restaurants, attracting nearby visitors to its array including its famed river. But after a 23 million road was built to by-pass the village, as well as 25 million 'super school' on its outskirts, the village has been left a 'ghost town'. Coupled with high property prices, locals claim changes over the years have turned the vibrant slice of countryside into 'the back of beyond'. With its vanishing high street and banks came empty buildings as well as disused schools - making it prime real estate for drug gangs. In July of this year 2 million worth of cannabis was found in a former primary school in the village, with 1,500 plants sprawling across two floors. Two men, Alfred Perkola, 43, from London and Adli Gjegjaj, 25, from Salford admitted running the farm. A week after the bust the first abandoned school on Marble Terrace caught fire - with the local joking that firefighters were getting high as they fought the flames. In November another gang was charged after a separate cannabis farm with 700 plants in another disused school was discovered next to a main road. After 2 million worth of cannabis was found in July in abandoned school (Pictured) on Marble Terrace, Llandysul Two men, Alfred Perkola, 43, from London and Adli Gjegjaj, 25, from Salford admitted running the farm and pleaded guilty to drug charges (Pictured: Cannabis in the abandoned school) Local joked that firefighters were getting high as they fought the flames in the former school turned cannabis farm (Pictured) But until the two busts, residents had no clue that millions of pounds worth of cannabis was being grown under their noses. Mari Slaymaker, 37, told MailOnline: 'No one knew a thing but the next thing there were police everywhere. 'Cannabis is known as "mwg drwg" (bad smoke) here. When the police raided the place you could smell it in the air. 'The drug gangs seem to target the most obvious buildings, like they are hiding in plain sight. 'We don't know how long they had been growing the stuff for but the police estimated the crop inside the [first] school was worth 2m. 'I've been told they can grow a full crop every three months so they were making a lot of money. A lot more than us locals.' Gentleman's barber and cafe owner Mari has watched in despair as her hometown has become a ghost town but she's trying to breathe new life into the village. She used to bank at the small branch of Barclays in Wind Street, the town's main thoroughfare. More recently three men have been arrested and charged after a cannabis farm was discovered in another disused primary on Heol Llyn Y Fran in the village (Pictured) Until the two busts, residents had no clue that millions of pounds worth of cannabis was being grown under their noses (Pictured: The by-pass built on the outskirts of the village) Some locals have laid blame on disappearing banks (Pictured: previously an HSBC bank) as well as the by-pass for the village's decline Gentleman's barber and cafe owner Mari Slaymaker (Pictured with her pet) has watched in despair as her hometown has declined but she's trying to breathe new life into it However with it's closure, Mari saw a business opportunity to transform the building into a pop-up shop selling seasonal goods. 'I know a lot of business people in the town have retired and the younger generation has left to find work in Cardiff or England,' Mari said. 'The opening of the by-pass means visitors no longer come through Llandysul and we have become a forgotten place.' Despite Llandysul's decline, Mari, who lives with her 17-month-old dog Coco, is hopeful it can make a comeback to its hay-day. 'I'm a glass half full person and if I set myself a goal I usually achieve it,' she said. 'I still believe in the town and I'm positive about the future. I can't wait to open the shop.' A lack of footfall in the village and empty buildings has left it a hotspot for drug gangs to take advantage, according to resident Anne Fletcher. She said: 'A lot less people come here and maybe they [drug gangs] think it's safer now because there are not many people coming in. She saw the former Barclays bank (Pictured) and saw a business opportunity, adding: 'I'm a glass half full person' Rhydian (Picturedleft) recalls playing in the streets and fields as a child - a sight no longer common in the quaint village 'I still love Llandysul but it's the younger generation I feel sorry for,' the 26-year-old Floor Layer added (Pictured: A street in Llandysul) 'It is a quiet sleepy village so there might not be as much activity going around.' The beautician also noted that the changing dynamics of the once tight-knit community has made it easier for thugs to slip under the radar. 'My clients say just ten years ago they used to walk down the street and they used to know everybody,' she said. 'I walk down the high street and there are faces I don't know. 'They are managing to do it a lot more easily now because when we see a new face we don't bat an eyelid anymore,' she said: 'It isn't the community it used to be.' When asked what she believed has contributed to Llandysul's decline, the mother-of-one boiled it down to the disappearing banks. 'The banks shutting the post offices going that made a huge difference from what everyone has said,' she noted. 'This was a thriving little village. Even 15 or 20 years ago it was thriving, but the banks leaving really made a difference.' 'Some people who never locked their doors now they lock them,' she said: 'In the back of your mind you think "oh okay a bit of unsavoury things going on". ' Huw Thomas, 67, echoed the impact of disappearing brick and mortar branches on Llandysul However he does not want the recent cannabis farms found in the quaint West Walian village to define the community However Anne confessed that some people she had spoken to in the area didn't seem too concerned about cannabis farms popping up. 'I don't think people care and that sounds horrific but from what I have gauged it's just a bit of cannabis,' she said: 'But it's not just a bit, its a lot. It's not very nice.' 'They both [the council and Dyfed Powys Police] need to be doing more really at the end of the day.' Floor layers and painters and decorators were busy turning the bank into a smart shop in time for Llandysul's 1,200 inhabitants to do some of their Christmas shopping. But for their Christmas turkey, sausages and meats they will have to travel further afield - the only butcher recently shut his doors after 50 years in the town. Mum-of-four Mandy Evans, 53, - known as 'Handy Mandy', who was gloss painting the doorway of the new shop, said: 'There's not much left here but I'm happy to be helping a new business open. 'It's what Llandysul needs,' she said: 'I worked for the butcher here for 10 years, he was brilliant, delivering to people during Covid to keep them going. 'But he closed and now people have to travel to Newcastle Emlyn, eight miles away.' Floor layer Rhydian Owens 26, who grew up in the village confessed he was concerned for the generations to come in Llandysul. 'I still love Llandysul but it's the younger generation I feel sorry for,' he said. Breian Teifi, 67, grew up only speaking Welsh and can remember being aged four or five when he first heard English being spoken expressed sadness when discussing how Llandysul as well as it's community has changed 'When I was a kid we would be out playing in the streets and the fields - you just don't see that any more.' Huw Thomas, 67, runs the long-standing village staple Cilgwyn Bach pub almost single-handedly, opening at four every day and closing at 11pm. Although he echoed the impact of disappearing brick and mortar branches on Llandysul, the landlord has high hopes for its future despite recent events. 'The banks went one-by-one but a hairdresser has moved into one and now Mari is turning the Barclays building into a shop,' he said 'There is still hope here and it's a strong community.' 'We don't want to be known for being a town where there are drug factories. It was a shock to me that it was going on here. You don't expect it.' 'The first I knew was that there were police everywhere,' he said. 'We had a police helicopter above and they were also flying drones. I've never seen anything like it.' Breian Teifi, 67, runs the Kings Arms in the town, a pub well known for its Friday night whisky club where 15 regulars sample a different bottle of Scotch each week. The father-of-two grew up only speaking Welsh and can remember being aged four or five when he first heard English being spoken in the town. He said: 'People tell me they can walk up the main street now and they don't hear anyone speaking Welsh. It hurts me a lot to lose the language like that. 'It's all changed, you can walk through town now and see people you've never met before. 'It's so sad the world is changing so quickly and it's never going to come back as it was.' Although Breian was mournful over how the village had changed, he acknowledged that the sense of community was still a close. Despite his mourning, he acknowledged there is still a sense close of community, with not even a traffic warden being able to walk the streets without everyone knowing He added: 'That's why it was surprising that these drug farms were going on in the village. Whoever was running them, we never saw them' 'If a traffic warden turns up in Llandysul the whole town knows about it in minutes,' he quipped. 'That's why it was surprising that these drug farms were going on in the village. Whoever was running them, we never saw them.' However the West Wales native revealed it wasn't only a problem in Llandysul alone, with another cannabis farm also being uncovered in a nearby town in November. 'But it's not just here, they found one in Newcastle Emlyn, there are probably more. It's the new thing.' The cannabis farm was discovered in abandoned Co-op store in the town's highstreet only a few doors down from a police station. In March 2023 it was discovered another abandoned primary school - four miles away from Llandysul in the village of Pontsian - was being used to grow cannabis. MALOLOTJA More than 20 illegal miners believed they had struck gold when they entered the Malolotja Green Chert Mine illegally, it was short lived. Their activities came to a swift end as The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF), along with security guards from the Green Chert Mine, apprehended the 30 men, who had gone underground to mine green chert illegally. The men are currently in custody, awaiting their appearance at the Piggs Peak Magistrates Court tomorrow. It is alleged that around 85 zama zamas were present, but approximately 55 of them managed to escape upon realising that soldiers were stationed nearby. In the past, operations like this have led to shootouts, often resulting in the deaths of one or two zama zamas. Despite the presence of armed soldiers and security guards, some men were able to evade capture, leaving behind 30 of their colleagues. Lack The Green Chert Mine is currently non-operational, due to the lack of an environmental compliance certificate and has become a hotspot for illegal mining activities. For the past six months, the mine has remained closed; however, reports indicate that a small number of illegal miners, typically five or fewer, have been taking green chert. Recently, there has been a significant increase in their numbers. The mine is licenced to extract both green chert and gold, and it is located within the Malolotja Nature Reserve, which serves as an animal sanctuary and is home to several rare protected plants. The green chert is readily accessible on the surface, meaning these illegal miners do not need to spend nights in tunnels, as seen with the zama zamas at the old Piggs Peak Mine. Instead, they use fire and dynamite to break through the stone covering the green chert and steal these valuable pieces, which are then sold in a readily available market. Operation The operation conducted by members of the UEDF and Top 2 Security guards reportedly happened so quickly that some of the men thought they were being tested. One of the illegal miners, identified as Jamu, was interrogated by the soldiers and asked to explain how they had gained access to the mining area. He recounted that a certain police officer, named Joko, assured him that nothing would happen to them. Jamu explained that Officer Joko approached him expressing interest in earning a commission if they were successful in mining the green chert. Joko indicated that mining the green chert had become easy due to lax security measures. He informed Jamu that soldiers and security guards had become corrupt and that they would readily allow the miners to operate if approached and compensated. The zama zama invited his colleagues, and together they entered the mine to steal green chert. While they were carrying out their operations, some soldiers approached them and asked what they were doing. Jamu reported that the men openly told the soldiers they were in the nature reserve to mine green chert and claimed they would share the profits. However, they were shocked when, instead of allowing them to continue as Officer Joko had suggested, the soldiers apprehended them. Soldiers After this, the men realised that several soldiers were present alongside the security guards. There was a commotion as most of the individuals managed to flee, leaving only 30 behind. Upon apprehending them, the soldiers allegedly searched the illegal miners for any dangerous weapons. They then sat the miners down, while some soldiers kept guard until the police arrived. The zama zamas were also found with bags of green chert, which were ready for transport. It was reported that each of them could carry about 70 kilogrammes (kg), which meant that had they not been caught, they would have stolen a total of 2 240 kg, potentially generating around E32 000 or E1 000 per person. Although this rock may seem inexpensive compared to gold, it is highly valued as an end product, generating millions of Dollars. Mfanufile Mashinini, the Operations Director at Green Chert Mine, confirmed the recent arrests and expressed frustration over the ongoing illegal activities at the site. The mine is owned by Micheal Lee Enterprise. He reported that 30 individuals had been arrested and praised the soldiers and security guards for their intervention. Mashinini explained that the problem arose because the zama zamas were aware that the mine had been inactive. Thieves For the past six months, while we have been closed, these thieves have been stealing from the mine, he stated. Additionally, he noted that the mines closure has worsened the environmental damage caused by the zama zamas. Illegal miners arrive equipped with explosives and food supplies, prepared for extended stays. When confronted by security forces, they often abandon their belongings, leaving behind litter in the reserve, he said. Mashinini explained that illegal mining disrupts the ecosystem of the Malolotja Game Reserve, harming rare tree species and contaminating water sources. A new Netflix documentary casts a sinister light on the miraculous tale of four indigenous kids who made international headlines last year by surviving a plane crash and then 40 days in the Amazon jungle. People around the world rejoiced when the siblings from Colombia's indigenous Huitoto tribe were found, emaciated but fending for themselves, after their mom and others were killed when their plane went down. The new show The Lost Children takes viewers back to the arduous rescue missions that ultimately saved the children, while revealing the troubled nature of their lives both before and after the disaster. It shows how the children have been in government care since the rescue, amid a bitter custody battle between the family of mom Magdalena Mucutuy, and the dad of two of the siblings, Manuel Ranoque. It also reveals that Ranoque has been in prison, awaiting trial on charges of sexually abusing one of his stepdaughters before the ill-fated flight, since his arrest in August 2023 allegations he denies. Worse still, the mom's relatives even say the children spent such a long time in the jungle because they were hiding from rescue teams, fearful of being returned to their 'abusive' father. The siblings were 13, 9, 4 and 11 months old when the single-engine plane they were traveling in nosedived into the jungle canopy on 1 May 2023, killing their mom and the other two adults on board. The group was traveling from the small village of Araracuara, deep in the Colombian Amazon, to the town of San Jose del Guaviare. Manuel Ranoqueis in prison awaiting trial as he prepares to fight charges that he sexually abused one of his stepchildren The children are currently in the care of Colombian authorities amid the prosecution of Manuel Ranoque for sexual abuse Magdalena died in the plane crash along with the pilot and an Indigenous leader The siblings survived the crash and lived off fruits and seeds from the rainforest before they were found on June 9 by a team of special forces soldiers and indigenous volunteers. The rescuers had been combing the rough terrain around the plane crash for three weeks and used sniffer dogs and helicopters to locate the children, as footage of their mission was televised around the world. In the documentary, the eldest child, Lesly, describes how Magdalena survived the crash but died from her injuries soon after, and how she suffered a painful leg injury but knew she 'had to keep going.' She says she barely slept and at one point had to kill a snake to protect her younger siblings. She knew which jungle fruits were safe to eat, and made a makeshift rod to catch fish, which the kids ate raw, even though it 'tasted horrible,' Lesly says. Still, they struggled to get enough nutrition, and the two youngest siblings were close to death when they were finally rescued. The 1 hour 36 minute show features footage of Ranoque and others cutting through jungle to search the area around the plane, but interviews with the mom's relatives cast an unflattering light on the dad. The kids' aunt Yeritza Mucutuy and their maternal grandmother Fatima Valencia allege that Ranoque 'abused' his partner when they were together. Ranoque, who led rescue efforts for the children, says he will fight the allegations of sexual abuse at trial The six-week search for the children ended on June 9, when all four of them were found weak and hungry but alive The rescue involved Colombian forces and indigenous tribes people who at times worked together, despite decades of mutual mistrust Valencia says he beat her with a curved stick so hard that he left scars on her neck that she hid with her hair. 'I hate that man so much, because of what happened to my sister,' says the aunt. Sensationally, they also suggest the kids deliberately hid from the rescue teams because they did not wish to be reunited with Ranoque, 34. 'Lesley wanted to hide, she didn't want to be found because she didn't want to see Manuel,' says Valencia. 'The kids hid from the search because they were scared.' After the rescue, a custody battle over the siblings broke out pitting Valencia against Ranoque, who was not interviewed in the documentary. Ranoque is the biological father of the two youngest children, Tien and Cristin. The Cessna crashed into thick jungle in southern Colombia, killing all three adults on board, but the four children all miraculously survived Soldiers of the Colombian Air Force and employees of the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) give medical attention inside a plane to the surviving children of a Cessna 206 plane crash The Netflix show features archive footage and dramatic recreations of the jungle rescue mission Members of Colombia's indigenous groups took part in rescue efforts, using their understanding of the jungle and local customs A baby's bottle was found in the jungle near the crash site. The youngest child Cristin Mucutuy was just 11 months old at the time of the accident He also lived with the two older children and their mother for several years before the crash. Ranoque was imprisoned in August 2023 over accusations that he had sexually abused one of the children when they lived together. Prosecutors in Colombia formally charged Ranoque in October 2023 with sexually assaulting a minor, an accusation he denies and says he will challenge in an upcoming trial. The kids are in the care of Colombia's Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF), which on the one-year anniversary of the rescue in June posted a photo of them with their faces blurred. In a statement, the institute said they were healthy and growing up successfully under state care. 'The Mucutuy siblings today spend their days enjoying life and learning,' said the statement. 'They have been accompanied by a team that specializes in ethnic affairs and works so that they don't lose their customs while they are far from their territory.' The ICBF did not answer DailyMail.com's request for an update on the kids and the prosecution. Speaking with DailyMail.com after the rescue, Ranoque admitted that he had cheated on his partner while making a visit to Colombia's capital, Bogota, calling it a 'one-time thing.' 'I am made of flesh and bones and make mistakes,' Ranoque said in an interview in a Bogota hotel. 'Yes I had a woman, but it was never in order to leave Magdalena.' The documentary was directed by Oscar winner Orlando von Einsiedel and released on November 14. Einsiedel says he tried to treat a 'painful human tragedy with the deep respect and sensitivity they deserve.' The show is about 'not only the children's battle to survive in the forest alone, but also the way in which indigenous rescuers and the military were able to overcome their mutual mistrust and fear,' he says. Five people, including two young children, were found dead in an apartment complex late on Saturday night in DeKalb County in Atlanta. Police are investigating the incident, which occurred at the Vineyards at Flat Shoals apartment complex, as a domestic-related murder-suicide. Cops were called to the building after the shooting happened around 7:30pm. Officers found five bodies in the apartment, each bearing gunshot wounds. The victims included two women aged 43 and 26, a 32-year-old man, a five-year-old girl, and a one-year-old baby boy. Five people, including two young children, were found dead in an apartment complex late on Saturday night in DeKalb County outside of Atlanta Police have not yet identified the suspected shooter, leaving the community on edge as they await further details. Investigators are working to piece together the relationships between the victims. The apartment complex remains an active crime scene as detectives and forensic teams comb for evidence. It was the photo that outraged Aussies and sent urban planners into a spin. The image, showing hundreds of similar townhouses with heat-absorbing black roofs in Mickleham on the northern outskirts of Melbourne, was blasted as 'absurd' and 'depressing'. The lack of trees and open spaces that could help soften the impact of rising temperatures was also heavily criticised, with Aussies living there comparing it to a 'sauna'. Sebastian Pfautsch, professor of urban planning at Western Sydney University, told news.com.au that the photograph left him feeling 'angry' at the 'continued ignorance of builders and those that approve the new settlements'. He even went so far as to blame those that live there, saying 'It's obvious that homeowners don't care either'. But homeowners who live in similar urban 'heat islands' in western Sydney disagree; they do care, it's just that they can't do much about it. Tens of thousands of people looking for somewhere to live in Australia's most expensive city are being pushed even further out into isolated and bare-bones suburbs with little defence against scorching heatwaves. Surya Durai, 34, is one of the residents of the new Box Hill development in Sydney's northwest, 48km from the CBD. The photo of cookie-cutter townhouses with heat-absorbing black roofs in Mickleham, on the n nothern outskirts of Melbourne, went viral after being posted on Reddit Box Hill, in northwest Sydney, 48km from the CBD, is similar to Mickleham with its sea of black roofs and little greenery Surya Durai, 34, and his young family are residents of the new Box Hill development Mr Durai took a break from his yardwork on a 33C day to tell Daily Mail Australia that he and his young family have been in the neighbourhood for six months, after buying a 330sqm piece of land and building on it. Asked where he would rather live, he said, 'definitely not on this side of the city'. 'If I can I'll try and get something closer to the city - maybe a unit, because unit prices are down,' he said. Mr Durai, like many residents of Sydney's outer suburbs, has had to compromise with a long commute, a lack of infrastructure and severe heat, in exchange for more affordable housing. Winds from the far west bring hot air to western Sydney over summer, without the relief of the sea breezes in the city's east. Mr Durai said when the heat gets bad he resorts to running his air conditioning 24 hours a day, and stays in the lower level of his house. He has a solar panel that he said 'kind of compensates' for the high electricity cost. His neighbour, Maria Faruqui, is using much the same strategy. Maria Faruqui said given the choice she would 'definitely move closer to the CBD' Academics say masses of black roofs in urban developments create a 'heat island' effect 'We just stay indoors, stay downstairs, and use the air conditioner through the day and night,' she said Ms Faruqui and her husband bought their house for $1.3million three years ago. Though house prices in Box Hill are below Sydney's median of $1.5million, many Aussies would not regard them as cheap - the average price is $1.2million. Ms Faruqui said that given the choice she would 'definitely move closer to the CBD, of course, towards the eastern suburbs'. Her husband works in the city, which is about an hour's drive away during peak hour, or an hour and a half on public transport. Sydney's west can be up to 10C hotter than the rest of the city, and it's not just geography that drives up temperatures. Academics have criticised the urban design of developments like Box Hill, saying that masses of unshaded black roofs absorb heat and create a heat island effect. Residents then rely on their air conditioners, which pump indoor heat back outdoors and only add to the problem. Dr Pfautsch has urged state governments to impose more rules on developers - namely, banning dark roofs. Mr Durai said when he bought his land he was promised schools, parks and sporting areas Box Hill is the sort of development that Prof Pfautsch has lambasted - a sea of dark roofs and asphalt without shade Box Hill is a pocket of high- and medium-density housing surrounded by rural land - one of the areas rezoned for urban development as part of the NSW Government's North West Growth Area. It is the sort of development that Dr Pfautsch has lambasted - a sea of dark roofs and asphalt without shade. Residents who spoke to Daily Mail Australia were not aware of research about dark roofs, but all agreed that the suburb was in need of more parks and greenery. Their concerns are in line with a trend of infrastructure struggling to keep pace with new housing in areas like Marsden Park, Schofields and Oran Park. 'I'd definitely like to see more trees,' Ms Faruqui said. 'We used to rent in Mount Colah and all year round we never needed air conditioning, because it has more greenery and it's on a hill.' The extent of the greenery in Mr Durai's street was a couple of saplings on the berm, only planted a few weeks ago. He said he wanted to see more parks in the suburb. 'When we bought the land we were promised schools, parks, and sporting areas. But once we got this spot we had to fight for the parks. 'We just got one, but there aren't any others around here. The developer is unwilling to give it to the (local) government, he's asking for more money.' Prof Pfautsch said developers should be doing more to let buyers know about heat regulation. A light-coloured roof costs the same as a dark-coloured one, but could save customers $700 in electricity bills a year, he said. 'There's still this unawareness because people are really busy with their lives - when you live in the west it's highly likely that your job is in the east, you commute, you have little time for listening to scientists. 'To some degree I blame developers, but to another degree it comes down to personal information.' A light-coloured roof costs the same as a dark-coloured one, but could save customers $700 in electricity bills a year, Prof Pfautsch said A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said the state has one of the strongest Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) planning measures in Australia - the tool that applies to all new housing developments. Thermal performance and energy standards for homes were increased in October 2023, bringing them in line with the energy efficiency requirements set out in the National Construction Code 2022. 'Under these higher standards, it is more challenging for a building to comply with BASIX requirements if a dark roof is used in specific climate zones, including Greater Sydney,' the spokesperson said. But Prof Pfautsch said an outright ban was the only way to see 'change at a greater scale'. 'Every home that has a dark roof will contribute to heat island effects and urban overheating.' In ultra-progressive San Francisco, parents increasingly seek something a little more traditional for their kids. That's the message from the growing enrollments at Donum Dei Classical Academy and other religious schools in the liberal California city. These private Christian schools weave tradition, faith, and conservative values into the curriculum. Some were founded by Republican fans of president-elect Donald Trump and want Christianity to play a major role in American life. For the parents who use them this means no 'woke' books on library shelves and no talk of gender identity in classrooms. The popularity of the schools, though a worry for some, suggests a backlash against Golden State progressivism. California this year passed a first-in-the-nation law to make it harder for parents to find out when their kids ask to use a different name or pronouns in class. Its public schools are dogged by complaints about teachers encouraging students to change gender without telling their moms or dads, in some cases directing them to sex-change clinics. Enrollments have grown by some 25 students since Donum Dei opened its doors in 2019 Donum Dei co-founder Nate Fischer (second from left) is a right-wing venture capitalist who donated to the campaigns of J.D. Vance, vice president-elect, and other Republicans Public school enrollments are falling. Yonahandi Vaca, a social worker whose child attends Donum Dei, said she chose the 66-student K-8 school 'because it aligned with our Christian belief.' 'I feel like they have a fresh approach on education,' Vaca told The San Francisco Standard. 'I had never heard of classical, and that was really attractive to me: learning things the old way, with cursive and Latin.' The $20,000-a-year school sits in the residential Bernal Heights neighborhood, where Pride flags decorate many windows. It's expanded by some 25 students since opening in 2019. Anonymous contributions jumped from $45,692 that year to $773,319 in 2023. It 'exists to be a gift of God to the families and churches who call San Francisco home,' says its website. 'We seek to impart a rich classical Christian curriculum full of Scriptural truth and life-giving experiences in the hands of our godly, experienced teachers and education partners,' it adds. Meanwhile, Nativity High School opened this fall with 20 students in Inner Richmond. The 25-student Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy in the Richmond opened in 1994, and Stella Maris, in Inner Richmond, has doubled its enrollment to 86 students since its 2021 reboot. They're all located in plush neighborhoods beloved of San Francisco's tech executives and other millionaires, where homes change hands for between $1.3 million and $1.8 million. Many were opened in the past five years. Across the US, the number of religious schools grew by 4.8 percent over that time, says Arcadia Education, a consultancy. Marilyn Bridon, an art teacher and assistant to the head at Stella Maris, a fast-growing classical Christian school, says classes are different to some nearby public schools. Elon Musk famously pulled his Space X and X firms out of California after a state law this year helped children change sex in school without telling their parents Students attend Mass on Fridays and are encouraged to get involved in their parish. There's also a 'triage' system to ensure 'woke books' don't appear on library shelves, she said. 'We certainly don't talk about pronouns in our school,' Bridon told The Standard. 'Parents don't want kids exposed to outside influences that are prevalent in our city.' The schools are variously affiliated with Orthodox and Catholic teachings. Donum Dei is not linked to any particular sect of Christianity, but requires students to have at least one parent involved with a Christian church. The schools focus on classical subjects, such as grammar, logic, and rhetoric. They avoid gender ideology, critical race theory, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Helen Sinelnikoff-Nowak, an administrator and teacher at Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy, says parents want something more traditional for their kids. 'A lot of people in our community have said it's important to them that we're not too far out there, too far to the left,' said Sinelnikoff-Nowak. 'I'm not preaching to parents, but I hear them, and that's what they're looking for.' Controversially, some of the schools don't teach evolution. This has raised questions about science teaching in the schools and whether creationism is presented as fact. When asked about this, Donum Dei Principal Trisha Mammen reportedly said: 'God made earth and man. We did not come from slime.' The school did not answer DailyMail.com's request for comment. Administrators have also blocked a journalist from attending public information sessions about the academy. Other religious schools in San Francisco avoid creationism. Those guided by the Archdiocese of San Francisco 'teach what science can prove,' says Peter Marlow, a district spokesperson. The growing popularity of classical Christian schools comes as San Francisco edges politically to the right. The percentage of city voters who cast ballots for Trump grew from 12.8 percent in 2020 to 16.7 percent in 2024. The Nativity High School opened this fall with 20 students in Inner Richmond The 25-student Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy in the Richmond opened in 1994 Meanwhile, in ballot measures, California voters opted to get tougher on drug and theft crimes and to allow forced labor in prisons. San Francisco was once America's least religious city. This year, it fell behind Seattle, according to a US Census Bureau survey. Local education consultant Vicky Keston says about one-in-ten of her clients are interested in Christian schools and want teachers to 'focus on academics over politics or social justice.' 'In my experience, there are a solid number of parents looking for a school like this,' she said. 'Some parents prefer questions about gender identity to be taught at an older age and for young children not to be actively suggested that they reconsider what their gender is.' Donum Dei was founded in 2019 by right-wing venture capitalist Nate Fischer and his wife, Meghan. They and other co-founders are linked to Calvinism and Dominionism, which promotes a society governed by biblical rules. Fischer's venture capital firm New Founding pours money into tech startups that promote right-wing values, such as gun ownership rights, vaccine skepticism and the gender binary. According to the Federal Election Commission, he donated some $14,000 to Republican candidates in recent election cycles, including J.D. Vance and Ted Cruz. Prince Harry and Meghan have vowed to remain politically neutral in public. And the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's charity the Archewell Foundation prides itself on being non-partisan supporters of good causes in America and around the world. But while their decision to enter a $250,000 partnership with US President Joe Biden's daughter Ashley to support traumatised women has won plaudits, it has also raised eyebrows, especially after the recent row over Harry's US visa application. Greg Swenson, a London-based financier and Chairman of Republicans Overseas UK, told MailOnline today that it is another sign of the closeness between the Sussex and Biden camps. He said: 'The Hollywood and LA scene is very Democrat. 'It shouldnt be any surprise that Harry and Meghan would be connected with the Biden family, given their elite lifestyle and progressive friends'. He added: 'Although it seems to be virtue signalling, I dont think there is any harm in supporting a charity', but added that given the recent row over Joe Biden's decision to pardon his own son Hunter, the Sussexes would be 'probably wise to stay away from them'. This week it emerged that the Archewell Foundation is a founding partner at a wellness hub for women impacted by trauma which pioneers a radical new type of therapy that Ashley Biden credits with helping her process her brother Beau's death at the age of just 46 in 2015. Based in north Philadelphia, the Women's Wellness (Spa)ce was created by Ashley who envisioned the space as a 'drop-in space where women can eat a healthy meal, hit the treadmill or box, listen to guided meditation, and access therapies including EMDR and infrared saunas'. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released their annual report for their charity the Archewell Foundation, which revealed a new link with the Bidens The Duke and Duchess of Sussex , who insisted that they would remain politically neutral in public ahead of the State's presidential election in November, are now connected with the First Daughter (pictured with President Biden in 2017), 43, through a non-partisan initiative Prince Harry and Joe Biden watch USA Vs Denmark in the wheelchair rugby match at the Invictus Games Orlando in 2016 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex urged Americans to 'reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity' and register to vote in the 2020 US election In a court decision handed down in September, US District Judge Carl Nichols said the court agreed that Prince Harry's 'privacy interest outweighs any public interest' after Biden administration lawyers won the case to keep the documents sealed Ashley Biden, 43, is a social worker whose passion is helping women released from prison, and according to tax documents Harry and Meghan's charity gave her project $250,000 a year or more ago. It is yet another sign that the Sussexes have become close to the Bidens, who have been highly supportive of the Invictus Games, which celebrated its ten-year anniversary this year. Harry has also had the headache of a legal battle over his visa application in recent months. He moved to Montecito with Meghan Markle and Archie in 2020 but his 2023 memoir Spare reveals he took cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms as a younger man. Visa applicants must by law declare whether they have taken drugs - and if the lied on their forms they could be deported. But the Biden administration is said to have helped support him by refusing to release the Duke's application in a claim brought by a conservative think tank in New York earlier this year. Conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation had sued the Department of Homeland Security, demanding that the American public must know if Harry disclosed his drug use on his visa application - but lost. After the Heritage Foundation tried to overturn the decision, lawyers for the Biden administration responded by doubling down on its defence of the handling of Harry's move to the US in 2020. A Government court filing read: 'The evidence before the Court plainly sufficed to show that [Heritage's] speculation of impropriety was unfounded. Donald Trump could, however, intervene to have it released when he takes office in January. He has already said he is 'no fan' of Meghan. Harry and Meghan stayed quiet before the 2024 election, with some saying that not upsetting Mr Trump was a priority given the row over his immigration status. But in 2020 they appeared to back Joe Biden when they made a video urging Americans to go out and vote to 'reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity'. Meghan herself has long been rumoured to have political ambitions - but these have not yet materialised. Ms Markle is said to have approached California Governor Gavin Newsom about whether he would support her replacing Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein, who died last September. But another candidate was chosen. Beau Biden tragically passed away at the age of 46 in 2015 after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma. His death is just one in a series of tragedies that have befallen the Biden family; with the president's first wife Neilia, mother to Beau and Hunter, and one-year-old sister, Naomi, dying in a car accident in 1972. Harry and Meghan's support for Ashley's centre was revealed in the foundation's Impact Report for the 2023-2024 year, which was published on Monday and illustrates the Duke and Duchess' philanthropic efforts through the organisation that they founded in 2020. The Impact Report for the Archewell Foundation's third full year has been released Meghan hugs a young woman at one of the couple's Archewell-related events with Harry out of shot to her left Harry and Meghan together in Columbia for their most recent foreign tour Harry and Meghan with member of the Muslim community in their new glossy video The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spent recent months focussing on more solo charity and business ventures, rarely appearing together since their joint tour to Colombia over the summer. But despite reports of a 'professional separation', they are front and centre of a new behind-the-scenes video of Archewell's major moments of the past 12 months with Coldplay's Sky Full of Stars as the soundtrack to the near-two minute film. It shows the couple together at a number of events as well as Meghan cooking with women plus footage of their trips across the US and abroad mainly together and sometimes apart. This week the Archewell Foundation released its annual report, which reveals that the Sussexes' have partnered with US President Joe Biden's daughter Ashley to create a wellness hub for women impacted by trauma in Philadelphia which pioneers a radical new type of therapy, giving a $250,000 donation. The charity's US tax return for 2023 has also been published, which reveals income has reached $5.7million last year, mainly thanks to a mystery benefactor who gave $5million in a single donation plus $335,000 from five other individuals. The Archewell Foundation handed out $1.3million in grants to good causes in the US and other parts of the world. Expenditure on other costs such as salaries, event costs, legal fees and travel was just under $2million in 2023. Harry and Meghan are directors but do not get paid a salary. The charity's tax return says they work a nominal one-hour-per-week, which according to People is 'a standard practice for directors of US tax-exempt organisations'. But the Sussexes' right-hand man James Holt, a co-executive director, was paid a $228,500 salary plus $18,428 in benefits from January to December 2023. Co-executive director Shauna Nep, who is also close to the royal couple, earned a salary of $272,241 plus additional benefits totaling $26,356. Communications manager Deesha Tank was paid $140,000 plus $7,100 in 'other compensation', according to the US tax filings. The new report reveals they paid $155,000 to Herlihy Loughran. The consultancy is run by Beth Herlihy, a former actress who once played a stripper in UK teen soap opera Hollyoaks and has been a loyal worker for the Sussexes after she was laid off by Kensington Palace following Megxit. James Holt, the couple's most loyal aide, is a co-executive director and paid a $228,500 salary plus $18,428 in benefits Beth Herlihy, a former Hollyoaks Later actress who was hired by Kensington Palace in 2016 has helped the Sussexes across the pond after Megxit. The Archewell Foundation paid $155,000 to Herlihy Loughran, a consultancy run by Beth The new tax return for the Archewell Foundation shows what staff and directors are paid. Harry and Meghan do not claim a salary On Wednesday Prince Harry used a New York media summit to challenge persistent online rumours that his marriage to Meghan Markle is on the rocks after six years. The Duke of Sussex was one of the star guests at the annual DealBook Summit live where he let rip at 'trolls', insisting he feels 'sorry' for them because they 'hope' they will split up. He also used the event, also attended by Jeff Bezos and Bill Clinton, to criticise Britain's legal system, Government, media and being in the public eye, declaring the attention was 'definitely not a good thing'. And Harry revealed he and wife have no plans to return to the UK - with their children at the heart of the decision - because Archie, five, and Lilibet, three can do things in America that they 'undoubtedly wouldn't be able to do in the UK'. With his wife Meghan 2,500 miles away at a gala event in Los Angeles with friend Tyler Perry, Harry was asked by the event's founder Andrew Ross Sorkin about the public's fixation on their relationship. 'They're fascinated Meghan is in California right now, and you're here. There are articles left and right about: 'Why are you making, doing independent events? Why aren't you doing them together?' The Duke of Sussex then dismissed claims that he and Meghan are struggling. 'Apparently we've bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We've apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. So it's just like, 'what?',' Harry said laughing. 'It's hard to keep up with, but that's why you just sort of ignore it. The people I feel most sorry about are the trolls. 'Their hopes are just built and built, and it's like, 'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes', and then it doesn't happen. So I feel sorry for them. Genuinely, I do.' Prince Harry quashed rumours online that he and Meghan have 'apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times', blaming trolls Prince Harry said that he and wife Meghan Markle have zero plans to leave the US, citing security concerns in the UK Meghan Markle attended an event in LA without Harry, who was in New York at the same time The couple, last pictured together on Armistice Day in November, have done an increasing amount of engagements separately in recent months Harry and Meghan chose to carry out events separately, amid repeated reports of a 'professional separation' to pursue more of their own personal business and charity passions. The Duchess of Sussex wowed in a strapless black Oscar de la Renta gown with a sizzling front slit and strappy Celine heels at the The Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills, held at the iconic Beverly Wilshire Hotel. She grinned on the red carpet with friend Tyler Perry, one of the Sussexes' biggest supporters. Ever since the frenzied nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union that characterised the Cold War, humankind has held the horrifying power to erase itself from existence in a radioactive firestorm. Despite various multilateral arms limitation treaties, the number of nuclear warheads held by the two most well-armed powers - the US and Russia - still sits well into the thousands, more than enough for total mutually assured destruction. In the event of a large-scale nuclear launch from any state, its foes would almost certainly let loose their own doomsday machines, turning much of the globe into a nuclear wasteland. But Vladimir Putin's decision to hit Ukraine with a never-before-seen hypersonic, nuclear-capable missile last month forced world leaders and military chiefs to confront a new possibility - that of a single, well-placed strike on a target in the West or one of its allies. Though early warning systems would hopefully detect a missile launch directed at the West, giving defensive networks a chance to intercept, there remains a scenario in which a major Western city could suffer an isolated attack. With the help of a model produced by Alex Wellerstein, a professor and historian of nuclear technology, MailOnline examines the devastating effect of a single Russian Topol-M SS-27 ICBM if detonated above some of Europe and America's major population centres. The Topol is by no means Russia's most devastating nuclear weapon - the likes of the RS-36 'Satan' ICBM carries multiple warheads each with a yield order of magnitude greater. But the modern Topol missile's warhead still comes with an estimated yield of roughly 800 kilotons - more than 50 times the power of the first atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile test-launched from a missile silo at Plesetsk Cosmodrome In the event of a large-scale nuclear launch from any state, its foes would almost certainly let loose their own doomsday machines, turning much of the globe into a nuclear wasteland Topol-M missile at a Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russia The following estimations of casualty figures and damage reports are based on the event of a Topol-M 800-kiloton warhead exploding a few hundred feet above the ground. The figures do not take into account the untold numbers of people who would perish following days, weeks or months of the blast from the effects of acute radiation sickness amid the radioactive fallout, lack of access to food, water, power, medical care and other basic services. Western Europe London, Westminster As the explosion forms a towering mushroom cloud in the air, fires would spread over a large area, even putting people in underground shelters at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Anyone within three square kilometres of the detonation of the Topol is instantly vaporised by a towering fireball as hot as the sun (inner yellow ring). The Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square are completely and utterly destroyed. Within a fraction of a second, the heat would cause a high-pressure shockwave to spread out from the blast, tearing through buildings with powerful force at supersonic speed. Anyone living within 134sq km - as far away as Wandsworth, Camden and Hackney - is almost certainly wiped out due to horrific injuries and total body burns amid widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure (inner grey ring). Large numbers of people living as far out as Stratford, Chiswick, Lewisham and Wimbledon are liable to suffer third-degree burns and buildings as far as Kingston, Croydon and Ilford suffer significant damage. Wellerstein's model predicts that almost 1 million people would be killed instantly, with 2.2 million more suffering severe injuries, many of which would likely lead to death. Paris Casualties in the French capital would likely be even worse. Some 1.5 million are expected to be killed immediately by the blast, with the toll of injured rising to 2.7 million. A Topol detonated over central Paris wipes the Eiffel Tower and the Palais de Chaillot off the map, with the world-famous Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and Montparnasse Tower reduced to rubble. Residents are far out as the suburbs of Saint-Denis suffer third-degree burns, and the windows of Paris Orly airport some 15km south of the Eiffel Tower would be shattered by the shockwave. Amsterdam The Dutch capital is less densely populated than London and Paris, meaning casualty figures are lower. But Amsterdam's comparatively small size means much of the city is wiped out. Roughly 370,000 people are killed in the moments following the blast with more than 530,000 expected to sustain severe injuries. The city centre and the nearby port are totally demolished with buildings in the neighbouring city of Haarlem suffering damage from the shockwave. Rome The Topol leaves some 770,000 inhabitants dead in Rome, with more than 1 million suffering grievous harm. The Italian capital's treasured Colosseum crumbles to dust along with the Pantheon and much of Rome's Old Town. A few kilometres from the epicentre of the blast, the Vatican also suffers massive damage with most of its inhabitants likely killed. The shockwave of the explosion continues outward, wreaking havoc and shattering windows as far as the town of Dragona, just a few kilometres from the shore of the Mediterranean. Central Europe Berlin Almost 640,000 people perish within moments of the blast over central Berlin, with almost double - 1.2 million - left with brutal injuries. The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin cathedral, the instantly recognisable TV tower spire and the Reichstag - Germany's Parliament building - are pulverised. People living as far as the suburbs of Spandau and Wilhelmstadt suffer significant burns and the punishing shockwave affects buildings on the outskirts of the city of Potsdam several dozen kilometres south west. Warsaw Some 615,000 people in Warsaw are eliminated by the Topol-M airburst and the raging fireball with another 750,000 sustaining injuries. Most of Warsaw's old town as well as its burgeoning financial and business centre are wiped out. The Royal Castle is razed to the ground along with the Warsaw local history museum, with the brutal shockwaves reaching as far as the outskirts of the Kampinoski National Park nearly 20km away. Nordics Helsinki In the more sparsely populated Finnish capital on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, a Topol-M blast causes the deaths of more than 120,000 and deals savage injuries to roughly 300,000 more. Several islands of the archipelago on which the capital is built are devastated, while Helsinki airport some 16kms inland is hit by the shockwave and sustains some damage. Stockholm In the Swedish capital, the death is toll more than twice that of Helsinki, standing at 268,000, while the number of injured rises to 500,000. Stockholm's archipelago is also more densely concentrated than Helsinki, meaning more vital architecture and infrastructure are laid to waste. The Swedish Royal Palace, Stockholm City Hall and the Vasa Museum are all eviscerated with the blast radius stretching out to Danderyd, Djursholm, Huddinge and Boo. US Washington DC A Topol-M strike at the heart of the American political capital erases several landmarks and locations synonymous with US history and politics. The White House and the Capitol building are demolished along with the instantly recognisable Washington Monument, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum and the National Archives. Estimated fatalities rack up to 485,000 with another 839,000 suffering severe injuries. People living as far as Alexandria and Bethesda are hit with third-degree burns, with the shockwave extending out far beyond Silver Spring and College Park. New York An airburst over central New York unsurprisingly would have catastrophic consequences given the population density and massive infrastructure. The immediate fireball vaporises almost everyone in Soho, Little Italy, the Lower East Side, East Village and West Village, with the eruption levelling buildings and slaying people in Midtown, Long Island, Williamsburg, Brooklyn and the Upper East Side, as well as those across the river in Jersey City and Hoboken. People in Harlem, Bushwick and North Bergen are dealt third-degree burns, with the shockwave extending as far as the Bronx and toward the outskirts of Yonkers. Some 1,560,000 are killed with the number of injured almost reaching 3,000,000. The Topol-M is by no means the most powerful nuke in Russia's arsenal. But even a 500-kiloton nuclear bomb - almost half as powerful as the Topol-M - would still raze buildings and kill nearly 100 per cent of those within half a mile of the epicentre of the blast. If dropped on Westminster, that would mean the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, St Thomas's Hospital and Westminster Abbey being completely obliterated by the thermal blast. 'That blast wave will keep rolling - it will drop off severely, but it will keep going - destroying buildings and causing casualties out until about two and a half miles,' Dr Jeffrey Lewis, a professor at the Middlebury Institute, told MailOnline. In London, that encompasses the Tower of London and Battersea Power Station. Most of Hyde Park, half of Regent's Park, Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Belgravia. The damage would span from Camden to Brixton. The Royal Albert Hall, Barbican and the Bank of England would likely collapse in the strike. Fires would rage and emergency services outside of the capital would be stifled by collapsing infrastructure and piles of rubble up to 30ft deep. A direct strike on the centre would see a 'likely fatal' ring of radiation stretching as far as the easternmost part of Hyde Park, with most buildings collapsing in the City and around the Kensington and Chelsea areas. Beyond that, residents in Camden, Islington, Tower Hamlets, Lambeth and Wandsworth would suffer third-degree burns. And six miles away, from Chiswick to Stratford, residents would likely suffer injuries as the blast shatters windows and causes damage to houses. Your browser does not support iframes. Those able to shelter inside a building, ideally ducking under a desk or into a cupboard in case the ceiling collapses, stand a better chance of surviving - but the shockwave at this distance could still be fatal. While the fatal ring of radiation is limited to the very heart of the city, its effects could spread beyond the M25 depending on the weather, stifling the victims' ability to produce natural defences against infection. Those affected would feel nausea as exposure damaged blood vessels and bone marrow, weakening the body's ability to produce white blood cells needed to fight infection. As the body starts to decay, victims are left vulnerable to outside infections and internal haemorrhaging. In a densely populated city like London, a 500kt blast could foreseeably kill as many as 400,000 people in an instant. But more than 850,000 could also sustain injuries from the blast, shockwave and radiation. With much of London's infrastructure taken out, it would likely be hospitals and fire departments in the capital's suburban sprawl that take on responsibility for treating casualties, putting unprecedented pressure on local services. But 'all of the dedicated burn beds around the world would be insufficient to care for the survivors of a single nuclear bomb on any city,' warns the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. The fatalities would invite pests and disease, spreading illness further around a population already decimated by compromised immune systems and creating new epidemics. Significant strikes - nuclear or otherwise - on large population centres would also stifle business, causing huge supply chain disruptions in Britain and beyond. At home and overseas, livelihoods reliant on trade with London would be disrupted or destroyed even if they escaped the physical effects of a blast. And with communication networks likely knocked offline, the response to dealing with plague, injury and demolition would be slow and awkward. A mushroom cloud rises after the so-called Tsar Bomba was detonated in a test over the remote Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the USSR, in this still image from previously classified footage taken in October 1961 The fireball created by the Tsar Bomba, the most powerful nuclear weapon ever tested Russian Topol M intercontinental ballistic missile launcher rolls along Red Square during the Victory Day military parade to celebrate 72 years since the end of WWII and the defeat of Nazi Germany, in Moscow, Russia on May 9, 2017 Hiroshima and Nagasaki, both destroyed by American atom bombs in 1945, show how communities can rebuild cities from the ground up after their total destruction. The bomb that hit Nagasaki caused ground temperatures to reach 4000C and radioactive rain to fall over the beleaguered survivors. Ninety per cent of physicians and nurses were killed in Hiroshima and 42 of 45 hospitals were rendered non-functional. Even as survivors were moved on and rebuilding efforts commenced, within five to six years the victims began reporting a higher incidence of blood, thyroid, breast and lung cancers. Pregnant women experienced higher rates of miscarriage and infant mortality, scarring the next generation and stultifying hopes for the future. Britain is fortunate to be among the countries with preparations in place to stop an incoming attack. But experts warn the defences are not comprehensive and could be easily overwhelmed. But it is not only the nuclear threat that poses a direct challenge to Britain's defences, experts warn. The war in Ukraine has shown the urgency of anti-missile defence systems - and the UK has long left itself exposed to all manner of attacks from above. 'There are some basic things we need to do in this country and we are failing on all of them,' Edward Lucas, a security expert and politician, tells MailOnline. 'We were not properly equipped during the Cold War' and since then have retired many of the tools used to prepare the public and avoid the nuclear threat. In Britain, RAF Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, stations the site for the European Relay Grounds Station, which picks up information from the American Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS) satellite system. RAF Fylingdales, on Britain's east coast, also shares information with the US and tries to calculate the trajectories of incoming missiles, allowing interceptors to knock them out. The moment Russia used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile for the first time to strike Dnipro, on November 21 In the event of a missile launch, it is unlikely an adversary would fire just the one rocket, however, meaning Britain's 'means of destroying missiles will only be able to deal with a limited ballistic missile threat', according to a 2003 Ministry of Defence White Paper. At the time, barely a decade after Britain retired its Cold War bunkers, air raid sirens and public warning systems, the government warned of the 'immediate state threat' of Iraq but assessed that there was 'no immediately significant ballistic missile threat to the UK'. Edward Lucas told MailOnline that while London likely would be protected by anti-missile defence systems, 'we have given up on anti-missile defences in this country'. An alert from SBIRS would likely see the UK move its Type 45 destroyers to the English Channel and Thames Estuary in order to cut off incoming missiles before they land. This would make London one of the best-guarded places in the British Isles. But Britain only has six Type 45 destroyers, each equipped with Sea Viper missiles able to knock out up to 16 targets mid-air, from some 70 miles away. Each volley could in principle knock 420 nuclear weapons out of the sky by those figures. Russia alone has an estimated 5,580. The Type 45s are Britain's only defence against Russian multi-missile attacks, the former head of the UK Armed Forces, General Sir Nick Carter, warned MPs last year. And while Ukraine has shown 'how important it is' to have strong stockpiles of anti-missile defences, Mr Lucas says, Britain finds itself desperately lacking. Destroyers represent Britain's best anti-missile defences, he says, but continued success would come to depend on the American ability to continue resupplying the Navy. In World War II, Britain was able to manufacture plenty of low-tech defences against incoming attacks. Today, there is no equivalent to the American Patriot System, or the Israeli Iron Dome, able to prevent repeated attacks from incoming missiles. Sir Nick Carter, former Chief of the Defence Staff, told MPs last June that 'the extent to which we've got a counter-missile system is debatable,' suggesting the only system comparable to Patriot was the Type 45s. The disappearance of Claudia Lawrence has baffled detectives for more than 15 years. Privately educated chef Claudia was 35 when she vanished without a trace after failing to turn up to work at York University on March 19, 2009. Despite an extensive investigation, there are still key questions that remain unanswered in what has become one of Britain's most well-known unsolved murders. The search for Claudia was launched after her friend grew worried when she did not turn up at her local pub The Nag's Head. Friends informed Claudia's father Peter the next day when she still failed to answer any calls. Peter visited her home in the Heworth area of York to find she was nowhere to be seen. Five weeks after she was reported as a missing person, the case was escalated to a suspected murder investigation - despite her body never being found. What ensued was a search costing more than 1.5m, with hundreds of officers working to piece together what happened to the chef. North Yorkshire Police has conducted two investigations and questioned nine people but no charges have ever been brought. Looking back at the disappearance and evidence found by police in the years following, MailOnline has studied the FIVE overarching questions that still remain. Claudia Lawrence was 35 when she was reported missing after failing to turn up for work at York University on March 18, 2009 The search for Claudia was launched after her friend grew worried when she did not turn up at her local pub The Nag's Head Who was the mystery man who was spotted outside Claudia's home? The last definite sighting of Claudia had been on March 18, 2009, after she finished work at Goodricke College. Later that evening, at around 8pm, she spoke to her father on the phone. She then called her mother Joan and the pair watched and spoke about the TV programme Location, Location, Location. Claudia was said to have sounded normal and relaxed during the call, and had told her mother she was going to sleep early because her car was in the garage and she would need to walk to a work - a 45-minute journey. The next day she did not turn up to her 6am shift at the university canteen, but when her father forced himself in the next day, it seemed as though she had left for work - her used breakfast plates were in the sink, and her chef's whites, rucksack and mobile phone were all missing. A man is seen lurking on Heworth Road in York near the home of missing chef Claudia Lawrence on the last night before she failed to turn up to work A CCTV image shows a man walking down Heworth Place, which leads to the rear of Claudia's house, before returning a minute later with a bag over their shoulder Following her disappearance police searched the inside of her York home for clues After a thorough search, authorities were unable to find any clues from the property Following enquiries, police were able to uncover CCTV footage of a man standing behind Claudia's house on the morning of her disappearance. A witness also told police there was a man, aged around 55 to 65, seen standing outside her property at around 6.45am that morning. While Claudia was understood to be single, she was said to have had several secret relations with men who are thought to have been married or in other relationships. Images retrieved by police from the same CCTV camera the night before showed what looks to be the same man outside the house. A dark figure can be seen hanging about the area, looking as though he was waiting to meet someone. The images were timestamped around 7.15pm on March 18 - around an hour before Claudia was on the phone with her parents. Questions over who the identity of the mystery man has never been confirmed, with detectives still believing establishing his identity could help solve the case. Claudia's father, Peter (pictured together), died in 2021, never knowing what happened to his daughter Her mother, Joan, continues to hold onto hope that the truth will come out, as she is 'haunted every day' by not knowing what happened to her daughter Why was there a cigarette butt in her car? Claudia's Vauxhall Corsa was being repaired at a garage at the time of her disappearance. When police examined the car for clues, they found an Embassy Regal cigarette butt in the ashtray and forensic tests showed that the DNA profile belonged to a male. It was also believed to have come from a left-handed smoker. Police hoped that running a DNA match could aid them in getting to the bottom of the case. But despite still periodically running checks through the national DNA database, they have never been able to identify the smoker. Claudia was not a smoker, but it is understood she had no issue with friends and family smoking while in the car. Senior investigating officer at North Yorkshire Police, Wayne Fox, told The Times earlier this year that 'all those known to have been in contact with the car assisted the inquiry and are eliminated on the basis of DNA recovery'. Where is her body? In 2021, a search was carried out at Sand Hutton Gravel Pits, near York. The family were left heartbroken after it found 'nothing of obvious significance' Police officers outside the home of missing university chef Claudia Lawrence in Heworth, York Claudia lived by herself at a two-bedroom terraced house in Heworth when she disappeared. But when police attended her house, there was nothing to suggest something had happened to her while in the property. Police believe that Claudia was murdered, yet her body has never actually been found. A number of searches were conducted as recently as 2021 but to no avail. It seemed as though there was a potential breakthrough in the case when specialist teams searched for Claudia's remains in the Sand Hutton gravel pits - about eight miles out from York - in August 2021. However, nothing came of this. Claudia's mobile phone - a silver Samsung D900 - and her blue and grey Karrimor rucksack which had her chef's whites were missing when police searched her house, suggesting she had left for work on the morning of March 19. These items were also never found. The last message Claudia sent before her disappearance was at 8.23pm on March 18, around the time she was speaking to her parents. The final text she received was on the same night at 9.12pm from a friend in Cyprus. Her phone was then deliberately turned off at around 12.10pm on March 19. Mystery couple arguing outside the university A motorist reported seeing a man and woman arguing outside the University of York campus at around 6.10am on March 19 - Claudia's shift was supposed to start at the university's Goodricke College at 6am. The witness told police the couple had been arguing next to a parked car which had the passenger-side door opened. Just half an hour before, at around 5.35am, a cyclist also reported a sighting of a couple near the electricity substation at Melrosegate bridge, which is on Claudia's route to work. It was said the man had been smoking a cigarette in his left hand, suggesting there could be a link to the cigarette butt found in Claudia's car. Despite several high-profile appeals by the police, the man has never been traced. The mystery man was described as being 5ft 6in tall, wearing combat trousers and a dark hooded top which covered his face. The woman, who could have been Claudia, was described as being shorter with dark blonde hair, wearing a white t-shirt, overcoat, jeans and white trainers. It is believed if information were to come forward about the identity of the smoker, it could be a crucial point in solving the case. Who was in the car behind Claudia's house? In 2014, police released CCTV footage of what they thought could be 'highly significant' in the case. It showed a vehicle near Claudia's house on the morning of March 19. The video revealed an old-style silver Ford Focus driving along Heworth Road around 5.42am. It was seen braking as it approached Claudia's house. Police also attempted to trace the owner of white Vauxhall Astra which was also caught on CCTV on the evening of March 18. The car was parked opposite the road from Claudia's house, by a Costcutter shop and local chippie, at 9.01pm and remained there for at least 30 minutes. Detectives tried to track down the owners of the cars, releasing the footage in an appeal for information, but the vehicles were never tracked down. The invasion of the Florida Everglades by an alien predator with no known enemies has reached a tipping point. Biologists are now warning of mass extinctions of native animal populations if the invasive species is not brought under control soon. A Burmese python can devour prey six times its size, including whole deer and alligators, a study by three scientists with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida found. The researchers discovered one 115.2-pound female python consuming a 77-pound white-tailed deer while gathering data for the study, which appeared in the scientific journal 'Reptiles & Amphibians'. A video taken by Ian Bartoszek, one of the authors, showed the snake's jaw unhinged so wide that its mouth could fit around the deer's entire torso. 'Watching an invasive apex predator swallow a full-sized deer in front of you is something that you will never forget,' he said. Scientists knew pythons attacked foxes, bobcats, raccoons and other animals, but the discovery they can eat creatures as large as 14ft long alligators has sparked concern. 'The impact the Burmese python is having on native wildlife cannot be denied. This is a wildlife issue of our time for the Greater Everglades ecosystem,' Bartoszek said. The Everglades is a massive wetland at the southern tip of Florida. It spans 1.5 million acres and has endangered species such as the West Indian manatee, the American crocodile and the Loggerhead sea turtle A 115.2-pound female Burmese python is seen devouring a 77-pound white-tailed deer somewhere in Everglades National Park Your browser does not support iframes. The 'gape' of Burmese pythons - the scientific term for how wide their mouths open - reached up to 8.7 inches in diameter based on previous studies, according to the Conservancy. Based on the three snakes the scientists recently captured and held in captivity, it's now evident their gape can in fact widen to 10.2 inches, or a circumference of 32 inches. Pictured: The 'gape' of the Burmese python today compared to the roughly nine-inch limit the snake previously clocked in at With that size of mouth opening, these pythons were able to eat animals six times larger than similar-sized snakes of different species, the Conservancy concluded. Pythons are able to do this because their lower jawbones are not fused at the front. Their skin is also incredibly elastic which allows them to stretch over an animal that's seemingly much larger than them. Now that it's known pythons in the Everglades National Park can eat pretty much anything, the scientists who worked on the study vowed to be more vigilant. 'Besides the large absolute size of the deer that was eaten being impressive, our anatomical measurements indicate this deer was very near the size limit on the prey that could be consumed by this snake,' said Bruce Jayne, a professor at the University of Cincinnati. He continued: 'Hence, these snakes resemble over achievers by sometimes testing the limits of what their anatomy allows rather than being slackers that eat only "snack size" prey.' In 2022, a geoscientist who doubles as a bikini model shared footage of her and her team removing a five foot alligator from the bowels of an 18-foot Burmese python. Contractors with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission show off a Burmese python caught Tuesday, August 13, 2024, in the Everglades Pictured: Scientists perform a necropsy on a Burmese python that recently ate a large deer Rosie Moore told DailyMail.com at the time that the python was located in the Everglades. And like the scientists from the Conservancy, she too was worried about the snakes' impact on the local wildlife. 'They called us and they said there was a large object in it, we thought it was either a deer or an alligator,' she said. 'They called us and they said there was a large object in it, we thought it was either a deer or an alligator.' Researchers clarified that they don't precisely know how many Burmese pythons in the wild are actually capable of swallowing whole deer, but the Conservancy did identify one in 2018 that was able to eat a white-tailed fawn bigger than the snake itself. Burmese pythons were not always native to Florida. There are conflicting reports on how they became so numerous - with 'tens of thousands' of them estimated to be in the Greater Everglades - but most sources agree they were originally people's pets. The practice of Floridians domesticating the snakes dates back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, even though they are fully capable of killing and eating a human being. Burmese pythons were introduced to the state via the exotic pet trade as early as 1979, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It is believed that many owners of these dangerous constrictor snakes didn't know what to do with them when they swelled past 200 pounds and grew as long as 20 feet - so they let them out of their cages and into the wild where they proliferated. Over the past 12 years, the Conservancy's Burmese python research team has tagged 120 snakes with radio tags to continually study their behavior in the wild. They have also removed 770 adult pythons from a 150-square-mile area in southwest Florida. University of Western Mustangs linebacker Matt Janes relaxes at home with his a nine-foot Burmese python in 1986 Mary Rollins is pictured putting a Burmese python in a suitcase in September 1981 Donna Kalil poses with one of her catches. Kalil is a hunter with the South Florida Water Management Districts python elimination program Jayne estimated that if each one of these snakes ate just one deer as big as they could swallow, it would amount to more than 13,000 pounds of deer. To put that in perspective, the average American eats about 224 pounds of red meat and poultry in a year, according to the US Department of Agriculture. 'We have been removing pythons and advancing invasive snake science for over a decade. These animals continue to impress us each season and one thing weve learned for certain is to not underestimate the Burmese python,' Bartoszek said. Jayne wholeheartedly agreed with his colleague, adding: 'This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of their impact on prey populations.' A stunning beauty spot that is home to acres of rugged cliffs and desert rivers has been dubbed 'Oregon's Grand Canyon'. The state's governor Tina Kotek is currently petitioning for the gorgeous Owyhee Canyonlands to become the next natural wonder. Kotek, 58, made a final plea to President Joe Biden to designate more than a million acres of the land in eastern Oregon a national monument under the Antiquities Act. 'The landscape of this area is a national treasure with stunning geological features and culturally significant sites that reflect the deep history and heritage of this part of Oregon,' she wrote in a November 22 letter. 'The devastating consequences for the future of this iconic landscape are simply too great not to act now. Please proceed with a national monument designation.' The Antiquities Act allows a president to designate a national monument if the area has cultural or historical significance. Congress can also protect land under the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The 2.5-million acre area has a deep history within the Northern Paiute, Bannock and Shoshone tribes, and attracts scores of tourists to Malheur County, according to The Oregonian. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is petitioning for the gorgeous Owyhee Canyonlands to become the next natural wonder The governor made a final plea to President Joe Biden in his last weeks in office to designate more than a million acres of the land in eastern Oregon as a national monument 'The landscape of this area is a national treasure with stunning geological features and culturally significant sites that reflect the deep history and heritage of this part of Oregon,' the governor wrote in a November 22 letter The Owyhee Canyonlands are home to sage grouse, bighorn sheep, elk, and deer. Their habitats could be threatened without federal protection due to invasive grasses and juniper. Fish also risk poor conditions as the riverside needs to be preserved, The Oregonian reported. For years, Oregon politicians from both parties have attempted to get the Owyhee Canyonlands federally protected, but both chambers of Congress have failed to vote on preservation measures. US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have proposed protecting the area at least three times over the last five years. Wyden is 'still pulling out all the stops' to get the proposal passed, according to his spokesman, Hank Stern. The senators' most recent proposal asked for 30,000 acres in the canyonlands to be put into a trust that will be overseen by the Burns Paiute Tribe. 'The legislative route has bipartisan momentum in the House and Senate. And a bill remains the best path to protect wilderness, provide ranchers more grazing flexibility and return ancestral lands to the Burns Paiute Tribe rather than a monument that the incoming administration would likely move to undo at a moments notice,' Stern told The Oregonian. Their proposal has not yet received a vote from Congress, but could see movement within the next three or four weeks. For years, various Oregon politicians from both parties have attempted to get the Owyhee Canyonlands federally protected, but both houses of Congress have failed to vote on preservation measures The lands have a deep history within the Northern Paiute, Bannock and Shoshone tribes, and bring in a lot of tourism to Malheur County People have compared the Oregon canyonlands to the Grand Canyon (pictured) 'As the clock ticks on 2024, all eyes are now focused on President Biden and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as Oregonians are depending on them to take the decisive steps necessary to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands before the end of the year,' Ryan Houston, the executive director of the Oregon Natural Desert Association, told the outlet. The area includes the Oregon Desert Trail featuring snow-capped mountain ranges, as well as lower elevation trails. It also includes the Sagehen Hill Nature Trail featuring beautiful wildflowers. Owyhee Canyonlands also has backcountry campsites and swimming holes for visitors to enjoy, as well as hot springs, according to the association. Nature has a way of turning the everyday into a game of hide-and-seek, with animals both large and small constantly having to ensure they don't become a source of prey. These creatures don't just survive - they disappear, or cleverly position themselves, blending so seamlessly into their surroundings that even the sharpest eyes might miss them. And if youve ever wondered how good an owl can be at hide-and-seek, this photograph will blow your mind. Captured by renowned photographer Villager Jim, this optical illusion challenges viewers to locate an owl expertly concealed in a rural field. At first glance, the serene image appears ordinary - a lush, grassy field bordered by grey dry stone walls, and a large tree framing the background. In the middle of the field, however, lies a mountainous heap of twigs and sticks stacked messily above one another. But the unassuming stack of branches is hiding something special: a tiny Spotted Owl shielding from the world. Readers are challenged with the task of locating it - but beware, this little guy is impossible to see without sharp eyes and excellent attention to detail. Captured by renowned photographer Villager Jim, this optical illusion challenges viewers to locate an owl expertly concealed in a rural field With the branches closely stacked on top of one another, in various shades of brown and beige, spotting the owl becomes a rather difficult task. Need a clue? The trick lies in the owl's positioning. It has nestled itself deep within the pile, visible only through a small opening near the centre. Have you managed to find the elusive creature? Well done - you have enviable eyesight and admirable attention to detail! Still struggling? Fret not, as we've located the hidden owl's exact whereabouts below. If you look towards the centre of the pile of twigs, avert your eyes just underneath the largest stick. Tucked inside a small opening is the Spotted Owl - if you look closely you should be able to notice the rim of its round eyes, its tiny beak and a bundle of white and brown feathers. Fancy another challenge? This mind-boggling optical illusion could reveal if you have a high IQ, if you can spot the hidden details in the picture. Sounds easy, doesn't it? But there's a catch - you only have 20 seconds to identify them all. The trick lies in the owl's positioning. It has nestled itself deep within the pile, visible only through a small opening near the centre Tucked inside a small opening is the Spotted Owl - if you look closely you should be able to notice the rim of its round eyes, its tiny beak and a bundle of white and brown feathers At first glance, the brain-teasing drawing is just a sketch of a black tree and it's branches, set against a white background. However, there are five hidden animals within the monochromatic image, made more difficult to spot as the colour has been removed. To take on the challenge, simply set a timer for 20 seconds and cast your eyes in between the branches. If you can find all five of the animals before time runs out, you could have a higher IQ than most. Challenging yourself to the a visual teaser is a great way to put your brain power and some of your senses to work. MBABANE A question on the truthfulness of information provided to the Parliament Select Committee, which investigated the loss of monies invested by emaSwati in Ecsponent Eswatini has come to the forefront. Following the recommendations made by the committee after its investigation, Zimbabwe-born businessman George Manyere has said the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) omitted key information.The businessman has cited that the CBE provided what he has termed untrue and fatally malicious information about him when it appeared before the committee. In fact, the businessman, who is a person of interest in the matter, has signalled a strong intention to challenge the conclusions made by the Parliament Select Committee which was tasked with investigation how emaSwati lost E340 million which they invested in Ecsponent Limited. Recover their money In its report, the committee made a litany of recommendations and went on to state two choices which it said will provide the pathway for investors to recover their money. One of the options stated by the committee is that Parliament should assign the Minister for Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, working with the Governor of the Central Bank of Eswatini, Dr Phil Mnisi to set in motion a model that will get all the two major stakeholders companies on the matter; these being Manyere and Dave Van Niekerk and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to at least pay back the principal amounts that were paid by the investors into Ecsponent Eswatini. Following the recommendation and option suggested, this publication sought a comment from Manyere to ascertain if he is willing to enter into engagements with other stakeholders on the plan to reimburse the investors. It turned out that he is least impressed with the contents of the final report, in particular, a submission that was made by the CBE which was represented by Deputy Governor Felicia Dlamini-Kunene. Written submissions presented by the deputy governor reflect that she informed the committee that whilst the funds were moved in between various inter-related entities. It is important to highlight that the inter-related entities were subsidiaries of two main companies, namely Ecsponent (South Africa) Limited, a listed entity on the Johannesburg Stock exchange (JSE) and Mybucks South Africa, a Luxemburg registered entity, which was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE). Prominent individuals She then said: The relationship of the two prominent individuals, namely George Manyere and Dave Van Niekerk, with the two listed companies indicates that George Manyere acquired majority status of JSE-listed Ecsponent (South Africa) Limited in 2014. On the other hand, Dave Van Niekerk was the founder and majority shareholder of the Frankfurt-listed entity, Mybucks SA. The deputy governor further said the flow of Ecsponent (Eswatini) funds to GetBucks (Eswatini) and subsequently GetBucks (South Africa) ultimately benefits the two listed holding companies, namely Ecsponent (South Africa) and Mybucks SA (the Frankfurt-listed entity). The flow of funds ultimately benefited the shareholders of Ecsponent (South Africa) and Mybucks SA, she said. In a brief interview with this publication, Manyere stated that the report tabled by the Parliament Select Committee contains a fundamental error, which he said led to the conclusion made in as far as it relates to him. Specifically, he cited the mentioning of the time he is said to have acquired the Ecsponent (South Africa) shares as submitted by the CBE. Fatally incorrect He said the statement by the CBE is fatally incorrect since he through his investment company, Mason Alexander, only acquired shares in Ecsponent Limited at the end of 2016 and in 2017.Mason Alexander is Manyeres company which was set up specifically to house his Ecsponent Limited shares. The company, it appears, did not exist before.This publication got hold of documents which support the businessmans assertion. The documents include an agreement for the sale and purchase of shares which it has been gathered was also shared with the Parliament Select Committee before it finalised and tabled its report. According to the documents, Manyere acquired 34.9 per cent in Ecsponent Limited from Ecsponent Capital (RF) Limited. Manyere further explained, I was introduced to the investment opportunity to acquire the 34.9 per cent into Ecsponent Limited by Dave, who was then, the Group CEO of Mybucks, a Luxembourg financial services holding company which was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Fallout with his partner He alleged that Van Niekerk had indicated to him that he had had a fallout with his partner, businessman Euene Engelbrecht in their investment vehicle, Ecsponent Capital, that they owned and controlled Ecsponent Limited. According to Manyere, Van Niekerk allegedly said he wanted his partner to exit Ecsponent Limited, where he was also the CEO since its inception in 2012. I was initially reluctant since Ecsponent Limited was listed on the JSE with more than 3 000 shareholders and it would have been difficult for my group to undertake due diligence. I only proceeded with the transaction on the basis that it had a long stop date of December 31, 2018, which would have allowed me and my team to learn about the business from the inside, said Manyere. Also, he said he refused to put his money at risk by funding the transaction at that stage until he was satisfied with the state of the business and Van Niekerk funded the deal through one of his companies. Another document this publication is in the possession of reflects that it was on March 20, 2017 that Manyere joined the Board and became one of nine directors of Ecsponent Limited. Also, another document reflects that Engelbrecht stepped down as CEO and director of Ecsponent Limited on May 31, 2017. Incorrect and malicious Emphasising on his assertion, Manyere said, It is fatally incorrect and malicious for the CBE to say that I acquired majority status of the JSE-listed Ecsponent (South Africa) Limited in 2014. What further concerns me is that despite myself clearly stating the above to the Parliament Select Committee and furnishing its members with the relevant agreements and evidence to that effect, they chose to sustain the gross misrepresentation in their final report.Furthermore, Manyere said the Group Board of Directors of Ecsponent Limited (South Africa) was never involved in subsidiary operations as these were under the oversight of Group management, who also sat on the subsidiary Boards. It was only in August 2019 when I had sight of Ecsponent Eswatinis financial statements after I made an unplanned visit to the kingdom and met with Ecsponent Eswatini CEO and chairman then, for the first time in my life, said Manyere. Meanwhile, the Parliament Select Committee report reflects that the members met Manyere and posed several questions to him related to among other things, his first encounter in the country and how he met Van Niekerk. Nominal capital The committee, according to the report, also enquired on what could have contributed to his investment entity to collect an amount of E260 million from investors with a nominal capital of E700 only in its bank account. Also, the committee enquired on what made the businessman see that Ecsponent could be a lucrative investment and whether he noted that there were non-professional operations, characterised by forged, fictitious and fraudulent scheming in the whole saga. The committee also enquired about how the businessman felt about the CDH report and how he became interested in rescuing Ecsponent in the first place. Prospects of recovery Cliffe Decker Hofmeyr (CDH) is the company that was engaged by the CBE to investigate whether Ecsponent directors discharged their fiduciary duties and responsibilities; whether business investments and operations were within legislative precepts, establishing the flow of funds and prospects of recovery.The scope of work for CDH, as communicated in the request for proposal, included to investigate and establish whether there were any irregularities in the way in which Ecsponent placed investments with its investment managers and its foreign subsidiaries. The forensic investigation was also aimed ascertaining whether assets were invested in line with its investment policy and further ascertain whether all Ecsponent assets had been accounted for and appeared in its books. Also, the forensic investigation had to ascertain whether Ecsponent conducted its business affairs, including the operations of any investment schemes, in line with the requirements of the Securities Act read together with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority Act (2010). Meanwhile, Manyere, according to the Parliament report, is said to have provided responses which highlighted several things including that his first encounter with van Niekerk was in 2006, in Botswana, in the operations of Blue Financial Services. He is said to have stated that his first encounter in Eswatini was as an investor in August, 2019 with a Cabinet minister and then he was exposed to Ecsponent in Eswatini, but was totally disempowered by the management. Regarding the CDH report, Manyere is said to have advised that it should be incorporated with another report that was compiled by a South African consultant known as JKD Consulting. Involved in the transactions As reported by this publication, JKD report is the one that names of individuals and entities allegedly involved in the transactions. It exposes how some of the funds which were lost in Ecsponent Eswatini were allegedly transferred after being collected from local investors. On another note, this publication also sought a comment from the ESW, the former Ecsponent Eswatini and Max Mkhonta who spoke on behalf of the company, raised concern about the CBEs submission that the companys licenses expires on the December 31, 2024. He said he could only comment on the issue of the curatorship which is the recommendation of the CBE. That is unfortunately misleading if indeed that advice originated from the CBE. Firstly, ESW gave up its licenses formally to the FSRA in December 2023. It therefore did not renew its licenses in 2024. Secondly, it is my respective view that you cannot place an entity under curatorship that you do not have jurisdiction over, Mkhonta said. Practically begging He said the ESW has been practically begging all the powers that be since 2020, to support the efforts initiated by Manyere to rescue the local investors who lost millions in Ecsponent. No one, from the Ministry of Finance to the FSRA, genuinely bothered to reciprocate our efforts. Its very ironic that for all intense and purposes, we are now back to a model that we have been advocating for, save that now it will include Dave. Mkhonta said they have practically wasted over four years nursing peoples egos while the affected people have been struggling with some of them even dying without seeing justice. Personally, it saddens me to see how we treated the downtrodden as a nation, said Mkhonta. A flat dubbed 'the beastie house' where a gang of seven paedophiles sexually abused primary schoolchildren is being used by a local authority to accommodate homeless people. The property had been at the centre of an extensive police investigation for many years, but it has since been given to Glasgow City Council by Wheatley Group, a housing association which owns it, amid a housing crisis in the city. MailOnline understands a family is currently occupying the flat until a permanent home is found for them and they're said to be 'well aware' of its horrifying history. A source added: 'The place has been totally renovated, and it's nothing like what it was. It's been redecorated, and had a deep clean. 'This was a very difficult decision for housing bosses, but with there being a housing crisis in Glasgow, they've had no choice but to use it for homeless needs. 'Many people will probably question why anyone would want to live there, but until you're in a situation of homelessness you'll never understand. 'The people who are currently occupying this flat are well aware of the previous goings on.' A council spokesperson said: 'The temporary furnished flats used to support people affected by homelessness are routinely accessed from the city's social rented sector, as housing associations have an obligation to provide a regular supply of homes from their housing stock for homelessness services.' A flat dubbed 'the beastie house' where a gang of seven paedophiles sexually abused primary schoolchildren is being used by a local authority to accommodate homeless people. Pictured: Images of the lair taken last year show mountains of rubbish piled up in filthy rooms where the young victims were abused One photograph taken last year before the flat was renovated shows a green plastic kids chair and toys in one of the rooms Sickening images taken through corrugated iron bars last year of inside the lair show mountains of rubbish piled up in filthy rooms where the young victims were abused. One photograph shows a green plastic kids chair and toys in one of the rooms, while in another a sofa is wrapped in clear plastic with a Police Scotland sticker on it. The exterior of the squalid Glasgow flat, which MailOnline is not showing for legal reasons, looks like a rundown housing block. But inside, the abuse was so evil that the children hauntingly called it the 'Beastie House'. The squalid city flat, which doubled as a drug den, was where the seven adults would hold 'rape nights' when the children would be abused, take class A drugs and force the children to consume dog food, drugs and alcohol. As well as 'rape nights', the grim flat was host to 'dance and sex nights' and 'dog killings nights', all without neighbours suspecting anything was amiss. The series of violent and sexual assaults took place over a period of more than seven years. One of the victims, a girl, was raped in the dismal house when she was still young enough to wear a nappy. Another image taken last year shows a sofa wrapped in clear plastic with a Police Scotland sticker on it She knew it as the 'dark and scary beastie house', so called because she had previously been locked inside a cupboard that was full of spiders and beetles. Besides being raped, the youngest girl was shut inside an oven, a microwave and locked inside a freezer as members of the gang tried to kill her. She was also chased by people wearing devil masks during the abuse, which she suffered between 2015 and 2019. The girl told the court during last year's trial: 'It is not nice when people laugh at you when you are hurting.' The depraved gang even made one of the children dress up and 'dance' before being raped. The boy told police how all the members of the gang would turn up at the property 'at the same time' before punching and hitting him and the two girls with pans. He recalled being made to drink alcohol and said the abuse at the flat was sometimes recorded on video. During one horrific attack on one of the girls, the vile group cheered, while others filmed the abuse and exchanged money for what went on. Scott Forbes, 50, was convicted earlier this year at the High Court in Glasgow of raping a child Iain Owens, 45, was convicted of 18 charges including the rape of the three children and the attempted murder of one involving shutting her in a microwave and other kitchen appliances On another occasion, one of the girls was restrained and abused by members of the ring in a disgusting room until she was injured and unconscious again while it was being recorded. One of the gang members received payment after the attack. As well as the sickening sexual abuse, the gang ran a wheelchair over the legs of one of the girls and placed a plastic bag over her head. The gang was also accused of forcing the children to participate in witchcraft at the flat, but these charges were dropped during the trial. It had been claimed they performed 'spells' on the children and convinced them they had been metamorphised into various animals, as well as used ouija boards. The gang killed dogs who were cut and stabbed to death, and the boy said he had once been made to kill a budgie with a knife. The boy said he was once submerged in a bath filled with blood at the Glasgow flat. In November 2023, five men and two women were found guilty after a harrowing nine-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow, which detailed the campaign of horror made against the youngsters, including rape and attempted murder. Their sentencing has been repeatedly delayed until the end of this month, as background reports are prepared. John Clark, 47, one of seven paedophiles who sexually abused the primary schoolchildren Barry Watson, 47, was found guilty of raping two girls at the Glasgow home named by the youngest victim as 'Beastie House' A judge warned them they had been convicted of crimes of 'extraordinary depravity' and they all faced a 'very substantial prison sentence'. The horrendous ordeals only emerged after the brave victims revealed what they had suffered to a couple they came to know, documenting accounts of depraved abuse, witchcraft, and the slaughtering of dogs in the dirty city hovel. Seven men and four women eventually went on trial, which is believed to be the largest number of accused individuals to appear together in the dock in recent Scottish legal history. It sparked a huge police probe into the crimes. Seven of the eleven were found guilty of sex abuse, including rape, and four of attempted murder. Another woman was found guilty of assault. Three people were acquitted. Iain Owens, 45, was convicted of 18 charges including the rape of the three children, and attempted murder of one involving shutting her in a microwave and other kitchen appliances. The jobless addict was also guilty of other sex offences and class A drug supply. Elaine Lannery, 39, was convicted of the rape of the children among the 12 allegations she was charged for. Lesley Williams, 42, was convicted of five charges including the rape of two girls. Elaine Lannery, 39, was convicted of rape among the 12 allegations she was charged for Lesley Williams, 42, (left) was convicted of five charges including the rape of two girls, while Paul Brannan, 40, (right) was found guilty of seven charges, including rape of all the three victims Paul Brannan, 40, was guilty of seven charges which also featured the rape of all the three sex abuse victims. Scott Forbes, 50, Barry Watson and John Clark, both 47, were further convicted. The youngsters suffered in silence for years until police were alerted to the case in 2020 after a man who came to know the victims reported what he had been told. It was sparked after one of the children became hysterical having mistakenly thought she had been shut in a room. The man told the trial he had then been 'driven by his conscience and principles' to then help the victims. Along with his wife, he painstakingly documented horrific details of what the children recalled happening at the hands of the gang. They are due to be sentenced later this month. The charming Suffolk town of Woodbridge was this week crowned as the happiest place to live in Britain. Residents scored it highly for community spirit and friendliness in annual poll by Rightmove, with its access to essential services such as doctors and schools also praised. Yet Shoreham-by-Sea, a strikingly similar located on the Sussex coastline, is thought to be the unhappiest. Although Rightmove didn't explicitly name Shoreham as being bottom of its rankings, Adur its parent borough was last year given the accolade of Britain's most miserable district by the Office for National Statistics. One aspect which could give Woodbridge the edge over Shoreham is the weather, which is uncharacteristically good of England throughout the year. Data collated by the Met Office and other weather agencies suggest it experiences warmer spells, less intense cold and significantly less rain. In January, the temperature is, on average, 6C, compared to Shoreham's average of 5.3C. Your browser does not support iframes. This trend remains through the spring and summer, too. But perhaps more importantly, data suggests that the town is one of the driest places in the country, with around around 20mm of rainfall in July and August. Woodbridge, by contrast, can see levels triple that. Crime is around 30 per cent lower in Woodbridge than it is in Shoreham, with 53 reports per 1,000 population against 77. However, both areas do sit under the average in England 88. According to Census 2021 data, Woodbridge residents are not only more likely to own their own home without a mortgage, with 48 per cent owning outright compared to 40 per cent in Shoreham, but their homes are also significantly bigger. Thirty per cent of Woodbridgers live in a detached house and 26 per cent live in a semi. In Shoreham these figures are just 19 and 16 per cent, respectively, with a massive 34 per cent living in flats nearly triple the 12 per cent in Woodbridge. One notable difference in the two towns is the level of religiosity. According to the Census, 42 per cent of Woodbridgers have no religion, compared to 51 per cent of Shorehamites. There is also a significantly larger Christian population in Woodbridge, at 49.5 per cent compared to Shoreham's 40 per cent. Shoreham also has a higher unemployment rate that Woodbridge, with recent data from the DWP showing that 9.1 per cent of working age adults in Shoreham are on out-of-work benefits compared to 6.4 per cent in Woodbridge. Woodbridge in Suffolk has been declared the happiest town in Britain Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex has been rated as one of the unhappiest places in the UK Similar numbers of people hold advanced qualifications in both areas. Both areas also have comparatives numbers of UK-born population, with 92.5 per cent in Woodbridge and 90.7 per cent in Shoreham. Mayor of Woodbridge, Councillor Robin Sanders, said: 'The happy mood of residents is a reflection of the vibrant town centre.' Jamie Curran, of estate agent IP Properties in Woodbridge, said: 'The amenities the town has to offer are second to none; having boutiques, coffee shops, public houses and highly reviewed restaurants all within walking distance.' The Rightmove study, in its 13th year, was completed by more than 35,000 residents across Britain, with questions about how proud they feel about where they live, their sense of belonging, the community spirit and whether they can be themselves as well as about amenities. Tim Bannister, Rightmove's property expert, said: 'It's the younger generation who are most likely to say they would be happier living somewhere else, many of whom have to travel to cities for education or to find their first jobs.' The ONS data that named Adur as the unhappiest borough in 2023 also named the Shetland Islands as the happiest. Residents living in the remote Scottish archipelago scored an average of 8.22 on the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) happiness index. On the other hand, Adur's comparative figure was 6.16. East Suffolk, home to Woodbridge, scored 7.86. Americans have revealed their thoughts on the country's top political figures to DailyMail.com, giving a nod of approval to the incoming Donald and Melania Trump over the departing Joe and Jill Biden. The president-elect and incoming first lady - combined - poll more favorably than the current first couple. The Trumps have a combined 86% approval rating, according to an exclusive poll conducted for DailyMail.com by JL Partners, while the Bidens have a combined 82%. Individually Donald Trump tops Joe Biden, 45% to the current president's 42%. And Melania Trump tops Jill Biden, 41% to 40%. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris had a 49% approval rating. The White House is preparing to transition back to the Trumps. The couple will move in on January 20th, Inauguration Day, while Bidens are expected to return to Wilmington, Delaware. Both Trump have been making staff announcements. More Americans favored Donald and Melania Trump, a DailyMail.com poll found And Melania Trump told Fox & Friends on Friday morning that she is busy packing their things and organizing her office. 'This time is very different because we already know where we're going and we already have all of the plans from before, so we don't need to go back in,' she said. She noted she's already lived in the White House for four years so she is familiar with the terrain. 'It's very different because I know what you need to establish. You know what kind of people you need to hire to be in your office, so that's what I'm doing now. When Donald Trump takes the oath of office, he'll have a Republican Congress to aid him in his legislative agenda. But DailyMail.com's poll shows Americans aren't as familiar with the top GOP leaders on Capitol Hill. House Speaker Mike Johnson had a 24% approval rating but 44% of respondents didn't have an opinion or had heard of him. Incoming Senate Republican Leader John Thune has a 14% approval rating - but 64% of people didn't know who he was. The president-elect has been busy naming members of his Cabinet. And Trump says he wants to bypass the Senate so that he can more easily get his most extreme Cabinet nominations confirmed, but Americans don't agree. In a social media post made shortly after he was elected, Trump put lawmakers on notice, telling them they 'must agree to recess appointments,' clearly signaling that anyone who thinks otherwise is against the president-elect's plans. It's an antiquated function originally crafted by the founding fathers for emergencies when Congress was out of town and lawmakers took days to travel to the nation's capital by horseback. The controversial power play would allow the commander in chief to bypass Senate confirmation when appointing people to his top administration positions. Over the last few decades, the Senate has never been out 'on recess' for more than a few days at a time, as they have to agree on when to adjourn and they can hold 'pro forma sessions.' That stops the president in power from conducting recess appointments whenever they wish. But should Trump not get traction for his most controversial candidates like Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, Health and Human Services nominee Robert Kennedy Jr., Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard, and FBI Director nominee Kash Patel, he could try to install them bypassing the Senate. However, among the 1,000 registered voters that responded to the latest DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners poll, it's a massively unpopular plan. By a two-to-one margin, voters agreed that the Senate should not go into recess, regardless of whether it slows down Trumps appointments. Overall, 51 percent of respondents said the Republican should not use recess appointments. Only 25 percent said if it means speeding up President Trumps appointments, the Senate should go into recess. The survey also stunningly found that Republicans are even split on whether or not Trump's recess appointment plan is the right path forward. GOP respondents were deadlocked on whether or not the Senate should adjourn to help Trump with his plan with 41 percent for it and 41 percent against it - the remaining 18 percent said they were unsure. Your browser does not support iframes. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will leave the White House in January But Trump has demanded he gets his way. 'Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted leadership position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social app in November as the chamber's leadership elections were underway. His post put lawmakers on notice about his upcoming plans. 'Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more,' his post continued. 'This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again. We need positions filled immediately!' Recess appointments were last used by President Barack Obama in 2012 when he appointed three officials to the National Labor Relations Board without Senate confirmation. Wes Streeting was last night accused of rowing back on his commitment to end the postcode lottery on vital bone scans. In a win for The Mail on Sundays campaign, the Health Secretary had pledged to ensure all parts of England have access to Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) the gold standard in early diagnosis of osteoporosis by 2030. Currently, just half of English NHS Trusts offer the service. But in a House of Lords debate last week, health minister Baroness Merron appeared to downgrade the commitment, referring to the Governments goal as being to expand access to FLS and failing to confirm the 2030 target. She also said: We must be honest It will not be solvable overnight. Conservative peer Lord Black, who initiated the debate, praised our campaign but said progress to osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment is stagnating and that Mr Streeting must fire the starting gun on the rollout without further delay. During the election campaign Mr Streeting told this newspaper that commissioning the rollout plan for FLS would be one of his first acts in office. Just half of NHS England Trusts have FLS. Wes Streeting has been accused of going back on his commitment to end the postcode lottery on bone scans Injuries such as hip fractures (pictured) can trigger complications such as heart problems. A health minister failed to confirm the 2030 target to which the Government previously committed for having all parts of England with access to Fracture Liaison Services Leading bone expert Professor Neil Gittoes, Consultant Endocrinologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, said: The change of language by the Minister suggests that the Governments target may no longer be universal coverage by 2030. With 2,500 people dying of preventable hip fractures every year, were worried about what the future may hold for people living in areas left without these early diagnosis services. Lord Black said: FLS is perhaps the most powerful example we have of preventative healthcare. And that is why the Governments commitment to rolling it out to every Trust by 2030 is so critical. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'As Baroness Merron made clear, we will expand access to Fracture Liaison Services.' A UK doctor once accused of kidnap has emerged as the main English-speaking cheerleader for the Islamist rebels onslaught on President Assads regime in Syria. Shajul Islam, clad in military fatigues, delivers daily updates to the West on the lightning advances being made by jihadi fighters and regularly urges Britons to donate to Syria through a UK-based charity with Islamist links. The 38-year-old medic, who was struck off as an NHS doctor, works in a hospital in the city of Idlib, the headquarters of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). His propaganda broadcasts have included a chilling warning that HTS will not stop after liberating Syria, but plans to continue its advance until Palestine and Jerusalem are free. Based in Syria since 2016, Dr Islam tells his 60,000 followers on X and Instagram that their donations are for medical supplies to treat children and other civilians injured in Russian and Syrian airstrikes. But there are fears that the money or equipment could end up in the hands of jihadis. The funds are donated through One Nation, which has been investigated in the past by the Charity Commission for hiring extremists. After being contacted by the MoS, the Commission said it will look again at One Nation. Were aware of concerns raised... and will assess the information to determine if there is a role for the Commission, a spokesman said. Shajul Islam, pictured, clad in military fatigues, delivers daily updates to the West on the lightning advances being made by jihadi fighters Dr Islam was struck off as an NHS doctor, works in a hospital in the city of Idlib, the headquarters of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Pictured: Leaving Belmarsh prison in 2013 Based in Syria since 2016, Dr Islam tells his 60,000 followers on X and Instagram that their donations are for medical supplies to treat children and other civilians injured in Russian and Syrian airstrikes Dr Islam, who trained at St Bartholomews hospital in London, has been celebrating rebel victories in videos from cities such as Aleppo soon after they come under HTS control. Although he does not say if he is a member of HTS, his past as a jihadi is well attested. He first went to Syria in around 2012 and reportedly joined a jihadi group that kidnapped British photojournalist John Cantlie and his Dutch colleague Jeroen Oerlemans. Mr Cantlie even reported that Dr Islam treated him for bullet wounds. The two men escaped and after arriving home, Mr Cantlie informed the Metropolitan Police of his kidnap. Officers arrested Dr Islam when he got back to Britain shortly afterwards with his wife and baby. He was charged, along with his older brother Najul, a civil servant, and an associate, Jubayer Chowdhury. But the trial collapsed because Mr Cantlie, the key prosecution witness, was captured by ISIS on his return to Syria, where his fate remains unknown. Dr Islam was struck off by the General Medical Council in 2016 for unspecified misconduct following a confidential hearing. One Nation, based in Batley, West Yorkshire, has an annual income of 21 million, and operates in more than 30 countries, including Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories. Among its founding trustees was Arshad Patel, the brother-in-law of Mohammad Sidique Khan who led the 7/7 attacks in 2005 that left 52 Londoners dead. He first went to Syria in around 2012 and reportedly joined a jihadi group that kidnapped British photojournalist John Cantlie and his Dutch colleague Jeroen Oerlemans In 2019, One Nation was investigated by the Charity Commission, which found mismanagement and misconduct and registered that some of its volunteers expressed extremist views. The latest Charity Commission reports show that One Nation spent 5.4 million on its operations in Syria last year. There is no suggestion that it is knowingly donating any money to jihadi groups. One Nation was approached for comment. The flu vaccine given to millions may be much less effective than expected as a pre-Christmas outbreak sweeps Britain, experts warn. The NHS reported an unusually early start to the flu season last week with the number of people in hospital with the dangerous virus four time higher than this time last year. This is despite the fact that more than 15 million eligible Britons have had the latest flu vaccine since September - an above average uptake for the jab which reduces the risk of infection and serious symptoms. Now, experts are warning that the vaccine - which is updated every year to protect against the latest form of flu - may provide inadequate protection against the version of the virus spreading in the UK. The vaccine rolled out in Britain is modelled on the jab used in southern hemisphere countries like Australia and New Zealand which had their winter flu season six months ago. This is because the same form of flu which affected those countries usually reaches the UK in the winter months. But data suggests that, this year, the vaccine was around 30 per cent less effective than normal in those countries. In parts of Australia, the Government was forced to implement emergency measures to boost the number of nurses, hospital beds and medical clinics after the worst flu outbreak in seven years saw thousands hospitalised. The flu vaccine given to millions may be much less effective than expected as a pre-Christmas outbreak sweeps Britain Data suggests that, this year, the vaccine was around 30 per cent less effective than normal in those countries (Stock Image) Experts have warned that an ineffective flu vaccine - known as a mismatch - could trigger an NHS crisis, with routine procedures like hip replacements and eye surgery cancelled and lengthy delays for ambulances and A&E admission. In 2017, a mismatched flu vaccine was responsible for 50,000 extra deaths in the UK, according to the Office of National Statistics. Looking at the numbers of people being hospitalised, its clear the kick-off rate is much steeper this year, says Penny Ward, visiting professor in pharmaceutical medicine at Kings College, London. A well-matched flu vaccine should provide around 60 to 70 per cent protection from hospitalisation. But data suggests the southern hemisphere vaccine which ours is modelled on was only 40 per cent effective which is quite low. Its possible we have a vaccine that is badly matched to the virus strains that are circulating. Flu, or influenza, is responsible for around 40,000 hospitalisations and more than 10,000 deaths in the UK every year. The symptoms typically include fever, sore throat, muscle aches and a cough. People over the age of 65, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions are all more at-risk of life-threatening symptoms. Every year, these groups, along with NHS staff and carers, are offered a vaccine. The jab does not provide complete protection against the virus, but reduces the risk of dangerous symptoms and infection. Last week, NHS chiefs warned of a potential quad-demic with rising cases of flu, Covid, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the stomach bug norovirus. Around 95 per cent of hospital beds in England were occupied each day last week, the highest figure on record for this time of year. People over the age of 65, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions are all more at-risk of life-threatening symptoms (Stock Image) Around 95 per cent of hospital beds in England were occupied each day last week, the highest figure on record for this time of year Experts say it is too soon to consider implementing Covid-style social restrictions like face masks or social distancing. However, they say there are steps people can take to reducing the risk of infection. If you are showing symptoms of flu or Covid-19 such as a high temperature, cough, and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable, says Dr Alexander Allen, consultant epidemiologist, at the UK Health Security Agency Washing your hands regularly and using tissues can also help to reduce the spread of illness. Experts also say that, even if the vaccine is less protective than usual, it is still the most effective measure of reducing serious illness. Its better to receive a vaccine that is well matched to the strain you encounter, says Prof Ward. But even if the vaccine is not a good match, it still offers protection against more severe disease. A fraudster jailed after an elaborate passport and benefits scam escaped deportation because he complained that his wife would be unable to get IVF in his native Nigeria. Home Office officials tried to remove Olutobi Ogunbawo at the end of his three-year jail term but he is still in the UK after a judge ruled his deportation would be 'unduly harsh' and a breach of human rights. The astonishing case is the latest farcical example of how criminals exploit human rights law to run rings around Britain's broken asylum system. A year ago this newspaper revealed how gang rapist Yaqub Ahmed delayed his deportation to Somalia for five years after launching a relentless cycle of dubious appeals that was only broken after ministers offered him a 14-week stay in a luxurious hotel and a personalised therapy package. Last night Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick branded Ogunbawo's case 'disgraceful' and lambasted 'gullible' immigration judges. 'These feral criminals must be laughing at how naive we are. Time and again cases like these are exposed. It seems the madness only gets worse. 'In our twisted system it seems you could make up anything and gullible immigration judges will believe you.' Olutobi Ogunbawo is a Nigerian jailed for a passport and benefits scam who is able to stay in the UK because his wife might want IVF In the latest string of shocking cases that expose the difficulty in deporting criminals, The Mail on Sunday can reveal: A Jamaican rapist who cannot be removed from the country because he claims he is bisexual despite only appearing to have dated women; A Polish drug dealer jailed after slashing a teenager with a knife who is allowed to stay after it was deemed the risk he poses to the public has reduced; A county lines drug dealer from Jamaica with 23 convictions who dodged deportation because of his right to a family life. The Home Secretary has a legal duty to deport foreign criminals who have been jailed for at least 12 months. But many removals are either torpedoed or delayed for years by human rights claims. Around 4,100 foreign criminals were removed in the year ending March 2024 compared to 6,628 in the year ending March 2017. Shocking figures released last week revealed how foreign criminals who avoided deportation committed 10,000 offences in a single year. Ministry of Justice data for the year to March 2022 showed that a quarter of foreign criminals went on to reoffend in the UK after being released from jail and remaining in the country. Meanwhile, separate figures this month revealed how net migration to Britain hit 2.2 million over the past three years despite pledges by successive governments to bring the numbers down. Polish drug dealer Mikolaj Porazewski slashed teenager with a knife but a judge ruled that he is unlikely to harm Ogunbawo, 43, was sentenced to three years imprisonment in 2019 after plotting with his then partner, Maria Adesanya, both Nigerian nationals, to pay a British citizen 3,000 to falsely register himself as the father of their child. The pair believed the scam would enable both mother and child to dishonestly claim a right to live in the UK. The British citizen, a nurse named Adekunle Adeparusi, later fraudulently pocketed 13,000 in tax credits by falsely claiming to be the primary carer of the child. Ogunbawo entered the UK in December 2015 but overstayed his visa, with text messages showing he never intended to return to Nigeria. In October 2020 he was served with a deportation order but in January 2023 Judge Michael Malone, who sits in the First Tier immigration tribunal, blocked his removal to Nigeria on human rights grounds. Ogunbawo had by then split from Adesanya and married an unnamed British woman. Legal documents show Judge Malone accepted evidence from Ogunbawo's wife that there was no IVF treatment available in Nigeria and ruled that her husband's deportation would therefore be 'unduly harsh'. The Home Office, however, claimed that 'even the most basic Google search reveals the existence of IVF treatment in Nigeria'. Experts say an estimated 2,500 babies are born in Nigeria each year via fertility treatments, including IVF, with services so affordable that an influx of 'medical tourists' travel there each year, including from the UK. Last month the Upper Tribunal, which examines asylum and deportation appeals, overturned Judge Malone's ruling and found he 'erred in finding that IVF treatment in Nigeria is unavailable based solely upon the appellant's wife's oral evidence'. Speaking to the MoS, Jimi Babarinde, Ogunbawo's legal representative, claimed Judge Malone's ruling did not reflect the argument he made at the tribunal that the woman would find it difficult to access IVF in Nigeria because of 'medical issues'. Ogunbawo, who is still living in Britain, will now have his case heard again by a different judge at the First Tier Tribunal four years after the Home Office first launched deportation proceedings. Sam Bidwell, a researcher at the Adam Smith Institute, said the public would be 'completely outraged' by such cases, adding: 'It beggars belief, some of the cases that get through the system. 'The system puts completely at its core the people we are talking about deporting and there is very little consideration of the will of the broader public and the safety of the broader public it focuses entirely on these individuals. 'Parliament must now legislate to take immigration and asylum decisions out of tribunal review. Ministers must have the power to control our borders.' Official figures obtained by the MoS reveal how the number of asylum appeals has increased threefold in a year, as judges cope with a blizzard of claims. As of March 2024, the number of appeals in the First Tier Tribunal stood at 27,133, compared with 7,510 in March 2023. In a report that went largely unnoticed last month, the Senior President of Tribunals warned that the caseload is expected to 'significantly increase' further. In another case, a Jamaican rapist who was jailed for seven years in 2018 has been allowed to stay after his lawyers argued he would be at risk in Jamaica because he claimed he was bisexual. The man, known only as 'AA' because of a draconian anonymity order, forced himself on a sleeping woman at a party after smoking cannabis and drinking. A Jamaican rapist with numerous girlfriends says hed be a target back home because hes bisexual' (picture posed by model) The man claimed he was abused by an older man when he was a teenager in Jamaica and then had a 'brief' relationship with a man in the UK. The Home Office, however, said there was only evidence of relationships with women since his arrival here 23 years ago. Nevertheless, the judge accepted 'on the low standard of proof' that he was likely to have been bisexual. She ruled he was at risk if he was deported to Jamaica after he claimed to have been attacked there by a gang because of his perceived sexuality. Two upper tribunal judges have upheld that ruling. The MoS can also reveal how Polish drug dealer Mikolaj Porazewski, 26, has avoided deportation, despite being jailed in 2018 for more than four years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and slashing a 15-year-old boy with a Stanley knife. After his release from jail, probation officers concluded that he remained 'a medium risk of serious harm to the public.' But immigration judge Lucy Corrin said he had demonstrated 'remorse and awareness of the seriousness of his offending' and 'has made a determined effort to rehabilitate'. She concluded that Porazewski poses an 'ever-reducing risk, which is being safely managed in the community'. The Upper Tribunal last month dismissed a Home Office appeal against her ruling. And in yet another controversial case, the Home Office has been blocked from deporting prolific Jamaican criminal Shavon Lamar Walker, 24, who was jailed for three-and-a-half years in 2021 for conspiracy to supply cocaine. A court heard how Walker was part of a London gang that 'exploited' two 15-year-old boys to sell heroin and crack cocaine in Hull as part of a major county lines drugs operation. Walker had already racked up 23 convictions, including joyriding, shoplifting and three counts of assaulting a police officer during a four-year crimewave. Upper Tribunal Judge Gemma Loughran last month ruled that Walker, who lives with his mother, grandmother and 14-year-old sister, is 'socially and culturally integrated' in the UK and upheld his appeal against deportation. 'I place particular weight on the appellant's very young age when he arrived in the UK, his length of residence, very close relationships to his family members and the impact his deportation would have on those family members,' Judge Loughran said. The Home Office said: 'It is longstanding government policy that we do not comment on individual cases.' Additional reporting by Isaac Crowson, Cameron Charters and Bill Bowkett His downfall was one of the totemic moments on a night of General Election disaster for the Tories. But now Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg is pondering an early return to the Commons on the back of the 'Meet The Rees-Moggs' reality TV series. The former Cabinet minister told The Mail on Sunday that he would consider standing in a by-election even if it was not in the beloved North-East Somerset seat he lost to Labour's Dan Norris on July 4. Sir Jacob said: 'Of course, my preference would be to win back my former constituency as my family has links with the area going back over 400 years. 'However, if another seat came up before the next General Election, I would have to consider putting my name forward.' In episode two of the Discovery+ series, filmed as he struggled in vain to save his seat, father-of-six Sir Jacob was asked by this newspaper about his future if he were to lose. Jacob Rees-Mogg reclining on the front benches of the Commons as Leader of the House during a Brexit debate in 2019. The former MP is eyeing a return to Parliament Jacob and Helena Rees-Mogg with their children at Gournay Court in West Harptree Sir Jacob said that he would consider standing in a different constituency. Pictured: Campaigning in Central Fife during the 1997 UK General Election He lost his beloved North East Somerset seat he lost to Labour's Dan Norris in July. Pictured: Campaigning in 1997 'We'll cross bridges when we come to them,' said Sir Jacob, adding that 'my family have lived in the constituency of North-East Somerset since 1618' and 'I have no intention of going anywhere' However, last week, the ex-MP revealed that Sir Keir Starmer's failings since the election were whetting his appetite to return to the political frontline. He said: 'I'm very keen to get back into the Commons. 'I would love to play my part in exposing Sir Keir Starmer for what he is a Prime Minister elected on an entirely false manifesto who is now wreaking untold damage on our country.' Despite backing Robert Jenrick in the Tory leadership contest, Sir Jacob heaped praise on new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for making 'a superb start' in holding Labour to account. Nigel Farage is poised to announce another scalp from the Conservative Party. Westminster has been awash with speculation that the former home secretary Suella Braverman is poised to defect to Reform UK. But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that it is her husband, Rael, who is about to be unveiled as the partys latest recruit. It is understood that Mr Braverman, a businessman known in Tory party ranks, will become a senior campaigner for Mr Farage on defending farmers. Insiders said the move comes after secret discussions between Mrs Braverman and the Reform leader Mr Farage, and will only intensify speculation that she will be next to cross the floor and join the ranks of Reform. A senior Tory source said: She will watch and wait for a year or 18 months before deciding to follow suit, while another said: Suella will definitely be going over at some point. Last night Mrs Braverman said: I am not defecting. Asked about her husband joining Reform, she told the MoS: This is the 21st century and not the 18th, my husband does not speak for me nor does he control my political affiliations. A Reform source said: Nigel thinks he will be a good activist. It follows defections last week of former Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns and Boris Johnsons former adviser Tim Montgomerie, who founded the Conservative Home website. Suella Braverman's husband, Rael, is about to be unveiled as the Reform partys latest recruit Insiders said the move comes after secret discussions between Mrs Braverman and the Reform leader Nigel Farage Last week Mr Farage told a gathering of the Westminster establishment at the Spectators Parliamentarian of the Year awards: At the next election in 2029 there will be hundreds of newcomers under the Reform UK label' Last week Mr Farage told a gathering of the Westminster establishment at the Spectators Parliamentarian of the Year awards: At the next election in 2029 there will be hundreds of newcomers under the Reform UK label. We are about to witness a political revolution the likes of which youve not seen since Labour after the First World War. His MPs are increasingly bullish about their prospects, after Reform overtook Labour in a voting intention poll for the first time last week, pushing Labour into third place. It prompted Reform chairman Zia Yusuf to declare that the party would win the next general election. The partys chief whip Lee Anderson - who defected from the Tories in March - has been meeting Conservatives who lost their seats in the election and urging them to jump ship. He says - it is only going one way from now on, one said. Mr Yusuf has said the party now has 105,000 members in 400 branches. The party is gaining support in Wales ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections, while Ms Jenkyns is seen as having a decent chance of becoming Greater Lincolnshire mayor in May. Mr Braverman works as a finance manager at Mercedes. He was born in South Africa and moved to the UK as a child. He proposed to Mrs Braverman in 2017 while on holiday in Cyprus. After they were introduced by mutual friends, she invited him for a day in Parliament. Mr Braverman said last year: As far as first dates go it was certainly an unusual one, but Ive always been interested in politics so I went along with it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and we agreed to meet up again. We had our first proper date a few weeks later and it all took off from there. Mrs Braverman has previously said her husband is her biggest supporter, helping her campaign in general elections and for Brexit. While Home Secretary, the MP for Fareham and Waterlooville frequently made headlines for her tough stance on migration, policing and criticism of pro-Palestinian hate marches. After the general election, Mrs Braverman said the Tories must woo back Reform voters, and that the party poses an existential threat to the Conservatives. The views are privately echoed by Tories who express doubts about Kemi Badenochs leadership. Some are calling on her to pick a fight with the centrist One Nation Conservative MPs. The mystery man who spent time with Hannah Kobayashi before she disappeared says the two talked about her personal life and her time in Hawaii. The 30-year-old disappeared from Los Angeles International Airport after missing a connecting flight from her home in Maui to New York on November 8. Investigators say Hannah 'knowingly departed' the airport, before using her passport and cash to buy a bus ticket to the US-Mexico border. She was later caught on surveillance footage crossing into Tijuana on foot between November 12 and 13, police said. Prior to that, she was spotted speaking with an anonymous man at the airport before they wandered through downtown LA to Union Station, where they both fell asleep. Law enforcement revealed to People that they had managed to track the man down who told them they initially struck up conversation after she asked how to get to the station. The man told cops that Kobayashi came across as a 'free spirit', with Detective Omar Franco telling the outlet he was 'an ear to listen'. He said: 'She just spoke and talked about her life in Maui, her personal life, her love life and so forth. And he just listened to her.' The man told officers that they met at LAX's train stop and struck up a conversation, saying she was coherent and normal. Investigators say Hannah 'knowingly departed' the airport, before using her passport and cash to buy a bus ticket to the US-Mexico border The 30-year-old disappeared from Los Angeles International Airport after missing a connecting flight from her home in Maui to New York, she is seen after touching down in LAX on the left and buying a bus ticket at Union Station on the right He said Kobayashi had told him of plans to be in New York, and also mentioned that she wanted to go see the redwoods in The Golden State. After arriving at Union Station the two ate dinner together before both sleeping in a waiting area. Kobayashi later woke up, grabbed her belongings and left. She bought a bus ticket and boarded shortly after before arriving at the border several hours later and walked into Tijuana. Investigators say Hannah 'knowingly departed' the airport and have her changed her status as 'voluntary missing', effectively closing the book on their investigation. Such a move has fractured her already devastated family as they still continue to insist her fleeing into Mexico is uncharacteristic of her and are now fighting amongst themselves. Among their issues is varying relatives having differing opinions on who should speak for the family. Hannah's sister, Sydni, hit out at her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, for her comments to the press. 'It's really unfortunate when you have to question family,' she told NewsNation earlier this week. 'The fact that she has gone rogue and wants to disconnect from [our effort], that's on her.' Friction amongst her loved ones has since come to ahead since Sydni's comments, with her aunt announcing she was parting ways with Sydni and her mother to find Hannah. The family had been searching for Kobayashi since she missed her flight to New York They have previously said the search for Hannah is 'far from over, and they are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely' Pidgeon told NewsNation on Friday that she made the decision to split from the two after funds from a GoFundMe were used on a lawyer instead of a private investigator. She told the outlet: 'I am preparing to travel to Mexico personally to further the efforts to locate her and verify that she is acting of her own free will and is truly safe.' The family has previously said the search for Hannah is 'far from over, and they are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely'. 'We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannah's disappearance,' they said in a statement shared online by NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin. 'Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search. 'We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannah's safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions. 'Spreading awareness and sharing verified information about her case is crucial, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts.' Police revealed that Kobayashi had been spotted on security footage crossing the border into Tijuana and updated her status to a 'voluntarily missing person' The family have repeatedly shared their concerns that Hannah may be in danger, with Sydni saying that even if she decided to go off-grid, she would have reached out after her father took his own life during the search efforts. 'With my father's passing, with it being everywhere, in her right state of mind, she would have never thought to not reach out to anybody,' she told Hawaii News Now. They also claimed that they received a string of strange text messages from Kobayashi that seemed to suggest she was in trouble and someone had stolen her money. In the messages, she claimed she had recently undergone a 'spiritual awakening,' after she was due to meet family in New York. In another, she claimed: 'Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday.' A third text message to a friend said she was 'tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds for someone I thought I love.' Kobayashi had also sent some unusual Venmo payments following her disappearance. One payment was sent at 6:25pm on November 9 to a person named Veronica Almendarez for an unknown amount, with the description of the payment only showing a drawn bow and arrow emoji. The second was made less than an hour later to someone called Jonathan Taylor, also for an undisclosed amount, with the description only saying: 'Reading.' Family members said the did not recognize either name, and have noted hat Kobayashi's phone has been off since November 11, with her last pinned location being the Los Angeles International Airport. Sources have since claimed to Los Angeles Magazine that Kobayashi had apparently been scammed out of the proceeds of a green card visa scheme Sources have since claimed to Los Angeles Magazine that Kobayashi had apparently been scammed out of the proceeds of a green card visa scheme. The outlet said that Kobayashi and her then-partner landed in LAX with plans to board their connecting flight, with her legal husband and his partner also onboard. LA Mag reports that the scam was uncovered by Kobayashi's mother who found documents listing an attorney for her daughter's marriage, which she handed over to law enforcement. In a statement from the family lawyer Sara Azari, she said that the family did not have 'the facts or necessary documents' to verify what they called the 'alleged marriage'. Their statement said: 'This is one of many leads we are actively investigating with the help of our attorney and investigative team. 'We would also like to confirm that we turned over the alleged information to law enforcement immediately upon receipt.' Press Release December 8, 2024 Gatchalian flags shortage of more than 7,000 'special needs education' teachers Public schools nationwide are facing a shortage of more than 7,000 special needs education (SNED) teachers, Senator Win Gatchalian flagged. During an oversight review of Republic Act No. 11650, also known as Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education Act, Gatchalian raised that there is an estimated shortfall of 7,651 SNED teachers based on public school enrollment for School Year (SY) 2023-2024. To date, there are only 5,147 SNED teachers, while there are 323,344 learners with disabilities aged two to 17 enrolled for SY 2023-2024. "One of the challenges in implementing inclusive education is the supply of qualified teachers. The intention is to address the supply issues in terms of teachers with knowledge in special needs education," Gatchalian said. The lawmaker urged the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to work closely together to ensure the availability of qualified SNED teachers. Republic Act No. 11650 institutes the policy of inclusion in all public and private early and basic education schools. These schools are mandated to ensure that all learners with disabilities have equitable access to quality education, such that no learner shall be denied admission on the basis of disability. The law also aims to train and equip teachers and school personnel in the care, development, education, and advancement of learners with disabilities. Under the law, the DepEd is mandated to collaborate with the CHED to ensure that updated courses on inclusive education, which respond to the diverse needs of learners with disabilities, are included in bachelor of elementary or secondary education programs. Republic Act No. 11650 also mandates the development of a scholarship program for in-service teachers to pursue required master's degree units in special needs education, inclusive education, or related courses. Grantees will be required to fulfill a return service obligation within the DepEd. "The reason why we wanted to come up with a scholarship program is precisely to address the shortfall, because moving forward, as we encourage more parents to send their children to school and as we implement the Child-Find System, we will see an uptick in enrollment and we have to make sure that we have teachers who are trained in special needs education," said Gatchalian, sponsor and co-author of Republic Act No. 11650. Kakulangan ng higit 7,000 na 'special needs education' teachers pinuna ni Gatchalian Pinuna ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang kakulangan ng mahigit 7,000 special needs education (SNED) teachers sa isang pagdinig na sumuri sa pagpapatupad ng inclusive education para sa mga learners with disabilities o mag-aaral na may kapansanan. Sa naturang pagdinig hinggil sa oversight review ng Republic Act No. 11650 o ang 'Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education Act.', binigyang diin ni Gatchalian ang kakulangan ng 7,651 SNED teachers batay sa public school enrollment para sa School Year (SY) 2023-2024. Sa kasalukuyan, meron lamang 5,147 na mga SNED teachers, samantalang umabot sa 323,344 learners with disabilities na may edad na dalawa hanggang 17 ang nag-enroll noong SY 2023-2024. "Isa sa mga hamon sa pagpapatupad ng inclusive education ang pagtiyak na may sapat at kwalipikado tayong mga guro. Intensyon nating tugunan ang mga isyu na may kinalaman sa kakulangan ng mga gurong may kaalaman o eksperto sa special needs education," ani Gatchalian. Kasunod nito, hinimok ni Gatchalian ang Department of Education (DepEd) at ang Commission on Higher Education (CHED) na magtulungan upang matiyak ang pagkakaroon ng mga kwalipikadong SNED teachers. Ginawang institutionalized ng Republic Act No. 11650 ang policy of inclusion sa lahat ng pampubliko at pribadong early at basic education schools. Mandato sa mga paaralang ito na tiyakin ang equitable access sa dekalidad na edukasyon para sa lahat ng mga mag-aaral na may kapansanan. Sa ilalim ng batas, walang mag-aaral ang mapagkakaitan ng oportunidad na makapasok sa isang paaralan dahil lamang sa kanyang kapansanan. Layon din ng batas na bigyan ng pagsasanay ang mga guro at school personnel sa pangangalaga at edukasyon ng mga mag-aaral na may kapansanan. Minamandato ng batas sa DepEd na makipag-ugnayan sa CHED upang matiyak na ang mga programang bachelor of elementary o secondary education ay may mga kurso sa inclusive education. Nakasaad din sa batas ang pagkakaroon ng scholarship program para sa mga in-service teachers na kukuha ng mga kurso sa mga required master's degree units sa special needs education, inclusive education, at iba pang related courses. Kapalit nito, kakailanganin ng mga benepisyaryo ng programa na tumupad ng return service sa DepEd. "Isinulong natin ang pagkakaroon ng scholarship program upang tugunan ang kakulangan sa mga guro. Habang hinihikayat natin ang mas maraming magulang na papasukin ang kanilang mga anak sa paaralan at habang ipinatutupad natin ang Child-Find System, makikita natin ang pagtaas ng enrollment rate. Kailangang tiyakin nating may sapat tayong bilang ng gurong may kasanayan sa special needs education," ani Gatchalian, sponsor at co-author ng Republic Act No. 11650. PHOCWENI The Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) has been inconsistent in remitting pension payments to retirement fund administrators. This has caused delays for retiring employees and their relatives in receiving their funds promptly. Notably, claims for deceased workers relatives have also been affected due to the RSTPs failure to timely remit the monthly contributions. While the exact amount owed to the employee benefit consulting company remains undisclosed, the RSTP employs over 200 individuals. The number of affected retirees could not be ascertained but a couple of them called this newspaper to register their complaints against the companys pension fund, which has left them frustrated and greatly inconvenienced. However, assuming a conservative monthly contribution of E1 000 per employee, the employers total contribution could reach E3 000 per employee. This is reportedly possible if the employers contribution is E2 000. Default Sources suggest that the RSTP defaulted on payments for two to four months, possibly not up to five months though. If the default occurred thrice, the parastatal might owe E1.8 million, considering all 200 workers contribute E3 000 monthly (E1 000 from employees and E2 000 from the employer). Alternatively, if half of the workers contribute E3 000, and the other half contribute E1 500 monthly over three months, the total owed could be E1 350 000 (E900 000 for the E3 000 contributors and E450 000 for those contributing E1 500). Senzo Malaza, the Senior Communications Officer at RSTP, acknowledged the pension remittance inconsistencies and apologised to affected employees and their families. He assured that the company is diligently addressing the shortfall caused by circumstances beyond its control. He said the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology has shown unwavering support in resolving the issue satisfactorily. Sources indicate that the pension fund fell into arrears due to underfunding, leading management to utilise retirement funds for salary payments.Busangani Mkhaliphi, Director of the Public Enterprises Unit (PEU), highlighted the RSTPs cash flow challenges impacting operations and strategies, emphasising the need for urgent resolution. This she revealed in one of her quarterly reports. She said she was made to understand that governments fiscal position caused this challenge. However, it must be said the RSTP had received E18.86 million subvention for the quarterly period ended June 2022. Deficit Mkhaliphi commented that the RSTP incurred a deficit of E5.32 million, compared to a surplus of E8.35 million recorded in the last review period ended March 2022. The deficit was attributable mainly to the RSTP generating less other income and receiving less subvention compared to the last quarter. She said the public enterprise lacked coordinated effort to implement the Information Technology (IT) solutions for government. This was due to the silo approach to IT solutions by ministries. It is understood that the RSTP supported the Ministry of Agriculture in the development of the Agriculture Integrated Information System (AIIS) and the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC). The RSTP fund is managed by one of the entities under the Tibiyo Insurance Group. Tibiyo Insurance Group (Pty) Ltd (TIG)is the group holding company of Tibiyo Insurance Brokers (Pty) Limited (TIB), Swaziland Employee Benefit Consultants (PTY) Limited and Tibiyo Administrators and Premium Payment Plan (PTY) Limited. These are companies incorporated in Eswatini and wholly owned by local shareholders. The Eswatini Employee Benefit Consultants (Pty) Ltd is a member of the Tibiyo Insurance Group. It was established in 1985. It is a retirement fund solution provider for employers in the country and is one of the largest private providers of retirement fund administration and consulting services in the Kingdom of Eswatini. One of its investment portfolio is the Sibaya Umbrella, which, at some point, had assets in excess of E520 million. It is the third largest fund in Eswatini. Sibaya offers retirement fund solutions tailored to include administration of funds, maintenance of fund accounts, benefit consulting, actuarial services, insurance broking without the employer ever having to establish their own fund. Divided Meanwhile, the RSTP is divided into two divisions - Information Technology Park and the Biotechnology Park.It manages about 317.17 hectares of land, for which 152 hectares is dedicated to industrial development land and 165.17 hectares are shared between research and laboratories, administration centres and residential buildings. Primarily, the RSTP was established to focus on the following activities: Agriculture, plant and animal biotechnology. Environment and biodiversity. Medical biotechnology. Biofuels, biofertilisers, biopesticides, biochemicals and bioenergy products. Bioprocesses, product development, and bioinstrumentation. Human resource development. Creation and strengthening of infrastructure in existing institutions and setting up new institutions. Basic research in new biology and biotechnology. His Majesty the King, the pioneer of the RSTP, wants the facility to be a sustainable development built on the developmental elements of compatibility, diversity, identity and efficiency for future physical development. In 2022, in related or almost related incident, the National Workers Union in Swaziland Higher Institutions (NAWUSHI) informed its members that the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Pension Fund was operating at a loss of E192 million. This was confirmed by a report of the UNESWA Board of Trustees for the year ended March 31, 2021. The workers complained that the fund was no longer able to pay terminal benefits and other packages of members who resigned from work, retired or died. He said the Board informed them that in order to be able to pay the packages, they had to disinvest from some of the funds investments. The UNESWA Fund, at that time, had investments in the country and South Africa. Over the past two years, it had disinvested about E50 million to pay packages of members who resigned from work, retired or died. Afected The affected employees numbered 955 members, inclusive of approximately 680 active members and 275 pensioners. In November 2023, over 100 parents took nine pension funds to court, compelling them to avail funds for their immediate needs until Likhwane Beneficiary Fund resumes normal operations. The pension funds were PSI Provident Fund, Eswatini Electricity Company Pension Fund, UNESWA Pension Fund, Eswatini Building Society Pension Fund, Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Pension Fund, and Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority Pension Fund. Others were Royal Eswatini Airways Pension Fund, Eswatini National Provident Fund Pension Fund and Premier Swazi Pension Fund (Pty) Ltd. Other respondents in the case were administrators of the provident/pension funds, Likhwane Beneficiary Fund and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). The funds are established by different employers for the benefit of their employees. The employer and employees enter into an agreement, in terms of which the former would deduct monthly sums from the latter. The employer adds a certain amount to that which has been deducted from the employee. The money would then be remitted to the pension fund or fund administrators. When the employee dies, the employer calls the beneficiaries to advise them about how much the employee each of them would receive from the members provident fund. A top lawyer has blasted Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over his handling of Daniel Penny's manslaughter case. The judge overseeing Penny's trial dismissed the top charge in the case on Friday at the request of prosecutors, allowing jurors to consider a lesser count after they deadlocked on whether he was guilty over the death of Jordan Neely on a New York subway train. Judge Maxwell Wiley's decision will now let jurors deliberate a charge of criminally negligent homicide, which carries a lighter punishment. But former U.S. assistant attorney Andy McCarthy has accused Bragg of using 'strong-arm' tactics to sway the jury. According to McCarthy, Bragg added a controversial recklessness charge to the indictment to provide the jury with the option of a compromise and increasing the likelihood of a conviction - even if it doesn't result in any jail time. Writing in National Review, McCarthy wrote, 'Bragg added a baseless recklessness charge to the indictment so the jury would have two counts, increasing the odds of conviction by giving the jury something to compromise on.' Trial testimony revealed that Neely, who was reportedly under the influence of drugs, had entered a subway car in a psychotic episode, threatening passengers. Initially, the jury could only deliberate on the secondary charge of criminally negligent homicide if they cleared Penny of manslaughter on grounds other than justifiable force. Jurors have been deliberating since Tuesday on whether to convict Daniel Penny, pictured, over Jordan Neely's death Former U.S. assistant attorney Andy McCarthy, pictured, has accused District Attorney Alvin Bragg of using 'strong-arm' tactics to sway the jury Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is a Democrat who has reduced violent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors However, after jurors reported being deadlocked multiple times, Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Dafna Yoran successfully requested the dismissal of the top charge. This move now allows the jury to focus solely on the lesser charge, which carries a maximum sentence of four years. McCarthy expressed frustration with this development, stating on Fox News, 'Today, the jurors have been Allen-charged to try to strong-arm them into deciding the count despite indicating, after three days, that they were deadlocked.' He also criticized the prosecution in National Review, arguing that the case lacked the elements needed for a recklessness charge. 'This was not remotely a recklessness case, where it could be said that Penny wantonly disregarded an obvious risk of death,' he wrote. Jurors have been deliberating since Tuesday on whether to convict Penny over Neely's death. If the jury still cannot reach a unanimous decision there is a risk that the case will fall apart and be declared a mistrial. If that happens, it will then be up to the prosecution to retry the case in front of a new jury. The difference between the two charges is whether Penny behaved recklessly vs negligently when he put Neely in the chokehold. Penny held Neely in a chokehold on the subway car floor while others assisted on May 1, 2023 The May 2023 incident sparked uproar in America - BLM says it was the racist killing of a mentally ill black man by an overzealous white military faithful after jurors reported being deadlocked multiple times, Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Dafna Yoran successfully requested the dismissal of the top charge. McCarthy pointed out that Penny had adjusted Neely's position to help him breathe, cooperated with police, and was unaware Neely had died during the incident. 'There is evidence that Penny moved Neely into a position that would make breathing easier, waited for the police to come and fully cooperated with them, and did not even know Neely was dead when he voluntarily spoke to police and explained what happened that he wasn't trying to hurt Neely, just subdue him until the police arrived. 'Now, after the jury could not find Penny guilty of recklessness after four days and how disturbing it is that one or more jurors were apparently in favor of doing so the judge is letting Bragg remove the recklessness count from the case. It will go down as an acquittal for Penny on that charge, so he is no longer facing a potential 15-year prison term. For the jury, however, it makes the hard work of the last four days pointless,' McCarthy explained. Despite McCarthy's objections, he acknowledged the prosecution's dual-charge strategy was having its intended effect. 'Unfortunately, the strategy is working the way it's designed to work,' he remarked. Judge Maxwell Wiley will now let jurors deliberate a charge of criminally negligent homicide, which carries a lighter punishment after the charge of manslaughter was dismissed Manslaughter requires proving a defendant recklessly caused another person's death, and carries up to 15 years. Criminally negligent homicide involves engaging in serious 'blameworthy conduct' while not perceiving such a risk and carries punishments ranging from probation to up to four years in prison. Penny's lawyers have said he was protecting himself and other subway passengers from a volatile, mentally ill man who was making alarming remarks and gestures. Prosecutors said Penny reacted far too forcefully to someone he perceived as a peril, not a person. During the monthlong trial, the anonymous jury heard from witnesses, police, pathologists, a Marine Corps instructor who trained Penny in chokehold techniques, as well as Penny's relatives, friends and fellow Marines. Penny chose not to testify . The case became a flashpoint in the nation's debate over racial injustice and crime, as well as the city's ongoing struggle to deal with homelessness and mental health crises in a transit system used by millions of New Yorkers every day. Anthony Albanese has labelled a synagogue firebombing an act of terrorism two days after the horrifying incident stunned the country. The Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea, Melbourne's south-east, was set alight around 4am on Friday morning as worshippers gathered for prayers. Two people suffered injuries following the attack, which Victoria Police believe was a 'targeted incident'. Mr Albanese came under fire for not labelling the attack an act of terrorism immediately following the firebombing with the prime minister finally making the admission on Sunday. 'My personal opinion is yes (it is terrorism), but there is a technical process,' he said. 'Tomorrow, the Victorian police and the Australian Federal Police will be having a meeting. 'There is a technical process that is agreed in the protocols for designating an event as a terrorist act. That meeting is taking place tomorrow. 'But if you want my personal view quite clearly, terrorism is something that is aimed at creating fear in the community and the atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were designed to create fear in the community. An undischarged bullet has been found outside a firebombed Melbourne mosque, sparking a new police investigation into the shocking incident Locals were seen placing floral tributes at the site of the firebombing over the weekend with more than 1,000 people expected to visit the synagogue on Sunday to demonstrate against anti-Semitism 'And therefore, from my personal perspective, (the act) certainly fulfil(s) that definition of terrorism.' Opposition leader had earlier ripped into Mr Albanese and accused him of being slow to stamp out anti-Semitism. '(The synagogue fire) should never have happened, and nobody should be surprised by the fact that it has happened, which is part of the tragedy,' he told Sky News on Sunday. 'This is an act of terrorism, pure and simple, and I think the Prime Minister's deliberate decision to seek political advantage over the course of last 12 months on this issue and play to a domestic audience of Green voters, I think, has been deplorable and one of the worst things I've ever seen in public life.' Locals were seen placing floral tributes at the site of the firebombing over the weekend with more than 1,000 people expected to visit the synagogue on Sunday to demonstrate against anti-Semitism. Police are hunting two masked men in connection with the attack that left worshippers fleeing the burning building while trying to save precious religious artefacts such as ancient handwritten parchment scrolls and Torahs (the first five books of the Jewish Bible). Two people suffered burns and several windows were smashed with several parts of the exterior damaged by the inferno, which gutted two of the three buildings of the synagogue. The building has been barricaded behind large steel fences where floral tributes and messages of support have been laid by member of the public. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen had to cut a press conference short at the firebombed synagogue as she came under sustained questioning by Jewish advocated Menachem Vorchheimer A Victoria Police spokeswoman revealed a single 9mm bullet was found on the footpath outside the synagogue just before 5pm on Saturday. 'The item will be examined and the exact circumstances surrounding it are being investigated,' she told the Herald Sun. 'All avenues of enquiry are being explored, it is too early to say if there is any connection at this stage.' Victorian Police have assured the Jewish community they will increase patrols around synagogues. Former Liberal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who lost Jewish family members during the Holocaust, said on Saturday Mr Albanese must declare the attack on the synagogue an act of domestic terrorism. 'There was a firebombing at a place of worship with people inside, who have been injured as a result and the legislation is very clear,' Mr Frydenberg said. Mr Frydenberg, who served as the previous member for the seat of Kooyong where the synagogue is located, also demanded Mr Albanese implement a national police taskforce to curb anti-Semitism and launch a judicial inquiry into Australian education institutions. 'Please prime minister, see what is happening and act. You and your ministers need to step up, not step back from the challenges we face,' he said. He claimed the Prime Minister had 'let it come to this' where the 'Australian Jewish community lives in fear... where anti-Semitism has become normalised'. An Aussie expat running over a dozen cafes in London has called on companies back home to take on the cost of card surcharges instead of passing them onto customers. Urban Baristas co-founder Huw Wardrope said Australia is behind the ball in limiting card surcharges for customers after the European Union and UK banned them in early 2018. The 44-year-old instead 'wears the cost' of card payments at his 15 locations and doubled down even against initial pushback from locals by going cashless. 'I feel for cafes, especially cafes in the UK, I know its a difficult business but I think its time (for Australia) to get with the times,' Mr Wardrope told the Daily Telegraph. Urban Baristas has continued to grow even while paying fees for processing card payments and is opening four more 'Aussie style' cafes next year. The businessman backed the Albanese government's plan to crackdown on charges to merchants for customers paying with card. Inserting a card to use Eftpos usually costs merchants less than 0.5 per cent of the sale, using contactless Visa and Mastercard payment can amount to 0.5 to 1 per cent each time for debit cards and one per cent to 1.5 per cent for credit cards. Customers are often passed on the charge which is estimated to cost just under $1billion-a-year according to data from the Reserve Bank of Australia. An Aussie expat who runs a flourishing cafe chain in London, Huw Wardrope (pictured), said companies back home should stop charging customers card surcharges The government announced the plan to target surcharges on debit cards in October, but remains vague on tackling charges on credit cards. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the government was prepared to ban debit card surcharging from the start of 2026, pending further consultation with the RBA. 'Consumers shouldn't be punished for using cards or digital payments, and at the same time, small businesses shouldn't have to pay hefty fees just to get paid themselves,' he said. 'We're prepared to ban debit card surcharges, subject to further work by the Reserve Bank and safeguards to ensure small businesses and consumers can both benefit from lower costs.' On a purchase of $100 the average cost added is 28c for EFTPOS, 52c for using the Mastercard network, 47c for using Visa and $1.88 for digital payments provider Square. A small business owner described the financial bind they are in with digital payments in a Facebook post. 'I run a small business we were using Square to take Eftpos last financial year, it cost us 40k in fees, we just can't absorb the costs. Cash is king,' they wrote. Finder's head of consumer research Graham Cooke said the long-term trends were away from using cash even if its cheaper. The UK and European Union banned merchants from passing on the charges for card payments to customers in 2018 (stock image) 'It does seem Aussies are choosing the convenience of plastic even though they have to pay these fees,' he said. The government wasn't free from the fees either and was found to have illegally charged Aussies billions over two decades. The issue came to light after the NSW government became aware that 92 million transactions had attracted $144million in illegal merchant fees since 2016. Commonwealth laws prohibit the government from collecting payment surcharges when people pay a tax or fee, according to finance minister Katy Gallagher. Ms Gallagher said in a statement the Albanese government would legislate to stop passing on debit surcharges from the ATO and Services Australia from January 1. 'This new legislation will provide the finance minister with the power to quickly and efficiently amend Commonwealth surcharging policies, including to stop Commonwealth agencies passing on debit card surcharges,' she said. 'These Bills will not impose any new surcharges but fix the historical issue to ensure existing surcharges are authorised by legislation.' Donald Trump has appointed a woman who accidentally killed her father to be the USs next surgeon general. Dr Janette Nesheiwat, 48, is expected to be sworn in within weeks of Mr Trumps January 20 inauguration to take the position as the nations top doctor. Glamorous Dr Nesheiwat is famous in the US as a medical expert on Fox News and has often talked about how losing her father at a young age inspired her career in medicine. But The New York Times last night revealed that when she was 13 she was involved in a freak accident that killed her father at the family home in Orlando, Florida. According to a 1990 police report, she told officers she was trying to find a pair of scissors and reached for a fishing tackle box on a shelf. She told police: I was in fathers bedroom at around 7.15am getting some scissors. I opened the fishing tackle box and the whole thing tipped over. Something fell out of it and there was a loud noise. I saw blood on my fathers ear. Ben Nesheiwat, 44, was declared dead the next day from a bullet wound to the head from a .38-calibre handgun, which was stored inside the tackle box. Donald Trump pictured on December 7 after meeting French president Emmanuel Macron and attending the Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening in Paris Dr Janette Nasheiwat accidentally shot dead her father aged 13 at the family home in Orlando, Florida A coroner ruled his death an accidental shooting. In her memoir, Beyond The Stethoscope, Dr Nesheiwat describes how the loss of her father inspired her to chose medicine as a career, but does not mention her role in his death. She wrote: When I was 13 years old I helplessly watched my dear father dying from an accident as blood was spurting everywhere. I couldnt save his life. This was the start of my personal journey in life to become a physician. She credited her mother Hayat for raising her to be successful. Mr Trumps choice of Dr Nesheiwat is just the latest in a line of colourful choices for high office in his new administration. He picked Karoline Leavitt, 27, to be the youngest-ever White House press secretary and gay billionaire Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary. The President-elects pick for Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, paid off a woman who alleged that he had sexually assaulted her in 2017, an accusation he denied and for which he was not charged. Five people have been killed after an explosion at an apartment block caused the building to partially collapse in the Netherlands. The explosion at the block of flats left a path of destruction after firefighters were called to the blaze on Saturday at 6.15am local time (5.15am GMT). Plumes of smoke could be seen from the three-storey building in the Hague on Saturday morning as firefighters battled the blaze. Five people have been killed, local authorities have now confirmed, bringing the total number of people rescued from the rubble so far to 10. Four of these were taken to hospital, while one was seen by paramedics at the scene before being taken to a shelter. It is still unknown how many people are missing although it is thought that up to 20 people may have been in the flats at the time of the blast. Searches for survivors continue with sniffer dogs being deployed to sift through the debris, however, parts of the site remain too dangerous to access. Neighbours described the impact of the blast as 'like an earthquake'. Five people have been killed, local authorities have now confirmed, bringing the total number of people rescued from the rubble so far to 10 as searches for survivors continue Glass windows could not withstand the force of the blast on Saturday morning Neighbours described the impact of the blast as 'like an earthquake' It's not clear how the explosion happened, however Dutch Police have said a car sped away from the scene at the time of the blast. Elite search and rescue teams, specialised in searching for victims in natural disasters and earthquakes have been sent to the scene and a large excavator has been installed at the site to help clear the debris. Dutch Media have also reported that five flats were destroyed by the explosion. Mayor van Zanen has previously said the chance of survivors was slim and warned the community to prepare for the 'worst case scenario'. He said: 'It is not known how many people are still under the rubble. But the reality is that there is only a slim chance of survival for them.' Residents described hearing a small explosion before the massive set the place ablaze. 'It was like an earthquake,' said bystander Dimi, 53. 'Something collapsed but we didn't see where it came from. I know these neighbours. My kids go to school with them. My new car has also been seriously damaged,' he added. 'I was asleep and suddenly there was this huge bang,' Adam Muller, a 14-year-old local, told AFP. 'I looked out of the window and just saw flames. It's a massive shock,' he added. The explosion at the block of flats left a path of destruction after firefighters were called to the blaze on Saturday at 6.15am local time (5.15am GMT) Searches for survivors continue with sniffer dogs being deployed to sift though the debris Elite teams were called to help with the searches for survivors Although searches are ongoing, parts of the site remain too dangerous to access Mayor of The Hague Jan van Zanen, right, said there was a slim chance of survival for those in the building at the time of the explosion Cars in the area were also damaged by the force of the explosion 'I was asleep and suddenly there was this huge bang,' Adam Muller, a 14-year-old local, told AFP. 'I looked out of the window and just saw flames. It's a massive shock,' he added. A statement from police said: 'Shortly after the explosion, at around 6:15 am, a car drove away at very high speed,' police said in a statement. 'The police would like to get in touch with people who saw this car driving or who may have camera footage.' Residents told local media the apartment block was mainly inhabited by elderly people and families with children. Around 40 residents of other blocks near the collapsed building were evacuated with some taken away by bus to an unknown location. National police commissioner Janny Knol said there was 'disbelief and uncertainty' in the community. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said in a statement: 'We sympathise with all those who have been personally affected or who fear for the fate of their loved ones.' Emergency services recover a body at the site where a three-storey apartment block partially collapsed Residents told local media the apartment block was mainly inhabited by elderly people and families with children Huge plumes of smoke billowed from a large hole where the three-storey block of flats stood A damaged car stands next to a fire truck at the scene of the explosion The three floors of the building consisted of shops on the ground floors and five two-storey apartments, authorities said, with living rooms on the second floor and bedrooms on the top. Prime Minister Dick Schoof wrote on X that he was 'shocked by the terrible images of a collapsed apartment building in The Hague'. 'My thoughts go out to the victims, all other people involved and the emergency services who are now working on the scene,' said Schoof. He said he had been in contact with the city authorities and promised any help necessary. A picture from local news agency ANP showed one person being led away on a stretcher into a waiting ambulance. Homes on multiple floors appeared to have been destroyed by the explosion, said Regio15. Early images from public broadcaster NOS showed several dozen firefighters tackling a large blaze and breaking down doors to gain access to the block. Smoke billows and fire continues to rage at the site of the explosion Emergency services block roads and work to extinguish the massive fire, still raging Firemen try to douse a fire following a fire and an explosion at a residential building in The Hague on December 7 Emergency services try to extinguish a fire following the explosion A three-storey apartment block in the Hague partially collapsed December 7, 2024 after a fire and explosion, firefighters said It is not yet known what caused the explosion or inferno near the Dutch city centre Damage to the scene following a massive explosion in the Hague on Saturday morning A picture from local news agency ANP showed one person being led away on a stretcher into a waiting ambulance. The Hague is the third biggest city in the Netherlands with a population of more than half a million. It is best known as the home of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and more than 150 international law organisations. They've been described as the 'backbone of rural communities' but fears are growing that village pubs could close in the wake of Rachel Reeves' recent Budget. Managers of rural inns joined countryside campaigners yesterday to warn that the Chancellor's tax hikes could be the 'last straw'. The owners of one gastropub openly blamed the move for hastening their closure and campaign group the Countryside Alliance warned that once village pubs, the 'backbone of rural communities', shut their doors, 'a piece of the rural fabric gets lost for ever'. Last month, TV star Jeremy Clarkson joined 13,000 farmers for a protest at Westminster amid claims that 70,000 farms would be hit by the tax changes. The changes will make inherited agricultural assets worth more than 1 million which were previously exempt liable for the tax at 20 per cent from April 2026. Ministers have disputed the claim, saying only about 500 estates across the UK would be affected. But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the day after the protest, Mr Clarkson's land agent Charlie Ireland gave MPs a private briefing on the full implications of the policy for the agricultural community. Now, there are fears that many rural pubs and restaurants will go under in the wake of Budget hikes in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the National Living Wage. Katie Parry-Evans, who runs the Hungry Ram gastropub with her husband Mike in Penuwch in Ceredigion, told customers it will shut on December 22. Catherine Parry-Evans with her husband Mike. She announced to customers her Hungry Ram gastropub in Penuwch, Ceredigion would close on December 22 Rachel Reeves visiting Leeds Corn Exchange on Friday. The Chancellor's hikes in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the National Living Wage could lead to some pubs going under Ms Parry-Evans called the recent Budget a 'kick in the guts for small businesses' The Countryside Alliance warned that once village pubs, the 'backbone of rural communities', shut their doors, 'a piece of the rural fabric gets lost for ever' She said: 'There is sadly no more we can do, especially as the recent Budget was nothing less than a kick in the guts for small businesses.' And Lucy Cruz of The Brewery Tap in Furneux Pelham, Herts, slammed Labour for failing to warn in its election manifesto of the increase to employer's NICs. She said: 'Any party that does that, to me that's just cold, hard-faced lying to your constituents.' Last night, Countryside Alliance director Mo Metcalf-Fisher said: 'The Budget is clobbering rural publicans at a time when many are already struggling.' Tory shadow communities secretary Kevin Hollinrake added: 'In rural areas, the village pub is of vital importance to those communities.' A Treasury spokesman said that while it had taken 'tough decisions', it had supported 'rural pubs by cutting duty on pints, increasing the employment allowance and providing 40 per cent relief off business rates bills next year.' A backpack found by officers in the hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killer did not contain the murder weapon, according to reports. Authorities looking for the individual responsible for gunning down Thompson in the early hours of Wednesday morning found the backpack inside Central Park on Friday. Sources have since told Bloomberg and NBC News that a jacket was found inside alongside Monopoly money. Police sources couldn't elaborate on if the jacket found was the same one seen in surveillance images. The backpack was taken to a forensic laboratory on Friday evening for examination after it was discovered. The bag was found by cops on their second sweep of the park, and was placed between boulders just south of the park's carousel. On Saturday footage obtained by DailyMail.com showed teams of police divers in the water near the Bethseda fountain as part of their search. Investigators confirmed the underwater search was related to Wednesday's 'brazen, targeted attack', which claimed the life of the 50-year-old father-of-two. New York's mayor Eric Adams also said the 'net is tightening' on his killer, telling The New York Post that officers now have a name for the suspect. The bag was found by cops on their second sweep of the park and was placed between boulders just south of the park's carousel The 50-year-old father-of-two was gunned down earlier this week, with the footage of his assassination circulating on social media amidst an ongoing manhunt for his killer He spoke as the search for Thompson's killer enters its fourth day but said that the authorities will not disclose the suspect's identity at this stage. 'We don't want to release that now,' he said. 'If you do, you are basically giving a tip to the person we are seeking and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all. 'Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask. We revealed his face. We're going to reveal who he is and we're going to bring him to justice.' On Friday night the NYPD gave a clearer idea of the killer's movements after he murdered Thompson. They say he entered the park after the shooting at 6:48am and then was spotted exiting on 77th Street in the Upper West Side of Manhattan oat 6:56am. Surveillance footage captured him near 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left the park, while still on his bike. At 7:04 am he then go into a taxi cab at 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue and headed north. By 7:30 am he had made it to the Port Authority bus terminal in the north of the city where they say he boarded a bus and left the city. On Friday evening new footage emerged in the minutes after the fatal shooting of the suspect flying up 6th avenue on his electric bike. Despite the lack of online sleuthing, the New York Police Department released images of the suspect in the case - one of which shows him smiling The footage, obtained by NewsNation, showed a new angle of his escape path and showed him darting across the street and into the early morning darkness of Central Park. On Thursday officials said the individual had arrived into the city in late November on a bus from Atlanta, Georgia, and had been staying inside a hostel on the Upper West Side. It was inside the hostel that a flirty exchange with a hostel worker gave police officers their first glimpse at the killer, when he was asked to lower his mask. Prior to the killing he was caught on surveillance cameras inside a Starbucks near the Hilton Hotel where he shoot Thompson. He is said to have bough two nutrition bars inside the chain alongside a bottle of water that was found at the scene. The image of the backpack that was found shows what appears to be one of the bars in the side pocket. Officers believe they are closing the net on Thompson's killer as the manhunt for him continued on Friday. A cop is seen here inside Central Park on Friday evening The Chief of Detectives with the NYPD Joseph Kenny has said that they believe the assassin is either a disgruntled ex-employee or an angry client. A motive is yet to be released, with police found bullet casings at the scene inscribed with the words 'deny', 'depose' and 'delay'. The messages bear similarity to Jay Feinman's 2010 book 'Delay, Deny, Defend', which details 'why insurance companies don't pay claims and what you can do about it.' On Friday night the FBI announced they had also joined in the investigation for the killer, offering a $50,000 for any information that leads to a conviction. Aussies have been left outraged over a sign blocking access to a beach unless visitors have paid for a permit. A woman was left stunned after making the trip to Middle Beach, also known as Dharrpamiwuy, near the north east tip of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. She shared a photo to social media platform X showing a sign advising it was an 'Indigenous protected area'. 'You are entering a designated recreation area on private lands. A Dhimurru Visitor Access Permit is required to enter,' it read. The visitor lashed out at the sign saying she would not be 'stopped from entering public places in my own country'. 'Looks like a great place to swim. Lets go!' she wrote. A Family Annual Permit, which includes two adults and up to four children, costs $207.50 while an individual must pay $108 for a year's access. A one month visitor person will cost an individual $89.25 while a 14-day permit costs $57.60 and a three-day one $39. A sign warning that a visitor permit was needed to access a beach in the Northern Territory has outraged social media users Children get issued a permit up to one month for $15.50. Several social media users vented their anger at having to buy a permit to access the land. 'The best way to get rid of an obnoxious/unfair law is to continually break it enmasse,' one said. 'What kind of government expects you to get a permit to enjoy a beach? The only way all this BS ends is if together we stop conforming to it,' another said. 'Taxpayers are footing the bill for the maintenance of these areas. Walk right in,' a third responded. Another added: 'We are taught such a narrow view, no doubt on purpose to create division.' 'We were all born on this planet, it is our home, all of it. No one group, can claim one part of it when the whole, belongs to all,' they wrote. 'Our soul purpose, as custodians is to care for it and thats simply, leave it as you found it. Its seems beyond ridiculous, to have to pay to live on a planet you were born on.' Middle Beach, also known as Dharrpamiwuy, is described 'as the perfect spot to sit and take in your surrounds' However, some people believed the sign should be heeded. 'Be thankful that you have indigenous people that care for the land and water,' they wrote. 'A purely public beach would likely have trash, or worse. Some indigenous where I'm living in Colombia have been on the land 3,000 years. 'It is flourishing because they value it above all else.' Indigenous leader Warren Mundine said the permit system in the Northern Territory was about 'protecting Aboriginal culture but also stopping people from coming onto their land'. 'Its very popular amongst Indigenous people because it stops people from coming in and bothering them,' he said. 'A lot of those beaches and waterways are under Native Title therefore you need to have a permit. 'The police like it because they are able to police the current act. The structures in the Territory are built around it.' However, Mr Mundine said he was a bit 50-50 on whether permits were a good thing. 'I understand the reasons why they want privacy and stuff like that but looking at economic development, tourism in regard to beaches it becomes a bit of a hassle,' he said. 'A lot of these roads are paid by government funds even though they are on peoples land. Warren Mundine said the permit system with popular with Indigenous people and with police 'That raises the question if we are paying for it should we be able to access them because they should be public road. 'By not being able to go into some villages the economic opportunity of service stations, shops is lost.' Mr Mundine argued another problem was 'land councils become all powerful, it becomes a semi-independent state'. 'What it really has created is a very strong power base of lawyers, white lawyers which worked in these land councils,' he said. Others social media users pointed out there was another sign set-up nearby that warned visitors to be careful of crocodiles. 'You see that sign but not the one behind it warning of deadly saltwater crocs and deadly stingers inhabit the area?' one wrote. 'That's why the first one is there, because people that are all kinds of stupid dont read the signs!' Traditional owners the Yolu require permits to travel and visit various areas of East Arnhem Land, which are issued by the non-profit Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation. 'The Aboriginal Land Act NT 1978 requires all individuals to have a current permit,' the corporation's website said. 'These permits enable residents and visitors alike to access the recreation areas for day use as much as you like, to walk, visit beaches and inland waterways, fish, BBQ, and so on. 'They also enable you to purchase a Camping Permit if you are staying overnight in Dhimurru Recreation Areas.' An Arnhem Land tourist site said Middle Beach 'features a lovely wide stretch of white sand and plenty of shade from the several casuarina trees scattered about, making it the perfect spot to sit and take in your surrounds'. 'If you are lucky you may even find one of the local food trucks parked up here serving the likes of fresh fish and chips or pizza,' the site said. 'This beach is also the location of one of the Gove Peninsula's biggest events, the Nhulunbuy Rotary Clubs annual Beach Volleyball Tournament. A town's cherished 125-year-old memorial clock has been wrecked after it was hit by a car. The Paterson Clock and drinking fountain has been described as the historic centrepiece of Bridge of Allan, in Stirlingshire. The ornamental iron landmark with an Egyptian-style plinth designed by the famed architect Alexander Greek Thomson was erected in 1899 in memory of local physician Dr Alexander Paterson. It had stood outside the Westerton Arms pub on the corner of Henderson Street and Union Street for 125 years before it was struck by a copper-coloured Mini Cooper at 4.25pm on Friday. The car is understood to have hit a barrier as it exited the pub car park before entering Union Street where it struck two parked cars. It then mounted the kerb and hit the clock tower, causing significant damage. Firefighters on the scene where a 125-year-old memorial clock was smashed into by a car The Paterson Clock and drinking fountain has been described as the historic centrepiece of Bridge of Allan, in Stirlingshire CCTV footage appears to show a pedestrian passing the clock a few seconds before it was toppled. Police Scotland said the 78-year-old driver of the Mini was taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. She will be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal for alleged road traffic offences. Although the clock section was said to be destroyed, parts have been salvaged. Bridge of Allan historian Craig Mair said: Its loss will be keenly felt locally. Bridge of Allan Community Council said: We will work with Stirling Council to understand the possibility of repair of such an important landmark. A woman has been left 'disgusted' by police and her council after both refused to help her remove a stranger's car from blocking her driveway. Bronwyn Courtenay discovered the Subaru blocking access to her Gould Street home at North Bondi, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, on Friday morning. Her first thought was to call her local police station but they quickly redirected her to Waverley Council. Unfortunately, the most the council could do was leave a $320 fine on the vehicle. 'They said I'd have to organise a tow truck to move it and pay for it,' Ms Courtenay told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'Why can't council just tow it away to the depot and have the registered driver call police, and the invoice is put on his windshield for when he picks it up?' As of midday Saturday, the car still remained parked across her driveway. 'I had to catch buses to work [instead of driving] and organise someone to take my daughter to a sporting commitment,' Ms Courtenay said. Browyn Courtenay has been locked in a battle with police and her local council to remove a car from blocking her driveway Ms Courtenay said she was forced to 'catch buses to work' as the stranger's car had blocked her car inside her property (pictured) 'If there was an emergency inside my house, there's no way an ambulance could get onto my property.' While Ms Courtenay admitted the street was often too tight for parking, she was 'disgusted' by council's apparent inability to help. A Waverley Council spokesperson said it was 'proactive in relation to this matter'. 'Once we were notified of the incident, the car was both fined and towed within 24 hours,' they said. MBABANE The pockets of taxpayers are expected to be further strained as government has decided to sign a contract valued at an estimated E5.2 billion. The contract is for the construction of the Strategic Oil Reserve facility at Phuzumoya, Siphofaneni, in the Lubombo Region. This decision comes despite the availability of a significantly cheaper proposal, which was estimated at E2.2 billion for the same project. The now-debated Strategic Oil Reserve facility is planned to be located at Phuzumoya, Siphofaneni, in the Lubombo Region. It is important to note that citizens have expressed concerns regarding the high costs associated with the infrastructure development projects that government is currently undertaking. Many of these concerns were highlighted during Sibaya (Peoples Parliament) held in November of the previous year. The outcry is primarily focused on the fact that most projects tend to exceed their initial cost estimates. The Times SUNDAY has learnt that following much deliberation, government has finally signed an agreement with the Overseas Investment and Development Corporation (OIDC), a Taiwanese company responsible for executing governmental overseas aid projects, to undertake the construction of the facility. A delegation from Eswatini, including officials from the Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC), travelled to Taiwan last week to finalise the deal. In a public announcement shared on Taiwanese social media, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan (Republic of China) confirmed the agreements signing, which occurred on November 29, 2024. The announcement was accompanied by photographs of the delegation from Eswatini alongside Taiwanese officials. The statement noted that Taiwans Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-Lung, met with a delegation led by Eswatinis Minister for Tinkhundla Administration and Development, Sikhumbuzo Dlamini and Nhlanhla Dlamini, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ENPC. According to the statement, during their discussions, representatives from both countries explored bilateral relations and Taiwans support in building an oil storage facility in Eswatini. Minister Dlamini is in Taiwan to witness the signing of a contract between Taiwans Overseas Investment & Development Corporation and ENPC. Minister Lin welcomed Dlamini on his visit and described the agreements signing as a significant milestone in the oil tank project, part of the statement reads.The announcement also noted: Eswatini is an important ally for Taiwan in Africa, and MOFA wishes to thank the King and the country for their continuous support of Taiwans involvement in the global community. We will continue to collaborate with the country based on our friendly relations under cooperative initiatives, aligning with the Allies Prosperity project. Clarified Velaphi Dlamini, Chairperson of the ENPC Board, confirmed the contracts signing but clarified that this remains a work in progress; further details, including design costs and other aspects, will be communicated to the public in due course. Conversely, the Minister for Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela, stated that this is a crucial national project still on the table. Enquire after it has undergone parliamentary approval; a financial bill must first be enacted, and that is all I can disclose, he said. It should be noted that the government has, for years, been advocating for the facilitys construction, believing it will guarantee the country a fuel reserve lasting up to 60 days, thereby reducing the risk of fuel shortages. Previously, the projects cost escalated to E3.2 billion, as reflected in the 2021/22 financial year budget estimates. Intriguingly, in 2022, His Majesty King Mswati III mentioned that the Strategic Oil Reserve would facilitate investment opportunities for oil traders from Abu Dhabi and Dubai in Eswatini. He stated this during a press briefing at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence, where he reported on his visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Taiwan and South Africa. The King said the main purpose of the trip in all these countries was to attract foreign investors.His Majesty said Eswatini could benefit from the crude oil and natural gas produced in Abu Dhabi and Dubai because oil proved to be a resource that was necessary for life to be easier. He said the natural gas could be used in Eswatini in a number of ways. The head of State mentioned that Eswatinis relationship with the UAE would make it easy to import oil from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai and that the facility could come in handy to store the oil that could be traded with the UAE. According to the international trade administration, the UAE is among the worlds 10 largest oil producers. About 96 per cent of the countrys roughly 100 billion barrels of proven oil reserves are located in Abu Dhabi, ranking number six worldwide. The UAE produces an average of 3.2 million barrels of petroleum and liquids per day.Government has previously explained that the facility had three components blending, refinery and storage. Energy experts say blending amounts of alternative fuel with conventional petrol/diesel is one way to conserve petroleum. Blends can also consist of two types of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG). Other experts say fuel blending involves mixing hazardous wastes or hazardous waste and commercial fuels to meet the specifications required by an incinerator, a cement kiln or an industrial furnace. It should be noted that in October this year, Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators raised concerns after learning that there was a controversy surrounding the construction of the facility.This happened during a workshop organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy for its Portfolio Committees in both Houses of Parliament. Our sister publication, the Times of Eswatini, reported that the concerns by the MPs submitted that they had heard different versions about the value of the construction of the facility. engaged The MPs are said to have raised that they had heard rumours that government had engaged or given in to a proposal by the Republic of China (Taiwan) to construct the oil and fuel reserve two times the price of an initial contractor that was engaged by the ENPC. Initially, the MPs complained about the price of the oil reserve which was then estimated at E2.2 billion. However, reports emerged that price could possibly increase to E7 billion after the Republic of China (Taiwan) forwarded its proposal to do the work. The construction of the reserve under the ENPC will see the country having up to 60 days of fuel supply, thus safeguarding the country from any shortages should there be challenges in terms of transportation among other issues in the countries Eswatini uses as transit for its fuel. During the work, as reported by our sister publication, the ENPC CEO informed the parliamentarians that the company conducted a feasibility study and business case that were completed in 2023. The CEO is said to have said a consultant from neighbouring South Africa was appointed by ENPC to produce detailed designs of the Phuzumoya Project and cost estimates.The appointment, the CEO reportedly said, was through a competitive bidding that was approved by the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ESPPRA). Moreover, the CEO reportedly said a 99-year lease for the land is in place at Phuzumoya and part of the fundraising is ongoing and that the Republic of China (Taiwan) had shown interest and the government requested that ENPC to give Taiwan an ear. Estimated He said the Taiwanese presented their basic designs that were estimated to be at E7 billion. He said they engaged with the Republic of China (Taiwan) until the designs were E5.2 billion. Parliamentarians were informed that talks are ongoing between government, ENPC and Taiwan and that there were two prices, E2.2 billion and E5.2 billion on the table. Furthermore, the parliamentarians were informed that ENPC had already raised E1 billion for the project which can finance the 30-day storage, which is 4 000 litres.Furthermore, the CEO communicated his wish to have the project started in the first quarter of 2025. That would have depended on whether the ENPC constructs the 30-day storage or 60-day one, but that was to happen within two and a half years. The project is expected to make financial gains for the country. Following the presentation by the CEO, the parliamentarians demanded answers on why it was difficult to take a decision on which consultant or contractor to engage. The MPs are said to have submitted that they had heard reports that the cheaper price was just for basic designs while the higher price included refinery plants. It was revealed that the expensive contract actually covered just basic designs yet the cheaper one was a more detailed design. Information gathered suggested that the consultant conducted similar jobs in recent years in Botswana for E1.8 billion; hence the E2.2 billion was practical. Meanwhile, this publication reported how His Majesty King Mswati III wanted the contract for the construction of the Strategic Oil Reserve facility to be signed as soon as possible. It was reported that upon his arrival at the ENPC stand during this years international trade fair, the King enquired about the exact timeline for the contracts finalisation. In a light-hearted manner, he elicited laughter from those present by noting the presence of Ambassador Jeremy Liang and requesting that he be summoned to confirm the news regarding the imminent conclusion of the contract negotiations. The ambassador, who was positioned a short distance from His Majesty, approached and stood beside the CEO. Please share the good news that I have been hearing. The good news that the contract for the construction of the Strategic Oil Reserve will be finalised next week, the King stated at that time to a round of applause. The ambassador responded with a smile, and the King then urged all parties involved in the project to confer and provide him with updates the following week. It is essential to recognise that during the presentation of the Speech from the Throne in February 2024, the King emphasised the necessity of prioritising certain outstanding capital projects, including the Strategic Oil Reserve. The King explicitly expressed his desire for the project to commence within six months. For context, in September of the previous year, Taiwan committed to assisting Eswatini, its sole African ally, in the construction of a new oil tank, as outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both nations and their respective enterprises. Initiatives The Overseas Investment and Development Corporation (OIDC), a Taiwanese firm dedicated to executing government overseas aid initiatives, was appointed to develop the Strategic Oil Reserve facility. It was reported that the Kingdom of Eswatini aimed to establish an oil tank capable of storing a minimum of 30 days worth of oil reserves. Former President Tsai Ing-wen, during her four-day visit to Eswatini, praised the agreement as a significant advancement in the bilateral relations between the two nations. She noted that discussions regarding the construction project had been ongoing for some time, emphasising that the proposed facility would play a crucial role in securing the nations energy supply. According to the governments website, Eswatini relies heavily on oil imports from South Africa, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in international crude oil prices. Consequently, government has tasked its national oil company, ENPC, with the responsibility of constructing and managing the oil reserve facilities to enhance energy security. The MoU was signed by Jeff Chung, General Manager of OIDC, and Nhlanhla Dlamini in his capacity as the CEO of ENPC. The signing ceremony was attended by His Majesty King Mswati III and former President Tsai. Established in 1995, OIDC is a collaboration of various State-run and private enterprises in Taiwan, aimed at executing aid and infrastructure initiatives in allied nations of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The proposed new oil reserve facility is anticipated to bolster fuel supply security and significantly aid the socio-economic development of Eswatini through infrastructure enhancement and job creation. On its website, the ENPC states that it is the countrys national oil company established by the Petroleum Act No.18 of 2020 and has been mandated by government to build and operate a Strategic Oil Reserve Facility at Phuzumoya. The company says the facility will enable security of fuel supply and significantly contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country through infrastructural development and job creation. In November 2023, ENPC invited companies for pre-qualification of contractors for the proposed construction of the Strategic Fuel Reserve Facility at Phuzumoya. This was referred to as Tender No.10 of 2023/2024. According to the project background as relayed by the ENPC, the public entity is planning to construct a Strategic Oil Reserve facility at Phuzumoya that will be central to the countrys goal of having security in energy supply and mitigate fuel supply disruptions. Currently, Eswatini sources petroleum products from the international markets through the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique. Most of the products are distributed from the commercial storage facilities in Matsapha. The company said the stock was, however, generally limited to approximately two to three days storage, despite the Petroleum Act of 2020 mandating the oil companies to hold 14-days commercial stock. As a result, the Government of Eswatini, through ENPC, intends to develop the Strategic Oil Storage facility. The facility will hold up to 80 million litres of fuel stock, which is equivalent to 60 days consumption for the country. It will also offer blending for all its 95-ULP. Proof that Eswatini was determined to see the project start was evident when Prime Minister (PM), Russell Mmiso Dlamini visited Taiwan in March this year to pitch for investment for the African kingdom and discuss details of the fuel storage facility. During his visit, the PM gave feedback to the effect that he had an engagement with former President Tsai Ing-wen and that they then proceeded to tour Taiwans leading engineering company, CECI Engineering Consultants. Also, the PM shared that ambassadors from both countries presented a progress report of the project at Phuzumoya and its designs. The PM emphasised that the establishment of the facility will enhance the nations ability to secure its fuel supply, thereby mitigating the economic repercussions of potential fuel supply disruptions in the market. He noted that Eswatini currently lacks fuel stock reserves and that the existing bulk fuel storage infrastructure is severely limited. This situation renders us economically vulnerable to any disruptions in the supply chain, whether from external or internal sources. Therefore, the creation of this facility is of paramount importance, the PM said. Reputable During his visit, he encouraged CECI to establish operations in Eswatini, as it is a reputable company that employs approximately 2 300 individuals in Taiwan and other countries. Their expertise lies in the construction sector, and they are well-known for their work on railway lines, bridges and hospitals, among other projects, he explained. Nine years ago, the cost for the construction of the facility was E900 million. In the financial year 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, theENPC had fixed the costs at E2.1 billion. A proposal was tabled by a certain company fixed the construction of the Strategic Oil Reserve facility at US$380 million, the equivalent of E7 billion in the current foreign exchange rate. The Burgan Cape Terminals (Pty) Ltd, South Africa, built the 118 million-litre fuel storage capacity in Cape Town at a cost of E1.2 billion. It was built because of the shortage of oil refinery facilities in Cape Town, long haul distances and congested loading at existing facilities. It was launched on August 30, 2017. The facility was built by VTTI. VTTI, at some point, showed an interest in constructing the Phuzumoya fuel storage facility at a cost of E900 million. Syrians have pleaded for their loves ones to be freed from the notorious 'slaughterhouse' prison of Saydnaya after rebels freed thousands of detainees elsewhere in Homs. The military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera. Amnesty International research said the Syrian authorities had committed crimes against humanity with thousands of inmates in the prison 30km north of Damascus being murdered, tortured, and exterminated. They determined that the violations committed at the brutal facilities over the last decade under dictator's Bashar al Assad regime, which has seen over 10,000 political detainees vanish, was part of an attack against civilians. Thousands poured into the streets of Homs tonight as pro-regime troops fled, with rebels freeing thousands of detainees from the city prison as security forces left in haste after burning their documents. Assad previously denied both killing thousands of detainees at Saydnaya as well as using a secret crematorium to dispose of their remains in 2017. He also branded the allegations by the US State Department of up to 50 people being hanged daily at the brutal military prison as 'a new Hollywood story detached from reality'. Now as rebels edge closer to Damascus, many Syrians are hopeful they will liberate the 'industrial torture chamber' which is famed for its inhumane conditions, systematic torture and mass executions. Syrians have pleaded for their loves ones to be freed from the notorious 'slaughterhouse' prison of Saydnaya (Pictured) after rebels freed thousands of detainees elsewhere in Homs Rebel fighters stand on a military vehicle in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance on Saturday Journalist Samer Daboul, whose uncle was taken into custody for smuggling bread and vanished behind the prison walls in 2012, eagerly awaits news regarding the man who was 'one of the most influential people in his life' 'He taught me about Syria's history, the revolution, and why it was necessary,' he told the BBC. 'I want him to know that the young man he inspired 12 years ago is now a journalist reporting on Syria. I want him to be proud of me.' Several have taken to social media to encourage the rebels to reach the notoriously cruel prison and liberate its inmates, while others hope their relatives, who they have not seen or heard from - some in years - are still alive. Intense sounds of shooting were heard in the centre of the Syrian capital Damascus, two residents said on Sunday as rebels make their way towards the capital. It was not immediately clear where was the source of the shooting, two residents who live in a residential area close to the centre of the capital said. It comes as Syrian government forces abandoned the key city of Homs after less than a day of fighting, leaving Assad's 24-year rule dangling by a thread with insurgents also advancing towards the capital Damascus. Pro-regime troops fled the city of Homs with thousands of residents dancing and chanting 'Assad is gone, Homs is free' and 'Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad'. The military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' with reportedly between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011 The military prison (Pictured from an aerial view) is famed for its inhumane conditions, systematic torture and mass executions A rebel fighter gestures in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance and later took control of the city Residents in Hama set ablaze a large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hanging on the facade of a municipal building A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria Western officials have claimed that Assad's government could fall within the next week It comes shortly after Assad was mocked after rebels unearthed a photo of the Syrian president wearing nothing but a tiny pair of Speedos. Following a lightning rebel advance in Syria last week, Jihadi rebels came across a photo of the Syrian leader scantily clad as a young man. The image shows the dictator posing alongside three other people in swimsuits as they are perched on the side of a boat in the night. The picture quickly gained attention on social media, with one person writing: 'A picture found in the palace of the idiot and criminal Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo.' The funny reaction online comes amid reports from Western officials that Assad's government could fall within the next week. Rebels fired into the air in celebration as they took control of Homs, and youths tore down posters of the Syrian president, whose territorial control has collapsed in a dizzying week-long retreat by the military. The fall of Homs and threat to the capital pose an immediate existential danger to the Assad dynasty's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. Homs' capture is also a powerful symbol of the rebel movement's dramatic comeback in the 13-year-old conflict. People in Damascus topple a statue of Hafez al-Assad and wave a Druze flag as rebel forces approach the capital, on December 7 A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti government forces burn after it was hit by regime forces in the Hama governorate A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces is pictured abandoned on the side of a road in the Hama governorate, on December 7 A government armoured vehicle burns as rebels ride along the road south of Hama, in the south of Syria Anti-regime armed rebels fire their weapons into the air in victory after capturing Hama Swathes of Homs were destroyed by gruelling siege warfare between the rebels and the army years ago. The most powerful insurgent leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the main rebel leader, called the capture of Homs a historic moment and urged fighters not to harm 'those who drop their arms'. Mohammed al-Golani, also said in a separate statement that rebels were on the cusp of taking the whole country and 'the end of the criminal regime is near'. The battle for control of the country is likely to turn quickly to the capital. Residents of numerous Damascus districts turned out to protest Assad on Saturday evening, and security forces were either unwilling or unable to clamp down. Assad's government may be on the verge of collapse, foreign officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity. One U.S. official put the potential timeframe at five to 10 days while another said Assad could be ousted in the coming week. A Western official agreed with the latter assessment. Since the rebels' sweep into Aleppo a week ago, government defences have crumbled at dizzying speed as rebels seized a string of major cities and reignited a rebellion in places it had long seemed dead. Seizing Homs, an important crossroads between the capital and the Mediterranean, effectively cuts off Damascus from the coastal stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite sect, and from Russia's air and naval base. The Syrian army and security commanders left Homs on Saturday by helicopter for the coast while a large military convoy withdrew by land, a senior army officer said. Rebels said they were entering the city centre. The fall of Bashar al-Assad's routine appeals all but assured (pictured: rebels ride past a damaged government vehicle in Hama) A picture believed to be showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wearing only speedos is taken by Rebels following the capture of his palace in Aleppo The images of Assad wearing speedos has generated ridicule on social media Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that Syrian opposition fighters reached the suburbs of the Damascus capital for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018, as Assad's regime nears collapse. One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syria's state news agency denied reports that Assad had already fled to Russia claiming he continued to govern from Damascus. However, following the statement claiming it was 'false news', a source has told CNN that Assad was 'nowhere to be found' at his usual residences in the capital. Lebanon said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side. The rapidly developing events in Syria have again put the region on edge. Government forces reportedly withdrew as rebel groups amassed in the city's suburbs, wrestling for control after more than a week of intensified fighting. Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6 Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July Armed groups reached the suburb of Darayya on Saturday afternoon, some five miles from the centre, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency. 'Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus,' said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani today, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive 10 days ago. 'Damascus awaits you,' HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, said in a statement Saturday addressed to rebel fighters on Telegram. Syrians still in the nominally government-controlled territory of Jaramana seized the opportunity to pull down a statue of Assad's father as the regime faces collapse. To the north, rebel troops made a lunge towards the strategic city of Homs, just days after they proclaimed a major victory in the taking of the city of Hama on Thursday. The staggering assault has seen rebels opposed to the regime make the fastest battlefield advance by either side since the civil war began almost 13 years ago. Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week, and his brothers-in-law allegedly travelled to the UAE, per Syrian security officials. Assad's allies in Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, distracted or worn-down by other conflicts, meanwhile showed no signs of intervening. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN that Turkey wishes that neighbouring Syria can 'quickly attain the peace and tranquillity it has longed for' during 13 years of civil conflict. He said: 'I want to say this openly: We do not have our eyes on land not even a pebble that belongs to another country.' Charles Lister, director of the Syria and countering terrorism and extremism programs at the Middle East Institute, told Bloomberg that Assad's future has 'never looked more fragile' as the opposition encroaches on Homs and allied support withers. Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, casts her vote during the country's presidential elections in Douma, Syria, with her husband in this file photo taken in 2021 While capturing Homs could close the land route between the government and Tartus, home to Russia's only Mediterranean port, Russia appears not to be in a position to help Assad regain ground with focus and resources directed to Ukraine. 'Russia doesn't have a plan to save Assad and doesn't see one emerging as long as the Syrian president's army continues to abandon its positions,' a source 'close to the Kremlin' told Bloomberg. Iran, likewise, has been hesitant, or unable, to funnel its support to Syria. On Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he would would only help Assad 'to the extent necessary', but previously promised to 'consider' sending troops. The capture of Hama has given rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before. Jihad Yazigi, editor of the Syria Report newsletter previously told Reuters: 'Assad now cannot afford to lose anything else. The big battle is the one coming against Homs. If Homs falls, we are talking of a potential change of regime.' It follows a staggering effort to seize Aleppo, the main northern city in Syria, last week as part of a blitz offensive beginning on November 27. Balinese officials remain certain the remaining Bali Nine members will continue serving their life sentences when they are transferred back to Australia. Willy Aditya, who is the chairman of Commission XIII overseeing human rights, immigration and terrorism, said he strongly supported the transfer plan while speaking from Kerobokan Jail on Saturday. He said the five remaining members would continue their prison term and that negotiations were still ongoing. 'This is a good political will that should be welcomed,' he said. 'Although we don't have the regulation for transferring prisoners, they can still be transferred. We don't release them. They are just transferred to their country to continue their prison term. 'Regarding this, we are hoping Australia will reciprocate. We are now negotiating with Australia.' His comment comes after Indonesian human rights lawyer Yusril Ihza Mahendra met Australian home affairs minister Tony Burke in Jakarta on Tuesday. Mr Burke received a draft proposal for the return of the inmates who were arrested in 2005 for trying to smuggle more than 8kg of heroin out of the Indonesian resort island. Five of the Bali Nine - Scott Rush, Matthew Norman (pictured), Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj - will be transferred home to Australia They include Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens and Michael Czugaj. Ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed in 2015, sparking a diplomatic incident with Australia, while Renae Lawrence was released in 2018 and Tan Duc Than Nguyen died of cancer the same year. 'We never release them. Don't misunderstand. We transfer in one condition as prisoners back to the country concerned,' Mr Mahendra said. 'So even if the Bali Nine case is later transferred to Australia, it is not us freeing them, we transfer them to Australia as prisoners. 'Later they will serve their sentences in Australia based on our court decision. That must be recognised by the Australian government and respected.' Mr Mahendra added if the Australian government later decides to grant a pardon, remission, or amnesty, that decision will be entirely within their authority. Mr Burke said it was a 'significant step forward' after an Indonesian propsal was handed over during the meeting and said it showed 'significant goodwill'. Impediments within both legal systems were discussed. Balinese officials remain adamant the remaining Bali Nine members (pictured) will continue serving their life sentences in Australia 'I have full respect for the Indonesian legal system and approach the conversations with a great deal of respect and a great deal of humility,' Mr Burke said. 'There are some issues which have not yet been resolved and that work will continue between our officials.' Jakarta is seeking the repatriation of Indonesian prisoners held in Australia as part of any deal. Mr Mahendra said the terms of the draft include the five remaining Bali Nine members being banned from returning to Indonesia, regulations on the legal basis for the transfer and a requirement that Australia respect the decision of the Indonesian court. 'The ball is no longer in our government's court, the ball is in the Australian government,' he explained. On Friday, camera crews were invited inside the jail on the Indonesian holiday island on Friday where Mr Norman was pictured talking with officials and Mr Chen was filmed working in a silversmithing class with fellow prisoners. Elite troops from the SAS and SBS are hunting down those responsible for a string of suspicious drone flights over American air bases, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Special Forces soldiers are believed to have been secretly flown by helicopter to East Anglia on November 30. Their deployment came after a string of mysterious drone sightings at four sensitive bases used by the US Air Force: Lakenheath and Mildenhall in Suffolk, Feltwell in Norfolk and Fairford in Gloucestershire Some of the troops are believed to be operating the RAF's ORCUS counter-drone weapons, which can jam the signal to devices, allowing them to take over the controls. The US and UK have not publicly identified who is believed to be behind the incidents but sources have said the activity could be a 'sinister' plot, with people being paid to fly the drones. It comes amid heightened tensions with Russia, with Vladimir Putin saying his military could target the UK in direct response to Ukraine's use of British-made Storm Shadow missiles. It was reported last month that about 60 British troops were scrambled to help USAF with its probe of the incidents. The MoS can reveal, however, that their numbers appear to have been bolstered last weekend by a detachment of elite special forces troops. RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk has been earmarked as a storage facility for US nuclear warheads three times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb An Israeli military drone is seen flying over the Gaza Strip earlier this year. Unmanned aerial vehicles are playing a growing part in modern warfare It comes amid heightened tensions with Russia, with Vladimir Putin saying his military could target the UK in direct response to Ukraine's use of British-made Storm Shadow missiles Radar data seen by this newspaper showed how an RAF Chinook helicopter took off from its base at RAF Odiham in Hampshire on the afternoon of November 30, landing around half an hour later near the headquarters of the Special Boat Service in Poole, Dorset. The aircraft then flew to Hereford, where 22 Special Air Service, the Special Reconnaissance Regiment and a special forces signal regiment are all based. After a short time on the ground it then crossed the country, flying to Lakenheath and arriving at the air base at 4.37pm. Philip Ingram, a former senior intelligence and security officer in the British Army, said: 'If special forces were used as part of this and if it was the Russian GRU (military intelligence service) behind the drones then who better to send that message to them than British special forces? 'They have got all the techniques to scare them - they could go in heavy, arrest them heavy and give them a tactical talking to. The special forces have got a very good deterrence role.' The MoD last night said: 'We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites. We are supporting the US Air Force response.' It comes as new figures reveal how RAF Typhoon jets have been scrambled 22 times in the last three years to intercept foreign planes flying close to British airspace. More than half of the missions were to guide Russian military aircraft away from UK airspace, according to RAF insiders. So far this year, seven concerning incidents - including the detection of Russian aircraft - have been flagged to the RAF's Quick Reaction Force at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire or RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. South Korea's former defence minister has been arrested just a day after President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment vote over his calamitous attempt to impose martial law. The motion failed due to a boycott of the vote by Yoon's party, even though huge crowds braved freezing temperatures in another night of protests outside parliament in Seoul to demand the president's ouster. Kim Yong-hyun had already resigned as defence minister after the brief suspension of civilian rule late on Tuesday by Yoon that saw soldiers and helicopters sent to parliament. Yoon was forced to rescind the order hours later and parliament voted down his decree, and Kim had already been slapped with a travel ban. Police have launched an investigation into Yoon, Kim and others for alleged insurrection. The prosecutors' office was not immediately available for comment on Kim's arrest, reported by the Yonhap news agency and other local media outlets Sunday morning. Party leader Han Dong-hoon said that the party had 'effectively obtained' Yoon's promise to step down, and said until this happened he would 'be effectively excluded from his duties', leaving the prime minister and party to manage state affairs. The failure of the impeachment motion came as a huge blow to the massive crowds - numbering 150,000 according to police, one million according to organisers - demonstrating outside parliament. Former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun (pictured) has been arrested just a day after President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment vote over his calamitous attempt to impose martial law Police officers block protesters outside the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law Opposition Democratic Party members of parliament gather after the vote to impeach Yoon failed in the National Assembly National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik called the PPP's walkout 'a failure to engage in the democratic process' on the part of the ruling party. 'Even though we didn't get the outcome we wanted today, I am neither discouraged nor disappointed because we will get it eventually,' protester Jo Ah-gyeong, 30, said Saturday. 'I'll keep coming here until we get it,' she added. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung also claimed: 'I will impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, who has become the worst risk for South Korea, at any cost.' Before the vote, Yoon, 63, had apologised for the turmoil but said he would leave it to his party to decide his fate. 'I caused anxiety and inconvenience to the public. I sincerely apologise,' he said in the televised address, his first public appearance in three days. He said he would 'entrust the party with measures to stabilise the political situation, including my term in office'. Yoon addressing the nation on December 7, when he announced his shock decision to declare martial law and grant sweeping emergency powers to the military Protesters hold candlelights and placards calling for the impeachment of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on December 4 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law The backing of PPP lawmakers came despite party head Han - who was allegedly on an arrest list on Tuesday night - saying Yoon must go. Only three PPP lawmakers - Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Yea-ji and Kim Sang-wook - voted in the end. The failure of the impeachment motion 'means a more protracted political crisis,' Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korean Studies at the University of Oslo, told AFP. 'We will have a politically dead president - basically unable to govern any longer - and hundreds of thousands coming to the streets every week until Yoon is removed,' he said. In Tuesday's declaration, Yoon made the sudden move in response to unspecified threats from 'North Korean communist forces' and 'to eradicate the shameless pro-North anti-state forces'. He also accused the National Assembly of launching an unprecedented number of impeachment efforts against members of his administration, effectively paralysing key operations, and of handling the budget in a way that undermined the fundamental functions of the government, including public safety. A vile lookalike competition has taken place in New York with attendees encouraged to dress up as Brian Thompson's killer. The tasteless event was held in Washington Square Park on Saturday morning, as the manhunt for the UnitedHealthcare CEO's killer entered its fourth day. Eight contestants entered the event where they were seen donning hooded jackets and face masks in an attempt to look like the at-large assassin. The winner said that he headed towards the park in Manhattan after hearing about the contest on Saturday morning. He said: 'There was a post about a lookalike competition, I thought I could probably shave my moustache and put on my normal outfit. 'I think I could pull it off a little bit, I didn't get to see if he has hair so that helps a little. Plus he has a mask on, it's not hard to do that. 'The jacket I definitely had, somebody ran an impromptu vote among people that were here and I got the most cheers. I did not make any money. 'I appreciate the vote of confidence, supposedly there was money involved and I said I would give half to Palestinian relief. I don't know who or anyone that organized it.' The winner, seen here, said that he headed towards the park in Manhattan after hearing about the contest on Saturday morning Eight contestants entered the contest adorning themselves in hooded jackets and face masks in an attempt to look like the at-large assassin The winner said that he had his own problems with health insurance companies over medication that he was on, but was not a customer of UnitedHealthcare. Another contestant had a handwritten sign draped over his black clothing that said 'Deny Defend Depose', three words that the gunman had written on the shell casings. The New York Post reported that one passing person shouted: 'I dont know if you all should be doing this but your life choices I guess.' As the contest was underway, New York City mayor Eric Adams said the 'net is tightening' on his killer, telling reporters that officers now have a name for the suspect. He spoke as the search for Thompson's killer enters its fourth day but said that the authorities will not disclose the suspect's identity at this stage. 'We don't want to release that now,' he said. 'If you do, you are basically giving a tip to the person we are seeking and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all. 'Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask. We revealed his face. We're going to reveal who he is and we're going to bring him to justice.' As the contest was underway, New York City mayor Eric Adams said the 'net is tightening' on his killer, telling reporters that officers now have a name for the suspect, seen here The New York Post reported that one passing person shouted: 'I dont know if you all should be doing this but your life choices I guess' On Friday night the NYPD gave a clearer idea of the killer's movements after he murdered Thompson. They say he entered the park after the shooting at 6:48am and then was spotted exiting on 77th Street in the Upper West Side of Manhattan oat 6:56am. Surveillance footage captured him near 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left the park, while still on his bike. At 7:04 am he then go into a taxi cab at 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue and headed north. By 7:30 am he had made it to the Port Authority bus terminal in the north of the city where they say he boarded a bus and left the city. The 50-year-old father-of-two was gunned down earlier this week, with the footage of his assassination circulating on social media amidst an ongoing manhunt for his killer On Thursday officials said the individual had arrived into the city in late November on a bus from Atlanta, Georgia, and had been staying inside a hostel on the Upper West Side. It was inside the hostel that a flirty exchange with a hostel worker gave police officers their first glimpse at the killer, when he was asked to lower his mask. The Chief of Detectives with the NYPD Joseph Kenny has said that they believe the assassin is either a disgruntled ex-employee or an angry client. The distinctive backpack he wore while killing Thompson was recovered from Central Park on Friday evening. On Saturday, police sources told NBC News that a jacket was found inside alongside Monopoly money. The bag was found by cops on their second sweep of the park, and was placed between boulders just south of the park's carousel. On Saturday footage obtained by DailyMail.com showed teams of police divers in the water near the Bethseda fountain as part of their search. Investigators confirmed the underwater search was related to Wednesday's 'brazen, targeted attack', which claimed the life of the father-of-two. A Florida teacher has been arrested after being discovered naked inside a classroom with a slew of bizarre items in his possession. Authorities were initially called to the school after an alarm suggested a potential burglary was in progress but what officers found at Windmill Point Elementary School left them stunned. Joe Urias, 34, was spotted by a deputy inside a classroom. Urias was found naked and surrounded by a peculiar assortment of items including sex toys, women's underwear, marijuana, some food and a laptop. He also created a makeshift bed. School was closed for the Thanksgiving break meaning nobody else was on site, but Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk described the scene as deeply unsettling. 'There were no children present. There was nobody inside the school at the time. He was by himself. You know, as to the vulgarity, I think I just don't even want to get into his mind and think about what he was thinking,' Niemczyk stated. When Urias realized he'd been seen, he quickly got dressed and attempted to make a run for it. Officers gave chase but the situation escalated further when Urias punched a deputy in the face once they caught up to him. Despite the assault, law enforcement successfully subdued and arrested him. Joe Urias, 34, a Florida teacher was arrested after being discovered naked inside a classroom in Port St. Lucie on Thanksgiving night Urias was found naked and surrounded by a peculiar assortment of items including sex toys, women's underwear, marijuana, some food and a laptop Authorities were initially called to the school after an alarm suggested a potential burglary was in progress at Windmill Point Elementary School 'I identified myself, I held both of my hands up and said "deputy sheriff, stop!" And he said "no bro" and tried to run through me,' St. Lucie County Deputy Eric Holbert told CBS12 News. 'We tussled a little bit, he hit me right here in the lip, I hit him in the jaw and I was able to hold him with a jiu-jitsu seatbelt grip.' Further investigation found that Urias, who appeared to be homeless, had gained entry to the school through an unlocked window Urias admitted that he had entered the school for shelter but the presence of marijuana and sex toys raised questions about his intentions. 'He said that he was homeless and what he has been doing is teaching at his school and then hanging out at a Starbucks and then sleeping in the public wherever he can,' Deputy Holbert shared. 'He knew this week that schools were out, so he was going to break into the school and stay there for the week.' Urias, who had been a teacher at Somerset College Preparatory Academy, was promptly fired from his role following the incident. The school issued a statement on social media emphasizing their commitment to student safety and outlining their hiring practices. Urias faces a slew of charges, including battery of a law enforcement officer, burglary, and lewd and lascivious behavior Urias also erected a makeshift bed on the the classroom mat One former law enforcement official speculated Urias's behavior might have been influenced by drug use or perhaps a mental health crisis Questions remain about how Urias's behavior went unchecked 'All prospective employees at our school undergo thorough background checks and screening conducted by the local school district,' the statement read. 'We will ensure that this individual does not return to our campus.' The post sparked frustration among parents, many of whom criticized the school's hiring procedures, particularly when it comes to the thoroughness of background checks. The incident has left the Port St. Lucie community in shock, particularly given Urias's role as an educator. 'It's horrifying to think that someone who taught children could end up in this situation,' one parent commented online. 'Schools need to do more to ensure our kids are safe.' Urias now faces multiple charges, including battery of a law enforcement officer, burglary, and lewd and lascivious behavior. One former law enforcement official weighed in on the incident, speculating that Urias's behavior might have been influenced by drug use or perhaps a mental health crisis. When Urias realized he'd been seen, he quickly got dressed and attempted to make a run for it Urias is alleged to have punched a deputy in the face during his attempted escape from school 'It's highly unusual for someone under the influence of marijuana alone to exhibit this kind of erratic behavior,' noted Chad Ayers, a former sheriff's deputy and security expert said to Law & Crime. 'It's possible there are other substances or deeper psychological issues at play.' Ayers also highlighted the challenges law enforcement faces when apprehending suspects in such unusual situations. 'Engaging with a suspect who's naked and combative introduces unique complications,' he explained. 'The officer handled the situation professionally despite being assaulted.' As authorities continue their investigation, questions remain about how Urias's behavior went unchecked and whether systemic changes are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future. An Los Angeles Times columnist has lashed out at the paper's owner for 'currying favor' with Trump in what he called a 'shameful capitulation'. Harry Litman, 66, lashed out at Patrick Shoo-Shiong as he dramatically announced his exit and the reason behind it on Thursday. 'I dont want to continue to work for a paper that is appeasing Trump and facilitating his assault on democratic rule for craven reasons,' Litman wrote in his resignation. 'My resignation is a protest and visceral reaction against the conduct of the papers owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong.' The long-time senior legal columnist wrote for the California-based publication for more than 15 years, according to the announcement posted to his Substack newsletter. In speaking with MSNBC after his striking post, Litman called the move 'cowardly' suggesting Shoo-Shoing is 'threatened by Trump.' 'I think there is no other inference, but the owner of the LA Times has decided to curry favor with Trump to move in that direction, to be in his own words, "fair and balanced," and I just think this is not a time for balance,' Litman told MSNBC. 'I think they cowered and are worried about their personal holdings and just being threatened by Trump.' he alleged, adding, 'that's a really shameful capitulation.' Harry Litman, 66, announced his resignation from the liberal outlet on Thursday, as he accused the paper's owner, Patrick Shoo-Shiong, of 'appeasing' Donald Trump Litman said his resignation was 'a protest and visceral reaction against the conduct of the papers owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong (pictured)' Litman's departure follows three other editorial board members who resigned earlier this year after Soon-Shiong blocked the more than 140-year-old newspaper from publishing an endorsement of the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris. Nearly 2,000 upset readers canceled their subscriptions after Shoo-Shiong - who bought the LA Times in 2018 for $500 million - scrapped the endorsement. Shoo-Shiong's move was just a part of his plan to make the LA Times 'non-partisan,' Fox News reported. His plan also involves the creation of a new editorial board and a website 'bias meter.' 'If we were honest with ourselves, our current board of opinion writers veered very left, which is fine, but I think in order to have balance, you also need to have somebody who would trend right, and more importantly, somebody that would trend in the middle,' he said. Last week, Shoo-Shiong announced that conservative commentator Scott Jennings would be joining the papers editorial board, another decision that sparked immense controversy. 'He wanted to hedge his bets in case Trump won - not even to protect the papers fortunes but rather his multi-billion-dollar holdings in other fields,' Litman criticized. Nearly 2,000 upset readers canceled their subscriptions after Shoo-Shiong - who bought the LA Times in 2018 for $500 million - scrapped the endorsement. Pictured: The Los Angeles Times headquarters building in El Segundo, California 'He wanted to hedge his bets in case Trump won - not even to protect the papers fortunes but rather his multi-billion-dollar holdings in other fields,' Litman criticized 'Soon-Shiong threw the paper to the wolves. That was cowardly.' During his appearance on MSNBCs Deadline: White House, the 66-year-old former columnist argued that newspapers have 'an important role to play' especially now that Trump has won a second term. 'Trump has captured the political arena, maybe the Supreme Court, and hes going after now the FBI, potentially the military, and, really, theyre one of the few institutions to be able to stand up and push back,' Litman said. Along with his former employer, Litman scrutinized Jeff Bezos, who owns another traditionally liberal outlet, the Washington Post, and similarly blocked the papers endorsement of Harris. More than 250,000 readers canceled their Washington Post subscriptions after Bezos blocked the endorsement, marking nearly 10% of their subscriber base. ABC Radio staff and fans are turning on the national broadcaster after a range of beloved presenters failed to have their contracts renewed. The bloodbath includes hosts such as Sarah Macdonald, Richard Glover, Simon Marnie and Robbie Buck who were told they wouldn't have their contracts extended into 2025. Replacements for the highly-respected lineup with decades of experience are yet to be announced, leaving fans and colleagues scratching their heads. Staff have been shocked while Friends of the ABC president Cassandra Parkinson said listeners need 'at least some expectation about the strategy going forward'. 'We need to hear from Head of Audio executive Ben Latimer about why the decisions were made,' Ms Parkinson told the Daily Telegraph. Latimer explained in a statement distributed to ABC staff that the changes were 'driven by rapidly evolving audience expectations'. 'Change is never easy and of course the impact on some of our colleagues is difficult,' it read. He added the decisions for the 2025 roster have been 'carefully thought through and discussed' and noted the ABC is 'navigating a period of significant transition'. Fans and ABC staff have voiced their frustrations with the national broadcaster after a raft of presenters weren't given spots on the 2025 roster of ABC Radio (pictured, ABC Ultimo office) Latimer's statement has done little to temper the frustration of fans however, with almost 6,000 signing a change.org petition calling on Macdonald to be reinstated as host. Macdonald announced her 'disappointment' in departing from the ABC on air during her November 21 show after weeks of absence from ABC Sydney's Mornings show. 'Listen, I'm not going to be on the radio with you next year, the ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings,' she said. 'I am proud of what I've done. The ratings are up, I've broken lots of stories, had the first interview with the new governor general, I got the premier of New South Wales to regularly take your calls, led the election coverage, led the move to our Parramatta studios.' Former Media Watch host Paul Barry took to social media to express his disbelief at Macdonald's parting after decades of service. 'IMHO (In My Honest Opinion) she's brilliant, one of the best things on radio. WTAF,' Barry wrote in a post to X. Morning show rival Ray Hadley also sung praise Macdonald's way. 'I don't know Sarah Macdonald but I do know one thing about her, she's a quality broadcaster and I would say that quality broadcasters are in short supply at the ABC,' he told listeners. Among the presenters to have been cut was Sarah Macdonald (pictured) who mornign show rival Ray Hadley described as a 'a quality broadcaster ... in short supply at the ABC' Beloved presenter Simon Marnie's emotional final show after three decades of presenting was attended by hundreds outside Government House last weekend. Among those in attendance was Robbie Buck, who similarly didn't have his contract renewed, a Governor-General Sam Mostyn and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley. Buck told Marnie 'we love you we're going to miss you' before quietly announcing he would too be leaving Aunty on his show later that night. 'I wanted to say a big thank you', Governor-General Mostyn told Marnie. Ms Parkinson echoed the feeling of ABC Radio fans who are worried 'about the staff who are leaving'. 'I just hope theyre okay and theyre being looked after,' she said. Daily Mail Australia contacted the ABC for comment. The NYPD has released new pictures of the healthcare CEO's assassin late Saturday night as the huge manhunt entered its fifth day. One of the images show the killer - who is wearing a fresh coat and has a face mask on - cowering inside the back of a cab while the other sees him outside the vehicle on the road. The images appear to have been taken inside the taxi which picked him up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park in Manhattan's Upper West Side. On Friday night the NYPD provided a clearer idea of the assassin's movements after he murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. They say he entered Central Park moments after the shooting before being spotted exiting on 77th Street on the Upper West Side at 6:56 am. Additional footage emerged on Friday evening showing the suspect in the minutes after the fatal shooting as he flew up 6th avenue on his electric bike. The footage showed a new angle of his escape path and showed him darting across the street and into the early morning darkness of Central Park. The suspect was picked up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park in Manhattan's Upper West Side One of the images show the killer - who has a fresh coat and face mask on - walking down a Manhattan sidewalk The 50-year-old was gunned down around 6:45 am in Midtown, hours before New Yorkers gathered in the neighborhood for the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. The father-of-two was fatally shot in the chest and leg in the targeted attack, with the killer fleeing on an electric bicycle. Witnesses said the suspected gunman was seen waiting outside the hotel before the shooting, and knew which door Thompson was going to emerge from before shooting him at point-blank range. Footage from after the fatal shooting showed NYPD officers performing CPR on the married father, before he was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead. On day four of their city-wide search, the NYPD discovered a backpack in Central Park they believe to have belonged to the assassin. However, it was later revealed that the bag did not contain the murder weapon, according to reports. Authorities looking for the individual responsible for gunning down Thompson in the early hours of Wednesday morning found the bag inside the 843-acre park on Friday. Sources have since told Bloomberg and NBC News that a jacket was found inside alongside Monopoly money. The 50-year-old father-of-two was gunned down earlier this week, with the footage of his assassination circulating on social media amidst an ongoing manhunt for his killer Police sources couldn't elaborate on if the jacket found was the same one seen in surveillance images. The backpack was immediately taken to a forensic laboratory for further examination. The bag, found placed between boulders just south of the park's carousel, was discovered by cops on their second sweep of the park. On Saturday, footage obtained by DailyMail.com showed teams of police divers in the water near the Bethseda fountain as part of their massive ongoing search. Investigators later confirmed the underwater search was related to Wednesday's 'brazen, targeted attack', which claimed the life of the father-of-two. New York's mayor Eric Adams said the 'net is tightening' on his killer, telling The New York Post that officers now have a name for the suspect. He spoke as the search for Thompson's killer entered its fourth day but said that the authorities will not disclose the suspect's identity at this stage. 'We don't want to release that now,' he said. 'If you do, you are basically giving a tip to the person we are seeking and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all. 'Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask. We revealed his face. We're going to reveal who he is and we're going to bring him to justice.' The bag was found by cops on their second sweep of the park and was placed between boulders just south of the park's carousel Despite the lack of online sleuthing, the New York Police Department released images of the suspect in the case - one of which shows him smiling On Thursday, officials said the individual had arrived into the city in late November on a bus from Atlanta, Georgia, and had been staying inside a hostel on the Upper West Side. It was inside the hostel that a flirty exchange with a hostel worker gave police officers their first glimpse at the killer, when he was asked to lower his mask. Prior to the killing he was caught on surveillance cameras inside a Starbucks near the Hilton Hotel where he shoot Thompson. He is said to have bough two nutrition bars inside the chain alongside a bottle of water that was found at the scene. The image of the backpack that was found shows what appears to be one of the bars in the side pocket. The Chief of Detectives with the NYPD Joseph Kenny has said that they believe the assassin is either a disgruntled ex-employee or an angry client. A motive is yet to be released, as police found bullet casings at the scene inscribed with the words 'deny', 'depose' and 'delay'. Officers believe they are closing the net on Thompson's killer as the manhunt for him continued on Friday. A cop is seen here inside Central Park on Friday evening The messages bear similarity to Jay Feinman's 2010 book 'Delay, Deny, Defend', which details 'why insurance companies don't pay claims and what you can do about it.' Thompson was named UnitedHealthcare CEO in 2021 and earned a reported $10 million a year, and for several years prior, he ran the Medicare business within UnitedHealthcare. He was slated to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel soon after the shooting. According to a release from United Healthcare on Tuesday, he would announce the company's hugely profitable 2025 financial outlook, including expected revenues upwards of $450 billion. With the suspect still at large, the FBI announced on Friday night that they had also joined in the investigation for the killer, offering a $50,000 for any information that leads to a conviction. Bosses could soon force staff WFH return to work unless their cameras are turned on during Zoom meetings, sparking furious debate among Aussies. A rising number of chief executives and managers are fed up with the lack of engagement with staff and have issued reminders about the correct online etiquette, along with threats to mandate more days in the office if the rule not adhered to. Since employees started WFH four years ago due to the Covid pandemic, video conferencing platforms like Zoom exploded in popularity - but some employees believed having their camera on was an option. Many bosses also made the assumption that the worker was 'slacking' off or not even in the same room listening when the camera wasn't on. The reminder of Zoom etiquette has become a heated topic, but Indeed's workplace psychologist Amanda Gordon believes that leaving a camera on for the duration of a work meeting was 'reasonable'. 'It really has been an opportunity for some people to not really show up,' she told Yahoo . 'I don't think anyone should be bullied or intimidated to do it, but I do think if you can't show up online, then you probably should show up in the office.' The topic sparked a heated debate between Aussies on social media. Bosses are fed up with of Aussie workers not turning on their camera while on video conferences when they are working from home and are threatening RTO if they don't turn their cameras on (stock image) 'Personally, I kinda see the reasoning, presenting to a group of camera off and muted people feels a bit like talking to a brick wall,' one wrote. Another added: 'If its a team meeting or something youre individually invited to and expected to participate if cameras on is expected,' one said. A third commented: 'My personal view is that camera on is a bare minimum'. 'If people are joining team meetings camera off, if just gives more reason for people to argue for a return to office.' But many others don't have an issue with cameras turned off during video conferences. 'I personally dont care if they are on or off. If someone has it off I treat it like a phone call. If its on its on,' one wrote. Another added: 'Its not like people are showing their true selves anyway. All you get is corporate zombie faces and false smiles.' A third wrote: 'There's literally no need to be on camera unless you're actively participating in discussions'. The threat of return to work mandates comes after many companies ended or cut down on WFH privileges this year (pictured Sydney CBD office workers) Gartner for HR's senior director Robin Boomer told Yahoo that workers need to be more upfront about why they are disengaged if they want to avoid return to work (RTO) mandates. 'It's one of those things that people seem to not talk about or say clearly, like, 'Hey, I'm not turning my camera on because I have a bandwidth issue',' he said. 'If you don't do that, it allows imaginations to run wild and people to fall into the fundamental trap of thinking that if a person has their camera off they're probably slacking.' Sixty per cent of American survey respondents believed having a camera off in a video call is a 'career minimising move', according to Korn Ferry's findings in 2023. Mr Boomer believes managers should 'establish the norms' from the start so workers know the etiquette. The threat of an RTO mandate comes after many companies have slashed WFH privileges and forced people back into the office this year. Some of the big-name workplaces to bring their staff back into the office include the NSW government, Coles, Amazon, Tabcorp and Flight Centre. The vast majority (82 per cent) of Aussie bosses think staff will be back in the office full-time over the next three years, according to KPMG's latest CEO outlook survey. The likes of corporate giants such as ANZ, Suncorp Bank and Origin Energy have already warned staff that their bonuses will be linked to attendance in the office. Amazon also warned their staff that they might not get a promotion if they do not attend the office for the required days. I am Vice-President Kamala Harris: "For the People" By Dr. Kwame Nantambu December 08, 2024 This is a retrospective analysis of Vice-President Kamala Harris' bid for the US presidency in 2024 At the outset, it must be emphasized that the historical presidential electoral process reveals that on 7 July 1984, the Rev. Jesse Jackson uttered these poignant, monumental but now famous words during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago: "I would rather have (Franklin Delano) Roosevelt in a wheel chair than (Ronald) Reagan on a horse." Ergo, in this 2024 presidential election campaign this new and improved albeit updated version of Rev. Jesse Jackson's epic comparison now reads as follows: We the American People would rather have Kamala Harris as that "little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public school and was bused to school every day" than Donald John Trump who already had $ 400 deposited into his bank account even though he was just a baby boy. Translation: For all of her life's history, Kamala Harris has relentlessly and doggedly fought to unite, protect and serve the rights and privileges of "the least of these in society" rather than to divide and polarize them. That's her obdurate trademark, DNA and unquestionable but proven legacy. Moreover, in recent times, attempts have been made to link Kamala Harris' foreign policy decisions as Vice President to that of President Joe Biden-----but not so fast. More specifically, to illustrate and elucidate this profound issue, it is instructive to note/ recall that the State of Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to retaliate against Hamas as a result of its massive, unceremonious, inhumane slaughter/ massacre of 1,200 innocent Israeli citizens/civilians plus the blatant seizure of 251 hostages during their savage, infamous attack on 7 October 2023. As of November 2024, the Gaza Ministry of Health has reported that 44,356 Palestinian human beings have been killed and 1o4, 265 wounded. This stark inhumane tragedy has thus compelled a United Nations report to conclude that "70 % of deaths in Gaza are women and children "" and this is solely and precisely because "Israel does not distinguish between civilians and fighters". But the State of Israel did not stop there. In fact, it proceeded to assassinate several high profile Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. To date, the State of Israel has NOT faced any consequences for this non proportionate retaliation. Indeed, the retaliation by the State of Israel was NOT geo-political justice. In other words, TWO wrongs DO NOT make ONE right. Indeed, the salient point that is being made here is that President Joe Biden labeled Israel's initial response/retaliation as "revenge killings". NO consequences. It is obvious that President Joe Biden made that decision against the backdrop of his over forty-five years experience on Capitol Hill and America's inherent symbiotic relations with Israel. His was a legislative foreign policy decision. However, let us recall that during that time, Vice President Kamala Harris publicly stated that she would have more to say on that matter. Translation: She did not agree with President Joe Biden's decision. This is prima facie proof/evidence of Vice-President Kamala Harris distancing herself from President Joe Biden's decision in her own words: "We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies . We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering and I will not be silent." Now, let it be clearly understood that under the United States System of governance, the President determines and formulates the country's foreign policy posture ----- NOT the Vice President or even the Secretary of State. The President is the one who calls the shots. Or in common jargon, the foreign policy buck stops at the desk of the President. Ipso facto, here is the significant difference between the two actors. For whereas President Joe Biden made a legislative foreign policy decision with regard to the crisis in the Middle East, it is overtly obvious that as President, Kamala Harris will undoubtedly make prosecutorial foreign policy decisions based on her years of experience in that field. In other words, the basic rationale used for making such decisions are totally different between current President Joe Biden and a future President Kamala Harris. Truth Be Told: On 5 November 2024, Americans albeit all Americans needed to let the entire world know that there will be a new and totally different geo-political prosecutorial foreign policy decision-making sheriff in the White House and her name is Kamala Harris. And let this be perfectly clear--- it is NO question and/or doubt that as President Kamala Harris will utilize all the powers and resources of the presidency to prevent any nation from using the denial of Basic Human Needs ( BHN) to another nation and its people as a weapon of war. More specifically, the concrete example that immediately rushes to the fore is the denial of direct and ready access to their second dose of the polio vaccination for thousands of innocent Palestinian children. Indeed, the United Nations has aptly assessed this situation as "the lack of humanity in northern Gaza". And not to be out done, in its October 2024 report, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has precisely prognosticated that " it could take 350 years for Gaza to rebuild if it remains under blockade." And there are prima facie "reasonable grounds " to conclude that Israel did indeed commit "genocide." A future seasoned prosecutorial President Kamala Harris will never tolerate and/or countenance such a utterly, deplorable condition/situation for any nation and its people. Truth Be Told: The salient fact of the matter is that the slightest breach of International Human Rights Law is anathema to Kamala Harris' prosecutorial mind-set and modus operandi. In addition, as a former erudite Attorney General, prosecutor and Senator but now as the putative 47th President of the United States, President Kamala Harris will guarantee that every nation and its people will have "the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Indeed, it need occasion no great surprise that Vice President Kamala Harris is deeply "concerned" about the wanton, massive human carnage in Gaza. Truth Be Told: African Americans and Arab Americans needed to internalize the stark reality that as President, Kamala Harris will champion the cause of the Palestinian people. Her geo- political motto runs true, loud and very deep : Palestinian lives matter. Most specifically, African Americans and Arab Americans needed to embrace the unifying construct that this world in which we live now is the opportune time for equal geo-political justice for all. That's the geo-political prosecutorial foreign policy decision of the future US President Kamala Harris. Let the historical record show that Vice President Kamala Harris always firmly fought for a two-state solution to solve the Middle East crisis. Her obdurate geo-political decision/position has been that the State of Israel should be able to co-exist along side the State of Palestine without Hamas at the helm. In this way/scenario, both nation-states shall live and prosper in peace, security, harmony and utmost respect for territorial boundaries and national independence /sovereignty/ self-determination. Indeed, a putative President-elect Kamala Harris possesses the inner-gut unflinching, steadfast, obdurate geo-political prosecutorial stance for We the People of the World. Postscript: Vice-President Kamala Harris lost her bid to become the 47th President of the United States by her 226 electoral college votes to Donald John Trump's 312. Congrats to him. Nevertheless, We the People need to realize that there might be " dark days ahead " for the next four years but "joy cometh in the morning" of Tuesday, 7 November 2028. Indeed, the salient, poignant reality is that during the next presidential election cycle, then President Donald John Trump will not be former Vice - President Kamala Harris' opponent. "Keep hope alive." Truth Be Told: In terms of the articulation of America's foreign policy, it must be concluded that Vice-President Kamala Harris lost her bid to become the 47th President of the United States primarily because of the foreign policy decisions made by President Joe Biden particularly toward the Middle East crisis. And the overt proof of this presidential debacle is borne out in the stark reality that former President Donald John Trump received 42 % of the vote among Arab-Americans compared to Vice-President Kamala Harris who got 36 % among this group in crucial battleground swing state of Michigan. In the final analysis and in her defense, Vice-President Kamala Harris is an unfortunate victim of guilty by foreign policy association. The new futuristic geo-political prosecution rests, Dr. Kwame Nantambu is Professor Emeritus Department of Africana Studies at Kent State University. Syrians have stormed Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus as rebels declare that the country is 'free' from the 'tyrant'. The opposition fighters reached the suburbs of the capital yesterday for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018. Syrian state television showed the rebels milling around inside the despot's palace after he reportedly this morning fled on a plane to an unknown destination. Military and intelligence officials are being quizzed by the rebel soldiers about al-Assad's whereabouts as they try to pinpoint his movements. The president hasn't been seen or heard from since rebels stormed the capital city, according to CNN. Following the capture of Damascus, the HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) said on Telegram that it was the end of a dark era and the beginning of a new one. The rebels said that people displaced or imprisoned under the half-century reign of Assad can now come home. HTS said it will be a 'new Syria' where 'everyone lives in peace and justice prevails'. A statue of the late father of al-Assad in a main square in Jermana suburb, ten kilometres from the capital, has also been toppled. Syrian state television showed the rebels milling around inside Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace after the despot fled on a plane to an unknown destination People celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024, as rebel soldiers declare that they have taken the capital People kick a poster depicting Syrian President Bashar al Assad after Syria's army command notified officers that al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended The torn down statue of former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad in the Syrian city of Hama, following the advance of Syrian rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham People sit on a tank as they gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024 President Bashar al-Assad fled the country on a plane this morning to an unknown destination As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the city's mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting 'God is great.' People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. In the streets, teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Videos from Damascus showed families wandering into the presidential palace, with some emerging carrying stacks of plates and other household items. 'I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall,' said Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44, who works in the electricity sector. 'From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them (the opposition forces) a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud.' One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany has also said that insurgent forces have 'fully liberated' Syria's central city of Homs. The fall of Homs and threat to the capital now pose an immediate existential danger to the Assad dynasty's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany has also said that insurgent forces have 'fully liberated' Syria's central city of Homs. The fall of Homs and threat to the capital now pose an immediate existential danger to the Assad dynasty's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. The most powerful insurgent leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, said in a statement that rebels were on the cusp of taking the whole country and 'the end of the criminal regime is near'. The government's abandonment of the key city after less than a day of fighting leaves Assad's 24-year rule dangling by a thread with insurgents also advancing towards the capital Damascus. Seizing Homs, an important crossroads between the capital and the Mediterranean, effectively cuts off Damascus from the coastal stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite sect, and from Russia's air and naval base. An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian President Hafez Assad in Damascus - December 8, 2024 A woman uses her mobile phone to take a picture of a damaged picture of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad A Syrian rebel fighter who returned to the central city of Homs on December 8, 2024, after being in exile for 12 years celebrates after rebel forces entered Syria's third city Syrians celebrate in the central city of Homs on December 8, 2024 Syrians rebel fighters celebrate near the Clock Tower in the central city of Homs on December 8, 2024 This picture shows Syrian rebel fighters and civilians celebrating at the Clock Tower in the central city of Homs on December 8 Syrian opposition fighters celebrate the fall of the Syrian government, in Damascus - December 8, 2024 Traffic flow in al-Qutayfah on the outskirts of Damascus after the Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken the Syrian capital - December 8, 2024 Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters as they step on a picture of Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria A woman leans out of a car window posing with her phone and gesturing a peace sign with her hand in the central city of Homs on December 8, 2024 A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti government forces burn after it was hit by regime forces in the Hama governorate Syrian rebel fighters celebrate near the Clock Tower in Homs on December 8 A government armoured vehicle burns as rebels ride along the road south of Hama, in the south of Syria Anti-regime armed rebels fire their weapons into the air in victory after capturing Hama The fall of Bashar al-Assad's routine appeals all but assured (pictured: rebels ride past a damaged government vehicle in Hama) The Syrian army and security commanders left Homs on Saturday by helicopter for the coast while a large military convoy withdrew by land, a senior army officer said. Rebels said they were entering the city centre. Thousands poured onto the streets there to celebrate, residents said. Homs residents and rebels said the insurgents had captured the central prison and were freeing thousands of detainees. Residents said state security and intelligence personnel had evacuated their offices after burning papers. Syria's state news agency denied reports that Assad had already fled to Russia claiming he continued to govern from Damascus. However, following the statement claiming it was 'false news', a source has told CNN that Assad was 'nowhere to be found' at his usual residences in the capital. Lebanon said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side. The rapidly developing events in Syria have again put the region on edge. Government forces reportedly withdrew as rebel groups amassed in the city's suburbs, wrestling for control after more than a week of intensified fighting. Armed groups reached the suburb of Darayya this afternoon, some five miles from the centre, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency. 'Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus,' said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani today, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive 10 days ago. 'Damascus awaits you,' HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, said in a statement Saturday addressed to rebel fighters on Telegram. Syrians still in the nominally government-controlled territory of Jaramana seized the opportunity to pull down a statue of Assad's father as the regime faces collapse. The staggering assault has seen rebels opposed to the regime make the fastest battlefield advance by either side since the civil war began almost 13 years ago. Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week, and his brothers-in-law allegedly travelled to the UAE, per Syrian security officials. People ride a tank in the Syrian southern city of Daraa on December 7 A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces is pictured abandoned on the side of a road in the Hama governorate, on December 7 Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6 Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, casts her vote during the country's presidential elections in Douma, Syria, with her husband in this file photo taken in 2021 People in Damascus topple a statue of Hafez al-Assad and wave a Druze flag as rebel forces approach the capital, on December 7 Assad's allies in Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, distracted or worn-down by other conflicts, meanwhile showed no signs of intervening. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN that Turkey wishes that neighboring Syria can 'quickly attain the peace and tranquility it has longed for' during 13 years of civil conflict. He said: 'I want to say this openly: We do not have our eyes on land not even a pebble that belongs to another country.' Charles Lister, director of the Syria and countering terrorism and extremism programs at the Middle East Institute, told Bloomberg that Assad's future has 'never looked more fragile'. What is HTS? HTS, the group leading the rebel offensive in Syria, is a powerful Islamist organisation that has maintained de facto control of Idlib for several years. The group, led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, solidified in 2017 as a conglomeration of various Islamist factions but traces its roots to al-Qaeda. HTS' core component arose from a group once known as Jabhat al-Nusra - al-Qaeda's Syrian branch - but later sought to reposition itself as a legitimate Syrian nationalist organisation. It officially severed ties with al-Qaeda and created a civilian arm known as the 'Salvation Government' through which it seeks to govern in Syria, insisting it has no ambition to expand beyond the nation's borders. Initial reports from civilians in Aleppo have appeared to suggest that HTS militants have treated inhabitants well after ousting Syrian government forces. But there are suspicions that HTS' jihadist origins remain and it is still designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), US, UK and the EU, among others. Advertisement Russia also appears not to be in a position to help Assad regain ground with focus and resources directed to Ukraine. 'Russia doesn't have a plan to save Assad and doesn't see one emerging as long as the Syrian president's army continues to abandon its positions,' a source 'close to the Kremlin' told Bloomberg. Iran, likewise, has been hesitant, or unable, to funnel its support to Syria. On Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he would would only help Assad 'to the extent necessary', but previously promised to 'consider' sending troops. The capture of Hama has given rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before. Jihad Yazigi, editor of the Syria Report newsletter previously told Reuters: 'Assad now cannot afford to lose anything else. The big battle is the one coming against Homs. If Homs falls, we are talking of a potential change of regime.' It follows a staggering effort to seize Aleppo, the main northern city in Syria, last week as part of a blitz offensive beginning on November 27. The collapse of Syrian government control in the north has sharply illustrated a shift in the balance of power since Lebanon's Hezbollah group, a lynchpin of Assad's forces, suffered catastrophic losses in its war with Israel. While Hezbollah has reportedly sent 2,000 fighters to Syria, per a source close to the Iran-backed proxy group today, Assad's backing from allies continues to wither. Rebel forces were just 12 miles (20km) from Damascus by 11am GMT on Saturday, posing an imminent threat to the capital, according to a war monitor and rebels. The Syrian army reportedly withdrew its forces from all towns about 10km (6.2 miles) from the capital, a monitor reported soon after. The Syrian defence ministry, loyal to Assad, denied the army had fled positions. 'There is no truth to news claiming our armed forces, present in all areas of the Damascus countryside, have withdrawn,' it said. The Syrian government was also forced to evacuate from its positions in Quneitrea, near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. The Syrian Democratic Forces, the main ally of the US against the regime, meanwhile seized key areas in Deir ez Zor and Raqqa on December 6, making it harder for Iran to move forces in to help Assad or resupply Iranian-backed forces like Hezbollah. Reported battlefield advances as of Friday, December 6. Claims are quickly changing In little over a week, the offensive has seen Syria's second city Aleppo and strategically located Hama fall from Assad's control for the first time since the civil war began in 2011 Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week (pictured together 2021) Bashar al-Assad (L) with his wife Asma al-Assad arrive at New Delhi International airport, India, 17 June 2008 NEW - opposition fighters are currently advancing into #Homs city, as the advance into southern #Damascus appears to be triggering a sudden collapse of frontlines. pic.twitter.com/azUiaKPxQs Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) December 7, 2024 A member of the Syrian opposition stands at an entrance to the Hama governorate on the Damascus-Aleppo International Highway, December 3 Video shared on social media by reporters claimed to show regime forces routing on foot from the town of Zakiah, a mere 16 miles (25.7km) from Damascus. President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly returned to the capital to continue carrying out duties, officials said today following reports he had left. Meanwhile, Syrians in Jaramana - a suburb of the capital - tore down a statue of Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez, as some waved the flag of the Druze. The suburb is still nominally controlled by the Assad regime at the time of writing, and it did not appear to be militant rebel groups (who are still several miles from Jaramana and Damascus) pulling down the statue, contrary to other reports. Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP that local rebel fighters now also controlled all of Daraa province. Rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive in the country's northwest, said 'we are now less than 20 km from the southern gate of the capital Damascus'. 'The advance towards the capital continues,' he added. A truck pulls the head of another toppled statue of late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad through the streets of the city of Hama on December 6 An aerial picture shows a car driving past Syrian army military equipment and vehicles that were abandoned on the highway to Damascus, near the town of Suran, on December 3, 2024 Syria 's British-born first lady, Asma al-Assad (pictured, file photo), has been diagnosed with leukemia, the Syrian presidency said on Tuesday. The announcement came almost five years after the 48-year-old announced she had fully recovered from breast cancer A short while ago, an attack was carried out by armed individuals at a @UN post in the Hader area in #Syria. The IDF is currently assisting the UN forces in repelling the attack. The IDF is deployed with reinforced forces in the Golan Heights area and will continue to operate Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 7, 2024 Israel's military now assesses that the rebels pose a direct threat to Assad's rule. While a weakened Assad regime plays to Israel's interests, there remains debate around sending troops in - amid an ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza and clashes with Iran - and anxiety around helping Sunni jihadists once aligned with al-Qaeda. The IDF announced on Saturday afternoon that an attack had been carried out by 'armed individuals' at a UN post in the Hader area of Syria. It said it was assisting UN forces in repelling the attack and would continue to operate in the Golan Heights in order to protect Israel and its citizens. Assadist forces have been backed by intense Russian airstrikes, but rebels continue to push through Assad's lines. Since Russia does not share a land border with Syria, it also depends on Turkey's goodwill to allow warships to pass through the Bosporus. While Turkey and Russia were able to work together to broker a truce in May 2020, Turkish forces have backed opposition groups in an effort to displace ISIS. For Russia, Syria represents a strategic stronghold key to its efforts to project power in the Middle East. The loss of influence would be 'devastating' for Russia, Nicole Grajewski, fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Wall Street Journal. 'To see Russian planes leave Syria as rebel forces move onward towards their air bases, and their assets in Damascus fall, this would be so devastating for the Russian image of itself,' she said. Anti-government fighters patrol the streets of Hama after they captured the central Syrian city, on December 6 Israeli soldiers sit atop an armoured vehicle near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria Saturday December 7, 2024 National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 'It would be akin to a Saigon moment for them,' she added. Ukrainian intelligence has assessed that Russian forces have 'suffered significant losses, with some units of the aggressor state surrounded'. 'Hundreds of Moscow troops are listed as missing in Syria,' it reported. Rebel groups were rumoured to have received operational training from Ukrainian special forces, learning from tactics developed during the war in Ukraine, the Kyiv Post reported. Assad relied heavily on Russian and Iranian backing during the most intense years of the conflict, helping him to claw back most territory and Syria's biggest cities before front lines froze in 2020. But Russia has been focused on the war in Ukraine since 2022, and many in the top leadership of Hezbollah, the most powerful Iran-aligned force, were killed by Israel over the past two months. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by Israeli airstrikes. And Syrian troops are exhausted and hollowed out by 13 years of war and economic crises, with little will left to fight. 'The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining whether the rebel offensive poses an existential threat to the Assad regime or whether the regime manages to regain its footing and push back on recent rebel gains,' said Mona Yacoubian, an analyst with the United States Institute for Peace, as reported the Associated Press. 'While weakened and distracted, Assad's allies are unlikely to simply cave to the rebels' offensive,' she wrote in an analysis. National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 A view of a military airport seized by anti-regime groups in Hama, on December 6 National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Abu Mohammed al-Golani (AKA Abu Mohammad al-Julani), the main insurgent commander, has vowed to protect Syria's religious minorities as HTS makes gains. In public remarks clearly intended to soften his image and reassure foreign countries, Golani has also emphasised his split years ago with Al Qaeda and Islamic State, and said he has always opposed attacks outside Syria. HTS and the other rebel groups are trying to consolidate their rule in Aleppo, bringing it under the administration of the so-called Salvation Government they established in their northwestern enclave. The Institute for the Study of War assessed 'support to the Assad regime will almost certainly fail to stop the opposition offensive at this time unless ground forces are deployed rapidly and in larger numbers'. A Queensland couple stranded deep in the heart of Croc Country have been whisked to safety after a terrifying three-day ordeal fleeing crocodiles and drinking muddy floodwater. Rescuers found the pair aged in their 50s, on Saturday after their 4WD was swept away by floodwaters while travelling between Normanton and Kowanyama in far north Queensland. LifeFlight pilot Michael Adair said the couple had all but given up of being found after two nights stranded in the outback. 'These people had resigned themselves to dying and seeing the look on their faces when they saw us and realised they weren't going to die that's the reason we do this,' he said. The pair driving along a remote road when a torrent of water washed their 4WD off the road crossing the Clark Creek The couple and their two dogs managed to escape but their vehicle and all of their belongings were swept away. The couple endured 40C heat, unrelenting insects and drank muddy river water in order to survive, as their dogs limped in tow. An extensive search was launched after the missing couple didn't reach Kowanyama by the expected arrival time. A couple, both in their 50s and their dogs were rescued by LifeFlight on Saturday after a three-day ordeal in FNQ The LifeFlight crew spotted to 'SOS' messages scraped into the dirt and the couple waving frantically next to it But flooded roads meant that Queensland Police was unable to search by land. The LifeFlight crew scoured 500km of desert and eventually spotted an enormous SOS written in the dirt six hours into the flight on Saturday and the couple waving frantically from below. When he descended, the couple couldn't believe they were being saved. 'They said 'thank God you're here, we didn't think anyone was coming',' Mr Adair said. 'The wife told us she had been hearing voices in the bush from exposure and had convinced herself that nobody was coming to help them, so she was very emotional when we hugged her,' he said. The couple revealed they had been terrified while stranded in the harsh, remote environment without any tools or resources. They were also stalked by a crocodile during the two-night ordeal and tried to construct makeshift shelter from branches and leaves to ward off the predator. Floodwaters had wrestled away the couple's 4WD packed with all their possessions as they drove between two remote hamlets inland from the Gulf of Carpentaria The relieved couple told their rescuers that they'd 'resigned to dying' after surviving two nights in difficult terrain Originally from New Zealand, Mr Adair rescued the pair on his first mission in Australia and with LifeFlight. His co-pilot Mark Overton joked that Mr Adair was used to different environments back home.. 'Mike is used to flying in a completely different environment and we've thrown him into the middle of the outback and on his first job he's been sent to the middle of nowhere,' he said. 'The distance we had to travel to get from Mt Isa to north of Normanton up near Kowanyama was very, very vast and just the difference between New Zealand and Australia was huge. 'He was a bit taken aback by just how big Australia can be.' 'I was saying 'choice' a lot,' Mr Adair said. 'I was looking down and seeing all sorts of Australian animals - kangaroos, and cattle and crocs. 'I have been in the rescue industry for five years back home in New Zealand but it was just wonderful to have that as my first experience of rescue helicopter operations in Australia. 'Not only a really technically challenging mission, but one with a perfect outcome. It was an amazing start to my Australian rescue career.' Storm Darragh is battering Britain with yet more weather chaos today as trains are cancelled and thousands of people are left without power, amid more than 200 flood alerts. Two people have now been killed by falling trees amid 96mph gales, with warnings sent out across the country about more potential damage and dangers today. More than 259,000 houses have lost their electricity connection as roofs were ripped up and trees were brought down across Britain following the Government's 'risk-to-life' alert. That hazard warning came into force at 1am on Saturday for those covered by the Met Office's rare red warning for high winds - and alerts remain in place today. Residents of the worst-hit areas in Northern Ireland as well as the western coasts of Wales and England were urged to stay indoors amid fears that flying debris and falling trees could lead to fatalities. Darragh also wreaked havoc with traffic as the Prince of Wales Bridge over the River Severn and the nearby Severn Bridge were closed, while kiosks were knocked over on the pier at Llandudno in North Wales. Sports events across the UK and Ireland were thrown into disarray, including a Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton which was axed over safety fears. There were more travel warnings issued on Sunday morning, with Great Western Railway announcing would be no services between Plymouth and Penzance and on all Cornish branch lines until at least 4pm. Kiosks were seen toppled on the pier at Llandudno in North Wales as Storm Darragh swept in Tree surgeons were called on Sunday morning after this one was felled by Storm Darragh in South Kensington, west London Rough seas are seen near the Tynemouth pier lighthouse on the River Tyne, as Storm Darragh hits the UK and Ireland Train operators have warned of Storm Darragh-related disruption across the country - crowds of commuters are pictured here waiting for services at Euston railway station in central London Dozens of flood warnings and more than 200 flood alerts are in place today The Met Office forecast more difficult conditions ahead throughout Sunday Waterfall going backwards between Downhill and Benone on the north coast during storm Darragh. Thanks to Matthew from Castleroe, Coleraine, for the video. #StormDarragh pic.twitter.com/lv7zY9jD68 Barra Best (@barrabest) December 7, 2024 Meanwhile, footage from Northern Ireland amid the storms showed a waterfall running backwards under the impact of heavy winds. BBC reporter Barra Best shared the video on X, formerly Twitter, of the scenes between Downhill and Benone on the north coast. Northern Ireland was exposed to wind gusts of up to 80mph overnight, while a fresh yellow Met Office wind warning came into force across much of England and Wales at 6am. More widely there are likely to be gusts of 35-45mph inland, even reaching 70mph around coasts - meaning that further travel disruption and power cuts are likely until 6pm, the Met Office said. After yesterday's second Storm Darragh-related death, West Midlands Police said they were called to Silver Birch Road in the Birmingham district of Erdington, just after 3pm yesterday, following reports that a tree had fallen and hit a car as a result of the storm conditions. Sgt Benjamin Parsons, of the force's Roads Policing Unit, said: 'Our thoughts are with the man's family at this time, and his next of kin have been informed.' This comes after another man, in his 40s, died earlier on Saturday morning after a tree fell on his Citroen van on the A59 at Longton, near Preston, at about 9am, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, a tree has blocked the Gatwick Express line and the National Rail has warned passengers to not even bother travelling between London St Pancras and Luton 'until further notice'. A van drives through floodwater in Bredwardine, Herefordshire, amid Storm Darragh conditions Walkers are seen making their way past stricken trees in Swainshill, Herefordshire Onlookers inspect the damage done by Storm Darragh here in Swainshill, Herefordshire Flooded buildings next to the River Wye in Hereford, after Storm Darragh hit the UK and Ireland Passers-by brave the conditions next to the rising River Wye in Hereford today The remains of a tree blow over in Storm Darragh across a public footpath in Datchet, Berkshire High water levels are seen on the River Wye in Hereford which has burst its banks Floodwater is pictured rising up next to buildings alongside the River Wye in Hereford today More bad weather is expected today as Storm Darragh batters Britain - people are pictured taking precautions under downpours in Westminster, central London They carried out their work on Sunday morning as weather warnings were issued across the UK A man has died after his car was hit by a falling tree in the Birmingham district of Erdington during strong Storm Darragh - emergency services are pictured at the scene The crash which killed a man in Birmingham on Saturday occurred on Sutton Road in the Erdington area BURNHAM-ON-SEA: A tree narrowly misses a house after being blown over in Storm Darragh on Oxford Street in Burnham-on-Sea Storm name linked to history, celebrity and now... calamity It's the name currently linked with high winds and destruction, but Darragh is not just a title for a weather system. It derives from the Old Irish word for oak, and is a common name in Ireland. There, 195 newborns were called Darragh last year, making it the 26th most popular name for boys. Famous people called Darragh include ITV's The Chase's Darragh Ennis and writer and children's TV star Darragh Mortell. A popular variation of the name is Dara with probably the best-known example being the comedian and TV presenter Dara O Briain. In a 7th century epic from Irish mythology, The Cattle Raid of Cooley, it appears in its original form of Daire. Storm Darragh is the fourth named storm this winter, following Storm Ashley, which struck in October, and Storms Bert and Conall, which blew in during late November. Storm names are assigned by the Met Office and its Irish counterpart, Met Eireann. The first was Storm Abigail, which coated Scotland in snow and left more than 20,000 properties without power in November 2015. But calling this weekend's bad weather Storm Darragh would probably lead to puzzled looks in Germany because there it is known as Storm Xaveria. Advertisement GWR also told passengers to avoid routes between Cardiff and Swansea until 12noon at the earliest, while following up the cancellation of Bath Christmas Market yesterday by urging people not to reach it by rail today. Storm Darragh brought gusts of 93mph to some parts of the country on Saturday, with millions warned to stay indoors, tens of thousands left without power and trains cancelled. National Rail said disruption was expected through Tottenham Hale in north London. National Highways said the M48 at Severn Bridge was closed in both directions between J1 and J2 until at least midday. Wightlink said the 8am car ferry sailing from Portsmouth and 9am from Fishbourne were cancelled. Also axed were the 7.15am and 8.15am Fastcat services from Portsmouth Harbour and the 7.45am and 8.45am services from Ryde Pier Head. The Met Office said heavy rain was expected to persist in central and eastern parts of England throughout Sunday, with 20-25mm forecast to fall across much of the country. As much as 60mm could fall over high ground of the Cheviots, Pennines and North York Moors. In Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, a large tree was uprooted and blown on to houses. And just along the coast at Weston-super-Mare huge waves crashed against the sea defences, threatening sightseers. At Birmingham Airport, pilots struggled to land and take off in 60mph crosswinds. Meanwhile, Cardiff Airport was forced to close its runway for most of the morning. WALES: High winds ripped the roof off Pentre Baptist Church in the tiny settlement of Mochdre LLANDUDNO: Llandudno's pier took a battering with kiosks ripped from their positions and thrown across the pier against another kiosk NORTHERN IRELAND: An Airport bus has crashed into a property on the Ballyrobin Road near Antrim in Northern Ireland Several British Airways flights to and from Heathrow, Paris, the United States and the Netherlands were also cancelled. Meanwhile, tourist attraction Llandudno Pier in North Wales was battered by winds of 93mph, which destroyed parts of the historic structure. Paul Williams, general manager of the pier, said it may cost 250,000 to repair the damage, adding: 'Overnight, one of the kiosks, one of the original ones, which is roughly 148 years old, was ripped up. 'It's the first time in its history that it has been tipped to one side. 'The ice cream stand at the end of the pier has been ripped up and it went into the sea, and there are about 1,000 pieces washed up on the other side of the bay. The roof has come off the toilet and there's real fear that we'll potentially lose the bar and cafe down the end as well. 'We may have to look at the pier not reopening for a considerable amount of time.' The Energy Networks Association has said that 177,000 homes in England, Scotland and Wales were without power, but that around 768,000 customers had been reconnected since the storm hit, with more than 1,000 engineers deployed. Millions of Britons were sent emergency alerts to their mobile phones in what was the largest use of the warning system yet, urging residents to avoid driving and to 'stay indoors if you can'. PENARTH: A person stands next to a car damaged by a fallen tree, after Storm Darragh hit the country in Penarth, Wales The Met Office issued yellow and amber warnings across Britain on Saturday PENARTH: A view shows a damaged car, after Storm Darragh hit the country in Penarth, Wales NORTHERN IRELAND: A huge tree blocks the slip road to the M1 to Belfast in Ballycare BLACKPOOL: People run in front of The Blackpool Tower after Storm Darragh hit the country SWANSEA: Waves crash into the Mumbles headland near Swansea as Storm Darragh makes its presence felt across the UK LLANDUDNO: Huts on Llandudno pier - a major tourist attraction - were damaged in the storm BURNHAM-ON-SEA: Contractors work to clear a tree that has fallen on properties following last night's storm winds in Burnham-on-Sea Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the storm as a 'challenging situation', adding: 'About 3million homes will have had the emergency alert system to their mobile phone. I would just encourage anyone who has had that to follow the advice.' On Sunday morning there were 65 flood warnings and 149 flood alerts in place in England, plus 25 flood warnings in Wales, with the Environment Agency warning people not to drive through flood water and to avoid from swollen rivers and coastal paths. It added: 'Heavy rain may cause flash flooding. It's important you know how to prepare.' The Met Office's red weather warning for wind its most serious has caused the cancellation of events this weekend, including Christmas attractions, and the closure of all royal parks. Energy Networks Association said 259,000 customers across England, Scotland and Wales were without power as of Saturday evening, adding that 80 per cent of homes affected by the storm had been reconnected. Donald Trump was 'parental' towards Prince William during their meeting in Paris yesterday, a body language expert has claimed. The Prince of Wales and US President-elect were all smiles when they met at the residence of the British ambassador, following the historic re-opening of the Notre-Dame. In what was his first meeting with a member of the Royal Family since his election victory last month, Trump praised William, calling him a 'good man'. Body language expert Judi James claimed the politician took a 'friendly, almost parental' approach towards the prince throughout the day. Speaking to MailOnline, Ms James said: 'Trump uses several touch rituals with William to suggest a friendly, almost parental approach, even adding some verbal endorsements as though William needed his approval.' Footage showed Trump fondly touching William on the shoulder as they greeted each other at the Notre-Dame Cathedral reception. 'With William he became more familiar and friendly [...], patting him on the shoulder as they shook hands and then adding an extra, warmer touch with one hand under the elbow to signal that familiarity and support,' Ms James said. 'Trump seemed to switch out of political mode with William and to suggest something more like a family vibe. The hand clasp was a firm one but with no power-posturing, and it was William's thumb clamping the clasp at the top.' The Prince of Wales and US President-elect Donal Trump were all smiles when they met at the residence of the British ambassador in Paris yesterday Trump meeting Prince William at the UK Ambassador's Residence in Paris Later in the day, Trump and William posed for pictures in the Salon Jaune room at the British embassy, and shook hands as the politician entered. 'Arriving at the embassy where William was waiting to host him, Trump seemed to pause in the doorway to wait for William to walk across the lobby to greet him. This became William's ''act of inconvenience'', which refers to the effort and distance a host goes to when greeting a guest,' said Ms James. 'Walking out to the doorway as William did would suggest Trump was an honored guest, although Trump may have waited in a bid to look polite.' Ms James added: 'As soon as Trump walked in though he took over the room, throwing his hand out for a shake but turning straight away to address the cameras. He placed another pat of friendship on William's arm but as he spoke to the press he performed a very casual and thumb jerk towards William to tell them he's ''doing a good job'' as though the Prince needed the endorsement.' The body language expert said Trump appeared 'relaxed' while in the Prince's company, as opposed to his usual formal, political posture. 'When they sat together talking and posing Trump adopted a hugely relaxed pose. Instead of the usual alpha leg splay and steepled fingers he uses with other world leaders he leaned across in William's direction with his weight on one elbow that was placed on the arm of the chair,' she said. 'His legs were clamped together and crossed at the ankles and he had one hand grasping the wrist of the other. 'He seemed to have dropped all his usual power-posturing and opted for a more comfortable look here, again making it look more like a parental or family visit than a formal or political one.' Ms James added: 'William took it all in good humor, sitting in a more politely upright pose but with a self-effacing smile that balanced well with Trump's parental posing.' In what was Trump's first meeting with a member of the Royal Family since his election victory last month, he praised the Prince, calling him a 'good man' Exchanging another warm handshake with William as he entered the foyer, the US President-elect turned to reporters and said 'wow, what a nice group' During their 40-minute meeting, the pair discussed a range of global issues but focused on the importance of the relationship between the UK and the US, with the President-elect sharing fond memories of the late Queen, Kensington Palace said. Prince William expected to meet with Trump for half an hour prior to the glamorous ceremony at the Notre Dame last night to discuss the US and UK's 'special relationship'. But travel disruption caused by Storm Darragh, which has battered parts of the UK, meant the royal had to reschedule his meeting both with the once and future President as well as the current US First Lady Jill Biden. Instead of their originally planned private chat, the First Lady and William were going to have a talk on the sidelines of the ceremony, Kensington Palace previously said. After speaking in the foyer of building on Saturday, Trump and Prince William walked upstairs to begin their discussions. Trump and William sat on light-yellow sofas in the Salon Jaune room, which had gold-coloured patterned wallpaper, a Christmas tree in the corner and a chandelier overhead. The Prince of Wales shook hands withTrump during their encounters in Paris yesterday Trump greeting Prince William during the ceremony to mark the reopening of Notre-Dame of Paris Cathedra Before the meeting began, William said: 'We can warm our toes up after the cathedral' to which Trump smiled and responded: 'Right, you're right.' The meeting between the US President-elect and the Prince of Wales concluded at around 10.20pm local time last night, after over half an hour of talks. Inside the 861-year-old cathedral - before what was its first opening since being devastated by an inferno in 2019 - the Prince of Wales shared a warm and firm handshake with Trump prior to their private meeting. Greeting the prince in the cathedral, Trump couldn't resist his famous 'clasp and yank' handshake, moving in with an outstretched hand and grasping the royal shoulder in what body language experts called a display of power and domination. Still, William didn't seem too concerned by Trump's display of machismo when they met at the ceremonial reopening, sharing a cordial exchange of words before the Prince was released from Trump's grip. The government has been urged to allow the charity watchdog powers to rein in extremism after concerns were raised that some charities are 'promoting Islamic extremism with impunity'. The Charity Commission is reportedly in talks with government officials surrounding how to curtail the activities of extremist individuals and organisations under its remit. It comes as the watchdog has been warned it is 'toothless and ineffective' at dealing with issues of extremism . The Telegraph reported that senior officials at the Charity Commission and The Home Office have been sent a briefing note claiming out of date charity laws are enabling religious charities to 'promote extremist ideologies with impunity'. The National Secular Society (NSS) created the document and gave examples where charities have promoted or condoned extremism, but accused the charity regulator of refusing to take action. The regulator has been accused of a lack of vetting charities before registering them, as many of the cases reportedly involve charities that are newly registered. In one case, a mosque which is registered as a charity hosted a sermon which suggested that blasphemers against Islam should be killed. In another case, a lecturer at a mosque said a husband should be able to hit or shake his wife if she refuses to have sex with him. It is claimed in some cases Islamic State messages have been promoted by some UK charities Some messages shared include supporting the killing of blasphemers to Islam Multiple charities also hosted an extremist Islamic scholar from Pakistan earlier this year, who allegedly said sexual slavery is acceptable and approved the killing of blasphemers. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is due to announce plans for tackling extremism after undertaking an internal review of current policies. In August she claimed past governments have failed to address the rise in extremism. In November, The Charity Commission hosted a presentation about countering extremism at a conference hosted by the Home Office. Fiyaz Mughal, interfaith campaigner and founder of the group Tell MAMA, which monitors anti-Muslim hatred, said the charity watchdog was 'toothless and ineffective' in dealing with extremism. He argued the watchdog should either be shut down altogether or given 'significant' new powers to tackle extremism. He claimed some extremist groups have led to offshoots which have been validated with charitable status. David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said regulation in the charity sector is essential to public trust. Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth said regulation in the sector is essential Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to announce plans for tackling extremism soon He told The Telegraph: 'The powers parliament has granted the commission through a succession of charity Acts have strengthened our ability to address and prevent abuse and mismanagement in charities. We are robust in using these powers whenever required. 'Like all regulators, we keep in close contact with government to ensure our powers and our resources are sufficient to respond to the evolving risks and issues facing the sector we regulate. In August the Home Office commissioned a 'rapid analytical sprint' to develop a new approach to extremism A Home Office spokesman said: 'The counter-extremism sprint sought to comprehensively assess the challenge facing our country and lay the foundations for a new approach to tackling extremism so we can stop people being drawn towards hateful ideologies.' The Home Office revealed that further plans to tackle extremism will be set out in due course. Pope Francis has sparked more health fears after he was seen sporting a huge bruise on the underside of his chin at a lavish Vatican ceremony. The pontiff - who turns 88 this month - had turned out to St Peter's Basilica on Saturday to install 21 new cardinals. But he led the occasion with a purplish blotch on the right side of his face indicating the latest in a series of blemishes that have afflicted the Catholic leader in recent years. The Pope was otherwise in good form and his team has clarified the bruise was the result of a minor fall the previous morning whereby he had hit his chin on his bedside table. A ritual-filled ceremony saw Francis elevate churchmen from 17 countries to the College of Cardinals, the elite group that will one day elect his successor. Francis has been Pope since 2013 and suffered occasional bouts of ill health during that time, now using a wheelchair due to knee and back pain. Cardinals are the highest-ranking officials in the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church beside the pope. At the pontiff's death or resignation, cardinals under the age of 80 are tasked with entering a conclave and choosing the next pope. Francis has now installed about 80 per cent of the prelates who will elect the next pope, increasing the likelihood that the next pontiff might share the vision he has appeared to champion for a Church that is more 'inclusive' and engaged with the wider world. Francis led the occasion with a purplish blotch on the right side of his face indicating the latest of a series of blemishes to have affected the Catholic leader A ritual-filled ceremony saw Francis elevate churcmen from 17 countries to the College of Cardinals, the elite group that will one day elect his successor At least 67 countries now have cardinals who can vote in a conclave, according to Vatican statistics, compared to fewer than 50 when Francis was elected Originally from Argentina and the first pope from the Americas, Francis has focused on strengthening geographic diversity among the cardinals. At least 67 countries now have cardinals who can vote in a conclave, according to Vatican statistics, compared to fewer than 50 when Francis was elected. The newest appointees come from countries including Peru, Argentina, Japan, the Philippines, Algeria, India and Serbia. In his homily for Saturday's service, Francis said the new cardinals 'come from different backgrounds and cultures', urging them to be 'witnesses of fraternity, artisans of communion and builders of unity'. Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo, one of the new cardinals, praised the pope's efforts to boost geographical diversity. He said: 'Having cardinals from every part of the world truly translates the universality of the Church.' Italy remains the country with the most cardinals, counting 17 under the age of 80. Four of those were installed on Saturday, including the archbishops of Turin, a northern business hub, and Naples, the country's third-largest city. Among the other new cardinals, one is a Belgian friar serving as archbishop of the Tehran-Isfahan archdiocese in Iran. Another is a Ukrainian Greek Catholic ministering in Australia. The fall of Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad is 'welcome' news, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said today as she hit out at his brutal regime amid the fall of Damascus. Syrian rebels announced on state television this morning that they had ousted Assad, ending a 50-year family dynasty in a lightning offensive lasting little more than a week. Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting 'Freedom' from a half century of Assad family rule. The DPM told Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that Assad 'wasn't exactly good to the Syrian people'. 'The situation looks very serious and if (the) Assad regime has fallen, then I welcome that news, but what we need to see is a political resolution in line with the UN resolutions,' she said. 'We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected, far too many people have lost their lives, we need stability in that region.' The dramatic collapse also marks a seismic moment for the Middle East, dealing a massive blow to Russia and Iran, which have lost a key ally at the heart of the region and creating more uncertainty as the Gaza war rages. The pace of events has stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability. The DPM told Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that Assad 'wasn't exactly good to the Syrian people'. Syrian rebels announced on state television this morning that they had ousted Assad, ending a 50-year family dynasty in a lightning offensive lasting little more than a week. Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting 'Freedom' from a half century of Assad family rule. Ms Rayner later said: 'Dictatorship and terrorism creates problems for the people of Syria, who have faced so much already and also destabilises the region. 'That's why we have to have a political solution where the government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people.' Assad, who had crushed all forms of dissent, flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination earlier on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters, as rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments. Western governments, which have shunned the Assad-led state for years, must decide how to deal with a new administration in which a globally designated terrorist group - Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - looks set to have influence. HTS, which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria, was formerly an al Qaeda affiliate known as the Nusra Front until its leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016. A young woman has been rushed to hospital after an underground explosion ripped open a footpath in the heart of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. Emergency services were called to Cavill Avenue about 5.18pm on Sunday following reports of a 'pressure blast'. A woman aged in her 20s who was walking down the street at the time fell into the gaping hole left by the blast. She suffered minor leg injuries and was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition. Queensland Police launched a emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act and locked down several streets in the busy tourist precinct. 'Members of the public are advised to avoid the area and those within the exclusion zone are asked to remain indoors until further notice,' a statement read. The exclusion zone included Cavill Avenue, Elkhorn Ave, The Esplanade and Surfers Paradise Boulevard. Emergency service cordoned off the area after an underground explosion ripped open a footpath Police declared an exclusion zone in Surfers Paradise after a 'blast' left a hole in the footpath No other injuries have been reported. Crowds were seen gathered around the scene, watching emergency services investigate on the other side of the street. Firefighters taped off the area and escorted the public from nearby buildings. One witness told the Gold Coast Bulletin they had heard 'three big bangs'. Footage shared online showed emergency services at the cordoned off the scene before a small bang is heard and sparks are seen spewing from a hole in the ground. Another shocked bystander reported hearing at least two explosions. 'I can't believe what I just witnessed in Surfers Paradise out front of the 7/11. I almost pushed my baby in her pram over top of the explosion. Does anyone know what happened,' she posted online. Police have since revoked the PSPA declaration. However, pedestrian access to Cavill Avenue remains restricted. 'Police are still working to establish the cause of the blast and remain on scene,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. South Korea's President is set to face a second impeachment vote after his short-lived attempt to impose martial law on the country brought thousands of protesters onto the street. President Yoon Suk Yeol survived his first impeachment vote yesterday after his right-wing People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote. But this has done little to quiet down calls from the opposition for Yoon to step down. The Democratic Party, South Korea's main opposition party, said it will try again to oust Yoon on December 14. Speaking to reporters its leader, Lee Jae-myung, said: 'Yoon, the principal culprit behind the insurrection and military coup that destroyed South Korea's constitutional order, must either resign immediately or be impeached without delay. 'On December 14, our Democratic Party will impeach Yoon in the name of the people.' The political crisis started when Yoon shocked South Korea and the world when he declared martial law late on Tuesday night. This gave the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what Yoon called 'anti-state forces' and overcome obstructionist political opponents. President Yoon Suk Yeol survived his first impeachment vote yesterday after his right-wing People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote Protesters stage a rally demanding South Korean President Yoon's impeachment. The president's attempt to impose martial law led to rallies across the country Soldiers attempting to enter South Korea's parliament in Seoul are blocked by MPs. Martial Law was rescinded after parliament - including members of Yoon's party - defied police and army cordons to vote unanimously against the order The decree, which is the first time martial law has been declared since the country transitioned to democracy in 1987, gave the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what he called 'anti-state forces' and overcome obstructionist political opponents. However, the order was rescinded six hours later after parliament - including members of Yoon's party - defied police and army cordons to vote unanimously against the order. Yoon's sudden declaration plunged South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy and a key U.S. military ally, into its greatest political crisis in decades. It also galvanised opposition against the already unpopular president and brought members of the public out onto the streets waving banners and calling for Yoon's departure. Yesterday Yoon addressed the nation in a televised speech to apologise for the move, and to say he would face whatever repercussions there would be, though he did not offer to resign. The president said he would put his fate in the hands of the PPP, which Han said later was effectively a promise to leave office early. 'The People Power Party will pursue an orderly departure of the president in order to minimize confusion for the people,' Han said, adding that until Yoon leaves, he would be 'effectively excluded from his duties, and the prime minister will consult with the party to manage state affairs.' Although the PPP boycotted the opposition-tabled vote, their leader made clear that the party believed Yoon should resign. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung (pictured) has said his party will try again to oust Yoon on December 14 during a second impeachment vote. Yoon bowing after his speech. Yesterday Yoon addressed the nation in a televised speech to apologise for the move, and to say he would face whatever repercussions there would be, though he did not offer to resign A protestor wears a cut-out of the president's face. Yoon's actions last week galvanised opposition against the already unpopular president and brought members of the public out onto the streets waving banners and calling for his departure The party leader Han Dong-hoon said: 'The declaration of martial law was a clear and serious violation of the law.' Han has a history of clashes with Yoon, however, and it was unclear if he was speaking for all PPP members. As of writing, there was no word yet from Yoon on Han's comments. Han said after the address that the president was no longer in a position to carry out his public duties and his resignation was now unavoidable. The opposition needed at least eight votes from Yoon's party to reach the two-thirds majority needed to impeach him. Only three members of the PPP stayed to vote for the motion after the majority of its lawmakers walked out. In the end, however, almost all PPP members boycotted the vote. And one member who participated said he had voted against impeachment, though he said he did not believe Yoon was suitable for the office. Soldiers attempting to enter the South Korean parliament. The decree, which is the first time martial law has been declared since 1980, gave the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what he called 'anti-state forces' and overcome obstructionist political opponents If Yoon leaves office before his single five-year term ends in May 2027, the constitution requires a presidential election within 60 days of his departure Although the PPP boycotted the opposition-tabled vote, their leader, Han Dong-hun (pictured) made clear that the party believed Yoon should resign If Yoon leaves office before his single five-year term ends in May 2027, the constitution requires a presidential election within 60 days of his departure. Martial law has been declared more than a dozen times since South Korea was established as a republic in 1948, the last time in 1980. In Tuesday's declaration, Yoon gave the military sweeping emergency powers to combat unspecified threats from 'North Korean communist forces' and 'to eradicate the shameless pro-North anti-state forces'. He also accused the National Assembly of launching an unprecedented number of impeachment efforts against members of his administration, effectively paralysing key operations, and of handling the budget in a way that undermined the fundamental functions of the government, including public safety. Women and children have been freed from despot President Bashar al-Assad's 'human slaughterhouse' prison as Syrian rebels seize power of the country. The military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera. Rebel soldiers could be heard shouting 'Allahu Akbar' - meaning 'God is great' - as they frantically cut through padlocks on jail cell doors at Saydnaya prison to free hundreds of female prisoners and their youngsters. Toddlers could be seen in a video posted on X wandering around near unlocked prison doors while women yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades. They were boarded onto buses waiting outside the prison before being taken to their homes. 'We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Saydnaya prison,' the rebels said. Amnesty International research said the Syrian authorities had committed crimes against humanity with thousands of inmates in the prison 30km north of Damascus being murdered, tortured, and exterminated. They determined that the violations committed at the brutal facilities over the last decade under dictator's Bashar al Assad regime, which has seen over 10,000 political detainees vanish, was part of an attack against civilians. Women and children have been freed from despot President Bashar al-Assad's 'human slaughterhouse' prison as Syrian rebels seize power of the country Toddlers could be seen in a video posted on X wandering around near unlocked prison doors while women yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades They were boarded onto buses waiting outside the prison before being taken to their homes Thousands poured into the streets of Homs last night as pro-regime troops fled, with rebels freeing thousands of detainees from the city prison as security forces left in haste after burning their documents. Assad previously denied both killing thousands of detainees at Saydnaya as well as using a secret crematorium to dispose of their remains in 2017. He also branded the allegations by the US State Department of up to 50 people being hanged daily at the brutal military prison as 'a new Hollywood story detached from reality'. Journalist Samer Daboul, whose uncle was taken into custody for smuggling bread and vanished behind the prison walls in 2012, eagerly awaits news regarding the man who was 'one of the most influential people in his life' 'He taught me about Syria's history, the revolution, and why it was necessary,' he told the BBC. 'I want him to know that the young man he inspired 12 years ago is now a journalist reporting on Syria. I want him to be proud of me.' Several have taken to social media to encourage the rebels to reach the notoriously cruel prison and liberate its inmates, while others hope their relatives, who they have not seen or heard from - some in years - are still alive. Intense sounds of shooting were heard in the centre of the Syrian capital Damascus, two residents said on Sunday as rebels make their way towards the capital. A rebel fighter walks down the stairs of the military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera Rebel soldiers could be heard shouting 'Allahu Akbar' - meaning 'God is great' - as they frantically cut through padlocks on jail cell doors Syrians have pleaded for their loves ones to be freed from the notorious 'slaughterhouse' prison of Saydnaya (Pictured) after rebels freed thousands of detainees elsewhere in Homs Rebel fighters stand on a military vehicle in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance on Saturday The military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' with reportedly between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011 The military prison (Pictured from an aerial view) is famed for its inhumane conditions, systematic torture and mass executions A rebel fighter gestures in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance and later took control of the city Residents in Hama set ablaze a large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hanging on the facade of a municipal building A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria Western officials have claimed that Assad's government could fall within the next week It was not immediately clear where was the source of the shooting, two residents who live in a residential area close to the centre of the capital said. It comes as Syrian government forces abandoned the key city of Homs after less than a day of fighting, leaving Assad's 24-year rule dangling by a thread with insurgents also advancing towards the capital Damascus. Pro-regime troops fled the city of Homs with thousands of residents dancing and chanting 'Assad is gone, Homs is free' and 'Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad'. It comes shortly after Assad was mocked after rebels unearthed a photo of the Syrian president wearing nothing but a tiny pair of Speedos. Following a lightning rebel advance in Syria last week, Jihadi rebels came across a photo of the Syrian leader scantily clad as a young man. The image shows the dictator posing alongside three other people in swimsuits as they are perched on the side of a boat in the night. The picture quickly gained attention on social media, with one person writing: 'A picture found in the palace of the idiot and criminal Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo.' The funny reaction online comes amid reports from Western officials that Assad's government could fall within the next week. Rebels fired into the air in celebration as they took control of Homs, and youths tore down posters of the Syrian president, whose territorial control has collapsed in a dizzying week-long retreat by the military. The fall of Homs and threat to the capital pose an immediate existential danger to the Assad dynasty's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. Homs' capture is also a powerful symbol of the rebel movement's dramatic comeback in the 13-year-old conflict. People in Damascus topple a statue of Hafez al-Assad and wave a Druze flag as rebel forces approach the capital, on December 7 A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti government forces burn after it was hit by regime forces in the Hama governorate A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces is pictured abandoned on the side of a road in the Hama governorate, on December 7 A government armoured vehicle burns as rebels ride along the road south of Hama, in the south of Syria Anti-regime armed rebels fire their weapons into the air in victory after capturing Hama Swathes of Homs were destroyed by gruelling siege warfare between the rebels and the army years ago. The most powerful insurgent leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the main rebel leader, called the capture of Homs a historic moment and urged fighters not to harm 'those who drop their arms'. Mohammed al-Golani, also said in a separate statement that rebels were on the cusp of taking the whole country and 'the end of the criminal regime is near'. The battle for control of the country is likely to turn quickly to the capital. Residents of numerous Damascus districts turned out to protest Assad on Saturday evening, and security forces were either unwilling or unable to clamp down. Assad's government may be on the verge of collapse, foreign officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity. One U.S. official put the potential timeframe at five to 10 days while another said Assad could be ousted in the coming week. A Western official agreed with the latter assessment. Since the rebels' sweep into Aleppo a week ago, government defences have crumbled at dizzying speed as rebels seized a string of major cities and reignited a rebellion in places it had long seemed dead. Seizing Homs, an important crossroads between the capital and the Mediterranean, effectively cuts off Damascus from the coastal stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite sect, and from Russia's air and naval base. The Syrian army and security commanders left Homs on Saturday by helicopter for the coast while a large military convoy withdrew by land, a senior army officer said. Rebels said they were entering the city centre. The fall of Bashar al-Assad's routine appeals all but assured (pictured: rebels ride past a damaged government vehicle in Hama) A picture believed to be showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wearing only speedos is taken by Rebels following the capture of his palace in Aleppo The images of Assad wearing speedos has generated ridicule on social media Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that Syrian opposition fighters reached the suburbs of the Damascus capital for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018, as Assad's regime nears collapse. One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syria's state news agency denied reports that Assad had already fled to Russia claiming he continued to govern from Damascus. However, following the statement claiming it was 'false news', a source has told CNN that Assad was 'nowhere to be found' at his usual residences in the capital. Lebanon said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side. The rapidly developing events in Syria have again put the region on edge. Government forces reportedly withdrew as rebel groups amassed in the city's suburbs, wrestling for control after more than a week of intensified fighting. Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6 Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July Armed groups reached the suburb of Darayya on Saturday afternoon, some five miles from the centre, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency. 'Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus,' said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani today, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive 10 days ago. 'Damascus awaits you,' HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, said in a statement Saturday addressed to rebel fighters on Telegram. Syrians still in the nominally government-controlled territory of Jaramana seized the opportunity to pull down a statue of Assad's father as the regime faces collapse. To the north, rebel troops made a lunge towards the strategic city of Homs, just days after they proclaimed a major victory in the taking of the city of Hama on Thursday. The staggering assault has seen rebels opposed to the regime make the fastest battlefield advance by either side since the civil war began almost 13 years ago. Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week, and his brothers-in-law allegedly travelled to the UAE, per Syrian security officials. Assad's allies in Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, distracted or worn-down by other conflicts, meanwhile showed no signs of intervening. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN that Turkey wishes that neighbouring Syria can 'quickly attain the peace and tranquillity it has longed for' during 13 years of civil conflict. He said: 'I want to say this openly: We do not have our eyes on land not even a pebble that belongs to another country.' Charles Lister, director of the Syria and countering terrorism and extremism programs at the Middle East Institute, told Bloomberg that Assad's future has 'never looked more fragile' as the opposition encroaches on Homs and allied support withers. Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, casts her vote during the country's presidential elections in Douma, Syria, with her husband in this file photo taken in 2021 While capturing Homs could close the land route between the government and Tartus, home to Russia's only Mediterranean port, Russia appears not to be in a position to help Assad regain ground with focus and resources directed to Ukraine. 'Russia doesn't have a plan to save Assad and doesn't see one emerging as long as the Syrian president's army continues to abandon its positions,' a source 'close to the Kremlin' told Bloomberg. Iran, likewise, has been hesitant, or unable, to funnel its support to Syria. On Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he would would only help Assad 'to the extent necessary', but previously promised to 'consider' sending troops. The capture of Hama has given rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before. Jihad Yazigi, editor of the Syria Report newsletter previously told Reuters: 'Assad now cannot afford to lose anything else. The big battle is the one coming against Homs. If Homs falls, we are talking of a potential change of regime.' It follows a staggering effort to seize Aleppo, the main northern city in Syria, last week as part of a blitz offensive beginning on November 27. A new map shows just how dramatically the murderous regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad collapsed in just days as rebel forces advanced in lightning strikes and seized power. The now-exiled president, who has enforced a brutal crackdown on opposition forces for the past 13 years, appeared to be maintaining control of capital Damascus only last week. Yet as jubilant critics of Assad's brutal regime have been celebrating today his abrupt departure from office - and the country - it has now emerged how swiftly his fall came about. While conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza had come to dominate global attention in recent years, it appears Syria's rebel groups had been preparing for the perfect moment to strike. Syrian rebel forces launched a quickfire offensive from the northwest on November 27, surging out of Idlib province and overwhelming unprepared government troops who are said to have retreated en masse. And last weekend the rebels, spearheaded by Islamist militant organisation Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized full control of Aleppo city - the capital of the country's most populous governorate - before marching south toward the city of Hama. Thousands poured into the streets of Homs last night as pro-regime troops fled, with rebels freeing thousands of detainees from the city prison as security forces left in haste after burning their documents. And now intense sounds of shooting were heard in the centre of Damascus, two residents said on Sunday, as rebels were making their way towards the capital. Residents of numerous Damascus districts turned out to protest Assad on Saturday evening, and security forces were either unwilling or unable to clamp down. One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said itinsisted was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Yet Syrian government forces have now abandoned the key city of Homs after less than a day of fighting, leaving Assad's 24-year rule dangling by a thread. Thousands of residents in Homs were seen dancing and chanting 'Assad is gone, Homs is free' and 'Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad'. Youths tore down posters of the Syrian president, whose territorial control has collapsed in a dizzying week-long retreat by the military. The fall of Homs and threat to the capital pose an immediate existential danger to the Assad dynasty's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. Homs' capture is also a powerful symbol of the rebel movement's dramatic comeback in the 13-year-old conflict. This is how the situation across Syria looked less than a week ago A rebel fighter gestures in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance and later took control of the city Western officials have claimed that Assad's government could fall within the next week HTS, the group leading the rebel offensive in Syria, is a powerful Islamist organisation that has maintained de facto control of Idlib for several years. The group, led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, solidified in 2017 as a conglomeration of various Islamist factions but traces its roots to al-Qaeda. HTS' core component arose from a group once known as Jabhat al-Nusra - al-Qaeda's Syrian branch - but later sought to reposition itself as a legitimate Syrian nationalist organisation. It officially severed ties with al-Qaeda and created a civilian arm known as the 'Salvation Government' through which it seeks to govern in Syria, insisting it has no ambition to expand beyond the nation's borders. Initial reports from civilians in Aleppo have appeared to suggest that HTS militants have treated inhabitants well after ousting Syrian government forces. But there are suspicions that HTS' jihadist origins remain and it is still designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the US, the UK and the EU. HTS is largely fighting alongside the Syrian National Army (SNA), which is a coalition of rebel groups supporting what was previously called the Free Syrian Army (FSA) - the group of Syrian defectors that broke off from government forces. The SNA is quietly supported by Turkey, which is also said to have a cautious agreement with the HTS - though the latter's jihadist origins prevent it from striking a relationship with Ankara. Rebel fighters stand on a military vehicle in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance on Saturday People in Damascus topple a statue of Hafez al-Assad and wave a Druze flag as rebel forces approach the capital, on December 7 Al-Golani, the main rebel leader, called this weekend's capture of Homs a historic moment and urged fighters not to harm 'those who drop their arms'. He also said in a separate statement that rebels were on the cusp of taking the whole country and 'the end of the criminal regime is near'. Seizing Homs, an important crossroads between the capital and the Mediterranean, effectively cuts off Damascus from the coastal stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite sect, and from Russia's air and naval base. The Syrian army and security commanders left Homs on Saturday by helicopter for the coast while a large military convoy withdrew by land, a senior army officer said. Rebels said they were entering the city centre. The country's state news agency denied reports that Assad had already fled to Russia, insisting he continued to govern from Damascus. However, following the statement claiming it was 'false news', a source has told CNN that Assad was 'nowhere to be found' at his usual residences in the capital. Lebanon said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side. Residents in Hama set ablaze a large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hanging on the facade of a municipal building Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6 Meanwhile, Assad's allies Russia, Iran and Lebanese miilitant group Hezbollah have indicated no signs of intervening. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN that Turkey wishes that neighbouring Syria can 'quickly attain the peace and tranquillity it has longed for' during 13 years of civil conflict. He said: 'I want to say this openly: We do not have our eyes on land not even a pebble that belongs to another country.' Charles Lister, director of the Syria and countering terrorism and extremism programs at the Middle East Institute, told Bloomberg that Assad's future has 'never looked more fragile'. EU politicians have caused fury after sharing a map depicting the Falkland Islands as part of Argentina, before having to issue a correction. The European People's Party (EPP), the largest political group in the European Parliament, shared an image on social media yesterday, boasting about creating the 'largest free trade zone in the world' after completing negotiations for a free trade deal. The EPP is an umbrella group of centre-right parties in the European Parliament from EU states. In the image, EU countries as well as Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina are coloured in blue to signify the countries involved in the landmark Mercosur Agreement. However the image caused huge controversy after the Falkland Islands were depicted in blue alongside Argentina, while the UK was depicted in grey as it was not involved in the EU-trade agreement. The Falklands archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean has been at the centre of a dispute for centuries. It culminated in the Falklands War of 1982, in which 255 British servicemen lost their lives after Argentina's military dictatorship invaded. Eagled-eyed users noticed that the EPP had duplicated the Islands in the image, leaving one in grey and one in blue. This led some to suspect the party was 'hedging its bets' after reaching a deal which involved Argentina, who claim The Falklands belongs to the South American country. An hour later, the EPP Group re-posted the picture with a correction, showing the Falkland Islands in grey. The graphic posted by the European People's Party, which depicts two sets of Falkland Islands, with one set in blue and one in grey The later corrected map shows the Falkland Islands in grey, the same colour as the UK The post caused fury and ridicule online and on X, formerly Twitter, as people reacted to the blunder. One user directly tagged the EPP Group in the post and asked 'why are The Falklands in blue here?' Another said: 'Shout-out to them putting TWO Falklands on this map, and making one of them blue' Another user said: 'How many people can you offend with just one map? European Peoples Party: Yes!' One user said: 'Bets being hedged here, because the Falklands are shown in both blue and grey (though I can't whether the blue islands or the grey islands are the geographically accurate ones) Is this the visual equivalent of putting an inappropriate exonym for the Falklands in brackets?' Another furious person wrote: 'The Falklands are British and will forever be. God save the King - and f*** you.' In 2013, citizens of the Islands voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK territory, with just three people voting against. The Mercosur agreement between the EU and South American countries brings the end of 25 years of negotiations to create a free trade zone between the countries. The EPP claim the agreement has created the largest free trade zone in the world with an additional market of 260 million potential consumers of European goods. It is not the first time that the EU has made a mistake over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. In 2023, the EU called the islands 'Las Malvinas' in a treaty signed in Brussels, leading Argentina to celebrate a 'diplomatic triumph'. Then-British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly demanded that European Council president Charles Michel 'clarify' the bloc's position - but the request was refused. An EU insider said: 'The UK is not part of the EU. They are upset by the use of the word Malvinas. If they were in the EU perhaps they would have pushed back against it.' The official also said that 'the Argentines have spun it in a certain way'. Multiple sources from the Argentinian delegation in Brussels claimed it as a victory over Britain. 'It is the first time in a long time that the European Union talks about 'Malvinas'. That is not little, it is a lot', one insider told The Times. In October this year, Argentinian president Javier Milei suggested the country could pry The Falklands from the UK through diplomacy, following Labour's decision to hand the Chagos Islands back to Mauritius. Argentine President Javier Milei gestures onstage during a rally to launch his party The Falkland Islands have been a cause of international dispute between the UK and Argentina for centuries British Troops celebrate retaking the Falklands from Argentina after 74 days in 1982 He said that the decision by Sir Keir Starmer's government to complete a Tory deal to hand the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to Mauritius showed how control of the islands - known as the Malvinas in Argentina, could be achieved. However the Prime Minister's spokesman said the Chagos deal was a 'unique situation, adding: 'Sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is not up for negotiation. 'There are no British territories where the sovereignty is up for negotiation.' Mr Milei told the Financial Times: 'If you are in conflict, you are not going to make any progress. 'With what the previous government (in Argentina) was doing, they were never going to be Argentine again.' Referencing the Chagos Islands deal he added: 'By that mechanism, we believe that in the long term [the islands] will become Argentine again.' Argentinian foreign minister Diana Mondino, also raised the prospect of reintroducing direct flights from Argentina to the Falklands. Such flights are viewed with some suspicion with islanders, who fear they could be used to exert political and economic pressure. Ms Mondino suggested the Chagos deal is good for Argentina's claim to the islands. Argentina insists on 'international dialogue' over the future of the islands, which were first inhabited by British, French and Spanish settlers in the 1760s. Britain asserted its rule over the archipelago in 1833 and regards the Falklands as a self-governing overseas territory Earlier this year she vowed 'concrete action' to ensure the Falklands are handed to Buenos Aires. During his presidential campaign, Milei insisted that Britain returning the Falkland Islands was 'non-negotiable', adding that the territory, known as the Malvinas in Argentina, is Argentine. After his election in 2023, Grant Shapps, then-Defence Secretary, said: 'The Falkland Islands are British. That is non-negotiable and undeniable.' Referring to the results of the island's 2013 referendum, Shapps continued: '99.8% of islanders voted to remain British and we will always defend their right to self-determination and the UK's sovereignty.' The discovery of a large oil field in the Falklands also led to recent controversy with the UK government, as Labour's commitments to no new oil drilling licenses means they would not assist the islanders with extracting the natural resource. The Sea Lion oil field, first discovered in 2010 in the North Falkland Basin roughly 135 miles (220 kilometres) offshore, was hailed at the time as potentially the biggest discovery of its kind since North Sea Oil. But an updated report conducted in October by a top energy analysis firm estimated that some 917 million barrels of oil could be recovered from Sea Lion - roughly twice the annual output of the entire North Sea. Rockhopper Exploration, the company leading the development, now plans to extract 532 million barrels - a substantial increase from its earlier estimate of 312 million that could lead to a potentially enormous economic boon for the British Overseas Territory. The discovery of a giant oil field in the Falkland Islands has grown even more promising with islanders eager to cash in on the value of their natural resources An updated report this year estimated that some 917 million barrels of oil could be recovered from Sea Lion - roughly twice the annual output of the entire North Sea The Falklands Islands Government (FIG) greenlit the exploitation of Sea Lion earlier this year after a consultation with the population of around 3,500 was reportedly met with widespread support. A final decision on proceeding with drilling is expected next year with the first exploration of the field expected as early as 2027. But the plans represent a significant thorn in the side of Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government which banned the issuing of new drilling licenses to oil and gas firms eager to exploit the North Sea days after taking office in July. Labour is also racing to reduce carbon emissions by at least 68% by 2030, compared to a 1990 baseline as part of a wider goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As a result, the government will not provide any financial support to the Falklands plan after Foreign Secretary David Lammy declared in September: 'Action on the climate and nature crisis will be central to all that the Foreign Office does.' The Falkland Islands constitute a British Overseas Territory and the UK is responsible for its engagement in foreign affairs and for its defence. But power over governance of the islands domestic affairs is devolved to the FIG, so Westminster has no say over internal matters. A statement released by a FIG spokesperson said: 'The matter of development of the natural resources of the Falkland Islands is a devolved matter and is for the people of the Falkland Islands to decide. 'Given the UK's robust and continued support to uphold the Falkland Islanders right to determine their own future we would expect this to extend to our freedom to choose whether or not to develop a hydrocarbon industry, subject to all of the appropriate checks and balances.' The EPP has been contacted for comment. A man has been jailed for murder nearly 10 years after he stabbed a teenager in the heart. Tyrese Osei-Kofi, 25 viciously attacked 17-year-old Jamel Boyce outside of Sainsburys in Clapham, southwest London on the evening of October 14 2016. The attack caused a catastrophic brain injury and left Jamal blind, paralysed and unable to speak. He sadly died from his injuries on February 13 2022 at the age of 22. At the Old Bailey on Friday December 6, Osei-Kofi was found guilty of murder and handed a seven years and 10 months sentence. The court heard that on the evening of the stabbing, police found Jamal with stab wounds to his chest and legs. Jamel was treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service but he went into cardiac arrest before arriving in hospital, depriving his brain of oxygen for a critical 14 minutes due to the injury to his heart. Doctors concluded he had been left in a 'vegetative state' and he was transferred to a specialist long-term care facility where he required round-the-clock nursing care. Tyrese Osei-Kofi, 25 viciously attacked 17-year-old Jamel Boyce outside of Sainsburys in Clapham, southwest London on the evening of October 14 2016 The attack caused a catastrophic brain injury and left Jamal blind, paralysed and unable to speak. He sadly died from his injuries on February 13 2022 at the age of 22 Osei-Kofi was interviewed by police on October 20 that year after he handed himself in. He was then re-arrested two months later and charged with attempted murder. Osei-Kofi was convicted of grievous bodily harm and found not guilty of attempted murder following a trial at the Old Bailey in February 2018. He was subsequently jailed for ten years. After Jamal died post-mortem examination gave a cause of death as a penetrating injury to his chest. This led Homicide detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command to initiate murder proceedings against Osei-Kofi. Detective Inspector Andy Griffin of the Met's Specialist Crime Command said: 'Jamel was a young man with a very promising future, known as 'Smiley' to his friends. 'He was described by those who knew him as an intelligent, thoughtful and considerate young man. The ordeal that he and his family have been through has been devastating. 'I sincerely hope that today's sentence brings closure to the nightmare they have lived through for the last eight years.' At the Old Bailey on Friday December 6, Osei-Kofi was found guilty of murder and handed a seven years and ten months sentence (file image) Jamel's father, Patrick said: 'I have come to witness the sentence of this man who took my son's life, and I wish to hear him say he is sorry and ask for forgiveness from us. 'No amount of sentence can justify what he has done to me and my family, but I hope in time that somewhere in his heart he can find some remorse and ask whichever God he believes in for forgiveness.' Jamel's mother, Pansy said: 'This stabbing turned an ordinary day in 2016 into a nightmare that we were forced to live through for five and a half years, while Jamel was left blind, unable to speak and severely limited in his ability to interact with the world around him. 'He fought tirelessly to survive, with us by his side throughout, despite such a bleak outlook, before closing his eyes for the last time. 'The impact of Jamel's death extends far beyond his individual life; it has ripped through our family and community in ways that words can barely capture. 'The damage caused by this crime will ripple through all our lives for years to come.' A notorious animal rights activist has detailed how she was targeted in two separate attacks within an hour - claiming the perpetrators were attempting to suppress the truth about 'speciesism'. Tash Peterson was filming her boyfriend Jack Higgs to raise awareness about animal cruelty outside a McDonald's in Perth, when a teenage girl threw a drink at her head. Just an hour later, the couple were dining at vegan restaurant Lord of The Fries when another woman threw a drink at Ms Peterson, who claims she was then set upon by several others after she went outside confront the woman. A distressed Ms Peterson took to social media on Sunday to express her anger about the incidents. 'They are direct responses to my activism and to me unapologetically being who I am: someone who refuses to stay silent about the exploitation and murder of non-human people,' she wrote. 'Let's be clear- these actions are not just attacks on me; they are attempts to suppress the truth about speciesism and the industries profiting from the enslavement of animals. 'The question remains: Why are so many people so angry at those who simply advocate for the rights of non-human people?' The couple filmed the first incident, where the teen was captured throwing a McDonald's drink at Ms Peterson from behind before fleeing down the street. Vegan activist Tash Peterson (pictured) was filming her boyfriend when a teen threw a McDonald's drink at her head from behind The drink drenched the back of her clothing and hair. 'What the f***!' a shocked Ms Peterson exclaimed. 'Completely soaked.' Mr Higgs replied . 'It's all on camera.' 'That's the drink they threw at me,' Ms Peterson said while pointing at the split drink and ice on the ground. In a separate video, the couple recalled how they were dining Lord of The Fries in Northbridge an hour later when a woman 'stormed in, shouted 'are you Tash Peterson?''. '(She) threw her drink on me,' an emotional Ms Peterson explained to her Facebook followers. An emotional Ms Peterson (pictured) recounted what happened after a woman poured a drinkin a second incident an hour later 'So I reacted and came out and then five people came on top of me and like, ripping my hair. 'And Jack came in to help me and got f***ing punched.' The activist later filmed from the hospital where Mr Higgs was undergoing tests after he was punched on the side of the head when he intervened. When recounting the incident, Ms Peterson clarified that it was 3-4 people who came over the top of her to pull her away from the woman once she was outside to retaliate. 'All I remember was just looking down at the ground because, obviously, I was in defence mode,' she said. The couple explained that Mr Higgs came out to remove the woman on Ms Peterson, who was the woman who started the fight by throwing the drink. And that's when Mr Higgs was punched. 'Apparently it was her brother because he kept saying to Jack 'you punched my sister'', Ms Peterson said. The animal rights activist (pictured) is known for her scantily-clad protests 'Obviously Jack didn't do that, he was just trying to get her off me. 'There were a lot of drunken people around and that's probably why this happened. Ms Peterson said the police arrived shortly afterwards and claimed 'they're investigating' both incidents. The couple are also hopeful of obtaining CCTV of the second assault, which left Mr Higgs with blurry vision and a 'throbbing' headache. 'It could have been worse if he got the centre of the temple,' he said. Ms Peterson, who is known for her scantily-clad protest stunds, is no stranger to controversy. Her antics have led police and policymakers in WA to describe her as 'Australia's biggest pest'. Ms Peterson has copped numerous fines for her semi-nude demonstrations and protests in designer stores, restaurants and supermarkets. It's been a challenging few months for Ms Peterson after she was ordered to pay $280,000 to a vet she accused of 'eating (her) own patients' three years ago. Ms Peterson stormed into the Perth-based Bicton Veterinary Clinic in September 2021 to accuse its owner Dr Kay McIntosh of 'enslaving' two pet birds. In a judgment handed down by the Supreme Court of Western Australia on November 25, Chief Justice Peter Quinlan ruled that the pair had used 'provocative and inflammatory' language towards Dr McIntosh and her husband Andrew. In August, Ms Peterson pleaded guilty to two trespass and disorderly behaviour charges for two separate stand-offs at Fyre restaurant in the northern Perth suburb of Connolly last year. Ms Peterson was banned from leaving Western Australia due to a six-month community-based order issued by a magistrate in Joondalup Magistrates Court, and was also hit with thousands of dollars in fines. Daily Mail Australia contacted Ms Peterson for further comment. Supermarket giant Tesco has recalled a Christmas dinner favourite over fears people could become ill after eating it. Shoppers are being urged to avoid consuming the item as it 'could pose a risk to health' and should never have been sold in the first place. This comes as the incorrect use by date was printed on packs - missing the mark by a whole 18 days leading buyers to wrongly assume it would be safe to eat for two and a half weeks longer than it actually was. A use by date is generally more serious than a best before end date as it is an indicator of food safety rather than just quality. But can you guess what product is causing the alarm? The product Tesco are now recalling forms part of its red cabbage offering - the 300g Red Cabbage & Apple packet. With a batch reference of Code 29 Dec, it contained a packaging error as it displayed 29 DEC as a use by date though it should have said 11 DEC. This means shoppers may have wrongly assumed they could save the red cabbage product for Christmas Day. Shoppers are being urged to avoid consuming the item as it 'could pose a risk to health' and should never have been sold in the first place The product Tesco are now recalling forms part of its red cabbage offering - the 300g Red Cabbage & Apple packet Buyers who have bought the food item are able to return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. Tesco told customers: An extension of the use by date could pose a risk to health if the product is kept past the correct shelf life on the product. If you have purchased the affected product please do not eat it. Instead, return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required. No other Tesco products are affected by this issue. The UK Food Standards Agency said: 'An extension of the Use by Date could pose a risk to health, if the product is kept past the correct shelf life of the product. 'The company have issued a recall notice to their customers. This notice explains to customers why the product is being recalled and tells them what to do if they have bought the product.' Gleeful Syrians ransacked Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus today of Louis Vuitton items after rebel soldiers stormed the capital. Scores of people can be seen in one video within the palace's walls raiding cupboards of the president and his British-born glamorous wife Asma al-Assad's expensive possessions. Duvets and linen bed sheets are strewn on the floor while one person can be seen holding an orange Louis Vuitton box as they walk up a flight of stairs and pass another looter carrying a bulging bag stuffed full of items. People posed for selfies in hallways while another snap showed a rebel sitting at a desk in an office where maps could be seen scattered on the table and floor. Dozens of al-Assad's luxury vehicles have also been seized after militants broke into his supercar garage filled with Mercedes, Ferraris, and Audis. Others have reportedly looted Syria's Central Bank with people seen carrying bags full of cash. The Assad's brutal 53-year dynasty rule over the country came to a lightning speed end with the fall of the capital. Syrians have jubilantly celebrated in the streets while state television showed opposition fighters milling around al-Assad's presidential palace. Despot al-Assad reportedly fled on a plane this morning to an unknown destination as rebel forces closed in. The opposition fighters reached the suburbs of the capital yesterday for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018. Gleeful Syrians ransacked Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus today of Louis Vuitton items after rebel soldiers stormed the capital One person can be seen holding an orange Louis Vuitton box as they walk up a flight of stairs Hoards of people can be seen in one video within the palace's walls raiding cupboards of the president's expensive possessions Dozens of al-Assad's luxury vehicles have also been seized after rebels broke into his supercar garage The garage is filled with Mercedes, Ferraris, and Audis with many of the motors seen with their doors opened One of the supercars parked in al-Assad's garage that has now been seized by opposition fighters who have taken Damascus Some vehicles among the sea of luxury cars in al-Assad's garage had their bonnets popped opened Syrian state television showed the rebels milling around inside the despot's palace after he reportedly this morning fled on a plane to an unknown destination. Military and intelligence officials are being quizzed by the rebel soldiers about al-Assad's whereabouts as they try to pinpoint his movements. The president hasn't been seen or heard from since rebels stormed the capital city, according to CNN. The Russian foreign ministry confirmed today that al-Assad had left the country following negotiations with 'other participants in the armed conflict'. The BBC reported that he gave instructions for a peaceful power transfer. Following the capture of Damascus, the HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) said on Telegram that it was the end of a dark era and the beginning of a new one. The rebels said that people displaced or imprisoned under the half-century reign of Assad can now come home. HTS said it will be a 'new Syria' where 'everyone lives in peace and justice prevails'. A statue of the late father of al-Assad in a main square in Jermana suburb, ten kilometres from the capital, has also been toppled. As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the city's mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting 'God is great.' People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. People were seen loading their arms with stacks of crockery during the looting rampage One looter was seen grabbing a piece of artwork that was still resting on an easel A Syrian woman smiles as she carries out a stack of plates from al-Assad's presidential residence A Syrian loads up a suitcases as one of al-Assad's homes is ransacked by looters A bag stuff full of items taken from one of al-Assad's homes A woman carries out a box full of clothes after looting the presidential residence Delighted Syrians have been going form room to room in al-Assad's presidential residence to take his prized possessions A man climbs on a sculpture of Sultan Pasha al-Atrash, a Druze warrior who led a revolt against French rule in 1925, after a Syrian opposition flag was placed on it Syrian state television showed the rebels milling around inside Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace after the despot fled on a plane to an unknown destination Syrians take souvenir pictures on their mobile phones inside the Presidential Palace after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus - December 8, 2024 A Syrian opposition fighter sits inside an office at the Presidential Palace with maps seen on the floor and on a desk Syrian opposition fighters take a selfie inside the Presidential Palace - December 8, 2024 People celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024, as rebel soldiers declare that they have taken the capital People kick a poster depicting Syrian President Bashar al Assad after Syria's army command notified officers that al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended The torn down statue of former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad in the Syrian city of Hama, following the advance of Syrian rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham People sit on a tank as they gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024 President Bashar al-Assad fled the country on a plane this morning to an unknown destination In the streets, teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Videos from Damascus showed families wandering into the presidential palace, with some emerging carrying stacks of plates and other household items. 'I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall,' said Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44, who works in the electricity sector. 'From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them (the opposition forces) a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud.' One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany has also said that insurgent forces have 'fully liberated' Syria's central city of Homs. The fall of Homs and threat to the capital now pose an immediate existential danger to the Assad dynasty's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany has also said that insurgent forces have 'fully liberated' Syria's central city of Homs. The fall of Homs and threat to the capital now pose an immediate existential danger to the Assad dynasty's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. The most powerful insurgent leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, said in a statement that rebels were on the cusp of taking the whole country and 'the end of the criminal regime is near'. The government's abandonment of the key city after less than a day of fighting leaves Assad's 24-year rule dangling by a thread with insurgents also advancing towards the capital Damascus. Seizing Homs, an important crossroads between the capital and the Mediterranean, effectively cuts off Damascus from the coastal stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite sect, and from Russia's air and naval base. An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian President Hafez Assad in Damascus - December 8, 2024 A woman uses her mobile phone to take a picture of a damaged picture of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad A Syrian rebel fighter who returned to the central city of Homs on December 8, 2024, after being in exile for 12 years celebrates after rebel forces entered Syria's third city Syrians celebrate in the central city of Homs on December 8, 2024 Syrians rebel fighters celebrate near the Clock Tower in the central city of Homs on December 8, 2024 This picture shows Syrian rebel fighters and civilians celebrating at the Clock Tower in the central city of Homs on December 8 Syrian opposition fighters celebrate the fall of the Syrian government, in Damascus - December 8, 2024 Traffic flow in al-Qutayfah on the outskirts of Damascus after the Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken the Syrian capital - December 8, 2024 Syrians celebrate the arrival of opposition fighters as they step on a picture of Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria A woman leans out of a car window posing with her phone and gesturing a peace sign with her hand in the central city of Homs on December 8, 2024 A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti government forces burn after it was hit by regime forces in the Hama governorate Syrian rebel fighters celebrate near the Clock Tower in Homs on December 8 A government armoured vehicle burns as rebels ride along the road south of Hama, in the south of Syria Anti-regime armed rebels fire their weapons into the air in victory after capturing Hama The fall of Bashar al-Assad's routine appeals all but assured (pictured: rebels ride past a damaged government vehicle in Hama) The Syrian army and security commanders left Homs on Saturday by helicopter for the coast while a large military convoy withdrew by land, a senior army officer said. Rebels said they were entering the city centre. Thousands poured onto the streets there to celebrate, residents said. Homs residents and rebels said the insurgents had captured the central prison and were freeing thousands of detainees. Residents said state security and intelligence personnel had evacuated their offices after burning papers. Syria's state news agency denied reports that Assad had already fled to Russia claiming he continued to govern from Damascus. However, following the statement claiming it was 'false news', a source has told CNN that Assad was 'nowhere to be found' at his usual residences in the capital. Lebanon said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side. The rapidly developing events in Syria have again put the region on edge. Government forces reportedly withdrew as rebel groups amassed in the city's suburbs, wrestling for control after more than a week of intensified fighting. Armed groups reached the suburb of Darayya this afternoon, some five miles from the centre, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency. 'Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus,' said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani today, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive 10 days ago. 'Damascus awaits you,' HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, said in a statement Saturday addressed to rebel fighters on Telegram. Syrians still in the nominally government-controlled territory of Jaramana seized the opportunity to pull down a statue of Assad's father as the regime faces collapse. The staggering assault has seen rebels opposed to the regime make the fastest battlefield advance by either side since the civil war began almost 13 years ago. Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week, and his brothers-in-law allegedly travelled to the UAE, per Syrian security officials. People ride a tank in the Syrian southern city of Daraa on December 7 A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces is pictured abandoned on the side of a road in the Hama governorate, on December 7 Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6 Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, casts her vote during the country's presidential elections in Douma, Syria, with her husband in this file photo taken in 2021 People in Damascus topple a statue of Hafez al-Assad and wave a Druze flag as rebel forces approach the capital, on December 7 Assad's allies in Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, distracted or worn-down by other conflicts, meanwhile showed no signs of intervening. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN that Turkey wishes that neighboring Syria can 'quickly attain the peace and tranquility it has longed for' during 13 years of civil conflict. He said: 'I want to say this openly: We do not have our eyes on land not even a pebble that belongs to another country.' Charles Lister, director of the Syria and countering terrorism and extremism programs at the Middle East Institute, told Bloomberg that Assad's future has 'never looked more fragile'. What is HTS? HTS, the group leading the rebel offensive in Syria, is a powerful Islamist organisation that has maintained de facto control of Idlib for several years. The group, led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, solidified in 2017 as a conglomeration of various Islamist factions but traces its roots to al-Qaeda. HTS' core component arose from a group once known as Jabhat al-Nusra - al-Qaeda's Syrian branch - but later sought to reposition itself as a legitimate Syrian nationalist organisation. It officially severed ties with al-Qaeda and created a civilian arm known as the 'Salvation Government' through which it seeks to govern in Syria, insisting it has no ambition to expand beyond the nation's borders. Initial reports from civilians in Aleppo have appeared to suggest that HTS militants have treated inhabitants well after ousting Syrian government forces. But there are suspicions that HTS' jihadist origins remain and it is still designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), US, UK and the EU, among others. Advertisement Russia also appears not to be in a position to help Assad regain ground with focus and resources directed to Ukraine. 'Russia doesn't have a plan to save Assad and doesn't see one emerging as long as the Syrian president's army continues to abandon its positions,' a source 'close to the Kremlin' told Bloomberg. Iran, likewise, has been hesitant, or unable, to funnel its support to Syria. On Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he would would only help Assad 'to the extent necessary', but previously promised to 'consider' sending troops. The capture of Hama has given rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before. Jihad Yazigi, editor of the Syria Report newsletter previously told Reuters: 'Assad now cannot afford to lose anything else. The big battle is the one coming against Homs. If Homs falls, we are talking of a potential change of regime.' It follows a staggering effort to seize Aleppo, the main northern city in Syria, last week as part of a blitz offensive beginning on November 27. The collapse of Syrian government control in the north has sharply illustrated a shift in the balance of power since Lebanon's Hezbollah group, a lynchpin of Assad's forces, suffered catastrophic losses in its war with Israel. While Hezbollah has reportedly sent 2,000 fighters to Syria, per a source close to the Iran-backed proxy group today, Assad's backing from allies continues to wither. Rebel forces were just 12 miles (20km) from Damascus by 11am GMT on Saturday, posing an imminent threat to the capital, according to a war monitor and rebels. The Syrian army reportedly withdrew its forces from all towns about 10km (6.2 miles) from the capital, a monitor reported soon after. The Syrian defence ministry, loyal to Assad, denied the army had fled positions. 'There is no truth to news claiming our armed forces, present in all areas of the Damascus countryside, have withdrawn,' it said. The Syrian government was also forced to evacuate from its positions in Quneitrea, near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. The Syrian Democratic Forces, the main ally of the US against the regime, meanwhile seized key areas in Deir ez Zor and Raqqa on December 6, making it harder for Iran to move forces in to help Assad or resupply Iranian-backed forces like Hezbollah. Reported battlefield advances as of Friday, December 6. Claims are quickly changing In little over a week, the offensive has seen Syria's second city Aleppo and strategically located Hama fall from Assad's control for the first time since the civil war began in 2011 Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week (pictured together 2021) Bashar al-Assad (L) with his wife Asma al-Assad arrive at New Delhi International airport, India, 17 June 2008 NEW - opposition fighters are currently advancing into #Homs city, as the advance into southern #Damascus appears to be triggering a sudden collapse of frontlines. pic.twitter.com/azUiaKPxQs Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) December 7, 2024 A member of the Syrian opposition stands at an entrance to the Hama governorate on the Damascus-Aleppo International Highway, December 3 Video shared on social media by reporters claimed to show regime forces routing on foot from the town of Zakiah, a mere 16 miles (25.7km) from Damascus. President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly returned to the capital to continue carrying out duties, officials said today following reports he had left. Meanwhile, Syrians in Jaramana - a suburb of the capital - tore down a statue of Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez, as some waved the flag of the Druze. The suburb is still nominally controlled by the Assad regime at the time of writing, and it did not appear to be militant rebel groups (who are still several miles from Jaramana and Damascus) pulling down the statue, contrary to other reports. Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP that local rebel fighters now also controlled all of Daraa province. Rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive in the country's northwest, said 'we are now less than 20 km from the southern gate of the capital Damascus'. 'The advance towards the capital continues,' he added. A truck pulls the head of another toppled statue of late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad through the streets of the city of Hama on December 6 An aerial picture shows a car driving past Syrian army military equipment and vehicles that were abandoned on the highway to Damascus, near the town of Suran, on December 3, 2024 Syria 's British-born first lady, Asma al-Assad (pictured, file photo), has been diagnosed with leukemia, the Syrian presidency said on Tuesday. The announcement came almost five years after the 48-year-old announced she had fully recovered from breast cancer A short while ago, an attack was carried out by armed individuals at a @UN post in the Hader area in #Syria. The IDF is currently assisting the UN forces in repelling the attack. The IDF is deployed with reinforced forces in the Golan Heights area and will continue to operate Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 7, 2024 Israel's military now assesses that the rebels pose a direct threat to Assad's rule. While a weakened Assad regime plays to Israel's interests, there remains debate around sending troops in - amid an ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza and clashes with Iran - and anxiety around helping Sunni jihadists once aligned with al-Qaeda. The IDF announced on Saturday afternoon that an attack had been carried out by 'armed individuals' at a UN post in the Hader area of Syria. It said it was assisting UN forces in repelling the attack and would continue to operate in the Golan Heights in order to protect Israel and its citizens. Assadist forces have been backed by intense Russian airstrikes, but rebels continue to push through Assad's lines. Since Russia does not share a land border with Syria, it also depends on Turkey's goodwill to allow warships to pass through the Bosporus. While Turkey and Russia were able to work together to broker a truce in May 2020, Turkish forces have backed opposition groups in an effort to displace ISIS. For Russia, Syria represents a strategic stronghold key to its efforts to project power in the Middle East. The loss of influence would be 'devastating' for Russia, Nicole Grajewski, fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Wall Street Journal. 'To see Russian planes leave Syria as rebel forces move onward towards their air bases, and their assets in Damascus fall, this would be so devastating for the Russian image of itself,' she said. Anti-government fighters patrol the streets of Hama after they captured the central Syrian city, on December 6 Israeli soldiers sit atop an armoured vehicle near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria Saturday December 7, 2024 National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 'It would be akin to a Saigon moment for them,' she added. Ukrainian intelligence has assessed that Russian forces have 'suffered significant losses, with some units of the aggressor state surrounded'. 'Hundreds of Moscow troops are listed as missing in Syria,' it reported. Rebel groups were rumoured to have received operational training from Ukrainian special forces, learning from tactics developed during the war in Ukraine, the Kyiv Post reported. Assad relied heavily on Russian and Iranian backing during the most intense years of the conflict, helping him to claw back most territory and Syria's biggest cities before front lines froze in 2020. But Russia has been focused on the war in Ukraine since 2022, and many in the top leadership of Hezbollah, the most powerful Iran-aligned force, were killed by Israel over the past two months. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by Israeli airstrikes. And Syrian troops are exhausted and hollowed out by 13 years of war and economic crises, with little will left to fight. 'The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining whether the rebel offensive poses an existential threat to the Assad regime or whether the regime manages to regain its footing and push back on recent rebel gains,' said Mona Yacoubian, an analyst with the United States Institute for Peace, as reported the Associated Press. 'While weakened and distracted, Assad's allies are unlikely to simply cave to the rebels' offensive,' she wrote in an analysis. National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 A view of a military airport seized by anti-regime groups in Hama, on December 6 National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Abu Mohammed al-Golani (AKA Abu Mohammad al-Julani), the main insurgent commander, has vowed to protect Syria's religious minorities as HTS makes gains. In public remarks clearly intended to soften his image and reassure foreign countries, Golani has also emphasised his split years ago with Al Qaeda and Islamic State, and said he has always opposed attacks outside Syria. HTS and the other rebel groups are trying to consolidate their rule in Aleppo, bringing it under the administration of the so-called Salvation Government they established in their northwestern enclave. The Institute for the Study of War assessed 'support to the Assad regime will almost certainly fail to stop the opposition offensive at this time unless ground forces are deployed rapidly and in larger numbers'. The beleaguered SNP is set to cling on to power in Scotland despite a year of damaging chaos and failure to improve services, due to Keir Starmer's plummeting popularity as Prime Minister, a new poll suggests. Research carried out by Norstat for the Sunday Times in the wake of John Swinney's first Budget put the First Minister's party on 37 per cent for constituency votes and at 32 per cent on the regional list. Analysis of the poll by expert Sir John Curtice suggested the SNP would be down three on 59 seats, Scottish Labour down two on 20 and the Conservatives down 12 on 19. The poll also suggests Reform will enter Holyrood with 13 seats, the Lib Dems on 11 and the Greens on seven. Such a result would mean a pro-independence majority of three seats at Holyrood, securing John Swinney's place as First Minister if he is supported by the Greens. Sir John said the blame for Labour's decline appeared to lie with the Prime Minister, whose net approval rating was at minus 32 per cent. It comes after Ms Swinney used the Budget last week to splash UK taxpayers' cash on massive benefit handouts, including removing the two-child benefit cap in Scotland. Sir Keir is refusing to remove the limit on payments to parents despite pressure from Labour backbenchers on cost grounds. Your browser does not support iframes. Sir John said the blame for Labour's decline appeared to lie with the Prime Minister, whose net approval rating was at minus 32 per cent. In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday Reform leader Nigel Farage pledged to stand candidates in every constituency in Scotland ahead of the vote. It also put support for a Yes vote in a Scottish independence referendum at 54 per cent when 'don't knows' are excluded, the highest level recorded in four years. This is despite reports showing last week that the party's management of the Scottish NHS has left the health service in crisis and facing having to axe treatment. The SNP is currently governing as a minority with 62 MSPs. The poll put support for Anas Sarwar's Scottish Labour at 21 per cent in the constituency vote and 18 per cent in the regional list. Meanwhile, the Conservatives were on 14 per cent in the constituency vote and 16 per cent in the regional list. Writing in the Sunday Times, Sir John said Labour's vote is being squeezed by the rising Reform UK vote as well as a resurgent SNP. He said: 'Just 21 per cent of Scots now say they would vote Labour on the constituency ballot for a Scottish parliament election, down nine points on Norstat's poll in August and as much as 14 points below the party's tally in July's general election. 'The party is being squeezed at both ends of the political spectrum. 'At 12 per cent, the proportion of those who voted Labour in July who now say they would vote SNP is double the equivalent figure in August. 'Yet 13 per cent of the Labour's July vote has now switched to Reform UK, up from just 5 per cent in August. 'Consequently, the party's support is down among both supporters and opponents of independence.' In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday Reform leader Nigel Farage pledged to stand candidates in every constituency in Scotland ahead of the vote. And he said he would be really surprised if there were not more Scottish Tory defections to his party - after two councillors made the switch last month. His stark warning comes after he bombastically claimed last week that the country was to witness a political revolution the likes of which weve not seen since Labour after the First World War. Recent polling puts his party on course to around a dozen seats at the 2026 vote, with its deputy leader Richard Tice predicting Reform Scotland is to overtake the Scottish Tories to become the third largest party at Holyrood. At the Westminster elections in July, Reform Scotland secured a larger share of the vote than the Scottish Tories in 23 Scottish seats and was responsible for splitting the vote and seeing off former leader Douglas Ross. Meanwhile three recent by-elections in Glasgow saw the party pick up more than 1,000 first preference votes. Last night Mr Farage said the English county council elections in May would serve as building blocks towards his attempted seizures at Holyrood. Britain's intelligence services have been slammed for a 'racist' internship that doesn't let white students apply for roles at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. Pupils are being offered the opportunity of a paid, 10-11 week 'intelligence internship' next summer, which promises the 'first steps towards an exciting full-time career'. But the advert explains that the application is only open to students from a 'Black, Asian, mixed heritage or ethnic minority', and who are from a 'socially or economically disadvantaged' background. This means that any white British student from a socially deprived background would not be eligible for the internship which could lead them to a bright career as a spy. The advert states that the services are 'confining the applications for this internship to those within this demographic due to a current underrepresentation in our workforce'. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp branded the internship programme 'racist' and urged for it to be taken down. 'I understand the need to encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds, including underrepresented minorities,' he said. 'But this is an overtly racist policy and it should be immediately discontinued.' Certain students are being offered the opportunity of a paid, 10-11 week 'intelligence internship' next summer, which promises the 'first steps towards an exciting full-time career' Shadow home secretary Chris Philp (pictured) branded the internship programme 'racist' and urged for it to be taken down. He added: 'It implies it is impossible for any white person to be deprived or deserving of assistance.' Meanwhile, a former senior Royal Air Force (RAF) told The Telegraph he thought the decision not to let poor white students apply is 'blatant discrimination'. Employers are allowed to take 'positive action' by encouraging certain groups to apply for jobs, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). It adds that positive action is lawful if the action taken is 'proportionate' to address the issue. A spokesperson for GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 said: 'The summer intelligence internship is a lawful measure used by the intelligence agencies to encourage people from under-represented groups to consider careers with our organisations. 'Participants in the internship do not receive an offer of permanent employment at the end of it. Anyone who has participated in the internship and who wishes to apply for a permanent position can do so. They will compete against all other candidates in external recruitment processes.' Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has left office and departed the country after giving orders of a peaceful handover of power, the Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed. In a statement, the ministry did not say where al-Assad was now and said Russia has not taken part in talks around his departure. It said Russia's military based in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but there was no serious threat to them at present. Moscow is understood to be in touch with all Syrian opposition groups and urged all sides to refrain from violence. It comes as Syrians have stormed al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus as rebels declare that the country is 'free' from the 'tyrant'. The opposition fighters reached the suburbs of the capital yesterday for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018. Syrian state television showed the rebels milling around inside the despot's palace after he fled this morning on a plane to an unknown destination. President Bashar al-Assad (pictured) fled the country on a plane this morning Syrian state television showed rebels milling around inside al-Assad's presidential palace after the despot fled on a plane People celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024, as rebel soldiers declare that they have taken the capital An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian President Hafez Assad in Damascus on December 8 People kick a poster depicting Syrian President al-Assad after Syria's army command notified officers that his 24-year authoritarian rule has ended Military and intelligence officials were being quizzed by the rebel soldiers about al-Assad's whereabouts as they tried to pinpoint his movements. Following the capture of Damascus, the HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) said on Telegram that it was the end of a dark era and the beginning of a new one. The rebels said that people displaced or imprisoned under the half-century reign of al-Assad can now come home. HTS said it will be a 'new Syria' where 'everyone lives in peace and justice prevails'. A statue of the late father of al-Assad in a main square in Jermana suburb, ten kilometres from the capital, has also been toppled. As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the city's mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting 'God is great.' People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. In the streets, teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Videos from Damascus showed families wandering into the presidential palace, with some emerging carrying stacks of plates and other household items. An Israeli author says he was the victim of anti-semitism when detained at a UK airport over a poster about the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Alon Penzel, 23, was departing from Luton airport after giving a talk about the militant group's onslaught against Israel 14 months ago when he was stopped by a security guard. Mr Penzel was wearing a T-shirt saying 'End Jew Hatred' and carrying an A3-size sign carrying the name of his book, Testimonies Without Boundaries Israel: October 7 2023. He is now pursuing legal action, saying he was unfairly detained for 90 minutes at the airport in Bedfordshire after his sign was accused of being 'offensive'. He had spent a week in London promoting his book which includes first-hand accounts from hostages and survivors from the Hamas massacre which killed 1,200 people. Mr Penzel was also invited to deliver a speech at a House of Lords event hosted by the historian Lord Andrew Roberts. London Luton Airport has promised an investigation into what happened. Mr Penzel told how he was shocked to be stopped at a Luton departure gate while queuing to board a flight to the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on November 18. Alon Penzel (pictured), 23, was departing from Luton airport after giving a talk about the militant group's onslaught against Israel 14 months ago when he was stopped by a security guard He was wearing a T-shirt saying 'End Jew Hatred' and carrying an A3-size sign carrying the name of his book, Testimonies Without Boundaries Israel: October 7 2023. He told the Telegraph: 'I had already been through security and I was walking to the gate when a security man came up to me, and asked me if I was a protester. 'I was puzzled. I said, 'No, I'm just trying to catch my flight'. He pointed at my sign and said that some people may find it offensive. 'I asked why and he said it was offensive because there has been an illegal occupation since 1948 - it was then that I realised something else was going on.' He told how three more security guards, as well as two police officers, then arrived before taking him aside and questioning him about what he was carrying. Mr Penzel has said he was detained there for about 90 minutes, feeling 'uncomfortable and intimidated', before finally being permitted to catch his El Al flight back to Israel. He added: 'I felt like this was pure anti-semitism. I was telling them I was not a protester. They said they were reviewing CCTV footage of me because protests are not allowed in the airport. Eventually they let me go - there was no apology, nothing.' Mr Penzel, formerly an Israeli military press spokesperson, is now taking legal action over the incident, represented by the group UK Lawyers for Israel who are calling for disciplinary action against the security staff involved. Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, said: 'It is shocking to hear about the anti-Israel abuse suffered by Mr Penzel at Luton Airport, and the fact that the security officer felt that he could harangue an Israeli traveller with his inappropriate, ill informed and anti-semitic views. London Luton Airport has promised an investigation into what happened, with officials there saying they 'take any allegation of this nature extremely seriously' 'We hope that Luton Airport will take urgent action to investigate this incident and to ensure that nothing similar happens in the future.' Lord Roberts today told MailOnline: 'Alon has written a very important book, Testimonies without Boundaries, about the 7 October massacre and was presenting it to a packed meeting of the Israel all party parliamentary group in the House of Lords. 'He should have been treated as an honoured guest to our country for the remarkable work he has done and is doing. Instead, he was detained at Luton airport in a clearly anti-semitic manner, for which the authorities there have yet to apologise. 'It is frankly an outrage and he deserves an official apology for the way he had been treated, and the officials concerned should be reprimanded or sacked for their disgraceful behaviour.' In a letter to the airport, UKFLI said the guard accused of stopping Mr Penzel 'was trying to make his own political point that somehow the massacre on 7 October was Israel's own fault and was a kind of payback for Israel's historic wrongs'. The letter added: 'Moreover he appeared to blame Mr Penzel for the imagined actions of past Israeli governments. He appeared to be punishing Mr Penzel, on the basis of his own antisemitic attitude, by detaining him.' In a letter of response, Luton Airport's general counsel Mee-Ling Skeffington is said to have told UKLFI: 'An investigation has started and is ongoing. 'You will appreciate we cannot comment further on that process, however we can confirm it will be thorough and we will take appropriate action based on the findings. We will not condone intolerance, whether because of race or religion.' A London Luton Airport spokesperson today told MailOnline: 'Airport staff were alerted to the presence of a passenger who appeared to be carrying a placard at the boarding gate for a flight to Tel Aviv. Alon Penzel (pictured) has said of the airport incident: 'I felt like this was pure anti-semitism' 'To ensure the safety of passengers, police were asked to attend, before the man was allowed to board his flight and continue his journey. 'We do not tolerate racism or discriminatory behaviour in any form. We take any allegation of this nature extremely seriously.' A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism today told MailOnline: 'Alon Penzel was subjected to what appears to be prejudiced treatment at Luton Airport. 'We are constantly hearing stories in recent months of Jewish travellers receiving more scrutiny from security personnel than is merited. 'Airports are just another place where Jewish people have felt discriminated against over the past year as antisemitism has surged across our society. 'We are in touch with the victim, and we join his call on Luton to urgently investigate this incident and take action.' Anthony Albanese is regarded by voters as the the nation's 'weakest' prime minister in decades as popularity of rival Peter Dutton gains momentum with the federal election looming. The latest Newspoll conducted for the The Australian revealed a growing number of voters believe Mr Albanese lacks crucial leadership traits. Just 44 per cent of the 1258 voters polled believed the Prime Minister is a 'strong and decisive leader' a five point slump since previous surveys. It's also the lowest rating for a sitting prime minister since Newspoll began asking voters following Kevin Rudd's election win in 2007. Mr Dutton, on the other hand, was considered decisive by a steady 60 per cent of voters surveyed. It's the highest percentage for a federal opposition leader since Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull more than a decade ago. To make matters worse for the Labor government, most of the polling was conducted before Mr Albanese copped a wave of criticism over a two day delay in condemning the firebombing of Melbourne's Adass Israel Synagogue. The Jewish place of worship was set alight early Friday morning in what Victoria Police believe to have been a 'targeted incident' but Mr Albanese stalled on labelling the attack as an act of terrorism until Sunday morning - sparking outrage among Australia's Jewish community. Anthony Albanese's reputation as a 'strong and decisive' leader has slipped five points, according to the latest Newspoll data 'My personal opinion is yes (it is terrorism), but there is a technical process,' he said on Sunday morning. '...But if you want my personal view quite clearly, terrorism is something that is aimed at creating fear in the community and the atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were designed to create fear in the community.' Mr Dutton took aim at the Mr Albanese before his admission on Sunday, blasting the delay on Sky News. 'This is an act of terrorism, pure and simple, and I think the Prime Minister's deliberate decision to seek political advantage over the course of the last 12 months on this issue and play to a domestic audience of Green voters, I think, has been deplorable and one of the worst things I've ever seen in public life,' the Liberal Party leader said. Jewish leaders also joined calls for Mr Albanese to take more action against anti-Semitism in the wake of the attack. Opposition leader Peter Dutton remains strong in the eyes of voters with 60 per cent of voters surveyed labelling him 'decisive' Mr Albanese's 'decisiveness' rating is tipped to continue to slide in future Newspolls in the coming months. Almost half (47 per cent) of respondents agreed the PM is 'arrogant' while 48 don't believe he was 'in touch with voters'. However, more than half (55 per cent) agreed Mr Albanese was 'likeable', while 68 per cent said he was 'experienced'. Mr Dutton still had him beaten, with 70 per cent of voters agreeing he, too, was experienced but was regarded as more arrogant as the Prime Minister. Only 56 per cent of voters believed Mr Albanese had a 'vision' for the nation, compared to 61 per cent for Mr Dutton. When asked who would be a better Prime Minister, Mr Albanese remains unchanged at 45 per cent while Mr Dutton dropped by three points down to 38 per cent. Another 17 per cent remain decided on who they will vote for at the polling booth. On a two party preferred basis, the Coalitions primary vote remains ahead, despite one cent drop to 39 per cent while Labor remains steady at 33 per cent. Approval ratings for both leaders remained unchanged, with Mr Albanese on a net negative approval rating of minus 14 slightly behind Mr Dutton on minus 12. Satisfaction with Mr Albaneses performance as Prime Minister remained stable at 40 per cent, while dissatisfaction dropped a point to 54 per cent. Mr Duttons satisfaction rating fell a point to 39 per cent but but his dissatisfaction score of 51 per cent remains unchanged. It comes after insiders tipped Labor to suffer at the next election if Mr Albanese remains at the helm. Some insider have suggested the party would be better placed under the leadership of current Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Another poll last week suggested the Albanese government would not retain its majority in the House of Representatives with the Coalition poised to pinch nine seats in the next election. The Prime Minister's maiden term would be the first Labor Government to turnover in three years since James Scullin took the party to a shattering defeat during the Great Depression. The shock prediction came after almost 5000 voters were surveyed by Accent Research and the RedBridge Group, which then modelled what the federal parliament make-up will likely to look like after the next election. The polling shows that NSW will be a crucial election battleground, with five seats likely to change hands and another seven teetering in the same direction. Police in the Netherlands have launched a search operation for a car that drove away from an apartment block just moments before a devastating explosion killed five people inside. The force said they are hoping the vehicle might help with the investigation. They have asked witnesses to come forward with camera footage from the surrounding areas in the hope of finding the car. The cause of the explosion in The Hague yesterday morning remains unclear. However, mayor Jan van Zanen said investigators are looking into 'all possibilities'. Residents of the north-eastern neighbourhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. It was like an earthquake,' said bystander Dimi, 53. 'Something collapsed but we didn't see where it came from. I know these neighbours. My kids go to school with them. My new car has also been seriously damaged,' he added. 'I was asleep and suddenly there was this huge bang,' Adam Muller, a 14-year-old local said. 'I looked out of the window and just saw flames. It's a massive shock,' he added. The cause of the explosion in The Hague yesterday morning remains unclear So far five bodies have been recovered from the scene and a further five injured people have been rescued from the rubble The incident has rocked the Netherlands with the King and Queen issuing a statement on the tragedy The Hague mayor Jan van Zanen (pictured) said investigators are looking into 'all possibilities' So far five bodies have been recovered from the scene and a further five injured people have been rescued from the rubble. A specialised urban search and rescue team to the scene, with four dogs trained to find victims, had been deployed to find victims but now the mayor said rescuers are no longer looking for survivors but for bodies, given the 'slim chance of survival' under what is left of the building. However, one person was rescued alive hours after the explosion. Residents told local media the apartment block was mainly inhabited by elderly people and families with children. Around 40 residents of other blocks near the collapsed building were evacuated with some taken away by bus to an unknown location. The incident has rocked the Netherlands with the King and Queen issuing a statement on the tragedy. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said: 'Our thoughts are with those affected in The Hague after the explosion and fire this morning. 'Including those who are afraid of the fate of their loved ones.' Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a statement he was shocked by the images of the disaster. 'My thoughts go out to the victims, all other people involved, and the emergency services who are now working on the scene,' he said. National police commissioner Janny Knol said there was 'disbelief and uncertainty' in the community. Donald Trump has issued an ominous warning to Vladimir Putin to secure a ceasefire with Ukraine after Syrian rebels toppled their longtime leader - a major Kremlin ally. Trump voiced his views via Truth Social after Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, fled amid a dramatic coup following more than 13 years of civil war in the country. The Islamist rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in Syria in the heart of the region - allies who propped up Assad during critical periods in the conflict. Trump tied the seismic moment in the Middle East to Putin's war in Ukraine, saying the Russian president had 'lost all interest in Syria' after funneling resources into the eastern European conflict instead. 'Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer,' Trump wrote at 2am on Sunday. 'There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever.' Trump, 78, added that Russia and Iran were now in a 'weakened state' because of the war in Ukraine and 'a bad economy' - while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 'would like to make a deal and stop the madness'. 'They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians,' Trump wrote, referring to Ukraine. 'There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Donald Trump has urged Vladimir Putin to secure a ceasefire with Ukraine after Syrian rebels toppled their leader, who is a major Kremlin ally Trump tied the seismic moment in the Middle East to Putin's war in Ukraine, saying the Russian president had 'lost all interest in Syria' after funneling resources into the eastern European conflict instead. (Pictured: Vladimir Putin at a press conference on December 6, 2024) Pictured: Members of the Syrian community wave Syrian flags on December 8, 2024 in Berlin, Germany, and celebrate the end of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's rule after rebel fighters took control of the Syrian capital Damascus overnight 'Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. 'I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!' It comes after Syrian rebels seized control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing Assad to flee and ending his family's decades of rule in the war-torn country. Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups, and he was given 'instructions' to 'transfer power peacefully', Russia's foreign ministry has said. Moscow had not directly participated in these talks, the ministry said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. It also said it had been following the 'dramatic events' in Syria - which involved rebels storming the presidential palace - 'with extreme concern'. The collapse of the Syrian government, falling to a lightning rebel offensive that seized control of the capital Damascus, sent crowds into the streets on Sunday to celebrate the end of the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule. Syrian state television aired a video statement early on Sunday by a group of men saying Assad had been overthrown and all detainees in jails had been set free. The man who read the statement said the opposition group known as Operations Room to Conquer Damascus had called on all opposition fighters and citizens to preserve state institutions of 'the free Syrian state'. Trump voiced his views via Truth Social after Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, fled amid a dramatic coup following more than 13 years of civil war in the country Russia has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow the government of Bashar al-Assad (pictured) to fight armed opposition groups Pictured: Lebanese and Syrian people shout slogans as they celebrate the rebel take over of Damascus, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday December 8, 2024 The statement emerged hours after the head of a Syrian opposition war monitor said Assad had left the country for an undisclosed location, fleeing ahead of insurgents who said they had entered Damascus following a remarkably swift advance across the country. Many of the capital's residents were in disbelief at the speed at which Assad lost his hold after nearly 14 years of civil war. The ousted president's whereabouts were still unknown on Sunday morning. As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the city's mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting 'God is great'. People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Russia has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad's government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. While Russia now concentrates the bulk of its military resources in Ukraine, it has maintained a military foothold in Syria and keeps troops at its bases there. It said on Sunday that Russian troops stationed in Syria had been put on high alert and that as of early afternoon on Sunday, there was 'no serious threat' to the security of Russia's military bases there. There are growing fears that Putin could sabotage a key North Sea pipeline and cause winter blackouts in Britain. The concerns come as the RAF has been put on alert and follow recent incidents in the Baltic which have seen ships controlled by Russia or its allies linked with damage to subsea infrastructure and suspected of spying. And now the RAF has upped the number aircraft in its marine surveillance squadron in Lossiemouth, Scotland also representing the first time since the Cold War that American planes have had a presence in the country. There are now nine aircraft forming part of the RAF's squadron of Poseidon P-8 marine surveillance and anti-submarine vehicles at Lossiemouth with a US squadron adding another nine that have an anti-submarine capability. German Poseidon P-8s have also recently been operating out of Lossiemouth. Earlier this week it was reported that a warship controlled by Putin's forces may have fired a machinegun along with flares during a tense encounter with a German helicopter. And last week another report claimed a Chinese cargo ship had deliberately severed two critical cables in the Baltic Sea by dragging an anchor across the sea floor over 110miles in an attack orchestrated by Putin. Security officials are worried that the next target could be pipelines that transport about 42 per cent of Britain's entire gas supply. Maps shows the nature of the crucial Langeled pipeline that runs between the UK and Norway Bubbles break to the surface amid a leak at the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022 The concerns follow recent incidents in the Baltic which have seen ships controlled by Russia or its allies linked with damage to subsea infrastructure and suspected of spying Were such an attack to occur, the impact would be devastating and could translate to winter blackouts in Britain along with numerous other tangible impacts on the island's inhabitants. The fears come as two Baltic pipelines to date have been severed by explosions, one in 2022 and another last year with concerns that similar damage could also be maintained in the North Sea. Gassco, the Norwegian state-owned company that owns the pipelines running to Britain, said: 'Incidents such as the explosions in Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 in 2022 and the Baltic Connector incident in 2023 are not linked to Norwegian gas infrastructure, but nevertheless resulted in a need for increased vigilance. 'Further measures have therefore been implemented to protect Norwegian infrastructure. Gassco has worked closely with relevant authorities to manage this situation.' The map above shows the nature of the crucial Langeled pipeline that runs between the UK and Norway. The line runs for 725 miles from the processing plant at Nyhamna on the mid-Norwegian coast to Easington gas terminal on the Yorkshire coast. Measuring just 44 inches in diameter and operating at pressures of 250 atmospheres, any rupture to the pipe would likely result in very bad consequences. Recently deployed allied aircraft will be used for surveillance purposes which include monitoring all types of ships in addition to submarines and radio traffic. A Swedish artillery team fires a projectile from a Howitzer during NATO training on Wednesday Amid growing threats, UK government security experts have also attended industry summits where energy executives have been briefed on the dangers. The Baltic Sea is bordered by eight Nato countries and Russia. There have been at least three incidents of possible sabotage to the 40-odd telecommunication cables and critical gas pipelines that run along its relatively shallow seabed since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. And fears have only been compounded amid reports direct contact between Russia and Washington has almost ceased to exist. A spokesman for National Gas, which oversees the high pressure gas network and overall supplies, told the Telegraph: 'The UK gas system is designed for flexibility and resilience, with a diverse range of supply sources, including UKCS, Norway, LNG, and the interconnectors. We prepare for a range of scenarios and potential causes of disruption to any of these sources, ensuring mitigations can be put in place should any issues occur.' Despite the reassurance, the country would become reliant on shipments of liquefied natural gas and imports via other pipelines from Europe were Langeled put out of action. Mark Wilson of OEUK, the trade body for the UK's offshore oil and gas operators, said security precautions had been bolstered. He added: 'We operate the OEUK Security Committee at which relevant government bodies provide briefings. The physical security of offshore and onshore energy infrastructure is part of these engagements.' A Democratic strategist key to President Obama's win over John McCain has declared that Democrats need a complete overhaul if they ever intend to win back the presidency. Steve Schale issued the dire warning in an op-ed penned last week for The Bulwark, a conservative news and opinion website highly critical of Donald Trump. Schale, a seasoned political operative who served as state director for the Obama campaign in Florida, used the platform to call attention to the state of his party in the wake of Kamala Harris's still-fresh loss. Citing a losing streak seen in the Sunshine State going back to 2012, the strategist with nearly 30 years experience suggested things would only worsen in the absence of 'real structural changes' to the party. 'IT IS TIME TO STOP talking about 2024,' the first line of the rundown read - before providing suggestions to secure future elections like spending more money on ads addressing the state of crime and the economy and more voter research. He went on to question how a party that once boasted the 'broadest' following and the biggest Senate majority just a generation ago has become 'a shell of itself' - or, in his words, 'a political organization that can hardly be classified as a national entity anymore.' Framing other losing metrics from once-blue states like Iowa and Ohio as worse than 'a canary in a coal mine,' the ex-Obama aide went on to air a more crushing metaphor to illustrate the current lack of awareness from his contemporaries as to the greater problem. 'It is a massive boulder landing in front of you on the only road home,' the man credited with getting Floridians to vote blue for the first time since Jimmy Carter won the state in 1976 said. 'Even worse, my party has largely avoided reckoning with how big that boulder is.' Scroll down for video: Ex-Barack Obama aide Steve Schale issued the dire warning in an op-ed penned last week for The Bulwark , a conservative news website critical of Donald Trump. The Flordia -based political operative got Floridians to vote for Obama in 2008, the fist time the state went blue since 1976 He used the platform to call attention to the state of his party in the wake of Kamala Harris's still-fresh loss, which saw her cede ground in states like Florida, Iowa, and Ohio, all of which have not gone blue since Obama in 2012 'We can no longer do that or we will find ourselves in an even worse situation than we do following the 2024 election,' he continued. 'Now is not the time for quick fixes. We must make real structural changes.' The rest of the rant spanned more than 2,000 words with several subsections, one of which was titled Florida Was a Warning. In it, Schale pointed out how Democrats had been ceding ground in states bearing large amounts blue-collar voters for multiple election cycles now - and that Hispanics who showed up for Trump this time around had been turned off by the party's 'socialism talk'. 'Polling in both Illinois and Florida showed Democratic Hispanic primary voters starting to react negatively to the socialism talk that came out of our 2020 presidential primaries,' Schale wrote. '[S]o much so that we did pro-[Joe] Biden mail calling out the revolution posture coming from some of the presidential candidates in both states to make it clear he was focused on bread-and-butter issues.' Calling Trumps gains among Hispanics in Florida 'significant' - up 27 percent from Hillary Clinton and 7 percent from Biden just four years before - Schale said Biden's administration 'largely ignored the growing problems associated with the rhetoric of the extreme left. 'In doing so, it let the narrative settle in,' he wrote, referring to the progressive economic agendas seen during the presidencies of Obama and Biden, and more progressive stances toward cultural and social issues that came with it. Both are now commonplace within the party - and Schale said some reassessment is in order. Schale, seen here providing expertise during the 2019 inauguration of Ron DeSantis, has been high-profile political figure in the Sunshine State for nearly three decades. He wrote of his own party Wednesday: 'Now is not the time for quick fixes. We must make real structural changes' He sought to explain how Trump found himself backed by 46 percent of all Latino voters in the country -including many in the Sunshine State Framing prominent Democrats' current state of mind as a sort of willful ignorance, Schale used the results seen in the state where he has worked for the past 26 years - or more specifically their reaction to the loss - as an example. 'Democrats largely wrote it off as an outlier - Florida being Florida, and all,' he wrote. 'But eventually, we saw that Florida hadnt been an outlier at all.' He then set out explaining major significant that occurred up and down the ballot that allowed Trump to gain a second foothold in the White House. Schale also sought to explain the GOP's successful flip of the US Senate and retention of the House - phenomenon he chalked up to, at least in part, the party's failure to identify the problems facing certain sections voters. For example, social issues like transgender rights are likely not on the forefront of the minds of a working class Latino family in states such as North Carolina and Pennsylvania, both of which voted Trump after voting Biden four years before. 'Moves like this,' Schale wrote, '[lead] to the shifts we saw with African American and Hispanic voters.' Referencing 'long-term' changes to progressive infrastructure previously touted by his old boss meant to keep the party in power for years to come, Schale suggested this 'long-term winning coalition is pretty much gone.' 'Not only has this experiment failed at the core organizing level in states like Florida, but it has encouraged the idea that Democrats are beholden to progressive groups and values,' he added. Florida was one of several states that went red for the third time straight, as factors like the border, economy, and premiums put on things like social justice are believed to be the blame for Trump gaining ground 'It is a massive boulder landing in front of you on the only road home,' the man credited with getting Floridians to vote blue for the first time since Jimmy Carter won the state in 1976 said. 'Even worse, my party has largely avoided reckoning with how big that boulder is' Schale, who today runs his own consulting company, went on to declare that Democrats will need to reach out to middle of the road voters if they want to win any future elections, instead of staying rooted in partisanship. He also aired a need to address what he framed as the conservative right's 'advantage' in the podcast and social media sphere, while finding new avenues to reach certain voters. In conclusion, the party needs to return to investing in all 50 states, he insisted - something that may require a shift in thinking from doubling down on current strategies that he compared to shouting in an echo-chamber. 'Increasingly, our side believes we should only communicate on issues where voters give us an edge. 'But when the median voter isnt there, or is worried about other issues, our communication echoes in a void,' he wrote. 'It is no wonder so many voters wonder what the hell we are all about. 'Going forward, the map is going to change,' he went on to insist. 'To build any kind of sustainable majority to elect a president, our coalition must evolve. 'We must win states we traditionally lose, meaning we must do a better job of listening to, and eventually persuading voters whose world views are different than the coastal leaders of our party. 'And in my home state of Florida, weve seen what happens when we stop listening,' he continued. 'Without course corrections, more and more states are going to live through what I have lived through for the last eight years. 'Get this right, and we set ourselves up nicely for the next decade,' he concluded. 'Get this wrong, and we could be in the wilderness for a very long time.' New York City Mayor Eric Adams has implied that police might have identified the UnitedHealthcare CEO's killer in the latest bombshell lead - but they're not releasing his name yet. When asked on Saturday whether investigators knew the mystery gunman's name, Adams said: 'We don't want to release that now,' according to the New York Post. 'If we do, we are basically giving a tip to the person we are seeking and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all,' the former NYPD captain added. 'Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask. We revealed his face. We're going to reveal who he is and we're going to bring him to justice... The net is tightening.' The mayor's cryptic comments came on Saturday, three days after the masked shooter gunned down Brian Thompson, 50, the CEO of America's biggest health insurer. When pressed on Sunday morning about whether police knew the identity of the suspect, NYPD told DailyMail.com: 'There have been no updates on the case.' Authorities are investigating the Midtown Manhattan incident as an assassination, while the hunt for the mystery assailant continues beyond New York state lines. The NYPD released new photographs of the assassin Saturday night. He has been described as white and around 6'1' tall, but scarce other details have been given. A mystery gunman (pictured in surveillance footage) fatally shot Brian Thompson, 50, the CEO of America's biggest health insurer, in Midtown Manhattan early on Wednesday morning Brian Thompson (pictured) who had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021, was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital after the shooting, and he was later pronounced dead New York City Mayor Eric Adams (pictured) has implied that police might have identified the UnitedHealthcare CEO's killer - but they're not releasing his name yet Police said the killer shot Thompson in the back and leg outside the New York Hilton Midtown on West 54th Street at around 6.45am on Wednesday. He fired several shots during the ambush and even jammed his gun in the process, which he managed to clear quickly to continue firing. The attacker is believed to have used a rare World War Two era-inspired 9mm gun, which the New York Post reported was a Swiss-made Brugger & Thomet VP9. Ammunition found near Thompson's body bore the words 'delay,' 'deny' and 'depose', mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. The killer fled the scene by riding an electric bike up 6th Avenue towards Central Park, and he was spotted leaving the park at 6.56am. The latest images of the killer appear to have been taken inside the taxi which picked him up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park. Retracing the gunman's steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus around 45 minutes after the shooting. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station, according to NYPD chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. The suspect was picked up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park in Manhattan's Upper West Side The suspect was picked up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park in Manhattan's Upper West Side With the search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late on Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. This comes on top of a reward of up to $10,000 dollars offered by the NYPD. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information. They include Thompson's family and co-workers, and the gunman's randomly assigned roommates at the HI New York City Hostel in Manhattan's Upper West Side where he stayed. He is thought to have stopped off in the shared room facility late last month, and checked in with a fake ID from New Jersey. 'This isn't Blue Bloods. We're not going to solve this in 60 minutes,' Kenny told reporters on Friday. 'We're painstakingly going through every bit of evidence that we can come across.' The gunman paid cash at the hostel and for taxi rides and other transactions. He did not speak to others at the hostel and almost always kept his face covered with a mask, only lowering it while eating. The bag was found by cops on their second sweep of the park and was placed between boulders just south of the park's carousel But investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment in which he briefly showed his face soon after arriving in New York on November 24. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far have not been able to ID him using facial recognition possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. On Friday evening, investigators found a backpack in Central Park that had been worn by the gunman, police said. They did not immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. Another potential clue, a fingerprint on an item he purchased at a Starbucks minutes before the shooting, has not produced any leads, Kenny said. UnitedHealthcare's disturbing track record of rejecting claims has come under the spotlight since the shooting. The company was being probed by the Department of Justice for alleged antitrust violations, while its parent company, UnitedHealthcare Group (UHG), has come under fire from angry protesters who claim the insurer refused to cover their care. UHG is the nation's largest health insurance conglomerate. The company expected to bring in revenues of $450 billion in 2025, with Thompson believed to earn a salary in the region of $10million a year. Officers believe they are closing the net on Thompson's killer as the manhunt for him continued on Friday. A cop is seen here inside Central Park on Friday evening Thompson, who had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021, was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition after the shooting, and he was later pronounced dead. He had slated to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel on the morning of the shooting. Flags flew at half-mast at the UnitedHealthcare headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota on Wednesday following the slaying of the executive. He is survived by his wife Paulette 'Pauley' Thompson, 51, and their two children who live in the family's $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota. The husband of a woman found dead in a car boot worked his way back into her life after being arrested for domestic abuse, her sister has said. Harshita Brella, 24, was found in the boot of a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Brisbane Road, Ilford, east London, on November 14, and her husband Pankaj Lamba, 23, is the prime suspect. With police still trying to trace Lamba, Ms Brella's sister Sonia Dabas told the Sunday Times she is 'sure' he is in India, which is a 'very safe place for him'. She said Ms Brella, who was from Delhi, got a job in a packing factory near Corby, Northamptonshire, after entering into an arranged marriage with Lamba earlier this year. She said Lamba beat her and would deny her access to money. Ms Dabas said: 'The controlling was really bad towards the end; he even told her not to work anymore. 'When she told us this we urged her to resist his controlling behaviour. 'I said, 'What is this, house arrest? It's not acceptable. If something were to happen to you, we wouldn't even know.'' Harshita Brella's body was found in the boot of a car in Ilford in east London on November 14 Northamptonshire Police named her husband Pankaj Lamba as a prime suspect in her killing Forensic officers at Harshita Brella's home in Corby, Northamptonshire, on November 17 Ms Brella kept silent about the alleged abuse, but eventually told her family in a telephone call to Ms Dabas on August 28 and she decided to go to the police, the Sunday Times reported. Her sister told the publication: 'The run-up to it was beatings by Pankaj over nothing. 'She went to the police because he had beaten her.' Lamba was arrested by Northamptonshire Police officers on September 3, but was released on conditional bail and a domestic violence protection order was put in place, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said. Lamba was not supposed to call her but one day, while Ms Brella was in a refuge, she received a phone call from India from one of Lamba's relatives, who then added him to the phone call, according to her family. Ms Dabas said: 'They both began badgering her and bullying her to withdraw the case against Pankaj. 'So she went to the police to withdraw it and found a rented room to stay [in].' The Sunday Times reported Lamba slowly began pushing his way back into Ms Brella's life. Specialist police dogs and handlers search areas around Corby Boating Lake earlier this month Police believe she was strangled in Corby on the evening of November 10 before her body was driven to Ilford in the boot of a car the next day. The IOPC said it will investigate Northamptonshire Police's contact with Ms Brella, while an international manhunt is under way for Lamba. Ms Dabas added: 'I am sure Pankaj is in India but we can't do anything to get the police on to him. 'India is a very safe place for him. It's easy to go missing in India.' IOPC regional director Derrick Campbell said: 'After assessment of a referral from Northamptonshire Police we have decided to investigate police contact with Harshita Brella, and her husband Pankaj Lamba, prior to her body being found on November 14. 'We will be examining the police response to Ms Brella's report of domestic abuse made at the end of August this year. We understand Mr Lamba was arrested by Northamptonshire Police on September 3 and was released with bail conditions and a domestic violence protection notice imposed on him. We will look into further contact Northamptonshire Police had with Ms Brella concerning the case. 'Our investigation will consider the actions and decisions taken by Northamptonshire Police in relation to the report made by Ms Brella and their subsequent investigation. 'Our thoughts are with Ms Brella's family and all those affected by her death. We will be contacting Ms Brella's family to explain our role and express our sincere condolences.' Ms Brella's family said in a tribute released through Northamptonshire Police: 'Harshita, you left this world but you are still with us in our hearts and will always be there. 'We will never forget you till our last breath. Always stay with us. We miss you in every very moment of our life.' Syria's Kurds fear they may face a fresh massacre as Islamist-led rebels have already begun battling them mere hours after Bashar al-Assad's regime collapsed. Following Assad's fall, the Syrian National Army, an umbrella coalition of Turkish-backed militias led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that fought to overthrow the dictator, entered the northern city of Manbij, wrestling control from Kurdish forces there. A Turkish source told Reuters this afternoon: 'The fight... is very close to victory. Both air and land interventions are ongoing to take Manbij.' The Syrian National Army (SNA) later claimed that it had taken over several villages nearby including Jamous, al-Far, al-Dandaliya, Jubb al-Arous, and Awn al-Dadat. But the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed coalition of Kurdish, Arabic and Assyrian group, exclusively told MailOnline that without Western intervention, they may face further encroachment from the SNA, leading to a potential massacre twenty years after Assad's forces slaughtered dozens of Kurds in the northeastern city of Qamishli. Ferhad Sami, a spokesperson for the SDF told MailOnline: 'We have to defend ourselves, we have no other options. We have to protect our people from violence. [The] SNA is a criminal faction that has already committed a lot of crimes. They have displaced over 300,000 Kurds and built settlements in their place.' 'The SDF is asking for the UK and US to intervene to maintain security and help us be part of the next stage of Syrian dialogue. We depend on international help. Without it, we may face another massacre.' The Qamishli massacre in 2004 began as tensions between Kurds and Arabs flared up, culminating in a group of Kurds tearing down a statue of Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez, who ruled Syria with an iron fist between 1971 and 2000. Flames sweep through the criminal security branch of Syria's Interior Ministry in Damascus on December 8, 2024 An opposition fighter passes by a government forces tank which was left on a highway in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 Ferhad Shami (pictured) told MailOnline that the Kurdish population of Syria may face another massacre if unaided In response to this, military personnel were deployed alongside tanks and helicopters. They killed 30 Kurds and left more than 160 injured. On top of this, they arrested an estimated 2,000 people. Sami added that the West ought to intervene in northern Syria to prevent a potential outbreak of ISIS prisoners held in the region. 'These attacks will pose a threat to prisons holding ISIS detainees. We may lose control of these prisons, with our forces pre-occupied with the front', Sami warned. MailOnline has contacted the UK's foreign office and the US State Department for comment. Sami's warning comes after UN war crimes investigators Bashar al-Assad's fall from power as a 'historic new beginning' for Syrians, urging those taking charge to ensure the 'atrocities' committed under his regime are not repeated. 'Today marks a historic new beginning for the Syrian people who have suffered unspeakable violence and atrocities over the past 14 years,' the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said in a statement, pointing in particular to those held for years in arbitrary detention. 'It is incumbent on those now in charge to ensure that such atrocities are never again repeated within the walls of Sednaya (prison) or any other detention centre in Syria.' An opposition fighter riding a motorcycle steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian President Hafez Assad, in Damascus, Syria, Sunday Dec. 8, 2024 Syrian Association in Denmark demonstrates, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, at City Hall Square, in Copenhagen, Denmark December 8, 2024 A man has his face painted with the opposition flag as members of the Syrian community and supporters gather to celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an offensive by Islamist-led rebels, in Istanb's Fatih district on December 8, 2024 Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Damascus on December 8, 2024 Crowds have already been gathering in Damascus to celebrate the fall of Bashar Assad's government with chants, prayers and the occasional gunfire after opposition fighters entered the capital following a stunning advance. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Syrian opposition war monitor, said Assad took a flight from Damascus and left early Sunday. There was no immediate official statement from the Syrian government and Assad's whereabouts remain unknown. It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018 when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege. The night before, opposition forces had taken the central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Sen. John Fetterman stunned The View co-host when he claimed that Donald Trump's New York City trial should also be pardoned. The Pennsylvania Democrat admitted that the case against Trump was politically motivated as he compared it to the same sort of weaponization of the Justice system against President Joe Biden's son Hunter. The parallel left liberal television personality Joy Behar barely able to speak. 'I think it's undeniable that the case against Hunter Biden was really politically motivated, but I also think it's true that the trial in New York for Trump, that was political as well, too,' Fetterman told Behar during an interview with ABC's The View this week. 'Now, in both cases, I think a pardon is appropriate,' he added. Biden announced after his Thanksgiving holiday to Nantucket last weekend that he was issuing a pardon for his 54-year-old son after he was charged over the summer with three felonies for lying on a form to purchase a firearm in 2018. Defenders claim that Hunter Biden would have never been charged if he wasn't the president's son. But critics Republicans and Democrats alike are furious that the president pardoned his son after repeatedly insisting when he was still running for reelection earlier this year that he would not take the action to wipe Hunter's slate clean. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) claims that Donald Trump deserves a pardon from the conviction in his New York trial because the case was 'politically motivated' Trump was convicted in New York in a case involving a hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels for her silence about their affair years earlier. The payment was made before the 2016 presidential election. Fetterman, and others, argue that the hush money case would not have been brought if it weren't for political opponents feeling they could hurt Trump with it. 'I really think, collectively, you know, America's confidence in these kinds of institutions have been damaged by these kinds of cases,' Fetterman told Behar. 'And we cannot allow these kinds of institutions to be weaponized against our political opponents. And it's very clear both trials were politically motivated and weaponized on the other side.' Behar, looking shocked by Fetterman's comparison, tried to counter by claiming some people would make the same political weaponization claims about January 6 defendants. 'I'm not referring to that,' he insisted. 'I'm talking about the New York trial. And now, the Democrats on our side were now there were some of them were gleeful saying, 'Well now, he's a convicted felon.' 'Those kinds of charges would have never been brought unless one side could realize that they could weaponize that,' he added. Fetterman's comments were made to one of the offenders he was speaking of who lauded the charges that were levied against Trump this year in his New York trial. Behar praised the conviction and was one of the 'gleeful' liberals who was all smiles in the aftermath of the decision. It comes after President Joe Biden pardoned Hunter, 54, after claiming for months he would not take the action for his son Petterman stunned The View co-host Joy Behar when he compared the case against Trump to the political prosecution of President Biden's son After Biden pardoned his son, Trump suggested on social media that he could also issue communications or pardons for those charged in relation to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots. Some have also speculated that he will pardon himself. Following Trump's 2024 victory and Hunter was pardoned, Special Counsel Jack Smith dropped two federal criminal cases against Trump. Angela Rayner lashed out at environmental rules hindering house building today as she claimed newts are 'more protected than people'. The Housing Secretary suggested strict conservation regulations which have been accused of slowing down construction and making it more expensive could be side-stepped. The Great Crested Newt is a protected species under UK laws carried over from when it was in the EU, which means it is an offence to 'deliberately kill, injure, disturb or capture them or ...destroy their breeding sites and resting places' even if there are none there. Bats have also been criticised for slowing down building work, because it is against the law to disturb them or their roosts. Ms Rayner was on TV today trying to sell Labour's plans to build 1.5million homes by 2029 and also vowed to take on local 'not in my back yard' campaigners with a streamlined planning process. Asked about what she would do about the green laws hampering construction she told Sky News' Sunday with Trevor Phillips: 'Well, I believe we can offset, look after them but at the same time not stop building. 'Because we can't have a situation where newts are more protected than people who desperately need housing. 'What we need is a process which says protect nature and wildlife. But not at the expense of us building the houses we could do both.' The Housing Secretary lashed out at strict conservation regulations which have been accused of slowing down construction and making it more expensive. The Great Crested Newt is a protected species under UK laws carried over from when it was in the EU, which means it is an offence to 'deliberately kill, injure, disturb or capture them or ...destroy their breeding sites and resting places' even if there are none there. Under the scheme, applications that comply with local development criteria - known as a 'local plan' - for how many homes need to be built will bypass planning committees entirely. The Housing Secretary vowed to 'streamline' planning rules for new homes in order to thwart local councils. Ms Rayner, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, warned that too many people are being priced out of having a family home and that radical action is needed to increase the supply. She has set a target of 1.5million new homes during the course of this parliament and signalled that councils have refuse to play their part could be removed from the process entirely. Critics fear this means residents will not be able to have their objections represented. She told Sky News: 'We just can't carry on like this. We are not getting the development we need, we are not getting the houses we need. '[Prices are] eight times the average income for first-time buyers. People are priced out of getting a home and I am determined to change that.' Under the scheme, to be unveiled on Thursday, applications that comply with local development criteria - known as a 'local plan' - for how many homes need to be built will bypass planning committees entirely. Those applications will go straight to planning officers, who will look at technical details including whether they comply with building safety regulations. But asked what would happen if rebel councils refused to even set a local plan because they do not want to build homes on a large scale, Ms Rayner said: 'Ultimately if they do not have a local plan then we will have to look at delivery.' She later sought to play down the idea that locals will be completely ignored if they refuse to back building. Asked if the fast-track was taking powers away from local councils, Ms Rayner told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: 'I don't accept that, because we're saying they have to have a local plan, local democracy, and we're saying the national planning policy framework, national democracy, were elected to build the 1.5 million homes, so therefore we've bolted in the consultation. 'What we've seen is, because we haven't had these compulsory plans locally, is speculative development where green belt land has been developed on because we haven't had the local plan that delivers for local people. 'We've told councils, they've got to have those plans. If developers follow the framework, the national framework which protects environments, looks at a number of different elements and also follows the local plan, they shouldn't be stuck in the system for years.' Ms Rayner was challenged over her backing of a protest in Ashton in 2019 which blocked a new housing development approved by the council. The protesters had cited the need to protect nesting birds among their objections. At the time, Ms Rayner urged them to keep on fighting, adding: I want to thank everyone who puts so much effort into trying to save this much loved and valuable community space. The developer abandoned the plan the following year and sold up without building new homes. Asked about the protest yesterday, she told the BBC she was not opposed to new development in her constituency: We also had another site in Tameside, which wouldve built the infrastructure and wouldve delivered homes for people, actually more homes for people, as opposed to the field that they were going to build on. Last week Sir Keir Starmer slated 'blockers and bureaucrats who have stopped the country building, choked off growth and driven prices through the roof' But Tory shadow Treasury chief secretary Richard Fuller told the same programme that while 1.5million homes was a 'reasonable target' it would require local support. 'Labour seem to be saying that Angela knows best, and local people can be ignored,' he said. Planning officers will have an 'enhanced decision-making role to implement agreed planning policy'. Planning committee councillors, who will still consider more complex developments, will receive mandatory training. In the first three months of this year, fewer than one in five applications were determined within the statutory 13-week period. 'This move would skip that stage and would fast-track development,' a government source said. The planning process reforms, which will be put to consultation, are designed to 'tackle unacceptable delays and unnecessary wasting of time and resources'. The source added that planning committees are 'councillors acting in a representative capacity' and can significantly delay the process. Last week Sir Keir Starmer slated 'blockers and bureaucrats who have stopped the country building, choked off growth and driven prices through the roof'. But Labour-run councils said they were on a 'collision course' with the government over the plans. Councillor Yvonne Gagen, leader of West Lancashire Council, called the targets 'impossible'. Dr Victoria Hills, chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: 'By empowering qualified planners to implement planning policies, councillors will have the time to focus on more significant cases, effectively speeding up the planning process. by Monte Davis Only a moment ago he asked Mrs. Murdoch to fetch his parents. Now all three are standing in the kitchen doorway, watching the reflected sunlight that skitters above the stove, across the ceiling. When he notices the adults, he mischievously directs it into their eyes. John Clark Maxwell squints and raises a hand to block the glare, but his voice is indulgent. What are you up to, Jamesie? Its the sun, papa. I got it in with this tin plate. Before the afternoon is over, Jamesie will roll the plate around the pantry floor until Mrs. Murdoch sends him outside; beat it as a drum, marching against Napoleon with the Iron Duke; fill it with pink granite pebbles; empty it again, set it afloat on the duck pond, and bombard it with pebbles until it is swamped by the interlacing waves. 1 The antenna turns slowly against the spin of the earth, tracking a galaxy eight billion light-years away. That far away, that long ago, the galaxys core was exploding with unimaginable violence. Here and now, the radio outburst is almost lost in background noise. Penzias and Wilson thought that the noise in their antenna might be caused by pigeon droppings. Instead, it was the echo of the Big Bang. Where did the Big Bang go? Into waves. Waves in what? In the field. The electromagnetic field. Maxwells field. What is the field? Its like the water for ocean waves. Its like the air for sound waves. Its like the earth for seismic waves. Its like No, it isnt. Weve just forgotten how strange it was. Penzias and Wilson werent the first to have noise problems. Their radio astronomy traced back to Karl Jansky, trying to understand annoying static from nowhere on earth. Which went back to Marconi, who made a revolution out of a laboratory curiosity. Which went back to Heinrich Hertz in a darkened room at Karlsruhe, adjusting the gap between two brass spheres until he saw a spark: the first deliberate radio message. Which was only part of a message from James Clerk Maxwell that is still unfolding. One cannot escape the feeling, Hertz would write of Maxwells equations, that these formulae have an independent existence and an intelligence of their own, that they are wiser than we are, wiser even than their discoverers, that we get more out of them than was originally put into them. That was poetic license, of course. A more thorough mathematical study of Maxwells equations, Einstein went on, shows that new and really unexpected conclusions can be drawn and the whole theory submitted to a test on a much higher level Come now; you cant really get more out of them than was originally put into them. According to information theory, you cant get even that much. A great part of twentieth-century physics and mathematics could have been created in the nineteenth century, Freeman Dyson wrote, simply by exploring to the end the mathematical concepts to which Maxwells equations naturally lead. What are you up to, Jamesie? 2 At the moment, Professor Maxwell is staying too late at the Cavendish Laboratory again. He looks in on young Glazebrook, who is measuring light refraction in prisms of Iceland spar. It is the spring of 1879, five years since the building opened, but Professor Maxwell still supervises research as carefully as he planned and equipped the building. The refraction measurements agree with theory to one part in ten thousand. Its sound work, as solid as anything being done in Germany. So much for the doubters at Nature who seemed to think it shameful for Fellows of Trinity to be messing about with apparatus! Pain wrenches at Maxwells gut. He retreats to his office for some carbonate of soda in a glass of water. He should go home to Katherine, but perhaps yes, just a little more work on the latest proof sheets of the Cavendish book. How prescient the man was, anticipating so much of the work of Ohm, Ampere, even Faraday and publishing scarcely any of it, the dl take him! In a few months, An Account of the Electrical Researches of the Honourable Henry Cavendish, F.R.S., between 1771 and 1781 will go to press. A month after that, Professor Maxwell will die of cancer of the stomach at 48. 3 You know in part, at least, how in this case the promise of youth was more than fulfilled, and how the man who, but a fortnight ago, was the ornament of the University, and shall I be wrong in saying it? almost the discoverer of a new world of knowledge, was even more loved than he was admired, retaining after twenty years of fame that mirth, that simplicity, that childlike delight in all that is fresh and wonderful, which we rejoice to think of as the surest accompaniment of scientific genius The eulogist will prove in stately periods that science, Christianity, and fame are compatible. But many in the chapel are thinking of Maxwells terrier, which would chase its tail until he gestured, then reverse direction, again and again, until he brought it to rest like the balance-wheel of a watch. Or of the devil on two sticks, the gyroscopic toy that was never out of his hands for long. Wheels within wheels, we say of a complex machination. It was the baroque epicyclic complexity of Ptolemys astronomy that drove Kepler to demolish the starry spheres. Descartes offered swirling intangible vortices to replace them, but Newton needed only the reach of gravity to pull together a new cosmos of ellipses, parabolas, hyperbolas. He confessed misgivings: that one body may act on another at a distance through a vacuum, without the mediation of anything else, by and through which their action and force may be conveyed from one to another, is to me so great an absurdity that I believe no man who has in philosophical matters a competent facility for thinking can ever fall into it. Yet it worked. Until Faraday started messing about with apparatus, and saw lines of force, as real to him as iron filings, around every charge, magnet, and current. Newtons heirs were not amused. I declare, sniffed the Astronomer Royal, I can hardly imagine anyone, who knows the agreement between observation and calculation based on action at a distance, to hesitate an instant between this simple and precise action, on the one hand, and anything so vague and varying as lines of force on the other. Worse was to come. In 1855, 24-year-old Maxwell began to extend Faradays ideas in a ten-year campaign rich with mechanistic models that he discarded as a deeper, simpler structure emerged. I was at first almost frightened when I saw such mathematical force made to bear upon the subject, Faraday admitted, and then wondered to see that the subject stood it so well. In 1861, Maxwells article On Physical Lines of Force offered the earliest form of equations that could be used to describe and predict all the known phenomena of electrical charges, magnets, and their motions. In 1865s A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field, he showed that all waves in the field propagated at one definite velocity: the speed of light (and of all the light we cannot see, from radio to gamma rays.) But waves in what? Maxwell would write in the Encyclopedia Britannica: there can be no doubt that the interplanetary and interstellar spaces are not empty, but are occupied by a material substance That would be the ether, dimly remembered as one of our poor benighted ancestors missteps like phlogiston. In 1887 Michelson and Morley sought experimental evidence for it mounted lights and mirrors, slits and lenses on a stone slab, set the slab afloat in mercury, and took their readings on tiptoe, after midnight (no fluid waves, no sound waves, no seismic waves, please). And no ether. Waves in nothing. Too bad about Maxwell. Even the greatest need to be set straight sometimes, right? But quite early on, Maxwells peers understood that he had wrought better than he knew. FitzGerald, 1878: If the Maxwell theory induced us to emancipate ourselves from the thralldom of a material ether, it might possibly lead to most important results in the theoretic interpretation of nature. Einstein, 1938: It was, indeed, a long time before the full content of Maxwells theory was recognized. The field was at first considered as something which might later be interpreted mechanically with the help of ether. By the time it was realized that this program could not be carried out, the achievements of the field theory had already become too striking and important for it to be exchanged for a mechanical dogma You can still read in bad accounts that Einstein developed special relativity to account for the Michelson-Morley results. In fact, he was thinking that the most important property of Maxwells equations was their symmetry. What would happen to the symmetry if you could ride on a wave of light? (Spoiler: the symmetry would be fine if you abandoned much of what you thought you knew about space and time.) 4 There was much more to Maxwell than mathematical force, although many rank him behind only Newton and Gauss in that. Jamesie had never been satisfied with anyones answers to his everlasting Whats the go of it?, persisting: But whats the particular go of it? He and his wife stoked fires, hauled ice, and read meters to measure the viscosity of gases in a tube that ran through the garret of their London home. He projected a color photograph of a tartan ribbon in 1861, while Matthew Brady was still mastering black and white. (It shouldnt have worked, because the plates he called red and green were in fact insensitive to those wavelengths. Unknown to him, they did capture two bands of ultraviolet light, which just happened to give the same effect. A lucky coincidence, if you like.) His stamp would still be on the Cavendish Laboratory when Ernest Rutherford began messing about with atoms. He lectured at workmens evening classes and wrote poetry to share with friends: Till in the twilight of the Gods When, all its energy degraded, Matter to ether shall have faded We, that is, all the work weve done As waves in ether shall forever run In ever widening spheres through heavens beyond the sun. Philosophic doggerel with no scientific substance, of course. Electromagnetic fields have come to seem as prosaic as iron filings no mystical handwaving needed. Progress! History runs by textbook time, one way. And yet as Wheeler and Feynman argued in the 1940s, the full symmetry of Maxwells equations yields two kinds of waves. There are the waves that spread and fade into noise, ever-widening spheres around every star, every spark, every quantum jump. The others, the time-reversed mirror images called advanced waves, are stranger. They begin as noise at the edge of space-time and converge, strengthening, coming into phase, arriving all at once to be sucked into the star, quench the spark, cause the quantum jump. Reflect: does the radio telescope help collapse a galaxy? Does a photon leap from John Clark Maxwells retina to the shiny tin, bounce to the sun, and burrow inward to help split helium into hydrogen? Its the sun, papa. I got it in with this tin plate. Pubgoers will be able to prove their age using their smartphones by next Christmas under government plans for digital IDs. With more customers now using their devices to pay rather than carrying cash or cards, ministers want to enable people to also leave their passports and driving licences at home. Under the plans, drinkers will be able to prove their age by having a QR code on an app scanned when buying alcohol in pubs, restaurants and shops. The QR code will only show whether the person is old enough to buy the product, and will not contain other information contained on IDs like their address or date of birth. Ministers are introducing the change through the Data (Use and Access) Bill, and hope to have it up and running by the end of next year. Companies that already supply private ID, such as Yoti - a digital ID app - will have to apply to get a kitemark which certifies that they handle data securely. There will also be a change to the Licensing Act to enable people to use digital IDs to prove their age. Having a digital ID will not be mandatory, but ministers hope it will make it easier and safer for those who want to use it. Pubgoers will be able to prove their age using their smartphones by next Christmas under government plans for digital IDs (file image) With more customers now using their devices to pay rather than carrying cash or cards, ministers want to enable people to also leave their passports and driving licences at home (file image) A Government source told the Sunday Times: The aim is to begin by digitalising existing identity documents. The Home Office is understood to have been examining plans to introduce digital driving licences. Ministers are also expanding the rollout of the Governments One Login service, which replaces duplicate systems with a single account and an identity-checking system. It will bring government services into one place, with only one password needed to access services from benefits to tax. It could provide a unique digital identity for citizens. Government data suggests users already save an average of six minutes each time they access a new service. So far more than five million people have proved their identity through Gov.uk One Login. Estonia has pioneered the rollout of digital government services, with state-issued digital ID which people use for everything from banking to managing health appointments. The digital IDs are issued at birth, and 99per cent of the Estonian population has one. The scheme is estimated to save each Estonian five days a year when dealing with bureaucracy. A criminal who stole millions from British taxpayers as part of a Covid fraud gang was previously sentenced to death in Pakistan. Sajid Hussain was one of nine men jailed for a total of nearly 50 years for their part in a Birmingham group who swindled small business grants, bounce back loans, eat out to help out and self assessment payments. Birmingham Crown Court heard that before he was part of the gang, Hussain had once been embroiled in a dispute over land in Pakistan, which ultimately led him to falsely confessing to murder and being sentenced to death. The conviction was eventually overturned and he was released after 10 years but it was during his time in jail that Hussain was put in contact with the would-be mastermind of the Covid-19 fraud. While in custody, the 36-year-old met an inmate who introduced him to Qirat Deeas who offered to help with his appeal. Upon eventually meeting him in person after travelling to the UK Hussain felt he owed his life to Deeas and embroiled himself in his fraud scheme. Hussain's barrister Mohammed Riaz provided the extraordinary backstory as part of his mitigation earlier this week. He told the court that Hussain, his mother and father were accused of murder which involved a dispute over land, but while his parents were acquitted Hussain was 'tortured until such time when he had no alternative but to confess'. Sajid Hussain was once embroiled in a dispute over land in Pakistan, which ultimately led him to falsely confessing to murder and being sentenced to death It was during his time in prison that Hussain was put in contact with the would-be mastermind of the Covid-19 fraud. While in custody, the 36-year-old met an inmate who introduced him to Qirat Deeas (pictured) who offered to help with his appeal Mr Riaz said: 'He was convicted and sentenced to the death penalty. There was a long legal challenge which lasted for a decade to clear his name. 'There was a successful appeal to the high court where the sentence was reduced from the death penalty to a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years.' He stated 'deficiencies in the evidence' when Hussain was convicted led to the supreme court clearing him altogether. Mr Riaz stated Hussain 'lost touch with the outside world' for ten years, including missing the funeral of his parents who passed away while he was in a Pakistan jail. The barrister confirmed Deeas had offered to help him mount his legal challenge, adding that Hussain as 'extremely grateful for the support'. Mr Riaz told the court that Hussain travelled to the UK after his release. He said: 'He would be there if called upon for Qirat Deeas. He felt he owed his whole life to Qirat Deeas and wanted to show gratitude. 'When he was recruited by Qirat Deeas he embarked on the fraud. He did not fully appreciate the nature, the scale or the sophistication of it. He is an example of someone who has been manipulated or used as a scapegoat, even exploited.' Stating that Hussain had special needs the barrister added: 'He was taken advantage of. If there was going to be a fall guy it was this defendant. He has been duped by others.' Hussain, who is divorced, lives in a house of multiple occupancy in Flackwell Road, Erdington and has a number of health issues which he has had since he was a boy. The court has previously heard that at one stage during the fraud he complained everyone else involved had 'made enough to live in Dubai', except himself. Mr Riaz continued: 'Despite assurances Qirat Deeas would look after him we know that never happened. He didn't have the financial means while abroad so he came back.' He further added: 'This defendant was the first to indicate to the police that Qirat Deeas was involved and instrumental in this conspiracy.' Hussain was sentenced to five years after admitting two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. Deeas, aged 51, of The Hurst, in Moseley, Birmingham, was jailed for seven years and seven months after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of money laundering. At one point he had fled the country before returning voluntarily and handing himself in. He has 11 children and step children in total with his wife, the court heard. Balbir Sing KC, defending, stated Deeas had done a lot of charity work before the pandemic and had since 'thrown himself' into prison life by becoming a 'listener', member of the prison council and a peer mentor. Birmingham Crown Court where Hussain was one of nine men jailed for a total of nearly 50 years for their part in a Birmingham group who swindled small business grants, bounce back loans, eat out to help out and self assessment payments Mr Singh said: 'He accepts readily he did very wrong in this period of time and compounded that by running away because he couldn't face the shame of having to face his parents and the community.' Ummer Yousaf, aged 40, of Bent Avenue, Quinton, Birmingham, was found guilty of two counts each of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering as well as a charge of failing to comply with a RIPA notice. He was sentenced to eight years. Sameer Mohammed, aged 34, of Waterfront Way, Walsall, admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. He was sentenced to four years and nine months. Noah Deen, aged 32, of Wood End Road, Erdington, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. He was sentence to five years and three months. Usaamah Bin Taariq, aged 26, of The Hurst, in Moseley, Birmingham, admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. He was sentenced to four years. Tassadaq Hussain, aged 54, of Northfield Crescent, Bingley, Bradford, admitted one count each of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. He was sentenced to four years and nine months. Imaan Hussain, aged 24, of Northfield Crescent, Bingley, Bradford, admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. He was sentenced to four years and nine months. Naqeeb Shakurt, aged 26, of Springcroft Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. He was sentenced to four years and nine months. Al-Harris Hussain, aged 30, of Thornbury Grove, Bingley, Bradford, was found guilty of one offence of money laundering. He was sentenced to two years suspended for two years. Zishan Ahmed, aged 30, of Higgins Lane, Quinton, Birmingham and Harun Shehzad, aged 29, of City Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham both admitted two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of money laundering. They will be sentenced at a later date. This is the heartbreaking moment a toddler is seen walking out of a Syrian prison cell inside tyrant President Bashar al-Assad's 'human slaughterhouse'. The little boy stands by the unlocked cell doors looking confused as rebel soldiers shout 'Allahu Akbar' - meaning 'God is greatest' - as they free hundreds of inmates. The military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera. Militants frantically cut through padlocks on jail cell doors at Saydnaya prison to free hundreds of female prisoners and their youngsters after al-Assad's brutal regime was toppled. In a video posted on X women yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades. They were boarded onto buses waiting outside the prison before being taken to their homes. 'We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Saydnaya prison,' the rebels said. Amnesty International research said the Syrian authorities had committed crimes against humanity with thousands of inmates in the prison 30km north of Damascus being murdered, tortured, and exterminated. They determined that the violations committed at the brutal facilities over the last decade under dictator's Bashar al Assad regime, which has seen over 10,000 political detainees vanish, was part of an attack against civilians. This is the heartbreaking moment a toddler is seen walking out of a Syrian prison cell inside tyrant President Bashar al-Assad's 'human slaughterhouse' Women and children have been freed from despot President Bashar al-Assad's 'human slaughterhouse' prison as Syrian rebels seize power of the country Toddlers could be seen in a video posted on X wandering around near unlocked prison doors while women yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades They were boarded onto buses waiting outside the prison before being taken to their homes Thousands poured into the streets of Homs last night as pro-regime troops fled, with rebels freeing thousands of detainees from the city prison as security forces left in haste after burning their documents. Assad previously denied both killing thousands of detainees at Saydnaya as well as using a secret crematorium to dispose of their remains in 2017. He also branded the allegations by the US State Department of up to 50 people being hanged daily at the brutal military prison as 'a new Hollywood story detached from reality'. Journalist Samer Daboul, whose uncle was taken into custody for smuggling bread and vanished behind the prison walls in 2012, eagerly awaits news regarding the man who was 'one of the most influential people in his life' 'He taught me about Syria's history, the revolution, and why it was necessary,' he told the BBC. 'I want him to know that the young man he inspired 12 years ago is now a journalist reporting on Syria. I want him to be proud of me.' Several have taken to social media to encourage the rebels to reach the notoriously cruel prison and liberate its inmates, while others hope their relatives, who they have not seen or heard from - some in years - are still alive. Intense sounds of shooting were heard in the centre of the Syrian capital Damascus, two residents said on Sunday as rebels make their way towards the capital. A rebel fighter walks down the stairs of the military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera Rebel soldiers could be heard shouting 'Allahu Akbar' - meaning 'God is great' - as they frantically cut through padlocks on jail cell doors Syrians have pleaded for their loves ones to be freed from the notorious 'slaughterhouse' prison of Saydnaya (Pictured) after rebels freed thousands of detainees elsewhere in Homs Rebel fighters stand on a military vehicle in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance on Saturday The military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' with reportedly between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011 The military prison (Pictured from an aerial view) is famed for its inhumane conditions, systematic torture and mass executions A rebel fighter gestures in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance and later took control of the city Residents in Hama set ablaze a large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hanging on the facade of a municipal building A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria Western officials have claimed that Assad's government could fall within the next week It was not immediately clear where was the source of the shooting, two residents who live in a residential area close to the centre of the capital said. It comes as Syrian government forces abandoned the key city of Homs after less than a day of fighting, leaving Assad's 24-year rule dangling by a thread with insurgents also advancing towards the capital Damascus. Pro-regime troops fled the city of Homs with thousands of residents dancing and chanting 'Assad is gone, Homs is free' and 'Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad'. It comes shortly after Assad was mocked after rebels unearthed a photo of the Syrian president wearing nothing but a tiny pair of Speedos. Following a lightning rebel advance in Syria last week, Jihadi rebels came across a photo of the Syrian leader scantily clad as a young man. The image shows the dictator posing alongside three other people in swimsuits as they are perched on the side of a boat in the night. The picture quickly gained attention on social media, with one person writing: 'A picture found in the palace of the idiot and criminal Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo.' The funny reaction online comes amid reports from Western officials that Assad's government could fall within the next week. Rebels fired into the air in celebration as they took control of Homs, and youths tore down posters of the Syrian president, whose territorial control has collapsed in a dizzying week-long retreat by the military. The fall of Homs and threat to the capital pose an immediate existential danger to the Assad dynasty's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. Homs' capture is also a powerful symbol of the rebel movement's dramatic comeback in the 13-year-old conflict. People in Damascus topple a statue of Hafez al-Assad and wave a Druze flag as rebel forces approach the capital, on December 7 A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti government forces burn after it was hit by regime forces in the Hama governorate A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces is pictured abandoned on the side of a road in the Hama governorate, on December 7 A government armoured vehicle burns as rebels ride along the road south of Hama, in the south of Syria Anti-regime armed rebels fire their weapons into the air in victory after capturing Hama Swathes of Homs were destroyed by gruelling siege warfare between the rebels and the army years ago. The most powerful insurgent leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the main rebel leader, called the capture of Homs a historic moment and urged fighters not to harm 'those who drop their arms'. Mohammed al-Golani, also said in a separate statement that rebels were on the cusp of taking the whole country and 'the end of the criminal regime is near'. The battle for control of the country is likely to turn quickly to the capital. Residents of numerous Damascus districts turned out to protest Assad on Saturday evening, and security forces were either unwilling or unable to clamp down. Assad's government may be on the verge of collapse, foreign officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity. One U.S. official put the potential timeframe at five to 10 days while another said Assad could be ousted in the coming week. A Western official agreed with the latter assessment. Since the rebels' sweep into Aleppo a week ago, government defences have crumbled at dizzying speed as rebels seized a string of major cities and reignited a rebellion in places it had long seemed dead. Seizing Homs, an important crossroads between the capital and the Mediterranean, effectively cuts off Damascus from the coastal stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite sect, and from Russia's air and naval base. The Syrian army and security commanders left Homs on Saturday by helicopter for the coast while a large military convoy withdrew by land, a senior army officer said. Rebels said they were entering the city centre. The fall of Bashar al-Assad's routine appeals all but assured (pictured: rebels ride past a damaged government vehicle in Hama) A picture believed to be showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wearing only speedos is taken by Rebels following the capture of his palace in Aleppo The images of Assad wearing speedos has generated ridicule on social media Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that Syrian opposition fighters reached the suburbs of the Damascus capital for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018, as Assad's regime nears collapse. One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syria's state news agency denied reports that Assad had already fled to Russia claiming he continued to govern from Damascus. However, following the statement claiming it was 'false news', a source has told CNN that Assad was 'nowhere to be found' at his usual residences in the capital. Lebanon said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side. The rapidly developing events in Syria have again put the region on edge. Government forces reportedly withdrew as rebel groups amassed in the city's suburbs, wrestling for control after more than a week of intensified fighting. Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6 Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July Armed groups reached the suburb of Darayya on Saturday afternoon, some five miles from the centre, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency. 'Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus,' said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani today, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive 10 days ago. 'Damascus awaits you,' HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, said in a statement Saturday addressed to rebel fighters on Telegram. Syrians still in the nominally government-controlled territory of Jaramana seized the opportunity to pull down a statue of Assad's father as the regime faces collapse. To the north, rebel troops made a lunge towards the strategic city of Homs, just days after they proclaimed a major victory in the taking of the city of Hama on Thursday. The staggering assault has seen rebels opposed to the regime make the fastest battlefield advance by either side since the civil war began almost 13 years ago. Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week, and his brothers-in-law allegedly travelled to the UAE, per Syrian security officials. Assad's allies in Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, distracted or worn-down by other conflicts, meanwhile showed no signs of intervening. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN that Turkey wishes that neighbouring Syria can 'quickly attain the peace and tranquillity it has longed for' during 13 years of civil conflict. He said: 'I want to say this openly: We do not have our eyes on land not even a pebble that belongs to another country.' Charles Lister, director of the Syria and countering terrorism and extremism programs at the Middle East Institute, told Bloomberg that Assad's future has 'never looked more fragile' as the opposition encroaches on Homs and allied support withers. Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, casts her vote during the country's presidential elections in Douma, Syria, with her husband in this file photo taken in 2021 While capturing Homs could close the land route between the government and Tartus, home to Russia's only Mediterranean port, Russia appears not to be in a position to help Assad regain ground with focus and resources directed to Ukraine. 'Russia doesn't have a plan to save Assad and doesn't see one emerging as long as the Syrian president's army continues to abandon its positions,' a source 'close to the Kremlin' told Bloomberg. Iran, likewise, has been hesitant, or unable, to funnel its support to Syria. On Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he would would only help Assad 'to the extent necessary', but previously promised to 'consider' sending troops. The capture of Hama has given rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before. Jihad Yazigi, editor of the Syria Report newsletter previously told Reuters: 'Assad now cannot afford to lose anything else. The big battle is the one coming against Homs. If Homs falls, we are talking of a potential change of regime.' It follows a staggering effort to seize Aleppo, the main northern city in Syria, last week as part of a blitz offensive beginning on November 27. The UK welcomes the fall of Bashar Assad's 'barbaric regime' in Syria, the Prime Minister has said as he calls for the restoration of 'peace and stability'. Sir Keir Starmer called for all sides to protect civilians and ensure aid can reach the vulnerable as he responded to the overthrow of the Syrian regime. Syrian rebels announced on state television this morning that they had ousted Assad, ending a 50-year family dynasty in a lightning offensive lasting little more than a week. Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting 'Freedom' from a half century of Assad family rule. The dramatic collapse also marks a seismic moment for the Middle East, dealing a massive blow to Russia and Iran, which have lost a key ally at the heart of the region and creating more uncertainty as the Gaza war rages. But the pace of events has stunned Arab capitals and raised fears of a new wave of regional instability. The Prime Minister said: 'The developments in Syria in recent hours and days are unprecedented, and we are speaking to our partners in the region and monitoring the situation closely. 'The Syrian people have suffered under Assad's barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure. Syrian rebels announced on state television this morning that they had ousted Assad, ending a 50-year family dynasty in a lightning offensive lasting little more than a week. Thousands in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting 'Freedom' from a half century of Assad family rule. 'Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored. 'We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities, and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days.' Western governments, which have shunned the Assad-led state for years, must decide how to deal with a new administration in which a globally designated terrorist group - Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - looks set to have influence. HTS, which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria, was formerly an al Qaeda affiliate known as the Nusra Front until its leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016. Former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers told Sky it might be time to re-examine HTS's terrorist designation. 'When I was, chief of MI6 10-12 years ago, we looked at all these Syrian opposition groups and classified them into those that we could support and those who were beyond the pale and too close to Al-Qaeda. And Tahrir al-Sham was definitely in the latter category,' he said. 'But I think Abu Mohammed Al Julani, the leader, has made great efforts over the last 10 years to distance himself from those terrorist groups. 'And certainly the actions we've seen of Tahrir al-Sham over the last two weeks have been those of a liberation movement, not of a terrorist organization. And so I think they could be. 'We are asking the MI5 and the Joint Terrorism Assessment Center for a review of the situation about terrorism and whether it should remain on the prescribed entity list. It would be rather ridiculous, actually, if we're unable to engage with the new leadership in Syria because of a proscription dating back 12 years.' Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel told Sky News: 'We have a responsibility with our friends and allies and close partners in this region to look at how we can structure with Syria now a potential peace plan. 'But taking into account the new realities, particularly of this group, HTS, which is a strong proscribed organisation, and there will be certain things that I'm sure our government back home will be doing, through our security and intelligence network. 'And in terms of the people that I'm with right now, there are many security and intelligence operatives here who are having those conversations and discussions.' Gleeful Syrians ransacked Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus today of Louis Vuitton items after rebel soldiers stormed the capital. Scores of people can be seen in one video within the palace's walls raiding cupboards of the president and his British-born glamorous wife Asma al-Assad's expensive possessions. Duvets and linen bed sheets are strewn on the floor while one person can be seen holding an orange Louis Vuitton box as they walk up a flight of stairs and pass another looter carrying a bulging bag stuffed full of items. People posed for selfies in hallways while another snap showed a rebel sitting at a desk in an office where maps could be seen scattered on the table and floor. Dozens of al-Assad's luxury vehicles have also been seized after militants broke into his supercar garage filled with Mercedes, Ferraris, and Audis. Others have reportedly looted Syria's Central Bank with people seen carrying bags full of cash. The Assad's brutal 53-year dynasty rule over the country came to a lightning speed end with the fall of the capital. Syrians have jubilantly celebrated in the streets while state television showed opposition fighters milling around al-Assad's presidential palace. Despot al-Assad reportedly fled on a plane this morning to an unknown destination as rebel forces closed in. The opposition fighters reached the suburbs of the capital yesterday for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018. Earlier the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner told Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that Assad 'wasn't exactly good to the Syrian people'. 'The situation looks very serious and if (the) Assad regime has fallen, then I welcome that news, but what we need to see is a political resolution in line with the UN resolutions,' she said. 'We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected, far too many people have lost their lives, we need stability in that region.' Ms Rayner later said: 'Dictatorship and terrorism creates problems for the people of Syria, who have faced so much already and also destabilises the region. 'That's why we have to have a political solution where the government is acting in the interests of the Syrian people.' Assad, who had crushed all forms of dissent, flew out of Damascus for an unknown destination earlier on Sunday, two senior army officers told Reuters, as rebels said they had entered the capital with no sign of army deployments. On his first day back at the White House next month, Donald Trump plans to issue pardons for all January 6 defendants. The president-elect said it's a high priority for him to get those who rioted at the Capitol in 2021 out of where they are held in prisons and jails because they have been there for years while he ran for a second term. 'I'm going to be acting very quickly,' Trump told NBC News in his first post-victory interview aired on Sunday. He insisted: 'Yeah, I'm looking first day.' 'You're going to issue these pardons?' Meet the Press host Kristen Welker clarified. 'These people have been there, how long is it? Three, four years,' Trump lamented. 'They've been in there for years. And they're in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldn't even be allowed to be open,' he added. The mass pardons could see more than 500 people released from prisons and another nearly 1,000 cases dismissed. Trump suggested right after President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter last weekend that he would also look to commute sentences and issue pardons for the defendants connected to and those convicted over the January 6 Capitol riot. President-elect Donald Trump vowed to pardon January 6 rioters on his first day back in office He now confirmed in his interview with NBC News that he will take action immediately after taking his oath of office in January. Trump also said in his sit-down that members of the House select committee that investigated the January 6 attack 'should be in jail' after they concluded that the president-elect was responsible for the riot. The nine-member committee, which released its final report day before Christmas in December 2022, included two Republicans who are no longer in Congress: Former Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. It concluded: 'The central cause of January 6th was one man, former President Donald Trump, who many others followed. None of the events of January 6th would have happened without him.' As of August, 944 defendants had their cases adjudicated and received sentences for their activity on January 6, 2021, according to the Justice Department. And of those almost 1,000 people, 562 were sentenced to incarceration of varying periods. More than 1,488 defendants were charged in nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia in both District and Superior Court. The DOJ claimed in August that nearly 900 people pleaded guilty to federal crimes and will face incarceration at sentencing, if they haven't already. Of the 894 pleas, 288 were felonies and 606 misdemeanors. Many of the charges were related to assaulting law enforcement officers or obstructing, impeding or interfering with law enforcement officers during civil disorder. At least 180 of those charged with those crimes have been sentenced to prison terms up to 151 months or nearly 12-and-a-half years. President-elect Trump (left) sat down with NBC News host Kristen Welker (right) for his first post-election interview that aired on Meet the Press on Sunday, December 8, 2024 As of August, 944 defendants had their cases adjudicated and received sentences for their activity on January 6, 2021, according to the Justice Department. Some are facing sentences of up to 12-and-a-half years Donald Trump will be inaugurated on Monday, January 20, 2025 and is likely to ger right to work. He made several campaign promises about his actions on his first day back in the Oval Office. This now includes his vow to pardon the January 6 rioters who were persecuted for their actions at the Capitol as Trump's first term was coming to an end in the midst of widespread claims of voter fraud in 2020 and Democrats' 'stealing' the election. Surprisingly, Democrat Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania also says that Trump deserves a pardon for the conviction in the New York hush money trial, claiming the case is opponents' political weaponization of the Justice Department. Biden pardoned his son Hunter, 54, by claiming the same thing. The president announced the Sunday after Thanksgiving he was breaking his promise not to issue a pardon for his son after he was convicted with three felonies for lying on a federal form to purchase a firearm in 2018. Cops are yet to confirm a motive for the shock slaying of America's biggest health insurance CEO in New York City - but the killer left behind a trail of overt clues. The mystery murderer remains on the loose after gunning down UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson early Wednesday morning in Midtown Manhattan. Ammunition found near the 50-year-old executive's body bore the words 'delay,' 'deny' and 'depose', mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. Meanwhile, cops found Monopoly money inside the killer's backpack in Central Park. Online sleuths have dug into the message he may have been hoping to convey. 'This money must symbolize the monopoly UHC has created with its over 150 subsidies comprising pharmacies, hospitals, hospice, and insurance,' one Reddit user wrote, prompting widespread agreement from hundreds of others. 'Wait are we sure this ain't Banksy?! The Monopoly money is making this all sound like the greatest performance art of all time' one person said, joining the clamor of voices noting that the shooter left the board game dollars to send a message. 'He wanted them to find that' one person said, while another added: 'This dude is taunting the police - not only did he intentionally drop the backpack where they would expect, but he hid it while WANTING it to be found.' The shooting has exposed mass discontent with the US healthcare system, while bringing UnitedHealthcare's disturbing history of rejecting claims into the spotlight. The latest images of the alleged killer appear to have been taken inside the taxi which picked him up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park Cops are yet to confirm a motive for the shock slaying of America's biggest health insurance CEO in New York City - but the killer left behind a trail of overt clues Cops found Monopoly money inside the killer's backpack (pictured) in Central Park. Online sleuths have dug into the message he may have been hoping to convey In the aftermath of the murder, Americans flooded the internet with their own personal horror stories about being denied crucial treatment, or even losing a loved one due to being unable to cover the cost of essential care. The Monopoly money may also be a nod towards UnitedHealthcare's moves to acquire a larger portion of the health insurance industry, giving it a disturbing level of control by potentially squeezing out competition. In February 2022, the Department of Justice moved to block UnitedHealthcare from acquiring healthcare tech company Change Healthcare Inc, saying the proposed $13 billion transaction would harm competition in commercial health insurance markets. 'Post-acquisition, United would be able to use its rivals' information to gain an unfair advantage and harm competition in health insurance markets,' the DoJ wrote in a press release at the time. 'The proposed transaction also would eliminate United's only major rival for first-pass claims editing technology a critical product used to efficiently process health insurance claims and save health insurers billions of dollars each year and give United a monopoly share in the market.' Just last month, the DoJ along with four attorney generals, also filed another civil antitrust lawsuit to block UnitedHealthcare's parent company, UnitedHealth Group (UHG) from acquiring a rival provider, Amedisys Inc. 'We are challenging this merger because home health and hospice patients and their families experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives deserve affordable, high quality care options,' said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in the November 12 release. 'The Justice Department will not hesitate to check unlawful consolidation and monopolization in the healthcare market that threatens to harm vulnerable patients, their families, and health care workers.' Brian Thompson (pictured) who had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021, was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital after the shooting, and he was later pronounced dead It comes after New York City Mayor Eric Adams implied police might have identified killer in their latest lead - but they're not releasing his name yet. When asked on Saturday whether investigators knew the mystery gunman's name, Adams said: 'We don't want to release that now,' according to the New York Post. 'If we do, we are basically giving a tip to the person we are seeking and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all,' the former NYPD captain added. 'Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask. We revealed his face. We're going to reveal who he is and we're going to bring him to justice... The net is tightening.' When pressed on Sunday morning about whether police knew the identity of the suspect, NYPD told DailyMail.com: 'There have been no updates on the case.' Authorities are investigating the incident as an assassination, while the hunt for the mystery assailant continues beyond New York state lines. The NYPD released new photographs of the assassin Saturday night. He has been described as white and around 6'1' tall, but scarce other details have been given. Police said the killer shot Thompson in the back and leg outside the New York Hilton Midtown on West 54th Street at around 6.45am on Wednesday. The NYPD released several photographs of the alleged assassin. The suspect, pictured above, has been described as white and around 6'1' tall, but scarce other details have been given He fired several shots during the ambush and even jammed his gun in the process, which he managed to clear quickly to continue firing. The attacker is believed to have used a rare World War Two era-inspired 9mm gun, which the New York Post reported was a Swiss-made Brugger & Thomet VP9. Ammunition found near Thompson's body bore the words 'delay,' 'deny' and 'depose', mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. The killer fled the scene by riding an electric bike up 6th Avenue towards Central Park, and he was spotted leaving the park at 6.56am. The latest images of the killer appear to have been taken inside the taxi which picked him up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park. Retracing the gunman's steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus around 45 minutes after the shooting. UHG is the nation's largest health insurance conglomerate. The company expected to bring in revenues of $450 billion in 2025, with Thompson believed to earn a salary in the region of $10million a year. Thompson, who had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021, was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition after the shooting, and he was later pronounced dead. He had slated to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel on the morning of the shooting. Flags flew at half-mast at the UnitedHealthcare headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota on Wednesday following the slaying of the executive. He is survived by his wife Paulette 'Pauley' Thompson, 51, and their two children who live in the family's $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Finance guru Dave Ramsey had eight words for those reacting unfavorably to Donald Trump's cabinet picks - those being, 'You can't let the masses dictate your leadership'. The reminder was delivered by the radio personality on Wednesday's 'Cavuto: Coast to Coast', where he touted the importance of keeping a united front following the failed nominations of almost AG-Matt Gaetz and Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. Both men have had their hats pulled from the prospective ring following progressive backlash fueled alleged scandals. Other still-standing picks like Robert F. Kennedy as health secretary and Fox News' Pete Hegseth as the next secretary of defense have also raised eyebrows, mostly due to their prior comments in the press. Referencing such vitriol to Fox News' Neil Cavuto, the Ramsey Solutions founder went on to issue the stern warning. First, though, the 64-year-old aired a metaphor illustrating what he said was a dire need need for a strong leader - following four years of policies he's already panned as 'not sustainable'. Ramsey, meanwhile, has a net worth somewhere in the ballpark of $200million - a sum secured by offering regular financial advice to Americans that's often tough to hear. When it came to advising the president-elect, the money expert did not mince words either. Scroll down for video: The reminder was aired by the 64-year-old radio personality on Wednesday's 'Cavuto: Coast to Coast' There, he touted the importance of Trump keeping a united front - following failed nominations of almost AG-Matt Gaetz and a Florida sheriff to head the DEA. Both men have had their hats pulled from the prospective ring following progressive backlash fueled alleged scandals 'Well, obviously, there'll be a time where you have to fish or cut bait,' the real estate tycoon began. 'A leader that won't stand beside their team and cover their back the first time something gets rough, sends a signal to the rest of the team that he's not going to stand there,' he added. 'If I were in this situation, I'm gonna back this until I make a decision not to. I'm not going to 'waffle' in the public eye.' 'I'm going [to] do all this directly with the leader and decide whether we're going [to] move forward or not together,' he concluded. When asked whether Trump may have rushed moves like naming Gaetz as his preferred AM despite him already facing scrutiny from lawmakers over allegations that include sexual misconduct, Ramsey remained steadfast in his stance. 'I don't think he picked them for Senate confirmation,' Ramsey said as Senate Republicans struggle to vet Trump's array of appointments and nominees. 'He picked them because their values align with where he wants to go,' he asserted, pointing to common ground shared by the proverbial pack - the fact they're all Trump loyalists. Loyalty, he said, will continue to be the focus of Trumps selection process, after many of the members of the president-elect's first cabinet found themselves unable to take office in time for Inauguration Day because of delays in the formal confirmation process. Other still-standing picks like Robert F. Kennedy as health secretary and Fox News' Pete Hegseth as the secretary of defense have also raised eyebrows, mostly due to prior comments. Ramsey said those picks were important due them all involving Trump loyalists - a strategy he said the president-elect should persist with despite recent pushback At the time, part of the lateness - which saw Trump become the president with the second-fewest cabinet nominees two weeks in next to just George Washington - was attributed to opposition by Senate Democrats and delays in submitting background-check paperwork. This time around, Ramsey said Trump will again focus on the bigger picture, not rushing his picks with the Senate seemingly now in his corner. ;Hes looking for people who, if they disagree with him, theyre going [to] disagree, theyre going [to] have a good healthy disagreement,' he said of the long game he believes is being played by the Republican. 'Not someone whos going [to] slit his throat from behind. 'Are our values lined up? Is there an alignment on loyalty? Are they smart enough, skilled enough to do the job in front of them?' he said, airing the three prospective questions the president-elect is likely pondering as he selects his second cabinet. ' If they've got those things... assemble the team that we want. Not taking a Poll on that,' Ramsey finished off saying. First, though, went on to offer Cavuto one of his trademark quips, saying, 'You cant let the masses dictate your leadership. Because if you do, youll soon figure out that the m is silent.' Meanwhile,figures like Marco Rubio, Pam Bondi, Doug Burgum, Brooke Rollins, Howard Lutnick, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Scott Turner, Sean Duffy, Chris Wright, Linda McMahon, Doug Collins, and Kristi Noem have filled other slots in Trump's prospective cabinet. The rollout, coupled with a lack of vetting, is creating trouble for Senate Republicans, who have been with egg on their face following the situations not only surrounding Gaetz, but Florida Sheriff Chronister as well. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister was tapped by Trump to lead the DEA this past weekend - paving the way for an embarrassing about-face three days later when the New York Post reported Trump had found issue with his arrest of a Tampa pastor during the pandemic The arrest, which occurred on March 30, 2020, saw Chronister cuff Ronald Howard-Browne, the 63-year-old pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church, for allegedly flouting COVID-19 lockdown orders. Both charges were later dropped, putting the top cops at odds with Trump's following He was tapped by Trump to lead the DEA this past weekend - paving the way for an embarrassing about-face three days later when the New York Post reported Trump had found issue with his arrest of a Tampa pastor during the COVID-19 pandemic. The arrest, which occurred on March 30, 2020, saw Chronister cuff Ronald Howard-Browne, the 63-year-old pastor of The River at Tampa Bay Church, for allegedly flouting COVID-19 lockdown orders by holding services at his congregation. At the time, Chronister tweeted that Howard-Browne had 'intentionally and repeatedly disregarded state and local public health orders, which put his congregation and our community in danger.' The pastor was thus charged with unlawful assembly and violation of public health emergency rules, but both charges were later dropped. News of the decision appeared set to put Chronister at odds with the president-elect's fanbase, with Trump seemingly nipping that emerging problem at first change. Sources familiar with matter said the politician used a 'forceful hand' to get the sheriff to resign, which he did on Wednesday. Trump confirmed the cops ouster that day, after which Sheriffs office spokesperson Amanda Granit provided a statement commenting on the announcement. 'Sheriff Chronister stands behind his decision to withdraw from consideration,' Granit said. 'Right now, his priority, as it has been for the last seven years, remains the mission to protect and serve everyone in Hillsborough County.' As of writing on Sunday, no other Trump picks have withdrawn their names from consideration. Glamorous Russian spy Anna Chapman has revealed for the first time how she was recruited by Vladimir Putin's foreign intelligence service at the time she was living in London. In a new 461-page 'autobiographical' book entitled 'BondiAnna: To Russia With Love', published in Moscow, she portrays herself as a real-life female 007 who used her sex appeal to open countless doors to the rich and powerful. When she was recruited by the SVR, Russia's foreign intelligence service, she had a British passport from her failed marriage to English ex-public schoolboy, Alex Chapman. Not only had already woven her way into the British business and political elite, but also the high-rolling expat world of Russian oligarchs and Arab sheikhs. A young London-based Moscow spy she names as Kirill recruited her after witnessing her expert networking skills, particularly among wealthy and influential men, she wrote. Kirill engineered sitting next to her on an Aeroflot flight to Moscow, testing her patriotic leanings, before discreetly positively vetting her via her flatmate in London, Elena Savitskaya. On a subsequent visit to Moscow, a psychologist's business card was left at her parents' flat and she called for a consultation, undergoing arduous tests with a therapist. At her next session, a spy recruiter she calls only Vladimir Vladimirovich - curiously the same first name and patronymic [Russian middle name] as Putin - had replaced the woman in the consulting room. Glamorous Russian spy Anna Chapman (pictured) has revealed for the first time how she was recruited by Vladimir Putin 's foreign intelligence service She regularly graced the cover of magazines like Maxim Her undercover spying career would end abruptly five years later when she was detained and publicly unmasked by the FBI as a Russian agent while in New York 'I felt a mix of confusion, intrigue, and curiosity,' wrote a breathless Chapman, now 42. 'Vladimir Vladimirovich was looking at me intently. He sat directly across from me, his eyes meticulously scanning every inch of my face. 'Finally, he clasped his hands and asked: 'Anna, what do you know about intelligence work?'' Her undercover spying career would end abruptly five years later when she was detained and publicly unmasked by the FBI as a Russian agent while in New York. She was thrown in prison, stripped of her British passport, and sent back to Moscow, swapped in a major exchange that saw double agent Sergei Skripal move from Russia to the UK. Later, in 2018, he was notoriously poisoned in Salisbury with a nerve agent by a sinister GRU hit squad acting on Putin's orders. Her book is a bed-hopping romp around her time in London which included trips to Paris and Geneva with mega-wealthy lovers and admirers - and a strip-poker session in London with a group of multi-millionaires where she won a lucrative hedge fund job, evidently leading to astonishing access to the financial elite. Yet it is deafeningly silent on both the influential member of the House of Lords and a British tycoon she is believed to have befriended, and on any other damage she may have done to Britain on behalf of Putin's SVR. After she was arrested, she was thrown in prison, stripped of her British passport, and sent back to Moscow, swapped in a major exchange that saw double agent Sergei Skripal move from Russia to the UK Her book details her time in London which included trips to Paris and Geneva with mega-wealthy lovers and admirers Her new book is titled 'BondiAnna - to Russia with love' But she admitted: 'I knew the effect I had on men. 'Nature had generously endowed me with the necessary attributes: a slim waist, a full chest, and a cascade of red hair. 'All I needed was to emphasise it which I did with simple yet sexy outfits, light makeup, and an effortless air about me. I never wore jewellery I didn't feel the need for it. 'Most importantly, I didn't try too hard to please. 'People can always sense when someone is desperate for approval, and it has the opposite effect. 'That's what happens with overly dressed-up girls or overly chatty men. I never sought anyone's approval I simply was myself. 'And it worked like magic.' As she said separately: 'English Lords and Arab sheikhs were kissing my hand flirtatiously, promising me a bright future.' A lawyer close to her at the time said she had 'seductive charm' and was 'quite simply gorgeous' while being relentless in her social networking with influential men. She says in her book that she never needed to try hard to get the attention of her marks She was recruited by the SVR, Russia's foreign intelligence service Her flatmate Elena - who she names in the book as Vera Suvitskaya - said later: 'She would go and talk to a man if she thought he was useful. 'Just after I first met her, she said of one businessman she knew: 'I used to sleep with him. I didn't like sex with him, but I wanted his money'.' At the time Putin's enemy number one, billionaire Boris Berezovsky, was exiled in Britain. She admitted she knew him, he was on her speed dial, saying in the book she turned down his request to sleep with him. Berezovsky would later die in unexplained circumstances in 2013, a fate astonishingly common to many Putin foes. In the strip-poker game, she said: 'The first hand wasn't promising for me I lost. I removed my knickers, much to the men's delight.' But she then won, kept her dress on and got the hedge fund job starting the next morning. Her new boss woke her early, saying: 'You won a job in poker last night. 'Get your beautiful arse up and come to the office. Coffee's here.' She told how Britain had been her dream since she was a child, and through her relationship with Alex she came and conquered, equipping her ideally to be a spy. 'For years, I had strived for this, and now I'd achieved it: I had a British surname, a British passport, and now even a taxi driver considered me one of their own,' she boasted. Chapman was a British citizen for a while, having married public schoolboy Alex Chapman Chapman is pictured in Dubai in a recent Instagram photo She strongly denied that she had seduced Alex - who died of a drug overdose in 2015 - as a way of getting a UK to better target Britain, a charge made against her after she was unmasked. In her new book, she details for the first time the pain and misery of their relationship after a romantic whirlwind travelling together in Africa and marrying in Moscow, at 20, after - according to Alex - joining the mile high club on BA flight to the Russian capital. Penniless, she once left him to sleep rough under Waterloo Bridge, she said. She told how she aborted his baby, after he violently raped her when she went to try and help him, fearing he was dying, after they had split, by no means the only brutal attack she said she faced at his hands Impoverished at the time, she persuaded a wealthy new lover that she was pregnant with his baby, not Alex's, and he duly paid 500 for the abortion, a procedure that had complications leaving Anna close to death in intensive care. She tells how she was determined to divorce Alex, even though she still loved him. 'I was sure: without this step I would not be able to move on,' she said. 'Until you close this door, another one will not open. 'Just a few years later, I will hear the same phrase from the president of my country in a private conversation at his residence..' - ensuring the reader is aware she secured face time with dictator Putin, perhaps the wealthiest and most powerful man she ever encountered in an extraordinary life of a girl from provincial Volgograd. Despite this, the book is dedicated to Alex [and her family], and she says: 'I met my future [British] husband back in 2001. Chapman, unlike the other Russian spies, did not opt for a quiet life on returning to Russia. She is pictured on the front page of Maxim magazine in October 2010 Chapman, in a photo posted to Instagram - one of many of her in form-fitting, slinky outfits and sultry poses Anna Chapman previously urged her fans to then buy her clothing brand, 'which I created out of love for my country' 'Since then, no man has been able to replace him for me. 'The man who was my husband and will forever remain in my heart Alex Chapman.' In her new post-unmasking life in Moscow she is a successful businesswoman, TV presenter, influencer and Putin propagandist, yet she insisted he remained the love of her life. She told that the day before he died in 2015, the year her son was born, she received a letter from Alex. According to the book, he told her: 'You know, Andzhiki [his name for Anna], I've seen you. 'I went to London to restore my documents [after drug rehabilitation], and I was walking down the street. 'You came out of a restaurant with a man. You were laughing, and then he hugged you. You both drove off, and I just stood there. 'I forgot where I was going. Maybe I should have called out to you, but I couldn't. 'I'm not angry; I know that everything that happened is entirely my responsibility. 'I even want to apologisefor my drunken rages, my cruelty, my mockery, my revenge, and the pain I caused. 'Believe me, I never wanted to be like that. More than anything in the world, I wanted to grow old with you and just be by your side for life. 'I love you, Andzhiki. You are the love of my life. You made it so much better; you filled it with meaning! 'If I hadn't met you and loved you, my life would have been nothing.' Anna wrote: 'The next morning, [his mother] found her son dead.' The coroner established that he died of 'multiple drug overdose'. Presumably, in repressive Russia, Chapman - daughter of Vasily Kushchenko, believed to have been a spy under diplomatic cover - needed permission from the SVR to write her BondiAnna book, and its contents were thoroughly vetted. Of her book, she said it was based on real events but some names were changed and '5% of the events in the story are fictional. 'Which ones exactly? That's a secret.' Syrians across the world have shed tears of joy in response to the ousting of former president Bashar Al-Assad as they celebrate a sudden end to the 'tyrant's' 24-year-reign. Exiled nationals are gathering in London, Berlin and Madrid among other cities to express their support after opposition fighters reached the suburbs of Damascus yesterday for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018. Syrian state television showed militant fighters milling around inside Assad's palace following the news he had reportedly fled this morning on a plane to an unknown destination. The deposing of Assad marked the end of a chapter in a series of events that has ultimately cost the lives of an estimated 470,000 610,000 people since civil war began in 2011. In photos that capture celebrations across the globe, the Syrian flag features heavily as do exiled Syrians who smile and proudly shout their support for 'democracy'. Others have torn up images of the missing president as they shout they are finally 'free'. Meanwhile, in Damascus, as well as taking to the streets to celebrate, a group of Syrians ransacked Assad's abandoned palace dressing rooms taking huge Louis Vuitton boxes before breaking into his supercar-filled garage. Following the capture of Damascus, the HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) rebels said on Telegram that it was the end of a dark era and the beginning of a new one. Syrians living in Berlin gather in Oranienplatz Square, Kreuzberg to celebrate with signs which say things like 'hope for democracy' Men gesture as people gather at Oranienplatz square, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Berlin, Germany December 8, 2024 yrian people living in London gather at the Trafalgar Square to celebrate as sixty-one years of Baath Party rule in Syria collapses They added that people displaced or imprisoned under the half-century reign of Assad could now come home. HTS concluded it would be a 'new Syria' where 'everyone lives in peace and justice prevails'. The news has also been greeted happily by the US, Israel and France among other western countries. It comes as Iran, Russia and Hezbollah had provided support to Assad, suggesting a major blow for Putin, and despite the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who say they will 'build' the new country being designated a terrorist organisation by the US and UK - as well as Russia. As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the city's mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting 'God is great.' People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. In the streets, teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Videos from Damascus showed families wandering into the presidential palace, with some emerging carrying stacks of plates and other household items. 'I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall,' said Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44, who works in the electricity sector. People celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024, as rebel soldiers declare that they have taken the capital People kick a poster depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after Syria's army command notified officers that al-Assad's 24-year rule has ended People sit on a tank as they gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024 Syrian state television showed the rebels milling around inside Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace after the leader fled on a plane to an unknown destination 'From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them (the opposition forces) a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud.' One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany has also said that insurgent forces have 'fully liberated' Syria's central city of Homs. Meanwhile, in Berlin a man dressed as Santa Claus even joined the celebrations today. Others hugged each other and children were made up with face paint displaying the Syrian flag. HTS and the other rebel groups are trying to consolidate their rule in Aleppo, bringing it under the administration of the so-called Salvation Government they established in their northwestern enclave. A rebel leader on Syria's public broadcaster said people were 'fed up with 50 years of Assad rule,' and the Foreign Ministry issued a statement heralding a 'new page' for the country. Syrian people living in London gather at the Trafalgar Square to celebrate as sixty-one years of Baath Party rule in Syria collapsed on Sunday People with flag of the Syrian Republic and a man dressed as Santa Claus celebrate the fall of the Assad regime after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, on Oranienplatz in Berlin Syrians in Lebanon gather on vehicles as they head towards the Al-Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, after sixty-one years of Baath Party rule in Syria collapses on Sunday when, the capital fell out of the hands of regime control Syrian Association in Denmark demonstrates, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, at City Hall Square, in Copenhagen, Denmark A Danish flag can be seen amid celebrations as the Syrian Association in Denmark demonstrates, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, at City Hall Square, Copenhagen A person tears apart a picture of Bashar Al-Assad during a demonstration celebrating the fall of his regime outside the Syrian embassy in Madrid, Spain Two people hug during a demonstration celebrating the fall of the Bashar Al-Assad regime outside the Syrian embassy in Madrid, Spain Syrian people living in Istanbul gather in Umraniye, Esenyurt and Uskudar districts to celebrate with Turkish flag and Syrian opposition's 'revolution flag' Syrian people living in Istanbul gather in Umraniye, Esenyurt and Uskudar districts to celebrate after sixty-one years of Baath Party rule in Syria collapsed Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July Thousands marched in London today calling for more to be done to tackle extremism amid a 'tidal wave' of antisemitism. The chief of Campaign Against Antisemitism said the Government had 'dragged its feet' on tackling anti-Jewish hate, as the group said 32,000 attended a march in the capital. Protesters marched from the Royal Courts of Justice to Parliament Square on Sunday afternoon. The protest was a stand against 'unprecedented levels of antisemitism and growing extremism in British society', CAA said. It added that pro-Palestine protests since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 last year have 'unleashed a tidal wave' of antisemitism, with hate crimes towards Jews quadrupling in the last year. Protesters waved Israeli flags and placards, and chanted 'Act against hate, before it's too late' and 'Say it loud, Jewish and proud'. Demonstrators also sang the national anthem outside Downing Street. Thousands gathered in central London today to call on the Government to act against rising antisemitism A protester holds a placard with the message 'I stand against antisemitism' on the march between the Royal Courts of Justice and Parliament Square People hold placards and wave British and Israeli flags at the protest organised by campaign group Campaign Against Antisemitsm Demonstrators hold a banner reading 'Their hate can't break our love' during Sunday's protest CAA said 32,000 had attended the march against anti-Jewish hate on Sunday CAA president Gideon Falter told protesters that successive governments had 'dragged their feet' on antisemitism since October 7 last year CAA's chief executive Gideon Falter told the crowd: 'Two governments have now dragged their feet on antisemitism since October 7. 'The fight against antisemitism puts Jews on the front lines of the battle for the future of the West. 'It is a long front line with many flashpoints, but should any part of it fail, the entire defence fails. 'We owe it to future generations to raise our voices against this tide of extremism and bigotry, and reject appeasement, so that we might bequeath them the bright future that once was ours.' People marching against antisemitism holding a banner with the message 'Act against hate, before it's too late' A campaigner holds up a placard reading 'weather the storm of antisemitism' Two protesters on the march holding placards reading 'proud to support a country that supports me' and 'Bring them home' - in reference to hostages held in Gaza Protesters wave flags as they march from the Royal Courts of Justice on Sunday afternoon It comes as a top Israeli official dubbed London the most antisemitic city in the West due to a combination of the 'radical Left and Islamic extremism'. Diaspora minister Amichai Chikli, who is a member of Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party, said the capital was no longer a safe place for Jews, adding that the discrimination was the worst seen in the West 'since the 1930s'. He said: 'This isn't just a problem for the Jews but for the British people, when even the statue of Churchill needs its own security. Today in the UK, Jews are hiding their yarmulkes and their (stars of David). They know that if they speak Hebrew on the subway they might get hit.' Data has shown a record increase in antisemitic hate crimes - three times more than the previous high in 2020-2021, when the war last raged in Gaza. Anti-Jewish hate overtook Islamophobic incidents for the first time, with 2,170 anti-semitic cases recorded by Met Police in the 11 months since October 7 compared to 1,568 Islamophobic hate crimes in the same period. Just a few years ago, he emerged from the shadows as a terrorist in camouflage fatigues a turban and a $10m American bounty on his head. Today, Syrian rebel-leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has removed the turban, swapped the soldier outfit for a smart blazer, and appears to be the leader-in-waiting in Damascus, declaring: 'The future is ours'. The $10m bounty, however, remains on his head as a 'specialist designated global terrorist', and his suddenly-victorious Islamist militant group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) are still outlawed in Britain. Regardless of having such powerful enemies, no-one can ignore the fact that while the world's attention was elsewhere, al-Jolani has dramatically led the final overthrow of Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad, in spite of his alliances with Russia and Iran. And in the approach to victory he has done his best to leave behind his and HTS's origins in Osama bin Laden's infamous Al Qaeda. He claims now to be a moderate force seeking power for the good of all Syrians, not just its radical Islamists. Al-Jolani, 42, is a Syrian citizen who was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. By 2003 ago, in the wake of the Western Allies' conquest of Iraq, he had joined extremists fighting to expel the American occupiers. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, arrives inside the Syrian capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque to address a crowd gathered there on December 8 Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque Abu Mohammed al-Jolani (C), before his address them at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque He became a member of Al Qaeda in Iraq, led by the notorious Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who later led the even more extreme Islamic State of Iraq, and ultimately Islamic State in Syria before his suicide vest suicide in 2019. Al-Jolani who expressed admiration for the Al Qaeda suicide attackers who killed thousands in the 2001 attack on New York's Twin Towers - was detained by US forces during the fighting in Iraq, but freed. And in 2011, as the Arab Spring sparked long suppressed uprising in Syria, al-Baghdadi dispatched al-Jolani back to his homeland. With al-Baghdadi still loyal to Al Qaeda at this point, al-Jolani was tasked with establishing a Syrian local group for the battle against Assad called the Nusra Front. It soon became one of the leading forces among a number of rebel groups in Syria, even attracting a rare white British convert to volunteer, Lucas Kinney from Surrey. He became a social media star for the terror group, and is 35 if still alive, though last heard of five years ago . Al-Jolani, meanwhile, found himself at odds with his terror-kingpin guru. A supporter kisses the forehead of Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, upon his arrival inside the Syrian capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque People in Damascus topple a statue of Hafez al-Assad and wave a Druze flag as rebel forces approach the capital, on December 7 Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, gave a speech as the crowd chanted "Allahu akbar (God is greatest) Bashar al-Assad (L) with his wife Asma al-Assad arrive at New Delhi International airport, India, 17 June 2008 Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week (pictured together 2021) Abu Mohammed al-Jolani (C), hugs supporters before his address at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque Supporters film Abu Mohammed al-Jolani (not pictured), at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque Syrian rebel-leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has removed the turban, swapped the soldier outfit for a smart blazer, and appears to be the leader-in-waiting in Damascus, declaring: 'The future is ours' Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, gave a speech as the crowd chanted "Allahu akbar (God is greatest) Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group As the Syrian civil war intensified in 2013, al-Baghdadi ordered him to dissolve the Nusra Front, and formally merge it with other Al Qaeda-inspired fighters, to form the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS. Al-Jolani refused, pledging his ongoing allegiance to Al Qaeda and soon his Nusra Front warriors were fighting ISIS, as well as Assad. As his Sunni Muslim group rose in prominence, he conducted his first interview in 2014, his face masked, as he announced his aims to be the imposition of Islamic law, with no room for Shiite Muslims, let alone Christian minorities. By a couple of years later he was showing his face, dressed in army greens and a turban, as he said he was cutting ties to Al Qaeda, and changing his group's name. By 2017, the rebranded Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - meaning Organization for Liberating Syria had a firm grip on power in Syria's north-western Idlib province. Needless to say, there have been no free elections in Idlib under his rule. Residents have complained of rampant corruption, theft of state resources, and detention without trial for suspected agents of Russia and Hezbollah. National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Anti-government fighters patrol the streets of Hama after they captured the central Syrian city, on December 6 An aerial picture shows a car driving past Syrian army military equipment and vehicles that were abandoned on the highway to Damascus, near the town of Suran, on December 3, 2024 A truck pulls the head of another toppled statue of late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad through the streets of the city of Hama on December 6 Yet al-Jolani began several years ago to talk, surprisingly, of religious tolerance, and even hint at a belief in democracy, visiting the families of Kurds after their relatives were killed by Turkish-supported militias. And in 2021 he conducted his first TV interview with an American journalist, wearing a blazer, and with his hair gelled back. Speaking softly, he insisted: 'Yes, we have criticized Western policies - but to wage a war against the United States or Europe from Syria, that's not true. We didn't say we wanted to fight.' On the brink of power last week, al-Jolani said in an interview with America's CNN: 'Syria deserves a governing system that is institutional, not one where a single ruler makes arbitrary decisions.' Whether a man so steeped in the most feared terror groups of the 21st century can resist his foundational beliefs remains to be seen. A church has begun hosting WWE-style wrestling shows combined with prayer and worship in a bid to attract more congregants St Peter's Church in Shipley has started hosting Kingdom Wrestling - a Christian professional wrestling charity which combines their show with prayer, worship and testimony. The charity began hosting the shows at Fountains Church in Bradford, where founder Gareth 'Angel' Thompson built a training school for adults in 2021. Three years later and Kingdom Wrestling has grown a dedicated fanbase, baptised more than 30 people and held dozens of shows. Thompson, 37, told The Times: 'Any Christian will tell you that when you go through life, you wrestle with stuff, you wrestle with your faith. 'When you face a really tough challenge, how do you see God in that challenge and how do you continue to remain in faith? I really feel that wrestling gives us that opportunity to tell those stories.' After starting in Bradford, Mr Thompson relocated Kingdom Wrestling to Shipley, where he lives with his pregnant wife and two daughters. There, local Reverend Natasha Thomas, the interim priest of St Peter's Church immediately embraced the idea. Wrestlers compete in St Peter's Church as part of the Kingdom Wrestling Toyal Rumble The Rev Natasha Thomas is the interim priest at St Peter's Church in Shipley The events feature both male and female wrestlers competing against each other in the church 'Posh Princess' Kiara (left) has been performing for Kingdom Wrestling for two years Wrestler Gareth Angel walks ahead of competing in the Kingdom Wrestling Toyal Rumble The Church of England has struggled with declining numbers in recent years, data suggests Sunday service attendance has fallen by more than 20 per cent since the pandemic and more than 25 per cent of churches do not hold a service every week. Rev Thomas said it was a 'wonderful opportunity' to open up the space to the public and said it demonstrated that the church was a 'living building'. She hopes the wrestling church will attract people who would never ordinarily go to church. Having watched the performances, herself she also admitted she loved the actying and the storylines of good triumphing over evil. The wrestling charity also works with local schools, run's a training school, women's self defence classes and a men's mental health group. Mr Thompson said he is in talks with other churches across England and Wales about creating similar initiatives. At the events, Rev Thomas reads a prayer in the ring before the wrestling begins. Mr Thompson's love of wrestling came from watching the sport with his grandmother growing up, as an escape from a troubled home. Wrestlers wait for their portraits to be taken in St Peter's Church in Shipley Female wrestlers Kiara and Leonie Rose compete the during Kingdom Wrestling Toyal Rumble at St Peter's Church Male wrestlers Gareth Angel and Jimmy Jackson compete during the Kingdom Wrestling Male wrestlers Gareth Angel and Jimmy Jackson competing in the ring at the church Wrestlers prepare in a backstage dressing room ahead of the Kingdom Wrestling Toyal Rumble Female wrestlers Kiara and Leonie Rose compete during the Kingdom Wrestling Toyal Rumble Wrestler William Valour poses for a photographer before his match in the church A male wrestler prepares with some colourful face paint in a backstage dressing room Wrestlers prepare in a backstage dressing room ahead of the Kingdom Wrestling Toyal Rumble Wrestlers compete at St Peter's Church in Shipley Wrestlers compete during the Kingdom Wrestling Toyal Rumble at St Peter's Church in Shipley His mother was an alcoholic and his father left home when he was younger, he was sexually abused as a child and later became homeless, living in a skip when he was 15. He said one day he was invited by a friend to church, where he said he felt love for the first time. A few years later he fulfilled his dream of becoming a professional wrestler and sought to combine his faith and his passion. Fellow wrestlers have been keen to participate and 'Posh Princess' Kiara, 26, has been performing for Kingdom Wrestling for two years. Kiara, who turned professional after studying natural sciences at St Catharines College, Cambridge, said the programme has helped her reconnect with her Catholic faith. She said the wrestlers all pray in the locker room beforehand, even those who are not religious. A man has died after a fire broke out at a three-storey apartment building in Cumbria, with dozens of firefighters battling the flames at its peak. Emergency services were called to the scene opposite the Red Dragon pub in Main Street in Kirkby, Lonsdale at around 5:45am. At one point more than 75 firefighters were on the scene tackling the blaze, which saw residents living nearby to be evacuated and the town's Christmas markets to be cancelled. Video footage showed a large plume of smoke at 9:45am, hours after the fire broke out. A man in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:30am, while another man self-presented at hospital with minor injuries and to be checked over for potential smoke inhalation. Cumbria Police have confirmed that the man's family has been contacted and is being supported. There are not believed to be any other casualties or injuries as a result of the incident at this time. The street is likely to remain closed while emergency services continue their work at the scene. Diversion routes will be put in place. At its peak, more than 75 firefighters were on the scene tackling the blaze, which caused residents living nearby to be evacuated and the town's Christmas markets to be cancelled A reception centre has been set up at the Methodist Church in Queen Square, and there are plans underway to secure accommodation and support for those who are unable to return to their home. The force confirmed it had been contacted 'by fire colleagues at 5.45am' on Sunday to alert them to the blaze. Residents were advised to stay indoors with their windows shut while emergency services were on the scene. Superintendent Paddy O'Hara said: 'The cause of the fire is presently unknown. 'Investigators from both Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and Cumbria Constabulary are on hand to enter the building as soon as it is safe to do so. 'I'd like to thank the emergency services personnel and our partner agencies for all their hard work in Kirkby Lonsdale today, and the local community for their patience.' A 62-year-old man has been left seriously injured after an alleged hit-and-run crash involving a silver Range Rover. The pedestrian was rushed to hospital after he was hit by the four-wheel drive as he crossed Adlington Road in Sheffield at around 2.20pm on Saturday. South Yorkshire Police are now on the hunt to find the driver who left the scene. The victim remains in a stable condition in hospital and inquiries are ongoing. Police have appealed to any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact them. A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: 'We are appealing for information, witnesses, and dashcam footage following reports of a road traffic collision in Sheffield. South Yorkshire Police said a 62-year-old man was hit by a car in Adlington Road, in Sheffield, on Saturday 'We were called to Adlington Road at 2.20pm on Saturday, December 7, where it was reported a vehicle, believed to be a silver Range Rover, was travelling in the direction of Southey Hill when it was in collision with a man as he crossed the street. 'The vehicle then left the scene. The pedestrian, a 62-year-old man, was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he remains in a stable condition. 'An investigation was launched immediately, and numerous lines of enquiry have since been carried out. 'We are now appealing for the public's help as enquiries continue. Were you in the area at the time? Did you see what happened or do you have video footage which could help our enquiries? 'If you think you can help, please contact us online or call 101. Quote incident number 523 of 7 December 2024 when you get in touch.' More than a dozen train lines impacted with delays Sydney Train commuters have been warned to expect major delays this morning despite a last-minute court injunction preventing the union from resuming strikes. Cancellations are impacting the T1 North Shore and Western, T2 Leppington and Inner West, T3 Liverpool and Inner West and T8 Airport and South lines. Services on the T6 Lidcombe and Bankstown Line are being replaced by buses between Bankstown and Lidcombe. The Central Coast and Newcastle line will have two trains per hour in each direction, while the Blue Mountains and South Coast lines will only have one train per hour. 'Recent industrial action will significantly disrupt passengers on Monday, particularly those travelling on Intercity services,' TFNSW said in a statement. The disruption comes despite the Minns' government securing a last-minute Federal Court injunction late Sunday night, which blocked the rail union from resuming its industrial action. The government launched the court action on Sunday after Premier Chris Minns rejected the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union's demand for a 32 per cent pay increase. 'After two weeks of negotiations, we have not been able to come to a fair deal with the combined rail unions,' Mr Minns said. Commuters are being warned to brace for delays and cancellations on Monday 'Daily exhaustive negotiations have not resulted in a breakthrough despite the government's best efforts. 'The Government asked rail unions to pull their planned industrial action this coming week. They've refused. 'And as a result Transport for NSW has this afternoon sought an injunction in the federal court to do all we can to avoid inconvenience to NSW families in the run up to Christmas.' The union fired back, claiming the injunction was an 'unprecedented legal attack against workers'. It also accused the Labor government of 'effectively shutting down' negotiation talks with the union. The union had previously demanded 24-hour train services each day from Thursday to Sunday night as part of its negotiations but has since withdrawn that request. Now, the union is demanding a 32 per cent pay increase over four years and has proposed limiting the distance its employees can travel in a single shift as part of its ongoing pay negotiations. RTBU NSW secretary Toby Warnes slammed the state government for blowing up positive negotiations. The transport disruptions come despite the Minns' government winning an eleventh hour Federal Court injunction to stop the industrial action Mr Warnes accused the government of trying to find 'loopholes' to suggest workers were unprotected in their plans for industrial action. 'Sending threatening legal notices at a moment in the negotiations when it looked like we were very close to being able to land an agreement is unbelievably irresponsible and disruptive,' Mr Warnes said. 'We are desperate to reach a deal, but it appears the NSW Government is more interested in threatening workers and continuing chaos. 'They have been aware of this action for over six weeks, but they've waited until the 11th hour to pull a stunt like this.' The court order temporarily stops the industrial action, but both parties are scheduled to return to court in the next few days. The family of a Christian woman in a coma are begging judges to stop doctors switching off her life support. They said the devout 54-year-old grandmother, a former NHS hospital worker, would want to be kept alive and 'have a chance of life'. But medics believe it would be kinder to stop giving her food and drink, and let her die. Although she is not conscious, the woman who cannot be named can blink when asked to, squeezes the hands of her daughter and grandchildren, and responds to their voices, a court heard. Her daughter told judges her mother 'would choose life over death because she loved life'. Yet senior judges have ruled that doctors at King's College Hospital in London where she is in intensive care can stop feeding her. They said it was in her 'best interests', more than six months after she suffered a heart attack and went into the coma, to have 'life-sustaining' food and drink withdrawn which is planned to happen this Thursday. But the woman's family and friends, who gave evidence to the Court of Protection in the High Court, are demanding more time to let her recover. The family of a Christian woman in a coma are begging judges to stop doctors switching off her life support (stock image) They said the devout 54-year-old grandmother, a former NHS hospital worker, would want to be kept alive and 'have a chance of life' (stock image) Her adult daughter told the Mail: 'This is utterly unfair and so cruel. We are all horrified at what is happening, and now we are in a desperate race against time to save her.' The family have been refused permission to appeal at the Court of Appeal, and are seeking an emergency intervention from the European Court of Human Rights. They are being supported by the Christian Legal Centre, which warned the case had implications for the assisted suicide debate. Chief executive Andrea Williams said: 'This case shows how, in the assisted suicide debate, judges cannot be trusted to protect life.' King's College Hospital said: 'This has been a very challenging situation for everyone involved. Our thoughts continue to be with the patient's family at this difficult time.' Allies and supporters of President-elect Donald Trump were shocked and outraged at a 'woke' post from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The government department, which will soon be led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. if he's confirmed by the Senate, wished people a happy 'Pansexual and Panromantic Pride Day.' The post on X read: 'Today on Pansexual and Panromantic Pride Day, everyone deserves to feel seen, respected and supported - no matter who they love. Create a world where everyone feels proud to be themselves!' In a matter of hours, the post racked up thousands of more derisive comments than likes and attracted the attention of key figures in Trump's orbit. Stephen Miller, the senior advisor to Trump throughout Trump's entire first term, had a simple message for the folks behind the HHS social media post. 'Sanity is returning to HHS in 43 days,' wrote Miller, who is making a comeback in Trump's next administration as his Homeland Security adviser and White House deputy chief of staff for policy. Republican Senator-elect Jim Banks from Indiana, who was been an ardent supporter of Trump, shared similar sentiments to Miller. 'Glad this type of bulls*** will end on Jan 20! Cant come soon enough,' Banks replied to the HHS post. Stephen Miller (left) and Republican Senator-elect Jim Banks criticized the post from the US Department of Health and Human Services that spread awareness about pansexuality Banks was Indiana's representative from the third district since 2017 before running for Senate in 2024. The seat was vacated by Mike Braun who ran for Indiana governor this cycle and won. Allie Beth Stuckey, a conservative commentator on BlazeTV, also piled onto Joe Biden's HHS, writing: 'I cannot wait for this degenerate embarrassment of an administration to end.' Daily Wire host Matt Walsh, behind documentaries 'What Is a Woman' and more recently 'Am I Racist?', was another prominent person to respond. 'Counterpoint: people who describe themselves as pansexual or panromantic do not deserve to be seen, respected, or supported,' he wrote. A common reaction among X users was to call on Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to consider cutting the woke elements inside the HHS as the leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE. Many users even tagged Musk, Ramaswamy or even the official DOGE X account to steer their attention to this. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the joint leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency, arrive at the US Capitol on Thursday to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson Trump tapped both men to 'dismantle' the $6.5 trillion bloated U.S. bureaucracy by heading the newly created DOGE last month. They plan to cut wasteful regulations and spending by specifically targeting the number of federal government employees. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has been close to Trump ever since the election, met with Musk and Ramaswamy in an official capacity on Thursday to determine how exactly DOGE will carry out its mandate. Musk has said he wants to cut $2 trillion in government spending and have come out with a plan to target $500 billion in spending that unauthorized by Congress. The exact cuts DOGE will recommend to Congress is still unclear. Rescuers are battling to liberate Syria's alleged hellhole the 'Red Prison', but rebels who freed caged women and children reportedly still can't access the men trapped. Saydnayah Prison near Damascus - nicknamed the 'Human Slaughterhouse - is said to contain 'highly secured underground' cells in its Red Building. Unverified footage reportedly shows rebels 'opening cells one by one' by breaking down walls, and they are said to have rescued 'hundreds of inmates, including women and young children'. But there are men trapped in cells three floors underground in a section named the 'Red Prison', some have said. President Bashar Al-Assad's military prison, dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber', has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera. Heartbreaking video showed a toddler walking out of the unlocked cell doors looking confused as rebel soldiers shout 'Allahu Akbar' - meaning 'God is greatest' - as they free hundreds of inmates. It comes as an alleged Russian plot to spread fake news of an al-Assad 'plane crash' has been uncovered. The Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security of Ukraine posted on X to claim Russia 'covered their trail' of helping al-Assad escape by spreading false reports that he died in a crash. Unverified footage reportedly shows rebels 'opening cells one by one' by breaking down walls, and they are said to have rescued 'hundreds of inmates' in Syria Screengrabs from footage reportedly filmed of inmates being released from the prison The Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security of Ukraine posted on X to claim Russia 'covered their trail' of helping al-Assad escape by spreading false reports This is the heartbreaking moment a toddler is seen walking out of a Syrian prison cell inside tyrant President Bashar al-Assad's 'human slaughterhouse' Women and children have been freed from despot President Bashar al-Assad's prison as Syrian rebels seize power of the country One man freed from the prison wasn't able to speak when people asked him who he was. Militants frantically cut through padlocks on jail cell doors at Saydnaya prison to free hundreds of female prisoners and their youngsters after al-Assad's brutal regime was toppled. In a video posted on X women yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades. They were boarded onto buses waiting outside the prison before being taken to their homes. The rebels who were filmed releasing inmates at the Syrian prison said: 'We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Saydnaya prison.' Omar Saoud, a local activist, said in a video: 'Three floors underground, there is a prison known as the red prison, it has not yet been opened. 'They are not being able to open it because it requires a certain mechanism, and the soldiers and officers who used to be here have left.' Amnesty International research said the Syrian authorities had committed crimes against humanity with thousands of inmates in the prison 30km north of Damascus being murdered, tortured, and exterminated. They determined that the violations committed at the brutal facilities over the last decade under dictator's Bashar al Assad regime, which has seen over 10,000 political detainees vanish, was part of an attack against civilians. Unverified footage on X reportedly shows inmates coming out of Sednaya Prison They were boarded onto buses waiting outside the prison before being taken to their homes People yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades Toddlers could be seen in a video posted on X wandering around near unlocked prison doors while women yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades A rebel fighter walks down the stairs of the military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera Thousands poured into the streets of Homs last night as pro-regime troops fled, with rebels freeing thousands of detainees from the city prison as security forces left in haste after burning their documents. al-Assad previously denied both killing thousands of detainees at Saydnaya as well as using a secret crematorium to dispose of their remains in 2017. He also branded the allegations by the US State Department of up to 50 people being hanged daily at the brutal military prison as 'a new Hollywood story detached from reality'. Journalist Samer Daboul, whose uncle was taken into custody for smuggling bread and vanished behind the prison walls in 2012, eagerly awaits news regarding the man who was 'one of the most influential people in his life' 'He taught me about Syria's history, the revolution, and why it was necessary,' he told the BBC. 'I want him to know that the young man he inspired 12 years ago is now a journalist reporting on Syria. I want him to be proud of me.' Several have taken to social media to encourage the rebels to reach the notoriously cruel prison and liberate its inmates, while others hope their relatives, who they have not seen or heard from - some in years - are still alive. Intense sounds of shooting were heard in the centre of the Syrian capital Damascus, two residents said on Sunday as rebels make their way towards the capital. Rebel soldiers could be heard shouting 'Allahu Akbar' - meaning 'God is great' - as they frantically cut through padlocks on jail cell doors Syrians have pleaded for their loves ones to be freed from the notorious prison of Saydnaya (Pictured) after rebels freed thousands of detainees elsewhere in Homs Rebel fighters stand on a military vehicle in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance on Saturday The military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' with reportedly between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011 The military prison (Pictured from an aerial view) is famed for its inhumane conditions, systematic torture and mass executions A rebel fighter gestures in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance and later took control of the city Residents in Hama set ablaze a large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hanging on the facade of a municipal building A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria Western officials have claimed that al-Assad's government could fall within the next week It was not immediately clear where was the source of the shooting, two residents who live in a residential area close to the centre of the capital said. It comes as Syrian government forces abandoned the key city of Homs after less than a day of fighting, leaving al-Assad's 24-year rule dangling by a thread with insurgents also advancing towards the capital Damascus. Pro-regime troops fled the city of Homs with thousands of residents dancing and chanting 'Assad is gone, Homs is free' and 'Long live Syria and down with Bashar al-Assad'. Earlier today, the US carried out dozens of strikes across Syria on terrorist ISIS targets, President Biden said. He warned that the end of Assad's regime meant a 'moment of risk and uncertainty'. It comes after al-Assad was mocked after rebels unearthed a photo of the Syrian president wearing nothing but a tiny pair of Speedos. Following a lightning rebel advance in Syria last week, Jihadi rebels came across a photo of the Syrian leader scantily clad as a young man. The image shows the dictator posing alongside three other people in swimsuits as they are perched on the side of a boat in the night. The picture quickly gained attention on social media, with one person writing: 'A picture found in the palace of the idiot and criminal Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo.' The funny reaction online comes amid reports from Western officials that al-Assad's government could fall within the next week. Rebels fired into the air in celebration as they took control of Homs, and youths tore down posters of the Syrian president, whose territorial control has collapsed in a dizzying week-long retreat by the military. The fall of Homs and threat to the capital pose an immediate existential danger to the Assad dynasty's five-decade reign over Syria and the continued influence there of its main regional backer, Iran. Homs' capture is also a powerful symbol of the rebel movement's dramatic comeback in the 13-year-old conflict. People in Damascus topple a statue of Hafez al-Assad and wave a Druze flag as rebel forces approach the capital, on December 7 A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti government forces burn after it was hit by regime forces in the Hama governorate A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces is pictured abandoned on the side of a road in the Hama governorate, on December 7 A government armoured vehicle burns as rebels ride along the road south of Hama, in the south of Syria Anti-regime armed rebels fire their weapons into the air in victory after capturing Hama Swathes of Homs were destroyed by gruelling siege warfare between the rebels and the army years ago. The most powerful insurgent leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the main rebel leader, called the capture of Homs a historic moment and urged fighters not to harm 'those who drop their arms'. Mohammed al-Golani, also said in a separate statement that rebels were on the cusp of taking the whole country and 'the end of the criminal regime is near'. The battle for control of the country is likely to turn quickly to the capital. Residents of numerous Damascus districts turned out to protest al-Assad on Saturday evening, and security forces were either unwilling or unable to clamp down. After the Assad regime fell, it emerged tonight that al-Assad fled to Moscow on a plane. He and his family have been granted asylum in Russia. Since the rebels' sweep into Aleppo a week ago, government defences have crumbled at dizzying speed as rebels seized a string of major cities and reignited a rebellion in places it had long seemed dead. Seizing Homs, an important crossroads between the capital and the Mediterranean, effectively cuts off Damascus from the coastal stronghold of al-Assad's minority Alawite sect, and from Russia's air and naval base. The Syrian army and security commanders left Homs on Saturday by helicopter for the coast while a large military convoy withdrew by land, a senior army officer said. Rebels said they were entering the city centre. The fall of Bashar al-Assad's routine appeals all but assured (pictured: rebels ride past a damaged government vehicle in Hama) A picture believed to be showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wearing only speedos is taken by Rebels following the capture of his palace in Aleppo The images of al-Assad wearing speedos has generated ridicule on social media Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that Syrian opposition fighters reached the suburbs of the Damascus capital for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018, as al-Assad's regime nears collapse. One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syria's state news agency denied reports that al-Assad had already fled to Russia claiming he continued to govern from Damascus. However, following the statement claiming it was 'false news', a source told CNN that al-Assad was 'nowhere to be found' at his usual residences in the capital. Lebanon said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side. The rapidly developing events in Syria have again put the region on edge. Government forces reportedly withdrew as rebel groups amassed in the city's suburbs, wrestling for control after more than a week of intensified fighting. Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6 Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July Armed groups reached the suburb of Darayya on Saturday afternoon, some five miles from the centre, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency. 'Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus,' said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani today, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive 10 days ago. 'Damascus awaits you,' HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, said in a statement Saturday addressed to rebel fighters on Telegram. Syrians still in the nominally government-controlled territory of Jaramana seized the opportunity to pull down a statue of al-Assad's father as the regime faces collapse. To the north, rebel troops made a lunge towards the strategic city of Homs, just days after they proclaimed a major victory in the taking of the city of Hama on Thursday. The staggering assault has seen rebels opposed to the regime make the fastest battlefield advance by either side since the civil war began almost 13 years ago. al-Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week, and his brothers-in-law allegedly travelled to the UAE, per Syrian security officials. al-Assad's allies in Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, distracted or worn-down by other conflicts, meanwhile showed no signs of intervening. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN that Turkey wishes that neighbouring Syria can 'quickly attain the peace and tranquillity it has longed for' during 13 years of civil conflict. He said: 'I want to say this openly: We do not have our eyes on land not even a pebble that belongs to another country.' Charles Lister, director of the Syria and countering terrorism and extremism programs at the Middle East Institute, told Bloomberg that al-Assad's future has 'never looked more fragile' as the opposition encroaches on Homs and allied support withers. Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, casts her vote during the country's presidential elections in Douma, Syria, with her husband in this file photo taken in 2021 While capturing Homs could close the land route between the government and Tartus, home to Russia's only Mediterranean port, Russia appears not to be in a position to help al-Assad regain ground with focus and resources directed to Ukraine. 'Russia doesn't have a plan to save al-Assad and doesn't see one emerging as long as the Syrian president's army continues to abandon its positions,' a source 'close to the Kremlin' told Bloomberg. Iran, likewise, has been hesitant, or unable, to funnel its support to Syria. On Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he would would only help al-Assad 'to the extent necessary', but previously promised to 'consider' sending troops. The capture of Hama has given rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before. Jihad Yazigi, editor of the Syria Report newsletter previously told Reuters: 'Assad now cannot afford to lose anything else. The big battle is the one coming against Homs. If Homs falls, we are talking of a potential change of regime.' It follows a staggering effort to seize Aleppo, the main northern city in Syria, last week as part of a blitz offensive beginning on November 27. President Joe Biden went completely blank when he forgot on the spot who he was talking about. Just seconds after saying it's believed that U.S. Journalist Austin Tice, who was kidnapped while reporting in Syria on August 13, 2012, is alive, Biden didn't remember who he was talking about. The 'senior moment' came at the end of quick remarks on Sunday where the president praised the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. Biden was leaving the room when he hesitated and turned around when he heard the question: 'What does the U.S. know about where Austin Tice might be, and if he's safe?' 'We believe he's alive,' Biden said. 'We think we can get him back but we have no direct evidence of that yet.' 'And Assad has to be held accountable,' he insisted. Right after, another reporter asked: 'Have you directed an operation to go get him, Mr. President?' 'Get who?' a very confused Biden replied, even though it was clearly a follow-up about Tice. President Joe Biden had a major brain freeze on Sunday when he forgot who he was talking about just second after answering a reporter's question about kidnapped Marine Corps veteran and freelance journalist Austin Tice 'Austin Tice,' they reminded the president. Looking lost, Biden stumbled over his words. 'We want him out. We have to identify where he is,' he assured before leaving the room and shutting the door behind him. Biden, 82, only has just over 40 days left in his single-term presidency until President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second, non consecutive term. Speculation has swirled for most of Biden's time in office that he is not fit to serve as president and critics claim his mental fitness has declined with his old age. That decline was on full display during Biden's less than nine-minute remarks after rebels toppled the Assad regime, causing the leader to flee to Russia and widespread celebrations for Israel and its supporters. Tice is a Marine Corps veteran who was working as a freelance journalist in Syria when he was kidnapped more than 12 years ago. He was freelancing for McClatchy, The Washington Post, CBS and other media when he was abducted from Darayya, Syria. Biden delivered remarks at the White House on Sunday, December 8 after Syrian rebels announced that they ousted leader Bashar al-Assad and toppled his regime Austin Tice was kidnapped in Syria in 2012. A video was released of Tice blindfolded and bound just a month after he disappeared in Darayya, Syria In September 2012, a month after he disappeared, his captors released a 47-second video of Tice blindfolded and bound. Another month later, a U.S. spokesperson said it was believed that Tice was in the custody of the Syrian government though no group or entity in the Middle Eastern nation said it was holding him. As recently as May 3, 2024, which is World Press Freedom Day, Biden stated that Tice remained a hostage in Syria. A group of wannabe thieves launched a brazen ram-raid on a Melbourne shopping centre using a skip bin truck. The truck crashed into newly installed bollards outside the Burnside Hub shopping centre, in the city's west, at about 4.50am. Authorities believe the attackers were attempting to target an ATM inside the centre. Despite their efforts, the thieves fled the scene empty-handed in a blue SUV without licence plates. It's not the first time the shopping centre has been targeted with several break-ins leading to the installment of the $40,000 bollards. Victoria Police said the blue SUV was last spotted on Robinsons Road. Any witnesses, or anyone with dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Pope Francis unveiled the annual nativity scene at the Vatican over the weekend - raising some eyebrows in the process. A noticeable addition this year saw the seminal scene's baby Jesus draped in a keffiyeh - a traditional scarf used by Palestinians as a national symbol. Jesus was born into a Jewish family in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago - and his death triggered the birth of Christianity. A statement from the wheelchair-bound pontiff, moreover, saw him humbly ask onlookers for peace in the Middle East, weeks after he called for an investigation into what he said may be a 'genocide' occurring in the Gaza Strip. That came in response to repeated Israeli military attacks in the region - also considered the holy land in the Catholic faith. On Sunday, the 87-year-old was gifted a 'Star of Bethlehem' plaque by two Palestinian children - paving the way for an impassioned speech. In it, the Catholic Church's leader pleaded 'Enough with wars, enough of violence!', after thousands turned out to St Peter's Basilica to see him install 21 new cardinals the day before. 'You know that one of the most profitable investments is in the weapons industry? They earn money to kill. But why?' he continued, again condemning the arms industry he has said is fueling the war effort. 'No more wars!' he again said - this time drawing cheers. As he spoke, the symbolic addition served as a poignant - yet polarizing - nod to one side's struggle, ahead of what's set to be the 2,023rd birthday of Jesus Christ. Scroll down for video: Pope Francis unveiled the annual nativity scene at the Vatican over the weekend - including one installment saw the seminal scene's baby Jesus draped in a keffiyeh - a traditional scarf used by Palestinians as a national symbol A statement from the wheelchair-bound pontiff, moreover, saw him humbly ask onlookers for peace in the Middle East, weeks after he called for an investigation into what he said may be a 'genocide' occurring in the Gaza Strip 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to all people,' a message on the Bethlehem Star gifted to Pope Francis during the ceremony, engraved in both Latin and Arabic, read. After airing his call to put a cease to the violence, the 266th head of the Catholic Church paid somber respects to the installation. It was designed by Palestinian artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, both of whom hail from the Palestinian town of Bethlehem. Figures of the Holy Family, meanwhile, were carved from olive wood, further connecting the scene to its place of origin. The accompanying plaque also contained an inscription asserting 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men,' again in Arabic and Latin. The plaque and nativity scene will now remain in the Paul VI Hall, the church said - as part of several nativity scenes collectively titled 'Nativity of Bethlehem 2024. It is not to be confused with the main nativity scene currently propped up in St Peter's Square, which does not include a keffiyeh. In another controversial move, the pope was joined Sunday by PLO executive committee member Ramzi Khouri, who conveyed 'warm greetings' on behalf of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. On Saturday, the 87-year-old was gifted a 'Star of Bethlehem' plaque by two Palestinian children - paving the way for an impassioned speech. The installation was designed by Palestinian artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, both of whom hail from Bethlehem, in Palestine 'No more wars!' he again said - this time drawing cheers. As he spoke, the symbolic addition served as a poignant - yet polarizing - nod to one side's struggle, ahead of what's set to be the 2,023rd birthday of Jesus Christ The first prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, Abbas led the PLO's Negotiations Affairs Department before assuming his post in 2003. Now the president of the State of Palestine as well the Palestinian National Authority, the politician has since been subject to criticism for allegedly distorting Jewish history and engaging in Holocaust denial. Just last year, the 89-year-old claimed during a speech later condemned by the US, European Union, France, and Germany that Hitler killed Jews because of their 'social role' as moneylenders, rather than out of antisemitism. He further claimed that Ashkenazi Jews are descendants of Khazars - an obscure warlike tribe in Turkistan who fought against the Arabs starting in the 600s. Abbas's comments saw Paris's Mayor Anne Hidalgo rescind the Medal of the City she gave him back in 2015 - a mere month before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Khouri, in turn, reportedly expressed 'deep gratitude for the popes unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and his tireless efforts to end the war on Gaza and promote justice.' Meanwhile, just last month, in a collection of interviews conducted by author Hernan Reyes Alcaide, Pope Francis called for an investigation into what he framed as a potential 'genocide' occurring in the Gaza Strip. 'According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide, Pope Francis told Reyes in his section of the book, 'Hope Never Disappoints'. That came in response to repeated Israeli military attacks in the region - also considered the holy land in the Catholic faith. Pictured, a Palestinian father wearing the traditional pattern at al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah, Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territory, on Thursday 'It should be carefully investigated to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies,' the pontiff continued - making history as the first pope to openly ponder the possibility of genocide in the war-torn country. Two months before, he appeared to suggest the extent of Israels defense in Lebanon and Gaza may be disproportionate to the threat on the country. In response to the statement made in the book, Yaron Sideman, Israels ambassador to the Churchs central government in the Vatican posted to X to insist there was a genocidal massacre on [Oct. 7] of Israeli citizens, 'And since then, Israel has exercised its right of self-defense against attempts from seven different fronts to kill its citizens,' the ambassador added, The Palestinian Community of Rome, meanwhile, had a different take, saying in its own statement, 'Pope Francis has consistently voiced concern over Palestinian suffering and called for respect for international law.' A 'fantasist' fraudster who conned an elderly woman out of her 22,000 life savings after meeting her daughter on a dating app has been jailed for four years. John Kavanagh, 58, started a relationship with a woman he met online and shortly after it began he claimed to be having financial problems. Kavanagh told the woman and her 84-year-old mother that he owned a large haulage company called 'Kavanagh QC Transport Limited', but due to an accident involving a javelin missile he had received a fine and was 'struggling to make ends meet'. After discussing the issue with her mother, who offered to help Kavanagh financially on the understanding the money was paid back, the woman gave him 250 and a further 1,200 in 18 separate transactions over seven months. But by June 2020 she was left with less than 250, Newcastle Crown Court heard. The court was told Kavanagh's ex-partner and her mother have both since died, but had given victim impact statements before their deaths in 2022 and 2023. A statement read out in court on behalf of the woman said: 'This incident has left me physically sick. I can't explain how I feel inside, I feel very vulnerable and responsible for the money taken from my mother. I worry what effect it will have on her health. It added: 'No-one has the right to impose themselves on my family and take money in such a deceptive manner.' John Kavanagh, 58, was jailed for four years at Newcastle Crown Court after conning an elderly woman out of her life savings In a statement read out on behalf of the woman's mother, it said: 'This incident has left me in shock. I can't believe I have been deceived in this way. Lent money to John in good faith with the expectation of getting the money back, he has left me with nothing.' The court heard Kavanagh, who pleaded guilty to one count of fraud, has 32 convictions to 108 offences, with 63 of those relating to dishonesty and fraud. Kavanagh provided a range of excuses for the cash, which included new tyres for trucks, staff wages, insurance payments and money to transport a fictional truck on a ferry from Saudi Arabia, the court was told. The court heard the relationship between the defendant and woman ended in July 2020 when she told him there was no money left. The defendant was 'disgruntled' and distanced himself from the woman and her family. The woman called the police when she believed Kavanagh, of Abbingdon Square, Cramlington, was a 'fantasist' and her mother might not get her money back. The woman's mother gave Kavanagh 22,360 and none of the money was repaid, the court heard, while around 3,000 was refunded by the bank due to the fraudulent activity. Newcastle Crown Court heard Kavanagh, who pleaded guilty to one count of fraud, has 32 convictions to 108 offences, with 63 of those relating to dishonesty and fraud The court heard other family members were also suspicious about the 'outlandish' stories he told them. Kavanagh registered the fictitious haulage company in March 2020 but it was never operational, the court was told. His lies were eventually exposed about his company 'based in Team Valley', when another company, where he was meant to share a yard, said they'd never heard of the firm, the court heard. The defendant told police he was struggling to pay the money back but always intended to pay it back. The court heard that an investigation revealed the defendant had been in contact with other women he'd met on dating websites and told them the same story about owning a haulage company. The court was told Kavanagh was 'very sorry' to the victims and their family members and 'wishes he could turn the clock back'. On sentencing Kavanagh to four years in prison, Judge Gavin Doig described the defendant as a 'thoroughly dishonest man'. He added: 'It is difficult to think of more shameful offending for a person to commit. 'To strip an 84-year-old woman of her life savings and carry on taking her money over a period of many months until she had no more to give, leaving her feeling vulnerable and scared - yet that is what you did. 'I'm pleased to hear you are now remorseful and sorry for your behaviour. However, you knew what you were doing at the time and carried on doing it.' The Islamist group at the heart of the Syrian revolution could be removed from the UKs terrorist list to allow ministers to talk to its leaders. The Home Office was last night considering whether to lift the ban on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has emerged as the leading player in the removal of tyrant Bashar al-Assad. The move would allow ministers and officials to engage with the group and its leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. HTS was designated as a terrorist group in 2017. At the time the Home Office declared it to be an alias of Al Qaeda. But in a rare statement on the issue last night, the Home Office said the groups relationship with the terror organisation founded by Osama bin Laden has changed. A spokesman said there had been a splintering between the two organisations in recent years. The spokesman added: The situation on the ground in Syria is very fluid. The priority must be the safety of Syrian civilians and securing a political solution to the unfolding events. The move came after former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers said HTS appeared to be acting as a liberation movement and should be removed from the terrorist list. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, addressing a crowd in Damascus on Sunday Rebel forces shoot in the air as they celebrate taking the central Syrian city of Homs early on Sunday People sit on a tank as they gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus on Sunday Sir John said it would be ridiculous if ministers were barred from engaging with a major power broker in Syria because of the groups history. He told Sky News: When I was chief of MI6, ten or 12 years ago, we looked at all of these Syrian opposition groups and classified them into those that we could support and those who were beyond the pale and too close to Al Qaeda, and HTS was definitely in the latter category. But I think Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader, has made great efforts over the last ten years to distance himself from those terrorist groups and certainly the actions weve seen of HTS over the last two weeks has been those of a liberation movement, not of a terrorist organisation. I think the Home Secretary will be asking MI5 and the joint terrorism assessment centre for a review of the situation about HTS and whether it should remain on the proscribed entity list. It would be rather ridiculous, actually, if were unable to engage with the new leadership in Syria because of a proscription dating back 12 years. HTS is designated as a terrorist group by the United States and several other Western allies. The hardline Islamist group has faced concerns over human rights in areas it controls, including alleged executions of people accused of blasphemy and adultery. Armed men posing for pictures near a military vehicle belonging to rebel forces in Hama governorate on Saturday People kick a poster depicting former Syrian President Bashar al Assad on Sunday after Syria's army command notified officers that al-Assad's 24-year rule has ended An anti-government fighter tears down a portrait of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, after jihadists and their allies entered the northern Syrian city, on November 30 The groups founder Jolani was previously involved as a jihadi fighter in Iraq as a member of the group which became Islamic State. Sir Keir Starmer last night embarked on a two-day trip to the Gulf which is now set to be dominated by the fallout from the collapse of the Assad regime. The Prime Minister will visit the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for the first time to promote trade and investment ties as part of the Governments mission to boost economic growth. But sources acknowledged that trade issues are likely to be overtaken by the urgent need to stabilise the situation in Syria and contain the fallout to the wider region. The Home Office said it did not comment on whether groups were being considered for removal from the official list of terror groups. The US launched 'dozens of precision airstrikes' in Syria on Sunday after rebels ousted longtime despotic leader Bashar al-Assad. The strikes were carried out against known ISIS camps and operatives based in Central Syria, according to US Central Command. This ongoing operation's objective was to prevent ISIS from taking advantage of the chaos and reorganizing after their attempt at a state collapsed in 2019, according to the Pentagon. The US military struck 75 targets using war planes, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s. So far, there are no indications of civilian life lost. 'There should be no doubt - we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,' said General Michael Erik Kurilla. 'All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way.' This comes after President-elect Donald Trump said the US should not get involved in Syria's civil war. After slamming President Barack Obama's supposed capitulation to Russia in the Syrian conflict, he wrote in all caps that the US should have nothing to do with war going forward. 'Syria is a mess but is not our friend, and the United States should have nothing to do with it. This is not our fight. Let it play out. Do not get involved!' Trump wrote on Saturday. Pictured: Two of these planes are F-15s, which were used in America's strike on Syria Sunday Bashar Al-Assad, pictured, was overthrown Sunday, capping nearly 24 years of ruling over Syria The war has been between the Syrian government and various rebel groups, some of which are backed by the United States. Opposition fighters who have been fighting to depose al-Assad since March 2012 first took over Aleppo, Syria's second largest city. This weekend, they stormed into Damascus, the capital city, largely unopposed. They then flooded into al-Assad's presidential palace, declaring the country free from the 'tyrant.' It's now been confirmed that al-Assad and his family have fled to Russia, a close ally to the war-torn country. The news initially came from Russian state media citing a Kremlin source, but it was later confirmed by Russia's deputy defense minister Alexander Fomin. Fomin, who said al-Assad was granted asylum in Russia did not indicate where the deposed leader precise location was. Al-Assad reportedly fled Syria on a Russian plane. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed that a plane from Latakia, west Syria, arrived in Moscow a few hours ago, the BBC reported. Latakia is home to a Russian air force base. He reportedly left Syria early Sunday while Syrians have been pouring into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire after the stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the al-Assad family's 50 years of iron rule. 'Maybe he thought he knew that this was coming so kind of tried to take himself and leave everyone else,' Colonel Philip Ingram, a former British Army intelligence officer, told MailOnline about al-Assad's move to Russia. A man is pictured looting from Al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus after the leader had to flee to Russia Pictured: A destroyed neighborhood after the Syrian government forces hit Idlib city, Syria on Monday, December 2 It's unclear how incoming President Donald Trump will handle the ongoing US military operations in Syria As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the city's mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting 'God is great.' People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. In the streets, teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the Defense Ministry. Videos from Damascus showed families wandering into the presidential palace, with some emerging carrying stacks of plates and other household items. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany has also said that insurgent forces have 'fully liberated' Syria's central city of Homs. More than 507,000 people have died in the over 13-year-long war. Of that number, 164,000 of them were civilians. Trump has not yet addressed the new state of affairs in Syria and how he'll deal with the country as part of his foreign policy. Scotlands NHS has spent more than 1million in just seven months on gender reassignment surgery for people in England. It referred Scots for 86 operations south of the Border, including male to female surgery, female to male ops and chest reconstruction. The new figures bring the total number of gender ops referred to surgeons in England by NHS Scotland to almost 1,700 in the last 10 years. This includes at least 46 instances when youngsters under the age of 18 applied for and secured funding to have specialist chest reconstruction. The amount spent on providing the service for transgender Scots in the last 10 years was 9,492,953, with 1,070,336 spent between April 1 and October 31 of this year alone. A snapshot shows the standard cost for chest reconstruction was 5,804 last year, while it was 10,737 for male to female surgery. Female to male genital surgery was said to cost 20,750. NHS Scotland said patients under 18 can be referred to surgical providers in England for consultation, but operations are not undertaken until they turn 18. The figures were provided by the National Services Division. Currently, Scottish patients are sent to England as there are no specialist gender surgeons north of the Border. NHS Scotland has spent more than 1million in just seven months sending people to England for gender reassignment surgery (file photo) NHS Scotland said patients under 18 can be referred to surgical providers in England for consultation, but operations are not undertaken until they turn 18 (file photo) A spokesman for campaign group For Women Scotland said: The money would be better spent in mental health services, helping people to reconcile with their bodies rather than chasing the impossible delusion that their sex can be changed. Harry Potter author JK Rowling has previously voiced concerns over young women wishing to transition only to regret having altered their bodies irrevocably and taken away their fertility. The news comes after the landmark Cass Report warned children questioning their gender had been let down by a lack of research and remarkably weak evidence on medical interventions. In March, NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow deferred starting new patients on puberty hormone suppressants and gender-affirming hormones. Then, in May, NHS Lothian paused all referrals to surgery and assessment appointments so as to allow for extensive reviews. Restrictions were subsequently lifted. Scottish Conservative equalities spokesperson Tess White MSP said: The number of under-18s referred for specialist procedures is especially concerning. And at a time when NHS waiting lists in Scotland are sky-high, taxpayers will ask why such significant sums were spent funding these procedures in NHS England. Susan Buchanan, Director of National Services Directorate at NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) said: All patients referred for surgery are carefully assessed by healthcare professionals, considering individual patient needs and circumstances. The Scottish Government said not all patients who are referred proceed to surgery following their consultation. Harrods bills its marble-lined, sixth floor 'salon de perfums' famed for selling the most exclusive scents as a 'secluded scented nirvana' aimed at the most discerning customer. But when it came to staff selling the 'hand-selected brands', things were not as fragrant, it has been alleged. Tempers flared between staff at rival concessions at the West End department store, according to a tribunal claim. Natalia Pytel, who was employed by Luxe Associates, alleged that a worker at competitor brand Edeniste made 'spiteful' comments about the products she was selling from an adjacent desk. Their dispute culminated when the employee referred to only as Evie was said to have thrown a card reader machine at Ms Pytel. Ms Pytel complained both to Luxe Associates and Harrods but CCTV footage was said to have shown 'nothing untoward'. She was then sacked by Luxe Associates after being accused of being rude to a customer. Ms Pytel, who is Polish, brought an employment tribunal case against Harrods. She alleged unfair dismissal, detriment for making a whistleblowing public interest disclosure, and harassment under the Equality Act. Natalia Pytel (pictured) who was employed by Luxe Associates, alleged that a worker at competitor brand Edeniste made 'spiteful' comments about the products she was selling from an adjacent desk Their dispute culminated when the employee referred to only as Evie was said to have thrown a card reader machine at Ms Pytel who is pictured here Ms Pytel, who is Polish, brought an employment tribunal case against Harrods. She alleged unfair dismissal, detriment for making a whistleblowing public interest disclosure, and harassment under the Equality Act But at a preliminary hearing in London the case was struck out because a judge said her complaints had no reasonable prospect of success. Ms Pytel accepted that Harrods hadn't employed her, and she only had five months service with Luxe Associates the minimum service for making an unfair dismissal claim is currently two years. In a statement in support of her claim, Ms Pytel who began work at the concession in February last year - said: 'I struggled to work with one of the girls from a neighbour brand. 'Every day she was making spiteful comments about my brands and was aggressively behaving towards me.'On June 13 she threw a PDQ card reader machine at me. 'I felt unsafe working around her so I decided I would ask for help.' After Ms Pytel spoke out, counter-claims were made against her, according to tribunal documents.She was sacked on July 24 last year. In her claim, Ms Pytel said a manager subsequently informed her that 'I did not fit into perfumery and was rude to a customer, therefore he decided to terminate my contract'. She claimed that she asked a colleague to assist, but the colleague was 'extremely rude' to the customer and refused to process the refund he initially requested. Ms Pytel complained both to Luxe Associates and Harrods but CCTV footage was said to have shown 'nothing untoward' (Stock image of Harrods) Ms Pytel who represented herself - also alleged that she experienced 'harassment and bullying' by two shop floor managers. However Employment Judge Jonathan Gidney threw out all her claims, pointing out that she was never directly employed by Harrods. Her job was with the Luxe Associates concession, he stressed but having only worked there for just over five months, she wasn't entitled to claim unfair dismissal. Ms Pytel's detriment claim also fell as she had not specified what disclosure she claimed to have made in the public interest. Finally her harassment claim was invalid as she did not specify any 'protected characteristic' for example race, sex or religion which allegedly led to her being singled out. 'There is, simply put, no reasonable prospect of [Ms Pytel] establishing her complaints against [Harrods], and accordingly, I strike [Ms Pytel's] claims out,' he concluded. Harrods and Luxe Associates were approached for comment. According to her social media profile, Ms Pytel now sells make-up at a different West End department store. Under Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's controversial overhaul of workers' rights, employees will be able to launch unfair dismissal claim from their first day in a job. However companies would be able to keep new recruits on probation for up to nine months after business groups claimed the move would disincentive hiring. Human remains have been recovered from the wreckage of a missing German plane which crashed into the North Sea more than a year ago. The light aircraft was found in the water north-east of Lerwick, Shetland, on Friday and was brought to shore by a fishing boat on Sunday. Police Scotland have confirmed that human remains were found inside the plane. A trawler from Peterhead called the Benarkle II had hauled in a section of the plane's fuselage while fishing on Friday and brought it to the Greenhead Base in Lerwick. Police met the trawler at the port and the plane's wreckage was then loaded onto a truck and it has been taken for further examination. Last night it was confirmed by the Air Accident Investigation Branch that the wreckage was from a German-registered Cessna 172 which vanished over the North Sea between Shetland and Norway in September last year. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: 'Police received a report of a small aircraft having been recovered from the water in the North Sea, north-east of Lerwick, around 2.20pm on Friday 6 December. 'The aircraft was brought to shore on Sunday 8 December, and human remains were found within. Enquiries are ongoing.' Police Scotland have confirmed that human remains were found inside the plane The aircraft departed Germany heading for Scotland on September 30, 2023. It was discovered on Friday, December 6, by a trawler from Peterhead called the Benarkle II The four-seater Cessna went missing after taking off from near Hamburg, Germany, with only the 62-year-old pilot on board at 10.27am on September 30 2023. The pilot was reported to be experienced and in good health and he had originally intended to take his wife with him. The weather was described as good conditions for flying. But he did not file a flight plan and did not take his planned route or stay in radio contact with air traffic control. The last radar contact with the plane was recorded by Norwegian air traffic control at 4.45pm, around seven minutes after it began descending at a rate of 1,000 feet per minute. It had been in the air for six hours and 19 minutes, and one line of inquiry for investigators will be whether it ran out of fuel. A search was launched after the Cessna was reported missing by its owner on October 1, when the pilot did not return at the agreed time. A fixed-wing HM Coastguard plane was sent to search an area between Shetland and Norway the next day but was stood down when no trace could be found. The four-seater Cessna went missing after taking off from near Hamburg, Germany, with only the 62-year-old pilot on board at 10.27am on September 30 2023 (file image of a Cessna) The Aviation Safety Network reported that the pilot had chartered the plane to visit relatives in Bayreuth, which was 143 nautical miles (NM) south-southeast from the Uetersen Airfield where it took off. But the plane instead headed north-northwest and there was no radio contact with the pilot after it was in the air. The report stated: 'Around 4.38pm, the aircraft began descending at an average rate of 1,000 feet per minute and initially deviated to the right from the northern course, followed by numerous small course changes. 'The last radar contact was recorded by Norwegian air traffic control at 4.45pm, approximately 70 NM southeast of the Shetland Islands (UK) and just over 500 NM from the departure airfield, at 1,700 feet AMSL (about 6 hours and 19 minutes after takeoff and 8 minutes after the descent began). 'Since then, the aircraft and its pilot have been considered missing.' It added: 'At no time was there radio contact with air traffic control or flight information services in any of the countries whose airspace was flown through. Neither Denmark nor Norway recorded a landing of the aircraft. No flight plan was filed. The light aircraft was found in the water north-east of Lerwick (pictured) on Friday and was brought to shore by a fishing boat yesterday 'The owner reported the aircraft missing the following day (October 1, 2023) after it did not return at the agreed time. 'The pilot's wife had told the owner that she had initially been scheduled as a passenger on the accident flight. In the morning, the pilot had spontaneously informed her that she would not be travelling on the flight.' The incident was investigated by the Bundesstelle fur Flugunfalluntersuchung, or the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation. It concluded that 'the forces that occurred during contact with the water surface, the low water temperature, the lack of emergency equipment' and the fact that the plane was not reported missing until the following day 'made this air accident on the North Sea difficult or even impossible to survive'. An Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokesperson said: 'We were informed that the remains of a German registered Cessna 172, which was lost in the North Sea in September 2023, had been recovered by a fishing vessel on December 6 and brought to shore in Shetland. 'The loss of the aircraft was initially investigated by the Bundesstelle fur Flugunfalluntersuchung (BFU) of Germany. The AAIB is supporting Police Scotland and working with the BFU to assist their safety investigation.' Following the discovery of the wreckage, one well-wisher in Shetland posted on social media: 'Hopefully closure for family of the pilot and plane that went missing last October.' MailOnline has contacted Police Scotland for further comment. Claims by a former deputy mayor convicted of domestic violence and fraud that new evidence could prove his innocence have been rejected as 'speculative' ahead of an appeal. Salim Mehajer on separate occasions repeatedly punched a woman, shattered her phone by grabbing her hand, and put his hand over her mouth so she passed out. He also committed fraud by trying to use false documents to regain $6,530 seized by police from his home. The 38-year-old is serving a sentence of seven years and nine months for both sets of offences and is in custody in John Morony prison in Sydney's west. The former property developer and deputy mayor of Sydney's Auburn council has appealed his convictions for both sets of offences and in October applied for bail in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal. Three judges of this court unanimously rejected Mehajer's bid on Friday saying that while the former deputy mayor made assertions of his innocence, these claims were lacking in detail. Justice Dina Yehia wrote the 38-year-old appeared to say he had evidence to 'almost definitely establish' he had an alibi that proved at least some of the domestic violence offences did not happen. 'However, a mere assertion to that effect, without specifying the nature of the evidence, is highly speculative,' she wrote, supported by the other two judges on the panel. Salim Mehajer on separate occasions repeatedly punched a woman, shattered her phone by grabbing her hand, and put his hand over her mouth so she passed out Mehajer claimed he needed to be free on bail because he was being kept in 'segregation' while in prison and could not adequately prepare for the appeal. However, the court found he had sufficient resources and facilities at his disposal in prison, including access to a private computer room. 'A telling indication of (Mehajer's) capacity to prepare his legal proceedings is demonstrated in the current (bail) application,' Justice Yehia wrote. '(He) filed comprehensive written submissions which were supplemented by oral submissions during the hearing.' The property developer also argued that by the time his appeal was heard, he would have already served a significant portion of his sentence behind bars. While his non-parole period expired on July 18, 2025, this in itself did not mean the former deputy mayor should be granted bail, the appeal court said. There was also a 'glaring absence of evidence' about Mehajer's claims he needed to be released to prevent his family home being sold by a mortgagee in possession, the judges ruled. On top of the domestic violence and fraud offences, Mehajer is also serving 24 months for staging a car crash and providing false details to manipulate traffic fines. His 18-month non-parole period for those charges will expire on December 14. However, he will not be released then given the appeal of his other, more serious convictions has not been heard. Kemi Badenoch has held talks with Donald Trumps deputy as she seeks to build ties with the incoming Republican administration. The Conservative Party leader had dinner in Washington with vice-president-elect JD Vance on Saturday night to discuss Mr Trumps agenda and her views on the future of the Right. Mr Vance later posted a picture of the pair on X, adding: Great to see the leader of the UK Conservatives Kemi Badenoch during her trip to the US. We discussed many topics, but I was unable to persuade her that coffee is much better than tea. Cheers, Kemi! The pair are understood to have discussed a range of topics, including her warnings on the rise of the bureaucratic state and its threat to economic growth in the West. An ally of the Tory leader said Mr Vance views her as one of those on the global Right doing the deep thinking about how we reform the state. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had dinner in Washington with US vice-president elect JD Vance to build ties and discuss Donald Trump's agenda Mrs Badenoch is yet to meet Mr Trump himself amid concerns in the party that it could be sidelined in favour of Reform leader Nigel Farage The source said the pair are part of a new generation of centre-Right politicians who are using strong conservative principles to enthuse younger voters. Mrs Badenoch has not met Mr Trump himself and there are concerns in Tory circles that party could be sidelined by the friendship between the president-elect and Reform leader Nigel Farage. Meanwhile, Suella Bravermans husband Rael yesterday announced he was joining Reform. Mrs Braverman said she would not be following suit, adding: My husband and I have a healthy respect for each others independence - he doesnt tell me how to do my job, and I dont tell him how to pick a political party. Every parent wants their child to have the best start in life - and conventional wisdom suggests private school is a pathway to a brighter, more financially successful future. But with fees of $40,000 to $50,000, there is an important debate to be had about whether the benefits gained from a private education are really worth the cost. The latest NAPLAN results show that, generally, fee-paying private schools perform better than comprehensives in wealthy suburbs - but they don't not necessarily beat selective state schools. Before the newest figures were released to the public, I spoke to experts from both sides to establish the pros and cons of making such a significant investment in your child. Those in favour of going private will tell you it's not just about quality teaching and better facilities; it's the lifelong connections formed from having your child in the same class as the children of CEOs and politicians that you're really paying for. In fact, there is no clearer evidence of the class divide in Australia than its private schools and their distinguished alumni - with prime ministers and billionaires overwhelmingly coming from the independent system. But it's also wrong to assume a private education is always the wiser choice: in New South Wales, a selective government school - not an elite private school - was the state's top performer for 27 consecutive years. James Ruse Agricultural High School held that crown until 2022, only for another government-funded selective school, North Sydney Boys, to take out the top spot in 2023. Every parent wants their child to have the best start in life - and conventional wisdom suggests private school is a pathway to a brighter, more financially successful future (pictured is Cranbrook School in Sydney's eastern suburbs) The most recent NAPLAN results for 2024 show year 7 and 9 students at these selective schools have the best results for reading, writing and numeracy - outperforming upmarket private institutions such as King's, Abbotsleigh, Barker College and Knox Grammar. But the private schools overwhelmingly fare better than comprehensive high schools in overlapping catchment areas based on comparisons of students from similar socio-economic backgrounds. And before we hear from the experts, here are the numbers on public versus private schools from the Australian Bureau of Statistics: just under two-thirds, or 64 per cent, of students were educated at a public school in 2023, compared with 19.7 per cent in the Catholic system and 16.3 per cent in an independent school. The case for private schools Graham Catt is the chief executive of Independent Schools Australia, which represents Australia's most elite private schools and whose members have educated eight of the last 17 prime ministers. Mr Catt says the social power of private schools stems from their emphasis on extracurricular activities, in addition to academic excellence. 'This well-rounded approach helps prepare students to become meaningful contributors to society,' he tells me. Mr Catt also defends private schools getting taxpayer subsidies - a controversial move that has nonetheless had bipartisan support since Gough Whitlam, who attended Knox Grammar and Canberra Grammar, became federal Labor leader in 1967. 'Parents who choose independent schools for their children are taxpayers too, and often make considerable sacrifices to support the choice they make, and the reality is that these schools receive considerably less funding per student compared to public schools,' he says. Australia's richest individual mining magnate Gina Rinehart (left with Olympic legend Dawn Fraser) went to St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls in Perth where parents pay $31,260 a year Sydney Catholic Schools is proud to have produced Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right, with his fiancee Jodie Haydon) who went to St Mary's Cathedral College He also refutes the notion that private schools only cater to wealthy families, noting a fifth of students come from poorer families. 'We are also seeing a growing number of students from multicultural backgrounds,' Mr Catt says. Private vs. public schools Benefits of private school Generally better standard of education and facilities: This one is self-explanatory - you're not paying thousands per semester for nothing Valuable social connections: Private schools can connect children from the aspirant middle class with families from wealthy backgrounds They are more diverse than you'd think: Private schools aren't just for the social elites; they also cater to poorer children and minority groups Benefits of public school Competitive standard of education: Good public primary schools often perform better than wealthier private schools, NAPLAN assessments have found. Do your research before committing Good public schools lift up the whole neighbourhood: When the reputation of a public school improves, house prices in the area go up. This trend is not observed with private schools A superior social education: Your child may not be rubbing shoulders with the offspring of politicians and billionaires, but a public education with a diverse student body may help shape them into more well-rounded adults Advertisement 'Independent schools are also providing education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disabilities and those that have disengaged from mainstream education.' A spokesperson for Sydney Catholic Schools says they are proud to have produced 'independent, creative and empathic young men and women who feel confident and capable of making their mark on the world beyond'. 'We are proud to have alumni who have gone on to make significant impacts on society in a number of industries and areas, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is an alumnus of St Mary's Cathedral College Sydney.' The case for public schools The main assumption parents make when they decide on private schools is that the education is better - but this isn't always the case for younger students. The NAPLAN (or National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy tests) shows that when it comes to maths and reading, good public primary schools often outperform wealthier private schools. By the time a student reaches high school, private institutions generally outperform public ones - with some notable exceptions - but for many parents the main benefit of an independent education at this age is the opportunity for social advancement. But there is a downside to going to school with 'rich kids' from powerful families. Jane Caro, a board member of the Public Education Foundation, says attending a co-ed public school is far better for students' social development than going private. Public schools, she argues, encourage students to mix with a broader range of other pupils beyond their own religion, class or gender. This, in turn, makes them more well-rounded adults once they graduate, which is better for society as a whole. 'The great thing about public education is it accepts every child of any faith and they get to meet one another which I think is a wonderful thing for cohesion in a diverse and multicultural society,' she tells me. Jane Caro, a board member of the Public Education Foundation, says attending a co-ed public school is far better for students' social development than going private 'I don't think slicing and dicing our children off into segregated groups is going to do anything to make us a better society.' Ms Caro highlights Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock, who went to Armidale High School in northern NSW, as an example of someone successful who received a co-ed public education. 'Talent doesn't just pop up in nice, middle-class families that go to private schools. There's talent all over the country,' she says. Ms Caro also dismisses the idea that most Australian prime ministers being the product of the private system somehow proves independent schools are better than their public counterparts. 'This, unfortunately, is the way that oligarchies work. It is "rule by the privileged" rather than "rule by the most talented",' she says. 'If we want a meritocracy, we should be getting far more leaders who come from all sorts of different schools. Ms Caro cited Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock, who went to Armidale High School in northern NSW, as an example of someone successful who received a co-ed public education Private school success stories The Kings School in Sydney's north-west, which taught the likes of former NSW Liberal premier Mike Baird and former deputy prime minister John Anderson, charges $43,560 in annual fees for year 11 and 12 students. Cranbrook School, at Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east, charges $75,489 for boarding and tuition. Its alumni includes billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, a co-founder of software group Atlassian whose former business partner Scott Farquhar went to James Ruse. Australia's richest individual mining magnate Gina Rinehart went to St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls in Perth where parents pay $31,260 a year in fees. St Ignatius Riverview, a Catholic GPS school on Sydney's lower north shore with Jesuit values, counts former PM Tony Abbott and Sydney radio 2GB broadcaster Ben Fordham among its old boys and charges $20,490 a year. While these represent some of the more elite institutions, it's important to remember there are independent schools that charge less than $6,000 a year in fees. Advertisement 'We've got rule by the privileged few. Not only did they go to the same schools, but their fathers and grandfathers went to the same school - this is the building of a class system.' Ms Caro, a former advertising executive best known for appearing on the ABC's Gruen program, says good co-ed public schools were also good for house prices. 'Send your child there, really work with that school and help improve its reputation - and you'll increase the value of your house,' she tells us. Ms Caro is personally against state support to private schools - which started in 1963 when the Menzies government gave grants for capital works - describing the decision as an 'unmitigated disaster' for Australia's poorer families. The Barefoot Investor has weighed in after a woman raised concerns she would lose her share of her mother's $6million will because her half-brother is contesting it. Brenda explained her stepfather passed away in 2022 and left his entire $6.5million estate to his biological son and nothing for her or her sister. She revealed her mother passed away 10 years after divorcing her stepfather and divided her $6million will between Brenda and her sister. However, despite already having $6.5million under his belt, the recent passing of Brenda's mother has seen the half-brother contest his place in her will. 'We expected this, of course. Yet our mums lawyer said her updated will was bulletproof,' Brenda wrote to Pape. 'Yet now our trust lawyer says our brother can tie it up in court for years, and we might have to settle for $1million. Any advice?' Mr Pape's advice for Brenda was simple: Lawyer up. 'The truth is that no will is bulletproof - nothing can stop an "eligible" person from challenging a will,' he said. The Barefoot Investor has weighed in after a woman who missed out on her stepfather's $6.5million estate raised concerns she would lose her share in her mother's $6million will 'However, thats the million-dollar question: Does your half-brother even have standing to challenge your mums will?' Mr Pape explained most states do not consider stepchildren 'eligible' to stepparents' estates unless they were financially dependent on them at the time of their death. 'I spoke to my lawyer, Dr Brett Davies, and he says you should chat with a litigation lawyer to see if old greedy guts is just bluffing or if he actually has a leg to stand on to challenge your mums estate,' he said. 'If his case is weak, he could walk away with nothing - and he might even have to cough up for your legal costs, and the estates!' Mr Pape urged Brenda and others in her position to quickly seek expert legal advice and 'tread carefully'. 'In deceased estate disputes, the only guaranteed winners are the lawyers - something Brett didnt mention!' he said. For millions of Christians around the world, the celebration of Christmas has a deeper significance than presents, tinsel, and turkey. According to their beliefs, December 25 this year will be the 2,023rd birthday of Jesus Christ. However, the surprising reality is that Jesus almost certainly wasn't born in the winter of 1 AD. Experts say Jesus may be significantly older than most people would expect, dating his birth back to the first century BC. And, in bad news for anyone planning their festive celebrations, historians say there is no reason to believe that Jesus' birthday is really December 25. Based on ancient astronomical records, experts theorise that Jesus was likely born in the Spring. And, while it might seem shocking that Christ was born 'before Christ', the confusion can be traced back to a 1,500-year-old clerical error. Professor Lawrence Mykytiuk, of Purdue University, told MailOnline: 'It remains a humbling fact that despite various claims, no one in modern times is really certain of the exact year of Jesuss birth.' According to Christian beliefs, Jesus was born on December 25, AD 1. However, expert historians say that Jesus was probably born much earlier How old is Jesus? According to the traditional view that Jesus was born on December 25 1 AD, he should be turning 2023 this Christmas. No matter your religious views, there is almost no denying that there really was a man named Jesus, born in the Roman province of Galilee around 2,000 years ago. However, as a man born into the peasant class there would be no record of his birth. According to Professor Mykytiuk, the best evidence we have for figuring out when Jesus was really born is to relate his life to famous figures who left lots of evidence behind. One key reference scholars refer to is the life of King Herod the Great of Judea who was appointed by Rome to rule over the lands including Bethlehem and Jerusalem from about 37 BC. According to the Bible, upon hearing that the 'King of the Jews' was about to be born, Herod decreed that all Jewish boys under two years old were to be killed. If this is true, then Jesus must have been born at least two years before King Herod's death. As a man born into the peasant classes, no records exist of the actual date of Jesus' birth. In fact, early Christians didn't start mentioning the 25th of December until hundreds of years after he had died. Pictured: A 12th-century fresco showing the Nativity The historical and archaeological evidence points to the existence of the historical Jesus. Unlike most depictions today, the real Jesus would have had short curly hair, a well-trimmed beard, dark skin, brown eyes, and worn a short tunic What is the most likely date of Jesus' birth? Despite Christian tradition, Jesus was likely not born on December 25, 1 AD. If Jesus were born in the reign of King Herod then he must have been born before 4 BC at the very earliest. Based on the account of the Star of Bethlehem some scholars have linked the date to astronomical events. Jesus' birth might be dated to Spring 5 BC to align with the arrival of a comet. Alternatively, the date could be April 6 BC during a triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Advertisement Luckily for us, there are a lot of contemporary sources which provide evidence about the life and death of King Herod, like Jewish historian Flavius Josephus' vast 'Jewish Antiquities' which was written just 60 years after Jesus' death. Critically, Josephus tells us that there was a lunar eclipse shortly before Herod's death. This could be referring to four possible dates: September 15, 5 BC, March 13, 4 BC, January 10, 1 BC, and December 29, 1 BC. Professor Mikytiuk says: 'Josephus also tells us in two places that the Jewish Passover occurred soon after the death of Herod the Great. Because the Passover is observed in the spring; September, January, and December are ruled out.' This tells us that King Herod must have died shortly after March 13, 4 BC. Based on this calculation, most scholars date Jesus' birth year to sometime around 4-6 BC which would make him about 2029 this year. The only snag is that we don't have a single shred of evidence outside of the Bible that King Herod ever really ordered the fabled massacre of the innocents. While the historical record certainly paints Herod as a tyrant, ordering the death of thousands of children stretches credulity a little far. However, massacre or not, the Gospel writers themselves are certain that Jesus and Herod briefly lived at the same point in time. Since the Bible is correct about the dates of other historical figures such as Pontius Pilot and emperor Augustus, it is fair to suggest that it is roughly correct about Herod. When is Jesus' Birthday? Many experts link the date of Jesus' birth to the massacre of the innocents, illustrated here in a painting by Sir Peter Rubens, in which King Herod the Great ordered the death of Jewish boys under two years old The first real reference to December 25 as the date of Jesus' birth appears in the mid-fourth century AD within a Roman almanac listing the death dates of various Christian martyrs. However, most scholars agree that this date probably bears little relation to the actual day of Jesus' birth. Professor Mykytiuk says: 'It is most unlikely that Jesus was born on any day in December, let alone on December 25th, because there were shepherds living out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks at night"'. 'During winter, shepherds kept sheep in the fold to protect themselves and their sheep from severe weather.' Another key point is that the grass which the sheep fed on was most abundant in March before it was scorched by the heat of the sun. 'This fact of plentiful grass in March fits with the lunar eclipse occurring shortly before the death of Herod the Great,' says Professor Mykytiuk. 'The narrowest date one can confidently arrive at for Jesuss birth seems to be the month of March, during the years 6, 5, or 4 BC.' In search of a more precise answer, some scholars have followed the example of the Three Wise Men and looked to the stars. Retired medical artist Richard Neave has recreated the face of a first-century Judean (pictured) using forensic techniques and Semite skulls found in archaeological excavations As imagined here by 14th-century painter Giotto di Bondone, some experts believe that the star of Bethlehem which the wise men followed might have been a comet In the Gospel according to Matthew, the three Magi seek Jesus by following 'his star in the East'. And thanks to Chinese astronomers' careful records of the night sky, we have plenty of contenders for what this star could be. In 5 BC, astronomers in the Han Dynasty recorded the passage of a 'Broom Star' sweeping its way across the sky for 70 days. Although the comet has never been named, Professor Colin Humphreys, a physicist from the University of Cambridge, believes that this was the Star of Bethlehem. Professor Humphreys told MailOnline: 'According to the Chinese records, the star appeared in the spring of 5 BC, consistent to the Gospel of Luke saying that there were shepherds out in the fields, watching their sheep by night, as they would be in the spring lambing season.' 'Any comet that is visible to the naked eye for over 70 days has to be very bright, we haven't seen a bright comet like this in our lifetime. However, while Professor Humphrey's maintains that by 200AD comets had become signs of greatness, other scholars argue that they would have been seen as signs of misfortune during the first century AD. As an alternative, other researchers have suggested that the Star of Bethlehem wasn't a bright comet but rather an astronomical event which would have been invisible to the untrained eye. The star of Bethlehem could have been a comet recorded by Chinese astronomers in 5BC which reported lingered in the sky for 70 days. Pictured: a comet appears over Lebanon in 2024 The wise men, or Magi, might have been astronomers who would have had a particular interest in the movements of the planets. Particularly Jupiter (pictured) which had associations with royalty The Bible describes the wise men as 'Magi', the ancient word for astronomers who would have been far more interested in the movement of the planets than the passage of shooting stars or comets. At the time of Jesus' birth some 2,000 years ago, one of the leading scientific theories of the day was the notion that the motion of the planets could be used to predict events on Earth. Jupiter in particular was associated with royalty so any rare events associated with the planet could have been the trigger for the Magi's search for a new King. As it happens, in 6 BC there was an extremely rare astronomical event called a triple conjunction. During this event, Jupiter and Saturn would have come close together in the sky three times over a very short period. Most notably, on April 17 Jupiter would have risen before the sun in an event called heliacal rising before passing behind the moon. American historian Michael Molnar suggests that this would have been seen as a particularly auspicious sign, perhaps heralding a Royal birth. If the biblical account of the Star of Bethlehem is correct, then this could date Jesus' birth to the Spring of 7 BC. A conjunction is an astronomical event where two planets appear close together in the sky. Jupiter and Saturn meet once every 20 years but, on April 17, 6BC Jupiter and Saturn entered a rare period called a triple conjunction During a conjunction, as pictured here in 2020, Jupiter and Saturn can appear like one bright star in the sky. This means the 6BC conjunction could be the event the Wise Men observed So, whether it was a visiting comet or a rare planetary alignment, all the evidence points towards the spring rather than winter as the most likely candidate for Jesus' date of birth. Why do people think that Jesus was born on December 25, 1 AD? Since the eighth-century, historians have divided time into Anno Domini (AD), meaning 'year of our Lord', and Before Christ (BC). It might therefore be a surprise that historians seem to have got the date of Jesus' birth so wrong when it plays such a key role in all of our lives. The error can be traced back to an East Roman monk named Dionysius Exiguus, who lived between 470 and 544 AD. At this time, the date was calculated from the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian who had ruled between 284 and 305 AD. However, since Diocletian had harshly persecuted the Christians, Dionysius wanted to find a new way of measuring time that wasn't linked to such a bad memory. Professor Mykytiuk says: 'He devised a table in order to determine future dates of Easter, a table which used the term he is credited with inventing: anno domini nostri Jesu Christi [year of our lord Jesus Christ]. 'Following a request from Pope John I, in 525 AD he prepared this table to determine the dates of 95 future Easters.' The source of the error can be traced back to a 5th-century monk named Dionysius Exiguus (right) who miscalculated the date of Jesus' birth while trying to come up with a new basis for the calendar Was Christmas moved to align with the Winter Solstice? Some historians have argued that the date of Jesus' birth was shifted to December 25 to align with the pagan Winter Solstice celebration. It is true that the Romans had a winter celebration on December 25 and that some traditions, like the Christmas tree, have their roots in pagan tradition. However, the date of Christmas emerged at a time when Christians were not drawing on pagan traditions. Some propose that December 25 was chosen because it would place the date of Jesus' conception nine months earlier on the same day as his crucifixion. Advertisement While it took a while to catch on after the British historian Bede used the dating system in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People during the eighth century, the new AD system became standard. The only problem was that Dionysius' maths for working out the date was a few years off, shifting the entire world's calendar slightly out of alignment. As for why December 25 was chosen as the supposed date, the issue is a little more contentious. According to one theory, Christians deliberately moved their festival to align with the Roman mid-winter celebration of Saturnalia in order to lure in pagan converts. There is indeed some good reason to believe this might be the case as modern studies have shown that Christmas trapping such as the Christmas tree have their roots in druidic solstice rituals. Likewise, Roman emperor Aurelian really did establish a pagan festival of Sol Invictus, the unconquered Sun, on December 25. However, the evidence of a deliberate shift towards a winter date is rather thin on the ground. Reverand Professor Andrew McGowan, of Yale Divinity School, points out that the first suggestions of pagan origins didn't emerge until the 12th century - a thousand years after Christmas was first celebrated. Christmas traditions like the Christmas tree have their roots in druidic tradition, but experts suggest that the date of December 25 might have its roots in Christian theology rather than pagan practices Writing in the Biblical Archaeology Review, Professor McGowan says: 'Most significantly, the first mention of a date for Christmas and the earliest celebrations that we know about come in a period when Christians were not borrowing heavily from pagan traditions of such an obvious character.' Instead, Professor McGowan suggests that the date of December 25 might have been chosen because it is exactly nine months before the supposed date of Jesus' crucifixion on March 25. Early Christians strongly believed that Jesus died on the exact date that he was first conceived by the Virgin Mary. Professor McGowan writes: 'Jesus was believed to have been conceived and crucified on the same day of the year. Exactly nine months later, Jesus was born, on December 25.' 'Connecting Jesus conception and death in this way will certainly seem odd to modern readers, but it reflects ancient and medieval understandings of the whole of salvation being bound up together.' It's called The Greatest Safari on Earth. And if you take a look at these candid photographs of guests on it you'll see why. The trip is offered by ultra-luxe safari company Roar Africa - which is headquartered in New York - and costs $165,000 (129,000). But for that not insignificant sum, guests enjoy a spectacular itinerary. And beyond-first-class treatment. Across 12 days guests experience Africa's four most iconic destinations - Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Great Migration in Kenya and the home of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. What's more, guests are flown from place to place on the Emirates Executive Private Jet a sumptuous customised Airbus A319 with just 10 private cabins that features an ensuite 'shower spa' and lounge and dining areas. The pictures we reveal here come courtesy of Roar Africa's charismatic Zimbabwean CEO Deborah Calmeyer, who has done the 'amazing' trip, which begins in Dubai, seven times. Are the (inevitably rich) guests blase about it all or thrilled? Firmly the latter. Deborah reveals: 'None of our guests are ever blase. Everybody's high the minute they walk on. They're like, "Okay, I'm never travelling any other way. This is ridiculous."' Scroll down for a peek behind the veil of one of the planet's most extraordinary holidays. On Roar Africa's Greatest Safari on Earth guests are flown from place to place in an Emirates Executive Private Jet (pictured here in Rwanda). Roar Africa's CEO Deborah Calmeyer reveals the atmosphere as guests board for the first time, describing how there's 'chitter chatter, laughter and giggles' as they sip Vintage Dom Perignon and nibble caviar bellinis. 'Fast friendships form,' she adds Deborah says 'crisp white linen, fluffy pillows and duvets' help guests sleep The dining area on board the Emirates Executive Private Jet 'There isn't another trip in the world like this one right now,' says Deborah. Pictured is the hospitality on the private jet in full swing Deborah (left) chats to guests on the Greatest Safari private jet Yum's the word: Top wines and caviar are laid out for Greatest Safari private-jet guests Smiling crew are on standby as guests relax in the private jet's lounge area The Emirates Executive Private Jet features 10 private cabins The level of service on the Greatest Safari is described as 'beyond first class' Guests on the Greatest Safari enjoy the executive dining on the private jet A guest makes use of the hairdryer in the private jet's 'shower spa' Deborah (centre) and two guests have fun pretending to be Emirates cabin crew On the Greatest Safari, guests experience Africa's four most iconic destinations - Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Great Migration in Kenya and the home of mountain gorillas in Rwanda Deborah and guests having a 'pyjama party' on the private jet The cabins on the private jet are even bigger than 'regular' first-class Emirates suites A 2005 Vintage Dom Perignon bottle of Champagne - ready for deployment Deborah reveals that guests get 'very bubbly and very excited and very emotional' on the trip Victoria Falls is the first stop. Deborah says guests' jaws 'literally drop' when they see the 'glory and visual force' of the waterfall Guests arrive at Victoria Falls Bond-style in four helicopters Guests witness the Victoria Falls from various observation points Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, notes Deborah Roar Africa guests pose in front of Victoria Falls' epic cliff faces Deborah says: 'Responsible, sustainable travel to Africa is imperative for the future of the continent and the wildlife' Greatest Safari guests enjoy exclusive use of Matetsi Victoria Falls (above) Deborah says: 'To me going on safari is a homecoming, [returning to] the cradle of humanity. When our guests leave the continent, they say the most profound things, such as "you have changed my life"' Deborah, pictured left with the jet's captain, says: 'Africa's pristine wild spaces and wildlife have the power to drop you back into your body, re-awakening dormant senses and renewing one's appreciation for what really matters in this journey called life' Deborah Calmeyer, the charismatic CEO of Roar Africa Roar Africa offers three specialist trips aboard the Emirates Executive Private Jet: The Greatest Safari on Earth ($165,000/129,000 per person); Sand, Sea, City & Safari ($175,000/137,000) and The Journey Beyond ($185,000/145,000). For more visit www.roarafrica.com and www.instagram.com/roarafrica. Netflix fans were ecstatic after tense thriller Prisoners was again available to stream - with lead Hugh Jackman's performance dubbed his 'best to date'. The drama, starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Viola Davis, has returned to Netflix after being removed earlier in the year - much to the disappointment of fans. Prisoners follows a desperate father trying to find his young daughter and her friend after they go missing - clashing with the detective on the case, he decides to take matters into his own hands by capturing a8 suspect himself. Hugh plays the role of Keller Dover, the father, with Gyllenhaal bagging the role of the detective, Loki. The eerie story begins with Keller and his daughters spending Thanksgiving with their family friends, where things quickly take a sinister turn. Receiving rave reviews upon its release, Esquire called the performance 'Hugh Jackmans most captivating role'. Netflix fans were ecstatic after tense thriller Prisoners was again available to stream - with lead Hugh Jackman's performance dubbed his 'best to date' The drama, starring Hugh Jackman , Jake Gyllenhaal , and Viola Davis , has returned to Netflix after being removed earlier in the year - much to the disappointment of fans Collider agreed, adding: 'Jackman's best acting role exists outside any cinematic universe, and still taps into the rage that Wolverine is known for. 'The ferocity of Keller Dover, a desperate man who feels as though he truly has nothing to lose in the pursuit of retrieving his child, brings an even more grounded and compelling anger out of Jackman which is equal parts sympathetic and terrifying.' Fans were left gutted back in March when the film was pulled from the streaming site - but it has now reappeared. They flocked to social media at the time to share their disappointment at the film's removal, writing: 'Cant believe they took prisoners off Netflix, thats my comfort movie,'; 'If you havent watched Prisoners you should, its getting taken of Netflix tomorrow,'; 'Prisoners on Netflix is elite,'; 'This has been on my radar a while but I finally watched it because its being removed from Netflix in 6 days and its a masterpiece,'; 'What is one movie or series you'd recommend everyone to watch?' with 'Prisoners on Netflix,'; 'Watching Prisoners before it leaves Netflix, bro Hugh Jackman is one of the greatest ever,'; 'I keep seeing stuff about Prisoners and how good of a movie it is so I guess I should watch it. I think its on Netflix,'; Prisoners follows a desperate father trying to find his young daughter and her friend after they go missing Fans were left gutted back in March when the film was pulled from the streaming site - but it has now reappeared Hugh plays the role of Keller Dover, the father, with Gyllenhaal bagging the role of the detective, Loki 'If you havent seen #Prisoners on Netflix, youre missing out. What a film,'; 'THEY'RE TAKING PRISONERS OFF NETFLIX,'; 'Didnt realize that the prisoners came out in 2013. Watched it last year on Netflix and it was an amazing movie with an equally amazing cast,'; 'Prisoners has to be the most underrated film ever,'; 'Prisoners is such an underrated film' and 'Prisoners is criminally underrated.' The thriller movie has four stars and an 8.2/10 rating on IMDB, with an 81% critics score and an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It comes after it was revealed Hugh may spend some of Christmas without his kids because of his new rumoured relationship with actress Sutton Foster. The Australian actor reportedly wanted to introduce his girlfriend to children Oscar, 24, and Ava,19, but his ex Deborra-Lee Furness is allegedly not 'keen on the idea'. The thriller movie has four stars and an 8.2/10 rating on IMDB, with an 81% critics score and an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes 'It's going to take more time for loved ones to adjust to the new normal and so that means Hugh and Sutton are bracing themselves for way less time together than they'd like during the holidays,' an 'insider' told Woman's Day. The source claimed Deb feels like Hugh is 'moving on quickly' because she 'gave so much of herself to their marriage' and doesn't want a 'blended' Christmas. 'It's a delicate balancing act and he feels like if anyone is going to spend less time with the kids this year, it's him,' they added. The insider explained that Hugh and Sutton are determined to make their relationship work and are keeping things low-key at the moment. Strictly Come Dancing favourite Chris McCausland broke down in tears during Sunday night's results show as he found out he had made it through the 2024 final. The comedian, 47, is the first blind contestant in the history of the BBC show, and on Saturday he and partner Dianne Buswell scored 36 out of 40 for their Viennese waltz to Metallica track Nothing Else Matters. Speaking to host Claudia Winkleman on Sunday after finding out they were through, the fan favourite fought back tears as he admitted: 'It's been emotional,' before thanking viewers and those who had voted for him for 'getting on board with what we've been doing.' 'It's been hard, it's been the scariest thing I've ever done. It's been knackering and I can barely talk.' Dianne took over as she explained how genuine Chris' emotiona were, admitting: 'It's hard to crack this guy, he hides behind his comedy a lot.' Turning to her dance partner she said: 'You have taught me so much. The fact we're in the final shows that anything is possible.' Strictly Come Dancing favourite Chris McCausland broke down in tears during Sunday night's results show as he found out he had made it through the 2024 final The comedian, 47, is the first blind contestant in the history of the BBC show, and on Saturday he and partner Dianne Buswell scored 36 out of 40 for their Viennese waltz The couple also teased their finale showdance, revealing they would be dancing to New Radicals classic You Get What You Give. 'We just want everyone to smile alongside us at home,' Dianne teased of the fun dance, as Chris added that the song's lyrics meant something to him, quipping:'To be in the final we've got the dreamer's disease'. On Saturday night Dianne made a plea with the public as to why she and Chris should be in the final as she insisted she 'could not be prouder' of what he has achieved. She said: 'I have taught Chris this whole time without a single visual cue. He's never been able to watch a video back to see whether he's done a good job 'He's never been able to see his competitors, or what the competition is like but he has cpatured the spirit of this show 'I could not be prouder of him.' Fans at home were in agreement with Dianne, and one even called for viewers to 'boycott' the show altogether if they do not lift the Glitterball Trophy. Chris has been a favourite throughout the competition but the Mail reported this weekend that the Strictly judges are 'furious' that its most talented celebrity dancers are being booted off the show while the less able ones stay. Speaking to host Claudia Winkleman on Sunday after finding out they were through, the fan favourite fought back tears as he admitted: 'It's been emotional' Craig Revel Horwood in particular is said to be 'stunned' at how the likes of athlete Montell Douglas and actor Jamie Borthwick have been evicted, while reality TV star Pete Wicks made it to the semi-final despite having far lower scores than fellow competitors. Strictly has always regarded itself as more serious than other reality series, but the judges and some BBC bosses now fear that it is becoming a popularity contest. Their concerns come after Pete and the programme's first blind contestant, Chris, made it to the semi-final - meaning at least one of them will make it through to next week's final. The situation has created a dilemma, with insiders fearing the two men will win places at the expense of others, like Tasha and JB - who have received high scores. A source told the Mail's Katie Hind: 'For the judges, this shift has been difficult. They are dancers and choreographers. Their entire careers - and lives - have been about being the best and the very best dancing. 'So to see the show becoming about who likes who the most rather than the quality of their dancing... you could say it is rather depressing. 'To think that Pete has had a risk-free journey on the show, while Tasha and Montell have faced the dance-off has made those at the top question what the future of Strictly looks like. Strictly has always regarded itself as more serious than other reality series, but the judges and some BBC bosses now fear that it is becoming a popularity contest (Chris and Diane seen) 'It is turning into a popularity contest rather than a dance one.' The insider added: 'Those watching at home love to watch beautiful dancing. It is joyous for them to watch a perfect performance. 'But the landscape has changed, and it is causing a bit of a crisis. We are looking at a final where the dancing is nowhere up to the standards it usually is, but instead has the celebrities that people actually enjoy watching. 'But the public vote, and they have the right to say who they want in the show.' Tammin Sursok celebrated an incredible milestone on Wednesday when she revealed she has gone two years without touching a glass of alcohol. The former Home and Away star, 41, told Daily Mail Australia she was previously like any other true blue Aussie of drinking age, reaching a hand out for a glass of wine at a social event. But in October 2022, the Sh*t Show podcast host decided to hop on the wagon for good and stopped using alcohol as a crutch to help ease her social anxiety. 'I was not an alcoholic, and I don't want this to take away from people who do struggle. I just drank because it's what we get told was a social thing to do,' Tammin assured. 'At times, it would help with my anxiety and then over time I realised, especially as you get older and hormones change, alcohol just wasn't working for me anymore. 'I think that growing up in Australia you think that maybe you'll stand out for not drinking, so I didn't say anything for a while because it wasn't something I was struggling with.' Tammin Sursok, 41, (pictured) celebrated an incredible milestone on Wednesday when she revealed she has gone two years without touching a glass of alcohol 'Then, over time, the want for it just slowly started to disappear. It took a while,' she added. Tammin went on to say she has been a teetotaller 'on and off for about four years', but revealed it was two years ago that she quit drinking for good. 'I had half a glass of Champagne after I finished filming the movie Blood, Sweat & Cheer [later released in 2023],' she said. 'It was an intense movie physically and emotionally... at the end of it I remember thinking, "Oh my goodness, this film is done, I want to celebrate this wonderful experience." 'I had a glass of wine and the next day I got a terrible migraine. I was like, this is something that is affecting me in a negative way when it's meant to be such a wonderful time.' It has been quite a while since Tammin 'felt tipsy' she said, but added that even just half a glass of alcohol was enough to mess with her health. Tammin revealed she sometimes gets ocular migraines which cause impaired vision and speech, and sends 'tingles down my arm'. These migraines were only worsened by Tammin's weekly social drinking, which would see her consume a typical four beverages every week. The former Home and Away star told Daily Mail Australia she was like any other true blue Aussie of drinking age, reaching a hand out for a glass of wine at a social event 'I would never have more than two [in a sitting] because for me, after two, I would just feel so horrible,' she assured. 'When I was in my early 30s, you could go out to an event, have two on a Monday, nothing on a Tuesday, one on a Wednesday, and then two on a Friday. That was a constant thing.' Tammin added: 'I was having very little time where I was actually feeling good.' She said she would often use alcohol as a crutch to help with her social anxiety when she went out to mingle at events. 'That was the biggest thing for me and also drinking with food. I loved having a glass of wine with dinner, but I always came home and felt dizzy and nauseous,' she said. But nowadays: 'I can honestly say I don't miss it. I don't think about it. I don't miss it. It's not a part of our lives anymore.' The actress, who shares daughters Phoenix, 11, and Lennon, five, with her husband Sean McEwen, said she's noticed a new wave of people who have quit drinking socially. 'I think there's a big push towards a sober lifestyle and I think that the more we talk about it, I think it's going to help a lot of people.' But in October 2022, the Sh*t Show podcast host decided to hop on the wagon for good and stopped using alcohol as a crutch to help ease her social anxiety She added: 'I think the more we talk about this and the more stories we share, a lot of people won't feel like it's a taboo topic to not be drinking.' Tammin celebrated her second year of sobriety on Wednesday by sharing a heartfelt video to Instagram. The caption questioned whether the actress thought she could have fun while being sober, before she grinned a shared a montage of her action-packed year. The star appeared to be having the time of her life as she attended events and concerts and had fun with her friends without an ounce of alcohol in sight. She revealed in the caption of the post that she never thought she would quit drinking alcohol, but said she started to question why two years ago. 'Why am I doing something that makes me ultimately feel worse for the few hours I felt good? Why was I taking time away from tomorrow?' she wrote. She added that she doesn't miss drinking and is 'actually more excited to be social and have fun, go to concerts, be with my family'. 'Im sharing my journey. You do you! This also might be inspiration and a sign to try something new in 2025 and see how it goes!' she finished. Tammin shares daughters Phoenix, 11, and Lennon, five, (both pictured) with her husband Sean McEwen Tammin rose to fame playing playing Danielle 'Dani' Sutherland in Home and Away from 2000 to 2004. She later won praise in the US-made teen series Pretty Little Liars which she also hosted a podcast for. Nowadays, Tammin says she spends '40 per cent' of her time in Australia hosting her new podcast The Sh*t Show with Tammin Sursok. Tammin invites her famous Australian friends onto the podcast for candid conversations and juicy interviews she shares with her fans. 'I wanted it to be touching on the people who knew me when they grew up,' she told Daily Mail Australia of her series. Jennifer Landon plays foul-mouthed, pink-haired Teeter on the smash hit series Yellowstone which will see its fifth season end this month. Her west Texas accent is so thick she is comically difficult to comprehend at times, much to the amusement of Cole Hauser's strongman Rip Wheeler. But in real life, Jennifer is far from a west Texas wildcat. The 41-year-old actress is actually from Malibu, is from a Hollywood family and grew up around TV sets, even acting as a child on a popular show. That is because she is the daughter of Little House on The Prairie star Michael Landon who was also on the series Bonanza. Jennifer Landon plays foul-mouthed, pink-haired Teeter on the smash hit series Yellowstone which will see its fifth season end this month. But she is actually from Malibu Her west Texas accent is so thick she is comically difficult to comprehend at times, much to the amusement of Cole Hauser's strongman Rip Wheeler. But in real life, Jennifer is far from a west Texas wildcat Landon attends the Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 premiere at Museum of Modern Art on November 7 in New York City Michael died in 1991 at the age of 54. He played Charles Ingalls on Little House On The Prairie from 1974 until 1983. After that Michael starred on another hit series, Highway To Heaven from 1984 until 1989. Jennifer appeared as a young child on that series with her father. Jennifer's mother, Cindy Landon, also worked on Little House On The Prairie: she was a makeup artist on set. Michael and Cindy were wed from 1983 until 1991. Michael divorced his second wife, Lynn Noe, and married Cindy in in Malibu in February 1983. Cindy was pregnant with Jennifer at the time. They welcomed a son, Sean, in 1986. Before Michael met Cindy, he was married twice. His first marriage was to Dodie Levy-Fraser, and he adopted her son, then they had a son of their own. His second wife was Lynn with whom he had five kids. He fathered five children with his second wife, Lynn. The 41-year-old actress is actually from Malibu, is from a Hollywood family and grew up around TV sets, even acting as a child on a popular show That is because she is the daughter of Little House on The Prairie star Michael Landon; seen with his costars on season three 'It is devastating beyond comprehension to lose a parent, especially at an early age,' she told the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. 'When dad was fighting the disease, Sean was too young to understand. I understood more; I knew if he was doing well or not well on any given day.' She added, 'When he passed away, I suddenly saw things differently and questioned everything. 'Even today I question rules and structure. I can't say how much his death has affected me, but I know it's a significant part of the fabric of who I am.' Jennifer has acted for many years. She is also known for her role as Gwen Norbeck Munson in the CBS soap opera As the World Turns. Seen with Ryan Bingham and Ian Bohen on season 5B of Yellowstone Landon with costar Bohen at the Yellowstone season 5B NYC premiere Landon played dual roles on As the World Turns; her regular character Gwen Norbeck Munson, and a lookalike named Cleo Babbitt. Landon left the show in 2008. Jennifer won three Daytime Emmys for her work. She has also appeared on House in 2011, Chicago Med in 2017, The Resident in 2018 and The Orville in 2019. Landon played Sarah Allen from 2021 to 2022 on FBI: Most Wanted. She's known to put a lot of effort into her incredible figure and is often seen departing gym sessions in Cheshire. And Coleen Rooney showed off the results of her hard work when she became the latest camp mate to be initiated into I'm A Celebrity's jungle shower of fame this week after facing her latest trial. Arriving back at camp she was keen to wash the fish guts and critters off herself and hopped into the waterfall in a tankini top and 160 Vix bottoms. The WAG, 38, has even been seen maintaining her routine in the jungle as she make sure to squeeze in her early morning workout. Proving that nothing can come between her and her she even continued to do her squats while two possums invaded the camp. She looked completely unbothered by the animals as she worked on her body in a 232 leopard print bikini by Beach Cafe in the early hours of the morning by the creak. Coleen Rooney showed off the results of her hard work when she became the latest camp mate to be initiated into I'm A Celebrity 's jungle shower of fame this week after facing her latest trial Coleen, who is usually pictured heading to her local gym in a morning in Cheshire, showed off her incredible figure in the stylish bikini top which she teamed with her red jungle shorts and boots as she did her own mini workout. Meanwhile in the camp the two possums wondered around the celebrities living area while everyone relaxed in their beds following a rainstorm in the night. Speaking in the Bush Telegraph afterwards, Coleen admitted: 'I wake up really early so I pretty much try and keep the routine that I do back home. I try and sneak off to do them on my own. I usually do squats in the shower!' According to The Sun, Coleen was putting in extra workouts ahead of her Jungle stint, having switched from weights-based classes to reformer Pilates ahead of her appearance on the show. A source said: 'Coleen has been hitting the Pilates sessions religiously and thrown herself into having a svelte physique so she looks amazing on screen. 'There will be younger women on the show with her and she, understandably, wants to feel confident in a bikini on screen.' Coleen has recently been working up a sweat at Rise Fitness Studios in Liverpool. Sharing a snap of herself there during a workout, she wrote: 'Love my reformer sessions at @risefitnessstudios, full-body workout which I find great for toning, flexibility and posture.' Coleen was putting in extra workouts ahead of her Jungle stint, having switched from weights-based classes to reformer Pilates ahead of her appearance on the show Last week Coleen gave viewers a glimpse into her fitness routine as she slipped away from her campmates to do some squats by the creek In 2005, Coleen looked incredible in a yellow triangle bikini and matching tie-side bottoms while holidaying in Tenerife, Spain Later in June 2009, the TV personality showed of her growing baby bump in a blue bikini during a trip to St Tropez with her husband Wayne In 2005, Coleen looked incredible in a yellow triangle bikini and matching tie-side bottoms while holidaying in Tenerife, Spain. Later in June 2009, the TV personality showed of her growing baby bump in a blue bikini during a trip to St Tropez with her husband Wayne. Coleen, who was pregnant with their first child Kai, soaked up some sun while enjoyig a boat trip. Speaking just before her pregnancy was revealed, she said: 'I would like to have a family - maybe three or four children - and I would be happy to be a full-time mum. I do enjoy my work, but I'd be happy when we do have children to just get on with that.' By February 2010 she was back to her post-baby body, showing off her toned tummy during a day at the beach in Barbados. Coleen became pregnant with her and Wayne's second child Klay in 2013, welcoming a third child, Kit in January 2016. The couple welcomed their fourth child Cass in 2018, with Coleen seen with looking incredible as she showed off her blossoming baby bump in a black bikini and a pink cover-up during another trip to Barbados in October 2017. When she returned to the Caribbean island just one year later in October 2018, she looked trimmer than ever. By February 2010 she was back to her post-baby body, showing off her toned tummy during a day at the beach in Barbados Coleen became pregnant with her and Wayne's second child Klay in 2013, welcoming a third child, Kit in January 2016 (Pictured pregnant with Kit in October 2015) The couple welcomed their fourth child Cass in 2018, with Coleen seen with looking incredible as she showed off her blossoming baby bump in a black bikini and a pink cover-up during another trip to Barbados in October 2017 By October 2018, Coleen looked trimmer than ever when she returned to the island The WAG has received plenty of praise from viewers since she arrived in camp, not only for her impressive figure but also her faultless skin in camp. The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star has been hailed for her glowing complexion, despite the tough conditions, sparking speculation from fans as to how she's managing to achieve it. But her skincare secret has now been exposed, as production sources have revealed the WAG has been taking hair, skin, and nails supplements every single day during her time in the jungle made by UK company Applied Nutrition - a brand she's invested in. The products are packed with collagen, biotin, and zinc, which are said to be Coleen's secret weapon for maintaining her radiant look. The source explained: 'People keep asking how Coleen manages to look so fresh after a week of bush tucker trials. 'She's been taking these capsules every day for quite some time now, so it wouldn't be surprising if she brought them into the jungle with her. 'Even after the toughest challenges, her skin is glowing. It's her little secret, and it's making all the difference!' The beauty supplements that Coleen is reportedly using in the jungle are formulated with collagen, a powerhouse protein known for its ability to maintain skin's elasticity and hydration. According to experts, collagen is a crucial ingredient for anyone looking to keep their skin looking youthful and smooth, even in the most challenging environments. Marco Pierre White Jr was arrested again this week after a spate of burglaries and a decade of trouble under the spotlight. The son of the youngest ever cook to attain the coveted three Michelin stars, Marco Jr has secured his own space in the headlines thanks to his wildly rebellious antics. The ex-reality TV star has struggled with drug addiction, with his father reportedly paying out over 1million over the years for multiple rehab stints. Marco and his older brother Luciano and younger sister Mirabelle grew up in London, the son of Marco Snr, who is credited as being a major influence on other leading British chefs, and his third wife Mati Conejero. Speaking to MailOnline in 2016 Mati, who is now estranged from her son, recalled how Marco, who she calls Mini, has always seemed to struggle in the shadow of his famous father. 'Mini never had to answer for his actions. He was a beautiful boy who grew into a beautiful young man, but his life hasn't been easy growing up in the shadow of somebody like Marco,' Mati said at the time. Marco Pierre White Jr was arrested again this week after a spate of burglaries and a decade of trouble under the spotlight The son of the youngest ever cook to attain the coveted three Michelin stars, Marco Jr has secured his own space in the headlines thanks to his wildly rebellious antics The ex-reality TV star has struggled with drug addiction, with his father reportedly paying out over 1million over the years for multiple rehab stints Mati said she blamed her ex husband and his fame and fortune for Marco Jnr's 'sense of entitlement', explaining: 'Marco was always too busy working to do much with them. Yet he got irritated with me if they then got bored and started playing up.' 'Everything revolved around the restaurants. A simple, planned trip to the park would end up not happening because first we would go to meet Marco at his restaurant Frankie's in Knightsbridge. 'I suppose it's not surprising Mini misbehaved so badly,' she continued. 'It set a pattern which continues to this day. In a way, it's not really his fault that he doesn't know how to behave properly and knows no social boundaries.' 'He has grown up with a sense of entitlement. He is the son of somebody famous and therefore he is well-known and he is rich and can do what he likes.' This unruly childhood only unravelled further when the family were forced to visit social services in Notting Hill when Marco Jr was a teenager. 'Marco [Snr] sat there and everybody agreed we could tailor our lives and his career to fit in with the boy's requirements. Even social services got sucked in by his charisma,' Mati claimed. 'This was about the time when we started divorce proceedings, when Marco did the crazy thing of sending Mini off to Thailand with a family friend. That is where he had his first tattoo done. Marco Jr, who slammed his mother's tell-all interview at the time, has been open about his childhood struggles, recalling in an emotional conversation in the Big Brother house how he was targeted at school because of his dad's celebrity status. Marco and his older brother Luciano and younger sister Mirabelle grew up in London, the son of Marco Snr and his third wife Mati Conejero Speaking to MailOnline in 2016 Mati, who is now estranged from her son, recalled how Marco, who she calls Mini, has always seemed to struggle in the shadow of his famous father 'It's horrible, I never had a normal life, at eight-years old I was being bullied cos I was rich,' he told his housemates. Despite his early struggles, Marco Jnr has to this day retained a close relationship with his father. But he has admitted to clashes with the chef after spending 250,000 of his father's money on 'prostitutes, cocaine and alcohol' and claiming he had only agreed to take part in Big Brother to pay off debts. After leaving school Marco dabbled in art and modelling but it was being the son of the award winning chef, the label he was desperate to be rid of as a child, that landed him is spot in the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2016 age the age of 27. The show did little to boost his reputation though. Just days into the series, in some of the most shockingly explicit sexual scenes ever to be broadcast live on mainstream television, Marco Jnr was seen kissing and stripping off with housemate Laura Carter, taking a naked shower with her, before sucking her breast. After leaving school Marco dabbled in art and modelling before landing a spot in the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2016 Just days into the series, in some of the most shockingly explicit sexual scenes ever to be broadcast live on mainstream TV, Marco Jnr was seen stripping off with housemate Laura Carter The scenes sparked more than 600 complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, and days later Marco was the first celeb to be booted off the show. He exited the house to a chorus of boos and a split from his fiancee Kim Melville-Smith, following a 'misunderstanding' about the definition of what a 'hall pass' meant while he was on the reality show. Marco's struggles with crime began four days after his reality show exit when he appeared in a magistrate's court to answer a drug driving charge when he was stopped in a BMW X5 and found to have 200mcg of cocaine in his system. His multiple offences since have included shoplifting, possessing a knife, and possessing drugs. In January 2019, he was convicted and fined after calling police officers 'f*****s' and 'n******s' while they tried to arrest him for being drunk and disorderly in a train station. Then in June 2019, he was ordered to pay more than 1,000 for running out on a 27 restaurant bill after his debit card was declined. The following month, it was reported he had to be dragged 'kicking and screaming' to a police station after being arrested for allegedly smashing windows during a row with his father in Wiltshire. The scenes sparked more than 600 complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, and days later Marco was the first celeb to be booted off the show In July 2019, he appeared in court accused of making off from a cafe without paying the bill after his payment card was declined, loudly proclaiming who his father was. His longest sentence was handed down in 2022, when aged 27, he pleaded guilty to 14 offences including carrying a knife and racial abuse, getting 18 months in prison. After being released, Marco vowed never to touch drugs again after spending more than 1million on rehab. He also revealed he had converted to Islam to help him 'stay clean' and reform after years of drug abuse which he has said began at the age of just 13. In an exclusive interview with MailOnline in 2023, he said: 'I have been in rehab 17 times and being in prison has made me realise that enough is enough. 'I have been in rehab all over America and in the UK and the only thing that has cured me is being banged up in a cell for 23 hours a day. 'I have realised how lucky I am and have been. I have seen all walks of life in prison and some people don't have a chance in life. I have had every opportunity and I have thrown them all away. Marco's struggles with crime began four days after his reality show exit when he appeared in a magistrate's court to answer a drug driving charge 'I could have done anything I wanted to, but instead I did heroin and ended up in prison. I have been an idiot.' He added that he was being supported by his father and he had big plans to follow in his footsteps and become a chef. The recovering drug addict also has the motivation of his young daughter Arabella Rose and he said bacj in the 2013 interview that missing a year of her life while in prison had also made him determined never to fall into drug use again. But fast forward 18 months, and last week the troubled star was handed a suspended sentence for a spate of burglaries. Marco, now living in Weston-super-Mare, avoided jail after being sentenced to a suspended 30-week prison sentence for a spate of burglaries in his hometown. nly recently moved to Weston-super-Mare with his latest offence coming just over two months after he was handed eight weeks in jail for a spree of thefts in Chippenham and Bath. He o A nepo baby DJ looked completely at home behind a set of decks in a new Instagram post, and musical ability runs in the family. Both he and his famous father also sport long dark hair, and his entry into the business comes decades after his dad enjoyed chart success. His father enjoyed hits such as Sunday Sunday and was part of one of the most famous chart battles in music history in the mid-1990s. But the bassist has since turned his back on fame for something completely different, and these days has a secondary career as a cheesemaker. The young star is the eldest of five children and has been seen with his famous dad at several red carpet events. But can you guess who it is? Geronimo James is a rising star in the music world and is the son of a Britpop legend - but can you guess who his dad is? His father enjoyed hits such as Sunday Sunday and was part of one of the most famous chart battles in music history in the mid-1990s That's right, it is Geronimo James is a rising star in the music world. Geronimo is the son of Blur bassist Alex James, who joined Damon Albarn's band as a founding member in 1988. They sold over 70 million records in their heyday, and reunited in 2022 before announcing a new documentary earlier this year. Away from the spotlight, Alex is married to Claire Neate and the couple live together in the Cotswolds with their children on a countryside estatate. The Song 2 hitmaker now has a life of making cheese and looking after farm animals, and the family now welcome thousands of visitors to the area each year for the Big Feastival. Speaking about the event , Alex, said: It's no small undertaking, running a festival, but it sits completely within my preoccupations.' But the rock star recently admitted that getting back together with Damon, as well as Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree was the 'best weve ever done'. The group also released their ninth studio album The Ballad of Darren in the summer of 2023, and it topped the UK album charts. And when it comes to being a dad-of-five, Alex explained earlier this year that while he used to be seen as 'cool' by his kids, that status has now 'worn off'. Geronimo is the son of Blur bassist Alex James, who joined Damon Albarn's band as a founding member in 1988 (L-R Geronimo, Artemis and Galileo with their dad at the BRIT Awards in 202) Blur sold over 70 million records in their heyday, and reunited in 2022 before announcing a new documentary earlier this year (pictured in 1994) The rock star recently admitted that getting back together with Damon, as well as Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree was the 'best weve ever done He told Hello!: '[Music has] never become a point when it's a drudge. It's a wonderful feeling, like riding a bike downhill . 'I have five teenage children who thought I was an idiot . 'And just for a minute I was a cool dad again. But it's worn off now. 'There's not a day goes by when I don't think about the band, so it was really nice to reconnect with them all and discover a new audience.' When your partner is Hollywoods leading hardman Jason Statham, theres no need for a bodyguard... The Fast & Furious star, 57, dutifully accompanied Victorias Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley on a shopping trip in London last week, stepping in to place a protective arm around his long-term girlfriend whenever they were approached by passers-by. Any trip to the stores could prove expensive, as the outfit 37-year-old Rosie wore cost more than 7,500. She donned a 4,850 white Catena coat from The Row, the fashion label owned by US twins Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, paired with the brands 2,500 Amazon clutch bag. Only her shoes 128 Lovre heels from The Label were a relative bargain. Rosie is clearly a big fan of the Olsens designs. After lunching at celebrity favourite Scotts in Mayfair, the couple headed to The Rows London store. They also paid a visit to high-end jeweller Jessica McCormack. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley leaving a trendy restaurant in Mayfair, central London The Victoria's Secret model was spotted with Jason Stratham having a date day before Christmas The outfit 37-year-old Rosie wore cost more than 7,500 Stratham stepped in to place a protective arm around his long-term girlfriend whenever they were approached by passers-by Rosie followed out of Scott's on Mount Street by Jason Stratham The pair headed on to jewellers Jessica McCormack following the meal at Scott's The couple also visited The Row which is owned by Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen Rosie leaving Scott's in Mayfair in a cream jacket and grey trousers Stratham donned a blue jacket, blue trousers and brown shoes for the date day The pair holding hands as they crossed the street after leaving the famous Mayfair restaurant Staff hold the door open for Rosie and Jason as they leave Scott's on Mount Street Rosie wore a 4,850 white Catena coat from The Row, the fashion label owned by US twins Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen The couple getting into a car on a street full of traffic in Mayfair, central London There was no need for a bodyguard as Jason draped his arm around Rosie while walking up the pavement The Fast and Furious star could be seen laying a protective arm across his partner's shoulders Only her shoes 128 Lovre heels from The Label were a relative bargain Jason stepping out on to the road after leaving Scott's on Mount Street, Mayfair Rosie also carried a brown 2,500 Amazon clutch bag from the Row The pair leaving Scott's after stopping for lunch at the famous Mayfair restaurant Rosie and Jason seen enjoying their date day in Mayfair, central London The low-key British couple now live in Los Angeles Huntington-Whiteley stunned in a monochromatic ensemble as she stepped out in London Rosie and Jason spotted leaving Scott's during their pre-Christmas date day Rosie with her hand behind partner Jason as they cross the road together Jason climbing into a car after leaving Scott's on Mount Street, Mayfair There was no need for a bodyguard as Jason placed his arm around Rosie as they walked onto the street Rosie leaving Scott's on Mount Street during a date day with her partner Jason Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and husband Jason Statham are seen enjoying a date day out before Christmas The couple seen leaving Scott's after enjoying lunch at the well-known restaurant on Mount Street Jason closely following his partner Rosie down the steps outside Scott's The couple have 20 years between them Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and husband Jason Statham are seen enjoying a day out together after a meal at Scott's The pair leave Scott's on Mount Street in Mayfair, London Jason closely following his partner Rosie out of Scott's on Mount Street The couple walk past passers-by in Mayfair as they head on to fashion stores Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley leaving Scott's on Mount Street during a date day with her partner Jason Stratham Jason stepping onto the street from a pavement in Mayfair after leaving Scott's Jason crosses the street behind a parked vehicle following lunch in Mayfair Jason and Rosie leaving Scott's on Mount Street Rosie and Jason leave Scott's after enjoying lunch at the famous restaurant The couple went on to jewellers Jessica McCormack and then The Row after enjoying lunch The couple walk past a lamp post on a pavement in Mayfair during their day out together Jason Stratham donning dark glasses as he steps onto the road in Mayfair The pair left the well-known Mayfair restaurant before going on to more fashion shops Rosie and Jason spotted enjoying their date day in the capital Rosie photographed by cameras as she leaves Scott's on Mount Street after enjoying lunch with her partner Rosie exiting Scott's after stopping for lunch with her partner during a date day in Mayfair Rosie's Row Catena oversized coat costs 4850 Jason puts his arm around Rosie as they walk down a pavement in Mayfair The couple have a 20-year age gap but have been engaged since 2016 Rosie has described Jason as 'inspiring and attractive' when asked about the couple's 20-year age gap Rosie walks down the steps at Scott's on Mount Street in Mayfair, central London On their future together, Rosie has said 'the time will come' when the engaged couple are married They became engaged in 2016, and have a son Jack, seven, and daughter, Isabella, two The couple leaving Scott's as staff hold the front door for them Rosie holds her handbag while leaving Scott's in Mayfair The low-key British couple, who live in Los Angeles first began dating in 2009 after meeting at a party in London and experiencing what Rosie called instant chemistry. They became engaged in 2016, and have a son Jack, seven, and daughter, Isabella, two. Speaking about their plans to marry after Jack was born, Rosie said: I think the time will come. Its also not a huge priority for us. She has also addressed the couples 20-year age gap, saying: His knowledge and strength are really inspiring and attractive, and that can come with a man whos had a bit of time. As his alter egos Ali G and Borat, he has poked fun at celebrities and politicians. But in his latest role, Sacha Baron Cohen appears to be taking aim at a subject a little closer to home. The 53-year-old, accused of sexually harassing and degrading Australian actress Rebel Wilson on the set of his 2016 comedy Grimsby, is to star as a notorious womaniser in a film set in an alternative reality where women have all the power. Scenes from Ladies First, which also stars Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike, 45, were being shot in London last week. Pictures reveal Ms Pike striding in a suit and heels while Cohen pole-dances around a lamppost. In his latest role, Sacha Baron Cohen, pictured, appears to be taking aim at a subject a little closer to home Scenes from Ladies First, which also stars Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike, 45, pictured, were being shot in London last week The 53-year-old, pictured, is to star as a notorious womaniser in a film set in an alternative reality where women have all the power Pictures reveal Ms Pike striding in a suit and heels while Cohen pole-dances around a lamppost Cohen, who is divorcing actress wife Isla Fisher, rose to fame as fictional hip-hop lover Ali G, Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev and Austrian fashion show host Bruno Gehard Cohen caught with staff during the filming of the newest film, Ladies First Netflix says Cohens character gets a real wake-up call when he finds himself in the parallel world. But whether any of this is a tongue-in-cheek reference to events in his own life is anyones guess. Cohen, who is divorcing actress wife Isla Fisher, rose to fame as fictional hip-hop lover Ali G, Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev and Austrian fashion show host Bruno Gehard. In March, he got into a dispute with Ms Wilson ahead of the release of her memoir, Rebel Rising, in which she said she was asked to do things that were derogatory to women or to my size while shooting Grimsby, and likened an actor who she later said was Cohen to a fourth-grade bully who teases the fat girl on the playground and tries to make her life a living hell. Cohen denies the allegations, with his lawyers describing Ms Wilsons claims as demonstrably false. No release date has yet been set for Ladies First, which also stars Richard E. Grant. His character is seen attempting to pole dance for the film, Ladies First In one image, he can be seen talking to a member of the crew as he holds onto the pole In March, he got into a dispute with Ms Wilson ahead of the release of her memoir, Rebel Rising In her Memoir she said she was asked to do things that were derogatory to women or to my size while shooting Grimsby She also likened an actor who she later said was Cohen to a fourth-grade bully who teases the fat girl on the playground and tries to make her life a living hell' Cohen denies the allegations, with his lawyers describing Ms Wilsons claims as demonstrably false No release date has yet been set for Ladies First, which also stars Richard E. Grant Sacha Baron Cohen brings his signature comedic flair to the streets of London Sacha Baron Cohen attempting a pole dance around a lamppost while filming his latest project, Ladies First In the film, Cohen stars alongside Rosamund Pike as a notorious womanizer navigating an alternate reality where women hold all the power He stars alongside Rosamund Pike who was also seen recording in London Recently, he brought back his alter egos, Borat and Ali G, during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallo The star was caught filming the newest film in London The star alongside crew which are filming his latest project, Ladies First Netflix says Cohens character gets a real wake-up call when he finds himself in the parallel world But whether any of this is a tongue-in-cheek reference to events in his own life is anyones guess The star was seen pole dancing while shooting the newest film He stars alongside Rosamund Pike who was also seen recording in London Cohen caught with staff during the filming of the newest film, Ladies First Keira Knightley has revealed that she felt 'stalked by men' and faced 'rape speak' as a teenager after starring in Pirates Of The Caribbean. The Oscar nominee, now 39, characterised Hollywood culture in the 2000s as 'a very violent, misogynistic atmosphere' in which she was blamed for the aggressive and intrusive interest men took in her. Ms Knightley was propelled to fame with roles in the first of the Pirates Of The Caribbean series and Love Actually aged 17. But the British star has acknowledged that her extraordinary success came at a 'big cost' and that it was 'very brutal to have your privacy taken away in your teenage years, early 20s'. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times about the male attention she received in her first years of stardom, she said: 'My jaw dropped at the time. I didn't think it was OK. I was very clear on it being absolutely shocking. 'There was an amount of gaslighting to be told by a load of men that 'You wanted this.' It was rape speak. You know, 'This is what you deserve.' It was a very violent, misogynistic atmosphere.' She added: 'They very specifically meant I wanted to be stalked by men. Whether that was stalking because somebody was mentally ill, or because people were earning money from it - it felt the same to me. It was a brutal time to be a young woman in the public eye.' Ms Knightley also commented on the 'slightly stalkerish aspect' of her storyline in the 2003 Christmas favourite Love Actually, where Andrew Lincoln's character shows up at her doorstep with cue cards to profess his love. The Oscar nominee, now 39, characterised Hollywood culture in the 2000s as 'a very violent, misogynistic atmosphere' Ms Knightley was propelled to fame with roles in the first of the Pirates Of The Caribbean series and Love Actually aged 17 Ms Knightley has not appeared in a live-action TV role for over two decades, but is now starring in Netflix's British spy thriller series, Black Doves She explained that, while filming the scene, director Richard Curtis told her that she was looking at Lincoln 'like he's creepy' and recalled how she had to 'redo it to fix my face to make him seem not creepy'. She added: 'I mean, there was a creep factor at the time, right? Also, I knew I was 17. It only seems like a few years ago that everybody else realised I was 17.' Ms Knightley has not appeared in a live-action TV role for over two decades, but is now starring in Netflix's British spy thriller series, Black Doves, alongside Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire and Paddington's Ben Whishaw. Speaking of the new role, she said: 'My teenage self is thrilled with this. Sometimes you have to listen to your teenage self and go, 'This one's for you.' I think she would have found this very cool.' This video is no longer available This video is no longer available Ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 'The Wizard of Oz' were sold for 22 million pounds last night nearly 20 years after they were stolen from a Minnesota museum. The shoes were expected to sell for more than 2.3million ($3million). Dallas-based auctioneers Heritage Auctions said the web page for last night's online auction had received over 50,000 views. Online bidding, which opened last month, stood at $1.55 million before live bidding began late Saturday afternoon. In a dramatic auction the price quickly soared - reaching the incredible ceiling of $28million, almost 21million. The slippers were on display at the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005 when a career criminal used a hammer to smash the glass of the museum's door and display case. Their whereabouts remained a mystery until the FBI recovered them in 2018. The thief was prosecuted and sentenced earlier this year. The shoes were returned in February to memorabilia collector Michael Shaw, who had loaned them to the museum. They were one of several pairs that Garland wore during the filming of the 1939 classic. Among those bidding will be the Judy Garland Museum, after its home city raised money at its annual Judy Garland festival to supplement the $100,000 pledged by Minnesota lawmakers to help the museum purchase the slippers. One of the pairs of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland Judy Garland played Dorothy in MGM's 1939 original adaptation Garland wearing one of the pairs of ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz Dorothy's slippers in Frank E Baum's original 1900 novel were in fact silver. However filmmakers chose the iconic ruby colour to show off the new Technicolor process used in the movie. 'The Wizard of Oz' story has gained new attention in recent weeks following the release of the movie 'Wicked,' an adaptation of the megahit Broadway musical, a prequel of sorts that reimagines the character of the Wicked Witch of the West. The auction also includes other memorabilia from the original film, including a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton, who played the original Wicked Witch of the West. Other items among the auction's 188 lots include the outfit worn by Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone and the original Wilson, the volleyball from the Tom Hanks film Castaway, which carries a starting bid of $100,000, or 78,000. Amber Heard was glowing as she stepped out in Madrid with her daughter on Friday. The actress, 38, who announced she was expecting a second child as a single parent, seemed to enjoy taking in the sights and sounds of the busy city as the holiday season approaches. The Aquaman actress, has been living in the Spanish capital for more than a year. She moved there from California shortly after the conclusion of the highly publicized defamation trial in which she was sued by her ex-husband Johnny Depp. Heard looked relaxed in a white button down shirt and a pair of pink wide leg pants. She wore black Mary Jane flats and a black coat with shearling lining for warmth. Amber Heard, 38, was glowing as she stepped out in Madrid with her daughter on Friday Her long, blonde hair was styled in natural waves and she appeared be wearing natural looking make up. Young Oonagh, three, looked adorable in a pink and blue fuzzy jacket, with her blonde hair pulled back from her face in a half ponytail. Mother and daughter were joined briefly by a friend who was also doing some window shopping with her little one. Heard's second pregnancy was confirmed by her rep who told People, 'It is still quite early in the pregnancy, so you will appreciate that we do not want to go into much detail at this stage. 'Suffice to say that Amber is delighted both for herself and Oonagh Paige,' they told the publication. The Stand actress did not reveal any information about Oonagh until three months after the baby was born. 'Four years ago, I decided I wanted to have a child. I wanted to do it on my own terms,' she told her fans in 2021 'I now appreciate how radical it is for us as women to think about one of the most fundamental parts of our destinies in this way,' she wrote. The actress who announced she was expecting a second child, seemed to enjoy taking in the sights and sounds of the busy city with her little one as the holiday season approaches Heard looked relaxed in a white button down shirt and a pair of pink wide leg pants. She wore black Mary Jane flats and a black coat with shearling lining for warmth Young Oonagh looked adorable in a pink and blue fuzzy jacket, with her blonde hair pulled back from her face in a half ponytail Mother and daughter were joined briefly by a friend who was also doing some window shopping with her little one Heard has not disclosed any information about the person who fathered Oonagh, nor has she made any mention about how her second child was conceived. The actress' career has been somewhat stunted since the defamation trial. She has appeared only two films since. She reprised her role as Mera in in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and starred in the independent film In the Fire, which debuted in 2023 at the Taormina film festival. Her quiet life in Madrid allows The Stand actress to be there for her daughter. 'I get to be a mom, like, full time, you know?' she told Today in June 2022. Leonardo DiCaprio held a very successful fundraiser at Art Basel in Miami for his Re:wild conservation organization on Friday. The 50-year-old actor held a star-studded charity gala with an auction that raised a whopping $2.5 million for his organization, formerly known as the Global Wildlife Conservation. Jamie Foxx hosted the star-studded soiree, which was held at a private residence in Miami, for the global environmental nonprofit that works to protect and restore the wild. Foxx and actress Soleil Moon Frye led the auction, which featured not only exclusive pieces of art up for bidding but also extravagant trips to Madagascar, Argentina, Ecuador and Rwanda, per Page Six. Steve Aoki, Daymond John, Dustin Yellin, Todd Graves and more stars were also in attendance and showed their support for the cause, which benefited Indigenous peoples, local leaders and community organizations working to protect the planet. DiCaprio who flew into Florida earlier this week for Art Basel without his rumored fiancee Vittoria Ceretti, 26, by his side was seen making the rounds at the annual art fair prior to his exclusive event. Leonardo DiCaprio held a very successful fundraiser at Art Basel in Miami for his Re:wild conservation organization on Friday. The 50-year-old actor held a star-studded charity gala with an an auction that raised a whopping $2.5 million for his organization, formerly known as the Global Wildlife Conservation; pictured with Ann Lee, CEO and co-founder of CORE, on Thursday in Miami Earlier this week, the Oscar winner was seen mingling with art enthusiasts and trying to keep a low-key profile at art shows as he checked out the masterpieces up for sale. And at his event, a tiger sculpture by Vasily Klyukin, a piece by Sterling Ruby and a painting titled, 'Tiger on Last Legs' by Adrien Brody were reportedly among the exclusive pieces of art in the auction. In attention to his environmental activism, DiCaprio has long been involved in philanthropy. In 2020, the Titanic star helped launch America's Food Fund in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, he teamed up with Earth Alliance, to launch critical funding initiatives including the Amazon Forest Fund to protect and restore the worlds most irreplaceable forests. In September 2014, he was designated as a United Nations Messenger of Peace for his longstanding commitment to environmental activism. He also serves on the boards of Natural Resources Defense Council, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Earth Alliance. According to the charity's official website, Re:wild sets out to 'protect and restore the wild, the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and human wellbeing crises.' Jamie Foxx hosted the star-studded soiree, which was held at a private residence in Miami, for the global environmental nonprofit that works to protect and restore the wild. Foxx and actress Soleil Moon Frye led the auction; pictured February 2023 in London In attention to his environmental activism, DiCaprio has long been involved in philanthropy; pictured December 2023 in Los Angeles DiCaprio has helped raise more than $200 million in grants for a variety of global environmental programs and projects that support marine conservation, protect biodiversity and support indigenous communities; pictured May 2023 in Cannes DiCaprio has helped raise more than $200 million in grants for a variety of global environmental programs and projects that support marine conservation, protect biodiversity and support indigenous communities. At Art Basel, the Killers of the Flower Moon star was not joined by his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti. Recently, he and his model girlfriend set social media ablaze with a viral rumor that they have gotten engaged. DiCaprio and Ceretti most recently enjoyed a trip to Mexico with his mom to celebrate his 50th birthday. Dame Prue Leith has blasted stupid TV producers for failing to keep celebrities such as Gregg Wallace under control. But the broadcaster, author and restaurateur insisted the MasterChef host should not be cancelled or sacked over claims of sexually inappropriate behaviour. The Great British Bake Off host, 84, said Wallace did not appear to have broken the law and probably has no idea what hes done wrong. Amid claims that he will blame undiagnosed autism for his behaviour backstage at the BBC, Dame Prue said Wallace, 60, was too insensitive to understand how offensive he has been. Thirteen people, including broadcaster Kirsty Wark, have publicly complained about Wallace in the past two weeks, claiming he told sexualised jokes and openly bragged about his sex life. It has also been claimed that he groped women, flashed at them and pressed his crotch against colleagues in his dressing room. Wallace stepped down from the show last week while claims against him are investigated. Speaking to Times Radio, Dame Prue said producers should be firm with presenters because theres no such thing as an irreplaceable talent. Its really stupid for the talent to become arrogant and think theyre too good to sack, because nobodys too good to sack, she said. Dame Prue Leith has blasted the BBC for not keeping Gregg Wallace in check, while insisting the MasterChef host should not be sacked over claims of inappropriate conduct Dame Prue said Wallace, 60, was too insensitive to understand how offensive he has been Its also very stupid of producers to think they cant replace them. Theyre very weak. They can replace Gregg Wallace, they can replace anybody. They should be tough with their presenters and be very clear about whatever the rules are. But she warned against regulating shows too strictly, saying it would be silly if presenters were forced to stick to a script, which would lead to very boring TV. Wallace attracted further criticism last week for saying on social media that the claims against him had come from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age. The comment went viral online, and internet sellers quickly offered clothing bearing the slogan Middle-Class Woman of a Certain Age. Dame Prue said Wallace should avoid social media because hes just digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole. Wallace's co-host John Torode said he found the claims against his colleague 'truly upsetting' She added: Hes too insensitive to understand how offensive it is. But thats his problem, that hes insensitive. He hasnt, that I can see, disobeyed the law. I dont believe people should be cancelled or sacked. I can see why you would ask someone to step aside while they investigate things. But I bet you Gregg has no idea what hes done wrong. She said he should not be sacked until the claims against him have been investigated, adding: I dont know what his crime is. The BBC has axed its MasterChef Christmas specials and is under pressure to halt the main series. His co-presenter, John Torode, said he found the claims against Wallace truly upsetting and that the thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful'. Pete Wicks is planning to invite Maura Higgins to watch him in the Strictly Come Dancing final next Saturday, according to reports. The former TOWIE star, 36, has told pals he would like to 'make it official' with the beauty, 34, when she returns back to the UK from I'm A Celeb in Australia. Over the past few months the pair have been meeting for secret dates, although both stars have refused to label their relationship and insist that they are still single. A source told The Sun: 'Pete has really missed Maura while she has been away, and he has found it hard not being able to contact her. It's made him realise how special she is to him. 'He's told his mates that he is thinking of asking her to be 'exclusive', meaning they won't date anyone else. 'Plus if he does make it through to the Strictly finals next week he thinks it would be the perfect week to invite her to watch him in the audience.' Pete Wicks is planning to invite Maura Higgins to watch him in the Strictly Come Dancing final next Saturday, according to reports The former TOWIE star, 36, has told pals he would like to 'make it official' with the beauty, 34, when she returns back to the UK from I'm A Celeb in Australia MailOnline has contacted a rep for Maura and Pete. On Saturday night's episode of Strictly, Pete and his dance partner Jowita Pryzstal set pulses racing after their very steamy Argentine Tango. The couple, who have been batting off romance rumours throughout the whole series, looked very close as they took to the floor with their racy semi final dance. Dancing to Bittersweet by Symphony The Verve, the pair got very close throughout the performance and even appeared within kissing distance at one point. The performance even left the judges flustered as Motsi Mabuse exclaimed: 'That was hot' after the saucy dance. Pete's chemistry with Jowita comes after his 'girlfriend' Maura made a bold public declaration about her feelings for the TOWIE star following her exit from I'm A Celeb. During her time on the show the reality star revealed that she had been dating Pete before entering the jungle, but admitted she wasn't sure if they were in a relationship. And appearing on This Morning on Friday she shared her excitement to see Pete and admitted he had been so supportive. Strictly's Pete Wicks and Jowita Pryzstal set pulses racing with a VERY steamy Argentine Tango during the semi final on Saturday night The performance even left the judges flustered as Motsi Mabuse exclaimed: 'That was hot' after the saucy dance The racy dance came just one day after Maura Higgins hinted she'll MARRY the star and confessed how much she had missed him during her time in the jungle She confessed: 'Honestly he's been so supportive.I didn't know if he was still in Strictly, I'm so proud of him and he's proud of me and I can't wait to see him.' Alison then cheekily asked if he could be a bridesmaid at the pair's wedding - with Maura giggling before agreeing to the request: 'Yes, you can be a bridesmaid Alison.' Last week, Maura seemingly confirmed that she was dating Strictly star Pete as she as she made a rare comment about her love life during Sunday's show. The Love Island star was seen kissing Pete a few weeks ago after cooling his romantic liaison with partner Jowita, but since entering the jungle has insisted she was single. When asked by Oti Mause whether or not she was single, Maura replied: 'I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but I'm not in a relationship.' Reverend Richard then asked: 'Was it exclusive? Or if I've put you on the spot, sorry!', to which she replied after a long pause: 'I dunno'. After being quizzed on if it was someone the public might know she answered coyly: 'Yeah' before admitted that she was missing him since entering camp. Maura admitted that she thought she had never been in love, Richard described looking for his late partner David in a crowd and feeling his heart go, as Dean said: 'I know that feeling.' The Radio 1 DJ then asked about her current situation: 'Does it feel different this time?' Last week, Maura let slip some details about her relationship with Pete and when asked by Oti Mause whether or not she was single, Maura replied: 'I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but I'm not in a relationship' Maura answered: 'It does, but then is it because we've known each other for a long time?' Richard added: 'You'd know if he was an a**hole or not, by now, as the stunner smiled to herself, and replied: 'Yeah, he's not an a**hole.' Despite his busy Strictly stint has showed that he still has Maura on his mind as he reposted Maura's Instagram which is being run by her friends and family while she's Down Under -and urging people to vote for her. He quipped: 'I've been George of the Jungle but now it's time to vote for Maura of the Jungle'. And Maura's family have shown their support for Pete in return as they also shared a clip of him and Jowita on Strictly. Posting a sweet video of the pair dancing under the glitterball, they penned in the Saturday night post: 'waltzing into the quarter final like... known em dead tony!! 'Best of luck tonight @p_wicks01 we are all supporting you.' ITV ordered Gino DAcampo to complete a language and behavioural course four years after giving him a dressing-down over complaints about his actions. The flamboyant chef was placed on the programme amid concerns about the way he treated female colleagues on his new show Emission Impossible. Sources said filming of the programme was halted after crew complained he made inappropriate jokes behind the scenes. Some were allegedly offered counselling after filming of the show, co-hosted by Fred Sirieix, was complete. ITV sources said it comes four years after channel bosses had a serious word with DAcampo, 48, about his off-screen exploits on foodie travel show Gordon, Gino And Fred: Road Trip. It was claimed he had acted inappropriately towards women and made off-colour jokes. He was also caught with cannabis in his luggage by sniffer dogs. ITV gave TV chef Gino D'Acampo to complete a behavioural course four years after giving him a dressing down about his conduct D'Acampo was quietly dropped from foodie travel show Gordon, Gino and Fred, on which he appeared alongside Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix. Pictured: The trio in Galicia, Spain in 2023 DAcampo was quietly dropped from the programme last year after he refused to sign a morality clause in his contract. Yesterday, sources claimed that he is being sidelined by ITV amid concerns he may turn into another Gregg Wallace. Father-of-three DAcampo did not respond to a request for comment last night. ITV said: Where a complaint is made, or serious concerns raised, we will always investigate and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action. Gigi Hadid made heads turn at the grand opening of her clothing line Guest In Residence's new store in Beverly Hills on Saturday night where she was supported by her dad Mohamed Hadid and brother Anwar. The Beverly Hills location marks Guest In Residence's which Hadid launched in 2022 third brick-and-mortar store. The supermodel, 29 who recently shared a glimpse of 4-year-old daughter Khai Malik looked radiant in a woven brown sweater with red and white stripe accents paired with a fuzzy black miniskirt. Her blonde locks were styled in a trendy side-parted bob as she accessorised with a miniature cream purse and flats. While inside her new shop, the Victoria's Secret model posed for photos in a retro photobooth. Gigi's 76-year-old father Mohamed Hadid infamous luxury real estate developer also made a special appearance, supporting his model daughter. Gigi Hadid made heads turn at the grand opening of her clothing line Guest In Residence's new store in Beverly Hills on Saturday night She was supported by her dad Mohamed Hadid and brother Anwar at the opening The Beverly Hills location marks Guest In Residence's which Hadid launched in 2022 third brick-and-mortar store Last month, Gigi opened up the second Guest in Residence in Seoul, South Korea. Her first brick-and-mortar shop opened its doors to customers in September 2022 in New York City. Guest in residence showcases high-quality, luxury cashmere knitwear, including sweaters, cardigans and other knitwear pieces. Back in August, Guest in Residence released its fall 2024 collection with prices ranging from $450 to $1,000. According to its website, the brand offers a collection of timeless staples and eco-friendly founding mission. Newer products include modern heirlooms made of the highest quality materials. 'This collection is meant to evoke warm memories of winter family vacations and the feeling of escapism that comes with them,' said Gigi. 'The designs are inspired by colorful train and bus seats from past adventures, that rad plaid shirt your dad gave you on a camping trip, and that cozy sweater your mom rocked on the slopes 'Those off-duty moments when you felt warm, safe, and happy while surrounded by loved ones in nature.' When launching the brand in 2022, Gigi told Elle that she wanted the clothing brand to have hints of her own style while hoping consumers would style the pieces in a plethora of ways. She told the outlet: 'I think I have a pretty sustainable way of dressing. I do buy things and consume, but I try to mix them in with things that Ive always loved and cherished. 'I hope that these pieces can be ones that people try to restyle and find a lot of different ways into their personal style.' When she is not designing elegant new looks, the Palestinian-American beauty born Jelena Noura Hadid is busy caring for her 4-year-old daughter Khai. Family affair! Mohamed Hadid, Gigi Hadid, Anwar Hadid Gigi's 76-year-old father Mohamed Hadid a luxury real estate developer also made a special appearance The supermodel, 29, looked radiant in a woven brown sweater with red and white stripe accents paired with a fuzzy black miniskirt Her blonde locks were styled in a trendy side-parted bob as she accessorized with a miniature cream purse and flats that matched her cashmere look Last month, Gigi opened up her second Guest in Residence store in Seoul, South Korea Her first brick-and-mortar shop in New York City opened its doors to customers in September 2022 Guest In residence showcases high-quality, luxury cashmere knitwear Back in August, Guest In Residence released its fall 2024 collection with prices ranging from $450 to $1,000 According to its website, the brand offers a collection of timeless staples and eco-friendly founding mission The Los Angeles native and her ex-boyfriend, Pillowtalk hitmaker Malik, welcomed Khai on September 19, 2020. They were first linked in 2015 and dated on and off for six years before calling it quits for good in late 2021. In 2023, Gigi opened up about motherhood to The Sunday Times, explaining that motherhood is her purpose. '[Khai] has already given me so much. I always wanted to be a mom, but I was never obsessive about it or [thought that] I was put on this Earth to be a mom,' she told the outlet. Britney Spears' mother Lynne has set off rumors of a reconciliation as she was seen touching down in Los Angeles ahead of Christmas. When Britney first embarked on her career as a child star in the 1990s, it was Lynne who traveled with her and looked after her. The pair have had a publicly fraught relationship in recent years, poisoned by Lynne's alleged role in Britney's controversial conservatorship. However tensions later cooled between the pair, to the point that Lynn was one of the guests Britney's 42nd birthday party last December. Their feud flared up again this May, when Britney was escorted out of the Chateau Marmont by medics and furiously accused Lynne of having 'set up' the incident. Now, though, it appears that Lynne may spend the holiday season with her daughter, as she was seen arriving at LAX this Saturday, in footage obtained by TMZ. Britney Spears ' mother Lynne has set off rumors of a reconciliation as she was seen touching down in Los Angeles ahead of Christmas; pictured together in 1999 Britney recently claimed on Instagram that she has moved to Mexico, though insiders subsequently insisted that she has not in fact shifted abroad. Lynne, who lives in Louisiana, kept an enigmatic smile on her face she strolled down the sidewalk at LAX this week, but did not answer questions about whether she was in Los Angeles to visit Britney or whether she was planning to travel to Mexico to see her. Last December, just before New Year's, a source explained why Britney had not spent Christmas with her mother in spite of their reunion at the pop star's birthday party. 'Britney is open to repairing her relationship with Lynne but she wants things to unfold organically and not force anything,' a source told Us Weekly. The insider insisted Britney was 'in a really good place' and maintained she 'would love to continue maintaining her relationship with her mom.' However the Toxic hitmaker apparently also hoped 'to take her time' with the healing process and 'doesnt feel like theres a need to rush anything.' The source added: 'Britney understands that her mom would have loved for her to visit for Christmas but she just felt like it was too soon.' Last year, Britney released an explosive bestselling memoir called The Woman In Me, launching barbs at such targets as her parents, her ex Justin Timberlake and her sister Jamie Lynn, whom she accused of having been a 'total b****' at the age of 11. The pair have had a publicly fraught relationship in recent years, poisoned by Lynne's alleged role in Britney's controversial conservatorship; pictured 2000 However tensions later cooled between the pair, to the point that Lynn was one of the guests Britney's 42nd birthday party last December Britney came under Jamie's conservatorship in 2008 after her infamous months-long mental breakdown, culminating in a standoff with the authorities that ended when over a dozen police officers escorted her to the hospital. She was unleashed from her father's control in 2021 after 13 years, amid a roiling online 'Free Britney' movement among her fans. Shortly after the end of the conservatorship, Britney publicly turned on Lynne, furiously accusing her mother of having come up with the idea of the arrangement. However they had apparently begun mending fences by Britney's birthday last December, when she was seen in a social media picture cuddling up to Lynne on the sofa. At the start of this May, Britney was seen being accompanied out of Hollywood's Chateau Marmont by medics, setting off concerns she was suffering a 'mental health crisis.' Britney issued a statement hours later, posting Instagram videos of her swollen and 'twisted' right ankle and appearing on the verge of tears. Claims had been swirling that Britney hurt her ankle during an altercation with her on-off ex Paul Richard Soliz, a felon who was once convicted of second degree robbery. However Britney maintained that she simply fell while attempting to 'do a leap' at her hotel room, which the paramedics 'illegally' entered, creating an 'unnecessary' 'scene.' She also claimed: 'I know my mom was involved !!! I haven't talked to her in 6 months and she called right after it happened before the news being out !!!' Weekend Sunrise co-host Matt Doran stunned viewers with his shock on-air resignation from the breakfast show last month. On Sunday, he wrapped up on his final day at Channel Seven studios in Sydney and was seen leaving work with a suitcase. The breakfast host, 41, received a comforting embrace from his wife, Kendall Bora, who was waiting outside. Matt appeared relaxed and in very good spirits, smiling as he made his way into Kendall's arms. He opted for a casually dapper ensemble including a deep green shirt and dark blue trousers. The television personality finished the look with a pair of brown leather boots. Weekend Sunrise co-host Matt Doran (pictured) stunned viewers with his shock on-air resignation from the breakfast show last month On Sunday, he wrapped up on his final day at Channel Seven studios in Sydney and was seen leaving work with a suitcase The breakfast host, 41, received a comforting embrace from his wife, Kendall Bora, who was waiting outside. Both pictured He loaded his large black suitcase into the waiting car, before leaving the area with his wife. It comes after Doran called time on his five years at Weekend Sunrise. He made the emotional announcement live on air at the end of the show late last month. The Seven star recently opened up about his struggles with depression on The Morning Show. He will be taking time to focus on family and to pursue other opportunities. 'Before we go today, a bit of breaking news from the Doran household,' the host began. 'I want to share with you a decision I've made, with my beautiful wife Kendall - and of course in earnest consultation with our beloved Italian greyhound Murphy - and this is, after five years at Weekend Sunrise, I will be finishing up at the end of the year,' he said. 'This is something I've agonised over because it's honest to say this is one of the best jobs on earth, but we think it's right and at the right time - for our little family. Matt appeared relaxed and in very good spirits, smiling as he made his way into Kendall's arms He opted for a casually dapper ensemble including a deep green shirt and dark blue trousers The television personality finished the look with a pair of brown leather boots He loaded his large black suitcase into the waiting car, before leaving the area with his wife It comes after Doran called time on his five years at Weekend Sunrise He made the emotional announcement live on air at the end of the show late last month 'While I'm sad, and I'm doing everything possible presently not to look Monique in the eye, where I am right now is honestly a place of incredible gratitude for the laughs, the lessons, the tears. 'It is my unshakeable belief this role - specifically, being entrusted with the telling of people's most intimate, most personal stories - is one of the more privileged positions on the planet.' Matt will present his final episode of Weekend Sunrise on Sunday, December 8, alongside Monique. The breakfast show host broke down in tears speaking about his friendship with his closest colleague. 'Mon, you are not just a colleague, you are my best friend and I am going to miss you, any chance of a hug?' he said. In September - when Matt appeared on Morning Sunrise to spruik his latest book, Mental State, on Australia's mental healthcare system - he bravely opened up about his own struggles with depression. 'Are we getting better, do you think, Doctor, at putting our hand up like you did and saying, "I've got a problem with anxiety"?' Matt asked Dr Cross. 'I've had huge problems with depression over the last couple of years, too, but people, I think, are still frightened to come forward and say that.' The Seven star recently opened up about his struggles with depression on The Morning Show He will be taking time to focus on family and to pursue other opportunities 'Before we go today, a bit of breaking news from the Doran household' the host began 'I want to share with you a decision I've made, with my beautiful wife Kendall - and of course in earnest consultation with our beloved Italian greyhound Murphy - and this is, after five years at Weekend Sunrise, I will be finishing up at the end of the year,' he said 'This is something I've agonised over because it's honest to say this is one of the best jobs on earth, but we think it's right and at the right time - for our little family' he added Matt will present his final episode of Weekend Sunrise on Sunday, December 8, alongside Monique In September - when Matt appeared on Morning Sunrise to spruik his latest book, Mental State, on Australia's mental healthcare system - he bravely opened up about his own struggles with depression The Melbourne-born reporter has worked at Channel Seven for eight years and was a reporter on Sunrise from 2016 to 2020 'It's amazing you say that the more we talk about it the better it is,' Dr Cross said, commending Matt for speaking so openly about his depression on television. Matt has sparked concerns in recent years after he mysteriously disappeared from work on two separate occasions. In June, he failed to arrive to the Seven studios for work on Weekend Sunrise. He was replaced by news reporter Chris Reason who returned to host the breakfast show alongside Monique Wright on Saturday, June 8. A network spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia at the time that Matt was 'on leave'. A major Channel Seven star has been tipped to replace Doran, after his shock on-air resignation. Seven's US Correspondent David Woiwod, who is based in Los Angeles, is likely to step into the co-hosting role opposite Monique Wright, according to news.com.au. The Melbourne-born reporter has worked at Channel Seven for eight years and was a reporter on Sunrise from 2016 to 2020. He moved to Los Angeles in July 2020 to become the network's US correspondent and was promoted to US Bureau Chief in April last year. Woiwod has developed a reputation for his engaging personality and cheeky banter when reporting. In 2020, Woiwod was left red-faced while appearing on Sunrise when he mispronounced the name of US actress Ellen DeGeneres as 'Allan'. Daniel Craig has revealed that he felt 'empty' and emotionally 'exhausted' after shooting each of his James Bond movies. The 56-year-old actor starred in five Bond films between 2006 and 2021, and Daniel has now admits that the money-spinning movies took a physical and emotional toll on him. Since moving on from his Bond role he has gone on to star in a number of other films and will next be seen in racy new movie Queer. He stars alongside Drew Starkey, 31, in Luca Guadagnino's anticipated movie based on William Burroughs' semi-autobiographical novella of the same name. The period romantic drama, set in 1950s Mexico City, follows American expat and war veteran William Lee (played by Craig), who has a romance with a younger man, Eugene Allerton (Starkey), a drug addict and discharged Navy serviceman. But reflecting on his Bond days, he told The Sunday Times this weekend: 'I couldn't have done this (Queer) while doing Bond. It would look reactionary, like I was showing my range. Daniel Craig has revealed that he felt 'empty' and emotionally 'exhausted' after shooting each of his James Bond movies (seen as 007) Since moving on from his Bond role he has gone on to star in a number of other films and will next be seen in racy new movie Queer 'Early on with Bond I thought I had to do other work, but I didn't. I was becoming a star, whatever that means, and people wanted me in their films. Incredible. 'Most actors are out of work for large chunks so you take your job offers - but they left me empty. Then, bottom line, I got paid. 'I was so exhausted at the end of a Bond it would take me six months to recover emotionally. I always had the attitude that life must come first and, when work came first for a while, it strung me out.' Daniel remains very fond of the Bond franchise, and he's curious to see where producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson decide to take it next. He added that who the next Bond could be 'isn't my decision or problem' but said he wished those choosing 'good luck'. It comes after Daniel revealed he ended up 'writing a lot of lines' in Bond's 2008 movie Quantum Of Solace - admitting the film 'just didn't quite work'. He reminisced his time on set but bluntly admitted it was a 'f***ing nightmare' - as they were short of writers and production started without a script. Speaking on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter Podcast, the Knives Out star said: 'Difficult second album f***ing nightmare. The 56-year-old actor starred in five Bond films between 2006 and 2021, and Daniel has now admits that the money-spinning movies took a physical and emotional toll on him He stars alongside Drew Starkey, 31, in Luca Guadagnino's anticipated movie based on William Burroughs' semi-autobiographical novella of the same name 'Paul Haggis did a pass on the script. Then he went off and joined the picket line and we didn't have writers'. 'We should never have started production, 'I ended up writing a lot of that film, which I probably shouldn't say.' The English actor continued: 'There are some amazing stunt sequences in it but it just didn't quite work. 'The storytelling wasn't there, that's a lesson starting a movie without a script is not a good idea.' During the same interview, the actor also revealed he initially rejected the chance to play James Bond as he was fearful it could limit other opportunities for him in the movie industry. He portrayed 007 in five movies spanning from 2006's Casino Royale to 2021's No Time To Die, but admits he had reservations about taking the part of the legendary spy. When asked if he was nervous about accepting the Bond role, Daniel told: 'Yes, for sure. That's why I turned it down - I mean, I said, "No". 'There wasn't a script at the time, so again, my arrogance was unbelievable, but I was just like, 'Well, until I see a script, I couldn't possibly make a decision.' 'And it was fear, exactly what you're talking about, of that thing and many others, how it would flip my life. 'I was making a pretty good living at the time, so if I spent my life doing what I was doing at the time, I would've been more than happy. 'But it was really one of those things where - I mean to be typecast as James Bond? Boo-hoo.' Daniel took on other film roles between Bond movies - such as Defiance and Cowboys and Aliens - but explained that his attempts to showcase his versatility as an actor left him burnt out. He said of Bond: 'Most actors are out of work for large chunks so you take your job offers - but they left me empty. Then, bottom line, I got paid' He said: 'I think I felt that I had to prove myself. And after a while I just realised that I didn't have the energy to do that. 'It's not knocking movies like 'Defiance', because I'm very proud of them. But Bond is your life when you're doing it - each movie is about two years out of your life; you're away from home for over six months; and the idea of fitting someone else in because of the need to prove to the world that I've got range, it's kind of ridiculous, so I stopped doing that. 'There's some movies I did do that I was incredibly proud of. But I was exhausted while doing those films. It was better just to concentrate on the Bonds.' Kimberley Walsh has described how 'crazy emotional' it was for Girls Aloud to go on their reunion tour this year, without their bandmate Sarah Harding. The iconic girl band was made up of Kimberley, 43, Nadine Coyle, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts and Sarah, until her tragic death from breast cancer in 2021, aged 39. In May, the group returned to the stage for the first time in 11 years to go on a huge UK tour, where their late bandmate was kept as the focus throughout. The show included songs dedicated to Sarah, as well as emotional montages of the late star and a rendition of I'll Stand By You featuring her vocals. In a new interview, Kimberley has admitted that paying tribute to Sarah night after night was 'gut-wrenching' and that reuniting the band without her felt 'so emotional'. The mother-of-three even revealed that during the rehearsals for the show the group had 'let it all out' so that they could be strong enough to get through the live shows. Kimberley Walsh has described how 'crazy emotional' it was for Girls Aloud to go on their reunion tour this year, without their bandmate Sarah Harding The iconic girl band was made up of Kimberley, 43, Nadine Coyle , Cheryl , Nicola Roberts and Sarah, until her tragic death from breast cancer in 2021, aged 39 (pictured in 2015) In May, the group returned to the stage for the first time in 11 years to go on a huge UK tour, where their late bandmate was kept as the focus throughout The show included songs dedicated to Sarah, as well as emotional montages of the late star and a rendition of I'll Stand By You featuring her vocals However, she added how important they all knew it was to follow Sarah's wishes and show how she was an integral part of the band, admitting that despite it being 'tough' for them, they wanted to be able to honour and remember their friend. Speaking to The Sun, she explained: 'She wanted us to do it. She made it clear when she was here, but equally we felt it isnt Girls Aloud without her. Shes such a massive part of it, so we wanted to keep her part of it. Were trying to keep her spirit alive. 'There wasnt just one moment of her, we made the whole show have a thread of her throughout. And at times we were like: "Is this actually too sad?" Because for us it felt just gut-wrenching. But then, equally, she deserved that time and for people to remember her.' Kimberley said the end result was 'crazy emotional', but described hearing Sarah's vocals in arenas as 'epic' and confessed celebrating their bandmate alongside the fans had ended up being a 'cathartic' experience for the group. She said: 'Its been cathartic for all of us to have that time and to almost grieve with the fans. Theyve grown up with us. And theres no denying that her energy was really missed on stage. But I think everybody could feel that she was still very much intertwined within the show and the band.' Speaking to MailOnline in September, Kimberley elaborated on how painful the experience was initially. She said: 'Honouring Sarah was quite cathartic, it really was, as tough as the first part was, the planning the rehearsals without her were painful. In a new interview, Kimberley has admitted that paying tribute to Sarah night after night was 'gut-wrenching' and that reuniting the band without her felt 'so emotional' The mother-of-three even revealed that during the rehearsals for the show the group had 'let it all out' so that they could be strong enough to get through the live shows 'But then seeing her honoured and her voice playing out in the arena again and people's outpouring of love, seeing how happy it made her mum and all of that, it made us feel really amazing.' Meanwhile Cheryl revealed that she misses her Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah's 'electric and wild side' after her death. Speaking in a special two-hour show for Radio 2, Cheryl said: 'There are little moments that you would share with her individually on stage on tour. 'Where there's no more Sarah than in that moment and I can't describe like, nobody else would know her that way, other than us four.' Leonardo DiCaprio made a rare appearance without his protective face covering as he stepped out in Miami during Art Basel on Sunday. The Titanic actor, 50, has rarely been without a nose and mouth covering since the advent of COVID-19 in 2020, but he removed it during a low-key outing in a black hooded jacket and matching black joggers. Looking relaxed in the sun, Leonardo paired his ensemble with a black cap and a grey T-shirt. He kept his look practical and finished his outfit with a pair of comfortable-looking grey running trainers. The Oscar-winning star was later seen with his face-mask back in place while chatting on the phone. The outing comes after Leonardo celebrated his birthday with quite the A-list guest list, including Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg. Leonardo DiCaprio cut a casual figure in a black tracksuit as he stepped out in Miami during Art Basel on Sunday The Titanic actor, 50, looked casual as he stepped out in a black hooded jacket and matching black joggers The bash was held at a private estate in the Hollywood Hills, but the actor utilised the help of an exclusive members-only club to ensure the festivities remained private, according to Page Six. Leonardo had guests cover the cameras on their phones with stickers from the San Vicente Bungalows. The 500 guests at the bash used stickers to cover up their phones, but organisers had 700 stickers on hand just in case. Numerous guests came straight from the evening's early Baby2Baby gala. 'Basically, the Baby2Baby group all went to Leos after,' the insider said. Leonardo also recently celebrated his first anniversary with 26-year-old model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti. She is the first long-term girlfriend to break 'Leo's Law' and survive his 25-year-old 'cut off'. His romances with the likes of Gisele Bundchen, Bar Refaeli, Blake Lively, Erin Heatherton and Nina Agdal all ended before their 25th birthdays. Before Vittoria, he spent five years with TV actress Camila Morrone who starred in Amazon's hit musical drama series Daisy Jones & The Six, but ditched her just weeks before she turned 25. The outing comes after the Titanic star celebrated his birthday with quite the A-list guest list, including Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg Then came a brief fling with model Gigi Hadid (an 'ancient' 27) who was rapidly followed by 23-year-old starlet Victoria Lamas. This prompted her father, actor Lorenzo Lamas, to quip: 'I told her to treat the relationship like a holiday. Enjoy it as much as you can for as long as it lasts.' The relationship imploded after a couple of months. Leo met current girlfriend Vittoria at the Cannes Film Festival in May last year but the pair reportedly did not become serious until around 12 months ago. The producer said: 'He and Vittoria seem happy but she's 'old' by his standards. Perhaps she's the one who will finally get him to settle down? I doubt it.' Scarlett Moffatt has issued a sad warning to the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! finalists ahead of the winner being crowned. One of Coleen Rooney, 38, Reverend Richard Coles, 62, and Danny Jones, 38, will be made the next King or Queen of the Jungle in Sunday night's final. But Scarlett - who won the show in 2016 - has urged whoever wins to make sure they have a 'good support network around them' if things get tough due to the spotlight of the win. She told The Mirror: 'I was just on Gogglebox, not many people would come up to me on the street or anything like that, but then when you come out of a show like I'm A Celeb, all of a sudden everyone's interested in what you're doing.' 'I would say to people just make sure they've got a good support network around them. 'I did the opposite and left everyone and went on my own (to move to London), so I think that really affected me. If I wasn't at work, filming, or doing something, I was just in my flat alone, and it felt very overwhelming.' Scarlett Moffatt has issued a sad warning to the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! finalists ahead of the winner being crowned One of Coleen Rooney, 38, (seen) Reverend Richard Coles, 62, and Danny Jones, 38, will be made the next King or Queen of the Jungle in Sunday night's final She added that the winner needs to make sure they 'take days off and enjoy the experience' as 'the bubble doesn't last long'. Strictly Come Dancings Oti Mabuse was the ninth campmate to be voted off Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here on Saturday evening. The 34-year-old professional dancers exit revealed the three finalists as Coleen, Danny and Reverend Richard. Oti was greeted over the bridge by her husband Marius Lepure, 42, as the pair shared a passionate kiss after celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary on Friday. She will be reunited with her daughter of 13 months who she went on the show for, because she wanted to prove, Mum has goals too. And the Dancing on Ice judge did just that as she quickly became a favourite among her fellow campmates who praised her uplifting and caring nature. Oti won immunity from the vote until the Cyclone challenge, which she successfully tackled today, after winning a trial on Thursday night. Dressed in gold hotpants and cape, the mother-of-one called herself Captain Bokke as she joined Coleen, Rev Richard and Danny on the slippery tarpaulin and had jets of water and exercise balls thrown at her. Speaking to Ant and Dec as she left the jungle she admitted: 'You just come out as a stronger different person.' The campmates have opened up a lot this year, and Oti explained: 'Yes we cried a lot. Jane got us started and we never stopped! I never knew I was a crier.' But Scarlett - who won the show in 2016 - has urged whoever wins to make sure they have a 'good support network around them' if things get tough due to the spotlight of the win Revealing her worst day in camp she added: 'There was one day I did a challenge, I came and cooked, did a trial and made dinner and then I did a challenge and then Maura threw away the food. 'I just thought, I can't do this anymore and I'm not good at change and I just let it go.' Discussing what she has learnt about herself as a person she continued: 'I have learnt to be happy with who I am. And that group allowed me to be all different versions of myself. I feel mentally and physically stronger.' Asked who her winner is Oti appeared torn as she said: 'Coleen is so strong and powerful in her silence and she gets on with it, but I'm going for Danny as my winner.' Oti was left emotional during her surprise jungle reunion with husband Marius on Friday, after nearly three weeks apart. Saturday Night Live was slammed after making fun of the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. Colin Jost, the host of SNL's Weekend Update alongside Michael Che, roasted the police investigation since the murder suspect was able to flee the crime scene on a bike and catch a bus out of the city. 'This week, New York City officials sent a tough message on crime,' Jost started the segment. 'If you shoot somebody in the middle of the street, you better get on your bike, hop on a bus, and get the heck out of here, mister.' Jost also pointed out the two prevailing reactions to the murder of the 50-year-old health insurance executive, which occurred in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, didn't include sympathy for him or his family. Americans seem to be more focused on UnitedHealthcare's disturbing track record of denying insurance claims - or on how 'hot' the suspect is based on the photo of him smiling at a hostel worker he was flirting with, according to Jost. 'It really says something about America that a guy was murdered in cold blood and the two main reactions were, "Yeah, well health care stinks, and also, "Girl, that shooter hot,"' he said. Che built on the joke, suggesting that the name of the hostel worker who flirted with the alleged killer was 'Lucky S. Bechalive.' Later in the segment, Jost again needled the NYPD, who recently began searching Central Park Lake after finding the suspected shooter's bag nearby. Colin Jost, who co-hosts Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update with Michael Che, started off the segment by poking fun at the assassination of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (pictured) who had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare since April 2021, was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital after the shooting, and he was later pronounced dead A mystery gunman (pictured in surveillance footage) fatally shot Brian Thompson, 50, the CEO of America's biggest health insurer, in Midtown Manhattan early on Wednesday morning 'Its also so crazy that the shooting happened three blocks from here in broad daylight, and the guy just bicycles away, probably because they have every cop in the city guarding our Christmas tree,' he said, referencing the tree that was recently put up and lit in Rockefeller Center. Jost's final zinger was about the Port Authority bus station the alleged shooter left the city from not long after gunning down Thompson. 'NYPD now believes the suspect left the city on a bus from Port Authority,' Jost said. 'Thanks, but a Port Authority passenger who looks like a murderer actually widens the search.' Some on social media thought these jokes were 'classless' and 'terrible' for making light of Thompson's death. One person thought SNL 'stooped to a new low' and criticized the show for its supposedly 'liberal' outlook. 'Saturday Night Live has really stooped to a new low. The CEO Brian Thompsons death should not be a joke! I am so tired of their liberal s**t! It used to be funny but now they are focusing on the View's audience,' they wrote. However, Jost and Che's latest outing as pretend news hosts, in which they also joked about Pete Hegseth's struggles amid being nominated as Defense Secretary, was mostly lauded by viewers. The latest development in the citywide manhunt for the killer of Thompson, who led the nation's largest health insurer since 2021, is that police may have a name for the suspect. The unidentified man who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO was spotted at a counter at a nearby Starbucks in the moments before he opened fire When asked on Saturday whether investigators knew his name, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said: 'We don't want to release that now,' according to the New York Post. 'If we do, we are basically giving a tip to the person we are seeking and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all,' the former NYPD captain added. 'Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask. We revealed his face. We're going to reveal who he is and we're going to bring him to justice... The net is tightening.' The NYPD released new photographs of the assassin Saturday night. He has been described as white and around 6'1" tall, but scarce other details have been given. Police said the killer shot Thompson in the back and leg outside the New York Hilton Midtown on West 54th Street at around 6:45am on Wednesday. Thompson was headed to United Healthcare's annual investor's conference at the Hilton's ballroom where he was expected to reveal the company expected record sales of $450 billion. The masked assassin fired several shots during the ambush and even jammed his gun in the process, which he managed to clear quickly to continue firing. Thompson was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition but died from his injuries shortly afterwards. He is survived by his wife Paulette 'Pauley' Thompson, 51, and their two children who live in the family's $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Following the shooting, the suspect was picked up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park in Manhattan's Upper West Side One of the images show the killer - who has a fresh coat and face mask on - walking down a Manhattan sidewalk Ammunition found near Thompson's body bore the words 'delay,' 'deny' and 'depose', mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. The killer fled the scene by riding an electric bike up 6th Avenue towards Central Park, and he was spotted leaving the park at 6.56am. The latest images of the killer appear to have been taken inside the taxi which picked him up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park. Retracing the gunman's steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus around 45 minutes after the shooting. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station, according to NYPD chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. 'This isn't Blue Bloods. We're not going to solve this in 60 minutes,' Kenny told reporters on Friday. 'We're painstakingly going through every bit of evidence that we can come across.' Brad Pitt took advantage of a real life race to work on his art on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. The actor, 60, who has been in the UAE shooting scenes for his film F1, suited up in a white racing uniform at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Pitt was stationed in a racing pit, where he was seen putting on safety equipment for the scene, including a fireproof balaclava that covered his head and most of his face. He then donned a helmet as he prepared to get behind the wheel in front of a real racing audience. Thousands of spectators gathered at the raceway got to be extras in the big screen drama. Pitt stars as a former driver who comes out of retirement to mentor and team up with a young driver. Brad Pitt took advantage of a real life race to work on his art Sunday in Abu Dhabi The Oscar winner was spotted walking on to the track with co-star Damson Idris, 33. The actor looked handsome standing next to Pitt costumed in a team uniform. The Nigerian-British actor was excited about the day's work and shared a fun video on social media labeled Race Day Baby. He was apparently so excited that he forgot to push 'record' on his phone and had to shoot it all over again. 'It wasn't recording,' he said laughingly to the hair and makeup crew. 'Take two,' said one of the women. 'Now it's recording,' Idris said as he danced in his chair, adding a big 'Whoo!' Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has spared no expense to make sure the audience gets a real Formula One experience when they go to theaters. Pitt was stationed in a racing pit, where he was seen putting on safety equipment for the scene, including a fireproof balaclava that covered his head and most of his face He then donned a helmet as he prepared to get behind the wheel in front of a real racing audience 'F1 has been one of the longest productions because we had to contend with the two Hollywood strikes,' he told The National, referring to the 2023 Writers and Actors strikes. 'But the combination of Apple Studios and their technology they created two special cameras mounted on actual F1 cars for this movie, which is amazing is going to make this the most accurate racing movie ever made,' he contended. The legendary producer revealed that the Abu Dhabi track was the last place they would be shooting on location for the film. 'All in all, weve visited about nine tracks and Abu Dhabi is the last one,' he told the outlet, while praising his hosts. The Oscar winner was spotted walking on to the track with co-star Damson Idris, 33. The actor looked handsome standing next to Pitt costumed in a team uniform Pitt stars as a former driver who comes out of retirement to mentor and team up with a young driver played by Idris 'The Yas Marina Circuit is amazing, and the people in Abu Dhabi have been so gracious and wonderful to us,' Bruckheimer said. 'They have welcomed our production with open arms and made everything very easy for us to film here.' Lewis Hamilton, who makes an appearance in the movie and serves as one of the producers, has worked to make the experience as authentic as possible. 'Hamilton saw parts of it and gave us critiques on how drivers actually perform various maneuvers,' Bruckheimer explained in October at the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix. Pitt popped some champagne for a victory lap with co-star Javier Bardem who held a trophy The two were joined by real drivers Charles LeClerc and George Russell for the celebratory scene 'The level of specifics he provided was incredible. For example, at Silverstone turn three is taken in second gear, and he could tell just by listening that we had Pitt in third gear. That level of detail is what hes brought to the movie. To keep with the authentic feel, Pitt and co-star Javier Bardem, who plays the racing team's owner in F1 were joined by real drivers Charles LeClerc and George Russell for what appeared to a victory celebration. Pitt popped some champagne and Bardem, costumed in a navy blue suit, held a trophy. Uma Thurman and Jared Leto were some of the celebrities seen arriving at the track to watch the race. Thurman, 54, looked elegant in a light weight tan jacket and matching pants with a black T-shirt. Her long, blond hair was pulled back from her face and she wore natural looking makeup. Uma Thurman turned out to watch the race and is not affiliated with the film. Thurman, 54, looked elegant in a light weight tan jacket and matching pants with a black T-shirt The Kill Bill star's long, blond hair was pulled back from her face and she wore natural looking makeup Jared Leto, 52, looked relaxed in a sheer black mesh shirt, which showcased hit toned abs and a pair of black slacks with black shoes The Oscar winner shared a few shots from the stands on his Instagram Stories. 'Fun day at F1. Thanks @etihad for having me, he wrote on one snap. 'Best view,' he penned on the other Jared Leto, 52, looked relaxed in a sheer black mesh shirt, which showcased hit toned abs and a pair of black slacks with black shoes. His long, dark hair was parted in the middle and brushed straight and he wore dark sunglasses. The Oscar winner shared a few shots from the stands on his Instagram Stories. 'Fun day at F1. Thanks @etihad for having me, he wrote on one snap. 'Best view,' he penned on the other. The race is on to get F1 ready for theaters. The film was scheduled for release June 27, 2025. Kanye West flipped his usual frown on its head, flashing a rare smile while enjoying a date with wife Bianca Censori on Sunday. The 47-year-old rapper, known for his moods as much as his music, seemed in high spirits as he emerged from a mirrored car in Tokyo before heading into a cozy restaurant with his 29-year-old Australian partner. Kanye kept it low-key in an all-black tracksuit and dark sunglasses, embodying his signature style of staying under the radar, even as he shared an intimate dinner with Bianca. Meanwhile, Bianca, often seen in skimpy, attention-grabbing outfits, surprised onlookers by opting for a more subdued look: a turtleneck sweater and a bomber jacket. The couples congenial outing comes after they splashed out on their new $35 million Beverly Hills mansion to try and create a 'grounded' life, according to DailyMail.com sources who claim the purchase was a 'last ditch effort' to save their ailing marriage. This date also comes after Kanye's ex Kim Kardashian wore a balaclava in public, with her provocative outfit sparking chatter about the similarities to Bianca's signature fashion choices, often seen as a nod to Kanyes influence. Kanye West flipped his usual frown on its head, flashing a rare smile while enjoying a date with wife Bianca Censori on Sunday The 47-year-old rapper, known for his moods as much as his music , seemed in high spirits as he emerged from a mirrored car in Tokyo before heading into a cozy restaurant with his 29-year-old Australian partner Many fans pointed out that Kim who previously admitted to having 'panic attacks' about finding her fashion identity following her divorce, after years of being styled by West himself appeared to be channeling the Australian architect. 'Bianca has multiplied,' one commentator wrote. 'Kimca Censori,' another one chimed in. Kanye previously shared an image of Bianca in a similar look to his Instagram, featuring her in a thong and a black leather head covering. It's not the first time Kim has been accused of copying Bianca. In August, the SKIMS founder uploaded glamour shots to her Instagram in a cheeky white leotard and tights. The outfit looked extremely similar to the daring leotard and tights combos made famous by Bianca. Unlike Bianca, Kim kept it PG by protecting her modesty with the proper undergarments. Many of Kim's 361million followers flocked to the comment section to call out her Bianca-inspired look even playfully referring to Kim as 'Kimberly Censori.' Bianca, often seen in skimpy, attention-grabbing outfits , surprised onlookers by opting for a more subdued look: a turtleneck sweater and a bomber jacket Kanye kept it low-key in an all-black tracksuit and dark sunglasses, embodying his signature style of staying under the radar, even as he shared an intimate dinner with Bianca Some also pointed out that Kim's outfit looked similar to silhouettes Kanye's Yeezy clothing brand sent down the runway in 2016. Back in April, Kim stepped out in bleached blonde hair and an 'apron' top nearly a year after Bianca debuted the look. Kim has also sported a fuzzy hat similar to one made popular by Bianca. Kim and Kanye split in February 2021 after six years of marriage and four children North, 11, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and Psalm, five together. Weeks after their divorce was finalized in November 2022, Kanye tied the knot with Bianca, who works as an architect at his Yeezy company. Since marrying Kanye, Bianca has shocked the globe by gallivanting in public in X-rated outfits including see-through frocks and pant-less, braless looks. A source previously dished to DailyMail.com that Kim warned Kanye not to let Bianca wear her revealing outfits in front of their children. 'Kim instructed Kanye to never let Bianca dress like that around their kids,' the insider revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com in February. This date also comes after Kanye's ex Kim Kardashian wore a balaclava in public , with her provocative outfit sparking chatter about the similarities to Bianca's signature fashion choices, often seen as a nod to Kanyes influence Kanye previously shared an image of Bianca in a similar look to his Instagram, featuring her in a thong and a black leather head covering Kim previously admitted to having 'panic attacks' about finding her fashion identity following her divorce, after years of being styled by West himself; Kanye and Bianca seen in February A source previously claimed that Kim warned Kanye not to let Bianca wear her revealing outfits in front of their four children, North, 11, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and Psalm, five; the former pair seen in 2019 'She is truly surprised that Kanye would let his wife leave the house like that.' Since then, Bianca has gone out of her way to cover up while in the company of North, Saint, Chicago or Psalm. Unlike in his marriage with Bianca, Kanye used to frequently ask Kim to change her outfits if he felt she was showing too much skin, with the rapper heavily influencing her fashion choices during their six-year marriage. 'Kanye did the same thing he is doing with Bianca to Kim throughout their marriage,' DailyMail.com's source explained. 'The difference is that when Kanye dressed Kim, he was respected as a person as an artist. 'Unfortunately, Kim knows what Bianca is going through but she feels Bianca should have known what she was getting into.' A different source previously revealed that Bianca's parents were 'mortified' by her near-naked ensembles and feared she was 'being controlled' by Kanye. Strictly Come Dancing fans claimed it is going to be 'the most incredible final ever' as the final four was confirmed in Sunday night's semi-final episode. Fans were over the moon as Chris McCausland, JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri and Sarah Hadland became Strictly's 2024 finalists. Viewers also poked fun at Pete Wicks after he was voted off during the eleventh results show of the series, admitting: 'I wonder if Pete Wicks is on the plane to Australia already!' It could be the perfect time for the former TOWIE star, 36, who has told pals he would like to 'make it official' with Maura Higgins, 34, to catch the next flight out to see his new love interest following her I'm A Celeb exit.. Taking to X, one fan cheekily quipped: 'I wonder if Pete's on the place to Australia already? The #ImACeleb party and Maura are probably waiting for him. #Strictly'. Pete's Strictly exit follows hot on the heels of Maura's own elimination from I'm A Celeb this weekend, after which she made a bold public declaration about her feelings for the TOWIE star. Strictly fans claimed it is going to be 'the most incredible final ever' as the final four was confirmed in Sunday night's semi-final episode, as Pete Wicks was voted off It could be the perfect time for Pete, who has told pals he would like to 'make it official' with Maura Higgins, 34, to catch the next flight out to see her in time for the I'm A Celeb reunion During her time on I'm A Celeb Maura revealed that she had been dating Pete before entering the jungle, but admitted she wasn't sure if they were in a relationship. And appearing on This Morning on Friday she shared her excitement to see Pete and admitted he had been so supportive. She confessed: 'Honestly he's been so supportive.I didn't know if he was still in Strictly, I'm so proud of him and he's proud of me and I can't wait to see him.' Alison then cheekily asked if he could be a bridesmaid at the pair's wedding - with Maura giggling before agreeing to the request: 'Yes, you can be a bridesmaid Alison.' Meanwhile, fans praised Strcitly's star-studded final four and shared their relief that the 'right four ended up in the final'. Some wrote: 'CHRIS AND DIANNE ARE STRICTLY FINALISTS!!!!!! #strictly', 'All the shocking results, but the right 4 ended up in the final eventually', 'obvs my vote is for chris and dianne, but id genuinely be over the moon for any of these final 4 to lift the glitterball. we are in for one of the most incredible finals for SURE!! i cannot wait #Strictly', 'Sad to see Pete Wicks go from #Strictly He's had a great journey Showed & danced Go Pete It is the right final though & was all very emotional', 'Very much looking forward to the final. All deserve to be there but my heart and my winners are Chris and Dianne '. Pete and Jowita Przysta left at the Semi-Final stage of the competition, following a dance off against Tasha and Aljaz Skorjanec. Both couples took to the ballroom floor again, with Tasha and Aljaz performing their Waltz to (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. Then, Pete and Jowita performed their Argentine Tango to Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve. Viewers also poked fun at Pete Wicks after he was voted off during the eleventh results show of the series, admitting: 'I wonder if Pete Wicks is on the plane to Australia already!' Meanwhile, fans praised the star-studded final four and shared their relief that the 'right four ended up in the final' Pete and Jowita Przysta left at the Semi-Final stage of the competition, following a dance off against Tasha and Aljaz Skorjanec Both couples took to the ballroom floor again, with Tasha and Aljaz performing their Waltz to (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig Revel Horwood kicking things off by saving Tasha and Aljaz Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke saved also Tasha and Aljaz, giving them the majority vote and signalling the end of Pete and Jowita's time on the show. Head Judge Shirley Ballas also agreed and said she would have decided to save Tasha and Aljaz. When asked by Tess about his time in the competition Pete said: 'It's been wild. I've been quite honest about the fact that I didn't necessarily want to do this [Strictly] in the first place, but everyone else wanted me to do it, and I am so, so glad that I did it! 'You don't always have to be the best, but if you enjoy something then why shouldn't you have a go at it? I've tried my best from day one, I said I was in for a penny, in for a pound and I've done it, it's been beautiful.' Turning to Polish dance partner Jowita, he added: 'There's a lot of things I'm going to take away from this, but one of the most special things is you [to Jowita] and I mean that, because you're one of the most incredible people - not just as a dancer - but as a person. 'You've been a ray of sunshine for me. You've helped me through things in the past three months that I didn't think I could do and you made me believe in myself and that means more to me than anything.' Jowita said: 'I just want to say thank you, thank you for the trust you have given me since day one. When asked by Tess about his time in the competition Pete said: 'It's been wild. I've been quite honest about the fact that I didn't necessarily want to do this [Strictly] in the first place, but everyone else wanted me to do it, and I am so, so glad that I did it!' The former TOWIE star described dance partner Jowita as 'one of the most incredible people - not just as a dancer - but as a person' The remaining four couples will take to the dancefloor next week for the competitions Grand Final 'I know it wasnt easy, but with your hard work, your commitment and your heart, which is the most amazing thing, you were winning every week! 'For me, every dance was special even the Cha Cha in Blackpool! 'Remember on day one you said Im not going to stay long in this competition because I cannot dance but now I can say to you, yes you can.' Sundays results show also feature two musical performances; Becky Hill sung her powerful single Indestructible, while Raye also took the stage with her stunning track Genesis, Pt. III. The remaining four couples will take to the dancefloor next week for the competitions Grand Final. The finalists will each perform three dances: their favourite dance of the series, the judges pick and a spectacular show dance. The Strictly Come Dancing Grand Final returns live on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 14 December at 18:00. Martin Freeman looked loved-up with French actress girlfriend Rachel Benaissa as they attended the British Independent Film Awards at The Roundhouse in London on Sunday. The Sherlock actor, 53, and his partner, 30, held hands as they cosied up while posing for photos on the star-studded red carpet. Martin cut a dapper figure in a smart blue suit which he paired with a white shirt and a black spotted tie. Meanwhile Rachel showed off her incredible figure in a black satin bralette which she teamed with an oversized blazer and matching wide legged trousers. She elevated her frame in a pair of towering sandals and accessorised with a matching handbag and layered several gold necklaces. Martin Freeman looked loved-up with French actress girlfriend Rachel Benaissa as they attended the British Independent Film Awards at The Roundhouse in London on Sunday The Sherlock actor, 53, and his partner, 30, who went public with their romance in 2021, held hands as they cosied up while posing for photos on the star-studded red carpet The couple have been dating for around three years but are rarely seen together in public. Rachel and Martin went public with their romance in 2021. They made their first appearance as a couple when they graced the red carpet at the Raindance Film Festival Opening Night gala screening of Best Sellers at The Dorchester. The outing came just months after Amanda discussed their split. Rachel is best known for playing a role in BBC hit Normal People, alongside stars Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones. The actress has also starred in Lindsay Lohans Netflix film Irish Wish, Aisling Beas sitcom This Way Up. In addition to acting, Rachel also writes screenplays and once came runner-up in Outstanding Screenplays TV pilot competition. Martin cut a dapper figure in a smart blue suit which he paired with a white shirt and a black spotted tie Meanwhile Rachel showed off her incredible figure in a black satin bralette which she teamed with an oversized blazer and matching wide legged trousers Martin shares two teenage children Joe, 17, and Grace, 15, with his ex-wife Amanda Abbington, 51 (pictured in 2014) Martin shares two teenage children Joe, 17, and Grace, 15, with his ex-wife Amanda Abbington, 51. The actor co-parents his two children with ex-Amanda following their split in 2016 after 16 years together. Martin was said to have supported Amanda through the Strictly Come Dancing probe. The actress made a series of accusations about her pro Giovanni Pernice's teaching methods and has described his behaviour as 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'. The BBC cleared Giovanni of physically abusive behaviour towards Amanda, while upholding some of her complaints the Corporation. A source told The Sun at the time of the investigation: 'Martin has made a point of making sure Amanda is OK with everything that has happened recently. They share two children together so have always remained close for their sake. 'He was left worried and concerned at learning about the things which Amanda has been going through. And it's been really heartening for Amanda to know that she has Martin's support. 'She's been through hell recently, and had to endure death threats and hateful messages. She's relied heavily on her fiance Jonathan who has been an absolute rock throughout all of this.' Tracy Hollis was delighted, but a little daunted, to find out she was pregnant with twins. However the first-time mother from Hampton Roads, Virginia, was soon left in a state of shock when she was asked to make an upfront payment for her entire pregnancy, birth and post-natal care after her first scan at just six weeks. The $3,600 figure was demanded by her practice in one payment, and Hollis was told she would not be able to book any further appointments until it was paid. 'So I sat there in tears, because I couldn't establish care,' Hollis told DailyMail.com. 'I felt like I couldn't move forward at all.' And she is by no means alone. Pregnant women are increasingly being asked to foot their entire healthcare bill upfront - before giving birth. Providers total up the expected costs of prenatal and birth care, which would be owed after a baby is delivered. Typically, patients would receive the bill after insurance has paid its part, which for pregnant women is usually only when the pregnancy ends. Although this is legal, families and patient advocacy groups have hit back at the practice, calling it unethical and a source of unnecessary stress at a vulnerable time. The policy is fraught with difficulties, they say, namely that many families are caught unawares and do not have the cash upfront. Tracy Hollis was asked to pay $3,600 upfront for her entire pregnancy, birth and post-natal care after her first scan at just six weeks It also causes anxiety at a financially stressful moment. What's more, estimates for care not yet administered can be wrong, resulting in higher charges that then have to be challenged and clawed back by patients at a later date. This can be especially painful if the pregnant patient miscarries and does not require the full anticipated care package. Hollis was told that if she miscarried and did not need the full care that she had paid for, then the money would be held by the provider for three to six months before a refund would be issued. The 41-year-old asked the biller if she could split the payments, or use the funds in her Health Savings Account (HSA) to help towards the total. However, both requests were denied and the biller was 'very unfriendly,' she said. 'Looking back on it,' she recalled, 'it really makes me sad. When you're newly pregnant you're vulnerable and excited, but then to be told "sorry, you're out of luck, give me this money or else we don't care". It was devastating.' While this practice appears to be on the rise anecdotally, it is hard to monitor upfront billing because the payments are not recorded in insurance claims data for researchers. It is instead considered a private transaction between individual patients and their healthcare providers. While upfront billing is legal, families and patient advocacy groups have hit back at the practice, calling it unethical and a source of unnecessary stress at a vulnerable time Paying for care upfront also makes matters more complicated for women who wish to swap providers during their pregnancy. This can result in women who are unhappy with their care missing out on prenatal appointments altogether, especially in areas where there are few other maternity care options. 'The biggest impact on patients is financial. It not only forces patients to pay upfront, but it forces them to pay a lot of money for care they haven't received and may never receive,' Caitlin Donovan, from the Patient Advocate Foundation, told DailyMail.com. Although the practice is entirely legal, Donovan argues it is 'predicated on what makes a medical practice the most money, not what is best for the patient.' 'It can be very difficult to see a new physician once you have started care, and moving practices can trigger incorrect billing or over-billing,' she explained. 'It is indicative of healthcare as a whole.' Hollis ended up filing a complaint against the practice that asked for the upfront bill and left for another care provider, but the billing nightmare did not end there. The new provider did not ask Hollis to pay upfront for care. However her insurance company paid the bill following her birth, but then retracted the payment because of a administrative glitch because the babies were twins. 'Then they told me that I owed $144,000 and it took me two and a half years to resolve,' she said. 'It was a nightmare, a lot of stress and I must have spent hundreds of hours on the phone.' Non-profit worker Emily Brown, who also lives in Virginia, was also asked to pay upfront for her care. Brown, who now has two-year-old twins, had her first ultrasound and was able to progress with booking future care. However, she then received a message through her OBGYN's online patient portal where she was asked to pay $1,704.86 of estimated costs for her upcoming pregnancy care. Non-profit worker Emily Brown, who also lives in Virginia, was also asked to pay upfront for her care (Pictured: Her twins who are now two years old) Being asked to pay for care upfront can result in women who are unhappy with their care missing out on prenatal appointments altogether, especially in areas where there are few other maternity care options This would cover three routine ultrasounds, routine OB exams, a vaginal delivery and one postpartum exam, according to the message. It then stated that the patient must be prepared to pay the full amount after the first visit, and if unable to do so, the practice could offer a three month payment plan. 'That would still be $600 for three months straight and it also stated that it would not include additional services such as non routine problems, OB visits, nurse visits, any additional ultrasounds, non-stress testing, cesarean delivery and others,' Brown explained. Brown was nervous about the suggestion of other additional costs, as she knew that having twins could present more challenges. Brown did pay the full amount upfront, and was able to use money form her HSA towards the bill. However, after giving birth she was sent a refund check as she had overpaid for care. 'No one contacted me to let me know that there had been an overpayment, or that there was even a chance this could happen. This check just showed up at my house,' she said. 'There was no breakdown of what I had overpaid for or how that had transpired.' 'The biggest impact on patients is financial. It not only forces patients to pay upfront, but it forces them to pay a lot of money for care they haven't received and may never receive,' said Caitlin Donovan, from the Patient Advocate Foundation The typical billing practice for maternity care is done by an OB-GYN filing a single insurance claim for the combined care they offered throughout a pregnancy, including prenatal, labor, delivery and postpartum. This bundled policy began around 30 years ago, Lisa Satterfield of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' told CBS News. However, the practice has become outdated due to changes such as the Affordable Care Act, according to Satterfield. Before the 2010 Act was signed into law, pregnant women had to fork out co-pays for each individual appointment, which led to some skipping crucial visits to save money. The Obama-era legislation required all commercial insurers to fully cover a wide variety of prenatal services going forward. It has also become more common for pregnant women to have different healthcare providers for prenatal, labor and delivery or switch providers entirely during the process. Some providers say that such shifts in how healthcare is administered has led to the change in billing. A family-owned drugstore has left a local community reeling by announcing it will close after 110 years. Clinkscales Drugs has been serving the small town of Belton, South Carolina, since 1915. The store, formerly known as Horton's, has been owned and run by the Clinkscale family since it was established. But now current owner Gene Clinkscales has decided to retire. 'I'm getting to a certain age, but I'm ready to step back,' Clinkscales told WSPA. 'My wife has the books for the store, so she'd like some time off as well,' he explained. 'All of my children are spread out, grown, but have their own jobs and careers, and it's time to move on. 'We hate it, and we wish something like it were in town but we've been grateful for all these many years.' Clinkscales Drugs has been serving the small town of Belton, South Carolina since 1915 Clinkscales currently has a 50 percent off sale on most items, and will close its doors for the final time on December 11. Locals who have been visiting the store for years shared their sadness at the store's closing - as well as their happy memories over the years. 'So many memories of shopping there throughout my childhood with my sweet Granny... so sad to see this cornerstone go,' Heather Lever wrote on Facebook. 'Clinkscales Drugs has been a staple in Belton all of our lives. It's one of those businesses that we will always remember,' another local customer, Randy Bannister, wrote. As well as shoppers, the staff at Clinkscales were also upset by its closure. Current owner Gene Clinkscales made the decision to close the store as he retires The drug store, previously called Horton's, has been in the same family for almost 110 years Clinkscales Drugs will close its doors for the final time on December 11 'My grandparents were customers, my mother and father were customers and then I have been a customer all these years,' employee Marcelle Jennings told the local news outlet. 'My grandfather would take me to town,' Jennings recalled. 'We would go into the Horton's, and it was uptown, and I would sit on the little stools and we would have a little snack and a drink. There's good memories here.' Linda Sitton, who has worked at the store for 38 years, said the store is like a family. 'It's been a rock throughout the community and it's going to really, really, really be missed by the community and the employees,' she said. Customers have been encouraged to stop by to say their goodbyes before the closing date. 'I just know that our family is so grateful to the folks in this community. They've loved this. They supported us,' Clinkscales said. 'Just because the store closed doesn't mean that we won't be around. We would still love to see all of our folks.' While the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus focus on India may serve short-term political goals, it risks long-term damage to bilateral relations Recently, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) made sensational claims accusing Indian diplomats of engaging in acts of violence, intimidation, and murder targeting Khalistani extremists, allegedly with the help of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This accusation came just two days before Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was scheduled to testify before the Foreign Interference Commission, which was investigating allegations of Chinese interference in elections. These allegations suggested that such interference had benefited Trudeaus Liberal Party, contributing to its electoral success and the loss of seats for Conservative candidates. Notably, a day before the RCMPs claims, members of Trudeaus government leaked sensitive information to The Washington Post (WP) to amplify Ottawas narrative internationally. On October 16, Trudeau appeared before the commission but devoted significant attention to India instead of addressing the allegations of Chinese interference. He admitted to having no hard evidence but only intelligence inputs regarding the claims against India, raising questions about his motives. Political Diversion Prime Minister Trudeau faces mounting dissatisfaction among Canadians over various domestic crises, including high living costs, an unaffordable real estate market, immigration issues, and rising unemployment. Economic challenges such as slow growth, a widening fiscal deficit, and stagnating per capita GDP have further eroded Trudeaus support. Additionally, accusations of personal extravagance and the unpopular carbon tax have compounded public frustration. Speculation abounds that Trudeau may also be contending with internal dissent within his party. Khalistani Separatism For decades, India has criticised Canada for allegedly providing a safe haven to Khalistani separatists, driven largely by domestic vote bank politics. The most egregious example of Canadas leniency toward Khalistani extremists was the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing. Despite prior intelligence, Ottawa has been accused of failing to prevent the attack or bring its perpetrators to justice. Sikhs represent approximately 2.1% of Canadas population but hold disproportionate influence with 4.4% of parliamentary representation. While the majority of Sikh Canadians do not support Khalistan, a vocal minority of Khalistani extremists wields significant political influence through intimidation and mobilization. Their support ensures votes, financial contributions, and political protection, making Canadian politicians reluctant to alienate them. Maxime Bernier, leader of the Peoples Party of Canada, has openly criticized this dynamic. He condemned Trudeau and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre for not naming Khalistani Sikhs while condemning attacks on Hindu temples, accusing them of pandering to extremist elements. Bernier argued that Canada must collaborate with India to address Khalistani extremism instead of jeopardising bilateral relations. Toronto MP Kevin Vuong also raised concerns over the growing threat to Hindu Canadians following recent attacks on temples. Indias Response Ottawa has accused India of being uncooperative in the investigation into the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani figure. However, some analysts suggest the issue lies in Canadas limited geopolitical leverage compared to the United States. For instance, WP reports allege that the CIA assisted in gathering evidence implicating Indian operatives in potential plots against Khalistani leaders. In contrast, Canada has only intelligence inputs from its Five Eyes partners and intercepted conversations of Indian diplomats. Ironically, while Canada prioritises the safety of Khalistani extremists, acts of violence, hate speech, and threats targeting Indian diplomats, temples, and community leaders have received little attention from Trudeaus government. Trudeaus Dilemma Recent revelations have further complicated Trudeaus position. Last month, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme claimed to have irrefutable evidence implicating senior Indian officials in Nijjars murder. However, Trudeau later denied possessing any such evidence, calling leaks to The Globe and Mail baseless and criminal. This inconsistency has fueled speculation about Trudeaus motives and whether external pressuressuch as U.S. intelligence directives or political considerationsmight be influencing his stance. Future of India-Canada Relations Despite robust people-to-people ties and ongoing trade, Indias relationship with Canada has been fraught with tensions over Khalistani extremism. The issue transcends Trudeau or the Liberal Party and reflects deeper systemic problems in Canadian politics. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, while maintaining a neutral stance, has also avoided directly addressing Khalistani extremism, raising doubts about whether a change in government would significantly alter Canadas approach. India has historically responded to incidents involving Khalistani extremism in Canada with diplomatic protests and calls for accountability. However, experts argue that India should adopt a more proactive and sustained approach, raising the issue at international forums like the United Nations and during bilateral dialogues with Western nations. Emphasising the principles of hate speech and incitement laws, which exist in Canadian legislation, could strengthen Indias case against Khalistani violence. (The writer is a Public Policy Analyst and Lawyer National Law University, Jodhpur; views are personal) After being rejected four times by the National School of Drama, Manoj Bajpayee says he developed a Dronacharya-Eklavya relationship with the premier acting institute because he considered it an absentee mentor that shaped his success. A monthly stipend of Rs 2,500, a roof over his head, free food from canteen and being surrounded by the best in the world of acting. As a 22-year-old, there was no better place than NSD, the "Satya" actor said. But it was not to be despite four attempts. "My relationship with NSD is very much like what Eklavya had with Guru Dronacharya. That they didn't ask for my thumb is a different matter. They have rather welcomed me. They call me to hold workshops with the students. There is mutual respect. The National School of Drama is among the best institutions in the world," Bajpayee told PTI in an interview during a visit to the news agency's headquarters. According to the actor, who started in theatre before going on to become a big name in arthouse and mainstream movies, institutes such as NSD, Pune's Film and Television Institute of India and Kolkata's Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute are world class institutes. "I don't understand why they don't get their due," he said. He said he never complained about NSD's rejection even when it happened the first time. "On the contrary, I thought I wasn't good enough and had many flaws, because NSD can never go wrong," he said. But the first time he failed, it really broke him. Bajpayee, who was then studying in Delhi University, said he shut himself in his rented room in Mukherjee Nagar. His friends intervened and helped him come out of his shock. "It was a bad time in my life where I was absolutely clueless about what to do next. My first aim was to enter NSD. That I'll work with the best of the best in India for three years, I'll be in the campus all of 24 hours. Where I didn't have to think about food, lodgings. I'll get a scholarship, I think at the time it used to be around Rs 2,500. I've heard it is Rs 15,000 today." The actor, known for hits such as "Satya", "Shool", "Zubeida","Gangs of Wasseypur", "Aligarh" and the OTT series "The Family Man", said the other three attempts he made to enter the institute "didn't shake him up" the way it did the first time. He had gradually found a "foothold" through plays held at Mandi House, the nerve centre of Delhi's theatre scene at the time, over the years. "I only did theatre all day long for three years. I can confidently say I used to work 18 hours a day. I remember I had malaria, I was so belligerent and passionate to learn this craft that I went to the rehearsal despite being down with malaria. I fainted near a tea store outside Hindu College. "I woke up after some students there sprinkled some water on my face... I was working so hard, there was a drive to learn, there was a lot of passion for this work. I didn't lose any time," he said. The dream to get into the premier Delhi institute of performing arts probably took shape when he was in high school and read about the many stalwarts who had studied at NSD, Bajpayee said, recalling how this dream inspired him to leave his village and land in Delhi. "I wanted to get into acting right from childhood. My parents used to take us to the theatre to watch films. As I would watch films, I started feeling that I don't want to do anything else other than this (acting). "At the time, I think I was in Class 5 or 6. I started taking part in elocution contests. I developed a special love for poems. I loved reciting poems because such activities didn't often take place in small towns. Elocution contests in school would be a big deal and it used to be organised biannually." He said he found it easy to excel in these competitions because of his love for "poems and languages". The Delhi years were challenging though he does not like to call them a "struggle". Instead, he sees those days as the period that shaped who he would become later. "Hunger is a big thing when you come from an ordinary family. You depend a lot on your friends and they hold your hand and travel the way with you. I borrowed shoes, chappals and they would also share their clothes with me. I was doing all this but in that age, you don't think much about it. You don't think that you are going through some trouble because age is on your side," the actor said. "You have a life to live. So I was enjoying that phase. If I didn't have money to buy a bus ticket, then I would go to Yamuna Vihar on foot. And I would learn my lines from the play during that journey. And if I would get tired, I would stop at Chandni Chowk or ISBT," he said, describing his hangout places in old and north Delhi around Delhi University. Eklavya, a character from the Indian epic Mahabharata, made a statue of Dronacharya after the guru declined to train him in archery. Drona, who found Eklavya's skills better than his own students, realised that his promise to make Arjuna the greatest archer in the world won't be possible with Eklavya. He asked Eklavya for his right thumb as 'guru dakshina' and Eklavya happily complied. Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, putting an end to the Assad familys 50 years of iron rule but raising questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after President Bashar Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown. Russia, a close ally, said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance, leads the biggest rebel faction and is poised to chart the countrys future direction. The end of Assads rule deals a major blow to Iran and its allies, already weakened by over a year of conflict with Israel. The rebels now face the daunting task of healing bitter divides in a country ravaged by war and still split among different armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling US-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas. Syrian state television aired a video statement early Sunday by a group of rebels saying that Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been set free. They called on people to preserve the institutions of the free Syrian state. The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 pm to 5 am. The rebels said they freed people held at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. A video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked and confused. At least one small child could be seen among them. Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi, who appeared on State TV later in the day, sought to reassure Syrias religious and ethnic minorities, saying: Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects. We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did, he added. Residents of Damascus gathered to pray mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting God is great. People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. Teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air. Revellers filled Umayyad Square in the city centre, where the Defence Ministry is located. Men fired celebratory gunshots into the air and some waved the three-starred Syrian flag that predates the Assad government and was adopted by the revolutionaries. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the Defence Ministry. Videos from Damascus showed families wandering into the presidential palace, with some emerging carrying stacks of plates and other household items. I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall, said Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44, who works in the electricity sector. From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them (the opposition forces) a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud. Syrias al-Watan newspaper, which was historically pro-government, wrote: We are facing a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood. We believe and trust that Syria will be for all Syrians. The newspaper added that media workers should not be blamed for publishing government statements in the past, saying: We only carried out the instructions and published the news they sent us. A statement from the Alawite sect - to which Assad belongs and which has formed the core of his base - called on young Syrians to be calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country. The rebels mainly come from the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said in a video statement that the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. A video shared on Syrian opposition media showed a group of armed men escorting him out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel on Sunday. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Assad took a flight Sunday from Damascus. A senior diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, which had sought to rehabilitate Assads image and has welcomed high-profile exiles in recent years, declined to comment on his whereabouts when asked by reporters at a conference in Bahrain. Anwar Gargash said Assads destination at this point is a footnote in history, comparing it to the long exile of German Kaiser Wilhelm II after World War I. Assad has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war, including a 2013 chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of the capital. There was no immediate comment from Iran, which had been Assads staunchest supporter. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned. The rebel advances since November 27 were the largest in recent years, and saw the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs fall in a matter of days as the Syrian army melted away. Russia, Iran and Lebanons Hezbollah militant group, which provided crucial support to Assad throughout the uprising, abandoned him in the final days as they reeled from other conflicts. The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations. Its leader, al-Golani, has sought to recast the group as a moderate and tolerant force. HTS set up a salvation government in 2017 to administer a large region in northwestern Syria under its control. Golani has made history and sparked hope among millions of Syrians, said Dareen Khalifa, a senior adviser with the International Crisis Group and an expert on Syrian groups. But he and the rebels now face a formidable challenge ahead. One can only hope they rise to the occasion. The UNs special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an orderly political transition. The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday. The participants included Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, Qatars Foreign Ministry spokesman, told reporters that they agreed on the need to engage all parties on the ground, including the HTS, and that the main concern is stability and safe transition. The Israeli military said Sunday it has deployed forces in a demilitarized buffer zone along its northern frontier with Syria following the rebel offensive there. The military said the deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war and the international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. Agitating farmers on Sunday afternoon suspended their Dilli Chalo foot march for the day after some of them suffered injuries in tear gas shelling by Haryana police, the protesting farmers will decide on the next course of action on Monday. After the farmers started the foot march on Sunday, they were halted by the multilayered barricading erected by the Haryana Police at the entry point to Haryana from Punjab. A heated argument took place between protesting farmer jatha and security personnel. Haryana Police asked the farmers to show them the requisite permission to take out the foot march. The police claimed they had a list with names of 101 farmers, provided by farm unions, but the names of the protesting farmers were not as per the list. As the confrontation escalated, tear gas shells were lobbed and water cannons were aimed towards the farmers to disperse them, injuring several protestors. The teargas shells forced the farmers, some of whom had covered their faces and were wearing protective eyewear, to get back a few metres. Some were seen covering the shells with wet jute bags. Ambala police had earlier said the farmer outfits, which are agitating for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price and other demands, can march to Delhi only after getting permission from the national capital administration. The protesters, dubbed as marjeevras, (someone willing to die for a cause), were stopped only a few metres into the march and the standoff continued for over three hours. The farmers called off their march for the day following action of security forces. Farmer leader Baldev Singh Zira, who led the jatha on Sunday, said it was a drama by Haryana Police. Along with tea, and biscuits, they fired teargas shells, he said. They have been exposed, he said. As the protesters reached the barricades, a few police personnel climbed the roof of a tin shed where security personnel have been stationed, and threw flower petals on a group of farmers. A farmer said, They are saying that our names were not on the list. We do not know which list they have. When we asked them whether they would allow us to move ahead after verifying our identities, they told us then we would have to show the permission. A Haryana security personnel was seen asking farmers to show permission to march to Delhi and questioned the identity of some of the protesters. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher in the evening said six farmers were injured and one of them was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh.We have called back the jatha (group of 101 farmers), he said. Whatever happened today was seen by the whole country, said Pandher as he slammed the use of teargas against farmers. The (Haryana) administration used tactics like offering biscuits, langar, showering flower petals. Immediately after showering flowers, they (Haryana security personnel) fired teargas shells and rubber bullets at farmers, he claimed. Pandher said the farmers would decide their next course of action after a meeting of their forums -- the Samyuka Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The Haryana government has turned this border like the India-Pakistan border, said a protester. Farmer leader Tejveer Singh asked why farmers were stopped from moving ahead when they were peacefully going on foot. What objection does Haryana have? He said the farmers would not have to march to the capital had the Centre accepted their demands. Farmers are sitting close to the cemented wall holding flags. They have arranged water bottles, salt, jute bags to save them from the impact of tear gas. Ahead of the march, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher alleged that the AAP-led Punjab government is in alliance with the Centre and is working against them. Pandher questioned why media is being stopped at the protesting site. Farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. Apart from legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) the farmers are demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands. Mobile Internet and the sending of bulk messages have been suspended in parts of Ambala district. District officials have already issued orders banning gatherings of five or more people, and government-run and private schools were shut for the day on the administrations order. To prevent disruptions, the Haryana Police had tightened security at Ambalas border with Punjab with multilayered barricades at the Shambhu border on National Highway 44 and also deployed water cannons. Earlier Haryana Police has written to its Punjab counterpart asking it to ensure media personnel are stopped at a safe distance from the protest site for the sake of their safety. It had earlier asked the farmers not to proceed with the march and cited a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that bans unlawful assembly of five or more people in the district. In Delhi, Security was tightened at Delhis Singhu border on Sunday. Delhi Police is on alert and security has been tightened at the Singhu border. A skeletal deployment has been made at the Singhu border but it may increase as per the situation at the Shambu border, a senior police officer said Traffic may also be hit due to the security arrangements at the border and in the central part of Delhi, he said. A strict vigil is also being maintained at the Noida border as another group of farmers from Uttar Pradesh has been protesting there, he added. The officer said police are ready to tackle any situation. Elections to five municipal corporations and 44 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Punjab will be held on December 21, the State Election Commission said on Sunday. All necessary arrangements have been made for the civic body polls, it said. Addressing the media here, State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said polling for five municipal corporations and 44 municipal councils and Nagar panchayats will be held from 7 am to 4 pm. "The model code of conduct will come into force," he said. The five municipal corporations going to polls are Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Phagwara. The process of filing nominations will start from December 9 and the last date will be December 12. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on December 13 and the last date for the withdrawal of nominations will be December 14, Chaudhuri said. He said, 37.32 lakh voters, including 17.75 lakh females and 204 others, are eligible to cast their votes in these elections. The state election commissioner said electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used for the voting. A sufficient number of EVMs have been arranged for use in the elections, he added. Votes will be counted on the same day at the polling station itself, after the completion of polling of votes, he further said. Chaudhuri said polling would be held for 381 wards of the Municipal Corporations and 598 wards of the Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats. Adequate security arrangements have been made by police, he said, asserting that a comprehensive security plan has been prepared. There are a total of 1,609 polling locations having 3,809 polling booths. Of them, 344 polling locations have been identified as hypersensitive, and 665 as sensitive. A total of 21,500 personnel of the police department and Home Guard Jawans would be deployed, he said. The commissioners of police and senior superintendents of police have been authorised to enhance the security deployment at polling locations. He said instructions regarding the prohibition on carrying arms and ammunition have been issued. The district magistrates being competent authority under the Arms Act will assess the necessity or requirement of the deposit of arms. The expenditure limits notified for a candidate contesting for the municipal elections are Rs 4 lakh, Rs 3.60 lakh for municipal council class I, Rs 2.30 lakh for municipal council class II and Rs 2 lakh for municipal council class III. The expenditure limit notified for a candidate contesting for the Nagar panchayat is Rs 1.40 lakh. Around 23,000 election personnel would be deputed on election duty. As many as 25 IAS and PCS officers would be appointed as general observers for the polls, he said. The protesting farmers on Sunday afternoon suspended their foot march to Delhi for the day after some of them suffered injuries in tear gas shelling by Haryana security personnel along the State's border with Punjab. Farmers will decide on the next course of action on Monday. After a group of 101 farmers from Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyuka Kisan Morcha (SKM) groups started the foot march to press for their demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price on Sunday, they were halted by the multilayered barricading erected by the Haryana Police. A heated argument took place between protesting farmer jatha and security personnel. Haryana Police asked the farmers to show them the requisite permission to take out the foot march. Meanwhile, farmers were seen wearing face masks and eyewear to protect themselves if a situation occurs and teargas shells are lobbed at them. Following this, tear gas shells were lobbed and water cannons were aimed towards the farmers to disperse them, injuring five protestors. In order to placate the protesting farmers, tea and biscuits were being offered to them at the Shambhu border over Ghaggar river. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher alleged that the AAP-led Punjab government is in alliance with the Centre and is working against them. Pandher questioned why the media was being stopped at the protesting site. Talking to reporters at Shambhu, Pandher said that the foot march to Delhi has been suspended for the day and asked the protesting farmers to return. At least eight farmers were injured and one of them was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. We have called back the 'jatha' (group of 101 farmers), he added. Pandher said that farmers would decide their next course of action after a meeting of their forums -- the Samyuka Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. He said that police showering flowers and offering biscuits and tea was merely a gimmick. The farmer leader claimed that police used rubber bullets at the protesters. Paramilitary personnel and Haryana Police have intensified action against protesting farmers. Teargas shells have been lobbed at the farmers on four occasions, beside water cannons to disperse them. Five farmers, including Major Singh of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsha Committee, Dilabag Singh Gill and Karnail Singh, have been injured. Police used pepper spray and tear gas shells after a few farmers attempted to pull out the iron mesh fencing. Due to strong winds, the smoke from the tear gas shells is also causing problems for the security personnel. Earlier, Haryana security personnel lobbed teargas shells to disperse protesting farmers as they neared multi-layered barricades at the Shambhu border. The teargas shells forced the farmers, some of whom had covered their faces and were wearing protective eyewear, to get back a few metres. Talking to reporters, Haryana Police DSP Varinder Kumar said the action was taken after the protesting farmers started pulling the iron mesh which is the last line of defence. He claimed that a list of 101 farmers was shared by the farmer leaders but around 300 farmers reached near the fence. We have been given a task to maintain law and order and we have just followed the order. The action was taken as some of the farmers took law in their hand, he added. It should be mentioned here that at Shambhu border, farmers had been camping since their first attempt to march to the capital was foiled in February, to press their various demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, state-of-the-art arrangements are being meticulously planned for the upcoming Maha Kumbh to welcome devotees from across India and abroad. Among the latest initiatives, the government is set to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) in Intensive Care Units, aiming to enhance the quality of patient care and ensure a superior healthcare experience during the event. Being deployed for the first time within the Mela grounds, the advanced AI messaging flow system is capable of interpreting and conveying the concerns of patients from any part of the country or the world to doctors. Additionally, in case of any critical deterioration in a patients condition, the system will instantly alert the medical team, enabling swift action to ensure proper care. The move seeks to fulfill the dream of a Healthy Maha Kumbh and Digital Maha Kumbh. This groundbreaking technology, aligned with Chief Minister Yogis vision, marks a significant step toward integrating digital innovation with healthcare during Maha Kumbh, setting a new standard for event medical management. Preparations are underway at an unprecedented scale in the Maha Kumbh fair area to accommodate approximately 45 crore devotees. Alongside a 100-bed Central Hospital, ten additional hospitals, including those in Jhunsi and Arail, are being established to ensure comprehensive healthcare for devotees and saints. Specialist doctors are being deployed extensively to provide top-tier medical services. In line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths vision of showcasing Uttar Pradesh as a global model of excellence, innovative measures in healthcare are being implemented for the Maha Kumbh. For the first time, artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilised to monitor the health of devotees, with a particular focus on ICU management. Senior Medical Officer in-charge of the Central Hospital and Nodal Officer for Maha Kumbh Dr Gaurav Dubey shared that a 10-bed ICU equipped with cutting-edge AI technology will be available at the Central Hospital in Mahakumbh Nagar. He said, Special AI-enabled microphones will be installed near each patient, capable of instantly translating 22 regional and 19 international languages into Hindi or English. This will bridge language barriers, enabling seamless communication between doctors and patients for effective treatment. He added, Additionally, advanced AI-enabled cameras will be installed throughout the ICU to monitor patient conditions in real-time. These cameras, overseen by three senior specialists, will assess patients health and immediately alert the medical team if emergency intervention is required. The system will automatically message the team leader directly, ensuring prompt medical assistance within seconds. The ICU will also feature telemedicine facilities, allowing patients to consult online with specialist doctors from Medanta Hospital when necessary. These experts can assess the patients condition remotely and provide crucial guidance to the on-site medical team, enhancing the quality and speed of care during the Maha Kumbh. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who visited Kurukshetra to attend the International Gita Jayanti Mahotsav (IGM)-2024 on Sunday, said that Haryana is a land of endless possibilities, a leader of the nation, and its talent is unparalleled in every field. Under the leadership of Nayab Singh Saini, the talent of every Haryanvi will shine even brighter, Dhankhar added. Addressing the people at the Gita Gyan Sansthanam, Dhankhar showered praises on CM Saini. Lauding the Chief Minister, he said, CM Saini is a grounded person with impeccable character, hard-working, and a person of high thinking. I am confident that Nayab Singh Saini will undoubtedly do exceptional work. The Vice President further said that companions or charioteers play a decisive role in life, and Haryana has found its companion and charioteer in CM Saini. Dhankhar emphasized that the message from the birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita, Dharmakshetra-Kurukshetra, is that the nation is supreme. Patriotism should be pure and absolute. Dhankhar said that for more than a decade, India has been making history. After six decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had the privilege of becoming the charioteer of the nation. He said that India has seen unprecedented economic progress and institutional advancement in the last ten years, and now India is on the path to becoming a developed nation. Dhankhar said that a developed India is no longer a dream but a goal. To achieve this, we must adopt the concentration and determination of Arjuna, as he focused solely on his goal, just as we must focus solely on our target to succeed, he said. We should be promoting Peace through Teachings of Bhagavad Gita: CM Saini Welcoming the Vice President Dhankhar on behalf of the people of the state, Saini said that the visit of the Vice President to Dharmakshetra-Kurukshetra for the IGM stands as a testament to his deep interest in spirituality, his unwavering faith in the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, and his special bond with Haryana. Saini said that the Vice Presidents presence in the IGM-2024 has certainly elevated the prestige of the Mahotsav and boosted the enthusiasm of the participants. Describing the Bhagavad Gita as a cornerstone of Indian philosophy and a guide for all humanity, the Chief Minister said that the Bhagavad Gita is not just a sacred text; it is a way of life and a beacon of hope for humanity. In todays world, fraught with stress and conflict, the teachings of the Gita are essential to sustain humanity and foster global harmony, said Saini. The Chief Minister emphasized that the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita are vital in addressing the stresses and challenges of modern life. The teachings of Bhagavad Gita offer solutions to humanitys inner conflicts and guide us toward peace and understanding. By following its teachings, we can realize the dream of global harmony and serve the nations best interests, he said. The recent attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal has once again brought the specter of Khalistani extremism into the spotlight, sending shockwaves through Punjab and raising fears of the violence that once gripped the state making a possible resurgence. The chilling details of the attack, carried out by Khalistani terrorist Narain Singh Chaura, evoke haunting parallels to the deadly period of the 1980s and early 1990s, when targeted killings and acts of terror were an unfortunate reality in Punjabs socio-political landscape. The attack on Sukhbir Badal occurred on the morning of December 3, 2024, when Chaura, pretending to be a devotee, approached the SAD leader under the guise of offering obeisance at the Golden Temple. Concealed within his jacket, the assailant had a pistol, which he intended to use at point-blank range. The attempt to assassinate Sukhbir was thwarted only because of the swift intervention of Punjab Police cop, who heroically prevented the assailant from firing by pushing the gun upward. The quick action of the police officer prevented a tragedy, saving Sukhbirs life. But the very nature of the attack, executed in a manner so reminiscent of the dark days of the Khalistani movement, has sparked an outcry across the state. What makes the attack particularly unsettling is that it took place near the same spot where, 41 years ago, Punjab Police DIG, Jalandhar Range, AS Atwal was assassinated in a similar fashion. On the dreadful day of April 25 in 1983, 40-year-old DIG Atwal was shot dead at point-blank range outside the Golden Temple complex. The assassination was a clear message from Khalistani extremists aimed at undermining the authority of the State. The chilling image of DIG Atwals body, lying unattended for hours at the temple entrance as the local shopkeepers dared not approach, continues to haunt the collective memory of the people of Punjab. Resurfacing Ghosts of Khalistani Violence The attack on Sukhbir Badal, which employed the same tactics used by Khalistani militants in the past, highlighted a disturbing trend the return of the terror tactics that once led to the violent insurgency in Punjab. These methods, involving point-blank shootings and attacks under the guise of devotion or anonymity, have resurfaced in multiple high-profile assassinations over the years. The most notable of these assassinations, a direct result of Khalistani violence, was that of Harchand Singh Longowal a prominent Akali leader, who was gunned down on August 20, 1985, in a shooting that took place just a month after he had signed the Rajiv-Longowal Accord. The agreement, which was meant to bring an end to the violent insurgency in Punjab, was not welcomed by all. Longowals assassination was seen as an act of retaliation by hardline Khalistani militants who viewed the accord as a betrayal of their cause. His death marked a turning point in Punjabs history, with the violence continuing to spiral out of control for years to come. Another high-profile figure targeted by Khalistani extremists was Punjabs then-Chief Minister Beant Singh. On August 31, 1995, Beant Singh, known for his firm stance against terrorism, was killed in a bomb explosion orchestrated by Khalistani militants. A bomb was strapped to the body of a police officer, Dilawar Singh, who detonated it in close proximity to Beant Singhs car at Punjab Civil Secretariat. The explosion killed the Chief Minister and 17 others marking one of the most horrific acts of terrorism in Punjabs modern history. While the Khalistani insurgency may have officially ended in the 1990s, the shadows of its violence have never truly disappeared. In more recent years, the State has witnessed a resurgence of such attacks. In 2016, RSS prominent leader in Punjab Jagdish Gagneja was shot dead in Jalandhar by assailants on motorcycles a chilling echo of the tactics used by militants in the 1980s. Gagnejas activism in spreading the RSSs ideology in Punjab made him a target of militants, who believed his work threatened their goals. A Perilous Pattern: Targeted Killings Across Decades The recent attack on Sukhbir Badal is part of a larger, more sinister pattern of targeted killings that has unfolded over the decades. In 2016, the assassination of 88-year-old Mata Chand Kaur in Ludhiana served as another painful reminder of the ongoing threat. Mata Chand Kaur, a prominent figure in the Namdhari sect, was murdered by gunmen who had positioned themselves on a deserted road. They approached her vehicle under the pretext of seeking blessings, only to open fire at point-blank range. Such attacks, designed to strike in the most unexpected and vulnerable moments, are reminiscent of the Khalistani violence that once plagued the state. Similarly, in November 2022, Hindu leader Sudhir Suri was assassinated in Amritsar while protesting outside a temple. The assailant, who was influenced by Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh now a detainee under stringent National Security Act (NSA) and Lok Sabha MP from Khadoor Sahib, executed the killing at point-blank range in front of numerous witnesses. Suri's assassination, which took place in broad daylight, raised serious questions about the continuing presence of Khalistani extremists in the region. Sukhbir Badal: A Symbolic Target The attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal holds significant symbolism. Sukhbir, as the leader of the Akali Dal and the son of the Akali veteran Parkash Singh Badal, is seen as a key figure in shaping Punjabs post-terrorism landscape. His leadership represented a break from the violence of the past and a commitment to bringing peace and stability to the state. As a result, he has become a prime target for those who seek to destabilize Punjab and revive the separatist movement. Sukhbir Badals family has long been associated with the struggle against the forces of extremism. His father, Parkash Singh Badal, served as Chief Minister of Punjab for five terms and played a crucial role in restoring peace to the state following the Khalistani insurgency. The attack on Sukhbir is not just an attack on an individual, but an assault on the legacy of the Badal family and their efforts to bring about reconciliation and progress in Punjab. A State at Crossroads The resurgence of Khalistani violence, as seen in the recent attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal, has once again brought Punjab to a critical juncture. The state, which has long been hailed as a symbol of resilience and recovery, now faces the challenge of dealing with the lingering ghosts of its violent past. The lessons of history must not be forgotten, and the people of Punjab must unite against the forces that seek to divide them. The response of the State Government, law enforcement, and civil society will be crucial in ensuring that the peace and stability, that Punjab has fought so hard to achieve, are not undone by the actions of a few radicalized individuals. The recent attack on Sukhbir, though thwarted, is a grim reminder that the battle against extremism is far from over. However, the people of Punjab, buoyed by their collective resolve, can overcome these challenges and ensure that the states hard-won peace remains intact. In these testing times, Punjab must stand united to safeguard its future and uphold the values of peace, harmony, and unity. High-Profile Khalistan-Related Attacks in Punjab Delhi Police have arrested a 27-year-old man who robbed Rs 5.5 lakh from a house in north-west Delhi, an official said on Sunday. The incident took place in Bharat Nagar area when the accused had stolen cash and valuables meant for a wedding, which got cancelled due to the theft. Arun, is a habitual offender and he was arrested from Wazirpur area, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Abhishek Dhania said. He had stolen cash and valuables meant for a wedding, which got cancelled due to the theft, the DCP said. The case came to light on November 26 when the complainant, who runs a nursery, reported the theft. He had saved Rs 5.5 lakh and purchased clothing for his sister's wedding in Uttar Pradesh, the officer said. The theft took place around 4.30 am when the complainant left his bag unattended while taking a bath, Dhania said. An FIR was registered at Bharat Nagar police station and an investigation was launched in the matter, the police said. Police team analysed CCTV footage and conducted raids across the city. Based on a tip-off, the team arrested Arun, who confessed to the crime during interrogation, they said. Police recovered most of the stolen property, including cash and personal documents of the complainant, the DCP said. Investigations revealed that Arun is a habitual offender with 11 prior cases of robbery and theft against him. He admitted to committing the crime to fund his addiction of drugs and alcohol, the officer said. The Bar Council of India (BCI) has removed Sanjeev Nasiar from the post of Bar Council of Delhi's vice chairman and has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the authenticity of his LL.B. (Hons.) degree. Nasiar, who also leads the legal cell of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is under scrutiny following allegations of possessing a fabricated law degree. Nasiar, who is also the president of Aam Aadmi Party's legal cell, holds a law degree from Devi Ahilya Bai Vishwavidyalaya, Indore. In a meeting held on December 7, 2024, the BCI resolved to take decisive action regarding irregularities in the LL.B. (Hons.) degree purportedly issued to Nasiar by Devi Ahilyabai Vishvavidyalaya, Indore. This decision stems from an inquiry conducted by a sub-committee formed on September 3, 2024, in response to directives from the Delhi High Court. In a release issued on Sunday, the BCI said, "The sub-committee constituted by the BCI, after a thorough enquiry, concluded that the authenticity of the LLB (Hons) degree of Sanjeev Nasiar is highly questionable." It said the BCI's general council had resolved to adopt the committee's report and the BCI secretary had been directed to approach the CBI, requesting it to probe the degree's authenticity. "Pending the outcome of the investigation, Sanjeev Nasiar is removed from the position of vice chairman, Bar Council of Delhi," said the release signed by BCI secretary Srimanto Sen. The non-cooperation and obstructive behavior of university officials during the inquiry further cast serious doubts on the authenticity of the degree. Consequently, the sub-committee concluded that the legitimacy of Nasiars LL.B. (Hons.) degree is highly questionable. It said the measure was necessary to safeguard the integrity and dignity of the legal profession and ensure public confidence in it. "The BCI is conscientious to uphold the prestige and honour of the legal profession and remains resolute in its resolve to uphold its sanctity to ensure that only those meeting the highest standards of ethics and qualifications are permitted to practice law in India," the release said. This development follows a series of legal challenges concerning Nasiars qualifications. In August 2024, the Delhi High Court dismissed a petition seeking his removal, noting that the verification report from the concerned university stated his law degree is genuine. The plea, filed by Naresh Chand Gupta, former President of the Delhi Bar Association, sought a writ of quo warranto against Nasiar. Gupta alleged that Nasiar was enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) using a forged and fabricated LLB degree. Gupta requested that the BCD and the Bar Council of India (BCI) remove Nasiar and another advocate, Dalip Kumar Rana, from the roll of advocates and file an FIR against them for their alleged involvement in a racket. Delhi BJP workers along with the slum dwellers on Sunday held a protest together in about 968 small and big slums of Delhi regarding the local problems arising due to the negligence of the AAP government. Their problems were raised by BJP MPs, MLAs and Municipal Councilors raising the issues people face in slums. An outrage is being seen in the slums against the Arvind Kejriwal government and the biggest reason for this is their breach of promise, the party in a statement said, adding that on 15 December, BJP workers will again do night stay and public awareness in all the slums of Delhi. Addressing the public outrage protest held in Govindpuri slum of Kalkaji assembly constituency, South Delhi BJP MP Ramveer Singh Bidhuri said that due to the corruption of Kejriwal's party government, the condition of slums has become bad. No roads, no cleanliness and no drinking water. Today, the slum dwellers of Delhi are deprived of even basic facilities. As soon as the BJP government is formed, Delhi BJP will work to fulfill the dreams of slum dwellers, he said. Northwest Delhi BJP MP Yongendra Chandolia also participated in the slum public outrage in JJ Colony of Bawana and along with the local people supported the allegation of breach of promise against Arvind Kejriwal. Addressing the protest, he said, Illegal recovery is being made in electricity bills. Toilets and drains are in a bad condition. Therefore, due to the pathetic conditions, our brothers and sisters living in slums are forced to live a hellish life. For which the head of the corrupt system Arvind Kejriwal is responsible. West Delhi BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat while addressing the public anger of Matiala Assembly Goyala Dairy slum colony said that for the last 10 years Delhi government has considered slum dwellers as vote bank only for its politics and today its result is that slum dwellers are forced to live a hellish life. New Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj raised slogans against Arvind Kejriwal along with the local people in the protest organized in Kailash Park Cluster of Moti Nagar and said that today all the slum dwellers of Delhi are on the streets regarding the local problems arising due to the negligence of the AAP government. Chandni Chowk BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal protested strongly against the failure and breach of promise of the ruling party Basti of Wazirpur. He said, The neglect of the citizens of Seva Basti will not be tolerated anymore. Now we will not tolerate it, we will change. Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta while addressing the protesters in the protest held at Valmiki Mandir Begumpur Malviya Nagar said that malaria, diarrhoea, TB, skin diseases and respiratory diseases have become common in these settlements due to the negligence of the Arvind Kejriwal government. The Delhi Polices Special Cell on Saturday arrested a wanted criminal, with a bounty of Rs 2 lakhs, from Hyderabad allegedly involved in the illegal trafficking of Indian youths and forcing them to work in fake call centres engaging in cyber fraud. According to the police, the arrest came after a 2,500-kilometre non-stop chase. The accused has been identified as Kamran Haider alias Zaidi, resident of Delhis Jasola, who was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in case related to illegal human trafficking across international borders. A reward of Rs. 2,00,000 was declared on the accused Kamran by the NIA and claimed that he was trying to go abroad to Thailand and Laos. "After a long persevering chase of 2,500 km, Kamran Haider alias Zaidi was nabbed from Hyderabad," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Manoj C said. According to police, on May 27, a case under section 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 370 (trafficking), 342 (Punishment for wrongful confinement) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered at New Friends Colony Police Station on the complaint of one Naresh Lakhavath, who said he was searching for a job when he came across Ali International Service, a consultancy firm supposedly based in New Delhi. "The firm offered him a job in Thailand and Laos and he was eventually sent to Thailand on the pretext of getting a job. But when he reached there, his passport was snatched and he was forced to work for a Chinese company which used to scam Indian people online," the DCP said. An investigation carried out by the NIA identified Manjoor Alam alias Guddu, Sahil, Ashish alias Akhil, Pawan Yadav alias Afzal and Afroz, and Haider as key conspirators. All five were involved in trafficking vulnerable Indian youth to the Golden Triangle Region in Laos where they were forced to commit cyber scams targeting European and American citizens, the officer said, adding that they operated through Ali International Services, which functioned as a front. "The main accused was identified as Kamran Haider. Kamran Haider absconded and despite all efforts accused Kamran Haider could not be arrested. He was trying to go abroad to Thailand and Laos," the DCP said. Another officer said that he along with his syndicate members hatched the whole conspiracy. It was Zaidi who had facilitated the entire operation and was also involved in extorting money through crypto currency wallets from victims who tried to escape the clutches of the Chinese scammers, as per NIA investigation, he said, adding that this syndicate head by Zaidi was indulged from operation of unlicensed manpower supply agency, to illegal transfer/ transport of potential victims for criminal activities in South Eastern Asian countries. The human trafficked persons were being used as a slave and forced to work inhumane conditions, the officer said. Haider continuously changed his locations from one state to another after he absconded. Teams were stationed in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to nab him, police said. "Zaidi was located in Hyderabad, Telangana. Immediately two different teams of the special cell were sent to Hyderabad. He was apprehended on December 7 after a long persevering chase of 2,500 kilometres by the team without any rest. "He was apprehended near Nampally Railway Station, Hyderabad, Telangana while trying to escape to another hideout," said the DCP. Uttar Pradesh has maintained its dominant position in milk production. As per the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023-24, Indias total milk production has reached 239.30 million tons, with UP leading the nation by contributing approximately 16 per cent of the total output the highest among all states. Following UP are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab. This data highlights UPs continued supremacy in milk production. A key reason for UPs continued dominance in milk production is the steps taken for the welfare of the cattle farmers at both the state and district levels. The government has introduced awards such as Nand Baba and Gokul awards to honour progressive cattle farmers. Recently, the Australian government expressed its willingness to collaborate with the UP government to boost milk production through breed improvement. To support this effort, the Yogi Adityanath government is implementing sex selection technology, which boasts a 90 per cent likelihood of producing female calves. Additionally, the upcoming Government Veterinary College in Gorakhpur is expected to play a significant role in strengthening the breed improvement initiatives. The slogan Prosperity Through Cooperation is the governments guiding principle, highlighting the transformative potential of collaboration in the dairy sector. The success of Amul, the worlds strongest dairy brand, stands as a testament to the power of cooperation, and the government is focusing on implementing this model. Recently, the UPs Pradeshik Cooperative Dairy Federation (PCDF) presented its plan to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. During the presentation, the chief minister emphasised setting clear work targets and establishing accountability at every level within milk unions. He underlined the need to enhance milk collection capacity while improving milk quality testing processes. The chief minister further directed that employees associated with these committees must receive proper training and essential quality testing equipment. Additionally, he supported fostering healthy competition among milk committees and strengthening communication with cattle rearers. These steps are expected to boost dairy union productivity, improve milk quality and enhance farmers income. Most cattle rearers are small landholders or landless farmers, with their milch animals serving as a reliable source of livelihood. Any positive step in the field of animal husbandry directly benefits these farmers, who remain a top priority for the Yogi government. The chief minister demonstrated this commitment by waiving loans of up to Rs 1 lakh for small and marginal farmers during his first cabinet meeting. Promoting animal husbandry is an integral part of these efforts. In addition, the Yogi government is focusing on converting cow dung, cow urine, and other by-products into economically viable products. The chief minister has given a clear instruction to establish compressed bio gas (CBG) plants using cow dung. The state government will provide land for these projects, further supporting the economic welfare of cattle rearers. Furthermore, the dairy sector has emerged as a powerful tool for empowering women, with the highest number of women actively engaged in this industry. However, there is a need to connect even more women to dairy-related activities to ensure widespread benefits. Womens groups are already setting exemplary examples in this field, such as the Balini Milk Producer Company in the Bundelkhand region. The chief minister has given clear instructions to boost the participation of women in milk cooperatives and milk unions in the future. With the continuous increase in milk production, the availability of milk per person has risen significantly, contributing to improved public health. In 2021, the availability of milk per person per gram was 321 grams, which has now increased to 471 grams in 2024. With an annual growth rate of milk production at 3.78 per cent, Uttar Pradesh remains the leading contributor to this increase, maintaining its position as the largest milk-producing state in the country. Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Vijay Goel on Sunday led a march from the Fish Market to Ghazipur to protest against the Kejriwal Government regarding the issue of garbage and landfill mountains in Delhi. Speaking on the matter, Goel stated, Be it water and sewage, pollution, broken roads, garbage and landfill mountains, deteriorating hospitals, schools, parking issues, law and order, corruption, or the polluted Yamuna the Kejriwal government has done nothing for the past 10 years and keeps asking for more time every year, but no action has been taken to resolve these problems. Goel said that instead of reducing, the landfill mountains are only growing larger. Meanwhile, the Delhi government continues to shirk its responsibility, blaming the Centre or neighbouring states, without formulating a single concrete plan to address the issue, he claimed, adding that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) disposes of over 3,400 tonnes of fresh waste daily at the Ghazipur and Bhalswa landfills. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said he has no magic wand to set everything right within no time, asserting that his party-led government in Jammu and Kashmir will fulfil all its election promises made to people of the Union Territory. The former chief minister also sought support of voters in the panchayat and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections likely to be held early next year. He asked the voters to elect qualified candidates, including women, in large numbers and urged them to keep away those who are dividing them on the basis of religion, creed and caste. We will fulfil all our election promises but give us some time. You dont ask them (BJP) what they did in the last 10 years and want us to change the world in the six weeks (of our government). I do not have the magic wand, Abdullah, whose party returned to power in the recently held assembly elections, told reporters in Reasi district. Asked about reports suggesting a rift between Raj Bhawan and Omar Abdullah-led government, he said, Who told you that they are not getting along. A lot of enemies (of the government) are sitting here and they will always try this. I do not know of anything like that. On alleged atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, he said, Is there less trouble here? Dont you see the oppression against Muslims in UP and other places and how their mosques, madrassas, houses and shops are being razed. On the Rohingya issue, he said the Rohingya Muslims were provided shelter in Jammu by the central government and we have nothing to do with it. Why ask us about them? Ask those who have sent them here. India has been giving shelter to refugees since long and will continue to do so. People from Afghanistan were provided shelter when they faced a crisis in their country, Abdullah said. Apparently referring to the BJP, the NC leader said they attempted to divide the people on the basis of religion and region during the assembly elections and are also giving provocative slogans like Batenge toh katenge to create hatred among the people. They separated Buddhists (Ladakh) from us and they tried to divide the people of the two regions of Jammu and Kashmir. You fell for their slogan that they will form the government...remove hatred from your hearts to stand up together and strengthen the country, Abdullah said. He said every citizen of the country has equal rights as per the Constitution. We should reject those who are creating the walls of hatred and should keep them away. However, it is unfortunate that you fall for their slogans and vote for them. Seeking support from the people, Abdullah said the people should vote for the right candidates in the upcoming panchayat and ULB elections. Vote deserving candidates who bring you together and work for your upliftment. The NC leader said he is aware of the problems being faced by the people living in far flung areas. I assure you that all your needs will be addressed to your satisfaction. In the last 10 years, they are claiming that a lot was done for the people but there is nothing on the ground. They have ruined J&K and made a lot of money by corrupt practices...the Adani issue brought a bad name to the country and incidentally J&K is one of the five states named in the corruption, he said. Abdullah also questioned the shifting of Katra bus stand and a ropeway project along the track leading to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, and said such decisions are being implemented without caring for the livelihood of the people who will get affected by such projects. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has asserted that India will become a USD 30 trillion-economy by 2047. Delivering a lecture at the concluding function of XLRI-School of Management's year-long platinum jubilee celebration here on Saturday, Pradhan said that India, the fastest-growing global economy, is currently in the fifth position and will bag the third spot in the next three years. "The world didn't even count India on the economic front when XLRI came into being 75 years ago. Today, we are the fastest-growing economy and fifth-largest economy in the world, with a size of US 3 trillion. We will be the third-largest economy in the next three years at USD 5 trillion. Our economy will grow to USD 30 trillion by 2047," he said. "We have to be wealth creators, job creators. We have the potential to create millions of jobs. The world is looking at India for digital public infrastructure... 46 per cent of digital transactions in the world take place in our country. We have become self-reliant in the service sector," he said. The Union education minister said that the New Education Policy was envisioned to create wealth and jobs. Pradhan advised the students to play a constructive role in making the country a mega powerhouse and a driving force of the world. Members of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Sunday took oath as MLAs in the newly constituted Maharashtra assembly. The opposition members had boycotted the oath-taking ceremony on Saturday, the first day of the special three-day session of the assembly, alleging misuse of EVMs in the recently-held state polls. Congress's Nana Patole, Vijay Wadettiwar and Amit Deshmukh, NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Aaditya Thackeray were some of the prominent opposition MLAs who took oath as soon as the House reassembled for the day. On Saturday, the opposition cited that it was also protesting against the curfew and arrests in Markadwadi village in the Malshiras assembly constituency in Solapur, where villagers sought a 'repoll' using ballot papers. ISRO's successful launch of European Space Agency's (ESA) Proba-3 satellites onboard PSLV-C59 rocket is a 'groundbreaking mission' and would significantly advance the understanding of Sun's corona and solar wind, a former ISRO scientist said. According to P V Venkitakrishnan, former director of Capacity Building Programme Office, ISRO headquarters, the 'innovative design and advanced technologies' used in the mission would pave the way for future space weather forecasting and solar physics research. "This mission is a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation. Proba-3 is a pioneering mission designed to explore the Sun's corona, the outer atmosphere of the Sun", he told PTI. It aims to study the Corona, which is hotter than the Sun's surface, and explore the solar wind which is a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun, Venkitakrishnan said. "The data from Proba-3 satellites would help scientists better understand and predict space weather events, which can impact the Earth's magnetic field and satellite operations." He noted that the two satellites -- Coronagraph and Occulter-- would form a 'precise formation 150 meters apart after several orbital manoeuvres in the coming days. The instrument in the Coronagraph spacecraft would capture high-resolution images of the Sun's corona. This setup will mimic a total solar eclipse which traditionally lasts only for a few minutes and does not occur frequently. Proba 3 will provide 6 continuous hours of observation during each orbit, equivalent to about 50 natural solar eclipses annually. "The Proba-3 features an advanced propulsion system, enabling precise control and maneuvering of the spacecraft and is made by ESA. With the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency providing the launch vehicle for the latest mission, Venkitakrishnan said the ESA collaborated with ISRO as it currently lacks an active launch vehicle to carry its payloads to orbit. "This shows the success of our space diplomacy and our capacity to provide reliable and cost effective launches to our customers," he said. ISRO had on Thursday successfully launched the Proba-3 mission onboard a PSLV-C59 rocket, a solar experiment undertaken by the European Space Agency. The Trinamool Congress on Sunday raised the pitch on the demand to make its chief Mamata Banerjee the leader of the INDIA bloc, with party MP Kirti Azad saying she is the "most suitable" for the job as she is the only leader who has repeatedly defeated the BJP. West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee's statement signalling her intent to take charge of the opposition alliance drew support from NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar who described her as a capable leader, while RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav stressed that the decision must be reached through consensus. "We have no issue with Mamata Banerjee leading the bloc, but keeping in mind there are so many senior politicians in the anti-BJP coalition, there's a need to sit together and take a collective decision on choosing a leader," Yadav told reporters in Kolkata on Sunday. Asked about Banerjee's remarks, Pawar said on Saturday that the Trinamool Congress chief has the right to show her intent to head the opposition alliance. "She is a capable leader in the country and has the right to say it. The MPs she has sent to the Parliament are hardworking and aware," he told reporters in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. In an interview to a news channel on Friday, Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the opposition INDIA bloc and indicated her readiness to take charge of the alliance if given an opportunity. She said she could manage the dual responsibility of running the opposition front while continuing her role as the chief minister of West Bengal. Her statement comes at a time when voices of discontent have emerged within the opposition INDIA bloc following the recent electoral setbacks for the Congress, including in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra. In a video statement, Azad said that a discussion is going on these days on the issue of the need for leadership change in the INDIA bloc. "Senior leaders, including the seniormost Sharad Pawar ji, have also said Mamata Banerjee should be made the leader of the INDIA bloc, " Azad said. "There is a need for change. Mamata Banerjee is the only leader who has repeatedly defeated the BJP and Modi ji, and in the recent byelections in West Bengal, BJP was thrown out of Bengal," he said. "She has a lot of experience, she herself said she has created the INDIA bloc, and she has said that she is ready to lead the bloc if she gets an opportunity. She has been an MP, Union Minister, and since 2011 she has been the Chief Minister of West Bengal," he said. "It is time to make Mamata Banerjee the leader of INDIA bloc. With her experience she is the most suitable for this job," he added. Irish actor Barry Keoghan has responded to his name being dragged across the internet by asking for people to please be respectful. It follows reports that the Saltburn star, 32, and his girlfriend, US pop star Sabrina Carpenter, have split. On Saturday, the movie star from Dublin said he had deactivated his Instagram account because he can no longer let the hatred he has received distract from my family and my work. Please be respectful x pic.twitter.com/N03eHAIbC8 Barry Keoghan (@BarryKeoghan) December 7, 2024 In a post to X, formerly Twitter, he said: I can only sit and take so much. My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually dont respond too. I have to respond now because its getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed. I deactivated my account (on Instagram) because I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work. The messages I have received no person should ever have to read them. Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine. Dragging my character and everything I worked extremely hard for and stand for. Talking about how I was a heroine baby and how I grew up and dragging my dear mother into it also. Keoghan has one child, Brando, with a former partner and has been outspoken about his difficult childhood, which saw him grow up in foster care and his mother die after struggling with drug addiction. READ MORE: ALERT: Gardai launch investigation following discovery of a man's body in Cork He added: Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy (his son). I want to provide opportunities for him to learn, fail and grow. I want him to be able to look up to his daddy, to have full trust in me and know I will have his back no matter what. I need you to remember he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older. Please be respectful to all. Thank u x. Keoghan said he had read absolutely disgusting comments about his appearance online when he appeared on The Louis Theroux Podcast last month. He also spoke about his son being used as ammunition against him. If I didnt have tough skin or the strength to have, I wouldnt be sitting here. Of course, (my childhood is) going to affect me being a father when I had no blueprint to take from, he said. People just read that (as) laziness and go, Oh, thats no excuse to be an absent father. Im not an absent father. But its just, again, people love to use my son as ammunition or whatever. In 2023, Keoghan won the Bafta best supporting actor prize for his role in dark comedy The Banshees Of Inisherin and also received an Academy Award nod for the role. His other film roles include Martin in The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (2017) and Dympna in Calm With Horses (2019). Irish political parties are set to meet in an intensification of efforts to agree a new coalition government. It comes amid speculation of disagreement between Fianna Fail, which emerged on top in the general election, and former coalition partners Fine Gael over policy. The Irish Parliament is set to meet on December 18 however it is unclear if political talks will have agreed a new coalition government by then. While Fianna Fail was the clear winner of the recent poll, securing 48 of the Dail Parliaments 174 seats, ahead of Sinn Fein on 39 and Fine Gael on 38, no party has secured enough seats to form a government by itself. Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party formed the last coalition government. Fianna Fail TD and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler said she understands her party leader and Tanaiste Micheal Martin is set to meet with Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Simon Harris on Monday. She told RTEs The Week In Politics programme she is hoping for a strong, stable and secure government, adding she will be quite happy to work with my Fine Gael colleagues again. She said: Ive worked with them for the last four-and-a-half years and we worked very, very well together, we delivered the majority of our programme for government. Were just starting into the talks now, my understanding is that the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste are going to meet tomorrow. She said her party is very proud to have seen 48 TDs elected, but added: The important thing is we enter these talks with an open mind, and we respect each other, and I have no doubt that what the people voted for was a strong effective government that will be able to withstand any of the shocks that might come our way in the time to come. Martin Heydon, a Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, reiterated Mr Harriss position that the party cant be taken for granted in terms of its manifesto pledges. He said the work done now on agreeing policies between parties will be the bedrock for how successful the next government will be. He added: Thats what matters to Fine Gael, thats our clear focus. He said Mr Harris is set to meet with the eight independent TDs and Labour leader on Monday. Im sure hell talk to Fianna Fail later in the week as well, Mr Heydon added. There was some informal discussion there last week, briefly between himself and the Tanaiste. He also reiterated that his party does not intend to form a government with Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein TD Louise OReilly said Fianna Fail is in the driving seat, and Mr Martin seems hellbent and intent on putting Simon Harris back at the Cabinet table and bringing Fine Gael in as their junior partner. She added: I wouldnt downplay the numbers that the left have within the Dail, youre talking about 66 TDs elected that is a very large bloc, that is a bloc that will make sure that their voices are heard. Meanwhile Michael Collins of Independent Ireland said the group he has joined with the two Healy-Rae brothers and Paul Gogarty, have not received a call from anyone yet. He said if they do not form part of a new coalition government, they will instead be a strong opposition. When Fianna Fail and Fine Gael entered coalition for the first time after the last general election in 2020, there was only a three-seat difference in their relative strength. That resulted in an equal partnership at the head of the coalition, with the Green Party as the junior partner. The two main parties swapped the role of Taoiseach half-way through the term. With Fianna Fails lead over Fine Gael having grown to 10 seats following this election, focus has turned to the future of the rotating taoiseach arrangement and whether it will operate again in the next mandate and, if so, on what basis. There are similar questions around the distribution of ministries and other roles. While Mr Martin has so far refused to be drawn on the specifics, on Wednesday he did suggest he expects Fianna Fails greater strength of numbers to be reflected in the new administration. Labour and the Social Democrats held talks about the post-election landscape at Leinster House in Dublin on Friday. The Labour Party had called for a centre-left platform to engage with the larger parties as part of talks to form a government. However, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian OCallaghan said they would be going it alone and plan to meet with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael next week. The two larger parties, with a combined 86 seats, are just short of the 88 required for a majority. If they wish to return to government together, they would need one smaller party as a junior partner or a handful of independents. Dr Annaleigh Margey, Head of Humanities at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), was recently selected to give this years Thomas Harriot Lecture at Oriel College, Oxford on Thursday 14 November 2024. Thomas Harriot was a mathematician and natural philosopher from Oxfordshire, who attended Oxford and earned his BA in 1580. He was employed by Sir Walter Raleigh to teach navigation and prepare sea captains for the 1585 Roanoke expedition, later writing A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia, the first published English account of America. Dr Margeys lecture focused on Thomas Harriot, Cartography, and Ireland. It explored Harriots time, especially his cartography output, in Munster. Through her lecture, Dr Margey sought to situate Harriots contributions in the wider context of surveying and mapping in sixteenth-century Ireland, focusing in particular on mapping for military subjugation, the reconnaissance of lands, and the establishment of plantation. Speaking about the event, Dr Margey said: I was delighted to be invited to deliver the Annual Thomas Harriot Lecture at Oriel College on his time in Ireland. "Harriot showcases the intrinsic connections between Ireland and the New World in the sixteenth century, with his exploration, surveying and mapping on both sides of the Atlantic, helping to increase understanding of landscapes amongst officials and settlers. Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), is celebrating the recent success of apprentice Adam Doherty at WorldSkills Ireland, an initiative aimed at raising the profile and recognition of skills and apprenticeships in Ireland. 22 year-old Adam from Dublin, seized the opportunity to take part in WorldSkills Ireland, a collaboration among businesses, industry, education, training, and government. With the support of DkIT lecturers Gerard Galligan and Bernard OHare, Adam successfully made it to the competition final and was named the Industrial Control winner in this years competition. Adam works in his family business, an electrical engineering and contracting business, Vincent Doherty Ltd, founded by his grandfather Vincent in 1970. He began his electrician apprenticeship at the end of 2018, aged 16 and became a fully qualified electrician in March 2023. It was a simple t-shirt that sparked Adams curiosity and set him on a path toward WorldSkills. Adam said: A couple of years ago, I was working on a building site in Dublin. One day, one of the cabinet makers was wearing a WorldSkills Ireland t-shirt. "I went home and researched what it was and thought it looked like an amazing event to get involved in. I always loved doing the college practical exams as quickly and neatly as I could so I thought World Skills Ireland would be a great way to put my skills to the test. Despite narrowly missing out on the WorldSkills Electrical Installations competition final in 2022, Adams talent didnt go unnoticed by the DkIT lecturers. In the summers of 2023 and 2024, he was invited to Dundalk to take part in the preliminary stage of the Industrial Control competition. It was a tough eight-hour competition, which involved installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining industrial automated and electrical production systems, and he proceeded to the final in the RDS. Adam commended the support he received from DkIT during the competition, which included the provision of equipment and mentoring through the stages of the competition. In the run-up to the final, Bernard was always in contact with me to ask how my revision and practice were going. "He was there to offer advice and would always promptly respond to any questions I had. Bernard organised for me to borrow a laptop from DKIT which had the PLC software on it, so that I could practice at home. The final was a tough three-day competition in the RDS in front of many visitors. It was a great event to be involved in. Adams ambition paid off this year as he faced a tough three-day competition against three very skilled opponents in the WorldSkills Ireland 2024 final. His drive and determination to succeed, coupled with the support and encouragement he received from Bernard saw him announced as the Industrial Control winner. Reflecting on the moment he said: When my name was announced as the winner, I couldnt believe it. It was surreal. I was delighted that my hard work had paid off. I felt a great sense of achievement. I had made my family and work colleagues proud. I received a medal which I will be proud of for the rest of my life. Bernard OHare, a lecturer in the Department of Engineering Trades (Electrical) at DkIT said: Competing in WorldSkills requires a lot of commitment and determination. It was an honour for the team at DkIT to mentor Adam and support him as he put his skills to the test and was ultimately named the Industrial Control winner. WorldSkills is a challenging experience, but one that allows skilled young people to follow their passions, interests and talents and also provide a platform for the next generation to see the range of skills and career paths available to them. Adam says he would encourage others to grab the opportunity to get involved. He said that it is the ideal way to demonstrate your skill set and truly put them to the test. I would say definitely get involved. WorldSkills Ireland is a great organisation which is dedicated to showing off the skills of young people in Ireland. The team and volunteers put in a huge amount of work to make the events happen. WorldSkills Ireland is a great way to put your skills to the test, as well as meeting new people and making great connections. I will have fond memories of the WorldSkills Ireland competitions forever. Businesswomen from across the country, including Louth, came together in Mullingar earlier this month to mark the 10th anniversary of ACORNS, the award-winning business development programme for early-stage female entrepreneurs from rural areas. Those representing Louth at the event were Fiona Lynch, founder of Almond Rose Design based in Clogherhead and Jennifer Provan, founder of Kitchenetta which is based in Ballymascanlon on the Cooley Peninsula. Hosted at Bloomfield House Hotel in Mullingar, the event was one of a series of regional gatherings designed by ACORNS to help former participants network with peers from different cycles. The events aim to help participants broaden their networks, do business with each other, focus on their development goals and exchange ideas on overcoming business challenges. The invitation was open to former ACORNS participants from the region and leading the discussion was ACORNS Director Paula Fitzsimons and some of the programmes voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs Alison Ritchie, Managing Director of Polar Ice, Eimer Hannon, Managing Director of Hannon Travel and Anne Reilly, founder of Paycheck Plus. ACORNS is a free initiative for early-stage female entrepreneurs based in rural Ireland. It has been running since 2014 and is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM). ACORNS 10 is now underway. 56 early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland have been selected to participate. The new cycle got underway with a residential Launch Forum on October 21/22. The Camogie Association has launched an appeal to people in Louth, and nationwide, for historical materials to contribute to the GAA Library and Archives. The items required includes, but is not limited to; minute books, convention reports, match programmes and souvenir programmes (i.e. opening of grounds), publications (books, magazines and annuals), old photographs and letters and diaries relating to Camogie. The appeal forms part of the Camogie Associations Newman Fellowship Project at University College Dublin. The Fellowship project on the history of Camogie was launched to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the founding of Camogie, and will document the unique place of Camogie in Irish life since the beginning of the twentieth century. Brian Molloy, Uachtaran of the Camogie Association said: The Newman fellowship project provides a unique opportunity for us to gather together all aspects of our Associations proud history and document it for future generations. "I would ask that everyone who has or had any connections with Camogie over the past 120 years to take the time over Christmas to bring together any materials they can find and share them with us so we can collectively preserve the rich and detailed story of Camogie. If anyone has information to share, GAA Archivist Adam Staunton can be contacted at astaunton@crokepark.ie or 01 8192350. Since its establishment in 2007, the GAA Library and Archive has been collecting the publications, records and archives of the GAA at central, provincial and county board levels. The GAA Library and Archive collects material that contains information on the GAA, Camogie Association and LGFA. This includes material written about the GAA and Gaelic games, (books, magazines etc.) and material created by the GAA (records and archives). The specific type of material collected by the GAA Library and Archive includes administrative records (minute books and convention reports in particular), publications (books and articles), magazines, annuals, photographs, posters and flyers, GAA newspapers and match programmes. Find out everything you need to know about the GAA Library and Archive collection process here. Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently hosted an event to mark the culmination of a transformative mentorship initiative, WISDOM, which was aimed at fostering professional growth, industry connections and career readiness for students in science through mentorship by DkIT Alumni. Funded by N-TUTORR, the programme seeks to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice, enhancing career prospects and leadership opportunities for mentees. The programme, led by project co-ordinators, Sinead Loughran, Annmarie McHugh and Catherine Staunton and a team of nine student partners, paired students with twenty-two DkIT alumni, who provide personalised guidance, industry insights, and career advice. Mentors from diverse fields like research, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing came on board as mentors to help guide the next generation of professionals. Mentors in this initiative provided mentees with a huge variety of expertise, hailing from companies such as Almac, WuXi Biologics, Poolbeg Pharma, PM Group, LinkedIn and Alexion Pharmaceuticals. During the course of the programme, participants were provided with structured tools and sessions such as goal-setting journals by MoJo&Co and Career Development Planning to support their career growth. The programme integrated these approaches with DkIT's Graduate Attributes and Employability Frameworks to foster skill-building and career development. The showcase event brought together both mentors and mentees to celebrate their achievements and the insights shared throughout the programme. Attendees also had the opportunity to reflect on the programme's impact and outcomes, and explore opportunities for future mentorship initiatives. The event was opened by DkIT president Dr Diarmuid OCallaghan, who reflected on the rich impact of the N-TUTORR programme on both DkIT and third level institutes across Ireland. The audience heard inspiring testimonials from mentees, who discussed the huge impact the programme had on them, and learned more about the key milestones throughout the programme and engaged in networking opportunities with professionals, students and staff. The pilot initiative focused specifically on the Sciences discipline; however, the model has transferability and relevance to all disciplines within DkIT, and is one which can be replicated across programmes following the success of the pilot. Speaking about the event, Programme co-ordinator Dr Sinead Loughran said: Its such a brilliant sight to see both past and present DkIT scientists come together for this event. The main catalysts for this project were our fantastic alumni network, excellent Careers and Employability team and our wonderful students who remained so motivated and enthusiastic throughout the process. The success of this initiative is down to the strong partnership between our students, alumni and staff. Student mentee Vaclav Uhlir said: This programme has helped us to envision our career dreams, guide and shape our growth and take ownership of our own futures. The expertise and insight that was shared with us throughout this process was invaluable and I feel more confident than ever as I progress towards my future career. What started as a subtle message to truck drivers is being praised as a life-saving measure for caravan drivers and regular motorists on long trips. Do you know what these green circles mean? Source: Truck Friendly/Getty Drivers are being reminded about a little-known marking on the side of major Aussie roads that could help save a life as families criss-cross the nation this holiday period. But if you noticed a relatively small green circle appearing on a roadside reflector pole, would you know what it means? If not, you're not alone. "With the holiday period fast approaching, I wanted to remind residents about green reflectors," federal MP Colin Boyce wrote to constituents this weekend. Sharing a photo to social media, he explained the meaning behind the simple markings that are certainly easy to miss. ADVERTISEMENT "You may have noticed some green reflectors on guide posts beside the road on some highways. These indicate that there is a safe place to pull off the road coming up soon so you can indicate your intentions early and be prepared," he said. Approximately 500 meters from a safe place to pull over, drivers will notice three green dots. Getting closer, two green circles will appear on the post indicating the pull-over spot is about 250 metres ahead. Finally, one green circle appears just before the area. "The idea is from road safety advocate and B double truck driver Rod Hannifey, alerting drivers that there is a safe place to pull off the road coming up," the Queensland MP said. "While the idea was originally intended for long haul truck drivers all road users can use them." The number of green circles, or dots, indicate how far away the stop is. Source: Truck Friendly Aussies praise 'fantastic' road idea, highlighting use for caravans and motorhomes Hundreds of Aussies commented on the post after it was shared on Saturday, overwhelmingly declaring their profuse enthusiasm for the highway initiative. Multiple people pointed out the utility for the growing number of caravan and motorhome drivers on our roads for whom fatigue can be a major factor on long trips. ADVERTISEMENT "A lot more people need to know about this. Especially people with caravans," one woman commented. "Would love this all over Australia! There's nothing worse than driving at night with a screaming baby in the back who wants a feed and not knowing if it's a safe place to pull over," another said. While people praised it as a "great" and "fantastic" idea, it appears many in the region either hadn't noticed the markings or simply didn't know what they meant. "Have asked a few people recently if they knew what these reflectors stood for, and not one knew. Explanation followed. Should be a compulsory question asked of caravaners," one local wrote. "One of the world's best kept secrets! Thanks," another said. With caravan sales on the rise, authorities have sounded the alarm this year about the rising number of caravan-related road incidents. ADVERTISEMENT Queensland has seen the second most road fatalities this year, behind NSW. Source: Getty Despair over state's rising road death toll Queensland is set to have it most devastating year for road fatalities as the number of deaths continues to climb heading into the Christmas break. According to the latest weekly crash report, there have been 278 fatalities as a result of crashes on the state's roads this year to December 1. That is 24 fatalities (or 9.4 per cent) greater than the same period for the previous year and 30 fatalities (or 12.3 per cent) greater than the previous five year average for the same period, the report notes. The Bruce Highway, which stretches from Brisbane to Cairns, and where these green markers can be spotted, has been ranked as the worst road in Queensland for being too rough and narrow, lacking overtaking opportunities and having two-lane sections that are too short. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Residential Tenancies Boards Q2 2024 Rent Index has shown the average rent for new tenancies in Cork has risen to 1,456, while the rent for existing tenancies stand at 1,197. This represents a 2.5% change from the previous quarter and a 5.8% change from the previous year for new tenancies, while for existing tenancies prices increased 2.4% from Q1 2024 and 4.4% from Q2 2023. The RTB also breaks down the different figures in Cork city and county. In the city, the standard average rent for new tenancies is 1,604 and for existing is 1,341, while in the county, the average rent for new tenancies is 1,271 and for existing is 1,013. While the rents are still less in Cork county, the region saw a higher year-on-year growth rate (8.2%) in rents for new tenancies than Cork city (3.4%), and for existing tenancies, with an increase of 4.1% in the city compared to 5.1% in the county, suggesting rural rates are catching up to urban rents quickly. Compared to other Irish cities, however, Cork city had the lowest annual growth rate in rents for new tenancies and existing tenancies. The standardised average rent for existing tenancies was highest in Dublin city followed by Galway city and Cork city, both at 1,341, but as has been the case since Q1 2022, new tenancy rents in Galway city were higher than Cork city. The report also offers a breakdown by Local Electoral Area, which shows Cork City South West had the highest rent for both new and existing tenancies at 1,862 and 1,480 respectively. Elsewhere, the rents for new and existing tenancies were 1,705 and 1,356 in South Central; 1,681 and 1,473 in South East; 1,454 and 1,223 in North West, and 1,300 1,185 in North East. Carrigaline was the highest non-city LEA with average rents of 1,518 for new tenancies and 1,233 for existing, followed be Bandon-Kinsale at 1,414 and 1,079. New and existing rates elsewhere in the county were 1,196 and 818 in Kanturk; 1,211 and 1,035 in Midleton; 1,355 and 1,120 in Cobh; 1,195 and 962 in Skibbereen-West Cork; 1,259 and 954 in Macroom, and 1,088 and 996 in Mallow. While no average for new rents was available in Fermoy and Bantry-West Cork, rents for existing tenancies were 958 and 725 respectively. A Cork TD has called on the HSE to clarify when a residential facility, which caters for people who have dementia, will reopen to new admissions. Unit 1 on the St Stephens Hospital Campus in Sarsfield Court is a dementia-specific unit for people who also have a co-existing presentation of mental health issues. It is registered to accommodate 16 residents, and provides 24 residential care hours. There are currently five patients in Unit 1, all of whom have been in the unit for three years or more, and the remaining 11 beds have been vacant for three years or more. In an answer to a parliamentary question from Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, a spokesperson for the HSE has said the unit will recommence admissions after a temporary pause on admissions. In a written response to Mr Gould, Deborah Harrington, head of mental health services at Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, said: I can confirm that we are planning to recommence admission of patients following a temporary pause on admissions, and are engaging with the regulator in this regard. Staff will also be engaged with in this regard, she added. Speaking to The Echo, Mr Gould said clarity was needed as to when the unit would reopen to new admissions. For the last three years, the dementia-specific unit in Sarsfield Court has admitted no new patients, Mr Gould said. This is despite positive Hiqa reports and strong reviews from family and patients. I have been raising this now for a number of months, as staff and families have been deeply concerned at the potential closure of the unit. The northside TD said it was positive news that the unit would reopen for new admissions, but clarity was needed as to when that reopening would occur, and why no admissions had occurred in three years. There are people currently in hospital or unsuitable home settings who could have been living here for the last three years, Mr Gould said. Instead, the HSE has likely paid huge sums to private operators for respite and care while perfectly good beds have stayed closed. A spokesperson for the HSE said management in the St Stephens Hospital Campus was eager to reopen the unit for new admissions. We had paused admissions to the unit for a time in order to enhance the standard of care there, and that work is reflected in recent positive Hiqa reports, the spokesperson said. We are now planning to take new admissions to the unit, which will continue to be used as a mental health residential unit. A knuckleduster was concealed down a mans pants during one incident in Cork City and in another interaction with gardai he challenged one officer to take off his badge and go around the corner. Sergeant Gearoid Davis outlined the background to both incidents at Cork District Court. David Raymond, aged 27, of Aisling Lawn, Ballincollig, Co Cork, and now living in Britain, pleaded guilty to having the weapon and to public order charges. Emma Leahy, solicitor, stressed that the charges dated back a considerable period to March and May 2020 and that since this time he had been doing well working in Britain. She said Mr Raymond was keen to deal with the outstanding matters against him. He specifically returned to deal with matters before the court. Back at that time more than four years ago he was addicted to alcohol and his life was essentially in chaos. He left to try and get a fresh start. He is doing well in the UK. He knows he has to address these matters and he wishes to apologise wholeheartedly. He presents as someone who wants to close this chapter of his life. He was the victim of a very serious assault in 2016. And any time he came to the city he would have something like that in his possession and it was very much for his own protection, Ms Leahy said. Judge Treasa Kelly noted how far back the offences were but she also referred to a long list of previous convictions for public order matters. The judge fined him 200 for having the knuckleduster and took the charges of being threatening and abusive and failing to leave the scene of a disturbance into consideration. For the non-payment of fines on unrelated cases, the judge said he could carry out 40 hours of community service. On March 13, 2020, he had a knuckleduster inside his tracksuit pants, Sgt Davis said. Then at 4pm on May 24, 2020, at a covid checkpoint, Garda Bryan Crowley and Garda James OConnell met him in Cork City. He became abusive. He told Garda Crowley in an aggressive manner several times to take off his badge and go around the corner. He was informed to desist. He took out a naggin of vodka out of his pocket and called gardai fucking muppets, Sgt Davis said. Independent Ireland leader, Cork South West TD Michael Collins, said he is still waiting on Fianna Fail or Fine Gael to talk about Government formation post-election, while party colleague, Cork North Central TD Ken OFlynn, said smaller parties being afraid of what happened to Labour or the Greens is a cop-out. Mr Collins said: At the moment, nobodys knocking at the door, and until theres a knock at the door, we cant walk in and our doors are open, he said. Weve made very clear that we have strong policies our policies, to me, are policies every party in the country should have they havent come knocking but its early days yet. I dont think theyve sat down with any party in the country bar themselves, and we await their call. Mr Collins was speaking with The Echo following a week of positioning by different parties, Independent TDs, and groupings as the two main parties in the outgoing coalition negotiated over the airwaves about the likely structure of the incoming government. Micheal Martin and Simon Harris met at the fringes of a British Irish Council meeting in Edinburgh and have agreed, according to reports, to begin formal government formation talks. On Saturday, Independent Ireland announced it would be forming a technical group in Dail Eireann which would include the two Kerry TDs, Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, as well as Dublin Mid-West Independent TD Paul Gogarty. This would ensure that the members of the technical group would have enhanced speaking rights while not constituting a party. With four TDs, Independent Ireland fell short of the threshold of five TDs to get full speaking rights and parliamentary status. Mr Collins called on all independent TDs or groups seeking to make a deal around Government formation with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to make rejection of Mercosur a red-line issue. MERCUSOR He said that the Mercosur deal would lead to the Irish market being flooded by cheap beef and poultry from South America and the devastation of the Irish agriculture sector. By forming this technical group, we are ensuring that independent voices are amplified in the Dail, and we can better advocate for the needs of the people we represent, said Mr Collins. The technical group is currently in discussions with further Independent TDs who may join the grouping before the commencement of the next Dail. Any expansion would further strengthen the groups capacity to influence policy and hold the government accountable. In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Mr OFlynn said: Were not stupid enough to think well get everything. We know there has to be compromise. Were not afraid of going into government. The Greens lost their seats because of their policies, Labour did the same because of their water charge policies and not listening to the people. I think its a very cynical view to take that if youre the junior partner you always get screwed. The prime example of that is the Progressive Democrats, who went into government with Fianna Fail twice and came back with more seats because they were a watchdog, and they promoted themselves as a watchdog. Wed like to be a similar watchdog for government overspend, holding people to account for the bike sheds and security huts, all that stuff. Residents of apartments above the Dunnes Stores complex in Mallow had to be evacuated from the building on Sunday evening after a car in the underground car park caught fire in an apparent incident of spontaneous combustion. A crew from Mallow Fire Station and Gardai attended the scene and, according to newly Cork North Central TD, Ken OFlynn, put in motion an emergency plan to get people out of the building safely. Its understood that the car which caught fire was a diesel vehicle and this led to a cloud of black smoke billowing out of the building which is across the road from Mallow Court House. Great praise is due to the Fire Station crew and Gardai who arrived on the scene and were quick to act and get people out of the building, said Mr OFlynn. Theyre wonderful people." It was a freak accident and could have happened anywhere, he said. The extent of the damage caused by the blaze is unknown as yet. Residents were allowed to return to their apartments shortly before 9pm and cars were also allowed to leave the area. A spokesman for Mallow Fire Station told The Echo on Sunday evening that the fire had been brought under control. By Rebecca Black, PA ESB crews resumed work on Sunday morning to restore power to thousands of homes left without electricity following Storm Darragh. Gusts of up to 140km/h on Friday night caused extensive damage to the electricity network, with almost 450,000 customers across the island losing power at the peak of the storm. An ESB Networks spokesperson said Storm Darragh was similar in impact to ex-hurricane Ophelia in 2017. The network said significant numbers of customers may be without supply for a number of days and some outages could last for up to a week due to the severity and significant scale of the damage caused. Keith Leonard of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management urged the public to continue to take care in the aftermath of the storm. Uisce Eireann said there had been disruption to water treatment plants in Kerry, east Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Waterford, Donegal, Leitrim and Galway. Telecommunications firm Eir said Storm Darragh caused widespread service disruptions across Ireland, with Mayo and Donegal among the hardest-hit counties but impacts felt nationwide. It said more than 35,000 broadband faults, 20,000 fixed voice and about 500 mobile network site outages had been registered. The worst hit area in the North was Co Antrim, with power station EP Ballylumford temporarily halting electricity generation on Saturday following damage to a chimney and scores of roads blocked by fallen trees. The wreckage of an airport bus which crashed on the Ballyrobin Road close to Belfast International Airport in the early hours of Saturday amid Storm Darragh (Rebecca Black/PA) A bus also crashed close to Belfast International Airport and a loyalist mural in north Belfast was damaged. On Sunday morning, public transport provider Translink said all rail lines were open, although some speed restrictions are in place. NIE Networks said 15,000 remained without power in the North at 9am on Sunday. They have indicated it may take a number of days to reconnect those customers. Network operations manager Alex Houston said engineers are working to restore customers as quickly as possible. Most of the faults affecting high numbers of customers have been repaired which has allowed us to restore significant numbers of customers, he said. However, there are still around 1,200 faults across the network, some of which are affecting very small numbers of customers, so we do anticipate that it will take some time before we can get all of these cleared. Engineers will be working to restore customers as quickly as they can and we will provide further updates as soon as we are able to. Community assistance centres are set to open later for those still without power. South Lake leisure centre in Craigavon, Lagan Valley Leisureplex in Lisburn, Blair Mayne in Newtownards, Seven Towers in Ballymena, Cookstown leisure centre, Kilkeel leisure centre and Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will open from 2pm to 4pm offering warm drinks as well as charging and changing facilities. Additionally, Coleraine leisure centre will open from noon until 3pm and the Red Cross will be working with NIE Networks to provide support at Draperstown Centra, Islandmagee Spar and Newtownstewart Spar from 2pm-4pm. NIE Networks is also reminding the public to stay clear of any damaged electricity equipment, keep children and animals away and to report any incidents of damage immediately to the NIE Networks customer helpline on 03457 643 643. Eva Osborne A large majority of young people in Ireland are anxious when it comes to climate change. New research from ECO-UNESCO in partnership with SpunOut.ie found, 73 per cent of young people aged between 14 and 29 are stressed about the impacts of climate change. However, it also points out a smaller cohort who feel hopeful for what the future might bring. National director for ECO-UNESCO, Elaine Nevin, explained what helps young people feel less afraid of the future. "When, you know, other young people care, when they see that there are government incentives and maybe government are doing stuff around climate - that's really important that they can see other young activists, that they can see people coming together, they can see companies making changes, and young people taking action," she said. "So this is all stuff that gives them hope." There was one distracting detail in the image as authorities issued a summer plea. With Aussies flocking to popular beaches and campgrounds as the hot weather ramps up, council and parks officials are reminding locals and travellers to do the right thing, while warning that authorities will be on the look out for things like illegal camping this summer. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) told Yahoo News Australia how a few simple things can keep Aussies safe at the beach this holiday season along the popular 243km highway in southern Victoria ahead of what is expected to be a bumper few weeks ahead. "Illegal camping will be monitored by local council rangers," it warned. "Put your rubbish in the bin. If the bin is full, please take it with you!" ADVERTISEMENT But it was one detail in its photo posted on social media that seemed to capture the most attention. Accompanying the park authority's warning on social media was a photo of a busy day at the popular Point Roadknight beach at the coastal town of Anglesea. The abundance of beach cabanas caught the eye of many sparking a surprise wave of debate. "Oh for the days past! That looks appalling! How could GORCAPA think this is in any way appealing, or worse, promote it as desirable with a picture like this," one Aussie wrote online, while another simply said it looked like "hell on earth" suggesting the beach cabanas are an eyesore and an unwelcome addition. Beach cabanas, seen here at Noosa Heads, are popular all over Australia. Source: Facebook However, the sudden popularity of the fabric beach shelters has been endorsed by many Aussie families with some saying it's the "best thing we ever bought". Many say they should be viewed as a sensible shade option in a country that has the highest rate of melanoma in the world. The importance to have the option of shade when heading to the beach can't be overstated, Anne Cust, Chair of the Cancer Council's National Skin Cancer Committee, told Yahoo News this week. ADVERTISEMENT "Use trees, built shade structures, or bring your own gazebo or umbrella with a high UPF designed to offer sun protection," she said. Authorities urge Aussie beachgoers to look out for risks GORCAPA told Yahoo News only a few simple steps need to be followed in order for everyone to enjoy public spaces this summer. "This year our message is simple be informed, be prepared, be safe," Andy Mathers, Director of Community, Corporate Affairs and Visitor Economy of GORCAPA said. "Remember that rips, waves, and weather conditions can potentially turn dangerous... [and] cliff failures are unpredictable and can occur without warning, posing a significant risk to clifftop and beach users." In addition to these safety warnings, rangers are urging the public to stick to designated access tracks, follow dog regulations and respec wildlife conservation areas to allow everyone and every thing the ability to enjoy the public places. ADVERTISEMENT Beachgoers were also encouraged to download the BeachSafe app for real-time updates on beach conditions. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Gardai can now be given permission to drive against the flow of traffic on motorways and dual carriageways during pursuits. A new spontaneous pursuits procedure from An Garda Siochana outlines that gardai can drive contra-flow to traffic if it is safe to do so. The new procedure means pursuits no longer have to automatically be called off when a chase goes contra-flow to traffic - a garda source has confirmed. Spontaneous traffic pursuits are managed from a control centre and will now determine if gardai are permitted to drive on the wrong side of a motorway or dual carriageway in pursuit of a criminal. This tactic is occasionally used by criminals in an effort to call off a chase. A Garda was summoned to face a Circuit Court this year after pursuing a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the N7 in 2021 which saw the three occupants of the car die following a head on collision with a truck. The new procedure stresses that pursuits should not cause risk to the public. (Photo: Peter Kenny)Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. If implemented the Russian move introduced as a draft law on Oct. 30, would hit the religious communities hard. Following the Russian Orthodox Church hierarchy, Catholic bishops are also opposing the move. Religious communities in Russia spoke up in November against a draft law banning religious services in residential buildings, that was proposed on Oct. 30, OSV (Catholic) News reported. In many places, church congregations can only meet in apartment blocks because they lack places of worship, said Rev. Kirill Gorbunov, spokesman of the Moscow-based Catholic bishops' conference. Speaking to KNA, a German Catholic news agency, he said, "In many Russian cities, historic churches were not returned to the faithful or were simply destroyed during the Soviet era." He noted that in some places the authorities fail to grant permission for the construction of a new church, or the parish does not have the funds for a new building. CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONCERNS "The Catholic bishops share the concerns of other denominations and intend to communicate their views to the legislators in writing," Father Gorbunov noted. He also declared that there are sometimes conflicts with residents of the houses: "They are convinced that only sects meet in residential buildings and that all genuine churches have their own buildings." The bill was submitted to the lower house of Russia's parliament, the Duma by the small pro-Kremlin group New People. It provides for changes to the law "on freedom of conscience and religion." Religious ceremonies and the holding of public services are to be severely restricted in residential buildings. According to the explanatory memorandum, gatherings of large numbers of foreigners and immigrants lacking permanent legal status increase the security risk in residential buildings. The document also talks about the deterioration in the crime statistics, fears among residents, and breaches of fire safety regulations. Protestant and Muslim communities have raised the strongest opposition to the bill. However, criticism has also come from the head of the legal department of the country's dominant Russian Orthodox Church, Abbess Ksenija Chernega. She warned that, in its current form, the bill prohibits Russian Orthodox clergy from administering communion, anointing of the sick, and other religious rites in homes at the request of the faithful. This would affect the seriously ill and the dying, Orthodox house churches would also have to close. The head of the legal department of the Moscow Patriarchate demanded a revision of the draft. However, she shared Russian lawmakers' objections to the performance of religious rites in homes by "migrant groups that do not have the status of a legal entity." It is still unclear what will happen with the controversial bill. According to official figures, the New People party received slightly over 5 percent of the vote in the 2021 parliamentary election and thus entered parliament for the first time. The German Institute for International and Security Affairs assumes that the party was founded on the Kremlin's initiative in 2020 "to channel dissatisfaction among the population into the controlled party system." Around 800,000 Russian citizens are Catholic -- a small diaspora church given it's about 0.6 percent of the population. Soviet persecution and immigration from Russia decimated the community said the Catholic news agency. Russia is, however, not the only country restricting religious groups. UKRAINE BAN ON MOSCOW-LINKED CHURCH In September, Ukraine placed a ban on a Moscow-linked church and a writer for the US-based Carnegie Foundation warned it would have far-reaching consequences. Carnegie Politika commented that Ukraine passed its law banning religious organizations with links to Russia and the main target of the law is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOCMP), which was established in 1990 as a self-governing church under the canonical jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). It warned, "The repercussions of outlawing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate could be more serious than Kyiv seems to realize." "The Ukrainian government held back from taking such a step immediately after the full-scale invasion by Russia: after all, the UOCMP is the country's biggest church. "However, hopes there could be a gradual reconciliation between different branches of Orthodoxy have faded amid wartime polarization. The formal ban is a major moment in a long-running dispute, and will have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine both at home and abroad," said Carnegie Politika. It noted that when the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) was established in 2018 under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople based in Istanbul, it was hoped that the UOCMP and the OCU would gradually merge. "But the war has dramatically reduced the space for dialogue and compromise. Instead, the continued presence of a religious organization formally affiliated with Moscow has angered patriotic Ukrainians and provoked the suspicion of the authorities." In NSW in the last 12 months, there has been an incredible 1700 jet-ski offences detected across the state. In the past 12 months, NSW has recorded 1700 jet-ski infringements, with authorities targeting Sydney's south-west over the weekend. Source: NSW Maritime Authorities are cracking down on jet ski owners ahead of Christmas in one east coast state, launching a fresh campaign to enhance water safety and ensure all riders are licensed. Kicking off Operation Ride Right over the weekend, NSW Maritime, a division of Transport for NSW (TfNSW), said jet skis have "soared in popularity" in the state recently. They said there are now some 90,000 owners and while "jet skis are fun" they can "still be dangerous". In the past 12 months, NSW has recorded 1700 jet-ski infringements, with the worst offending waterways being the Georges River, Port Hacking and Botany Bay. Targeting those areas during the first wave of the safety blitz, authorities say it's just the start of what's to come during summer. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a TfNSW spokesperson said NSW Maritime interacted with over 3,000 customers during the weekend blitz, handing down dozens of fines. ADVERTISEMENT "There were 89 official cautions and 52 fines handed out across the weekend," they said. "14 of those fines were for licensing or registration offences." Fines to the tune of $500 are in place for those caught riding without a licence. Source: NSW Police Unlicensed jet ski riding 'not uncommon' in NSW According to TfNSW, personal watercraft (PWC) incidents are usually "caused by poor judgement, no proper lookout and excessive speed." "The best ways to increase the safety of PWC riders, your passengers and others sharing the waterways are: knowing the rules, getting a PWC licence and learning how to ride safely," it said. "We're educating everyone on the rules, making sure that they know the rules and they stick to them," NSW Maritime Principal Manager Shane Davey told 7News. "We know jet ski riders are overrepresented in and accidents and collisions." ADVERTISEMENT Those caught riding a jet ski without a licence stand to cop an on-the-spot $500 fine, with a 12 month suspension. "Unlicensed riding is not as uncommon as you might think, we do get a number of unlicensed riders out there," Davey warned. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on Friday said it has ordered federal supervision of Google Payment Corp. after determining that it meets the legal requirements for such oversight. The CFPB monitors banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, and recently finalized a rule to supervise digital payment apps. In the order , which focuses on the Google Pay app and its peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service (discontinued in the US earlier this year), the CFPB said it has reasonable cause to determine that Google has engaged in conduct that poses risks to consumers. Google filed a lawsuit shortly after the announcement to challenge the decision, Reuters reports. The risks identified by the CFPB are tied to Googles handling of erroneous transactions and fraud prevention. Based on customer complaints, the order said it appears that Google didnt adequately investigate erroneous transfers, or adequately explain the findings of its investigations into these issues. The complaints also indicate Google didnt do enough to prevent fraud, the order says. But, the CFPB announcement notes that the order does not constitute a finding that the entity has engaged in wrongdoing, nor does it require the CFPB to conduct a supervisory examination. Saturday, December 7, 2024 LOS ANGELES, CA "Have we completely lost our minds? Our moral compass?" thunders Michael Levine, America's leading media expert, following the grotesque reaction to the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, was gunned down in a cold-blooded, premeditated execution on a New York street. The video footage is horrifying, but the "gleeful celebration" erupting across social media is even more appalling. Levine doesn't mince words: "When the cold-blooded murder of a human being sparks jokes, hashtags, and cheers from the very people who preach compassion, something has gone deeply, dangerously wrong." Comments like "My thoughts and prayers are on hold pending prior authorization," and posts implying insurance CEOs "deserve" execution reveal a society that has traded empathy for vengeance and reason for rage. These are the same people who post #BeKind and #JusticeForAll, now embracing mob mentality with smug satisfaction. Levine continues: "It's clear evidence that some have lost their mind and moral compass. Celebrating murder because it aligns with your frustration about a broken system is like throwing gasoline on a fire and calling it justice." And the hypocrisy is staggering. Self-proclaimed "anti-violence" advocates like Columbia professor Anthony Zenkus joke about Thompson's death while decrying systemic violence. Where is the outrage at this grotesque double standard? In a culture that has weaponized outrage and virtue-signaling, Levine warns that dehumanizing individualseven powerful CEOsas symbols of collective grievances is a dangerous game. "You can despise a system without losing your humanity. When you lose sight of that, you're no better than what you claim to fight against." This isn't social justice. It's a moral collapse disguised as righteous indignation. And it's a chilling reminder of how far we've strayed from basic decency. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ About Michael Levine: Michael Levine is America's leading media expert, bestselling author, and a trusted voice on public perception, media ethics, and cultural commentary. Although Donald Hammen lives alone in south Minneapolis, a web of relationships binds him to his city and his community. Every morning his next-door neighbor, Julie McMahon, checks to see whether hes raised the blinds in his dining room window. If not, shell try to get in touch with Hammen to see whats going on. (Julie McMahon) Donald Hammen, 80, and his longtime next-door neighbor in south Minneapolis, Julie McMahon, have an understanding. Every morning, she checks to see whether hes raised the blinds in his dining room window. If not, shell call Hammen or let herself into his house to see whats going on. Should McMahon find Hammen in a bad way, she plans to contact his sister-in-law, who lives in a suburb of Des Moines. Thats his closest relative. Hammen never married or had children, and his younger brother died in 2022. Although Hammen lives alone, a web of relationships binds him to his city and his community neighbors, friends, former co-workers, fellow volunteers with an advocacy group for seniors, and fellow members of a group of solo agers. McMahon is an emergency contact, as is a former co-worker. When Hammen was hit by a car in February 2019, another neighbor did his laundry. A friend came over to keep him company. Other people went on walks with Hammen as he got back on his feet. Those connections are certainly sustaining. Yet Hammen has no idea who might care for him should he become unable to care for himself. Ill cross that bridge when I come to it, he told me. These are fundamental questions for older adults who live alone: Who will be there for them, for matters large and small? Who will help them navigate the ever more complex health care system and advocate on their behalf? Who will take out the garbage if it becomes too difficult to carry? Who will shovel the snow if a winter storm blows through? American society rests on an assumption that families take care of their own. But 15 million Americans 50 and older didnt have any close family spouses, partners, or children in 2015, the latest year for which reliable estimates are available. Most lived alone. By 2060, that number is expected to swell to 21 million. Beyond that, millions of seniors living on their own arent geographically close to adult children or other family members. Or they have difficult, strained relationships that keep them from asking for support. These older adults must seek assistance from other quarters when they need it. Often they turn to neighbors, friends, church members, or community groups or paid help, if they can afford it. And often, they simply go without, leaving them vulnerable to isolation, depression, and deteriorating health. When seniors living alone have no close family, can nonfamily helpers be an adequate substitute? This hasnt been well studied. Were just beginning to do a better job of understanding that people have a multiplicity of connections outside their families that are essential to their well-being, said Sarah Patterson, a demographer and sociologist at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. The takeaway from a noteworthy study published by researchers at Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai was this: Many seniors adapt to living solo by weaving together local social networks of friends, neighbors, nieces and nephews, and siblings (if theyre available) to support their independence. Still, finding reliable local connections isnt always easy. And nonfamily helpers may not be willing or able to provide consistent, intense hands-on care if that becomes necessary. When AARP surveyed people it calls solo agers in 2022, only 25% said they could count on someone to help them cook, clean, get groceries, or perform other household tasks if needed. Just 38% said they knew someone who could help manage ongoing care needs. (AARP defined solo agers as people 50 and older who arent married, dont have living children, and live alone.) Linda Camp, 73, a former administrator with the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, who never married or had children, has written several reports for the Citizens League in St. Paul about growing old alone. Yet she was still surprised by how much help she required this summer when she had cataract surgery on both eyes. A former co-worker accompanied Camp to the surgery center twice and waited there until the procedures were finished. A relatively new friend took her to a follow-up appointment. An 81-year-old downstairs neighbor agreed to come up if Camp needed something. Other friends and neighbors also chipped in. Camp was fortunate she has a sizable network of former co-workers, neighbors, and friends. What I tell people when I talk about solos is all kinds of connections have value, she said. Michelle Wallace, 75, a former technology project manager, lives alone in a single-family home in Broomfield, Colorado. She has worked hard to assemble a local network of support. Wallace has been divorced for nearly three decades and doesnt have children. Though she has two sisters and a brother, they live far away. Wallace describes herself as happily unpartnered. Coupling isnt for me, she told me when we first talked. I need my space and my privacy too much. Instead, shes cultivated relationships with several people she met through local groups for solo agers. Many have become her close friends. Two of them, both in their 70s, are like sisters, Wallace said. Another, who lives just a few blocks away, has agreed to become a well help each other out when needed partner. In our 70s, solo agers are looking for support systems. And the scariest thing is not having friends close by, Wallace told me. Its the local network thats really important. Gardner Stern, 96, who lives alone on the 24th floor of the Carl Sandburg Village condominium complex just north of downtown Chicago, has been far less deliberate. He never planned for his care needs in older age. He just figured things would work out. They have, but not as Stern predicted. The person who helps him the most is his third wife, Jobie Stern, 75. The couple went through an acrimonious divorce in 1985, but now she goes to all his doctor appointments, takes him grocery shopping, drives him to physical therapy twice a week and stops in every afternoon to chat for about an hour. Shes also Gardners neighbor she lives 10 floors above him in the same building. Why does she do it? I guess because I moved into the building and hes very old and hes a really good guy and we have a child together, she told me. I get happiness knowing hes doing as well as possible. Over many years, she said, she and Gardner have put their differences aside. Never would I have expected this of Jobie, Gardner told me. I guess time heals all wounds. Gardners other main local connections are Joy Loverde, 72, an author of elder-care books, and her 79-year-old husband, who live on the 28th floor. Gardner calls Loverde his tell it like it is friend the one who helped him decide it was time to stop driving, the one who persuaded him to have a walk-in shower with a bench installed in his bathroom, the one who plays Scrabble with him every week and offers practical advice whenever he has a problem. I think I would be in an assisted living facility without her, Gardner said. Theres also family: four children, all based in Los Angeles, eight grandchildren, mostly in L.A., and nine great-grandchildren. Gardner sees most of this extended clan about once a year and speaks to them often, but he cant depend on them for his day-to-day needs. For that, Loverde and Jobie are an elevator ride away. Ive got these wonderful people who are monitoring my existence, and a big-screen TV, and a freezer full of good frozen dinners, Gardner said. Its all that I need. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. The time and place of next week's tractor rally in central London has been confirmed by organisers, with attendees being urged to register in advance. Industry campaigners at Save British Farming and Fairness for Farmers have organised a new London farmer protest, taking place on Wednesday 11 December. The Christmas-themed tractor rally is taking place due to 'disastrous and damaging anti-farming policies'. It follows numerous UK-wide rallies over the last few weeks, including a huge protest of over 20,000 farmers in central London on 19 November. Concern is particularly centred on the government's farm inheritance tax plans, which will impose a 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth 1m or more from April 2026. However, there are also worries within the industry over the impact of future post-Brexit trade deals, substandard food imports and the recent removal of farming grants. Now campaigners at Save British Farming and Fairness for Farmers have confirmed more details for Wednesday's tractor rally. It will commence from 10am in Whitehall, facing towards Parliament Square. Entrance for tractors can be made via Trafalgar Square. From noon, following numerous speeches, tractors will begin to drive around the confirmed rally route (below) with a goal to finish at 3pm. (Photo: Save British Farming) Those who attend have been reminded to ensure tractors are roadworthy and that the London congestion charge must be paid. Farmers have also been encouraged to bring farm-themed toys as part of a Christmas donation for the Great Ormond Street Hospital. Save British Farming and Fairness for Farmers have urged as many farmers as possible to attend. They said: "This government promised a new deal for farming to improve food security by negotiating a new veterinary agreement with the EU and ensure protection from lower standard imports. "But Rachel Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer instead betrayed farmers with their disastrous budget which delivered a poisonous cocktail and a hammer blow to an industry which is already on its knees." Farmers interested in attending the rally can register their interest online in advance. Peter Sarsgaard believes acting has helped him to become "a more fully evolved person". Peter Sarsgaard has opened up about his childhood The 53-year-old actor grew up in "pretty closeted parts of America" and his immediate family members were often reluctant to express their emotions. Speaking to the Observer newspaper, Peter shared: "I lived with a lot of very sensitive people. "Mental illness was a real thing in my house. Around those people, in those types of potentially volatile situations, you want to keep everything chill. And Im very good at it. "I spent a lot of my time as a kid trying to read the minds of people who didnt know their own minds. Its a skill I developed. Im frequently thinking about what other people are thinking." Peter believes he's actually developed the ability to "tell when people are lying". The Hollywood star added: "It doesnt necessarily mean I have a problem with them - it turns out people lie often. Its more like information to me. I go, Oh, what would make them lie about that?" Peter - who is married to actress Maggie Gyllenhaal - received lots of support from his extended family during his younger years. Asked in what way mental illness was present in his childhood home, Peter replied: "Oh, Id rather not say. But it was very much around me, all the time, 24/7. "You know, I was supported in many ways as a kid, also. Everyone in my extended family was thinking about my welfare. "Even to this day, I have these three female cousins One of them thought that if she pet me enough, like, on the head, that it would make be a better person." Tamara Ecclestone has stopped wearing jewellery in public since her home was burgled. Tamara Ecclestone has stopped wearing jewellery in public since her home was burgled The 40-year-old heiress - who is married to Jay Rutland and has Fifi, 10, and four-year-old Serena with him - became the victim of a robbery when thieves made off with 25 million in cash and valuables in late 2019 and has now admitted that she even goes without her wedding ring when she is not at home. She told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column: "I dont wear any jewellery if I am out, not even my wedding ring. I have security with me all the time. But if I am out with my girls, Fifi and Serena, I dont really want something to happen or for them to see security intervening. "I tell myself its just material things and really it doesnt matter. "I dont have anything to prove. I dont need to wear all the bling." The model - who is the daughter of Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone and has a reported net worth of almost 300 million herself - refuses to give up her London home because it is her "happy place" but admitted that it took her some time to "settle back in" after the ordeal had taken place and that she is yet to tell her eldest everything about the incident. She said: "I wont be pushed out of this house. This is my happy place. It took me a while to settle back in. I think anyone who has experienced returning home after a burglary can relate but we have moved on as a family, I still havent told Fifi exactly what happened because she can be quite anxious, especially at the moment with her school exams." In late 2021, Jugoslav Jovanovic, Alessandro Maltese, and Alessandro Donati were jailed for eight years each after they were convicted of conspiracy to burgle. Catherine, Princess of Wales helped make Liz Hatton the "happiest" she had ever been during the last two months of her life. Catherine, Princess of Wales helped make Liz Hatton the 'happiest' she had ever been in her last two months The aspiring photographer passed away in November at the age of just 17 following a battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer but had managed to live out her dreams when her initial meeting with the Prince and Princess of Wales allowed her to photograph celebrities on the red carpet, and now her mother has thanked the royal couple for how they brought her daughter to prominence. Victoria Robayna, 43, told The Mirror: Liz was still independent and loving life until the very end, which is exactly how she would have chosen it to be. We could n ot have asked for it to have been a better way for Liz. "All any parent wants is for their childs dreams to come true, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were a big part in making that happen. "Lizs final two months with us were the happiest we have ever seen her, and a lot of that was down to their kindness we truly cant thank them enough. Before that day at Windsor Castle Liz had had some opportunities, but the meeting really brought her into the public eye and allowed her dreams to become reality." Liz was invited to photograph an investiture after her mother shared the teenager's "photography bucket list" to X, with William hearing about the viral post through the London Air Ambulance Charity, of which he serves as patron. She then had a private meeting with the couple, with Catherine - who announced in September that she had completed her preventative chemotherapy treatment after undergoing abdominal surgery earlier in the year - photographed embracing Liz. Catherine and William were amongst the first to pay tribute to the tragic teenager shortly after her death was announced. In a personal message shared to their Instagram Story, the couple wrote: "We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away. "It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Lizs parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time. W and C." (sic) Laos and Cambodia recently signed three agreements in Phnom Penh to promote bilateral ties and cooperation. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and visiting Laotian counterpart Sonexay Siphandone witnessed the signing ceremony after their meeting in Phnom Penh. One agreement was on eliminating double taxation on income and preventing tax evasion and avoidance between the two neighbours. It was signed by Cambodian minister of economy and finance Aun Pornmoniroth and his Laotian counterpart Santiphab Phomvihane. This is Cambodias 12th double taxation agreement (DTA). Laos and Cambodia recently signed three agreements in Phnom Penh to promote bilateral ties and cooperation. One was on eliminating double taxation on income and preventing tax evasion and avoidance between the two neighbours. This is Cambodia's 12th double taxation agreement (DTA). Cambodia is also negotiating DTAs with Japan, Myanmar, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, France and Qatar. Cambodia is also negotiating DTAs with Japan, Myanmar, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, France and Qatar, domestic media outlets reported. The two sides also signed memoranda of understanding on agricultural, cultural and arts cooperation. According to Cambodias official statistics, the value of trade between Cambodia and Laos remains modest, with imports from Laos worth about $185.13 million during the first 10 months this year, marking a 14.4-per cent increase year on year. Exports to Laos remain minimal as well. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Concerned about the coastal environment, authorities are taking to the skies to catch problem drivers. The operation is the latest crackdown amid a rise on 4WD tourism. Source: YouTube/National Parks and Wildlife A year after introducing new rules for driving on beaches in one Aussie state, authorities are proving just how serious they are about enforcing the guidelines amid a surge in popularity as 4WD enthusiasts hit the sand in increasing numbers. To catch drivers doing the wrong thing, environmental authorities in regional South Australia recently took to the skies, setting out in a helicopter to spot and apprehend four-wheel drivers not complying with the rules. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokesperson from the state's Department for Environment and Water confirmed the operation, saying it was aimed at protecting the natural environment that is under considerable strain from 4WD tourism. "With the assistance of a helicopter, long-range camera and radio communication, rangers were able to coordinate roadblocks on the ground to corral offenders," the spokesperson said. ADVERTISEMENT In particular, authorities are keen to crackdown on motorists heading off the designated tracks and potentially harming wildlife. "The operation aimed to tackle concerns about degradation of national parks due to high traffic and unregistered vehicles riding off designated tracks," authorities told Yahoo. An aerial operation took place over the Melbourne Cup long weekend last month with rangers warning extensive compliance checks will continue in the weeks ahead. Authorities say they will keep taking to the skies to catch problem drivers. Source: YouTube/Outback Escape How much damage can 4WDs do? The issue has been a prime concern in recent years, brought into focus when tourists left a trail of destruction on South Australia's popular Goolwa Beach at Christmas time in 2022, with reported wild manoeuvres leaving sand dunes and surrounding vegetation damaged. "The tracks made over the dunes by the 4WDs have opened up holes due to the high energy winds that this coastal area produces. It will still take many years to recover as the native vegetation is slow-growing," local mayor Keith Parkes told Yahoo last year. ADVERTISEMENT Partly as a result, reduced speed limit rules for beaches were introduced across the state from December 1 last year with a default 40km/h limit for drivers on the sand, and a 25km/h limit when travelling within 50 metres of a person. Previously a 100km/h speed limit applied on beaches. Speaking to Yahoo this week, the South Australian Department of Environment reiterated concerns about damage to the coastal environment. "Unmanaged 4WD and motorbike use impacts on native vegetation and causes erosion. Vehicles can also damage cultural sites and areas of geological significance," a spokesperson said. "Inappropriate use of vehicles can also be a public risk." Authorities are also preoccupied with protecting wildlife. Public holidays like Christmas and Australia Day happen to coincide with the time when endangered shorebirds are nesting on beaches. ADVERTISEMENT Bird that nest on beaches can be disturbed and killed when drivers go off designated tracks. Source: Birdlife Australia BirdLife Australias Andrew Hunter perviously told Yahoo the rise in 4WD activity is a "huge concern" which puts migratory shorebirds and local nesting species at risk. "Hooded plovers and red-capped plovers are pretty small that you might see running about on the beach, but they actually nest on the beach," Mr Hunter said. "Their eggs are completely camouflaged so youre not going to be able to see them unless youre looking." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands and SAN DIEGO, Dec. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SkylineDx, an innovative diagnostics company specializing in the research and development of molecular diagnostics for oncology, inflammatory, and infectious diseases, announce that groundbreaking data on the Prognostic Value of the SKY92 Classifier over High-Risk Cytogenetic Aberrations in Multiple Myeloma will be presented during the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference. The results were obtained from the PROMMIS real-world study, conducted in nine academic cancer centers across the United States. The presentation, led by Dr. Noa Biran, Associate Professor at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, highlights the significant impact of SKY92 on risk stratification in multiple myeloma patients. Multiple myeloma is a hematological malignancy characterized by a complex molecular landscape. Despite advancements in modern therapies, a subset of patients classified as high-risk continues to experience poor survival outcomes. Traditional risk stratification relies heavily on identifying cytogenetic aberrations. However, the PROMMIS study provides compelling evidence that the SKY92 gene expression profiling (GEP) classifier offers crucial biological insight and independent prognostic value. The study [1] included 251 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients that were follow up for over nearly four years to monitor their progression. The results showed that individual chromosomal abnormalities and their co-occurrence had limited prognostic value, with the sole exception of the 1q21 abnormality, which prognostic significance for PFS was exclusive to patients aged 65 years and older. SKY92 proved to be a much stronger predictor of poor outcomes. Patients that had the high-risk biomarker SKY92 had significantly worse progression-free survival rates, regardless of whether they had other genetic abnormalities. The research also showed that combining SKY92 results with specific genetic markers like gain(1q21) could offer even more detailed insights. For example, patients flagged as high-risk by both tests had some of the poorest outcomes, underlining the complementary value of using SKY92. Dr. Jvalini Dwarkasing, Chief Scientific Officer at SkylineDx, emphasized the importance of this research: "These findings highlight how the SKY92 test can make a real difference in the care of multiple myeloma patients. By offering a clearer and more reliable way to identify high-risk disease, we are giving doctors powerful tools to tailor treatments and improve outcomes. This research reinforces our commitment to advancing personalized medicine." This study marks a significant step forward in understanding and treating multiple myeloma. The SKY92 test not only provides a more accurate way to identify high-risk disease but also helps refine how we use existing genetic information. By integrating this advanced technology into routine care, clinicians can better support patients facing this challenging disease. SkylineDx is grateful to the patients, doctors, and research teams who contributed to the PROMMIS study, which would not have been possible without their dedication. About MMprofiler with SKY92 Multiple Myeloma is a heterogeneous disease and its course can vary significantly between patients. MMprofiler with the SKY92 biomarker enhances the biological insights into the diseases. This molecular diagnostic test measures the activity of 92 genes in the malignant myeloma plasma cells, and determines how aggressive the myeloma is. When myeloma is more aggressive (high-risk disease) it is less likely to respond to conventional treatments and the patient might benefit from intensification of therapy. MMprofiler with SKY92 is CE-IVD registered in Europe and available as laboratory developed test (LDT) from SkylineDx's CAP/CLIA lab in San Diego (CA, USA). About SkylineDx SkylineDx is a biotechnology company focused on research & development of molecular diagnostics in oncology inflammatory, and infectious diseases. SkylineDx uses its expertise to bridge the gap between academically discovered gene expression signatures and commercially available diagnostic products with high clinical utility, assisting healthcare professionals in accurately determining the type or status of disease or predicting a patient's response to treatment. Based on test results, healthcare professionals can tailor the treatment approach to the individual patient. SkylineDx is headquartered in Rotterdam. the Netherlands, complemented by a U.S. base of operations and a CAP/CLIA certified laboratory in San Diego California, USA. To learn more about SkylineDx, please visit www.skylinedx.com. Footnotes: Brian et al. Enhanced Prognostic Value of the SKY92 Classifier over High-Risk Cytogenetic Aberrations in Multiple Myeloma: Results from the Prommis Real-World Study Paper: Enhanced Prognostic Value of the SKY92 Classifier over High-Risk Cytogenetic Aberrations in Multiple Myeloma: Results from the Prommis Real-World Study View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-data-from-prommis-study-highlights-the-power-of-sky92-in-identifying-high-risk-multiple-myeloma-patients-302324946.html WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (REGN) announced positive updated Phase 3 data of an exploratory cohort from the ACCESS-1 trial investigating its first-in-class pozelimab and cemdisiran (poze-cemdi) combination treatment against ravulizumab, a standard-of-care complement factor 5 (C5) inhibitor, in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.According to the company, the Head-to-head exploratory cohort of a Phase 3 trial showed first-in-class poze-cemdi combination treatment helped patients achieve and maintain greater disease control, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, compared to standard-of-care ravulizumab.The company noted that Five patients receiving ravulizumab did not achieve meaningful LDH control compared to one patient receiving poze-cemdi. After switching to the combination, four of the five previously treated with ravulizumab achieved LDH control.Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria or PNH is an ultra-rare, chronic, life-threatening complement-mediated blood disorder. People with PNH have an acquired genetic mutation in which red blood cells are destroyed (known as hemolysis) by the complement system, which is part of the innate immune system. The lysed red blood cells release lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which is a biomarker used to measure the degree of hemolysis.Hemolysis causes a range of symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, and life-threatening blood clots. Inhibition of C5, a protein involved in complement system activation, is an established treatment approach to prevent intravascular hemolysis, which occurs inside blood vessels; LDH can be used to determine the effectiveness of C5 inhibition. Addressing intravascular hemolysis is a critical treatment approach to reducing the symptoms and risk of life-threatening complications of PNH.Pozelimab and cemdisiran are being evaluated in separate Phase 3 trials for several complement-mediated disorders, including PNH, myasthenia gravis (MG) and geographic atrophy (GA).The pozelimab and cemdisiran combination is being developed under an agreement with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 8, 2024) - Scryb Inc. (CSE: SCYB) (OTCQB: SCYRF) (FSE: EIY) ("Scryb' or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the launch of Raidian, a newly formed business unit delivering AI governance and compliance solutions for enterprises. Radian empowers businesses with software to manage AI risks, streamline compliance efforts, and unlock operational efficiencies, enabling them to deploy AI with confidence in highly regulated and complex environments. With the growing demand for businesses to manage AI risks and comply with new AI regulations, Scryb is prioritizing the opportunity with Raidian. Raidian has successfully developed a prototype of its Software as a Service ("SaaS") product, and is actively presenting it at commercial showcases and live demos. To accelerate the growth and leadership of this venture, Scryb has appointed Yoav Raiter, a seasoned software expert with over 30 years of experience in driving innovation, as Raidian's new CEO. Under the leadership of Yoav Raiter, Raidian is poised to become a trusted partner for enterprises navigating the challenges of AI governance. Yoav Raiter will step down from Scryb Inc. as CEO and from its Board of Directors to focus his efforts on the Raidian opportunity. The Company would like to thank Mr. Raiter for his several years of valuable contributions to Scryb, including to FRR, Cybeats, AI technology advancement, and leadership. "The need for AI governance and management tools is greater than ever, as organizations face growing challenges in navigating AI risks and regulatory requirements," said Yoav Raiter, CEO of Raidian. "Raidian's mission is to equip businesses with the tools they need to ensure safe, trustworthy, and compliant AI systems, while capturing the immense potential of this rapidly growing market." Radian addresses the critical challenges enterprises face in managing interconnected AI systems, where cascading effects across models can create significant risks. This venture builds on Scryb's successful track record of delivering scalable SaaS solutions, and targets the growing demand for AI governance, with the market expected to reach $741 billion in AI software and services spending by 2027. Unlike conventional tools that focus on siloed AI models, Raidian's dynamic monitoring capabilities provide real-time insights into the interdependencies of AI systems, enabling proactive risk mitigation and compliance management. By automating key functions such as monitoring, risk assessment, and compliance, Raidian reduces complexity and cost while safeguarding enterprises from legal, financial, and reputational risks tied to non-compliance. Radian's market faces a heightened global regulatory focus, such as the EU AI Act and the White House's Executive Order 14110, as well as Gartner's prediction that domain-specific AI will automate 20% of repetitive processes by 2026. As AI continues to evolve, Raidian is positioned to not only meet regulatory demands but to set the benchmark for safe and responsible AI adoption across industries. Led by Yoav Raiter, Raidian is positioned to provide enterprises with tools to meet regulations like the EU AI Act and NIST guidelines, ensuring compliant and secure AI operations. James Van Staveren has been appointed the interim CEO of Scryb Inc., effective immediately. Mr. Van Staveren has been part of the management team at Scryb for several years, and has substantial experience with corporate development, capital markets and investor relations. About Scryb Inc. Scryb specializes in building and scaling disruptive ventures in applied AI, digital health, cybersecurity, and biotech. Its portfolio includes Cybeats Technologies Corp., a cybersecurity leader where Scryb maintains a significant ownership stake. For more information, visit http://scryb.ai. Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for the technology described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at https://www.sedarplus.ca/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232961 SOURCE: Scryb Inc. Scemblix demonstrated sustained superior major molecular response (MMR) vs. all investigator-selected TKIs (74.1% vs. 52%) and vs. imatinib alone (76.2% vs. 47.1%), meeting both ASC4FIRST 96-week key secondary endpoints 1 Scemblix showed a clinically relevant 15.1% higher MMR rate vs. second generation (2G) TKIs (72.0% vs. 56.9%) 1 96-week data extend favorable safety and tolerability profile for Scemblix vs. imatinib and 2G TKIs, with fewer grade =3 AEs and less than half the discontinuation rate due to AEs 1 Latest results strengthen Scemblix as a standard of care following expanded indication in newly diagnosed and previously treated adult patents with Ph+ CML-CP and NCCN category 1 recommendation1-3 Basel, December 8, 2024 - Novartis today announced positive, longer-term results from the pivotal Phase III ASC4FIRST trial with Scemblix (asciminib) showing superior major molecular response (MMR) rates at week 961. The study compared the MMR rate of Scemblix to investigator-selected standard-of-care (SoC) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib and bosutinib) and to imatinib alone in adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (Ph+ CML-CP) at the week 96 evaluation, the study's key secondary endpoints1. The longer-term results showed an increasing difference in Scemblix MMR rate vs. SoC, vs. imatinib and vs. 2G TKIs (nilotinib, dasatinib and bosutinib)1. Results were presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition (ASH)1. "These 96-week results are very encouraging for clinicians who aspire to obtain a balance of efficacy and tolerability profiles to help newly diagnosed adult CML patients achieve and maintain treatment goals," said Jorge Cortes, M.D., Director, Georgia Cancer Center. "The sustained superior efficacy, deeper and more durable responses, and favorable safety and tolerability profile compared to standard of care TKIs continue to support the promise of Scemblix as a potentially practice-changing treatment option." The median follow-up was 2.2 years for Scemblix and investigator-selected SoC TKIs1. Over 22% more patients treated with once-daily Scemblix achieved MMR at week 96 vs. all investigator-selected SoC TKIs, and nearly 30% more patients achieved MMR at week 96 vs. imatinib alone1. The Scemblix MMR rate was 15.1% (95% CI: 2.3, 28.0; not crossing zero) higher vs. 2G TKIs (72% vs. 56.9%)1. Patients treated with Scemblix also achieved deeper rates of molecular responses (MR4 and MR4.5) compared with investigator-selected SoC TKIs1. Overalla Scemblix (n=201) vs. IS SoC TKIs (n=204) Imatinib stratumb Scemblix (n=101) vs. imatinib (n=102) 2G TKI stratumc Scemblix (n=100) vs. 2G TKIs (n=102) Key secondary endpoints MMR rates at week 96 74.1% vs. 52% 76.2% vs. 47.1% Secondary endpointsd MMR rates at week 96 72% vs. 56.9% MR4 at week 96 48.8% vs. 27.5% 52.5% vs. 23.5% 45% vs. 31.4% MR4.5 at week 96 30.9% vs. 17.7% 35.6% vs. 11.8% 26% vs. 23.5% a All patients receiving Scemblix (n=201) or investigator-selected SoC TKIs (n=204). Treatment difference after adjusting for pre-randomization selected TKI and EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS) risk groups at baseline. b The 203 patients within the pre-randomization-selected imatinib stratum were randomized to receive either Scemblix (n=101) or imatinib (n=102). Treatment difference after adjusting for ELTS risk groups at baseline. c The 202 patients within the pre-randomization selected 2G TKIs stratum were randomized to receive either Scemblix (n=100) or 2G TKIs (n=102: nilotinib, 48%; dasatinib, 41%; bosutinib, 11%). d Secondary endpoints were not powered for statistical significance. The safety profile of Scemblix at 96-weeks was consistent with the 4-year follow-up of the Phase III ASCEMBL trial, with no new safety concerns observed to date1,2,4. Fewer grade =3 AEs and dose adjustments to manage AEs were reported for Scemblix, and discontinuation due to AEs was more than 50% lower for Scemblix vs. both imatinib and 2G TKIs1. The most frequent AEs (=15%) were diarrhea, headache, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and rash1. Week 96 Scemblix n=200 Imatinib n=99 2G TKIs n=102 Grade = AEsa 44.5% 49.5% 59.8% Discontinuation due to AEsa 5.5% 13.1% 12.7% AEs leading to dose adjustments/interruptionsa 33% 41.4% 57.8% aIn patients who experienced =1 adverse event. Novartis also presented today at ASH interim data from the Phase II ASC2ESCALATE dose-escalation study in both the second line (2L) and newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP settings5. In the analysis of 2L patients at week 24 (n=28) Scemblix demonstrated MMR rates of 42.9% and deep molecular responses (MR4 25% and MR4.5 10.7%), with a consistent safety and tolerability profile5. The most common AEs (>15%) were nausea, hypertension, and vomiting5. "Novartis' decades-long work in CML and deep relationships within the community have informed our Scemblix clinical trial program of over 10 years, the centerpiece of our continuing drive to address ongoing unmet medical needs for people with CML," said Jeff Legos, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Oncology Development, Novartis. "These latest findings reinforce the differentiated efficacy, safety and tolerability profile of Scemblix in newly diagnosed and previously treated adult CML patients." Scemblix was recently granted accelerated approval in the US to treat newly diagnosed adults with Ph+ CML-CP, which together with its approval in previously treated adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP expands the population of Scemblix-eligible patients by four-fold 2. In addition, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) updated its Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for the treatment of CML, recommending asciminib as a category 1 - preferred treatment for newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP and across all risk categories3. About the ASC4FIRST Phase III Clinical Trial ASC4FIRST (NCT04971226 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04971226?id=NCT04971226&rank=1)) is a Phase III, head-to-head, multi-center, open-label, randomized study of oral Scemblix 80 mg QD vs. IS first- or second-generation TKIs (imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or bosutinib) in 405 adult patients with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP2,6. The trial met both primary endpoints with Scemblix demonstrating superior MMR rates at week 48 vs. investigator-selected SoC TKIs (imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib and bosutinib) (67.7% vs. 49.0%) and imatinib alone (69.3% vs. 40.2%) as well as the secondary, non-powered endpoint for the 2G TKI stratum of (66% vs 57.8%)1,6. The study remains ongoing with further efficacy and safety readouts planned. About the ASC2ESCALATE Phase II Study ASC2ESCALATE (NCT05384587 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05384587)) is a Phase II, multicenter, single-arm, dose-escalation study of oral Scemblix 80 mg QD in both the second line (2L) and newly diagnosed (1L) Ph+ CML-CP settings in the US 5,7. While Scemblix is already approved across lines of therapy, this is the first prospective trial to assess asciminib in the 2L setting and a dose-escalation strategy of asciminib as 2L and 1L treatment for patients with CML-CP not meeting molecular milestones 5. The proportion of patients achieving MMR at 12 months in the 2L setting will be measured as the primary endpoint 5. The study remains ongoing and has completed enrollment with 196 patients (100 patients in 2L, 96 patients in 1L)5. About Scemblix (asciminib) Scemblix is the first CML treatment that works by Specifically Targeting the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (referred to as a STAMP inhibitor in scientific literature)4,8,9. Other currently approved CML treatments are TKIs that target the ATP-binding site (ATP-competitive)9. In the US, Scemblix was granted accelerated approval to treat newly diagnosed adults with Ph+ CML-CP and is also approved for previously treated adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP. Outside the US, it is approved in more than 75 countries, including the EU, to treat those who have previously been treated with two or more TKIs with Ph+ CML-CP2,10,11. In some countries, including the US, Scemblix is also approved in patients with Ph+ CML-CP with the T315I mutation2,3,10. Scemblix is being studied across multiple treatment lines for Ph+ CML-CP, both as a monotherapy and in combination2,4,6,8,10,12-24. Patient Access and Support Novartis, with its 20+ year history in CML, is committed to continuing to address areas of unmet patient need and reducing barriers to patient access and affordability that prevent patients from benefiting from innovation. Novartis Patient Support is available to help guide eligible patients through the various aspects of getting started on treatment including help understanding insurance coverage and identifying potential financial assistance options. Patients or providers can call 866-433-8000 or visit support.scemblix.com to learn more. About Novartis Commitment to CML Novartis has a long-standing scientific commitment to patients living with CML. For more than two decades, our bold science has helped transform CML from a life-limiting condition for many patients. Despite these advancements, there's still work to be done. We continue to research ways to target the disease more selectively and to address the challenges of not reaching treatment efficacy goals, experiencing treatment resistance and/or intolerance that many patients face. Our legacy inspires our future innovation - we continue to lead the way in developing novel medicines to address serious unmet needs in CML. Our commitment also goes beyond science. Our 20+ year collaboration with the Max Foundation has provided access to Gleevec (imatinib), Tasigna (nilotinib) and now Scemblix and is delivering tremendous patient impact in low- and middle-income countries, with over 100,000 patients supported to date. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "may," "committed," "contingent," "lead," "continue," "ongoing," "to deliver," "allowing," "continuing," "commitment," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for Scemblix, or regarding potential future revenues from Scemblix. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Scemblix will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that Scemblix will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding Scemblix could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com (https://www.novartis.com/) and connect with us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/novartis/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/novartis/), X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/Novartis) and Instagram (https://instagram.com/novartis?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==__;!!N3hqHg43uw!pjp8z253J5NjaOYrW65UbAAlHeHRdQ-w0m4ezZxEQEl0ptafXN2M99VRIk39pf49PAc8NbK93Pxp3uaSBQkAf8oEnzWXG8Sk$). References Cortes JE, Hochhaus A, Hughes TP, et al. Asciminib Continues to Provide Superior Efficacy and Favorable Safety and Tolerability vs Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors In Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in ASC4FIRST: Week 96 Update. Presented at: 66th ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition; December 7 - 10, 2024; San Diego, CA. Scemblix (asciminib) Prescribing information. East Hanover, New Jersey, USA: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; October 2024. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Version 2.2025. November 13, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/cml.pdf (https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/cml.pdf) Rea D, Mauro MJ, Boquimpani C, et al. A Phase 3, Open-Label, Randomized Study of Asciminib, a STAMP Inhibitor, vs Bosutinib in CML After 2 or more prior TKIs. Blood. 2021;138(21):2031-2041. doi:10.1182/blood.2020009984 Atallah EL, Levy MY, Koller P, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Asciminib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP): Interim Results from the Phase 2 ASC2ESCALATE Trial in the Cohort of Patients (Pts) after 1 Prior Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI). Presented at: 66th ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition; December 7 - 10, 2024; San Diego, CA. A Study of Oral Asciminib Versus Other TKIs in Adult Patients With Newly Diagnosed Ph+ CML-CP (ASC4FIRST). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04971226. Updated March 25, 2024. Accessed March 26, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04971226 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04971226) Asciminib Monotherapy, With Dose Escalation, for 2nd and 1st Line Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (ASC2ESCALATE) ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05384587. Updated October 30, 2024. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05384587 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05384587) Cortes JE, Hughes TP, Mauro MJ, et al. Asciminib, a First-in-Class STAMP Inhibitor, Provides Durable Molecular Response in Patients (pts) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Harboring the T315I Mutation: Primary Efficacy and Safety Results from a Phase 1 Trial. Oral presentation at: ASH Annual Meeting; Dec. 7, 2020. Schoepfer J, Jahnke W, Berellini G, et al. Discovery of Asciminib (ABL001), an Allosteric Inhibitor of the Tyrosine Kinase Activity of BCR-ABL1. J Med Chem. 2018;61(18):8120-8135. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01040 Novartis data on file. Scemblix. EMA Summary of Product Characteristics. Novartis Europharm Limited; 2022. Wylie AA, Schoepfer J, Jahnke W, et al. The allosteric inhibitor ABL001 enables dual targeting of BCR-ABL1. Nature. 2017;543(7647):733-737. doi:10.1038/nature21702?? Hughes TP, Mauro MJ, Cortes JE, et al. Asciminib in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia after ABL Kinase Inhibitor Failure. N Engl J Med. 2019; 381(24):2315-2326. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1902328???? Hughes TP, et al. Expanded Phase 1 Study of ABL001, a Potent, Allosteric Inhibitor of BCR-ABL, Reveals Significant and Durable Responses in Patients with CML-Chronic Phase with Failure of Prior TKI Therapy. Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition; Dec. 5, 2016.?? Ottmann OG, Alimena G, DeAngelo DJ, et al. ABL001, a Potent, Allosteric Inhibitor of BCR-ABL, Exhibits Safety and Promising Single- Agent Activity in a Phase I Study of Patients with CML with Failure of Prior TKI Therapy. Blood. 2015;126(23):138. doi:10.1182/blood.V126.23.138.138?? Mauro MJ, Kim DW, Cortes J, et al. Combination of Asciminib Plus Nilotinib (NIL) or Dasatinib (DAS) in Patients (PTS) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Results from a Phase 1 Study. Presented at: EHA Annual Meeting; June 15, 2019.?? Cortes JE, Lang F, Kim DW, et al. Combination Therapy Using Asciminib Plus Imatinib (IMA) in Patients (PTS) with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Results from a Phase 1 Study. Presented at: EHA Annual Meeting; June 15, 2019.?? Manley PW, Barys L, Cowan-Jacob SW. The specificity of asciminib, a potential treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia, as a myristate-pocket binding ABL inhibitor and analysis of its interactions with mutant forms of BCR-ABL1 kinase. Leuk Res. 2020;98:106458. doi:10.1016/j.leukres.2020.106458?? Study of Efficacy of CML-CP Patients Treated with ABL001 Versus Bosutinib, Previously Treated With 2 or More TKIs. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03106779. Updated February 7, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03106779 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03106779)?? Asciminib in Monotherapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (CML-CP) With and WithoutT315I Mutation (AIM4CML). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04666259. Updated September 7, 2023. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04666259 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04666259)?? Study of Efficacy And Safety Of Asciminib In Combination With Imatinib In Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia In Chronic Phase (CML-CP). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03578367. Updated March 22, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03578367 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03578367)?? Study of Efficacy and Safety of CML-CP Patients Treated With Asciminib Versus Best Available Therapy, Previously Treated With 2 or More Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04795427. Updated October 19, 2023. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04795427 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04795427)?? A Phase I Study of Oral ABL001 in Patients With CML or Ph+ ALL. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02081378. Updated March 18, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02081378 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02081378)?? Asciminib Treatment Optimization in = 3rd Line CML-CP. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04948333. Updated February 28, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04948333 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04948333)? # # # Exploratory long-term follow-up analysis of the phase III POLARIX study indicated a positive trend in overall survival in favour of Polivy in combination with R-CHP for people with first-line diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) 1 Patients treated with Polivy in combination with R-CHP required fewer subsequent treatments, potentially reducing burdens on patients and healthcare systems 1 These encouraging five-year results continue to highlight the potential of this Polivy combination to improve outcomes in first-line DLBCL, an area that previously had little advancement in nearly two decades Basel, 8 December 2024 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today data from a five-year follow-up of the pivotal phase III POLARIX study evaluating Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin) in combination with MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone (R-CHP) in people with untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Data were presented in an oral session at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, 7-10 December 2024 in San Diego, US. This latest analysis conducted after a median follow-up of 60.9 months, includes descriptive data on primary and secondary endpoints, as well as safety results.1 "POLARIX was the first trial to elevate treatment standards for frontline diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in 20 years and we are additionally encouraged by the five-year follow-up results," said Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, Roche's Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "More than 38,000 people worldwide have been treated with Polivy in combination with R-CHP and these data continue to underscore its potential to improve outcomes for people diagnosed with this aggressive lymphoma." Follow-up exploratory analysis after five-years indicated a positive trend in overall survival (OS) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population in favour of Polivy in combination with R-CHP compared to MabThera/Rituxan plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP). Results showed a trend in reduction in the risk of death (HR 0.85; 95% CI: 0.63-1.15) for people with previously untreated DLBCL with the Polivy combination, an improvement on the three-year follow-up data (HR 0.94; 95% CI: 0.67-1.33). The five-year analysis of POLARIX indicates that the full difference in OS between treatment arms has yet to be observed and an additional two years of follow-up will continue.1 "Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a notoriously challenging cancer to treat, however, Polivy in combination with R-CHP has shown to be a critical advance for patients by helping to reduce relapse and disease progression," said Gilles Salles, MD, PhD, Chief of Lymphoma Service, Division of Hematological Malignancies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, US. "The survival trend seen in this follow-up analysis reinforces the potential impact of frontline treatment with Polivy in combination with R-CHP and its role as a standard of care therapy." In addition to the positive trend in OS, an observational analysis suggested nearly 25% fewer follow-up treatments such as radiation, systemic chemotherapy and CAR-T cell therapy were needed in patients receiving Polivy in combination with R-CHP compared to those treated with R-CHOP (38.3% vs 61.7%).1 Based on findings from a previous economic analysis which found that total healthcare costs increased with each additional line of treatment in relapsed or refractory DLBCL, a reduction in the number of subsequent therapies could potentially alleviate some of the burdens associated with relapse and disease progression.2 At five years of follow-up, benefits in progression-free survival and disease-free survival with Polivy in combination with R-CHP were maintained, consistent with the three-year follow-up data, reinforcing the potential of Polivy in combination with R-CHP to provide durable and lasting remissions. The latest follow-up data also showed a numerical reduction in death related to patients' lymphoma in those treated with Polivy in combination with R-CHP compared to those treated with R-CHOP (9.0% vs 11.4%). The safety profile remains consistent with the known profiles of the individual study medicines with no new safety signals observed, reinforcing the positive benefit-risk profile of this Polivy combination.1 Results from an expanded cohort of 1,000 patients including global and Chinese patients demonstrated comparability to the global ITT population.1 Polivy in combination with R-CHP is currently approved for the treatment of first-line (1L) DLBCL in more than 90 countries worldwide including the US, countries throughout the EU, the UK, Japan, Canada and China. Roche continues to work with health authorities around the world to bring this treatment regimen to even more patients. Roche aims to offer various treatment options for DLBCL that meet the diverse needs of patients and healthcare systems. In an effort to elevate treatment standards even further, Roche is exploring Polivy in combination with other molecules including its bispecific antibodies. Studies include the phase III SUNMO trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of subcutaneously administered Lunsumio (mosunetuzumab) in combination with intravenous (IV) Polivy versus IV MabThera/Rituxan plus gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (R-GemOx) in second-line or later DLBCL, and the phase III SKYGLO trial investigating the efficacy of Polivy in combination with R-CHP and Columvi (glofitamab) versus Polivy in combination with R-CHP in 1L DLBCL. About the POLARIX study POLARIX [NCT03274492] is an international phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin) plus MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (R-CHP) versus rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) in people with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Eight-hundred and seventy-nine patients were randomised 1:1 to receive either Polivy plus R-CHP plus a vincristine placebo for six cycles, followed by MabThera/Rituxan for two cycles; or R-CHOP plus a Polivy placebo for six cycles, followed by two cycles of MabThera/Rituxan. The primary outcome measure is progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by the investigator using the Lugano Response Criteria for malignant lymphoma. PFS is a clinically meaningful disease-related outcome for patients with previously untreated DLBCL as it represents the goal of first-line therapy: decreasing the risk of disease worsening. Overall survival is a secondary endpoint in the POLARIX study. About diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) DLBCL is the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), accounting for about one in three cases of NHL.3 DLBCL is an aggressive (fast-growing) type of NHL. While it is generally responsive to treatment in the frontline, as many as 40% of people will relapse or have refractory disease, at which time salvage therapy options are limited and survival is short. 4,5 Improving treatments earlier in the course of the disease and providing much needed alternative options could help to improve long-term outcomes. Approximately 160,000 people worldwide are estimated to be diagnosed with DLBCL each year.1,6 About Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin) Polivy is a first-in-class anti-CD79b antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). The CD79b protein is expressed specifically in the majority of B-cells, an immune cell impacted in some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), making it a promising target for the development of new therapies. Polivy binds to cancer cells such as CD79b and destroys these B-cells through the delivery of an anti-cancer agent, which is thought to minimise the effects on normal cells. Polivy is being developed by Roche using Pfizer ADC technology and is currently being investigated for the treatment of several types of NHL. About Roche in haematology Roche has been developing medicines for people with malignant and non-malignant blood diseases for more than 25 years; our experience and knowledge in this therapeutic area runs deep. Today, we are investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options to patients across a wide range of haematologic diseases. Our approved medicines include MabThera/Rituxan, Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab), Polivy, Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax) in collaboration with AbbVie, Hemlibra (emicizumab), PiaSky (crovalimab), Lunsumio (mosunetuzumab) and Columvi (glofitamab). Our pipeline of investigational haematology medicines includes T-cell engaging bispecific antibody cevostamab, targeting both FcRH5 and CD3 and Tecentriq (atezolizumab). Our scientific expertise, combined with the breadth of our portfolio and pipeline, also provides a unique opportunity to develop combination regimens that aim to improve the lives of patients even further. About Roche Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice. For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com. All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. References [1] Gilles S, et al. Five-Year Analysis of the POLARIX Study: Prolonged Follow-up Confirms Positive Impact of Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone [4] Sehn LH, et al. Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. N Engl J Med. 2021;384. Dr. Salles has financial interests related to Roche and Genentech. Roche Global Media Relations Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com Hans Trees, PhD Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech Phone: +41 79 935 81 48 Nathalie Altermatt Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas Phone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon Goldsborough Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine Phone: +41 79 461 86 83 Nina Mahlitz Phone: +41 79 327 54 74 Kirti Pandey Phone: +49 172 6367262 Yvette Petillon Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr Rebekka Schnell Phone: +41 79 205 27 03 Roche Investor Relations Dr Bruno Eschli Phone: +41 61 68-75284 e-mail: bruno.eschli@roche.com Dr Sabine Borngraber Phone: +41 61 68-88027 e-mail: sabine.borngraeber@roche.com (mailto:sabine.borngraeber@roche.com) Dr Birgit Masjost Phone: +41 61 68-84814 e-mail: birgit.masjost@roche.com Investor Relations North America Loren Kalm Phone: +1 650 225 3217 e-mail: kalm.loren@gene.com Attachment In celebration of female voices in the global film industry, the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) hosted the 7th Women In Cinema Gala event this evening, shining a light on the achievements of women both on and behind the camera who are helping shape the film industry and inspire a new generation of talent in the Arab World, Africa, and Asia. The evening was MC-ed by celebrated Tunisian Egyptian actor and producer Hend Sabri (Four Daughters). Advertisement In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, when asked about exploring new roles and cinema changing, Kareena replied, I think its a great time for women in cinemas, adding, " Im enjoying making those different choices and theres a lot more now thats gonna come. The Women In Cinema Gala embodies the Red Sea Film Foundations dedication to championing female voices in film. At the RSIFFs Gala event, festival attendees came together to celebrate female directors from across the festivals programme, as well as iconic women in film from across the worlds screen industries. A welcome address was delivered by festival leadership, and Jomana Al-Rashid, Chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, congratulated the seven women directors in competition at the festival: Denise Fernandes with Hanami, Kurdwin Ayub with Moon, Maram Taibah with Malika, Reema Katgi, with Superboys of Malageon, Roya Sadat with Simas Song, Taghrid Abouelhassan with Snow White, and Xiaoxuan Jiang with To Kill A Mongolian Horse. Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Award winning actor and producer Eva Longoria (Only Murders In The Building) followed with speeches in recognition of the work that the Red Sea Film Foundation is doing to further womens careers in film, particularly across the Arab world, Africa and Asia. Jomana Al-Rashid, Chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Foundation said: Its an honour to host so many trailblazing women and celebrate their drive, self-belief, and artistry tonight. The ethos of championing women in this industry has been woven into the activity of our Foundation since day one from our leadership team and the filmmakers we support, to the stories they tell, celebrating and spotlighting womens voices has been a primary focus for all of us. Were looking forward to continuing to champion these voices across our festival this year. Advertisement The event was held at the Jeddah Yacht Club, and notable guests included Asmae El Moudir, Cynthia Erivo, Mona Zaki, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Emily Blunt, Minnie Driver, Hoyeon Jung, Mona Zaki, Amina Khalil, Yasmine Sabri, Mila Alzahrani, Nour Alkandra, and Fatima Albanawi. The Festival is supported by Principal Sponsors: Visit Saudi, MBC and Genesis AlNaghi; Official Sponsors: TikTok, Saudia, Film AlUla, Chopard and SRMG; Strategic Sponsors of the Red Sea Souk: NEOM and Cultural Development Fund; and Support Sponsors Nova, Telfaz11, Getty Images and Mermaid Board. Hello Kitty, an adorable icon from Japan, has turned 50. To mark the 50th year of the iconic character, celebratory events have been organised in Singapore, the US and the UK. She even received a birthday message from King Charles at a state banquet in Buckingham Palace read more Hello Kitty doesnt look her age. And despite recently turning 50, she is showing no signs of slowing down. In 2025, the Japanese character worth around US$4 billion (3.1 billion) a year to the company that owns her is due to star in a live-action movie. A new amusement park and resort are also planned. Her 50th year has been celebrated at events in Japan, Singapore, the US and the UK, where she received a birthday message from King Charles at a state banquet in Buckingham Palace. Advertisement Quite the party then, for a character with two black-dotted eyes, no mouth and a yellow button nose. Designed in 1974 by Yuko Shimizu (who is not believed to have made much money from her creation), Hello Kitty first appeared on a clear, vinyl coin purse and has since grown into a merchandise empire consisting of over 50,000 different items sold across 130 countries. Hello Kittys longevity is partly down to her inherent simplicity. In terms of design, she is composed of a few basic shapes, six short marks for whiskers, and a red bow. She is easy to recognise and cheap to reproduce. The character also epitomises Kawaii, the Japanese term for cute. According to Professor Joshua Dale, a pioneer in the field of cuteness studies, perceiving objects as cute triggers psychological instincts for care and protection. Hello Kittys longevity is partly down to her inherent simplicity. In terms of design, she is composed of a few basic shapes, six short marks for whiskers, and a red bow. She is easy to recognise and cheap to reproduce. Reuters With Hello Kitty, children relate to the small, rounded character as being safe. Like others (see Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse and many, many more), she provides a sense of innocence and comfort, which attracts fans from an early age and continue into adulthood among those longing for nostalgia. Part of this comes down to peoples abiding enthusiasm for anthropomorphism the notion of endowing animals and other non-humans with human-like characteristics. Some would argue that this is also a key element of the infantilisation of society more generally. Hello Kitty also has an easily relatable storyline that resonates with consumers. According to her biography, Hello Kitty full name Kitty White is a cheerful little girl (so officially not actually a cat) who lives in the suburbs of London with her family. She is described as being five apples tall and three apples in weight. She apparently loves to bake cookies, and her other hobbies include travelling, listening to music and making new friends. Advertisement How Hello Kitty became a brand But away from the baking and friend-making, Hello Kitty has a very serious business side to her character. Sanrio, the Japanese firm that owns her, has employed some astute strategies to build and sustain such a successful brand. Collaborating with other firms has been a big part of this. In 1996, Sanrio launched began its first collaboration with an electronics retail chain in Hong Kong. But things really developed three years later when the company joined up with McDonalds to offer a Hello Kitty meal deal. In your Happy Meal today. Probably on eBay for $500 in a week. The limited edition collab "Yu-Gi-Oh! x Hello Kitty & Friends" is finally here. pic.twitter.com/l1gdsHOphk Guillaume Huin (@HuinGuillaume) August 20, 2024 Advertisement The promotion started a craze in Hong Kong with similar success in Taiwan, Japan and Singapore where the launch in 2000 led to massive queues and even fights. Customers reportedly threw away the hamburgers as they were only interested in the special edition wedding design toy set featuring Hello Kitty and her boyfriend Dear Daniel. This year, a 50th anniversary collection of McDonalds toys in Singapore quickly sold out and were soon being resold online. Elsewhere, the commercial success of Hello Kitty has been linked to licensed collaborations with big brands including Nike, Adidas, Crocs and the Italian fashion label Blumarine. Advertisement A flight attendant arranges a Hello Kitty headrest cover inside an Eva Airlines aircraft in Taoyuan International Airport, northern Taiwan, April 30, 2012. REUTERS Hello Kitty products have progressed from stationery and stickers to microwave ovens, toasters and vacuum cleaners. She has appeared on Fender Stratocaster electric guitars and Swarovski jewellery. There are also two officially licensed theme parks in Japan, Sanrio Puroland (in Tokyo) and Harmonyland (in Oita), with another due to open on Chinas Hainan island in 2025. And to add to the animated series and films, comics, books and video games, next year Hello Kitty will follow in Barbies footsteps and appear in a (partly) live-action movie produced by Warner Bros. The co-director of the film, Jennifer Coyle, spread the message of love, friendship and inclusivity that Hello Kitty stands for. Advertisement Yet despite all of these projects, Sanrio is diversifying away from the character. Hello Kitty now accounts for 60 per cent of the companys business in North America (it was 99 per cent in 2013) and just 30 per cent worldwide. Other characters are moving on to Kittys patch. According to the Sanrio 2024 character popularity ranking, Hello Kitty occupies fifth place, with Cinnamoroll (a dog with pink cheeks) sitting at the top. Other younger creations such as Gudetama (an apathetic egg yolk) and Aggretsuko (an angry red panda) mark a notable shift from Sanrios emphasis on cute characters towards ones which reflect social concerns. Aggretsuko, for example, faces gender discrimination, social anxiety and a poor work-life balance. Gudetama reflects the struggles and aspirations of young people in Japan. But as new characters come and go, Hello Kittys familiar expression will no doubt remain unchanged, as it has for 50 years. An inscrutable gaze looking back on five decades of incredible commercial success. Sameer Hosany, Professor of Marketing, Royal Holloway University of London This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Its been a chaotic week in South Korea. It began with President Yoon Suk Yeol calling for martial law and reversing his decision within six hours. This resulted in an impeachment vote against him, which he survived. All this and more in our weekly wrap from all around the world read more Protesters hold placards as they take part in a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, which was reversed hours later, in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea. Yoon survived the vote. Reuters The first week of December, the last month of the year, turned out to be one of big events from across the world. All eyes turned to South Korea as President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the imposition of martial law, only to reverse it within six hours. His rash decision prompted the opposition to move an impeachment motion against him, which ended in a failure. Another country which was plunged into chaos and uncertainty was France with a historic no-confidence motion being passed against Prime Minister Michel Barnier, earning him the dubious honour of being Frances shortest-serving premier since 1958. The move poses a huge headache for President Emmanuel Macron, who has vowed to stay on in power despite calls for his ouster. Advertisement In this past week, Donald Trump also met with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau in Florida where the two spoke of the issue of tariffs. It is reported that the US president-elect also quipped about making Canada the 51st state of the US? While this was a joke, the fears of something like this arent totally unfounded. Speaking of the US, this week also saw US President Joe Biden being Papa Biden as he granted his son, Hunter Biden, a full and unconditional presidential pardon. And in Indias own backyard, Bangladesh continues to be in the news, making new friendly overtures at Pakistan, which could risk New Delhi as well as going one step further in erasing founding father, Mujibur Rahmans legacy from the country. As we sit back on the weekend, heres our weekly roundup that covers it all. 1) December 3 (Tuesday) was like any other day. Thats until South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made a sudden announcement of imposing martial law. In his address, he accused the countrys main opposition party of sympathising with North Korea and of anti-state activities. Yoons announcement of martial law resulted in shock and anger with many taking to the streets almost immediately, condemning the South Korean presidents move. However, martial law didnt last long as South Korean MPs, almost 190 of them, voted unanimously to revoke the presidents decree. Yoons rash decision, now reversed, has led to the public demanding for his resignation. Meanwhile, the opposition has initiated a no-confidence motion against him. However, that failed on Saturday (December 7). Advertisement But why did Yoon Suk Yeol decide on martial law in the country? Was his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee a reason for his move? Our explainer delves into this. 2) Yoon Suk Yeols martial law decision ended what has been a chaotic few days for South Korea. The Asian country has seen protests, anger and a failed impeachment vote all in the span of five days. Read on to find out. A woman pushing her baby in a stroller shops in the Hongdae area of Seoul. South Korea is grappling with a poor fertility rate, causing some to worry that it may disappear soon. Reuters 3) South Korea has dominated this weeks news cycle. Apart from the news of the martial law, Seoul grabbed headlines as it emerged that the country could soon be extinct. Why? Its because of the countrys fertility rate, already the worlds lowest, declining further. Advertisement Our report deep dives into this situation. Michel Barnier looks despondent after he was ousted from power through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, Paris, France. Reuters 4) No-confidence motions became a huge deal this week. In France, the opposition the far right National Rally and the left-wing alliance New Popular Front (NFP) overwhelmingly voted out Prime Minister Michel Barnier for using Article 49.3, to push the governments proposed social security budget without a vote. This action made Barnier the shortest-serving PM in France since 1958. 5) Crossing over the pond, in the US, President Joe Biden was in the news this week as he announced that he was granting a presidential pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who has been found guilty in a tax case as well as lying in documentation to acquire a gun. Advertisement Bidens decision a reversal from his past statements earned him a lot of criticism, from US President-elect Donald Trump as well as members from his own party. But what is a presidential pardon? How powerful is it? People walk past a poster outside the Hilton hotel near the scene where the CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson was shot dead in Midtown Manhattan, in New York. Reuters 6) On Wednesday, the US was stunned when Brian Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, one of the USs largest insurers, was killed in midtown Manhattan in broad daylight. Police officials state that he was shot multiple times by someone who approached him from behind as he was on his way to the companys annual investor conference. Investigations of the crime scene now reveal that the casings of the bullets bore the inscription deny, defend, and depose. This has led many to speculate if the murder is linked to a 2010 book that is critical of the insurance sector. We investigate. Advertisement 7) Unrest in the country of Bangladesh continues. Amid this tumult, the country will get new currency notes. The notable feature of these is that they wont have the face of founding father Mujibur Rahman. This is part of the interim governments move to wipe out the legacy of Bangabandhu. Heres how. 8) The US has 50 states. However, this week, US President-elect Donald Trump in a meeting with Canadas Justin Trudeau joked that about annexing Canada and turning it into the 51st state of America. While this was a quip by Trump, there have been past fears about the same. Canadian nationalists have warned about Washington annexing Ottawa. Whats the reason for this fear though? We give you the answer. Thats it from us. We hope you liked our explainers and will come back for more. PS: The Notre Dame cathedral in Paris has reopened after five years. Take a walk down memory lane to understand the significance of this church.